Author Dennis McKay will host a launch party for his new novel Once Upon Wisconsin on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at the Peacock Café. The event will include a book signing, happy hour, and a three-course dinner—and Half Pint Gentleman readers are invited.

McKay’s novel Once Upon Wisconsin describes in beautiful detail a man’s journey through love, loss, and rebirth. It has received acclaim from fellow authors and readers alike. "The dying art of scenic description is on shining display here. It's an adventure that kept me scooting forward to see where the road was going," said Peter Brown, author of Ruthie Black and Gone With the Gin.

The launch party will be held at Peacock Café, 3251 Prospect Street NW. It will begin with a happy hour and book signing at 6:00 p.m., followed by a $30 three-course, prix fixe dinner beginning around 7:30 p.m.

Your book purchase guarantees happy hour admission and/or dinner reservations for you and one guest. Tickets/books can be pre-purchased online.

If you are unable to make the event, you can buy a copy of the book here. 

                                              

                                                        

Gentleman, we've all done it. So please, let's bypass the "Brosky, I have no idea what you are talking about" blank stares. The truth of the matter is that we have all used our lady friend's facial products whether we would like to admit it or not. Maybe during a rushed morning shower where there were no other options but the Bath & Bodyworks Raspberry Surprise Facial Scrub? Or maybe just out of pure curiosity because the bottles are so damn colorful? Either way, you likely received a great result of having brighter skin for a day but unfortunately smelled like Strawberry Shortcake and while I might of had a major crush on Ms. Shortcake when I was 5, at 31 this just doesn't fly.

So what if we got rid of the middle woman and cut straight to the truth of the matter that even men want a facial product that will give them better skin just without the fairy princess after stench. Drum roll, please. Gentleman, let me introduce you to Alchimie Forever. Alchimie Forever is a Swiss skincare line that boasts dermatologist- formulated products each with combinations of antioxidant botanicals. In brosky-speak: These products are designed by accomplished professionals with natural ingredients that will make you look more like the King of the Block instead of the Chump on the Street.

Recently, I sat down with President & CEO Ada Polla, and Director of Communications Rachel Johnson to discuss the origins of Alchimie Forever, the men's line, and easy daily regimens for better looking skin. If the beauty of either of these women are any testament to the success of the Alchimie line, I would advise stocking up immediately.

What are the origins of Alchimie Forever? What is the inspiration behind the line?

RJ: The business was originated in Geneva, Switzerland and is family run. Dr. Luigi Polla, Ada's father, is a dermatologist and an expert in laser therapy and Dr. Barbara Polla, Ada's mother, is a biochemical researcher who focuses on antioxidants and how they relate to maintaining your skin. The line originated in 2003 as a result from the Forever Laser Institut which opened in 1997 in Geneva.

AP: I received a BA from Harvard University and my MBA from Georgetown University so my place within the company is to deal with the business side, mainly the development and distribution of the brand. The focus on the development of the brand is to have it in all the right places and on all the right faces. Currently we are distributed in Switzerland, Germany, UK, and SE Asia. We opened this space in Georgetown in 2009 so that we could not only use it as a headquarters for business purposes but to also have it serve as a showroom. While customers can buy products here, this space is mainly for visibility and to teach potential customers about the product if they have any questions.
 
RJ: We also have an amazing aesthetician, Rosario, who comes in a few times per month to provide Alchimie Forever treatments to our customers at the Georgetown location. However, appointments book up fast so it is best to schedule ahead.

                                

What have you found is evident about men and their skin care regimens? How does Alchimie Forever compare to other skin care lines?

AP: Men are extremely loyal, if they find something that works for them. All men are different and have different preferences but we've found that men do care about quality. Men should realize it only takes a few minutes of their time a day to take care of their skin and a consistent regimen can produce noticeable results. With Alchimie, our products aren't oily to avoid any type of sheen on the skin after use and are highly concentrated so a little goes a long way. Also, the fragrances of the men's line are natural and masculine featuring the likes of rosemary, tomato, and basil. Tomatoes have the amazing antioxidant lycopene and carotene so we break down the entire plant for full use. Basil is known as the "king of herbs" because warriors used it during battle for their wounds because of its intense healing power. The use of it in our eye contour gel really helps to get rid of fine lines and reduce puffiness.

What kind of skin care product would you recommend for men in their 20s? 30s? 40s?

AP: For men in their 20s I would recommend,  along side use of a regular face wash and SPF lotion, an aftershave that has little to no alcohol content. Alcohol can irritate and damage the skin. For men in their 30s, I would add an eye cream every day, twice a day. In fact the more you use it the better results you will see. For men in their 40s, I would use a corrective serum that has retinol about once a week and an anti-aging Vitamin A product a couple of times a week. 

