100 Days, 100 Ties

I have been reborn. A-mayen, Alle-LOO-ya! Nothing like a little fashion, a little focus even, to get 100D100T back on track. Well, yes, it is Tuesday evening, and I’m still writing Monday’s post, but this one won’t be a shortie, like the last two or three. Color me inspired.

Or perhaps this is Paul?

Paul, perhaps?

So, I guess we can start with the weekend. I party-crashed the Haven Middle School fundraiser, and–sacré bleu!–did NOT bid on anything. Oh, the humanity! Sorry, folks, I was having wayyy too much fun to go focus on prices and low bids and minimum raises and blah blah yada. However, there were a couple of Guys With Ties who showed up (crashing also, methinks) and let me take their picture. Only thing is, I can’t remember their names. My friend Julie thinks one of them was named Paul, so we’ll go with that for both of them.

As happens many times with Saturday nights, Sunday rolls around right after. Oh, yes, it’s true, in all parts of the world. There was no real tie activity on that Sunday, but Monday is a much different story.

Let’s start with my Tie du Jour. A few weeks ago, I wore a George Washington-esque painted tie that was given to me by my friend Kat Eiff. She thought it deserved a spot in Ugly Tie Week, but I loved it so. One of her work colleagues, who’d had a clothing store out east, had a bunch of stuff–ties, pocket squares, belts, accessories–that she was liquidating. I picked this purple beauty from Seaward & Steam, along with a new bow tie that I’ll fire up later. In what will be a theme of this particular post, the picture is terribly out of focus.

I have mentioned my new friend Lee Allison several times: I visited the workshop of his tie-making operation, the Lee Allison Company, last month. He and his colleague, Trideep Das, were so generous with their time and knowledge.

Anyway, Lee chairs the Mayor’s Fashion Council, which hosted a kickoff party for Fashion Focus Chicago, a weeklong celebration of the fashion industry in Chicago. I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to Monday night’s kickoff. When I got there, I felt like an 8th grader attending a high school party. Everyone seemed to be talking to someone, and I had no idea who anyone was. Well, luckily they had a magic elixir called beer, which loosens the tongue.

Lee, Eddie, Harold

Oh, and I ran into Lee, who introduced me to a very nice guy named Harold Gauthier, who’s in construction. That industry seems further away than fashion than chambers of commerce, so I started to feel okay. Harold’s GWT picture may be the worst lighting possible, but the one with Lee and Eddie (in the middle), a recent Kellogg MBA graduate, is a little better. Harold is actually wearing a Lee Allison tie that was created for the Olympic bid team. Sheesh, I am so sorry these pictures are so awful.

Photographing the photographer

Here’s where I get really embarrassed about the photography…This is a shot of Marcus, who IS a photographer. In the middle of taking some pix, he was nice enough to pose for a minute.

But, last night I was the opposite of embarrassed, I’d have to say. As I had my 2nd and 3rd beer, my reluctance to ask folks if I could take a picture gave me the courage to tell folks about the blog. Very happy with the responses, and I even met a fellow tie blogger! Ryan Beshel was sporting this bowtie with the coolest vintage jacket–brown, big collars, visible stitching. I’m pretty sure he said it was his dad’s…it had Mike Brady written all over it. Ryan’s blog is The Bowtie Memoirs. Looking forward to reading up on his adventures.

Last but certainly not least, I also met Quenten Schumacher and Daryl Sneed, who were showing the way by putting interesting ties with interesting shirts. Their ensembles just go to show that you can pretty much do what you want–textured ties with plaid shirts or what have you–as long as you have quality fabric, and the chutzpah to pull it off. Daryl is a principal with Studio | 5p1t, a design firm. It turns out that we grew up pretty close to one another; he’s from Millington, which is just north of Memphis. Small world, so the expression goes.

Thanks for reading (and thanks for inviting, Lee)…Brooke

No, no, I’m not trying to trick you in some fashion. It’s not often that I have two expressions that are based on the theme of the TdJ: wool. So, yes, “Tied in the Wool” will be coming soon to a blog (has that word been upgraded yet?) near you.

My Tie du Jour is from the Woolcrofters line from the folks at Wembley tie makers, a good old British company. It’s a good think this is not a shirt, or [Scottish voice] a KILT!, because I believe it would be the Itchy-Scratchy Show. It is better looking than it would feel, granted, with its purple and gray tones. I can’t remember if this was a candidate for Purple Tie Week, as I’m not exactly sure when I bought it. I need to start taking notes or something, but I guess my habits may not be changing if they haven’t with Tie No. 140.

