While the rest of the clan napped between touring along the river Leith and the Edinburgh suburb of Stockbridge https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lQARntIxP-c and the Royal military tattoo at 9:30 pm last night https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BxxKW50tlCU&ra=m I snuck away on a 4 minute walk to a little touch of heaven. Stewart and Christie, founded in 1720 is a menswear store that does bespoke suiting as well as custom kilts. https://stewartchristie.com I spent well over an hour talking to Jake the clothier. We even worked up a custom Argyle tweed Kilt sport coat and a custom Co Fermanagh tartan kilt. The entire bottom floor is for custom kilts. Jake explained how many clients come up from London. Not only is their pricing better but their entire bespoke team, cutter, tailor and clothier work within a few yards of each other which isn’t the case in many locations in Saville Row any longer. Next to Classic timeless American Ivy menswear, my favorite style is UK country. This store not only sources from the best mills in Scotland and Ireland but owns their own mill as well. I could hang out on there for days and talk to these guys but alas I am on a family vacation and that was only my first full day in Scotland. I bought a tattersall shirt in cream with an olive and burgundy line and a deep burgundy wool/silk club tie and some socks. Their pricing off the peg as they call it is about half what I can get at full price back home. A couple of those and I’ve paid for my future trip! Planning on returning.

So gents, Ive been having a “discussion” with my wife about Chelsea boots. I have these two pairs currently; the polished dark tan ones are my dressier boots for evenings, dinners and some more formal occasions, often paired with navy or beige chinos and appropriately coloured button down. The darker brown pair in the muted matte finish are my more casual daytime boots for things like casual lunches, or even maybe a weekend shopping trip etc, and I’ll often wear them with indigo jeans or my more rugged olive chinos (my fave combo), a long sleeve Henley, or t-shirt and overshirt, and I absolutely love wearing them. Here’s the thing though; my wife reckons that because they’re boots, both pairs are automatically formal wear, and should only be worn for formal occasions, and consequently I almost feel shamed out of wearing the darker ones for any kind of casual situation. I’d love to hear your thoughts to help clarify the situation in my own mind if nothing else. I have also got a pair of sand coloured desert boots on order for spring/summer casual wear, and I’ll be getting a pair of Thursday boots Captains soon too, for a more rugged look (can you tell I’m starting to really get into boots 😉). Oh, and for context, as I’m in Australia, I’m currently living through the cold Victorian winter.

I have been planning on decorating a room in our basement since we moved in to our house, 7 years ago. I am also starting a Youtube channel, which will mainly be recorded in the lounge. I finally took a couple of substantial steps toward that end, thought I'd show you gentlemen the result. It is a combined remote work office and lounge, with mostly Chippendale and Chesterfield furniture. It feels great! I am finally very close to starting to produce content and share my ideas on security, readiness and how to be prepared not just for emergencies, but to seize any opportunity. The theme of the lounge is "a Gentleman's lounge in 2059". Classically inspired but with futuristic touches. What is left: - Ceiling light above the glass table - brass, amber, art deco, almost architectural - Linen curtains between wall and velvet curtains for that hotel feeling - LED lighting in two cabinets - Full-body mirror with gold frame - Small side table between the wingbacks, brass, architectural - Two large potted Aracea Palms trees - Wooden blinds - Place some decoration inside the glass and metal coffee table. - A Samsung The Frame on the wall behind the sofa that will show art, or movies when so inclined. Please tell me what you think and if you have any suggestions on how to improve it.

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