The Clotherie Ltd Spring 2012

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P U B L I C A T I O N

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SPRING/SUMMER 2012 • ISSUE 15

“PERFECTING THE ART OF DRESSING WELL SINCE 1969”TM

Welcome to the new Spring/Summer 2012 issue of The Clotherie Magazine. We would like to thank each and every one of you, our loyal customers for your patronage and support.

Spring has blossomed with vibrant colors, showing themselves on the landscape, in fashion, and food. Color, per usual, is the name of the game in fashion this spring/summer.

As the economy picks up, a renewed enthusiasm of shades is reflected in our newest collections.

For men, the color is being picked up in a new and unique way – our shoes. And not just any shoes. We suggest you start with suede! Suede is showing up in all shoe styles, from classic desert boots with their folded-into-the body tongues and simple lacing, to pull-on-ankle boots, to lace-up dress shoes, to this season’s obvious footwear champ, the soft slip-on moccasin. Just for fun, let your feet get their kicks in suede shades of greys, blues, and tans.

More and more couples seem to be opting for non-traditional marriage venues: a flower-filled garden, around a backyard pool, on a beach beside the ocean. It’s all very romantic and picturesque, yet it can also present a wedding party and guests with some novel dressing dilemmas, especially here in the Arizona heat. How to cope with the sun, the heat and the occasional strong breeze, while still appearing at your absolute best? Those of you facing this situation in the upcoming months might want to use our little cheat sheet outlining everything you need to know about threaded bliss on page 44.

Check out our NEWS and OUT & ABOUT to catch up on The Clotherie’s latest new additions, including our exclusive MADE-TO-MEASURE Canali program, one of only ten in North America. This spring issue is full of great articles about travel to Catalina Island, the new Bentley, Spanish wines, our Eton and Robert Talbott collections, and so much more. We continue to inform, surprise, and engage you with each compelling issue. Read and enjoy!

As always we would like to thank all of you who partner with us, locally and abroad, for helping to make The Clotherie Magazine possible. We encourage our readers to do business locally with each of the world-class companies represented in the pages of our spring/summer edition. The very best in customer service can be expected from The Clotherie and all of our local partners.

The prestigious Esquire Magazine once again voted The Clotherie one of the “Best In Class” retail stores in the nation.

We are honored for this mark of achievement. We thank you once again for voting us as the #1 men’s fashion store in Arizona. This is the 14th straight year we have been honored with the distinction as the prestigious “Best Men’s Store” by Ranking Arizona. Don’t forget to cast your vote this year by logging onto www.rankingarizona.com.

With heartfelt thanks, Greg Eveloff

2 5 0 2 E . C A M E L B A C K R O A D , S U I T E 1 6 9 • P H O E N I X , A R I Z O N A 8 5 0 1 6 • T E L : 6 0 2 9 5 6 8 6 0 0 • W W W. T H E C L O T H E R I E . C O M

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p38 Catalina Where lovely things happen to you

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Welcome

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Out and About

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The Clotherie Events

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The Clotherie News

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Robert Talbott

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Lakeside Style

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Eton

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Bodybuilding

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Suede Shoes

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The Trend

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The Bentley Continental GTC

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Travel to Catalina Island

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Warm Weather Weddings

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Wine Strong Like Bull

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Todd Tufts • Editor in Chief, Publisher Leslie C. Smith • Editorial Director Vence Vida • Production Manager The Clotherie Magazine is published by Tufts Communications, 1201 E. 5th Street, Suite 1009 • Anderson, IN 46012 T: 765-608-3081 • E: todd@tuftscom.com © 2012, Tufts Communications. All rights reserved.

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Swedish Attention to Detail

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of the town

A socializing crowd at The Clotherie

out about

THE CLOTHERIE GRAND RE-OPENING PARTY

THE CLOTHERIE celebrated its Grand Re-Opening Party on Friday, October 28th amongst our dearest friends and family from around the world. With the excitement of the seventh game of the World Series playing in the background and a bevy of Cardinal fans on hand, spirits were high. Guests supped on the delectable fare of Eddie Matney of “Eddie’s House”. Such delicacies as Swedish meatballs, salmon cake sliders with Old Bay aoli, flank steak sliders with caramelized onions, caprese style stuffed tomates, A few of our St. Louis Cardinal Fans: grilled cheese brioche, Israeli couscous fetoush, tortellini antipasta, and so Nancy Bronska, Lilibet & Jeff Iken much more filled the plates of those mingling under the Arizona sunset. The Clotherie sponsored raffle was a smashing success with Patrick Schinzel the grand prize winner of a Canali suit. Other winners included: Mark Rosenberg (Canali shirt); Pat Devine (Canali Tie); Doug McManus (Agave Jeans); John House (Robert Talbott 7-fold tie; Steve Charney (Zanella Pants); Richard Felker (Nat Nast Gift Certificate); Peter Shikany (Donald Pliner Shoes); Mark Woodfiel (Eton Shirt); Richard Doria and William Koslow (Dion Ties).

Throughout the evening the store was packed inside and out with friends and family as they mingled, socialized, and cheered the Cardinals to an outstanding victory in the seventh game of the World Series.

Mark & Abby Curtis

David Lorsch & Cindy Lubin

Grand Prize Canali Suit Winner Patrick Schinzel

The Clotherie’s New Eton Store within a Store The exclusive presentation of our new Eton store within a store attracted Eton’s President and CEO, Hans Davidson, who traveled from Sweden to attend the exciting event. Also in attendance were Eton representatives Eric Wilkinson, Matt Becker, and Sarah Ölmebäck; Marc Spero of Zanella also traveled from New York City to share in the celebration.

Eric Wilkinson (Eton), Hans Davidson (Eton President and CEO), Joan Bellows, Jim Manos, and Greg Eveloff

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Carolyn & Rick Ross

Chef Eddie Matney, Shereen Pollak

Tom Allen looks on as Eton representative, Eric Wilkinson, displays beautiful selection of Eton swatches

ETON AND NAT NAST TRUNK SHOWS Trunk shows are always exciting and special events at The Clotherie as we showcase spectacular lines such as CANALI, ETON, and NAT NAST. Trunk shows allow our customers to select from exclusive merchandise and work with the top representatives in the business. We were fortunate to have Peter Schmid from Canali, Eric Wilkinson from Eton, and Barbara Nast and Ralph Odenberg from Nat Nast for these special events.

