Friday, October 3, 2014

Seven ways to tell if your suit fits

The folks at Esquire have put together a great list of seven ways to tell if your suit fits.  Remember how you wear it is much more important than what you wear!


1. Shoulder pads end with your shoulders.
2. Your flat hand should slip easily into your suit under the lapels when the top (or middle) button is fastened. If you put a fist in, the suit should pull at the button.
3. The top button of a two-button suit — or the middle button of a three-button suit — should not fall below your navel.
4. With your arms at your sides, your knuckles should be even with the bottom of your jacket.
5. Jacket sleeves should fall where the base of your thumb meets your wrist.
6. Between a quarter and a half inch of shirt cuff should be visible.
7. One inch of break.
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Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Five (5) Steps to Styling with Pomade

Pomade is a greasy or waxy substance that is used to style hair. Pomade makes hair look slick and shiny, and does not dry it out. It lasts longer than most hair care products, taking up to several washes to remove. The original pomade of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries consisted mainly of bear fat or lard. Lanolin, beeswax, and petroleum jelly have been used extensively in the manufacture of modern pomades. Stiffening properties of pomades make sculptured hairstyles such as the pompadour or quiff possible; while long lasting moisturizing properties make it popular with individuals with Afro-textured hair .

So now you know what Pomade is, but you’re wondering how do you make it work for you!

1.) Build Up Your Tolerance:
Just like anything going in or on your body for the first time, your body is going to react to it. Pomade, is no different. If you’re making the transition from no hair product usage, to pomade, do not rush it! Don’t just cake on your hair with palm full of pomade.

Gradually add pomade to your hair.  Chances are, your scalp is not used it having anything other than shampoo, conditioner, and the natural oils it produces on it.  If you go overboard, your scalp is going to react to it by producing oils to counter the greasy hair product. To avoid this, all you have to do is shower as you would. I don’t mean thoroughly wash out the pomade, as you’ll pretty much be going back to square one. I mean, if you shampoo your hair every other day or two, do just that. Depending on the pomade you’re using (if it’s a wax or petrolatum based pomade,) it won’t thoroughly wash out with ordinary shampoo. This way, you’re washing out small bits of pomade. Not a lot, but just enough to allow your scalp to relax and ease up on the oils.

2.) Skin Care:
Even if you don’t have acne, you may get an occasional white head or two if you don’t pay attention.  This will be made worse with Pomade so whenever you get pomade on your skin, wipe it off! Though mineral oil is known to have pore-clogging properties, even pomade without mineral oil can cause acne.

3.) Don’t Share Brushes:
Don’t share your brushes or combs!  If someone in your household doesn't use pomade, and you use their brush, well… if it isn't obvious, they’ll be having some unwanted pomade in their hair! Be prepared to have a whole new arsenal of hair styling tools.

4.) Combing Out Hairs:
On average, you lose about 100 hairs a day. Not at one single time, but throughout the day. Whether it’s putting on a shirt, turning over in bed, or even going on a walk- it doesn't matter what you’re doing, your hair naturally sheds itself without you knowing. But, since you’re now combing your hair, you’re taking notice to what’s in your comb and are panicking like crazy. Unless you've have 20 strands of hair in between two teeth of your comb, from one single swoop, you’ll have absolutely nothing to worry about.

5.) Styling:

You need to apply it right down to the roots, not just let it sit on top. You use your hands to apply it, a comb or brush to work it through, and a comb to style. Do it right and it’ll stay where you put it all day. 

Now you know the tricks to styling your hair with pomade!
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Friday, September 26, 2014

BirchBox League Football Box

Your fantasy team is over. Face it, AP was a stupid first pick any ways. While the whole country is catching the Fantasy Fever brands are quickly jumping on that ballin’ bandwagon. As such, Birchbox and FFX’s The League (The League: Season 1) have teamed up to create a box specifically for football fans come October.
It's a sweet box, you'll get a Jack Black hand cream and Lab Series face moisturizer would go quite well in my bathroom cabinet. Whiskey stones, Birchbox you know me so well.  

