Mine, I give it a 60%. It’s still passing, but nothing to write home about, as the saying goes. So instead, I’ll write it all here. I’ve had a very stressful few days in my full-time job and on top of that I have Lyme Disease, which has its own set of annoyances that pop up every few months (please don’t give me any alternative medical advice, btw. I already blocked four people on Instagram for telling me I need to look at a local animal supply store for medicine).

That’s all to say the last little ounce of creative energy has been zapped from my body. Which isn’t a bad thing, I suppose. And calling this newsletter “creative” is a stretch by anyone’s standards. But I did farm this introduction out online and below are my answers to a few questions you all asked.

Cheers, Brett

Do you still do ballet? You never post about it anymore!
It’s not that I gave it up, but two things happened: I’ve been busier than expected this Summer and the studio I went to has had weird hours the last few months for renovations. This has limited me greatly and meant I’m now going much more sporadically. But I did email a new instructor for private lessons on the weekends, so here’s hoping to get back to it.

This will be made all the easier when we move. I can’t live in such a rural area anymore with so little opportunities. More on that soon.

What are your plans in Oslo?
As of right now, I’m going to a few fashion shows and getting a suit made for me by Cavour. Other than that, I’m going to assume a lot of time walking around, a lot of time stuttering in Norwegian, and maybe a few turns in the sauna. I wanted to explore the fjords and Bergen, too, but would have been rushed. Next time, I’m sure.

What’s a typical day look like for you?
I thrive in a routine in my home life, as it makes it easy to plug-and-play writing assignments, my work schedule, and things like this dumb newsletter. One of the cats, Daniel, has begun mooing for treats at 6 a.m., so that’s been the new wake-up call. The dogs go out, I make coffee. I read my emails in bed and get my day settled. By 8 a.m. I’m at my desk or in my writing studio. The dogs get a walk in the morning, whenever they’re all up (they’re 11, 12, and 13, so like to sleep in a bit).

My hours are 8-5 at work, but during that time I’m also working on any writing assignments, answering more emails, folding laundry, and joining the hundreds of calls where I stay off video and unmute to say, “uh-huh,” every few minutes.

After work, I take them for another walk around one of the pastures if they’re up for it, do some more chores, go to the gym if I’m feeling like it. More often than not, I’m not feeling like it and instead work on whatever article I have pending. I start dinner around 7 and we usually eat late, watch an hour of television, and I finish the day in bed doing a language lesson, reading, and answering emails (you see a pattern here yet?). Asleep by 11.

What brought on your “fitness journey” you talked about?
Plain and simple — I’m going to be 35, I’m vain, and I’m terrified of having a stroke now. I had a long discussion with my GP and just giving my quite extreme weight fluctuations, my lifestyle, and my stress level (not to mention my predisposition, given my own father’s stroke), I couldn’t ignore it any further. While working out has brought a lot of my own feelings of inadequacy and body issues to the surface, I know it’s better for me in the long run to have a bit of a mental dip for the long-term physical benefits.

Plus, I do quite like any excuse I can get to drink a chocolate shake midday, at the very least. Small wins, I suppose.

Six Moral Tales, Éric Rohmer

A Summer read should be something like a Turkish towel — light, completely enveloping, and maybe considered a bit exotic by some standards. After finishing Élisabeth by Éric Rohmer, I have been making my way through the short story collection that Rohmer also wrote that later (available only through the boxset by Criterion of the same name) became the basis for his series films by the same name. While they get to the very essence of his directorial style and world-building (if you can call the little romances of everyday life “world-building”), the real beauty of the books is in the ironic dialogue, the human emotions, and the lazy way his plots move along. Perfect for reading in the courtyard with a citronella candle perfuming the mise-en-scène while I neglect the iced Americano I made that’s now sweating and ruined in the sun.

Plotter Mini 5 Binder

Because of my back-to-back work weekends, I’ve become a bit more immersed in stationery once again. It comes and goes. Mostly goes these days, given the fact that I’m trying to pack up all the junk that’s accumulated in my studio over the last two years of renting it. In any case, I use a Plotter binder quite regularly (even wrote about it here), and have had my eye on this tiny little pocket-sized option for a couple weeks now. While totally useless for any notes I may take, I’d probably add a few of their accessories, like this card case, to replace my wallet in my jacket pocket.

S.T. Dupont Defi Millennium Rollerball Pen

Well, of course, who am I to turn down a nice pen? I’ve moved away from fountain pens lately*, but have come to appreciate a solid rollerball for longform notetaking and — gasp! — even trying my hand at journaling once and a while (a practice I find even more masturbatory to my ego than this newsletter). In any case, this option from S.T. Dupont is incredibly well-balanced and has a tactile little click to it that’s just so satisfying and, to me, a mark of a well-made pen.

*Well, mostly. I did find a Pilot Vanishing Point in a drawer and can’t stop doodling with it this weekend

Mel Andrel’s Stationery

While at one of my work shows, I ended up spending close to $50 at Mel Andrel’s booth. While I take myself so seriously, I think a bit of whimsy is one of the chicest things in the world. What I particularly love about Mel’s work is the sense of humour and pairings, like this little Italian-inspired set of sticky notes, or this deli meat design, or these tomatoes on the vine vinyl sticker. I could go on, but I’d recommend you check her work out for yourself.

Roma Amor, Michael McGregor

Another artist with a sense of humor is Michael McGregor, whom I’ve been following for quite some time. I love his sketchy, messy works of daily life across his travel books, which now includes one on Rome.

It’s, of course, a trope to say there’s beauty in the quotidien, but it’s nice to see this sentiment in a new medium. And it’s made all the more nice for me due to my connection to Rome, where I used to live. I’m always a bit nervous to page through these types of books or Instagram feeds, that are specific to daily life in Rome, because I regret so much of my wasted time spent there — more worried about friendships and being well-liked and nursing a hangover before class at the Vatican. I have a theory it’s why I’ve never been back since I left at 19.

The Panther Solstice Smartwatch

I know I write extensively about watches (I’m a regular columnist at Worn & Wound, for Chrissakes!) but given my strange little job, my fear of being addicted to my phone, and my growing interest in getting into shape, I’ve been using my Apple Watch way more these days. But, let’s be honest, they’re kind of ugly. And I find it very cheap looking when people try to put a metal bracelet on one — it reminds me of the time I saw someone weld a Mercedes hood ornament onto a PT Cruiser.

In any case, I keep getting targeted for this Tank-style smart watch and it’s definitely caught my eye. I put in a reserve payment for when it goes live because I’m a sucker who loves to waste money, and excited for it to ship in December, which is just in time for me to finally not feel like a total schmuck when I forget to take my Apple Watch off at more formal holiday parties.

Hermès Espadrilles

I can’t tell you exactly why, but I absolutely love these espadrilles from Hermès that I found on TheRealReal a couple weeks ago. They’re just flirting at the periphery of both ugly and chic, which is where I, too, like to think I’m firmly placed. In any case, I probably won’t be buying them (ho hum), but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been buying like mad for my upcoming trips. I got a new Marimekko jokapoika, some Maison Margiela trainers, a sweater emblazoned with a heart that I’ve been eyeing for a bit, and a new pair of horsebit loafers by Gucci that can be worn as a mule. I’ve linked some similar styles for reference, sizing and quality varying, of course.

Imogene + Willie Ventura Chore Pant

While Imogene + Willie is classifying this pant as chartreuse, I’m firmly in the belief that it’s more mustard. Which I’ve never admitted publicly is one of my favourite colors (glad to get that off my chest). I love the easiness of these pants and think they’d just be the perfect complement to, say, these rich brown Birkenstock clogs, don’t you agree?

R.Swiader Mercer Shirt

R. Swiader is a brand I wasn’t familiar with before this week and I’ve since been wondering if it’s worth the $400 to wear this striped shirt once or twice in Oslo or New York. But I really love the proportions of it and the tailoring details like the extra-long sleeve placket that make it a bit less run-of-the-mill compared to many men’s shirts on the market (I’m something of an expert, haha).

Manastash Mt. Gorilla Fleece Jacket

Though it’s hitting the mid-80’s today, I was bundled up in a natty old fleece jacket this morning while having my coffee. With this latest Lyme Disease flare-up, I’ve wanted nothing but to sleep and be as cozy as possible, even if I’m risking severe dehydration and a heat stroke in the process.

But that old fleece thing is just from Uniqlo which I bought maybe six years ago when I was a bit fatter and more depressed and at this point it is much better suited as an emergency dog blanket in the backseat of my Cayenne. I’d like to upgrade it a bit and think these Manastash jackets from Huckberry are quite nice. And even though I’m absolutely melting thinking about wearing this past 9 am, it’s probably perfect to pack for Oslo, so should buy it soon, I suppose.

In any case, after two weekends away from work and leaving again at the end of the month to go to Oslo (more on this momentarily), I’m trying to pack a few pieces in while I can. So if you’re a PR girlie or gay (or a straight guy who I usually address as “hey man” in emails), keep reading to find what I’m working on or planning to work on for the remainder of August.

And, because I’m a greedy sonofabitch and like to imagine on some level you pity me for living in rural Pennsylvania, I’ve included a couple other things towards the bottom of the email. You can skip that if, in fact, you hate me. That makes two of us!

• A quick turnaround on a story for Forbes on the debate about wearing shorts to work that you’ve undoubtedly seen online. Need a couple expert quotes, will probably include some short recommendations. I’ll be writing this one for probably a Friday publishing date (also wanna touch on sunehara or “leg hair assault”, a term referring to the discomfort some Japanese women feel in seeing their male colleague’s leg hair)

• In a similar vein to the above, I’m writing a piece on getting back into office dressing after a summer of looser, more expressive clothes. Looking for guys from a range of backgrounds and workplaces to talk about how they keep some personality in what they wear without pushing too far against the dress code. Would love specific examples of what works, what doesn’t, and how they’ve found that balance. Hoping to interview a few guys by early next week.

• Still doing the crossover of menswear and ballet piece, if there is any interesting angles, people to interview, etc. here

• I’m doing a piece on the rise of bespoke and custom eyewear in the industry and would love to feature a couple more brands for this one — I have one brand to spotlight but love to round out these things so it’s not a single-brand feature

• Looking at the suiting/tailoring scene in New York City and how it’s evolving for bespoke services, higher end clientele, and more elegant spaces.

There are more, I’m sure, but this is the current list that’s been rattling around in the ol’ noodle this week. Feel free to reach out if you want to contribute / be interviewed / have some info that could help. You know the drill. If you can, remember to not just reply because then it gets lost and I feel bad and you get mad and then I ignore your emails out of fear of disappointing you in the future.

In Other News

• Want to contribute to a guest post? It’ll follow a similar format to my What Caught My Eye series, but you only have to pick five things. I’ll write a little bio about you and do all the work once you submit your entry. If so, hit me up. Also good for PR girlies/gays/hey man’s out there for any founder or creative you wanna spotlight on a second-rate Substack

• I’m going to Oslo in 2.5 weeks. What should I wear? Do you want to send me clothes? What shows should I see / what should I do? Are you going and want to meet? Let me know! Hit me up! Send meg en e-post, takk!

• A week after is NYFW. Because of my work schedule, travel schedule, and general Life Stress™, I’ve not put much attention to planning this. Because of that, I still need to worry about:

  • Accommodations - Know a hotel who needs a charity write-off for 2026 taxes? Have a sublet for a week or two?

