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Menswear Blogger

Back-2-School (denim) Blues

Posted on August 13, 2018

This time of year is always so confusing for me because I have so many mixed emotions. I’m bummed summer is almost over and the days are slowly starting to get shorter and darker, and I’m also kind of sad that Nate will be going back to school. I know a lot of parents are always ready for their kids to go back, but I like knowing he’s home. I like the fact that he can miss a day of sports camp if he feels like it, or if we take him somewhere fun, and it’s also nice for him to be able to just have a relaxing day at home with his Nanny. I think I just dread the rigid school routine for him! But, I’m also excited for fall. It’s always such a fun time of year together getting to go apple picking, pumpkin picking, and let’s not forget apple cider donuts LOL. But before fall, I guess the best part of the end of summer is getting to go back-to-school shopping and the start of football season!

Nate is now old enough where he actually gets into the back-to-school shopping spirit…and of course has become a football fanatic, so heading to Old Navy is the perfect place for us both to get some new looks and some sports tees! Old Navy’s 24/7 denim is the perfect jean to wear whenever I’m with Nate. They’re a great looking denim, and have that super-stretch technology to them, perfect for the random play sessions we always tend to have whenever we’re out. Nate is finally starting to appreciate clothes and definitely likes to pick out some unique pieces, but his favorite is usually anything that has to do with sports! And like any smart man, comfort is most important to him.

I have always been a sucker for varsity style shirts. It might be due to the fact that I know my wife thinks I look sexy in them. Her words, not mine! LOL But hey, if the misses likes it, I would be a fool not to wear something she likes me in. They are perfect for adding a little something to a super casual and comfortable outfit to help elevate the look. I went with the Coast to Coast Varsity Style Graphic Tee. I dig the graphics and love the blue color! To color-match with daddy, Nate went with the Carolina Tar Heels Graphic Tee. I might’ve pushed Nate towards this tee because I think the baby blue is one of my favorite colors and as long as it had to do with sports, Nate was in! Matching our blue sporty tees with our 24/7 denim was a cool way to coordinate together without going too matchy, matchy this time around. Don’t get me wrong, I love twinning with Nate, but sometimes I think he’d rather not LOL He’s getting too cool for school this kid!

I can never have enough denim in my closet. I might have at least 10 different kinds of denim jackets, and I’m all for adding in another! I wore the Old Navy Denim Trucker Jacket (in light wash) over my tee. The trucker style denim has just a slightly tougher, more vintage vibe, than a regular denim and is a good way to change things up from a regular denim if you’re a denim jacket lover like myself. Nate paired his NCAA tee with the Color-Block Raglan Track Jacket (in light heather grey). What sucked us in on the track jacket was really the blue stripes on the end of the sleeves. These little details give the jacket that little bit of a vintage touch that we both like! The Karate Built-In Flex jeans has the perfect fit for Nate’s style. Since his legs are so skinny, it’s always hard to find a jean that fits his legs, so the slimmer the better. This way when hes running around like a mad man his pants aren’t flapping around, and they just look cool. Plus, that bit of stretch keeps it comfy for him just the way he likes!

Whenever we’re out and about shooting or running errands, we always like to find something or somewhere to surprise Nate with to reward him for his good behavior. This time we popped into the high school to have a little one on one, 2 hand touch. He got a kick out of being able to run around on the turf, juking daddy, while trying to make a touchdown. I swear, this kid’s spiral is so much better than mine!

Family Reviews Style

Father’s Day With Angels Envy

Posted on June 11, 2018

Fathers come in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes they’re not even your biological father. I lost my father when I was at the young age of 15. I didn’t have my father around at the most important time in my life…when I was starting to become a man. After he passed, it wasn’t for another 4 years before I had another man/father figure as part of my life. Luckily, my mother has great taste in men and met my now stepfather, Joe.

