Summer Travels: Glamping in Hunt Country, Virginia

Thanks to my lovely job, I spent the first week of June at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show in Virginia. It's one of the few shows where we are able to camp on site. You can't beat the commute... and frankly there's something quite nice about coming home to your own "space" at the end of the day, rather than the barren austerity of a hotel room. The Upperville show is usually brutally hot, but we were graced with pleasant enough temperatures to make evening cookouts and occasional journeys into town very enjoyable.

Some of the best barbecue I've ever had in my life was at this spot here... and the aroma from those giant smokers was not to be believed.

collar and leash by Houndworthy, beer by Guinness, Galway boot in black/brown by Dubarry

Otto held things down in the camper most of the time, but he felt obligated to walk down and make sure things were running smoothly at the booth too. Boy did he benefit...

The folks at Nutro were at the show promoting their canine goods, and Otto was more than happy to try something new. (Thanks Nutro!) 

P.S. Those crunchy treats have actual berries in them. 

P.P.S. I ate one.

P.P.P.S. It seriously wasn't bad.

Don't worry, I did eat some half decent human food on this trip too. 

I don't know if it was because I'd been subsisting off of bacon and mac + cheese in the camper, but the meal I had at the Hunter's Head Tavern was one of the best I've ever had in my life. All of their food comes from local farms, so their menu changes with the seasons. Otto also enjoyed a delicious dog dinner to-go for only 3 bucks! For Hunter/Jumper people reading... Joe Fargis was eating there too. That's an endorsement, if nothing else!

photo by Lauren Giannini for Sidelines Magazine
Our good friend and fellow photojournalist/blogger Lauren stopped by to get an obligatory glass of champagne and a photo for her Sidelines Magazine blog post about the show, which you can read here.

I've been to plenty of feed stores in my time, so I had a difficult time imaging what Dubarry product would look like being sold on one. Everyone kept telling me that Tri-County Feeds in Marshall, VA was a totally different story, but I didn't really believe them until I saw for myself. The place is mindblowing. From the outside, the building is huge, nice, but still unassuming. Step foot in the door, however, and it's like stepping into Disneyworld for tasteful country dwellers.




If Tri-County did wedding registries... I'd register for these dishes! and I'm not even engaged!

Feed, stable and pet supplies, home goods, elegant country clothing, and a top of the line collection of riding apparel for every discipline from polo to showjumping. Owners Bill and Jeri definitely know what they're doing: my wallet barely escaped in one piece. If you're too far away to make the trip, they are online... but the trip is definitely worth it.

Virginia... you were an impeccable host. Same time next year?

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.

Dubarry Launches a New Boot in the US... and a Contest too!

For months I've been looking forward to attending the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event in Lexington, KY... especially because Dubarry is launching a new boot AND sponsoring the $20,000 Dubarry Nations Team Challenge. Dubarry unveiled the Longford boot at last year's RK3DE, and this year the lovely Roscommon boot makes its American debut at the event. Like all of Dubarry's country boots, the Roscommon is completely Gore-tex lined and thus breathable yet totally waterproof. Made with Dubarry's trademark DryFast-DrySoft leathers, the Roscommon is a short (24cm tall) boot that will make an indispensable addition to any Spring wardrobe. They're so easy to throw on that I see myself leaving them by the front door for early morning dog walks or hikes along the beach. They are available in USW sizes 5 to 11.5, and are priced at $349.

If you think you absolutely need a pair, Dubarry has partnered with Eventing Nation on a "Pin it to Win It" Pinterest contest. Entries are accepted until April 18th, so put together your ultimate Dubarry outfit for RK3DE and get pinning! Each day of the event, judges will select an outfit from the entry pool to be featured. The one final winning entry will receive either a pair of the new Roscommon boots, or a pair of the Kerry boot (for men). CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS, or go on Dubarry of Ireland's Facebook page. 

Going to RK3DE every year is one of my favorite parts of working for this awesome brand, and trust me, this year is going to be the best one yet. Follow us on Instagram @dubarryofireland and Twitter @dubarry_com to keep up with our contests and various shenanigans in Lexington.

