Rockin' socks...

Yo Manscapers, 

Looking for a way to show your creative individuality without going overboard?? Most men, especially in the States would probably say no, but just in case you say YES then this post is for you. 

Since originally arriving on British soil 4.5 years ago, there is one thing that I've noticed with British men; they LOVE wearing crazy socks. There have been many times that I've been sat on a tube, train, bus, in a restaurant, coffee shop, or any other public area when I've seen a well dressed man who happens to cross his legs and BOOM! There is a shot of pink, or lime green, or aztec print, or polka dots, or dinosaurs, or fish, or pigs, or... Well... you get the picture. At first, coming from the country of plain socks, I was a bit shocked to say the least. What is up with these men feeling free enough in their masculinity to wear pink flying pigs on a lime green background?! Or green dinosaurs fighting each other? I was incredibly confused. The more I experienced the culture and got to know the men here, though, the more I realized how much they loved it. 

Many British men are required to wear suits or a specific uniform in the work place so it's almost their way of sticking it to the man, I think. When kids grow up in education where they are required to wear a uniform from the age of 4, which is not nearly as common in the States, men need to find a way to show individuality. 

The funny thing is, these men aren't even always creative types. There are many butch, muscular, fitness junkies that when their trousers go up on their ankles a little are sporting primary shapes in very bright colours. What do you think, Manscapers? Do you support this trend? 

I recently bought my very first pair of crazy socks and I must admit, when I wear them it's as if I'm keeping a secret from the rest of the world. Although my outfit looks put together on the outside, I know that I'm wearing crazy socks and it almost feels rebellious. Crazy? Maybe. See for yourself. Try it. The rush is great. 

Comment/ subscribe/ tell everyone you know. 

Keep  lookin' good! 

Rollin.

Sup Manscapers,

I apologize for not posting last week... I was in London for work and had kind of a crazy day/week so I was unable to post... I know, excuses excuses.

To be honest, with this new year, I'm really taking stock as to where I want Manscape Monday to go. I've been reading a really great blogging book that's been giving me some ideas, but I want to know what YOU would like to see. After all, I don't write this blog for me. It IS fun to have inspiration to research new ideas and trends and report on them, but in all reality I launched this to help guys out there who don't want to research trends figure out what they are.

I guess one of my problems is I don't feel as if I've been investing enough time into research, following other blogs, getting guest posters, and networking. THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.

Ultimately, what is it that you manscapers (and wives of manscapers) want to see? Reviews? Video posts? More trend tips? All of the above? Let me know.

In the meantime, my friend Ben showed me these awesome video shorts documenting the lives of different fashionable men. These 90 second clips highlight the difference in personal style and how it's all about you and how it makes you feel. I encourage you to go to the Hardy Amies website and check them all out. I've watched them all several times.

Check it. Keep lookin' good. Until next time.

THE ABC OF MENS FASHION - STREET ETIQUETTE from Hardy Amies on Vimeo.

Nail those Nails...

Alright Manscapers,

As I was speaking with a client  this week, she brought to my attention a growing (literally) problem with her husband. His finger nails are never trimmed or clean.

Now, as someone who can't stand to have much nail at all, the thought of having dirty, long nails has never even popped into my head. Hearing it from her, though, I realized I needed to address the issue.

First of all, a shot of my fingers for you all to look at. 

I know they're not even the cleanest or most manicured in the world but, to be honest, most guys aren't going for a manicured look anyway. We don't want to have girly hands. It is possible to have good looking hands without achieving girl status, though. 

First step to clean fingernails: 

Cut them! 

I know this may sound a bit elementary, but if you cut your nails regularly, there won't be as much nail for dirt to get stuck under. (shocking, I know.) Going for a snip snip before you go to bed a couple times a week will do wonders. 

A good rule of thumb (heh heh) for nail trimming is if you look straight down over the nail and can't see any skin at all, your nails are too long, gents. Look up at my nails. Now back to me. Now at my nails. Now back to me. Do the whites of my nails out grow where the skin shows? Nope. That's the point. 

Also, it doesn't hurt to use a nail file (they're not just for girls, promise) to smooth away those rough edges. It doesn't need to be pink or polka-dot. There are many great male grooming kits that have a nail file and clippers. Just sayin. 

Step numero dos: 

Clean them! 

A lot of guys forget that clean nails look a LOT more attractive, don't gross people out, and make you look a lot cleaner in general. There is nothing worse than taking money from someone (I used to work at Starbucks) and they hand over their cash with grubby fingernails. Sort it out, guys! 

You can get great fingernail brushes to leave on your sink when you wash your hands. Just rub the brush along the front of your nails and it'll clean them right up. 

Another good option is to get a nail file with a point on it to get any dirt that may really be lodged in there.

*helpful hint* cleaning your nails after a shower makes it a LOT easier as they are soft and pliable. Just sayin. 

And number three: 

Moisturize. No one wants to see gross, cracked fingers. Use a little lotion when they feel really dry. You can always get an unscented lotion if you're worried about any feminine smell. A little goes a long way. 

Does that help, guys? Hope you all feel even more empowered to clean up those nails and get your hands lookin' good. Don't let them get abandoned! All the cashiers in your life (and your significant others, I'm sure) will really appreciate it. 

That's all for now. Until next week, keep lookin' good! 

And feel free to comment, like, tell your friends, subscribe, and all that good jazz. 

PEACE

Product Review: Nike Free Run 2

Hola Manscapers,

Hope you all brought the New Year in right! (And didn't have too bad of a headache the next day... heh heh, what??)