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Thursday, September 25, 2014

Build your own FREE Birchbox

BirchBox already gives you sick products at your door for $10/mo - $20/mo depending on if you are the fairer or grizzlier sex, but what if you could get your BirchBox for free? Lot's of people have been asking...

" How do I get a free BirchBox? "

You can! For Customer Appreciation Day, the SoHo store at 433 West Broadway will be giving away free BYOB (Build Your Own Birchboxes) all day, while supplies last. So you'll get to pack a box with five free products of your choice. (They open at 10 a.m., in case you want to get there early.) Say you can not make it to the store? 

Make sure you answer your phone, because subscribers will be selected at random to receive surprise gifts, chosen based on questions they answer about themselves. 

You can also nominate yourself or a friend to win a special delivery at BirchBox.com.


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Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Birch Box Fashionista Box (Women)

Birch Box has partnered up with fashion blog Fashion for a curated box. You may want one but the clock is ticking, though, so head on over to Birchbox today and enter the promo code "FASHION" to get your first month's haul hand-picked by yours truly.

Reviewers have said...
"I think this may be one of my best Birchboxes ever! I paid $10 for this box and received over $55 worth of products! (Plus no perfume samples or foil packets!) And I’m happy with the brands too. (And I love the new box packaging!)"

"I am really hoping that Birchbox continues with these collaboration boxes each month because I have been loving them."

It should be a good box as we all know that Fashion is one of the largest independent fashion news sites, Fashionista is a finely curated collection of fashion news, criticism and career advice. They are comfortable on the catwalk as it is in the aisles of Target.  

Fashionista produces daily smartly written business stories on the biggest brands, lively interviews with industry personalities and guidance on getting into and succeeding in all facets of the fashion world. As one of the most influential voices in the industry, Fashionista is an agenda-setter for the industry as well as influential fashion-focused consumers.  

Check out their new box!


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Monday, September 22, 2014

Birch Box Founders Interview

Huffington Post had an interesting interview with Birch Box founders Hayley Barna and Katia Beauchamp.  It's interesting to see behind the curtain some of the experiences that helped shape the company.  
On how life experiences have made them the leaders they are today?
Katia: I was really raised by my mother. She always encouraged me to talk about how I felt, and to realize it's not about what other people do to you; it's how you interpret things. Both as a leader and on a personal level, I learned how to take ownership of my emotions; it was in my control to be happy and to own my career path.

Hayley: I was a science geek in high school and doing independent science research was a helpful skill. It gave me the confidence to know that I could not only ask questions but I could also test things and find answers. It gave me confidence that I could be 17-years-old and contribute to science. My family was also an influence. My family has a family business and I was exposed to business conversations at the dinner table my whole life.
On highlights and challenges at Birchbox?
Katia: One of our biggest milestones happened just recently with the announcement of the opening of the first physical Birchbox retail store. It is such an exciting time as we are breaking away from the traditional brick-and-mortar-lite formula of developing a showroom for our online platform and instead creating a full-blown shopping and lifestyle "experience." On the other end, hiring and building a great team is the most challenging aspect but also the most rewarding. Looking up every day and seeing the incredible group at Birchbox inspires me to work harder and do justice to the idea and the team.

Hayley: One of the biggest challenges we faced early on was being able to see the bigger picture; it took us quite a while to realize that building a business is a marathon and not a sprint. In the early days, the intensity and stress level of our work was through the roof -- very little sleep, not much personal time. By building a team of talented people we have been able to find more balance and focus on the issues that matter most. Katia and I both agree that one of the greatest rewards in this journey has been building the Birchbox team and providing them a challenging and exciting environment to put their skills to work.
On Birchbox shaking up the beauty industry?
Katia: Birchbox has changed the way women and men shop for beauty, grooming and lifestyle products. We inspire new demand for products by making the shopping process both delightful and efficient. We do this by sending consumers customized boxes of samples while pairing it with personalized information on the site.