It took me awhile to warm up to him and I couldn’t get past how much I missed my father. I think what really allowed me to begin to accept him as part of the family was that he never tried to take my father’s place, but just always treated my mother right and was always there for me if I ever needed him. He really just became a friend. My mother and Joe have been together for 20 years now, and he is someone I look up to, enjoy being around, and value as a friend. I know if I ever need anything he is there for me.

One of the many things we now bond over is our love for whiskey! At every special occasion when we get together, we usually take turns bringing a new bottle and sharing it with each other. Or, sometimes we don’t even need the special occasion, and just want to share our new bottle with each other LOL. This Father’s day we decided to get together and bond over some fishing and some Angels Envy. Joe is a man’s man and loves the outdoors. He likes hiking, fishing, and overall just any activity where he’s one with nature, so a day of fishing and whiskey was right up his alley. I knew as soon as I mentioned my plans for the day, his eyes would light up, and I was right. We had way too much fun! He loves telling bad jokes LOL and most of the time I have to give a fake chuckle after the punchline, but that day, he was on point with the jokes!

Even though no one caught a fish that day, we still enjoyed ourselves. Angels Envy is hand crafted in small batches, and I feel like small batch whiskey always seems to be my favorite. Maybe they’re able to concentrate on the details more when the whiskey is made in small batches. Angels Envy is super smooth, even when drinking it neat, and we had no burning sensation. It has a nice after taste, is not bitter, and has a sweet under-note which made us want to keep drinking more. A little fact for the whiskey fans out there – they actually lose 5% of the batch each year letting it age for typically 6 years. The end result is worth the loss though! They then finish off the aging process in a port wine cask for another 3-6 months. Overall, us whiskey guys over here are a fan! It is very enjoyable and has a nice maple-vanilla smell.

After our little fishing outing, my step father took the bottle but wouldn’t leave until we made plans for an encore the following weekend…same place, same time, and same bottle of our Angels Envy. If you’re looking for a new whiskey to try out, look for the pretty wings on the bottle!

Family Reviews Style

Head-to-Toe Twinning

Posted on June 7, 2018

Summer weather is finally upon us and I’m ready to bust out the bright colors and floral prints! I’m not the only one feeling this way…Nate is ready too. We partnered up with one of our favorite brands to find matching outfits. One of my favorite things about Old Navy is that when I pick out an outfit, we can pretty much find the exact outfit or coordinating pieces for Nate so we can get our matchy-matchy on.

We recently spent the day walking around Cold Spring, NY, just getting out to enjoy the nice weather, checking out some of the cool local stores, and of course stopping by Moo Moo’s, the homemade ice cream shop. They have the best ice cream! If you haven’t been, I would definitely check this little town out. It’s right by the water and is a beautiful little strip with some antique shops, some great restaurants, and is actually where my wife and I tied the knot…so we always have a little place in our heart for this town. There’s nothing sweeter than walking down the street and hearing the awww’s and OMG’s at how cute Nate and I are in our matching outfits. He’s the coolest, funniest and smartest little boy, and I’m so proud to be his daddy and have been a part of his creation. It also makes me feel really cool that Nate actually likes matching me. I mean if a kid this cool thinks I’m cool, I have to be at least some kind of cool! LOL

When I saw the Old Navy Getaway shirt, I thought the colors and floral pattern had a vintage kind of vibe that I liked, so I wanted to play that up. Nate got the exact same shirt and we both rocked white tank tops underneath, which I thought would also help give our looks more of that old school vibe. I actually never wear undershirts like this so this was something new for me and I kind of liked it! I paired my top with their Slim-Fit Built-In Flex Ultimate Shorts (6″) because I love how short the length is and the color matched perfectly. I’m not really a big fan of long shorts and feel like the length was perfect for the look I was going for. Nate loves wearing comfortable sweat shorts and has a few pairs of the drop crotch style, so we went with the style he’s wearing because we know they always looks good on him. I think they’re sold out online, but these are pretty similar! Plus, he’s a little skinny minnie, so we tend to lean towards elastic waste bottoms for him to ensure a good fit. The color also matched the pair I was wearing pretty well, without having to be the same exact pair.

