The oddball ornaments have always been a favorite on my Christmas trees. Back in the day when my dad did duty on a tree farm in Windsor, CT (duty on this farm included hanging out in a heated lodge, smoking cigars and shooting the shit, while helping young families and couple cut down their own firs), I used to use the reserve tags on our trees yearly. The tree looked like it was purchased at a discount sale about four years.

Artinfo calls Peter Eudenbach’s “Chimera” ornament “creepy” and “a little quirky” with its cast pewter blue jay feet attached by nuts on the bottom of the hand blown glass bulb. We think it looks normal compared to our cheap tree tags. Well done, Mr. Eudenbach.

We’re very, very, very tempted to call this a cardiblazer, but we won’t. The exception being that last sentence when we called it just that. Made up buzzwords aside, this a handsome blazer. Some might even call it sprezzy. We’ll stick with calling it handsome though, like most internet based jargon saying sprezzy in public is a little embarrassing. Not quite as bad saying ‘LOL’ but close. (The Corner)

Roy Slaper of Roy Jeans returns in late in 2011 with new narrow and straight fits. Using 13oz Cone Mills “unsanforized” denim (the first unsanforized denim from Cone in more than three decades),

Roy Jeans comes correct with newly modified fits that feature detailed stitching, fully lined coin and back pockets, as well as hand-set welts “mimicking the vintage style belt-loops found on many of the best Japanese brands.” The denim is a loomstate unsanforized indigo denim that casts a subtle grey tone. Find them at Self Edge. U.S.A. made.

More look after the click.

Design studio culdesac have created what they call a ‘paint evolution’ and what we call some very nice paint brushes. Made for paint company Valentine, they’re the sort of brushes we wished we had when we were badly painting our houses. (Designboom)

Adrian Mesko’s Temps des Reves scarf line moves into pocket square territory with a fine collection of silk satin and chiffon squares. Whats makes the pocket squares very unique are Mesko’s use of his photography printed on the fabrics. Having worked with for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar (Aussie), Temps Des Reves became his “passion project” in 2010. The results speak for themselves.

Well worth a bigger view on our gallery.

Jimmy Darmody [spoiler removed] “Boardwalk Empire” [spoiler removed], but that is clearly not stopping actor Michael Pitt from [spoiler removed]  around for even grander ventures.

He’s popped up as the face of  Prada’s Spring/Summer 2012 campaign. Photographer by David Sims, Pitt looks as happy as ever – that Darmody grin stickings around it would seem. Check the 50’s golden era vibe in the shots.

More look after the click.

We featured Ireland’s Inis Meáin a while back, experts in the ever popular Aran knitwear field. This V-neck is produced exclusively for Stockholm’s Nitty Gritty.

A merino wool and cashmere mix, soft as puppy covered in marshmallows, its ribbed cuffs, hem and general camel coloured goodness all made on the Aran Islands. While we generally lean more towards the crew neck we’d happily change our ways for this one.

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Eighty four eighty five display Autumn/Winter 2011 from Japanese label Big John.

Founded in 1940 by Kotaro Ozaki, it was originally a workwear producer, making uniforms and overalls for all sorts of jobs. They went on to import American clothing in the 50s, primarily denim to meet the demand of Japanese consumers eager for U.S garms and have been in existence in one form or another ever since. This collection features lots of staples; jeans, shawl collars, check shirts and chinos. Big John’s real strength is in their ability to get the cuts and shapes just right.

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The Bandanna Almanac takes a look at this impressive vest from Kapital. Based on the classic Brown’s Beach Jacket with the trimmed pockets and metal snaps, the Japanese label has of course added some unique touches of their own.

Zig-Zag stitching on the lower half, straight stitching on the top, pocket rivets, heavy cotton and a softer wool on the inside this is a sturdy piece for colder weather. Superb.

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There’s nothing like a Norfolk Jacket to make you feel like an extra from a BBC period drama.

Worn by hunters, Princes, Rifle Corps volunteers and nineteenth century cyclists, it still remains the ultimate belted blazer. Strangely though, for something which can feel very costume-y, as long as you steer clear of the knickerbockers it’s a rather easy jacket to wear. This one from Free & Easy’s Rugged museum shop is a particularly nice example. Elbow patches, football buttons, chin strap and pleated pockets. Edward VII would be proud.

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