Paul Giddings' hands make a guest appearance in this photo

I have a Long-Distance Guy With Tie here. The picture makes GWT regular Paul Hletko look miiiiiiiles away, but he’s actually a mere 15 yards away or so. Last night, I went to the Lorraine Morton Civic Center to watch Paul navigate the seas that make up the city council committee process. As you will hear much about, he is starting a distillery called Few Spirits (click on link, become a fan!) smack dab in the middle of Evanston, the birthplace of the Prohibition movement. Or, well, probably one of the birthplaces. Anyway, he was eloquent, he was driven, he was wearing a tie, and most importantly, his first steps were approved unanimously. Hip, hip! Hooray!

I read through some old posts and I learned that, during the inaugural Tie Week, Red Tie Week, I started a piece called “Cultural Reference Corner” or something to that effect. I’d like to try to reboot that, and I’ll base it on the purpleness (purplitude? purpliscosity?) of the TdJ. In honor of Brett “Text Photo” Favre’s game-cinching Pick-6 last night, I will mention the Purple People Eaters, the nickname for the Minnesota Vikings’ ferocious defensive line from the 60s & 70s. The name came from the Sheb Woolley song, of course: “One-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater.” Carl Eller, Jim Marshall, Alan Page (who went on to sit on the Minnesota Supreme Court I think) and Gary Larsen (who went on to change his last name to ‘Larson’ and draw ‘The Far Side’) enamored their fans while still breaking their hearts, falling 4 times in the Super Bowl.

Thanks for reading…Brooke

Ah, the basic tenet of baseball, completely unfollowed by the Reds last night as they could not get a single hit against Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay. In a playoff game. I know, I know, this is a (stretch of a) fashion blog, not a baseball blog. But, I delved into the world (cup) of soccer in early summer, and that seemed to go okay. Kudos to Mr. Halladay, for waiting 12 years to pitch in the playoffs and really making the most of it. The Reds are now under quite a lot of pressure to get a hit against the Game 2 hurler, Roy Oswalt. Wonder if Pete Rose is betting on them…

This is not Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno

Well, let’s see if my Tie du Jour is a hit. It’s from Bruno Piatelli, and it’s a pretty understated gray strip, with blue squares within a squared pattern. Sorry, not my greatest description ever, but you work with what you got. I put it with this blue striped shirt and wore them all under my Yves Saint Laurent suit, so at least I was sporting some texture. Wow, my description is not getting any better, so I’ll just leave it at that.

Blue on blue

I did manage to snap a couple of Guys With Ties yesterday. We’ll start off with David Alexander, who works for Rotary International. He and I play soccer together from time to time in that Sunday pickup game. You know, THAT Sunday pickup game…

When I arrived at the office I was greeted by the happy, smiling face of Mike Drennan, who was (besides happy and smiling) joining up his family’s medical device business–DM Systems–with the Chamber. Mike is a fellow Lincoln School dad, as well.

So, today I will be in my first all-day session with my Leadership Evanston program, run through the Evanston Community Foundation. I polled thousands of people (oh, okay, it was just one–but it was someone whose opinion I trust completely) about whether I should wear a tie, and the answer came back a resoundingly quick NO. So, the Friday Freebie will be the next strip sported.

Thanks for reading…Brooke

Ah, Afternoon Delight, perhaps one of the cheesiest songs of the last century, despite the fact that it’s describing quite a pleasant experience. I must admit that the chorus lyrics were the only ones I knew, before the magic of Google sent me to the promised land. Oh, Starlight Vocal Band, how in the hell are you only a one-hit wonder?

Some nuggets:

Rubbin’ sticks and stones together makes the sparks ignite/And the thought of rubbin’ you is getting so exciting

Rubbin’?! Rubbin’ is pretty heavy stuff for the 70s. Where the hell was Tipper Gore then? Rubbin’ on Al is HER Inconvenient Truth, I guess. They probably rubbed out a few kids because of this song.

I always though a fish could not be caught who wouldn’t bite/But you’ve got some bait a waitin’ and I think I might try nibbling a little afternoon delight.

Now, actually reading the meter on this line makes me realize why SVB was a one-hit wonder (took too many pulls off the one-hitter, for one)… The whole fishing analogy is just unsexy, day or night. I need to erase this from my brain, lest I have this cheese running through my head all day. I do apologize if that happens to you.

Ooh! Aaahhh!

I reference the term ‘sky rockets’ because I thought my Tie du Jour resembled fireworks. It’s one of my few remaining lively ties, so I had to make it work well with its shirt. The TdJ is from Geoffrey Beene, and I like how it’s a bit on the thin side. Not quite Draperian, but definitely just a one-lane road. I bought this at Unique, which is probably the provider of most of the (more than) 100.