I know I’ve said this plenty of times before but I cannot believe I’ve become that dad that loves matching outfits with his son. I seriously love it and I think Nate does too. Old Navy is the perfect place for those “Mini Me” styles. We always seem to luck out here when we’re looking for a fun summery matching outfit!

Reviews Style Travel

Wino Adventures

Posted on May 25, 2018

This time of year is the perfect time to be outdoors. It’s that warm temperature you’ve been yearning for all winter long, but it’s not too hot yet, and you can feel that mix of sun on your face with that cool breeze that keeps it comfortable, and it just makes you want to be outside!

A couple of years ago my son Nate went on a hike with his pre-school, and had asked us to then go on a hike together as a family. We were never really big into hiking, but ever since Nate suggested it, we started getting into it more and more and just like to get our there from time to time and do some exploring together. Overall, it seems like whatever Nate loves doing, he ends up making us love it too…we just love seeing his excitement when he’s out enjoying his favorite activities.

We like hiking, but definitely not enough to take a 4 hour hike. And when we do hike, we always like to make sure there’s some sort of reward at the end. Whether it’s a lake, a beautiful view, or in this case, a waterfall, the end prize definitely keeps us going! LOL It’s also starting to become a tradition of ours to pack up a picnic that we can also enjoy once we reach our destination. For our most recent hike, we thought it’d be fun to bring a bottle of wine with us to kick our picnic up a notch, and have a little celebratory toast at the end!

For this hike, we brought a bottle of our El Vinculo Crianza from Ribera del Duero. It’s the perfect red wine for any occasion and has a full-bodied taste on the palate with big fruit flavors that soften the tannins. Did I mention it’s 14.5% alcohol? For me, that’s enough to get that nice & warm feeling from one glass! 🙂 Since we were hiking and had to carry everything, we kept our little picnic simple with apples, grapes and cheese and crackers. This wine pairs well with aged cheeses, but to me, I don’t care what cheese it is (cheddar in our case, my wife loves cheddar), it was the perfect wine to be sipping in our picturesque setting and water falling acoustics. For some reason, this hike seemed a little more exciting. Reaching such a beautiful destination, the falls, and then being able to enjoy a nice glass of the Tempranillo, while we relaxed and snacked, was the perfect way to end our hike. Since Nate can’t really sit still for more than a second, it was more like my wife and I relaxed while Nate hopped across stones until his feet were drenched.

The mix of family exploration, our little picnic complete with snacks and our El Vinculo, mixed with good conversation and lots of goofing around, made our day almost feel more like we were camping, than just being on a local hike. I have to say, the wine idea at the end of the hike might definitely be a new tradition. It just made our little adventure feel that much more special!

Next time you’re looking for that ample bottle of wine for your grilling, roasting, or a hike like us, try a bottle of the El Vinculo Crianza from Ribera del Duero. It’s powerful, yet balanced. You can look for the Ribera del Duero logo on the back of the bottle when visiting your local wine store or order directly from www.wine.com. I’m actually sipping some now as I write. Blogging, like hiking, is also better with wine! 🙂

Family Reviews Travel

A Weekend in Newport

Posted on May 15, 2018

Not all vacations have to be a big trip, and you don’t need to fly hours away from home to have a good vacation. My family and I really love small weekend getaways and just overall exploring new places together. Newport, Rhode Island is only 3 hours from us and we had never been there as a family before. It’s a beautiful scenic town with lots of cute shops, mega mansions, and relaxing beaches.

Two weeks ago we had the opportunity to stay at the Grace Vanderbilt Hotel in Newport, Rhode Island for the weekend. When we first pulled up I didn’t realize how close to town the hotel was going to be, so we immediately got really excited to know that the middle of town was just a short walk down the block! We didn’t arrive until Late Friday night, but luckily got there just in time for s’mores by the fire. What’s more welcoming than s’mores by a cozy fire right when you arrive, right? It was really cute and we all had a blast shoving our face with the giant marshmallows they had.

