I have had people ask me how I clean my shoes. Someone even said I should do a video that shows me cleaning them. Perhaps they didn’t believe I did it myself 🤭 SO I made another YouTube video, I was going to try for an Instagram reel but this one is about 7 mins long. I hope this helps anyone and if you see any issues please let me know, but remember not to tell my wife I was at the dining table cleaning my shoes 😉 https://youtu.be/mSZxFde4VbI?si=d-nuaTRsBkfBUm9v

With no job to go to at the moment, it would be easy to stay in bed all day and then wander around in sweats and flip-flops. But that's just not who I am. I have a young family, a wife, plenty of things to take care of around the house, and, of course, the task of finding my next role. So I still make the effort to dress well each day. Maybe not a suit every day, but I do wear one to every interview. After all, I believe you should always interview in what you would wear to work. Yesterday was my youngest's 9th birthday, and tomorrow (Thursday here in Australia) I'm having finger surgery to fix an issue I managed to cause myself at the end of last year during the first of two arguments with a lawn mower. I didn't win either of them. With the surgery coming up, I don't think I'll be fit for a coffee catch-up on Friday, so we brought it forward to today instead. That also gave me the chance to grab some photos of today's outfit out in the front yard once again. Todays outfit consists of; Brixton Barrel Cap in Moss and Sand M.J.Bale Vigaro sport coat in a Loro Piana wool-silk-linen blend, featuring a soft sage-grey micro-check ground with a blue-grey windowpane overcheck M.J. Bale McQueen Chino is Seafoam Green OTAA Hartwell Cognac Stipe Poplin Shirt OTAA Emerald Isle Brown Striped Necktie OTAA Gold Bond Tie Clip OTAA King Of Cool Brown Wool Pocket Square OTAA Dark Coffee Brown Textured Socks Sparrods & Co Oslo Double Monkstrap in Espresso Brown Anson Signature Strap in Chocolate with a Curved Traditional buckle in Antique Gold SOTD - Mancera Amore Caffe WOTD - Timex Q 1972 Machine Reissue Gold Bracelet Brown Dial Watch TW2Y45200, AKA The Mayor

Very, VERY productive last week motivated me to get more done over the breaks during the long weekend. That means I am already ahead of schedule for this virtual Monday! Business attire for an in-person medical appointment and several video conferences, built around powder blue, ivory, light gray, navy, and warm oxblood leather. - Shirt — DS-048 (Charles Tyrwhitt): Ivory non-iron cotton twill with a classic-point collar and square French cuffs. The warmer alternative to white complements the cream details in the vest. - - Undershirt — US-014 (True Classic): Gray cotton/polyester crew neck in size Large. It remains discreet beneath the opaque shirt. - - Trousers — SL-003 (Santorelli): Light-gray and cream virgin-wool/elastane odd trousers with a subtle linear weave. The twice-tailored pair provides a neutral foundation without resembling a mismatched suit. - - Tie — NT-073 (Unknown maker): A matte, three-fold silk tie in navy-gray and ivory, featuring a large Glen check set at 45 degrees. The pattern adds visual interest while remaining business formal. - - Vest — VWC-013 (Ralph Lauren): Powder-blue linen with cream buttons, moderate-light weight, and a five-button front. It supplies warm-weather structure and bridges the ivory shirt with the gray trousers. - - Belt — B-016 (Johnston & Murphy): A 1.25-inch burgundy leather dress belt with edge stitching and a gold buckle. Its warm color and metal coordinate directly with the shoes and gold accessories. - - Footwear — DSh-021 (Cobbler Union): Marco oxblood derbies in hand-burnished European calfskin, Goodyear-welted with a full-leather sole. The deeper toe and heel burnishing provide business-formal presence while reinforcing the warm leather story. - - Socks — DSo-081 (Mazarin): Beige, over-the-calf cotton-blend socks in a continuous ribbed knit. Their restrained texture connects the cream and ivory elements without competing with the tie. - - Cufflinks — CL-028 (RGP): Polished gold rectangular cufflinks with engraved lines and squares. Their classic geometry echoes the Glen-check tie and coordinates with the belt buckle and collar clip. - - Collar Clip — TA-010 (Fort Belvedere): A solid-brass gold collar clip with double-sided clamps. It sharpens the point collar and lifts the tie knot while maintaining the outfit’s warm-metal theme. - - Ring — R-001 (Ellie’s Jewelry): Platinum-and-diamond wedding ring. It remains a personal constant rather than a deliberate component of the outfit’s metal coordination. - - Watch — W-009 (Mido): A 40 mm automatic dress watch with a brown sunburst dial, rose-gold-tone case, and brown leather strap. Its warm metals and leather integrate naturally with the oxblood shoes and burgundy belt. - - Ankle Watch — W-001 (Apple): Apple Watch 10 in slate titanium with a black elastic-mesh band, worn solely on the ankle for health and activity data collection. It is not visible and is not part of the outfit’s visual harmony. - - Business Card Case — BCC-004 (Fort Belvedere): A structured oxblood long-grain box-calf bifold with silver clasp and vivid turquoise goat-suede interior. Its oxblood exterior coordinates directly with today’s shoes while providing two compartments for approximately 40 cards. - - Wallet — WL-002 (Fort Belvedere): A mahogany-and-petrol-blue full-grain leather bifold with forest-green moiré lining. The mahogany exterior continues the warm leather palette, while the blue interior quietly recalls the vest and tie. - - Fragrance — FR-013 (Roberto Ugolini): Patina, a strong fragrance currently represented by a sample. Apply conservatively for the office and medical setting. -

Well, we finally figured out how to decorate the one available wall in the walk in closet. Finally settled on the correct painting to go up in the walk in closet with the Victorian game plaques and European mount boar skull from a hunt that I did with my younger son when he was still in high school. Fun trip to Texas together. Artist bio: "Richard Judson Zolan (1931-2001), who has been adherent to the principles of European and American impressionism, has established himself as one of America's most exceptional painters. "Chicago born Zolan graduated from the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago and later studied at the famed Art Students League in New York City. He quickly became the prized pupil of Louis Ritman, an instructor at the academy. Ritman, a personal friend and student of Monet for over 20 years, taught Zolan the fundamental techniques and style of Impressionism. "Zolan became an artist for the love of creating, and the recognition his art has developed stems purely from talent. The most pervasive quality of his work is the extraordinary synergy he achieves- bringing to his canvas a triumphant marriage of modern art with its Renaissance ancestry. He is energetic, prolific, and enthusiastic about his creativity. He pursues his art with precision, efficiency, love and optimism. "Exhibiting internationally, Richard Judson Zolan lives as he paints- with verve, vigor and creativity. He is what America is all about; a new idea built upon an old tradition. It is rare to encounter an artist such as Zolan whose life and career incorporate a melding of the phenomena of his style. His romantic work has become a standard for an authentically distinct genre- American Impressionism. "Significant exhibitions include the Metropolitan Galleries in Osaka, Japan, the World Trade Center, Cape Cod Art Association, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Richard spends his summers in Massachusets with his family and winters in Palm Desert, CA."

My normal Tuesday night. SOTE: Tom Ford Ombre leather