Friday Mop Up: Missing Jeff

It's that time. And because I'm so distraught that Jeff has left the country, I can hardly bring myself to create anything original. So we'll use this time to survey the goings on of the 'Net this week.

Oh, and we realized something today. We've been at this menswear thing for just over year. Our first post went up on Jan. 27, 2011. But that's the way we prefer it: not too much fanfare, and we'll just keep doing that thing we do. But thanks for sticking with us for the past 372 days. It's been wild.

Here's our fourth and final post for Details Magazine:

For Mom—or more aptly The Commodore, considering the tight ship she kept—handwritten notes were a sacred art. After each birthday or Christmas present, a forced marathon of grateful notecards was guaranteed.

It's an art that's nearly lost. These are the days of email. The days of emoticons, text-speak and unfinished drafts. The days of flitting between open computer windows because something might have happened on Twitter in the 45 seconds you were thinking of what to say next. 

Done well, a handwritten note trumps everything else. It's a deep breath—a pause from the daily free-for-all—and it carries an inherent thoughtfulness and permanence text messages and emails will never have.

I caught up with Ted Harrington, of Terrapin Prints, to get his suggestions for picking out the right stationery. Check it all out at Details. 

Oh, and here's a bonus: some recommended reading. Completely unrelated to style, but definitely related to humanity:

New York City's cops and robbers as captured by...an NYC cop. Seriously. Check it out. (via the New York Times' Lens blog)

That's all. We endorse keeping it brief.

Friday Wrap-Up: Day's Almost Over

You're short on time. It's noon. I mean, in half an hour, you'll be going for a long lunch. Then after a leisurely trip to the bathroom, it'll be 2 p.m. And we all know that that's practically the end of productivity during the week—not to mention Friday.

So, yeah...the day's pretty much over already.

Here's how you should spend the rest of it:

From our archives:

• Jeff's intro to fall fashion.
• Also, Vita.mn caught up wit Seth at NorthernGRADE and snapped some photos.

From around the Internets:

• We found out about Handlebar Magazine this week, and after being beyond amused by their about-us section, we were pleased to see some informed and honest writing on denim. Are you really "saving money" by buying raw or selvedge? Maybe not. But here's why some guys drop the cash anyway. (via Handlebar Magazine)
• Gilt says a quick rule of thrift is to measure shoes against your forearm. I was skeptical. (via Gilt MANual)
• An intriguing analysis on presidential style, featuring the hilarious quotes of Max Wastler. (via the Wall Street Journal)
• College boys, pay attention: It's time to stop looking like slobs. (via the Art of Manliness)
• Need hair advice from an actual barber? The women at Refinery 29 thought you might. (via Refinery 29)

And a story related to the Midwest but unrelated to style:

• A.G. Sulzberger, the NYT's Kansas City Bureau chief, is a capable journalist and an all around good guy, especially over Budweisers in downtown KC. Here's a look at a small Missouri town where gossip has been taken to the next level. (via the New York Times)

Finally, this is where we'll be this weekend. There ain't no party like a Pyongyang party, because a Pyongyang party IS ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY (via Kourtney Geers). Alright. Now, get outta here.