Get a Red Carpet-Ready Gent with Tommy John

The Oscars are coming up this Sunday, so cue the confetti! I've loved the red-carpet looks we've seen from all the lovely ladies this awards-season...but I'm also really enjoying this year's focus on those strong, stylish men! While most of the guys in our lives won't be walking the red carpet this Sunday (unless you're reading, Angelina!) they can absolutely be red-carpet ready for any special event in their lives with a few grooming essentials and some rockin' base-layer undergarments that will eliminate the need for any embarrassing adjustments or wardrobe malfunctions. You never know when the paparazzi may be standing by! So without further ado, below are a few mens' must-haves:

1  Cool Cotton Trunks from Tommy John
This innovative smart fabric is amazingly light a breathable, whether he's at an awards ceremony or just going to the gym! These trunks wick away moisture 4-5 times faster and keep 2-3 times cooler than regular cotton.

2  Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
A man's handshake is just as important as his award-winning style! Don't forget to toss him this hand salve before he heads out to meet and greet the people – adoring fans or brunch friends.

3  Mr. Incredible Leave-In Conditioner from Drybar
He'll be looking as sexy as George Clooney with a few spritzes of this leave-in conditioner from Drybar. It softens and conditions with hints of sandalwood and ginger mint. Yes, please!

4  Second Skin Crew Neck Undershirt from Tommy John
This soft undershirt made from a patented, non-pilling Micro Modal fabric will feel like a silky second skin under that red carpet tux or that office attire. Almost like he's wearing nothing at all!

5  Men's Socks from Tommy John
Let him show some extra personality or a pop of color with these fun sock options! And with InvisiGrip® and Stay Dry technologies, plus arch support, he can work that red carpet or party all night feeling cool and comfortable.

6, 7 Cade Shaving Oil and After Shave Balm from L'Occitane
He'll have a face ready for photo opportunities galore (and smell amazing too) with these shaving products from L'Occitane. The scent evokes dry wood and citrus for a masculine aroma that will make him a winner no matter what.

Sartorial Soulmates

I know that, in terms of styling or accessorizing, ladies certainly have an unlimited number of tricks up our sleeves. But, is there anything better than a well-dressed man? In New York City, you can definitely catch a fair few in their natural habitats, but for the quicker and easier route, I turn to Pinterest and my Sartorial Soulmates pin board. Below are a few of my favorites. What do you guys think about a well-accessorized fella? Too much? Just right?

Image from Le Ruffian Bureau

Image from styleguy on Tumblr

Image from here

Image from Men's Interests on Tumblr

Naturals and Neutrals

I am usually quite a fan of color. This we know about me, yes? But I feel like as my style has evolved over the years, or perhaps becomes symptomatic of life in New York, I find myself gravitating quite a bit more to some lovely neutrals and chocolate browns, rustic woodgrain and chunky natural knits. I've assembled a little mood board of neutrality to explain just what I mean. Take a look!

Via They All Hate Us

L: Via Basics of Man   I   R: Via Sevier & White Interiors

John Derian's Apartment via From The Right Bank

L: Brianne on Pinterest   I   R: By Jared Fowler via HomeLife

Via Live from IKEA FAMILY on Pinterest

L: The Knot   I   R: Cha Cha Diaries

Barr-Co. Pure Vegetable products from Anthropologie

GIRLS: Charlie's Apartment

Did you guys watch the first season of Girls? I have to say, it's proven to be pretty polarizing here in the city in which the show takes place. Some people say it's completely unbelievable and the characters are unlikable and not at all relatable...others, like me, say these people are exactly like myself and my friends. It more than resonates with me, so I try not to take offense when people dislike the Girls. I think it paints a fairly realistic picture of life as a twenty-something when you are definitely nowhere near as fabulous as you think you should be at this point. I highly recommend you at least check it out. If anything, for the "breakout star" of the show: Charlie's Apartment. While Charlie's girlfriend, Marnie, found it a bit...claustrophobic in the end, it's probably the most endearing piece of set design I've ever seen. I know every twenty-something apartment-dweller secretly wished their own studio or bedroom looked a little more like this. Check it out!

The entryway. Love the idea of overlapping rugs. Image via LA at Home

The stained Piet Mondrian-esque built-in storage unit. Image via LA at Home

An enclosed bed with storage stairs leading to a lofted living area. Image via LA at Home

A wire boxspring used to hang pots and mugs in the kitchen. Image via LA at Home

The concept sketch for this amazing set piece. Image via LA at Home

L'Amour List: Eric

Hey lovelies! It's time for another L'Amour List! This week's featured lister is Eric, creative director of The Ohio Union, here in Columbus, my boss, and also the Capitol City's resident (real) ginger. Mine is fake, I'm sad to say... So without further ado, enjoy Eric's pop-culture explosion L'Amour List!

1  Eric is a very 3-dimensional thinker, and the possibilities with packaging design are virtually endless!
2  Andrew Yang's Kouklitas Couture fashion rag dolls are a huge inspiration for his interest in art toy design. The detail is exquisite!
3  Disney! It sparked Eric's ambition to become an illustrator and designer from a very young age.
4  Eric loves himself some Spice Girls music. Has since junior high.
5  Tom Ford...a true inspiration.
6  He's obsessed with all-things British.
7  Mashed Potatoes are his favorite comfort food.
8  Vintage wallpaper inspires him to create wonderful patterns and explore color within his own work.
9  Jem and the Holograms, He-Man, Ringer Tees, Cassette Tapes...What's not to love about the 80s?
10  Halloween is never complete without these delicious treats; Franken Berry, Count Chocula, and Boo Berry cereals!

