Not Knowing is Best... Sometimes

I know a lot of people, and well, consequently, a lot of people know me.. in sorts. Social obligations must be met, appearances must be kept, but what people don't know is who we really are! I mean behind the doors of our soul, when the lights are off and your covered to the neck in sheets and tears are running down your face for one reason or another because no one knows what's really going in your life and you have no one to turn to. This isn't to suggest that we aren't truthful about who we are in public, we're not "faking" our personalty or characteristics, but when people say, "hey, how's it going" they don't actually mean, "stop and tell me about your life" because most likely, they're dealing with their own crap! So it begs the question, how are we doing?

Well, I'll be one of the first to answer - not good. Not to be confused with the grammatical correctness of saying "not well" but truly not good. For my entire adult life I've been a classically broke american taxpayer. I had stable investments, equity in property, owned my own vehicles, traveled when we needed or wanted to but stayed pretty fiscally responsible with my expenses because I had very little cash. I remember the year I was making a 6 figure salary, how freeing that was. Never questioning my financial position, never having to tell my kids no when they wanted a small, deserving, something or another. It was wonderful. But in one falling swoop, and then some domino stuff, it was gone. I am no longer broke - I am officially poor. And quite frankly, it sucks.

I've maintained a steady income since I was 16 years. Sure I lived check to check from time to time but who hasn't. But on May 7, 2015 I was laid off from Forum Energy Technologies. I'll save the story of my accomplishments whilst there, suffice it to say there were a vast majority of people very surprised and disappointed I was gone. I remember the HR Manager Denise telling me, "Tim, you're sharp and have a strong resume, you'll be fine!" So why am I being laid off? Well here I am, 9 months later still unemployed, slowly becoming unemployable. My Checking account has been depleted, savings drained, 401k closed, investments sold, stocks cashed in, all the while moving in to a new home the January prior, so mostly likely losing my house sooner than later (personal speculation, no real threats to that affect have been made). To give an idea of what I mean, it took me 7 days to find enough change to buy a $6 light bulb for my wife's vehicle. Now, you may, at this point, think you've known most, maybe all of this, and you'd be right. I am not shy about my financial position, it is what it is... whatever that really means. But there's something you don't know.

2 years ago Thechive.com started a campaign called #RAKit (Random Acts of Kindness). It challenged, and encouraged, people to find moments in the day to commit random acts of kindness to perfect strangers. It started out as a bit of a game but by January of 2015 we had up'd the anti quite substantially. It's also safe to note that your perception of your surroundings change when this becomes a habit. It started as expected, helping people load vehicles when we'd see them, picking up trash cans that had blown in to the road, helping changed a flat on the side of the road or jump start a car. But in January of 2015 I was approached by a man in a parking lot who really got to me. His story was short and mere cents to eat was what he was asking for, at the time I was extremely skeptical, I still am, but not extremely. I gave him what I had in my pocket, a $10 bill. He thanked me, gave me a hug and said God would bless me... I won't elaborate on my psyche here. Moments later I see him sitting inside a Wendy's eating, I smiled. I committed, at that moment to help anyone who asked, in any way they asked, so long as it was in my power even if I didn't trust the person or the situation. It has been a wonderful experience. but the common theme with every homeless person I've met is they all thanked God for me helping them!!! An interesting association of gratitude to the unseen being of that scenario. But I never said otherwise. Even now, unemployed and with no money I still find opportunity's to help when and where I can. But at night, when no one is around, I wonder how I will take care of my own family. How will we pay for groceries, or gas or electricity? We have cut our finances down to the bare minimum, with the exception of our cell phones. I'm at the end of my rope. There's no cord left. It's been a cruel cruel time for me and my family. I can't let my family see me this way, it's not fair to them, it's not their fault. So I reach out to a computer screen and an emotionless keyboard and frantically type so as not to be found out.

Will this all pass? Yes. Will it be soon? No. Why am I going through this? I don't know.

The hardest thing about all of this is acceptance! Accepting that this is where I'm suppose to be for growth! As I type this, it's interesting to note that 3 people in America have won a 1.6 Billion Dollar powerball yielding approximately 528.2 million each before taxes. I wonder, were they going through this at the time of victory, it would be cool if they were. What elation they must feel! But what does one lose when they gain the world?

