One product I love to review more than headphones is shaving creams. Shaving creams are not all formulated the same and while I do not recommend that everyone needs a brush and bowl, using a proper cream over foam will make a strong difference on how the razor works with the skin for a close finish. Stow, VT’s Ursa Major sent over their Stellar shaving cream for a test run and I am happy to say that it does the job as well as most creams. While it may only be “97.8% natural” the aroma sets it off.

From the good folks that brought us the Left Field line comes a new undergarments collection. Choctaw Ridge enters a space which still have much growth – the quality made basics of undershirts, and shorts. Here, you’ll find a variety of garments including proper thermals with details that take then above the norm. I’lll refrain from using the the almost expected terms with this line. We’ll give them proper space to breathe on their own. They look great and we’re excited to get our hands on some.

More looks after the click.

CDP just revamped their website, launching an e-store – or ’boutique’ in their own words. Our favourite piece that we can’t get elsewhere is this weekend bag, which is as simple and classy as they come. Bags are usually one place you want to be a little classy with – mainly because you’ll be using them for decades once you have the right set. It’s an affordable bag too, which should help sway your decision. (Commune De Paris)

Another day, another first look. This one’s from Velour, a brand we’ve always had a soft spot for. Given our tendency to show the crazy side of fashion, sometimes it’s nice to show something that’s easy, wearable and affordable. All cliches aside, there’s something for everyone in this preview. They even make wearing a three button blazer with all the buttons done up look acceptable.

Take a leap to see a few more looks at the collection.

We’re not sure when it happened but it suddenly got very passe to say you liked Thom Browne. Maybe his shows are just too much of a spectacle for your tastes, but it’s odd to see a group of men who’ve all been influenced by the man – and yes, anyone who only started rolling their trousers recently did so directly or indirectly because of Thom Browne’s influence – shun him a couple seasons later. Anyhoo, we like this tie of his. By now I’m sure we all know the drill with Browne’s prices, so expect them to be as high as ever. (Barneys)

The Rodarte for OC collab continues this season with a collection that’s a little more wearable than past edition. Key words in that last sentence? ‘a little’. Don’t expect rugged workwear from Rodarte, but we see no reason why anyone couldn’t wear this leather bomber jacket. The leather shirts? not so much. (Opening Ceremony)

Here’s a classic tote from Blu Dot which was only available through their NYC shop. Now you can get it online. “Official company issue. Because we love the simplicity and look of the classic canvas tool bag, we give one to every Blu Dot employee. Having been admired by customers in our New York store, we have made the bag available for all.”

More looks after the click.

The Flathead company was started in 1996 by Kobayashi Masayoshi and has produced amazing products for the Japanese market. Today, we have the ease and access to most of the products they offer in Japan thanks to Self Edge. The “Winter Flannel” comes in three different colorways: mustard, blue and red. The shirt is “made of a heavy cotton flannel with a combed super soft interior. Due to the heavy gauge thread and vintage loomed fabric, the shirt is an amazing piece for the winter months. This is the second rendition of the shirt and it might even better than the last.

More looks after the click.

01. Manny Pacquiao Vacates WBC 154-Pound Title; Saul Alvarez In Line To Fight For It

“Pound-for-Pound king Manny Pacquiao, who collected an amazing 8th “world” title last November when he gave disgraced Mexican Antonio Margarito a fearful hiding over 12-rounds, has officially vacated the WBC 154-pound crown he won with the win over “Tony.”” (East Side).

02. Absolut Karen O

“Karen O appeared on the Jackass 3D soundtrack last year, and the band’s “Heads Will Roll” was mashed and butchered with “Thriller” on Glee. Otherwise we haven’t heard much lately from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and/or Karen O. Now we know of at least one thing she’s up to: modeling. That’s her in the scanned Absolut ad above, wearing a far more tame outfit than usual. And, according to the behind-the-shoot video, she really wanted to work with photographers Warren du Preez and Nick Thornton, making this ad more of artistic collaboration than usual. Thornton and du Preez are well-known fashion photographers and the directors behind UNKLE’s “Follow Me Down” clip.” (Stereogum).

03. Exhibition: Pacific Standard Time

“”Pacific Standard Time is a collaboration of more than fifty cultural institutions across Southern California, which came together for six months beginning October 2011 to tell the story of the birth of the Los Angeles art scene and how it became a major new force in the art world.” (MoAA).

04. Wayne Shorter Quartet

“Photos of the Wayne Shorter Quartet in performance at the Jazz No Jazz Festival 2010 in Switzerland. All photos by Dragon Tasic.” (Jazz Times).

05. Hip-hop musician Sage Francis discusses his vegetarian lifestyle

“Paul Francis, better known to the underground hip-hop community as Sage Francis, is a practicing vegetarian.  Famous for creative lyricism injected with intellectual outlooks, Sage Francis embodies all that is precise and mystical in the underground hip-hop culture.  Legendarily self aware and honest, Mr. Francis has his hands in political activism and can always be heard at a poetry slam sharing insightful, Freudian paradoxes.  Sage Francis, as well as his alter ego Xaul Zan, sit down with me and discuss the ways of a vegetarian sharing the spotlight with music.” (Examiner).