  • Party/Show invites - Because I have to work my normal business hours during this time, I wanna have at least some of it sorted in advance if possible

  • Ways to spend my day outside of shows, like exhibits, spa appointments, saunas — I’m a stressful li’l guy and like a little pampering now and then

  • Clothing - Half my clothing is in storage units and half of it I hate, so would be happy to wear something new (same goes for Oslo, because I’m only packing one suitcase for 2 weeks) and hope to document my outfits similar to how I did for Helsinki and London

  If any of the above is of interest, hmu. I’m writing a diaristic play-by-play of my time in Oslo and New York for Forbes, so would love to work with you on this in some capacity.

Cheers, Brett

I also was going to change my picture to something other than the little sketch that Wes Robinson did a few years back. But I had an artist draw me this week in Brooklyn and it absolutely shattered my confidence. That certain je ne sais quoi of me pouting in a mirror and trying failing to look masculine just doesn’t translate to pen and paper, I guess.

In any case, as the title of this newsletter says, I was in Brooklyn for a few days for work. There was a trade show and I was plucked out of the comfort of my little farm and thrown into a weekend of nearly 10,000 attendees. Usually these types of shows don’t bother me — it’s part of the job and one of the few times I get to see my colleagues — but this time was a bit harder for me to get into, mentally speaking. I was happy for the day I could spend in Williamsburg, which is the only bit worth talking about here.

For those who saw my last email about my segment with Times Radio (I’ll shut up about it soon, I promise), I’m sure you were thinking, “What five-star hotel was Brett staying at when he filmed that?” Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but it was the Moxy in Williamsburg. Nice enough, but tiny. So much so, I tripped on my luggage, Dick Van Dyke-style, on three separate occasions. But the shower was nice, the lobby had jars of free candy where I could put my greedy little paws in and steal a handful of Starbursts while avoiding eye contact with the front desk, and the bar had a cozy, sleepy vibe to it. Plus, it was expensed for work, so I really shouldn’t complain too much.

But because I was so tired from my trade show and nodding along to people’s stories I was only half-listening to, I kept my itinerary open and within a 15-minute walking radius from the hotel. I know many of you will say I wasted my time, that I should have done XYZ and why I didn’t stop by this cafe or that store. And to that I say: you’re right. I’m an awful person and you are smarter than me. Pay for me to come back to Brooklyn and for all of my meals so I can atone for my sins.

In any case, here are the things I was able to pack into a day in Williamsburg, ending the night in Clinton Hill for the Place des Fêtes x Fish Cheeks pop-up and a drunken two-mile walk back to my hotel to stupidly burn off a few calories in a pair of Sabahs I hadn’t broken in yet. I’m on a ~fitness journey~, if you didn’t already know.

• After writing an article in bed in the morning and spilling a bit of coffee on one of my favourite shirts (boohoo), I went to Artists & Fleas, where I walked around avoiding eye contact with vendors so I wouldn’t do that old song and dance of touching stuff and going, “Oh..really?” and promising to be back and buy something. But, dear Reader, I did buy something from Dress Shoppe, a stall that had a ton of Indian clothing. With plans to go to Bangalore next Spring for one of my employee’s wedding, I wanted to see how good I’d look in a kurta (not bad, I have to say). In any case, I bought a two-piece cotton set that I’m packing for Oslo. I thought it was a bit chic. I will avoid drinking coffee in it, though.

• Afterwards, I really did just wander around aimlessly. There was a marathon happening and it was brunch time, so I tried to avoid crowds when I could. This is how I ended up having a cup of coffee at a café inside of a Santander Bank. I also stopped at LEIF, where they had cute (but overpriced) homewares; Vintage Clothes Near Me, where they had cute (but overpriced) Harley-Davidson t-shirts; and Ebreo Vintage, where they had cute (but overpriced) Italian shirts, which was kind of their shtick, I think.

• Surprisingly, my bagel from Santander Bank wasn’t satisfying, so I made my way back in a loop towards my hotel early so that I could stop by Sushi Counter (which I also had the night before). I enjoyed three rolls down by the water at Domino Park, sipping on a Coke Zero and reading one of Rohmer’s stories. I hope someone didn’t mistake me for a performative male.

• After a two-hour nap at the hotel, I took an Uber down to Place des Fêtes for their pop-up with Fish Cheeks. I had been invited to attend as press, so was able to sample a bit of everything on the menu, which had a few Thai-inspired items alongside Place des Fêtes’ standard fare. It was the best meal I’ve had in a while. I was too embarrassed to ask for a second order of the mussels, but could have had at least three more skewers of them, and I was tempted to lift the plate of Romano beans up to my face to enjoy every last drop. It was exactly the kind of cookery I enjoy most: flavorful but not chef-y, which I find extremely off-putting, personally.

  To enhance the experience, I worked with my waiter, Owen, on a wine pairing to bring out the best qualities of the dish’s flavors. As I’m not a big drinker, I could feel my eyes roaming around the room like an iguana’s, lazily rolling asynchronously from one another. This, of course, explained why I had the bright idea of walking two miles back to the hotel.

  After asking to see the chef, Dustin Everett, to give my thanks, I made one last pitstop to the bathroom to take an unflattering photo of myself in their mirror and was out the door (I felt it was too rude to ask for a doggy bag full of prawns, though I did regret that decision when I wanted a midnight snack a few hours later).

And by 10 am the next morning I was at Moynihan Hall to board my train, stopping at my favourite (using this term loosely) sandwich place in town, Vesuvio Bakery, where I got a baguette loaded with ham, cheese, cornichons, and butter. I was home by 9 pm, in bed by an hour later, and will do it all over again this weekend when I head to Washington, D.C. for another trade show. Poor me.

Until then, have a good rest of your week. You may just hear from me if I get the time. But if not, try not to miss me too much (I know you won’t).

Cheers

Given my deep desire to tell others how smart I am and the fact that I thoroughly enjoy praise, it should surprise no one to know that I participated in speech competitions throughout high school. In fact, I was ranked nationally as a public speaker in the Future Business Leaders of America when I was 16 — this is even with the handicap of having a voice that is a little bit gay and tinged with my original Midwestern accent.

Because of my extracurricular background, I’ve hardly ever been one to shy away from talking. Whether it’s about movies on a podcast, watches at on a panel in New York, or my own novel with Monocle, I’m happy to log onto Zoom and tell you everything I know on any topic you throw my way. I’m rusty, of course, perhaps unpolished, some would say, but that’s never stopped me from kibitzing with a microphone in one hand and a few scribbled notes in the other.

All of this is to say that when the email came from Darryl Morris on a Friday morning to be on his show on Times Radio Saturday night, I replied yes almost immediately. This was, of course, after initially thinking they must have the wrong Brett Braley (though, the only other one I know of lives in Florida and owns a store called Knives R Us). But my Forbes article on Andy Burnham’s style had been published the day before and, what do you know, it got me seven minutes on the radio to discuss the changing norms around dressing up in the office and in politics.

So, after rushing to the hotel after my tradeshow was over (and, I’m sorry to say, leaving the bulk of the packing to my coworkers), I did a brief comb-over on my hair, steamed the suit and shirt I had enough foresight to pack with me, and sat on an upturned trashcan, facing the window so all my flaws were at least partially hidden (an old Hollywood trick, since I hadn’t packed any Vaseline for the lens), waiting on Zoom until we went live to discuss if neckties are obsolete, how Zelenskyy’s casual dress compares to Burnham’s, and how this loosening up is affecting the workplace. It was over by the time I caught my breath.

I stumbled a little, stuttered a bit, too; but overall I tried not to dwell too much on the negative and stuck with the positive of the experience, hoping to do it again soon. And if I’m never invited back again, that’s okay, too. Like publishing a novel, going to Dollywood, or shaving my head — I’m happy to have at least done it once in my life and can’t be too greedy for more than that.

Cheers

I’m in the City until Monday morning for a tradeshow for my full-time job. A big one, in fact, and one I’ve never been to before. So most of my hours in “the greatest city in the world” will be twisting pen caps on and off and trying to avoid getting ink stains on the white Eton shirts I packed without thinking. Risky business.

While the tradeshow will take up the majority of my time, I do have pockets of evening open and I’m staying an extra day to walk around Brooklyn on Sunday. Other than a dinner at a barbecue place for Zippo Lighters, and getting a tattoo from Girl Knew York*, I’ve only been to Brooklyn a total of four hours my entire life. If you have any recommendations, do let me know. I’ll probably ignore any museum recommendation this trip, truth be told. I can only nod my head and pretend to pay attention so much in a week.

In other news, Oslo’s fashion week is just a month away now. I’m getting very excited and have started picking out little outfits to wear. Hotel room mirrors will hate to see me coming. I really only have one pose.

Which brings me to my final little bit of news: I’m now writing for Rolling Stone and my first piece went up yesterday! You can read it here. It’s about dress shirts. This year, I’ve now written for Inside Hook, GQ, and Rolling Stone (as well as my ol’ faithfuls like Cool Material, Surface, and Forbes), and feel really fortunate to see my name on Rolling Stone’s homepage. Even more so considering my hotel mirror selfie from my weekend in Bilbao for that Guggenheim thing was used as the hero image. Well, if it ain’t broke…

Cheers

In any case, while there is no big news, there are a few little updates to share:

1. It’s been a very good week for me over on Forbes. I took a brief pause writing there until I had some stuff sorted with my father and my travel schedule, but I came back swinging this week. On Monday, my interview with Michael Bastian, creative director at Brooks Brothers, was published, where we discussed all things madras. Later in the week, my piece on Mr Porter and my interview with Toby Bateman, the company’s CEO, was also published. I can’t believe I was able to go to London for the story. It felt like a dream. And doubly like a dream if I could find a way to weasel myself into writing for their Journal, I think.

2. One of the best ways to motivate me to do something is to tap into my ego. I’m easily embarrassed and take myself very seriously and this combination, while probably hell for everyone around me, does tend to push me faster towards a goal. Because of this, I’ve gotten a personal trainer. A 22-year-old who hands me a five-pound weight and tells me how bad my form is. While I’ve been in total and utter pain for the last two weeks, I’m happy to say that I at least feel better about myself, if I don’t exactly look any differently yet.

3. The other way to motivate me is, of course, through compliments. This is why I can’t physically shut the fuck up about my haircut. Last week I got a mullet of sorts and quite like it. Considering I usually think I look like that one girl from American Horror Story whenever I shave my head, this is a nice change of pace when I look in the mirror.

4. I’ve decided to shop my first novel again. I’m happy that I published a book by the time I was thirty, I don’t think it got the reach or attention that it could have. I’m also happy to say that I have the rights back to Arthur and I want to go about it the proper way this time: find an agent, meet with publishers, sign a contract, get a fat paycheck. I think it’s time to get back to what made me happiest, writing-wise, and bring Arthur’s story back, expanded, and set up for the trilogy I had originally envisioned it to be. Would love any help here, if you can spare it.

5. As I’m sure you know by now, I’m more than happy to beg, grovel, and plead (just ask my 22-year-old trainer when I’m on the dumbbells) . Especially if it saves me a few dollars. Because of this, if anyone has a place for me to stay / sublet for the first two weeks of September for NYFW, I’d be very grateful. The same goes for a trip to Paris that is only vaguely planned but thinking around November. Of course, a hotel is always the other option, and I know I have some subscribers that work in hospitality PR (ahem). I’d be very grateful for any help, too.

