I’m mastering the art of cooking, every gentleman should know it, in my opinion. Today’s menu item, sirloin steak. I marinated it in a combination of Spanish olive oil, lemon pepper, salt, garlic powder, and liquid smoke. It sits atop buttered fettuccine noodles, seasoned in salt, pepper, and garlic. What’s the verdict?

I apologize in advance for my long-windedness! On our official first day in London (meaning not after getting off the airplane). We had our first official appointment. Henry Poole! My friend and I had decided long ago that Henry Poole was the place we wanted to go to get our first True Bespoke Suit made. While we do like their "House Style" one of the things that really drew us to them was the fact that they are still family owned and operated and the 8th generation is now entering the business. My friend and I are both fascinated about how these VERY long term family heritage businesses operate and continue to stay viable. Once we picked our fabrics we were then introduced to "Our Cutter". His name is Joe! Joe takes our measurements and discusses all of the fine details, how many pockets, flaps or no flaps, inside pocket, angled straight, anything custom that we wanted etc. Then Joe explained the process. Today is measurements, then in about 4 months when they come to the US we will have a first fitting. The jacket and trousers and waistcoat will be unlined, no lapels no pockets just stitched together with basting thread. They will then make notes and chalk up the garment to make adjustments back in London. Then in 3-4 more months when they come back again we do it again although this time the garment has a bit more stuff installed, potentially some lining and lapels etc. Then they make more notes and chalk marks. Then back to London it goes and in another 4 months it comes back to the US with them for a final fitting. this time it should be 95% complete. They will make some minor notes if needed then it will either be delivered that day or they will take it back to London to finish it and send it to me. All in All it could take approximately a year to get. 😳😎 I asked Joe what happens if and when we want to order another garment "Who will do that work?" He very kindly and calmly looks me in the eye and says "Oh Mr. Plotka let me explain - I AM your cutter! I will remain your cutter until either you stop buying from us or I die or the company closes"!! WOW! This is the exact experience I was looking for and why I travelled so far to start this journey. As a Native NY'er I now have Joe as "My Guy"!!

Several client and internal meetings today while trying to also spend 8+ hours of a client project. A serious suit for a serious day. That said, the tie and pocket square are both fun new items for me. The tie is my first bespoke tie. I had been wanting the Rampley & Co shantung silk burgundy tie with white polka dots for months, but it's been sold out. I then found Brunati Como who will make all kinds of different ties to order, let you pick the fabric, size, construction, and more. I had this Shantung silk burgundy polka dot tie made. I went to the next level by having it made as a 7-fold tie, which is thick for Shantung! I had a keeper added with my initials. The initials are a fun add that no one sees but me, but I realized after that you do not want a keeper on a 7+ fold tie as the folds are suppressed rather than allow to flow more freely. Lesson learned. The other item is my pocket square from Rampley & Co, which is easily the most ornate PS I own. The dragon image is beautiful art. The great thing about such artistry on a PS is that is really never shows. You simply stick out an area with the colors you want and it looks like random puffs of color on silk. But I know I have art in my pocket, and in a design of a Japanese dragon drawing makes it extra special as my wife (and thus my boys) are partially Japanese. I'm pretty sure she is also partially dragon... Client, vendor, and internal video conferences • Mid-gray suit • First-wear accessories The outfit uses a business-formal mid-gray shadow-stripe suit and crisp white herringbone shirt as a controlled neutral frame. Burgundy, white, blue, red, and black appear through the tie and pocket square, while silver-toned accessories, black leather, and gray socks keep the statement pieces disciplined for video. Suit — Ralph Lauren A matching mid-gray Ralph Lauren wool suit with a subtle shadow-stripe effect, slight sheen, and light-gray, light-blue, and light-brown undertones. The two-button jacket has roped padded shoulders, notch lapels, gray horn buttons, flap pockets, and full lining. The coordinating double-pleated trousers preserve a traditional business-classic silhouette.