Icebreaker

T-Shirt: J. Crew ; Denim: J. Crew ; Sneakers: Vintage

It is HOT. I mean, ‘step out into the sun and immediately break a sweat’ hot. This surprise heat wave not only has me craving iced coffee and a whole lot of margaritas but also light colors to get me through. I usually pack my warm weather wardrobe with colors that pop in the blazing sun because their fun and also because they tend to keep me feeling cool despite the forecast.

I am sure it doesn’t come as a surprise that I am constantly running around doing errands, popping into meeting and trying to balance the busy. So, when it comes to making sure that I don’t become a sweaty mess before the day has begun, it’s even more important for me to rock outfits that prove worth of record temps.

Pairing a peachy perfect tee with white denim will be your best friend when you think about melting into a puddle. J. Crew has been my go to summer casual shop as of late with their bold looks and easy to rock playful prints. So we will label this pop of color filled outfit as the “icebreaker”. Why? Well, a bold statement t-shirt isn’t just the best way to break up a white-on-white look, it’s also a great cocktail conversation starter.

Go on, make your move and get people talking.

Summer Style Picks

Mixing, mingling and making summer one the remember. That’s what this post is all about. I’m giving you a rundown of the styles and essential items that will keep you well kept through the hottest months of the year. I’ve partnered with Neiman Marcus to bring you the best without blowing your budget (because you’ll need it for those margaritas and vacations).

A good casual shoe is everything in the heat of summer. Day to night, beach to barbecue. Vince makes a super comfortable sandal that turns your shoe style from tourist to trend. An Italian made rubber flip-flop sandal will serve you well during the day, but lets go after dark. I covet a lightweight sneaker that blends durability with transitional fabrics that breathe. Try this low-top sneaker from John Varvatos. Half calf-skin sided shoe, half perforated siding, all style.

Shoes are sorted, now onto suits. No, not your tux or blazer. I’m talking the kind that get soaked while catching a wave or diving into the blue. Vilebrequin kills the swimsuit game and my pick doesn’t let you down. This “Jim” swim trunk in starfish print is nylon based with a relaxed leg to provide maximum comfort in the sun. Be sure to lather up with my favorite Kiehl’s sunscreen before you hit the sand or pool!

You’ll be smart to carry along shirting that allows you to be active this summer without worrying about sweating up a storm. Chambray is your friend this season, don’t forget it. Theory makes a great button-down that’s soft washed but still gives the rugged look of a vintage work shirt. Need a fun tee? Grab this one with a fun print and relaxed fit.

Now that you have all of my essentials, be sure to accessorize. Stay cool with these amazing water bottles from S’well and a pair of reflective sunnies from classic brand Ray-Ban.

Go forth and summer!

Short Circuit

Shorts: Banana Republic; Tee: Gap ;Sandals: Birkenstock

I remember, with regretful consciouses, the days of cargo past. But, really, that’s just a fancy-pants way of saying, I remember those horrible, wretched, disgusting, awful, heart-wrenching, pitiful, ‘don’t look at me funny, I’m macho. No really, I am! Stop, I’m crying now’ days where our greatest fear was to unknowingly expose our knees to the world. The solution? Cargo shorts. I really don’t need to say anything more about them. They don’t deserve words.

Now that the summer months are upon us, it’s time to be bold and show that short shorts are trending and accessible. The shorts above are the perfect length with a fun print and well fitted leg. A preppy twist on the classic club short is a great addition to your closet.

About those sandals. You may find it hard to believe, hell even I did at first, but lightweight strapped sandals are making a comeback. Dudes, they’re comfortable, classic and can be rocked with a variety of different looks. Perfect for the beach or sitting poolside, this lightweight, waterproof slide sandal is made from flexible EVA foam while the legendary footbed mimics the shape of the foot and provides excellent support. See? Comfort is cool, especially when you’re on vacation.

Tie this sandal and shorts look together with a tee that breathes and you’ve got the total package. And that’s the short of it.

Gray Days

You’ve come to appreciate denim as more than the 501s you rock on the weekends during a day full of errands. It’s finally time to embraces mens fashions best kept secret, gray denim. Yup. Who knew that switching up your blues to grays could make the world of difference and get you noticed for stepping outside of the blue jean box? Well now that you do, I’m here to tell you just how to wear it.