Barbara Nast poses with Richard Felker, winner of the $500 NAT NAST Clotherie raffle prize (from grand re-opening party)

Tom Simon looks on as Barbara displays the wonderful selection of Nat Nast shirts

THE CLOTHERIE and THREADWIZE GROUP “DO” L.A. and TOUR THE AG ADRIANO GOLDSCHMIED JEANS FACTORY! Greg Eveloff traveled with members of Threadwize, a group of ten specialty store retailers from across the country to Los Angeles for four days where they held their semi-annual meeting March 11–14. After gathering for meetings, visiting key L.A. stores, and attending the L.A. market, the trip was highlighted with a private tour of the Koos Factory, home of luxury denim brand, Adriano Goldschmidt Jeans. AG, founded in 2000, began as a small boutique line and now produces 30,000 jeans per week. Under the direction of Mr. Ku and his son, Sam Ku, Creative Director, the AG team has maintained its commitment to the “made in the U.S.A.” label. Each pair of jeans is created with the utmost attention to detail; each pair of jeans is touched by a minimum of fifty people before they are finished. AG Adriano Goldschmied continues to develop its product line with genuine vintage appeal and expand distribution throughout Canada, Asia, and Europe.

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UPCOMING TRUNK SHOWS ZANELLA TRUNK SHOW with Marc Spero and Larry Lentini Date: Saturday, April 14th

HAPPENINGS AT BILTMORE FASHION PARK Biltmore Fashion Park continues to offer many exciting events and is becoming a popular place not only for its fabulous shopping, but also for social gatherings. With fabulous dining, movies on the lawn, Sunday yoga events, and more, the Biltmore Fashion Park is a perfect place to meet your friends.

MOVIES IN THE PARK Biltmore Fashion Park will once again feature Movies in the Park for nine weeks this spring. The movie showcases classic American films under the stars on the Center Lawn at 7:30 pm and is free and open to the public. Movies are shown in their original, unedited format. Participating restaurants provide dining deals to movie-goers every Friday night.

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MOVIE DINING DEALS: Movie-goers can dine-in or take-out and delight in their favorite dish every Friday ant participating restaurants:

The Cheesecake Factory Two Small Plates + Two Fountain Sodas ~ $12 602.778.6501

Black Chile Mexican Grill Happy Hour 3pm – 7 pm 602.955.5593

Seasons 52 Enjoy Four Signature Mini Indulgences To-‐Go for the Price of Three 602.840.5252

California Pizza Kitchen Pizza or Half Salad + Cookie + One fountain drink ~ $12 602.553.8382

Paradise Bakery Choose Sandwich or Salad + Chips + Cookie + Drink ~ $8.99 Call in your order 602.889.3587

The Capital Grille Build Your Own Plate $16 Valid only for to-go orders 602.952.8900

True Food Kitchen Any Pizza + One Natural Refreshment ~ $12

Christopher’s + Crush Lounge Full Pizza for Half Price ~ $6 – 8 Available until 7pm 602.52.2344

Zinburger Plain and Simple Burger + Fries + One fountain drink ~ $12 Roasted Chicken Salad + Fries + One fountain drink ~ $12 Valid only for to-‐go orders 602.424.9500

MOVIE SCHEDULES: April 6th Clueless April 13th The Sound of Music April 20 The Notebook April 27 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

RED CARPET SERVICE Ameripark is rolling out the red carpet for Movies in the park attendees! Enjoy the Red Carpet experience available when you valet park on the south side between Black Chile Mexican Grill and Zinburger. Valet parking is $6 per vehicle.

FACE OF THE FOOTHILLS CASTING CALL April 14, center lawn 11am - 1pm

RETAIL UPDATES Diane’s Beachwear Coming Soon Pottery Barn will undergo a full remodel and re-open in the summer.

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The Clotherie Apparel Collections for Spring/Summer 2012 .....

THE CLOTHERIE IS HONORED... ...to be selected as one of ten stores in North America

by CANALI to have a CANALI MADE-TO-MEASURE SHOP! Canali’s Made-to-Measure offers excellence in suit making through the finest selection of cut, color and fabrics. Stop by soon to experience the elegant sartorial styling and detailed craftsmanship of Canali’s Made-to-Measure clothing. The end results are truly worthy of Canali’s highest standards of fashion and perfection.

EYEBOBS COME TO THE CLOTHERIE Great gift idea! Eyebobs are the ultimate “eye” fashion accessory. If you’re stylish, smart, and want to “make a statement,” then your eyewear should be too.

Eyebobs come in a multitude of styles and colors to suit every “frame” of mind, from distinguished to flashy, bold and bright.

Eyebobs are so versatile...you can convert your eyebobs into prescription eyewear, get sunglass readers for reading outdoors, or simply look stylish with the fabulous eyewear look of your choice! Founded in 2001 by Julie Allinson, who was in need of reading glasses, she turned her creativity into unique designs with a reasonable price tag. Eyebobs firmly believes your style should be sharp, even if your vision isn’t. Stop in today to pick up several Eyebobs to suit YOUR style!

ESQUIRE MAGAZINE’S A-LIST…THE STORES THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME! Esquire Magazine once again honored The Clotherie as one of the finest men’s specialty stores in the country in the coveted Big Black Book (available in early April on newsstands nationwide). Esquire Magazine is renowned for its expertise, knowledge, and advice in men’s fashion for over 75 years. The Clotherie, celebrating its 42nd year, is proud to receive this prestigious award that “salutes the stores that stand the test of time.” Stop by and see why we’ve been recognized as one of the nation’s top retail destinations.

THE CLOTHERIE IS #1 MEN’S FASHION RETAIL STORE

BY RANKING ARIZONA The Clotherie was voted the #1 Men’s Fashion Retail Store by Ranking Arizona, The Best of Arizona Business for the 14th consecutive year. This represents the largest business opinion poll taken in Arizona. The Clotherie is honored to receive this distinctive recognition. Don’t forget to cast your vote this year by logging onto www.rankingarizona.com.

CHECK IT OUT VISIT OURWEBSITE www.theclotherie.com for the latest CLOTHERIE news, blog, fashion updates, magazine, and so much more!

The Clotherie online store at www.theclotherie.com/online-shop which features a wide selection of shirts, trousers, shoes, accessories and more from your favorite designers...new fashions and exclusive vendors including Alberto, Culturata, Donald Pliner, Eton, Gardeur, J. Paul Skincare and more.

Thanks to all of our FACEBOOK Friends! Pass the word to friends and family so we can continue to grow...catch up on Clotherie news, link to the Online Shop, and so much more!

Continue to join us on FACEBOOK or follow us on TWITTER.

