Spring 2018

Summer is finally here! Linens, whites, and seersuckers finally make a long awaited return, and so do I to the blog world! And now, here is my spring post as promised!

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City of Salisbury Easter Egg Hunt (4/30)

In October, Salisbury University's Honors College was given the opportunity to host Salisbury's annual Easter Egg hunt on SU's front lawn. Wanting to get involved in a way similar to last year's benefit concert (which fell on the same weekend), I stepped up to be the event's Head of Media, arranging TV spots, newspaper articles, etc. I was even lucky enough to get our mayor to attend with his family. Thanks to the work of everyone in the Honors College, as well as those in the community who helped us, the event was a success! I am looking forward to helping out again next year!

We were also fortunate to have our local CBS affiliate WBOC agree to cover the event.

Synchilla Snap-T (Patagonia)
Whale Hat (Vineyard Vines)
Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray Ban) Italy

• Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T- My go-to for an Easter event would typically be a pastel sweater or pair of GTH pants. However, each of the volunteers was issued an event T-shirt to wear during the hunt. Not wanting to be chilly but not wanting to pair a t-shirt with a sweater, I compromised with Patagucci. For more, see other posts.
• Vineyard Vines Whale Hat- VV+Patagonia = Chadagonia. For more, see other posts.

Easter Sunday

Easter at a Methodist Church has the tendency to bring most of its dormant members out of the woodwork to pack the pews. It also brings a tidal wave of whites, pastels, and other colors and fabrics that would usually be saved for the Kentucky Derby or the summer. While I usually use this as my first use of seersucker for the season, Easter was chillier than usual this year, so I vied for a dandyfied version of the basic navy blazer, repp tie, and chinos.

Happy I got to catch up with my friend Becca, who goes to Towson University across the Bay.

Straw Boater Hat (Scala)
Repp Tie (Brooks Brothers) USA
White OCBD (L.L. Bean)
Navy Blazer (Belk) USA
Dress Chinos (Brooks Brothers)
Buckskin Wingtips (G H Bass)

• Scala Straw Boater Hat- This will probably be its solo outing this year. See other posts.
• Brooks Brothers Repp Tie- Same as my William & Mary scarf, was likened to Harry Potter by one of the masses (not at church though). Gotta love this town. See other posts for more.
• L.L. Bean White OCBD- See other posts.
• Brooks Brothers Dress Chinos- See other posts.
• G.H. Bass Buckskin Wingtips- To be saved for the Derby or summertime. For more, see other posts.

Memorial Day Weekend (5/26-5/28)

Spent with the boys of course. Saturday consisted of cruising around the countryside in Mason's Jeep with the doors off. Sunday saw a barbecue with fresh burgers and beer brats, that eventually got stormed out and led to me going swimming during the lightning. And Monday saw me getting thrown into the covered bed of Mason's pickup and taken to the boonies after I shut off his round of Fortnite (#FortniteChallenge). In all, it was a weekend worth remembering.

Brad and Chad Take America

Me:
Classic Fit Polo (Ralph Lauren)
Croakies (Vineyard Vines) USA
'Merica Shorts (Chubbies) USA
Boat Shoes (Sperry Topsider)
Nick:
Seersucker Frocket Tee (Brooks Brothers)
Stand-up Shorts (Patagonia)
Sandals (Chacos)

• Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt- See other posts.
• Vineyard Vines Croakies- See other posts.
• Chubbies 'Merica Shorts- Bought from Chubbies website. With their fast, free shipping and free returns, Chubbies is a brand that values customer service and product quality. These shorts are made in the country of the flag they bare, and are the epitome of Go-To-Hell and fratty style. Don't tread lightly when wearing these shorts. They are to be worn with attitude and confidence by a man who loves his country. Skies out, thighs out!
• Sperry Boat Shoes- Had these shoes for three years this week. For more, see other posts.
• Brooks Brothers Seersucker Frocket Tee- Bought from outlet in Ocean City, MD. A hit in Nashville, according to Nick.
• Patagonia Stand-up Shorts- Need to get a pair for myself soon!
• Chacos Sandals- Sandals fratty? That's what I thought before Nick introduced me to them as a Southern college staple from Vanderbilt. They fall into a sartorial category that Tony from College Trad calls "Tech Prep". Definitely tops TEVA (Tony endorses them, but I still cringe), Keen, Birkenstock, and most definitely Crocs. Just be sure to pair them with shorts that lack cargo pockets (why am I even saying this to you?).

