Salt. Optics | New Glasses

"SALT. Optics is about simple, timeless design; impeccable quality; useful technology; hand-craftsmanship and a pure fit. we are modern, yet honor the past, and are driven by a minimal sensibility in all things. less is, in fact, more."

SALT. Optics is a relatively new brand of eyewear out of California. Founded in 2006, they call themselves the independent optics company. Not sure what makes them independent but the team is made up of people who’ve worked in fashion and accessories for over 30 years. There’s plenty of eyewear brands out there. Shop around.

Oh yeah, I grabbed a pair. Love them. Nice design, comfortable and lightweight, and I can see; which is always a bonus. They look black, but they’re actually brown with a hint of tortoise shell pattern in them. Really subtle, which I like.

J. Crew Re-Up

J. Crew is one of those stores that if you purchase your entire wardrobe from there, you probably look like a manican. However, that’s not to say they don’t have fantastic pieces. I went in yesterday and did some spring shopping. Yes, I know we just got another snow storm less than 24 hours ago. One must be prepared though.

The Ludlow Suit from J. Crew fits fantastically. You need to go in the store and try it. If it’s a little too slim for you, try their Aldridge fit. It comes in three fabrics: Italian Worsted Wool, Italian Chino and regular Italian Wool. I purchased the Chino jacket pictured above. While Chino may seem like it’s not a great material for a suit, it’s perfect for casual and weekend wear. It’s not as luxurious as worsted wool, so you won’t be afraid to go out in fear of a homeless man attacking you with a cup of Hawaiian Punch. I am, however, going back for the worsted wool suit. It’s too nice to pass up.

Chino Jacket: $248
Chino Pant: $118

Check the jump for more items from J Crew that might be worth your time and that I already bought, so don’t jock my steez.

Paul Moreno – Philly Street Style

On my way to work this morning I met Paul. What caught my eye was his bag: a blue Fred Perry x Comme Des Garcons duffel that he got at the ALife store in New York. Actually he informed me recently that he purchased it at the Come Des Garcons store in Paris.  He’s one of the better dressed guys I’ve seen on the bus which he says he doesn’t ride often, which makes sense. Not too many people dressed like this ride SEPTA. Hope you got where you were supposed to be Paul. Check him out.

Name: Paul Moreno

Age: 38

Coat: Oliver Spencer

Cashmere Sweater: Yves Saint Laurent

Denim: APC Denim

Scarf: Takashimaya

Shoes: Nike (St Patricks Day Dunks)

Duffel: Fred Perry x Comme Des Garcons

Glasses: Moscot Vintage

Red Wing Boots: Back By Popular Demand

Thanks to a trend of buffalo checks and all around american work/hunter clothing and gear being urban again, Red Wing and other american work wear brands have seen a recent resurgence. It’s almost like the young urban man has no great war to speak of, no struggle for survival, but really wants to go hunt something. The Most Dangerous Game maybe? Or worse, Ice T’s knock-off Surviving The Game.

Either way, I was compelled to purchase a second pair a couple months back. They quickly worked themselves into my wardrobe as a go-to staple. Winters in Philly are cold and if you haven’t heard we’ve had two +18″ snow storms in less than a week.

The quality of the leather is what caught my eye about this pair of Red Wings. Different from the pair of Ronnie Feig x David Z x Red Wing boots that I already own. It’s so soft. Even my lady friends were surprised. The durability is top notch and they will easily last 10 years with almost no maintenance. The shoes portray a masculinity that is effortless (dare I say timeless?) and adding the buffalo checks and hunter caps to the outfit is overkill for me. The shoes do everything you need with a good pair of denim and a navy pea coat. From what I hear, UBIQ can’t keep them in stock.

The price point for them is a little high, but if you’re going to spend $180 on sneakers that look like cast of Joseph and The Techincolor Dreamcoat had a hand in them, you can drop the $200 for these. Buy Them. Now.

Diddy by Annie Leibovitz

Diddy does a photo shoot for Vogue Magazine. Photos by Annie Leibovitz.

The Not Apple iPad Post

The internets are abuzz with yesterday’s news of Apple’s announcement of their new iPad. So since everybody else is already doing it, this is me not writing about the iPad.

