October

October is here and it's still 20 degrees plus outside, I've got 2 new shetland wool sweaters one in grey and one in oatmeal ready for wear but I'd end up having a melt down on the tube or in any non air conditioned shop if I dared to wear them.

I've just spend a great week away in the US: San Francisco & Las Vegas, sadly not to the East Coast, which is probably just as well as I would have caused an international incident with my girlfriend if we had spent a week going into Brooks Brothers, J Press and various Marshalls, TJ Maxx's and Ross' looking for rare items at knock down prices (which exist primarily in my mind).

That said, I did pick up a candy stripe Ralph Lauren button down which was 22.94 pounds according to my bank statement. I also picked up some fantastic olive and khaki chinos, and a khaki pair of needle cords - from wait for it: Old Navy. As far as I know we don't have it here - and it seems to be somewhere between H&M and Gap. I think it is actually owned by Gap. Most of it is terrible - but these trousers and a pair of Madras shorts for a fiver were great buys.

I had a good mooch around Brooks Brothers in Las Vegas, but didn't buy anything. I did pick up a Skull polo from Ralph Lauren Rugby - apparently we are due to see RL Rugby in this country eventually. It's a great preppy style range - does veer into parody territory at times but very impressed. My favourite stop of the week however was J-Crew. I heard good and bad things about J-Crew, but I did pick up a lovely wax canvas satchel for about 20 quid (significantly reduced already in the shop) which I am pleased with; a shirt and some ties.

Biggest disappointment by a mile though was Bass shoes. I have loved Bass forever and own 2 pair of weejuns currently, but the state of the leather on them now is so hard it looks like plastic and would literally shred your skin off your feet, god only knows what would happen if you went sock less. So sadly, I passed on another pair of Weejuns this time. I have heard there is a hand made in Maine line, so I might look at these, although after picking up Ivy Style last night - my heart is now set (yet again) on a pair of Alden Tassel loafers, I'd love them in brown suede but would take a black leather pair.

Pre-trip I also finally bought a Barbour Liddlesdale, this is the third Barbour in my wardrobe and despite some reservations, I went ahead. I got it in Olive, and will just hang onto it until they are no longer fashionable with the Jafaikcan speaking youth, i think they were originally called Husky jackets.

Lots of trailers for the Social Network and It's a Kinda Funny Story, both which look quite interesting due in the UK shortly. Read on a book on the Hell's Angels and the Gangs of San Francisco (Gold Rush era), both ok but nothing to write home about; and continue to avidly watch Mad Men.

I have also recently discovered the pleasure of BBC World Service documentary podcasts: there have been some great ones on the Fall of Communism, the Stasi, Mossad, Cultural Diversity and Tolerance in Marseilles, Afghan dancing boys and cigarette smuggling in the Balkans.

I am looking forward tonight to a large G&T and later a steak.