As soon as we got to the room (which I’ll get to in a minute), we dropped off our bags and then we walked down the block to a bar right on the corner. Since we got there kind of late, we had the itch to check out the town before bed, so we stopped in for a late night dinner, and it was just what we needed! They had really good live music and great food. It was the perfect way to start off our little weekend adventure.

Within the first 2 hours of being at the Grace Vanderbilt we had already felt like we had done so much and forgot that we had just arrived. Luckily their pool is open until 10PM, because we love a late night swim, so we followed up our food and drinks with a dip in their indoor pool and Nate got to practice his snorkel skills!

Now let’s get back to the room! Let me just start off by saying that this is one of those rooms where it’s hard to get yourself to leave. As soon as you enter you’re welcomed by these super high ceilings, crown molding, beautiful built-in book cases, tall windows that let in a lot of light, and just overall, a sophistication of detail. This room seemed more like an apartment than a hotel room. There was the main bathroom, which had a claw foot bathtub, and inside they had a little corner set up that said “Nathan’s Corner”, along with some kid’s shampoo and soaps. It was really cute and Nate really got a kick out of it! In the living room they also had a little camping tent with a teddy bear set up for Nathan. What hotel does that for kids? It was really so sweet and made my son immediately a fan of this place. You wouldn’t think a hotel like this would be so kid friendly. It’s so refined and upscale that you think you’re going to have to keep telling Nate not to touch anything LOL, but it’s not like that at all. The bedroom, which had a huge King Bed and another amazing master bath with two sinks and a stand up shower, was gorgeous. It connected to the rest of the space with beautiful sliding doors. The room itself was so nice I couldn’t help to ask my wife if we should sell the house and get an apartment like this somewhere LOL. It was just perfect. The reason Nate loved it was because the ceiling’s were so high he could pass his plush toy football to me without it hitting the ceiling like in our house haha. I almost forgot to mention, we were also welcomed with a plate of cookies that included icing and sprinkles that we got to decorate together. Again, these little welcoming details, were just top notch!

We started day two off with breakfast in their Garden Terrace Cafe. Sarina and Nate had the pancakes (with Nate getting the chocolate chips) and I had the hazelnut french toast with berries. What a way to start our morning with a yummy breakfast and the picturesque room with sunlight shining through. When we got back to our room there was a paper in the tent for Nate that gave him instructions for a scavenger hunt. I’m pretty sure Nate thought his elf on a shelf put it there LOL. He had to go and ask different people around the hotel questions and he got a prize at each station. It was so cute watching him with his little paper and pencil, reading the clue himself and checking them off. When he got all of them except the last one complete, he had to go back to the room for a final surprise (spoiler alert, it was a yummy cupcake). Again, the efforts they put in with these little details for the kids is absolutely adorable and Nate definitely appreciated it!

We then hopped in the car and drove about 15 minutes from the hotel to a beach, and from there we walked along the cliff walk. The walk can be long if you take it to the end, but from my understanding you can see some of the mansions along the way. We didn’t walk the entire path, because we knew we’d need to walk back and Nate wouldn’t have it in him, but we did get to see some pretty big house from the walkway and there were also some little cut-ins to walk off the path and on to the rocks, but mommy didn’t let us get too adventurous, because she’s always a nervous wreck of Nate and I when we get too close to the edge of anything LOL.

After the walk we sat on the beach and had a picnic with a cute little basket that Grace Vanderbilt put together for us. It had sandwiches, water, cookies, and some local soda. It was cute to sit together and enjoy one of the very first warm spring days we had right by the water. It was recommended that we see at least one of the mansions while we were in Newport and if you’re going to see one, the Breakers Mansion is it. At first I thought it was pretty expensive at $30 pp but it was actually worth it! It was a beautiful site and was a pretty cool self-guided tour. The tour gave each of us headphones and a smart phone and it just played as you walked at your own pace. They had a children’s version, which my wife and I thought would be more suitable for us as well LOL. I was so impressed at how much Nate was into it. During the tour he would keep telling me facts he had heard that caught his attention. I mean, I even caught myself daydreaming, but there he was all about it, listening to every word. He mentioned parts of the tour that I honestly didn’t even remember. I just couldn’t believe how attentive he was to the audio tour. It was definitely really cool and interesting!

