Best Stuff for Men

Cirque du Soleil for Valentine’s Day – or Beyond

ECJ — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:33:14 +0000

Not only have I never heard a woman say she wouldn’t want to see a Cirque du Soleil show, I think just about every woman I know has said at one point, “I’d like to see Cirque du Soleil!”

Click to get tickets to all Cirque du Soleil shows

Does that give you an idea for an impressive Valentine’s Day gift for your girl? Take her to see Cirque du Soleil!

What could be a more romantic gift — especially if you’re in Las Vegas and can go see “Mystère” at Treasure Island (selected 8 times as “Best Production Show” by the Las Vegas Review-Journal), or “The Beatles LOVE” at the Mirage — one of the best Cirque du Soleil shows for a Valentine’s date.

(And if you are in Las Vegas for Valentine’s Day, you’ve probably got more going on than just one show — but a Cirque du Soleil performance could be the capper!)

Cirque du Soleil performs many shows outside of Las Vegas — you can find one near you

If you think it will be hard to find a performance of Cirque du Soleil near you, think again. They perform virtually everywhere across the globe. Many of their mind-boggling shows appear throughout the USA, and they have international shows from Sweden to Brazil.

As you’ll know if you’ve ever seen Cirque du Soleil (even on TV), their shows have something for everyone, from comedy to drama. You’ll enjoy the acrobatics, feats of strength, and sexy women. She’ll love the guys in tight outfits, romantic imagery, and outstanding music. Virtually every Cirque du Soleil show is a gem.

Cirque du Soleil is a company that seems incapable of creating a dud.

You may be wondering how affordable it is. Depending on the venue and the particular show, tickets range from a low of about $75 each up to $300 or more. For that you get one of the most spectacular live shows available — it would be a very special and memorable Valentines occasion. (Hey, man, even a good seat at a Charlotte Bobcats game costs about $75 — and they are far from one of the best shows you can see.)

As one online reviewer said of Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère: “Make no mistake – this is not only the best Cirque show, but the best show on earth, PERIOD.”

I recommend that you get your Cirque du Soleil tickets from TicketNetwork, one of the best online companies for getting tickets to almost any show, sporting event, concert, Broadway production, music festival, or play happening now or in the future. As a ticket aggregator, TicketNetwork’s prices are good — oftentimes 15% lower than those of their competitors. And they offer up to a 125% refund if there is a problem with your tickets. In other words, they’re reliable. They’ve been in business since 2002 and carry over 7 million tickets every day on their site.

Click here to see ticket prices and availability for all the current and upcoming Cirque du Soleil shows at TicketNetwork.

And since you’re reading this post, I’ll let you know that you can get 10% off your purchase of $350+ at TicketNetwork using coupon code AFF$10 at checkout. That code is good for a ticket order for any event.

Where can you see Cirque du Soleil shows in the US?

In addition to several different shows in Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil is touring with a variety of shows in many cities across the United States this year. Here’s an alphabetical list of US cities where you can see them perform:

Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX
Baltimore, MD
Baton Rouge, LA
Boston, MA
Bridgeport, CT
Broomfield, CO
Champaign, IL
Charlotte, NC
Chicago, IL
Cleveland, OH
College Station, TX
Colorado Springs, CO
Columbia, SC
Columbus, OH
Corpus Christi, TX
Dayton, OH
Duluth, MN
El Paso, TX
Estero, FL
Evansville, IN
Frisco, TX (Dallas area)
Green Bay, WI
Hartford, CT
Hidalgo, TX
Highland Heights, KY
Hoffman Estates, IL (Chicago area)
Honolulu, HI
Houston, TX
Indianapolis, IN
Jacksonville, FL
Kansas City, MO
Knoxville, TN
Laredo, TX
Las Vegas, NV (multiple shows and venues)
Long Island, NY
Los Angeles, CA
Manchester, NH
Miami, FL
Milwaukee, WI
Minneapolis, MN
Nashville, TN
Newark, NJ
New Orleans, LA
New York, NY
Orlando, FL
Philadelphia, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Portland, OR
Raleigh, NC
Rio Rancho, NM
Roanoke, VA
Rockford, IL
Salt Lake City, UT
San Antonio, TX
San Diego, CA
San Jose, CA
Santa Monica, CA
Springfield, IL
State College, PA
St. Louis, MO
Tulsa, OK
Washington, DC
Worcester, MA

That’s quite a few opportunities! I mean, unless you’re in Alaska or someplace like Kalispell, Montana, you’ll find Cirque du Soleil shows in the US pretty accessible.

But wait! Even if you are in Kalispell, Montana, you can go up to Edmonton, Canada and see a Cirque du Soleil show there… (Well, OK, maybe it would be easier to head down to Salt Lake City. But no effort is too great for your Valentine gal, right?)

You can get tickets to Cirque du Soleil shows from TicketNetwork for performances in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, too.

Now, when it comes to quality, which show is the best Cirque du Soleil performance to see? As I suggested above, you really can’t go wrong with any of their shows. However, when considering a Valentine’s date, I might suggest “Criss Angel Believe” at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas (a dramatic magic show — and, you know, women like Criss Angel).

Cirque du Soleil – Dralion is also excellent — especially for those who appreciate athletic prowess and eastern cultural elements — and that show is playing nationwide.

Finally, you might consider seeing “Michael Jackson – THE IMMORTAL World Tour.” This would be a great choice as a Valentine’s Day gift. The show is touring all over the United States (for example, it’s playing today, February 7, in Saint Louis, and there are shows surrounding Valentine’s Day in Houston, New Orleans, and Tulsa).

Would your significant other enjoy this show? Here’s what one woman who reviewed Michael Jackson – THE IMMORTAL World Tour wrote about it online:

“I’m speechless about this show. The perfection of Michael Jackson meets the perfection of Cirque choreographers. It was moving, thought-provoking and a brilliant homage to the late great Michael Jackson. I want everyone to go see this show. Hope it comes out on video.”

And guys have written similar glowing reviews. This is probably one of the best Cirque du Soleil shows ever — and that’s saying something. So, yeah, it’s a good bet this show would make a good Valentine’s gift for your girlfriend or wife.

Or someone you’d like to make your girlfriend or wife.

Need more evidence? Below is a video preview of “Michael Jackson – THE IMMORTAL World Tour” by Cirque du Soleil:

You could give a gift of a Cirque du Soleil show happening any time this year…

If you want to give a Valentine’s gift of a Cirque du Soleil show but the schedule doesn’t work out so that you can attend the show in February (for example, the Michael Jackson World Tour doesn’t come to Ohio until June, 2012), just get the tickets and give your Valentine sweetie a card that lets her know that you’ll be taking her to see Cirque du Soleil a little later on. That way, you can give the gift and she’ll have time to enjoy the anticipation — which is never a bad thing.

