Is your dog going to Brown or Dartmouth?

Available at www.petflys.com

If you're like me or even remotely like me about your dog then of course you want him or her pampered like someone who ends up at Brown or Dartmouth and since those aren't ever going to become realities for your pooch, then you've got expendable cash that doesn't have to be thrown into the University bin.  We treat our dog like our child. Some may find that strange, but he's the closest thing we have ever had to a child and we spoil him rotten.  However, when it comes to choosing a dog carrier for transatlantic flights it becomes almost difficult to spoil, be unique, and meet the requirements of the FAA or IATA!

Louis, our 18 month old Prague Ratter has been all over the world, dresses well, and has a demeanor like that of a stable and aristocratic Prince.

Louis. Collar by Coach,

Sweater by Juicy Couture,

Bag by Gucci.

Sometimes I think we should have even named him Prince or some god foresaken name like Paris Hilton would have dished him out like, "Prince Baby Louis Alexander Pumpkin Shizzle."  This year, after a flight to Paris, we noticed that the airlines were starting to crack down on requirements for carrying your pet on with you.  They are actually making you keep the dog in the bag the whole time you fly.  Well okay, recently I've tried to, as much as I can become part of the "If you can't beat them, join them" crew and therefore, I decided I would set out on a shopping journey for a pet carrier that was airline approved, stylish for the one carrying, yet at the same time comfortable for Louis!  I've shopped at dog boutiques in Paris, New York, Houston, London, Brussels, Bratislava, Prague, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, and Dubai and although all of these stores are great and carry a wide variety of items, a carrier is something special that can't be chosen from say  5 styles in a shop.  The internet comes in big time here and not only for variety, but also so you don't have to carry the thing around with you after you've made you're purchase.

Louis with shopintheknow author Jason Cahill

Searching high and low on the internet I came up with precious few options even still.  I'm not against the Louis Vuitton sac chien 40 or 50, or the traditional Gucci hard case carrier...but sometimes you just want to be different. We have the Gucci Basket Bag as I like to call it pictured on the left and available at www.gucci.com or in their stores if called in advance. It has many great features like the double zip front with leather tie down and brass button, the padded flooring for the dogs comfort, and an elegantly short Gucci signature webbing leash attached inside that keeps Louis restrained yet comfortable.  Its great on a day out in the city and can double as a shopping carrier even if L's in the bag.  However, the airlines are now tooting their horns about hard case only and so this bag doesn't cut it anymore for travel.  So, after shopping online for days we purchased the Sailor Bleu hard case bag as seen in above left corner available online at www.petflys.com  Petflys offers great service and they shipped from California to Prague, NO PROBLEM.  I give Tammy props at Petflys for her amazing customer service and also to Jamie who is keen on making sure all customer's and their dogs are happy.  We love our new dog carrier and so does Louis.

After countless hours of research I've made some recommendations below.  Some are traditional and oddly enough I only recommend anything from petflys or these these picks below:

Goochie Poochie Pet Bag
Available at www.yourdogsuppliesstore.com

Christian Audigier Safari Dog Carrier

Available at www.yourdogsuppliesstore.com

Christian Audigier Safari Dog Carrier

Louis Vuitton Sac du Chien
available at Louis Vuitton

Gucci Flight bag available at
Gucci

Not Airline Approved Sketch Bag by Louis Dog
available at Modern Tails

It's a Mewelry Box!

Cufflinks and handkerchiefs are an essential part of every man's wardrobe.  Don't be fooled guys, people do notice.  People notice a smart dressed man and are more likely to employ them, just like they are more likely to employ someone who keeps themselves in good physical condition.  These attributes shown on your outside are ever present reminders to the outside world of how you choose to live.  They define you and give people insight to your character such as whether you are lazy, motivated, intelligent, funny, sad, pathetic, clean, dirty, smelly, etc.  You get the point.  If you aren't dressing to impress than just give up.  Look your best at all times and for every event or point in the day.  For most men, that means at least 60-70 hours a week in the office, working for the man and trying to find ways to enjoy it.  How does one look office appropriate?  Well for me and those I roll with we wear suits, pointed collar french-cuff shirts, cuff links, and beautiful ties and we carry handkerchiefs.  Yes, handkerchiefs.  Even in the best of a Modern Grade A Office Building I sweat...and therefore I have said handkerchief to dab off wet facial areas.  This is definitely great in meetings in which you don't want to look like a total tool having beads of sweat dripping off of you because of the artificial air environment you are sitting in!  Don't pull out a tissue or use the luncheon napkin, come prepared, or don't show up, and if you do, excuse yourself and have a brief moment in the bathroom for a sweat fix up in the sink!

Of course I have my favorite brands of cufflinks and of handkerchiefs.  However, I also buy both in vintage as well.  Handkerchiefs and cufflinks make great gifts for men!  Depending on where one purchases them they come in swanky boxes with fine ribbon all the way to those plastic shrink wrapped finds, that can also be boxed in maybe say...a vintage jewelry box or something like that.  A "Mewlery Box" is a must have!  This author defines the "Mewlery Box" as a place where a man keeps his personal belongings such as cufflinks, handkerchiefs, watches, matchbooks, pocket knife, and anything personal.  It's the quintessential, "KEEP OUT," spot in the home.  That means everyone except the owner.

Below, some recommended cufflink and handkerchief brands and their "links":

Thomas Pink
Thomas Pink of Jermyn Street, London has been in the men's clothier business since 1984 and used the name of an 18th Century London tailor by the same name.  Offering a wide selection of superior quality shirts, cufflinks, accessories, and there's even a whole line of women's wear too!

Paul Smith
There's not much else to say, the name says it all!  Paul Smith offers one of the best ranges of suits, shirts, cufflinks, accessories, and other lifestyle items including housewares and books!

Follow Paul's blog at:  Paul Smith's Blog

Brooks Brothers
Why mess with tradition?  They make great shirts, specifically the non-iron line seen in picture at left.  Brooks Brothers is CLASSIC, made easy!

Simon Carter

Great prices, good design, and an outstanding collection of cufflinks, handkerchiefs, and other accessories for the modern man.