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AG Adriano Goldschmied Agave Alberto Alden Shoes Allegri Outerwear Arnold Zimberg Auri Shoes Baade II Bill Lavin Belts Born Shoes Canali Citizens of Humanity Jeans Codice Corneliani Culturata Shirts Donald Pliner Dion Ties Ecco Edward Armah Pocket Rounds Ermenegildo Zegna Equilibrio Eton Eyebobs Gardeur Gendarme Cologne Geoff Nicholson Pocket Squares Georg Roth Gravati Shoes Haupt International Laundry Italo Ferretti J. Paul Face Care Jack Lipson Shirts Jack Victor John Smedley LBM 1911 Left Coast Tees Mac Jeans Mason’s Michael Toschi Nat Nast Original Paperback Shorts Pantherella Raffi Robert Comstock Robert Talbott Rufus Sportshirts Samuelsohn Sand Tailor Vintage Thaddeus Think Pens Trussini Tulliani Belts Zanella Zegna Sport Z Zegna

spotlightrtugal

In today’s world, a man who dresses well makes a defining statement. The style and quality of a jacket or suit, the artistry of a tie, the appreciation for subtle details, are nothing less than a personal credo.

Not all credos are equally valid, which is why there are periods in fashion we’d all like to forget. But true style doesn’t depend on the winds and whims of fashion. Style remains a constant amid the chaos of trends and trial balloons. It is the solid substance within the most enviable outward show. The fashion pendulum, inevitably swings, from the plumes and laces of the 17th century cavalier to the careful pinstripes of the thoroughly modern CEO. But, an appreciation for fine material, exacting fit, and unstinting workmanship will always guide a certain kind of man, and such men will inspire other men to new heights. These are the men Robert Talbott has served since its first day.

When Robert and Audrey Talbott arrived in Carmel, California from a successful life in New York City and Connecticut, they brought with them a sense of eastern tradition and a keen interest in the west’s abundant possibilities.

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The Talbotts were a company waiting to happen. Though Robert had succeeded as a corporate executive, his ambition, since his days at the Harvard Business School in the 1930s had been to manufacture something unique and special. Audrey was already doing just that, sewing one-of-a-kind bow ties for their friends at Christmas. The next step was almost inevitable: creating a highly personal company to make ties for a select group of discerning men. Robert and Audrey envisioned a company that would create high quality neckwear and shirts for men who would appreciate superb materials and the details of fine workmanship.

They understood their customer as a man who knew the hallmarks of sartorial distinction and whose sense of style came from within.

The business grew slowly at first, but by 1955, Audrey’s hand made bows were in eight men’s clothing shops on the West Coast.

The adventuresome couple began traveling to Europe and Asia to find the best mills to weave their array of fabric designs.

Robert Talbott set the tone that guided the company through steady growth. “If you want to be number one in your industry, you must set the pace. You must create the finest product. You must be number one in serving your customers. And, you must be number one in your ability to create a loyal and motivated group of employees.”

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Discriminating consumers, in our often indiscriminate consumer age, are taking a stand for excellence. They buy less and demand more, expecting what they purchase, whether large or small — an old master print or a fine merlot — to satisfy them deeply. They subscribe wholeheartedly to the idea put forward by author and critic George Trow that “The idea of choice is easily debased if one forgets that the aim is to have chosen successfully, not to be endlessly choosing.”

Such people are on a constant quest for what is, quintessentially, best in everything. Long before the Talbotts founded their company, they shared this sense of everyday connoisseurship.

When Robert Talbott took those first “Audrey bows” into retail shops, he intended them for a man whose need for good things he knew well, because he was that man. He was keenly aware that a quiet magic resides in something as simple as a fine necktie and an exceptional shirt, and that, with this magic, a man can prepare himself to face the most daunting day.

In the decades that have passed, as the company grew from a local cottage industry to a global enterprise, the Talbott belief in the power of quality has never diminished. Today, Robert Talbott has become a premiere producer of menswear, respected as a company that is modern in the best sense of the word — current and innovative, yet never compromising.

spotlight

The new Robert Talbott 2012 spring neckwear collections are timeless and classic made from beautiful English and Italian fabrics which it lends the designs an exquisite three-dimensional texture and a high level of sophistication and elegance. The design layouts follow the flawless movement of nature — a stunning impact for the discerning gentleman’s wardrobe for spring. Vibrant saturated shades will please the traditional Talbott customer and are a must for all during this season, followed by softer and interesting fabric combinations, including silk & linen and silk & cotton. These are the perfect match for a more relaxed attitude.

Add a fun-to-wear bow-tie with whimsical colors, or add a splash of brightness with a boldly silk twill or cotton pocket square. Pocket squares and bow-ties are always essential components in Talbott’s rich design heritage.

The main colors are sun drenched yellows and gold’s, poppy reds, tropical oranges, sea green teals and aqua’s, citrus shades of bright lime and apple greens. It’s the perfect mix for a new and lively season.

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LakesideStyle Getting away for the weekend doesn’t mean you have to leave style behind

If you’re really lucky, you possess a lakeside retreat, a cool

Denim, for instance, is a standard, good to have on cool

place to relax over summer weekends and vacations. If you’ve

nights, as well as any time you want to keep bugs from attack-

got the next best thing, you have a friend who owns a lakeside

ing your body. In terms of cut and color, designers want you to

retreat. Either way, you’ve got it made in the shade, so do it

opt for this season’s off-white jeans. But our guess is designers

justice by dressing appropriately.

don’t spend a whole lot of time sitting on docks, tramping

While there are no hard-and-fast rules what to wear up at

through the backwoods, or building new outhouses.

the cottage or cabin, we do have a few suggestions for you,

Traditional indigo blue would therefore be the wiser choice.

garnered from years of personal experience, in combination

Whatever your selection, though, jean legs should be slim and

with this season’s trend list.

straight, yet not pencil thin, and the cuffs rolled at your whim.

A braided leather belt looped around your waistband makes a nice touch, and one that is in perfect keeping with today’s style dictates.

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Photo Courtesy of BRAX

THE NEW CADILLAC XTS Available Spring 2012 Paul & Sabrina Glans General Sales Manager

EVERY DETAIL SETS A NEW STANDARD. From its CUE driver interface—which leaps two generations ahead—to its confident driving experience, the bold new Cadillac XTS ushers in new standards in every ingenious detail.

Powerful, yet efficient. Stunningly modern, yet meticulously crafted. Tautly proportioned, yet spacious. And with available torque-vectoring All-Wheel Drive and standard Brembo® brakes, the XTS provides the perfect balance between agility and composure.

Western Region #1 Cadillac Dealership Paul Glans 480-861-7412 paulg@legendscadillac.com Over 20 years with Cadillac

•

Outstanding Customer Service

Allen Hall 602-316-5303 allenh@legendscadillac.com Over 35 years with Cadillac

Charlie Westergreen 480-861-1862 charlesw@legendscadillac.com Over 15 years with Cadillac

LEGENDS Cadillac 7901 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.

