Keepin’ it fresh with Warby Parker Shades

Warby Parker has come out with one of coolest, classic collections of sunglasses for men and women this spring. It’s called the Daydream collection,  As the name implies, it makesme think of nice spring days that include the right outfit, music, and dreaming about warmer months. My favorite pair of shades in the collection,is the Jackson.  This particular model comes in both a crystal and tortoise color as shown here.

l  I feel like this pair of sunglasses is the perfect accessory for a guy like me who dresses very classic and believes in having a pair of shades that won’t go out of style anytime soon.  The crystal color in particular grabbed my attention in that they added a unique spin on what I would term a more traditional style of sunglasses. Also, this style fits very well with oval type face shapes (like my own). When pairing these with an outfit I tend to stick to spring/summer staples. Navy and white are my preferred colors when it comes to warmer months. I would wear  these shades with a nautical striped sweater, navy chinos and white jack purcells. Classic and timeless. As shown here:

Also, for tunes one of my favorite albums by Tennis…

I’m all about keeping it fresh in the warmer months with the right clothes and most importantly shades to not only block out the sun but to represent my fashion sense. Warby Parker is one of the finest glasses/sunglasses makers is the business.  They have simple but elegant designs that fit almost anyone’s style. Not to mention they have best customer service and 5 frames for 5 days deal in which the send you 5 glasses for free to try on and choose the one that best fits you.  Take a look at the Daydream collection and let me know what you think.

Classically yours,

ZRH

The IG’s Sweet 16 Albums of 2014 Thus Far…

 

 

• Mac Demarco- Salad Days
• Real Estate- Atlas
• Tycho- Awake
• Sharon Van Etten- Are We There
• Future Islands- Singles
• Nothing- Guilty of Everything
• War on Drugs- Lost in the Dream
• Tune-Yards- NikkI-Nack
• Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden-Last Dance
• Sylvan Esso- Sylvan Esso
• Freddie Gibbs & Madlib-Pinata
• Burial- Rival Dealer
• Coldplay- Ghost Stories
• Warpaint- Warpaint
• Cheatahs- Cheatahs
• How to Dress Well- What is this Heart

 

Classically Yours,

ZRH

Best Dressed

As you have probably noticed lately, I haven’t been writing much on the blog.  It’s not that I haven’t been inspired or lacking ideas but just decided to take some time off and really look into myself for this piece I wanted to write to my readers. So, here it goes…

Back in December, I received a phone call from 417 Magazine, a local publication in my area.  I was informed that I was nominated as one of six best-dressed individuals in the City.  I was excited, as this was one of the highest honors that I have ever received. This ‘Best Dressed’ title also came with a chance to walk the Runway at the local event called Fashionation (which was a really fun experience).

All of the exposure from this nomination made me reflect upon what it means to have style and how it makes me feel as an individual.  I can remember growing up, when fashion wasn’t always at the forefront of my individuality. I loved sports, video games, and Batman.  I wore the clothes my parents bought for me every year.  My first real experience with finding what I wanted to wear began in middle school – when you would have seen me pimped out in Tommy Hilfiger and Jncos.

In high school, I began to realize that clothing and style could really show someone’s personality and it would be a factor in how he or she would get noticed. I was what I like to call a “bro” at this point in my life. This is when I started to fit in with trends of scenes like Abercrombie and Hollister.  I wanted to look like preppy, but rugged. I was wearing clothes that looked like they had been worn out.  It wasn’t until the end of my high school era that I shed my “bro-ness” and began thrifting.

College was an eye-opening experience – I saw how lazy people could really dress.  I remember a former co-worker at an old job I had tell me to buy sweatshirts, sweatpants and Adidas runner pants because that’s what people wore in college.

He was totally right, as this was common attire, along with pajama pants, worn by my fellow classmates.  This was when I began to find myself as wanting to make something more out of myself through my wardrobe.

I didn’t want to go to class dressed like I had just rolled out of bed. I wanted to show respect not only for my teachers and classmates but, also for myself. I wanted to dress better and feel good about myself as well.

So, I was thrifting and buying pieces for my wardrobe that I felt were important to me.  I started ironing and laying out my clothes every night, making sure each piece coordinated with the other (which I STILL do).  I got noticed by teachers and classmates and was asked often about where I got my clothes, where I shopped, and how much time I invested in preparing before school.