A Child's View on Intellect

I went on a job interview today. It was pretty entry level and as expected, I was deemed "over-qualified" for the position. The interviewer exclaimed, "I think you may be too smart, or maybe too professional for this position", laughing a bit. He was very polite and professional, we spoke a bit more about the down turn in the industry and the types of applicants he's seen. He thanked me for showing up and dressing well.

I returned home to my oldest demanding information about the appointment. I exclaimed to her that I was deemed "too smart" for the job. Baffled, Eden decided to test the theory. She said, "okay Daddy, if you're so smart, then what is 109 + 101?" I smiled, trying not to laugh, "210," I said. Now I'm almost laughing. Eden sat back in her bed, her eyes lifted and she remarked, with complete and utter impress, "wow Dad, you really are too smart!"

She went on to ask me a series of questions that she didn't know the answer to, but I continued to amaze... according to her.

I Showed My Vulnerability

My wife saw me cry. I couldn't think of any other way to start this post, there's no suspenseful way to build up that type of comment. However, the story that is involved seemed far too commonplace to cause such a reaction. It wasn't death, it wasn't tragedy nor anger, but love... of all things.

Khalil Gibran wrote of love, in his book "The Prophet":

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love. 

I've loved my wife since the day I met her. A day hasn't passed where I haven't told her I love her. Often times, in fact, most of the time, I assume my actions are examples of how much I love her, even the arguments! But 2 weeks ago we were having a conversation, the conversation turned passionate and I immediately realized, after 7 years of marriage I may have been asking the wrong questions, or saying the wrong things. I decided at that moment, I should not tell my wife I love her, rather, tell her what my love means, and what she means to me. As a professional egotist, explaining myself has always been quite simple... well, pride has a way of falling. See, I have always glowed in the positive moments, it's easy to love when things are going well. I seemingly only sought out loves Peace and Pleasure, forgoing the situations that allowed me to recognize and enjoy the Pleasures of love.

I walked my wife over to an arts and crafts table in our daughters' playroom. A sat across from her and before I could finish her name my vision became blurry - I felt my lips curl in an uncontrollable manor, and for the first time in my life, I stumbled, helplessly over my words. Completely and utterly incoherent, I knew, I was actually crying. My heart seemed to be travelling through my body trying to find the best place to pump blood, the chest cavity was just too far away. I felt the throbs of my heart in every extremity. I remember looking around frantically, attempting to affix my eye sight to something it could focus on - to no avail. I stopped talking...mumbling. I excused my actions by checking the time and trying a little laugh... I was crying again. I broke, I actually broke. My wife is the first person to see me cry in my adult life and it was she that broke me. 

In a moment, in a flash, I was vulnerable, exposed. I don't know if that will ever happen again, we've only spoken of it one time and as quickly as the topic came up, it went away, until now. I felt weak and helpless, I looked for strength within myself and for the first time in my adult life I found nothing more than a burning sensation resonating in my chest and throat. 

I've Never Done This Before

     I've never experienced death. At least not in this capacity. An hour ago, to the minute of this sentence, my Grandmother, Lydia Batiste, passed away. I confidently post this as my recent private life will most likely remain such. But yes, she's gone. I don't cry, not sure the reason. I seem to be able to tell jokes and remember the positive moments she brought to my life. My wife however, well, she's the sentimental one, I do hurt for her... and my mom and her 11 siblings. I, for some reason, have the burden of having the most unconventional view of death.

     I've kept the situation with my grandmother very quiet to the people in my life, of which there are few. But it is not within my right to burden their mindset with such things. How ever I may view death should be of no consequence to them. I learned, albeit not very quickly, that when someone asked about her - not to treat it as though it were a "none issue". But I also should be able to be honest right? So, yes! Death is natural, sickness is natural, death is something we all do, none can escape. I think it was Steve Jobs that said something about Death is Life's change agent, we all share it and no one has escaped it, or something to that effect. Yet, when it happens, everyone seems so surprised and at odds with life. I've questioned that for so long. Not that I think crying is the wrong thing to do, but... I don't know.

     On March 5, 2012 I posted an exert by Tecumseh, on Death.

...When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.

   

To Call Doucal's

Doucal's, maybe you've heard of them, maybe you haven't. Either way, they're certainly something to enjoy! I first encountered the company while travelling to New York. Albeit an impromptu discovery, I don't suspect I would turn a blind eye to any stylistic designer like this one no matter the venue of manifestation.