                                   

The HPG's Must Haves:

The Superpulse Eye Contour Gel is a definite must for any gentleman combating dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness under the eyes. The fragrance is appealing and you can definitely smell a hint of basil which also acts as an energizer in the early morning. Apply a small dab on your fingertip and apply in a circular motion from just below your eye to just below your eyebrow until it has been absorbed into your skin. After just two days of use, I noticed a major difference in the appearance of fine lines around my eyes as well a reduction of puffiness. I almost pass for a regular guy instead of just an overstressed third year law student. Well, almost.

The Gentle Antioxidant Refining Scrub will gently, as the name describes, scrub away dead skin to leave your face looking bright and fresh and not like you've been living in a frigid wind tunnel the last few months. Yes, I know that the website says this is for women but just trust me here. My advice is to use this once a week during your shower routine. Massage a small amount of the scrub with your fingertips around the contour of your face for a few moments and then wash it away. You'll feel and see the difference immediately. I swear. I mean if it can work for this old dog, if can work for anyone.

Check out Alchimie Forever or visit them at: 1010 Wisconsin Avenue NW Suite 201 Washington DC 20007. (202) 530-3930

Yes, I know that the current issue of GQ has already blown the cover on one of Gitman Brothers newer ventures: Gitman Vintage. But how could I possibly not join in singing the praises of this American-made cotton madras magic?

Say that five times fast. Cotton Madras Magic. Cotton Madras...Oh forget it.

Gitman has been a consistent and faithful brand for American men for decades and now with the third season of this vintage inspired line is taking their game to the next level with these fine recreations from their Spring/Summer 1984 line. The combination of the bright and bold fabrics with double-track stitching and original chalk buttons is a modern take on a traditional mainstay.

Now say that five times fast. Traditional Mainstay. Traditional...It doesn't work the same does it?

I think the Snowmageddon has made me snowsane. That doesn't work either, huh? Shoot.


                                               


                                                 

                                                      

Forget the tired old runway faces of Fashion Week.

Taylor Fuchs. Schmaylor Schmuchs.

Let me introduce you to America's Next Top Model. Meet Texas. The come hither stare. The quiet burning intensity. The gold clasped buffalo check overcoat. Perfection.

Time for a Texan Takeover. Yee-haw!

                                                    

Dear Reader:

I remember my first Valentine. I pined over her for years. In my eyes she was perfection. Funny. Smart. And the kind of flawless beauty that you don't come across everyday. To this day when one of my friends mentions her name my stomach still goes immediately to rapid butterfly mode.

I can't help it.

So what happened between this lovely lady and I? Well, what normally happens in High School when someone doesn't return your affection: ridicule and embarrassment. I remember putting a note in her locker. And I remember watching her read it, then tearing it up in a million pieces, and tossing my love into the trashcan outside of our Biology class. As she walked by me she whispered, "Suck it."

(Hey, I said she was beautiful. I never said she had great manners.)

I'm no John Keats or Willie Nelson. I can't write a perfect poem or song to accurately convey the joys and strifes of love. But I will never forget this first "love" of mine and how she made me feel. Despite the unfortunate outcome, the experience taught me to love freely and take risks even if love sometimes tells you to suck it.

Happy Valentines Day.

xoxo,
HPG


                          

      

                                 

Dear Reader:

Poor, poor Laura Winslow. Somewhere in TV Land, where the beloved Family Matters went to rest, she must be kicking herself for all those years she wasted denying the fluttering love of style icon: Steve Urkel. You read correctly: Mr. Urkel was a remarkable visionary with a distinctive style. Vibrant plaid shirts. Geeky-chic oversized glasses. And daring signature technicolor suspenders.

Did I do that?  ( Insert repetitious pig snort.) You most certainly did, Mr. Urkel.  Well done, old chap.

Yes my dear reader, long before the likes of Gossip Girl's Chuck Bass, who made wearing suspenders so icy cool, there was Mr. Urkel who beat down the boring path of trouser leveraging with his unique addition of the classic suspender when they seemed to be an accessory stuck in the past. 

Pure genius.

Listen, I was also a skeptic but the true beauty of the suspender isn't just that it will allow you to look like the slickest kid on the block, but that you'll be able to eat as many mozzarella sticks as your junk food lovin' heart desires without ever having to adjust that tired leather belt onto the next notch. Heavenly, right?

