Oliver Jackson Cohen - Shirtless!

Oh boy, is Oliver Jackson Cohen dreamy or what? Squarehippies has him in all his furry, shirtless glory.

Worth Every Penny – Clarks Desert Boots

I’m going to be honest, I’m pretty damn thrifty when it comes to fashion. Cheap, value-hunting, whatever you want to call it. I’ve worked with costing, production and pricing long enough to know that I want something that isn’t horrifically marked up and is going to last at least as long as I care to wear it. I have trouble justifying the purchase of any item at full-price I can reasonably find at a sample sale or the Barneys Warehouse Sale in a matter of months. I have price thresholds in my head and calculate actual potential usage versus dollars. And unlike some “value” propositions in fashion magazines, I don’t consider wearing shoes that are $400 with a cost-per-wear average of $10 to be a smart bargain. I’m talking about $100 shoes for 100 days of use, probably even more.

That’s why I can wholeheartedly endorse my love for my Clarks desert boots. I bought my first pair three years ago at Nordstrom in Seattle, along with a pair of short black Hunter rain boots. (I know, it’s absurd to think that anybody in Seattle would actually buy rain boots. I should’ve toughed it out in Keens like a real Seattle native…) They were grey and distressed, a hearty, thick suede. They felt like they would last through the winter. At $95, I figured they weren’t exorbitant and I could always return them (thank you Nordstrom!). I had had my eye on the J. Crew MacAlister boots for some time, but they were $135 at the time, which I thought was too much.*

A month later, I wore them on a grey, rainy day, splashing in a few puddles on my way to work in the U-District. The crepe sole soaked through with water like a sponge, and my feet were wet for an entire retail shift. After letting them dry out in the mud room, they actually looked better and better as I gave them a beating. Somehow, the soles have lasted for an entire three years so far. With everything from old Trovata shorts to flannel-lined Rogues Gallery jeans, they’ve made the cut.



Two years ago, I came across another pair on clearance for $45 or so on Nordstrom.com. The sand color seemed awkward at first, too close to off-white, but after a few months mucking around, the color evolved into something far more palatable for winter wear, and I grew to love them. I saw Rebecca Taylor wearing the exact same pair, and I knew I made the right choice. I know it might seem like a trite choice for a classic by now, but I wholeheartedly approve and recommend them. Clarks desert boots, worth every penny.

If you're interested, check out the selection here:

Clarks Desert Boot Boots (Taupe Distressed) - Men's Boots - 13.0 M (Google Affiliate Ad)

*On a side note, they’re now $148! I remember when A.P.C. New Standard jeans were $140! And right before I went to buy a pair, they hiked the price up to $155. And now they’re $175!

New Blog!

Howdy! I haven't been posting much here, I've pretty much moved all operations to my new blog, Standard x Pacific, available at http://blog.xavila.com. Feel free to visit, and thanks!

Inside Chloe Sevigny's Closet

Opening Ceremony got to step inside Chloe Sevigny's East Village closet. Surprisingly low-key pieces like old film props are stashed next to sketches of custom dresses by Alber Elbaz. It's been 15 years since she was the face of Miu Miu (look that ad campaign up ASAP), and she has a surprise memento she shares at the end of this video to prove it.

The Best Seattle Men's Stores - Part One

I posted about my favorite menswear stores in Seattle nearly four years ago, but considering how much the retail landscape has changed since then, I thought it'd be worth an update.

+ Nordstrom Downtown - A newly expanded men's designer selection now includes six new brands this season, including Shipley & Halmos and Opening Ceremony. Also on offer are new American favorites like Spurr and Rag & Bone, as well more established European brands like Burberry Prorsum and Gucci. Loden Dager, A.P.C., Hentsch Men, Maison Martin Margiela, John Varvatos, dsquared2, and the incredibly rare Marni round out the bunch. A little something for everybody, but all incredibly solid wardrobe additions.

