The Guide to a Distinguished Way of Life

Traveling in Style

Men style tips for travel - How to pack for any destination

We all know that packing for a trip can sometimes be a daunting experience. Well knowing just how stressful it can be for some men, I was sent from the fashion gods to help ease some of that anxiety. Wherever you are planning to spend your most precious down time, this list will have you covered and ready to go. If you remember to pack these essentials items you will never find yourself at 5:00 in the morning stressing over what to pack again.

#ComfortableSneakers- Weather you plan to exercise while on vaca or not, a fashionable  comfortable sneaker is the way to go. Something lightweight, very comfortable and breathable is something that should be considered during the whole what kind of sneaker should I bring process.

#PackablePillow- Traveling can be so unpredictable at time, and to think you can be stranded at some airport overnight without one of these comfortable pillows will pretty much add more stress to an already stressful situation. These pillows work well for any situation… while on the plane, at church etc. At church? You never know when you may need it!!! The moral of the story is having a lightweight portable pillow can be a lifesaver.

#ClassicOxfordClothShirt- Does not matter where you are going, having a button down shirt is always a good idea. Dinner plans? No problem… stepping out for drinks with ya buddies? You’re covered… no matter what, you can not go wrong with the Oxford button down. Its wrinkle resistant and it pairs well with almost anything.

#DarkDenim- Denim jeans are so versatile it’s almost impossible to go wrong with them. Pair them with a classic white tee, or the oxford button down while sightseeing.

#ALightweightBlazer- Like the oxford cloth button down, a lightweight blazer should also be packed away in case of formal events or in case you need to cover up due to the temperature dropping unexpectedly.

#SwimTrunks- If you are a swimmer or someone who just likes to sit poolside with a good drink and book, you do not want to find yourself unprepared. It’s nothing worse than seeing an individual sitting poolside damn there fully clothed looking out of place. Get yourself a fresh pair of trunks and chillax poolside in style. If you really fancy some trunks can be double as shorts.

#ClassicWhiteTee- Yes the classic white tee has proven to be a must pack. The white tee is an american staple and pretty much looks great on everyone and most importantly, pairs well with everything. A pocketless tee is obviously the more classic look, but if you ever wanted to add some spice to your life, let your hair down and go with a pocket.  

#DesertBoots- The desert boot is an iconic piece of footwear and believe it or not, has been around for many decades now. It was said that the desert boots were originally worn by british officers during World War 2. These boots like the other pieces we’ve discussed earlier are also very versatile and can be paired with just about anything.... Shorts, denim, chinos etc.

Dress well, travel often and capture the moments.

The Style Room

Menswear 2017 summer season trends is bringing us plenty of inspiration from the likes of childhood memories. These inspired pieces will take you all the way back to the good ol days with a play on youthful imagery… spacecrafts, zoo animals, surfboards to name a few. The colour scheme of this season is bold and unlike other seasons on the more masculine side. You will most definitely stand out from any crowd. And then you have your traditional pieces that are timeless and seem to never go out of style.

The beauty of pastels, statement bomber jackets and bandanas are just a few trendy pieces that will take this season by storm and if done correctly, it will surely take your outfit to another level of awesomeness!!!

Pastels

Oh boy! Where do I begin when given a chance to talk about Pastels. Well as spring/summer approaches you will eventually see a transition from darker tones to brighter tones. The change in seasons allows for many opportunities to experiment with colour blocking and adding a pop of bright colours to your wardrobe. Men if you are somewhat hesitant and unsure about brightening up your wardrobe with pastels, this is the season to most definitely take that leap of faith. Unlike in the past, this season’s spectrum is more on the masculine side. The benefit here is that it’s a way to ease your way into brighter colours.

Now for those individuals who likes to stand out in the crowd, this trend is something you have been waiting for all winter long. Mixing bolder pastels with lighter is something you live for because you are creating attention to the boldness and making a statement all at the same time. Oh the opportunities are endless, rather you are looking to make a statement and go bold or a subtle splash of colour pastels are the way to go this season.

Statement Bomber Jackets

The bomber jacket is an iconic style piece that has been around since the turn of the century. It got its start in the early 1950’s when the youngsters adopted the style of the MA-1 Bomber making it trendy by bringing them into the streets and clubs. Once again, in 2017 we are witnessing just how hot of a commodity the bomber continues to be. Which is why the bomber jacket has again surge in popularity.

The bomber jacket are very masculine and flattering. Its versatility, trendy colours and fabric is something that has allowed it to the test of time. Let us all just sit back and bask in all its glory because the way it look now, these bomber jacket are not going anywhere no time soon. The interest in the staple is unparalleled. Everyone from Kanye West and Jaden Smith to Liam Hemsworth along with many other celebs have added this piece into their daily rotation. Like I stated previously, its versatility is what makes the bomber a winner, the real trick though is to choose a fabric that works well with your wardrobe choice in whatever situation.  

Bandanas

Bandanas, in my opinion was always that lowkey accessory that really didn’t get much notice until recent. Bandanas may be the easiest street style to pull off… of course if done correctly. I strongly consider working bandanas into your wardrobe because they are very cost efficient and can be an excellent opportunity to bring more colour to your wardrobe. You really cant go wrong as far as the colour you go with, one tip though is to make sure that your knots are tied neatly.

By Stylist Dedrick Ward




Recipe of the Month

This will be your next go to recipe when you are looking for a good chicken alfredo recipe.  The plus is that this is a healthier version than the original because there is no butter or pasta.  It very easy to customize this recipe even more.  There is a wealth of different vegetables you can make it even heartier dish.  Grilled asparagus, fire roasted corn, steamed broccoli and frozen peas are just a few examples.  You like it spicy? Add some Cajun seasoning to the sauce to suite your taste.  Give this one a try.

Chicken Alfredo (Healthier Version)

Ingredients

1 Serving (Recipe can be scaled up for more servings)

5 oz cooked chicken breast (cut in small pieces)

1 Zucchini (Large)

½ TB Olive Oil

1 ½ oz Red Onion

½ TB Minced Garlic

5 ½ oz of Heavy Cream

1 Handful Chopped Spinach (Fresh Spinach)

1 oz Grated Parmesan

½ Cup Diced Tomatoes

Kosher Salt (to taste)

Black Pepper (to taste)

Directions:

1. Cook chicken and cut into pieces
2. Spiralize the zucchini to make “Zoodles” (Made with  Veggeti Spiral Vegetable/Cutter)
3. Add olive oil to skillet and saute’ the onion and garlic until onion is translucent
4. Add cream and parmesan (reduce to a simmer)
5. Toss in chicken, spinach and zucchini noodles and toss

By Chef Jesse Bryant