Be sure to get her a nice Valentine’s Day card. If you don’t have a good greeting card shop near where you live (I mean, come on, the supermarket?), click here to go to Greeting Card Universe and custom design a unique card just for her. She’ll like that.

And I’d suggest you add some chocolate to the gift package as well. Get her zChocolat — some of the best chocolate in the known universe. Cirque du Soleil and chocolate for Valentine’s Day: can’t-miss gifts for a man hunting for a memorable Valentine’s Day offering.

And if you’re a woman reading this and you have a Facebook account or Google+ account, just go to the sharing buttons below and click the +1 button or “Like” this post on FB — maybe he’ll get the hint.

Let the romance begin…

How to Get a Good Discount On Perry Ellis Men’s Clothing and Accessories

ECJ — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:48:30 +0000

Getting a good discount at Perry Ellis online right now is pretty simple. Just click the link below. Perry Ellis is one of the most popular and stylish men’s clothing brands, known for well-made, innovative menswear. It will fit your active lifestyle and help you look sharp.

Just use the link here to shop and save money…

=> Click here to shop the PerryEllis.com semi-annual suit sale; get suits starting at just $119.48, plus additional savings on shirts and ties. Ends March 27.

Click to get this Plaid Scarf from Perry Ellis at 50% off

At left is one of the men’s accessory items you can find at Perry Ellis — a Plaid Scarf in warm tones of black and brown. This scarf normally goes for $40, but shop right now and you’ll get it for $19.99.

Perry Ellis’s “brother” brand, Original Penguin, is also offering good deals on men’s active-wear and casual clothing. Get 30% off using code OPSALE30 at checkout at Original Penguin. Shop shirts, ties, hats, shoes, and more. This 30% discount is good online only and ends March 30, so click the link to check it.

Perry Ellis Men’s Shirts

Perry Ellis is known for quintessentially-American men’s shirts — dress shirts and casual shirts. You can get an extra 40% off now on well-made Portfolio shirts for the office — 100% cotton in solid colors. Most are priced at $50 – $60, so you’ll be getting them now for around $30 or less. This is a good chance to stock up! Click the blue Perry Ellis text link above to get my special affiliate-only additional 40% off using code PRPE40AF.

Much More Than Shirts — Suits, Jeans, Shoes, Etc. — A Complete Men’s Clothing Store Online

Of course, Perry Ellis carries a complete line of all types of men’s clothing and accessories, so you can shop for coats and sweaters, stylish blazers, ties, jeans, dress pants, underwear, shoes, slippers, socks, belts, cufflinks, sunglasses, wallets, watches, suits, resort wear, and more. (Check the video below to see examples of what’s new from Perry Ellis.)

Perry Ellis currently has savings of 30% off all watches when you use coupon code WATCHES30 at checkout.

Women’s Clothes at Perry Ellis, too (plus Rafaella)

But what’s more, Perry Ellis does not just sell men’s clothes and accessories on their site. They also offer something for women: swimwear! Now, you may debate the merits of buying a swimsuit in winter — unless you’re traveling to Mexico or Hawaii, in which case it’s important — but I don’t think a guy would ever argue with the wisdom of a woman having plenty of bikinis and beachwear. So, click here to get 50% off all Perry Ellis swimwear using code PESWIM50.

And if you’ve got a gal pal (or you are a gal) who wants to shop for additional women’s clothes at good prices, go to the site of Perry Ellis’s sister company, Rafaella Sportswear, where you can get everything on the site at 35% off for a limited time, no code needed. Tell your fashionista buddies about this sale.

Or, if that 35% site-wide deal at Rafaella as expired, you can still get all dresses for $39.00 at Rafaella Sportswear using code DRESS39AF.

Anyway, back to men…

Shop now and save on well-made men’s attire and tons of accessories from Perry Ellis. If you don’t need anything personally, does someone you know have a birthday coming up? And don’t forget Easter and Father’s Day…

I figure you would regret it if you didn’t take advantage of this sale — after all, you have to wear clothes at some point, right?

Perry Ellis on Vimeo.

Kaskey Kids Football Guys and Other Sports Action Figures are Fun Toys That Encourage Your Kids to Play Imaginatively

ECJ — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:34:30 +0000

Click here to see the full line of Kaskey Kids sports figures, such as Hockey Guys

Imaginative play is important for your kids’ mental and emotional development. It helps improve their intelligence, fosters psychological resilience, and teaches them to handle diverse circumstances.

There aren’t too many high-quality, inexpensive toys that can help expand your kids’ ability to play imaginatively, while at the same time being fun over the long-term. But that’s exactly what the sports figures from Kaskey Kids are able to do.

Not only can these creative playthings encourage your children to put their imagination into play, they also teach kids the fundamentals of team sports and how to think strategically. As a result, the Kaskey Kids Football Guys, Soccer Guys, Baseball Guys, and more have won awards and become a notable success story in the toy marketplace.

=> Click here to check out the award-winning Kaskey Kids Football Guys, Hockey Guys, and other team sports action figures, along with their “Bop Bags” and Go! Go! Sports Dolls. And, since you’re going through my site, enter code “CJ10″ during checkout to get 10% off your order!

You remember the toy soldiers you played with as a kid? That was a perfect example of the imagination at play as you made up elaborate scenarios and stories for your army of action figures.

Well, Kaskey Kids is just like that, except instead of soldiers the figures are athletes — baseball players, hockey players, football players, and soccer players. See the video below for an in-depth look at the fun kids can have with Kaskey Kids sports action figures available at Kaskeykids.com:

For kids in the age-range of 3 – 10 years old, the Kaskey Kids sports action figures can provide hours of fun, unstructured play — as well as giving you the opportunity to teach your son or daughter about a particular sport, the rules of the game, how a team works together on the field, and so on. They make excellent instructional play sets for your budding soccer player, hockey player, football player, or baseball player.

In addition to free-form play, there are also several different structured games that the Kaskey Kids company has created that enable you (or their siblings or friends) to play with their football guys, soccer guys, and other action figures along with them in ways that encourage strategic thinking and planning (see the Kaskey Kids site for more details). For parents and for kids, Kaskey Kids sports guys are a win-win toy!

Click to see all the styles of Kaskey Kids Football Guys

Kaskey Kids are the brainchild of Christy Kaskey, a mother of three who in 2002 was trying to find action figures that her sports-loving kids could play with.

