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