Sinatra Soiree

There are a few events each year that we look forward to and plan to attend with such gusto - Santa Soiree the first Saturday in December, Gold Cup the first Saturday in May and Sinatra Soiree the third Thursday of July.

Hosted by The Capital Club - a Washington social club of 100 men that's been around since Regan took office in 1980 - Sinatra Soiree is just one of the 6 major events the Club hosts that are both open bar and open to the public.

It's an opportunity to pull out the best summer rig you can muster - for ladies, 'Strong Cocktail' and gents, 'Summer Ahoy'. I rocked an ensemble I had planned on wearing last year until being called out of town on business. Bottom to top (shown second from left below):

• Alden Tassel Moccasin: brown calf eBay find
  
• Murray's Nantucket Reds: The one and only
• Engine Turned Monogrammed Buckle: On the most affordable straps out there
• T.M. Lewin Prince of Wales Shirt: double cuff, light blue gingham, silk knots
• Vintage Signal Flag Tie: Gift from AEV via the Mystic Seaport Museum Store of Mystic, CT
• Navy Blazer: Classic with monogrammed brass buttons

Maybe it was a few less Makers on the rocks this year or I'm getting more observant, but I noticed two things:

#1: The proliferation of bloggers and party websites (Guest of a Guest, MetroMix, Late Night Shots) taking pictures for their respective sites and driving traffic by making everyone in their lenses' scope a local socialite (at least for that one shot).

Case in Point - here's a few we shots found of our friends in the last week on a variety of sites:

Courtesy of Fashion Delegate

Courtesy of Guest of a Guest

#2: The girls seem to be the rather tame ones and gents have gone from 'dress-to-impress' to 'dress-to-make-an-ass-of-yourself' with the pastel, embroidered, Lilly/Madras/Seersucker rig dominating and overtaking with seemingly little restraint. Counterpoint would call them 'peacocking' - present company/pictured excluded, naturally.

'Screw U' Stubbs & Wooten slippers as mentioned in the comments section

Anyways, back from Kiawah and off the the Cape next week, then we being the countdown to Santa Soiree 2010...

Image Credit: The Capital Club (others noted)

Sign It. Share It. Restore It.

When the oil crisis in the Gulf Coast started, I posted a reader's letter and my response. Now, the the launch of the "Be The One" campaign I'm asking for your support and participation - this isn't about clothes, or koozies, or food and booze; it's about the facts:

• Energy: Almost 50% of the U.S. energy supply comes from the Gulf of Mexico
• Seafood: 2/3 of our shrimp and oysters we all enjoy come from the Gulf
  
• Shipping: 7 out of 10 of the nation's largest shipping ports are in the Gulf
• Wildlife: 40% of North America's duck, geese, swan and eagles use the Gulf as their flyway

I went to Destin for family vacations, eat Gulf seafood, drive a 4Runner (so know all about the energy the Gulf produces).

"I demand that a plan to restore America's Gulf be fully funded and implemented for me and future generations."

Presented by the nonpartisan, non-politcal advocacy group Women of the Storm, the "Be the One" campaign seeks to rally the nation through this viral video and demand that anything short of complete restoration of the Gulf of Mexico, it's coast lines and America's wetlands is unacceptable.

Be The One to Help Restore America's Gulf: Sign It. Share It. Restore It.

Image Credits: www.restorethegulf.com

Weekend Wardrobe: Summer Edition

While there are many things I like about summer weekends - grilling, heading to Kiawah/Delaware beaches, having enough time the next day to recover from the Firefly & Waters consumed the night before - I especially dig the rig that makes up the Summer Edition of Weekend Wardrobe:

• RB Caravan: Worn to work
• RB4115: Worn to play
• Wayfarers: Bought by the dozen, okay if they wash away
• Polos: Whether, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Southern Tide or Perlis, they build the foundation.
• Souvenir Tees: Picked up on travels round the globe; but always white shirts, ideally frockets and back design.
• Leather Man Ltd Grosgrain Belt: Pick this color or one of your own from their selection of over thirty.
• Shot Shell Belt: A reminder of the fun to be had in the fall. Which would you choose from NRO?
• Patagonia Stand Ups: 5" inseam + one size up on the waist = perfect fit.
• J.Crew Essential Chino Short: 7" inseam, stone color, pressed flat.
  
• Murray's Nantucket Reds: The one and only. No substitutions or imitations.
• Rainbows: Espresso so they perfectly match the brown belt.
• Cole Haan Howland: Worn-in for summer just like an old baseball glove.
• Sperry's Original Boat Shoe: Versatile, classic and authentic.
  

Image Credits: As noted through links

Belle of the Boulevard

When I was at Town Hall last Tuesday night, everyone around me kept saying "and junk" in this pithy, southern female accent at the end of every sentence. I thought it was due to the consumption of adult beverages on 'Half Price' wine night, but was reminded by my dinner companion, PCW, that it came from the Geico "Pothole" commercial, which I now can't get out my head.

Soooo... 'k bye!

Fixin' for Fall

With July 4th comes the summer sales and the retail worlds' shift from patch madras and pastels to critter corduroy and cashmere. While I haven't gone as far as getting all Shaggy Dog on y'all, below are a few things I've picked up or plan to across the coming months:

• Gingham Poplin: Best value in quality and fit. Monogram in navy.
• Cotton Shawl Cardigan: In Navy with pockets. Note: $24.99.
• Bahama II: Vented back keeps you cool in the dog days of August.
• Persol Polarized: A classic alternative to my Ray Ban Caravans and 4115s.
  
• Stand Ups: Cause the current pair a getting a bit too much wear.
• Oyster Buckle: Done like only Sid Mashburn can do.
  

Image Credits: Clockwise from top left