Life In Style

Swamp @ss Be Gone

                       Boy Wonder saves your butt...

                  

With the thermometer cresting 100 degrees on a regular basis, men are faced with the terrible reality of Swamp @ss.  Also known as Monkey Butt, Swamp @ss is that awful combination of sweat, humidity, and cotton underwear that every man experiences when wearing jeans in the heat.

It's a problem. 

Enter Patagonia's Active Classic Boxers..  The super breathable and quick-drying boxers wick away the swamp stuff before it gets you, plus they are made of 100% recycled polyester so not only will they keep you and your patute cool, they are another way for us to save the world and go green. 

As a fan of all things that wick, Patagonia has truly outdone themselves.  Unbelievably comfortable and light weight, they are available in a variety of colors and styles.  If you are old school or a bit Metro - have no fear.  They also offer a brief and boxer-brief in the same material.  And as I never want the ladies to feel left out, Patagonia has a full line of women's underwear as well. 

Patagonia is one of the most trusted names in outdoor equipment and is designed with outdoor enthusiasts in mind, so imagine what it could do for your cubicle-bound lifestyle.  I never gave much thought to underwear but I have seen the light.  A pair of these will change your life.

Check out the anti-swamp @ss collection at REI or Patagonia online. 

The Driving Loafer Changed My Life

Boy Wonder emerged recently from his self-imposed blogging hiatus to share a bit of fashion wisdom For The Boys...

The Driving Loafer Changed My Life by Boy Wonder

The heat of the summer creates a problem for most men.  The desire to remain cool and look cool inevitably leads to a default footwear option: the flip flop (or man-sandal, if you are more the Armani type).  While the flip-flop is hard to beat for comfort and ease, it is often, if not always, lacking in the appropriate dress category.  You can't roll into a nice restaurant or a dinner party in flip-flops and expect the world to take you seriously. 

Enter the driving loafer.  Designed to be worn with or without socks, the driving loafer offers all the advantages of a flip flop (breezy slip-on ness), while still providing a sense of Clooney style that the flip- flop just doesn't get done.  Plus, I know no men who actually update their rubber flip-flops each summer which means we're all walking around in a serious funk of sun-dried chlorine, sweat, and beer from the last year's 4th of July party. 

Moreover, the driving shoe is versatile.  It dresses up with slacks and a blazer or down with jeans and a button up.  It says to the world, "Hey world, I am comfortable and confident in my shoe choice and I know enough not to wear my shower shoes out for sushi on a Saturday night."  Dig it. 

I proclaim this the summer of the driving loafer.

                  

Definitely, Go.

If you're not up for There Will Be SO MUCH Blood this weekend and 27 Dresses is out of the question, go see Definitely, Maybe. The Ideal Husband endured at least 4 shop guys giving the requisite shout, "chick flick", as we truthfully answered their small talk - shop talk conversation while doing errands over the weekend.  And you know what?  It's really good.  Refreshingly good.  It's got snappy dialogue, good character repartee, and yes - heart. 

The complete enjoyment of this movie by both genders prompted a ride home conversation about the difference between chick flicks and romantic comedies.  Chick flicks give only the woman's perspective and portray the male characters through a skewed girlie prism.  They are almost always boring and silly - The Wedding Date, The Wedding Planner, Maid in Manhattan.  Whereas romantic comedies almost always explore the relationship between two equally flawed and vulnerable people, a man and a woman.  These are some of the movies that have become part of our lives - When Harry Met Sally, It Happened One Night, Pretty Woman, Shakespeare In Love.  So this little rant is For The Boys, don't dismiss a potentially lovely night out with your sweetheart because some dude in the Starbucks says, "Wow.  Chick flick."  He's probably eating his popcorn and peanut m&ms alone. 

For The Boys

The Ideal Picks

In anticipation of Friday date night and in appreciation for the Ideal Husband, here are the Ideal Picks For the Boys in January...

   

Just Do It.

