The Good Guys: Grant Heinlein

Meet Grant.

A born-and-bred Midwest boy ripening out on the East Coast, Grant is the guy to keep your eyes on in the coming years. Rather than getting snared in the talons of the Kansas Jayhawks, he opted out and fled the state for art school.

He's mad talented—far more than we ever were in undergrad—and earned his spot at RISD. It's no surprise that he's at one of the top schools for design studying graphic design and photography.

When I asked Grant about his style, he reflected on stories of high school habits we can relate to. You know: the standard slouchy basketball shorts, Jordans and hooded sweatshirts. Like us, he was that guy.

"Between my freshman year uniform of basketball shorts and hoodies and the over-saturated preppy, country club wannabes, I had to break out and develop my own sense of style."

But he didn't quite feel the jam of having reptiles, wild game or flying critters plastered over his heart...

"My whole thing is simplicity. I think that also stems from my artwork, but it's definitely what I would describe my style as if I had to choose a word. It's this relatively small mix of simple items that are going to last, like my denim, boots, Barbour, etc. I definitely don't wear many bright colors. I'm a neutral guy, keeping it simple with browns, greys, and mostly navy blue."

Someday, Grant would love to be an art director. His passion and creativity for seeing the bigger picture of how each art form is used and displayed stimulates him like nothing else. If the opportunity arises one of these summers, he'd love to intern for Kinfolk or Inventory. He recently accomplished quite a feat that many photographers attempt but never complete: the 365-day photography blog.

"The whole point is to get better, push yourself and your creativity. Once I got into it, I got addicted to it. The feeling of capturing a photo a day that portray emotions on what I was feeling that day, or hell, even a cool thing to look back on, was enough to keep me going. I was tested in my patience to take the time to do it each day and try new concepts that I developed."

I don't even have the dedication to shower once a day for a year. Let alone dream a concept, put it in action and publish the results every single day as a tool to grow, learn and push myself.

You can find Grant and view his stunning flickr account over at flickr.com/grantheins, on the Tumblrs at formelle.tumblr.com and on the Twitterwebz at @grantheinlein.

On Grant: quilted navy vest by J.Crew; wool crew neck pullover by Gant Rugger; button-down by J.Crew; navy wool trousers by Pendleton; Iron Ranger boots by Red Wing.

Photos by Jarred Donalson.

But first, gift guides

Editor's note: Two of our favorite ladies, Katie & Emily, run a thoughtful blog called "But first, coffee." It's devoted to the trials and travails of becoming real people (in their words: "our attempt at a grace entrance into adulthood, though so far it's been more of a stumbling-in-late kind of entrance.") They graciously agreed to pick some gifts they'd give the boys in their lives.

(We assume that means they're getting us all of these things because they love us so much.)

But first, I want y'all to meet my besties with testies breasties:

Katie is the best. We spent our undergrad years living one house apart. On a weeknight, she could fully expect me to show up at her door in my robe with my laptop and a bottle of wine declaring, "I've got a paper to write and need company." Before moving a block away from me in Logan Square, she lived with me and my roommates for a month and fed us like we were kings. She comes from a family of six, you guys. She knows how to take care of boys (i.e. children).

Emily is sort of cool, too. She would willingly pick me up from campus upon the promise of ice cream and pleasure of listening to Taylor Swift in the car with the windows down and heat cranked in the fall. She's a regular at Addison's and can name all of the ingredients in every appetizer from the menu. I also tried to date Emily, once. Maybe twice. She has higher standards. I don't blame her. She's currently keeping all of her friends sane and real while in grad school for counseling.

Together, these girls are real friends, talented friends.

• They can rap all the lyrics to Super Bass by heart.
• They respond to at least 60 percent of my text messages.
• They both know how to make a playlist for anything, such as "November," "Songs for New Cities," "Twinkle Lights in Your Bedroom," "Listen it's going to get really cold," and"front porches + good books."
• They can truck through an entire season of Laguna Beach in one sitting (with a bottle of wine, of course.)