As it's the season of resolutions and the big boom of gym memberships, [for the next 6 weeks anyway. haha] I thought I would talk about looking good in the gym. Well, with your feet anyway. There's no reason you can't be fashionable in every aspect of life; including working out.

As an active individual, gym goer, and Zumba® instructor, I know that having good footwear is one of the most important things you can do. If your feet feel good, the rest of you will to. [well, mostly. Except for muscle soreness. That will still hurt...] Not to mention it's incredibly important you have good shoes for spine alignment and posture. As I was talking to my friend Sid today, he was talking about the importance of product reviews on blogs so I thought this would be a great time to start.

I'm going to be reviewing a shoe I love dearly for running, training, classes, and all-around comfort; the Nike Free Run 2.

I've been using this shoe for about six months and can say that I'm still completely in love. The comfort is unbelievable and the flexible sole of the shoe helps to simulate barefoot movement as it will allow all your joints to move as they would without a shoe. 

The mesh upper provides for breathability which is super important to me. My feet overheat REALLY easily, especially when I'm working out. That leads to my whole body overheating and that's just not something I want. Having a breathable shoe helps to keep your body temperature down and have overall comfort. 

The fit should be quite snug as you don't want your foot to move around at all. If you're unsure what size to get, go to your local shoe store and they'll help size you up exactly. 

On top of all those great features, the Nike Free Run 2 is virtually weightless so they don't drag you down as you're running or training. I've used mine for running, training, Zumba®, other group fitness classes, and general wear. They haven't shown much sign of wear and tear either after 6 months which is a definite plus. 

What's even better?? They come in a whole range of colours! Even use Nike iD to specialize them to whichever colour you want. Starting at £60, ($80 on the US site) they are quite reasonable for a fitness shoe that will last you a while. 

There you have it! Go check out the Nike website for more information. And get to the gym! 

Keep Lookin' Good. 

PEACE!

The New.

Hey Manscapers,

First of all, I APOLOGIZE for not posting last week! With the craziness of work, Christmas Eve shananigans, and adopted family time, it completely slipped my mind to write a post.

As this is New Year's Eve and I am currently being anti-social locked in my room as the party goes on without me, this post is going to be a little shorter than normal.

I know I always talk about Men's Fashion on the blog, but there is a stronger undercurrent to my posts that I hope you all get. Self-confidence is the most attractive thing anyone can possess. Although taking care of yourself, staying groomed, and picking out good outfits counts in part for your overall look, one of the best things you can do for yourself is figure out how to love being you; whatever that might mean. If you learn to love yourself, those around you will learn to love you even more.

Just a thought! Go into the New Year with a BANG!

As far as a fashion tip goes for today, I challenge all of you to pick at least ONE thing that I've talked about over the last couple weeks that the blog has been going and try it. Wear something new (in fashion) that you normally wouldn't. Stretch the walls of the box a bit. And above all, Keep Lookin' Good.

This next year I'm going to be bringing some changes to the blog, so keep checkin back every week to see what's going on.

I raise my glass to you all! Thanks for stopping by.


Here's to another chapter!

Ugly Sweaters Don't Exist

Yo! Time for the favorite part of my week; Manscape time! You know you love it too. Don't lie to me. 

Hope you all have gotten an early start on your Christmas shopping! We always used to laugh growing up because my brother, Jeff, would always wait until the last couple days before Christmas (sometimes even Christmas Eve) to start hist Christmas shopping. START the shopping. Funnily enough, though, his gifts are always some of my favorites and he always managed to find a personal, creative gift that everyone loved. I don't know how he did it. Since being married, though, him and his wife are always some of the first in our family to be done shopping, I think. Funny how that happens. Also, sorry for picking on you yet again, Jeff. Haha! 

Are any of you men like my pre-reform brother? Are you going to wait until next Monday to start buying your gifts? I sure hope not. If so, I hope the force of my brother can be with you so you are still able to get gifts that everyone on your list will love. For me, personally, I had to get my family's gifts early this year so that I had time to send them. Transatlantic shipping takes a while, you know. 

Speaking of Christmas being 8 days away, (that's CRAZY!) I thought I would write about something fun this week; ugly Christmas sweaters. 

We've all been to the classic Ugly Christmas Sweater (UCS) party and I'm going to take this weeks post to teach you how to look good wearing a UCS. (it's possible!) I'll then share some of my favorites that I've seen on the net. 

First of all, when preparing/wearing your Christmas sweater, start by finding something so retro it's cool. 

If you have a base that's slightly cool, you'll always look better. Try to find something that still fits you well. If that's impossible, find something that so CLEARLY doesn't fit, it's cool. Just don't go for that middle awkward-almost-fits-but-doesn't stage. That's where it gets awkward and people just overlook your style. Capiche? 

Second, just because your sweater is hideous, doesn't mean the rest of you needs to be. 

Some people seem to think that a UCS party is a lets-all-look-ugly-and-awkward-together party. That is NOT the case. Even though you're wearing that ugly sweater does not mean you don't try with the rest of your clothing. Exactly the opposite; try harder. Make sure you take extra time doing your hair, picking out those jeans (preferably a dark wash) that fit just right, and fresh kicks to top off the outfit. I would suggest a brogue with skinny jeans or some high tops. Maybe even wear a button up under the sweater? Just a suggestion. 

Feel better about that UCS party now?? Now go make everyone jealous by how good you look in that same sweater that's supposed to make you shy away in shame. Then, continue to win the UCS contest by looking equally hottest/ugliest at the same time. It's possible. Like a Manscaper ever shies away from a challenge. Psht. 


