Pocket-size phone, remember those days? Now its time for phone-size pockets! Welcome iPhone 5.
American Made My Day
The South End neighborhood, Boston, MA housed a menswear-focused retail event yesterday– American Field. Thirty+ booths of high-end goods, exclusively made in the USA — shoes, bags, shirts, sweaters, wallets, shave straps, iPhone cases, accessories for your bicycle . . . you name it! Whatever it takes to be lookin’ like a gentleman outside of your home. . . Many, such as Randolph Sunglasses, based right here in Massachusetts. Event hosted by local menswear sensation Ball and Buck. It’s the kind of place that makes all us ladies wish they had goods designed for women too.
Bison Made, handmade leather goods takes deliberate design right down to the box (all the best places do). I picked up one of their iPhone cases. It happened to be the same one used by the delightful gals running the booth! Rustic and elegant, of course it was speaking to me. They wrapped it up in the most stunning cardboard box/rubbery sleeve combo. Complete with little product pouch with their brand mark (the bison) embroidered right on it!
Shave straps, wallets and care goods (above). My new case (below). Gorgeous, right? Feels great too.
Nothing goes wasted. The negative — which frames up their box-front logo — creates a positive for an info card.
560 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA (below). Cop guards what will be the stage.
Black Magic Coffee Co Amazing! Yes, the beans did come from USA, (Oregon) The coffee was so smooth. Don’t let my obviously poor hand-eye-photo-taking methods fool you. I ‘d like to conclude, my iPhone could use a cappuccino too. And, preferably one from Black Magic. These fellows run a wonderful little cafe — and it’s designed to be wherever you need it.
Randolph Sunglasses
Polarized aviators (above). 
Engraving machine doin’ it’s thing (below).
Paul (below), grandson of a Randolph founder (1972) gave us a great overview of the product and the brand. Watch this factory tour. It truly is a work of beauty.
And it all ends with a walk down the street for my first peek at Bobby from Boston.
Followed by my first meal at The Gallows! Wish I got more pics. The vegetarian sandwich was a score. Super healthy, but not too healthy (just the right portion of cheese and baguette). Rounded out with sweetness from pears, tartness from cranberry sauce and earthy bitterness from the brussel sprouts.
Blue Velvet Shoes: Are they greener than suede?
These shoes are vegan. Other than being made with no animal products, I have no idea what that means, politically speaking. Were more toxins generated with the man-made materials than would be with leather processing? How will they age? Do they breath? I guess this varies by brand. There are plenty creating vegan footwear. In fact, there is a store full of gorgeous pieces in Cambridge! Sudo Shoes, on Mass Ave, just a few blocks from the Porter Sq T station. This place has such a nice collection of bags, purses, shoes and accessories that I only realized on my third visit there was no leather. I guess that’s a testament to the lac of plastic outgassing too! Anyhow, I picked these out because the color! It is a gorgeous shade of royal blue. They are cute, practical and comfy.
New Clothes
I got a new job! I start next week. When I told my Mom she asked “does this mean you’re gonna get all new clothes?”. Great idea Mom. “Yes.” I said. I went to Helena’s in Arlington (MA). It was a jacket day! Two jersey blazers and a summery summer-dress shrug. These are each examples of what the right cut can do for you. I’ve tried stuff like this before and the result was instant shrunken shoulders, droopy chest and emphasized tummy. Not the case today! Everything feels soft and cozy like sleepwear, yet looks flattering and structured like casual business wear. Three cheers for lunchtime naps in the car!
Nomad
One of my longtime favorites. It’s like the original Anthropologie.
Nomad 1741 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA
ShizIBoughtToday 