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Archive
Archive for the ‘Style Guide’ Category
Here are a few tips to maintain the great look of your custom dress shirts:
1. Go Grey: Wear a grey undershirt or t-shirt under white dress shirts. It more easily matches your skin tone and is less visible than white on white.
2. Remove that Ink Stain: If you get pen ink on your shirt, follow these steps to remove it. (1) Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and vinegar in a bowl and dab the mixture directly on the stain, leaving it on for at least 5 minutes. (2) Cover the affected area with table salt, leave it for about 5 minutes, then gently scrub the stain with a clean toothbrush. (3) Rinse with hot water until the stain is completely lifted. (4) Wash or dry clean the shirt to get it looking good as new.
3. No Iron? No Problem: Here are a couple solutions to remove wrinkles if you don't have an iron handy. (1) Boil water in a metal pot, pour it out, and use the bottom of the hot pot to smooth out the shirt. (2) Boil water in a kettle and hold your shirt above the steam to get rid of any creases. (3) Hang your shirt in the bathroom while you take a hot shower.
Book your next appointment for custom shirts, suits, and accessories today!
It's time to get a new linen shirt for the summer. Linen is breathable, absorbent, and a great casual option for the hot weather and weekends. Click on your favorite and order today.

How to Clean a Suit
Most common cleaning mistake is taking your suit to the Dry Cleaners too many times. It is advised that you do not dry-clean your suit unless you really need to. The chemicals will over time damage the wool and they will weaken and breakdown. We recommend asking the cleaners to "steam press only" and not dry clean - price should be half the dry cleaning price. We also noticed that "organic" cleaning has a tendency to shrink the lining, which will distort the suit.
Wool is stain resistant in that it does not absorb liquid readily. However, you must wipe up stains immediately or else it will be absorbed. A proper clothes brush (below) will help remove stains or marks.
Other Tips:
Storing - When storing your garment, it is imperative to prevent from moths. Make sure your suit is clean and store with moth balls and cedar chips to both kill and repel any insects. Make sure the moth balls do not come in direct contact with the wool.
Shine - If you do get a shiny spot from ironing wool, spray it with a little distilled white vinegar. This should remove the shine. Rinse with cool water to get rid of any vinegar smell.
Wrinkles - Wool will shed wrinkles naturally, if given the chance. For a wool item that is wrinkled, hang the suit up and place in a steamy bathroom (easily done by running the hot shower for a few moments), and wrinkles should fall out easily. However, it is not the same as getting it pressed from the cleaners.
Summer Suit - Seersucker
Seersucker is a thin, puckered, all-cotton fabric, commonly striped or checked, used to make clothing for spring and summer wear. Seersucker is woven in such a way that some threads bunch together, giving the fabric a wrinkled appearance in places.
During the British colonial period, seersucker was a popular material in Britain's warm weather colonies like British India. When seersucker was first introduced in the United States, the material was considered a mainstay of the summer wardrobe of gentlemen, especially in the South, who favored the light fabric in the high heat and humidity of the summer.

In time for Spring/Summer, We have nine different colors for you.
February 17th, 2015
admin
New Partnership - Savile Row Society

At Savile Row Society (SRS) you work with a stylist to get the look you want! Their professional stylists create outfits that match your style perfectly. There is no cost for their styling services, just the cost of the clothes you buy.
SRS is offering friends of Alexander West $50 off their first purchase of $250 or more once you create an account. CLICK HERE to get started!
* Alexander West will be making custom suits and shirts for SRS clients.
Wedding Suit Ideas
Do you have a wedding coming up or know someone who does? We put together some wedding suit ideas that are a bit different from the norm.
Remember, if you like any of the below ideas or find inspirations from magazines, email or contact us and we will work with you to create your ideal suit.
This ensemble reminds me of a british debonair in the countryside during the fall.
- I am a fan of the subtle dark brown and light blue check pattern on a brown glen plaid fabric.
- Love the matching bow tie as it exudes a fun and friendly personality
- Light blue check pattern on the suit complements well with the light blue shirt.
