Design Major: Trovata FW/09

-This show didn't receive a very good review, and I agree that overall it was pretty dull, but I liked some of the specific things going on within. A cardigan over a vest is something I did last year that I think has a lot of room for good variation. And again with the missed buttons on the cardi, I guess I was ahead of the game on that one too.

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School Supplies: Boot Dilemma

-I posted a couple weeks ago about my search for the perfect boot. This past week two significant things happened, the first being that I watched the video (below) of the completely nutty 88 Keys explaining his Polo obsession. In the video 88 made me aware of the Polo Ranger Boot (below right,) about which I had no prior knowledge. I thought them to be the perfect boot for me, so I got on eBay and found some and began bidding. I lost the auction at the very last second even though I went up to $210 (I told myself I wouldn't go higher than $200.) 

-The next thing that happened, the day after I lost the auction for the Ranger, was that there was a Band of Outsiders sale on Gilt. The sale had the B of O for Sperry boots I blogged about a couple of times. I decided to pull the trigger and buy them since I'd missed out on the Rangers. The B of O boots were only $140 after shipping (down from the $385 original price,) so I felt pretty good about the purchase. But then the seller of the Rangers emailed me saying that the person who had won the auction bailed and I could have the Rangers. Fuck. I couldn't afford to buy two pairs, even though I like the Ranger better. I'm still feeling alright though, I have a feeling the B of O x Sperry will hold up better to weather and they were significantly cheaper. We will see. 

-To help yourself (and me!) get more good deals in the future, sign up for a Gilt account by following this link.  

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Design Major: Michael Bastian FW/09

-My homie over at The Sunday Best thought the Bastian's collection was a little too derivative, but it was one of my favorites. Bastian is the modern quintessentially American designer, a younger, edgier Ralph Lauren. If this collection suffers anywhere it's in the sheer amount of items in each look, which even I must admit borders on 'too much.' But I'm a sucker for tons of layers. 

-Photos by Marcio Madeira via men.style.

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Design Major: Marc by Marc Jacobs FW/09

-More than anyone, Marc Jacobs understands the beauty of layers. He is brilliant in his ability to capture the likely products of youthful sartorial whim. That first scarf looks like it's from Old Navy though.
-Photos by Marcio Madeira via men.style

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Design Major: Band of Outsiders FW/09

-My Photoshop is back in action which means I can  give you my take on the New York fashion week shows. The Band of Outsiders collection was a littler more casual than I'd liked to have seen but still solid. I like the short jacket to compliment the short pant, they're both a bit feminine, but that just means you've got to have swagger to pull them off. 

-Photos by Don Ashby via men.style

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Music Theory: Bon Iver

-I mentioned earlier that Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago was one of my favorite records of 2008. One of the benefits of discovering a band way after everyone else is that they will often release new material before you are even tired of the old material. Such is the case with Bon Iver, who just released Blood Bank EP a few weeks back. It was streaming in its entirety on their MySpace, which apparently now only feature's the haunting title track (below). The Sasquatch Festival lineup will be announced tomorrow, and I am hoping to see Bon Iver on the list, which is rumored to also include Kings of Leon.

Blood Bank - Bon Iver

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Holiday: Parker x Lincoln

-I've never been a huge comic nerd, but I've always followed Spider-Man, and this is just bad ass. Click this link to check out this digital President's Day comic, "Gettysburg Distress." Abe looks like he's gonna kick some ass. 

-Off-topic, posting has been sparse lately and I apologize. The main reason is that I'm having some issues with my creative suite software, which although you may not notice, I use to help format nearly everything item I post. I'm working on the problems though and they should be resolved within the week. NYC S/S 09 reviews coming.

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Faculty: KryptoNate

-Nate Robinson won't stop flying over the heads of NBA superstars past and present, and his huge dunk over Dwight Howard yesterday should bring him some much needed recognition. Yesterday's NBA Dunk Contest became the final round of a best-of-3 series between the two, with Robinson gaining the majority of fans' votes and yelling "206 holla at me" whenever possible. To see another one of Seattle's finest, check out B-Roy in today's NBA All Star Game at 5pm on TNT. more