Guest Writer Dope Design Feature: KZ on Topo Designs

Being a full time traveler, both by nature and profession, brought me to Denver, Colorado in January. This trip gave me the opportunity to scope out a place that has been on my radar since it opened: the Topo Designs flagship store. I've always seen their bags online and been legitimately stoked about the aesthetics of their bags and the ethos of their brand, so walking in to their shop was incredibly exciting for me. Every bag is made right here in the USA in a LEED certified building that has a view of the Rockies; I got to experience the brand at its source. Their bags are simple, classic, stylish, and they provide you with exactly what you need in terms of function. No frills.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that they carried other exciting brands in their store, such as Randolph Engineering, who make my trusty aviator sunglasses, and Woolrich Woolen Mills, hailing from my beloved home state of Pennsylvania. Topo does an awesome collaboration with Woolrich, as seen in the photo I took as I stepped into their store.

Upon entering, I was greeted by a super knowledgeable guy named Josh who walked me through all of the bags that Topo Designs has to offer. I have seen similar, cheaper bags on the market in both style and function but for a few extra bucks, I think it's worthwhile to support the thoughtful design, quality, and philosophy that goes into every Topo product. Josh unknowingly led me to the one that was exactly what I needed: the Mountain Briefcase. It's available in the three colors pictured below, but I came to the conclusion that Duck Camo was the obvious choice for me.

Since I am writing this after having used the bag for nearly two months, I can tell you with certainty that this has been the ultimate bag for all of my needs. It can be used like a traditional two-handle briefcase that comes with a removable shoulder strap, but it also has stowaway backpack straps that allow you to carry it from inside the office straight to the mountaintop. Within a week of buying my bag I took it to ski slopes, mountain trails, the airport, and the workplace. I could comfortably fit my snacks, water bottle, and extra clothing layers for being on the mountain, which I then switched out to fit two laptops, some documents, and notebooks for the workplace. I decided to pick up the accessory straps which can be attached to the leather lash tabs on the outside of the bag. This comes in handy if you need to carry more than you can stow away inside your bag. There are also some cinch straps on the base of the bag. These cinches were useful for strapping down my jacket when I had to take it off as I began to overheat on my hike.

It goes without saying that I am now officially a Topo Designs fan for life. If you need a bag, check them out. I know Anne has been coveting some gear from Topo for over two years now and, after allowing me to blog about them, she'll probably order something very soon.

TopoDesigns.com

Austin, Texas! One of the Top Ten Dopest Cities in the USA.

I'm not sure what the other 9 "Dopest Cities in the USA" are, I just know that Austin is definitely on that list. I was lucky enough to spend a long, gorgeous sunny day in Austin a couple of weeks ago, and I feel the need to share the awesomeness with everyone. I found the city to be completely distinct from any other one I've seen in the US, and I was able to connect with it far more than I have with any other place in Texas.

Kyle! Wearing the Dubarry Keating jacket and Kerry boots. Gear fit for exploring.

We started the day with a little pre-breakfast hike up to Covert Park at Mount Bonnell. There were a lot of stairs, but the view was well worth it. An appropriately large and Tex-Mexified breakfast ensued, after which I found necessary caffeination in the form of a damn good double cappuccino at Strange Brew. The barista was a total sweetheart and gave tips on cool places to go on our one free day in Austin.

I I headed around the SoCo neighborhood with Kyle (the coolest dude I know) and marveled at the seemingly endless number of awesome, independently owned stores. Sad but true... I generally feel a lot more comfortable walking around men's shops with an actual guy, otherwise the staff doesn't seem to know what to make of me. But, that's fine. 

We went into Stag first, after Weiss Watch Co. gave me the heads up about them via Twitter (thanks for that!). They have a really impressive selection of menswear brands, from RRL to Imogene+Willie, Baldwin Denim, Gitman Bros., Filson, Penfield, etc... and New York's own Terrapin Stationers are there as well! Plus, that bright Texas sun made some new shades a necessity, and they had some Randolph Engineering aviators that fit the bill perfectly. 

Terrapin Stationers at Stag Austin!

Randolph Engineering aviators -- necessary purchase.

We stopped by Archive Vintage and I was pleased to see HELM Boots there, in the flesh, for the first time! They're as well crafted and handsome as I thought they would be. The shop also had a ton of neat vintage stuff, mixed in with new finds from rare brands.

South Congress Books caught my eye... I'm a sucker for used/vintage bookstores and this place DID NOT disappoint. If I lived in Austin I'd be in there on a weekly basis for sure. Though the shelf full of first-edition Faulkner's caught my eye... I picked up a copy of Sartre that I was missing. If you are nerdy, GO SUPPORT THIS BOOK STORE. 