And there you have it folks, Eric's amazing L'Amour List! Would you like to share some of the things you love? Leave a comment below and you could be next Week's featured L'Amour Lister! (After you, Rose!)

Jack's Style

I love that the mens' style website Mr. Porter has been featuring The Kennedys this week as well! I always tend to focus on womens' fashion, but Jack Kennedy, and all the boys really, had such a great relationship with of-the-moment clothing. Mr. Porter's Kennedy homage was pointed out to me by a fellow blogger, Eva, from Monkey in Los Angeles. (Spoiler Alert: You'll be seeing much more from her, as we are going to be starting a Friday blog-swap tomorrow. Get excited!)

L'Amour List: Jeff

It's Wednesday, and I have an extra special L'Amour List for you today! I am excited to change it up a little, and feature a fantastic menswear blogger, Jeff of Kansas City, Missouri and co-author of The Midwestyle blog! You should check out this fantastic collaborative style blog ASAP. Those gents really know what's up... Jeff is a connoisseur of combining thrifted pieces with high-end classics, and I really love his take on mens' style. Check out some of Jeff's favorite things below!

1  Baldwin Denim, "The Henley." The best quality and fitting pair of denim he's ever owned. Made in the USA. 

2  Red Wing Boots. Made in the USA, and his go-to boot for winter.

3  Marc by Marc Jacobs iPhone Case. This iPhone case provides that pop of color that most males seem to lack in their wardrobe & accessories.

4  Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter from Peanut Butter & Co. This is what he asked for in his Christmas stocking, and it's the best thing you'll taste this year.

5   Boulevard Brewing Company Pale Ale. Kansas City's finest, and Jeff's favorite.

6  Filson Tote, without zipper. This is Jeff's everyday bag. It's also a great bag for the man who isn't ready to take the plunge into owning a bag other than his Northface backpack he used in college.

7  Patagoina Synchilla Pullover. Looks great with a t-shirt, over an oxford or wadded up as a pillow for desperate measures.

8  Pilot G-2 0.38 pen. The best pen you will ever own. It's like writing with a needle.

9  His Rifle Tie Bar. A great find at an antique mall in the middle of nowhere, Missouri that always gets a double take.

10  Manhood For Amateurs. One of his favorite pieces of work that reflects on the trials and humor in becoming a man, being a son and having a father.


So those are some of Jeff's favorite things! I hope you've enjoyed them. Check out more at The Midwestyle.  

And don't forget, I want YOU to be my next L'Amour Lister. If you're interested, leave a comment below and I will be in touch!

Beat the Blues

There's something about February that just drags you down. It's still such a long time until Spring, but the holidays are long gone, and some of those New Years Resolutions probably are as well...so I am countering the winter blues by bringing you some of my favorite, dreamy blues. May they bring you to a happier place as well!

Dream Guy from here 

Dream Date from here 

Dream Table from here 

Dream office from here

Dream Entryway from here 

Dream Kitchen from here 

Happy

The weather is terrible, my e-mail inbox is bursting at the seams, and I slipped on a sheet of ice and almost broke my pelvis today. I am not feeling too terribly Jenna Sais Quois right now, so I will just leave you with a photo that makes me incredible happy. I love poppies, and boys in suits.

Photo source: Unknown

Celebrity Crush Jetlag

I was never one of those little girls who convinced her parents to buy her a Teen Beat Magazine so I could moon over pictures of Devon Sawa or Leonardo DiCaprio. I just always thought that was dumb, and I was probably too busy reading The Babysitters Club anyway. Let's get real, here. I was definitely not one of those teenagers with celebrity crushes on Matt Damon or Ryan Phillipe, or whoever Seventeen magazine told us was such a dreamboat...I just never saw it. I was so underwhelmed.

This is why I don't understand why now, in my mid-twenties, I have developed my first celebrity crush on none other than Jorma Taccone of The Lonely Island and Saturday Night Live fame...I mean, what brought this on? I never even saw an SNL digital short in my life until last Friday! A friend showed me this (non-work-appropriate) video on YouTube, and I just really thought Andy Samberg's slightly pre-pubescent looking quasi-hipster friend was so adorable. Now, after watching a few more funny videos, it's official. I'm celeb-crushing about ten years too late.

L'amour List

I have been using Pinterest for some time now and I'm kind of obsessed with it. If you haven't checked it out yet, it is the perfect place to keep all of those things you find on the internet that you just go crazy for! Here are some of the things I'm in love with lately:

These velvet jewelry boxes via Martha Stewart Weddings cover

This "Secret Passageway" Bookshelf

This ginger-haired boy via The Sartorialist

This classic Kitchen Scullery

This crafty necktie giftbox via Martha Stewart Weddings

This woman channeling 1960's style via The Sartorialist

This rustic kitchen via Desire to Inspire

Forage for Mr. Fancy

I love bow ties. I mean, I think we can all agree they are vastly underutilized in this world. It could be because I attended and worked for The Ohio State University and this is our beloved University President, or it could be that they make a fellow look just plain dapper. This line of bow ties in particular, featured yesterday on Once Wed, are divine. They are called Forage, and use the most lovely fabrics. Those patterns and colors are just retro enough for me to be obsessing over them. And now, without further ado...

{Photos from Something's Hiding In Here, via Once Wed}