Since then, fashion has been something I’ve been interested in and has continued to this very day.  Fashion keeps my mind and creativity constantly booming with ideas.  I think one of the best things in life is to find something you are truly interested in and making something out of it be it fashion, music, art, teaching – whatever really makes you feel good.  Hopefully, this allows my readers to think about what is important to them and to not give up on their dreams and what truly makes them happy.

Classically Yours,

ZRH

Valentine’s Day Playlist

1.  David Bowie- Valentine’s Day

2. Chet Baker- My Funny Valentine

3. The Beatles- And I Love Her

4. The Naked and Famous- Hearts Like Ours

5. Magnetic Fields- The Book of Love

6. Van Morrison- Crazy Love

7.  Adele- First Love

8. The Cure- Love Song

9. The Maccabees- Toothpaste Kisses

10. Paul McCartney- My Valentine

11.  The Bird and the Bee- Kiss on my List

12. Ingrid Michaelson- Can’t Help Falling in Love

Stream/download here

Classically Yours,

ZRH

January Playlist

1. Burial- “Rival Dealer”

2. Beyonce- “Mine” (Feat. Drake)

3. Nothing- “Dig”

4. “Real Estate-  “Talking Backwards”

5.  Death of Lovers- “Buried Under a World of Roses”

6.  Soft Moon- “The Feel”

7.  Eternal Summers- “Gouge”

8.  Dum Dum Girls- “Lost Boys and Girls Club”

9. Temples- “Shelter Song”

10.  I Break Horses-  “Denial”

11. Warpaint- “Hi”

12. Hospitality- “Rockets and Jets”

13. Quilt- “Mary Mountain”

Download here

Classically Yours,

ZRH

 

New Year, New Jar: 2014 My Greatest Hits

On the daily routine in life, there are great things that happen to us. Even so, we sometimes forget because we’re so focused on future events, rather than just living in the moment. I am creating this jar to record what I am calling, the “Greatest Hits of 2014.” I want to document this year as not just moments, but a track list of what will make it a year to remember. The biggest hits all combined into one small jar, or maybe two…here’s to 2014!

Classically Yours,

ZRH

Dream Jar Recap

It was over a year ago when I created my first dream jar.  Inside of the jar, I placed multiple things that represented the tasks I wanted to complete in 2013. I feel the jar was an influence on what a great year it was to me. Here they are and my thoughts on each at year’s end:

Beach House show ticket – This symbolized me going to great shows and listening to awesome music over the year.  Honestly, and I say this almost every year… 2013 was an amazing year for music as I was exposed to so many great bands. I got to see my favorite acts like the xx and Drake.

IG logo – The blog is one of my favorite things I have that serves as a platform to showcase my creativity. It also gives me an opportunity to expand upon my thoughts regarding fashion, music, and life, in hopes of inspiring others in the process.  This last year was an amazing one – At one point, I took a hiatus away from social media outlets to truly realize what the outside world, beyond the blog, truly meant to me.  I covered a wide variety of content and even posted everyday of my birthday month.  I hope this year will I will be able to deliver great content, once again, to you – my readers.

Polka Dot Pocket Square – Fashion is an important part of me. It is way for me to show others that fashion isn’t just about looking nice – it’s also a way to represent you to others.  I continued to thrift as I have for many years. I am inspired by the fashion world, via blogs and the magazines I read in 2013.  Even though the blog may not have showcased my style as much last year, I foresee 2014 as a year to give my readers more of an insight not only into my style, but to confidently showcase what he or she feels their fashion is to the world as well.

Shoelace – In 2013, I ran my second marathon.  It was awesome, as I felt like an even stronger runner.  I smashed my previous marathon time of 5:25 with a time of 4:36.  So, needless to say, I was really psyched about it. I look forward to running my future marathons.

Bike material – I spent a lot of time of making new things and focusing on honing my crafting abilities.  I made all kinds of things such as: a bowtie, a penguin-stamped jacket and I even covered a mannequin in old sewing patterns. I found myself being craftier than in years past.

Pen – I sketched a lot, as you could see from some of my monthly music playlist artworks. I see this as a future craft in upcoming years not only to enhance my creativity, but to also show others my ideas more clearly.

Drury Tassel – At the end of last year, I found myself a couple months out of college and optimistic toward what the future held for me. Rather than looking at a masters program, I chose to take another year away from academia to visit more of my creative endeavors.  Hopefully, in the near future, this will be something I move forward with, as I still see myself becoming a professor.

I would say that the Dream Jar was an effective source in staying motivated to complete many of my goals I set out for in 2013 – it was truly a great year! Here’s to looking toward this year with new goals!