Uncommon Objects was another gem that we stumbled upon. It's the sort of antique shop that you can get lost in for hours. Literally endless amounts of stuff to look through, from classic to bizarre, with plenty of Americana and distinctly Texan artifacts. They had a separate section of jewelry made out of things like antique compasses, pocket knives, skeleton keys, etc. which was completely tempting and I can't believe I made it out of there without buying something.

It would have been remiss of me not to try out some cowboy boots while I was in Texas... so we went to a place that was literally floor to ceiling, aisles and aisles of boots: Allens Boots. I've apparently got a rare size for cowboy boots (after a fitting with Rod Patrick back in October), but I found a pair of black Lucchese that felt amazing. I didn't take the plunge, but, I'm still thinking about them.

For refreshment we found Jo's Coffee, where there was plenty of open air seating and a walk-up window... and lots of cute dogs. 

Our next shop stop was Service Menswear, a short drive away, tucked into a pretty swanky little shopping center. The store was small but packed to the brim with well chosen goods. Kyle fell in love with an arrow print buttondown from Altru Apparel. 

shirt by Altru Apparel.

Another Austin MUST is proper tacos. Fortunately for us, Kyle had a friend there who recommended Torchy's Tacos, where we ate outside in the lovely sunshine and I shamelessly licked hot sauce off my fingers. They were indeed, Damn Good Tacos.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST we rushed over to the Hope Outdoor Gallery graffiti park, which appears to be the ruins of an industrial sort of building that was commandeered by graffiti artists until everyone gave up and turned it into a giant dynamic art exhibit. The view of the Austin skyline is amazing from there as well. It was a perfect and fitting end to a successful day of exploration.

Dubarry Wicklow boots and Ardmore bag, Houndworthy Stag Antler whistle

//EDIT// Oh but WAIT. There was more. Austin's got a killer music scene... that's no secret... and while we were listening to NPR on the drive into town we heard this band Sons of Fathers, who happened to be playing at the Mohawk that night. Carpe diem, baby, so we went down there and saw some great live music, witnessed some legitimate stomping of cowboy boots, and also walked by a steampunk bar that I regret not going into afterwards.

Sons of Fathers tearin' it up at the Mohawk!

VISIT AUSTIN.
>> Stag
>> Service Menswear
>> Archive Vintage
>> Uncommon Objects
>> Allens Boots
>> South Congress Books

How I Managed to Pack the Perfect Suitcase!

Packing for any kind of trip has always been a source of anxiety for me. I always forget something, some crucially important thing. In the past it's been my eyeglasses, my phone charger, pyjamas, socks, deodorant... you get the idea. The day after Christmas I was slated to go on a voyage across the Atlantic to visit London, Paris, and some of the English countryside, over the course of 10 days. It's a challenge for anybody to fit ten days' worth of clothing in a carry-on sized roller bag, and I was traveling during a particularly variable season, as far as the weather was concerned. By some strange stroke of genius though, I managed to pack the perfect suitcase. I utilized everything I had in there (as in, nothing was extra or unneeded), I never lacked appropriate outerwear or shoes, and I still had a bit of room to bring inevitable purchases back with me. 

Here's how I did it!

My suitcase is a standard carry-on size American Tourister bag that I got in Aqua blue because a) I hate how everyone has black suitcases and b) I knew it would be easier to pick out at baggage claim. For the rest of my junk I use my trusty, giant camo canvas tote from the defunct RL Rugby brand (RIP). It's large enough that I can fit my small purse in there, alongside all the other necessities that I won't be able to live without if my luggage gets lost. Awesome brimmed "Manon" hat from Anthropologie ($58), and giant fluffy infinity scarf that I can wrap over my face incase I pass out on the plane and enter fly-catching mode, tops on priority list. I got my neon X-ray yellow luggage tag from the folks at Flight 001, along with a matching Passport cover and 1-qt size bag for carry-on fluids. Very sadly, the subzero temps when I was flying out of NY during the Polar Vortex (or whatever they called it) must have weakened the plastic and my luggage tag came back to me snapped off, so I'm torn between replacing it or opting for a less weather-sensitive option.

As for the contents of my suitcase... here's where the real genius kicked in.