Once we got back into town we walked around, grabbed some food, Nate tried lobster for the first time and loved it, got some fudge, had some ice cream, and I got myself my traditional dad cap as I’ve been starting to get on every family trip. We then headed back to the Grace Vanderbilt for dinner at their on-site restaurant. At The Vanderbilt Grill they had a piano player, who was great and really set the mood. We love any live music while we’re eating, so it was a plus! The food was so good and they had a great drink menu. I started with the Seafood and Sesame, which was light and refreshing, and had the Dry Aged Filet of Beef as my main course, which was rich in flavor and melted in my mouth. For dessert we had beignets, which I was really excited about because I had always wanted to try them. This was the first time I’ve actually seen a restaurant offer them and since I’m not sure when I’m going to make it to New Orleans, I had to have them LOL. It was a great dinner! We were pretty tired, but I had promised Nate we would play a game of pool before bed so they actually sent the dessert up to the room so we could play pool while they were preparing it and then we got to enjoy the dessert in our room. That was the perfect option for us and Nate! They had a beautiful pool table in an elegant and masculine room. I could totally picture me and the fellas drinking some scotch and just totally hanging in this room. It was the perfect ending to a great day and night!

The next morning before we left Grace Vanderbilt they had a “tiny tea” for Nate, by the same fireplace where we had enjoyed the s’mores. We were served little PB&J sandwiches, little pastries, and some fruit with chocolate dipping sauce. It was really cute and we ate it while playing a game of chess by the fire. Although it was time, we didn’t want to leave. We definitely could’ve moved in!

Everything about the Grace Vanderbilt was absolutely perfect. Every inch of the hotel is beautiful, the attention to detail to all of their guests, especially the children, is on point, the hotel location is key, and the staff was amazing and on another level. For such a short little trip, they really made us feel welcomed and went above and beyond. This hotel has officially made Newport one of my fave local spots to weekend at. Grace Vanderbilt, thank you again for an amazing weekend, and we cannot wait to come back!

Reviews Style

Casually Cool in Sweat Tailor

Posted on May 3, 2018

Men's Lifestyle Blogger | BlueCollarPrep

I’m all about being comfortable and reppin’ that casual everyday guy look. However, that doesn’t mean I want to rock my beat up sweatpants and a sweatshirt when I leave the house. I love finding cozy alternatives like a pair of baggy, soft denim jeans or a nice fitting pair of stretched chino pants like the ones I’m wearing here from Sweat Tailor. They might be called stretch chino’s but they feel just as comfy as sweatpants! The best part is you would never even know unless you felt them. So comfortable!

I feel like for a minute I was wearing a lot of neutrals, especially a lot of olive greens, but lately, I’ve really been trying to add some more bright colors into my wardrobe. Maybe it’s the warmer weather that’s finally starting to come around that has me craving some color. Sweat Tailor’s Hibiscus Salt Washed Crew really is the perfect shade of pink and I LOVE the way the color is darker around the seams, which gives it that worn-in vintage look. The salt wash not only gives it that distressed vibe, but also makes the tee super soft…and be right up there with the comfort level of the chinos. I hate a stiff feeling tee…and this one feels and falls just perfectly on! Did I mention I love the color?

I love basic pieces like these that can be added into any outfit and can be used to either dress it up or keep it casual. As my style evolves, I’ve become more and more into having an entire wardrobe of quality fitting basics that I can easily swap in and out with different looks to keep my outfits versatile. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good stand-out, loud piece from time to time for that wow factor, but having pieces like these from Sweat Tailor is definitely a must!

