Not Your Woman's Bag....

Tips for becoming a gentleman:

1. Maintain eye contact.
2. Find a good tailor.
3. Speak softly but carry a big bag.

For that, turn to The Gentlemen’s League, an alliance of talents (industrial designer, graphic artist, creative visionary) customizing mason totes with black indelible ink.

The hand-drawn canvas tattoos are 100 percent unique: You choose the iconic imagery you want to be associated with (serpent, queen of hearts, cherry blossom). Like men of good standing, each bag is designed with public and private sides (one is showy, the other has secret details) and monogramming as you see fit.

The everyday carryall is lightweight with a leather bottom and handles (in black, brown, or white) and hinges that keep it open and standing on its own.

That’s how gentlemen prefer it.

Available at Début New York, 298 Mulberry Street, between Houston and Bleecker Streets (212-343-2717 or debutnewyork.com). To see styles, go to thegentlemensleague.com.

Death Of Auto-Tune

During Hot 97's Summer Jam on June 7, 2009 boasting a line up of superstars like Mary J. Blige, Jim Jones, Young Jeezy, and also newcomers such as Pleasure P, The Dream, and others the G.O.A.T. , Brooklyns finest Jay-Z came on stage, and dropped a bomb on everybody that was using auto-tune the past year, with a song called Death Of Auto-Tune.

His mature perspective is evident on the No I.D.-helmed "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune). He rails against one of the recent banes in music, Auto-Tune a.k.a. the Robot Voice, milked death by Kanye West and T-Pain. But Auto-Tune is just part of the problem. Jay-Z citing a lack of aggression in rap. More to the point, "D.O.A." seems to be about how too many emcees rap about being the best, but don't rap like they are the best. They lack soul and hunger. Everyone knows he's a famous rapper but what sets him apart from his peers is his dedication to the actual craft of rhyming. I recommend non-believers to consult the Jay-Z documentary Fade To Black. You'll become a fan.The message of "D.O.A." is clear:Hip-hop needs more Jay-Zs and less trend-humping rappers.

Summer Style....Brooks Brothers White Buck Wing Tip

White bucks are the gin tonic of shoes, Before you say, "But wait, gin and tonic are delicious and thirst-quenching, and white bucks are not, " hear me out: White bucks are a seasonal refreshment , a break from the usual, and you can wear them easily in late spring and early fall, they're never more appealing that in the hot, sunshiny days of summer. pair them with a lightweight suit.

Wear them like they were real shoes, with seersucker, with wool, with jeans. You don't have to dress them up". "With the visible stitching of its Goodyear welt and elaborate perforation on the toe cap and upper, this is as dressed up as most of us need to be in July. Drink up and enjoy, this never gets old.

Hublot Big Bang King Black Blue Watch

Does this watch make you think of a black eye? Well it isn't an eye sore, but rather the Hublot Big Bang King All Black Blue watch.

Hublot has been messing with various colors for the standard Big Bang chronograph line lately, but I haven't see this type of attention on the Big Bang King which is a diver's style watch - and larger at 48m wide. I have to admit that I really think this is a sexy watch - somehow adding a virulent character to the otherwise somber color tone.

Diver watch elements on the Big Bang King include the 300 meters of water resistance, diver's style face with large legible dial, and the rotating diver bezel, of course. Here the bezel is made out of matte finished ceramic. The bezel numerals are in an attractive high relief that I am a fan of. The blue on the hands and hour indicators seems to almost exist only on the periphery, though you can tell the insides are colored black, the edges are all deep blue. You also have the blue insert between the bezel and the case. Most of the watch is in matte ceramic. Inside is the HUB1400 automatic movement. The blue alligator strap actually sandwiches a layer of rubber that makes it more flexible. Looking at the dial (sandblasted and rhodium plated) with the blues and black just makes for a great looking Hublot watch. Now that I think of it, as a diver watch I imagine the cold abyss of the ocean with colors such as this. The watch is available in a limited edition of 500 pieces.

How to pick up a lovely woman....