Hayley: Birchbox's discovery retail model introduced a new way for consumers to shop and discover new products online. This has enabled less-confident consumers to learn about products on their own time in the privacy of their own home. It has also allowed brands, both big and small, to connect with engaged and interested customers. We're growing the size of the beauty market by creating these connections.
On advice for those want to start their own business?
Katia: If you work hard, ask questions, and learn from every opportunity, you are going to have a fulfilling journey in your career. Be thoughtful of the people you work for including your manger. Find someone who is open and respects you. It makes work more enjoyable and gives you the opportunity to learn. Choose your manager over your industry. It is also highly important to remember to enjoy building your career. And yes, go to happy hour!

Hayley: In an early stage business, the most valuable thing you can do is learn. Always know what your top three priorities are and focus your limited resources on making progress in those areas. Any investment of time or money that doesn't help you get closer to an answer for your top questions or focus areas shouldn't be made. Do things yourself, whenever possible, and that way you'll learn more. Focus is key, and it should be directed at your customers and the product you're building to serve them.
More great stuff from the interview here.  To sign up for Birch Box for a steal go here
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Birch Box Store and Amex Small Business Saturday

Great announcement for Birch Box and Amex users this week.  Crains New York announces that...
"Several of New York’s popular tech retail brands want consumers to spend their money in actual stores this Saturday. Menswear brand Bonobos, beauty company Birchbox and Rent the Runway, a dress rental firm, have partnered with American Express’ U.S. Small Merchant Group for the first "Online’s Day Off" shopping event. The initiative, which is designed to bring attention to digital brands, plays off American Express' "Small Business Saturday," a similar program that takes place after Thanksgiving."

This is great news for those of you who have noted visited Birch Box's Soho physical store (yes they have a physical location).
 
Katia Beauchamp, noted that...
"in addition to streaming videos and selling products, her new store also offers weekly evening classes, "à la the Apple store" for beauty trends, like how to do a fishtail braid. Such initiatives help to further attract customers and build the brand. She noted that "it’s too early to tell [if opening a store] has redefined our strategy," but said that the store does provide a lot of data about consumers."

An interesting day indeed.
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Friday, August 15, 2014

July 2014 Men's Birch Box Review


I have to say the Ursa Major is pretty nice.  


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Thursday, May 1, 2014

Birch Box Review April - “Spring Fever” Box

Great little box this month!

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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Men's March 2014 Birch Box Review


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Friday, March 7, 2014

Men's February 2014 Birch Box Review

I know that this is last month's men's Birch Box but there is some really cool stuff in it!  Enjoy!



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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

February 2014 Womens Birch Box Review





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Monday, February 10, 2014

What comes in a Men's Birch Box January 2014





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Thursday, January 30, 2014

Crew Precision Shave Gel Review

So this blog is usually about showing off what comes in a Birch Box (I'll be the first to admit I've been slacking on this front) but I figured I would veer off course a bit and show you what I got from rating stuff!  So every item on Birch Box that you rate gives you 10 points.  Once you get 10 of those 10 points (100 points for you math geeks) you can turn it in for $10 in Birch Box product in their store!  So after reviewing lots of previous Men's Birch Boxes I wanted to review a Birch Box points purchase and I decided to get some crew shave gel as I just ran out of the other shaving cream I had.

I've never used Crew shave products but have used their hair products (shampoo and styling gunk).  This definitely did not disappoint.  A great overall shave, as you would expect!
 

 
 
 
 
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Friday, January 24, 2014

What comes in a Mens Birch Box?

Some examples of what we've seen come through over the last few months...

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Saturday, November 23, 2013

Best Gifts for Guys 2013 at Your Price Point $50 $100 $250 $500

Under $50
You're dude in an entertainment buff you say?  Well the Roku LT delivers all the streaming entertainment choices, HD video quality, and ease-of-use that Roku is known for, at an amazing price. Enjoy 600+ channels from all the top sources such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Pandora, HBO GO and MLB. Includes one-stop search. There’s even a free app for iOS and Android. The product has warranty of 90 days.  It's easy to use and it gets you online and watching awesome stuff in no time! 
 