6. A special thank you to everyone who answered my email on pitches I’m working on. It was very helpful! If I didn’t reply to you, it’s because I find Gmail to be overwhelming with replies vìs-a-vìs Substack because it aggregates them all into one thread and I get lost (meaning: I’m stupid, so make a new email to help me sort better). A very special thanks to Catriona for taking the time to help me understand affiliate links. And if anyone is interested in doing a guest post, I’ll be opening up that form shortly.

Have a great weekend — cheers

The Prisoner

With Twin Peaks being one of my favourite shows, I’m not surprised that I’m enjoying The Prisoner as much as I am. The concept is simple (if, perhaps, novel for the 1960’s) enough: a secret agent resigns and finds himself trapped in a surreal prison known as The Village. It’s a bit silly, a bit of a thriller, with a lot of mystery at the periphery of the main plot that feels very Lynchian in its mix of dread and camp. It’s currently streaming on Criterion and I think worth giving it a try.

Muriel’s Wedding

I’ve heard of Muriel’s Wedding for years but never got around to watching it, that is until this week. And I’m so glad we did. First of all, I love Toni Collette (though I’ve never seen Hereditary because I’m a baby). Secondly, it has one of those 90’s-era plots that’s a bunch of points on a map only tenuously connected by a feasible storyline. And third, I just love bathos in a story — and, I have to say, Muriel’s Wedding is chock-full of that.

French Magazines

While I don’t know every word, I do like to peruse a few French magazines now and then. Even before I started taking my studying a bit more seriously, I have had L’Etiquette and Monsieur in my rotation throughout the years. The former has released their 100 Icons of French Style edition, which I’d been eyeing and was happy to see come in a digital version (the shipping otherwise wouldn’t have been worth it). Monsieur is a quintessential menswear magazine and has been around for more than a century. I’m surprised more people don’t talk about it, as I find it very well-written and au courant. If they ever lower their editorial standards, I’d love to write for them one day.

Apartamento Notebooks

As the move away from the farm continues as a crawl, I’ve been preemptively packing up my office to move the thousands of notebooks into the storage unit. And yet, like a junkie, I can’t help but think, “Just…one…more...” as I hit “add to cart”. I stumbled upon these notebooks by Apartamento and think they’re incredibly chic. The colorways are pitch-perfect and the branding, while bold, works here since the rest is so constrained and slightly top-heavy. I’d buy a set, if my back didn’t hurt from packing up 500 Moleskines into moving boxes this week. The first step, as they say, is admitting you have a problem.

Flamingo Estate Green Goddess Candle

Second only to notebooks, cats, and the fat around my tummy, candles also fit nicely into the “useless things I have too much of”. Even so, Flamingo Estate’s Green Goddess candle has made me float on air, cartoon-style, into the kitchen when it’s lit.

It’s spicy with heavy notes of basil and rosemary, and sometimes mingles with the scent of the tomatoes that are ripening on the windowsill near the sink. This, to me, is one of the only redeeming qualities of Summer.

Marimekko Piccolo Mug

One good thing about an impending move is not only getting rid of stuff, but the other end of the pendulum: buying stuff. The mugs that have made their way into the kitchen are a veritable Epcot Center of crockery — Royal Albert rose-print china, a set of Polish pottery from my mother a few Christmases back, a couple wabi-sabi inspired espresso cups, handmade by a lesbian in Appalachia. And while I do have a four-set of Arabia mugs, I think there’s always room for a little more bits of Finland in my life. Which is why I’m eyeing these mugs from Marimekko in their striped Piccolo pattern, perfect-sized for midday double espresso.

Quince Linen Duvet Cover Set

Something I think we desperately need, though, are more duvet covers. As you may remember, I’ve become a recent covert, thanks to the Finnish Design Shop’s Tenten set. Since then, I haven’t had a waking moment where I haven’t thought about tucking myself into bed and snuggling up with a book in one hand and Milo’s head resting in the crook of my other arm. I think this terracotta-colored linen set ticks all the boxes for me and is fairly reasonably priced, too. I might as well grab a spare while I’m at it. I feel I'm always doing a load of laundry with three dogs and their twelve muddy paws to worry about.

Marimekko Jokapoika in White

My basic uniform, when it comes down to it, is a white button-down, some beat-up sneaker, and a wide-legged pant. I have more white shirts than I need, but that doesn’t mean I have the Platonic ideal of the white shirt. Well, that is, until perhaps right this moment. While looking at the aforementioned mugs by Marimekko, I stumbled on this white jokapoika which has the subtlest contrasting stripes to it. I think it’s very chic and would be perfect year-round. I’m debating the size I want to get — oversized or a just-right fit — but once I do…well, I know I simply won’t want to talk about anything else.

Buck Mason Big Chino

If there is one thing I’m good at it’s not anchoring myself to my upbringing. I mean, you’d hardly know that my early schooling was in rural Kentucky by the way I spell favourite and watercolour, now would you? In any case, this talent of mine has also allowed for me to cast off the shackles of early-aughts skinny jeans and fully embrace a big ol’ pair of pants. I’m sure this also has to do with my slightly crippling body dysmorphia, but — lucky for me — it’s also on-trend, so it’s kind of a two-birds-one-stone deal. Buck Mason’s Big Chino are undoubtedly “inspired” by J. Crew’s own version, but because they are more expensive, they must be better. I do regret not going one size up since I’m wearing them higher, but this is nothing that my seamstress can’t fix. I’m constantly there anyway to get my pants hemmed (I’m 5’9” and fiendish about where I like my pant leg to break).

Ninja CREAMi

Now that I’m trying (half-heartedly, I should add) to eat better, I’m convinced making my own ice cream at home is the ticket to having a six-pack. At least, that’s what all the influencers on Instagram are telling me — and when have they ever lied to me?

We have invested in a Ninja CREAMi. And that is exactly how I pitched this purchase: an investment. Considering Tillamook (the only ice cream I like) is now $9 at the grocery store and it takes about two weeks to go through a tub…well, as you can see, after a year this baby would pay for itself.

When I began learning Norwegian a few years ago, it was for no other reason than the fact that it’s easy for English speakers to learn and I had given up on Italian. Well, being an English speaker and a bit of an idiot, I decided to give it a go. While I understand it’s “useless” in the sense that it’s not Spanish or Mandarin, I have always found my knowledge of Norwegian quaint, like finding out I’m very good at birdcalls or hula hooping. It has absolutely no bearing on my life, but is a topic I can fall back on when conversation lulls at a party.

I found I had a knack for it and within a year was reading articles in Norwegian. The difficulty with it, though, is the lack of resources. I can only watch The Worst Person in the World so many times, you know? So it has, admittedly, plateaued a bit. I’m rusty to speak it and am sad to report it’s only helped me slightly in understanding Swedish, which is a jumble of diacritics and melody and I, unfortunately, have a tin ear.

So, was it all for nothing? Well, dear Reader, we’re soon to find out. Next month, I’ll be flying to Oslo for the first time to attend their fashion week, Oslo Runway. Undoubtedly I will stumble, stutter, ask sheepishly, “Unnskyld, snakker du engelsk?” with my big, dumb American grin on my face. But, at least it’s practice outside of language apps and the occasional online tutor. I will just have to research the tipping culture in Norway — nothing says “Thank you for bearing with me” like a few extra kroner slipped into the waiter’s palm.

I never want it to seem I’m taking it for granted and this trip in particular I’m quite excited about. Norway has been somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for some time and now I get to spend the better part of the week in what I imagine to be another city I’ll soon add to the “I want the fuck out of America” list of potential new homes. It will doubly be a good trip as I plan to hop over to Helsinki for a couple days to catch the tail end of Helsinki Design Week and to attend a party with Finnish Design Shop.

Then I’ll be back in Oslo for a couple more days, then onto New York for either one day or ten — I haven’t decided yet. In any case, do reach out if you’re in Oslo, Helsinki, or New York in August/September. I’m sure I’d love to see you.

One phrase that surely should be in my repertoire for the trip, if not on my tombstone: Jeg er en veldig heldig, men veldig sliten, gutt.

Cheers

You see, our air conditioner broke. Or the thermostat did. Or fuse blew. Or maybe it was that green wire I hit with my spade when I was planting lilies around the driveway over the weekend. In any case, I have sequestered myself to sleeping downstairs where I am desperate for comfort and cannot find any. Reader, if this is what Hell feels like, I am repentant. I simply can’t imagine facing eternity while being this sweaty.

This is all to say that I am melting and the small relief of the cold shower I took at 8:00 this morning (and 6:00 pm tonight and a quick rinse at 9:00 pm for good measure) wasn’t enough. And still, I’m not willing to give up on Summer just yet. I’m miserable and angry (and did I mention sweaty?), but I have committed myself to finding even a little bit of good in the worst season of the year.

One way I’ve done this is by taking my lunches outside more. I am usually anchored to my desk and skip that precious little hour entirely. But lately I have reminded myself that I have a nice little set-up in the back courtyard and five acres to keep me company (along with a husband-and-wife groundhog duo who are squatting in my barn — rent-free, I might add), so why the hell am I answering emails all day long? My favourite part of that hour is not in the broad-strokes Time Spent Outdoors™, but in the sensorial. The neighbors’ lawnmower humming somewhere off in the distance. The sun-baked pea gravel stinging my feet as I hopscotch my way to the teak chair that I lean precariously back on its hind legs when I’m reading in the sun. The book’s pages are too bright when I forget my sunglasses on the dining room table and if I squint too hard I can see my own eyelashes casting shadows of their own (which reminds me — I need to schedule my next Botox appointment). All these little things I would have missed if I stayed cooped up in my little office, adding one too many exclamation points for an email to a stranger.

The other way I’ve forced myself to enjoy the Summer is by making a proper meal for dinner. I cook nearly everything at home, but of course sometimes it’s a bit phoned-in. This week, I’ve worked to break that habit by cooking a bit more seasonally, which helps to keep the stove off and doubly helps my ego by posting a pretty photo of my meal to brag on Instagram. I’m allergic to the thought of spending a moment longer in the kitchen than I have to, so all the meals this week have been improvised and a bit accidental, coming together in less than an hour and eaten lazily when the sun starts to set, when it’s not so hot, and when the dogs can have a couple bites off my fork after I’ve finished (though they much prefer watermelon, a new favourite among all three).

I won’t say these things make me like Summer, but I tolerate it well enough. And for no other reason than vanity is having me keep up this charade of aestival enthusiasm — I look much better with a tan and have lost two pounds this week.

In any case, the little portable air conditioner is now kicked on and blowing directly in my face, it’s sad little limp hose impotently sucking air in through the window. I think I have enough energy to finish this little newsletter — just for you. Don’t ever say I don’t love you.

Cheers

Bang My Box: The Robin Byrd Story

This documentary hasn’t gotten a lot of attention online, which is quite a shame. I think for many the draw will be that Sarah Jessica Parker produced it, but the real charm is in iconoclastic personality that was Robin Byrd. Though I was not familiar with Byrd prior to this documentary, I’ve come to appreciate the grit, humor, and sheer bravery of having such a sex-positive show on public access television — especially during the AIDS crisis and the Reagan years. I’m particularly drawn to stories like this, where courage doesn’t have to be so stoic, but can be seen through laughter and humor and the ridiculousness of sexuality in all its forms. I was reminded of Eve Babitz throughout.

