Spring Break 2018

So yeah, spring break was lit! Went to Cancun, drank til my liver needed a transplant, and became the poster boy for both TFM and Old Row.... Nah, spring break was spent in Salisbury chillin' and workin'. With half a semester left to go, a recharge never hurts. My week was pretty low key, but here are a few of the highlights...

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Sunday March 18th
I began the day with lunch with my friend Allison at Backstreet Grill, a popular after-church dining spot for much of Salisbury. We ran into my friend Mason, as well as my pastor and several others during the hour and a half we were there.

When Allison asks to get a picture of you during lunch.

Navy Blazer (Belk) USA
1st Staffordshire Repp Tie (Unbranded) England
OCBD (L.L. Bean)

• Belk Navy Blazer- First time worn in several months due to the end of tweed weather. For more, see other posts.
• 1st Staffordshire Repp Tie- Bought this from Season's Best Antiques, my go-to for authentic Ivy staples. I know little about this tie other than the fact that its "Authentic English" and its skinny cut places it in the early to mid 1960s. The fact that it's in William & Mary colors also made it irresistible to buy. Made in England.
• L.L. Bean OCBD- See other posts.

After lunch and a quick change of outfit, I hit the golf course with Mason, taking advantage of our new club memberships for the first time. 'Twas a rough game, but better than the last one.

Ignoring both my terrible score and wrinkled pants.

Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray Ban) Italy
OCBD (L.L. Bean)
Cardigan Sweater (Prestige Lines) USA
Sutton Chinos (J. Crew)
Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA

• Prestige Lines Cardigan Sweater- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate for only $3. According to the staff there, a man brought in nearly 10 of these cardigans to sell, likely the result of a failed brand creation. I had never heard of "Prestige Lines" before, but I obviously had heard of "Made in the USA". So naturally, I bought one, and so did Nick when he was home from Vanderbilt on break. A cardigan can be tricky to pull off. When purchasing, look for the slimmest option. Years ago, I made the mistake of letting my parents know I wanted a cardigan for Christmas, and ended up with a bright red one from Lands End that was tent-like on my frame. Lets just say that sweater doesn't get around very much. Moral of the story is that fit makes or breaks a cardigan sweater. Go slim and look like a young Hugh Hefner, or roomy and look like your granddad. The choice is yours. 
• J. Crew Sutton Chinos- Need ironing. For more, see other posts.
• Alden Penny Loafers- Until I buy a pair of actual golf shoes, these will do. For more, see other posts.

Friday March 23rd

What happened Monday to Thursday? Yard-work, regular work, hanging with friends, etc. Didn't think to document any of it through photos though. Oh well. Today, however, I did feel was photo-worthy. I went with my friend Chris on a drive to the little village of Tyaskin, MD on the Nanticoke River. The place is near and dear to my heart, as my late grandfather lived here. His old house, which is now owned by a prominent Salisbury attorney, is a minute walk from Tyaskin Park, a popular river beach during summer months. Chris and I visited the park for a few minutes, but left due to the chilly breeze coming off the river.

Tyaskin Park is a popular spot for fishing, crabbing, and swimming during warmer months. When a 70 degree day hit Salisbury about a month back, you'd better bet this place was crowded. That's Delmarva for you!

The island behind me was always the spot my cousins and I aspired to one day swim out to. Too bad it was also home of "the lake monster". Needless to say, us kids never swam out farther than the tip of the pier.

Pinpoint Hat (Harding Lane)
Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray Ban) Italy
Tattersall OCBD (L.L. Bean) USA
Cotton Sweatshirt (J. Crew)
Bedale Waxed Jacket (Barbour) England
Accutron Watch (Bulova) Switzerland
Sutton Chinos (J. Crew)
Bean Boots (L.L. Bean) USA

• Harding Lane Pinpoint Hat- Recently discovered SU's bookstore carries one with the Maryland flag on it. Might be adding another to my collection very soon. For more, see other posts.
• L.L. Bean Tattersall OCBD-  See Williamsburg, VA.
• J. Crew Cotton Sweatshirt- Bought from outlet in Rehoboth Beach, DE. My alternative to the hoodie. A crewneck sweatshirt can be worn with almost everything. Pair with an OCBD and penny loafers for a Take Ivy look, or with Bean Boots/Sperrys for a preppy one. Save the bright colors until at least January though.
• Barbour Bedale- About to enter its last month of use before being sent for rewaxing in May. For more, see other posts.
• Bulova Accutron- Recently had to get the crystal replaced. Now in better shape than ever! For more, see other posts.
• L.L. Bean Boots- Will be retired for the season as the temperatures gradually transition into the 60s. For more, see other posts.