I wanted to mention that Lee Allison was kind enough to extend the special 25% off promotion at their website. Their amazing ties are well worth a look, and you may be able to knock out some Christmas presents early.

Guys With GREAT Ties...

My roving photographer (aka Mom) got a shot of some Guys With Ties. I present some Florida GWT…Brian Haugen (seated) and Steve Cann. Brian is Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce, and he and Steve are with Emerald Coast Wealth Advisors, an affiliate of Raymond James & Associates.

So, thanks, Mom, for snapping some pix. And thanks, to you, for reading…Brooke

Even though it’s Tuesday afternoon, I will pretend that I am writing about my Tie du Monday on Monday. And, a real quick shout-out to Jay Bulev, who suggested the subject for today’s post. Made me think about one of my favorite Rolling Stones lyrics:

We’re gonna come ’round at twelve with some Puerto Rican girls that’s just dyyyyyyyyin’ to meetchoooooo! — ‘Miss You’, Richards/Jagger

Bloodbuzz O-tie-o

Last night, I headed down to the Riviera Theatre to get me some rock. Got me some roll, too, for my trouble. A package deal, usually, which is nice. Those rocker/rollers were The National, and let me tell you, the show was amazing. And, as an added bonus, frontman Matt Berninger was sportin’ a tie! Of course, from my shitty iPhone camera (that actually is a google-able phrase), you can barely tell that the subject of this photo is human, much less clothed. But, clad he was, and very well accessorized, I might add. Even rocked a vest, so he deserves to be the inaugural RWT (Rocker With Tie) here on 100 Days, 100 Ties. And, judging from his on-stage histrionics, he qualifies for inaugural SWT (Spaz With Tie) status, as well.

Grey or gray?

So, let’s march on to the Tie du Jour (TdY, actually, I know). Once again, I realize that, even though I have over 60 remaining unworn ties, a large majority are pretty dull. Dull, dull, boring and dull. This Christian Dior, while very nice, is pretty staid, especially if you compare it to the lion’s share of my ties. It’s a nice (NOOOO! Don’t use the word ‘nice’! It’s the kiss of death, at least in terms of blind date set-ups and 100 Days, 100 Ties ties) tie. Be ready for a nice run of nice ties.

I had a great comment the other day, from a fella named Brent Wiescamp, a fellow tie-wearer who took the time to read a bunch of my 100D100T posts. I contacted him, and asked him to send in a shot of himself with one of his ensembles. So, I guess we have another inauguration…I present the first SPGWT (Self-Portrait Guy With Tie)…

Yesterday, Diane left on a 3-week business trip, so I get to hang out with my little munchkin Julia (she’s so not a little munchkin anymore…POP! there’s another gray hair…perfect with today’s gray tie, I guess). I picked her up at soccer practice, and a fellow dad from the team, Doug Hood, who works at AIROOM, was kind enough to pose with his tie.

Thanks for reading…Brooke

“For the love of books and the language” — Pat Conroy

That is my inscription that Mr. Conroy signed into my copy of Prince of Tides about 20 odd years ago, after I stammered something about really liking the way he wrote. Yeah, like he’d never heard that before. Then we plotted the violent overthrow of Barbra Streisand’s directorial dictatorship of the movie version. “She will taste her own blood,” is how that lover of books and the language (English?) detailed his plans.

Ohhhh, come on! Like YOU’ve never been loopy on a late night! Yes, of course, I made up the stuff about the blood of Barbra, but my autograph is real.

So, yes, the only thing this has ANYthing to do with ties is that the title was used in my ridiculous attempt to keep the ‘ties’ rhyme/sound-alike puns going. It’s all about the ties here at 100D100T HQ.

And, so, thus, hence, therefore-over, let us take a look at the Tie du Jour. It’s an actively striped number from the house of Brooks Brothers, and I like the different textures that exist in the different stripes. I acquired it just over the weekend at the house of Emanuel, the Classy Closet Consignment Shop. Emanuel Wilder, you may recall (he’s a GWT alum after all), is the proprietor of this resale shop that sells many of its offerings on consignment. They were having their clear-out sale before putting their fall stuff out, and I picked up a handful (neckful?) of ties.

Well, today (yesterday, officially) I just wasn’t up for putting this strip with one of my normally abnormal shirts, so I matched it with a plain old white shirt. I actually like it when someone says I’m dressed on the conservative side, because that means I’m accomplishing a look that I’m going for on the other days.

Last night, while our post-Mash Up euphoria still raged, we hosted our monthly Business After Hours at Hilton Garden Inn, and I added a couple of Guys With Ties to the fold.

