Another Call to NATO

Once I put a NATO strap on my "beater" watch, I pretty much stopped wearing my "good" watch.  The solution was fairly obvious.  Black and silver "Bond" NATO strap from eBay (where else?)  My Seamaster is ready for summer.

Sleigh Bells

No Cars Go

The City closed some streets in the Mission on Sunday. They should do so more often. We walked down 24th from Valencia to Howard. Bikes, skateboards, little dogs, soccer balls, kids, rock bands and Mission style...

 

 

 

 

Less is More

Shorts are going the way of khakis these days - less is more. Jettison the cargo shorts with all those puffed out pockets.  How much stuff do you really need to haul around anyway?  Picked up these Marc Jacobs at Loehmans on the cheap.  Lightweight cotton and just long enough. Finally, don't be afraid to go for a bold color.

Tighten your Belt

Jeanshop double ring belt. $155 at UNIONMADE. Functional. Versatile. Perfect.

The Drums - "Let's Go Surfing" Official Music Video HQ

Belstaff on sale at Neiman Marcus

A genuine British heritage brand, Belstaff's history can be dated back to 1924, when it was founded by father and son-in-law team Eli Belovitch and Harry Grosberg. Renowned for its legendary jackets Belstaff's patrons of the past have included Che Guevara and Steve McQueen. My favorites are the indestructible waxed cotton jackets which are a nice alternative to the leather motorcycle jacket that every designer seems to be producing these days.  Check out this one on sale at Neiman Marcus.  Not cheap by any means, but worth every penny as it will last a lifetime.

(Almost) Free Art

Every spring my good friend Makoto, his brother Vasco, and their friends, spend a few weeks in southern Chile surfing their collective brains out.  When I saw this photo of Vasco emerging from the water with the sunset illuminating a perfect, feathering lip, I started begging Makoto to send me a copy.  I forced the issue when ms. pix and I spent the afternoon at Makoto's house making what we all agreed were the world's best fish tacos.  Makoto printed out the shot as well as another shot of him pulling into an inviting barrel.  Even at a 12x16 size, the detail and colors are amazing (the Canon 5D helps).  Picked up a pair of rustic wood frames at Pottery Barn for under $90 bones.  Presto - instant art on the cheap.  The shots of the brothers Agnoli in surfing nirvana look great in my bedroom.  Next year I'm in.

Tough Love

I know, I know...it's all about boots these days with American brands like Red Wing and Wolverine getting mad love.  But a man can't live in boots alone.  These Frye oxfords (similar to these ones) are a good alternative.  With their chunky rubber sole and pebble grain leather, they are right at home in the garden or having a beer dropped on them at Bottom of the Hill.  In fact, the more beat up they get, the better they look.  I stole these at Martin + Osa for $45 - down from $200 (Martin + Osa is going out of business and the whole store is basically on sale. I'm liking these shorts and these chinos).
Lots of alternatives out there. I like these and these - both available at the indispensable Gimme Shoes in Hayes Valley.

Carnival

Spent the day tromping about the Mission, eating and drinking.  Lots of fun - not a whole lot of style. There were a few exceptions...