Bearings/Warhorse Workshop/Billy Reid Launch Party

Friday night I went with some friends up to Buckhead to check out the launch party put on by Bearings Guide, Warhorse Workshop, and Billy Reid, which functioned as a pre-party to the Southern Swap Meet at the Goat Farm on Saturday. It was basically a pop-up shop for the aforementioned retailers to display their goods. In addition, practically the entire Oakleaf and Acorn store had been moved down there, and John Rich, the store's owner, was on hand to talk to everyone. I can't wait to make the trip up to Braselton to check out the store.

The guys from Warhorse Workshop, including Ryan Acker (who it was great to finally meet), were on hand to show off their wares. Billy Reid himself was not there, but staff from his Florence store was allegedly in attendance. Additionally, a rep from Sebago was there showing off some of their amazing shoes. I had no idea they were making half of the things they're making (wingtips??), but most of them looked great.

Overall it was a great time, and the free Dogfish Head IPA that was on hand certainly didn't hurt. Here are some photos that I took. I apologize that some of the pictures are kind of blurry.

The infamous and elusive Neil W. Blackmon of The Yanks Are Coming (which, as far as I know, is the world's greatest soccer blog) and Christopher Robinson. Chris is single, likes doing triathlons, and is interested in dating you if you are an attractive female with cool tattoos.

Hipsters doin hipster thangs.

Additionally, Tim Haught, chief designer at Warhorse Workshop had some vintage shirts for sale, as can be seen in the photo below (also in the photo is a collection of scents from CB I Hate Perfume, which is awesome, and which are available at Oakleaf and Acorn).

Seeing as how they were about the only thing there that I could afford, I picked up a couple of vintage Gant shirts from him (which can be seen below). They're a poly-cotton blend, but have a button flap pocket, and a third collar button on the back of the neck. In other words, they're pretty awesome. Be sure to check out Tim's Etsy store, Countyline General.

Nantucket Red Jeans Update...sort of

Some of you may remember my post last October about the RL Rugby Faded Colored Denim and my thoughts on making my own pair of Nantucket Red jeans from a pair of plain white jeans. Well, I still haven't ever gotten around to that, but it looks like I may not have to.

Tonight I found myself on the Urban Outfitter website--not a place that I typically visit. In going through some of their stuff, I saw that they are selling Levi's 514s in orange "Sun Fade." These look really similar to the ones being offered by Rugby, and at $54, are literally half the price. For those who like a slimmer-fitting jean, the 514 is also a good cut.

"Hipster's Guide to Birmingham"

Photo credit: latfh

If you have been reading this blog for a while, you'll know that two of the softest spots I have in my heart are for Birmingham and for hipsters. Sometime, in spite of not being a hipster, I am really aware of the hipster culture in the Magic City, but for those of you who are not as informed, someone on freeThinkBham (some sort of Birmingham young people's Marxist website that I am not generally endorsing) created the "Hipster's Guide to Birmingham." After reading it, I think they did a pretty good job and pretty much covered all of the bases. I liked the fact that friends of mine helped start two of the businesses mentioned in the guide (Urban Standard and Bici Coop). If this sounds like something that's up your alley, give it a read.

*Hat tip to Carrie Rollwagen for posting this on Facebook and bringing it to my attention

Drake Old School Camo

Although duck season is pretty much over, the appearance of camo on several of the clothing blogs lately (as Greg mentions here) reminded me of this.

Drake is one of the better-known makers of waterfowl clothing and accessories, all of which come in a variety of the latest and greatest camos (Max-4 HD, Mossy Oak Duckblind, etc.). However, they recently introduced a line of gear in the waterfowl camo of old, what they are calling their "Old School Camo."

This stuff looks great, and if you were so possessed to wear camo in some sort of non-hunting environment (not that I am endorsing it), I think this should be your first choice. As for its use in the field, while it may not look like a photo of a marsh like some of the modern camos do, there is no telling how many thousands of ducks have been shot over the decades by guys wearing this stuff, so I would say that its pedigree is already spoken for. So whether you're sitting in a freezing duck blind at 6:30 in the morning, or riding your fixie through the streets of Brooklyn, here are some highlights:

EST Heat-Escape Waterproof Button-Up Shirt

MST Waterfowl Fleece-Lined Full Zip

Old School LST Down Coat

MST Fleece-Lined Pant

Check out the whole line here.

Bici Coop Valentine's Day party; or Hipsters, Birmingham Style

Two weeks ago I went to Birmingham to try to see if I could round up a job for when I graduate in May. While that wasn't quite success, I was able to attend the "Bici Coop Heart Brakes Prom Benefit" ("Bici" is pronounced "beachy", as in, the Italian word for bike; "Coop" is pronounced "co-op," in case there was any misunderstanding).

Bici Coop is a non-profit group that a friend of mine is starting, along with another girl, which fixes up old bikes and gives them to inner-city residents who do not have a car so that they can have some form of transportation. It will also provide these people with low-cost bike maintenance. You can check out their website here.