Marty

Marty Adelberg, of Electronic Merchant Systems, is a semi-regular attendee of our networking events. We’re actually a client of his, too, which is why he got the memo about the striped ties.

What can Brown do for Tony?

Tony Perrino, even though he wasn’t sporting a brown suit and tie, works for UPS. They were there to deliver (get it?) information to our members about an upcoming seminar that we’re co-hosting in October: “Growth Through Global Trade.” I liked the arrow-themed tie that Tony had on display.

And, hey, we even have a new GWB! Yes, I had coffee with a Guy With Bowtie. Joshua Sachs is a defense attorney who just recently re-hung his shingle at his own Evanston practice. He was so cool…before I took his pic, he was telling me he had even better ties to wear. Nope, sorry, Joshua, I takes what you got.

Thanks for reading…Brooke

Now that the Mash Up is over, my brain has apparently started to mush up. I’m a day late on the Tie du Thursday, and then will probably be late for the Friday Freebie. But, no matter…

My TdJ is from Claiborne, for men, I presume. I love the stripes in here; this is another tie from the giftbag of Joe Smith, who dropped off 8 ties at my office last week.

If anyone has any ties that they’d like to see on the wide, wide world of worldwide web (I would like to advocate that URLs begin with wwwwww. instead of just www.), just get ’em to me and I’ll sport ’em and send ’em back.

My main Thursday activity was an orientation session for the 19th Leadership Evanston program, put on by the Evanston Community Foundation. Our class is 31 strong (well, 30 strong, and then me) and it’s going to be a great year.

I found some more Guys With Ties on Thursday…

Ted Perez is a brand new friend with a very cool hobby. Ted brews beer, and it’s mighty tasty, from what I hear. He actually brought me  a couple of bottles several weeks ago, but I was heading out so I couldn’t take it with me. Can’t wait to sample some.

Swim, Todd, Swim.

Todd Paul here brews a little beer, as well. He’s a GWT alum, and just started Leadership Evanston with me. Todd is a man who wears many hats (and ties): he owns a cycling team and a cycling shop, he is soon to be the Evanston Chamber’s property manager, he is a partner in the Mecafresh restaurant and he once swam across the English Channel. Oh, and that was just a year after he learned to swim. Underachiever.

Thanks for reading…Brooke

Well, as I write this, the inaugural Evanston Business Mash Up is about 10 hours from reality, and I am a bundle of nervous energy. There are so many people who worked their butts off to get this thing together, and we’re all hoping it is a success. We are all 14 hours away from a very enjoyable, and very well-deserved, cocktail.

My Tie du Jour is another that may fall into multiple Tie Week tie categories. It’s definitely striped, and some may think it ugly (love that the Tie du Monday got totally ripped in the comments…thanks JL!). It’s from Morrisoni, which just seems like someone put an ‘i’ at the end of ‘Morrison’ to make it sound Italian. The tie is black with teeny stripes in pink, gold and green; one may need to squint to see them in this picture.

On Tuesday I went to a triple-billing ribbon-cutting (just one of the fun things you get to do with an Evanston Chamber title as long as mine: Manager of Membership, Marketing & Development) on Davis Street. FlowersFlowers, Grateful Yoga and My Panini were treated to the full-court press. The gang from Downtown Evanston joined 4th Ward Alderman Don Wilson (a great guy as well as GWT alum) to celebrate their new locations, and the vitalization of the Davis Street corridor.

In between staged cuttings of the ceremonial ribbon (it’s taped together for a staged cutting of the ribbon with the ceremonially large wooden scissors), I managed to welcome another member of the Guys With Ties fold. Emlyn Thomas is the new General Manager of Pensiero Ristorante, located in the Margarita European Inn on Oak Street. I ate there several times when it was Va Pensiero, and I’ve eaten there once since their new opening. It’s still wonderful, and the molten volcano chocolate dessert is perfection on earth. You just need one fork.

I also had reason to stop in at one of my favorite stores in Evanston. I have shopped in my neighborhood Classy Closet for years (it used to be known as Crowded Closet), and have found some great deals over those years. Proprietor Emanuel Wilder is an imposing man who drives an imposing vehicle (huge black Hummer), but you couldn’t find a friendlier fella. They mainly sell slightly used (pre-loved) men’s and women’s clothing on consignment, but there are some awesome treasures in there on any given day. I have found great tie accessories, and they have jewelry, art, handbags and other antique-type things. Emanuel is a member extraordinaire of my treasure-hunting brotherhood, and he does find some great things.

Like ties! Check out these two tie racks…I have to admit I had a might bit of sensory overload, trying to mentally wear a bunch of these ties. Some fantastic labels in here, very reasonably priced. I’ll be back over there very, very soon.

Thanks for reading…Brooke