Happy Birthday America

Shirt: Jack Wills Pants: J.Crew Belt: J.Press Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Adirondack Brewery - Rock the Boat Ale

Two-hundred and thirty-eight birthdays, and America never looked so fine. Steam clams, pontoon boats, and craft-beer by the picturesque Glen Lake in Queensbury, NY. 

July 5th provided the grandest opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Adirondacks. Fine beer paired with New England Clam Chowder. Patriotic music coincided with a lap around the lake. Uncle Sam himself could not have drawn up a better gathering.

Topped off with multiple rounds of corn-hole, it was a weekend to remember. Until next year, Happy Birthday America.

© Robert J. Hanlon

Newport & New Adventures

This week's summer adventures bring us to the beautiful town of Newport, Rhode Island. Home of a classic American summer. With stops at The Landing, The Wharf Pub, and Brick Alley  it was a fine afternoon to take in some sun, enjoy a few drinks, and catch the Belmont Stake at a local pub. 

Oysters, soft shell crab, and well constructed cocktails were all on the menu for a Belmont Saturday spent in Rhode Island. Town was bustling. Kiel James Patrick & Sarah Vickers even made an appearance down at the wharf as their adventure crew rolled through. 

If Newport isn't already on your summer list, mark it down as your next adventure in the heart and soul of New England.

©Robert J. Hanlon

Find beaches where none exist: Puffers Pond

You won't find a beach everywhere you go. Life ain't that easy. Sometimes you have to create your own. This one is called Puffers Pond and is located in the fine town of Amherst, MA. A solid hangout spot for warm summer days in the Pioneer Valley.

If you are wearing anything but boat shoes to the beach, you're doing it wrong. Sperrys are a way of life and are almost a necessity for all things summer. 

Classic Clubmasters in tortoiseshell to shield your eyes from the UV rays emitted from outer space. Never the wrong choice on a hot summer day.

©Robert J. Hanlon

Summer Office Style

Vineyard Vines pastels, never a bad start in terms of summer office style. That is, depending on what kind of office you're working in. Today we're talking about #AgencyLife. We are talking two buttons undone, chinos and boat shoes. That kind of office. Gold watch to top it all off and Raybans when appropriate.

Now I'm not saying that you should find a place to work based off of the view that they have off the balcony, but having that kind of view in the city is never a bad thing.

Goofing off at work, not necessarily encouraged. But this isn't goofing off. Never take yourself too seriously. That's the key in finding happiness in your career. Nothing exemplifies that more than this crew.

   ©Robert J. Hanlon

Margaritas at Patron Mexican Grill

The official manliest drink of summer. Especially when you call them "margs". Only $5 a pop at Patron Mexican grill in Hells Kitchen, NYC. Honestly, best deal in town. Two to three of these guys and a bowl of chips and salsa and you have yourself a fine happy hour.

Grab a few buds and you're good to go. Nothing like stopping by this joint on a summer Friday after heading out of the office early for a weekend full of summer-time adventures.

                     ©Robert J. Hanlon

 

James Gatz threw a party

They say you can not repeat the past. Well, "they"apparently have not attended a Gatsby party. Gather up the boys, and pull out your finest threads if you want to end up with the Daisy Buchanan of your dreams. Slick back your hair and thank these guys for teaching you how to tie a bow tie.

There are few better nights that those spent honoring the late James Gatz, wouldn't you say Old Sport? So make your finest old fashioned, and surely brush up on your Charleston skills.

Until then, "We beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

©Robert J. Hanlon

V-Neck Cable & Man's Best Friend

From Top To Bottom:

Hat: Barclays - Liberty National hat
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Squared Clubmaster
Sweater: Blue and off white tennis cable-knit
Watch: Pulsar
Pants: Chinos by Uniqlo
Shoes: Sperry top-sider, well-worn
Dog: Pembroke-Welsh Corgi

There aren't many better springtime activities than spending some time in the backyard with man's best-friend. Man's best accessory. Spotify playlist? Check. Quality drinks? Only paired with the perfect coozie. Check. Cheers to spring, and cheers to breaking out some of spring's favorite colors.

Lemonade and Baseball

Since you're summer sport checklist was already outlined earlier, I hope you've been able to set dates in stone. Nothing classier than a historic, or newly historic, ballpark this summer. 