- Usually, the white collar on a blue shirt is very "banker" like, but on this occasion, the suit pattern and bow tie goes well with the white shirt collar.
- The polka dot pocket square exudes fun and the light tan color doesn't stand out from rest of the suit. There are a lot of different patterns here, so it is important that all the elements work together and do not clash.
This is a three-piece gray suit with a tint of brown.
- Well fitting three-piece suit is a classic ensemble.
- Note that he is not wearing a belt, so there is no bulky accessory in the middle
- Love the dark brown shoes
There are two things that I would change:
- One, I would change to plain bottom cuff
- Two, on the vest, you can see a little bit of the white shirt right below the last vest button. I see this in many magazine spreads and it is just wrong. My theory for this common mistake is that pants have a lower rise these days and the general pattern on the vest hasn't caught up with the times.
This would be a great summer wedding suit.
- He is wearing a three piece suit
- The groom's blue eyes pair very nicely with the royal blue suit. He also has light colored hair, so it is better to pick a light colored suit than a dark suit.
- There are minimal colors at work here. Royal blue on the suit and navy/white tie. White on the flower, shirt and pocket square. That is it. Simple and classic.
- I like the peak lapels as they are more distinct and more fashion forward than the notch lapel.
- The suit is a bit tight on him on the waist and sleeves. It is pulling a bit too much.
What is not to like about this suit? Love the combination of blue and grey vest.
- Important point here is the shade of blue, which has a shade of gray, so it matches very well with the light grey.
- Fan of the peak lapel and ticket pocket
- Matching vest, pocket square and bow tie
- Bow tie adds flair and classic vibe to any wardrobe
At Alexander West, we make custom shirts, suits, tuxedos, ties and pocket squares. Only custom!
What is the difference between a black and white tie event? Well, below are the rules!
Most of our clients are familiar with the Four-In-Hand, Half-Windsor or Full-Windsor. Well, there are 15 other documented ways to tie your knot. Which knot is YOU?
Were you ever frustrated with the tie being too short or too long? Did you look everywhere for the perfect slim navy matte tie? Search no further, Alexander West is launching our custom tie collection.
In addition to choosing your tie fabric, you can also specify:
1. Length - off the rack ties usually range between 58 and 60 inches.
2. Width - 1.75" modern slim tie to the traditional 3.5" width ties
3. Your initials on a metal link
How Do I Determine the Correct Tie Size?
Tie length will depend on your torso length and not necessarily on your height.
There are three main factors to focus on, your personal style preference, body type and suit lapel width.
Personal Preference
1.75" - Considered to be more fashion forward. It is difficult to justify a tie
less than 1.75" since it can look out of place
2.25" to 2.75" - Modern men who appreciate slim fitting (aka European cut) suits and shirts
3" to 3.25" - Modern and elegant, yet not conservative
3.5"-3.75" - Traditional / Conservative
Matching Your Suit Lapel

A rule of thumb if you are after a classic business style, is that the tie should be as wide as the lapel of the suit you are wearing it with.
At Alexander West, we can easily match your tie width with your suit lapel width.
Body Type
Tie width should also consider your body type. For example, an ultra skinny tie on a person with a 18" neck and 48" chest throws off the correct proportion by over emphasizing the head and upper torso.
We found a great illustration below that shows correct as well as ill-fitting jackets and pants. We take great care and attention to make sure all of our clients have well tailored clothes.

On the length of the jacket. Since people have different torso and arm lengths, it is better to look at the person's height minus the head and neck for a proper balance. Also, pants length is determined by shoes type, width of the pants cuff and your ideal style.
"Sport coat may be worn on less formal occasions than a suit would be. Also, it is designed to be worn on its own, without matching trousers, and does not come as part of a suit. Styles, fabrics, colours and patterns are also more varied than in most suits; sturdier and thicker fabrics may be used, such as corduroy, suede, denim, leather, and tweed.