She couldn’t find anything on the market that fit the bill — action figures other than soldiers or superheroes that her kids could play with while also focusing on the sports they enjoyed — so she created sports figures herself. The Kaskey Kids company was born; the first production run of the Football Guys sold out in a matter of weeks, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Kaskey Kids Sports Figures are Award Winners

Since they became available, Kaskey Kids’ sports-figure toys have received many accolades from the toy industry, including the Gold Seal “Best Toy Award” from Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, the 2011 Brilliance Award from Brilliant Sky Toys & Books (in the imaginative play category), the 2007 Best Toy Award from Learning Express (for the Kaskey Kids Football Guys), a “Four Star Certified” rating from WTS Toy Review, a National Parenting Center “Seal of Approval” in 2011 for the Hockey Guys… and the list goes on.

Enthusiastic press reviews and articles have also appeared in national media — including, most recently, the Sports Illustrated for Kids 2011 “Gotta Get It Guide,” which is featured on the Kaskey Kids homepage. In the “Gotta Get It Guide,” the Kaskey Kids NHL Hockey Guys, Rangers Vs. Bruins, are recommended.

The Kaskey Kids Football Guys come in both “pro” football and college football versions (with teams such as Auburn, Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas). The Hockey Guys come in both generic (blue versus yellow) and NHL figures. The Baseball Guys are classic red vs. blue action figures. Each team of sports figures comes with a field (for the football guys and soccer guys — and there are also soccer girls), a rink (for the hockey guys), and a diamond (for the baseball guys), along with referee figures and other equipment that enable your kid(s) to play with their action figures on a surface that matches the sport. The “outdoor” fields are made of sturdy felt — much more durable and satisfying to play with than a plastic sheet.

The Kaskey Kids sports figures are made of sturdy molded plastic and are in compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. They will stand up to years of play and are large enough for toddlers’ hands to easily grasp.

Customer (Parents’) reviews of Kaskey Kids Sports Guys

But what’s the bottom line? What do parents have to say about how well their kids like the Kaskey Kids Football Guys, Baseball Guys, Hockey Guys, Soccer Guys and other toys? Well, “5-star” reviews significantly outnumber any other rating for Kaskey Kids sports figures. Here are excerpts from online customer reviews of Kaskey Kids creative playthings:

Kids of all ages can play with Kaskey Kids action figures in whatever ways they like (photo of an actual Kaskey Kids fan)

“So many toys advertise ‘hours of fun.’ This one should, because it is probably the most played-with toy my boys, ages 5 and 7, have. We have the soccer guys, football guys, and baseball guys. My boys play with them alone or together and have done so for several years. This is one of our staple toys…”

“My nephew loves this [toy]. However, that being said, even without the [hockey rink] boards, he loved playing with the ice surface and players. He would re-enact Bruins games and do the play by play. As he grew, he wanted to have the side boards again and would often build them with blocks. He plays with this toy so often that I wanted to give him a chance to have a new one now that he is older. I love the fact that it is not an electronic [toy] but rather one that encourages his imagination… He is now 7 and had the first one since he was 3 or 4 years old.”

“My boys use the field and baseball figures to track the the plays their ‘teams’ make on a baseball pinball game. When used this way it brings the pinball game to life and adds the excitement of wondering what will happen next.”

“We’ve got three little boys, ages 8, 5, & 3, who love the hockey, soccer, football, and baseball guys. For little ones who like ‘guys,’ these toys really encourage imaginative play. For us, preferred over video games and movies. Very fun to watch.”

“My 8-yr-old son has had the Baseball Guys for a couple of years, along with the Football Guys. Great toys! Very well designed and durable. We love that one of the baseball teams is red (like our beloved Red Sox) and one blue (we pretend they are the Yankees). The scoreboard that is included is so cute, you can adjust the score and it stands up. Lots of imaginative fun with this toy! Perfect for our little baseball fan.”

“My 5-year-old son absolutely loved [the Baseball Guys]. Although he received many other gifts for his birthday, many of which had pretty high ‘wow’ factor, this was far and away his favorite. It won over Transformers, Star Wars figures, and Legos. I’m still somewhat incredulous, but clearly he loves it. One week later and he’s still happily playing and making up games. In addition, it’s helped him understand some of the elements of the game that were beyond him. He can position players and is starting to mimic the announcers he sees playing. He’s even put #11 at short, since Jimmy Rollins is his favorite player.”

About the only critical comments reviewers made about the Kaskey Kids toys was that the carrying cases used to store the sets could be a little bigger — the size made it a bit hard for small kids (say, 3 years old) to put away. Also, the play surface “fields” would sometimes tend to wrinkle, making it harder to stand the action figures up. (However, those reviewers might not have followed the instructions from Kaskey Kids, which is to store the playing surfaces rolled up, and, when the new games are first opened and taken out of the box, let them sit flat for awhile to let the creases flatten out. You can even iron the felt fields.)

Of course, Kaskey Kids sports figures not only encourage pretend play on the part of your kids, they’re also great for kids who have already developed a love of sports or an interest in a particular sport, such as football, hockey, or baseball. Some kids — even 3-year-olds — take to such things early. Just ask Christy Kaskey. (Yes, 3-year-olds can understand the concept of a “body check.”)

Click to see the Kaskey Kids Baseball Guys and accessories -- including field and scoreboard

And throughout the cold, short days and long nights of the winter months, letting your kids put their imagination to work with Football Guys or Soccer Guys will go a long way toward occupying their time when it’s hard for them to get outdoors and be active.

Further information on the benefits of imaginative or “pretend” play

Many studies have been performed on how kids develop both physically and mentally through play, as well as analyses of the types of play that foster healthy development. With regard to pretend play specifically, much scholarly research is available and you can find this research summarized online, such as this article on pretend play entitled The Role of Pretend Play in Children’s Cognitive Development.

The bottom line, as summarized in the relatively brief article linked to above, is that high-quality pretend play fosters “cognitive competence” in kids. A growing body of research suggests that pretend play, or imaginative play, plays an important role in cognitive, social, and academic development, that it may facilitate higher-level thinking and creativity, and that there is a clear link between pretend play and social and linguistic competence.

Studies also suggest that children who lack opportunities to play imaginatively experience a diminished capacity for problem solving and social interaction, as well as a decline in the ability to handle academic subjects such as math, literacy, and science. Complex skills and multidimensional abilities are most likely to be fully developed and thrive in an environment where high-quality pretend play is encouraged.

Kaskey Kids has also posted an article on their site written by Kara Bowman, an educator associated with the Museum Tour Catalog, entitled The Joys of Open-Ended Play.

You know, there’s a reason kids like to actively imagine things as they play: it’s turning them into better all-around human beings.