I think it’s very much worth a watch — and much better than The Invite, which I also saw this week and am once again reminded that films that feel like plays don’t really work. Except for Closer, which (for better or for worse) was my favourite movie from ages 17-22.

Èric Rohmer’s Six Moral Tales Boxset, The Criterion Collection

I guess this Summer you can say I’m Rohmer-pilled, dear Reader. The press around Èlisabeth has renewed interest in the French filmmaker, and it’s come at a perfect time in my own life because: a) I have dived head-first back into French b) I am feeling a bit aimless and melancholic and c) I have a parochial — if quaint — life.

But as you may know by now, I hardly ever get into an interest at just the surface level. I found out that the Criterion boxset of Rohmer’s Six Moral Tales includes a collection of short stories by the director on which the movies were based. As you can’t buy the book separately, I ended up finding the set on eBay for like $30, so now I have something to keep me busy for the next couple of weeks at the very least.

This all, hopefully, will come in handy because I recently recently joined the local chapter of Alliance Française to further practice speaking in person, and will need something to talk about other than work, my dogs, and clothing (luckily, I have this dumb little newsletter for all those very same topics).

NB - I included the Barnes & Noble link to the boxset because all Criterion Collection items from B&N are currently 50% off until July 26 (this isn’t sponsored, it’s just a good deal I stumbled on when writing this newsletter lol)

All Linen Everything

Like clockwork, every Summer I’m either stripped down to my briefs around the house or swaddled in wrinkled linen, often with a permanent coconut-y smell of sunscreen perfuming the collar. In any case, I’ve doubled down on my linens this year and there seems to be no end in sight. I’m quite specific about it all, though, with certain rules I’ve instinctively begun following and can’t seem to break:

• Nothing tailored or too close to the skin

• Preferably worn as a two-piece matching set

• Never worn with trainers

• Always a long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Only toddlers and UPS drivers should wear short-sleeve button-up shirts — a noble job, surely, but not one I tend to want to emulate in my own wardrobe

Quince has been my go-to because the price is too good to pass up. And, because I tend to sweat (as we’ve established above) and like to use a little bit of oil when I’m in the sun, I don’t feel like I have to be too precious with it. Of course, I’ll never turn down a good linen shirt — unless it’s one of those very cheap “100% linen” options from Amazon. I get a rash just looking at them.

Seasalt Cornwall

In my pursuit of filling my closet with more linen (and to take advantage of Nordstrom’s anniversary sale), I stumbled upon a brand called Seasalt Cornwall, which is undoubtedly inspired by its namesake’s coastal region, and immediately added a couple of pieces to my cart. Perhaps it’s because you can trace a good portion of my heritage to the southern part of England that I’m so fond of this brand, but I also like the fact it’s fairly no-frills, with more emphasis on building good garments than a lifestyle out of wearing these garments — a sly bit of marketing that many brands fall victim to. In any case, a couple nice shirts, a roomy suit, and a few fun colorways aren’t rocket science, but they are more interesting to me right now that fashiony fashion brands.

Saint James Breton Striped Shirts

What the hell, why not? I’m willing to double down on my Bretonish / Celtic heritage and head across the Channel to France for this one, too. I have a couple Saint James shirts in my closet, but sometimes feel as though I’m wearing a costume — I think this is entirely an insecurity that comes from living in a rural area and afraid of being noticed (read: beat up by hillbillies). In any case, I’ve been eyeing a few more color varieties to add to my wardrobe, but just don’t want to go too big on horizontal stripes until I’ve had a few more sessions with my personal trainer (I started this week and can hardly move my arms to type right now).

Homies Heel Socks Shoe

While a departure from the previous few style selections, as this is much more stylish and minimalistic, I’ve decided that the next shoe on my wishlist will be the Homies Heel Socks. I’ve been looking for a simple convertible loafer which I can wear as a mule, and I like the overall curves of their design (but this option by Mr. Porter are tied for first place, I think).

Unwaxed Lemons by The Aficionados

The latest magazine from my friends at The Aficionados is now live and I’m happy to share this news with you. For those who aren’t familiar with The Aficionados, they’re a platform and creative community covering independent boutique hotels, architecture, and design. This next edition of their magazine focuses on the Mediterranean, with 36 hotels featured across Italy, Portugal, Greece, Spain, and France. In short — it’s 36 hotels I’m dying to visit, if anyway wants to invite me for a stay 😉

Casa Lawa

Speaking of hotels, I’ve been more and more inspired lately by Casa Lawa, a guesthouse built from lava stones near Mt. Etna in Sicily. But staying on property is only part of the story as owner Lukas Lewandowski also hosts retreats, activations, collaborations, and an agency under the Casa Lawa umbrella. I’m inspired by people like Lewandowski who seems to have built a more creative, colorful life than yours truly — though I do think I’m getting there, slowly but surely.

Flamingo Estate Uniforms, Designed by Staf Studios

Also sitting at the intersection of hospitality and inspiration is Richard Christiansen’s Flamingo Estate. I’ve been a longtime admirer of the brand that Christiansen has built on his seven acres in Los Angeles and love being immediately immersed into the world he’s created. Most recently, Michelle Martini of Staf Studios designed uniforms for the Flamingo Estate staff for the release of their Summer Fig Balsamic. I found the designs simple and elegant, and were apparently inspired by Irving Penn’s Small Trades, a series of portraits of French laborers, including chefs, bakers, butchers, and florists. I just loved it.

A Birkin-Style Bag by Oriana Lamarca

Over the years, there’s been something of a cry for help, which you’d only have found if you’d had read between the lines. You see, one of the greatest sadnesses of my life has been that I haven’t found the perfect bag for my needs. I like to take my desk with me when I go between my at-home office and the writing studio I rent in town. But, like Goldilocks, I’ve found fault with everything laid in front of me. This tote was too small. That bag felt too much like a briefcase I’d find in the Delta Lounge. This one had too thick of a handle, that one’s was too thin and feminine. I’ve amassed a collection of failed attempts to organize my life a bit when I’m lugging my Macbook and a few notebooks from A to Z. Though all of these trials and tribulations, I have always had a sneaking suspicion that the Birkin shape would be just right.

Unfortunately, the other great sadness of my life is that I’m not rich. I could never afford one from Hermès (and wouldn’t buy one anyway, given the fact that I’d be in a constant state of panic because my cat, Daniel, likes to chew on leather — so far his victims include a couple pair of Birkenstocks and a Louis Vuitton tote). In looking for alternatives, I’ve found Oriana Lamarca’s Monica handbag to be the closest in what I’ve been looking for — and, ahem, about $15,000 cheaper. While I’m a bit ambivalent to the world of “dupes”, this one has served me more for function than form, with sturdy reinforced straps, a leather exterior (I really don’t like the concept of faux leather, I’m sorry to say), and nice top zipper for when I can’t be bothered to worry about the whole strap and lock mechanism on the front. The bonus is that it’s a bit chic, too, if you ask me. Which, of course, you didn’t.

Creatively speaking, I’m in a bit of a refractory period. After the intensity of last month’s travel schedule, writing 30-plus articles in three weeks, and resigning from my post at Merz b. Schwanen, I’ve been quite lazy in this first half of July. I have hardly touched the short story I’m working on, I have avoided sending new pitches to editors for July (I much prefer assignments anyway). Hell, I even read a book al fresco the other day and took not one, but two walks that same evening.

Unfortunately, try as I might, I haven’t been able to completely forget my Midwestern roots. While I was raised in a very secular household (thank God), the Protestant work ethic seems to be a dominant gene in my family, and I’ve become just as prone to it as I have been to nearsightedness and high cholesterol. Too much free time and I start to get antsy. If I am not working on something, my day feels incomplete. It’s works well for my bank account, but quite terrible for my mental health, I’m sure.

But, if you are an editor or a PR person reading this, it also works well for you, too. While this isn’t my normal newsletter where I pick a few things I want to buy and make a self-deprecating joke or two, I do think it’s the most effective way to a) put myself back on track and b) cast a wider net to the right people for things I need. Below, I’ve outlined a few stories I’m working on, a few future ideas I have for stories, and a few other highlights towards the end that weren’t really either of those things, but I had to find a way to brag somewhere in this little newsletter of mine.

Cheers

Stories I’m Working On

In no particular order, I’m working on or thinking about pitching the following items. Most (or all, I think) are for legacy publications, all online. Some are already approved and some aren’t, but I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch (another Midwestern holdover) and I cannot promise coverage if you send something my way.

• I write a weekly column called Watches, Stories & Gear for Worn & Wound. As the name implies, it covers a fairly wide gamut of topics within those three pillars. You can find an archive of my pieces here, and I encourage you to read a few to get a flavor of the type of content/audience that’s suitable for this. But if you have an interesting product or brand that you think guys (and gals!) who are into watches, EDC gear, movies, photography, fine writing, etc. would like, feel free to get in touch. This is one of my favourite things I write and, because it’s weekly, I’m always on the lookout for ideas.

• I have a story I’m working on about men’s fashion intersecting with ballet. A couple dancers from the the New York City Ballet have been attending fashion shows and industry events and, of course, there are the Tom Ford ballet flats, as well as Celine and Dries Van Noten showing similar styles on the runway. Having started ballet in January myself, this story is a bit more fun for me to work on.

• What would you wear for a beach vacation? I’m doing a style guide on “cabanacore” and I know what I’d wear, but it looks something akin to Robin Williams in The Birdcage. Moustache and all.

  

• For a legacy publication I’ve not written for previously (but very excited to start this month), I’m doing a round-up of the best dress shirts for a buying guide. This will require in-hand samples for shooting on li’l ol’ me by end of July.

• I did a lot of work with Surface last month and they were some of my favourite pieces I’ve written this year, as art and design writing is so different than my usual fashion and luxury beat. I’m actively pitching new stories and anything in that space — or retail openings, hospitality, etc — I’m very open to hearing your thoughts.

• I’m doing a story on aviator jackets coinciding withTop Gun’s 40th anniversary. I’d be happy to hear of some good recommendations or speak with an expert in vintage / military menswear roots.

• I still want to do a big story on Indian fashion becoming global, but it’s been a bit on the backburner until I can really take the time to do this one properly.

• I think a round-up / précis of menswear brands that are a bit more “indie” to the general population and get guys outside their comfort zones would be nice. While some of these brands may not seem exceptionally under-the-radar, I’m thinking in the Alex Mill, Corridor, Sunspel side of the market.

That’s it for now, but looking forward to sharing new ideas later this month or as I look ahead to August. Please note that for Forbes, I can’t do monobrand stories, to avoid a conflict with affiliates or anything, but happy to keep brands in mind for broader trend or style stories as they come up.

Help Wanted

• I need someone to help me with Substack. I’m shit at monetizing this, don’t really know how to make it any better, and think my branding sucks and is inconsistent. Anyone who is an expert in any or all of that, do reach out

• I’m also interested in doing affiliate links here or on Instagram. But I don’t want to do more work and think it seems a bit wanky. But someone told me once they bought a Cartier watch after I had posted it, so now might be the time to start taking it a bit more seriously (I’m in the market for a new Porsche, so 3% of a Santos ain’t half bad)

  

• I’m going to bring back Guest Edits, which I did a couple years ago (here’s an example) but fell out of it once my full-time job began picking up. If you’d like to participate, or someone you know or represent would, hit me up! I’ll also be including a form for ease, but it’s just like my What Caught My Eye where you pick five things, write a paragraph, and I do the rest.

