Don’t be scared, this isn’t exactly Midas gold. It’s more of a bright beige (like all men, we’re awful at describing colours). Whatever colour it is, it looks good – even better when not styled with jeggings – and the gold hood is a nice touch. It’s more of late summer/early autumn jacket than a proper winter coat, but it’d be very handy between now and October. (Blackbird)

Popcorn being my favored snack, I’ve taken the time to investigate home appropriate options beyond the microwave.

To date, the best I’ve found is John Cope’s Gourmet White Popping Corn. Not surprisingly, Cope’s is a brand full of heritage – founded in 1900, rich in Pennsylvania Dutch history, and allegedly popular with President Eisenhower. Those things are not particularly important here, instead the quality of the texture and the flavor of the popping corn are key. Additionally, the corn is free of additives and or artificial chemicals.

I season mine with cayenne and cracked pepper. You can do whatever you want with yours… assuming you buy some from Farm Stand Foods.

Curated toured the second phase of Mike and Doug Stern’s Big Bambu project at the MET yesterday afternoon.

Twin brothers Mike and Doug Stern have been busy all summer constructing “Big Bambu” – an ever evolving sculpture – located on the Metropolitan Museum’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden. The brothers have just completed the second phase of construction, bringing the elevated pathways to roughly 40 feet above the main deck of the Roof Garden.

Open to the public, the sculpture encourages exploration and each pathway offers a new angles and directions from which to view the piece. Full visitor information at MET, the sculpture is open through October 31, 2010.

Our Jacob Breinholt explored Big Bambu yesterday. These are his photographs.

Take a walk through yourself over at Curated.

They say the first signs of autumn are when you stop rolling your sleeves up (they don’t actually say this, but just go along with us) so pieces like this are the surest sign ever that autumn’s coming. Well, that and the weather. With a piece like this you get all that polo necked goodness and none of the cold that comes with short sleeves – a win/win situation. (Wood Wood)

01. New road bikes by NeilPryde and DesignworksUSA (above)

“The idea of a manufacturer of high performance windsurfers designing a bicycle, let alone a competitive road bike, might strike some as a little strange, but judging from the results of the collaboration between NeilPryde and BMW Group DesignworksUSA, the question is why didn’t someone think of this earlier?” (Wallpaper*).

02. American Caesars: Lives of the Presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush

“Modeled on one of the most famous histories of ancient Rome (The Twelve Caesars), Nigel Hamilton’s new book, American Caesars, looks afresh at the lives and careers of the twelve leaders of the American empire since World War II, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush.” (YUP).

03. Healthy & Delicious: Raw Tomatillo Salsa

“Rick Bayless’s raw tomatillo salsa makes a great chip dip or condiment, and is just about the easiest recipe in the world. Fat-free and calorically inconsequential, it possesses quite a heated kick, but can be tailored to your spice preferences. Serve it with a mango and/or tomato and avocado concoction for a highly healthy, highly palatable salsa bar.” (Serious Eats).

04. When Shopping Was Sociable

“Design Research closed its doors 31 years ago. Baby boomers remember the store like it was yesterday. D/R was where they bought their Marimekko dresses, the minute they realized a girdle was no longer required. D/R was where they touched the Kaj Franck china, buying one place-setting at a time for first apartments in Cambridge or San Francisco or New York. They copied its grand paper globes, bought rugs in Turkey to slip under their glass coffee tables, dangled wooden toys in front of their tots, and learned to make a mean tagine, using the same clay pot as Julia.” (Design Observer).

A good crop of iPad slips are showing up around the web (we covered a few recently). The Kenton Sorenson leather holster is another fine example that complements iPad. “Presenting the Kenton Sorenson iPad Portfolio. Wisconsin native Kenton Sorenson cuts and sews each natural leather piece by hand in his workshop. Each iPad Portfolio is oiled and conditioned with beeswax and finished with a heavy linen thread side stitch.” Context serves them up.

More looks at the Kenton Sorenson Leather iPad Holster after the click.

An extension of Rogue Territory, RGT  goes beyond denim offering a full collection of tops and bottoms, outerwear and accessories.  The line has modern fit and style, with the light touch of vintage Americana and military influence now expected from designer Karl Thoennessen.

The first fabric Thoennessn chose to work with for RGT is a deadstock 1950s German Paramilitary Raindrop Cammo. The fabric finds life throughout the line as pocket lining, shirts, pants, shorts and hidden patch pockets.

In all, the line includes three models of trouser (two also coming in short form); two jean fits (skinny and straight) coming in Dark Indigo selvage, Natural selvage, Grey  selvage; and a range of triple needle stitched tops made from canvas, chambray, gingham, and oxford cloth.

All rivets and buttons are custom. All set for release in Spring of 2011.

Full look at RGT by Rogue Territory S/S 2011 after the jump.

Not the first nor the last take on the split shawl collar sweater. Band of Outsiders does it their way with cashmere. Looks good worn a variety of ways. Sources and made in Asia, but that should not stop you if you appreciate the look this garment will give your personal style.  Aloha Rag has them for $435.

More looks at the Band of Outsiders Split Collar Sweater after the click.

J.W. Anderson bring a Aran knit sweater for Autumn 2010. “Aran knitting has been a tradition in Ireland for a very long time. Long before we knew anything about thermal dynamics, the women there were knitting these knobby pattern stitches into the sweaters they made for their families. We now know that trapped air spaces make for a war.” Proudly made in Ireland. Oki-ni carries it.

More looks at the J.W. Anderson Hand Knitted Jumper after the click.