2022

Sabah House New York Opens on Bleecker Street (Klein’s Journal)

While other brands promise an experience, Turkish shoe brand Sabah actually delivers. Sabah, a decade-old brand founded by bon vivant Mickey Ashmore, is dedicated to giving its customers an old-world level of service in Instagram-worthy spaces. And that’s no exception with their latest store opening in New York City this month. [Continue Reading]

Dining on Memories: The Meals and Places We Long For (Klein’s Journal)

I often feel that it is the preconceptions of a place that keep us interested in it. The romanticism of Mad Men took me to LA and the beauty of La Piscine took me to France. Even real New Yorkers are the first to say that their city isn’t what it used to be. Everything is nostalgia, one way or another. [Continue Reading]

What We’re Buying: Colorful Cookware, Organic Wine, and More (Cool Material)

Having recently gotten into watercoloring as a hobby, I am, quite simply, obsessed with Peg and Awl’s Iris Palette. Peg and Awl make objects that beg to be incorporated into your daily life, to be banged up and used and loved. I recently took this palette to New York with me and, well, love it I did. An unbelievably crafted wooden palette, it’s as much a work of art as it is a functional tool for experienced and novice painters alike. They have a range of palettes and other artist tools in their shop. The Iris is $54. Buy it. You’ll love it. [Continue Reading]

What We’re Buying: Vintage Japanese Button Downs, Refillable Deodorant, and More (Cool Material)

While I’m not an athlete myself (sorry, Dad), I have one of those compact, hobbit-like bodies that are sometimes hard to dress well in off-the-rack suits. Usually I go bespoke or get a tailor to fit my ‘problem areas’, as he kindly puts it. But this year, with more weddings on the horizon, I held my breath and ordered a suit online from State & Liberty and was…pleasantly surprised. It’s designed to have a tailored construction with emphasis on an athletic tapered leg for a bit of extra room in the seat and thighs. Especially nice for summer weddings, the lining is breathable and moisture-wicking. You’ll see me on the dance floor all night long without any of the dreaded Swamp Ass [Continue Reading]

What We’re Buying: CBD Gummies, Cowboy Boots, and More (Cool Material)

When anyone asks me for a recommendation for a quality notebook cover or portfolio, I always say Galen Leather Co. I’m currently toting around their zippered notebook folio in Crazy Horse. Galen knows its audience better than most brands out there, perfecting their design for those who are as pen and stationery obsessed as me. The zippered folio has a removable insert for fountain pens, two additional pen slots, a removable keychain, and a cord wrap. It comes in A5 (the best paper size, don’t argue with me) and is made of a soft leather that patinas beautifully. It’s like my portable desk when I’m in bed and the first thing I’m packing on all the upcoming Summer trips I have planned. I love it. You’ll love it. Buy two and give me one. [Continue Reading]

The Echo White Desert Pods Are a Next Level Vacation Destination in Antarctica (Cool Material)

Natural beauty has drastically been reduced due to overpopulation, deforestation, and the bureaucratic red tape of corporate land ownership. Many the modern man will never get to be the explorer of yore. But now, White Desert’s Echo experience may be able to give us a taste of what our forefathers were able to experience: real adventure. [Continue Reading]

Our 15 Favorite Items from the J. Crew Spring 2022 Collection (Cool Material)

We are tantalizingly close to spring and with that comes the promise of some new clothes (if, like me, you finally took that bag of rags to Goodwill). J. Crew’s spring line-up provides a great template of basics to add to your existing wardrobe to freshen it up a bit without overhauling your entire closet. And that’s the good thing about J. Crew. With a look to the past and a nod to the ever-changing zeitgeist of American fashion, they’re able to play with the boundaries and unspoken rules of prep without ever alienating its customer base. Each seasonal catalog gives us the ability to create a look that is timeless and current, a hard balance to make for a brand that, itself, has had to reinvent and pivot more than once. [Continue Reading]

Shinola Traveler Watch (Cool Material)

Like the patina of their leather goods, Shinola as a brand is only getting better with age. With a dedication to bringing Detroit back on the map as an industrial and creative hub, Shinola continues to build products that look great, function well, and have a price point that’s on the precipice of luxury. [Continue Reading]

Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer (Cool Material)

Okay, hear me out. I don’t need a refrigerator that can connect to my Xbox or whatever other smart appliances can do. Seems pointless. A bit nonsensical. And I’ve seen the 1999 Disney Channel Original Movie Smart House starring Katey Sagal. I know how these things end. [Continue Reading]

Vollebak Off Grid Jacket (Cool Material)

For many Men of a Certain Age, khakis have never really gone out of style. But for me, at 30-years-old, it’s been a bit of a more contentious relationship. My formative years were growing up in the mid-aughts, where skinny jeans reigned supreme. A decade on and I’m happy to report the pendulum has now swung to the classic khaki. [Continue Reading]

OLi Home Speaker (Cool Material)

I hate to say it, but once we had the civil war between Google Home and Amazon Alexa, I felt that we had hit Peak Speaker™. Well, thank God for OLi. This home speaker system was designed by Joshua Han of Joshua Designworks, whose pedigree includes a wide portfolio of tech-integrated living products already. The OLi is a structural addition to one’s home without being an overbearing element (or worse, a technological eyesore). [Continue Reading]

Kettler Frame HOI Bike (Cool Material)

Design firm Forpeople’s collaboration with Kettler has done to home exercise equipment what Smeg did to kitchen appliances. By redefining the aesthetics of commonplace products, both brands were able to add a little bit of warmth and kitsch to their designs. A compact stationary bike with soft curves and homey hues, the Kettler Frame bike is a design-forward option for those who find exercise equipment to be a bit cold, a bit harsh, and, well, a bit ugly. [Continue Reading]

On Cloudmonster Training Shoe (Cool Material)

Look, I love a chunky shoe. When it comes to a sole, the bigger the better for me. And adding On’s performance technology only heightens my enthusiasm for the new Cloudmonster running and training shoe. What we’re seeing in the shoe world is a lessening of rigid aesthetics for a more conscious understanding of performance. With the Cloudmonster, the chunky sole has proprietary CloudTec cushioning and Speedboard integration. [Continue Reading]

The Best Socks for Men in 2022 (Cool Material)

