Duluth Backpacks

Little did I know that when I starting writing this collection of ragtag mix of links and nicked photos did I think that I would develop an obsession about man bags. Its not fully fledged yet and it could well disappear; but having just seen this brand Duluth on Back nForth, I now have another object of desire to track down at vastly discounted prices. This is the link for my San Francisco trip

This is what I should have bought

Having had a rush of blood to the head and not reading the dimensions properly, I recently took delivery of an enormous game bag which could easily hold a couple of hares and trout. I have hidden this is in the back of the wardrobe until I work out what I'm going to do next. All being well it will be buying one of these beauties.

Ivy in the week, working at the weekends

As I jumped on a tube packed with commuters last night, on my way to White Hart Lane (don't ask, I was even required to carry a flag home) soaked through to the skin with a jumper and mac on, and then just as wet from the skin out as the post work exertions and tube heat kicked in, I found myself even more longing for proper autumn. When you can look at the window see it looks chilly and rainy and dress accordingly, not this faux autumn we are currently experiencing - where it looks freezing but it's hotter than july (literally, not necessarily a Stevie Wonder reference).

I started writing this blog, because I am notoriously fickle and start what I have referred to as projects all the time and then forget that I was interested in them. Flicking through some of my posts over the past 8 months, I can now see this even more clearly.

That said, whilst my choice of viewing and music is so catholic that I don't know what I'll like next week - this week it is Mumford & Sons and another go at winter crazies: The Fleet Foxes, and season 2 of Mad Men. I appear to have finally settled on 2 dress styles: Ivy Style in the week and the ever increasingly ubiquitous understated/workwear look at the weekends; however with my weakness for tweed and tattersall there is a distinct chance the weekend look might turn increasingly country gent as we go through the Autumn and into Winter.

To go bargain hunting and know broadly when I could wear pickups is strangely liberating, it should also reduce significantly the number of black bags I take to Oxfam, which are filled with bad ideas: Billionaire Boys Club and BAPE, you're nicked.

Proper Magazine's Top 100 film list

Proper Magazine's Top 100 film list

Men's File

Just spotted this in Folk on Lamb's Conduit Street, can never have too many sources of writing on shirts, coats and suede shoes.

All men are blood clarts

Nicked this off flickr, it's something to do with Miss Jocelyn. All I know is it cracked me up properly. I thought it was my mate's sister initially, that would have been even better.

August

I'm not really a big fan of August, I really feel like I should wear a jumper and indeed I want to wear one having had 3 months without a top layer, but it's still a bit too hot, and would definitely cause tube meltdown. Still only a few more weeks to go and then I can start feeling autumn. That said I do like a late summer early morning.

I've just got back from the Big Chill, first time I've been and wished I'd been there sooner. There was some pretty heavy handed security and a generally heavilly policed event even if via a private security firm, so I think it's changed since the earlier days. I spent most of the time in my camper van, although I did see Tom Middleton who played a really good afternoon set and Norman Jay was as reliable as ever, I am looking forward to popping down to South Row to see him at Carnival for a few hours at the end of the month.

I haven't bought any new clobber, my preppy/understated/casual thing is still the thing and actually befitting of my age and weight. I have a list, which I will start knocking off soon.

I did buy an amazing pair of Chukka boots from Blackmans on Brick Lane, but caught the heel on the 452 and have properly gashed it - distraught for a while.

I've added the Wenlock Arms, the Windsor Castle and the Prince Albert to my Field Notes list of approved boozers; and have become addicted to Mad Men and Band of Horses. I also watched the Company DVD boxset in an afternoon.

I continue to frequent the Lowlander in Covent Garden and will do more when I need to get Gezellicht.