Our Favorite PoMoFoPo Rag

In case you need clarification, that would be Post Modern Foreign Policy Magazine.  Actually, it isn't really Post Modern at all - really it is the definition of modern in terms of actual lifestyle magazines.  And I guess Rag would imply that it is cheap and disposable, which it also isn't.  Either way, last I heard we were one of only two places in MSP where one could purchase Monocle.  Woot.

Monocle Issue 27 $10

This Happens Every Year When Baseball Season is Finished

I've been waiting for these scarves for, say, seven months.  We ordered them waaay back in February and I've had to sit on my hands since then.  Lucky for us, they've arrived at exactly the right time as meteorological fall has conveniently lined up with Gregorian Calendar fall.  To those holding out (I saw a remarkable number people in shorts or tiny little dresses this weekend), give it up - Autumn won.  It always does.

While Altea now makes a fairly full compliment of garments, their primary focus has always been scarves and ties, both of which we stock.  The most endearing thing, however, is that they tend to present things in that Italian way that could kind of be confused with East Coast Prep - trade a pocket square and add a crest and BAM! Welcome to New Haven.  If you don't understand what I mean, ask to take a peek at their lookbook upon the next visit.  Curiously, their website is also a hybrid of Italian and American.  The broken English makes for a delightful read.

Top photo Wool Scarves L to R: $65, $65, $115, $75

Middle photo Silk/Modal blend Scarves $115, Wool Scarf $115

Bottom Photo Cashmere Blend Scarves $145

Pulp

We just unpacked a slew of new magazines journals and books.  Of particular note, we've been restocked in totally awesome Field Notes in all their standard butcher paper brown books and the brand new sold-out-from-the-manufacturer Mackinaw Autumn color.  Ignoring the fact that this native Michigander is somewhat dismayed by the *ahem* improper spelling of the word Mackinac, the limited edition colors are quite exciting, coming in a trio of Red, Brown and Orange books. 

The large publication in the upper left hand corner is two-year old French publication Paradis.  The much lauded magazine (printed on uncoated paper, sorry Mr. McKenzie) is a pleasant mix of heady views on art and culture mixed with pictures from famous lensmen like Juergen Teller and Terry Richardson, often of women in various states of undress.  Maybe not for kids, but it got the stamp of approval for one staffer's meticulously well kept collection of imported periodicals.

Paradis $19.90, Vman $5.50, Ultimate Card Games $19.95, Dirty Jokes $9.95, Field Notes $10

Famous People Can Be Friends On Your Coffee Table

There is something about famous friends from different walks of life that intruiges me.  Do they talk about the office or their respective industries?  The perks and/or troubles of being of being famous.  Maybe just general fame?  Do they have seperate dinner parties where one must be of a certain celebrity to garner an invitation? And most importantly do they get introduced to like people in classic American lit, as in "This is Gore Vidal, the Writer."  This book will likely not answer any of those questions, but I still like it.

Gore Vidal: Snapshots in History's Glare $40

A Primer on Hats

Previously upon describing a particular piece of headwear that was recieved in the store, I used the phrase 'Jacques Cousteau panache' which, much to my delight, prompted positive responses from more than one person!  Seeing as the store is now choc full of winter hats and as that tends to be a relatively important thing in the upper midwest, I figured it would be good to give a rundown a few of the other hats in the store.  In the spirit of the previous post, all are expressed in terms of Famous Person Flamboyance (most of which are neither accurate nor true).  It should also be noted that this list excludes trooper styles, partly because I haven't watched Fargo in a while but mostly because we've only got one style right now and when photographed it looked more like a fluffy ball.  Soon though...

The aforementioned Jacques Cousteau panache
cashmere watch cap $90

Frank Sinatra swagger
felt c-crown fedora $35

Gene Hackman verve (in The French Connection)
felt porkpie $35

Gene Hackman verve (in The Royal Tenenbaums)
leather trimmed wool/cashmere driving cap $125

Brad Pitt je ne sais quoi
cashmere driving cap $155

Angus Young moxie
leather trimmed corded wool newsboy cap $95

Seymor Cassel dash (in Rushmore)
wool driving cap $95

Jason Schwartzman, umm... authenticity (in Rushmore)
wool beret $10

Fidel Castro brio (if he was Irish)
tweed military cap $40

Friedrich von Trapp panache (literally)
felt fedora w/ feather detail $35

Michael Kelso gusto
knit cap $25

Princeton Graduate and Swedish Professional Baseball Player Christian Staehely's, umm, sense of functional irony (in a good way)
wool baseball cap w/ earflaps and quilted lining $95

The King of Sweden Wears These

Or so I would assume, as they're made by our newest vendor: Wigens.  Now, a little bird told me that Wigens are the official hatter of the King of Sweden (though I'm having a little trouble verifying that) so one could surmise that when one wears Wigens it is akin to fraternizing with royalty.  More on these soon.

Rabbit Fur Gloves $95 Cap $95

Fortunately none of these smell like the river did on my way to the store this morning.

Seriously, what was with that anyway?  It was downright foul.  That would be something I normally associate with the stinky mill filled river in my hometown.  Anyhow, we've gotten restocked in some of our most popular fragrances.  They run the gamut from wonderfully traditional (Guerlain Vetiver) to the new standard for sensitive guys who may or may not be in a band (John Varvatos) to the most outspokenly manly (Gucci Pour Homme) which smells like whiskey and cedar and grandpa's den.  For whatever reason my girlfriend likes to steal the latter.

$50-$75