Happy 1 Anniversary!

Happy One Year Anniversary to my blog!!!! It was this time last year I finally bit the bullet and decided to blog about all my eccentricities in one blog.

I've learned many things from fellow bloggers, made a few friends, trading a few items, philosophized, introduced the sartorial blogosphere to African style (very few of us in the sartorial blogosphere).

So let us continue down this path. Take a seat under my shade tree and let me, the Chief of this story, teach you and learn from you.

WIWT: Car Shopping

Pink happy socks
JCrew Orange Watch Strap

JPress Yellow Repp Tie
JCrew mid-weight sweater in light turquoise

Self Present 4: Pilot Iroshizuku Inks

The mail lady just dropped these off fresh from Jetpens. I'll be giving them a review as soon as I get Self Present 5 or 6. For now just take a look at them.

Also tomorrow expect some fountain pen ink reviews that have been piling up on me and a few notebook reviews.

Until Then,

Orange

Self Present 3: Sized Bow Ties

Bow ties are interesting beasts. They fly in and out of style with no apparent reason. They are in style right now and are being produced by the most uncharacteristic makers. The designs are now bordering ludicrous. I can't believe the things coming out now days. These whimsical designs that are reversible are interesting only when done right. Be wary of cheap materials, poor prints, un matchedstriping, and poor manufacture from these fly-by-night producers. No matter how much or little you pay you should get quality. Back to normal discussions, if you wear bow ties you are going to find that at some point you will want a sized bow tie.

I found some offered on Etsy by a Canadian mom. She prices them at $8 shipped. The only catch is that you have to know what size you wear. I wear a 35" sized bow tie. Now to get that size you need to tie your bow tie to the length you like. Experienced bow tie wearers will know that even that is not exactly right. You need to consider the width of the tie, the way it hangs off your collar, if it projects forward and how far, thickness of the material, how tight you tie your bow tie, and width of your face. In other words, just go and tie one of a similar cloth and measure the desired length.

I purchased these sized bow ties from Ruffle-N-Tuck on Etsy.

Tartan in a Silk Wool Blend

Tomato Red in a Wool Flannel

Edited: to include the purchase details.

Self Present 2: Wii Mario Kart

Woo Hoo! I love Mario Kart and this one is great!

I'm still a little iffy on the wheel but I'll warm up to it. The real test is will I still like this as much as I liked the other iterations.

3 Days to Greatness!

3 days until the blog turns a year. This post should crack the 90th post barrier.

Let me expound on how this next year is going to be. I definitely plan on doing more essays, more funny stories, more philosophical sartorial pieces, more diversity in post topics, more eccentric details, more product review, more advice, more questions answered, and more greatness.

This past year I accomplished a few things:

1. Graduated with a BBA in Finance
2. Started an adult relationship with a young lady
3. Opened my first checking non-student checking account
4. Saved more than I planned, even without adhering to my usually strict budget
5. Planned my first conference
6. Opened my own trading account, no more trading around with Mom's

Changes that occurred in 2009:

• I became the head of my family due to my father's death
• Inherited a small sum of money, its in the 5 figure range
• Became an assistant manager

Things to look forward to in 2010

• A new career with a new company, my dream job is with AT&T if only AT&T can quickly get back to me before I have a heart attack from the suspense
• A stronger and deeper relationship with my woman
• Prospectively being a full-time manager with a better salary, hourly wages suck
• More Trading
• Bigger Savings Account
• Paying off student loans, mine aren't too bad
• Better Work/Life Balance, my work hours suck
• New car
• 1st MTM suit, I've dabbled with pieces here and there but not a full on suit.
• MTM and Bespoke shirting and shoes, I do save for a reason because me like nice stuff

Goals for 2010

• Remember my father
• Pay off student loans
• Pay off my car
• Sign a lease to a high-rise apartment in midtown ATL
• Gain wisdom
• Visit my grandparents in Africa and meet my extended family members for the first time
• Continue building my shoe wardrobe, I'm up to 5 pairs
• Begin Building a Professional Wardrobe, even though my work place doesn't require it I eventually plan on getting into a position that will require business dress
• Find a full time entry-level job with nice benefits and an excellent training program
• Network more, I'm now the biggest fan of nepotism since going at it alone is proving impossible
• Calligraphy Practice
• Getting Ripped again
• Furthering my sartorial knowledge
• Building Deeper relationships with my friends, family, and community
• Lay the groundwork for wealth building in my family
• Create a foundation for my prospective family
• Thanking anyone who has helped me get to a good start in building my life
• Lastly, thanking my woman for lending me her ear and supporting me even when I'm feeling down

Yeah I know that is plenty of stuff. Well I told you all I like lists and categories. After all how does a mathematical mind work. So, that is me for the next year of my life. Let's pray for blessings!

Wallets: Self-Present 1

Today Is my 24th Birthday; I'm halfway to 30.

Traditionally I don't really care to celebrate my birthday. There is really only one thing I do every year, I buy myself presents. I don't really care to party but I always get dragged in to something. This year was different, we had an intimate dinner with a few close friends. Last year it snowed and Atlanta shut down. So, I got to leave work early only to be dragged to a club -fest that ended in a house party at my ex's house. I got home at 6 am and had to be at work at 11. My how the times have changed.

My first set of self-presents, that's what I call them don't judge me, appropriately arrived Today.

I'm a Gilt Groupe Member and bought these slim wallets on Friday. Typically, Gilt takes forever to ship. This time was different; 3 days later they arrive.

Check them out!

Canvas outside with brown leather piping.

Suede Interior

Inner Compartment for coins and receipts

See the contrasting textures... Yummy right!

Overall this is the sort of wallet you could find made in an African open air market. The canvas, a popular fabric, is readily available and would be considered stylish. The contrasting textures are just bonus. Extra points because the 3 materials paired together shout.

Medium brown crushed leather

Inner compartment

More brown crushed leather

This last wallet is probably going to be my new daily user. It is time I put up my dad's card case.

Hopefully I can soon fill these wallets up with some real money from a new source of employment. Here is to wishing!

WIWY: Birthday Outing Edition (No Text)