Scottsdale, AZ 85260 480-483-4000 www.legendscadillac.com

wear

Two more lakeshore basics are shorts and swim trunks; although many guys prefer the

As to tops, you will of course bring along at

simple expediency of wearing their quick-

least one T-shirt, as a casual shirt, a sun

drying swim trunks as shorts. Since this piece

cover-up and most likely (in conjunction

of clothing will be getting immersed in

with a decent pair of boxers) the upper half

water, hopefully several times over the

of your sleeping attire. Your host, friends and

course of a day, surface dirt isn’t really an issue, so lighter col-

any other guests there will thus be obliged to see it over and

ors work well, as do softly shaded plaids. However, if you plan

over again, so make sure it’s a shirt you won’t be ashamed of.

on wearing a patterned top, stick to a single solid for your

Leave sloganed, “funny” and just plain ratty tees in their draw-

shorts. We’d also recommend that men over the age of 25

er, and get yourself into a relaxed version made from a per-

ditch the to-the-knee surf jams in favor of more tailored shorts

formance blend of cotton and poly. It looks fresh, it feels light,

whose hems rise above the patella.

and it is designed to wick moisture away from your body. An added plus: unless you are a shaved-pec male model, you’re going to need a good T-shirt to wear under all of this season’s deeply veed summer sweaters.

More shirts and knits to consider including in your weekender bag would be the button-front Henley, a light roll-neck turtle, and the loose-hanging, short-sleeved camp shirt, either plain or in one of today’s nouveau Hawaiian prints. Polo shirts, oddly enough, appear to have momentarily fallen off the fashion map.

For your feet, one pair of canvas shoes is all you’ll really need. For your head – again, if you’re over 25, toss the baseball cap and treat yourself to a snappy, short-brimmed straw hat. It’s way cooler to wear, as well as to look at. And isn’t cool what the lake’s all about?

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Photo Courtesy of BRAX

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Attention to detail has turned Eton into one of the world’s finest shirtmakers. By a dedicated belief in quality and craftsmanship, the Swedish shirt success story has spread from the small village of Gånghester in the west of Sweden to some of the world most exclusive department stores and retailers.

Today, Eton still remains loyal to its heritage as a specialist shirt manufacturer.

After a recession forced Annie and David Pettersson to close their sawmill in 1928, the couple started to manufacture shirts under the name “Skjortfabriken Special”. The shirts were initially sewn in the couple’s kitchen and quickly became popular among the locals for their superior quality of fabric and the elegant cut. The real break-through came in the mid 1950s when an agent traveled to England to promote the collection for the company. This was against the prevailing view in the local area that it would be impossible to be successful in the British market. The agent managed to establish a handful of new retailers, which became the start of a long and successful export tradition. since the new market found “Skjortfabriken Special” difficult to pronounce the company changed its name to Eton after the renowned British College. The name that has become synonymous with a high class quality shirt.

Old factory in Gånghester Man to the left is David Pettersson

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“We have always stated that we shall make the very best shirts. During the 1980s and 1990s when wide-ranging lifestyle brands dominated the fashion scene we instead strengthened our position as a leading specialist shirtmaker. We are very proud to produce all our shirts using selectively chosen fabrics from European manufacturers which we–together with some of the world’s best spinners, weavers and finishing works–create exclusively for Eton.”

Hans Davidson, CEO of Eton Grandson to Annie and David Pettersson

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Combining elegance with function has always been a key part of the Eton philosophy. In the early 1980s eton began collaborating with a fabric laboratory in Switzerland to create iron free shirt fabrics. Determined to create a shirt fabric that kept its shape during the day, Eton initiated the development that has set the standard for today’s iron free fabrics. A three week long finishing process consisting of over 30 different stages together with selectively picked long stable cotton, cutting edge spinning and weaving technology forms the fabrics that today have become the signature of Eton.

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“Our design philosophy springs from creating tomorrows vintage-garments. We refuse to follow transient fashion trends and instead we want the design to last as long as the quality of shirts. We put a lot of effort in creating the perfect fit and work a lot with details to create a subtle and elegant feel.

Since we create all our fabrics, we can experiment with colors and the unique know how that is gathered in Eton to make it possible to know what quality and weaving technology suits which color.�

Sebastian Dollinger Creative Director at Eton

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the Commandments of Bodybuilding Every facet of life is governed by rules, regulations and laws, be they natural or imposed by man and bodybuilding is no different! Here are the 10 basic bodybuilding commandments every athlete should follow to walk along the path of bodybuilding righteousness.

1) Thou shalt not overtrain Overtraining occurs when your training volume and intensity exceeds your body's ability to recover and repair itself. It places such a strain on your body that it not only affects you physically, but can also manifest mentally and emotionally. From a physical perspective, overtraining causes you to lose strength, endurance, fitness and even muscle size and tone. It can take weeks, if not months to recover, so it is important that you avoid overtraining by periodising your training programme, include adequate rest periods in your training week and ensure your nutrition supports a healthy body.

2) Thou shalt go big or go home T he key to making massive gains in the gym is the intensity of your training. Whether you choose to manipulate your rep and set structure or go as heavy as possible on each set, maintaining the right intensity during every workout is key. The ability to push yourself to the limit during each session is a factor of both your mental and physical capacity. Use positive affirmations, goal setting and visualisation to make sure you are in the right frame of mind when you hit the gym, then push your body to the limit by using the tried and trusted training techniques advocated in Muscle Evolution.

3) Thou shalt supplement correctly It is physically impossible for most bodybuilders to eat the recommended daily calorie requirements from solid food alone. As such supplements play an important role in adding quality calories to your diet, while also ensuring that you meet the other recommended daily requirements with regard to vitamin and mineral intake. Supplements have also been formulated to offer the most effective means of getting the required nutrients your body needs to recover and perform before, during and after training.

And always remember that not all supplements are created equal.

Quality is always more important and quantity, so research all the top brands to find out what products are the best performers.

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4) Thou shalt honor the sabbath Rest is the cornerstone of muscle recovery. Every serious bodybuilder will know that the real gains are not made in the gym, but rather in the hours and days following a muscle busting workout. This rest period should therefore never be sacrificed for an extra session and the basic principles of rest and recovery should always be adhered to. These include resting trained body parts for at least 48 hours between sessions, especially if you isolate them, as most bodybuilders do. The importance of proper nutrition and supplementation cannot be emphasised enough! Don't skip a protein shake because you didn't train and don't eat hollow calories from food that has no nutritive value because its your off day.

