February 2013 - Cufflinks Blog

Archive for February, 2013

Special Edition: What To Get Her for Valentine’s Day

Wednesday, February 13th, 2013
Cufflinksman Speaks…

 

What to get her for Valentine’s Day?

 

Well that depends on what kind of “girl” you have and definitely what kind of relationship you have together. Let’s break down a few of the possibilities:
Just friends, well, kind of…
-Go back to Kindergarten. What exactly does that mean? Think short notes, small flowers, a speck of candy, and maybe a mini monkey bear thing. It just shows “you’re a sweetheart in my book” and “I’ll save extra carrots for you during snack time.”
Teddy Bear Cufflinks

 

She doesn’t know how much you really care, but you actually really do
-Surprise her with a gift card to something you know she loves (like Starbucks?), get her a copy of your favorite book (so she’ll think of you while reading), or burn her a CD of your favorite tunes (same concept here). Tie each with a red ribbon and then go out for a drink with tapas. (It says ‘casual’). Buy her at least two glasses of wine, and then see where the night takes you…

 

You think she’s awesome, but maybe not the “one” you’re going to end up with in the end
-First, please refer to “Friends with Extra Benefits” section. Next mix options “Just friends, kind of” and “Dating for 3+ months.” There you have a perfect match, vis a vie gift anyway…

 

You are hopelessly in love with her
-This is the most complicated category of this entire blog. What to do, what to do…I would normally say, refer to number ____, but that doesn’t mean much. So, it’s time to get real. What does your lady love? Is it the ocean? Is it silence? Is it Wordsworth’s poetry? Is it the 1860s? Perhaps she loves Taye Diggs? Pick at least three of “These are a few of my favorite things…” and come up with something creative. Then slowly incorporate the following examples/scenerios from Dating 3 + Months and more into the mix to make it extra special.

 

Friends with extra benefits
-Something kinky. If you like her, maybe love her, and maybe/maybe not want to blow her brains out, get her something sexy. That doesn’t always constitute lingerie persay, but…it could. Think about your favorite sexcapades: what is normally involved? Hot oil massages? Sex toys? Certain genre of music? Sexual play things? Nothing says, “I love what you do to me,” better than a great sex kit. Try filling a basket with some lub, condoms, sex toys, and something really sexually exotic that neither of you have ever tried. (Stumped for ideas? We can’t write them all here, but we can direct you to your local sex shop/Ricky’s, assuming of course you’re in NYC). Then see where the night takes you. But get really wild/adventurous.

 

Dating for 3+ months
-Think back over the past three months. What have the two of you done together? Think of the most special, cool, romantic, quirky moments and pick an object that stands out from one of those moments. Did you share laughs about some guy’s mustache while ice skating? (Get her a mustache mug, with matching “Ron Swanson” mustaches for the two of you to wear over dinner). Did you tease her while she cried during an episode of Game of Thrones? (Get her the DVD set and a figurine of Jamie Lanister, or whatever his name is). Did you guys experience a ‘moment’ whilst driving and a particular song came on? (Make her a mix tape with tat song and others like it…)

 

Dating for  1 year
-Please refer to “Dating for 3+ Months.” In addition to these ideas, something more substantially materialistic is appropriate too. What is her weakness/superficial loves: bags, shoes, makeup, body care, clothes, scents, accessories, or jewelry? Pick one of these and find her favorites. If she loves bags, find that perfect knapsack you know she’s been eyeing. If she’s a beauty regime type, take a trip to Sephora and pick out a skin care/makeup gift set. If she’s a necklace lover, find a local artisan and have something simple made for her. If she’s a shoe person, go to Bloomingdales and ask a sales rep for help. But if you follow any of these things, also, again, refer to “Dating for 3+ months” for those sentimental kicks too.

 

Dating longer than 2 years/Engaged
-Synthesize advice from “Dating for 3+ Months” and “Dating for 1 year.” Couple that with a momento of your relationsip: a photo gift book (collages of your history together), mix tape of your favorite songs, poetry (what, what?), and/or some other romantic set-up that showcases your time together.

 

Newly Weds
-Again, going along with the previous three models, pick something from there, and then get a memento of your courtship. A series of professional pictures, a beauty session together, a travel package (even to your local hotel/bed and breakfast), and set it up with small mementos of your inner personal relationship.

 

Old school couple/partners
Get her something that you know she’s been wanting, and no, that doesn’t include a new toaster. If you know she loves a particular scent, get her a nice perfume that exemplifies that. If you know she loves turquoise, get her a brooch or local-artisan ring featuring a turquoise stone. If she’s religious, buy her a nice rosary made from blessed stones, a Quran from a local bookshop, homemade oils from the local Pagan lady, etc. Or let’s say she has some wacky love/fetish/taste in something that no one else does: get her that. Find it! Get her an array of things that she wouldn’t normally buy for herself, just to show how well you really know her.

NHL Post-Lockout: What Really Happened?

