I’m so excited to announce a new series, N’East Illustrated for Well Spent! My good friend Brad Bennet asked me to contribute some of my sketches to his amazing site for a monthly feature. The series will be posted the last Friday of every month on Well Spent. Each post will contain 5 sketches, a few of my favorite things that were posted on Well Spent that month along with some menswear related images that caught my eye. So head on over to WS to see the rest of Vol. 1!
Filed under N'East Illustrated
This past summer the lovely ladies at the angela adams showroom in Portland (a regular stop for me) introduced me to The ROPES jewelry. They had a few of the bracelets in the showroom and I was immediately drawn to the colors and how they embodied so much of the Maine coast in such a symbol design, and without being trendy or overtly preppy. The designer, Shana Aldrich, is a Mainer born and bred and makes her jewelry collection out of marine tope and hardware pieces. Aldrich graduated from RISD and began a career as an apparel designer in NYC and Boston before returning back to her home state. Spending time back home on the water with her young son inspired her to start designing The ROPES pieces. The results are jewelry with the perfect balance of contemporary pieces and traditional with a twist. I picked up a navy bracelet with pink and blaze orange at the aa showroom. I wore it every day during the summer and received countless compliments on it. I’m looking forward to warmer weather when my wrist will reappear from bulky sweaters and I’ll be able to flaunt it once more.
Filed under Style
My friend Oliver knows how to play the footwear game. His brand Oliver Clark introduced an amazing collection this past fall and winter and has followed up with an equally impressive collection for spring/summer 2012. The collection features on-trend silhouettes in rich hues of nubuck leather and maintain the impeccable craftsmanship Oliver is known for. I’m partial to the amazing Slip Boots, a beautiful version of the Chelsea boot which is popping up everywhere this season. Oliver keeps the collection clean offering three neutral hues for each style – blood (he knows his reds!), black, and natural. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to pick up your favorite pair in each color.
Filed under Style
Todays’ sketches from photo coverage of Pitti Uomo are of Justin Doss, fashion editor at GQ (original photo taken by Sean Hotchkiss) and Nickelson Wooster, fashion adviser to Park & Bond and Gilt Man (photo taken by Nam of Street FSN).
Filed under Style
Last year I did a post on my favorite photos taken by Tommy Ton at Pitti Uomo. This year I thought I’d do something a little different. I’m going to do a sketch or two a day of my favorite shots, sourcing from several photographers. There have already been some amazing photos coming out in the last couple days but I whittled it down to my two favorites. The top sketch is from a photo of a very cool older gentleman (anyone know who he is?) taken by the talented Justin Chung. The second is from a detail shot taken by Nam of Street SFN. I highly recommend fo llowing both of these talented photographers’ sites if you aren’t already. (Sketches are in graphite and micron pen).
Filed under N'East Illustrated
I had to post this one right away after my dear friend Cary suggested it get illustrated in the series. It’s a little naughtier than the others. But I hope you have a good chuckle and recognize that it could have been a bit naughtier (note the censored sign!). For some pretty horrible history on this saying, head over here. Keep suggestions for New England Sayings coming everyone, or if you’ve suggested one and you are impatient for it to be illustrator, drop me a note: neaststyle@gmail.com.
Filed under Style
Guest post from my boyfriend Ted Adams who now has his own tumblr called Kings of New England (taken from John Irving’s book Cider House Rules). Do yourself a favor and check it out, he has an impeccable eye.
Filed under Style
Since the Penfield F/W 2011 lookbook went live I have received countless emails inquiring about the vintage Bean Boots I styled our lovely female model in for the shoot. I inherited the pair from my incredibly generous mother who had owned them since the 80′s. Up to now my best advice had been to score ebay for a similar pair. But thanks to my good friend James of 10engines who alerted me of this pair that L.L. Bean just announced, the 100th Anniversary Maine Hunting Shoe. It’s a part of a whole slew of good things coming from Bean for their 100th anniversary so stay tuned for more good stuff in the coming months. This style is very similar to the pair I have, so I highly recommend snagging these if you have been searching for your own unicorn pair of Bean boots. And don’t ever toss them! Hold on to them because trust me, your daughters and their daughters will be grateful to inherit them down the road. (Below is a picture of my pair in the snow).
