- A True Gentleman -

Essential | Navali Helmsman Brief

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:36:00 +0000

For some time I've been looking for a quality bag that is not only affordable, stylish, but versatile. I think I may have found it. The Navali Helmsman retails for a fraction of the cost of other companies and stylistically comparable to that of most popular attache's on the market these days. Made with 22 oz. washed cotton canvas and leather, the Navali Helmsman exudes quality. As for versatility, after having received this bag shortly after Christmas, I had the opportunity to take it on a couple of short trips and really put it through the ringer. My intention was to pack as little as necessary, yet still have the essentials. I packed:

1. 13" Macbook Air
2. Monocle Magazine
3. Wall Street Journal
4. Pair of Jeans
5. Aran Sweater
6. Under Garments
7. Small Dopp Kit w/basic toiletries

This bag not only held shape with everything packed in, but provided easy access to everything. This is truly a great bag for short trips without having to carry multiple bags. Take a look at Navali Bags.

Watching

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 08:23:00 +0000

Watching | OTHERS by Hypebeast: Self Edge

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:12:00 +0000

Art | Eddy Merckx by Derek Erdman

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:16:00 +0000

by Derek Erdman

"It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle."

Ernest Hemingway

Want | Epitaph Custom Cruiser

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 01:06:00 +0000

Epitaph Cruiser

This humble cruiser you see before you is quite possibly the nicest cruiser out there. Each Epitaph features a custom crafted wheel set that allows you to mount a total of 4 low profile tires. The seat, grips and frame inserts, also made from scratch, are fashioned using obsessively selected aged leather. Laser engraved Roman Numerals on the seat identify build number. Limited production run of 12 for a brief time.

Material Interest | Macbook Case by Rainer Ucon Spehl

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 01:19:00 +0000

Tired of the same ol' Macbook cases? Well if you are, take a look at this fine specimen. This is a meticulously handcrafted wooden laptop case designed by Rainer Spehl. Each box requires 5 hours of production followed by 5 days of finishing. Take a look at the Video after the jump to see how it's done.

Video after the jump.

Essentials | Travel Neccesities

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:16:00 +0000

1. Bag 'n' Noun | Toolbag "Gold"

2. Sigg | Aluminum Food Storage Box

3. Sam Hect / Industrial Facility | Jet Lag Alarm

4. USE Handwerk | Natural Bristle Shoe Brush Set

5. Kent | Hand made Comb

6. Alice Park | Folded Card Case

7. Aesop | Deodorant

8. Lightfoots | English Pine Soap

Inspirational | Words to Live By

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 23:17:00 +0000

Wearing Today

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 16:22:00 +0000

1. Armor lux Breton Shirt
2. Ovadia & Sons Pierre Chambray Shorts
3. 1980's Rolex Oyster Date Just
4. Tod's Gommini Driver

Material Interest | James Perse Limited Edition Ping Pong Table

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:45:00 +0000

Following the same principles and design aesthetic of the James Perse Furniture Collection, the James Perse Limited Edition Ping
Pong Table is hand-crafted from environmentally farmed solid teak. It combines playability with functionality - remove the net and cover with the optional teak table top to convert the game room into a dining or conference room.

Includes 4 custom handmade paddles and James Perse branded ping pong balls.

Meets Regulation 9' x 5' Standards
Solid Teak Construction
Upholstered and Formed Drawer
Optional Dining or Conference Table Top Conversion
Leather Bound Net
Hand made in the USA

Short Film | Men of The Cloth

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Mon, 07 May 2012 01:19:00 +0000

Selling | IBM Clock

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Mon, 07 May 2012 01:01:00 +0000

Essential NYC | Brazenhead Books

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Mon, 07 May 2012 00:15:00 +0000

The Secret Bookstore
Watch this beautiful video about Brazenhead Books, a secret bookstore that’s been tucked away in Michael Seidenberg’s apartment on the Upper East Side ever since the rent for his original retail space in Brooklyn was quadrupled. (Jonathan Lethem used to work there.) “This would have not been my ideal,” he says. “I wouldn’t have thought I want to have a bookshop in a location no one knows about.” But Brazen says it’s a continuation of being the kind of bookseller he wants to be—not on the street, not at book fairs, but inside, the shelves lined with first editions, knickknacks, and, one hopes, a cat. “I don’t know if it’s my familiarity with failure,” he adds. “I find ways to survive without it making enough money to be what you would call a successful business. If it’s all about money, there’s just better things to sell.” And how do those of us who’ve never been find him? He’s in the phone book, he says with a smile. Hiding in plain sight.

Essential Eats | Summer Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:23:00 +0000

If your looking for a tasty, yet simple salad. Look no further. This is it!

