Happy One-Year Anniversary!!

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the inception of this blog and I could not be happier with the way things have turned out! We've laughed together.  We've cried together.  And I'd do it all over again for any one of the precious moments we've shared.  But before I get all emotional, I'd like to thank each and every one of my faithful readers who have helped make this blog possible.  I am truly indebted to all of you, and cannot thank you enough for your support in this odd and hairbrained endeavor.

So in an attempt to show a small measure of my appreciation, I give you this short video as a special tip of the hat to all of you beautiful men and women out there who've been here since the beginning...

It truly has been the most wondrous of years.  Here's to many more.  Cheers, my friends.

Men of Inspiration: Matt Bomer

Helplessly addicted.  I'm truly lost as to any other way to describe the current condition in which my wife and I find ourselves in regards to the television gem that is White Collar.  If you're unfamiliar, don't alarm yourself, I too was shamefully ignorant of this brilliantly charming masterpiece until about a week ago on Tuesday--from which point we have soared through the first season and half the second like a couple of teenage island castaways reunited with civilization and its accompanying reruns of Teen Mom.

But of course, if you are familiar with the show, you know the ultimate key to its undeniably charismatic swagger  is none other than leading man Matt Bomer--known as the legendary Neal Caffrey in the white collar world of corporate criminals.  Decked out week after week in stunningly tailored suits from designers like Sy Devore and John Varvatos and insanely sharp vintage ties and tie bars, the refreshing sartorial genius that is Bomer's character in addition to his mind-boggling cleverness is nothing short of the universal inspiration for gentlemen everywhere (minus the ex-con, professional forger bit). 

Perhaps even more remarkable is Bomer's ability to channel the style of legendary conmen and snappy dressers such as Frank Abagnale, Jr. (of Catch Me If You Can) and Cary Grant  in To Catch a Thief in both his role in White Collar and his personal style.  In fact, just last week, GQ referred to the man as the "Walking Ken doll." But lest I get carried away and begin to detail my ideas for the perfect crime to pull off in an Armani suit, let's get to the meat of this post--which is, of course, breaking down one of my favorite looks from the always-suave Mr. Bomer.  I give you Exhibit A:

1. Boots for Everyman
If you're like me and you live in the deep South, you may have neglected to invest in a solid pair of (non-cowboy) boots while our brothers to the North have been sloshing around since August in knee-deep snow.  Absolutely nothing anchors a look and gives it a certain rugged feel better than a pair of beat-to-Hades brown lace-up boots.  And if you've waited this long to grow a pair and grab a....er, pair, then you're in luck! Most shoe companies are dumping boots like last night's Krispy Kremes to make way for Spring--leaving you with an opportunity to upgrade your feet to rocker status without pulling the night shift at that aforementioned Krispy Kreme.  
KOFOOT Men's Brown Boots, Aldo, $91 (sale)


2. There's That Cardigan Again

I think I've mentioned my affinity for fine cardigans on these posts about as much as my 10th grade female students profess their love for Taylor Lautner.  But this is one investment that'll leave you feeling far better about yourself than if you'd been plagued with the cosmic misfortune of starring in Abduction or constantly being in the shadow of a ghostly pale, eternally confused-looking Brit with cannibalistic tendencies towards your ex-lady love.  Either way, you'll be sure to keep this little beauty on throughout your entire day if you wear it as swaggerful as the truly talented artist, Mr. Bomer.  Again, timing works in your favor, as you can grab some great cardigans on clearance nearly anywhere.
Merona Men's Long-Sleeve Cardigan BLUE, Target, $17.49 (clearance) 

3. "You Look So Much Smarter Today!"