+ Blackbird - Ballard's world-renowned men's shop is still as reliable as ever. An early proponent for the American heritage revival, there are well-curated and exclusive items from brands like Alden, Pendleton and Woolrich (both Woolen Mills and John Rich & Bros.), all with a Northwest slant (as opposed to Opening Ceremony's progressive bent). Beyond that, the list of brands keeps going, with cult Japanese labels like Coming Soon to slick, smart American designers like Simon Miller and Tim Hamilton. You really have to check it out to understand why magazines like Monocle keep raving about it. Also check out The Field House, their more outdoorsy, woodsman-friendly sister store.

+ Jack Straw - An extremely edited selection of labels for men includes Adam Kimmel, Dries Van Noten, and Engineered Garments. The client is mature, sophisticated, and well-educated, with a strong appreciation for refined detailing and unexpected fabrications. For the creative Seattle man who doesn't want to wear another damn Brioni suit. For the women in their lives, check out the selection of Yoshi Kondo sweaters.

+ Crossroads Trading Co. - The Capitol Hill outpost recently doubled in size, and for the extremely patient and diligent, you can find some unbelievable deals. My recent finds include A.P.C. coats, a Band of Outsiders vest, Marc by Marc Jacobs shirts, and Surface to Air shoes, and virtually everything in the store is under $60. Just beware, the best stuff requires coming in often and being ready to dig.

Coming soon: an update including Barneys, Veridis, Kuhlman, and more.

Prada Spring/Summer 2011 Full Fashion Show

Stripes and monkeys are going to be EVERYWHERE next year. Get psyched.

Martha Streck Looks Good

Made in Brazil: The Horse Whisperer

How the hell is model Martha Streck so gorgeous?

CORGI!

Oh, come on, how could anybody not want a corgi after this? Via Corgi

VINCE Opening at Bellevue Square

Vince, maker of the softest tees you could ever imagine (I'm wearing one right now!), is coming to Bellevue Square this November. With a slew of stores already on the East Coast and in California (plus one in Texas), the brand is really revving up their own retail network. Already available at Nordstrom, Barneys, Neiman Marcus, Mario's, Mercer, and a few other places around Seattle, the line is clearly a hit with the upscale, super-casual vibe of the area. Their sweaters are pretty exceptional, and their button-downs are about as easy to wear as any I've bought so far. I have to say, it's tough for me to choose a favorite between James Perse and Vince, so I'm gonna leave it as a tie for now. But come November 5, we'll see if the new store persuades me in one direction. Check more out here.

Shooz

Reasons I think I might like Crossroads:

1) Dries Van Noten sneakers for $34!

2) Dior Homme sneakers for $34!

Fuck yeah.

Broken Bells - "The High Road"

Hey! It's the dude from The Shins with the guy from Gnarls Barkley! Together! And, shit, it just sounds good. Lame video though.

YACHT - "Psychic City (Voodoo City)"

I know it's bordering on hipster scum and all that, but it's undeniably catchy =\

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - "40 Day Dream"

Two months later, I finally figured out who the hell sang this song!

Walter Meego - "Girls"

Where have I been? Slow to catch on, that's for sure.

Cold War Kids - "Audience"

This is one of the best songs I've heard this year. Yea, this year kind of sucked, but even in a good year, this song would hold its own.

Albert Hammond Jr. vs Julian Casablancas

Does anybody miss The Strokes yet? Yeah, whatever. In any case, whose solo project sings to your heart?

Albert Hammond, Jr.'s (that's a punctuation nightmare) "GfC" is from 2008, but the whole CD is really slick and worth a listen:




Julian Casablancas' sounds more Strokes-like, for better or for worse. Just listen:

The Big Pink - Dominos

Not new, but noteworthy

The Temper Trap - "Sweet Disposition"

Catchy!

Beyonce - Sweet Dreams

FANTASTIC. That's the only way to describe Beyonce's new video for "Sweet Dreams". I absolutely hated "Halo," but with this, all is forgiven.

