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Archive for July, 2009

Putting the Man back in Man-icure

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Guys: look at your hands…are they dirty? Do you have crap under your fingernails (even just a little)? Are your nails scraggly and jagged? If not, good job; you’re doing at least OK. If so, gross; let’s fix this quickly and affordably:

Step 1: Realize that ugly hands attract no one. It doesn’t scream, “Hey, I am a busy man, no time for trivial and useless hygiene…” It screams, “I don’t give a shit…about anything.” So, start giving a shit…at least a little.

Step 2: Leave your ego at the door and go to your local manicure/pedicure shop—I require you go only once! Believe it or not, lots of guys do this on a regular basis, but for your ONE time visit I suggest: watching and learning the basics—then save some $$ and do it yourself in the future. Most manicures range between $20-30, unless you’re overpaying at a hoity-toity place (don’t bother).

Step 3: Don’t go buy a fancy nail-trimming set (unless you really want to and have the dough). Do go buy yourself two simple nail clippers (a small one for fingers and a big one for toes)—shouldn’t be more than $5 altogether.

Step 4: Every couple days employ what your manicurist showed you:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly in warm water
  • Clean the dirt out from underneath the nails w/ clipper tool
  • Clip each nail to a rounded pattern with no angles or corners; not too short—have just a little white at the tip of each nail
  • Push back each cuticle (the fleshy part where the nail meets your finger)
  • Wash your hands again to get the extra junk off
  • Consider using an unscented lotion afterwards; keeps the roughness and cracks to a minimum

The truth is, it’s possible no one will ever notice your nicely groomed and clean hands…but it’s incredibly possible for many people to notice anything less. So, keep up the simple bathroom routine.

The Only Thing to Fear…??

Friday, July 31st, 2009

A friend alerted me to an article titled “Seven Guys Men Are Afraid Of” (reposted in text below). This seemed at first a mere cheeky blurb written by a husband/wife duo that probably spends less time in the bedroom and more time getting paid by the word by Glamour Magazine…but it still made me think a little deeper about who we all are afraid of and why.

And therefore, a poll: WHO ARE THE TOP TWO PEOPLE THAT MOST INTIMIDATE YOU (AND IF YOU HAVE TIME, WHY)? CONTEMPLATE HOW TO OVERCOME THIS INTIMIDATION.


1. Anyone who plays the guitar
I can’t play the guitar. I can’t do anything except for type and make guacamole. Ergo: I have always kept my women away from dudes with “axes.” [Also, time pending, watch this and re-consider #1...]

2. Dudes who can, like, change your valves
It’s even worse if he’s a guy who knows about cars and is all humble about it.

3. Your older brother
See above.

4. Your friend’s boyfriend
You know, the guy you always mention when we’re being idiots. “John never does that to Jenny,” you say. Man, when John comes around we’re really on our best behavior.

5. The kid you went to high school with and was your best friend for a while but you never dated because he was kind of nerdy but now he’s gained some weight and is super successful and you realize you really missed out with that one …
Am I the only one who has encountered one of these with every girlfriend?

6. Marines
Man, a Marine started talking to my wife at a bar not that long ago. And I thought: that guy could kick my butt, tell a heart-rending story that would make her cry, and ask to be called “Captain” all at once … I don’t like him.

7. Your father
Especially if he was a Marine, a firefighter and a mechanic who also plays the guitar.

Street Smarts: Pittsburgh!

Monday, July 27th, 2009
Friday After Work

Friday After Work

I was in Pittsburgh last week enjoying all things Steelcity and honestly found it difficult to feature someone for Street Smarts. Apparently the Burgh men got together and started a Lets-All-Wear-Oversized T-Shirts club…and their membership appears to be gaining numbers. Being that as it was, I was happy to find Sukanta, a recent MBA grad from Pitt, on the extraordinarily large outdoor terrace at the new HoffbrauHaus Pittsburgh.

This is a great Friday after work or weekend semi-casual outfit. He’s pulling off the brown blazer wonderfully without being too matchy with his shoes and the untucked shirt is the appropriate length (not at the belly above the belt and not at or below the bottom of the jacket).

In other news, the Hoffbrauhaus is a great place for singles on a Friday night; Pittsburgh guys take note. Just make sure to get there before the line starts out the door and be very hungry and very thirsty in order to finish anything you order from the menu:

Look at the knife for comparison!

Look at the knife for comparison!

Undershirts: DON’T!

Monday, July 20th, 2009

While spending some time on the streets looking for the smartly dressed gentlemen of the city of Minneapolis last week, I noticed quickly that there are few in the city to be found–although to be fair, it was cold and rainy–but when did that stop the MN men from anything?!

Something I DID see a lot (read: altogether too much) of is a regular LKc Style NO-NO: the white undershirt visible under the button down (as shown by this wine-swilling dork below).

Wine Swilling Dork, Thanks Robbin Sports

Wine Swilling Dork, Thanks Robbin Sports

The undershirt is just that: an UNDER shirt. Don’t misunderstand me–you should be wearing undershirts, especially if you’re of the sweaty-man variety…BUT we don’t want to see it on your neckline or, worse, through the button down shirt. Would you walk around with your underwear hanging out?!?! OK, some of you do…but that’s for another post.

If you have problems with a showing undershirt, consider buttoning another button up or find shirts where the 2nd to top button is just below the clavicle (that goofy bone at the base of your neck), OR purchase undershirts with a V-neck. For a load of info on Undershirts, see Tug @ http://www.undershirtguy.com/.

I’m not saying Brad Pitt does it best, I’m just sayin:

Brad Pitt, not too showy

Brad Pitt, not too showy

Street Smarts: Concert Ready

Monday, July 13th, 2009

20090708_kevin-mckinnou-004_smallI found Kevin @ the Underground Lounge for the Vital Morgans acoustic show. I was most impressed by the fit–the jeans aren’t too tight or too baggy and love the casual cuffs at the ankle that correlate w/ the cuffs of the just-right vintage shirt. This was a great choice for just hanging out in a basement for a concert!

Kevin’s a teacher in Chicago.

Swimsuit Weather!

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

Now that we are past a record brisk June, it’s time to talk summer shop: swimsuits.

If you are a normal person, you probably aren’t in love with wearing a swimsuit all summer long. We all have things we’d rather hide than display to the world via half-nakedness.

Nonetheless, there are fun times to be had at the beach or pool and so, you should try to look as good as possible in a swimsuit! As always, I like to promote finding the best fit for YOU.

A few fitting factors:

Tip Off: On Sale Now @ BonTon

1. Don’t buy too big. You probably are unless you’re in the Speedo variety. Buy just above the knee with medium leg holes and fitted around your waist–not falling down!

2. Forget all the pockets. Seriously, do you carry around a briefcase in those things? At most you need one or two small pockets for a card/cash and maybe keys.

3. Consider colors. If you’re slimmer, think of doing a bold but not too crazy pattern; if you have a little love around the waist, think of doing a darker solid color. Any pattern should be age appropriate–don’t wear a swimsuit w/ surfing sharks on it unless you’re 5.

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