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So it's safe to say I know them pretty well. And here's something else I know: They totally want these gifts for themselves. If they gave 'em, they'd snag 'em.

Emily has a few words to say about this gent:

This is for the Southern gentleman who has long retired his croakies but will still open my door. He quotes The West Wing in everyday conversation and mix CDs are his love language. He likes tacos, road trips, and sending mail the old fashioned way.

1. Subscription to the Atlantic. A man should always have something interesting to converse about, sure it might take you a month to finish an article, but it's worth it.
2. J.Crew Plaid Wool Scarf. I appreciate a man who can pull off a good scarf. It shouldn't be flashy and you don't need to tie it in any weird way, just wear it. Simple is best. But you know that already.
3. Pendleton throw in Charcoal Stewart. It's getting cold and you need to have a nice clean blanket at your house. If you wanted to use it to entertain a lady for an indoor picnic in deepest darkest January, that would also be acceptable. 
4. Peace Like A River. A coming of age tale with a precocious child narrator set in the barren plains of the North Dakota Badlands. This is one that will stick with you. Plus, you should always to have a book on hand when someone asks for a recommendation.
5. French press by Bodum. The thing about a French press is that it makes you look like you care about food and the finer things in life even if you are still sort of confused about them. 
6. Whiskey stones. How great would it be if I was that kind of girl who could drink whiskey with you? Well, sorry, i'm not. But I will think you are classy if you have these.

If this is you, you can ask @emlew out on a date. Just be tall and have the Constitution app on your iPhone.

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Katie wanted to describe who this man is that would be getting these gifts (which she would eventually steal).

This is for the "classy lumberjack." He has read of all of Vonnegut's works and probably wanted to get "so it goes" tattooed on his forearm when he was 18. He loves his mom, wool socks and building bonfires. He's understated and shy. Oh, and he's read Watchmen...twice.

1. Flannel button-downn from Gant Rugger. My philosophy when buying clothes for men is: “Can I wear it?” In this case, the answer is most definitely yes, I can. Plus, who doesn’t love a man in flannel?
2. Untreated leather belt by Wood & Faulk. This handmade belt is simple and untreated, ready to be broken in and made your own. Simple. Manly. Perfect.
3. Wool gloves from Buckshot Sonny’s Sporting Goods. Jeff and I were recently having a conversation about how he’s having a hard time finding manly gloves. Well here they are, made in the USA.
4. True/False tickets. Our college town’s very own documentary film festival, True/False is a wonderful weekend in Columbia, Missouri where filmmakers and goers descend on our small town for a weekend of revelry, good wine, and eye-opening documentaries. Check out their site for more info.
5. Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA. This is by far the best Indian Pale Ale I have ever had. Stock up with some to enjoy and some to age.
6. Beard Balm by Men’s Face Stuff. It’s exactly what it sounds like.

If you find that your flannel collection has a few favorites missing, you can probably find @katiestipo wearing them in Bucktown with some new coffee stains.

Thanks, ladies.

THRIFTY THURSDAY: Louis

When it comes to bags and the necessities that go into your everyday carry, you have to decide what works for your lifestyle.

You've got a big-boy office job: Try a briefcase.

You're one of those guys that carry a messenger bag: Fine.

You're a snot-nosed liberal arts undergrad rat (like I was): Give a backpack a go.

You're not a fan of carrying any of those: Tote along, friends.

Carry what fits with your setting and lifestyle. Bags with top handles are particularly my game. I love a good Filson tote, as well as a Jack Spade dipped-canvas coal tote. Durable, beat up and broken in.

My preference comes from not wanting to carry something across my body. It cramps my style, usually dishevels my blazer, and I don't want scoliosis. Enter the tote.

Photography by Jarred Donalson

Hold up, what is this guy doing with a Louis Vuitton? Hear me out. I got it for a killer deal and it's a freaking Louis?! Do you know how many middle-aged, Gold Coast housewives armed with LVs, hauling strollers and pumped with Botox have stopped me on the streets of Chicago complimenting this bag? Well, three this week and I don't know if that's a really good indicator of "cool" either, but who's keeping track....Not me. Nope.

