home.scents

A home that smells good is a place people gather. Whether entertaining guests or coming home after work, a good scent makes home a better and warmer place. Choosing the right scent can be as difficult as picking the perfect cologne but these box sets allow you to experiment and find the perfect match. Available for $195 from Barneys New York, the scents from Ex Voto Paris include Patchouli Musk, Leather Vetyver, Gaiac Wood, and many more. Once you find the perfect match, invest in their larger candles or room sprays. Reminiscent of Tom Ford's masculine Private Blend series, these sets work well for men and women.

gin.tonic

A gin and tonic, or even a simple gin and soda, has always been one of my favorite drinks when relaxing at home. It's sweet yet simple to make and the ingredients are always on hand. The Wall Street Journal's "Building a Better G&T" by Kevin Sintumuang replaces simplicity with quality. While highlighting high-end gins that I look forward to tasting, I was more interested in the tonics. A gin and tonic that's not clear? Apparently the proper connoisseur buys small-batch tonic syrup to take control of the flavor. Adding one ounce to soda water, you decide which natural flavors perfect your drink and adjust intensity to taste. I'm told a gin and tonic is hardly masculine but natural brown coloring might help its image problem.

This isn't the only article by Kevin Sintumuang that will help you upgrade your bar. Sintumuang is also a contributor at GQ and writes many articles specializing in beer ("Oktoberfest, USA") and cocktails ("The 25 Best Cocktail Bars in America"). Check out the latter article for great suggestions in SF or simply Google his name to find more great advice.

[caption id="attachment_3088" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Leopold's Gin | 80 Proof | $40"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3089" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Tonic | Photo by oliviaraejames"][/caption]

 Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Tonic photo by oliviaraejames

twin.luxe

I formerly gave the Art of Shaving my exclusive patronage for all my shaving needs but I think I'm ready for a new direction. The brand has become excessively mainstream and recently opened a store front across from Union Square on Geary Street. This is in addition to their mall location hardly three blocks away. Their products are admittedly good but after loosing my razor handle and brush while moving out of school, I recognized the opportunity for a new experience.

TwinLuxe is a pricier option but it provides individuality. Their offerings are less extensive but I like the simplicity. The aesthetics of their packaging and products make TwinLuxe a great solution for shaving. The limited edition Arctic Series is my favorite but the full set will set you back $1,588.00. Featuring solid white alumina ceramic, the material is used in engine parts and ballistic armor, providing lasting durability through years of shaves.

4000.champagnes

I love good champagne but know little about the drink. Sparkling wines often do the trick but Richard Juhlin's 4,000 Champagnes would be a great way to learn the background and specific attributes that make champagne unique. With infinite resources dedicated to wine, it's about time champagne receive some spotlight. The "supreme guide" was found on The Fancy and available for $55 through Google's marketplace.

hot.tub

A jacuzzi is a symbol of sheer relaxation but the Vasche Thais-Art also embodies great taste wrapped in modern design. The beautiful tub, designed by BluBleu and found on The Fancy, measures seven feet wide with placements for four people. Featuring cushions and wood veneers, the stylish hot tub works for the indoors and out.

black.sheep

Deakin & Francis offer a wide range of cufflinks through Barneys but the Black Sheep Cufflinks are my favorite. Self-described as "the world's finest collection of cufflinks for exclusive supply to retail outlets", Deakin & Francis have a range of offerings including bespoke services. The cufflinks below are fun and playful but the whopping $450 price tag is a little rough on the wallet.

door.light

I try to tend away from concept designs but the LEDoorHandle on Yanko Design is too practical and aesthetic to pass over. Designed by Kun-hee Kim, Kei Shimizu & Nguyen-vu Dang, the handle triples in function as a night light and LED flashlight. Yanko features more images detailing the different parts and overall simplicity of this great door accessory on their website.