Other Updates

Here are a few things that don’t fit in the above but don’t have anywhere else to put ‘em:

• My latest article for GQ is live! I’m covering watches on their commerce/shopping side, so it’s a great way to flex my most comfortable muscle. It really feels like a dream when I see my dumb little name and dumb little face staring back at me on their site.

• In my full-time job, the first collection of Moomin product was launched this week. This release of stationery products was done in partnership with the New York Botanical Garden to celebrate their Summer of Moomin exhibition. It’s been one of the hallmarks of my professional work and I’m thrilled to share more with you in the months to come.

• My interview with The Bear costume designer, Courtney Wheeler, continues to get traction online and I’m really proud of it. Interviews are still sort of new to me, and with each one I’m getting a little better. Thank God for that, because I’ve had to interview Toby Bateman, Mr Porter’s CEO, and Michael Bastian, Brooks Brothers’ Creative Director, recently for upcoming stories for Forbes.

• This was fun to see in my inbox this week. My previous post “Some Outfits I Wore in Europe” was highlighted in Blazer’s newsletter. Because I hardly ever post that many outfit photos (I’m shy 🤭), it was a nice little cosign that maybe I can do it a bit more. I’ve since bought a tripod for my phone and cleaned a corner of my writing studio to take a few photos now and then.

And at 11:30 am, a parking ticket, and an exorbitant veterinary bill later, and both Milo and a bag of medicine were packed into the front seat of the Porsche. We have both been in a daze since, too tired to do much but sit but if I fall asleep now then the rest of my night is surely fucked.

So, I must apologize if I’m not in top form, but I hope I am forgiven this one time. And while I am, in a word, exhausted, I still needed something to pass the time and I can only sweat out my exhaustion in the bathtub for so long. I’m sure we’ll chat again midweek. But for now, some white rice is boiling pleasantly on the hob — a scoop for Milo to settle his stomach and a scoop for me to go with some gochujang-marinated chicken I threw together. What a strange and awful ending to this weekend.

Cheers

Millennium Miniseries

While I can recite nearly any car dealership jingle in the tri-state area from my childhood, and occasionally will watch old Real Housewives of New York clips on YouTube, I wouldn’t classify myself as a “television person” anymore. Like smoking, I have found that never giving up cold turkey means I want it less and less as the years go on.

Still, I do like to watch a bit of something after dinner and when my writing is done for the day. With Widow’s Bay having concluded, Millennium, was queued up next. This is the Swedish-language miniseries based on Stieg Larsson’s book series of the same name, including The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest. Lucky for me, I’ve forgotten most of the 2011 American version, so I’m watching with semi-fresh eyes and a bit of embarrassment at how bad my Swedish actually is after multiple lessons with a private instructor.

Rohmer’s Élisabeth & His Six Moral Tales Screening at the Metrograph

My Rohmer Summer of Love continues with this exciting (to me at least) screening of Rohmer’s Six Moral Tales hexalogy at the Metrograph, to celebrate the release of the French filmmaker’s only novel Élisabeth. Done in partnership with McNally Editions, the movie theatre will show The Bakery Girl of Monceau, Suzanne’s Career, My Night at Maud’s, La Collectionneuse, Claire’s Knee, and Love in the Afternoon through the month of July. Sadly for me, I’m in New York from July 27 onwards and will be missing this entirely. Quelle tristesse !

New Music for Summer

This isn’t so much a thing that’s caught my eye, necessarily, but a plea for help. I am very bad at listening to new music, but one can only take so many podcasts in a day (my current rotation being a diet of Monocle’s The Briefing, The Daily, and The Globalist, along with The Ancients, Coffee Break French, and Chatham House’s Independent Thinking). I’ve queued up Nu Genea, SHĀHERI, Requin Chagrin, and Mind Enterprise, so I’m fairly open to anything I can throw on when I’m making dinner.

Oh, but do send me podcast recommendations, too, I suppose. I’ll even take a meaty true crime now and then. Or if I’m missing anything from BBC and the like. I don’t like “funny” podcasts and most menswear podcasts are awful and vaguely homophobic, so no need to include those.

Espadrilles

As we continue to pack up the house for an eventual move (which has been derailed a bit due to all the Life Stuff™ happening right now), I realize how many shoes I have. Why do I need so many? I don’t go anywhere. I pack like two pairs when I travel — and they’re always the same pair of trainers from Asics and boots from Prada. Who am I trying to impress? And why am I not investing that money in better-fitting jeans or perhaps a bespoke suit or a haircut that actually fits my face shape?

In any case, I’m now on the hunt for espadrilles (a shoe I last wore when I lived in Rome and got in trouble for wearing while attending a dinner at the Vatican). Having never been a fan of exerting more effort than I’ve needed to, I like a shoe I can slip on and go — see also my desire for these mules by G.H. Bass and for an unbranded pair of thin-thonged flip-flops. I also think espadrilles will look best beat up and a bit stained from the grass. I like when I can wear things that I don’t have to be precious about.

I found this pair on Mr. Porter from Castañer that’s quite nice, but so are these from Aldo and these from Viscata. I don’t think there’s much difference in quality between price points here, if I’m being honest, but feel free to send a recommendation my way if I’m missing anything. Just please don’t recommend me TOMS or I might just have to end it all.

KUOE Kyoto Old Smith

While I continue to write about watches for both GQ and Worn & Wound (where I also have a weekly column, if you didn’t already know), I’ve been a bit lax on my collecting lately. In fact, I’ve been wearing an Apple Watch more and more as I continue on my ~fitness journey~ with a personal trainer (plus, a slime mold has a better sense of direction than me and I have to wear it for Apple Maps whenever I’m in a city).

Nonetheless, I may just bite the bullet on the the Old Smith by Japanese watchmakers, KUOE. It’s the perfect size at 35mm and has a very unassuming profile and design that suits my taste just fine. I also find it a bit chic to wear a watch from a Japanese microbrand, so my reason is equal parts vanity and style.

ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo Judo Pants

At 5’9”, I get most of my clothing tailored or hemmed to fit better. Otherwise, I absolutely swim in anything that’s even a bit oversized. Even so, I was recently sent a press email from the brand ATM and think these Judo pants are quite nice. The looser fit, integrated drawstring, and ever-important elastic waist are just enough details to make these a bit more interesting than a similar pant one could find at, like, Zara (and why I asked the PR manager for one in ever color, I’m not ashamed to say).

Ranger Station Tennessee Tomato Candle

I popped into Ranger Station’s brick-and-mortar when I was in the West Village a few weeks ago to get out of a little drizzle and I’m very glad I did because I picked up this tomato-scented candle while drying off. Unfortunately, I had to keep with my hotel’s reception while I went off to Finland and London — along with an entire tote bag full of dirty laundry — and had them ship it all home for me upon my return to the States. It came in the mail this week and it’s better than I remember, perfectly spicy and seasonal (though I only light in the evenings because even seeing a flame during the day in this heatwave is enough for beads of sweaty to start pouring down my forehead).

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Folio Society Edition

It’s been absolute ages since I last read this book and with recent changes to my professional work, I thought it would be a good time to revisit The Little Prince. My goodness, so much of what makes this book so wonderful was lost on me as a kid — and I do believe that’s the merit of a perfect children’s book (see also: the Moomins novels and why I have a tattoo of the boy from The Giving Tree on my arm). I think this edition by Folio Society is so charming, and a step up from the copy I flipped through at the library and the PDF version I have saved on my iPad, that’s for sure.

Stacked Skincare High-Frequency Wand

The last time I was at Glowbar in May, the aesthetician recommended that I get a high-frequency wand to help with some of the stubborn areas around my jaw where I still occasionally break out from shaving. While it’s only been a couple of weeks (and also around the time I began using this mask from Mito Red Light), I do feel like it has to be doing something. I mean, for Christ’s sakes, considering it literally is zapping my skin with a bolt of concentrated electricity. The flip-side to vanity is, of course, being absolutely terrified twice a week for just-okay skin. God, I hate being gay sometimes.

Donating to Venezuela Earthquake Relief

I’m not going to make light of this with little jokes and I’m going to keep it brief. What happened in Venezuela last week is nightmarish and the death toll continues to rise (at present, it’s around 3,000 confirmed deaths). I urge you to donate to relief efforts if you can and here are a few charities if you don’t know where to start: Direct Relief, IFRC, and UNICEF.

But there are two main reasons I never post photos from that time, formative as it was. The first being that I didn’t have an iPhone and therefore didn’t document everything as I do now. And the second is that I looked like absolute shit. I dressed for what I thought I should wear in Italy but without the knowledge of fashion (or, quite frankly, the budget). It was a hodgepodge of Hollister t-shirts and second-hand clothing styled in a such way that you’d be forgiven for thinking I was on a very expensive Rumspringa and it was my first time dressing myself.

I am happy to say that this has, thankfully, changed over the years. I’m sure part of it is being inoculated to the glamour of Europe, having traveled there so much recently, and part of it is out of a deep desire to dress comfortably. I no longer put together little outfits (unless, of course, the agenda calls for it) and instead focus on trying — and I’m sure often failing — to just look my best.

This is all to say that I am too tired to do a day-by-day playback of my time in New York, Finland, and London; but I’m not too tired to post twelve photos of myself making the exact same pose in a variety of mirrors and in a variety of clothes.

And, lucky you, dear Reader, I’ll go through little look below.

New York

Ostensibly, I went to New York to see the NYBG x Moomin exhibit, since I’m my company’s liaison for the brands. While it rained terribly for the majority of my trip, I was able to poke my little head out of my cubby at the Nester Finn in the Financial District long enough to: make a cologne at Olfactory; get sushi rolls from Sushi Counter twice; get my suit taken in at Cad & The Dandy and see my good friend Steve; get a massage in Chinatown; see the Monocle x Thuma pop-up; and get a facial at Glowbar, and a sauna session at SAINT NYC.

Pictured here, I’m wearing my tried-and-true Quince cashmere sweater (two sizes too big and pilling terribly), Nothings Something and DL1961 jeans; a Moomin polo from Rowing Blazers; and surely a Merz b. Schwanen t-shirt underneath to match this cap I’m wearing in the first picture (which I got embroidered with “Daddy” on the back). Not pictures: these Asics and these Converse.

Finland

I’m skipping some of the outfits I didn’t feel the need to take photos of (for example, on the plane I wore that ratty old cashmere sweater and some sweatpants made of bamboo), so please don’t be confused why the next photo is of me naked.

Luckily for everyone, I was, in fact, wearing a bathing suit. This speedo from Charlie, to be exact. It was nearly midnight when this photo was taken, my first night back in Finland, where I was staying at the Hanaholmen and had jumped into the Baltic Sea after getting nauseous in the sauna.

Sadly, I only stayed at the Hanaholmen for one night (I will do a newsletter on the hotels I stayed at once my article for Surface on the same topic is live) before moving to the Hotel St. George in central Helsinki. After the car dropped me off, I changed into a jokapoika shirt from Marimekko, put on a pair of Prada pants, and grabbed my Merci tote and was on my merry way to visit the Moomin headquarters to meet the team, get a tour, and get caught in a quick, yet torrential, downpour.

That evening, it was back to the Hanaholmen for dinner and meet the rest of those attending the press trip. I wore this sweater from Soft Goat, these pants from Uniqlo, square-toed Prada boots (second-hand), and my new pair of glasses from Morgenthal Frederics.

