New Bling!!!

I was killing some time in the Queen St. West area last week hopping in and out of shops when I came across this gem in the display case of a vintage store.  I'm not one to wear stuff on my neck but I couldn't resist the oxidized charm of this Pacific Northwest totem.  It appears to be a thunderbird perched atop a bear . . . beats a Jesus piece any day.  

Image courtesy of www.icollector.com

Photo creds:  BJ Charbonneau

Why All Men Should Refuse Sucky Sake

When Bamboo Magazine Food for Thought Writer and inyourmouthtoronto.com founder Ken Samuel invited me to sample premium sake, I was expecting that warm tasteless broth I’ve drunk in the past.  I was a little reluctant, however, not being one to turn down a drink I was willing to reacquaint myself with the Japanese spirit over casual conversation with a close friend.  Wielding my glass I saluted my fellow debauchee and poured the sake into my mouth.  Pausing to process the complex flavours delighting my palate I thought . . . Wow!! I absolutely love this stuff!!  

Why the sudden change of heart?  Speaking with Ken over several more delicious glasses of premium sake this is what I came to learn.  The stuff they serve in most sushi restaurants is bogus sh*t!  Premium sake is made from no more than a handful of ingredients and should have a faint fruity nose and a light sweetness to the taste. 

If you're looking to buy a bottle and want to avoid "sucky" sake, here are some helpful hints to make an informed decision:

Namazake= Unpasteurized sake.  Very rare.  This is what you want to order if restaurants have it.  A must try!

Daiginjo= Premium quality sake.  Considered the pride of every brewery.  Highest quality!

You can purchase premium sake in Ontario at most local LCBOs or if you really want to impress someone with a unique experience, take a trip to Toronto’s Distillery District and sample eastern North America’s first Artisan sake brewery.  Hone your sake palate by the glass or bottle at the Ontario Spring Water Sake Company.  

Photo creds: BJ Charbonneau
for a more in depth look at sake see:  inyourmouthtoronto's articles on sake 

I left my wallet in El Segundo???

Photojournalist Ayhan Kimsesizcan

image: http://www.studiomanhattan.com/

“Ever since the days of graffiti in the 80's every surface of New York has been the personal canvas of artists. These artists are often creating humorous or political charged images for the world to look at for free in an open forum.”

http://www.studiomanhattan.com/

After losing my wallet for the SECOND time this year I decided to step up my wallet game and find that perfect accessory.  It wasn’t until I happened upon Studio Manhattan Art + Design among the gimmicky tourist stalls of Noho Marketplace that I knew I had found it. The brainchild of photojournalist Ayhan Kimsesizcan, Studio Manhattan Art + Design has been producing wearable art in the form of wallets, belts, and bags from his photographs of urban New York City since 2006.  

My wallet is part of the ‘NY Street Art Project’ a collection of images taken from the streets of NYC that showcases work influenced by pop culture, politics, and other sources of inspiration.  I fell in love with it instantly, after all it has my all-time favourite badass chick Kate Moss emblazoned on it.  Original, hip, and iconic; three words that sum up Studio Manhattan Art + Design.

photo creds:  BJ Charbonneau & Cheryl Vispo

Summer Memories

Xi lin Night Market Taiwan 

With the sun having set on yet another patio season, the absence of warm weather and late evenings with close friends and family has left me yearning for it once again.  Leave it up to mother nature to answer my prayers.  To celebrate the above seasonal temperatures, I felt compelled to enjoy the beautiful weather with an ice cold beer on my favourite patio one last time.  Reminiscing about another year gone by, the following pictures are a compilation of my favourite moments from this past summer.

My first time in the Pacific Ocean

1st class ever!

View from atop Taipei 101

Reconnecting with old friends

Fresh sashimi speared and prepared by my friend Yuki.

Zushi Beach sunset

Sado Island accommodations

Sunset leaving Sado.  My last evening in Japan.

photo creds: B.J. Charbonneau

Burton + Red Wing = DOPE

F*ck that old sh*t, I’m on new things

OVO clique, Red Wing boot gang!!!

“Thank Me Now” lyrics by Drake

I don’t even snowboard but these boots are tight!!!  I originally saw them in Japan and thought that these boots were just plain sick . . . I never tried them on or checked whether they were comfy, it was their rugged good looks that drew me in.  This work of art comes courtesy of Burton and Red Wing who teamed up to create this limited edition boot entitled “Rover.”  

Modeling itself from the original Red Wing 8” work boot, “Rover” keeps with Red Wing tradition adopting it’s classic moc toe shape, Oro Russet Portage leather, and white traction tread sole.  With so much hype and anticipation “Rover” is sure to rollover the competition.  Look for this epic collabo on the slopes this winter.

Original Red Wing 8” work boot

Check out this other Burton collaboration . . . The Burton and Hudson's Bay Company  snowboard inspired by the iconic multistripe point blanket.