Recently, Banana Republic released a new collection that included summer friendly shirts that let the breeze in while keeping you casually chic. The shirt I am rocking in this post is a part of that collection and only feeds the buzz and love around the grayed out denim trend happening right now. Chambray, or light denim, has been a staple in men’s wardrobes since the sixteenth century. Developed in Cambrai, France, this fabric is a lightweight, plain weave cotton cloth making it perfect for layering or sweltering summer nights.  Not only is chambray both comfortable and versatile, it has an effortlessly stylish feel to it. There are countless ways to wear and pair your favorite chambray, but take a look at one of my picks above.

Looking to take the style one step further? Pair it with one of these great bandanas (trust me it will get you noticed for all the right reasons) and you are all set for a afternoon or night out without breaking a sweat.

Au Naturale State

From time to time, the wicked travel bug bites. When it does, like any good wanderlust filled individual, I seek out new places to see. When an opportunity came up recently to visit Arkansas, I had my reservations. I hadn’t heard much about the state prior to my visit and from what I had heard, I didn’t really see myself enjoying it. Boy was I wrong.

In full disclosure, I was in Arkansas to run a half-marathon (I know, crazy) but I wanted to see the ‘Natural State’ so badly I booked a stay in Bentonville and hit the road. The drive was about 6 hours and we went through many a playlist, road game and audiobook but alas we made it to our hub for the weekend. It was a beautiful drive and the road provides a scenic glance at every turn. We booked our stay at a boutique style hotel called 21c Hotels. They have 6 locations nationwide but Bentonville is the gem of their line.

So where do I recommend staying, playing and dining in the heart of the Ozarks? We enjoyed meals at The Hive at 21c Bentonville, Tavola Trattoria and Eleven at the Crystal Bridges museum. As far as activities? Don’t miss Walton Family Owned Crystal Bridges Museum, one of the many trails around town or a visit to Playfest happening this June! Of course, my recommendation on lodging begins and ends with the incredible 21C Bentonville that I gushed about earlier!

Its a magical city that you wouldn’t normally think of so I definitely encourage a visit!

Knock Out, Back Up

Like clockwork, my week comes to a head every Thursday. The stresses from Monday through Wednesday catch up with me and it’s an all-out brawl to finish everything up before my weekend begins (since I obviously consider Friday the first day of the weekend).

I recently partnered with storied brand, Longchamp, to share my #LongchampSecretCity finds around Dallas. Most importantly, I get to share with you my favorite places to sneak away, recharge and center my mind around the important tasks at hand.

This week, I am giving you my favorite coffee shop to down my morning joe, catch up on work and find a few moments of calm in my day. Local Press + Brew makes a mean cold brew and during the warmer months, that is exactly what I crave. So like any good worker bee, I ritualize my mornings and late afternoons by grabbing my Longchamp backpack filled with my laptop, sunnies, a notebook and a good magazine and I enjoy my caffeine boost.

Be sure to follow along with my #LongchampSecretCity picks next week! Au Revoir!

Festival Fashion Friendly

Admittedly I’ve only attended a few music “festivals” in my life. Most were EDM heavy and revolved around teens early twenty somethings getting into their skimpiest get ups and thumping their bodies to the beat of the bass.

What I’ve found to be an afterthought throughout my festival experiences though, is the perfect outfit to keep you rocking all day without worries of overheating, sunburn or exhaustion. Now I know this may be an old fashioned notion, but if I am going to be outside enjoying my favorite artists while sweating my butt off, I want to look good doing it. Enter the easy guide to festival fashion that will allow you to accomplish a chic concert festival outing.

First must? Prints. It’s important that you choose prints that make you happy. These shorts from Oxford Lads (similar)  blend bold prints paired with subtle details and great fits that look as great. They allow any dude to look great and classic while showing off the rebellious side. Festival fashion is an expression of yourself.

Another necessity is light and bright colors, the sun is hot y’all and you need to stay cool. I love a white v neck tee to keep the breeze blowing and the dance party going. Pair these two things with a fun pair of shades (like these) and a fun pop of color from your comfy kicks and you’re set.

Happy festival season!

The Big (Spring) Short

The sun is shining, the warmth of a mid-spring breeze blows in and all of a sudden it hits you. Could it be shorts weather already? Well, if you’re anything like me, this early warm weather is met with a bit of apprehension. Something about dawning shorts and showing a bit of leg when parts of the country still have snow in the forecast may seem a bit odd.