Your rest day meals are the most important meals, along with your immediate post-workout meal.

5) Thou shalt never take lifting form and technique in vain While going as heavy as possible and ensuring proper intensity are vital, so is maintaining proper form and technique. If the weight is too heavy and you sacrifice form to lift it you will get injured. Proper technique also ensures that you work through a full range of motion to activate and incorporate the maximum number of muscle fibres during each lift. Even when you do incorporate special lifting techniques, like forced reps, there is still a need to keep correct form and use lifting best practice.

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6) Thou shalt enjoy the bounties of the earth The processed food of today will never deliver the nutrients our bodies need to grow, so whenever possible select natural and organic food products. A general rule of thumb is to avoid any food that cannot go off or doesn't spoil.

7) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's training routine There is not one-size-fits-all training technique or diet. Everybody has their own genetic make-up, muscle type and bone structure.

As such, we all respond differently to training stimuli and nutrition, so trying to horse-shoe your buddy's training programme into your regime may not always be the best option. Try different things and experiment with training techniques, programmes and diets to find what suits your body and physiology best.

8) Thou shalt stay humble in the eyes of your fellow bodybuilders The bodybuilders who think they know it all will never achieve greatness. Speak to just about every top athlete in SA and you will find that they are a humble bunch who continually search for the latest information regarding the sport. They are also, more often than not, willing to share their experience and knowledge with everyone. So don't be the jackass who thinks he is too good to help out a novice or share a few training tips with the youngsters in the sport.

9) Thou shalt respect the gear.

A healthy dose of respect and a thorough understanding of what gear is out there and how best to use it could save your life. Let's not be na ve about this; steroids and other performance enhancers get used so, while we don't advocate their use, we always try and promote responsible and safe use through education. Do your homework before you start a cycle or course, don't be afraid to speak to others who have successfully used gear and don't ever sacrifice quality over price, or think that increasing your dosages will deliver better results. A healthy dose of common sense and respect will keep you in this sport for a lot longer!

Pedro Van Gaalen is the managing editor of Fitness magazine (South African edition) and Muscle Evolution magazine.

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D O S T E P I N TO M Y B L U E ( O R R A S P B E R RY O R M O S S G R E E N ) S U E D E S H O E S … and more news about this season’s coolest footwear, including how to coordinate it with the rest of what you wear

As we say in the title, suede. Suede, suede, suede. Suede for all shoe styles, from classic desert boots with their folded-into-the-body tongues and simple lacing, to pull-on ankle boots, to lace-up dress shoes, to this season’s obvious footwear champ, the soft slip-on moccasin.

While many of these suede shoes can be found in more routine light brown hues – a warm tan, biscuit or hazel, for instance – this spring and summer we are asked to expand our color range into new frontiers. So, just for fun, let your feet get their kicks in suede shades of cinnamon, aqua, butter yellow, pale blue, berry, moss and mint green.

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You’ve bought the shoes. Now, how to fit them in with the rest of your attire? The trick here is to sprinkle your ensemble with other colors that visually match your shoes’ softness. For example, place a light gray Prince of Wales sport jacket over an ultra-light, V-neck sweater vest in olive, over an open-necked shirt in dusty rose; below, choose ecru-shaded pants and a pair of rust-colored suede oxfords. Or you can wear a pale blue shirt under a pale peach cotton knit, don bone-white denims rolled at the cuff, and put butter yellow mocs on your sockless feet.

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And Other Sharp Moves You Can Make – Today’s dress leather footwear mainly sticks to clean, classic styles, such as sleek oxfords and slip-ons, shoes that complement today’s lean, tailored silhouette. Notice, though, how their soles have now grown heavier in order to correctly balance the slimmer line of the trousers.

More leeway is available in the casual-dress shoe department. One nifty option is the 1950s-style penny loafer, complete with a copper cent inserted into the strap across the vamp. Another 50s fave – plain lace-ups in white buckskin, better known as “white bucks” – is also strolling back into our wardrobes. Two-tone shoes make particularly cool, in-themoment choices. This category includes such classic keepers as spectators and saddle shoes. Yet look as well for new-fangled offerings, featuring a light contrast leather stitched directly atop the shoe’s upper, rather like old-fashioned spats.

Finally, for casual footwear, sandals are perennial summer staples. But forget the fancier gladiator and fisherman versions; the simple Jesus sandal is what you want. Two broad leather straps that cross over the arch and attach to a leather sole – this is the kind of straightforward style best suited to modern design lines.

Drop by Eddie's House for All Night Happy Hour, delicious dinner, creative drinks. a great place to hang...your Eton shirt. We are ready to make your nights a little more exciting.

7042 E. Indian School Road in Scottsdale 480-946-1622 www.eddieshouseaz.com Open Monday-Saturday

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The Deconstructed Jacket. Suit or sport jacket, this season offers a sub-set of light, unlined, tailored pieces with high shrug-on value and extended slouchy chic capabilities. Owners are encouraged to add to the relaxed air by pushing jacket sleeves up their forearms, Miami Vice style.

Most Improvement in a Mid-20th-Century Style …

The New Hawaiian Shirt. Typical tropical palm patterns still stick around, but they are now presented in bigger, darker, leafier prints against blackened backgrounds, with only a flash of bright color here and there, for contrast’s sake. Who knew that Hawaiian shirts could come across as so edgy?

and the winner is...

The J.P. Towers Awards for top spring/summer trends

Best Salute to American Mode …

A tie between the Baseball Shirt and the Baseball Jacket.

Both feature inset Raglan sleeves, whose diagonal seams form a triangular line stretching from the neck to the underarms. Good for ease of movement, great for emphasizing a nice set of shoulders, and even better for making a proverbial 97-pound weakling look kind of pumped up.

Biggest Little Collar of 2012 …

The Band Collar. Against stiff competition from the small, rounded club collar, plus the occasional straightup Nehru and fold-down Mao (saluting the world’s two hottest economies), this no-collar-at-all shirt collar performs equally well whether buttoned right up or left loosely undone.

Photo Courtesy of ALBERTO

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The Th e On Onda da iin n Black Black Techno, Techn no by Mi Michael chael Toschi To oschi

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Best Dual-handled Bag in the Over-two-feet-in-length Category …

The Large Dual-handled Hold-all. As suits get slimmer, bags are getting bigger. They really have to, because they now hold all the stuff that would otherwise throw off the line of your suit. Smartest choice is the rectangular hold-all with soft leather sides.

Most Popular Pattern of the Season …

The stripe. Sure, plaids have their place but the stripe – whether thick or super-thick – proves more versatile, appearing in navy-and-white nautical knits, bands on deeply veed varsity sweaters and cardigans, chalk stripes in suitings, diagonal stripes on repp ties, plus racing stripes running down the arms and legs of a whole whack of athletically inspired jackets, shirts, pants and shorts. This is, after all, an Olympic year.