SHOES: 2 pairs
1 pair of waterproof leather boots, comfortable enough for walking all day and dope enough to wear with anything.
--> Dubarry of Ireland "Wicklow" boot in Walnut, $299
1 pair of black flats, not very comfortable but perfect enough for any circumstance that's a bit dressier (or where brown boots wouldn't work).
--> studded loafers from Call It Spring, $15 (on sale)
OUTERWEAR: 2 coats
1 warm, mid-thigh length down coat for chillier temps/venturing out at night.
--> Dubarry of Ireland "Salthill" coat in Black, $299.

1 lightweight, waterproof jacket for wet weather and layering.
--> Dubarry of Ireland "Behan" jacket in Raisin, $479.

Lucky for me, I work for a brand that makes phenomenal outerwear (take a stab at which that is...). Add in a scarf that you can do a lot with... I picked up my rust-colored one at Uniqlo for $12! A pair of beauteous handwarmers from Houndworthy also came in handy for all the mugs I ended up holding (see evidence below).
PANTS: 3 pairs
1 pair dark denim jeans that look good with ankle boots.
--> AG Jeans "Stevie" Straight from Anthropologie, ~$168.
1 pair black motorcycle jeans that still look cool with brown boots.
--> Free People moto jeans circa 3 years ago, ~$199.
1 pair black vegan leather leggings that can be used for a dressy dinner date, or just as easily dressed down.
--> Sanctuary Clothing Mixed Vegan Leather Leggings, $98 (but found on sale at Zappos for $65).

TOPS: the 2 most important things to bring anywhere...
1 chambray shirt. It will be your best friend. Goes over tank tops/tshirts, under sweaters, by itself, etc. I take one everywhere as part of my uniform.
--> JCrew is where I got mine a few years back, but they have new choices every spring for around $78.
1 black merino wool cardigan, on the longer side.
--> Brooks Brothers -- a bit pricier than I'm used to, but it's a wardrobe staple so you should be more willing to splurge. Warm but not bulky, and sharp enough to wear with dressy outfits if necessary.
Aside from that, throw in one warm sweater, a few t-shirts, a couple of tanks, a tunic-length dressier top (for use with black leather leggings), and a few more assorted tops for good measure.

DRESS:
1 black vegan leather bodycon dress, to wear with aforementioned flats and cardigan. Slick enough to go out to a club but elegant enough to wear to a fancy Parisian restaurant on New Years Eve (what I did). Also, folds very easily and doesn't take up much suitcase space. Procured mine from Free People a couple of years back but Sanctuary Clothing had some killer options this season as well.

Sanctuary Clothing Vegan Suede dress, $168.

The best choice I made was undoubtably with footwear. I wore those Wicklow boots every single day for ten days. We walked EVERYWHERE. Not once did I get blisters or tired feet, and on the days where it poured rain (there were quite a few), I didn't get held back. The weather in Europe is tricky to predict during the winter months, and I spent equal amounts of time in my down coat as I did in my rain shell. The waterproof jacket also came in extraordinarily handy, particularly the day we walked around Brighton, England in sopping wet conditions. I was never cold, or wet, or over dressed, or under dressed. In general, everything I own can be mixed and matched... I guess I'm stylistically pretty consistent, but in this situation it worked out for me really well.

great shopping in Brighton

chilly night on Waterloo Bridge

paid a visit to the new Dubarry flagship store in London!

fun fact: anywhere outside of New York, people think I'm Latina.

On a side note... Google is giving me a nightmare of a time regarding my blog domain. dappledwaistcoat.com is no longer working because they would never allow me to sign into Google Admin to renew it, and now that it's expired it seems I can't get it back. So for the time being, we'll be here at DAPPLEDWAISTCOAT.BLOGSPOT.COM until I can sort this out! Any advice on the matter would be appreciated!  xx A

Dope Design Featurette: Side Project Skateboards

Design junkies and skate culture fanatics alike should be drooling over Side Project Skateboards. The name describes the product better than my blog post ever could... they are literally a one time project, all handmade in Houston by a single craftsman. These vintage inspired boards are made from found/recovered hardwoods that are selected based on integrity and visual appeal. The finished pieces are painstakingly cut and finished by hand, then outfitted with the highest quality components, including hand-cut risers made of a single piece of Horween Chromexcel (!!!). I honestly would get one just to hang on a wall and admire, but they are fully rideable for those choosing to do so! The boards range from $435-$515, and only 18 of these were made. Once they're gone, they're gone forever. 

Available exclusively at www.sideprojectskateboards.com. Also, follow them on Instagram @SideProjectSkateboards!