Before you go, I promised pictures of favorites I've found on the google machine. 

Look at this guy. He's wearing baby blue and he's still got swag. 

If all else fails, grow a beard. 

Look at this guy; he has dogs on his shirt and he's still smiling like he knows somethin we don't. 

Finally, the turtleneck bros. Their looks of sarcastic displeasure show that secretly they know they look better than everyone in their grandmother's hand-me-downs. We know it too. 

Jeff? You and me next year? Deal. 

Alright, Manscapers. You heard it here first. Rock those UCS parties like there's no tomorrow. 

And as always, Keep lookin' good. 

AAAAAAAAAND relax.

Hey all,

As I sit here bundled up in front of a humming space heater with my furry winter jacket on INSIDE, I have come to one conclusion; I much prefer warmer climates. Don't get me wrong, I love the winter, snow, and all the sports that come along with it, but I just don't like feeling as if my bones are going to crack and shatter like an icicle if I fall. Just sayin.

That aside, I shall try to think warm thoughts and use my shivering to advantage of typing. Hopefully the shaking will increase my wpm.

This week, I was reminded of an art that I haven't experienced in over 6 months. One that has a feminine stigma in the health world that I would like to disprove once and for good. I'm speaking of the art of massage.

You see, for some reason, it seems the pop culture is for women to go for 'spa days' and leave their husbands to watch football while they get massages, treatments, and relax. Now I'm not in any way saying that all men should run to their nearest day spa for a time of extreme pampering, (unless that's your thing, of course) I'm just saying that it is so good for mental and physical health to visit a trained masseuse as often as you can allow.

Having a massage isn't 'feminine' at all. It plays a huge part in mental and physical health. Many times, people see massage as a treat - something that they do when they're so stressed out they feel as if a mid life crisis is impending. It should really be treated as more of a maintenance activity, though.

As I mentioned earlier, I had gone over 6 months without a massage. Being so tall and struggling occasionally with posture, I oftentimes get extreme tightness in the middle of my back. Having a regular session with a masseuse incredibly helps. Not only this, but it's extremely stress relieving and relaxing.

Among loosening any problematic knots you may have, massage can flush toxin from your body, encourage blood flow, lessen your dependency on medication, heighten your immune system by stimulating  lymph flow... I could go on and on and on. Needless to say, it is much more than just a 'girlie treatment.' 

Some people have said to me, 'but do I have to get undressed?!' Well, yes. The thing is, there is some above-towel work done, but many of the techniques need to be done directly on the skin. When I first went for a massage, I was incredibly nervous. I wondered should I leave my boxers on? Take them off? Should I bring shorts to wear? Am I going to look like an idiot? What is going to happen? Rest assured, I can assure you any good masseuse just wants you to feel comfortable. If you feel most comfortable wearing a pair of shorts, I'm sure they will comply. Although, things are extremely professional if you're worried about personal privacy. Before every appointment, I have always been asked by the masseuse which areas I was comfortable with them working and how close I was comfortable with them getting to my.. well.. bum. No other way to say it, really. Another point to make, anytime an area is worked on, the rest of the body is completely covered. The weight and heat of the covers helps to further relax you, in my opinion. I'm sure there is a technical reason for the cover, but I just like the security of it all. 

These points being said, I hope you all will at least consider booking an appointment with a local masseuse. If you're unaware of a good one, ask around. Word of mouth is the best advertisement. Myself, I visited the extremely talented Laura England and plan on continuing my visits. (Let me know if you want her Facebook to set up an appointment.) If your nervous, just give it one try. Or book a half-hour appointment instead of a full hour. I guarantee you will feel refreshed and relaxed. Take some time for YOU this season. In the end, it will help you look and feel younger, fresher, and more alive. 

As always, comment or email to manscapemonday@gmail.com with any questions, comments, or ideas for future posts. Go try a massage! 

Keep lookin' good. Stay warm! 

T-shirt not Z-Shirt!

Hey all you Manscapers,

First of all, this is a little bit off topic, but I just wanted to share something I'm excited about. I've recently discovered the album "Merry Mixmas" that I think you all should go check out. Here's a little sample:





Basically, these DJ's have compiled remixes of all your favorite Christmas classics. It's awesome. Go check it out.


Moving onto the subject of today's post, I'm going to talk about something that gets a little overlooked in the fashion industry, yet something that's been around forever; the simple 't'.


From the 50s grease monkeys wearing a plain white t and a leather jacket to the 90s men with a perm wearing a plain white t and... well... a leather jacket. You get the point... A plain coloured t-shirt is a classic that's always going to look good. The important thing to remember is style, cut, and color.

When I'm choosing a t-shirt I, first of all, never choose something that's going to come in a pack of multiples. If you're going to be wearing it as an outfit piece with a pair of jeans or trousers, you want a t-shirt that's been custom tailored individually. I don't want something that's going to be the same fit/size/colour no matter whether I buy 1 or 100. I would rather pay the same for 1 t-shirt that looks good than 3 that just look 'ok'.  When you try on the shirt, make sure it hangs nicely but not too baggy away from the torso. You want a shirt that gently hugs the biceps, shoulders, and down through your upper back, and then slim lines down to your waist without hugging those last few twinkies you ate. Know what I'm sayin? You don't want to look as if you're wearing a plastic bag. If in doubt, hold up the shirt before you try it on. If it looks like a 'T' with no shape, put it back down. It should be wider at the top, slim in around the mid torso area, and taper out just slightly around the waist.