Sports action figures are just a part of the creative, sports-oriented toys Kaskey Kids offers

As mentioned above, Kaskey Kids also has “Bop Bags,” which are 40-inch tall Tackle Buddies and Checking Buddies that your little guys can knock around and have bounce back for more. Kaskey also has Mini Packs of action sports figures in different colors, so you can add new players and teams to your collection of Baseball Guys, Hockey Guys, or whatever teams you have. And they also have the Sports Girls dolls, which are 14-inch plush, soft cotton dolls — girls doing various sports and other activities, such as Basketball Doll Taye, Dancer Doll M. C., and Tennis Doll Gracie — a collection of 9 Sport Girls dolls in all.

As with all the Kaskey Kids creative playthings, the Bop Bags and Sports Girls dolls are well-made and very reasonably priced.

There’s a big difference in how a kid is thinking, imagining, and interacting when he’s playing with something such as a Nintendo 3DS or with a truly 3-dimensional toy like the Kaskey Kids sports action guys.

Not that there’s anything wrong with a Nintendo 3DS… But your kid is not developing or expanding his imaginative powers in the same way when he’s pushing the controller of a video game as he is when he’s playing with a tactile, colorful, reality-based toy like the Kaskey Kids action figures — when he’s setting them up, imagining the plays the teams are running, doing the play-by-play like an announcer, and learning actual sports strategies. Plus he can play along with his siblings and/or friends and expand the scenarios and action even more.

Give Kaskey Kids Football Guys, Soccer Guys, Hockey Guys, and other creative toys strong consideration for your young athletes-to-be (or whatever they want to imagine themselves being). It’s hard to find a toy these days that offers so many positive benefits at such a reasonable price. Plus offers your kids fun and satisfaction over the long term.

A More Inspiring Gift — a Charitable Gift from Gifts In Action

ECJ — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:11:51 +0000

Click to see the many benefits of giving a charitable gift from Gifts In Action

Maybe you’ve been racking your brain trying to come up with the ideal gift from someone who seems to have it all. Well, now you can give a unique gift that will help someone who doesn’t have that much — and simultaneously warm the heart and even inspire that person who doesn’t really need much in the way of material possessions. A charitable gift from Gifts In Action changes lives and spreads a message of hope, empowerment, and greater community.

And — perfect for you, the procrastinator — you can still get it to your recipient in time for Christmas!

Click here to get details about how Gifts In Action works and choose the charity gift that appeals to you (and your recipient) and fits your budget

Gifts In Action is a charity gift-giving organization based in the UK. The Gifts In Action program is the brainchild of ActionAid, a non-profit organization that has been working since 1972 to end poverty and injustice in the world. Now with programs in 40 countries, ActionAid — and Gifts In Action — attack the problem of poverty at the root, providing programs that help people become self-sustaining and financially independent. It’s not just charity — it’s creative assistance that makes a real difference in the lives of those it helps. The folks at Gifts In Action work to provide long-term solutions.

How Gifts In Action Works

You give the gift of supporting a project somewhere in the world in the name of someone else. The person in whose name you give the gift receives a personalized card from you — either a paper card that you can have sent to them (or have it sent to you to give to them personally), or an e-Card that Gifts In Action will email directly to your gift recipient. They will receive the details of how the gift you’ve given in their name is helping someone in the world address problems experienced by their family, their community, or their country.

Do you know someone who is passionate about education? Give a gift in their name that helps ActionAid train volunteer teachers to teach rural students in Cambodia — thus spreading the benefits of education and economic advancement. Similarly, a gift to Gifts In Action of £20 will provide school books for a child in Haiti for an entire year.

You simply choose which gift program appeals to you and match it to the donation amount that fits your budget

Do you know an environmentalist? Maybe they would like a gift of helping rural Vietnamese children plant 400 trees — teaching the kids about the value of preserving the environment, while simultaneously helping them rid themselves of disease problems caused by mosquitoes and flies.

Do you know someone who extols the virtues of entrepreneurship and financial independence? Maybe that person would appreciate the gift of helping to support a chicken-breeding program in Malawi. A donation of only £10 helps rural women buy broods of chicks. The eggs the chickens produce helps feed their families and can be sold at local markets to support themselves financially.

There are many categories of gifts from Gifts In Action — projects and initiatives that should interest just about any gift recipient you have — from energy-saving stoves for women in Uganda to river ambulances for people without access to good roads in Bangladesh. All of the charity gifts from Gifts In Action are reasonably priced and are used efficiently on long-term projects that can help entire communities.

And right now, you can get £1 off when you buy two or more Gifts In Action and use voucher code GIAAFF on the checkout page. When you use this voucher, Bluefrog Ltd. (the corporate partner of Gifts In Action), will pay £1 (one British pound) of your gift for you. Just choose two or more gifts and enter code GIAAFF on the checkout page.

If you use the e-Card option on the Gifts In Action site, you can still get the gift to your recipient in time for Christmas (sorry, but the deadline for paper cards to arrive by Christmas has passed). Do something good for your fellow human beings around the world, please and inspire your gift recipient, feel better that you’re making a difference, and meet the Christmas deadline… What could be better? It’s a win-win-win-win.

I imagine your gift recipient will never have received a gift quite like the one you give them from Gifts In Action. See the video below to get up close and personal about what they do:

What Better Gift for a Tim Tebow Fan than a Signed Tim Tebow Jersey?

ECJ — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 01:22:19 +0000

Click here to get an authentic signed Tim Tebow Denver Broncos Jersey from Sports Memorabilia

Whether you enjoy the way Tim Tebow plays football, appreciate his clean-cut image, or even admire his devotion to his faith, one thing is for sure: if you’re a Tim Tebow fan, there could be nothing more fun to get than a signed Tim Tebow Denver Broncos jersey. And if you’re shopping for a Tim Tebow fan, what better gift to give him or her?

A signed Tim Tebow jersey might be the hottest sports memorabilia item in the world right now. And you can get a Denver Broncos Tim Tebow jersey autographed by Tim from Sports Memorabilia by clicking here.

If you want a jersey signed by Tim Tebow, don’t wait, because these mementos of the Tim Tebow saga are going fast. As you might imagine.

Tim Tebow and the Broncos versus the Patriots tomorrow

Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos are slated to play the New England Patriots tomorrow in a game that has implications not only for the upcoming NFL playoffs, but for the ever-expanding scope of “Tebowmania.” (And if you want to attend, there are still tickets for this game available from TicketNetwork.)

Since taking over as the starting quarterback for the Broncos, Tebow has played a big part in engineering a 7-1 record, which has enabled the Broncos to climb atop the AFC West standings. This winning record has included miraculous comeback wins against the Chargers and Bears, due in no small part to Tebow’s uncanny knack for raising his performance in the fourth quarter.