Anyways, as a fundraiser, they hosted an alleycat bike race (which a friend of mine from the Magic City lacrosse team actually participated in) followed by a dance party featuring music by Andy's Tea Party, and DJ Nastique of Kids Got the Disco fame. If you don't know what any of those things are that I just mentioned, it's OK; it simply means that you are not familiar with the hipster scene in Birmingham. However, fear not! I managed to get some footage of the party so that you might have a better understanding of just what happens at these things.

In case that video wasn't enough for you, T. Scott Carlisle of T Photographic was there to photodocument the whole thing. You can view his incredible photos here.

I should note that it was a prom themed party, so naturally I wore a tuxedo. Not surprisingly, I was the only one there who did so...Anyways, I had a great time, as I always do at such hipster events. I got to see a lot of friends and acquaintances and had a good time dancing.

Also, if you would like to read a more professionally written account of this event, please read my friend Carrie Rollwagen's article that she wrote for the Birmingham Weekly.

A Trip Down South...to Birmingham

The weekend before last I paid a much-needed visit to the Magic City for a long weekend. It was an excellent trip, so for those who might be interested, I thought I would include my itinerary.

Thursday:
-Lunch at Mellow Mushroom with friends who I used to work with at the County (and who are all beating me in Fantasy Football)
-A visit to see a friend who works at the Starbucks in Crestline Village
-Dinner at Al's with above Starbucks friend, along with some other friends who used to work there (Starbucks friends are great ones to have, I should note)
-Had a beer at the J. Clyde with Starbucks friends and some acquaintances from Red Mountain Church (was not as impressed with J. Clyde as I would have hoped)

Friday:
-Visit with former co-workers at KPS Group (also trying to drum up job leads)
-Visited my Magic City lacrosse teammate at he and his wife's new art gallery, the Dobbs Gallery (if you like art and have not been there, I would highly recommend stopping by)
-Lunch at Cobb Lane Restaurant with former co-workers at Ogletree Deakins (and had the "pleasure" of being waited on by most awkward/nosy waiter who has ever worked in the city)
-Made a trip to my favorite thrift store in the city and picked up two new with tag suits (one was a Corbin, one was a Southwick) which I plan on reselling (though I did sell one to my former roommate who I was staying with; the other is a 43L glen plaid if you're interested)
-Bought my brother three bottles of booze (quality stuff, I assure you) for his 21st birthday and took them to his dorm at Samford
-Had dinner at Jackson's at SOHO with some other lacrosse guys

Saturday:
-Went to lacrosse practice and had a blast
-Went to the St. George Middle Eastern Food Festival with Starbucks friends and enjoyed some authentic Middle Eastern food and belly dancing (spectating, not participating)
-Hung out with a friend at her apartment and watched Florida destroy LSU

Anyways, if you can't tell, it was a great weekend and made me really miss the city. So if you have any leads for real estate jobs there, I'd love to hear about them...

The Recovery Room, Charleston, SC

For the past seven weeks after church I have visited the Recovery Room in Charleston for brunch. I suspect that my friends are getting annoyed about how much I talk about this place, but frankly, it is pretty fantastic.



Located on upper King Street, practically beneath the Crosstown Connector, it isn't exactly in a great part of town, but it certainly adds to the bar's unique character. Inside, it is a windowless dive bar with plenty of neon and kitschy decor. The food is greasy brunch fare (along with yogurt and granola, for those trying to be healthy) and includes egg sandwiches, massive omelets, biscuits with chicken fingers covered in your choice of honey or gravy (or, if you are like me, you might accidentally get both), and "hash browns," which are better known as "tater tots." Another highlight are the $2.50 mimosas which are hard to pass up.



The place is run by Chris Boston who came from Moe's Crosstown. I must admit that he was so friendly and hilarious as our server the first day we went there, that my affinity for the place is probably due in large part to his personality. My only complaint is that it can take a while to get your food after you have ordered, so it would be great if they could work on that. However, each of the tables have Trivial Pursuit cards (Genus Edition; the only real version as far as I'm concerned) and there is a game of Connect 4 that floats around somewhere in the bar to keep you entertained while waiting.



I have not visited this place any time other than for brunch on Sundays, but it is open as a bar during the week and, apparently, serves breakfast food all day. If you're having rough morning after a late night out in Charleston, I highly recommend finding your cure at the Recovery Room.

685 King St., Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 727-0999
There is plenty of parking located across the street in the gravel/dirt lot.

On Hipsters

This is probably the best article I have read about hipsters: Hipster: The Dead End of Western Civilization. It does a great job of not only defining hipsters, but also addressing a number of the problems/inconsistencies with the "movement." Don't get me wrong, I don't hate hipsters. I knew, or was at least acquainted with, a number of hipsters back in Birmingham and they threw great parties and I enjoy their music. However, it is not something that has really appealed to me as a whole, and I think this article makes some of those reasons quite clear.

For further reading about hipsters, The Hipster Handbook really is a great read and does a great job of identifying the intricacies of the hipster sub-types in poignant satire.