What’s new?

Nothing, that’s what.

I find myself having little to offer in response to that question, at parties, at the gym. Instead of my ‘big move’ to a bigger, more exciting city, I’ve maintained my boomerang kid status. By no means have I not thought about what the next step is…I just haven’t moved my foot.

Nonetheless, due to a complex of anxiety and nervous productivity, I continue to toil at the resume expeller, the blog dispenser…and I continue my enjoyment of all things beautiful and detailed, curious and surprising, efficient and precise. I thought I would briefly outline a selection of the coolest stuff I’ve seen, purchase, or listened to in the past few weeks.

Morgan Parish Royal Blue Keychain. 80s, Lux, and Rock all at once. My friend Paul would LOVE this. $30 at Morgan Parish.

Burkman Bros, of Canadian descent. Everything about this collection is beautiful and inventive. They mention Asian influence in their “about” – I see a lot of nautical, work-wear, Asian, Canadian, and Tropical influences, in the colors, cut, and materials. Very cool!

Kirk Originals. An eyewear company that I’d never heard before Thursday. Of course, The Optic Shop here in Tampa carries some of their pieces (they have all the best stuff – Barton Perreira, SALT, J.F. Rey, ic!Berlin, Gold & Wood Paris, and many others). Asymmetrical glitter retro frames, designed with enterprising young gentlemen like me in mind? Yes please!

Apolis Tea-Dyed Linen Tie and Of A Kind. Unearthed two precious gems at once – this great tie and this great blog/site. The site: essentially, it is a forever-changing “pop up online store” where the editors pick a different designer to showcase each week. This designer creates a piece specifically for Of A Kind readers, available for a limited time, in limited quantities. This tie, made by Apolis, is made of gorgeous linen, dyed with tea to make it more rustic and worn looking. I didn’t need more than a few clicks to sell myself on it. And $65 isn’t bad for a tie these days. For some light and enjoyable reading, Of A Kind also provides a good bit of context to each of its products and designers…not a detail to be overlooked or overshadowed by the product itself. Anyone can sell a product, hawk something beautiful…but few can package it so thoughtfully, with the story and people behind the magic. Of A Kind is doing what traditional small retailers have done for ages: bringing quality production and discerning tastes together with a dash of whimsical tale (a convention that is dying out very quickly in brick-and-mortar stores).

I’ve been consuming a bit of quality music lately, as well. At times, my most recent selections bring me to tears. Have you ever cried at the gym? Try it sometime…it’s a good way to break up the reps. Recommendations are below.

I’m loving Adele’s new album. To qualify myself…I’ve only had the pleasure of hearing a couple of tracks. They were both lovely and I imagine the remainder of the album will be as well. My favorite song right now is “Set Fire to the Rain.” Absolutely swoon worthy.

Of similar appeal is Sky Ferreira. Her style is less defined than that of Adele, but her melancholy “American Dream” is equally beautiful as tracks by other, more polished and established artists.

A funky, half disco, half blues track by Calvin Harris (“Stars Come Out“) has been getting a lot of play on my iPhone. I love this style…it is the perfect blend of thoughtfulness and danceability. In that same vein, I’ve been playing Phoenix’s “Everything is Everything” back to back as an upbeat soother to my troubles.

For a bouncier, clubbier, rapidly-flickering-light experience, try “Hands by The Ting Tings (Ralphi Rosario Mix).” An acquaintance of mine recommended this song on his Facebook page so I found it by chance. He drinks more than I do, goes out more than I do, and has a more tragic story to tell the world. But I like him a great deal and wish he would expand his horizons beyond his usual group. But, I digress.

Enjoy this great music and check out those great links/goods. I would love to hear that something I’ve suggested has brought another person some happy.