The humble sock. Often one of the first things we put on in the morning and one of the last items to be replaced in our wardrobe. Unless there’s a hole in the toe or it’s Christmas and you have a present from your Aunt Mildred, how often are you getting new socks really? [Continue Reading]

John Derian x Todd Snyder: Two Legends Team Up (Cool Material)

Since 1989 John Derian has excelled at creating a bygone world of artisanal homewares. For me, his East Village shop is a perennial stop on my trips to the city. Because of this, I’m forever grateful to the fashion gods for putting Derian on Todd Snyder’s radar.[Continue Reading]

The Best Bachelor Party Destinations That Aren’t Vegas (Cool Material)

With travel opening up more and more, many people are hitting “Go” on their weddings this year. This, in turn, means everyone is scrambling for where to go on their bachelor/bachelorette getaways. While Vegas may be the perennial favorite, you can only go so much before you ask yourself, “What else is there?” [Continue Reading]

The Best Bucket Hats for Summer 2022 (Cool Material)

There were many things I loved about the ’90s. Acerbic sitcoms about New Yorkers. Space Jam. Dr. Pepper chapstick. But a trend I’m more than happy about is the return of the bucket hat. Yes, this oddly-shaped piece of headwear has been cropping up more and more over the last decade and we’ve finally hit a bit of staying power in the market. [Continue Reading]

Stay Hydrated with Dometic GO Hydration Water Jug 11L (Cool Material)

Few things ruin a perfectly good summer day than running out of water. Whether it’s for yourself to cool down, for your pup on a playdate, or for your overheated engine, having water on hand is vital – and often a bit cumbersome. Dometic GO’s 11L Water Jug fixes many of the issues that come with storing water on the go. For one, its volume-increasing design means one can eke out an extra liter versus leading competitors who can only carry a measly 10 liters. [Continue Reading]

The 15 Best Dress Shoes for Summer 2022 (Cool Material)

Suits get all the attention in men’s formalwear but it’s really the shoes where one can push boundaries or adhere to strict fashion praxis. I tend to lean towards the basic suits – navy, dark blue, grey, charcoal, light black, faded black, and black – while I let my footwear shoe off a bit more personality. [Continue Reading]

Pharrell x Adidas HU NMD S1 RYAT Shoes (Cool Material)

Legendary artist and possible vampire (I mean, seriously, this guy doesn’t age) Pharrell has once again partnered with Adidas on a new shoe, the HU NMD S1 Ryat. While it may look like a license plate number, it’s actually a tonally unique hiking-inspired kick. Dotted in pastels with a large chunky heel, this shoe looks like it’s made for the trail, but just as easily can fit into your next bar crawl. [Continue Reading]

The Craftsman Canvas Collection from Buck Mason (Cool Material)

Versatility in a wardrobe is key to longevity. More and more, brands are accounting for the varied life their consumers lead and creating garments that make just as much sense in a pub as in one’s garage. Buck Mason’s new Craftsman Canvas collection toes this line beautifully. Made from the rugged and ubiquitous fabric, it adds a bit of structure to the lines of their pants, shirts, and baseball caps without feeling tailored. And that little bit of weight doesn’t weigh these garments down. In fact, the utilitarian nature actually enhances the basics. [Continue Reading]

Introducing the New Sailor Wabi Sabi II (Inkstable)

Last month, we had a feeling that a new Wabi Sabi pen from Sailor was on the horizon. It looks like our instincts were correct, as Sailor has just announced the Wabi Sabi II, the latest in the line of “imperfect” – yet seriously gorgeous – pens. [Continue Reading]

Add a Touch of Sophistication to Your Thank You Cards with These Scented Inks (Inkstable)

The difference between an email and a letter is the experience. Even if one sends the exact same content, there will always be a more personal connection with a letter. Letter writing is an action verb, it should be something that takes time and practice and, of course, the right tools. [Continue Reading]

The Health Benefits of Handwriting (Inkstable)

For anyone who has sat at their desk and written pages in their journal, or practiced handwriting in one of those coursebooks, you can attest to the curative powers of handwriting. Yes, while it may not be the most rigorous exercise, it is undeniably one of the best ways to build mental dexterity, provide a calming ritual to your daily life, and to overall enhance your mood. Which, in turn, has physiological effects for a variety of medical conditions. [Continue Reading]

Sustainability is the Future of the Pen Industry (Inkstable)

While the pen market may seem a tad bit archaic, there is nothing old school about the drive to provide a sustainable future for many pen brands. It’s a message that resonates with the global community and, in turn, manufacturers. Being green has become the norm and as brands continue to put in guardrails to provide sustainable options for the business practices. [Continue Reading]

Five Beautiful Maki-E Pens Celebrating an Ancient Japanese Tradition (Inkstable)

Japan does it right in so many ways. A beautiful language, unbelievable technology, and exquisite food. It’s a culture full of paradoxes that work so seamlessly in harmony between the old and the new. One aspect of Japanese culture that I find most appealing is the dedication to craft and artisanship. Traditions are passed down through centuries with an emphasis on quality and care for every component as well as the whole. [Continue Reading]

Get Scribbling: The Best Notebooks of 2022 - So Far (Inkstable)

To own a notebook is to understand what it means to fully see the potential of using a fountain pen. With bad paper, a fountain pen simply doesn’t perform as well. But it’s not just the quality of the paper that’s important, it’s the aesthetics of the notebook, too. [Continue Reading]

The Nationality of Pens (Inkstable)

Heritage and country play a key role in the development of products. For example, Parisians, somehow, have that je ne sais quoi about their fashion. The British have a style unto themselves. Heck, even regional variants crop up within a country, detailed by the history and culture that developed in small ecosystems of geography. [Continue Reading]

Are Khakis Cool Again? (Gents Cafe)

Thirsty for a New Pen? Try a Gin Cocktail from Sailor (Inkstable)

Sailor remains one of my favorite brands, and not because of the outstanding writing experience they provide. It’s also because of their unparalleled design qualities that resonate more closely to my own personal preferences. The clean lines of their ProGear series, matched with a comfortable, balanced body and high-performance nib all culminate in my understanding why Sailor is a global favorite. [Continue Reading]

Land Rover Defender 90 Rally Special James Bond Edition (Cool Material)