Originally, sports coats were worn as casual attire for hunting and other outdoor sports (hence the name). With time, they came to be used on more formal occasions, sometimes being used in school uniforms as at Summer Fields School in England." - Wikipedia
Be creative with pairing. For example, famous UK IT guy Andrew Collins pairs sport coat with jeans and orange GUNNAR glasses. May seem like an odd combination, but it looks unusual and catches attention.
Also, we just received a set of beautiful sport coat fabrics from Europe. You know where to find us!
Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to introduce our lovely couple, Jen and Take!
Take has been a client of ours for five years and had this handsome three-piece light grey wool peak lapel suit made especially for his wedding day.
If you or someone you know has a wedding coming up soon, we'd be honored to help them look and feel this good on the happiest day of their lives.

Usually, picking your fabric for your next Alexander West suit is easy: Grey, Navy, stripes, small checks, or solids. You choose what your business dictates. BUT, when it comes down to picking out the lining fabric,quite a few clients let their true colors (pun intended) shine! We invite you to come see not only our suit fabric selection, but our lining selection as well. You may be surprised to see what you'll find- a perfectly fitted business suit fully lined with personality!

Truly no ordinary briefcase, Contango Goods' Axton is crafted in NYC from surprisingly soft oiled leather, English bridle leather handles, cotton flannel lining, and industrial grade rivets and zippers. The full grain leather will develop a patina that can be buffed out with the tips of your fingers. The slim design and superior quality of this innovative take on the classic briefcase far outweighs it's price: $375. Available in Brown or Black at the Alexander West showroom.
If you are interested in seeing other cool fashion items I suggest you to take a look at Instyle.com and GadgetHit Fashion Gadgets for more fashion-tech things. There are also several fashion blogs to get inspiration from.
Because a tuxedo is meant to be formal wear, it should differ greatly in style and detail from your business suit. We have put together some points to consider when designing your tuxedo:
Let's start with the jacket lapels. Because the notch lapel is closely associated with business suits, we suggest choosing a peak lapel or a shawl collar for your tuxedo. This will automatically distinguish the jacket from regular business attire. We suggest the traditional 1-button single-breasted style. It is customary to exclude pocket flaps at the waist on a tuxedo jacket, leaving the welt detail only, and trimmed in the same silk as the lapel. There will be no vent opening at the back of the jacket for a more polished appearance, but if a vent is necessary a double (side) vent is more appropriate. Buttons on the front of the jacket and at the sleeve are covered in the same silk as the lapels. A chest pocket is customary with a tuxedo jacket.
The major style difference for tuxedo pants is the elegant silk stripe (or "braid") covering the side seam. This stripe is made from the same silk as the jacket lapel. The waistband only includes side tabs, and not beltloops, so fitting the waistband very closely is important*. The hem of the pants are plain and without cuffs for an elegant finish. The fabric for the pants should match the fabric of the jacket. If you're considering a white tuxedo jacket for warm weather occasions, we suggest darkest navy blue pants to pair with your jacket.
You have the option of including a vest with your tuxedo design. The purpose of the vest is the same as a cumberbund, to cover the waistband and keep you from exposing a bit of shirt above the waistband.
A tuxedo is both a luxury and a necessity for a gentleman. We will help you get your gentleman on when you come in for a fitting.
*Even though you wont be able to wear a belt, you can always opt for braces/suspenders to wear with your tuxedo.
Craig Skiptunis, an AW client since January 2010, owns and manages Bistro 1018 in the charming neighborhood of Bloomingdale in uptown Manhattan.
Craig began working in kitchens and restaurants at a young age and realized that he had a talent for restaurant management and love of food. In 2001, he opened Bistro 1018 (named for its street address on 1018 Amsterdam Avenue).
"We're more of a neighborhood restaurant.... with our fireplace and patina'd ambiance, we've created a casual atmosphere that where people like to come to socialize or have business meetings over great food. Our customer's tastes helps inform our menu, and they enjoy bistro style food that makes creative use of fresh local ingredients."
As a benefit to our esteemed AW clients, Craig is generously offering a 20% discount on your next visit to Bistro 1018 - simply mention Alexander West when you arrive. Craig suggests trying their Braised Berkshire Pork Shoulder, served au jus with rosemary gremolata and black eyed peas.