With the cut of the t-shirt, you need to take your body type into account. If you're short and slightly overweight, (be honest with yourself, gentlemen. There's no judgement here. We all know it's the holidays.) don't go for a shirt that is SUPER long or it'll make you look shorter. The perfect mid-length t-shirt drops just below the line of where your hands go in your pockets. You want to make your torso look slimmer by lengthening your t-shirt without making your legs look stubby.

If you're tall, it's really similar. You want to buy a longer 'T' because it'll hang higher on your body. (shocker, I know.) You still want to aim for the just-below-the-pocket-line stance because that won't make it look like you're wearing a belly shirt when you life up your arms, but don't want to drown in it either.

The more you struggle with curviness, the more you want to lengthen your shirt slightly. Just make sure it doesn't look like your wearing a baggy sack or you'll look gangsta. For my slightly heavier readers, don't make it look as if you're trying to hide something under there. You can still find clothes that slim you out without being SUPER tight. Just follow my guidelines above by finding a more fitted shirt and you'll be fine. Stick with the right below the pocket guide and you'll be fine. If your t-shirt covers the entire crotch of your trousers, it's too low. Keep that in mind.

When looking at colour, darker and more earthy tones seem to be in at the moment. You can't go wrong with a plain back, dark blue, or brown shirt. Depending on the colours you like to wear, those are always classics. All sorts of grays and blues are also a favorite of mine. Find something you look comfortable in that doesn't look like it should just be worn under another shirt. Ya know? You can tell when a guy is wearing an undershirt as a regular t-shirt. The sleeves are super baggy, the colour looks too bleached, and the fabric seems too thin. Go for a nicer cut, maybe through a v-neck in there if you're feeling brave, and try rolling up the sleeves once or twice if you're looking for something fresh. 

Here's some pictures from one of my favorite stores, Zara,  for inspiration.

 

See how none of those shirts look like they came in a pack? Notice the detail like the hemming around the colar, sleeves, and bottom seam. It just looks higher quality. You can also tell that those materials are soft and thick just by looking at them. It pays to spend a bit more money on a classic. 

Well that's it. Thanks for reading! Please let me know if you have questions, need clarification, or need any styling advice. Either comment or write to me at manscapemonday@gmail.com

Also, let me know what you want to see in this blog. No use in me writing about things you don't care about.

As always, keep lookin' good.
Peace!

You're Gettin' the Boot!

Hey Manscapers,

Hope you've had a great week full of great beard lines. I hope you all enjoyed my first VLOG as I intend to post more as the weeks go on.

I have to say I got very excited as I was able to influence the people I live with to put up their Christmas decs a whole 8 days early. In England, a lot of families find it to be sacrilege to put up their decorations until the 1st of December, but since I am clearly American, it is tradition to suck as much out of the Christmas season as possible by starting on midnight the day of Thanksgiving. Thankfully, they have given under my influence and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.

As it's getting Christmasy and the rain is getting thicker and thicker (especially here) I thought I would start by giving some boot advice. In the winter time, it's important to have at least one nice pair of boots as they are able to be warn in any weather. Whether you want to be trudging through snow, hiking a mountain to chop (or shoot as we do in Idaho) down a Christmas tree, or just going from celebration to celebration, there is no reason why you shouldn't look good while doing it. There is something nice about a nice, sturdy pair of boots that can make you feel confident as you clomp your way into the forrest that is the world.

The world of fashion is ever-changing, as I'm sure you all are aware, and it is often centered around taking a basic concept that has been used before and making it better. Two years ago it was army boots, last year it was boots with a more pointed toe, and this year the hiking boot has come back in style.

When I first saw them in the shops, I must admit I had a bit of a flashback to the Dockers that were the trend in the late 90s with a modern twist. It freaked me out a little, but I must admit the rounded toe guards and thick soles have been shaved down just enough to make the shape more modern and ok. When paired with skinny jeans and a long, wool trench coat or leather aviator jacket, it defines a modern look. Just don't go pairing them with baggy jeans, or boot cuts and I won't report you to the 90s fashion police. Seriously.

Feel free to experiment with a boot that you feel comfortable in and don't be afraid if it happens to have more of a 'work boot' or rounded shape. After all, these boots were made for walkin! (Ok, even I'M embarrassed I just said that... Sorry guys.)

Here's a couple shots of the look I mean. I stole these from the ALLSAINTS website. Just look at how cool this whole look is.

I know their stuff is expensive, so I'm not expecting you to spend £165 on boots, I for one found some for £30 that are very similar. Once you have a look in your head, keep an eye out for sales and different brands that bring you a similar product.

As always, keep lookin' good and please let me know of anything you would like to have more information on or a VLOG on.

SUBSCRIBE!!!

Peace.

Lines for Beard Trimming How To - FIRST Video Blog

Yo! Manscapers, 

I am SO pleased to announce my first video blog. Check it! I know it's a bit rough, but my video editing/ recording/ acting skills will get better with time. 

Feel free to comment/subscribe on my YouTube channel as well! 

Keep lookin' good! 

Peace.

Tame the Beast!

Hey Manscapers, 
I hope all of you have had a great week of military appreciation wearing your Camo Jackets. I would just like to take this moment and give a huge shout out to all the amazing men and women who have laid down their lives for us to live in such a great country. (BOTH in America and Britain.) Also, for their families sacrifice. It is not easy to see your loved ones go in to a war zone. I hono(u)r you and all your hard work. No words will ever express my gratitude. 
Alright, moving on to this weeks topic; now that you've had a good, solid 12 days to start those 'staches or beards, I have a little advice to keeping them fresh as you continue throughout the month. We all know that no one wants to snuggle a stinky, greasy beard *I just vommed a little...* so let me explain how to keep your beard "snuggle friendly." 
First off, to get you in the mood to hear all about beardscaping, here's one of my favorite YouTube videos of all time talking about the importance of a beard to none other than Jesus Himself. 