This time around I’m showcasing a versatile look that blends the comfort of sunshines warmth, with the need for a light sweater when it cools back down. It’s a preppier take on my normal style, for sure, but an achievable one if you have the want to pull it off. Take a super comfy collared cardigan from Life/After/Denim, layer with a short sleeve button up that breathes and a pair of lighter colored shorts. Voila! I love this cardigan for many reasons. Comfort should never be sacrificed for style. I get the best of both worlds with a standout shawl-collared cardigan while still paying homage to classic Southwestern Americana. The linen lightweight button up from Rodd & Gunn is also a winner and can be worn dressed up or not. Lastly, Billy Reid has my heart with these classed up shorts.

Enjoy the sun, but be prepared for the shade with this spring ready look that is perfect for your next weekend outing.

Take a ‘BITE’ Out of Spring!

In celebration of the season, noted chef Eddy Thretipthuangsin (Chef Eddy T) has launched a new spring/summer menu at BITE by Eddy T – his Oak Lawn-based eatery. I was invited in to sample the new additions as well as chat with Chef Eddy about his thoughts behind the new menu.

While the space was beautiful, dinner service was quite quiet. We had a 6pm reservation and were one of two parties until well into our dinner. Despite all that, BITE served up consistently delicious dishes and the waitstaff was attentive and warm.

Let’s talk about the food, shall we? Starters range from Grilled Shrimp Pickled Vegetable Slaw, Gochujang Lamb Chops Cilantro Soy Glaze, Garlic Purée, Curry Onions, Mâche (Korean condiment similar to BBQ sauce) to mini Lamb Chops with a Cilantro Soy Glaze, Garlic Purée, Curry Onions and Mâche. The shrimp was really flavorful and combined with a sour pickle slaw and the bite from the Gochujang. I loved the different textures too. A favorite at BITE, the lamp chops were formidable and grilled to perfection. The glaze really added a depth to this dish and took on the meatiness of the chops. To note, the ‘house salad’ at BITE is atypical and includes Field Greens with Red Onion, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, Goat Milk Feta topped with House Dressing.

Spring friendly mains were aplenty as well. One dish wee settled on was a Miso Truffle Salmon Polenta, Brussels Sprouts, Wild Mushrooms, Butternut Squash atop Miso Truffle Cream. It was a balance of flaky, light fish and delicious truffle complements. The seasonal Korubuta Pork Tenderloin, Garlic Smashed Potato and broccoli rabe was my favorite. Pan seared and packed with hearty seasonings, it was a comforting dish that explored the bevy of local ingredients to choose from.

Need something sweet? We loved the ‘Deconstructed Snickers Semifreddo’ and the pineapple upside down cake topped with a ‘pineapple flower’.

Southern Staples

Opening the door for that special someone. Minding your manners. Knowing exactly when to say “Bless your heart”.

These are all things that we consider staples of modern society in the south. Another staple? Owning a lightweight button up and knowing how to perfectly pair it with a spring styled blazer for a classic look. Fear not dear reader, I’ve ventured to the depths of the south to bring a renaissance of sorts when it comes to pulling off the look mentioned above.

Enter Pax & Parker, the brainchild of founders Winston Parker Ley and Alari Ann Paxson. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Pax & Parker is a collection-focused specialty store offering an elevated assortment of ready-to-wear and accessories for men and women. The store is designed to provide the ultimate shopping experience without all the noise and pretenses of a traditional big-box luxury retailer. Expertly curated, their designer labels represent the best in the industry while many are exclusive to Pax & Parker. Purposefully housed in a small-format space, they have the pleasure and capacity to personally connect with each customer to provide a truly gratifying experience. At Pax & Parker, they believe in quality textiles, classic designs, and modern silhouettes.

In working with this bright, young new store, I am bringing the styles and feel that the quintessential gent should strive to curate in his own personal wardrobe. Take for instance this light, off white blazer from Rodd & Gunn. Perfect for when the weather heats up or when the pressure is on during a business meeting or date and you need your jacket to breathe. When paired with this sharp, textured Billy Reid button down, it’s the perfect spring look to impress. I’ve chosen a more casual look with the jeans but a pair of chinos or even cords would work just fine.

Stay tuned for the next part of this series where we will be focusing more on playful prints…