Something was in the water in the mid-20th Century when Brits created both the Land Rover and James Bond. Have there ever been two things on this earth more handsome or debonair? Not that I can think of. To celebrate 60 years of Bond (James Bond), Land Rover has created a special edition Defender 90 with a black body that has the names of all of the James Bond films in gold on the hood and hatchback. [Continue Reading]

What We’re Buying: CBD Gummies, Cowboy Boots, and More (Cool Material)

Todd Snyder and L.L. Bean Team Up to Redefine the American Woodsman (Cool Material)

Todd Snyder sits at the helm of modern American menswear and for good reason. Preppy but not pretentious, urban and urbane, Snyder’s eye for design sits at the crossroads of Ivy League and Midtown. Who better, then, to inject a bit of city-going to L.L. Bean? [Continue Reading]

ROAM 20-Quart Rugged Drink Tank (Cool Material)

I love a bonfire and it’s nearly Bonfire Season™ here in Pennsylvania. But, there’s something that breaks the peacefulness of sitting around a fire, bullshitting with friends. It’s when you run out of cold drinks. Yes, the house is a mere 200 yards away, but who wants to get up when it’s so cozy? Not me. [Continue Reading]

Salewa Mtn Trainer Lite GTX (Cool Material)

Of the four times I’ve been hiking (all in Southern California, because it’s just kind of what you do), I obstinately wore tennis shoes. I was never one for the more utilitarian hiking boots. Bulky and uncomfortable, they seemed in direct opposition to the ease and familiarity of my favorite sneakers. Salewa might be changing my mind. [Continue Reading]

Lost Objects: 50 Stories About the Things We Miss and Why They Matter (Cool Material)

You may know Joshua Glenn and Rob Walker from their project, Significant Objects, an experiment tying fiction work to thrift store finds. Glenn and Walker now turn their attention to nonfiction in short memoirs. Coupling illustrators and writers, Lost Objects is a look at fifty objects that have a special meaning and their relationship to the writer. [Continue Reading]

The Anatomy of a Good Letter (Inkstable)

Last week, we offered some insight into the best stationery you can buy. Now, let’s look at what to do with that stationery. At Inkstable, we are fans of slowing down and taking a moment to appreciate the finer things in life – and sharing our appreciation with others. [Continue Reading]

Top Pens from Crowdfunding/Kickstarter (Inkstable)

Most luxury brands are, to an extent, heritage brands. They have spent years honing craftsmanship in an attempt to remain at the top of their industry. As such, even the regular Joe knows who Montblanc, Cartier, and Montegrappa are. They’re at the top of the food chain because they have decades – centuries! – of expertise to maintain that status. And it shows. [Continue Reading]

Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven (Cool Material)

When I was a kid, I thought the height of gourmet dining was a tray of Totino’s pizza rolls straight from the microwave. My eating habits have developed a bit since then, but the foundation for my love of pizza began there. The Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven is exactly what I’ve been looking for, and didn’t even know I needed. [Continue Reading]

Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team Silver Arrows eBike(Cool Material)

Since I was 22 I have exclusively owned Mercedes. I’m a bit loyal. So when I saw the EQ Formula E Team Silver Arrows eBike, I was definitely excited. It has all of the design elements of a Benz without any of the bulk. An aluminum frame makes this eBike top the scales at around 40 lbs, with a 250 W motor maxing at 20mph. A 3.5-hour battery life and slick black frame and I’m all set to take on the day. [Continue Reading]

Dockers x Transnomadica Collection (Cool Material)

You read it here first: Dockers are cool again. Looking back at the brand’s khaki heritage, Dockers partners with global research and curation project, Transnomadica on a line of limited-edition apparel. Building consciously constructed, gender-neutral garments in muted beiges and whites, this Dockers collab has the feel of a high-fashion prêt-à-porter with none of the fuss. [Continue Reading]

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Is Officially the World’s Thinnest Mechanical Watch (Cool Material)

It may be difficult to reinvent the wheel, but I’d argue it’s even tougher to reinvent the watch. I mean, how much more can you change on a watch face? Well, apparently, a lot. With the extreme design limitation of building the world’s thinnest mechanical watch, Bulgari engineered a watch that’s form and function combined. [Continue Reading]

What We’re Buying: Swiss Railways Wall Clock, Turkish Leather Loafers, and More (Cool Material)

With vacations booked on the horizon in the upcoming months, it was the perfect excuse to buy some new shoes. I wanted something that could transition from after-dinner drinks to slightly drunken midnight beach walks seamlessly. [Continue Reading]

What We’re Buying: Osprey Ski Backpack, Leather Wine Tote, and More (Cool Material)

I’m not a huge wine drinker, but I am a picnicker and a bit of a snob at that. I’ll definitely be adding WP Standard’s Wine Tote into my al fresco artillery. WP Standard is known for their considered approach to leather goods and the wine tote is one of those accessories that just fits so easily into one’s life. [Continue Reading]

Buck Mason Japanese Cotton Sateen Collection (Cool Material)

Buck Mason makes great clothes. That’s just a fact. But what’s even more impressive is how they continue to source new fabrics to elevate their brand and offer new takes on old faves. For instance, just look at their newly released Japanese Cotton Sateen line. This fabric is at once elegant and laidback, giving the field shirt and pants the perfect mix of high and low brow that’s suited for any man at any time of day. [Continue Reading]

Gerber Gear’s Stake Out 11-in-1 Multi-Tool (Cool Material)

With warmer weather fast approaching, many of us are itching to spend some much-needed R&R outdoors. Save yourself the space (and trouble) by grabbing one of Gerber Gear’s Stake Out Multi-Tool. Say, “Auf Wiedersehen,” to your Swiss Army Knife and upgrade it to fit your camping needs. [Continue Reading]

The Kaze Pen Is a Re-Imagined Bolt-Action Pen (Cool Material)

It takes a disruptor in an industry to change the way we see the potential of a product – and that’s exactly what The Kaze Pen has done. D Rocket Design saw the problem of a bolt-action pen (in which a protruding plunger mechanism often gets snagged on pants pockets and bags alike) and engineered a pen that’s both form and function. [Continue Reading]

Vollebak Off Grid Collection (Cool Material)

Not to get all dark on you, but it may be time to start thinking of what’s going to be on-trend when you’re hiding in your bunker one day. My bet’s on Vollebak’s Off Grid Collection. This raincoat and pants combo would be ideal for any weather conditions while still giving me that little bit of je ne sais quoi that will be so sorely lacking during the Apocalypse. [Continue Reading]

Huckberry x Flint & Tinder The Fatigue Collection(Cool Material)

One can find many things at an Army Surplus store: camping gear, cheap boots, random silverware. But the real treasure lies in the clothing. Military clothing offers a look at American fashion at a diagonal: combining utility with the toned-down casual style of mid-century masculinity. It’s always on trend and, even without trying, effortlessly cool. Huckberry seems to agree as you can see in their latest line with Flint & Tinder: the Fatigue Collection. [Continue Reading]

Interview (Foolish Magazine)

[Read my interview with Foolish Magazine here]

Nothing’s Tech-First ear (1) Headphones Are All The Buzz (The Quality Edit)

A quick search for headphones will leave one with two options: Apple AirPods and everything else. While I have been a loyal Apple customer for years, I recently began exploring other options. A little flirtation never hurts, right?

