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

IG’s Christmas List for the Gents in Your Life

As we prepare for next week’s shopping madness, being that Christmas is fast approaching and on everyone’s mind, I decided to make a list for those who are looking for that perfect gift to give to the gentleman in their life.  This list ranges from DIY’s, products made by my friends, and items I have had and adored over time, that I think are essential to any mans everyday life.

DIY:

Bow Tie

Whale Sweater

Tweed Satchel/Pocket Square

Fox Sweater 

Laptop Sleeve

Cashmere Scarf

Dopp Kit

BIY (Buy it Yourself):

Different Take Leather Goods

Kwanalee Art

Half Eaten Sandwich

Use Your Digits 

Tumbleweedhandscrafts

Kinfolk

Fader 

Hypebeast

Man of the World

Entertainment: 

Pro-Ject Turntable 

Klipsch Speakers

Harman Kardon Reciever

Bowers and Wilkins Headphones

Everyday Essentials:

Moleskin

Pens 

Timex Weekender

French Press

Toggle Coat

Herringbone Gloves

Fox Pajama Pants

Hope this aids in your shopping…

Classically Yours,

ZRH

Ryder

During the holidays, my friend/cousin Jori gave me my first freestanding sewing box, and inside I found three different styles of remnant fabric. The one that stood out immediately to me was one that had several bicycles on it. I had various creative thoughts flood my mind on what I wanted to make with it. The best idea that I have come up with was to make a bowtie using this fabric.

In assistance of Elsie and Emma’s blog, A Beautiful Mess, I was able to construct this very unique piece to add to my wardrobe. The making of this piece was fairly simple, thanks to the instructions. I had to use some of my own techniques because I was unable to find the double clip that was shown in the DIY. In lieu of this piece, I found alligator clips at Hobby Lobby that serve the same purpose and are an inexpensive alternative.

This bowtie are like my coats, in that it has it’s own distinctive quality. This is why he, too, has a name: meet Ryder. While his name truly fits his pattern, the name comes from the English origin, meaning messenger. I see this fitting of me; I am constantly on the hunt for innovative and noteworthy ways to express my image to you, my readers; I hope the message is distinct.

I encourage you to explore your personality and your creativity, if you so desire, to make your own bowtie. Have fun with it.

Classically Yours,

ZRH

50 Christmas Movies

My friend Chris decided in the month of September and October to watch fifty Christmas movies and only made it to 46.  I became intrigued by the idea and  on November 1, I started watching fifty Christmas movies.  I was really excited about the idea of doing this task at first, but by the end became really tired of holiday movies.  Needless to say, I had fun doing the list and trying to find this many movies.  Enjoy the list.

1. Bishop’s Wife
2. The Shop Around the Corner
3. Arthur Christmas
4. Christmas Carol (1951)
5. Home Alone 2
6. Love Actually
7. Christmas in Connecticut
8. It Happened on 5th Avenue
9. The Santa Clause
10. Charlie Brown Christmas
11. Polar Express
12. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
13. Frosty the Snowman
14. Frosty Returns
15. The Holiday
16. The Muppet Christmas Carol
17. The Snowman
18. Mickey’s Christmas Carol
19. Santa Claus in Comin’ to Town
20. The Little Drummer Boy
21. The Year Without Santa Claus
22. Scrooged
23. Home Alone
24. The Nutcracker
25. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
26. Saturday Night Live Best of Christmas
27. The Nightmare Before Christmas
28. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
29. Just Friends
30. The Family Man
31. Jack Frost
32. Die Hard
33. Elf
34. Gremlins
35. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
36. Christmas with the Kranks
37. I’ll Be Home for Christmas
38. Serendipity
39. Bad Santa
40. Fred Claus
41. The Christmas Carol (2010)
42. Cricket on the Hearth
43. Rare Exports
44. Christmas Vacation
45. White Christmas
46. Olive the Other Reindeer
47. The Family Stone
48. Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales/ Garfield Christmas/ Fat Albert Christmas
49. Jingle All The Way
50. It’s a Wonderful Life

Classically Yours,

ZRH

A Gentleman Kind of Christmas

Christmas has and always will be my favorite holiday. Not only because of the exchanging of gifts, but how it seems like the only holiday out of the year when people come together and truly try to enjoy one another’s company.  Growing up, I remember how excited I was for this day each year… I couldn’t wait to be spend time with my family, enjoy the food, and gifts.  It was much like Thanksgiving, but in a different way now than when I was younger. Even so, I still get excited about some of this memories I have from back then.

Christmas is a time for us to focus on the important things, such as family and the friends we care about the most.  I like to see Christmas as a holiday about giving, but showing it more than just a material gift.  It is a time when we celebrate the relationships we have with others… friends, family, spouse, co-workers etc. The lasting relationships I have with my friends and family is what I cherish the most during this Christmas.  My parents and grandparents always taught me to be appreciative of the things you have rather than what you don’t.

I would also like to point out the most important part of the holiday is the birth of Jesus Christ.  No matter your religious preference, this is a day for the people who believe in Him to rejoice in his birth and to be reminded of how this great figure is representative to them in their lives. I see Him as one that has impacted my thoughts on how a person should treat others and themselves.  His words in red have from the first time reading scripture helped me understand myself and what is expected of me through life in acknowledging both the victories and obstacles.   It is His birth, His life, and the things that He said that remind of the depth and importance of the holiday.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas. Take time to really appreciate the day and what it represents for you.

Classically Yours,

ZRH