For example, I’m not going to tell you that I think it’s a glorified giant iPhone without the phone. I’m not going to tell you that I think it’s pointless if all it does is run more “apps” instead of real programs that I need. I have a MacBook Pro for that. I’m not going to tell you that it’s only real purpose is to be a universal remote if in your house you have two Macs, an airport, wireless airport speakers, a massive iTunes library, apple tv and an iPhone (which your iPhone can be configured to do the same thing).

I’m not going to tell you that stuff.

The Apple iPad. I’ll see you in line 3 days early so we can all be over it in two weeks.

Working Hard…In The Dark

A couple posts ago I was talking about working to achieve some personal goals of mine. Well here you go. I spent my entire day in front of a computer working on a project that I can’t talk about yet but based on what I’ve seen I can’t wait for the final product. Unfortunately I have to wait 2 more months to see the official product.

I decided to take a break to eat and to document what I was doing for my own personal records. I don’t mean to be secretive. I just can’t talk about it till the finished product is out.

Ok, back to work. Days off are no longer days off.

Nike Air Max BW – Paris St. German Colorway

All photographs by me

This is the Nike Air Max BW 2007 re-release of the sneaker model with these specific colors inspired by the French Paris St. German football team (soccer for us yanks). This colorway was released in a limited issue of 3000 pairs worldwide, with only 250 pairs available in France. I bought these actually without knowing how special they were. I just loved the shoe. The Air Max BG (Big Window) is named as such because at the time of it’s original release over 15 years ago, the air pocket in the sole was the biggest in the Nike line of running shoes.

My favorite thing about these are the use of quality materials to create depth and texture. It’s almost as if the sneaker has layers. If you look closely you can see the Nike swoosh is a rugged rubber instead of a pleather or cloth. The tongue is made of a mesh material, not the best for waterproofing but it really helps with the overall texture of the sneaker. The sole features a red accent that is the same rubber that the rest of the sole is made of with a look of spackled paint.

Also if you look closely, you’ll see that everything rom the accents to the materials that make up the midsole and upper is stitched in layers. It’s harder to see in the pictures, but if you ever get a chance to see them up close it’s clearly apparent that Nike designed them this way on purpose.

As for you acquiring these shoes? Sorry homie, it’s unlikely. Hit eBay or exclusive resale sneaker boutiques and see if you can find them.

Hang Dry

Hang Dry - Photographed by McLovin

I hate washing my jeans. I spend a fair amount of time and money finding quality denim. Breaking in and fading jeans is the best part of wearing them. Note: It doesn’t work with all denim. Don’t think twice about washing the jeans you bought your little cousin that he spilled ketchup on yesterday. Seven year olds attract dirt like a Jersey politician.

I know everyone doesn’t do this, but for those of you that do, you understand. The only reason I actually washed these jeans involves my pants on the ground and a horny stray cat named Charlie. I won’t go into details. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.

Still, it was a sad day yesterday when I was forced to throw a good pair of jeans in the washing machine. I hope they come out ok.

-McLovin

Self Portrait, Self Reflections, Self Achievements

There's actually a lot of truth in this picture...to me.

Took this a couple of days ago. It’s pretty much where I am at this point in time. I know i’ve been absent for ever a month now. Honestly, I’ve been working hard on some other ventures that are beginning to open up for me in the lanes of my profession. I don’t want to go into details because I feel and I hope that soon my work will speak for itself. It’s nothing amazing, but I think the best goals are ones you set for yourself and actively achieve. I’ll do my best to get back to the internet. Besides, I’ve picked up some cool stuff in my absence that I want to brag about haha.

Peace,
McLovin

McLovin’s Christmas List Part 2: Lifestyle

Best Made Co. Ax

What do you mean you don’t need an ax? Every man needs an ax, but check it: these axes are made with hand painted details and a forged steel head that is strong and sharp. So while it looks good hanging on your wall or perfectly wedged in your used-to-be-coffee table it will actually cut down a tree with some gusto or chop off the head of a fallen enemy with sweet, sweet justice.  Now get out there and kill something and hang it on your wall like a real man.

$400 at Best Made Co.