Saturday, February 9th, 2013

 

 

NHL Lockout

 

Go big or go home. Now that the infamous Hockey LockOut is over, and the Superbowl champions have their first-ever claim to fame,  NHL fans can finally go back to their regular programming. But what exactly happened with the whole hockey lockout? How did the end of the lockout come about, finally, on January 6th?

Authentic NHL New York Rangers Hockey Puck CufflinksAuthentic NHL New York Rangers Hockey Puck Cufflinks

 

Where there is a union, there is always a way.

 

The Washington Post says: “The end of the lockout came after more than 16 consecutive hours of bargaining on the 113th day. Language and legal details of the new collective bargaining agreement still need to be finalized, and then the deal must be ratified by a majority of both the union’s roughly 750 members and the league’s 30-member Board of Governors before it can become official.

 

Toronto Maple Leaf NHL Cufflinks

Toronto Maple Leaf NHL Cufflinks 

 

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, but the basic framework of the deal has been agreed upon,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters in New York, while standing alongside Donald Fehr, the union’s executive director.

 Hockey Mask CufflinksHockey Mask Cufflinks

“Hopefully within a very few days the fans can get back to watching people who are skating, not the two of us,” Fehr said.”

 Washington Capitals NHL CufflinksWashington Capitals NHL Cufflinks

“The shortened season will feature a pro-rated salary cap of $70.2 million, while the 2013-14 season salary cap will fall to $64.3 million, with the salary floor at $44 million for both seasons. To help with the adjustment to a lower salary cap next year, the league agreed to two amnesty buyouts per team that will count against the players’ share of hockey-related revenue. As things stand, the Capitals have $44.8 million committed to 12 players under contract for 2013-14, which leaves $19.5 million to sign 11 more.”

 New York Islanders NHL CufflinksNew York Islanders NHL Cufflinks

The Hockeywriters.com says, “It’s a great myth that the 1994-95 lockout inflicted lasting damage on the careers of many veteran NHL stars.” Click here to read their predictions for the 2013 Season.

So what’s the new schedule? Click here for the detailed season schedule.

Best Ways to Keep Your Skin Fresh This February

Tuesday, February 5th, 2013

 

 

 

The best ways to keep your skin feeling fresh during this brittle winter season

 

By Amber Snider

 

What’s the first thing that happens to your body when the temperature drops? Get your mind out of the gutter, really, we’re just talking about your skin. You feel the cold, and your skin takes a beating because of it. Moisturize your body’s largest organ properly throughout the winter via the following: serious water intake, good daily moisturizer, and yes, a nightly cream. (yes, it’s time to take care of your skin via that nightly cream, especially if you’re over 35.  You’ll thank us come…Friday?)

 

So now that you’re “with” us on this, I’m sure you’re wondering: But how do I do that exactly? What’s your best, professional advice to keeping my skin aglow, happy, and ultra-fashionable. Any tips for brands and remedies?

Hot and Cold Faucet Cufflinks

Hot and Cold Faucet Cufflinks

Well now that you asked, sure. That’s what we’re here for! 🙂 That way you don’t have to go asking your girlfriend which is the proper gentle day cream with SPF for under $20 bucks? Or the best winter (or all-season) cleanser? Look no further, Cufflinksman is back and we don’t legally endorse any of the products except our own, so you know it’s from the heart.

 

1. Daily Moisturizer

Wake up, brush the dentes, and then what? Moisturize. It’s important this dry season, with the bitter cold hitting our precious skin each time we open a shop door or go out for coffee, to put on a daily “something” lotion on your face.  Try something simple at your local Rite Aid, Duane Reade, etc, like this Cerave Moisturizer for under $15.

Cerave Moisturizer

Cerave Moisturizer

2. Some Other Stuff like that, but even old-schooler:

Old-school celebrities and movie stars swear by this stuff. It’s been around since your grandmother (we almost guarantee that). It’s under $5 and worth every penny. Plus how is it always “cold” and thereby refreshing? Humans..


Ponds Cold Cream

Ponds Cold Cream

 

3. Body Wash with Moisturizer

Yes, body wash with moisturizer. Look for it by name on any bottle, preferably with Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Aloe, and Green Tea Essentials. And go by MY rule: Scrub in the tub what you would eat for grub. Meaning, if it’s not edible, don’t go putting it all over your skin either. Your grandmother will thank us later for that too.

 

Aymara Green Tea Leaf Butterfly Cufflinks

Aymara Green Tea Leaf Butterfly Cufflinks

4. Weekly Scrub

If the apricot scrub at the local drug store isn’t your thing, try making your own:

Cup of coarse salt/sugar, vitamin E drops, olive oil, liquid soap, vanilla extract, water, and any other essential oil you like. Add a bow around a mason jar and pour, there you have it!