I discovered the brand Nothing while listening to a podcast. A London-based startup, Nothing combines stripped-down aesthetics and a focus on quality user experiences in its wireless earbuds. Initially, I was a bit skeptical of the too-cool vibe I got from the sleek branding, but I’m happy to say the brand has proven to be both stylish and substantive. [Continue Reading]

Crystal Head Onyx Vodka (Cool Material)

Where other vodka companies trick out their products with gimmicks and buzzwords, Crystal Head seems to be focusing on intentional ingredients and elevating their spirits to bring out the very best qualities. Onyx, for example, uses single-sources agave to bring out the grassy, peppery, and citrusy notes of the vodka. The days of Pinnacle Whipped are behind us. This one’s for grown-ups. [Continue Reading]

Seager Co. x Huckberry Collection (Cool Material)

While Huckberry has injected a new Americana into the men’s clothing industry, Seager Co. takes a nod back towards the Old West. Each brand complements one another in their new collaboration. Huckberry x Seager Co. has released a line of apparel and accessories fit for any modern-day cowboy, whether on the dude ranch or in the home office. [Continue Reading]

The Understated Elegances of Graf von Faber-Castell’s Classic (Inkstable)

For a company to survive, many people think they must continue to innovate in remarkable and sometimes outrageous ways. For Graf von Faber-Castell, the opposite approach was taken. Since 1761, the German brand has stuck to a principle of Luxury in Simplicity that has influenced their products ever since.

While many people may be familiar with the Faber-Castell name, it’s their flagship Classic fountain pen model which has an understated elegance that has given the brand an almost cult-like following. Made of a mixture of wood and stainless steel, the Classic series is able to mix natural earthy elements with the industrious strength of German engineering. Few pens can balance seemingly contrasting ideals so well – but Graf von Faber-Castell succeeds, and has for nearly two decades. [Continue Reading]

Kenro Industries: 30 Years and Counting (Foolish Magazine)

This year marks the thirty year anniversary of Kenro Industries, one of the leading pen distributors in North America. For three decades, Kenro has been the intermediary between customers, retailers, and manufacturers. This experience has given the Kenro team a deep appreciation for the pen industry - and a wealth of knowledge that comes with it.

Kenro’s current reach is global, with manufacturing relationships in Europe, Asia, and North America. For the thirty years that Kenro has been in business, they have been the distributor for brands such as Omas, Tibaldi, Libelle, Shaeffer, and U-BOAT. Currently, they are the North American distributor for Montegrappa, Aurora, Pininfarina, Otto Hutt, and ystudio. [Continue Reading]

These Are the Best Smelling Laundry Detergents (Gear Patrol)

There are very few fun things about doing laundry: It’s a hassle. Once the hamper is full, it’s a game of chicken between partners to see who will just do it. There’s the separating of light garments and darker ones. Then, there’s the balancing act of keeping the balled wet clothes intact long enough to reach the dryer. After drying the mass, there’s folding, pairing balled socks, and the uncurling of the fitted sheet into an ambiguous shape (somewhere between a rhombus and an armadillo). And, finally, the dreaded hangers come out. All in all, it’s a pretty unglamorous chore. [Continue Reading]

Itching for a New Detergent? Try One of These Formulated Specifically for Sensitive Skin (Gear Patrol)

When testing both the best-smelling detergents and detergents designed for dark clothing, one of my main considerations was whether or not those detergents were safe for skin or not. Irritants abound in most detergents: fragrances, dyes, surfactants and preservatives, to name a few. (Surprising, I know.) [Continue Reading]

Feeling a Little Faded? Try These 10 Detergents for Black Clothes (Gear Patrol)

There’s something that’s incredibly satisfying about a black outfit. It’s an easy way to pull off the Parisian look I’m personally always striving for, while not having to worry too much about wrinkles. Plus, with a little extra weight since Covid, I’m desperately leaning into the notion that black is a slimming color. [Continue Reading]

Pineider: When Traditions Forges A Bright Future (No Chaser)

With 100 years of German design backing the brand, Otto Hutt is a luxury brand that feels luxurious. While much of the pen world moves towards acrylics, Otto Hutt has stuck to metals. This may have made Otto Hutt an acquired taste for many pen collectors; but, by God, they are gorgeous pens.

What sets Otto Hutt apart is that function follows form for this brand. Each design in its flagship series has a century of design principles behind it. In an age when other brands may have flashier, brighter, and kookier pens, it’s Otto Hutt who has stuck to these principles and manufactures pens with substance.

Remember: the tortoise beat the hare, didn’t he? [Continue Reading]

Make It Your Meeting (Inkstable)

With each ebb of the next COVID-19 wave, there remains the promise of returning to the office. While many work-from-home advocates are dreading this moment, I am taking it as an opportunity to reinvent myself when I head into the conference room next. Having gotten so used to casual jeans and a jumper, I’m looking forward to a more polished appearance. Shaved face, ironed shirt, and a trusty fountain pen in my hand. [Continue Reading]

Top Three Pens by Otto Hutt (Inkstable)

Remember: the tortoise beat the hare, didn’t he? [Continue Reading]

The Rec Room #32 (Interview)

This week’s guest is my pal Brett Braley-Palko. Brett is a freelance writer and marketing manager who lives on a farm in Pennsylvania. It’s basically the writer’s dream! By day he works in the luxury fountain pen industry and when he has time he writes for publications like Gear Patrol, Valet, Gents Café, The Quality Edit, and more. In addition to journalistic endeavors, Brett is currently working on a novel and recently released a collection of short stories which is available for free here. [Continue Reading]

Blue is the New Black (Inkstable)

I like to think of my pen collection as a microcosm of my own wardrobe. There are my more formal pens, for instance a Montblanc Classique. There are my everyday go-to’s, like my Sailor 1911S. And, occasionally, there are my pieces I wouldn’t be caught dead in, other than the privacy of my own home – a certain Conklin or two fit that description.

