Latin Phrases (repost)

Photos by Salt Water New England

It is hard not to be impressed with the Roman culture's skill of creating efficient phrases.

Mens Sana In Corpore Sano 

Fortuna Eruditis Favet 

This Morning...

Photos by Muffy Aldrich

 

My Birdseye Fever, 2011

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

 

Up and Down the New England Coast in the Middle of September

 

Reader Question: How do you drink your scotch? (repost)

Reader Question for the Community:

As we segue into Autumn, a question for the community: Single malt scotches, are smoke and peat essential?  Over rated?  Best regards.

• Glenfiddich Distillery Tour Trailer <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBql1BQpJ9c> 

A Few Preppy/Sloane Outfits this Week

Photos by/of Muffy Aldrich

Recent outfits swung back and forth between warm weather and cool weather outfit recently, and some new items as well as some old favorites.

Shown:

• Murron Yoke Fair Isle Women's Sweater - Volcano / Midnight

All Made in the USA

• Mercer 3MM Nile Blue Bengal Stripes

• Leather Man Ltd. Surcingle D-Ring in Navy & Red

• Jack Donnelly Khakis (Hemmed with a 1 1⁄2 inch cuff)

• Quoddy Camp Mocs (Canoe Shoes)

A Reader Question: What is the specific item of autumn clothing you are most looking forward to wearing again?

 A reader question:

Hi Muffy, 

May I ask the readers a question please.

As autumn approaches and the weather cools, what particular item of clothing are the readers looking forward to wearing again (a difficult job I know, to narrow it down).

Personally I'm looking forward to getting back into my tweed hacking jackets (in fact it was cool enough this morning to wear one).

Mood...

All Photos of/by Muffy Aldrich

A Reader Question: How do you navigate chemical finishes on garments?

A reader question:  

Dear Ms. Aldrich,

I have been infatuated with your blog for years and check almost daily for updates or scour the archives. I have now started to read everything going back to the beginning, a real treat. Thank you for this vault of knowledge.

I have a wide collection of clothing consisting of natural materials as often discussed, of which the staples are of course cotton and wool. In Europe, the material composition is mandatory to name on the label of the garment. Yet, what I have learned only recently, there is a wild variety of icky finishes possible (the more obvious ones being non stain, non odor, wrinkle free nonsense etc.) but apparently also heavy toxins, formaldehyde, etc. I was baffled to learn it is not mandatory to explain what sort of paint was used to colour the garment, what finishes have been used on the garment (even when it is cotton, certified organic, OEKO-TEX, etc) and which chemicals have been used in production. I have just never considered the wide variety of possibilities here. Is this something you have learned to navigate or perhaps your readers can offer more insights? Naturally, when I ask clerks “what can you tell me about the finishes on this garment” I receive the most impressive sheepish looks with a mumbling of “no one asks that ever or cares about that, you old git”. 

I’d consider it my next step in really, totally going overboard with the wardrobe in having only the purest forms of clothing possible.

All the best,

A Cinnamon Babka? I mean, a Cotton Guernsey?

All Photos of Muffy Aldrich

Le Tricoteur has begun offering 100% cotton Guernseys. While all of their wool jumpers are famously made right on Guernsey and are hand-finished in the homes of islanders, their cotton jumpers they have made for them in Nottingham, England. (The equipment on Guernsey could not work with cotton.)

They offer two cotton styles, the traditional unisex Guernsey style and their newer cropped versions for women, and in some brilliant colors, including this cropped striped version. Just perfect for this transitional time of year.

• Cotton Guernsey Jumpers <https://letricoteur.co/en-us/collections/cotton-guernsey-jumpers>

• Cotton Cropped Guernsey Jumpers <https://letricoteur.co/en-us/collections/off-shoulder-cropped-guernsey-jumpers-copy>

Shown with:

• Made in New England Lotuff Leather No 5 Knapsack in Indigo <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/womens-backpacks/products/leather-no-5-knapsack>

• Patsy’s earrings <https://patsykane.com/products/yankee-pearl-earrings>

The cropped version is a very boxy and oversized style. Check their helpful garment measurements for the right size.

 

If you know New Haven pizza...

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

If you know New Haven pizza, you know Foxon Park.

 

A Reader Question: What to wear to keep our heads warm?

 A reader question:

Good afternoon,

I have a question for you and the community - when the temperatures begin to drop, what will the ladies and gentlemen of SWNE  be wearing on our heads to keep warm? 

Kind Regards,

Shootout in Newport over a Vintage Hinckley

In case you missed it, from CBS News via YouTube:

Easing into Autumn

Socratic Cards Resupply

Thank you everyone here who bought our Socratic Cards. The "Muffy" Signature Edition has now sold out!

• Socratic Cards <https://www.socraticcards.com/>

We now have a fresh printing of what we are calling the "Standard Edition," aimed at a broader audience, featuring the same questions and the same back pattern, but in place of the "Muffy Card" on the back of the deck, it has a more traditional description, and the font and the logos are a bit smaller.

Random Photos from the End of Summer

Photos by Muffy Aldrich

 

A Snappy Madras Tote and Satchel

This madras tote bag that Davey’s (based in New York City)  sent along has been getting steady use, and the authentic 100% cotton Indian madras they use is particularly good looking.   They also sent the cute little Satchel Bag.  Easing my way from summer to autumn.   Made in India.

• Madras Patchwork Tote in Watermelon <https://daveysusa.com/products/madras-patchwork-tote-watermelon>
• Madras Patchwork Satchel Bag in Watermelon <https://daveysusa.com/products/madras-patchwork-convertible-satchel-watermelon>

 

PSA: Classic Yacht Regatta: September 5–6, Newport, RI

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

Put it on your calendar.  Classic Yacht Regatta:  September 5–6, Newport, RI,  
 

PSA: Time to Wax the Barbours

How often should one reproof their Barbour waxed items?  The conventional wisdom is every year.  Surprisingly, a new Barbour may sometimes need it after just a few months.

Many people prefer to send their jackets back to the Barbour repair facility in Milford, New Hampshire where they can get a professional job at a very reasonable price.

And others do it themselves, although that precludes the added benefit of their heated tables that also gets out any ground in dirt.  (However, as it is not uncommon to wait until the last minute, the Barbour facility always gets inundated this time of year.)

The process is fairly forgiving.

Without regular reproofing they obviously are not as waterproof, but also can take on an old military fatigue jacket look, especially in the Sage.  The Navy, however,  can still look good for dry weather wear.

Many prefer the bare-handed approach and take care not to get the wax too hot.  Use a new sponge; old sponges tend to crumble a bit and leave behind little pieces.  Place the can of wax in a pan of just boiled water and wait a few minutes for it to soften, which it does from the bottom up.

My First Product - Socratic Cards

Launching my first product - Socratic Cards.  Photo by Muffy Aldrich

Introducing Socratic Cards.  As I say on our site:

Socratic Cards are deep, and fun, questions that spark meaningful conversations. For evenings with friends, dorm room late nights, jump-starting meetings, or long sails. Or saving a dinner party. 

Socratic questions are intellectual superfoods.  They build essential leadership and critical thinking skills. And everybody loves them.  Here are 50 of the best questions at your fingertips. 

Pass them around at holiday parties and see what happens.

Perhaps they can also help reverse the current anti-intellectual trend in preppy today.  

This "Signature Edition" is a limited run.  For sample questions, more information, and to purchase, go to: 

• Socratic Cards <https://www.socraticcards.com/>