It must be added, though, that it’s been far from a Tebow-only show. The team has come together in a big way, and stand-out performers such as kicker Matt Prater and pass-rushers Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil are also driving the winning momentum. But many of Tebow’s teammates credit his will to win and ability to lead for helping keep the Broncos’ confidence high — an attitude that leads to resilience and a will to work together even as the team falls behind (which they’ve done a lot). The Broncos are almost making a Russian-roulette-style habit of fourth-quarter comebacks.

Even if the Broncos lose to New England, they are very likely to make the playoffs, since they face only Kansas City and Buffalo in the remaining two games of the season. How will Tim Tebow add to his legend when the Broncos appear in the playoffs for the first time since 2005?

It remains to be seen, obviously, and it should be entertaining. But first there’s a significant game tomorrow that may be the most anticipated game of this NFL season — and all because Tebow’s fame has become a world-wide phenomenon. People like a winner. They like unusual characters. They like athletes who defy the odds to win. And for those reasons and more, they like Tim Tebow. (All except certain former NFL quarterbacks who just can’t seem to stop criticizing his play — and, you know, they might think about easing up on him; he’s getting better every week).

If you want a signed Tim Tebow Jersey for yourself, or to give as a gift, no time like the present…

You can get an authentic signed jersey with Tim Tebow’s autograph now and become a driver aboard the Tim Tebow bandwagon — or you can lose out on the opportunity because these pieces of sports lore are going fast. Get the jersey and either keep it to enjoy one of your favorite players, hope that it appreciates as an investment as Tebow’s career unfolds, or give it as an amazing gift to a Tim Tebow fan.

This hand-signed, blue custom Denver Broncos number 15 Tim Tebow jersey is available right now from Sports Memorabilia — a trusted online purveyor of sports memorabilia and collectibles for 10 years, with a track record of reliable customer service in supplying the merchandise that rabid sports fans crave. Click here to see Sports Memorabilia’s 100% guarantee of authenticity that applies to every piece of sports memorabilia they sell — a guarantee that means you can be confident that the signed Tim Tebow jersey you’re getting is authentic.

In other words, it’s guaranteed to carry the signature of the “Mile High Messiah” himself.

So, enjoy either getting or giving the Tim Tebow autographed Denver Broncos jersey this holiday season.

PS: If you want a piece of sports memorabilia from earlier in Tim Tebow’s career, you can also get a signed jersey from his Heisman-winning days as a player at the University of Florida — a college career than saw him lead the Gators to two national championships.

Also, Super Bowl XLVI deal at Sports Memorabilia…

Right now you can get $4.99 flat rate shipping on all Super Bowl XLVI orders over $50 at Sports Memorabilia (shop now; offer ends soon).

In addition, get 10% off orders over $75 at SportsMemorabilia.com by using code AFFX10 (ends March 31). Get the Tim Tebow jersey or any other piece of sports memorabilia you want and get it for less! Enter code AFFX10 at checkout.

Take Advantage of the 72-Hour Sale at Moosejaw to Get the Outdoor Gear You’ve Been Waiting For

ECJ — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 21:25:22 +0000

Click to get The North Face Surge Backpack on sale during the Moosejaw 72-hour sale -- and get free 2-Day shipping using code TWODAY.

Moosejaw is currently having an excellent sale on many categories of outdoor, adventure, camping, hiking, ski, snowboard, travel, and sports equipment for men (and women). This sale is only happening for 72 hours. Plus, during the sale, you’ll get free 2-Day shipping on all purchases (not just sale items). It’s a good time to shop for that outdoor gear you’ve been waiting for!

(Funny, it’s just about a week until Christmas. Do you think Moosejaw noticed? Do you think Moosejaw thinks men are shopping this weekend?)

=> Click here to shop the Moosejaw 72-hour sale now. And get FREE 2-Day shipping on any order when you use code TWODAY at checkout

Maybe you’ve been waiting to get a Hyllus Jacket from Arc’teryx — Moosejaw has certain sizes and colors on sale. Or a men’s Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket.

Or a Surge Backpack from The North Face (click here to see it, or on the photo above) — customers tend to rave about this pack.

Or a Yakima Raptor Bike Mount.

Or Smith sunglasses.

This is a BIG sale (that’s why there’s an end to it). Moosejaw is offering a lot of the best stuff for good prices for 72 hours and you should shop now to take advantage of it. Stock up on the things you’ll need for winter — and don’t forget spring and summer, which, you know, come after winter. For example, how about Bridgedale Men’s Bamboo Hiker Socks?

Take a look at the extensive customer reviews for many products on the Moosejaw site to help hone your gear selections. And even if the 72-hour sale is over, click here to see current promotions at Moosejaw — they’re always offering something.

Here’s a good one during the current sale: Sorel Men’s Caribou Boots. These are some of the better winter boots you can wear. (They have the Sorel Women’s Caribou Boot on sale, too, because, you know, women like to keep their feet warm and dry in the winter, too. If you’re interested in more about winter boots, you can click here to see my post reviewing some of the best winter boots.)

Even if you don’t find an item on sale, you can still get FREE 2-Day shipping on any purchase using code TWODAY.

Free 2-Day shipping itself is a good deal because when you order online you often don’t have to pay sales tax and, when you don’t have to pay for shipping either, it’s like getting the product for a discount anyway. Better than shopping at the mall, man.

Don’t wait to take advantage of this sale, because colors and available sizes are going fast. Moosejaw knows what they’re doing. I wouldn’t recommend them otherwise.

Are You Inspired By John’s Win on Biggest Loser to Become a Big Loser Yourself?

ECJ — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:01:55 +0000

Click here for help to DIY

Nearly 8 million viewers tuned in last night to see who would win Biggest Loser, Season 12. It had come down to three guys — Ramon Madeiros, Antone Davis, and John Rhode. Between the three of them, they had lost a total of 576 pounds. John Rhode, a determined, focused contestant, crushed the final weigh-in, having lost an impressive 220 pounds, and took the title and the $250,000 prize. (Along the way, he had also set the record for the contestant to lose 100 pounds in the shortest time.)

But Antone Davis and Ramon Madeiros acquitted themselves well, too, so there was really no “loser.” (Anna Kournikova, one of the trainers, said Ramon was “Hot”!)

Actually, all the men on Season 12 “Battle of the Ages” achieved remarkable success with their fitness, health, and weight-loss goals. Vinny Hickerson came within 3 pounds of winning the “At Home” contest for previously eliminated contestants (he had started out weighing 426 pounds), and looked totally transformed, sporting an air of fitness and confidence, as did Patrick Ferrari.

