Heavenly Architecture.

Vintage photocard of Tulsa, Oklahoma

This weekend I felt the need to do some local traveling and shopping, hoping to come across a few vintage treasures for my home. Lucky for me that I live not too far from a large metropolitan area filled with lots of wonderful shopping, great eating establishments and world renowned architecture.

One extraordinary structure that exudes creativity is the Boston Avenue Church. Built during the oil boom of the 1920’s and 30’s, the Boston Avenue Methodist Church has left a noteworthy architectural impression on the downtown area of Tulsa, Oklahoma. When driving by this art deco masterpiece, it’s hard to not take your eyes from it.

Built by the architect firm of Rush, Endacott and Rush, the deco work of art includes a round sanctuary and a dominating 15 story tower that seems to reach to the heavens. Celebrated architect Bruce Goff, student and employee of the firm at that time, executed the drafting for the structure with Robert Garrison creating the building’s sculptures as well as supervising the project. After 2 years of dedicated work on this structure, we are now left to admire its place in history of architectural design.

Acknowledged by architectural critics around the country, the Boston Avenue Methodist Church continues to be counted as one of the most important examples of Bruce Goff's work and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

Spectacular work of art!

Best regards,

Reynolds

L-O-V-E

 

Which version makes your heart tingle?

Happy Valentines day to you all!

Best regards,

Reynolds

Gone Too Soon...

Like a comet blazing 'cross the evening sky, gone too soon

Like a rainbow fading in the twinkling of an eye, gone too soon

Shiny and sparkly, and splendidly bright...here one day gone one night

Like the loss of sunlight on a cloudy afternoon, gone too soon

Like a castle built upon a sandy beach, gone too soon

Like a perfect flower that is just beyond your reach, gone too soon

Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight here one day gone one night

Like a sunset dying with the rising of the moon, gone too soon

Alexander McQueen was a gifted individual who entertained, inspired and took my breath away with his creativity.  Simply put.....GONE TOO SOON.

Best regards,

Reynolds

Spring Fever!

I always get a little energized right after the first of the year because I know warmer days are just around the corner. And with the change of this season comes new trends from some old friends. Be with it pocket squares, striped ties, plastic aviators and straw fedoras, this SPRING season menswear is going to welcome back a few of these old friends but with an updated transformation. All classic in style, designers are mixing it up a bit with lots of pattern and color.

Patterned Pocket Square

photo by Mitchell Feinberg 

Straight from the 1960’s and the extremely popular Mad Men television series, patterned pocket squares are making a noteworthy return to the fashionable man’s shirt pocket. The look with pocket squares will be making it plaids or checks so be sure to keep it simple with solid shirts otherwise you may go from sleek to geek.

$25 at Jpressonline.com  

 

$10 at Landsendcanvas.com

 

$29 for a set of 3 at Jpressonline.com

Plastic Aviators

Aviators have been the cool man’s cover-up for many years now, in fact wasn’t it actually The King of Cool Steve McQueen who made these spectacles a Joe Cool necessity?! With many variations and price points to choose from, these bad boys are a definite must have for Spring 2010.

 

$65 at Armani Exchange

 

$255 at Persol.com

$5.90 at Hheritage1981.com

The Straw Fedora

 photo by Elissa Wiehn

Referred to as the “stingy”, the narrow brimmed straw fedora is a personal style fav’ of mine and something every well dressed man should proudly sport this spring. Classic in style, the stingy goes great with weekend casual, out and about with a tip of the hat makes you want to have a good day!

$180 at Makinshats.com

 

$48 at Originalpenguin.com

 

$35 at Express.com

A Brighter Striped Tie

Designers added a dose of BOLD color to this spring season’s striped staple taking it to an alternative dimension and beyond!!! In years past it was once considered a signature of the yuppie- puppies but not any longer, no siree Bob. Try showing off your sense of style this spring with knot tying of this recreated fashion necessity. I’ve got mine!

$35 at Landsendcanvas.com

$90 at Saksfifthavenue.com

Not a bold stripe but definitely BOLD.  This is one I bought recently for $59 at Jcrew.com.  Wouldn't you say spring has officially SPRUNG!?!

A BIG THANK YOU to Gentlemen's Quarterly for giving me a fashion one up to share with my friends.  Thanks guys!!!