Of course, I didn’t take a photo of every outfit while in Helsinki because that would be insane and because not all of them were that special — and a secret third reason: I didn’t feel the need for attention every day, just most days. In any case, when we toured the Marimekko factory (my second time visiting), I wore another jokapoika, as well as this green linen Percival suit, socks from 3am Latte, and Converse again. I hardly ever wear color, but quite liked the look.

During a visit to Amos Rex and a few hours in the Esplanadi in Helsinki, I got to wear this horse-print cardigan from The Tie Bar, which I paired with a western belt, Merz b. Schwanen tank, as well as those brown Uniqlo pants and Converse again.

It was quite cold the night of the fashion show for Aalto University students, so I went with a cozy (and hopefully at least a bit fashionable) outfit of that Quince sweater again, paired with jacket, pants, and boots from Prada. I thought I looked a bit masculine here with my little champagne flute, n’est-ce pas?

London

I was exhausted by the end of my trip, but had the opportunity to hop on over to London to interview Toby Bateman of Mr. Porter for a story — coming out this week, I think. So while I didn’t get many photos, I did wear a JW Anderson white shirt three days in a row (including to Mr. Porter’s headquarters in Shepherd’s Bush, conveniently close to my accommodations at the nearby Hoxton). The barn jacket is from the Japanese Edition collection from L.L. Bean. The umbrella is one I picked up while in the Bronx the week prior from a dollar store that smelled like microwaved spinach. Both of which I wore while touring Cubitts’ new headquarters in King’s Cross.

The pièce de résistance is this little denim number that I tried on while visiting my friend William’s office at Dorn Communications. It’s from a brand called Blue Blue and fit like a fucking glove, I tell you! I’m also happy to report that this was also a good hair day. I’d like to think my parents, God, and — most importantly — my prescription for finasteride.

And now that that is all said and done, I’m back to wearing my normal rotation of white button-downs (I have, I think at my last count, 25 or so), short shorts, Birkenstocks, and a baseball cap. Boy, it really is kind of a Hannah Montana situation I have going on, isn’t it?

Cheers

The first — and undoubtedly the most important — update to share is about my father. Thank you to those who have sent well wishes and kind messages. For all the blathering I do on here, I am very uncomfortable talking about my personal life. Professional bullshit and things to buy and press trips really are only a small facet of my life, if you really think about it. In any case, I think things can be best described as status quo for him and a feeling of helplessness for me.

All the same, I really, truly do not want to hear “When my [insert relative/friend/ coworker here] had a stroke…” I know it’s how we, as a culture, empathize, or try to plug the dam before any awkwardness leaks into the conversation, but it does absolutely nothing for me. If your relative/friend/coworker has it worse than my father, it doesn’t make me feel better that someone else is suffering. And if they miraculously healed, it’s like dangling hope in front of me like a carrot, and that only makes me feel worse.

Secondly — and undoubtedly totally boring for you to read about — work has really picked up, both professionally and in my freelance. In my full-time job I was promoted to director of marketing and brand partnerships at my company, meaning I now handle the licensing agreements for our pens and stationery business. As I’ve hinted at but wasn’t able to explicitly state, this year we’ll be launching a collection with Moomin (more on this below), but with a few other licenses down the pike. This feels really good for me and is the first time I’ve felt like it’s a place in my full-time work where I will thrive.

Freelance has also been a bit crazy, too. I quit my role at Merz b. Schwanen because I simply wasn’t performing at the level I require of myself (see point one as to why that might be). With that extra time, I’ve had an insane amount of work creep into my diary — I will be ending June with 34 articles for the month. Many of these are white-labeled for brands, so you won’t see my name on them necessarily, but you can find my weekly column at Worn & Wound, new articles will soon be up for GQ, I’ve been lucky enough to write loads for Surface this month, and just begun writing for The Set Set. One door closes another opens and all that.

Finally, I have some tentative travel coming up. While it’s definitely not set yet (I haven’t even talked to the PR companies who would host me), I’m looking at:

• July 28-Aug 2: NYC

• August 28-September 6: Oslo Fashion Week / Helsinki Design Week

• September 7-September 15: New York Fashion Week

As I said on my Instagram, do hit me up if you: have a sublet for me in NYC in September (preferably free), recommendations for Oslo, are a PR person who wants to connect or send me clothing or invite me to a show, are a brand that wants to do an interview or showroom tour (or also give me stuff), or if you have a plug at a hotel for any of my stays.

Okay, now to the extra-long What Caught My Eye section. I won’t fault you for unsubscribing. It’s all terribly boring. But if you wanted to know what hair product I’m using or what book I’m reading. Well, keep reading, dear Reader, because you’re in luck!

Cheers

What Makes Sammy Run, by Budd Schulberg

I’m very pleased to say that whoever had that voodoo doll made of me finally put a book in its hands. My dry spell has ended and it’s been a veritable flood of books that’s come my way recently. I’m currently reading What Makes Sammy Run?, which is quite good and pacy. It was written in 1941 and gives a contemporaneous account of the Hollywood of the time. It’s well-written and a very interesting read on the nascent film industry and how the town felt so congealed, even then.

Other than Sammy, I’ve finished Nineteen Eighty-Four (Orwell), Julia (Newman), Doktor Glas (Söderberg), The Trouble with Happiness (Ditlevsen), Manor (Ulrichs), The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, The Rise and Reign of the Mammals, and The Story of Birds (all three by Brusatte) since we last chatted. I also grabbed a copy Annie Proulx’s short story collection Close Range: Wyoming Stories to read “Brokeback Mountain”, but can’t bear to gather the emotional strength to open it right now.

While the Brusatte books may seem a bit out of left field, longtime readers may remember one of my early career choices was to become an evolutionary biologist. But after taking Calculus II in high school, I swore to never touch a calculator after grade 12 — one of the few promises I’ve kept in my lifetime, thank you very much.

Élisabeth, by Éric Rohmer

There has been a surprising confluence of Éric Rohmer-related things that happened this month, most notably the release of Rohmer’s only novel, Élisabeth, by McNally Editions (a purchase I made within milliseconds of finding out they’ll ship it to you before the pre-order window is done). It’s next on my reading list, come hell or high water.

This novel comes out at the same time that Criterion released a few of the French director’s films onto its streaming app, all of which have been queued up and are patiently waiting for me to dive into. Of course, I will be looking at Melvil Poupaud’s wardrobe (particularly this bag) after watching A Summer’s Tale, but there are many gaps in my knowledge of the Rohmer Cinematic Universe™ still left to be explored.

Tenten Bedding

One of the great sadnesses in my life is that I don’t really care about housewares and interior design. Or, rather, I’m just no good at it (which might be a blessing because I find home renovation gays on Instagram to be the most evil types of gays of all). It was always an easy excuse to say, “Oh, I live in a small farm house, I don’t need to care.” But now I’m 35 and have a bit of money and I should put more of that towards things around the house versus things in my closet or driveway.

In any case, the bedroom is the first to get a facelift. Specifically the bedding. I was given a set of sheets and a duvet cover from Finnish Design Shop and I don’t think I’ve slept better in years (notwithstanding a few hotel stays). I’ve never used a duvet at home, though of course it’s quite common when I’ve visited the Nordics and other parts of Europe, but it’s got the perfect weight and made from long-staple cotton percale so I don’t overheat (I run hot and there’s always a dog scrunched up next to me somewhere). As the name implies, they’re a 10/10 in my book.

Home Atelier Nigella Foldable Sofa Bed

Unfortunately, it’s not just my house that could use a facelift, but the office I rent in a nearby town could, too. Right now, it’s full of hand-me-downs and Amazon furniture and if I’m supposed to write the next great American novel…well, that’s certainly not the vibe.

And, dear Reader, sometimes I am really tired. So sleepy, in fact, I can hardly bear it and I’ll lay on the floor for a few minutes between calls. But to save my aging back, I think a convertible little chair-to-bed miracle would be the perfect solution to my problem and fit into the general motif of my writing studio: eclectic, a bit dated, but comfortable.

Méduse Sandals

I’m not sure where I first heard of Méduse, but I really hope it was an incredibly chic and unknown fashion writer and not someone who has been interviewed on an episode of Throwing Fits. All the same, there has been an absolute (but quite welcomed, mind you) plague on my house when it comes to shoes lately — the NN.07 x Grenson mules, these New Balances, these Sabahs, and these Birkenstock Mogamis, to name a few — but I’ve added one more into the roster. I opted for the black fisherman sandals that are incredibly cheap (save for the shipping from France) and will hopefully be one of those items I wear nonchalantly throughout the season and get compliments wherever I go. A boy can dream.

Cubitts Dewes Frames

I’m lousy with eyewear, too, it seems. One may think that the best thing about having astigmatism is getting sympathy when mentioning it to others, but that’s just a close runner-up. The best thing is actually having a bedside table that’s stacked with frames to choose from and then making little outfits based on the pair I chose. I currently wear these Silhouette Pure Visionary when I tuck myself into bed because they’re super lightweight and can bend a little if I forget to take them off when I’m reading. But my daily drivers, so to speak, are the Dewes by Cubitts. They’re very simple and classic, but the proportions are just thin enough to not be boring. I hope that someone will describe my own physique like that one day, too.

The Merman Curling Sea Clay

Depending on how long you’ve followed me, you may remember I used to get perms to add some texture to my hair, which is very straight and, thanks to a finasteride prescription, no longer thinning. I’ve since stopped this exercise in extreme Gay Vanity™ and have just worked with what I got. But I’ve noticed as I’ve been growing my hair out that if I get it messy enough and sticky enough, it begins to get at least a tad bit wavy. Never one to not exploit a situation, I began looking into how to keep this charade up and have found this curling clay to do the trick. A little bit on damp hair, a spritz of hairspray, and a few tears because I get so frustrated I want to cry and I’m out the door. Easy and one, two, three!

Graf von Faber-Castell Rollerball + G2 Refills

If you’ve ever enjoyed the smooth writing of one of those cheap Pilot G2 pens, but want to elevate your writing experience, well, my friends, you’ve come to the write place (I’ve worked in the pen industry for five years and have just about abused that pun to death).

I’ve recently found out that the Graf von Faber-Castell rollerballs are compatible with the G2 refill. I know this sounds like a lot of jargon, but a lot of refills aren’t in standard sizes. But God must answer prayers occasionally and I’m happy to inform you that with the twist of a cap and a quick switcheroo and you’re looking at a pen that writes well and looks expensive. What more could you ask for in life?

Homme Plissé Issey Miyake Pleated Pants

I like to consider myself a fairly basic dresser and, in some ways, these all-over pleated pants aren’t necessarily my style, but that didn’t stop me from ordering five different pairs in two different styles when Nordstrom had a sale earlier this month. I wasn’t sure what size I was, for starters, and I wasn’t sure if I liked them or liked the hype of them (this was the same week Ashley Olsen wore some in Paris, mind you). I’m happy to report back that I like the black straight-leg version and that I am a size 1 (which, thanks to an elastic waistband, will fit when I’m flirting close to a size 2, 3, and 4). I think the only way to pull these off is with a white button-down or t-shirt (damn me for resigning from Merz so soon!), but I do think the shoes options are more forgiving with these mules being the top contender right now.