And, just like my wardrobe, there is one key color that’s modern enough for any occasion, while still being neutral and unobtrusive: blue. [Continue Reading]

The Duke (Valet, Issue Three “Layers”)

Print magazine featuring a short story called “The Duke” [Purchase Copy Here]

Five Feminine Pen Designs (Inkstable)

While many of us may think of fountain pens as residing in some stuffy library of a gentleman, there is just as much appreciation for this writing utensil for women as well. The fountain pen transcends gendered norms and is a great equalizer in the world of craftsmanship. While watches may be a man’s world and shoes a woman’s – everyone loves a fountain pen.

With that said, some designs may be appreciated by a woman’s penchant for beauty a bit more. Here are five femininely designed pens, just for you. [Continue Reading]

Why Owning a Quality Pen Matters Now More Than Ever (Inkstable)

Today, two years in the pandemic, I think it is safe to say that we are all craving small pleasures. While nothing will be able to replace the time lost, there is something to be said about being able to appreciate things a little more now than pre-Covid.

That’s actually how I got into fountain pens. Spending more time at my desk, I realized I enjoyed writing more by hand when I was using a luxury pen. My handwriting developed, my thoughts flowed easier. I took time to enjoy the process, not just the finished product of whatever it was I was writing down. There was intentionality behind my act that couldn’t be replicated with a ballpoint, or even a rollerball. There was something new about writing with fountain pens. It’s been an exciting journey, I’ll say that much for it. [Continue Reading]

What Pen Would Have Fitted Virgil Abloh Best? (Inkstable)

In late November, the fashion world lost a beloved designer. Virgil Abloh was the most recent artistic director of Louis Vuitton and, later, LVMH. His groundbreaking career allowed for new voices – and faces – to be recognized in the high fashion world and, because of this, his influence will be felt for years to come. [Continue Reading]

An Ode to the iPod (Gents Cafe)

Recently I was opening what I assumed was a box of Christmas decorations, but was really a memory box of sorts from my high school and university years. Here, a pendant from school; there, a ticket to an amusement park. I felt like an archeologist, digging up remnants of the Lost Civilization of the Aughts. And below the candy wrappers and movie ticket stubs laid the Rosetta Stone of this excavation: my iPod. [Continue Reading]

The Stylish Man’s Secret (Valet.)

Having been born in Indiana, I share much of the Midwest Protestantism of my forebears and extended family. I believe hard work generally does pay off. I think a “thank you” can go a long way. And, I believe, too, that spending upwards of $500 on a single pair of shoes can be a bit ridiculous. Which is why I don't. Or, rather, I haven't since 2019, when I started using a cobbler.

I know that shoes aren't built the way they used to be—but some are. And those are usually an investment. If you're fed up with cheap, uncomfortable footwear that wears out in less than a year, then you're better off buying quality shoes and then taking care of that investment. [Continue Reading]

2021

Ignite Your Inner Adventurer with Montegrappa’s Age of Discovery (Inkstable)

In a period where the global economy flowed on the backbone of the spice trade, the world began to expand in the imaginations of the kingdoms of Europe. It was this vast wealth and unimaginable courage that a few explorers were able to redefine the boundaries of the continents. Magellan was one such man. [Continue Reading]

The Right Robe Will Brighten Your Morning (Gear Patrol)

Most mornings, you will find me in a robe braving the cold kitchen floor as I make my morning coffee. For maximum comfort, I turn to one made from trusty terry cloth, a material that wears well (meaning it keeps you both warm and dry) and lasts long. [Continue Reading]

Where to Find the Best Men's Pyjamas (Gear Patrol)

Manhood is just a series of small victories leading into your thirties — when things seem to settle down a bit. Whether it’s your first time getting behind the wheel of a car or applying for your first mortgage, there are certain milestones essential to becoming an adult. One such milestone that’s often forgotten is transitioning from dingy basketball shorts or sweatpants into proper pyjamas. Reserved in our cultural mind’s eye for British aristocrats or retired actors in Palm Springs, a pyjama set is an oft-forgotten step in the right direction towards having your shit together. [Continue Reading]

Christmas Gift Guide 2021(Gents Cafe)

My eye this holiday season is on a piece from Tony Shirt Makers. I’d love a bespoke piece of his, which straddles the line between eclecticism and professional tailoring. A perfect piece for the farm, but just as fitting for a weekend in Geneva. [Continue Reading]

It’s Almost the New Year. Are You Ready to Improve Yourself? (Gents Cafe)

While I would like to think that I am not totally susceptible to the sway of the New Year, I know that this is false. For one, I recently re-upped my gym membership. For another, I have scheduled appointments with a dermatologist, dentist, and nutritionist for the upcoming weeks. No, this is not because I favor Quasimodo in looks, but rather so that I can start 2022 on good footing. [Continue Reading]

Build Connections, Write a Letter (Inkstable)

At this very moment, Reader, I have exactly 61 unanswered text messages. That does not include what’s left unanswered on Whatsapp, emails, and (shudder) voicemails from my mother. I ignore them. They’re easy to forget – just a small red bubble on a screen. I’m inundated with reminders, alerts, alarms, and appointments all day long.

This is to say, if you have texted me a note of appreciation in the last month, I have not read it. In fact, I probably purposefully ignored it. I find thank-you texts a bit gauche, don’t you agree? And if gauche is too strong a word, then I think lazy might be an appropriate substitute. [Continue Reading]

Ten Pens that Will Stand Out Under the Christmas Tree (Inkstable)

I don’t know about you, but the holidays seem to be approaching much faster this year. Perhaps it has something to do with now being vaccinated, so I am antsy to travel. Perhaps it is simply something to look forward to in the doldrums of winter. In any case, Hanukkah is this week and Christmas is a month away.

