Bravado Living

I hate noise pollution, it’s one of my biggest peeves. I hate trying to go to sleep with some crazy din roaring about my ears or trying to read a book in a park and a dozen toddlers pop out of nowhere, screaming like flaming planes. I used to try and drown out all these types of excess noise with music from my ipod, but this is a second-rate solution at best. Ear Plugs are the way to go, I had an aviation mechanic friend give me a pair once and I’ve realized since that this is the best way to block out unwanted noise. Which opens up whole new doors, such as sleeping on a commercial flight without wanting to strangle a baby, not waking up to construction site noises and cursing life, being able to sleep around snoring people, reading a book without having to remind yourself that you are in a library and breaking faces is more disruptive than whispering teenagers. The satisfaction of simplicity.

Granted, I’ve had my own mixed experiences with ear plugs, the old school orange foam ones that are a mission and half to put in your ear and another mission to keep them there. Then there’s also the new modern plastics one that you have to twist to get into your ear. I am more inclined to the old school versions, just because I prefer foam in my ears than plastic. The ear plugs in the picture below are the advanced NRR 34 high blocking Ear Plugs, from World’s Finest Ear Plugs, which kick ass.
Buy them here.

Right in the heart of Miami, lies a house that resembles an oasis more than manor. Playing off the theme of water, this estate is ocean-front,  moat wrapped, and pool speckled.

A brand new, tropically themed manor just southwest of Miami, this Coral Gables mega-estate is more resort than mere residence. Water is the main attraction to the 16,400 square-foot home, which is oceanfront and surrounded by swimming pools, chlorinated lagoons and splashing water features. Construction on the 7-bed/7-bath home was completed this year, outfitted with Asian-themed and open beam interior spaces. The $24.5 million, two-story home has two staff rooms, a sprawling master suite with a safe room and a four-car garage. Outside, the home is surrounded by lush gardens and multiple courtyard spaces for entertaining and taking in the South Florida sun. -STYLE CRAVE

Scoop it up before me and all my friends chip in and buy it.

That is assuming we don’t get distracted.

The perfect shades for risky business.

When someone says Ray Ban, many people immediately think of the Aviators. I love aviator sunglasses, I always have and I always will. Lately though, aviators are starting to stand out to me as obvious signs of douchery. So, time to go back to another classic look, the Ray Ban wayfarers, guaranteed to make you look cool. Classic glasses from a classic franchise.

Audrey Hepburn wore them in Breakfast At Tiffany’s and Tom Cruise sported a pair in Risky Business, a reminder that these shades have definitely put their hours in. I like them because I have a bias for vintage wear and because they remind of old school Cadillac tail fins. They are perhaps some of the best pairs of sunglasses out there, equally at home in both formal and casual settings. I prefer the classic black, but Ray-Ban has been recently coming out with colored versions.
Buy them at here

The trick with going tieless is making it seem like you don’t need a tie, not that you forgot one. In order to pull of this look you’ll need a two button suit (or one button if you think you can pull it off). Three button suits are for middle-managment and ESPN anchors. Wear it without a tie and risk looking boxy and sloppy. Two button suits on the other hand are little more modern, hip, and playful so you can rock the suit sans tie.

Next you’ll need to accessorize. If your jacket has a pocket, put something in it. And try to stay from Cuff links because they are difficult to pull off due to their formality so unless you’re Jason Stratham, or you’ve got a bow-tie hanging loose to match I’d stick to button sleeves.

Next, and most important is a fitted shirt with a STIFF collar. There’s nothing worse than a limp collar  hiding behind your jacket lapel. Make sure your collar stays upright and the shirt stays tight around your stomach ( you don’t need to look like you have a gut when you’ve been working so hard to get rid of it, right?). For the money, Express’s 1MX shirts are remarkably good at behaving and will work in a pinch.

And remember that none of this stuff matters if you don’t get clothes that fit.

Well Done Sir

Looks like Jason has been reading The Haute Spot recently.

Suit, $1,595, and shirt, $270, by Dolce & Gabbana. Shoes, $550, by Allen-Edmonds Seven. Pocket square by Robert Talbott. Briefcase by Hermès.

-GQ

If you’re looking for a watch that defies the laws of physics and gives you a reason to hire a body-guard. This watch is it. The Zenith gravity defying, gyroscoping,  tourbillon movements are designed to rotate on it’s axis to maintain it’s horizontal plane, thereby ensuring optimal amplitude for the spiral balance-wheel and essentially perfect time.

Ok, listen, if you’re that obsessed with perfect time, you need to go on vacation, relax, forget what day it is, because obviously your life is hard. But if you’re just buying this watch because it looks cool and you have half a million dollars that you’ve been dying to get rid off, or you just want to stimulate the economy by all means. Send us some your way while you’re at it. We have something we’ve been meaning to buy.

BUY IT Zenith Defy Xtreme Tourbillon Zero-G Watch $500,000