Classically Yours,

ZRH

Taking Note from Christmas Movie Gents

After watching 50 Christmas movies last year, I began to understand why I like them so much – each movie makes me feel good during my favorite time of year.  Each of the following four films exhibits a strong sense of fashion that I feel one can take notice and focus on for the season as they step out into the Winter Wonderland.  These looks are from some of my favorite Christmas movies I feel have merit to any gents wardrobe.

Jingle All the Way (The Last Minute Shopper Commando)

Arnold Schwarzenegger is modeling one of my favorite looks for the season.  It is one in which the individual layers their look around pieces such as flannels, turtlenecks, and button-ups that are easy but warm to encounter the stress of buying that last minute gift.

Bridget Jones Diary (The Infamous Ugly Sweater “Firther”)

People love to wear ugly sweaters during this season as shown here with Colin Firth.  It’s the perfect piece to wear at a Christmas party or to wear out and about – it’s sure to put anyone in the Christmas spirit. Personally, I wear mine all December long. As I always say,  “it’s prime time to show how much you love the holidays

Batman Returns (The “Bruce Wayne”)

This is a perfect look for someone who is going to a more formal party. Traditional seasonal colors and the basic black is what this look is based from.I am planning on bringing out this look at a Christmas Ball I am attending this year, wearing blackwatch pants, velvet loafers and a bow-tie as Mr. Wayne does, symbolizing the classy holiday event.

Christmas Vacation (“The Griswold”)

My most cherished look of Christmas is the “Griswold,” which emphasizes on dressing like a Dad with a crazy flair of Christmas spirit.  I like to combine classic “Dadwear” pieces like as a chunky cardigan, a button shirt, a Christmas-oriented tie, and a Santa hat to add that extra spirit of the season.

Classically Yours,

ZRH

2013 Top Albums: Friendition

GhostGoth lists-

Best Returns of 2K13:

1. Nine Inch Nails

2. My Bloody Valentine

3. Boards of Canada

4. Daft Punk

5. Justin Timberlake

Albums That Mattered (2K13):