61-year-old contestant Johnny Forger, who last night could not stop doffing the straw boater he’s taken to wearing, looked great and said “I’m 66, I feel 40!”

And, lest we forget, Ramon had to win the marathon to come back and make the final three. It was a dramatic and, for the contestants, fulfilling season.

Even more remarkably, Dr. Rob Huizenga, the doctor for The Biggest Loser, reported that the fatty liver disease of the final three contestants had seen exceptional improvement — a reduction in the size of the liver of up to 2 inches was observed — and that two of them (John and Ramon) had beaten diabetes, a medically rare outcome that no drug (as Dr. Huizenga said) could bring about.

Here’s a video of the winning moment from the live Finale:

If You’re Feeling Inspired, the Biggest Loser’s Club Can Help You Reach Your Own Weight-Loss and Fitness Goals

If you’ve been watching The Biggest Loser and have been inspired to pursue your own health and weight-loss goals, did you know that The Biggest Loser’s Club is available to help? The Biggest Loser’s Club is a comprehensive online weight-loss program that gives you access to the Biggest Loser diet and fitness approach used by the contestants on the show, which has been proven to work by many successful contestants. The program can be tailored to fit your personal goals and lifestyle.

As a member of The Biggest Loser’s Club, you’ll get help tackling the daily challenges of eating and exercise; access to thousands of Biggest Loser recipes, meal preparation tips, and exercise demo’s (which are also all available on your mobile device); goals tailored to fit your height and weight; and the chance to interact with a community of others and communicate with experts to support your weight-loss program.

You don’t have to be on the show to lose weight. If Vinny and Ramon can do it at home, so can you! All you have to do is get started…

Check some of the online “Success Stories” from The Biggest Loser’s Club here.

Right now, The Biggest Loser’s Club is offering a good deal to help you get started: join today at a special Introductory price and get 3 free books (The Biggest Loser Book, Biggest Loser Family Cookbook, and Biggest Loser Fitness Program)!

The Biggest Loser’s Club is run by Rodale, the publishing and media company that, for over 80 years, has been committed to helping people achieve better health, well-being, longevity, and fitness. (Among other things, Rodale started the organic gardening movement in America.)

If you’re overweight, there’s no time like the present to not only “save” your life but to dramatically improve it! If you’re inspired by the success stories you see on The Biggest Loser, take advantage of that inspiration to begin now to look better, feel better, and get more out of life.

Consider letting The Biggest Loser’s Club help you achieve your health, weight-loss, and fitness goals. Take a look at their site and program by clicking here.

One final observation… If you watched the show, you noticed the new confidence and satisfaction expressed by the successful contestants. They exuded well-being as they stood on the stage. Ramon in particular was a “new man” — happier, healthier, more vigorous, more sure of himself.

If you’re overweight, it is within your power to make the same transformation. If you’re not overweight, but there are things in your life that are troubling you, why not make the same type of effort that The Biggest Loser contestants make to change it, to transform it to something better?

After all, Ramon, John, Vinny, and the rest were ecstatic about achieving a goal that many take for granted — being at a healthy weight and not dealing with pressing health concerns. So, if you’re slim, why can’t you be just as happy as Antone, Jennifer, or Johnny? If you’re at a good weight, but not feeling great, the only difference between you and them is that they have a new-found appreciation for themselves and what they can accomplish. How they feel about themselves has been improved a thousand-fold.

And that’s the bottom line: to be happy, you must feel good about yourself.

Just do what it takes to start making that journey.

An Easy Place to Find Gifts for Guys Is at “Presents For Men”

ECJ — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:13:17 +0000

Are you trying to find a gift for a man who’s hard to shop for? When it comes to shopping for gifts for guys, you will certainly be able to find something suitable at Presents For Men — the UK men’s store online that features 2,000 gifts, tech gadgets, and manly accessories for men, travelers — even women. But mostly for men. Presents For Men has gathered some of the most interesting, unusual, useful, and fun gifts in one convenient place.

If you can’t find a present for a man at PresentsForMen.co.uk, then you are not online. That is a prerequisite — you must be able to get on the Internet. Presents for Men will take it from there. (Even better, see below for a special, secret deal.)

Fun Gifts for Men

Click to get a Camera Lens Cup from Presents For Men

For example, at Presents For Men, you can find a Camera Lens Cup — a mug that looks just like a camera lens, and includes a removable lens cap that doubles as a coaster. How many male photographers do you know who would enjoy a cup that looks like a lens? All of them! (If they don’t, they have no sense of humor or whimsy, so why are you hanging out with them?)

This lens looks and feels like a real lens and is insulated to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold.

Hey, photographers get thirsty, too.

Puzzles and Games

Do you know a guy who likes to solve puzzles? Does he enjoy the challenges of things like Rubik’s Cube and Sudoku? Then what better gift to get him than a Sudokube — a 3-dimensional Sudoku game where the object is to get the numbers 1 to 9 on each face of the cube by rotating the different rows.

Click to get the Sudokube for a puzzle-solving guy

Get him a Sudokube and he will probably miss his next flight because he will be too absorbed in enjoying his new puzzle and won’t hear the boarding announcement in the terminal. He will blame you. But it will not be your fault.

Anyway, he will forget all about it after he boards the next flight out and continues to play on the plane. And the Sudokube is just £3.99! (Multiply that by 1.6 to get approximate US dollars.)

Travel Gifts

You don’t want your traveler guy getting lost, so a handy tech-related gift you can get him at Presents For Men is a Universal GPS Nav-Pack. This ingenious travel case will hold and protect his portable GPS device — and, when he wants to use it, he can set it up on the dashboard of his car so he can easily read the screen.

Get a Universal GPS Nav-Pack for your techy traveler

No more fumbling with or holding the GPS device when driving. Instead, the Universal GPS Nav-Pack will position the screen of the GPS at 3 different angles, depending on preference. And the case will not slide off the dashboard because it has a weighted base. It will hold most standard portable GPS devices 3½” and 5″ in size. The case is padded to protect his unit.

See the video below that explains the uses of the Universal GPS Nav-Pack.

You can also explore their travel-related gift store at Travel Paraphernalia for even more gift ideas related to travel.

Brilliant! Click here to get the Universal GPS Nav-Pack from Presents For Men.

I could go on listing dozens of cool, unusual gift ideas for men that are available at Presents For Men, but where would be the fun in that for you? I think you get the idea.

It will be much more fun for you to explore the site yourself and find just the right present for that man who’s hard to buy for. (You know the one I mean.) Plus, see the text link below for a special Christmas deal!

Just for your holiday-shopping ease… Click here to go to a “Secret Christmas Gift Ideas” page at Presents For Men and get 50% off everything you see there by using code SECRET50 at checkout. This is a special code that is not generally available!