Now that we all know that even Jesus the Christ appreciates a good beard, let me get on to telling you how to take care of it. 
1. Scrub scrub scrub. 
Yes, it's true, even your beard needs a good scrub. Think of it like any other hair on your head, it needs to be taken care of; especially as it catches grease and particles from your hands, food, and the air more than the hair on your scalp. Make sure you're using a good shampoo regime with your beardscaping. When you lather your scalp hair, just take your hands before rinsing and give your beard a good scrub, too. I guarantee the Mrs. will appreciate your effort and will be less likely to run every time your beard tries to attack. After all, you don't want an unknown entity like a bird to set up shop in your beard as a nesting ground without you knowing. Just sayin... 
2. Condition while you're at it. 
Even though this one isn't quite as important as the first step, it's always nice to condition the hair on your beard every once in a while, too. I know it sounds weird but think about it; what does conditioner do? Makes hair softer. Exactly. Using conditioner on your beard can take the edge off the bristle and make you that much more cuddly. You're welcome. Try this once to twice a week. 
(If you struggle with your facial skin producing a lot of oil, try using a sensitive conditioner or only conditioning once a week/ every two weeks or so as to not suffocate your pores under the beard. This will help prevent ingrown hairs and beard breakouts.) 
3. Tame the beast. 
Run a comb through it! I know all of you just got a mental picture of a man in a towel looking puzzled as he tries to run a comb through his incredible beard when the comb breaks, but in all seriousness this really does help. It can help catch any particles you may have missed in the shower and give it overall shape. Think of all the stray hairs you will be taming. It's for the greater good, I promise. 
*Make sure you get a beard comb. (yes they do exist. You can order one HERE for the US or HERE for the Uk) The small teeth are designed to groom the individual, corse hairs without trouble.* 
4. Take it for a trim. 
Don't think for a second that the wonderful, perfect shaped beards you see on the television grow that way. NO WAY. They are all trimmed to perfection on a day-to-day basis. I guarantee you. I have plans to write a post on how to trim the perfect beard line (stay tuned!) but for now I leave you with this tip, make sure you're trimming stray hairs! If you don't want to take any length off it, take some trimming scissors and run comb through it from your lip down to your chin and trim any hairs that stick out at a weird angle. Get the picture? I hope so. Otherwise, go to a local barber. They will be more than happy to help you with your mane of glory. (They'll probably even give you some tips as well.) 
5. Enjoy! 
Whether it's a twisted-ended 'stache or a braided beard of glory, rock that facial hair with confidence! 70% of looking good is all about the confidence with which you wear it around. Make sure you live up to the power of the 'stache (or beard) and show those around you whose BOSS! Like a boss. BOOM! Go ahead and BOOM YOUR TRI'S at any given moment as well. *Jeff, that one was for you.* 


'Ight, bros. Hope that helps with keeping your mane from looking mangy. Comment with any thoughts or ideas for future posts and stay tuned for some changes coming! I know I keep saying it, but I'm finally scheduling out time to make it happen. 
Peace love and manliness. Keep lookin' good. 




Also, here's a pic of my mustache progress (yes, I decided to stick with a 'stache in the end.) It's just a baby, but it's getting there. 
BOOM.

Where'd you go?! You blended right in!

Hey Manscapers,

Hope you have all had a great week and those mustaches/ beards are going strong!

I must admit, I shaved clean for the first time in over a year (minus the 'stache of course) on the First and it was really strange. Who knew I had so much skin under there?! Baby face McGee over here. It came to the point where it was difficult to look at myself in the mirror because I felt like a chubby faced 12yr old. Truth.

THEREFORE, I have decided to embrace the Noshavember part of Movember rather than just the 'stache. I promise I'm not choosing the easy way out, I just don't have enough hair on my lip to even tell I have a mustache goin' on. It looks like trashy peach fuzz on my face. Not a good look in my opinion.

After the month is over, I agree to shave my facial hair into some outrageous mustache of YOUR choosing and will wear it around for 1 WHOLE day. Promise. Leave a comment and tell me how I should shave it off.

Anyway, moving on for today, I have recently succumb to a new fashion trend here in the UK that I've decided to share with all of you; Army Camo.

Now, with many things, (the iPad included. Shhh) I tend to be a bit of a skeptic. I remember when tablets first came out I was like, "why would you want to have a giant iPhone that doesn't make calls?!" That aside, most of the time I warm up to the trends, it just takes me a bit longer than some. Such has been the same with Army Camo.

When it first debuted, I admit I was very skeptical. It looked strange to me to see models and TV hosts dressed with baggy Camo jackets over their form fitting clothing but I must admit I've warmed up to the idea. Not only is it a great shout out to those wonderful men and women who fight to keep my two favourite countries safe, it's nice to feel the warm bagginess of a camo jacket over whatever outfit you're wearing.

Greatest thing about this fashion trend? You don't need to spend loads of money to rock it! Many people haven't yet caught on to the camo revolution, so charity shops are still a great option for finding a great camo jacket. My absolute GEM of a mother just sent me one from the States that she found at a charity shop and I LOVE it. ($10 for a jacket is better than OVER $100 online!) You just gotta keep your eyes pealed for the right deals.

Just ignore the angry look and dark eyes in this picture. I'm going for a mysterious smolder, I think. Is it working? Heh heh. Jokes. 