Softest Shoe in the Mid-to-high Luxury Range …

The Suede Moccasin. Why try to fight it? This shoe is everywhere and goes with everything. And its new pastel hues – mint green, aqua blue, butter yellow, rose pink – are so soft, they’re an extra pleasure to put on.

Greatest Initial Quality in a Casual Jacket …

The Harrington Jacket. This waist-length garment with its fold-down collar and distinctive red plaid interior surfaced at innumerable designer showings. A British style, adopted

by American Ivy Leaguers, the jacket takes its name from its best-known proponent, Ryan O’Neal’s character in the 1960s TV series Peyton Place.

Photo Courtesy of BRAX

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ne so d a ent, e z i gn pend . e eco es a r y ind parti n o riz ers b hird A in lean ive t c ner at lea mier horit c re ut ry p a d LY n's ted, ON atio sa The the n mpen f o o n-c no

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The Bentley Continental GTC Have you ever wondered what it would be like to legally drive faster than 100 mph? What about 150 mph or possibly 200 mph? If you could, would you have what it takes to make it happen?

As someone fortunate enough to have driven faster than 200 mph on numerous occasions, when it was completely legal, of course, I can attest to the thrill it provides watching pavement rush past at 293.33 feet per second. It requires the utmost concentration, a keen focus on the road ahead and a capable vehicle.

The Bentley Boys from Crewe in the United Kingdom have always had a thing for speed and a new model is certain to keep this tradition going strong for years to come. My test drive takes place in the country of Croatia, just outside the port town of Rovinj on the Istrian Peninsula. It is a setting of pristine beaches, crystalline waters and historic architecture.

What separates the Continental GT series from its rivals is the ease with which it manipulates any road surface. Many exotic cars require you to compromise in one area or another; an overly stiff suspension, no back seat room, a viewing angle lower than the front bumper of a Ford F-150 pickup truck. Driving a Bentley involves none of this. Just sit back and enjoy warp speed in complete comfort.

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Performance takes root in the form of a 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12 engine. This is the same engine featured in the coupe that highlights 567 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 516 lb.ft. of torque @ 1,700 rpm.

The response you get when stepping on the accelerator is pure magic! Matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission, 60 mph flashes past in a mere 4.5 seconds. Getting to 100 mph requires just 10.9 seconds while top speed crests at 195 mph. All this and the 12-cylinder engine is FlexFuel compatible (gasoline, E85 bioethanol or both in combination).

To keep up with the added power, significant changes have also been made in the areas of drivability plus exterior and interior design.

New for 2012, the Continental GTC improves on-road performance with a 40:60 rear-bias torque split for the continuous all-wheel drive system. This improves understeer when accelerating out of a corner and provides the much appreciated thrill of maintaining control by throttle steering. Both front and rear track have been increased for added performance.

I experience this firsthand rounding a tight right-hander on Croatia’s famous two-lane back roads. The rear end snaps out suddenly as we take a 45 mph turn at a substantially higher rate of speed. My reaction is near instantaneous and the Continental GTC is quick to compensate keeping us pointed in the right direction. My driving companion asks if we can do that again.

Heart pounding in my chest, it is one of those moments I will always remember.

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Exterior styling cues show a penchant for celebrating the success of the 2nd generation Continental Coupe and Convertible.

But Bentley has never been known to rest on its laurels.

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Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is less intrusive than in the past, yet highly effective at harnessing the best traits of the powerful W12 engine. Ventilated front and rear disc brakes, with optional cross-drilled Carbon Silicon Carbide, bring the 2,495 kg Continental GTC to a rapid stop.

Exterior styling cues show a penchant for celebrating the success of the 2nd generation Continental Coupe and Convertible.

But Bentley has never been known to rest on its laurels.

A new powerful double horse-shoe motif graces the trunk; crisp lines accentuate sexy curves as I walk around and study the car under a bright Croatian sun. Every edge and seam is perfectly crafted. It’s as if Bentley wrapped the new Continental GTC in the finest Savile Row suit and painstakingly ironed in all the creases. Uniquely jewelled headlamps feature LED day-time running lights.

Supremely comfortable cobra style front seats utilize a new Neck Warmer system that works surprisingly well even in severe crosswinds. The centre console highlights improved storage for keys and cell phone as well as an unusually large cubby hole.

Cupholders are larger and re-positioned for easier access. Safety is key with five airbags and the latest Roll Over Protection System (ROPS).

The 2012 Bentley Continental GTC sets the standard for all glamorous convertibles to follow. While it may not be the most outlandish when compared to Aston Martin, Ferrari or Lamborghini, it is by far the easiest to live with. In the end, that is the truest measure of an exotic sports car.

2012 Bentley Continental GTC Wheelbase: 108.1 in Overall length: 189.2 in Overall width: 87.7 in Overall height: 55.2 in Engine: 6.0-L twin-turbocharged W12 Transmission: 6-speed automatic with QuickShift Brakes: 4-wheel disc Fuel (capacity): Regular (90L) Warranties: 3 years/ unlimited km (basic) Competitors: Aston Martin DB9 Volante, Jaguar XKR Convertible, Maserati GranTurismo Convertible, Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG, Porsche 911 Turbo Price as tested: $235,332 CDN

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Catalina Island, or Santa Catalina as it's traditionally called, is technically part of California. But when I set foot on the island's shores after an hour-long ferry ride, I felt like I had been transported to the other side of the world. Just 22 miles away from the traffic, smog and pollution of Los Angeles, this idyllic island is about as physically and culturally different from LA as Monte Carlo minus the expensive cars (or any cars for that matter)! In fact, there are only 800 full-sized vehicles on the island, and there's a 15-year waiting list for residents to be issued a permit to own a car a sharp contrast to the motor-driven society I had just escaped.

Tourists and locals alike get around on golf carts or by taxi but most traverse Catalina's main town of Avalon by foot. At one square mile, nearly every point of interest in town is less than a 10-minute walk from Avalon's signature 'Green Pleasure Pier' (and yes, it really is green).

The Catalina Express (our boat transportation to the island) docked at the main harbor a five-minute walk from the Pavilion Hotel.

My hubby and I arrived just in time for the 5 p.m. wine and cheese tasting. After loading our plates with artisanal cheeses and filling our glasses with perfectly chilled Chardonnay, we joined the other guests at the ocean-side lounge, set against a botanical oasis of green palms, oversized birds of paradise and beautiful purple flowers.