Assess the situation. Only nine percent of women say that they found love in a bar. Is this great gal that you're checking out part of that nine percent? Here are some good signs:

Assess whether she is checking you out. Perhaps she's smiling or talking to her friends while looking at you. Many guys don't pursue in this situation because they don't believe what they are seeing or they are waiting for the girl to approach. Yes, she is checking you out and no, she will definitely not approach you. However, she will appreciate it if you send a drink or a plate of nachos her way with a few chuckles and smiles from you. Then go and own up and start talking.

Be careful if she is alone. This is a tough call. She may be waiting for someone. Possibly the girl of your dreams will make it obvious if she's waiting for someone by looking towards the door often. If this is the case, don't pursue. If not, well, she just isn't that insecure to be by herself and is most likely to appreciate a good chat, whether or not another guy is coming to meet her. Hey, what's to lose by at least trying?

Decide what it means if she is dressed provocatively. Women who are interested in meeting someone might wear bold, solid colors like black, white or red. They also typically put a lot of effort into their hair, makeup and shoe selection. Mind you, women often do this for women too, so don't make assumptions. Women don't like looking as if they've spent a day at the construction site when they go out to enjoy themselves. So shelve the assumptions and look lively. If her clothes give off signals, you have probably been drinking a little earlier than usual. Look for the woman in the clothes, not at the clothes on the woman.

Understand what is means if she is looking around a lot. If she's in her circle of friends and makes an effort to look at the guys passing by, you've got a potential pick-up. Mind you, you might have a group of women doing this all at once. Select the one that meets with your idea of fun and good talk. Use your commonsense. Sometimes you may be roped into engaging with all of them as they check you out for a friend in that group. Be obliging.

React quickly if she looks bored or annoyed with her company. The guys she came with are belligerent and touching her and she has no out. This is your best situation to be the knight in shining armor. You don't even need visual contact! Just walk over there and say, "How'd you like to come sit with me/us?" or "There's an empty seat next to me if you need it." You can skip down to the conversation part if you're lucky enough to find one of these. Ask her what on earth she was discussing with those bullish guys and get her a good stiff drink.

Make eye contact. You've already established that she is available, so keep telling yourself that. This next step is key. If she looks at you and you look away nervously, good luck to you. You've already made a bad first impression. Keep a relaxed, flirtatious gaze. Don't stare and don't lock up and look like a psycho. Also don't flash a huge, fake grin. Just move your head however feels natural and smile a bit--whatever feels natural. If she looks away shyly, that's good. If she gives you a seductive stare, that's even better. If she looks away and looks freaked out, better find someone else.

Look away for a second or two to give her time to think about you. She has noticed that you're available and that you like her. She's thinking about whether she likes you back. Don't take too long. Between ten seconds and a minute. Whatever feels right. Take a deep breath, relax, think happy thoughts. She was intrigued by you, remember?

Clear your mind. Breathe. That oxygen is going to help you think on your toes and help you relax. Gulp it down politely. She may wonder if you are a fish otherwise.

Glance over at her again. If she's chatting with her friends and still has her eye on you, congratulations. If she's looking at you comfortably, congratulations. If she purposely avoids eye contact, she either has myopia or she just hasn't felt the spark her end. Approach somebody else or offer to put her glasses back on.

Keep eye contact as you approach. Don't stare and don't trip over anything as you walk toward her. Stay relaxed and focused. Have a sense of purpose. Don't let all the people who are in your way discourage you. Remember, we have already established that she likes you. If you blow it now, it's all your fault. Although, never underestimate the endearing quality of a guy who trips over in pursuit of love. It can be retold for years afterwards and who knows, it may just end in marriage.

Smile casually and say something casual. Remember, you are a stranger. There is no need to say something elaborate but at least form the words clearly - don't mumble or spit in anticipation.

Relax let the words flow.... and take it from a pro.

Dickies are not dress pants

I've noticed a strange fashion trend here in New Jersey. The guys have started to wear Button Down Dress Shirts and Hard Shoes with Dickies. WTF? Correct me if I am wrong. Dickies are work pants always have been, putting hard shoes and a shirt doesnt actually work for pants that are mainly for working in a Pep Boys Auto Store. Stop being cheap and purchase some real slacks at Marshalls, Burlington, TJ Maxx and any discount department store. No one is gonna know if they came from Macy's or not, and with this recession nobody is really checking for labels, it's just wrong.