If you don't want to risk that smell not coming out from the charity shop bargain, (soak it in baking soda water!) you can always hit up Urban Outfitters for their awesome in-season camo jackets. The great thing about buying retail is you know it's going to be a great fit. I was lucky enough to receive a charity jacket that fits me great, but that won't always be the case.  The only downside to buying retail is it's mass produced. Maybe that's the point with camo though, yeah? For everyone to look similar? Hm... Think on that one for a second.

So there you go, Manscapers. If you have an Army Camo jacket hidden away in the closet, break it out. Otherwise hit up your local charity shop (thrift store) or Urban for an awesome addition to any outfit. The great thing about Camo is it's so old it's new. And it's so new there are no rules. You can basically wear it over anything and it will look good. It's all about confidence, guys.


There you have it. Don't forget to click "Join this site" on the left side to subscribe and tell all your friends (male or female) to check out the good thing we have goin here!

Also, as always, comment or email me at manscapemonday@gmail.com with any questions, ideas for posts, or suggestions for what mustache I should shave at the end of the month!

Thanks for reading and until next time Keep Lookin' Good.

P.s. as it's the 5th of November (fireworks night) here in the UK, here's a bonus shot of my camo jacket in action (thanks again mom!) as I enjoyed some fireworks with friends. Here's my and my good friend Dre KILLIN' the sparklers like we's pro. Get it blood. Swear DOWN mate. 

You're never too old to appreciate gifts from your mother. Remember that, gents. 

Peace.

i MUSTACHE you a question...

Hey Manscapers,

As I look at my blogger dashboard I keep noticing that on Monday morning my page views spike. This means that you all are getting into a rhythm and continue to log on to check to see if a new post is up. This makes me feel quite honored, people. I must apologize that my posts are normally quite late on a Monday... For those of you in the States, it's a little better. As I'm in the UK, I'm several hours ahead so at least you notice the post in the evening. For the rest of you, I really am sorry... I normally hit the 'post' button around 11:59 PM London time so you probs don't see it until Tuesday. I hereby pledge to try and write my posts earlier and not leave them 'till the last minute. I keep meaning to, but my weekends always get away from me and before I know it, manic Monday is upon me! Cheers to change!

Anyway, this weeks post is about something I am SUPER passionate about. Mustaches. Yes, I said it. I am a huge fan of a good 'stache and incredibly sad that I can't grow one myself. More than mustaches, though, I am a huge supporter of Movember.

If you're not familiar with the cause, head over to Movember US or Movember UK to get registered. Every year, thousands of men across the world rally to either not shave their entire face, or shave it into a wonderfully groomed 'stache to help raise awareness about the importance of men's health. It's a face-worn banner stating that as men we are rising to know our status on prostate and testicular cancer. Just as women are always talking about their women parts when it comes to 'pink' month, we're 'whippin it out' and showing our manhood; reppin it right on our faces. Sounds a lot better to me than wearing some frilly ribbon, right guys?! I'm just playing, girls. But seriously...

Anyway, the news keeps getting better. If you notice on the Movember website, this is not only to raise awareness, but also to raise funds to help with research into fighting testicular and prostate cancer. You can help by going onto the Movember page and joining the Manscape Monday team as we raise funds to help our fellow men. If you would like to donate, please go to the donate section of the website and search 'manscape monday' as the team to donate to a great cause. (or click here.) 

This is your call gentlemen. I'm challenging all of you to become a 'Mo Bro,' show those staches or beards, grab a beer, and help raise awareness about men's health. I encourage all of you to stay up to date with your health checks and encourage those around you to go see their doctors as well. The stache is our banner and conversation starter to help keep those around us aware. 

You have officially been invited into this club and hereby must not shave for the 30 days of November. Let's see those baby faces on Halloween promoting that blank canvas for the ever masculine 'staches to grow on. 

If you're a lady who wants to get involved for the men around you, don't worry. Even though you (hopefully) can't grow a mustache, you can become a Mo Sister and help to raise funds or donate. Head on over and register to be a part of the Manscape Monday team. Together, through our power staches, we can change the world. 

Knowledge is power, Mustache is king. 

Keep it real and send me some pictures of your baby faces and the progress of your 'stache. Go register to be a part of the team NOW! Do it. 

Keep lookin' good. (and stached-up.) 

Peace. 

OH, don't forget to subscribe by clicking 'join this site' to the left.

CHeers blood. Brrrrrrrat brrrrrrrrrrat. 

From Pinterest to Wardrobe, the Best £20 I've Spent in a While

Hey Manscapers,

First off, I would just like to inform you all of the best thing that has happened to me today. Red by Taylor Swift is finally out! I know, some of you nay-sayers may be hatin' on TSwift, but I would just encourage you to sit back, soak in her auto-tuned ballads, and enjoy the finer things in life. I happen to be a huge Swift fan and love her new album; especially the collab with British acoustic superstar Ed Sheeran. It has been playing on loop in my office all day. The simple things in life. You can find it at any Target, Walmart, or Papa John's Pizza (no idea what marketing had going with this one... Maybe when you've stopped to eat your feelings with pizza after your latest breakup you can pick up some tunes to set the mood? I dunno...) if you're in the States. And, of course, it's always available for download on iTunes. DO IT!

Alright, getting on with my crazy tips and news for this week.

I don't know if any of you, or your significant others, are on Pinterest, but I personally love it. It's a great way for me to stay up to date with the latest men's fashion trends, how to's for styling, great recipes, or any other random thing that you didn't realize you wanted to know until you saw it on Pinterest. (Yes, that's right. I reupholstered 8 dining room chairs last week for £10. Thank you Pinterest!)  Well, one trend that has been frequenting my Pinterest feed has been a style that happens to be one of my personal favorites; the casual blazer.