Filed under Style
One of my favorite movies to watch around the holidays when I’m home in VT is Baby Boom (1987). Diane Keaton plays J.C., a go-getter workaholic in NYC who inherits a distant cousin’s baby and hence becomes her sole guardian. One thing leads to another and she quits her bustling life in NYC and heads for a picturesque life in the green mountains with baby Elizabeth. J.C. settles in to country life with all its challenges and charms in the fictional town of Hadleyville, VT and starts her Country Baby all-natural home-made baby food company. Most of the film is filmed in the very real town of Peru, VT including her little yellow house and the general store. And evidently one of James Fox’s family’s cows was an extra in the film! There actually even a scene shot at The Grange Hall in my hometown of Manchester (a neighboring town to Peru for those not familiar with the area) where I used to take ballet lessons when I was a kid. Check out the flick if you haven’t already, it’s a great feel-good film perfect for this time of year.
Apple Blossom’s cameo, via the amazing Sarah Fox
Screen shots via Hooked On Houses
Filed under Style
My brilliant and talented friends Amanda Knorr of Spreedia and Liana Krupp of New Brahmin joined forces this year to launch the loyalty program ACCESS, and just in time for the holidays! Their mission in creating the ACCESS program was simple – encourage more people to shop at local stores and make it easy and enticing to do so. This clever card provides you with exclusive members-only perks at local boutiques (including some of my favorites: Sault, Flock, Uncle Pete’s, J.E.M., and Acquire), plus 10% off your entire purchase on full-priced merchandise every time you shop at participating stores. It’s a no-brainer, win-win, best of both worlds, and all the above. Do good to our beautiful city of Boston this holiday season and pick up an ACCESS card for yourself and then proceed to get your (now last minute) gifts at all the local shops that participate in this ingenious loyalty program. Also, shameless self promotion, I did the illustrations for the website as well as the actual card (shown above) that you’ll be whipping out of your wallet for some feel-good purchases.
Filed under Style
Sydney Kim of G1 Goods was kind enough to send me a pair of their new Paperboy pants a couple months back. Although New England has had a rather mild fall and winter this year, I can safely say these wool-blend pants have saved me on every chilly day we’ve had. The wool-blend is incredibly warm and cozy. The easy fit with a cropped tapered leg is perfection, feminine and contemporary at the same time, and looks amazing with desert boots or clogs (what I’ve been styling mine with). A buckle tab at the back allows you to cinch the waistband ever so slightly for a more snug fit if needed, but I like to have mine sit relaxed on the hips. The waistband also feature some buttons in case you want to style the pant with some good ol’ fashioned braces. I plan on wearing these glorious pants for the rest of the winter and into the spring until I am forced to stow them away for another New England winter. I highly recommend gifting these to your special lady or treating yourself to a pair.
PS I’ll be taking more detailed shots of the fit and style after the holidays so you can see them in action!
Filed under Style
All shots taken by Jon Gaffney at Stel’s for our opening party of The Shiny Squirrel Pop-Up Shop. Please credit Jon and his site Lacking Self Preservation if sharing these photos.
Filed under Style
For our fifth feature in the series I got to spend time with my good friend Kate Jones of Ursa Major in her studio in TriBeCa this past weekend. Her mum, who is also an amazing jewelry designer, was in town for Kate’s birthday so we spent the afternoon chatting and geeking out about jewelry. I took the opportunity to take some shots of Kate working on the necklace my boyfriend got for me for Christmas and chatted with her about what she’s been up to and what she has planned for Ursa Major this coming year. Also click here if you want to read my Q&A with Kate from earlier this year!
Q. This fall you’ve started creating pieces for men. Are there different challenges that you face making men’s jewelry compared to women’s?
A. The cufflinks are pretty straight forward- but there is a real issue of functionality. I love the look of cufflinks that use chain in between, but all men tell me they’re impossible to use. I don’t like the look of hinged backs- so it was about finding a balance of aesthetics and function, which I love. Rings are a different thing- the scale is completely different to the women’s I’m used to. Sounds obvious, but it’s harder to be as minimal as I like and still make sure it’s gonna work for a guy- are the walls too heavy? Too thin? Too dainty? I’m always open to feedback. Fortunately I’ve got a lot of design opinionated guy friends 
As for the rest, it’s really just a challenge to make pieces that men want to live in, but one I’m happy to take on.
