Archives for the month of: July, 2012

D.I.Y. Boutonniere

July 26, 2012 //

As guys we feel the need to not accessorize as much as women. I just don’t see this as the case. I have always felt like it was the little things that one could put into their outfit to add that extra “pop.” A boutonniere is just that type of addition to one’s attire. I chose from the blog The Decorated House to create my own flower. Keep in mind you don’t have to use the type of fabric they chose here to make the boutonniere. There are many different types to choose from at almost any fabric store. Here is the link to the D.I.Y. of this project Boutonniere. FYI: We chose at first to do this by sewing but found out after some trial and error that glue worked much easier.

The results of the project looked like this:

I would also like to add that most people think that a boutonniere should only be worn on a suit jacket but to me you can wear on a button up (as pictured here), or even a plain t-shirt to add some flavor.
Also, with almost all my creative projects I always get something good to eat to get me brain working. We chose apple pie that night:

Good luck…

Classically yours,

ZRH

Categories DIY

Keeping Inspired

July 25, 2012 //

I find myself everyday being inspired by many things. In particular the blogs and tumblrs that I read. I have over time found myself being a very visual oriented person. These are the websites that I feel have opened my eyes to good style and constantly keeping my mind fresh on my own attire. Enjoy!

Thread & Salt

GreensleevestoaGround

HowtoTalkToGirlsatParties

CollectionbyFredCastleberry

BackYardBill

BoyEnGirl

ShutUpILoveThatShirtOnYou

ThatKindofWoman

HypeBeast

Classically Yours,

ZRH

Categories Inspiration

Color

July 18, 2012 //

Walking through the park has always been a way for me to relax and to be inspired. I see nature through the eyes of British Romantics, like William Wordsworth, who saw nature as an empowering force, making one become more focused and enlightened about his surroundings. In is famous Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, Wordsworth says:

“For I have learned To look on nature, not as in the hour Of thoughtless youth, but hearing oftentimes The still, sad music of humanity, Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power To chasten and subdue. And I have felt A presence that disturbs me with the joy Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime Of something far more deeply interfused, Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns, And the round ocean, and the living air, And the blue sky, and in the mind of man, A motion and a spirit, that impels All thinking things, all objects of all thought, And rolls through all things.”

Color is one of the things I notice when I am at the park. From the rich soil in the ground, the beautiful blue sky, the bright, yet complicated colors of the leaves on the trees, or even the shades and shapes of the blooming flowers, color is without a doubt everywhere you turn. I see this value as important and effective in not only nature, but also in how I can how I can incorporate color into what I wear.

Guys always seem to be afraid of the use of color in their attire. Color makes tones stand out, especially when too many are mixed in an outfit. If you stick with just one colorful piece and all other aspects of the outfit are neutral, the color pops. I makes the outfit as a whole stand out in the right way, rather than looking like a rainbow of color.

If you notice in the picture, I chose the focus of my outfit to be on my orange tie; everything else I am wearing is neutral. This shows both the importance of the piece and how it really gives a bang to one’s outfit for the entire world to see.  Embrace color, gentlemen; don’t fear it.

Embrace color, gentlemen; don’t fear it.

  Classically Yours,

ZRH

Categories Fashion

Different Strokes for Different Folks

July 5, 2012 //

Tennis has always been one of my favorite activities. Growing up, I played a variety of sports, but none of them really grabbed me like this gentlemen’s sport. I played throughout my high school years and needless to say, I loved every minute of it. Looking back, I see tennis as being more than just a game in which I participated; I see how the impact this game has had on me and the formation of my individuality.

Unlike any other game, tennis really tests the mind of the player. The player is constantly assessing the next move, and how to successfully win that point. I have found that over time, life is about critical movies – choosing the right paths and gaining the best possible outcome. I remember constantly thinking about where I was going to put the ball on the court, how I was going to hit it, and how my opponent would react to my strokes. For me, I started to look at the happenings, my surroundings and the choices I would make to get me where I wanted to go in my life.

Tennis teaches the individual to have gentleman-like etiquette. My coach taught me to be a gentleman on, as well as, off the court. She always made sure we shook the hands of our opponents before and after each match. There was a level of respect shown to one another, regardless of being opponents on the court. My teammates and I treated each other like family during the season by watching one another’s matches and offering support and encouragement to them whether they won or lost. It was a philosophy of being a gentleman. Learning these gentlemanly gestures has stuck with me. With this outlook, one is well respected by his peers through the ups and downs of life.

Tennis players always seem to find their own signature style. While I struggled to find the right strokes and the serve that made me competitive, like most players, I found a game that worked for me, and continued to improve upon it when I played. In all facets of life we find that we evolve. As far as my style, I am continually looking for what works for me, but focusing on the things that lend a hand with my individuality – sticking to the basics, yet building on creativity and appeal.