Dads are the worst people to shop for.  They already have exactly what they need and if they want it, they buy it.  At this point, Dads have had their fill of golf clubs, wine decanters, duck calls, and coffee grinders out on the market.  So what do you get for the Dad that has everything?  How about Fighter Pilot for a Day?  Or Spy for a Day? Check out Cloud 9 Living for the ultimate in out-there experiences.  Whatever his secret identity may be, you'll find once-in-a-lifetime experience gifts that are certain to erase all memories of that tie you gave him last year.  For The Boys

Uncrate

The absolute coolest must haves for men can be found on this extensive, outrageous site.  Everything from custom action figures in your likeness to non-dorky diaper bags to the latest in James Bond cool living.  Full of "I have to have that" products and services, we're particularly inspired by the mouthwatering gift ideas and FBI worthy gadgets that will keep you from doing any work today.  Every single item is cooler than the last.    Who says it's just For The Boys?  Check it out here.

Shopping Is A Sport

In addition to being a first rate human being, Boy Wonder is known to many as a sort of Athletic Guru.  To that end, a point in the right direction for sportivo online shopping -

from Boy Wonder...

Having spent the better part of my formative years logging hours on the court,field, and gym- I am well versed in almost every area that requires hand eye coordination and Gatorade. Whether on the infield, fairway, treadmill, or spinning class, don't kid your self - each activity requires different footwear. Since most normal people don't share my passion for "wick away", high performance athletic equipment, shopping for new running shoes is most likely a chore.  When that three to six months is up on your Nikes or those compression shorts have seen better days, check out www.eastbay.com.  Eastbay is the best online resource for sporting goods out there.  You'll find everything from the Heart of the Hide Rawlings Baseball Gloves (that no retail stores carry anymore) to the latest from Nike, Adidas, Asics, Converse, Under Armor, Vans, New Balance, Quick Silver, Puma, Reebok, etc.... Tip: Click on the "Outlet" tab for steals on the last cycles of  shoes.

For The Boys

Taking a shine to...

Most men can't really excuse themselves to "powder their noses", but as June kicks into high gear the boys have got to have something smart up their sleeve to stave off the inevitable 3:00 oily shine.  Enter the cult worthy Shu Uemura Face Papers.  These clever little transparency sheets absorb the excess oil that accumulates on skin throughout the day.  The size of a business card and terribly discreet, gentlemen can keep them in a suit pocket or wallet for quickie touch ups.  Bring on the humidity- we're ready.

$12 for 40. Available at department stores and Sephora.  For The Boys.

The Boys of Summer

In honor of the much anticipated opening of Oceans 13 this weekend, we are stocking the bar for a summer of rat-pack cocktails and snappy dialogue.  On Saturday night, swap your usual date night plans for a little shake up with George, Brad, Matt and an homage to the civilized cocktail hour.  Boy Wonder recommends:

The Classic Highball:1 or 2 fingers of Canadian Club whiskey  in a tall glass.  Fill in with ginger ale or sprite and serve on the rocks.  Like Clooney, this one never goes out of style.

The Velvet Tongue:  A variation of the highball, but much smoother... 2 fingers of Southern Comfort,  2 fingers of Canadian Club topped off with  ginger ale and served on the rocks. This is a broad's drink- Ellen Barkin, where have you been all my life?

The Vodka Tonic:2 fingers of good vodka splashed over tonic and ice with lime in a short glass.  Old school summer preppy- crisp and refreshing in a Matt Damon sort of way. 

Sangria 13: If you've got a pack of good friends and Lake Como is out of the question, there's nothing better than a pitcher of Sangria to start the evening:  A good bottle of Spanish Roja or other red wine in a large pitcher.  Slice lemons, oranges and limes into thin rounds and add to the vino. Add ½ cup of sugar, a cup of orange juice and a cup and a half of rum.  Chill the pitcher.  Before serving, slightly crush any fruit you want to add: strawberries, raspberries, apples, pineapple, grapes etc… and add to the mix.  A little ginger ale will add fizz.  Encourage your guests to eat the fruit...who knows what will happen.

Boy Wonder lives and writes in Dallas, where the sensible cocktail hour never went out of fashion.  For The Boys

A Close Shave

Until the laser hair removal treatments become more affordable and less painful, the men of the world will endure razor burn, ingrown hairs, and the occasional nick all in the name of beauty. 