Q. Do you find that more men are comfortable wearing jewelry these days? Is there a piece that is commonly commissioned from you?
A. It seems that way. Men seem to be paying more attention to accessories and details. I think they realize it’s a way to make an otherwise very simple daily “uniform” personal. And most guys come to me after a piece which is ultimately very simple yet unique, and something they can live in. I do a lot of wedding rings.
Q. You’re cuff links look amazing and I’m sure will be a huge hit. Can you elaborate on the process of making them? Including your inspiration behind the patterns they feature
A. Well I was hanging around Scott Schuman and we were talking about how few good, simple cufflinks are out there that aren’t novelty. Vintage ones were the closest we could find and both agreed it was time for an update. Plus Freeman’s had been asking me to make some. Some of the patterns come from etched plates I made, others from existing patterned metal, and one, the Squash Blossom, is a design I came up with and had engraved- an amalgamation of the iconic American Indian motif and old coins (like the buffalo nickel, commonly turned into jewelry).
Q. And finally, what we’ve been asking all our vendors involved in the Pop-Up shop, what do you see for yourself and Ursa Major in 2012?
A. Big things! Finally the men’s line will come to fruition. I’ll begin selling Ursa overseas and the work’s been published in a couple of books coming out in the fall. Plus a new line I’ve created with a couple of great guys, Derek Brahney and Edge Trullinger, called Hyde. It’ll focus on men’s accessories- namely belts, but some fun bits and pieces too- like the “Spin to Pay” bottle opener you guys have got at the pop-up and available online at Partners and Spade http://store.partnersandspade.com/2011/12/05/spin-to-see-who-pays-bottle-opener/
Fifth in our series is Ted Harrington of Terrapin Stationers & Engravers. He’s a hoot and a half so hope you enjoy our rather silly Q&A below!
Q. Terrapin Stationers & Engravers is one of those rare family run businesses. What’s it like keeping work in the family?
A. It’s difficult to articulate. All I can say is I have an Old Steelcase desk in back of the shop with the bottom drawer kicked in…
Q. You’re infamous Fuck Off and Go Home and Change cards became a huge hit overnight. How did you come up with these brilliant concepts?
A.The Engraved FUCK OFF Calling Card was Michael Williams idea. I just made it happen. I have probably pushed it a bit too far but it is popular. Go Home and Change was Mister Mort’s idea. I’m not that confident nor am I that Natty. Let me repeat that, the Go Home and Change card was Mister Mort’s idea. (How is that Mordechai?) I think Puff Puff Pass could be a future collaboration…
Q. Can you elaborate on the printing process of one of your items, how about printing a business card.
A. Sure, unlike Letterpress, our plates our made of etched copper and our images are recessed. We stamp our paper with a carver press (late 1800′s). The result is perfect, crisp and raised. These plates last forever. We have dies from the 20′s.
Q. How does your Made in the USA production define your business?
A. I love it. It does not suck to produce work for companies like Red Wing or to walk into Club Monaco and see our cards on the Made in the USA table. It’s a dream come true. It’s just fucking cool. We don’t need to buy tons of cheap crap made offshore. Buy a few well made things. I guess what I’m saying is FUCK COSCO.
Q. What are your hopes and dreams for Terrapin in 2012?
A. To make sure everyone here is earning a fair wage, has health insurance, vacation. The basics. Taking a regular paycheck would be amazing.
And because Ted and I can’t communicate with each other without a dose of juvenile humor, I’ve got some unnecessary questions for him:
Q. When did your hair begin to gray?
A. Junior Year of High School
Q.So you’re not 66 years old?
A. No. I’m an immature 45.
Q. You have a beautiful big brother relationship with Michael Williams. How do you guys maintain such a wonderful bond?
A. I’m not sure that’s entirely accurate but I think he feels sorry for me . It’s not unusual for him to ring me up just to tell me I’m pathetic or worse. Seriously, Michael Williams is the Man. Legally that’s all I’m allowed to say.
Q. What are your favorite expressions that you use daily?
A. Oh Hell Testes. Thank you spell check. Also FUCK OFF. Obviously.
Filed under Style