Family Reviews Style

Twinning In AllBirds

Posted on March 15, 2018

Ever since I can remember I have been into sneakers. I must have at least 100 pairs in my closet! Over the years my taste has changed, but I’ve always, and still do love runners. It’s always exciting when I find a new brand and style to add into my collection. The AllBirds Wool Runners silhouette is a clean, minimal look and it’s comfort is on another level! When you put the sneakers on it feels as if you’re wearing a soft merino wool slipper, not to mention, they are one of the most lightweight sneakers I’ve ever owned! I’m typically a no-sock guy, so the fact that these are super soft, wick moisture, and help minimize odor, is a huge plus for me! I was a little nervous that because they’re made of wool they would be too warm, but the merino wool is actually temperature regulating and perfect for any time of year. I just love the clean design and how lightweight they are! Aside from all of these benefits, one of the coolest things about this brand is that they make the exact same runner in Nate’s size – they’re the Smallbirds Wool Runners. He got them in the Kotare Jo and NZ Blue colors. And I must say, I think Nate rocks them better than me LOL. He just always makes anything he wears look super cool. My wife also scored a pair in the natural white color, but unfortunately she’s behind the camera so we didn’t get to show hers off. I kinda love when the entire family has part of their outfit matching. I love my little family, so anytime we can coordinate pieces of our looks, or shoes, it make me feel that much more connected to them.

I have to be honest, I don’t do enough to help the environment. I mean I recycle and do other basic things to try and leave a smaller imprint on the environment, but like everyone I could always do more. So, when I see a company doing everything they can to reduce their environmental footprint it’s definitely inspiring! AllBirds has made this part of their design and promise. The merino wool uses 60% less energy than typical synthetic materials, their shoeboxes (which are so creative and fun) uses 40% less material than traditional shoe packaging, they’re involved in a Soles4Souls partnership, and are B-Corp certified. Now I know when most people are looking for sneakers, these aren’t really things people seek out for, BUT if you can get a shoe that looks great, feels amazing, and from a brand that aims to provide “better shoes in a better way” it’s an all around win! You guys have to try a pair out. With spring right around the corner, they’re the perfect sneaker to go sockless in and words cannot relay the comfort level on these! The fact that my son wore a pair of sneakers with no socks, says it all! 🙂

Reviews Style

3 Looks With Timberland

Posted on March 1, 2018

Ever since the 90’s I’ve been a fan of Timberland. It all started with that classic yellow boot. From Wu-tang and all my other favorite rappers during that time, rocking that boot, to my entire group of friends, it was definitely a style that we all loved. Now, 20 years later, the classic yellow boot is still a staple for Timberland, and for me, a boot that gives me that nostalgic feeling. I have an entire closet of shoes, half of them being boots, and Timberland has definitely always been among my collection throughout the years. Aside from the classic, my taste has also expanded. I’ve added a few other styles and have also used their hiking boots for work quite a bit!

This season I teamed up with Timberland to show you how I styled 3 different shoe silhouettes and how to cuff your pants for each shoe!

The first style is the classic Men’s 6-Inch Premium Waterproof Boot. I think this is probably Timberland’s most iconic boot they make. I styled it with a fitted denim and went with a traditional cuff that sits right around the top or right above the boot. This is actually how I style most boots…this simple double cuff just seems to work and look the best because it allows your pants to sit right above the top of the boot. I wore a distressed black hoodie, topped with this plaid coat and some clear framed aviators. I personally like how the yellow Timberland boot looks with more of a street style. I also kept the laces untied and on the looser side to play up that grungier vibe. Even thought this is the look I went with this time around, I’ve also seen these boots styled in more of a casual way…still with fitted jeans, but with a flannel or puffer jacket and I think it looks great as well. No matter the look though, I suggest that traditional cuff that sits right at the top of the boot!