Here are Boy Wonder's tips to putting your best face forward…

Shave in the shower: The warm moisture of a shower opens your pores and softens the hair follicle. Remember to shave with the grain using light pressure.  If necessary, go for a second round shaving in the opposite direction.

Exfoliate:  Use a gentle scrub before you shave will remove dead skin cell that cause acne, ingrowns, and infections.

Lather up: Don’t even think about skipping this step. Shaving cream creates a slick lubricating cushion to allow your razor to glide without scraping. Make sure to leave it on your face for a full minute before shaving.

Don’t be dull:  Most men get razor burn because they are shaving with a dull blade.  We ought to get stock options for all the money we spend on Mach 3s, but it’s a necessary evil as a blade is only good for 4-5 uses.  Note: Two weeks is too long for a razor blade.

Post-op care: Avoid after shaves with alcohol, menthol, peppermint or citrus as they can irritate the skin and cause redness.  If you’ve got a nick that continues to bleed, try using a styptic pencil.  A styptic pencil looks like a giant crayon and stings like the devil, but will stop the bleeding with its super sized dose of aluminum sulfate anhydrous and titanium dioxide.

For special occasions, nothing beats the clean close experience of a barber’s straight razor shave.  Expect to pay around $25.00 for the royal treatment and while you’re at it, get a shoe shine as well!

Remedial shaving by Boy Wonder.  For The Boys.

Go To Wines

Whenever a man asks the host what he can bring to an upcoming event, he will most likely get the drinks assignment.  "Oh, just bring a bottle of wine."  A word to the wise: when in doubt bring a red.  Wine snobs drink red.  And if you're feeling fizzy, bring champagne.  Every host loves to have a couple bottles of the bubbly in the fridge for when the party goes late! 

Here are four stand out picks for under $25.00 that are destined to become your standby hostess gifts this year.

Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon:  Good enough to serve at your wedding and dependable for any occasion.  $16.00

Columbia Crest 2002 Merlot-Cabernet: This is the surprise of the season, shocking everyone with a high ranking spectator score of 87.  Widely available for under $12.00. 

Coppola Malbec- Look for the blue diamond.  Malbec is a good alternative to a Merlot (which is dicey).  I have found that the Coppola reds are far better than the whites.  $17.00

Coppola Blanc de Blanc Minis: We love this so much!  4 pops of champagne with bendy-straws included.  Perfect for engagement parties, showers, and gatherings when a toast is in order. $25.00

For the boys.

Mars in need

A devoted reader of the male persuasion pointed out that the posts on Life In Style tend toward the ladies.  As a smart, handsome young businessman, this gentle reader has need for good recipes that he might actually make, products he will secretly order online, and decorating options that will optimize his swinging bachelor pad.  Men, we hear your call and we've got your back.  Here it is, the first article in an ongoing series we'll tentatively call:  For the Boys...

To kick off this very masculine series, let's start with the top five "must-have" products for the modern gentleman who grooms in style.

1.  Express Shine Sponge: the fast and easy answer to the daily shoe shine.  Available in black, brown, and clear- this is a miracle solution to keeping your dress shoes polished everyday.  All that for $5.

2.  Tend Skin: the after shave toner that prevents ingrown hairs.  The one and only.  No man should go without.

3.  Frederick Fekkai Grooming Clay:  a pliable, light weight wax that won't build up or look greasy in the afternoon.  Throw out whatever hair product you have and and try this one.  It's just better.

4. Fiber One Cereal and Flushable Baby Wipes: this is the one-two morning punch for the gentleman's digestive needs.  A sure fire way to get things moving, and the apartment dweller's answer to the bidet.

5.  Silk Pillowcase: the final prevention tactic in the fight against hair loss.  Trade a silk or satin pillowcase for your 250 count cotton or flannel.  You lose the majority of hairs when you sleep.  Why risk it?

     

Products available at Nordstrom, Beauty.com, Sephora, and your neighborhood grocery store.  For the boys.