If you know my taste, then you know how I truly adore a full brogue (wing tip) shoe, however these offered something different! The shoes are Italian leather, which apparently is better than American Leather, because it's more expensive. The throat line of the shoe (bit between the toe area and where the laces begin) has been reduced to a single layer one piece design which yields a more supple feel and limits wrinkling over time!

The sole is wood, a classic Italian touch, with a vibram comfort outsole! With every step, with every halted stance, there's a favorable settling within the shoe, a brilliance even.

Here's the setback! Despite the elegant design, the slim, sleek patterns and the almost groovy detail medallion holing, the stitching is absolute rubbish! All the stitching is edge flesh, however, Doucal has saw fit to only edge flesh once! With a staggering price of $875, it's just sloppy! Another unfortunate result of this is sizing, again, all wrong. Salesperson said 43 EU, I own a plethora of 43 EU shoes, I ordered! Guess what? True size is a 44 EU soooo... yeah! Not happy! Unfortunately, bought on sale for much much less so all sales are final!

If you happen to wear a size 11, please let me know! I offer you these shoes for free! They're quite beautiful! 

Ragin Games 2013

It was the second individual competition of the year for me, but my first in my home town! If my nerves weren't teeming on middle C then I was as calm as a bomb.

I awoke with vigor and determination, it was the moment I walked through the doors of the prescribed venue that my hubris of recent accomplishments was met with the humility of everyone else's, I was alone in a world of what was soon to be pain.

Registration was simple and the National Anthem, sang by our very own Cupid (Bryson Bernard), a competitor in my division, was chilling; again half nerves half patriotism.

The first workout approached around 0930, Power Clean Ladder. Explained, you start at a desired weight and Power Clean incremental weights until you fail or complete the ladder. I selected the 175, 185, 195, 205 ladder. My previous personal record, hereto known as PR, was 185 some months prior. I knew I can lift the first 2 weights, the rest would be a bonus.

My judge was Ronis Correa, a local crossfitter, the strong silent type, emphasis on strong. He would only say 2 words to me before the lift, "Let's Go!" In almost a whisper, the silence that followed was comforting - encouraging. My first attempt was 175, I was so nervous, I held my breath for so long, I almost passed out after I lifted it, "well done" was a mere whisper I moved on to my PR (185). "Breathe, breathe, breathe" is all I could muster mentally, then I blinked and I had rested 185#'s on my shoulders. 195# and 205# came with ease (despite the look on my face from the photo above).

The competition moved on, bars were set, met and surpassed. All in all, it was a good day. Except for the bar jump over burpees! See below! They sucked and were not enjoyed by anyone.

Conversation

There is a back story to this conversation that without it would be lost in translation. I was sitting with Eden watching telly. In a moment of spontaneity, Eden asked me a question, the question was very innocent and had no inflection points. In that moment, I replied as though I were speaking to an adult. Eden's poise in the question was very mature, the question even more so, ergo, my response was penned on the same scale. Here it goes.

Eden: Daddy, is Santa real, or a fiction character for stories?

I didn't realize the gravitas of this query, so my response was as mundane as I thought the question was.

Me: No, Santa isn't real Eden. He's a fictional character used in stories, much like the Bubble Guppies and Dora. He's a fun character though, he makes people smile.

It was at this point I realized what was actually happening... actually

Eden: So who buys the gifts?

Couldn't back out now...

Me: Well, your family buys all the gifts, we wrap them and put them under the tree. You do enjoy it right?

Eden: I do enjoy it, but it all seems like trickery Daddy. I don't think I should tell the other kids about this. They think Santa is real. This will be our secret, ok?

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't on the verge of tears when she said this. I didn't have a response, so I congratulated her on her decision and agreed, it was indeed our little secret. I think she was more concerned with her sisters position on the matter.

What The Tide Rolled In

In an early conversation this year, my good friend Pele1410, expressed a need for a Goalkeeper for his Coed Soccer Team SPQR. I was glad to accept the request and set out to find the appropriate kit, fortunately, the Tim Howard Everton Kit was more than happy to find life in my closet.

The season came and game 3 saw us playing at night. It was a moderately wet night. The team we played was solid and tested us on all levels. The ending result of my kit was the picture below. I wasn't at all excited as I immediately assessed the worst possible scenario as my kit was indeed ruined.