Best regards,

Reynolds

Your Barn Door Is Open

I’ve always been fascinated with barn living. That kind of sounds funny so let me explain what I mean….. taking an old barn where cows and horses were stalled and turning it into a magnificent living space for yourself. I recently came across images on The Essence of The Good Life blog and was intrigued by the transformation that artist Yuri Kuper achieved renovating an old dilapidated barn, turning it into a creative livable space. I would SO look forward to waking up each and every day in a space like this! Would you?

 

Best regards,

Reynolds

What Smells?

Nothing is more satisfying than the smell of a burning candle. Everyone has their own preference when it comes to the scent and here are a few personal favorites of mine…..

Wood Wick FireSide

www.WoodWickCandle.com

A REYNOLDS STILL FAVORITE!

Henri Bendel Firewood

www.BathandBodyWorks.com

Leather

www.NelsonLeatherCompany.com

 

Nouvelle Candle Company Paperwhite and Honey

www.VintageCargo.Net

 

James Boyce Candle Vintage Brut Champagne, Almonds and Oak

www.asecretadmirer.com

PickWick and Co. Fireside

www.PickWickWax.com

Best regards,

Reynolds

A Well Traveled Man

You would think that Reynolds Still would be quite the world traveler………. or at least took a road trip every now and then. Regretfully I must admit that I’ve become more of the home nester than a man with suitcase in hand and destination ahead of me. One of my goals this New Year is to get out of my tired old routine and take a road trip whether it is well planned or it’s ‘grab a bag and let’s get out of Dodge’! Now when I say grab a bag, I don’t necessarily mean grab that plastic grocery store sack or zip-lock baggy that I’ve been known to grab and then fill it full of too many toiletries and that extra pair of shoes I really don’t need. No, this year in an effort to become that Well Traveled Man Reynolds should be known for, I not only will be traveling out of city limits but also will be traveling in well respected style!!!

The first step is to find the luggage.....the suitcase….THE BAG! Every man should own at least ONE leather easy carry leather hold-all, messenger or tote bag. Am I right?

Dann-Online or Orvis is a great place for the well dressed man to shop for all his traveling requirements. Both online shops, purveyors of fine accouterments in the Americana tradition………boy that was a mouthful, carry The Colonel Littleton Bag collection. A Tennessee based company, Colonel Littleton has been crafting American made accessories for a number of years. The Colonel’s signature brown steer hide is dry milled, making the bag soft and supple. The natural hide markings are preserved in order to add to the character of the bag so expect this piece to get better with many years of travel. This line of he-man leather travel bags has a unique assortment to choose from as well as a variety of specialty cases to fill and pack inside these perfectly designed travel bags.

Col. Littleton Canvas and Leather Shave Kit

Col. Littleton Canvas and Leather Necktie Travel Bag

Valet Stainless Steel Collar Stay Carrying Case

I’m grabbing my Colonel Littleton and getting the heck out of Dodge!

Best regards,

Reynolds

Mr. Peanut

There’s nothing better than a cocktail with friends and seeing that bowl of salted nuts sitting bar side ready to be devoured at a friendly notice! But how the heck do they get those peanuts salted in the shell you ask?!?! If you were expecting some fancy shMANcy process involving Mr. Peanut sitting curbside to conveyor belts with salt shakers and a spatula, I hope you won't be disappointed with what I’m about to tell you. Peanuts are salted in the shell simply by soaking them in brine which is a mixture of salt and water. These tasty little nuts are then dried by roasting them, leaving a salt residue behind on the nut in the shell. Some peanut producers will use a vacuum to remove air from the batch before the brine is introduced, but even so the process is fairly basic. Long story short, well actually that was a short story short, there is no incredible story behind the making of a salted peanut………simply put it’s a peanut in its shell and a bowl of salt water.

                              

   Thevirginiamarketplace.com

Should you want to salt some nuts on your own, here’s a little HOW TO on how to do it yourself.

Things You'll Need

• 2 lbs. in-shell peanuts

• 1 gallon water

• ½ cup salt

• 2 gallon saucepan with lid

• Colander

• Mixing bowl

• 2 tbsp. peanut oil

• 2 tbsps. salt

• Baking sheet

How To

1. Combine the water, peanuts and salt in the saucepan.

2. Cover the pot and let the peanuts soak overnight in the brine.

3. Drain the peanuts in a colander and transfer to a mixing bowl .

4. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

5. Toss the peanuts with the oil and the remaining 2 tbsps. salt.

6. Spread the peanuts onto the baking sheet and roast in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Note that the soaked, in-shell salted peanuts require 10 to 15 minutes longer than unsoaked, raw peanuts. Let them cool completely before serving.

Enjoy!

Best regards,

Reynolds