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.

Book Review: Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell

Eric Blair's (pen name George Orwell) first published novel is a fantastic read. It treads a fine line between fact and a type of fiction that slightly stretches the truth to the point that many critics dismiss this novel as a memoir. The book is divided into two parts, and as you might have guessed Paris and London make up those parts.
Orwell's time in Paris is spent conspiring with communists and looking for work in restaurants with a Russian friend without much luck. Promises are broken, money is stolen and items are sold in order to survive.
In London, Orwell finds himself (having "survived" Paris): confident. He spends his time tramping in and around the city, meeting some interesting folk along the way, despite living the homeless life. Eventually, sick of living on the brink of nothingness, Orwell writes home to his family to provide him with some sustenance to help him get out of the situation he found himself in.
The issue that most critics have with Down and Out, is that Orwell emerged from quite a wealthy family and brought those "difficult" situations upon himself. The thinking was that if he truly immersed himself in a poverty riddled lifestyle, he would then be able to better represent how one would feel being in that situation. His assessment on poverty is truly spot on and so honest that it leaves you believing that you were by Orwell's side all along.
George Orwell's Down and out in Paris and London is an interesting and griping read that will leave you asking all sorts of questions regarding social justice and equality.