As anyone who's ever decided to ditch the contacts for merely one day can tell you, the compliments seem to come from every direction.  Who knew such a simple accessory could exude such an air of intelligence, wisdom, and debonair good looks?  Bomer certainly works his frames to his advantage with masterful style, and the ones pictured here are more than worth the investment.  A solid set of frames is the perfect way to offset an ensemble with a little personal touch that shows you're a man of details. And these beautiful tortoise shell wayfarers are so blasted gorgeous I'm tempted to abandon my plans for Lasik and roll with these until I'm in the ground.  It'd definitely work to my advantage should I ever decide to pursue that professional forger career I find myself increasingly considering...
Ray-Ban RB5244-2144, Eyeglasses, $76 (here)

The Rain in Spain: V

A Recurring Study on the Etiquette of a Gentleman Through Examples in Modern Cinema

Lesson #6: A Gentleman Respects His Waiter (or Waitress).

Over this most recent of holiday seasons (which I again hope was delightfully memorable for all of you by the way) I was given the "privilege" of an introduction to what was quite frankly some of the most outlandishly rude behavior I could have imagined. A particularly prickly relative of mine (whom shall remain anonymous in name and physical description) I discovered, possesses an absolutely uncanny ability for making any individual involved in a service industry completely despise them with a burning hatred typically found nowhere this side of the fifth level of Hades. The behavior was astonishing. Snide comments, infinitesimal tips, and an utter disregard for feelings that would surely be admirable to the likes of Stalin or Machiavelli.

Unfortunately, we all know someone guilty of this heinous behavior--an arrogant, detestable attitude of ignorance that presents itself as nothing short of bigotry towards anyone in the service industry merely trying to make an honest living. Of course, the truly refined gentleman would rather die than be marred by such a pathetic, self-important image.  The man of etiquette always treats others with the utmost respect, even if their behavior is far from praiseworthy....

 

So to help, here are some things to remember while you're interacting with your next waiter, waitress, valet, customer service agent, or retail employee:

1. Actually acknowledge and make eye contact.  There are very few things that would inspire someone to dissolve a bit of cyanide in your soup, but being made to feel invisible and unimportant could certainly be one of them.
2. Use the person's name in the conversation. Whether you spot it on their name tag, or they write it on the table with a crayon (I do love Macaroni Grill), use the person's name throughout your interaction.  This instantly brings an air of friendliness and charm to your brief relationship--which in turn makes the person exponentially more likely to go out of their way to help you should an issue arise.
3. Tipping is NOT optional. Unless, of course, the individual is unforgivably rude or the service was genuinely horrendous.  Otherwise, never opt out of a tip.  People in the service industry often have hourly wages far below that of jobs outside of the public eye and therefore rely on tips to make their livelihood. And if you're like me and always wondering which is the appropriate tipping amount, check out this easy breakdown I stole from the American Gentleman blog: 

• Waitress - $1/drink or 20% of your total tab
• Cab Driver - 15-20% of the fare
• Valet - $1/bag or a $2 minimum
• Waiter/Waitress- 20% of your total bill
• Barber - 15-20% of the cost of the cut/shave
• Hotel Front Desk - typically 20 bucks can score you a room upgrade 

      4.  Pick up after yourself.  You're a blasted grown man, right? Then the least you can do is moderately tidy up your table before you hustle out the door.  And take it from a former retail associate, nothing makes you the most hated customer in the solar system faster than your filthy, tornado-like customer hands all over the freshly-pressed rack of sweaters on which I've just spent 3 hours of my 12-hr. Black Friday shift folding.
      5.  And, of course, ALWAYS say Thank You.

Respect for others is the habit of the gentleman.  And if the above list has yet to persuade you to abandon your pompous, aristocratic ways, might I suggest you find and watch a copy of the film Waiting.  I think you'll find it good for your soul, but probably not for your appetite.

Annnnnnnnd We're Back!

My apologies for the unexpected radio silence, my friends.  Unfortunately my computer's power cable decided to give up the ghost around the same time I whisked my wife and Dr. Mwenzi away for Yuletide celebrations with my family.  However, I sincerely hope that the first days of the new year have been as wondrous as you'd hoped and promise to resume my regularly scheduled posts on the morrow.

But until then, I leave you a gift from the world wide web--a splendid mashing of my favorite band and favorite culture into a simply brilliant and beautiful musical masterpiece your ears will be sure to thank you for:

See you tomorrow, dear readers, and here's to a wonderful new year....