Ingredients-

1. Arugula

2. Mint

3. Watermelon

4. Ricotta Salata

5. Honey

6. Olive Oil

7. Salt

8. Pepper

Preparation

1. Combine the following to create the dressing for the salad, and allow time for flavors to meld.

Mint
Olive Oil
Honey
Salt
Pepper

2. Cut watermelon into 1" cubes and place into a bowl of honey and roughly cut mint and let marinate.

3. Wash arugula and dry. Place to the side until ready to use.

4. Once preparation is complete, combine the arugula with the marinated watermelon and dressing.

5. Finally, toss with the Ricotta Salata and combine the above ingredients.

6. For taste, a dash of salt and pepper.

Essential | Dieter Rams for Braun

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 01:25:00 +0000

Dieter Rams is a living legend. As Braun's head designer for almost 35 years, he defined what simple, functional products should look like--in fact, if you own anything by Apple, you've got Dieter Rams to thank, because their products are basically a long-running homage to Rams's designs from the 1960s.

Among designers, Rams is famous for his 10 Principles of Good Design, which he wrote in the early 1980s, as a kind of summary to an entire life spent in design. #1: Good design makes a product useful. #9: Good design is concerned with the environment. #10: Good design is as little design as possible. The list has never really been topped, and today's designers still live with those tenets.

Stockholm | Cyklar contd.

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 14:12:00 +0000

Stockholm | Bicycle Culture

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:17:00 +0000

Libation | Toast to Ernest Shackleton's Birthday with Mackinlay's Rare Old Highland Malt!

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:46:00 +0000

February 15th marks Ernest Shackleton's 137th birthday!

To pay homage to sir Ernest Shackleton, I'd like to share a story about this explorer:

In 1907, Irish-born explorer Ernest Shackleton, in preparation for his Nimrod expedition to the South Pole, shipped himself 25 crates of Mackinlay's Rare Old Highland Malt. The expedition went awry and three of the whisky crates were abandoned in Antarctica along with the belongings Shackleton and his crew left behind.

A century later, the whisky belonging to the polar explorer Ernst Shackelton which had been buried under snow since his unsuccessful expedition which took place from 1907 to 1909, and was recently uncovered by the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust and sent to Scotland where Whyte and Mackay's Master Distiller Richard Paterson recreated the whisky.

The Sartorialist | Lunch for 25

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:23:00 +0000

Words to Live by

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:18:00 +0000

Want | 1980-89 Toyota Land Cruiser

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:32:00 +0000

History of the Most Amazing Truck

In 1976, chief Land Cruiser engineer Hiroshi Ohsawa began planning for the next generation of the 50-series Land Cruiser. In order to compete in the US market, something more was needed beyond what the FJ55V had to offer. It had to have a larger body, feel closer to an estate car, include more luxurious touches in the interior, and offer a more comfortable ride.

The problem was what to do with the suspension. Mr. Ohsawa considered an independent front suspension, however this idea was rejected in favor of the existing front and rear leaf springs and solid axles of the FJ55V to ensure that the Land Cruiser lived up to its off-road reputation. And thankfully so. It’s interesting to note that Toyota was considering IFS as early as the mid 1970s. Of course, a mere 10 years later, IFS would find it’s way onto the 4Runner/Surf and some trucks and today all but one model of the Land Cruiser uses IFS.

Another improvement that had to be incorporated into the new model was to create a design that was less likely to roll. This was because in the Middle East, people would load the roof high making it top-heavy and then drive on dirt roads at speeds of more than 60 mph. Investigation revealed that they were often carrying petrol cans, not surprising, considering that petrol stations were few and far between in the desert. This new series featured a wider tread to cope with the top-heaviness by providing more stability when cornering, and was sized closer to the global standard for a station wagon.

The 60 series was born and introduce worldwide in 1980. The body style and interior looked almost nothing like the 55 series it replaced, but the suspension and axles and drive train were closely related and in some aspects even carried over from the old model to the new model.The 60-series was also quite popular in Japan. Demand in Japan had increased for a long model diesel-powered vehicle that was inexpensive to maintain, and the 60-series filled the bill. In addition to the 2F-type petrol engines in the FJ60, a 3.4 liter B-type 4 cylinder diesel engine was added and called the BJ60.

In October of 1982, the new HJ60 appeared. Not only did it have a larger engine (a 6-cylinder diesel), it came with a higher roof, a 5-speed transmission, electric moon roof, remote control mirrors and other luxury features. The FJ and the BJ evolved from the 60 to the 61-series, and a luxury model similar to the HJ was added to the BJ 61. Land Cruiser gained its first ever class designation, the GX, to distinguish it from the standard model.