Bistro 1018
1018 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, 10025
212-662-7600 | www.bistroten18.com

Your suit coat is probably too long. We've recently seen quite a few suit coats that reach to the middle of a client's thigh. Traditionally, a suit coat's length is determined by dividing the body in half (from neck base to shoes). The Alexander West Modern suit has a more modern length - slightly shorter than the traditional length. Our AW Modern length doesn't let the suit coat overwhelm the body, which makes the torso look long; it extends the leg line by exposing more of the pants, thus making you look taller and skinnier.
Because every body is different, we will work with you to determine the ideal length for you when you come in for a fitting.
February 18th, 2014
admin
Sal Rizzo had been a custom shirt client of ours for years, before we designed a custom shirt for his wedding. Sal owns and operates the DeGustibus Cooking School (if you've been inside Macy's Herald Square, you may have seen it), and has been in the culinary world for over 25 years. His passion involves promoting the culinary arts and creating an environment where people can come together and share incredible experiences centered around food and wine, which Sal does with gusto.
The DeGustibus School brings cooking to life with an ever changing roster of chefs and classes, and some of their past chefs are household names (ie Mario Batali, Anthony Bourdain). Meet Sal at DeGustibus and tell him we sent you!
DeGustibus Cooking School
Macy's Herald Square
151 West 34th St., 8th Floor
New York, NY
212-239-1652
info@degustibusnyc.com
Our new clients, Armando and Matt, came to us via a client referral after unsuccessfully shopping at department stores for their wedding in Nov 2013. They came to us with their vision for their big day and the suits they wanted, more "classy than flashy" but with a fun twist - Armando's 3-piece suit would have 2 lining colors: a dark polka dot to match the jacket and a contrasting pink panel on the vest. It is this kind of creative detail that makes a beautiful suit truly "yours". We wish them a lifetime of happiness and looking great!
Envisioning a special style for your wedding or need a new perfect fitting suit? Let's set your appointment!
Note: For the first AW suit, we are averaging 3 fittings. It is the refinement process after the first fitting that will distinguish an Alexander West suit from others. Please allow appropriate lead time for special events orders.
December 17th, 2013
admin
"DEAR ALEX"
"I lost a lot of weight recently and my old suits look pretty awful. They're really boxy and I don't care for that look anymore especially now I'm so much smaller. " - JDC, Greenwich CT

When tailoring a jacket (or "coat", which is the proper term), we suggest a low button stance as shown on the right (in addition to proper fitting waist). The depth of the button stance creates a deep "V" shape which broadens the shoulders and chest and narrows the waist. Conversely, a high button stance doesn't create the deep "V" shape, and broadens the mid section of the coat - giving the illusion of a larger body underneath. During your fitting we will work with you to place that top button in order to create the shape that will best enhance your body shape.
December 17th, 2013
admin

Our client, Matt Kolmes, and his lovely bride Jenny pose for this beautiful tropical wedding photo. Matt came to us because he wanted a suit appropriate for his Hawaiian wedding- a lightweight wool in a warm sand shade ideal for beating the tropical sun but also doesn't look out of place in Hawaii's natural beauty. We wish them a lifetime of happiness and looking great!
Contemplating a destination wedding or need the perfect fitting suit ? Let's set your appointment! For the first suit, we are averaging 2.8 fittings. It is the refinement after the first cut that will distinguish an Alexander West suit from others.
"DEAR ALEX"
"I got a new job and now I have to wear a suit to work but can't figure out how to wear a striped suit with my favorite check (pattern) shirts . Blogs I read have too much info and I don't want to stand out like that. How do I wear my shirts to the office with a suit and tie?" - MN, Manhattan
Putting a suit, shirt, and tie together can seem like an opportunity to make a wardrobe mistake, but if you read along with last month's entry about pairing pattern and color, this will be easy. There's a formula to putting together a good match - "2+1 and you're Done." Repeat: 2+1 and you're DONE. You will work with (a) two solid fabrics and one patterned fabric, or (2) two patterned fabrics and 1 solid fabric.
a. 1 patterned suit + 1 patterned tie + 1 solid shirt or
b. 1 solid suit + 1 solid shirt + 1 patterned tie or
c. 1 patterned suit + 1 patterned shirt + 1 solid tie.
