I’ve trusted Allen Edmonds for years because their Recrafting program is marketed as a heritage-level service — “the same craftsmen, the same machines, the same processes that built your shoes originally.” That message carries weight. It implies precision, pride, and an old-world standard of care. My recent recraft, however, revealed a very different reality — one that required persistence, escalation, and far more involvement from me than any customer should have to supply. Here is the full story, exactly as it unfolded with my custom patina A&Es October 8 – I purchased the recraft service with full confidence in the brand. October 20 – The shoes were shipped back as “completed.” A 12-day turnaround might look efficient, but the work told a different story. They looked rushed — uneven finishing, shape inconsistencies, and nothing close to the meticulous standard AE advertises. October 24 – I sent them back for correction. Any customer familiar with AE’s craftsmanship language would have done the same. The shoes simply didn’t reflect the level of detail they claim their recrafting is built upon. October 28 – AE received the returned shoes. According to their policy, I was supposed to receive recommendations and updates within 5–7 business days. Instead, I heard nothing. No updates. No action. No accountability. For weeks, the shoes sat. The process stalled. And the brand that built its name on service and heritage craftsmanship went quiet. Mid-November (Saturday) – I escalated the issue directly to the General Manager. Let me be clear: nothing moved until I did this. No progress, no traction, no corrective action. Within two days of contacting the GM, everything shifted. Updates came. Timelines were clarified. Work actually began. The contrast was stark. November 19–25 – I was given the new projected completion window. Ironically, this longer timeframe — nearly three times the length of the original recraft — said exactly what I had suspected: the first “completed” job was rushed. True craftsmanship requires time.

I just wasn't feeling it for breakfast this morning, too sore. So it's lunch instead. Mint green Criquet Range polo and Slick Collar Khaki chinos and tan Anson belt with antiqued gold buckle Tan Allen Edmonds Road Warriors with gray socks with squares Tan vented flat cap Gold Hamilton Dodson reissue watch Scent: Oud Wonder by Fragrance House

I've been a James Bond fan since an uncle took me to see A view to a kill in the theater (Yeah, I know some of our younger guys might not know that that is how movies used to be seen.)anyway, I have always had a "Mancrush" on James Bond since he was played by Roger Moore who, while my first/introduction to James Bond is actually not my favorite. That will always be Sean Connery with Pierce Brosnan a close second and the last/most recent one (Daniel Craig) rounding out my top 3 favorite Bond actors, anyway if there are any other Bond fans who are as excited about the next Bond 007 this was a good read and doesn't seem as terrible as it sounded when it was fresh news that Barbara Broccoli sold the rights to Amazon/MGM https://www.mensjournal.com/entertainment/james-bond-26-release-date-cast-title-plot

One of my favorite services is the kick off for the season for me. About 600 folks attend the annual Chrismon Service where the tree is lighted at night after monogrammed faith symbols are placed on the tree by the entire congregations as the high school choir sings a mixture of old and new classic seasonal tunes. Their director has the coolest name I’ve ever heard: Ruell Doonking. Ruell is an anomoly- a high school choir director that was a top football player in High school and during the off season is a guide to striper fisherman. His main instructor in college was one of the guys in the performance group with me at the same University. Love to hear what he has done with the choir. Great evening. OOTE MTM lambswool black/white houndstooth Silk and wool V neck sweater Orvis plaid shirt with orange and navy and yellow Orange and navy pocket square Dobbs grey wool hat County Fermanagh (Maguire county) tartan scarf RL wide wale navy cords Alden Indiana Boots Wenger pocket watch Neat story of the chrismons below: https://mmliving.org/2022/12/30/history-of-the-chrismon-tree-at-the-meadows-by-carmen-ramirez-2/

Ok so maybe I took the mrs shopping at jc penny’s and got her rings I bought her last year cleaned, got her a new ring and matching paw earrings and we both got new watches. Her watch matches her silver rings , and my new rose gold watch matches my scotch Irish wedding band