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Last Minute Summer Spots: Things to Do in NYC Before Fall Hits

Monday, August 20th, 2012

 

 

 

Visit the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, open Tuesday through Sunday until November 4th

Where/How to Get There: 2 or 3 to Eastern Parkway—Brooklyn Museum station; B or Q to Prospect Park station; 4 or 5 to Franklin Avenue; S shuttle to Prospect Park station. (The B train does not run on weekends)

Blue Flower Square Cufflinks

Blue Flower Square Cufflinks

 

Visit Carl Schultz Park (and bring your dog!):

Where: 1st Ave/East End (On the East River) in between 80th-94th Streets

Hand Painted Smiling Bulldog Cufflinks

Bulldog Cufflinks (Hand painted)

The Carl Schurz Park Conservancy is the oldest community-based volunteer park association in the city of New York. In the 1970s, concerned parents banded together and organized a funding campaign to supplant drastic parks budgetary cuts and save the Carl Schurz Park playground from further ruin.  Working in close partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the Conservancy has become the citizen caretaker of Carl Schurz Park, allocating its operational and capital funds as the City and the Conservancy assess the state of the park, and the programs the community will enjoy and value.

Go to the Top of the Rock in the evening:

Where? Between 48-51st streets and 5th avenue. Note: you must buy tickets

Top of the Rock, NYC

Sit outside at as many restaurant/cafes as possible.
That’s right! The restuatrants pay for that extra sidewalk space, so use it while it’s still warm out. Go around the entire city and find your favorite outdoor spots. Ours is centered around Yaffa Cafe on St. Marks and 1st Ave and Cloister Cafe on 9th between 2nd and 1st avenue.

Run around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

Where? Central Park, 96th Street closer to 5th avenue

Take a ferry to Governor’s island

Silver Propeller CufflinksSilver Propeller Cufflinks

Where? Off the coast of Manhattan, a 5 minute ferry ride away. Governors Island is open every Saturday, Sunday and Holiday Monday (Memorial Day and Labor Day) from May 26-September 30.

Governor's Island

Take a ferry to Staten Island and back (Just for the boat ride. don’t get off at Staten Island. That would be…you know…)

Do the free kayaking at the Chelsea Piers:

The Downtown Boathouse is an all volunteer-run nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free public access to the harbor in New York City through public kayaking programs. Our mission is to encourage safe public use of the harbor waters of New York City and thereby provide residents of this space-constrained city with increased recreational opportunities. We support our operations exclusively through volunteers and with your public donations.

Sailboat Wheel Cufflinks

SAILBOAT WHEEL CUFFLINKS

Pier 40 offers Walk up Kayaking every weekend and holiday from 9AM until 6PM with the last boat going out at 5:30, and Thursday evenings from 5PM-7PM with the last boat going out at 6:30PM. Check the Calendar for more details. Pier 40 offers has lockers, a changing room and shower and hose to rinse off with. We have limited number of locks available, Please bring your own lock.

Go to the last leg of the Summer Stage Festivals at Central Park and other locations around the city

Musical Note CufflinksMusical Note Cufflinks

Central Park, Summerstage

Click HERE for more information about Summerstage, including the calendar of events

 

 

 

 

The Art and Craft of Shaving: Series Two

Friday, August 17th, 2012

 

 

Series Two: The Art and Craft of Shaving

Here’s an “Art of Shaving” exclusive from one of our favorite readers, Rafael Quinones. He’d like to share his take on the craft and mystery of shaving…

Pisces Cufflinks

In a recent interview, self-titled cufflinks connoisseur Raf “The Man” Quinones says the following about his shaving regime:

“I always do the cold water rinse and use the Alum Block.”

“Alum is a mineral that has been used as an antiseptic since the days of ancient Egypt. It’s alcohol-free, but it doesn’t feel that way. It will instantly stop all bleeding from a cut because it naturally closes the pores and eliminates any bacteria, so nothing can get infected. It stings a lot, or a little, depending on how you shaved…but at least it lets you know what areas you were too rough on. Just rinse it off after a couple seconds.”

Eight Pair Silk Knot CufflinksEight Pair Silk Knot Cufflinks

After the right shave, your skin should feel silky smooth, like these Silk Knot Cufflinks

What else? Did you know: Rose water helps!

“While I’m showering and shaving, I keep a bottle of rose water in the fridge. This gets it nice and cool. Then I spray the cool rose water all over my face, which feels refreshing and soothing—but also the rose water acts like a natural toner for your skin, keeping it moisturized.”