Tumi Travel Guides Box Set

Tumi presents our exclusive editions of A Hedonist’s Guide to eight international cities including Paris, London, New York, Milan, Dubai, Buenos Aires, Berlin and Tokyo. Hedonist’s guides are designed to maximize the time you have in a city by highlighting only the most exclusive, exciting and worthwhile experiences. They represent a true insider’s perspective that shows you how to live like a discerning local or an elegant expat, whether you have a few days or just a few hours to explore. The eight books are packaged in an elegant Tumi box with leather carry handle and ID tag. Special Gift with Purchase Offer: A Year’s Subscription to Hedonist online for up-to-date content, more cities and expanded listings.

Price: $125 at Tumi

Domino Trolleycase & Suitcase by Globetrotter

Question: what do The Queen, Winston Churchill, James Bond and Kate Moss have in common?Any number of things one might imagine but one is most certainly a highly-discerning taste in luggage – all being current or erstwhile owners of the iconic Globetrotter brand. And this is the point with Globetrotter – perhaps a quintessentially British one – that it is one of those rare products that has inspired not just loyalty from its illustrious global customers but real affection and for good reason. For, 110 years after its foundation, Globetrotter luggage is still all handmade – each case being lovingly (here the adverb can be authentically used) constructed in Vulcan Fibre, ash wood frame, canvas lining and leather corners at the company factory in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. These witty and highly-collectible special editions have been created exclusively for 20ltd.com and are limited to only 20 editions.

Price: £849.00 at 20ltd

Champagne Tong and Stopper set by G.Lorenzi

G.Lorenzi, the only still family-owned shop on Milan’s famous Via Montenapoleone, is perhaps the most civilised retail space in Europe.

This Lorenzi special edition set, contained in a ‘Chancellor of the Exchequer budget’ red calf leather case, comprises a chrome plate cast steel tong with hand-turned Makassar ebony handles polished with bees wax and a chrome plate brass stopper turned from a solid bar with a Makassar ebony top. A ball-bearing connection between the stopper rings makes for a satisfyingly smooth action. Reputed to keep champagne unimpeachably fizzy. Created exclusively for 20ltd.com, this piece is limited to only 30 editions.

Price: £260.00 at 20ltd

McLovin’s Christmas List – Part 1: Gadgets

Stuart Hughes x iPhone

This is the world most expensive phone. Priced at £1.92 million , 10 months in the making , the whole casing was created with 271 grams of 22ct solid gold. The front bezel houses 136 flawless diamonds colour F ,which total to a massive 68 cts . The rear logo in solid gold has 53 flawless diamonds amounting to 1ct and the front navigation button is home to a single cut very rare diamond at 7.1 cts. The chest which houses this unique handset is made from a single block of Granite , in Kashmir gold with the inner lined with Nubuck top grain leather, which weight is a massive 7kg.

£1.92 million

Monocle x Blackberry 9700

Monocle has teamed up with BlackBerry to produce 100 unique Bold 9700 handsets. We have created our own wallpapers for the screens and each device comes pre-loaded with Monocle’s 25/25 travel guides to the best business cities and resorts in the world. We have also created a special strap. They have 16GB cards and are also supplied with battery, charging pod, world charger, media player headset, USB and gift packaging.

Available from December 10th. $1600

Vizio 55″ True LED HDTV

As if their top of the line 55” incher wasn’t impressive enough, Vizio is releasing a LED-backlit model with 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio and “smart dimming” technology that adjusts the LEDs based on what you’re watching to deliver an optimal picture. The display also features 5 HDMI/HDCP ports and 240Hz SPS Smooth Motion technology. $2199.99 at Vizio

Apple iPod Touch

Ok I know it’s not extravagant, but I haven’t bought an iPod in almost 4 years now. It’s time to upgrade. The only think I’m afraid of is that I’ll drop it and crack the screen. Annnnd I’m over it. $299 at Apple.

Apple Wireless Magic Mouse

I need this to add to the beauty of my brand new MacBook Pro. The mouse connects to your Mac through bluetooth and while it is capable of traditional point and click functions, it also uses Apple’s patented multi-touch technology. For those people who need a mouse and can’t deal with the trackpad, this is for you. $69 at Apple