Plus, tell us you'd turn down this Louis Vuitton luggage from Darjheeling Limited if you had the chance. No? Neither would we.

I thought you guys were about thrift. It's in the title. Thrift can be relative. Sure, we generally mean it in the Salvation Army sense, but occasionally a thousand-dollar piece comes along for a couple hundo, and we call that a deal. I snagged this sucker off of eBay from the wonderful ladies over at eDrop-Off. I was Googling leather handbags one day and stumbled across this one on their eBay page. It was very clear in the description as it being "well-loved and worn" which I read as, "generally beat up and perfect."

With my interest peaked and time ending soon on the auction, I called the store and asked to speak with an associate. They promptly answered my questions, and I went for it.

Bidding ensued, and I had a price point where I was going to stop bidding (It goes without saying, but always have a figure in mind where you're going to stop. It's too easy to get sucked in to simply wanting to win. And boom: Immediate and brutal buyer's remorse.)

I also happened to thrift this oatmeal-flecked wool cardigan by Pendleton a few years ago when I was in undergrad. If you want to burn up, look for anything wool and itchy. You'll be nice and toasty.

On Jeff: Vintage "Monogram" collection tote (eDrop-Off, $222) made in America by Louis Vuitton; oatmeal-flecked wool cardigan (thrifted, $3) by Pendleton; blue cotton oxford (Legends Shopping Center, $60) by rag & bone; selvedge "Henley" denim ($220) by Baldwin Denim.

Back to School....Or Work.

We Mizzou alumni (and current Tiger) are beginning to gear up for fall.
So, we rounded up some goods we wouldn't mind getting our paws on.

THE MIDWESTYLE'S
"BACK TO (WORK) SCHOOL FALL WISHLIST:"

Jeff's Back to School Work Wishlist:

Left to right: Vetyverio "Woodsy" scent by Diptyque, International Barbour Jacket, Assorted "Hat" Card Collection by Rifle Paper Co., and Railroad Spike Cuff by Giles & Brother.

Seth's Back to School Work Wishlist:

Left to right: Pilot G2 Ultra Fine Point Black Gel .38 pens, Ampad Recycled Reporter's Notebooks, Red Linen Tie by Apolis and Pocket Square by Hill-Side

Cam's Back to Work School Wishlist:

Left to right: Chief Joseph Blanket by Pendleton, sold out and last season's Gant Rugger Varsity Jacket, Handmade Buffalo Leather Journal from Etsy and Hoofpick Belt by Apolis.

What's on your Back to School Wishlist?

Or if you're in the working world, like Seth and I, what are you treating yourself to in celebration of fall?

midweSTYLE: Entryway

Since moving to Chicago, I've been fortunate to meet passionate people. I love meeting folks who are going after what makes them tick. It's a beautiful thing to meet someone who loves what they do and attacks it relentlessly. I've met a few of these types already—take roommates Drew and Anthony. Drew is a hairstylist and Anthony is a photographer. Here's how we met:

When I was jet-setting to Chicago for interviews in the tail end of what we all thought was winter in March, I bumped into Drew at a Thursday-night event that bridged our interests. His style was a little West coast, relaxed but put together, but the dude is from Wisconsin. We starting chatting about why he was wearing slim-fit, white rolled denim and why he is in Chicago. I asked him what he liked to do and he replied, "I cut hair and you need a hair cut."

Cool, I thought. I've got my guy to cut my hair. It's a thing that many don't have these days: "their guy" at the barber shop, at the menswear store, at the tailor, at the local restaurant. Their guy. Your guy who helps you out when you need the latest or a fixing. He knows enough about your life to ask how your family's doing. How work's going. What you thought about that thing that happened on the Blue Line the other day. I just moved here, and I've officially secured another year of not having to step into a professional salon. Glory, glory, glory. I can pay AND tip the hairstylist in booze, meals and bargains. Relief.