What’s your last step in your shaving routine?

“Lastly, I use an alcohol-free after shave balm to moisturize, and for keeping the facial skin smooth. It also helps prevent ingrown hairs and skin irritation after the shave.

ED HARDY "LOVE KILLS SLOWLY" OVAL CUFFLINKSYou don’t want to see ED Hardy on your face after shaving…

Oh! Last thing—I’m sure you saw it on the videos, but DO NOT USE TOO MUCH PRESSURE while shaving. The razor is really sharp and you will cut yourself if you press down. The razor is heavy, and at the right angle it does all the work itself—all you need to do is guide it.”

Aquarius The Water Carrier Coin Cufflinks

Aquarius-The Water Carrier Coin CuffLinks
Thanks Mr. Quinones for your readership and your shaving tips. If YOU would like to contribute to our blog or have comments/advice to share with our readership, simply write to us at cufflinksman@gmail.com

 

Stay tuned for the POST SHAVE PROCEDURES

The Art and Craft of Shaving for Men: Series 1

Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

 

 

 

How to Shave with a Safety Razor

We’ve been asking cosmopolitan New York men what they want to read about. While on a creative journey to give our readership the best possible advice, fashion tips, articles, and…pure nuggets of brilliance, we stumbled upon this video by Raoul Pop. It was recommended to us by one of our readers, so we thought we’d share.

Mustache  CufflinksMustache  Cufflinks

It definitely applies to ALL men, everywhere. It’s all about the little things, like shaving your face. Here Raoul gives invaluable advice about how to use aSaftey Razor and how to properly shave your face in the best possible way (in the best possible world. Had to throw a little Candide in there…)


1. Step Number One: Start with a new blade. Blades are made in different ways, with different flexibilities, different cuts/angles of the blade, etc, so find the one brand/type that works best for your face. Finding the right blade may be a bit of trial and error, but once you find it, stick with it. Raoul uses the Gillette Stainless Steel Blade.

SILVER BENT BLADES TIE CLIP

 Blade Tie Clip

2. Step Number Two: Warm the blade, brush, and your face with warm water. This can be done in many ways, which we’ll get to in tomorrow’s blog, but essentially, the warming process is pretty imperative between it works in two ways: First, it primes the razor for contact and it also primes the hair. You facial hair should be soft when properly damp.

Hot and Cold Faucet CufflinksHot and Cold Faucet Cufflinks

3. Step Number Three: Try to use shaving soap, rather than gel. The gel will dry quicker than the soap. So if you use gel, you have to keep moistening your face to eliminate the dryness.

4. Step Number Four: Try not to go over the same spot too much. This means: do a first pass, then a second pass.

5. Step Number Five: After the first pass, re-apply the lotion/gel. Now it’s time for the second pass.

Random TIPS…

Don’t press the razor to the face, let the weight of the razor apply the pressure.

Cut with the grain, meaning you should cut the hair in the direction which the hair grows. Very important, because if you go against the grain, this can cause irritation.

For more information and a detailed analysis of products, tricks, and tips, click here.

What kind of brush should you use?
Preferably ones with badger hair

What’s the best shaving soap to use?
Williams Mug Shaving Soap.

TIP: Make sure you warm your shaving mug in warm water as well. I.e. submerged the mug in warm water, just under the rim of the cup, to heat it.

What about an after shave?
Witch’s Hazel! Easy, quick, and cheap.

 

STAY TUNED FOR MORE SHAVING AND GROOMING TIPS FOR MEN…

Top Habits that Improve Your Looks

Friday, February 24th, 2012

 

Change your sheets regularly. Dirty sheets lead to facial break outs. It’s quite an obvious tip, but many people don’t bother to change their sheets every other week. The longer that pillow case sits at the head of your bed, the more acne you’ll have by morning…Farah Averill from Askmen.com says the following: “It’s particularly important to lay out some fresh bedding if you frequently have a female in your bed, as residue from women’s makeup and hair products can get left behind on your sheets and subsequently be transferred to your face.”