Fun shirt (Brooks Brothers)
Cotton Sweater (Ralph Lauren)
Grant Chronograph Watch (Fossil)
Chino Shorts (L.L. Bean)
Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA
Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA

• Brooks Brothers Fun Shirt- A gift from Allison. The 1980s OG of color blocking shirts. Coming in university stripe with a point collar and flap pockets, it serves as a two-season alternative to my summer-only linen one from Vineyard Vines.
• Ralph Lauren Cotton Sweater- Do not seriously tie it around your neck unless you actually get hot. You will look like a try-hard if you factor it into your daily outfit (been there, done that, learned my lesson). For one ironic picture (like above), go ahead. For more, see other posts.
• Fossil Grant Chronograph Watch- See other posts.
• L.L. Bean Chino Shorts- For more, see other posts.
• Alden Sausage Roll Penny Loafers- Not the best shoe for the back roads of Fruitland, MD, or the back of a pickup truck for that matter. See other posts.

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And now that summer is here:

Red Roost

The Wednesday before this past one, I added yet another trip to my Eastern Shore of MD heritage tour, and that was with a trip to the famous Red Roost crab house near Whitehaven, MD. Located literally in the middle of nowhere, the Roost was once a chicken house before being converted into one of the Eastern Shore's most famous crab houses. While I didn't want to go alone, I invited no one other than Nick to accompany me. The trip was also significant for him for two reasons, being that he had not been since he was two (while I had never been) and that he will be leaving for Vanderbilt University in August (which is quite far from the crab state). As the crab house didn't open until 5:30, Nick and I spent the day at the pool and thrifting (during which Nick purchased a Brooks Brothers tie for $3).

Me:
Longsleeve Tee (Collared Greens) USA
Salisbury University Cap (Richardson)
Whale Flag Chappy Trunks (Vineyard Vines)
Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray-Ban) Italy
Nick:
Frat Hat (Southern Proper)
Logo Tee (Brooks Brothers)
Classic Sunglasses (J. Crew)
Both:
Croakies (Southern Tide)

• Collared Greens Longsleeve Tee- See Springtime Hike.
• Salisbury University Cap- Bought from university bookstore. While Tony from College Trad recommends the College Bar Hat from The Game, I found the one SU had in stock to be too boxy.
• Vineyard Vines Whale Flag Chappy Trunks- My all-time favorite pair of swim trunks. They outfrat my Ralph Lauren ones by 1000, cause what brah doesn't love the red, white, and blue?
• Ray-Ban Wayfarers- See other posts.
• Nick's Brooks Brothers t-shirt was purchased at the Ocean City, MD outlet store. While I consider Brooks to be more Trad, Ivy, or Preppy than Fratty, this shirt proves they are a brand that can do all four. 

The drive from Salisbury to the Red Roost is a long one, as the restaurant is tucked away close to a swamp. On our way, we passed the Green Hill Country Club before turning off from the route to Whitehaven to the Roost's remote location.

One of Salisbury's three golf clubs, Green Hill also offers a restaurant, tennis courts, marina, and swimming pool. (picture is not my own)

As it was once a chicken house, the Red Roost once did not have air conditioning. Thankfully, that has changed. During the weekend, the Roost runs a shuttle service to their dock bar on the river.

The inside of the Roost is decorated with crab pots, nautical paintings, and a multitude of $1 bills on the wall.

The main event.

The Red Roost's famous fried chicken with
fries, hushpuppies, shrimp, and clams.

While I ordered the five crab meal, Nick ordered all-you-can-eat, and finished with 13 crabs.

After leaving the Roost stuffed, Nick and I drove into Whitehaven itself, which is not much aside from its historic hotel and ferry to Mt. Vernon, MD.

The Whitehaven Hotel was built in the 1800s when the community of Whitehaven was once a thriving village. It now operates as a bed and breakfast, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. (picture not my own)

After leaving Whitehaven, I drove Nick to his home in Hebron (a small town in our county), and turned in for the day. In all, while expensive, the Red Roost was an experience worth every penny.

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PSA: Tomorrow, I will be leaving for my annual trip to the Outer Banks. Expect frequent posting in the next seven days.