The keys to this formula are:
a. Making sure that when you're working with two patterns, one of those patterns is significantly larger than the other
b. The colors you're pairing are similar (but they don't have to match exactly).
Take a look at some of the examples below:
1 Patterned Suit + 1 Patterned Tie + 1 Solid Shirt

EXAMPLE B:
1 Solid Suit + 1 Solid Shirt + 1 Patterned Tie
EXAMPLE C:
1 Patterned Suit + 1 Patterned Shirt + 1 Solid Tie
EXAMPLE D:
1 Solid Suit + 1 Patterned Shirt + 1 Patterned Tie
I sat down with Philip Weisner of Kestenbaum & Weisner to learn about his jewelry business. He is a third generation jeweler and he has been in the business for more than 30 years.
I first met Philip in 2011 at John Allan's when I had a pop-up shop there. He was originally an Ascot Chang client but I was able to convince him to give Alexander West a try. Philip's natural preference was for white and blue solid shirts only, but I nudged him to branch out to lavender, yellow and other more interesting patterns. Naturally, they looked great on him!
There are many choices for buying diamond rings and jewelry in New York. What separates Phil from the rest is that he is a relaxed, friendly and trusted jeweler. He has a hard working, traditional work ethic, and believes that if you make a customer happy, you'll have that customer for life. In fact he has many stories of multiple generations of the same family purchasing engagement rings from him!
Mention that you are an Alexander West client and Phil promised me that he would welcome you with the same outstanding service that he would give me. Click on the video link below to learn more about him, and to hear some sage advice on purchasing jewelry.
Kestenbaum and Weisner is located right on 5th Ave. and 47th Street, near Rockerfeller Center and the diamond district.
Kestenbaum & Weisner
582 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
T: 212.921.1224
M: 914.772.5687
pjw1118@gmail.com
* Video was produced by an AW Client, Daniel Kwak. If you need any video work, you can email him at dkwak@mac.com. Please mention AW for special pricing.
"DEAR ALEX"
"What are the rules for pairing shirts and ties? I always feel like I'm going to make a mistake and look bad at work" - TPM, Manhattan
Building on last month's entry of pairing shirts and ties of different scales, this month we're going to focus on highlighting different colors in a shirt so you get more use from the same shirt. We will use shirts with a small pattern and a tie with a larger pattern or a solid color. All the information here will apply to striped shirts.
Helpful hint: DON'T worry if the colors aren't an exact match. They should be close, but don't stress out about it. The human eye adjusts to see the colors as the same.
Take a look at some of the examples below:
EXAMPLE 1: This shirt has a dominant burgundy check with a grey check underneath. The solid burgundy tie highlights the burgundy check (light shirt and dark tie).
EXAMPLE 2: Same shirt as above, but paired with a navy tie that has a similar (but not exact) burgundy color stripe. The 2 burgundy colors in the shirt and tie make this pair a good match. The thick navy stripe is a nice offset to the small check pattern and once again, tie is dark and the shirt is light.
EXAMPLE 3: A light red check shirt paired with a burgundy tie. Light red and burgundy are both shades of the color red. Two shades of the same color are a good match.
This also applies to shades of blue and purple/lavender. Once again, light patterned shirt and a solid, dark tie.
EXAMPLE 4: This shirt has both a blue check and a pink check. The dark navy blue tie highlights the light blue in the shirt. Also, the scale of the stripe in the tie is larger than the small check, making this a good match. Again, light shirt and dark tie (we are emphasizing this point here.)
EXAMPLE 5: Same shirt as above, but paired with a pink tie. The pink in the shirt is highlighted. The large pattern tie and small pattern shirt make this a good match.