NYBG x Moomin Collaboration

As I mentioned above, my new role with my company now means I manage our licensed products and their accounts. While Peanuts was the first one I worked on, it was more of an inherited project, but Moomin is all mine. With a proper collection of pens and stationery coming later this year, my team dipped our toes into the IP by producing products with the New York Botanical Garden and Moomin for their exhibition and the products, I believe, are now available in the gift shop. I’m very excited for you to see, if you happen to find yourself in the Bronx anytime soon (or see me there in late July, as I’ll be visiting again for work).

This is an account I’ve been working on since last October and I have been fortunate enough to know the team more and more over the last few months (and visited the headquarters in Helsinki when I was there in May). Because I work from home, I don’t always have that team feeling, so I’m especially grateful to be getting to know — and grow — with Moomin and, by extension, their licensing team.

More to come on this project. And looking ahead to 2027 and beyond, I’m signing a few more contracts in the next couple weeks to keep the momentum. Can’t wait to share more.

Albert Muzquiz, @edgyalbert, will be there along with members of my team, friends of the brand, and hopefully a few locals to greet us to our new home on Abbot Kinney.

The invitation is below. If you’re a writer or editor and want to cover this for a story, or schedule an interview with the co-founders, Peter and Gitta Plotnicki, please reach out to me. I’d be happy to set that up.

I think my last official newsletter was in March and I’ve been kicking the can on finishing the NYFW recap and a million other things I’ve promised you (like my trip to Bilbao, too, I just remembered!). I’m a bad friend. I break promises and you don’t hear from me for months at a time. And then I come back and expect you to still be following me and love me (meaning, praise me). I’m a prodigal blogger, if you will.

In any case, I have updates to share. Lots of ‘em. This is boring for many of you, but it’s better to give all the updates in one place for me so I can get them out of the way and focus on a few personal items over the next couple of weeks.

Kiitos, danke schön, etc etc

1. First and most importantly, this has been a very tough week for me, as my father is going through some health issues. I don’t particularly want to get into specifics until I know more/the severity of it/etc, but suffice it to say that my mind is not necessarily on work right now. If I miss an email from you, give me a couple weeks. I need to take some time away from things right now.

2. This news (and my subsequent request for some patience on my lack of communication) also bumps up against two weeks of travel I have coming up. From Monday until June 1, I’ll be in Las Vegas, New York, Helsinki, then New York again. More on each of these below.

   

3. In other news, I’m now writing for GQ. This has been a goal of mine for some time and I’m very thrilled to be taking over some of the watch beat online. Having grown up in rural Pennsylvania during the metrosexual heyday, the term, “Whoa, GQ!!!” was thrown about by more than one hairdresser and classmates’ mother in my youth. So, in a way, this feels like a full-circle moment for me.

   

4. I also took over a weekly column for Worn & Wound called “Watches, Stories, & Gear”, which covers — you guessed it! — watches, stories from around the web, and gear that fits the WW audience. I’ve had a lot of fun with this and I’m happy that my editor, Zach, gives me so much freedom to write how I want (sample of which is above). If you work with some brands you think might be a fit, get in touch. No promises, of course. It still has to resonate with the readers. Sorry to the perfect-fit-guaranteed bra company that’s emailed me three times this month :(

5. For A Passion Thing, I’m interested in entrepreneurs with a fun or inspiring story to tell, that I can pitch to their team. I love the magazine, but you know how it is — you pitch what you know. What don’t I know? I don’t know! You tell me.

6. I’m also going to be writing for a hospitality and travel magazine, with the potential to do a weekly newsletter, and would definitely need some help on stories. More to come, but think of artisans, artists, culture, customs, and must-sees in faraway destinations.

7. Speaking of travel, and as mentioned above, I’m doing a good bit of it this month. First and foremost, I’m going to be in Las Vegas from Monday to Thursday for the Licensing Expo. In my full-time role, I’ve been promoted to Director, Marketing & Partnerships and that’s meant a shift into building out a strategy for the next few years in the licensing space. I’m excited to announce a big coup for my company last this month, but we also have another launch for Peanuts, Smokey the Bear, Accutron watches…you get the idea. If you work for a brand in this sort of category (or have a good recommendation for where to eat while I’m in town), hit me up.

   

8. Then, from Friday to Monday, you’ll find me in New York City for the opening of an exhibit at the New York Botanical Gardens (see point 7), get a facial, get my glasses from Morgenthal Frederics, make my own cologne, maybe stop and get a suit retailored since I lost weight, stop by my favourite sauna in the city, see this Michael McGregor show, and take a few meetings. If you’re in town, hit me up. My time is a tiny bit tight, but may be able to make it work, and I always love staying busy when I’m in town.

9. Then I go to Helsinki for a week for Fashion in Helsinki, but to also take a couple work meetings while I’m there. I’m thrilled. I make it no secret that Helsinki is my favourite European city and, given the opportunity, I’d move there in a heartbeat. I’m also very lucky to have an incredible advocate in the country with Martta Louekari, planned this trip for me. I’m excited to write about the fashion and hospitality scene for Forbes and Surface, respectively, and see a few friends at Marimekko, Moomin HQ, among others. If you have a recommendation or want to try to meet for a coffee while I’m in town, let me know!

   

10. And just to brag for a second (!!), I’m staying at some of the most gorgeous places this trip, including Hanaholmen, Hotel St. George Helsinki, The Barö. I really am spoiled and never try to take it for granted.

11. Later this year, I think I’ll be in Switzerland and Norway — still TBD, but if you’re an editor and want to chat about possible stories for either, reach out and we can discuss. I’m very interested in more travel this year.

12. Lastly, I have a bit of editorial freedom with Forbes and I’m always looking for new stories. While I can’t do a one-brand feature, I’m very interested in trends, expert quotes, deep industry dives, and the like. If you have an idea, I’m all ears.

Thanks for listening. Hope to hear from you soon. And if you don’t hear from me here, follow me on Instagram. I’m more active there x

You know what, dear Reader? I know I’m something of a taker. All I do is ask you to send me things, tell me things, make appointments with me, invite me to runway shows. And I haven’t had a decent newsletter in months. And, to be honest, because this newsletter doesn’t pay me, it’s hard to prioritize it within my broader editorial calendar.

But, I’m also quite unrepentant, as a rule, and don’t feel like I’ll stop asking for things anytime soon. So, with that, might I ask you one more teeny tiny little favor?

This weekend, I’m going to Bilbao for a couple of days (two full days, to be exact) for an event at the Guggenheim that I’ll be covering for Surface. Because this was all so last-minute — the tickets were just confirmed on Monday!!! — I’m in desperate need of recommendations. Where to eat, what to do, all that stuff. I have all of Sunday free, so I’d like to milk every last ounce out of this trip.

Thank you in advance, nire lagunak

But, with that, I wanted to mention that I’ll be in the city for a few days, from Wednesday evening to Tuesday morning. My schedule has filled up a bit with shows, presentations, coffee meetings, and a couple eyewear appointments, but just a final FYI if a) you’re around and b) my schedule allows it - I’d love to find time to meet.

And if we can’t schedule anything, you can always come to the event I’m hosting on Saturday, February 14, at Dempsey & Carroll, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Details are below (and an event in London is below that, too, for my longtime collaborator, Miguel Carranza, who was the illustrator for my novel).

See Miguel’s Exhibit in London Next Monday!

As I continue to shape this Substack (and dedicate more time to it this year) one goal has been to highlight brands more often, beyond just products I like. At heart, I’m very obviously a materialistic person, but I’m also a storyteller. Sharing a bit of behind-the-scenes of brands I admire lets me bring those two interests together. It’s probably no surprise that I’ve spent most of the past decade in marketing, or that I’m the global communications executive for Merz b. Schwanen. My professional life is telling others’ stories, in a way.

With all that being said, here is my inaugural brand highlight, featuring Overland Sheepskin Co. For those unfamiliar, the brand was founded in 1973 and has since expanded its offerings from sheepskin coats to boots to gloves to the fleece pelt my darling Elsa sleeps on when she’s visiting me in my office. Last year, I chatted with Monty Goodson, a veteran in the industry and member of Overland’s product development team. In the below chat, we discuss his career, the growth of the brand, and a bit of an education on sheepskin.

I’m excited to continue this series and, until then, enjoy the read and your weekend ahead.

Cheers.

Monty, you’ve been with overland for more than 30 years. Can you take us back to the beginning. How did you first get involved with the brand and what’s led you to staying with the company since 1994?

After spending years in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, I found myself as a sort of “urban refugee” in Durango, Colorado. During that time, I got a part-time job at Overland, sort of to get myself planted in the area and set some roots. After that, my role within the company began to grow and within about 8 years, I took on more and more responsibility, ultimately opening and managing the flagship store in Santa Fe and then traveling with the founders, Marge and Jerry [Leahy, the parents of Sheepskin founder, Roger Leahy].

And for the second part of your question, I’ve stayed because of the people. Even with all the growth and what Overland has become over the years, it’s still very much a company built on a foundation of family. Well, that, and I think every year we’re putting out great products, so it makes my job even more fun to be a part of it all.

How would you describe the evolution of Overland over those years?

It’s stayed the same in a lot of ways and has grown in so many others. Like I said, it’s always been people-first and we just hire some really great people. We’re constantly getting people into the mix with a lot of energy and ideas and that inspires us. And what’s great is those ideas don’t go unnoticed; we’re always in dialogue with change and don’t say, “No,” for the sake of saying it. In this industry, you can’t do that if you want to survive.

What has surprised you most about working with sheepskin?

I think, from an industry point-of-view, it’s growth a lot. It’s not sort of off here in the West as a crazy thing people wear, but has been part of the mainstream and people know how better to care for it, or to ask the right questions so they can make a decision. Because it’s a very unique sort of material — it’s not like traditional leather and needs to be respected because of that, in a way.

But from a product standpoint, it’s just the variety of sheepskin on the market today. Something you probably wouldn’t think of is that the quality of sheepskin can change dependent on geography, climate, even diet can effect the fleece. It’s sort of like wine — sheepskin has a terroir to it, too.

Sheepskin pieces can be expensive. For someone buying their first product, what should they look for to make sure they’re getting the best quality for their price?

Even though Overland has a kind of rugged look to it, so much of what our products are made of is a million little delicate details — the stitching, the sewing, the edges being perfectly cut. All of those add up to a product that will last longer and look better, even if you can’t really put your finger on why it looks so good.

In industry terms, you probably also want to consider the “hand” or how the fleece feels. Good, quality sheepskin should be soft and plush. It should almost feel like you’re putting your hands in a bag of flour.

And once someone has bought their first sheepskin piece, what common mistakes do you see people making?

Sheepskin has a lot of the qualities of the animal it came from — it’s delicate and sensitive. You can’t be aggressive with it. You don’t need much to take care of your sheepskin jacket, but there are a few things you just can’t do if you want it to last. For instance, don’t dry clean it — the chemicals an potentially ruin it. A suede brush is really all you need. If you get it wet, dab it a little and hang to dry; rubbing it in can make the moisture stay in the suede longer. Odors can be fixed with a bit of baking soda. You don’t need much to make these pieces last for years. It’s a lot more about being gentle versus going for a quick fix or treating your jacket like a t-shirt or something.

Do you have any products from Overland that you think really exemplifies the brand?

Working on the product side of things, I want to say everything is amazing! And I really do believe that. But if I had to narrow it down, our line of jackets that are made in the U.S. are top of the line. And now we work with a Spanish factory who is producing our Carmen coats, which are reversible and uses Lacón shearling sheepskin. I think it shows how sheepskin has really stepped away from being just a workwear product.