The Presents For Men website has guides to Best-Selling Christmas Gifts, the latest fun products (see “New Products”), and Stocking Fillers.

Presents For Men even has an interactive “Gift Finder” that helps you find just the right present for your guy (or gal). You input the recipient (man, teen, grandparent, etc.), the price range, and an area of interest — Presents For Men then suggests many different gift ideas suitable for that person. What could be easier? You can do all this while wearing your pajamas.

They have gifts in the categories of Home, Garden, Travel, Gadgets, Fun & Games, Health & Beauty, Books, and more. They even have Clearance items on sale for ridiculously small amounts of money, so you can shop economically there, too. (If you’re shopping from the US, shipping to American addresses is not terribly expensive — starts around $18).

The Presents for Men site is laid out intelligently and is easy to navigate. It has a search function and will let you know whether items are in stock or not.

The Presents For Men company has been in business for 22 years. They have built their success on word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat orders, so you can shop there with confidence. Presents For Men pride themselves on their customer service and providing quality, practicality, and value when it comes to shopping for a gift.

Try ‘em! Solve all your challenging gift-shopping problems now!

Vasque Mindbender GTX Trail Running Shoes Are Like SUVs for Your Feet

ECJ — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:49:49 +0000

Click here to get top-rated Vasque Mindbender GTX Trail Running Shoes from Big Sky Country

The best trail running shoes are a combination of toughness, versatility, comfort, protection, and traction. When it comes to these criteria, the waterproof Mindbender GTX Trail Running Shoes from Vasque are superior. This review will tell you why, if you’re into trail running, you should seriously consider these advanced foot tools from Vasque.

These shoes are for serious trail runners — someone who runs trails consistently in all seasons (especially winter) and wants to have a good experience every time, rain or shine (especially rain… and snow… and mud).

If you’re running the Western States 100 — or you want to run it — then the Vasque Mindbender GTX trail running shoes are some of the best friends your pedal extremities can have. The same goes for winter trail running.

When I say that the Vasque Mindbender GTX Trail Running Shoes are like sport utility vehicles for your feet, I mean that, like a sport utility vehicle, they will handle a wide variety of conditions and performance demands.

Running is challenging for the body — it stresses the feet, legs, joints, and cardiovascular system. Trail running adds the further challenge of dealing with rocks, roots, gravel, mud, slush, rain, thorny plants, ice, cold, wind, snow, heat, and hills. Therefore, trail running shoes must be built to adapt to all those conditions, protect your feet, cushion your stride, help keep your footing, and hold up over time. (It wouldn’t do to have a trail running shoe that was good for a couple hundred miles and then fell apart.)

Click here to see and purchase the Vasque Mindbender GTX Trail Running Shoe at Big Sky Country.

As a company, Vasque knows how to make the best trail running shoes

When it comes to shoes and boots, we all learn from experience that there are brands of footwear that we can count on to perform reliably. For me, I’d say the two shoe brands I’ve found I can trust the most are Merrell and Vasque. No product — shoe or boot — that I have bought from either of these companies has ever disappointed me. In fact, they’ve exceeded expectations.

So I am confident in recommending the Vasque Mindbender GTX Trail Running Shoes to you and figure that you’re 95 percent likely to be pleased with them. But don’t just take my word for it. Here are other reviews of this shoe…

Vasque Mindbender GTX Trail Running Shoe Reviews

Click to get the Vasque Mindbender GTX at Moosejaw -- they have a good selection of sizes

The testers at Outside magazine winnowed all the trail running shoes on the market down to 4 models that they recommend for winter running this year. The Vasque Mindbender GTX is one of their top-rated shoes. Their thumbnail description of the shoe is: “A waterproof beast for technical trails.” (And by “technical,” they mean steep, narrow, and rough.)

They said that the sturdy toe bumper and armored upper of the Mindbender GTX “brushed off softball-sized rocks.” They praised the Gore-Tex liner’s water-proofness and said that the lugged sole gripped better than expected on both gravel and mud. The only two caveats they offered were not to expect this shoe to perform like a fast trainer when running on easier surfaces, such as roads (and I will second that evaluation); it’s built to take punishment and protect your feet, so naturally it’s a bit heftier than your everyday training flat. And narrow-footed testers tended to find the fit a bit “sloshy,” so if you have narrow feet, you may have to tighten them a lot, or consider another model. (If you have narrow feet, take a look at the La Sportiva Crosslite 2.0 Trail Running Shoe, another top choice by Outside. Read the customer reviews at Zappos at the preceding text link.)

Outside also noted that the Mindbender GTX is “tough enough for long mountain hauls and hefty enough to double as your light-hiking shoe.” These waterproof shoes are especially good for winter running.

Krissy Moehl, a professional ultrarunner who was chosen by Ultrarunning Magazine as the 3rd-ranked female Ultrarunner of the Year in 2009, has worn the Mindbender to race both the Western States 100 (where she placed 2nd) and the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (where she set the women’s course record).

In her review of the Vasque Mindbender, Krissy wrote:

“I love to be a tester for new products, and and love when everything works from the first time you slip them on. I knew when I ran a 15 mile road/trail run in these blue [Mindbender] beauties right out of the box that they would be my shoe for Western [States]. Start to finish in the crazy heat and through the river I never touched the laces till well after the finish. Eight weeks later, in a brand new pair, I toed the line for Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc and thankfully didn’t have to worry about my feet for the next 25 hours. Give them a try.”

Another indication that the Vasque Mindbender GTX are some of the best trail-running shoes is that they were selected by the editors of Outside China magazine as their 2011 “Gear of the Year.”

The shoe reviewers at Liberty Sports magazine stated: “Rarely are shoe manufacturers able to find the right balance of stiffness and protection, but Vasque has done it with the Mindbender GTX.”

Several Mindbender GTX reviews noted that the shoe feels and performs like a lighter shoe when out on the trail. (This is something I have noticed in my own experience with Vasque trail running shoes.)

Here’s a video review of the Vasque Mindbender GTX by Kevin Fonger of ActiveGearReview.com:

Spec’s and Design of the Vasque Mindbender GTX

Vasque builds the shoe on the “Perpetuum” last, which helps flat-footed runners due to its straight shape — the foot lies naturally in the footbed, thus minimizing pressure points and rubbing. The outsole, based on Vasque’s Blur model, combines a cushioned, supportive upper with lugs on the sole made of a slip-resistant compound for secure traction on rocky terrain and uneven surfaces. The Mindbender GTX has a broad toebox, which allows toes to spread as needed during forefoot impact and long periods of running. The shoe has an Extended Comfort Gore-Tex liner that provides waterproof, breathable protection for your feet. It keeps feet dry while allowing perspiration to escape. This is an important factor to get right in any waterproof trail-running shoe.