EXAMPLE 6: STOP! TOO MUCH! - This is an example of a good color match, but the pair is too graphic and not appropriate for work. The 2 patterns don't create an elegant match even though the colors are paired nicely. It is too "busy."
Let's review our tips again.
1. SCALE: Shirt or tie should have a larger pattern. Easy route is to pair a small patterned shirt with a larger scale tie.
2. Light Shirt and Dark Tie: Generally, you should opt for light colored dress shirts and pair them with dark ties.
3. Highlighting a Shirt Color: Use the tie color to match with one of the colors from the shirt.
September 9th, 2013
admin
"DEAR ALEX"
"What are the rules for pairing shirts and ties? I always feel like I'm going to make a mistake and look bad at work" - TPM, Manhattan
Rule #1: It is all about the scale. Either the shirt or the tie should have a larger pattern. The easy route is to pair a small patterned shirt with a large scale tie.
Rule #2: Pair a light colored shirt with a dark colored tie. When wearing a tie in a conservative office setting, you should opt for light colored dress shirts: white, blue, light pink, and light lavender and match it with a more saturated or darker colored tie.
Take a look at some of the examples below:
EXAMPLE 1: Rule #1 - Shirt has thin stripes and tie has larger stripes. Rule #2 - Shirt is lighter than the tie.
EXAMPLE 2: Rule #1 - Shirt has thin stripes and tie has a larger pattern.
Rule #2 - Shirt is lighter than the tie.
EXAMPLE 3: Rule #1 - Shirt has a small scale check pattern and tie has larger stripes. Rule #2 - Shirt is lighter than the tie.
Pretty simple! Tie pattern should be larger and darker than the shirt pattern and color. If the patterns are too close in scale and color, people will have a tough time looking at you.
Next month, we will review some classic color combinations between shirts and ties. Also, please send us your style and fit questions and we will do our best to answer them.
"DEAR ALEX"
"I've been having my office shirts made with you for a few years, and I wanted to know if you would do my casual shirts too. The body fits great but the shirt is way too long to wear untucked (my girlfriend laughs at it, seriously). Can you tell me what would have to change on my shirts so I could make this happen? And, what kind of casual fabrics do you have, I always look for office shirts. Thanks, let me know." - AJ, Manhattan
AJ, we will adjust the back length if you are planning to untuck your shirt. We have found that taking 1.5 to 2.5 inches off the back length will give you a good length for untucking, but we'll work with you to determine the exact length decrease. One major issue with untucking your "office" shirt is that a longer shirt makes your torso look longer and your legs shorter - it throws off the vertical balance.
We can also lower the bottom curve height (aka "hip rise" - see illustration). This helps the sides of the shirt from exposing your skin when you are moving and/or bending over. We also recommend making the waist measurement larger for a more subtle torso silhouette.
Some other changes and features related to a casual cut shirt are below:
- Add back side pleats for more comfort
- Adjust the collar point length. Shorter collar points give off a more casual feel, and this subtle detail may add a needed punch to your wardrobe. Also, button-down collars are always casual.
- Choose a fabric with two or more colors, because increase in color count will make the shirt more casual. Also, checks are more casual than stripes and bigger and bolder patterns are more casual than subtle and thin patterns.
You guys are the perfect fit, why shouldn't your wedding shirts fit just as perfectly? Our featured couple, Gary and Sal, had shopped for weeks for the ideal shirts for their wedding when they decided to ask us to help them create their shirts.

Your wedding day is all about expressing your love and personality, and custom shirts are an important facet in the planning of your big day. If your wedding is a formal grand event or a casual destination affair, we will create shirts to your taste and accommodate special requests that will make your shirts reflect your personality.
New York city's concrete jungle can be a little difficult during the summer. The humidity and temperature will leave a lasting impression on your shirts.
"What's the best way to get these stains out?"
Some of the answers are a bit surprising*:
1. Aspirin - Crush two aspirins and mix the powder in 1/2 cup of warm water. Soak the stained part of the shirt in the solution for two to three hours and rinse
2. Lemon Juice - Create a mix of lemon juice (or white vinegar) and water and rub the solution into the stained area of the shirt.