Want a little house with your pink? One of several homes for sale in Tyaskin. 

After leaving Tyaskin, Chris and I then drove through the village of Bivalve before heading back to Salisbury. 

Bivalve is home to Cedar Hill Marina, where my grandfather docked his boat. The marina also hosted the Great North American Turtle Race, sponsored by the town's fire department. Sadly, the race is one of the many events to have ceased taking place in and around Salisbury.

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So here lieth my spring break. Complete with sweaters, duck boots, and snow on Wednesday. Doesn't sound too different from winter break. RIP

Golf at Nutters Crossing

As my month and a half long winter break is drawing to a close, it has begun to feel like spring in Salisbury. After a post Christmas deep freeze followed by a blizzard in the new year, our town has received its fair share of winter weather that usually spares the Delmarva peninsula. While I predict winter is not completely over, I made the most of this springtime teaser by going golfing with my friends Mason and Chris. I had bought a set of Wilson clubs three years ago, but had not gotten the chance to use them, so this was my chance to finally break them out. In fact, this was my first time golfing at all. The three of us went to Nutters Crossing golf course for our game. It is one of three golf clubs in Salisbury. The other two being Green Hill Country Club and the Elks Club.

Nutters Crossing is also home to a development that shares its name. This is the same case as Green Hill.

The Salisbury University golf club is partnered with Nutters, allowing due paying members to play for free. However, this arrangement was only honored during the semesters, much to SU golf club member Mason's disappointment. However, I wouldn't say $20 for all you can play golf after 1 pm is a bad deal. We practiced on the putt range for a bit, then took two carts and were on our way.

A view of the clubhouse from the course. (not my own picture) It features a club shop with Nutters Crossing branded polos, hats, and sweaters, as well as a restaurant (which I am not sure is members only or not).

Teeing off around 2:20, the boys and I only made it through nine holes before sundown. We ran into some other guys we knew, and keep in mind, only one of us had golfing experience. They call golf the world's hardest sport, and now I know why. Overall, for a first time, I felt I did okay, but then again, who am I to say? However, I did find myself playing better in the presence of country music. Alan Jackson and Toby Keith for the win!

After hole nine, this was our view of the course. Too dark to play on, but a treat for the eye.

Wayfarer Sunglasses (RayBan) Italy
G9 Jacket (Izod Lacoste)
Blue OCBD (Stafford) USA
Sutton Chinos (J. Crew)
Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA

• Ray Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses- See other posts.
• Izod Lacoste G9 Jacket- Bought off eBay for $25. An Ivy (and rebel) staple of the 50s and 60s, and a Preppy one of the 80s, the G9 jacket is famously made by the British company Baracuta. However, they sell for a price comparable to a Barbour and don't go for much cheaper on eBay. So I decided to go with the American Izod Lacoste version (while unfortunately not made in the US). Due to its location of manufacture, it is likely from the 1980s, but could still have been seen circa 1963. Worn by Ryan O'Neal's character Rodney Harrington from the 60s soap opera Peyton Place, the G9 was eventually dubbed the Harrington jacket. Oddly enough, the G9 was worn by yet another Harrington in the famous 80s set Netflix series Stranger Things. When buying a G9/Harrington jacket, be sure to look for a tartan lining. It is one of the jacket's signature elements.
• Stafford OCBD- Inherited from family friend. I have talked about Stafford before on this blog, usually saying good things. This shirt is the reason why. Made in the USA from soft, breathable cotton and giving the perfect collar roll with a tie, it is what other bloggers refer to as Main Street. While of domestic manufacturing, it would have still been considered downmarket and available to the masses. However, I will take it over a Malaysian made Brooks Brothers OCBD any day.
• J. Crew Sutton Chinos- Bought from outlet store in Rehoboth Beach, DE. J. Crew outlets offer two fits of slim chinos: Driggs and Suttons. While Driggs are overly slim and almost too tight, Suttons offer a slim cut pant reminiscent of those worn during the Ivy style heyday. They will be replacing my Tommy Hilfigers as my go-to slim chinos. My logo loving days are beginning to fade.
• Alden Penny Loafers- As I have yet to own a pair of golf shoes, my Aldens did just fine for the day. See other posts.
• For those interested, my clubs are Ray Floyd edition Wilsons. I bought them used at my church's fall bazaar in 2015. Their grips are repp striped in the vein of Brooks Brothers.

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