( I've tested this theory out already so you don't have to go to the trouble. But I'd be willing to do it with donut holes if you want further proof. Chocolate Glazed, preferably )

Pig Snorts and Cheese Sticks,
HPG

P.S. Try the look with a pair of suspenders. Or maybe a more permanent feel with a sly pair of braces? But leave the high waisted trousers to the Master, gentleman, not everyone can pull them off.

Here are a few of my favorite Urkel inspired items...


                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                    Bold Red and Navy from J. Press.          

                             

                                            
                                                          The Skulls from J. Press.
                                        

                                                                    
                            Traditional Navy and Burgundy Striped braces from Ralph Lauren.


                    Pair any of the above with these sleek Persol 2876Vs for ultimate Urkeldom.

                                                

After watching Titanic there was a brief moment of my freshman year of college where I considered becoming an adventure seeking Underwater Archaeologist. I went so far as to print off applications to a few schools that actually offered such programs before I realized that the only style of swim I was actually proficient at was the "doggy paddle." Sigh. So my high hopes of deep sea exploring were officially sunk.

However now, I can have my adventure seeking digs without ever leaving the comfort of my couch because the talented Nigel Cabourn has created a clothing line which tosses a splash of adventurous modern influences upon a firm framework of historical prevalence. Cabourn's main source of inspiration is his 30 year collection of over 4,000 vintage pieces including refurbished military uniforms as well as exploration gear from all around the world.


Below find his Burma collection, which derives direct influence from his Father's military diary during his excursions in India and Burma between 1942-1945.

                                   
                                     Tropics Coat with Beeswax cotton and three sturdy clasps.

                                   
                                                       The bold stripes of the Chitagong.

                                    
                                          The Jungle Rat sweater with hand painted design.


And a must have for the Spring, the new beeswax cotton Cameraman jacket in yellow ochre. This piece is a replica of the jacket worn by the cameraman on the Hilary and Tenzing's famous 1953 Mount Everest expedition. This one of a kind jacket is currently available at Oi Polloi.

                                

My Grandfather had a wooden trunk for his military service memorabilia, and other special items that he had accumulated over the span of his life. Every weekend I spent with him as a child, I would beg to be allowed to go through it to see these glorious materials of yesteryear and maybe even have the opportunity to try on his famed uniforms. And unfortunately every weekend that I spent with him as a child,  he sternly reminded me of the "Fingerprints on Wet Car Paint Fiasco of 1987" exemplifying my utter carelessness with delicate items so the answer was repeatedly in the negative. ( Side note: If you happen to know my Father he'll tell you the full story like it happened yesterday. And if you don't, I'm not giving you his number because the story is beyond humiliating and has followed me around for more than 20 years.)

So I was pleased to discover the wonder on 14th Street that is Treasury. The store itself, just as the official name describes it, is a vast treasure trove of specialty vintage items. Walking around the space, actually feels like you are walking through a life size version of my grandfather's infamous trunk. Each rack of clothing and accessories provides solid evidence that every item has been personally picked with care by an informed and stylish hand. Treasury is a rare gem of the Midtown District, as well as the Metropolitan area.

Recently one of the owners, Katerina Herodotou, was kind enough to answer a few questions about vintage style, tailoring, and her current store favorites. And she even trusted me, unlike my family, to freely walk around the store, take pictures, and (Gasp!) touch a few of the items.

1) What is the story behind Treasury? What drove you or inspired you to open a vintage store?Treasury grew out of a roving vintage shop Cathy and I started in 2007 called Listopad . Cathy and I were both feeling a need for a new retail experience in DC that combined the creativity of the DIY scene and celebrated the social options in DC so we began throwing vintage parties at bars and other spaces in DC with DJs, drinks, and clothes. We opened Treasury when we decided to have a brick and mortar space and really dedicate ourselves to offering high quality vintage in a more consumable environment.

2) You have an amazing onsite seamstress, what are the services that are available? Costs?
Kristen is awesome! We offer free minor mending/fixes on same day store-bought goods and reasonable prices for alterations like hemming, waist modifications, etc. Kristen is also available to alter any of your clothing and she does personal consultations. Hemming and waistlines range from $10-$20; pricing depends on the item since vintage can be intricate. The great thing is that Kristen knows the ins and outs of vintage and how to make it work with the modern figure.