Hope it helps!
*RD.com
With the US Open right around the corner, we have compiled a few local places to practice our killer back-hands, ace worthy serves, slicing fore-hands, and torpedo volleys. Even if you don't rank with the USTA these courts make you feel like a pro. 
1. Central park. Nice clay courts. Rules for shoes (smooth-soles)
and reserving courts are strict, but with a permit ($200) reserving is pretty easy, do it a few days in advance. Get there 10 before the hour or they give away your court. You can reserve one court for singles for 1 hour (only one person needs a permit) or one court for doubles for 2 hours (two people need permits). Costs $15 to play. Each person. Courts are open from April to November.
2. Roosevelt Island Racquet Club. Not that hard to get to -- the F train one stop from Manhattan or the tram. Nice, clean facility-- not high end nice but very comfortable. Rates are cheaper than the
other indoor/winter courts. And lots of room on the court to play. No strict shoe guidelines.
3. Sutton. Not open in the spring/summer. Good courts, not much facility available. Very expensive. Clay. Indoor.
4. Midtown Tennis. Indoor, clay. Fair and fairly inexpensive. Not a lot of room to play, so you or your partner better have good aim.
5. Gotham, up in the Bronx. Plenty of hard indoor courts.
6. Randalls Island has some courts too. Difficult to get to, and pricey. So plan ahead.
photo courtesy of gogo-tennis.com
With a month left of summer, we're taking or making our last minute travel plans. Maybe it's your first, maybe you're still figuring out how to travel seamlessly and efficiently as possible. Every well seasoned traveler always keeps a well stocked dopkit In their closet. For those impromptu business trips, a quick dash out of the city, or a long haul to the Andes. The best thing about a dopkit is you can stash it in your carry on. God forbid if your luggage gets lost at least you can smell great and have the necessities to freshen up.
How does one keep a well organized dopkit? Start at your local drug store and load up on the basics: mini shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, disposable razor, hand sanitizers, floss, mouth wash, etc... Nowadays you can find virtually anything in a convenient travel size. If you're the high maintainence type, hop on over to Sephora or Ricky's. They carry most exclusive brands and fragrances, all in an easy TSA approved sized. Next time the lady at the counter bombards you with samples, take them! You never know when they'll come in handy. store medications in your dopkit so you know where all the essentials are.
 The summer linen shirt epitomizes the season. It's relaxed, easy to wear, makes you look relaxed and worry free. Don't let the wrinkles and creases worry you, it's called casual wear for a reason. Available in every color, pattern imaginable, its easy to transition into for every occasion. Probably not suitable for the office, but if you have a company bbq or outing, by all means throw it with a lightweight jacket or roll up the sleeves for an easy elegant look. Pack it flat and let it hang as soon as you get to your destination. Since cotton linens soak up moisture and debris easily, wash after each wear. Careful with the bbq sauce!
photo courtesy of thelondonlounge.net
The time between Memorial Day and Labor isn't just about sun and Summer Fridays, the real issue is getting to and enjoying the best BBQ's around. Should it be lamp chops, baby back ribs, a smoldering sirloin, chicken wings, rib eye, pork loin....whatever your 'canvas' is the most important ingredient is the sauce! Everyone knows it's all in the sauce. Spicy, a bit sweet, or tangy, sour, zesty, peppery. Whatever suits your taste-buds as long as it pleases the crowds. Never give away your secret, keep them guessing and keep them coming back year after year. We decided to break the rules and share our favorite 'secret' sauce. Try ours or make it your own. You can't go wrong.
The AW Tested BBQ Sauce (don't get it on your shirt)
2 cups white vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbl. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbl. lemon juice
1/2 Tbl. salt
1 tsp. finely ground black pepper
1 tsp. finely ground red pepper
3/4 tsp. hot sauce (add more or less to your liking)
1 cup Heinz Ketchup
Combine all ingredients, except ketchup, in stockpot and bring to boil – cover and reduce heat, stirring occasionally until sugar is disolved. Then add ketchup, stir and remove from heat. Yields about 3/4 quart.
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