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A month later when I moved to Chicago, I show up to Drew's apartment and met Anthony while I was getting my hair cut. I told Drew to do whatever he thought would work best. (It's hair. It'll grow.) Anthony is a rad man from Pennsylvania who has got a serious case of trigger finger. Dude's got the camera glued to his face, and when you get a chance to see his face past the scruff, he has a smile that stretches from ear to ear an reveals an enthusiasm to know you and your passion.

Anthony took some time off between shooting medical hip replacement surgeries and New York weddings to hang out with Seth and I. We got a little work done...

FAVORITE PART OF THE LOOK: Clashing patterns and prints. If these socks had parents, Mortia Adams and Beetlejuice would be a notch above in the family tree. Kind of a dark and quirky feel much like the set in Anthony and Drew's old apartment entryway. Mix these with a preppy and spring-madras bow tie, and it somehow works. Or maybe it doesn't. Give it a shot.

Straight-leg "Mushroom" stretch chino ($175) by Nonnie Threads, small; brushed cotton navy button-down (900 Shops in Chicago, sale $30) by J.Crew, extra-small; spring-madras bow tie (Etsy, $20) by AnnaRuna; brown leather belt with brass hardware by J.Crew, size 32; black-and-green striped socks (sale $2.99) by J.Crew, one size; brown leather wingtips (Nordstrom Rack in Chicago, sale $40, reg. $140) by Florsheim, wool scarf (thrifted at Urban Mining in Kansas City, $8) by Pendleton; unzippered green canvas tote (eBay sale $50, reg. $90) by Filson.

Photography by Anthony Barlich.

midweSTYLE: Hay

ABOUT THIS LOOK: I've liked the idea of mixing vintage items, Americana goods and designer apparel. Plus, I really wanted to type out "Marc by Marc Jacobs" and "Pendleton" in the same blog post. I wanted to create a faded and dusty look for the field. Warm colors, like the 1901 camel colored shoes and MBMJ warm mauve undershirt, were already being drawn out from the Pendleton shirt.

This leather bomber jacket is one of my favorite pieces that I own. I'm always scared for some reason to pair it with dress shoes and think I need to wear it with boots of some sort. However, I've been rocking it with my bucks, wallabees and even Sperrys a few times. Why not, eh?

ABOUT THIS LOCATION: I grew up flying kites in this field. It's at the bottom of my street from my childhood home. Besides, dodging cow shit as we ran unto the ends of the earth (or so it seemed), I loved looking down the hill—the hill that I hated to bike up so much. But I became so thankful for where I grew up. I didn't have to stare off into an endless suburban wasteland of cookie cutter houses nor at any brick apartments outside my window. The cows down the street in the field, the airport farther up the road a couple of miles and a general store up the street near my elementary school.

Bomber jacket (thrifted, $6) by "Made in Ecuador 100% Leather", size 38; wool button-down (thrifted, $6) by Pendleton, medium; "Rat" long-sleeve mauve T-shirt (retail, $9) by Marc by Marc Jacobs, medium; "The Henley" 11.5-ounce dry selvedge denim (retail $198) by Baldwin, size 30; 1901 camel suede bucks (retail, $44) by Nordstrom, size 11; Camper Watch (retail, $18) by Timex; braided leather belt (thrifted, $1).

Photos by Jarred Donalson.

Thrifty Thursday: "Pen West" Spring Pendleton neck tie

Everyone is getting excited for Spring with all of the new deliveries in stores, cataloges and spring look books surfacing. This tie has that "Easter Sunday" feel, a little nostalgic when being dressed up in some unfortunate pastels for family events. I found it at River Market Antiques. Jack, one of the menswear booth owners, always brings in some legit stuff and for $8, I couldn't say "No" to a Pendleton.

I've never even heard of Pen West: a division of Pendleton before and the internets had nothing to say either. Anybody find anything? This tie will look dope with a pair of rolled chinos, a button down and some saddle shoes.