BACK TO BASICS

Aside from the Italians, I have always liked the way the French dress. Not that I am biased with me being a quarter French – blame it on mi abuelito!

I may have the scruff but my choice of basic staples is obviously understated.
Just like Designer Alexandre Mattiussi, his S / S 2012 collection works so well because it offers clothes that not only look great, but seem right.






Do not be a wallflower - start elevating your look with all of these timeless, masculine clothes, making the classic staples feel new again.

Note to self: Enjoy all the attention rather than just looking appropriate.

GETTING BACK ON TRACK

I have been trying to hold my shit together the past few weeks, House by Kindness on repeat almost daily, a few shots of Jägermeister before hitting the sack, at which point I started bawling my hazy head off.




I need a breather! I need to update my wardrobe and get myself a new pair of loafers! And oh, I just realized, I have not gotten a decent leave from work since 2003.

No need.

A SERIOUS CASE OF WOOD SMOKE AND OCCASIONAL DROOLING

The way to a man's heart is always through his stomach - True!

Growing up down south, I have always been particular about how my barbecue is prepared.

Yes, meat smoked whole, chopped and served with a very thin sauce of cider vinegar and spices. Drools!

And no, I am not talking about the ones pre-packed and sold in the supermarket! Work on your taste buds – I have always liked my meat a bit char-broiled and CUE nailed it!


(A barbecue place does not always have to look grungy nor have sticky tables, dirty floors and surly staff. With so many restaurants to choose from, CUE’s red English telephone booth-like door stands out in a sea of sliding glass and wood-stained tinted doors.)

Imagine a slice of barbecue rubbed with a mixture of dried spices before smoking and served - Orgasmic!

(The meats aren’t the only stars! CUE’s thick and gloppy baked beans are just as good – yes, paired with sliced corned beef belly!)

You have got to trust your nose! If you're within 50 feet of a barbecue joint and it doesn't smell like barbecue, it's time to go somewhere else – trust me.


(CUE's house burger and bone marrow and steak tacos - enough said!)

And even though pork reigns among everything on CUE’s menu, chicken definitely is a close runner up.


(Love the vintage styled - Edison chandelier)

Can someone please get me another glass of prosecco!

BAG IT BIG!

With this heat, I will always be ready for the beach but again, there is always the weekend farmers market.

Yes, more sunny days for me to strut my Vera Bradley dockside canvas tote in deco red - did I just turn myself into a preppy spinster? I hope not!

(Vera Bradley dockside canvas tote in deco red)

I know I have a dozen from LL Bean to J. Crew but like dark selvage jeans and brogues in tan and black, you can never have too many of them.


(They also have it in preppy navy, lime, gray and sunny yellow.)

At a sweet price of only $68, this hot arm candy is a total must have.

And no, I'm not a freckled ginger but I have always been preppy.

NO WHIP AND THAT EXTRA KICK

I am pretty particular with the coffee I drink – yes, no whip, non-fat, warm and not hot, no cream and yes, I only use brown sugar. Not a big fan of lattes – I would rather have 7 cups of brewed coffee.


(Finished with Moroccan print tiling and coffee inspired graphics, Intelligentsia’s interior is chic, minimal and clean.)

Moving out soon, I think I finally found a great coffee shop with the perfect ambiance right smacked on Sunset.



Named by Monocle as one of the great café’s in the area, Intelligentsia puts a lot of work into making each individual cup, and it shows in the taste, and price. ( Perfect for those days when you need that extra kick which means – every day!)

BASIC MATTER 36: WOODEN SOLES

For someone who prefers to be out on weekends whether at the weekend market or early afternoon mimosas at the café across the park, there is no reason to let good lace-ups collect dust on weekends.





Yes, a solid wooden sole pair like these are made for..you got it - showing off!