Best of the Best

When I’m looking for the best of the best for Mr. Porter, one place I like to go to is the Robb Report online.

It’s a great source for all things new & noteworthy especially for men with great style!

Tonight I was looking at the Robb Report’s The Best of the Best 2011 for advice on picking the best cigars. On occasions when the MR. is allll relaxed & enjoying a late evening out on the patio with friends, he loves to enjoy a really good cigar.

Shhhhh…..I want to surprise him to celebrate a recent accomplishment. Padron Family reserve No. 46 might be just perfect!  Hmmm, natural or Maduro?

Now, look at who else I found relaxing on the patio.

The incredibly talented outdoor furniture designer Richard Frinier and his Drift Collection. 

What a perfect combination.  I think the only thing missing from this fabulous setting is the MR. & Me, good friends, and the Padrons!

These beautiful sectional lounge chairs, matching ottomans, and cocktail tables also from Richard Frinier’s Drift Collection are produced from plantation-grown and weathered teak. 

I first wrote about Richard & his wife Catherine here.  Catherine Frinier is principal and managing partner of  FrinierAtelier and the Richard Frinier Collection.

Like I said, the best of the best!

Just one more new & noteworthy mention.

There is another MR. PORTER!

A fabulous website!

I loved reading The Report: High Flyers about ABC’s new show, Pan Am.

Grab your Samsonite & your Ray-Ban’s and before you go, enjoy Mr. Porter’s very swell video!

The Best Hats For Summer

Are you a hat kind of gal?

I am.

After my Derby hats are properly stored away.

It's time to switch gears.

For many of us, it's time to get serious about protection from the sun.

For some, it's time to put on your best party hat!

Honestly, I wouldn't be caught dead in this thing but I thought you would appreciate it.

This is more my style.  Love it, love the ribbon, the dress, the bag.  Ahhh, Chanel. 

Have you noticed all the vintage hats around the pool lately? 

Would love to find one of these!  This would be my mother's style.  The bigger the brim, the better.

  And no Kate Spade, this is not how I got to Greenwich Village when I was a young girl!

This little summer tweed is sporty and perfect for running all over town.

Classic.

I don't know that I could do this, but she sure can!

Romantic with SPF 100!

A respite from all the fuss. I seriously love this.  

Who on earth?

Who is this?I couldn't write this post and not include these handsome gentlemen. 

Besides, I  love a man in a classic boater.

Love the baker boy too!

This would be my absolute favorite for Fall!

But for now, in this darn heat, the simple straw will do.

I hope you'll find your favorite style here or in my other summer collection of Splendid Straw!

Stay cool!

 A man's personal male attendant, responsible

for his clothes, appearance, and manners.

  

A rack or stand to hang clothing. A box to

store a man's wallet, watches, and jewelry.

      

The MR. does not have a valet, he has a chair,

near the closet, which he uses, but not to sit on.

is also an online men's lifestyle publication.

"Updated daily, Valet offers news on fashion,

grooming and culture--in a mix of both aspirational

and approachable price-points.

 

Crafted especially for the 21st-century gentleman,

women can (and do) appreciate our charms too."

valetmag.com

I have to admit, this was supposed to be a

Son's birthday / Father's Day / MR's

birthday/tribute

but I got a bit wound up in all the celebrating &

the time slipped by.  But still, look at some of the neat guy "stuff" that I found!

I've grown to appreciate guy stuff.

Maybe it's because my daughter and I live with two guys and we think they're neat keepers! 

 

This is something that CNP & his best friend

SDC would decide to do if they got bored in

the middle of the night!

I like 

"Valet's growing reference guide of helpful style tips,

last-minute tricks and ingenious instructions for a wide

range of the modern man's dilemmas."

 

Like... how to find a good barber,

& secrets to the

perfect wet shave.

 

The Etiquette Handbook will even tell him

how to pronounce designer

names!

I don't want your MR. to get snubbed by some

snarky sales girl for messing up

Ann Demeulemeester

or Veronique Branquinho.

Now, how about his clothes?

The Clothes Handbook will help him

decipher his clothes' care labels.

"The 'care instructions,' as they're referred to, don't do

much instructing, so please allow us to decode and then

offer real-world translations."

 

Next, to baseball and barbeque, there's no

greater American summer ritual than (anyone)

washing my car.

 

The Car Handbook at Valet has a tutorial on how to Detail Your Car (in 15 minutes).

Evidently, pre-treating is the key!

I wish! 

At there are also wonderful articles

written about fascinating men & their stuff, like

this one about a Rolex that belonged to

Sir Edmund Hillary.

It was discovered on Mt. Everest!

  

Thanks for sticking around & reading my

a belated tribute to my guys.

Oh and one more thing -

If your MR. could use a solid, masculine

piece of furniture with a dash of Kennedy-era

cool. One that will not only help him stay organized, but keep his clothes fresh and the dry cleaning bills down.

Here is a beauty I

found at 1st dibs!