The Chase Begins

When I first wrote about moving to New York, I was so anxious, in that moment, to get there and make things happen for myself. It wasn’t my time yet. I learned I had more maturing and growing to do. God made it clear it wasn’t time, and I accepted it. Positively, this setback gave me extra months to enjoy my family, friends, and the girl I so passionately love. I believe I have made the most of this time.

 I’ll be the first out of three siblings to venture off far away, and this journey is going to be for my family. Though I’ll be miles and miles away from my loved ones and home, that is the same motivating factor in my life right now. There’s more to life, and I feel like it’s my duty to expose and introduce all of them to other parts of the world. We all have a burning desire to go out and make our families proud. It’s the same with me. I’m big on living life well, and working hard to make sure this happens can only make me feel safe that one day, everything I ever wanted out of life, will be mine.

“Do you know what it means to chase your dreams?” That is a question I’ll be able to answer very soon. All last week, I mediated and prayed like never before. Doing this further humbled me and it calmed me down. It cleared my mind and allowed me to map out how I’d like to approach my upcoming tasks in New York. Oftentimes, last week, I wondered if this was really happening. Tomorrow, I’m moving to a place I’ve never been to in my life. It’s a risk I’m willing to take to make my dreams come true.

Being from the south, you hear a lot of opinions on New York. Every time I told someone I was headed to The Big Apple for college, they usually gave me the same response: “It’s too fast-paced.” Their thoughts never bothered me. Maybe it will be too fast-paced at first, but isn’t that what some parts of life are all about…adjusting? While adjusting in the beginning will be slightly challenging, as I adjust, I’ll be in the midst of it all, becoming accustomed to the pace of such a gigantic city. I’ll be taking a leap of faith.

God has blessed me and allowed me to meet individuals who live in New York through social networking. I’ve done my job by building meaningful and organic relationships with those individuals and it is now time to get from behind my laptop and connect with all of them face-to-face—the best way. I look forward to these future experiences and being able to enjoy what I know will be grand times.

With God by my side and a supporting family, I feel like anything is possible—all I have to do is go and make things happen…focus and never fold. I remember clearly: In the tenth grade, I made it up in my mind that moving away to begin the chase is what I wanted. Now, it’s time.

Tomorrow, the chase begins.

Portraits of the Lifestyle

Dining at Houston's restaurant every night. Summer home in Italy. Shopping trips to Paris, France. Shopping trips to Japan. Small roof-top gatherings with the closest of friends. An isolated garage full of vintage cars. A prosperous menswear shop. Weekend runs to the supermarket with my lady. Two private jets; one for me and one for her. Taking my little one to the tailor with me. Weekend friendly matches with my friends. A special room for James Bond memorabilia in my home.


Shopping trips to Italy just for the finest footwear. Summer parties on my yacht. Being in attendance at art shows. Brooks Brothers stantionery for my study. Flying back to town just to have dinner with her. Teaching my sons how to tie a tie. Sleeping in on the weekends with her. Friendly taunting while watching football games with my friends. Dressing my little ones for Sunday service. Hardly ever saying “no” to my daughter.



Reflecting on beautiful Sunday evenings. French toast with bacon and apple juice for brunch. Watching classic cartoons with my little man. Attending Pitti Uomo. Clipping Cubans at the top. Turning my iPhone off to enjoy the atmosphere my barber will provide. Vacations to Big Sur. A Jack Russell Terrier for inside and two Siberian Huskies for outside. Coming home to my family and enjoying the rest of the evening with them.

Being full of ambition, I have all the time I need to make every sentence come true. This is the lifestyle I will choose to live as I practice daily. If you know me well, you understand I won't stop until my heart does .

A Timely Return to Defining Pure Style

In my opinion, whether it has recently been discovered or still lurking in the darkness, everyone will one day find that "original" way of expressing their sartorial side.

The five-letter word is what life is all about. Style isn't about what articles of clothing you decide to wear; this is just a minuscule part of what the word really means. While impressing others is considered "cool," stepping away and deciding for yourself that you're going to be, an independent individual—that's style. The way you walk (with confidence) and talk (with eloquence)—that is style. A stylish person redefines "cool" by doing what pleases him or her.

As we all may know, brand-name clothing is what a good percentage of people consider to be stylish and fashionable. I strongly believe most of this high percentage only wants to impress others. Are we dressing for others so that they may give us their nod of approval? I don't believe this is a necessary action; wear what you're truly comfortable in and add your own flair to it. Pure style is being able to wear the garments and make them your own.