And if you are a procrastinator (like me), then this may be a bit of a scary thought. Luckily for you, I’ve put together a list of ten brands that would make excellent gifts this month. Each of these brands have a certain cachet that’s fit for a corporate gift or a girlfriend (and maybe something for yourself, too).[Continue Reading]

A (Semi-Serious) Guide to Starting Your Own Flock (The Yellow Gloves)

This November, it will be a year since my entire flock of hens was taken out by a single weasel. They didn’t stand a chance, I’m afraid. My hens were quite pampered, fat, and a little lazy.

But every day I have missed them. They were great companions. I am, myself, a little lazy and so, being responsible for thirty-odd hens gave me purpose. I would wake up in the midwinter freeze to bring them hot water. I’d cut them fresh melon in the Summer during the drought we had one year. I have even performed minor surgery on one or two birds. I will spare you the gory details of that experience, thank you very much. [Continue Reading]

Will Pens Have Some Kind of Importance in the Digital Age? (Inkstable)

One wouldn’t be mistaken to say that there is a direct correlation with digital progress and the decline of pen sales. It makes sense, in a way. One didn’t expect a boom in iPods when Spotify got on the scene. Technology – both analog and digital – has a Darwinism about it. The survival of the fittest, and all that.

But one would be mistaken to think of pens as some sort of relic of the past, a kind of dinosaur in our digital age. Yes, they’ve been relegated to the sidelines, but they are far from extinct. [Continue Reading]

Broad Nibs: A Writer’s Best Friend (Foolish Magazine)

While I live my life digitally, I enjoy my life on paper. For me, writing is a tactile activity as much as it is a cerebral one. And, because of this, I must have the right tools to enjoy myself.

Consider the nib. For most of my life, I thought I was a fine nib sort of guy. For a rollerball, a finer point works well for me. This is because I have a sort of scribble to my handwriting and the skeletal scratches of my penmanship flow easily in a .7mm point. But for a fountain pen, it is different. I must have a broad nib to really experience writing the way I want to experience most pleasures in life: slowly. [Continue Reading]

Thinking of Getting a Luxury Pen? Here are 5 Reasons Why You Should (Inkstable)

Before I understood that luxury pens existed, I was constantly trying to find a pen that would work for my specific needs. I was like Goldilocks and the local office supply store was the bears’ house. I would grab a pen and think, “No, this one is too small.” I’d grab another, “No, this one is too thick.” Ultimately, I would get frustrated, buy one that was on sale, and hope it would work. [Continue Reading]

Magazines: A Subscription to a Well-Lived Life (Gents Cafe)

With Wes Anderson’s French Dispatch being released this month, there is a resurgence of appreciation for journalism. I am quite thankful for that. Magazines have never lost their romanticism to me. [Continue Reading]

Sailor’s Wabi Sabi and the Philosophy of Embracing Imperfection (Inkstable)

Oftentimes, when talking about craftsmanship, we are talking about precision, exactitude, and a balance of aesthetic and function. It’s really a Western standard of design that most pen brands are held up to. But what if this was not the only standard of design that should be introduced within the pen industry? Japanese pen brand, Sailor, seemed to have posed this question in their latest Limited Edition, the Wabi Sabi 1st. [Continue Reading]

Leading Men and Elegant Pens: A Match Made for Hollywood (Inkstable)

My grandfather was a farmer by birth and a woodworker by trade. Because of this, one of his favorite sayings was, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to.” I can still hear him say this in the background of many of my childhood memories on his farm, Tanglewood. For instance, when the television would static during his favorite Western. Or when his Ford would take a second to start up. It was always the same: They don’t make ‘em like they used to. [Continue Reading]

Five Pens Matched to Five Cities (Inkstable)

Having now worked in the fountain pen industry for just under two months, I have had a reconnection with design that I had lacked in previous roles. I look at the merits of pens and find the subtlety of the designers’ inspiration in the craftmanship of each piece.

But I take it one step further these days.

With not being able to travel internationally for nearly two years now, I am anchored to my home instead. My mind tends to wander to far-off places, where I explore only through books and documentaries now. Pens have taken on a new meaning, a sort of passport for me. I think of their design not in the context of their brand, but in the context of global inspiration.

For this reason, I have selected five pens and corresponding cities that they remind me of. Perhaps you, too, can find a bit of escapism in these pens as I have. [Continue Reading]

Make Something of Your Dinner (Valet.)

I’ve worn many hats in my professional career. I dropped out of law school and sold timeshares in San Diego. I processed contracts. I worked for event planners and wrote emails about custom toupees (or, “hair systems” as we were forced to call them). I was a barista who happened to be certified to sell real estate in California.

I say this all because the one professional bullet I have seemed to avoid as a poetry major during the Great Recession is that of a waiter. No, I never did don an apron and a fake smile. This surprises me, even now, especially considering my love for being phony and wearing a uniform. But somehow I dodged it entirely. [Continue Reading]

While the Duncampbells are Gone (Self-Published Fiction Work)

“Mr. Thomas, have you been in the Tunisian Room recently?”

These were the first words spoken since the soup was brought to the table. The groundskeeper looked up from his spoon to answer. Kieran, who stayed through the winters to repair what would break, tore a piece of brown bread. He only half listened to the things Siobhan said.

“No, Miss. I don’t go up in the big house. Don’t have a reason to.” [Continue Reading]

A Kitchen is like a Man's Wardrobe (Gents Cafe)

I am driven mad nowadays with the need for every possible kitchen scenario to be instantly and effectively treated with a gadget that can only do one specific thing. I got a targeted ad the other day for a handy-dandy countertop egg steamer. “Perfect every time!” it exclaimed at me in bold font. Well, I thought, those poor dears who bought theirs. Surely they don’t have running water and literally any sized pan. [Continue Reading]

It’s Never Too Late to Discover Good T.V. (Valet.)

