May 30, 2007
By LaMONT JONES
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Cuff links, traditionally a chic finishing touch for the sartorial guy, are now enjoying a surge in popularity.
Many younger men, slaves to casual attire, have begun to wear them with open-collar French cuff shirts, sans jacket.
Links are an easy way to express the wearer's personality.
K. Chase Patterson, 23, of North Point Breeze, Pa., said he's been wearing cuff links at least a decade and has more than 20 pairs _ including a congressional pair given to him last year by U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Ill.
"They give your outfit more maturity," he said. "They give a little more sophisticated flash."
Patterson said he's noticed that more guys his generation have begun to wear cuff links.
"Now you can go buy shirts that have cheap cuff links on them already," he said.
Typically, those links are knotted silk or some other fabric in a color that complements the shirt.
Men once used ribbons and ties to hold together the cuffs of their shirts. But in the 1600s, cuff links were born from a desire for something more sophisticated and elegant. The earliest were small chains attached to gold or silver buttons.
Cuff links go with a tuxedo like high heels go with a little black dress. They're standard at weddings and formal affairs and are a common gift from a groom to his attendants.
Nathan Tim recently launched hand-worked Murano glass and stainless steel cuff links for such occasions. His sets, $395 at nathantim.com, are works of art, and the United Nations recently commissioned him to make a pair for former Secretary General Kofi Annan.
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Posted by fine-admin at 3:55 PM
May 9, 2007
By ANNA WALLNER and KRISTIN MATISIC
Fine Living Network
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
We're assuming May 1313 is marked in bold on your calendar. If it isn't, it should be! Mother's Day is just around the corner. And if you're at a loss as to what to give yours, we've got some advice to help you narrow the choices and find the perfect trinket or treasure that says "I love you."
_ What are your mother's hobbies? Does she cook? Get her something for her kitchen like a personalized apron from Williams and Sonoma or the ultimate bakers' appliance, the Kitchen-Aid stand mixer, which comes in a range of colors. Is she a fashionista? Ballet flats are all the rage right now and they fit every body size. Check her closet for shoe sizes. The key is to ask yourself what does she do with her free time, what does she do to make herself happy? Therein lies a host of great gift ideas.
_ What's going on in your mom's life? Does she have a trip coming up? Perhaps a guide book to her destination. Is there something she has admired or mentioned that she wants lately? (This is something you should keep notes on all year, by the way). By taking a few minutes with a pen and paper and asking yourself questions about who your mom is, what's happening in her life and what makes her happy you will quickly find some specific, personal gift ideas.
_ Be sure the gift you buy is actually for her and not for you. Don't buy her kitchen goods if you want her to cook more for you!
_ Flowers are a traditional and popular gift. Ask your florist what's in season to get the freshest buds at the best prices. (Here are a few examples: Daffodils, January to early May. Star Gazer Lilies, January to October. Peonies, late spring to early summer. Sweetpea, December to May).
_ Keep in mind that the moms we polled said that what they really wanted was more time with their children. That may be the greatest gift of all!
(Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic host The Shopping Bags on Fine Living TV Network.)
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Posted by fine-admin at 5:18 PM