A$AP Rocky – Long.Live.A$AP

Actress – Silver Cloud EP

Airhead – For Years

Aluna George – Body Music

Anna Meredith – Jet Black Raider EP

Arcade Fire – Reflecktor

Atoms For Peace – Amok

Autechre – Exai

Autre Ne Veut – Anxiety

Barn Owl – V

Basic House – Oats

Beacon – The Ways We Separate

bEEdEEgEE – SUM/ONE

Blondes – Swisher

Blood Orange – Cupid Deluxe

Bone Squad – S/T EP

Burial – Truant / Rough Sleeper EP

CFCF – Music For Objects EP

Charli XCX – True Romance

Chelsea Wolfe – Pain is Beauty

CHVRCHES – The Bones of What You Believe

Colin Stetson – New History Warfare, Vol. 3: To See More Light

Creep – Echoes

Cut Copy – Free Your Mind

Daft Punk – Random Access Memories

Danny Brown – Old

Danny Paul Grody – Between Two Worlds

Darkstar – News From Nowhere

David Bowie – The Next Day

Dean Blunt – The Redeemer

Deerhunter – Monomania

Dirty Beaches – Drifters / Love Is The Devil

Disclosure – Settle

DJ Rashad – Double Cup

Ducktails – The Flower Lane

Earl Sweatshirt – Doris

Factory Floor – S/T

FIS – Preparations EP

FKA Twigs – EP2 EP

Four Tet – Beautiful Rewind

Gabriel Saloman – Soldier’s Requiem 

Gold Panda – Half of Where You Live

Grouper – The Man Who Died In His Boat

HAIM – Days Are Gone

Houses – A Quiet Darkness

How to destroy angels_ – Welcome oblivion

Huerco S. – Colonial Patterns

Ikonika – Aerotropolis

Inc. – no world

Jai Paul – S/T

James Blake – Overgrown

James Ferraro – NYC Hell 3:00 AM

James Holden – The Inheritors

Jessy Lanza – Pull My Hair Back

Jon Hopkins – Immunity

Julia Holter – Loud City Song

Julianna Barwick – Nepenthe

Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience

KA – The Knights Gambit

Kelela – CUT 4 ME

King Krule – 6 Feet Beneath The Moon

Kingdom – Vertical XL EP

Koreless – Yugen EP

Laurel Halo – Behind The Green Door EP

Laurel Halo – Chance of Rain

Local Natives – Hummingbird

Logos – Cold Mission

Los Campesinos! – No Blues

Lustmord – The Words As Power

M.I.A. – Matangi

Majical Cloudz – Impersonator

Mister Lies – Mowgli

Mount Eerie – Pre-Human Ideas

Mount Kimbie – Cold Spring Fault Less Youth

NGUZUNGUZU – Skycell EP

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Push The Sky Away

No Age – An Object

Okkyung Lee – Ghil

oOoOO – Without Your Love

Painted Caves – Surveillance

Pantha Du Prince & The Bell Laboratory – Elements of Light

Pete Swanson – Punk Authority EP

Pharmakon – Abandon

Phoenix – Bankrupt

Power Trip – Manifest Decimation

Prurient – Through The Window

Pusha T – My Name is My Name

Queens of The Stoneage – … Like Clockwork

Raum – Event of Your Leaving

Rene Hell – Vanilla Call Option

Rhye – Woman

Roly Porter – Life Cycle of A Massive Star

Ron Morelli – SPIT

Run The Jewels – S/T

Shifted – Under A Single Banner

Shigeto – No Better Time Than Now

Shlohmo – Laid Out EP

Sigur Ros – Kveikur

Sky Ferreria – Night Time, My Time

Slow Walkers – S/T

Smith Westerns – Soft Will

The Field – Cupid’s Head

The Range – Nonfiction

The Stranger – Watching Dead Empires in Decay

The Weeknd – Kiss Land

The-Dream – IV Play

Tricky – False Idols

Tropic of Cancer – Restless Idylls

Tyler, The Creator – Wolf

Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of The City

Var – No One Dances Quite Like My Brothers

Various Artists – After Dark 2

Various Artists – L.I.E.S. Presents: American Noise

Various Artists – Night Slugs: All Stars, Vol. 2

Vatican Shadow – Remember Your Black Day

WANDA GROUP – Outer Alsatian EP

Washed Out – Paracosm

Wavves – Afraid of Heights

Whirr – Around

William Basinski – Nocturnes

Wolf Eyes – No Answer:Lower Floors

Top 23 Albums of 2K13:

1. Deafheaven – Sunbather
2. Kanye West – Yeezus
3. The Haxan Cloak – Excavation
4. The Knife – Shaking The Habitual
5. Zomby – With Love
6. My Bloody Valentine – M B V
7. Savages – Silence Yourself 
8. Forest Swords – Engravings
9. Oneohtrix Point Never – R Plus Seven
10. Nine Inch Nails – Hesitation Marks
11. CFCF – Outside
12. Drake – Nothing Was The Same
13. Fuck Buttons – Slow Focus
14. Death Grips – Government Plates
15. Foals – Holy Fire
16. Iceage – You’re Nothing
17. Darkside – Psychic
18. Tim Hecker – Virgins
19. These New Puritans – Field of Reeds
20. Boards of Canada – Tomorrow’s Harvest
21. Youth Code – S/T
22. Balance & Composure – The Things We Think We’re Missing
23. Locrian – Return to Annihilation

Snydz Top 10 0f 2013

1. Drake- Nothing Was the Same

2. NIN-Hesitation Marks

3. The Knife-Shaking the Habitual

4. My Bloody Valentine- MBV

5. Pity Sex- Feast of Love

6. Phoenix- Bankrupt!

7. Washed Out- Paracosm

8. Pure Bathing Culture- Moon Tides

9. The National- Trouble Will Find Me

10. Daft Punk- Random Access Memories

Classically Yours,

ZRH

Top 20 Albums of 2013

1. Local Natives- Hummingbird

2. Boards 0f Canada- Tomorrow’s Harvest

3. CFCF- Outside

4. Drake- Nothing Was the Same

5. Balance and Composure-  The Things We Think We Are Missing

6. Rhye- Woman

7. Washed Out- Paracosm

8. Vampire Weekend- Modern City Vampires

9. Phoenix- Bankrupt!

10. Justin Timberlake- The 20/20 Experience pt. 1

11. Volcano Choir- Repave

12. The National- Trouble Will Find Me

13. Savages- Silence Yourself

14. Deafheaven- Sunbather

15. Oneohtrix Point Never- R Plus Seven

16.  Julia Holter- Loud City Song

17. Postiljonen- Skyer

18. Oddisee- The Beauty in All

19. Zomby- With Love

20. Kanye West- Yeezus

Classically Yours,

ZRH