If you happen to be a 'jeans and t-shirt' kind of guy don't let this scare you. I'm not asking you to all of the sudden start donning a suit everyday. All I'm saying is that the ladies love it when their man looks fresh at all times and it doesn't hurt to make an effort once in a while. When paired with a pair of slim fit jeans, dress shoes, and a nice solid colored neutral t-shirt, the blazer can add class to any man's style. It is important, though, to follow certain steps to make sure you find a blazer that is fitted for you.

First, you want to first make sure that the blazer fits you in the shoulders. A baggy blazer can take a look that should be classy and make you look like you're trying to hard. Make sure that the collar sits at the base of your neck and the shoulder seam stops at the end of your REAL shoulder. Next, make sure the upper back fits right. You want the fabric to stay taught but not pull. If any strain on the outward seams is shown while standing with your arms down (it will also create horizontal indents in the fabric) the fit is too narrow. Likewise, if it sags away from your body, it is too wide.

When looking for a blazer, no matter what body type you happen to be, you want to make sure it has shape. A blazer that hangs straight down is not going to be flattering on anyone. Once you have the shoulders and upper back fit, make sure it tapers in around the waist (near your belly button) and then goes back out slightly to sit down past your hips. If you have a bit 'more to love' around the mid section, try to go for a slightly longer cut blazer. It will elongate your torso and make you look naturally thinner.

While I'm on this note, keep something in mind, gentlemen. If you have a bit more weight on you, don't hide behind baggy clothing and don't try to fit into too-tight clothing either. When choosing a blazer it should still tick all of the boxes I've mentioned here. It is especially important for you men to find blazers with a fitted mid section because they will naturally make you look slimmer. Make sure that they fit snug but don't hug. The blazer, when the top button is buttoned, should just rest against your midsection. If it is pushing your stomach in it is too tight and if it doesn't rest against your stomach it is too loose. When in doubt, find a blazer that fits in the shoulders, even if it's too big around the waist, and have it taken in. Spending a little extra on an alteration can do WONDERS for the way blazers fit and make you look. There is nothing like the attractiveness of a well-tailored man. I guarantee any woman would agree with me.

For those of you on the thin side, think likewise. A fitted blazer can actually GIVE you shape and take the focus on your bean-pole appearance. (I'm speaking from first hand experience here.) Look for a blazer with harsher shoulder lines and a slight flare at the base. (And by slight I mean SLIGHT. This is not the 70s after all.) Then, once again, make sure it is fitted through the waist; don't hide under baggy clothes to try to look 'bigger!' By fitting the waist, it will give you the appearance of broad shoulders/chest, and wider hips with a trim waist. Just the look we're going for.

Once you've found the blazer, pair it with some dark fitting jeans, a nice solid colored t-shirt or button up, and don't forget DRESS SHOES. I don't want to see any tennis shoes with this look, guys. I'd invest in a nice pair of brogues if I were you. They're in fashion currently and they're a classic that will stay around.

One other thing: if budget is a hitting block for you, look for ways of being fashionable on a budget. I, personally, love charity (thrift in the US) stores. It can be overwhelming with all the 'tat' but if you can search through all the rubbish to find one treasure it is completely worth it. Take me for example! This weekend I was thrift store shopping at some of my favorite charity shops in Canterbury when I stumbled upon an amazing blazer. The sleeves are a little short (shocker) but a popular look right now is to roll the cuffs and push up the sleeves so away I went! I was able to haggle the man down to £5! (about $8) The best part? I didn't even need to have it tailored. It fits me quite well!

Even if it would have been a little big, I know of a great alterations place that would have altered it for me for around £20. ($30ish) $38 would still be a huge bargain for a perfectly fitting blazer.

It's all about finding styles you like and improvising to make them happen. If you have the money, by all means shop at stores that fit blazers to you body type perfectly. I must tell you, though, it is NOT a requirement to be minted to look good.

You heard it here first.

Also, look at the AWESOME vintage briefcase I found at a vintage showcase for £15 ($25)!

I've been looking for a nice looking case to carry my laptop and ipad around that looked wintery and vintage. This bad boy was hiding under a pile of rubbish at a vintage clothing market. NEVER underestimate an opportunity to find re-usable clothing. 

I always tell myself, if I can walk away from the biggest thrift stores with one great item of clothing, it's been a success. There are always treasures among the rubbish. (gettin deep here!)

Alright, GO! Search the thrift stores and dept. stores. Find looks and blazers that fit you and be sure to comment to let me know your stories. Like I said, you don't need to be minted to look good! (When in doubt, find a great tailor near you!)

As always, let me know of any topics you'd like to see on the blog by commenting or emailing at manscapemonday@gmail.com.

Keep lookin' good!

Peace.

Wabbit season, DUCK season, Wabbit season, DUCK season!

Hey Manscapers,

Hope you've had a great week full of darker skin, pumpkin spice lattes, and quality time with those closest to you. Mine has been quite similar. There's something about it being autumn and the rain becoming steadier (especially in Southeastern England) that makes you want to curl up indoors with your favorite men's fashion blog *cough cough* watching the rain... No? Well, it was worth a shot anyway.

Before I move on to this weeks topic, I thought it would be fun, in the spirit of October and all, to let you all in on a little discovery I've made this last week. Among my web searching for bigger and better web-based photo editing apps, I came across this wonderful site PicMonkey that, amongst other things, has just launched the capability to Halloween yourself! Brilliant, right? I thought so. So without further ado, this is what I would look like if I was a blood-sucking creature of the night.