3) When buying garments for your store, what do you look for in the particular garment?
We look at the quality of the fabric first, hands down. You can usually tell a vintage piece in a pile or rack of clothes just from the look of the fabric. If it is a natural fiber or a high-quality synthetic, the sheen, elasticity, and color of the fabric. Then we go for craftsmanship. We check the inner workings: seams, zippers, clasps, etc. If the garment can be turned inside out and still look gorgeous, it is a great piece. Lastly, we always have a specific "Treasury" aesthetic in mind when we are buying. We like to think of it as a hybrid earthy-glamour-rocker-woodsman chic.

4) Most gentleman are leery of buying vintage garments, what are three Treasury rules of thumb when shopping for vintage clothing?
Wearabitity is number one. If you put it on and it feels good and you can move around in it, it is good to go! Secondly, get it tailored. If you like the fabric and cut of a piece but the fit is not just right, get it tailored to fit you perfectly and you will adore the piece forever. Tailoring a suit jacket can transform a mediocre garment into a lifetime investment. Third, have fun. You can work within current trends and make something your own when you buy vintage. It is more personal and more authentic. Treasury also offers personal shopping services if a client needs a pointer or two.

5) What are some of your favorite items in the store currently?
Fitted heavy wool army trench coats and navy pea coats from '30s-'50s (see the movie "Defiance" which made us want every civilian man to wear vintage military wear), wool ties (cozy yet dandy) accented with just the right tie clip, Beatnik leather loafers, textured cravats... We rotate inventory constantly so our favorites are ever-changing.

6) Name your favorite male style icon.
Ohhh hard!!! I'm gonna have to say a mixture of James Dean and Montgomery Clift. Hot hot hot!

                            

   Check out Treasury, located at 1843 14th St. NW, second floor, Washington DC 20009
                                   Tuesday- Saturday 12-7 pm and Sunday 12pm-6pm

Dear Reader:

I was really on my high horse last week, wasn't I? Judging McDonalds. Acting like it was beneath me to even think of partaking of a beautifully delicious burger. Like this Half Pint would ever put down his carrot sticks for the mere whim of fast food euphoria. Well what did I do after watching a late night showing of  Travel Channel's Man v. Food? I put all my healthy cares to the wind and without a blink of an eye ran to experience Chick and Ruth's Delly in Annapolis, MD. Yes, my dear reader, amid the stunning array of boats and preppy wonderment of Annapolis is an establishment so sinfully scrumptious that I could feel Ronald McDonald give me the "Oh no he didn't" head shake as I walked through the tiny double doors. Because it is there within those hallowed orange walls which houses the infamous Colossal Challenge. What is the Colossal Challenge you might ask? Well it combines a 6 lb. milkshake with either a 1 lb. Colossal burger, Colossal Reuben, or 1 1/2 lb. Sandwich. If the brave soul can finish the above in under an hour they receive a t-shirt and their picture on the Chick and Ruth website.

As much as I wanted to try this challenge in full, I refrained. I love milkshakes enough not to waste it on my stubborn pride. And besides there was a "clean up your own vomit" portion of the Colossal Challenge contract that I just knew I couldn't fulfill. So instead, I initiated my own Half Pint challenge of finishing the Colossal burger by itself and I was ultimately successful. Partially because the burger was so smoky and delicious. And partially because I wouldn't let the waitress who doubted my order choice, with her knowing smile, take away anything less than a clean plate.

Luckily, Scott, the brave gentleman next to me decided to take the full challenge so I was able to experience the excitement of watching someone actually masticate against the clock. Scott's calling: a 1 lb. Colossal Burger with cheddar cheese and a 6 lb. Strawberry milkshake in an hour. But upon completion of our meal we were quickly ushered out by the busy waitress before the buzzer rang so it is unknown whether he indeed won the challenge. However, I have a great amount of faith in Scott's plan of attack (Smothering of ketchup and a large glass of ice water.) so I know that I did in fact witness another Chick and Ruth's Champion because a true gentleman nevers gives up even under berry thick circumstances.

With Ketchup and Vomit Clauses,
HPG

                      
                                                The hallowed halls on Main Street.

                                 
                           My Colossal Burger covered in Half Pint approved provolone.

                   
                       Scott, posing with his Colossal burger and 6 lb. Strawberry milkshake.

As I type this someone in London is buying my Special Edition Garbstore parka. Ok, I'm using "my" very loosely because the parka has never been in my possession or even on the same continent as me. But I can't help but believe in my plaid heart of hearts that this number should be in my coat closet. Immediately. I mean especially with all my rugged mountain adventures coming up.

Ok, you caught me. I have no pending mountain adventures. I just lied to you, dear reader, like a total ungentlemanly jerkface. Geesh.

I blame the fine Japanese flannel lining though. It gets me every time.