 

5. Nails: Hand Cream

Hands, next to the eyes/ face/ teeth, your hands are the other next things people notice immediately. Make sure your nails are well-groomed this winter with a few cuticle treatments a month. No, you don’t have to go get pampered at your local Nail Salon, but can use an array of regular items around your house. If you don’t have a lady friend in your close vicinity to ask for hers, go for the olive oil in your kitchen. Smooth on just a little on each fingertip and push the cuticle down with your other nail/finger. It will work just the same–it’s the “bro way.” But if you’re out of olive oil too, plus a girlfriend, then go for Burt’s Bee stuff:

Burts Bees

Burt’s Bees  little greasy and it doesn’t have multiple functions, but still good and inexpensive. 

 

 

6. Foot Cream (yes! We’ll tell you why…)

Running Shoes Cufflinks

Running Shoes Cufflinks

Your feet harbor so much moisture while tucked inside your boots all day, which causes bacteria to form. Especially with those (possibly multiple) layers of socks, your feet suffer severe an overload of moisture followed by extreme cold. After washing with body scrub, rub thick hand/foot cream onto your feet, followed by a dose of the talic powder. These helps your “refresh” at the end of the day and retain the “healthy” moisture they need.

 

 

 

Ways to Warm

Sunday, February 3rd, 2013

 

 

Along with the rest of the Western world, Cufflinksman has been in a deep winter slumber (when it comes to our regular blogging). But we’re coming out hibernation this February and we’re ready to give you your regular programming. Thanks for your support over the Holiday season and we appreciate your readership.

 

Going along the theme of hibernation, we thought we’d give you some inside tips on how to stay warm throughout the rest of these harsh winter months. It’s been a bizarre season, ranging from freezing temperatures to random 60 degree days, but this IS 2013. Need we forget? So we’re proud to give you fashionable, comforting ways to stay warm this season:

 

Snowflake CufflinkCheck out our designer Snowflake Cufflinks

Add more rugs and throws

Especially if you have leather furniture, in the middle of winter, you really want to create a “nesting” effect in your living room. Slipping and sliding on a cold leather couch whilst watching 30 Rock is not our idea of a good Wednesday evening, you know? Add some textured throws from the regular big-whig stores such as Target, Marshalls, etc. Especially in February, most of these winter items are on sale, so it’s time to add some new warmth to your living space. And going along with that idea, there’s nothing worse than coming out a downy warm bed in the morning to have your little piggies touch a cold wooden floor, so add some plush rugs to the mix too (again, they will be on sale this time of the season…)

Try this throw from Pottery Barn…

Wesley Throw $129.00 from Pottery BarnWesley Throw $129.00 from Pottery Barn

 

Bath time

Take it back in time for a minute to your childhood days of long bubble baths. Just because you have a grownup job and have a cable bill doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a warm bath a few times a week. Remember when your grandmother would always say, “Nothing warms the bones like a hot bath…” Well, she was right. So get to soaking.

Gris Fun Bubble Cufflinks

Try our Bubbly Gris Fun Cufflinks

 

Regular cups of tea to your routine

Coffee is the busy man’s drink, but tea is the zen master’s drink. Tea has so many great qualities for the bodies, including antioxidants, but also that warming, calming feeling–especially if you’re drinking chamomile. It’ll warm up the chest and create a soothing effect for the rest of your body. Steep with love.

 Greek coffee cup cufflinksThe quintessential Urban Cup Cufflinks

Homemade Soup

You’re down to the last of your grocery shopping from two weeks ago. You have a couple cans and not much else. What to do? You’re cold, hungry, and the delivery guy refuses to come to your apartment in the middle of a snow storm. Make a simple chicken soup! It’ll last for at least 3 days and can easily be re-heated. Here’s our secret soup recipe that we’ll share with you:

And while cooking, don’t forget to don our eclectic Salt and Pepper Shaker Cufflinks...

Salt and Pepper Shakers

1 boneless, skinless Chicken Breast (fried in olive oil, salt, pepper) and added to broth, 1 can of chicken broth, 1 can of vegetable broth, 1/2 can of water, 1 small can of green beans, 1 small can of corn, 1 small can of sliced carrots, 1/2 can of diced tomatoes, 1/3 cup (or so) of ketchup, pinch of chili sauce, pinch of diced garlic (in olive oil, doesn’t have to be fresh), seasonings. Heat for about 20 minutes and there you have it–chicken soup for the soul and body.

 

Layers, layers, layerrrrs

We’re a fashion company, so we have to talk about layers (which we love!) Over the past few years layers have been in style in every aspect–whether it’s a blazer over cardigan over a tee or a pair of long-johns under jeans mixed with really thick boot socks. Add on a scarf and properly accessorized hat and there you have it.

 

Street Style in Europe, photo by Matthew Sebra European Street Style by GQ Michael Sebra

 

Add thicker curtains to your bedroom

You don’t necessarily have to seal every window in your house or apartment. You can simply purchased an extra lined curtain for your window to keep out the night drafts. This is really effective at keeping your energy costs down too. Just make sure to open the curtains during the day to let the sun naturally warm your room.