Italian made, with the intention of making the most rugged safari boot possible, J.L. Powell’s Botswana Boot delivers a slightly different look than the regularly featured ‘heritage’ models. The upper is made of a mix of Buffalo and Bovine leathers, contrasted with a nylon mesh vamp. Vibram sole. Solid style.

For those who want good old “Made in the USA” J.L. Powell also offers a Moccassin made closer to their Three Oaks, Michigan, HQ.

Some details of the Botswana Boot after the jump.

You know what? We’re just gonna come right out and say it: we want to cheat with our denim. We know wearing them in yourself is the ‘right’ thing to do but it takes ages. And, like Jay-Z, we’re not patient and we hate waiting. These Han jeans are a great cheating tool for anyone who wants to skip a couple of style steps. (C Store)

We’ve had our fill of Take Ivy at this point, but there’s always room for a new take on it.

01. Ed Hardy: Tattoo the World Documentary (Above).

“Ed Hardy TATTOO THE WORLD is an artist’s journey, his unexpected rise to cult status and his phenomenal influence on pop culture.  With one foot in the world of tattooing and the other planted in the fine arts, each informed the other.” (Tattoo the World / Needles & Sins).

02. Renewing the Riverfront

“Circle stickers have been in high demand at the Brattleboro Museum & Arts Center in Brattleboro, Vermont. Visitors to the “Renewing the Riverfront” exhibition, organized by a multidisciplinary workshop under the auspices of Marlboro College and its Center for Creative Solutions (CCS), have been using the adhesive dots to show support for their favorite proposals for the town’s waterfront, arrayed on walls of a gallery here. And museum-goers have not only voted for a number of the proposals that the CCS team has offered up — from a riverside boardwalk to a performance space — they’ve also posted ideas of their own on blank note cards on hand, and planted dots of approval on some of those, too. A “river museum,” scribbled one visitor, earning a smattering of dots. “Outdoor seating next to the river,” suggested another. “Paved space for skaters/bladers/BMXers,” urged a third.” (DesignObserver).

03. HEL YES! Woodsy Exhibition Shows the Roots of Finnish Design

“The Finnish Institute in London has commissioned and produced HEL YES!, a pop-up restaurant at this year’s London Design Festival that showcases a remarkable array of Finnish furnishings. Designed by OK Do, a team of ‘Hunter-Gatherer-Designers’, the temporary space makes great use of wood to illustrate the close relationship between Finland and its forests. From elegantly curving wooden canopies to unfinished tree trunk stools, read on for a look inside!” (Inhabitat).

04. Marking Criminals – Photographing Felons

“The 1830s and ’40s saw the rapid development of a range of photographic processes.  In France, in 1838, Louis Daguerre took the first known picture containing a person, a man having his shoes polished on the Boulevard du Temple.  At about the same time, Robert Cornelius, took a self-portrait which has written on the back, “The first light picture ever taken.”  In England, William Henry Fox Talbot was working on a process which became the calotype and laid the basis for most of the processes which were developed in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.” (Vichist).

SS takes a look at the forthcoming Spring 2011 collection from Mr. Hare. “The label was first conceived at a roadside tapas bar in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Andalucia, Spain on July 23rd 2008. Marc Hare looked at the woven leather shoes of the old gentleman sat next to him and thought his shoes could be brilliant with a few tweaks, but who could he get to make them. Five minutes later, Mr. Hare the brand was conceived and it took just three hundred and sixty days to go from idea conception to the shop floor at Dover Street Market.”

More looks at the Mr. Hare Spring 2011 Footwear after the click.

The Berlin office loves to remind us of all the wonderful goods we have here right. This Bomber jacket from the Ralph Lauren Black Label collection is no exception. “The Bond is a modern interpretation of an authentic military bomber jacket in sumptuous lambskin leather with a soft shearling interior for ultimate warmth.”

More looks at the Ralph Lauren Black Label Bond Leather Bomber Jacket after the click.

GQ UK is on point with this look at the MAN Spring 2011 line. It is an interesting one. “One of the most talked about shows of London Fashion Week, three designers showcased their work for MAN. Martine Rose kicked off with Cut and Paste, which she described as an “energetic mish-mash of colour, print and bold apocalyptic silhouettes”. A glorious riot of citrus colours, technical fabrics and pale camouflage prints in pastel colours, we haven’t seen anything this bold since MIA’s album artwork.”

Born in Battle Creek, Michigan, Arcadia Ales owes much to century old British brewing traditions. Since 1996, Arcadia has transferred the lessons of the British Isles to the Upper Midwest, producing small batch beers with English barley and authentic British Equipment. Their fall tipple, a pumpkin ale, hit late last month. They say, “Jaw-Jacker Ale is our Fall Seasonal, a celebration of harvest-time and the changing of the seasons. Using only the finest malted barley and a touch of wheat for mouth-feel, Jaw-Jacker pours a brilliant orange-amber color with truly unique flavors. Although no pumpkins are used, a blend of nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon work with malty flavors to create a bold flavor reminiscent of pumpkin pie. A light hop note balances out the beer nicely.”

I can report that the beer has a terrific nose (for a pumpkin ale), and others I know say it drinks quite well (for a pumpkin ale).

Check for your local Arcadia stock-list here.

Finally, I have found a Bell & Ross which will work for me. The elegant “Vintage Officer” collection is it. “Bell & Ross has designed the Vintage Officer Collection as an homage to the aviators of the 1940’s, who were the first professionals to use the wristwatch as a tool on their missions… The cases measure 41mm and are water resistant to 100 meters. The crystal is a domed sapphire with AR-coating.Dials are available in black or silver, with numerals, index and hands covered in SuperLuminova coating. Numerals and index have polished appliqués.” (timezone)

A few more looks at the Bell & Ross Vintage Officer Collection of watches after the click.