I stared at the unpicturesque habiliments in front of me for quite some time, thinking of all the different remedies I had known some years past in clothing industries. Nothing came to me. I entered the laundry room and saw a bottle of Tide Boost Stain Remover. I had nothing to lose, all was lost. I soaked, literally, soaked the kits with Tide Boost Stain Remover, the result was astonishing.

My excite knew no bounds! The world was in balance and good people still existed. I am a big advocate of giving credit where credit is due, and quite frankly, Tide hit a homerun with this one. The next day I called them to thank for a great product. I gave the young woman on the phone a quick synopsis of the events and could not be thankful enough. She said she would send me some coupons for future purchases. I instructed that was not necessary, I was merely calling to say thank you, no freebies needed. We said our farewells. 

This is what they sent me!!!!

Thanks Tide! Big Corporation, small company appeal!

Weighing In

Keep an open mind about this argument. I am neither arguing for or against the concept of Gay Marriage, merely posting an argument that many may not have taken in to consideration.

Consider the current position of State Governing bodies. The idea is separation of church and state. Originally this was meant that no State could declare to be any 1 dominant or main religion! Fair enough, Missouri was requested to change their state motto as it was from the Bible and violated the addendum of this requested separation.

We advance this argument with the removal of prayer in schools as it too violates said law. Alright, so the States are claiming exoneration from any religious affiliation. Given that notion, the idea of a Man and Woman being the idea and forefront of "traditional" marriage is taken from biblical text. The phrase, "go forth and multiply", as instructed by God in Genesis, is obviously biblical text. But no where in the constitution of the United States of America does it talk about marriage. Marriage was an understood truth to exist as a union between man and woman. The premise being our founding fathers were Christians and adhered to a Christian belief system.

The State, however, has separated themselves from that and within that should it not also be separated the biblically attributed union of man and woman marriage? If there is a true separation of Church and State, then the State thereby releases any claims on Christian ideology.

Consider this scenario, You are married to your husband or wife for 50+ years and your life long partner, the one person whom you have loved and adored for all these years falls very sick, you, as a legal partner are allowed by the bedside of that person in what could be there final hours! A gay couple, not legally recognized by the State, does not have this option, they are left in a waiting room to wonder, to be lead to believe no other information and only to be told, I am sorry, you are not family and are not permitted to the details of that persons current state or livelihood.

I am not arguing "for" Gay Marriage, but I am in full support of a Legal Unions and State recognition of Gay Couples. I argue this because the term "marriage" doesn't really mean to heterosexual couples what it use to mean anyway. The divorce rate of married couples has been on the rise since the early 2000. I find it funny, people will post Facebook meme's that will say something along the lines of, "If this person makes you laugh and you can accept their mistakes they are your soul mate." How absurd a suggestion. I accept the mistakes of Joe Biden and he makes me laugh hysterically, I'm sorry, is Joe Biden my soul mate? I understand what the post is attempting to portray. My relationship with my wife is not perfect, it isn't always as fairy tale of happiness and some morning when we wake up we are in the mood to be head over heals in love with each other. We do however, wake up every morning with a kiss, every night we go to sleep with our bodies close together (we have 2 kids so...) and we love each other unconditionally, even when we don't want to. My faults are her strengths and her faults mine.

Since no one reads my blog, I have no issues posting this! If you do read my blog then... This is not the blog you're looking for! (waiving Jedi hand)

Witness Love

I witnessed what I consider to be a bit of love last night! I approached the downstairs corridor expecting a dark room, the attendants fast asleep. What I found, was a remarkably different. At the eleven o'clock p.m. hour I found both my parents attentively watching a movie, not sure what the name was, it doesn't matter, what I witnessed was far more important.

For Christmas my dad received an iPad. He loves it. My mom missed her calling as a movie critic or casting director, but her and my dad together would make a team stronger than Siskel & Ebert.

At first I didn't notice what was happening, my observations grew as the movie progressed. It would start with a statement, not a question but a statement, more often than not, from my mom, with a qualified response from dad.

My mom would make general comments about the movie, characters or scenario's. My dad would silently Google the statement on his iPad and respond with a "wiki" quote. It was rather impressive. It became more apparent of the importance of these statements when my dad decided to go to bed. My mom made a comment about a supporting actor in the movie, I accepted the statement and went about my viewing. Moments later Mom asks what I found, I asked about what, her response astounded me! She needed me to search the comment she made earlier, she went on to accuse me of not be as supportive as my dad! I laughed, she scowled, we both went to sleep.

