The Art: The Utter Beauty of Hallways

Hallways forever intrigue me, especially particularly long ones. You can vaguely see the end, but you know it's there. And if you're a lot like me, you take your sweet damn time getting there.
Singapore Art Museum
Books Actually on Yong Siak Street
Tiong Bahru Bakery - Outside
Raffles Hotel Arcade

The Happening: Brights on a Sunday Stroll

What better way to celebrate a leisurely Sunday than with sunny shades? Oh yeah, pancakes!
Vans Authentics + Uniqlo Jeans + Porter x Pointer Tote
Banana and Walnut Pancakes from Food for Thought. My favorite!

The Guide: How to Get Sold in Style

If you happen to have a cool, budding surf brand on your hands and it just got sold, take a cue from these Newport Beach hipsters from Warriors of Radness. They took it pretty well, I think.

The Happening: One Night in Bangkok

And that's all it took really. I just fell for the city. Cheap on the pocket and yet richly overflowing with life. I'll definitely be back, but next time, for much, much longer. #Whereareyouseatsale?

The Happening: Camo Craziness!

When it rains, it pours. This past few months, I've been gathering camo like it was nobody's business, and you know what? I'm not done! Not with this, this, and this on the loose! Soon!
Uniqlo Perfect Shape Camo Cargo Pants
Gap Nylon Camo Duffel Bag
American Tourister Camo Suitcase

The Store: Diamond Walker Shoes

Things have been pretty quiet around these parts for some months now, partly because of burnout and partly because I haven't come across something that is really worth coming out of my blogging batcave for. Well, that ended last Saturday when I visited this amazing bespoke shoe shop in the heart of the CBD called Diamond Walker Shoes.

Originally from Seoul, South Korea, they have now set-up shop in Singapore, bringing with them the quality craftsmanship and unmatched customization that has made them a household name in K-Pop's capital. Be it brogues, double monks, penny loafers, oxfords, or (my-current-top-of-the-want-list) slippers, they got you covered with all the tasty options you can think of! You want crepe soles? Check. You prefer blue suede uppers? Damn right. You demand a contrast toecap on your oxfords? You bet. It's totally that kid-in-a-candy-store feeling. 

After your fitting's done and design finalized, it would take 4-6 weeks for the skilled cobblers to do their thing. Trust me, for shoes that are truly one-of-a-kind (you did design them yourself) and of this caliber, they're definitely worth the wait and investment. I actually already have a shoe in mind for the next time I drop by. And by all intents and purposes, that's only the first of many. 
Diamond Walker folk discussing the craft of the bespoke shoe.
Great display. You can just hear the cobbler crafting your classic kicks.
Now for some samples of their work: The WIngtip Boot. 
Duck Boots for all those rainy Singapore days.
Oh yes. The blue suede slippers I wanted to take home as is!
White bucks. A great casual alternative to my worn-in sneakers!

Diamond Walker Shoes
China Square Central #01-06
18 Cross Street, Singapore
E: boss@diamond-walker.com

The Happening: Sneaker Dream Comes True!

I've always wanted Air Jordans ever since I was a kid. All the cool kids in class used to rock 'em, and now, all grown up, I'm proud to say I just got the mack daddy of 'em all. Heralded by many as one of the best sneakers ever created, the Air Jordan 3 Black / Cements sold out instantly when it was re-released in Singapore late last year. With a stroke of luck, though, I believe I chanced upon what may be the last pair in the country! It's a bit bigger than my actual size, but to hell with it! It's not everyday that you get to own such an iconic pair for both basketball and streetwear.
On and off the court, these bring some phenomenal swag to your game.
The 1988 print ad for the AJ 3's with MJ and pal Mars Blackmon (a.k.a. Spike Lee).

The Beat: Grimes' Genesis

Readers, I'd like you to meet Canadian indie artist Grimes. I've had her latest album "Visions" on non-stop and I must say, her intriguing blend of electronica, folk, and pop is unlike anything I've ever heard before.  Take this magnificent live performance of "Genesis" for example. Her superb one-woman show actually makes you forget that she's sporting a, well, weird-as-hell third eye.

The Art: Warhol "Campbell Soup" Prints

Now hanging at my room after what felt like years of frantic searching. New addiction alert! 
The first of many prints I'd like to collect for an art wall in our future house!

The Item: Gap "Best" V-Neck Tee

Every magazine says that you need a white v-neck tee. Easy for them to say. I've looked far and wide for the best one and let me tell you, the search has been very frustrating. It's always one thing or another - fabric's too thin, V's too low, length's too long, armholes too wide. I was ready to just throw in the towel, but then, I came across Gap's "Best" V-necks. Bold claims, but they back it up: Just-right dip of the V, sleeves cut across the biceps, tail falls below the waist, and best of all, no nippling. In sum, what those knowledgeable men's mags should be telling you to get.
Paired with jeans, khakis, board shorts - it just plain works. 
My bet as the v-neck standard for any mid-priced options.

The Item: Saturdays NYC Grant Boardshort

Nothing says summer than a great pair of board shorts. And nothing makes a better pair, in my estimation, than classic design. Saturdays NYC definitely hit that nail on the head with their sweet "Grant" board shorts. This summer, leave the crazy prints to the ladies and opt instead for this handsome, minimalist stripe. With such a great cut and silhouette, it's all you'll need to look sharp on and off the shores. That GQ "Best New Menswear America" award? Definitely well-deserved.
Time for a swaggin' new player in the board shorts game.
The navy and blue pairs tops on my book. My fave color combo.
The basic black board shorts made interesting with a shade of grey.
The kind of black and blue that doesn't hurt anyone. 
The Fit: Stops above the knee and gives your boys some ample breathing room.

The Store: J.Press at Isetan Scotts

I've been a fan of J.Press for a long, long time now (hell, I wrote about them already in '09). So imagine my excitement when I learned that they just opened shop here in Singapore! Located at Isetan Scotts, the brand's first and only outlet carries all the prepster signatures that made them famous - knit ties, oxford shirts, logo belts, tote bags, and a small selection of classic shoes. They even stocked those Ivy League school badges that could come in handy in your next big job interview. Poser move? Perhaps. But you just cannot deny the power of Take Ivy swag. 
J.Press joins the Singapore preppy party with Brooks Bros., Tommy, and Ralph Lauren. 
It wouldn't be real prep if they didn't bring the awesome silliness of those logo belts!
Fetching camo cargo shorts from the brand's more youthful Red Label collection
More shorts in whatever fuck-you color you want. I'm going with kelly green!
Dressed-up or dressed-down, caters to all expressions of would-be Ivy Leaguers. 
Can't forget about their extensive collection of topnotch silk knit ties too!

J.Press
Isetan Department Store, Level 3
Scotts Road, Singapore
T: +6568369498