Vintage Smith
8 Feb 2012
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“The part I have a hard time with, buying things I wouldn’t pick out for myself.”
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My Favorite Super Bowl Commercials
6 Feb 2012
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In the midst of a big show from fifty-three-year-old Madonna and a big win for the G-Men, during this year’s Super Bowl, General Electric paid tribute to the Americans making some of the company’s products.
They act as a nice reminder in a time when it’s easy to take for granted the inestimable benefits of a global economy that there are skilled and passionate craftspeople who live and work in our own backyards.
The next time you reach in your ice box and crack open an ice cold Budweiser, remember to toast the good people of GE’s refrigerator and turbine manufacturing facilities in Louisville, Kentucky and Schenectady, New York.
To watch the entire series, go to ge.com/stories.
Movember is All Plaidout
28 Nov 2011
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BEFORE (That’s me with no moustache standing next to some guy with a moustache)
I’m late to the game, but if you haven’t donated to Movember, I’d ask you to consider donating to my team at The Bedford. Take the jump to see a photo of what I look like today.
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Plaidy: Christine Mitchell of N’East Style
14 Oct 2011
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Miss Mitchell, thank you for sending the Jessum Crow stickers! Your talents as an artist never cease.
Folks, the Vermont Foodbank needs your help. Buy a sticker.
Those familiar with Christine’s site, N’East Style, have come to expect a couple things: classic style and good quality. And like once great Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens, Christine always brings the heat. Whether she is sharing her latest canvas bag discovery or working to build the branding and logo for a certain upstart sporting goods store, her talents know no bounds.
Those of you lucky enough to attend Dose Market this weekend, be sure to track me down. I’ll have a handful of the Jeezum Crow stickers on hand. Happy to supply where possible.
Christine, thanks for continuing to support All Plaidout. Keep up the great work! You got that N’East Style.
Made Right Here
26 Sep 2011
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I am posting this on All Plaidout as an ALL POINTS BULLETIN. We would love your help sharing this video with whomever you can, by any means possible. We are looking for investors and networks to fund future episodes. If you feel comfortable hosting this on your blog, your facebook page, your Tumblr, or your Twitter we would be so thankful. And if you know someone who would be interested in such a project, please share with them as well.
Longtime fans of the blog know I love a good factory visit. In May, Joe Gannon and I took a trip to Tennessee. While there, we shot video at Pointer Brand, Imogene + Willie, and at Billy Moore’s house. It was all done with the hope we’d come away with some kind of TV pilot.
The show is called Made Right Here. It’s our desire to not only show how it’s made, not only where it’s made, but to also show the people who make it. We want to tell their stories. We also asked them to show Joe and I how to make one of their signature items. We made six pairs of carpenter jeans at Pointer. We made a chambray western shirt at Imogene + Willie, and we made belts and buckles with Billy Moore.
I say we made… really, we tried and failed to make all these things. This is part of the story, too. These people are craftspeople who’ve dedicated their lives to mastering a skill, a skill that is really tough to do.
We have been sharing this with people to whom we’re connected in television for the last month or so, and we’ve received some positive feedback. One criticism is that we need to shorten the trailer to about two minutes (It’s sitting pretty at just under seven minutes right now).
Joe and I owe an endless amount of thanks to the wonderful people we met at Pointer Brand, Imogene + Willie, and of course the inimitable Billy Moore. We also must thank our team, Mr. Here Productions’ Matt Springer and Rick Page. Without their impetus, their hard work, and their abilities as producers and directors, this would still just be an unfulfilled dream.
The Fall Three in my Secret Fort
22 Sep 2011
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Mr. James Wilson of Secret Forts, one of my earliest supporters and the deepest fount of inspiration, was kind enough to ask me to contribute again to his round up of great stuff for fall: The Fall Three. I feel so lucky to have been included in the group.
Thanks to James, and thanks to Nathan Michael for the photo, Ken Hunemeder of Goose Island for the beer photo.
Also, a note for James’ many devotees: he moved! He now resides, quite comfortably at – www.secretforts.com. Update your feeds, links, and readers.
APO in the WSJ
21 Sep 2011
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On the front page of today’s Wall Street Journal, the A-Hed is devoted to the current, dressed-down trend among the Republican candidates. With quotes referencing Mr. Peanut, the Brawny Paper Towel Guy, and Texas Toast, you can imagine my thrill to have been included in the conversation.
Special thanks to the Journal’s Elizabeth Williamson for getting in touch and to Esquire’s Kurt Soller for providing me with the platform to be noticed.
Pick up today’s Journal and share the story with your friends and loved ones.
Dose Market in the News
20 Sep 2011
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The Dose Market ladies put together this lovely video with Middle Mind Project.
Two weekends ago, in an article written by Eater Chicago’s Ari Bendersky, they were featured in the Travel section of the New York Times.
Dose rides again this Sunday, the 25th of September. I’m excited to try on the wristwatch commissioned by Harry Truman currently for sale at Division St. Watch Company, check out the new fall wares from my favorite shop in town, Penelope’s, and eat some smoked salmon and peanut brittle… potentially at the same time.
Oh and look for Dose to get a lot more dude-friendly, particularly in the soft goods department come October 16th when a certain sporting goods store will be making its Chicago debut, and it’s my understanding they may be surrounded by some of their closest friends in the retail business.
Until then, read my previous write-up of the market, and let me know if you’re heading to Dose this weekend. I’ll be there in plaid.
Dose Market
at the River East Arts Center
435 East Illinois Street
Chicago, IL
60611
Dwell Magazine: Ain’t That America
6 Sep 2011
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Aaron Britt asked me to write a short piece about Americana-inspired interiors for the October issue of Dwell. The piece is entitled “Ain’t That America,” a tribute to John Mellencamp’s “Pink Houses.” Accompanying the piece are photos and tidbits about several cool things still made in America. Other highlights in the issue, which is devoted entirely to things Made in America, include a profile of Jack White’s Rolling Records Store, the Cricket Trailer, and a nice write-up about the Finn Lofts, a new building in Wichita, Kansas. Fittingly, I was born just outside of Wichita.
I’ve come to be known for writing about things made right here at home, and I was thrilled to have the chance to write about it for a publication that’s come to be known as the bellwether in all things pertaining to design. Special thanks to Aaron and everyone at Dwell for the unique opportunity to write about something I love for a publication I’ve loved.
Do me a favor: please go to your local bookstore or newsstand and buy two or three copies of the October issue of Dwell. Let’s make it a best-seller.
Esquire: The Style Blog
1 Sep 2011
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“Nobody likes the whites, but we’re going to Cuba in August.” – Lt. Sam Weinberg, A Few Good Men
Kurt Soller, Style Editor at Esquire’s The Style Blog, invited me to debate one of the more pressing issues of our time, whether to wear white after Labor Day.
My dueling partner, an equal foil, was one of the inspirations for All Plaidout, Mr. John Tinseth of The Trad.
Thanks John for the conversation, and thank you, Kurt, for the opportunity.
For all the Blogger Showdowns, visit The Style Blog.