Recent Acquisitions

A few months ago, my father gave me his record collection and player as it wasn't getting any use and was simply taking space. Since then, V and I have been listening to and collecting records on a regular basis. After a recent thrift shop run, I picked up eight records in one shot as I found there to be too many good ones to pass up. Each record cost me 1$ which is pretty much as good as it gets (unless you get them for free). Here is the list (from left to right):

Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Best of BTO
Paul McCartney & Wings - Wild Life
Paul McCartney - McCartney
Paul McCartney & Wings - Wings Over America
Lionel Richie - Can't Slow Down (Mexican Pressing)
Blind Faith (self titled)
Don McLean - American Pie
John Mellencamp - The Lonesome Jubilee

I also managed to pick up a copy of Geroge Orwell's The Road to Wigan Pier which I have been keeping an eye out for since London days (2-3 years).

T.

Recent Acquisitions

It has been two and a half years since my first instalment of Recent Acquisitions back in October of 2011. What better time than now to launch the second instalment! Between the first and second posts many an item has been acquired by none other than myself, although I won't overwhelm you with piles of "recently" acquired goods. Here are but a few things I've recently gotten my hands on;

1) CLARKS ORIGINALS Desert Boot-Green/Black

I picked up this pair of badass boots at Urban Outfitters during quite an enticing sale. I've been eyeing a pair of these for quite a while and it feels great to finally pick up a pair. Super comfy, these boots have been around for roughly 60 years. Looking forward to using them during the late summer/fall.

2) COLE HAAN Suede Dress Shoes-Camel

This pair was picked while thrift shopping in TO. Got them at a very sweet price-point. I've worn them for dressier occasions as well as with jeans and sock-less on warmer ocassions. A great pick up that will get a lot of use.

3) REEBOK Saku Koivu Canadiens Tee

Had to support my team (especially residing in Toronto). I found this NOS (New Old Stock) tee at a thrift shop in Toronto, and snapped it up super quickly. Go Habs Go!

4) DOCKERS Tapered/Skinny-Navy and Khaki

Got these at Urban Outfitters during the same shopping escapade as the boots. They were about 70% off the original price so I had to pick them up. The material is thick and sturdy, while still feeling fresh.

5) ZARA MAN Harem Pants-Black

Since London days, I've been looking for a sturdy pair of harem pants with pockets. These seem to do the trick except for the sturdy part, although they are super comfy and have a total of four pockets.

T.

How to Clean and Polish Leather Footwear

It's that time of year when the weather warrants cleaning off those nasty salt stains left over from winter. Here is a quick breakdown of how to clean your leather footwear.

1) Use a horse hair brush to wipe away any leftover residue from the winter (dust, dirt, salt, etc).

2) Wipe down your boot or shoe with a leather soap that will clean and moisturize the leather.

3) Using circular motions, work in some polish to get a nice looking shine.

4) Finally, use the horse hair brush to buff the leather.

Watch the following video to get a better idea of how to get those dull looking shoes, looking brand spanking new.

T.

DIY Movember Edition....

Welcome to the month known as Movember. Where men across the world grow (and attempt to grow) moustaches to raise money for men's health initiatives. I've personally only participated in the growing of a moustache once in the past few years, and have sported a full beard since then. In light of moustaches sprouting about seemingly everywhere and after reading an insightful article from the Art of Manliness entitled How to Grow a Handlebar Moustache, I decided to procur some moustache wax to "style" my own growth.
Moustache wax is something that not many stores carry, from the smallest apothecary or health store to the biggest pharmacy type. After some research, I found that the Toronto Barber & Beauty Supply carried some for roughly $8 at their only location in the city, downtown. Wanting to save myself a traffic-filled trip to the shop, I took it upon myself to buy some ingredients (Beeswax and Cocunut Oil) and attempt making my own batch of the stuff. It was a lot easier than I thought it would have been, and the results are very promising. An old Altoids tin was used to house the wax, and from the looks of it it'll last a while. I invite those who are growing moustaches this month, as well as those who permanently have them to pick up or make some wax to inject some life into your staches.

T.

New Continent...new projects

It has been a while since I have written on our blog. Before leaving for London this blog acted as a diary of ideas, excitement and really just a way to share. Once we moved life took over a little, even though we experienced so much while living in the UK....realistically speaking we had WAY more to write about once on the the other side of the pond but just...didn't.

So now we are back...back home...back in Canada...back to blogging...We have both been on a bit of a crazy job hunt in the last month. Trying desperately to hold onto our profession, but finding it difficult to find anything in our field...

as a result...

Our hobbies have started to take over...since checking my e-mails a thousand times a day is not helping with the job hunt....drum roll...new hobby...CARDS! 

I love holidays, I love decorating, I love love love Christmas...so on a frigid walk down Queen St, we stumbled upon some hilarious cards which got me thinking...and then drawing...and then producing. 

So here they are, I have opened my first Etsy Shop! The cards are cute, funny, simple and appropriate...

side note...When did funny completely turn into inappropriate or plain rude?! It boggles my mind why anyone would want to receive a Christmas card with swearing on it...weird. 

Either way! Check them out...maybe even buy some :D...All ideas are welcome...

V.