My sister-in-law, Spicy Francesca, sent me a link to Shinebox, a print company that sells booklets of cute but definitely unfriendly cards like the one above. (After you scroll through the Unmentionables pack and the Parking Tickets pack, the Sweet Nothings pack seems incongruous and a little insincere.)

The company’s take: “Are you too nice to tell jerks how you really feel? Then let these little monsters do it for you.” My take: They’re actually aimed at passive-aggressive people who think they’re being clever by leaving a mean card.

On one hand, who hasn’t wanted to leave a note on the car of some horrific parker? So I will admit the “Your car isn’t nice enough to park in two spots” card is kind of funny. But would you really ever choose to hand someone a card that says “I didn’t get on this plane to talk to you”? That makes YOU the jerk.

And the card at top … although I would like to think that bad dressing is a crime, I’m certainly not the one who’s gonna be handing out citations.  After all, we all wear sweat shorts sooner or later.

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 9/10/08
The shirt: Lightweight cotton button-down by P.A.R.O.S.H. (Saks Off 5th)
The pants: Poly-cotton trousers (Armani Exchange, Palm Springs)
The shoes: Extremely pointy-toed slip-on boots by Mezlan (Last Chance)
The scent: Grain de Plaisir by Maître Parfumeur et Gantier
Listening to: “Don’t Talk to Me About Love” by Altered Images

sammit

Busted Tees has limited-edition T-shirts with designs created by someecards, the online postcard service.  And thanks to a bar chart, you can even see how many shirts are left in each style/size. I just ordered the one above, and plan on putting it to good use up at El Encanto in Cave Creek. (Prickly pear margaritas! Mmmm.) Or Grazie in downtown Scottsdale. (Italian wine!) Or San Tan Brewing Co. in Chandler. (Beer!) Or … Or … Or …

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 9/8/08
The shirt: Slim fit long-sleeved button-down (Banana Republic)
The pants: Lightweight cotton trousers (Banana Republic)
The shoes: Leather slip-ons by Rush by Gordon Rush (Nordstrom)
The scent: A limited-edition, employees-only Pure-Fume Spirit by Aveda called Flower Garden, which I smelled on an employee, whom I stalked and harassed until he gave in and found me a spare bottle.
Listening to: “Love Is Noise” by The Verve

sammit

The writers at one of my favorite blogs, The Pen15 Club, don’t update very often … and as a result I forget to check in for months. (Note to self: Do not let do the same thing to Sammit readers.)  So I just now found Rob’s April 8 take on what will happen when “Project Runway” moves to the Lifetime network next season.

I think my favorite is “Nina Garcia replaced on panel by Valerie Bertinelli.” The whole post is here.

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 9/3/08
The shirt: Fitted cotton button-up with French cuffs (Banana Republic)
The cufflinks: Refashioned from old typewriter keys — the other is “Ribbon Key” (a gift from my friend Sharyn, who bought them in Austin, TX)
The pants: Boot-cut trousers (Banana Republic)
The shoes: Loafers by Prada (Last Chance)
The scent: Encre Noire by Lalique
Listening to: “Amos Moses” in honor of the late Jerry Reed

sammit

The folks at Sharps Barber Brigade giveth, and the folks at Sharps taketh away. And then they giveth again, and now they’re getting ready to taketh away again.

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For its “Christmas in July” promotion, Busted Tees is putting up a new shirt every day. (more…)

My friend Amy pointed me to Wear Palettes, a blog that finds the Pantone palette for outfits profiled on The Sartorialist.

It’s kind of brilliant in its simplicity — someone else takes the pictures, they just match the colors. But the two websites really do make you think a little bit: For one, I see the palette of some outfits and marvel that someone managed to pull together six colors — SIX! — in one look. (Click each of the thumbnails above to see the photo in a larger size.) Most days I’m lucky to hit three in an outfit (shirt, pants, shoes) and I know some people who have trouble putting together just two.

And it’s also interesting to see what you notice about the outfits. For example, in the photo at top, The Sartorialist writes, “Notice the covered buttons on the jacket” (yes, that site lets you see the photos much, MUCH larger), whereas I was fixated only on the length of the pants, which to me looks thismuch too short.

And as an aside, I also find this website, which my friend Albert pointed me to, entertaining as well. Not technically style-related, but let’s just say that St. Louis Cardinals picture Brad Thompson, Eagles frontman Don Henley and … that guy who used to be in Take That, apparently, all have a certain look. …

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 6/30/08
The shirt: Short-sleeved polo shirt (Old Navy)
The pants: Khakis by Chip & Pepper (Last Chance)
The shoes: Flip-flops by Quiksilver
The scent: Snow by Demeter

sammit

Ever wondered what that high-fashion garment would look like in real life? For the visuals for her latest album, one of my favorite singers, Roísín Murphy, took that conceit and ran with it: For her CD covers, she and her creative director decided she’d play the role of a 24-hour pop star, decked out in extravagant designs but in the most mundane of places.

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