Chandelier

Erin and I have had a lamp on our kitchen table for a while, but have been wanting something to hang above the table. I picked up a swag light kit for a few bucks at a thrift store, but we had no light or fixture to hang from it. Then I noticed something on the roadside one Sunday evening on the way to church. I snagged it on the way home, then used the cord from the light kit, and got some new bulbs and shades ($1.50 each!) at Lowes. Here's the result:

A Really Good Deal

Here is a coupon from Jos. A. Bank that will get you $20 off a $20 purchase. I went to the store and got these ties. Both were marked 29.99, less 50% off sale items. Perhaps there was an additional buy-one-get-one half off, since one rang up at $15 and the other at $7.50. That gives $22.50-$20=$2.50 out the door for two brand new ties. I know Mr. Bank is not a paragon of quality menswear, but I couldn't turn that down. I may have to go back to see what pants and shirts are on sale.


I also hit up Impact Thrift in Horsham, which had a good selection of ties for $2 each. I liked many, but couldn't find any I really needed. Discretion is the better part of valor. I did get this one from Strawbridge and Clothier with the tag still on it for $9. I thought the pattern and material were interesting enough. I also found this pocket square.

Water Bottle

When the fullness of time had come, I liberated this bottle from the lost and found. You can never have too many water bottles when you leave them in your car or gym bag and forget where they are. But, baseball is lame, so I covered that up. Maybe that will help insulate as well.

More Spring/Summer Bow Ties

Since fall is approaching too fast (and I had an actual customer!) I made some bow ties. One curvy diamond point has been sent off, and I made the rest of these brighter colored beauties way too late in the season. There is one gray plaid that I would wear more in the fall/winter. Enjoy, and email me if you want one. 

The three striped ones are silk. The two bright plaid are cotton. The grey plaid is wool. Red and Blue stripe is sold.

Summer Plaids

I'm back in the workshop! Or more accurately, my crap is strewn all over the apartment. I had someone contact me desiring some bow ties and and matching pocket square. The latter is complete, with hand rolled and -stitched edges that are nice and round, rather than the flat machine sewn variety.

I've cut the fabric for his bow tie also, and a few more while I was at it. Now it's time to bring out the sewing machine and put these things together. Stay tuned for the finished products.

I Made a Purchase of Nice Shirts

I made a trip to the thrift store today, and scored some nice threads.

First, I found this pink, French-cuffed shirt by Alfred Dunhill of London. It fits, though a bit tight in the neck, and has real MOP buttons, not cheap plastic ones.


























Next, I found this RL Polo dress shirt, also with nice buttons.

Finally, a trip to the ladies section netted this silk pocket square. That's usually where such things are found, because thrift store employees rarely know much about clothing.

Who Wears...?

 

I have a pair of eBay pants from Gap which I once slimmed the legs of considerably. I then had to take in the waist and seat when I lost some weight. Despite their being one of my go-to pairs of pants, I just recently noticed (after several years of owning them) that they were entirely too short, even too short for a no break pant. So I made them into shorts. I opted for a...(racy? inappropriate?)...vintage length.

My Favorite Shoes

I can't believe I haven't posted these yet. These are my thrift store bragging rights, my favorite pair of shoes, and the best deal I've ever gotten!

They are listed here (fourth from bottom) at €399. I got them for $2.

Chacos

Here are some women's Chaco sandals in a size 8. They are in great shape. I'll take $50 shipped or any offers, otherwise, they'll hit eBay.  SOLD

Spring is Here!

So I dressed colorfully for it. Erin liked my outfit a lot, and I'm not sure if I've posted this bow tie before, so here it is:

I made it from a silk scarf (by J. Crew) I got at a thrift store.

Pocket Square

I've been looking for something in a maroon color for a while. On a recent thrift store visit

Alterations

A new friend from school had me take in a few shirts for him. Since he's a trim, athletic fellow, the reduction in the body of the shirts is a good step toward looking better. I haven't seen him wearing one yet, but he said he was pleased with the work.

Since the machine is out, I think I'll hem some pants that have been too long for far too long. I believe my wife needs to do the same for some of her own pants.

Absence

With a busy semester of studying, I haven't had much time to make things. I have made some A's, so my effort hasn't been worthless. What I have made I can't post for varying reasons. hopefully I'll get the sewing machine out soon, because I've got a few projects in mind--shirts to tailor, a bolt of light blue plaid madras itching to be made into bow ties for spring, nice tweed coats in need of leather buttons. One of these weekends I'll get around to some of this. I'll post then. In the mean time, back to studying for an intensive Hebrew winter term!