Whether it's the newly historic Yankee Stadium or the truly historic Fenway Park and Wrigley Field, the key here is to get out to the park in time for batting practice. Perhaps monument park, if you're visiting the stadium in the Bronx. Nab some quality eats, drinks, and catch a ballgame on a summer afternoon, or cool summer night.

There aren't many things more beautiful than the fresh cut grass of a baseball stadium or a golf course. Perhaps one of the finest, often forgotten, arts of the in-game experience.

©Robert J. Hanlon

Viva La México

Ordering margaritas at swim-up pool bars in mid-march and taking in some rays. That is what Cancún is all about. Dos Equis on deck making you feel like the most interesting man in the world. Crystal-clear blue waters and summer time weather that one can only dream of during the wintery weather of northeastern United States. If you want to escape life and visit a world of party, this is your place to get away. Hit the beach, hang by the pool, experience the clubs of Cancún and most definitely visit Señor Frog's. I personally recommend a night at the Mandala Beach Club, a club right on the beach featuring an outdoor bar, DJ and a small pool. Visit the right club and you may be lucky enough to catch world-class DJs visiting the scene for Spring-Break.

Here's what you'll need for a 5-day trek:

1. The Swim Trunks by Chubbies
2. Clubmasters by Ray-Ban
3. Croakies by Vineyard Vines
4. Boat Shoes by Sperry Top-Sider
5. Chinos / Chino Shorts by J Crew (for the clubs in Cancún)
6. Slim fit sport-shirts by Vineyard Vines
7. Pocket Tees by Cape Crabbers
8. Sunscreen by Banana Boat (for us fair-skinned Irishmen) 
9. Bottled Water (be careful with the Mexican water)
10. Chocolate Coconut Water by Zico (Hangover cure - you'll thank me later)
11. Tequila by El Jimador
12. Dolla-Dolla Bills (You will need $1 bills to catch the bus and tip all around. Again, thank me later. Bring 50 singles.)

©Robert J. Hanlon

Store Spotlight: Watch Out in Westwood, NJ

THE WATCH MAN. 

Me: What's your name? Him: The Watch Man. I found the right guy. The adventure to find a face for my @KJP watch band.
— Robert J. Hanlon (@_rhanlon) March 22, 2014

That is the name the man behind the counter chooses as his pseudonym.  Charles Bellon, Jr. according to the Watch Out website. In search of a face for my currently under-utilized KJP watch strap I turned to him at the advice of others. Talk to this Man and you quickly learn that his 30 years of experience in the business are real.

KJP.com

Established in 1986, Watch Out is NOT new to the game. Their store space is small, cluttered and just off the bustling main avenue of Westwood. Right in the heart of Bergen County. The Watch Man learned from the best and works with high-end clientele. When arriving, be prepared to tell The Watch Man what brings you to the store.

For me, it was the search for the perfect watch-head to shine on top of the faceless tweed band from New England designer, Kiel James Patrick. Rendered solely a bracelet for far too long, it was time for this band to tell time.

Now I play the waiting game. I let The Watch Man do his work and anxiously await the call of my fulfilled request. A story to be continued...

©Robert J. Hanlon

Spotify: American Craftmanship

American tunes for some American times. Sit back, relax and blast your Bose speakers on the front stoop today with a playlist full of American made tunes. Featuring songs from Vampire Weekend, Passion Pit, Radical Something, The Neighbourhood, The Last Bison and others.

This playlist is Ideal for a Sunday drive or a day spent out in the sun with your bed buds. Or just about any other occasion really.

Check it out:

Not quite up for the American tunage? Try Down, not out. A playlist engineered to get you through tough times and back on top. You'll be strolling through the streets with confidence in no time.

#TBT: The Barclays - Liberty National

Here is a checklist of sporting events for everybody to attend this year, in no particular order:

1. PGA golf match
2. Horse Race
3. MLB baseball game
4. well you get the point...

Classic American sports are in this year. American sport has returned to its beginnings as the "game-day experience" is even more important. All three of these events are better served on site. Let's take a look into the Barclays, the first event of the PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoffs.

Tell me any other event where you can sit on a grassy hill and take in professional sport with a backdrop as beautiful as this. Sun setting over the beautiful Liberty National golf course in Jersey City, NJ. Never will this be achieved at an NFL game.