What I Wore 1

American Apparel tri-blend cardigan, Gant plaid button-up, Rag & Bone jeans, Cole Haan cap-toe oxfords

Shakira is Fantastic

Shakira - New Music - More Music Videos

Shakira's new song "She Wolf" is fantastic. The video is also fantastic. Her ass is fantastic. The lyrics make no sense, but she makes them fantastic. Shakira is fantastic.

Jean Carlos = Impossibly Hot, Part 2

If I could spend a lazy summer day with Jean Carlos like this, I'd probably end up padlocking the door and swallowing the key. Just sayin'.

Made in Brazil: Lazy Days Of Summer

Bradley Cooper Is Hot.

Bradley Cooper is so damn fine. Watch The Hangover dammit. Laugh real hard and see him in his underwear. That is all. Photoshoot and interview at Details (I still haven't gotten to the interview though, somebody should summarize it).

It's Not A Remote, It's A Freaking Penis.

It's a "flesh-like" gel that becomes "turgid" when you touch it. Yea, that's a penis.

Strange Gel Remote Concept by Panasonic by CubeMe

Bradley Cooper + Zach Galifianakis

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis from Between Two Ferns

God I love Bradley Cooper :D

Yoann Gourcuff = HOT

Yoann Gourcuff is not only a stupidly hot French soccer...err, futbol...player, but he also happens to be the same age as me. Blech. And by blech, I mean I would do anything he told me to do. :D More here.

Shoe Porn

Pucci shoes by Peter Dundas for Fall 2009, already in the apartment of Julia Restoin-Roitfeld. Swoon.

What Good Scrambled Eggs Look Like

Thanks Martha Stewart for the helpful hints! They're fucking delicious.

Anna Wintour vs Fat Minnesotans

“I had just been on a trip to Minnesota where I can only kindly describe most of the people that I saw as little houses" - Anna Wintour. I LOVE HER.

Oprah vs Anna Wintour

I don't even know who to side with here :( Not that's there's any side to take, I can love them both!

Jean Carlos = Impossibly Hot

Jean Carlos is stupidly, impossibly hot. There's just no other way around it. Hot. Hot. Hooooottttt.

Made in Brazil has tons of him. Check it out.

Fun with Poladroid

It's silly, it's fun, and it's free! With Poladroid, you can make great little fake polaroids out of any photo. Just drag and drop an image file onto the little camera, and wait a little bit while the photo "develops." Genius!

The Bravern - Bottega Veneta Pulling Out?

Is Bottega Veneta pulling out of the Bravern development in Bellevue? All press releases and mentions of the boutique seem to have mysteriously vanished from the Bravern website. My guess is that the Gucci Group, which owns Bottega Veneta, was monitoring how the new Gucci boutique at 5th & University in downtown Seattle was performing, and combining that with the economy as a whole, decided to pull the plug on opening a Bottega Veneta in Bellevue. Oy.

Nick Symmonds + Naked Running = Thanks Nike!

Bret Harrison + Grounded for Life

Sara and I used to watch "Grounded for Life" on the WB and would always comment on how absurd it was that that plain-looking redhead got to go out with that really cute guy. But beyond just staring at Bret Harrison, this show was actually pretty funny, like "Full House" meets middle-class trash. :D

Part One

Part Two

Bret Harrison + Shirtless = Fan Part 2

Whoops, forgot the photos, but it deserves another post all its own. Because it's that lovely. From here.

Get the DVDs here:

Bret Harrison + Shirtless = Fan

It seems that superherofan shares the same artistic appreciation that I do for Bret Harrison, previously of "Grounded for Life," then "The Loop" and now "Reaper."

Check the show out on Hulu, but only season 1, because they totally killed the show for season 2.



You can also check out the DVDs of "The Loop" here:

Chester French - She Loves Everybody

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOTTnhsOEr0

I resisted, but this song is so damn catchy. I blame Pharrell.