Spring Picks and Mother's Day Tips!

It's been a busy Spring so far, the height of which was the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event April 24-27. Aside from enjoying the sights and sounds of Lexington, KY, I met a ton of well dressed men and ladies who have inspired my S/S wardrobe mindset and my choice spring selections this year. The overarching lesson of Spring 2014: just because it's bright, doesn't mean it matches. Everyone needs to RELAX with the day-glo rainbows of self-consciously preppy garb. Your entire ensemble doesn't need to consist of accent pieces. I call for a return to minimalism and subtlety!

Anyway, I realized after returning from Kentucky that Mother's Day is right around the corner. Yet again we must scour the earth, searching for a perfect gift for our angelic, martyr mothers: "don't get me anything, you're my real gift" -- YEAH OKAY MOM. On a side note, I've reached the ripe age of twenty-somethingness where plenty of my peers are mothers. I'm therefore opting to make this not exclusively a "MOM" gift guide, but a little taste of lovely things for all ladies this Spring. Don't worry guys, I didn't forget about you either.

1. Dubarry of Ireland "Menorca" in Sky, $149. The newest color update to Dubarry's timeless ladies deck shoe, in super soft sky blue leather with non-slip, non-marking soles. They're so pretty (yes, pretty) that I'm not even opposed to mother-daughter matching pairs.
2. Shinola "The Runwell" 41mm watch, $625. A hint of retro styling with a classic, minimalist profile. All handcrafted in Detroit. Stainless steel body powered by Detroit-made Argonite 1069 high-quality quartz movement. Understated, subtle, but luxurious. These are the keywords for my SS14 philosophy.

3. Bottega Veneta perfume, $90 and up. A lush blend of fresh floral notes and subtle leather undertones. In short, it's what I wouldn't mind smelling like every day this season. Not too feminine, not musky, just light and balanced. I strongly suggest you go to a store and smell it yourself. 

1. Altru Apparel "Tropical Lunch Woven," $40. After reading multiple editorials about the grand return of the Hawaiian shirt, I'm happy to see an American-made version from Los Angeles' Altru at a happy price. The quasi Warhol graphics give a user-friendly edge for those a bit wary of looking too "Aloha." 

2. General Knot "Apricot Oxford and Micro Gingham Necktie," $88. I'm a sucker for shades of peach, apricot, and tangerine (re: my PINO tangelo bowtie of yore). It's as close to pink as I'm ever willing to get. The texture in the apricot fabric adds just the right about of roughness to an otherwise cheeky color. Consider yourself fully armed for whatever weddings, dates, awkward family occasions, etc. that the season may throw your way.

3. Moscot "Randall" in Chameleon, $295. You want to know why I love Moscot? They've been based in New York for about a hundred years, and though they've certainly grown, they never sacrificed style or quality in the process. Sure you can get cheapos that look pretty similar, but you can literally feel the history and Moscot legacy oozing out of these frames. So worth it.

Confession: even the items I choose for guys are things I want for myself.

Mother's Day 2013 Gift Guide!

I always have a tough time shopping for my mom, because she likes to play the martyr and pretend that she doesn't want anything. Assuming that many of us have similarly selfless and humble ladies as mothers, I offer you a few ideas for whichever vibe your mom likes to exude.

I've seen the Dubarry Tuskar shirt in person, on a lovely lady who is, in fact, a mom, and it's unbelievably flattering and well tailored. Honestly... just a gorgeous shirt. It comes in red as well. As for the bag, I have an older model Dubarry handbag similar to the Ballymena (which also comes in Walnut), and it's the perfect size for the no-frills kind of gal that doesn't need much with her aside from her wallet, keys, phone, and some lipstick. If you like the saddle bag style but want something a bit bigger, try out the Clara from Dubarry instead. 

The classic American style of the Jones St. Stripe from Tradlands will please even the pickiest mom, PLUS it's made right in San Francisco. The Woodwear Malibu sunglasses are also made in California, of eco-friendly sustainable bamboo with polarized lenses. Do I sense a California themed Mother's Day? 

Finally, every mom could use some time to relax, and I can't see a better shirt to do it in than the Mae Nighshirt from Imogene+Willie. It's a roomy silk/cotton blend that puts the silky part on the inside (where it counts). Long enough to wear alone but stylish enough to wear with a pair of jeans if mom is forced off the couch and out on the town... this shirt is so cool that realistically, you may end up stealing it from her. Just make sure you don't get caught. P.S. Don't make mom squint... hook her up with cute reading glasses!

Oh, you're probably going to need to get her a card as well. The baby-bump Mother's Day card from Terrapin Stationers is the obvious choice. The inside reads: "AREN'T YOU GLAD I MOVED OUT? HAPPY MOTHERS DAY." 

WHERE TO BUY:

Dubarry

Tradlands

Imogene+Willie

Anthropologie

Woodwear Sunglasses

Terrapin