Click here to find Vasque Mindbender GTX Trail Running Shoes on sale right now for a good price at Backcountry.com. Don’t wait to take advantage of this sale because inventory is going fast.

My Evaluation of Vasque Trail Running Shoes

I have used an earlier incarnation of this Vasque trail-running shoe and been amazed by its durability and comfort. I have had the shoes for 4 years and use them to run on Colorado’s punishing mountain trails. I also use the shoe as a fall and winter running shoe in general. Many times I’ve gone out for a run in the snow or rain. The Gore-Tex-lined shoes have kept my feet warm and dry in all conditions, even when the rest of me ended up soaked and bedraggled. I have run with these shoes at 3 below zero and 95 degrees Fahrenheit and they handled both temperatures comfortably. I also use them to run on icy streets and sidewalks in the winter and have found them to be stable, with good traction (though you always have to watch your step on ice). (For trail running shoes with excellent grip on slippery surfaces, check the previously-mentioned La Sportiva Crosslite 2.0.)

In addition (and as Outside noted), I frequently use these shoes for day hiking and just everyday wear — working in the yard, running errands, etc. For the amount of use I have given them, the sole and uppers are still in excellent condition, with just the lugs of the sole wearing down at the heel — and this after 4 years of hard use.

If you’re shopping for excellent, heavy-duty waterproof trail-running shoes that can also double as light hiking and everyday shoes, you should seriously consider the Vasque Mindbender GTX. You will more than get your money’s worth. They really are SUVs for your feet.

Find Them at the Following Retailers…

You can find Vasque Mindbender GTX Trail Running Shoes at the following trustworthy retailers of outdoor gear online: Big Sky Country, Backcountry.com (on sale right now), Moosejaw, Paragon Sports (on sale), and DepartmentOfGoods (also for a good sale price, as this is written).

Stand Out with a Herringbone Coat

ECJ — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:52:05 +0000

An overcoat is a staple of any man’s wardrobe. In business situations or more formal social occasions, you don’t want to make do with your puffy down parka. So which topcoat will you select? Men’s overcoats are traditionally made of wool or wool-blends and there are many well-tailored examples. However, if you want to stand out from the crowd, go with a herringbone wool coat.

Click to see more views and purchase the distinctive Marc Jacobs Avalon Herringbone Coat from SSENSE

Herringbone has been a distinctive design pattern for thousands of years. Herringbone designs in masonry, wood flooring, and tile date back to Roman times. There’s something out-of-the-ordinary and eye-catching about that repeating chevron pattern, which echoes the back-swept pattern of bones in the skeleton of the herring (hence the name).

In men’s clothing, the herringbone design has been used for hundreds of years. It is difficult to sew the herringbone pattern so that it lines up evenly across the garment. For that reason, only the most skilled craftsmen and tailors have consistently used herringbone cloth (which fits in the category of twill) to make clothing.

To this day, a herringbone weave sets men’s clothing apart from other patterns. It is overwhelmingly employed in men’s clothes that are meant to signify style, high quality, and authority — that is, it is used mostly for suits and overcoats. (You will almost never find underwear or T-shirts, for example, with a true herringbone weave.)

Marc Jacobs Avalon Herringbone Coat from SSENSE

This winter, when you want to stand out from the crowd while making your way to work, or meeting your significant other (or someone you might want to be your significant other) for drinks, attending a gala or concert, or just walking your dog in the park on a chilly day while exuding an air of definite self-expression (because, bottom line, you never know who’s watching), a herringbone coat will fit the bill. Plus it will keep you warm.

You will want to wear the most well-tailored herringbone coat you can find. For that, I recommend the Marc Jacobs Avalon Herringbone Coat from Ssense (pictured above). Its coloring distinguishes it from run-of-the-mill herringbone coats — it is an intriguing combination of black, brown, and beige herringbone interspersed with orange and yellow flecks. The cloth is 70% wool, with a judicious addition of nylon and acrylic for strength, shape, warmth, and durability. It’s fully lined and made in the USA.

Earlier this year, the clothing editors at Details magazine called out herringbone as a design to employ to set yourself apart when looking for a suitable topcoat. For a herringbone overcoat, they recommended looking for one with high armholes, well-constructed shoulders (i.e., not overly boxy or shapeless), and sleeves that reveal a bit of cuff. The Avalon Herringbone Coat by Marc Jacobs meets these criteria. In addition, it is double-breasted, which makes it even more uncommon, and it comes with a belt for when you want to wrap yourself against the wind. Bottom line, it is a high-quality, uniquely-styled warm coat. Click the link or photo above to get it.

Another Herringbone Coat to Consider: the Bomber Duffle Herringbone Jacket from Paul Fredrick

Click for the Paul Fredrick Bomber Duffle Herringbone Jacket

In certain situations you don’t necessarily want to go with overly serious attire but still want to wear a more individualistic, well-styled coat — and the conditions may not call for quite as warm a coat as a full-length herringbone topcoat. In that case, go with the flattering Bomber Duffle Herringbone Jacket from Paul Fredrick (that’s it to the left).

A distinctly masculine design, it is also luxurious in execution (100% wool, fully lined), and quite stylish, with a blend of elements from the bomber jacket, the duffle coat, and the herringbone weave. Yet it is eminently practical. In slightly less formal situations, it will set you apart without “trying” too hard. Plus it will keep you warm. And the price is surprisingly reasonable.

Check the glowing customer reviews for this jacket on the Paul Fredrick site. You can get discounts and free shipping on certain purchases, too.

A Practical Herringbone Topcoat that Will Serve You for Years: Michael Kors Herringbone Long Peacoat

The Michael Kors Herringbone Long Peacoat from Zappos Couture

Last year I wrote about the practical and personal reasons every guy would want to own a peacoat. Well, the Herringbone Long Peacoat by Michael Kors is a practical blend of peacoat utility and herringbone style. Double-breasted, 70% wool, fully lined. Deep hand-warmer pockets. Covers everything that needs to be covered when you want to keep warm (and in that regard it’s a little looser in fit — and therefore easier to layer — than the Marc Jacobs Avalon Herringbone Coat). It’s long, masculine, and flowing in profile.

It’s available from Zappos Couture, so you know it’s top-quality, and you know that you’ll either be totally satisfied or you can send it back. Which also goes for Paul Fredrick and Ssense.

But of course you’ll be satisfied with your herringbone coat. You will wear it when the occasion calls for it or just whenever the hell you feel like it and, either way, it will be appropriate. Because it’s your expression.