OVAL ONYX AND MOTHER OF PEARL CUFFLINKSEven Simon Bolivar had to change his sheets every week (or so). Check out this vintage stamp Oval Cufflinks set

See a barber every three to six weeks to get a mandatory shape up. Some men let this slide and go longer without getting a hair cut. But we’re here to let you know gentlemen, it’s necessary to keep up the clean cut. Necessity for a clean, polished look, and won’t hurt your wallet too much at around $12-$15 a pop.
Check out these vintage Sawblade Cufflinks, just like the barbers used to use…and still do
SAWBLADE CUFFLINKS
Shave after showering. Who would thunk it? Well, you know that foggy mirror you see when you step outside the raining waters of the shower head? It’s the humidity from the hot water and it actually opens up your pores and softens the hair follicle. Ever see those movies where the men in barber shops put a hot towel compress on the face for several minutes? it’s the same thing, but it will save your complexion and make for an easier shave if you  wait until after you hit the shower.
Wash your feet everyday, with soap. No brainer right? Ah, but some men think that the drips of shampoo that cascade down from the head or chest or other surrounding areas is good enough to clean the feet. NOT true. Bacteria builds up quickly on the feet, especially because it’s a moist area that is normally covered throughout must of the day. Get in between the toes with the soap and rinse clean. You’ll save money on odor-eaters too in the long run.

Water!! Water and water! If you spend so much time in your sacred, coveted shower, think how much the inside of your body loves water? Drink at least 8 glasses a day. it flushes out your system, reduces facial blemishes, and keeps your skin radiate and fresh.
Aquarius Cufflinks

Fall 2011 Reading List

Monday, October 31st, 2011

 

 

So it’s almost hibernation time. That means you should grab a book, some warm whiskey and tea, and curl up by the fire (or the heater). But going into the library or Barnes and Noble to pick out a great book out of thousands? IMPOSSIBLE….unless you subscribe to Cufflinks’ Favorite Girl: ehm…yours truly.

VINTAGE MARTINI CUFFLINKS

But before I list off some good reads, be aware that I am biased. I don’t particularly think all of these books are the best specimens of literature in the world, but a must-read-to-be-in-the-cultural know, kind of thing. A mix of classical and contemporary novels, philosophy books, etc.

Top Ten Books for Now

1. Madame Bovary, by Gustave Flaubert: Don’t stop reading the list now. I put this first because it’s style and form are nearly perfect, if that’s ever possible in literature. Norton has a great translation from the french, so be careful which version you chose. Story of an unhappy young woman who marries a country doctor, and finds herself fantasizing about everything else life has to offer: riches, temptation, glamor…sex. Flaubert worked his @$$ off on this one for years…and of course it was first banned for obscenity, lala. Read it.

2. The Trial, by Kranz Kafka: a relatively short narrative on the life of K. who gets caught in the whirlwinds of a deranged bureacratic system, showing the absurdity and ridiculous natures of our own modern power structures.

3. On The Road, by Jack Kerouac: a cult classic, originally written on a long scroll in a breathless, speedy style, the main character travels around the country with his wacky and adventurous friend Dean.

4. The Symposium, by Plato: a discourse on the nature of love. Basically a bunch of philosophers sitting around getting drunk talking about how “love” originated. Pretty interesting stuff.

5. Middlesex/Virgin Suicides,by Jeffrey Eugenides: Obviously these are two different books, but his work is just so amazing that you should read both. A contemporary writer who luckily is still with us and working on another novel, the prosody of these novels is…exceptional, lyrical, and awe-inspiring.

6. Tropic of Capricorn, by Henry Miller: Yes, that brute of a writer. He holds nothing back, a connoisseur of the world, a sex crazed, maniac of a man…banging on his Parisian typewriter in the early 20th century. Lice, roaches, sex houses, and abundance of women all included.

Fountain Pen Cufflinks

Fountain Pen Cufflinks

7.Still Life with Woodpecker, by Tom Robbins. A modern, adult fairy tale. One of the funniest books I’ve ever encountered.

8. Hidden Messages in Water,by Dr. Masaru Emoto: A scientific study of water molecules with a spiritual spin…Emoto photographs water molecules from around the world, which are subjected to certain kinds of music, energy, etc. Eye opening account of the importance  and power of water.

CHINESE MEDALLION CUFFLINKS

9. Bhagavad Gita,by Unknown. A traditional Hindu text, originally written in ancient Sanskrit, follows an exchange between Krishna and solider Arjuna. Insightful and beautiful. (circa 3000 BCE…wow)

10. Beyond Good and Evil/Birth of Tragedy, by Nietzsche. Either book will do, or both if you can. His work is dense, hard to get through, but worth it in the end. You’ll find yourself referring to him or others using his ideas as a reference point throughout your life.