It has been quite the week here at Bows & Boats. On Tuesday, our world was shaken, literally, when mother nature decided to say hello in the form of an earthquake that measured a 5.9 on the Richter scale about a hundred and twenty miles away. Now, we are preparing to get rocked again, but this time in the form of the lovely hurricane Irene who is heading up the coast. While we were quite tempted to do a full profile on this awesome bowtie flask today, we thought that the Vintage Seaplane Bow ($55) by Bird Dog Bay might be a bit more appropriate.
As much as we love the finer things, we are still bargain hunters at heart. Finding something that is well made, great looking, and priced well is like a trifecta in our world. One thing that is nearly impossible to find that fits all three pieces of that criteria is a casual blazer. Thanks to the gang over at Lands End Canvas, your search just got far easier. Their recently released Nailhead Oxford Blazer ($99.50) is the perfect casual choice for the next few months.
The first thing you will notice about this blazer is that the Nailhead Oxford fabric is noticeably thicker and heavier duty than a traditional Oxford. When you look at the Nailhead closely you will even see what appears to be a slight striped pattern because it is so dense. Featuring a 2-button front as well as chest and side patch pockets, the blazer has all of the hallmarks of a dressier jacket yet a look that is 100% casual. With upper back and sleeve lining, the Nailhead Oxford Blazer is definitely light enough to break out in early fall, but will also prove to be a great layering piece as temperatures continue to drop.
When it comes to women’s jewelry and accessories, it never ceases to amaze us just how important the smallest pieces can be. It doesn’t matter if you are talking about necklaces, bracelets, or earrings, if the piece doesn’t work with the rest of an outfit, an entire look can be ruined. That being said, there are some simple pieces that look great with everything. For example, a pair of pearl earrings. That is probably while Kiel James Patrick used a pair as inspiration for his first offering in the world of women’s jewelry, which he has dubbed Drift Knots ($22).
It’s funny the things that stick with you over the years. For example, in seventh grade English we were taught the KISS rule, Keep It Simple Stupid. Well that mentality has definitely stayed with us, and has spread far past the world of Language Arts. In fact, it is one of the rules we live by when it comes to getting dressed on a daily basis. We tend to keep our prints simple for the most part, and one of our favorites is a classic gingham. If you are looking to keep things simple, but still make a bit of a statement, take a look at the Large Gingham Check Shirt ($135) by J. McLaughlin.
We feel like shoppers fall into three categories, those that shop only when necessary, those who shop far to often, and those who fall somewhere in between. While we are always on the lookout for that next great addition to our wardrobe, we tend to fall into the “somewhere in between”category. This past weekend, we spent some time in Georgetown, one of the best places for shopping in the Baltimore/DC area. If you follow us on Twitter, you know that the Vineyard Vines store was one of our stops, and we were certainly impressed with their new fall offerings. One thing that really jumped out were their Harmon Pants ($145).
Two weeks from today, college football will officially be in full swing. If you are like us, Gameday will be on every television in the house, and if you are lucky enough to have a home game, you will be heading out for your first tailgate of the year. For those of you who are really looking to go all out with your gameday apparel this year, you might want to think about picking up a pair of custom glasses ($34) from Knockaround.
At schools across the country, bids have gone out and a whole new class is slowly learning the ways of Greek life. Of course, that means that tailgates, date nights, and formals will be here before you know it. With so many events just around the bend, adding a new bowtie or two to your rotation might not be a bad idea. One tie that will look great casually, or a bit more dressed up, is the Severn Tattersall Beau ($45) by Starboard Clothing.
When it comes to organization, we have to admit that the women in our lives tend to be a bit more on top of things than we are. From project deadlines to dinner dates, girls seem to always have important events on the calendar as soon as a date is set. If you are the type that is itching to get everything from your newly acquired syllabi on the books right away, we recommend the Mercer Street Debra (currently on sale for $82) by Kate Spade.
Whether you are heading off for your first year on campus, or back for your sixth, odds are you have a ridiculous amount of school branded gear in your wardrobe. We appreciate school tees and hats as much as anyone out there, but what we really love are the small pieces that give the world a glimpse of your school pride even when you aren’t wearing your colors. Our friends at Smathers & Branson have created a fantastic line of accessories that does just that, and if you haven’t checked out their offerings, we highly recommend it.
On campuses across the country, it is nearly impossible to see more than a handful of students walk by without seeing someone in a t-shirt or hoodie bearing a school mascot or insignia. While this look is certainly acceptable while you are in school, it is a bit tougher to pull off if you are spending your days in an office. Well, thanks to Brooks Brothers, showing some school spirit in a more formal environment is now easier than ever. Just yesterday, the first wave of their highly anticipated Collegiate Collection went live on BrooksBrothers.com.
