School Supplies: Sperry x Modern Amusement

-I've noted my unequivocal love for Sperry a number of times, and more casually, I've dropped a couple lines about my appreciation for Modern Amusement. For a long time in high school I wasn't really pumped on slip-ons, but I was already a huge Sperry fan when I saw bought these in 2006. They're showing a good amount of wear but I still like them for the simple task of hopping on my skateboard and cruising to class on a sunny day. I got them for $75 at Nordstrom, and in the three years that I've owned them, I've never seen anyone else with the same pair. All in all, a great buy with a couple years left to enjoy. 

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Faculty: Rick Ross

-After the release of his third album, Deeper Than Rap, yesterday's New York Times featured an excellent profile of Rick Ross. The coke-rap icon/former corrections officer's recent beef with 50 Cent (see the above video) made headlines and brought Ross's credibility into question. Still, he managed to come back with a more polished lyrical style to create what many consider his best record yet. In my opinion, 50 hasn't made a good record since his debut. He already got rich, but with Ross on the rise he might actually have to start trying. more

School Supplies: I Want Glasses

-Though my vision is dandy. 

-Image via Nylon For Guys digital issue.

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Music Theory: Sophomore TSH

- The Secret Handshake hit us with a well-timed release, My Name up in Lights, today.  The songs were made for summer weather and I kept the album on the pod while enjoying a beautiful day on campus. TSH's One Full Year is one of my most played albums, but the new album is a nice move toward a lighter sound. Lights mimics the TSH live show, which in its simple goal of getting people to jump, strips the intricate synth progressions down to basic dance beats and funky bass lines. 

-The second-best track on the album, 'TGIF,' recounts the glory of 90s sitcoms, referencing Boy Meets World and Full House among others, which should bring pop-laden smirk to the face of anyone who grew up in the 90s. I was a little disappointed there wasn't at least one slower song, but every track on the album, especially 'Saturday,' has the potential of becoming the type of essential underground summer anthem that 'Summer of 98' was last year.    

Summer of '98 - The Secret Han...

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School Supplies: Class Act Endorsements

-If you're not already acquainted with the wonders of Sriracha sauce, I suggest you make the effort to become so. I was unaware of Sriracha until this year, but there is a cult following among college students and gourmets alike. I was weary at first, I'm not that big on hot sauces, but I took a suggestion from one of my roommates, all of whom swear by the stuff, and put it on my rice. From that point on I started experimenting with other applications: In onion ring batter, bean dip, stir fry. The glory of Sriracha isn't just its intense heat (a few drops adds more than enough heat to any dish,) its in it's unassuming ability to amplify any thing you put it in. It doesn't overpower and it doesn't have an overly Thai flavor, it's just simple heat and flavor. Click the photo for a better view of the classic label.  more

Field Trip: Banksy

-My knowledge of street art is fairly limited, so whenever I pass a mildly subversive piece of art pasted onto a wall in New York or Los Angeles I am inclined to wonder if it was done by Banksy, the English graffiti artist who manages to be the face of the street art movement despite never actually showing his face. However, my first confirmed sighting took place on my recent trip to LA, when I happened upon these pieces on Beverly Boulevard and Melrose, respectively. These were cool to see, but unfortunately not as cool as the Guantanamo detainee Banksy put inside Disneyland's Thunder Mountain Railroad on his last trip to California.
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PowerPoint: People

-Fellow blogger and photographer, Carmen D. on campus.

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Dress Code: Recent Obsession, Badass Kids Clothes

-Glenn O'Brien's article Too Cool for School from City Magazine a couple years ago explored the frivolousness of expensive clothes for kids. With humor and characteristic Style Guy wit, the article made the obvious points: Children get dirty, grow quickly, and can be dressed respectably without spending a great deal. Though I often note budget as my primary sartorial concern, I've recently been overcome with a desire to have my kids look as badass as possible. For no reason at all I've assembled some clothes that make me wish I was 7 years old, above, from Polo and below, from Little Marc Jacobs. 

-Click the images for the bigger versions.

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