At the risk of sounding glib, the only good thing about this pandemic is the free time I’ve had on my hands. Having worked in a sector that was hard hit by COVID-19, I had a few quiet months where I was unemployed. During that time, I picked up many new habits. Some good (like learning how to make authentic limoncello from scratch) and some bad (like smoking). One habit I've also picked up that could arguably be in either category is watching television. [Continue Reading]

A Lost Heir in Rome? (Italy Segreta)

I only have a few minutes to write this, but I feel I must. I believe I am on the verge of a great adventure. You see, right now, I am in my room at the Hotel Locarno, which is in Rome. If you have never been here, you must book a room immediately. It is unlike any other place I have stayed. It is a homier feeling than the Tuscan villas to the north. It is honey-colored in all hours of the day and decorated in sage, gold, and dark oranges, which only adds to its elegance. It is not cold like the castles of Ireland, nor is it wood-paneled and masculine like the lodges of Germany. It is entirely its own. I can already tell this city is full of hidden beauty. Hassler Hotel is just one I happened to have stumbled into. [Continue Reading]

The Elegant Ceremony of a Fountain Pen (Gents Cafe)

There are moments that call for a bit of formality, even in the most cluttered of desks. I clear a space between pencil shavings and computer cords. I crumble up the paper that has a ring from my coffee mug to make room for my stationery. I sit down and stare at the blank page in anticipation of the upcoming ceremony. [Continue Reading]

The Pink Herring of Palermo (Self-Published Fiction Work)

I hope it does not sound dramatic, but I feel I must write the events of the last day down on paper. Too much has happened that I have an almost surreal feeling about my time in Palermo. Not only that, but there is a chance I may die tonight. If that is the case, please send my diary directly to all of the major newspapers. There is nothing they love more than to print a story of a handsome man who fell from grace. I am, of course, one such man. [Continue Reading]

Escape the City on the Open Road (Gents Cafe)

There is something freeing about a road trip. One isn’t beholden to airport security checks, nor to train timetables or mouthy taxi drivers. One can stop for a beer, be enticed by an attention-grabbing billboard, even spend the night in the backseat with the windows rolled down. Yes, a road trip is the perfect means to a destination, if you do it right. [Continue Reading]

Ms. Whitaker in 10C (Self-Published Fiction Work)

Margaret Whitaker was three hours early for her flight. If she flew more, you might say that it was a habit of hers to be this early. But, Margaret did not fly. In fact, she hated it.

She had woken up at 5:30 that morning with a swift and practiced tap at the little brass button that curved at the top of her bedside clock. She ate a piece of dry toast at 5:35. By 5:40, she splashed water on her face at the kitchen sink to jolt herself awake. She did not drink coffee. It did not sit well in her system. [Continue Reading]

From ‘Gram to Grave: An Exploration of the Queer Dog Mom Lifestyle (Waggel)

I realized just how interconnected our lives are to our pets. And it struck me, exiting the Cimetière, would I build a monument to Xander? Xander, you may have guessed, is my dog. He is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a pretty shit one at that. While this particular breed was bred for bird hunting, I have the sneaking suspicion that he’s not living up to his full potential. And considering a neighbour of mine reminds me often that Cavaliers need lots of mental stimulation, I’m left wondering where I went wrong. [Continue Reading]

Dog Breeds and Gender: Culture Normative (Waggel)

I question everything now. What privilege do I have as a man? Am I handicapped in some way because I am gay? Will my sister call me a misogynist for the Burberry dress I bought my niece for her confirmation? Is my walk too feminine? Is my walk too masculine? Is my walk non-binary? I ask these questions to be sensitive. I ask these questions because my degree in Human Sexuality already seems so outdated (I graduated in 2012). [Continue Reading]

Lady Phyll and a Pug named BeBe (Waggel)

As director of UK Black Pride and CEO of The Kaleidoscope Trust, Lady Phyll has built a truly exceptional space for acceptance in her professional life. This is most evident with UKBP. With attendance reaching the tens of thousands, UKBP has gained worldwide recognition as what Pride “could be”. And much of that is thanks to Opoku-Gyimah’s vision of a less commodified, more community-driven approach to sexual and gender celebration. [Continue Reading]

Twenty-Four Hours in the Life of a Gigolo (Self-Published Fiction Work)

The easiest thing in the world is to make someone fall in love with you. The hardest thing in the world is to sustain the charade. That is why all of my appointments are scheduled for two hours. After that, the carriage must turn back into a pumpkin sometime, so to speak.

You see, I am a gigolo. It is my calling in life to provide companionship to women. My clientele is of an older demographic. Many are discreet. All are widows. I am most companionable with very rich women, which is very lucky for me. [Continue Reading]

Surround Yourself in Small Beauty: A Guide for Spring (The Yellow Gloves)

I have built a life on simple pleasures, dear Reader. They are often contradictory and honed only through some uneducated gut instinct in which the only criteria is “I like this” and “I don’t like that.” This has meant that I often eat cake for breakfast and sometimes I sneak a cigarette afterward. It means we own three dogs and inexplicably three cats as well. It means I do not follow fad diets or Tik-Tok recipes or the thousands of trends that inundate menswear. It means you will find me in corduroy up until the very last day of Spring when I’m baking in it. It means, quite simply, I enjoy the little things over the big. Life is an Impressionist painting, in that way. [Continue Reading]

Fix Your Clothing Yourself (Valet.)

I’ve always had a thing for obvious mending. My books are dog-eared, my notebooks foxed. I hardly, if ever, polish my shoes. My glasses bend a bit upwards. This is due to the years of cradling my head with the palm of my hand while reading in bed. You might say I have an affinity for scars, in a way. [Continue Reading]

2020

Cave Canem (DOG Magazine Issue 7, Print)

Ten years ago, I lived in Italy. Rome, to be exact. I am only now remembering it. I lived in a convent with twenty other students and a handful of nuns. I lived in a shared room. I celebrated my 18th birthday at a gay bar by the Coliseum. I climbed the security wall more than once when I forgot the keycode at the gate. The campus is in an area of Roman suburbs which means “split mountain”. [Purchase Copy Here]

The Italian Greyhound (DOG Magazine Issue 7, Print)

Two years ago as a wedding gift, we received a reproduction of a Jean-Baptiste Oudry painting. The style, characteristic of Oudry, is naturalistic with an emphasis on subtly. The frame is a faint gilded thing I believe my in-laws had picked up at one of those parking lot flea markets that are so common here in Pennsylvania. At the foreground two names are written: MISSE and TURLU. These, of course, are the names of Louis XV’s beloved Italian Greyhounds. [Continue Reading]

A Time of Small Gifts (The Quarantine Review, Print & Digital)