Sperry, always approved out on the golf course. Classic American sport means classic American style. Don't be caught looking like Joe Shmoe out on the golf course. This isn't the place for Air Jordans. 

Often the best golf you will find on the course involves some of the players least followed. Pictured here is Hunter Mahan waiting on Stewart Cink to take his approach shot.

Be on the lookout and you might even be lucky enough to see a Tiger in its natural habitat! Lookout though, with Tiger comes a large crowd of adventure seekers.

©Robert J. Hanlon

Starbucks: Cheers to blue skies

Shoutout to Arnold Palmer (referred to now on as Arnie P) for one of the greatest creations of all time. Thanks for the half and half, also referred to as the iced tea-lemonade . This is the Starbucks version. Pictured below is the green tea lemonade, unsweetened. A go-to refreshing drink for me when I'm parched and certainly never a let down. Cheers to Arnie P!

Well this was a passion tea lemonade. It didn't quite make it home this time. Despite that, cheers to a beautiful back yard. Asking for "light ice" is always a good idea if you want to have a drink to enjoy when you get home.

When the going gets tough, the tough get iced coffee. Finished with 2% milk and caramel one can never go wrong. Just make sure it's Venti. When in doubt, use your nickname at your local Starbucks.

 ©Robert J. Hanlon

#TBT: Nautical Afternoon

What's classier than a wood boat with an American flag hung off the back? Crickets...

Definitely worth the high-maintenance upkeep if you have the time. Possibly the classiest vessel man has ever built.

Every good boat has its first mate. Shoutout to Bentley for being one of the best first mates in the game. Bent always looks the part and has a can't stop won't stop attitude unmatched by any other first mate I've ever met.

Don't even think about setting out on a boat with a classic pair of Sperry Top-Sider boat shoes. Classic colors are always in style, though I mixed it up with tan shoe and red laces in Summer 2013.

 When finally docking after an afternoon of boating, always make sure your first mate receives plenty of attention and keep hydrated.

    August, 2014 ©Robert J. Hanlon

#RoadToSochi

Certainly can't think of anything more American and more classy than rooting for Team USA in the Olympics, winter or summer. It has to be something about those rings and the red, white and blue that just bleed class. 

Robert J. Hanlon sporting Olympic threads: courtesy of Nike

#TBT: Summer weddings, summer style

Well we're certainly a ways away from summer, but couldn't think of a better time to rejoice in the life of the warmest months. Blue gingham, Raybans on and plenty of cold beverages to go around. Sounds like my kinda party, and no I'm not referring to Jason Aldean.

Suit: by J.Crew

Shirt: Blue gingham by Tommy Hilfiger

Sunglasses: Havana squared clubmaster by Rayban

Not pictured: Blue socks by Ralph Lauren

Every good wedding has a man behind this scenes. Summer 2013 that was Mr. Robert J. Hanlon himself. Filling in on silk pocket square folding when no other man, or woman, was ready to step up for the challenge.

If you aren't familiar with proper silk square folding techniques Google it! The fold of the day for the groomsmen you ask? We went with the three mountain fold, an all time favorite

A summer wedding wouldn't be complete without a porch open to the elements at the reception. I could not think of a better back drop to cool off after some dancing out on the floor. Country clubs are always a good choice.

There is absolutely no better time to sing and dance to JT than a summer wedding. Suit and tie? Yep. Not ashamed one bit. Don't even question who sings it better there. Me over my brother any day.

The Official boots of New England; and just about everywhere else

Looking for the best darn boots in the biz? Head no further than your nearest L.L.Bean store, or llbean.com and you'll be set for life. Why you ask? Well just check out their guarantee. Can't beat it.

“Not many things in life are guaranteed, but L.L.Bean is, and that’s pretty unique" 

- L.L.Bean

Not many things in life are guaranteed, except death, taxes and L.L.Bean. Not sure about everybody else out there but I prefer the latter.  Best customer service in the game, and that's certainly a rarity these days.

Engineered to save you through the blizzards of New England and built to last through the rain, snow and slush of just about anywhere you can imagine. Just take a look at that boot mobile. Guaranteed that thing never breaks down.

© Robert J. Hanlon