Baldwin=Badass Denim

Hi readers,

Let's go ahead and agree that KC company Baldwin is a badass. GQ has had their eye on them for quite a few years now and Matt Baldwin is showing how quality denim is worth the investment. GQ voted them as one of the Best New Menswear Designers in America. Some notable and famous Kansas Citians like Jason Sudeikis have been sporting his KC Baldwin hat around with his equally as famous girlfriend Olivia Wilde. I am not afraid to admit either that Baldwin's jeans are equal eye candy as their founder Matt Baldwin. 

Baldwin winning the award from GQ means this fall, style-conscious shoppers can buy both a KC hat and a KC T-shirt in Thailand, Tokyo and more than 200 other cities around the world. I joke to my husband that he will finally be able to afford a couple pair of their jeans! I know they are going to sell out like crazy so everyone better head to their local GAP store ASAP when the collection is out. I plan to buy a lot of stuff to support Baldwin but just to have high quality clothing. I will keep you posted on my blog when they start the collection and let you know what items I snatched up. I already own the limited edition Baldwin bag that came out last year and I'm excited to use it this summer. 

GQ Magazine Article:

http://www.gq.com/style/profiles/201304/best-new-menswear-designers-2013#slide=3

XOXO

JADATO

Minimalist Fashion

Hi readers,

I have to admit something..I have a shopping problem. Ok, I feel better. I have learned some weird ways to curb this shopping addiction: online shopping, filling up a cart, and then simply closing the web page. I'm sure a psychologist would say that isn't really solving the problem; I say screw you and let me self-medicate without emptying my wallet. I am trying to make the following resolutions this year: shop less, get up earlier, and shop more in my closet. I have A TON of clothing and I need to utilize my closet to show it off. I am naturally drawn to a minimalist approach to fashion lately and some could say it is a tres chic French way of dressing. Minimalist Fashion takes a lot more thought than someone just throwing on a ungodly amount of accessories to try and look pulled together. Here are a few of my favorite ways to try out minimalist dressing. Let me know what you think!

XOXO

JADATO

Make your leather clothing smell good again

Hi readers,

I am still gathering and editing a couple of my photos for upcoming blog posts so I apologize for not posting more sooner. I wanted to post something today that was tangible and something all of my readers have dealt with: leather that retains a smoke smell. I enjoy "dive bars" as much as the next person but what I don't enjoy is smelling like said bar for the next month.

My leather and pleather jackets maintain that smell and if I go to another bar it just stacks on that smell. Another place that leather/pleather seem to pick up and maintain a smell is coffee shops; I love my coffee but I don't like to smell like an espresso. I found the following article extremely informative and am excited to try it out on my jacket. At work today I had to quarantine said jacket from my work area because I was starting to feel like Joan Jett but in the like "I don't shower because I am badass." I am sure all my clothing underneath my jacket will appreciate smelling like clean laundry detergent rather than my grandpa's ashtray. Enjoy.

General Odors

1. 1
   Place your leather out to dry outside for 24 hours, weather permitting. Hang it on a clothesline or on a hanger from an eave. Moisture from sweat or the elements can easily soak into the leather pores and lining, causing mildew, which is very difficult to remove.
   • Check the weather report before placing the leather outside. Rain can permanently damage the leather; however, 8 hours in the sun's UV rays can help to remove odor-causing bacteria.
   • If you are trying to remove a smell from a leather couch, try opening the windows and placing a rotating fan near the object to air it out.
2. 2
   Brush the leather thoroughly to remove build up. Use a soft nylon brush on suede and sturdier leather. Use a soft cloth to wipe down more delicate items.
3. 3
   Wipe the leather with a soft cloth dipped in professionally formulated leather cleaner. Professionally made leather cleaners can be found online, in leather stores or in some supermarkets. They are preferable to other cleaners because they do not need to be rinsed, and they can help condition the leather.
   • Do not use saddle soap on your garment, because it needs to be rinsed. The addition of a water rinse can lead to dryness and cracking.
   • All leather cleaners are not the same. For example, suede and regular leather formulas are very different.
   • Wipe all excess leather cleaner off the surface. Follow the bottle's instructions regarding reapplication. Leather cleaner can remove smells, but should also be applied occasionally to condition and preserve leather.
4. 4
   Surround the leather in a layer of newspaper, after you clean it. It can help to soak up smells and moisture from the leather. Leave it wrapped in newspaper for 2 days.
   • Storing a leather garment with newspaper can help to remove some of the smell of newly tanned leather.
5. 5
   Mix a solution of 5 parts water and 1 part distilled white vinegar. Pour it into a spray bottle. Mist the surface of the leather gently, making it slightly moist, and air dry it outside.
   • Spot clean odiferous stains with a solution of 1 part vinegar to 1 part water. Dip a cloth in the solution and squeeze it to remove excess moisture. Rub the cloth in 1 direction, following the grain of the leather.
6. 6
   Place smaller leather items in a cardboard box and cover the surface generously with baking soda. Make sure the garment is dry before treating it with baking soda. Leave the baking soda on the surface of the item for 5 days, then take it outside and shake off excess soda.
   • Use a soft nylon brush to remove any baking soda build up.
   • Place leather sandals in a plastic bag and pour 1/2 to 1 cup (103 to 206 g) baking soda inside. Seal the bag and leave it for 2 days.
7. 7
   Condition the leather with linseed oil. Pour in a few drops of essential oil to improve the smell. Wipe the surface lightly with the oil, and remove excess oil with a clean, dry cloth.
   • Do not use linseed oil on suede, as it can damage the nap, or texture, of the fabric.

Article borrowed from: Get Bad Smells out of Leather

XOXO

JADATO

Hotel Savoy-Kansas City

Happy Friday!

I went to Hotel Savoy last night for my friend's Bachelorette Party. This was one of the many places I haven't visited in Kansas City and it was really amazing seeing something so historic. However, I have to admit the hotel was a little on the creepy side and I felt like the rooms were decorated by a 90 year old lady. I had a great time going around the hotel taking pictures during the night and wouldn't mind staying there sometime. The hotel is supposed to be "haunted" but I can happily report I saw no such evidence. While visiting I can tell you that it feels very nostalgic of a different era in Kansas City and is decorated in the style of that past time. I appreciate when hotels have different article or pictures of their historic building and explain the changes that have happened to the building over time.

I found out the following about a few famous people The Hotel Savoy have welcomed into their building:

Paul Newman's character in Mr. & Mrs. Bridge ate at the Savoy, as did Warren Harding, Harry Truman, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan (many of whom liked to sit at booth #4, a quiet, cozy one). Another cool fact is that Frank Anderson designed the Art Nouveau stained glass dome for the hotel lobby. I hope you decide to go a visit the hotel after seeing a few of these photographs. The staff there is really friendly and it is something to see for yourself.

XOXO

JADATO

(All photos except for Mr. & Mrs. Bridge are taken by me)