Something extraordinary has happened to me: I no longer tell time the way I used to. In fact, my entire relationship with time has changed. Days and weeks and months and seasons were once dominoes. They would fall in the order they were stacked. Now, I see my days more akin to a skipping stone. Sometimes it ripples for what feels like forever. Other times it sinks on the first go. [Continue Reading]

Down the Danube with Paddy (The Yellow Gloves)

For better or for worse, we humans are categorical animals. We like to know the enemy as well as the friend. When I travel, especially when planning my outfits, I often think of how the locals look. I wore a vintage Levi’s suede jacket in Paris on my 25th birthday. I wore a camouflage hat during my high school years in rural Pennsylvania. [Continue Reading]

Leafing Through Summer (The Yellow Gloves)

This Summer, I have had to make adjustments. Usually around this time, I am found dozing in a reclining chair. My hair has the faint tinge of chlorine and aloe vera. My room key is being used as a bookmark. My drink is flirting with the risk of being too watered down, the ice cubes lazily melting in the sun as much as I am. [Continue Reading]

The Domestic is Telling Us Something - And Always Has Been (The Yellow Gloves)

In the expanse and aftermath of two World Wars, British writers tried to grapple with a shifting patriotism by hyperfocusing on the domestic. Waugh’s social comedies about the Bright Young Things and Coward’s plays about contemporary London life infused humor into the everyday, while showing its vagaries as well. A whole generation of writers made a living in examining, dissecting, ridiculing the lives or ordinary (and extraordinary) characters that existed in the Oxbridge backdrop of one too many novels of that time. [Continue Reading]

2019

Hunting for Relevancy: The Rise of British Sport (The Yellow Gloves)

In tallying up the books I have read this year, I noticed a trend. Of the 38, more than a few have included a hunting weekend as the backdrop of the plot’s circumstance. From the Duchess of Devonshire’s memoirs including a section on Harold Macmillan learning to shoot to the mishaps surrounding a hunting party in Mitford’s Highland Fling, I seem to have a penchant for the moorish stage on which these aristocratic endeavors are set. [Continue Reading]

Picnics: A Performance of Leisure (The Yellow Gloves)

It is Ferragosto today, the mid-way point of August. This is my favorite time of year. That is because I am, admittedly, an opportunist. I take advantage of the temperate evening and late sunsets. I throw an old blanket into a pasture and sprawl out with a sandwich. I cancel all appointments on those afternoons. As W. Somerset Maugham said, “There are few things so pleasant as a picnic eaten in perfect comfort.” I tend to agree. [Continue Reading]

Brand Friend Spotlight: Brett Braley-Palko (Dempsey & Carroll)

[Read the Interview Here]

The Portable Potager: Kitchen Gardening At Any Size (The Home Page UK)

I used to live in California; it did not work out for me. Having grown up in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, the colour palette was a gradient of greens. I used to shake the grapevine over the chicken run and watch them scramble for a muscadine. Small and disfigured peaches grew in the backyard of my childhood home. They were almost sour, but I still felt like it was an accomplishment to pick the best ones and share them with my mother. But in the city, I only had manicured lawns and water conservations brought on by drought. [Continue Reading]

Lesson Found in Moving Home (The New Farmer’s Almanac, Volume IV, Print)

We bought our farm when I was twenty-five. Five acres, nothing big. It sits in the middle of two mountains. Hills, really. It rains a lot, gets cold easily here. Stays cold longer. It was hard to drive the first winter. I still had my rear-wheel-drive Mercedes and couldn’t make it up the road. People stopped to help and I cried in a stranger’s truck. [Purchase Copy Here]

2018

The Joy of Letter Writing (The Home Page UK)

In July 1965, Deborah Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire – the youngest of the iconic Mitford sisters – wrote to her sister, Diana, “Wouldn’t it be dread[ful] if one had… sisters who didn’t write?” As one with a sister who doesn’t write – I have to say, it is a bit dreadful. [Continue Reading]

Brett F Braley Interview: Baking, Chickens, and Life in Rural Pennsylvania (WoolOvers)

[Read the Interview Here]

Shoofly Pie: Recipe (Bake from Scratch: Volume Two, Print)

[Purchase Here]

How the Continental Breakfast Went Intercontinental (Taste Magazine)

My favorite hotel billboards have always been the ones that are Spartan but informative—a block text checklist on a low-lit marquee. For example, near my brother’s house in North Carolina there is a sign that reads: “FREE HBO. NO WIFI. ENJOY AT $40/NIGHT.” Another in my hometown in Pennsylvania reads: “CABLE N AIR. WEEKLY RATES AVAIL.” I drive past all of these signs until I read the three words I love more than any other: “CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST HERE”

When I am searching online for hotels, “free breakfast” is the first box I check in filtering out hotel options. I don’t even usually eat breakfast at home, truth be told, but I love a continental breakfast. [Continue Reading]

2017

Sweet Potato, Kale, and Goat Cheese Frittata: Recipe (Modern Farmer)

[Continue Reading]

Frosted Farm Animal Crackers: Recipe (Modern Farmer)

[Continue Reading]

Origin of a Classic: Shoofly Pie (Bake from Scratch, Print & Digital)

Traditionally consisting of a basic piecrust with a cake-like molasses-flavored filling and a crumbled flour, sugar, and butter topping, this humble pie has a winding history. Though closely associated with the Pennsylvania Dutch community, shoofly pie’s popularity has extended well beyond the farm since its first appearance in the late 1800s. [Continue Reading]

2016

In the Kitchen With: Brett Braley’s Cinnamon Naan Elephant Ears (Design*Sponge)

My father is not an adventurous eater; and there are certain days where I would say I am not, either. He’s a meat and potatoes guy, untrusting of anything he can’t pronounce or that doesn’t come in a cellophane wrapper. We used to go to the county fair, my father and I, before the ticket prices were $15 a head and parking was free at the church adjacent to the fairgrounds. And at the end of a long, long day, we’d stop at his favorite stand where he’d buy himself two elephant ears and down them with a Diet Coke. It was his reward for a hard day’s work of being a father while my mother worked the weekend shift. For this recipe, I blended my father’s county fair dessert with a naan recipe that has been sitting around, just waiting to be used at the perfect moment. [Continue Reading]

Reminiscent Recipes (BOXY Magazine, Print)

[Purchase Copy Here]

A Town I Never Could Forget (Driftless Magazine, Print)

[Purchase Copy Here]