A Gentleman Entertains

A Gentleman Entertains

    When thinking of the upcoming holidays it's hard for me not to think of some of the awful dinner parties that bachelors will be throwing this year!   Turn off the sports boys and show some class.  It's not hard to be stylish if you have an advisor and most women dig the opportunity to meet real gentleman who know the art of gentlemanly etiquette.  It's a lost art on most.  However, there is help out there for the etiquette impaired.  In today's holiday entertaining article we are focusing on how real men entertain.

It's really not rocket science guys.  It just takes a little bit of thought and effort. Most of you already cook and also have you're own drink of choice.  Now you just need to set the table correctly in order to impress your friends and show them what you are really made of.

Martini Glasses by Artel Glass. Chartreuse Faceted Vase
by Artel Glass, Re-used chocolate Christmas Tree boxes, and
Table Cloth by Raulph Lauren. Tabletop design by j. thomas cahill

For this piece I've decorated the table quite simply with just enough decoration to make the atmosphere festive.  Martinis are the drink of choice at this table and each guest will be drinking out of a unique Martini Glass by Artel Glass. 

Paul Smith Handkerchief and Thomas Pink Bulldog Cufflinks as Party Favors

Every place setting has been carefully tailored to meet the interest of each and every guest including bespoke party favors.  For those with less etiquette and a need for upgrading themselves into a more mature adult I've offered ties and a gentleman's etiquette book by Brooks Brothers , as well as, a single tie to add or begin their collection of the mature man's essential wardrobe piece.  At place settings where more refined gentleman will be sitting, I've chosen cufflinks and handkerchiefs from different menswear designers such as Thomas Pink, Paul Smith, and Kenzo.       

In many ways, one just has to put a bit of thought into the type of atmosphere they want to create.  I have many ideas on Gentleman Entertaining ideas and can be a great resource for choosing and procuring party favors with class on most budgets.   Take a look for yourself at the photos in this article to gain more ideas and insight on how to create the perfect table for your holiday soiree!  

j.thomas cahill is available to help you with any of your holiday party or decorating ideas throughout the year and can be contacted at shopintheknow@gmail.com

                                                            

It was supposed to be About Watches!

A watch says more about your personality nowadays then even in days of the recent past. 30 some odd years ago, Rolex made its way to a mass market economy and thank the gods that they did! Without their ruthless advertising injections into the pages of almost every magazine or newspaper in the United States during the early 80's, I don't think we'd have the World of Watches that we do now. An average Rolex however, is about as fashionable these days as a Louis Vuitton Monogram Collection, unless of course you are speaking my language, the recently easy to get Personalization Collection. Now that's fashionable! Although today's topic is not about luggage, I'll touch on it very briefly. My HOT TIP item is J. Crew's Globe-Trotter® Centenary 30" extra-deep suitcase with wheels,, it aims to please.

Onward to the topic at hand, WATCHES! Today, one doesn't need a Rolex or an Omega to reflect their style. There are so many options out there and at so many different price points. My Number One Rule is to stay away from stores and shop online! Sorry retailers, but seriously, its an easy market for online shopping and usually I'm cutting your mark up by 50% to 60% by shopping online. Do some serious research before you purchase your new watch because there is so much out there that it's astounding. Here's three picks of mine lately that reach three very different price points:

The Mondaine Automatic, available at watchCo Online

The Nixon 31-50, available at Kitson's Online

The Yacht Master II by Rolex, available at swissluxury.net