Wearing Labour Day After White

So we've all heard our parents say it, or at least we should have, if our parents had any inclination of the duties of fashion, "don't wear white after labour day!" We may have questioned it silently, but has anyone actually delved in to the reason why? If you grew up in the New England States then the reason is no surprise to you, there were more than 7 months within the year where white isn't acceptable.

The adage dates back some years, I don't know how many exactly, but let's say long long ago, sometime in the distant future. Labour Day marked more than a day off of work, if you lived not in the South, it meant the first day of Fall or Autumn, or true North, Winter. With those months came muggy, rainy days, dredging mud and salty, dirt filled walking paths. Based on that information alone, white was most absurd a color selection if not being adorned as a dress shirt. But none of that happens here so why do we adhere to such a non-regional concept?

So I have given it some thought and my final date of appropriate removal of white is after Halloween! Here is why. The month of September for us relatively warm and with the passing Hurricanes behind us in late August we have no pending threats of rain for at least 1 month. The highs in September average 93 and the low's 79 with approximately 10% of the month experiencing precipitation. The reason white is so popular a summer color is primarily due to its light weight feel and fall, and the brilliance of cleanliness it exudes. If we can maintain that desire to stay cool in hot temperatures, then why not acquiesce?! 

October marks the start of High School Soccer Season here in Louisiana, and if I know anything about High School Soccer, the games are cold and wet! So with November bringing us Thanksgiving, which is hit or miss for warm or cold weather, I think October makes an ideal month for habiliment transition. The temperatures begin to lull to a cool 70/60 and hopefully lower. 

I hereby extend a formal request to prolong the date of white clothing departure from the Southern region until November One! All in favor say "I", all oppossed, go away!

Quest for the Black Pearl

Gravati Wagner Monk

There is always a search for the perfect black dress shoe! So lacking in creativity and style, black is the last color selection of the unimaginative searching refuge and salvation from an inability to select proper colors. Be that as it may, black dress is a necessity to a man's wardrobe so long as that wardrobe is not completely compromised of the said black beauty. 

I have never been satisfied with the black dress shoes I have owned, ergo, I don't wear black much. I own 1 black suit, nothing fancy, and recently I found a pair of Mezlan Tyson dress shoes in black in the back of my closet...

I found these shoes at www.Berenshoes.com and immediately became entranced. The attention to detail and supple leather selection, it didn't take long to deduce these shoes were made by 1 of 3 companies; Canali, Romano Martegani or Gravati! Of course with those names comes a small price, in this case about $575 worth.

Fall, Fall, Fall...

This may be premature, but since I am orchestrating my wardrobe already for the fall, I figured I would impose my ideals on all 5 of my readers! Fall has many more options than what are normally accustomed to.

Trussardi Fall 2012 Show

Fall colors are not just about brown's, oranges & grays! Fall is regarded as the most colorful time of the year, and the colors that accompany do not disappoint! Spring overs certainly more vibrant colors, but the selection is stymied by pastels and Easter!

Start your wardrobe right! Just don't wear white! I will judge you.

 

The Dark Knight & Ermenegildo Zegna

So I recently had the pleasure of viewing The Dark Knight Rises and I have to admit, Bane was my favorite characters. Not just my favorite character of the movie, but one of my favorite Batman Movie characters of all time. I enjoyed his intellect, whit, attention to detail and overly ruthless mentality albeit a thinly veiled aura of passion was always present. Be that as it may, there was something a bit more that attracted me to this brash warrior - his style. 

Despite his upbringing, being born in darkness, his eyes were certainly open to the best in style the wardrobe director had to offer. There were a few jackets in both the adverts and the movie that left me wondering what they were. The one pictured beneath, I was certain was a Robert Comstock (a favorite designer of mine in the jacket world). I was later proved wrong, the jacket was designed by my favorite suit designer Ermenegildo Zegna. Recently GQ magazine released a post on the most amazing jackets you'll ever see and this Bomber Military jacket appeared at number 3. 