A look back over the development of the 60-series reveals how it started as a utility vehicle and evolved into something closer to a passenger car. In particular, with the debut of the competing Mitsubishi Pajero (Montero) in 1982, the subsequent appearance of high-roof cars, and the addition of luxury items such as the automatic transmission and turbo diesel, minor changes were introduced annually. This development became the basis for the later 80-series and the 100-series of today.

The 60-series underwent a number of minor changes. In time in took on power windows and automatic transmission as well as other luxury trimmings. The resinous crash pad with steel panels found on early model 60-series dashboards was enlarged. Although the gauges were placed in a separate section of the dashboard, retaining the image of the utility car, the interior had full trim and looked much like a passenger car, quite unlike the 55-series.

In 1986, Toyota introduced the 2H, a turbo diesel and called this model the HJ61. In 1988, Toyota made several changes including the most obvious headlight arrangement. Earlier models used 2 front headlights, while newer models used a 4 headlight set up.

The FJ62G was a wagon with front bucket-type seats and a split third seat in the rear, which could only be accessed by first folding the second seat forward. When not in use, the third seat could be folded up along the right and left sides of the vehicle. This not only limited the available cargo room, but tended to block part of the rear view, creating a blind spot on the right and left sides. Thanks to the high roof, the interior of the vehicle looked quite spacious although there was not much legroom.

The 60-series really marked the transition between the boxier shape of earlier models to the sleeker, more aerodynamic look that carries into the present day. By 1989 when the 80-series debuted, the 60-series chassis, although benefiting from improvements in performance and driving comfort, had reached its limits for the luxury market.The 55 series might be considered the last of the hardcore, original utility oriented Land Cruisers (baring the 70 series of course) while the 60 series marked the beginning of the transition from utility to sport utility and more luxury oriented 4x4. However, the 60 series was still very well equipped and heavy duty. Many thousands were modified and are still used today for very hardcore off roading all over the world.

Want | Lewis Leathers

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:36:00 +0000

I've been wanting to get a motorcycle for sometime, and though this is probably not the best time to be riding, its a great time to look. Of course in my search for bikes, I cant help but think what I would wear if I did get a bike. Here it is, the bike I would love and what I would wear if I did ride.

My dream bike is the BSA B40, and I would love to own just about anything Lewis Leathers makes for riding.

Just in case if you've never heard of them, Lewis Leathers is quite possible the oldest motorcycle clothing company in England. Their stuff is made of the best quality leather and made in England. Take a stroll over to their site to check out their inventory. If it doesn't tempt you to want a bike, I don't know what will.

Essentials | Worn Today

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:26:00 +0000

Essentials | Edward Penfield Posters

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:58:00 +0000

When one discusses American poster design, inevitably Edward Penfield’s name is mentioned in the conversation. Indeed, this shy, retiring New Yorker has been called the “originator of the poster in America.” Poster enthusiasts have been avidly collecting his contributions to this craft for over one hundred years. To this day, Penfield’s series of advertising ‘placards’ for Harper's New Monthly Magazine — some 75 in all — are the most recognized and collected of his works.

What many do not realize is that Penfield’s Harpers years account for less than a third of his thirty-four year career. During the decade after his self-retirement from Harper and Brothers, his free-lance work was seen by millions of people on hundreds of magazine covers and advertisements.

Not a boisterous self-promoter like some of his contemporaries — he rarely gave personal interviews — Penfield preferred to live a quiet life near his ancestral stomping grounds in New York. But at the same time he was considered “that rare person among artists, an active citizen.” He volunteered for civic duties, spoke at womens’ clubs, taught at the Art Students’s League and served as president of the Society of Illustrators.

More than a poster artist, Edward Penfield was an illustrator, art editor, graphic designer, writer, painter, educator and mentor — an American Master.

Essential | McIntosh MXA60 Integrated Audio System

noreply@blogger.com (Timothy Choi) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:20:00 +0000

Bigger is Better, Except When its Not.

McIntosh MXA60

You know the old adage that goes, the bigger it is, the better? Well, forget you ever heard it.

The long awaited McIntosh Laboratory, the ultra-posh maker of audiophile stereo components released their first ever desktop stereo and it sounds amazing. This is a true example of "bigger is not better." The McIntosh MXA60 though smaller and more compact than its siblings, contains CD/SACD/MP3 player, AM/FM/RBDS radio, 75-watt-per-channel amplifier, two-way speakers and vacuum tube amplifier that packs all the legendary McIntosh sound in a small package.

Though the price may seem a bit stiff, its a small price to pay for McIntosh's engaging, palpable sense of realism.