Bule Snowball Microphone ($50)
Finally, a USB mic that's not only easy to use, but sounds as good on your desktop as it does in a professional recording studio. Meet the Snowball iCE: an affordable, easy-to-use version of the world's first professional USB mic. Whether you're recording a guitar at your kitchen table or a complete band in the studio, the Snowball iCE can capture it with detail unheard of before in a USB mic.  It's never been easier to get high quality audio with your computer. Home, office, anywhere--the Snowball iCE USB microphone delivers audio quality that's light years ahead of your computer's built-in microphone.  Add HD audio to recordings for YouTube, SoundCloud, Myspace, and more. Improve audio quality on Skype, Windows Live, Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, and other chat programs. Record instruments, vocals, or bands. Create podcasts and add narration to your home movies.  The custom condenser capsule offers crystal-clear audio, with easy plug-and-play connection directly to your Mac or PC--no drivers to install. An adjustable desktop mic stand and USB cable are included for quick connection and setup. From your desktop PC to laptop to iPad and more, Snowball iCE works where you do.
 
Under $100
SteriPEN Ultra Handheld Water Purifier ($80)
So your dude is kind of a health nut?  Maybe you should get him one of the coolest developments in clean water then.  SteriPEN's Ultra Portable Water Purifier is one of the most advanced UV water purifiers in the world, delivering a seamless user experience. Use it for safe travel and backpacking or you can have safe drinking water anywhere, anytime! Just push the button, place lamp in water and stir for until you see the LED display (a smile face) indicator your water is purified. SteriPEN uses UV light rays instead of chemicals to purify water for drinking. Ultraviolet (UV-C) light rays safely sterilize clear water by destroying 99.99% of protozoa (including Giardia and Cryptosporidia), bacteria and even viruses. Rechargeable for up to 8,000 liters, Ultra will deliver around 50 liters of UV purification before needing to power up.   He'll keep drinking clear with up to 50 treatments per charge!
 
 
Nuforce MMP-BLACK HIGH POWER Portable Headphone Amplifier ($60)
So you're dude has a phat  set of beats but his cell phone puts out predictably mediocre power to create the audio quilt he desires.  Well slap this little guy in the middle and watch his frown turn upside down!  Headphones present a definite challenge to amplifier designers and the problem is only made worse in the case of portable playback devices. Given the range of available OE and IE headphones, in attempting to accommodate them all, your mobile device's headphone output is optimized for none. Lower sensitivity OE headphones often require ten times more power to achieve the same volume as the typical IE type. The MMP will provide the kind of clean, high power to your quality OE headphones that will make them truly come alive.


Fit Bit ($90)
So your dude works hard but he also likes t play hard?  Well maybe he would like a fit bit, thee coolest new thing in personal health care.  Fitness means being active, sleeping well, and eating smarter and the Fitbit one helps you do all three. During the day, it tracks your steps, distance, calories burned and stairs climbed. Come nightfall, it measures your sleep cycle to help you see how to sleep better and it can even wake you in the morning without waking your partner. Your stats upload wirelessly via computer, or select Bluetooth 4.0 devices (like the iPhone 4S). Powered by your stats, you can set goals, and track progress. Stay motivated by earning badges or connecting with friends for support or friendly competitions. Log food, workouts and more. Bring greater fitness into your life seamlessly, socially, 24 hours a day.  
 

Klipsch A5i Sport Headphones ($69)
Add a soundtrack to your soul with the A5i Sport headphones. A lightweight, flex wire design keeps our comfort-fit oval ear tips secured, so you can keep pace and stay connected with the performance. Take the legendary Klipsch sound wherever the road, trail or treadmill takes you.  All Sport In-Ear Headphones That Stay Put.  Lightweight, moisture/sweat resistant headphone stays in place during your toughest workout. Secure fit design gently wraps around your ear for stable fit that won’t fall out. Customizable flex wire design, allows you to position the headphone so you find the perfect fit.


