Feb 16, 2009

How To Wear A Vest

  • A vest must cover the waistband. No belt buckle should show. This adds girth (the appearance of weight) and directs the eye straight to the waist.
  • The bottom button is meant to be left undone.
  • If there's an X across the middle when buttoned, the vest is too tight.
  • Yes, you can wear a vest with a T-shirt. Leave it unbuttoned and wear it a size or two larger.
  • Add some flair to the plain short sleeve button up with a vest and skinny tie.
  • Avoid the white and black combo.

What is wrong with this vest?
  • Vest is too small. His waist band and belt buckle are showing. Notice how it adds bulk to his waist.
  • Too tight. Note the X across the middle.
  • Bottom button done up.
  • Pants are too tight. Note the pulling across the crotch.
  • The shirt is too big. Note the puffy sleeves near the shoulders. Either short or long sleeve please.
  • He looks like a waiter.


Feb 11, 2009

How To Make A Table From A Garage Door


You won't hesitate to show your guests to the door when it's your table. An old solid door, whether industrial or rustic, can be converted into a table quite simply.

Materials:
old garage door table with iron brackets for legs
Stacy Reynaud
  • old door - demolition sales are a great place for inexpensive oddities
  • screwdriver
  • drill
  • saw
  • eight double-wide corner braces
  • four wooden cable spools for legs - pick these up from the phone or hydro company
  • four rubber 'feet' for each spool
  • paint for the cable spool optional
  • a sheet of polished glass for top optional

Instructions:
  1. Remove any hinges or hardware from the door if desired
  2. Plan and measure desired height of legs
  3. Place tabletop section face down and mark the placement of the legs
  4. If using a large door like the one above, use a cable spool in each corner. You'll need to saw the spool down to the desired height.
  5. Paint spool if desired
  6. Glue rubber 'feet' to bottom of each spool to steady it if necessary
  7. Place spools/legs on top of the door
  8. Place two double-wide corner braces next to each leg on either side
  9. Predrill holes for the screws, secure braces with screws
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Feb 9, 2009

7 Hairstyle Trends for Men

With men's hair trends for Spring Summer 2009 leaning toward the long side you'll finally be able to save a buck or two. Burberry Prorsum, Dries Van Noten, Rag & Bone and Hermès showed low side parts, layered crowns and long bangs.
Change is good. You may have a few months to reevaluate your present situation - and there couldn't be a better time to grow out your hair - even if you've been buzzing it. Long men's hair styles were shown at Paul Smith, John Paul Gaultier, Hermès and Anne Demeulemeester.





Jan 28, 2009

Trends - How To Achieve The Eclectic Look

An eclectic style draws the best and truest from many sources and combines them into a gratifying whole.  
Here are three tips to remember when bringing eclectic chic into your home.

1.  Mix styles, periods and materials

2.  Control miscellany with color, arrangements, area rugs and background

3.  Acquire furniture and accessories to express your individuality
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Jan 25, 2009

Yaz And 80s British Synthpop

 Yazoo (1982)

Depeche Mode's primary songwriter, Vince Clarke, and veteran punk and rock singer Alison Moyet formed Yazoo (Yaz in the US) in 19 1. Shortly after, Clarke left Depeche Mode, and Yazoo released its debut single, 'Only You,' B-sided by 'Situation' (198). 

Clarke had written 'Only You' while with Depeche Mode and offered it to them as a parting gift. DM declined, and Yazoo took the single to number two in the UK.

If you're a fan of Nina Simone and brooding vocals, please acquaint yourself with Yazoo.


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Jan 23, 2009

9 Toast Worthy Hip Flasks

Indiana banned the sale of cocktail shakers and hip flasks in 1920. Well, prohibition is over. When giving a flask as a gift it shouldn't be empty.
Here are 9 worthy flasks.








6. Sigg






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Jan 20, 2009

9 Jewelry Looks for Men: The Trends The Designers

Men's jewelry trends for 2009 are tripping back to the raw, earthy days of the late 60s and early 90s. Men's bracelets, in particular, have shown up on the runways of Burberry Prorsum, GUCCI, Roberto Cavalli, Jean Paul Gaultier, Robert Geller, and Paul Smith.
Think Easy Rider meets Reality Bites. Woodstock meets Lollapalooza.
Here are 9 trends and their designers.

Jan 19, 2009

How To Add Color To Your Home


1. Fill vases with rich flowers
2. Hang strong unframed artwork
3. Paint vintage mirrors using bright shades
4. Throw in rich pillow shams
5. Color doors
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Jan 16, 2009

How To Tie A Skinny Tie

There are 85 Ways to Tie a Tie, three of which you should know for your skinny ties.

The Four-in-Hand knot is the best way to tie a narrow tie as it has a small knot. 
A knot favoured by James Bond and a recommended tie knot for shorter individuals, the four-in-hand is a small knot with a distinctive elongated, asymmetric shape.

Four-in-Hand knot how-to video below; you can view it here.










How To Tie The Four-in-Hand Knot

The Small knot or Oriental knot is a simple yet lesser-known thin tie knot. 
This knot won't self-release, which is unfavourable for those who get hot under the collar. It's a symmetric knot that gets bigger as the tie gets thicker. 
These tie knots work best with loom ties or silk knit narrow ties.  

How To Tie The Oriental Knot

The Half Windsor knot is larger than the Four-in-Hand knot and works best with light and medium-weight fabrics. 
It's one of the most well-known tie knots globally; see A Gentleman Gets Dressed Up: What to Wear, When to Wear It, How to Wear It. 
It's a symmetric medium-sized tie knot with the figure of a perfect triangle. 
Half Windsor how-to video below, or you can view it here.

How To Tie  Half Windsor Tie Knot

Jan 14, 2009

How To Accessorize Your Home Successfully aka Decorating Without Looking Like A Thrift Shop

Accessories are a unique addition to your home and should always be objects you love - never choose them solely to go with your furniture.  If you have a collection, display it advantageously by gathering it all in one place for the greatest impact. Arrange the collection so that the repetition of objects is rhythmic and compelling.
Here are 5 tips for organizing collections:
1.  Consider the kinship of objects to each other and to the background upon which they will be placed

2.  Anchor the collection by a piece of furniture of equal or greater visual weight beneath them

3.  Make large-scale drawings of your plans or lay them out on the floor before you commit

4.  Treat every wall as a potential artwork

5.  The best things in life are free
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