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Island History and All that Jazz Catalina was home to a small Native American tribe before Europeans happened upon it in 1542. In 1919, the Wrigley family (of chewing gum fame) acquired the island with the intention of transforming it into a vacation paradise. They succeeded, I thought as we traversed the pedestrian walkway en route to Catalina's grand casino, Avalon's most noted landmark and another Wrigley masterpiece. Built in 1928, the massive round structure with graceful columns never actually housed a casino, but it was a fixture in the big band heyday. All the greats from Benny Goodman to Glen Miller performed there. Today, it operates as a museum, a venue for music festivals and the island's only movie theater.

As we strolled along Crescent Avenue, we discovered plenty of tempting dining options, but Avalon Grille stood out as a unique, upscale pub serving up comfort food with a creative twist. For me, Toasted Head Chardonnay with grilled salmon on a bed of lentils and spinach. For him, Guinness paired with beef brisket and smoked cheddar macaroni and cheese (and a few stalks of grilled broccolini for color and nutrients). The grand finale: Saut ed strawberries served with a puff pastry filled with vanilla bean ice cream and dusted with chopped almonds.

After dinner, we wandered into souvenier shops, small, familyowned bookstores, high-brow art galleries and low-brow boutiques all located on just one square mile of real estate. I was enchanted with a place called Two's Company. The shop's striking jewelry was set with semiprecious gems like blue topaz and peridot, purported to relieve stress, protect against negativity and heal the heart. Who couldn't benefit from that, I thought, as I plunked down a buck fifty for a shiny new ring. But perhaps our most delectable stop was Lloyds of Avalon Confectionary. No visit

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to Avalon is complete without Lloyd's caramel apples, tantalizing saltwater taffy that tugs at your fillings and jalapeno peanut brittle this spicy number was just what we needed to cut the sugar!

For a perfect end to the evening, and a guaranteed good night's sleep, we indulged in a massage by the sea. Set on quite possibly the most beautiful stretch of shoreline I've ever seen, these massages go far beyond the standard 60-minute rub down. Under the moonlight, skilled therapists kneaded out our knots and smoothed out our muscles while the ocean breeze and the sound of gentle waves lulled us into a deep relaxation a great prelude to a romantic evening (if you have more practical pursuits in mind, foot reflexology is available, too).

Adrenaline Canyon The next morning, after fueling up on strawberry waffles smothered with whipped cream at Sally's cozy waffle house, we set out for our two-hour stint as Tarzan and Jane. The tour began back at Descanso Beach, where for two dollars a day, beach goers can lounge amidst the palms sipping on cocktails. Tempting, but we had a date with a few thousand feet of steel cable.

Before I knew it, we were on board a Mercedes Unimog (think upscale mini-bus) with three other couples en route to the top of Hogsback Ridge. When the bus stopped eight minutes later, we saw the first of five zip lines. One by one we were connected to a pulley, eventually sliding down 3,671 feet of steel cables that run from the top of Hogsback Ridge, about 600 feet above sea level, down to Descanso Beach below. We zipped down the mountain at 45 miles per hour in a zig-zag like fashion at one point dangling 300 feet above a cactus-filled canyon. Every line was different, and all five had their perks.

dreamin’

The first line was the shortest, so you can get comfortable! The second was the longest and offered unsurpassed views of the island, provided you could wriggle your body to the side to get a clear shot. The third had the steepest drop. The fourth afforded us an opportunity to reach for the leaves. And the fifth was a free-for-all no form required.

For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, Catalina offers plenty of active pursuits from hiking and biking to eco-tours that include both. The Santa Catalina Island Conservancy owns nearly 90 percent of the island's rugged interior, so the only way to access the protected area is to book an eco-tour where you'll see ravens, bald eagles, goats and buffalo that have been roaming here since 1924, when they were brought over from the mainland for the filming of 'The Vanishing American.' The ironic twist: Scenes featuring the bison ended up on the cutting room floor, and due to cost overruns, 14 animals were left to roam Catalina. With no predators, the bison population has ballooned to more than 150 animals.

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Ocean Adventures While it's tough to top Catalina's land activities, the island does offer a wide variety of water sports and even a few underwater adventures you can enjoy without getting wet. The water in Catalina is shockingly cold in the fall, so we opted for the UnderSea tour. Basically, you board a boat that doubles as an underwater vessel with windows on all sides think Disneyland's Finding Nemo ride but with real fish. In fact, every passenger has a personal view for the 45-minute cruise through an area called Lover's Cove. Savvy boat operators drop fish food along the route, so it's not surprising that the finned attactions come out in droves.

We saw bright orange garibaldi (native to California and protected in California waters), neon fish (characterized by an iridescent blue stripe that stretches from nose to fin) and spotted calico bass (a popular catch for fisherman on the island).

If cruising in a mock submarine sets off your claustrophobic alarms, consider snorkeling, kayaking or parasailing. We opted for the latter, but Catalina, like many islands, is notorious for foggy mornings. When we started prepping for our 11 a.m. parasail, we realized we might be entering a no-fly zone. As luck would have it, the fog lifted just in time for a noon flight. The weather was perfect and the view was incredible.

'This is SOOO cool,' my husband exclaimed, as we sailed through the sky side-by-side, quite literally on cloud nine.

Since the driver lets you take off from the boat and reels you back in, the danger of flying is minimal, though we did get a thrill when he slowed down just enough for our chute to drop to sea level. When our feet skimmed the water, he punched the engine until we were soaring high again. We were like two giddy kids on our first merry-go-round. Besides the serene escape 500 feet above sea level, the ride offers a new perspective of the island and the opportunity to capture some incredible photographs.

After parasailing, there was just one more thing we needed to check off the Catalina-must list before returning to the smog and traffic of LA sip on a frothy Buffalo Milk (don't worry, it's not what you think).

This creamy concoction of vodka, Kahlua, fresh bananas, dark cream of cacao and a splash of coconut milk has been an island favorite for decades.

After downing one dockside, I was sated, happy and fueled for the 45-minute ride home and thrilled to have discovered one Catalina tradition I could take with me.

Recipe 1/4 shot Creme de Cacao, dark 1/4 shot Creme de Cacao, white 1/2 shot Kahlua 1 shot Vodka 1/2 shot Cream 1/2 piece Banana 1 sprinkle Nutmeg Fill with Ice 1 splash Whipped cream Mix: Fill a tall glass with ice. Blend ice with cream, banana and alcohol until smooth. Top with whipped cream, sprinkle with nutmeg, serve and enjoy.

Escape Route Getting to Catalina is quick and easy. There are three boat companies that service the island with daily departures from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach and Dana Point. Travel time by sea takes about one hour. Helicopter service is also available from San Pedro and Long Beach and will get you on the island in less than 15 minutes.