Next up…the Timberland Men’s 2-Eye Boat Shoe. I love wearing boat shoes! They are super comfortable and despite what one says, I am in favor of wearing them all year round. Typically, I’m a no-sock guy – even in the winter sometimes. (don’t judge me LOL) But, since this boat shoe does have more of a summer look to them, the way I made them winter-ready is to actually throw on some socks and show them off. This time I put on a pair of looser fitting jeans and went with a loose, somewhat sloppy, half cuff. Almost like I wasn’t sure I even wanted to cuff my pants, kind of cuff LOL. Every cuff doesn’t have to be a double cuff or even a perfect cuff. Hey, sometimes I throw in a 90’s tight-roll from time to time! These jeans have a slight crop to them already, so that added half inch cuff, was just what I needed to show off my boat-shoe, sock-look even more. I like how the Timberland boat shoes gives my look a casual, yet a tad dressier vibe. Timberland also has these shoes with a rugged sole, that is also a perfect option for winter if you’re not comfortable wearing the traditional boat shoe during this season. They are actually next on my wishlist!

For the last style and my wife’s favorite, I styled the Timberland FlyRoam Leather Sport Chukka Shoes. Sometimes the best way to choose the right pants that go with a taller shoe or boot is to just ditch the cuff altogether and go with a cropped pant! It gives off the same look as a cuff, but with a cleaner line…so I went cropped this time around. These chukka shoes look more like an athletic high-top sneaker than a traditional chukka shoe that you might think of when you hear the word chukka. (it actually made me google the word Chukka LOL) When I wear this style shoe, I don’t really like the way regular length pants look at the top of the shoe. The pant leg bunches up and it tends to start looking bulky, and sometimes when you add a cuff, you are just adding to that bulkiness. These navy cropped pants that I went with were the perfect length to again fall right above the shoe, just where I like it. I kept the rest of the outfit pretty simple and just did a combination of blues, with a neutral shirt. I wore a cream flannel, topped with a denim jacket, and threw on some shades. The color of the Timberland Chukka shoes looked really great with the blue denim.

I think it’s safe to same I tend to cuff my pants more than I don’t, no matter what style shoe or boot I’m wearing. Play with the cuff to see what works. Whether it’s a classic double cuff, a single thicker cuff, a half-way sloppy cuff, or 90’s tight-role, most of the time, my goal is to aim towards my pant leg sitting right at the top of the shoe or boot…or a few inches above, if you’re going for that cropped boat-shoe look like I did!

Check out my feature on the Timberland Blog!

Family Reviews

Morning Routines With Folgers®

Posted on February 28, 2018

This post has been sponsored by Folgers Coffee. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As most of you know by now, besides blogging, my other full-time job is as a union electrician. My normal commute is about an hour each way and I have to be at the job site to start my day at 7 a.m. I do most of my blog writing, emails, and social media responses in bed late at night and usually end up staying up until about 11:30pm, right after I get in my last Friends rerun episode in LOL. I just can’t fall asleep without one! I don’t understand how anyone can even say they’re a morning person, but I definitely am not one – no matter what time I go to bed! Add that onto the fact that I don’t eat until about noon, due to the intermittent fasting diet that I’m on. So, you can see how I’d be irritable in the mornings LOL. One thing that really helps get me going in the morning and fulfill my morning food craving is a hot cup of coffee. I’ve never actually used a traditional coffee maker, so I make mine with the Folgers® K-Cup® Pods and my single serve coffee machine.

I don’t know how I ever survived without Folgers K-Cups and my single serve coffee machine system! I literally have the same routine every morning: get dressed, head downstairs, turn on my coffee machine and pop in one of my Folgers K-Cups, pack my lunch, start my car, pack up my tools, and by the time I’m done, my to-go cup of Folgers coffee is ready. I really look forward to my hot cup of coffee (while I listen to my sports radio) on the way down to work…it makes my commute that much more enjoyable.

I think it’s that familiar morning Folgers coffee scent and cozy taste that helps bring a comforting start to my morning. From my morning routine, to my wife’s mid-afternoon perk-up, to my son’s weekly chore, Folgers seems to be a part of all of our routines. Flavor wise, our favorites are the Morning Cafe and Classic Roast. From my morning routine, to my wife’s mid-afternoon pick-me-up, to my son’s weekly chore – Folgers seems to be a part of all of our routines.