Pure style is taking the time to perfect whatever it is you're doing. Style refers to your home, how you choose to wear your clothes, where you decide to go and how you choose to carry yourself. You can play the part in public, but behind closed doors do you exemplify the same character? Being stylish all of the time is when it counts. Be original, because that is pure style.

One can gain pure style by first pleasing self; do not worry about what the next person may think. The road isn't long to becoming a person who obtains pure style, you just have to want it. Be determined enough to become the best person that you can possibly be.

Fred Astaire Style

"American 'cool' started with Astaire's fine art of understatement." "Astaire wore white ties and tails as though they were pajamas, and a tuxedo as though it were a part of his everyday routine, rather than borrowed from some Prussian general. It wasn't supposed to look perfect; it was supposed to look natural. It worked then, and it works now. It's what genius and style are all about." Fred Astaire Style is a beautifully-written memoire by one of my favorite authors G. Bruce Boyer, and it would be a great addition to your coffee table book collection. G. Bruce Boyer specifically explained the style icon’s rise to stardom through film and dance, but most importantly, his impeccable, elegant style. This book is a great example of using the written word to further clarify an individual’s character through pictures.

 This memoire about Astaire is brief, yet comprehensive. Between dancing, acting, singing, and inspiring many of us through dress, Astaire was easily a jack of all trades. Rudolf Nureyev declared him “the greatest American dancer in American history” along with Irving Berlin, considered one of the most successful songwriters of the twentieth century, proudly boasting about how “he’d rather have Astaire sing his songs than anyone else.” Through all the praise, Astaire continued to show great humility…a trait we can all use more of. Boyer explains: “A dozen films later, he was still telling beautiful women—in this case, Rita Hayworth in You Were Never Lovelier (1942)—that he was just ‘a plain, ordinary guy from Omaha, Nebraska.”

 “A symbol of prewar democratization, this charming dandy also replaced pomp and circumstance with nonchalance for practical reasons: being a dancer, Astaire’s clothes had to be comfortable, they had to move with him.” — G. Bruce Boyer

 Frederick Austerlitz—the name Astaire was born with—was an influential figure who continues to inspire many…myself included (he was my style hero). G. Bruce Boyer has done all of us a great deed of highlighting a portion of Astaire’s story and numerous talents. Don’t let your guests leave your presence without them being aware of the forever wonderful Fred Astaire.

Clarks Desert Boots

   
The Clarks Desert Boot was an idea Nathan Clark brought into fruition, but it wasn’t until fifty-eight years later the revolution began for me. Created on July 7, 1950, the Desert Boot hasn’t changed much since its beginning and remains a go-to choice for many. With close to no change to its design comes the realization of this particular desert boot’s significance.

 “I got the idea from crepe-soled rough suede boots which officers in the Eighth Army were in the habit of getting made in the Bazaar at Cairo.” — Nathan Clark

Nathan Clark, the mastermind behind this iconic pair of footwear, was also responsible for introducing them to the States. He then displayed them at the Chicago Shoe Fair, and this showing was a success. This was only the beginning. The sales for the Desert Boot sky-rocketed after the fashion editor of Esquire gave them editorial credits. The Clarks Desert Boot is proof that simple design along with minimal detailing can attract the attention of those who prefer a product of quality over anything else.

Simple, authentic, tough, rough, and rugged are all words that can be used to swiftly describe the Desert Boot’s design and aesthetic. Suede and leather are the two materials which complement the boot best…making it even more versatile and easy to pair with almost anything. The four eyelets on the boot further exhibit its straightforward design. What’s a beautiful pair of footwear without a great-supporting sole? The most charming, yet most important part of the Desert Boot has to be its signature crepe sole. Like any praiseworthy sole, the crepe sole was built to endure. Whether you call them crepe soles are “cheese bottoms” like the Jamaican people, the endurance and comfort they provide almost goes unmatched.

The Desert Boot was the very first Clarks Original. In any other Clarks Original today, you can easily see the Desert Boot’s characteristics. All other Clarks Originals stem from the Desert Boot’s simplistic and natural design, shining light on its importance.

This boot has stood the test of time. You don’t have to be from London to recognize the Desert Boot’s quality. “Les Clarks,” as the French call them, have been around for sixty-one years. Going almost unchanged since its conception, it is more than safe to say my favorite pair of footwear isn’t going anywhere. I pledge to wear my Clarks Desert Boots until the crepe soles fall apart.