Everybody needs at least one solid canvas sneaker for the summer months and the Jack Purcell manages to sneak back into our wardrobe every year over and over again. For Summer 2010 Converse presents a nice dyed oxford version of the classic sneaker in navy. Simple, classic, easy to match with pretty much everything and therefore one of our summer sneakers of choice. These are now available from Tres Bien.

01. Exploring Mortality With Clothes and a Claw (Above)

“At first sight, the monumental artwork being installed at the Park Avenue Armory suggests nothing so much as a crane claw, the frustrating arcade game in which a player tries to pull a stuffed animal from a pile of many, and to hold on to it, with a grapple controlled by a joystick.” (NYT).

02. The Return of Ben & Jerry’s Limited Batch Key Lime Pie

“Since I’ve already sampled all of the spring 2010 Ben & Jerry’s flavors, including the under-the-radar Flourless Chocolate Cake, I’m usually on auto-pilot when I walk past their pints at the grocery store. The other day, though, two of my favorite words—”Limited Batch”—jumped out at me, emblazoned across a pint of Key Lime Pie.” (serious eats).

03. Get the Salomon Kalou look!

“As anyone who wore a gentleman’s skirt in the 1990s will attest to, footballers set the trends, then the people just follow them. So far, they’ve given the planet: feathery haircuts, enormous tie knots, tight suit trousers, the Jamie Redknapp “Jarhead” look, a sleeve’s worth of tatts, buxom girlfriends, and demi-beards.” (The Spoiler).

04. Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution: Serving Up A Side of Individual Blame

“Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, co-produced by Fresh One and Ryan Seacrest Productions, premiered on ABC on March 26, 2010 to 7 million viewers. The six-episode series aimed to bring a revolution to Huntington, West Virginia, a five-county metropolitan area (including West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio), which was named by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the “unhealthiest in America.”1 The study, based on 2006 data, found that 45% of adults in the Huntington-Ashland metropolitan area were obese and that the area had the highest incidence of heart disease and diabetes in the United States.2 Like much of the country, Huntington could use some schooling to improve its citizens’ health, but I am not convinced ABC’s reality program fits the bill.” (Flowtv).

Palladium kicks our a Spring/Summer friendly boot that breathes with you in the heat. “The new Enzyme Washed collection uses a special washing process, which accelerates the visual fading and weathering of the canvas to give the boot an authentic vintage look and feel. Palladium’s use of canvas dates back to the 1940’s when soldiers of the French Foreign Legion wore the boots as a way to stay cool in the deserts of North Africa. The natural breathability of canvas was preferred over the more traditional leather boots.”

More looks at the Palladium Enzyme Washed Canvas Boots after the click.

Start the Spring off proper with this unique Field Notes “Sunshine” notebook three pack which includes a pack of marigold seeds. A thoughtful and simple gift for someone in your life. The three notebooks are graph lined and feature the same old style farmer’s book look that Field Notes is known for. There are others, but this Field Notes. Flatspot has them. (above photo: beaucolburn)

A look at the packaging on the Field Notes Sunshine Special Edition 3 Pack with Marigold Seeds after the click.

OPENERS Japan (big Japan day eh?) brings us a look at the Sacai Autumn/Winter 2010 collection for men. We last spoke about the collection for Autumn 2009. Much of what we said then remains true today. The collection offers not only a fitted but visual look into modern Japan trends in menswear – without falling into the trend heavy side of  industry. A strong collection.

More looks from the Sacai Men’s Autumn/Winter 2010 collection after the click.

Some times they get it all. HS gets the scoop on a series of slip-ons for the Steve Alan line worked in conjunction with Keds. “Keds have released a collaborative Steven Alan collection for Spring 2010. Each of the our slip on styles feature great spring materials and patterns and are available now at all Steven Alan stores as well as American Rag, Atrium and Bird. The shoes come in both men’s and women’s sizes.”

More looks at the Keds for Steven Alan Slip On Sneakers at Highsnob.

For those looking to upgrade their SIGG with something a bit more unique, consider this Kleen Kanteen bottle from the Grand Hotel family by Kenzo Minami. “We’re celebrating with the release of limited edition Klean Kanteen water bottles, created exclusively for Grand Hotels by New York-based artist Kenzo Minami. His work has appeared in numerous exhibitions, and he has collaborated on designs with top entertainment and fashion names—and recently exhibited his “Remakes” works at Soho Grand’s Gallery. .. Klean Kanteen’s food-grade, stainless steel water bottles are free of toxic materials, made using fair labor, & designed to last a lifetime, eliminating the need to buy water in plastic bottles.” (notcot)

A more macro looks at the Kenzo Minami Kleen Kanteen Water Bottles for Grand Hotels after the click.

May 2010’s editorial in Japan’s FUDGE Magazine caught the good eye of our Berlin editor. While we do not often tap the direct print resources for review on this site, these shots stood out as a strong example of what the modern man looks like globally. Tokumaru Junichiro’s photos are paired with the styling of Marutani Naofumi for what we consider to be an excellent review of the moment.

More looks from the men’s FUDGE vol.22 May 2010 after the click.

Barry Miles does a marvelous job profiling counter-cultural personalities and movements. His books have tackled the Beats in Paris, Charles Bukowski, and more. The most recent, London Calling, finds Miles at home (so to speak) cracking on about all sorts of topics that float our boat.

Given much prior experience with Miles’ work, it is very safe to say this will read well and provide a thorough review of the topic.

Thanks to Retro to Go for the heads up.

Available now at  Amazon.

“Maison Martin Margiela extends line 13 – Objects & Publications by creating 3 new white objects for Spring/Summer 2010:
01 Trompe-l’oeil stickers: a series of black and white photos. Three doors printed in real size on adhesive fabric.
02 Magnifying glasses: half of a pair of spectacles becomes a magnifying glass.
03 Wax candle-holder: melted wax candles become a candle-holder. Over time and with melting, it creates a unique object.

Available in all Maison Martin Margiela stores from May 2010.” (cqc)