Every Friday night is ShopRite night in my house. My family usually starts with an early pizza dinner, then we head to ShopRite for our grocery shopping! We actually make our shopping list in the order that the aisles are in. At our ShopRite, the Folgers K-Cups are in the 4th row, near the front of the store. Next time you’re at your local ShopRite, be sure to look out for a Folgers K-Cups $1 off digital coupon available with your ShopRite Price Plus® club card! I don’t know if it’s my age…but I’ve finally become a coupon guy LOL.

After we get home from ShopRite, it’s become my son’s job to put all of the Folgers K-Cups away in the drawer below. He takes this job very serious and makes sure to make all the little cups as neat as possible…sometimes he goes a little overboard and makes some sort of pattern. While we’re putting the rest of the groceries away, my wife and I are not allowed to look until he’s completely finished. But once we do, we have to make sure we “ooohh and ahhh”, about how good of a job he did. It’s the cutest thing and has now become a ritual.

Aside from my morning commute, some days I’ll come home from work and have a cup of coffee as well, while my son joins me with a cup of milk or hot cocoa in his own little mug. This is my time to get all of my school questions in for Nate, while we’re both relaxed on the couch, before he starts running up the walls and tuning me out LOL. It’s crazy to think I remember watching my dad sit back and relax after work, while drinking his coffee, and now here I am today, doing the same thing. I wonder if my son will one day be with his son thinking the same thing. Crazy to think that Folgers has actually been a part of family traditions since 1850! I mean, who hasn’t recited the famous “the best part of waking up…is Folgers in your cup”?!

Family Home

Valentine’s Day Gifting For Your Man With ProFlowers

Posted on February 8, 2018

Valentine’s day is one of the many days you get to show your love to that special someone in your life and is also one of the largest flower sending holidays. But let’s be honest…for the most part, it really has become a day for the man to buy his wife some roses and some jewelry. 90% of women have reported receiving flowers, and 53% of men report never receiving them. For some reason flower gifting is often perceived as a man’s chivalrous duty. Do women not think men want to feel the love too? Shivalry should be shared!!! My wife is a prime example of just that, and it all started the very first day we met. I was at the bar, that my wife worked at, with my friends and I was on the dance floor doing my thing to J.T. (Justin Timberlake). LOL When my wife saw me tearing it up, she had no choice but to make the first move and came up and started dancing with me. From that day on, it was history! Here we are now, 15 years later…married, house, kid, dog and all! Even though she made the first move, and still does with certain things from time to time, I must say, I am somewhat of a lovey dovey husband, and also love surprising her with special gifts, or just constantly telling her how beautiful she is, even when she just wakes up with hair a mess and retainers in mouth. LOL This Valentine’s Day, we partnered up with ProFlowers, and my wife flipped the script on me again by surprising me with this beautiful Golden Pothos Tabletop Plant from them. She knows I love the greens! And I’m really loving the idea of gifting a guy a plant for Valentine’s Day. It definitely falls in line with the same vibes as surprising your lady with some flowers, except a little more masculine 🙂 Not to mention, I’m trying to cut back on the chocolates! I love that this one comes in a geometrically modern pot and I love the grey & gold color combo. There was also a little more thought behind gifting me this plant. I actually have really bad allergies, so she opted for this plant from the ProFlowers Breathe Happier™ Collection – it actually has air purifying properties! Besides adding a little life and style to our room, it’s going to make me breathe a little happier too. Plus, this one is also easy to care for, which is much needed in our house, because our thumbs are not very green. It’s perfect on my nightstand, right near my head while I sleep. Thanks boo…I love it! Ladies, definitely consider making the first move this Valentine’s Day. ProFlowers has a great assortment of flowers, plants or sweets for your sweety. We may not show it, but like I said, us guys like to feel the love too from time to time! Take the initiative and surprise us! Fellas, this does not (and I repeat), does not mean you don’t spoil your significant other too. Make sure you always one up her no matter what! 🙂 And if you’re not in a relationship, I say spoil yourself! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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