Amy Paturel is a health writer in California and a blogger for SELF.com. She holds masters degrees in nutrition and public health, both from Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts.

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warm weather Get it right — or get ready to hear about it for years afterwards.

More and more couples seem to be opting for non-traditional

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Tradition

marriage venues: a flower-filled garden, around a backyard pool,

Traditional formalwear goes hand-in-hand with a full-length

on a beach beside the ocean. It’s all very romantic and pictur-

wedding gown. If you’re the groom, this means donning morning

esque, yet it can also present a wedding party and guests with

dress (stock tie and vest, gray cutaway jacket and striped trousers,

some novel dressing dilemmas. How to cope with the sun, the

dress hosiery and highly polished shoes) for daylight hours, a

heat and the occasional strong breeze, while still appearing at

tuxedo or even full white tie and tails for an evening ceremony.

your absolute best?

For outdoor weddings, however, the groom and male guests also

Those of you facing this situation in the upcoming months

have the elegant option of a cool, off-white, tropical-weight din-

might want to use this little cheat-sheet outlining everything you

ner jacket, black trousers, white shirt and black bow tie. Copy

need to know about threaded bliss:

Bogart’s nightclub attire in Casablanca and you can’t go wrong.

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Informal

Casual

If the bride prefers to wear a swank suit or shorter, cock-

Of course some couples choose the strictly casual route.

tail-length skirt, the dinner jacket still works, as do more

In this case, all groom and guests need is an attractive shirt

informal options. A light gray linen suit paired with a pas-

worn untucked over light, and lightly shaded, tailored

tel-shaded tie will do nicely for the groom; ditto the male

slacks, plus a pair of closed-toe sandals on their sockless

guests, who may choose to dispense with the tie altogeth-

feet. This season’s shirt selection should make it easy to

er. If going this latter route, don’t Forrest Gump it by leav-

find that perfect top. Small collars such as the rounded club

ing your shirt buttoned all the way up, and don’t Night at

or the fold-down Mao don’t demand a tie; indeed they look

the Roxbury it by unbuttoning too far down. Open just the

great left open-necked. And the band-collar shirt, last pop-

collar and top button for that right negligent, yet still

ularized in the 1980s but now trending back heavily,

respectful, touch.

wouldn’t know what to do with neckwear if it saw it.

As you can tell, tying the knot doesn’t mean having to tie yourself in a knot over details like the right wedding raiment.

The above advice represents all you really need to know, save for a few, final notes. If there’s a chance you’ll be stuck for hours outside in the hot midday sun, guests are advised to wear a hat, taking it off only for the actual ceremony. An undershirt and good antiperspirant are also recommended.

And groomsmen, please, try to convince your womenfolk that boutonnieres are meant to be simple, uncomplicated flowers, not a fussy ornamental vegetal arrangement that takes up half your jacket lapel.

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Wines Strong Like Bull As a kid, I explored the woods across the street from my parent's house in midtown Atlanta. To me, this expansive forest begged to be wandered, poked and prodded. As I got older -although the public land holdings didn't shrink -- the forest strangely transformed into a smaller park and now I giggle about how my young Davy Crockett adventures took place over a measly six acres. How perspectives change as we mature.

My intellectual pioneering now takes place in the vast forests of wine regions. Ten years ago, before I poked and prodded the nether-regions of Spain, I was only familiar with the larger, well-known areas of Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Sherry. Slowly though, I dug into the affordable red Garnachas of Jumilla the dark and dusty juice of Priorat the fragrant and tart Albari o whites of R as Baixas. And I continue to uncover regions that we Americans haven't tried much of. Like Toro, a quality-designated Denominaci nes de Origin (DO), northwest of Madrid. Perhaps we weren't ready to try these massively concentrated, Tempranillo-based wines. Or maybe, since the DO wasn't established until 1987, the wineries of Toro region weren't ready for the big show. They are now.

Winemaking in Toro dates back to the first century B.C., when the ancient Greeks settled in and taught the natives how to craft a party beverage from the sandy, rocky soils not fit for much else.

This soil came in handy later on when, in the late 1800's, much of Europe's vines were devoured by the root-eating louse phylloxera. Toro's growing environment warded off the pest and many of the vines throughout the region are ancient, still producing small quantities of fruit.

Toro translates as "bull" in Spanish (not 'lawnmower,' which might spring to mind), and if bulls could be bottled as wine without the ASPCA being involved, they would be the massively robust, full-bodied red wines of Toro. They are not for the faint of heart. History says Columbus took Toro wine with him on his 1492 journey to discover America, thinking it could survive the trip. I'm not surprised.

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Like most Spanish wines, wineries in this region employ five quality level designates, based on how long the wine sits in oak barrels (from least to longest): Joven, Roble, Crianza (or Crianca), Reserva and Gran Reserva. This usually dictates price as well, but not necessarily value. Keep in mind when seeking out Spanish wines, the best ones aren't always the oldest.

Toro wines are made from the Tinto de Toro grape, a colloquial synonym for a diminutive version of Tempranillo, the fruit of wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The government regulations of the DO only allow for Tinto de Toro (red), Garnacha (red, same as Grenache) Malvasia (white), Verdelho (white) and Moscadelle (white) to be grown. This fruit thrives in the extreme weather of Toro -- hot, sunny and dry with little rainfall. In essence, it's like a spa for thick-skinned winegrapes.

Being a young DO, Toro only has about 50 wineries and not many export to the U.S. yet. One you can find is Numanthia, a modern, high-end, multi-award-winning winery established in 2000. They organically farm a large vineyard of old, bushy vines, using no pesticides to preserve the health of the soil. Manuel Louzada, winemaker since 2006, has had an illustrious career fermenting juice all over the globe, calling them wines "to eat with a fork and knife". Indeed, each one of his creations are lovely, meaty and bursting with black fruit. You might call them intense and they most definitely need some fatty food to tame the tannins.

Cellaring for several years is highly recommended or shop for the oldest vintages you can find. At a recent tasting, out of three wines (2006 Termes, 2006 Numanthia and 2006 Termanthia) my favorite was the rich, concentrated Termanthia: ripe plum, black cherry, great acidity, layers of soft fruit, oak, cinnamon, cocoa and cedar. Elegance defined.

If you're a fan of elegant yet forceful reds, delve into Toro. Your inner bull will rejoice.

Taylor Eason, the former wine critic at the Creative Loafing newspapers, blogs about all things alcohol at tayloreason.com.

Made in Italy artisanal

modern

sustainable

DION ST YLE • QUALITY • SER VICE

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