Retired & Hired

Donald Pliner Embossed Jimmy

So here we are, in that inevitable time of the year. Summer is upon us in the most horrid of fashions, although today it was quite nice out. In a series of unfortunate circumstances, or so they seemed at the time, I was forced to retire some of my more coveted articles of my wardrobe. Most notable are my Moreschi Deer Skin Monk Straps! You may remember them from a shoe shine video a month or so ago. (I am assuming I have blog readers). In that retirement also came 2 dress slacks navy and brown, 2 Chelsea Boots Brown & Stone/Navy and one of the more indelible pieces, Donald Pliner Jimmy's.


So the quest began to find suitable replacements for the continuation of a stylistic wardrobe that offered style & fashion in both form and functionality. The slacks were easy, I am huge fan of Jos A Bank dress slacks, so as soon as a sale hit I was on it. Recent purchase, Navy Executive Dress Slacks MSRP $225, sale price $44.99. The shoes have been a bit more difficult. Thus far I have not successfully found a Bordeaux Oxford or Monk Strap that fits Style and Budget, even if I remove budget, style is still elusive.

Other nominees however, to push forward with the journey are quite brilliant in their representation. In the Oxford Category we have the following:

Mezlan Endicott

Gravati Full Brogue Wing Tips

Allen Edmonds Strands Full Brogue Cap Toe

There is never a time when expanding your shoe collection is a bad idea. In fact, multiple pair of the same shoes can be highly recommended. If the company represents more style than fashion it's not so much imperative to double up, but in a fashion forward company of less stylistic quality but maintaining desirable proportions of aesthetics it may be in your best interest to purchase more than one. I am, to this day, regretting not purchasing more than 1 pair of Donald Pliner Radley-61's. I have owned these shoes for 10 years and although they still look great, there will come a day...

As It Stands

As it stands I will never run again. I am forgoing the use of my running blog at www.ClaimYourJourney.com, that site is for runners, and as it stands, I am not... presently. Moving on, I WILL NEVER RUN AGAIN, I SAY. This injury has loomed far too long.

Side note 1: In Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Ernest" there exists one of my favorite quotes. "If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life." To that I say bollocks. 


I am absolutely at my wits end. If you want to fully understand how deeply rooted this narcissism goes, read on. I was scrolling through some photos of me and other people that I have run with. I ran across a few pictures that depicted a scenery from around Louisiana with the appropriate clothing for weather conditions. The enigmatic portion of human psychological control as calibrated by Ivan Petrovich Pavlov would have been given to the association of 1st year children when I tell you I became upset to realize I would never be able to wear my CW-X Compression tights again!

This is the juncture of my current juxtaposition, sanity & reality. Where is reason? Where is rationale? Where is inner dialogue for the sake of perennial stability? Although I don't think this will last 2 years.

I guess what I am saying is, I am ready to run again. I was hoping to be back by the end of July. Here we are; in my most recent reenactment of a dance seen from House Party 1 where Kid and Play do that foot thing and dance in a semi-circle, I have yet more strenuous pain in my Achilles.

Fin

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my amazing wife, wonderful mother & best friend!

Pic of the Week

iCuff, the smart cuff! 

I am thinking of having all my shirts hemmed so that my watch is always accessible, I started with this shirt and I think I like it.

Pic's O' The Day

Jeremy Zenon in a dashing pair of Donald Pliner's

Me in a startling summer Saddle Shoe by Ralph Lauren

Two great summer looks, two completely different styles.

Es OC K Es

Maven Men's Wear

On a recent Twitter @mention by my good friend @Pele1410 I was pleasantly introduced to the company mention on the left of this page. Maven Men's Wear is one of the newest haberdashery's to grace the Greater Lafayette area. I had the fortunate pleasure to meet the owner Christina Barbier and we were inclined to share fanciful stories for our shared love of the industry. To whit the weather became almost insufferable and held me in her store for far longer than anticipated; be that as it may, it proved most worthy of the time spent.

Office Photo

On a more frequent account of stores I attend, I dropped in to my beloved F Camalo Men's Clothier for a gander at a pair of Gravati Shoes I have been eyeing, and with my 29th birthday approaching I thought it'd be a novel idea to pick my pleasure in birthday shoes. On my way out I spied these little diddies of brilliance. A deep grey Marcoliani dress sock with hot pink polka dots. I was smitten by the design and furthermore, intrigued by the option to take them home. It wasn't long before they adorned an outfit accordingly.

Remember, never be afraid to wear brilliance. Anyone can wear a great suit, but never shy away from the accouterments's that separate you from the masses. Often times, it's found in a sock.