Under $250
GOProd Hero 3 ($199)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F3F0GLU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00F3F0GLU&linkCode=as2&tag=roge-20Your dude is kind of a bad ass.  When he gets off a long hard day of work he relaxes by doing something even more strenuous, like hitting the slopes, trails  or pavement?  He would probably love a GOPro then.  I bet you didn't know that there is one available for under $200 did you? The GOPro Hero 3 is Shockproof and waterproof to 197' (60m), and proven in heavy surf from Tahiti to Northern California and everywhere in between, GoPro cameras can handle it thanks their highly engineered polycarbonate exoskeletal housing. Ready for action—from scuba diving to dirt track racing, and tough enough to take a spin across the asphalt or launch into space, GoPros are built to take a beating and keep filming. Replacement lens kits and housings are available, so there’s little worry while going for glory—even while diving with sharks.  And if you want to spring for the big boy, you can always take a look at this guy.  And if you need an accessory, consider tacking on the camera extender for $35.


LX Dual Side-by-Side Arm Monitor Stand ($219)
Your guy is one of those creative types that uses a computer with lots of screen real-estate to create.  Maybe it's movies, music or even financial transactions... either way it's causing way to many monitors on his desk.  The side by side cleans up the desk creates a productive multi-display workspace that lifts screens to where they’re easier to see while reclaiming valuable worksurface. Reposition your LCDs with just a touch. Up. Down. Forward. Back.  Bad ass way to make work easier!  Patented CF motion technology provides effortless display-position adjustment.  Cable management feature routes cables under the arm, out of the way.  Passes Ergotron’s 10,000-cycle motion test, which ensures years of trouble-free height adjustment. This means it’s tested to perform 10 times the expected life-cycle of other competitive brands
 
 
Under $500
This speaker is sexy, no was around it.  It would like great on your dude's desk or tucked away in the back of the den.  High frequencies are rendered silky and natural by a pair of edge-driven, wide dispersion 19mm soft dome tweeters optimally positioned on the front baffle to create a wide, realistic soundstage that rides high and free above the box. DSP-Controlled Digital Amplifier The Wren V5 is powered by Intersil's D2 Audio DSP-controlled digital amplifier with 50 watts of real power. Our DSP optimization allows you to play louder with more bass and less distortion. Wren enhances the soundstage, not with psychoacoustic tricks but traditional loudspeaker engineering that produces a big, lifelike image from a small system. Solid Anti-Resonance Enclosure Beneath the beautiful wood veneers, the Wren V5 cabinet is constructed of half-inch thick MDF board constructed by laminating layers together and reinforced with an internal MDF brace to provide a chassis free from resonance and coloration.


Beats by Dre ($299)
Your dude has ears, and he needs to cover them with something cool and fill them with something loud!  Why not get him the cans that 100% of the Dr.'s in NWA recommend? The world’s most famous headphone has been completely redesigned and reimagined. The new Beats Studio is lighter, sexier, stronger, and more comfortable, with precision sound, Adaptive Noise Canceling, a 20-hour rechargeable battery, and RemoteTalk. They have all the energy and excitement you expect from Beats, plus a powerful, reengineered sound. So even if he has an old dusty pair on his shelf, he woud probably love a new pair, if for nothing less than the color options!


Tom Tom Multi-Sport GPS Watch  ($300)
So your dude is a runner, swimmer or some other type of athlete?  Whether you're running, cycling or swimming, TomTom has a range of GPS watches and accessories to help you achieve your goals. With TomTom Multi-Sport, see your detailed running, cycling, and swimming metrics at-a-glance to stay motivated and reach your running goals.   For a multi-sport watch it is very thin and light. It is easy to install the software and the heart rate monitor synced up quickly as well as the GPS link.  Besides that, it's a sexy watch that your dude will be proud to wear to work pre run. 
 
 

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Saturday, November 9, 2013

November Women's Birch Box Review

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