Merriment

   I shared a very merry Christmas with family in New York this past weekend, and came home to cap it off with this...

Courtesy of my engineer's aunt :)

     To quote my sister's reaction, "A 6-pack of beers, dressed as reindeer, what else does a 30something guy need!?".  Nothing.

Bunny or Brah?

   A few weeks ago, my engineer and I ventured into the mountains of New Hampshire for our first ski day.  It was an adventure he had been looking forward to for months.  I'd prepared him for the worst- that I might disappoint and be a grinch on the mountain (my parents, sister, and friends all gave him fair warning as well).
   I grew up skiing with my family, beginning at age four being towed and taught by my father.  It is not a sport I ever took a liking too. Year after year, we packed an enormous amount of puffy clothing and heavy gear into the car and traveled north.   Ski trips always fell on my birthday too, aka 'winter break' from grade school. I would cry that my toes were cold, my nose was too runny, and my friends were faster than me.  As expected with an attitude like that, I slowly gave up skiing to my mother's dismay as she loved to foreshadow that one day I would meet a skier boy and regret quitting. 
   Mother is always right.
   One of the first awkward getting-to-know-you conversations the engineer and I shared was about ski boots, and how disappointing the winter was turning out.  I think I started mentally gathering my gloves, helmet, goggles, and snow pants right then.  Realizing how much he loves it made me conjure up some happy memories on the slopes.  It had always been more about the people I was with than anything else, I had just been too young to really notice.  
    Heading in to this winter season, I knew I would enjoy myself if I relaxed and focused on who I was with more so than what we were doing.  Turns out, I do like to ski. Whodathunkit!  Despite complaining about a cold wet nose, I have happily swooshed down the mountain three days so far.  I have a great teacher to remind me of the 16 years of lessons from my Dad, and he's glad to let me take a Bailey's break when I need one.  The cherry on top... I'm a better skier than expected.  Ski culture has always enticed me, and snowy mountain towns are so fun to visit.  It's panning out to be a wonderful season.  
   Another 2013 resolution... to be a ski brah on the slopes, rather than a ski bunny in the lodge.  Although, I won't hesitate to quit one run early to beat my friends to the bar. Après–ski, everyone?

Check me out!

I'm rocking: Tecnica Fling ski boots, Patagonia snow pants, Atomic Affinity ETM skis

Gift for Techie

    In lieu of material gifts for Christmas, the engineer and I decided to 'give' each other 2+ ski trips this winter.  We said "Merry Christmas" on the slopes this past weekend (blog-post to follow) and I am happy to not have the self inflicted pressure of finding the perfect gift.  Of course, I found a flawless option this morning while perusing GQ's Gift Guides though.     

    Tada! BioLite Camp Stove.  This is the ultimate utilitarian present for my nerd meets outdoorsman.  It seems small, but for $129 it is efficient, portable, and keeps your devices charged.  Not just for camping, it's handy to have around in case of a blackout or another Hurricane Sandy!

GQ Gift Guide 2012: Gift for the Techies

Start-ups Pop-up

    One of my early resolutions for the new year is to get out and play in the city more.  There are way too many nights I spend lounging around the apartment because of chilly weather, or a suggestion to play FIFA (Commandment #5: Video Games). I want to wander around, meet interesting people, and attend fun events more.
    Boston's lack of reputation for a fashion industry tends to work in my favor;  I can sneak myself into some events just by showing interest.  It is fantastic.  Granted last year I had a legitimate reason to attend Fashion Week while I volunteered with Snapette, but the kickbacks continue.  So on Monday night, I hit up a new pop-up shop on Newbury Street for a small gathering.  I fought through my sniffles to stick to my resolution, and accepted the party invite that afternoon.
    At 115 Newbury, on the third floor, three new local start-ups have found a home to display their work until December 23rd.  (It's right above the Alex and Ani shop, where I admittedly stopped to buy myself a present.)  I encourage anyone and everyone to check out what these guys have to say on each of their sites, because I won't do them justice here.  

 Bow & Drape creates customized garments that a woman can design online from a selection of their fantastic basics.  I desperately want to design myself a Michelle Swing dress with studded shoulders.

 Project Repat creates cozy blankets out of your favorite old t-shirts. You ship, they sew.  The hippie in me loves this... hint hint.

Ministry of Supply is an innovative menswear line combining smart fabrics and sleek design.  These guys know how to keep a man looking and feeling cool, literally.  They used NASA-heat-regulation technology for their, aptly named, Apollo shirt!  Added bonus: the brand name is inspired by James Bond.

 

P.S-  These three are some wonderful examples of fashion + technology, which I began to preach about previously....and will continue too. Hey, it's kinda my life.

    Follow them all on Twitter, now:

 @BowandDrape 

@ProjectRepat

@MinistrySupply

Nerd Prom

I can't take credit for the post title, and know that I say it with all the love in my heart!  Nerd Prom, a.k.a our holiday party, was amazing last night.  Endless laughs, drinks, and great conversation. Before the night began and the dance floor was packed (with serious ballroom dancers!), I snapped this picture on my phone.  I just love how the logo appears to be swimming in the Harbor.

Happy Holiday Season!

Fashion is Smart

    "Smart" and "Fashion" may not be two words often used in the same sentence.  The Boston fashion and design industry is out to change that.

  Last night, I had the privilege of attending Boston Fashion is Smart, a panel discussion hosted at The Boston Globe headquarters.  It was co-hosted by Jay Calderin and Christopher Muther, with four female insider panelists (Valerie Fletcher, Alexandra Hall, Alicia Kennedy, and Michelle McCormack) who discussed everything from teaching fashion history, to self-promoting photographers.  It was encouraging and inspiring to be in a room of people who are trying to push Boston fashion forward, along with all other art forms.
   A big chunk of the night focused on conversations; it seemed to be the theme of the evening.   Pushing Boston forward will be made easier if people start talking and collaborating from all industries, the panel discussed. The idea of salons where insiders chat on a weekly basis, sharing ideas and brainstorming, was brought to the table.  Encouraging Bostonians to be comfortable with pushing the outfit envelope, and proving to ourselves as a city that our niche for fashion matters, was an important point as well.  Christopher Muther asked us all to stop thinking "That's too much for Boston!", when judging street style on Newbury, Boylston, and Mass Ave.
   My favorite part of the panel discussion was insider Michelle McCormack speaking about how she leverages digital media for her clients.  Her passion, experience, and advice were perfect.   "I'm not a blogger, but I keep a blog," she explained... which is exactly how I feel.  Not everyone who has a blog needs to call themselves a blogger. (But hey, if someone wants to pay me to do this one day, fantastic.)  She spoke about finding your niche and really going after it, find your people, "no bullshit".  I love that.
   While the panel brainstormed ways to create a motivated design community in Boston, McCormack suggested a mentoring program similar to tech start-up incubators.  She was recently involved with one in Kendall Square (shout out!) and thinks the fashionistas should take a cue from the techies. I couldn't agree more.  I generally live between the two worlds, and love to see them mingle.  Snapette is a fantastic shopping app (founded by Harvard grads!), Chic Geek is a great blog, Kate Spade makes the coolest gadget accessories.  The list goes on and on.

    Boston is smart. Boston has a fashion industry.  The two together make perfect sense for our scholarly city.