...clearly I have too much time on my hands...

Cullens ain't got nuthin' on this! SUCKAS!!! *Literally... BAH! That's rich.* 

If you have too much time on YOUR hands, or just want to see how you or your family members would look as different halloween-ey creatures, go check it out. It's completely free!

Ok, enough of that, it's time to get serious. This week I have taken time to dedicate this post to a topic I've had many requests on. It's finally relevant and something that many men take for granted; affecting households everywhere. Yes, you guessed it, it's hunting season.

As my brother, an avid hunter, was quick to point out by texting in all caps this week, DUCK SEASON started Saturday. Thanks for the heads up, Jeff, but I actually already knew that was opening day for Southern Idaho. (Are you impressed yet? You can take the boy out of the boonies....) Among duck season, I know that deer season has opened for some draws and more game and foul openings are on their way. Some of my readers may not be hunters (and not care) but just in case you ever want to try, or know someone who does, I thought it would be important to make sure you look good and don't make a fool of yourself when you decide to join.

First off, we need to discuss the fact that most avid hunters wear camo. I think we can all agree on this fact. As great as it looks in movies when the main characters go traipsing through the woods in a sweater vest, chinos, and wellies when they happen to stumble upon a deer mid conversation and take it down, that's not how it works in the real world, folks. Some avid hunters spend days painted, covered in leaves, out in the cold in a 'blind' waiting for that perfect moment to make their move. This is NOT how you spell fun to me, (that's more of h-e-l-l if you get my drift) but some really love the adventure, adrenaline rush, and satisfaction of stalking prey. *this is what separates districts 1 and 2 from the rest of the modern world, people. Yes, I just made a blatant Hunger Games reference.* Ok, I'm getting on a rant. Even though I don't make hunting a regular extracurricular  I do support it and have gone with my brother and dad on multiple occasions and even enjoyed it occasionally. Gettin' deep here. My job here is to tell you how to continue to look good. Here we go. 


When thinking of how you look hunting, it's important to remember that the whole point of camouflage is to blend in with your surroundings. (DUH!) That means woodland camo won't blend in if you're hunting in snow; just as brush camo won't work hunting ducks... I'm just sayin. Luckily, I've provided slides to help educate you on different types of camo.

Number 1: Woodland Camouflage. 

This is probably the most recognizable camo when people go hunting. Made to blend in with surroundings in any woodland areas, make sure you look for leaf markings, twigs, debris, deep greens, and possibly bark print. You would most likely use this camo if you're going to be hunting something that may venture into the forest like deer, elk, bear, moose, etc. (Make sure you have your tags, gents. Don't want no arrests, now. Ya hear?!) 

Number 2: Brush Camouflage. 

Now, if any of you are reading from Idaho, brush camo is one that you will use quite often. As Idaho is thick with weeds, tall grasses, and sage brush. This will be a good pick for you. Look for camo highlighting grass stalks, light browns, sage greens, and dusty, beige colors.

Number 3: Wetland Camouflage.

Now THIS is something you want to break out if you're looking to join the flocks of people hunting flocks of ducks! (Ok, cheesy joke, I know. It's late and I couldn't resist.) This is my brother's personal favorite type of camo. Look for TALL grass prints, cattails, grey water occasionally, and browns mixed with greens. Check out that Duck Hunting Hummer. *insert witty quacking joke here. I'm lost for words*

Finally, Number 4: Winter Camouflage.

Now, in my opinion, this camo looks the coolest.  I won't lie to you, if someone bought me that winter jacket I'd probably wear it. Maybe...

When hunting in winter, it's important that you're using lots of white camo mixed with harsh lines to blend in with your surrounding tree-twigs. You can't really see it in the top picture because it went fuzzy, but that is a LEGIT picture where the deer walked right up to that man who was staked out in the woods blending right in. BAM! Poor Bambi, he just lost his mommy. (Ok, that was too far. That guy blends right in, though. Don't believe me? Google it! )

Yes, well there you have it. Now that you're educated on the different types of camo, please don't mix and match. Also, remember you don't always have to be completely head to toe in camo. If you want to mix a solid in there, just make sure it comes from the same color spectrum as your camo. (same browns, greens, whatever.)  My main objective in making you aware is that there will be less and less fashion faux pas out in the field. If there's one thing animals can smell it's a fashion disaster. True story. Why do you think I don't hunt?! They'd be so attracted to me I'd bag my limit in the first half hour. Ok, that's totally a lie, but it'll make you think next time you go hunting to match! You know it will.

What's your favorite type of camo/ favorite animal to hunt, manscapers? What will YOU be sporting this season?! Leave a comment and let me know!

I realize this has been a bit of a different post this week but it's a tribute to all things IDAHO that I love and miss from my home state/country. Sending well-wishes to all of you who will be leaving your wives to face the cold, early mornings of hunting this season. PLEASE stay safe and, as always, keep lookin' good!

If you have any suggestions for future posts/ things you'd like to know PLEASE comment/ email me at manscapemonday@gmail.com.

PEACE!

Ok, just one last photo to leave you with in honor of my hunting bro. He was gearing up for hunting season by using his waders to work on some sprinkler projects.. Who can match which camo type he's wearing based on my descriptions?! Leave a comment! (also, jeff... Next time you match a shirt with your waders, use a neutral color found in the same palate as your camo. A beige, brown, or deep green would have worked great here. Just trying to help you out, bro. You stay sexy! ;)