If you had to explain what makes Overland different from its competitors, what would that be?

I can’t repeat it enough, it’s the people. It’s the family side of things, the sense of really feeling a part of something that’s not just a job. We really try to bring that into our products — we really listen to our customers and if they’re not happy, we’re not happy. And for a brand that’s been around as long as we have, since the 70’s, I think we’re doing something right. I feel like we’re part of a renaissance and I’m enjoying how people are really noticing something that I’ve known all along: there’s nothing out there quite like Overland in terms of quality and design and the level of service we bring to every customer.

To learn more about Overland, visit their website.

There was a time when I cared about taking nice photos — I even had a food blog, if you can believe it. Everything a little tweezed, it helped me understand the baseline for what branding is and how I could see a path to getting paid to write, but the actual act of photographing anything has always been a bit too complicated (and therefore frustrating) to me.

This is all to say, I notice myself phoning it in when I’m traveling these days. “Oh, look, a door” — snap. “Oh, look, a beach” — snap. Sometimes it’s fun (especially if I want to brag online), but most of the time, those photos sort of sit in my iPhone library and then get deleted when I need more storage. I don’t even remember what was so special about this cake or that wine glass, but damnit if I didn’t feel the need to take a picture of it.

Ironically, the thing that seems to have corrected this thinking a bit was to force myself to take bad photos, and so that’s what I’ve done. Over the holidays, I bought myself a 15-year-old camera (Olympus PEN E-PL1, to be exactly) for the sole purpose of lugging around on trips. $40 on eBay — how can I pass it up?

And while that probably would have served my purpose just fine, I took it one step further and ordered a Pocket Dispo lens, which is a repurposed disposable camera lens, built to fit on digital cameras. By doing this, my photos have taken on a sort of grainy, film-like quality with strange saturation, no ability to zoom, and a lot of blurry bits around the edges.

In doing this, I’ve been given a sort of freedom to point and shoot. I don’t want to care so much about perfection, in some ways, and while I don’t think of this little camera as anything more “authentic” than using my iPhone, it lessens the pressure, so to speak, to break a sweat over that (mediocre at best) “one perfect shot” I’ve strived for all these years.

I took the camera to Palm Springs last weekend, where we visited our dear friends and former neighbors, Todd and Judy. It was a great little trip, a bit too short, and I’m grateful to have these photos instead of losing them in the tens of thousands of other photos on my phone right now.

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Our Trip to California, 2026

Sorry for the clickbait-y email, but I thought if you saw my name pop up, you may think it’s another sappy little soliloquy on why I love my farm, or perhaps a diatribe on how I’m so busy and blah, blah, blah.

Anyway, now that I do have your attention, I wanted to share that I’ll be attending NYFW and doing write-ups for Forbes, Cool Material, with a few other little irons in the proverbial fire. I’m sure you’ve seen some of my recaps for other fashion weeks, particularly for Forbes, but the fun thing about this one is I’m allowed to do it in a more first-person style. So, you know, I'd like to have something to write about and all, haha.

With that said, you’re a fashion brand hosting any events, or just happen to be in the city and want to grab a drink, feel free to hit me up either by replying to this email, emailing me directly at brett@brettfbraley.com, or even through Instagram or Whatsapp. I’ll be in New York from February 11 -17, so plenty of time to fit you in, I’m sure.

And keep reading for some pitches I’m working on and a little party I’m hosting in the city next month, too!

Pitches I’m Currently Working On

Writing is picking back up and I’m working on a variety of articles and have a few pitches in the works as well. I’m going to list them here and happy to hear from you if one of your clients fits! And I’m happy to get quotes from experts, so connect me to your clients and their team. Even if it’s not a fit for right now, that doesn’t mean I’m not thinking of next month or next year.

• I’m moving slightly into the celebrity/Hollywood space, as it performs well and isn’t too hard to write about. With that, I’m looking to do “steal his look”-type stories with celebrities like Connor Storrie, but open to a wider variety of celebrities, too, of course (only men, as I don’t write womenswear).

• I’m pitching for a luxury print magazine that sort of runs the gamut of hospitality, men’s grooming, style, tailoring, watches — that sort of thing. Would love to get some fresh ideas in this space.

• Are you an EDC brand or EDC adjacent? I’m pitching a watch magazine in this space and curious what’s new in the market (room for other opportunities for this pub as well).

• I’m working on a Scandinavian/Nordic fashion download, looking at the marketplace, popular ready-to-wear and D2C brands that are in the region. Of course, I have a deep love for Finland and speak a bit of Norwegian, so this will be a fun one for me (and hopefully for you, too!).

• Know a founder who grew their passion into a career? Or an entrepreneur with a great brand/story? Do tell. Most recently, I wrote for this publication about ROVI Lucca and Merz b. Schwanen, if that gives you any flavor as to what I’m thinking.

• Men’s trends! Can’t get enough of ‘em.

• Over and over again, I saw/heard/read about the influx of Japanese menswear at Pitti. I think there’s an interesting angle here, and broader trends within Western menswear looking towards Japan and vice versa, and would love to explore it.

• A jeans guide that’s not just about Levi’s — brands to consider, fit, sizing, all that good stuff. Not that I don’t love Levi’s, but an explainer on the various fits-by-number has been done.

• I’m incredibly interested in new/upcoming markets in fashion — think the Indian subcontinent, Indonesia, Nigeria. I’ve been working on the Indian one for some time but want to make it perfect, so still happy to speak with brands on this one. (Puerto Rico may be interesting here if I can angle it around Bad Bunny and the Super Bowl).

• Eyewear is a favourite topic of mine with all the talk around "slutty little glasses”, I’m happy to think of angles that, perhaps, I haven’t done before (though, sadly, with my terrible eyes and astigmatism, I’m deprived of the joy of slutty little wire-framed number).

• Hotels/restaurants opening (particularly in Asia) would be great for a couple new publications I’m working on pitching this year.

• And speaking of Asia, if there’s anything in architecture, culture, fashion brands, or the like, this is an area I’m particularly interested in this year and think it’ll only continue to grow for me and the publications I’m gearing towards.

• I’m slowly stepping my foot into the grooming/beauty market. While I myself have always been a bit shy around this topic, as I have had my struggles with acne and the like, I’m 34, forty pounds lighter, got a little Botox, and really feeling myself. I think 2026 is a great time to start this topic, don’t you?

• While I have never been skiing myself (the closest I’ve been is pretending to be Presbyterian so that I could skip school and go on a free church sponsored snow-tubing trip), I think après-ski style is right up my alley, especially with all the buzz about the Winter Olympics in the air.

Happy to even chat about highlighting brands / products / new releases right here in this li’l Substack of mine. You’ll see more of that in the future, as I get some ducks in a row. Do stay tuned!

I’m Hosting a Valentine’s Day Party

Lastly, I’ll be hosting a little party at Dempsey & Carroll on the Upper East Side on February 14 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. As you all probably know by now, my full-time job is in the luxury pens industry and my company has partnered with my favourite stationery brand on a little get-together to try some of my company’s pens, pick up some stationery, and write a last-minute love note before you exchange gifts with your Valentine. Come see me! Info below.

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At the risk of beating a dead horse (I had written about this last month, and posted about it on Instagram earlier this week), I thought I would share a bit of my set-up when it comes to my note-taking and keeping a mobile office.

For me, being as organized as possible is key to my success (which, if you’d see my writing studio, home office, or bag, you may think I’m using the term “organized” quite loosely). Between freelance work, my full-time job, and working for Merz b. Schwanen, I’m constantly taking notes, researching information, and trying to remember all the calls I have scheduled. And the best option? A mobile office of sorts, which all can fit into a handy little cover and not take up much real estate in my bag when I’m traveling.

Check out how I’ve set up my system for the year below. And if I’m missing anything, feel free to suggest it. I’m all ears.

Have a great weekend ahead, mes amis.

PS - As a reminder, I’ll be attending NYFW this year. Do email me, reply to this newsletter, or even hit me up on Whatsapp if you’d like to sending me stuff to wear (I’m already stressing about this), discuss articles, event and show invites, etc. I have some stuff planned with Forbes, Cool Material, and a couple other publications in the works.

PPS - If you’re an editor, influencer, etc. Also get in touch if you’d like to know more about Merz b. Schwanen. I’d be happy to host you in the store during your time in the City that week.

PPPS - I’ll be hosting a Valentine’s Day party on the Upper East Side on Saturday February 14. More to come!

1. My daily driver is a Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter LTD_022, in Medium format (which is analogous to an A5 size). You’ve undoubtedly hear this name from me before, but I can’t speak highly enough about it. The cover can fit up to three notebooks inside using its clip system, has an elastic band to keep it all shut, and has plenty of internal storage for my needs.

2. This isn’t functional, but I think it’s quite cute. I found this little nametag in a drawer the other day and decided to sew it into the felt lining. I’m not sure where it came from, but you can find similar ones on Etsy.

3. Within the front pockets, I keep mini index cards and Post-Its. I also used to keep business cards in here, but felt wanky about it, to be honest.

4. The first clip in my Taschenbegleiter is occupied by this planner by Roterfaden. I like Layout 1 as on the left-hand side are the days and the right-hand side is left blank for notes. Any A5 planner will fit, though, so don’t feel boxed in to only use Roterfaden-specific products.

5. Just this week I upgraded to an Apple Pencil Pro and keep it tucked in here, too. While I don’t draw or write with it, I do like to have it as a stylus and, to be frank, I find it quite chic for some reason.

6. In the back of the planner, I’ve stuck three varying pocket sizes from Hobonichi to keep track of ephemera, tickets, and even a prescription for my pharmacy (your boy is taking his hairloss journey by the reins!!!). They’re surprisingly very handy and don’t take up much space. JetPens carries all three sizes.

7. The pen loop which holds the Apple Pencil isn’t one that comes with the Taschenbegleiter, nor the planner. Instead, I used a self-adhesive set (like this one) and tucked it into the back.

8. This pencil board from Hobonichi acts as a sort of bookmark for me in my notebook, as the raised tab makes it very easy to open a page up and start the day. You can find a few different patterns here.

9. I use a Hobonichi (you’re seeing a pattern here, I’m sure) notebook, like this one, as it uses a very thin paper called Tomoe River paper, which reduces bulk. I like a grid-lined paper for work as it helps me organize a bit better and my handwriting naturally reduces to fit within the cells, so I’m not using excess paper when I’m scribbling. This one is for my full-time job in pens, as well as being used for articles and random notes.

10. For my work at Merz b. Schwanen, I use a Statology A5 notebook. There isn’t a particular reason for this difference, other than I wanted another color to differentiate the two notebooks. But it works well, isn’t bulky, and uses grid paper too. Checks all the boxes for me.

11. Inside the back pocket, I’ve slipped in an iPad Mini, which I use for research, to read the news, check emails, and reduce screentime (I haven’t downloaded any social media on this iPad, which helps a good bit during the day). When I need to write, I also have a Bluetooth keyboard that is tucked in my bag. It’s quite small, so sometimes it’s a bit cumbersome to type with, but it does the trick in a pinch.

12. Lately, I’ve found Muji pens to fit quite perfectly in the Taschenbegleiter pen loop (my preferred G-2’s get a bit stuck because of their grip section). I plan to stock up while in the city for NYFW next month, as I run through them like water lately. You can see how everything folds up in this picture as well.

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