Bravado Living

Smoking cigars has been a masculine past time since the dawn of tabacco. There’s something to be said about puffing on a high quality stogey, maybe while you sip some good whiskey on ice, and just letting the stress flow out of your body like smoke. Cigars are synonymous with class and refinement, a symbol of a man’s right to luxury. Dalvey produces great products for men and this solo cigar ashtray is a great example of the quality they put into their goods.

This great twist on the classic cigar ashtray is great. It’s size makes it perfect for taking on the go, making it easier to enjoy a cigar no matter where you might happen to be.  The high shine polish makes it a simple and beautiful piece.  The shape of the ash tray lets you put down the cigar and not have to worry about getting a run, instead you get a nice long, even burn. This is a great little knick-knack made even better by its functionality.

BUY IT Solo Cigar Ashtray by Dalvey $60.93

Popularity: 11% [?]

I think every man should have a couple hats lying around for different occasions. Hats are great for casual everyday wear and can usually be paired up with a long list of different accessories, which really helps stretch out your wardrobe. I really enjoy this Duckbill Driver’s Cap by the Goorin Brothers. It’s an olive brown plaid that is demure, but still playful. The hat is a pieced-fabric hat and is made out of a comfortable and durable polyester/rayon blend. It also has an internal elastic band, which gives it a comfortably snug fit.This is the type of hat that lends itself well to a variety of places and situations. This is a great hat for wearing to outdoor excursions like a game of golf, out on the boat, or at the dog track. The neutral colors of the plaid design will help you mesh the hat well with different colors and designs. The short bill of the cap gives it a smart look, like a cockney chimney sweep who studied 18th century literature.

BUY IT Goorin Brothers Duckbill Driver’s Cap $30.00

Popularity: 6% [?]

There are three things I demand when searching a watch suited for formal affairs.

1.) It must be black and silver.

2.) It must have a leather band (leave the Rolex at home).

3.) It must be subtle.

I saw this beautiful Audemars Piguet Millenary Piano Forte, I was willing to break the third rule. This watch is anything but subtle. Like other Millenary Watches, the Piano Forte has an offset watch face adorned with a mother of pearl piano embellishment. This automatic masterpiece features an oval case modeled after the ancient Roman Colosseum, and a case size (40x45mm) that is much more modern.

Audemars Piguet Millenary Piano Forte

Unforunately, this white gold masterpiece was only released once in 2007, and limited to 500 models. Fortunately, one is going up for auction here. They come with a matching burl wood model piano case to help show off this work of art.

Piano Forte and Case

But after seeing how good this watch looks on the wrist, and how perfect it works for Black Tie affairs, I’m almost considering pulling the trigger and getting one.

The Perfect Dress Watch

Almost. [Hat Tip]

BUY IT Audemars Piguet Millenary Paino Forte $3,000-$5,000 Estimated

Popularity: 17% [?]

Most guys, when looking to purchase a grill for barbecuing, tend to focus solely on the excessively bulky stainless-steel gas grills. In this ocean of metal alloys and butane tanks, there stands an innovative product: The Big Green Egg. The BGE is a ceramic charcoal grill that is basically a modern take on an ancient clay cooker called a “kamado” and was introduced back in 1974.  It’s apparently come a long way since its inception in the 70′s, replacing the clay used in earlier models with a space age ceramic, purportedly making in nearly “indestructible under ordinary cooking conditions”. Aside from durability, the BGE is also pretty versatile, able to function as a smoker, grill, and oven.

The EGGs can also cook a surprising amount of food for it’s size. The XL EGG, pictured above, is able to cook either two 20-pound turkeys which translates into other foodstuffs as 24 hamburgers, or 11 whole chickens, or 12 steaks, or 14 racks of ribs(vertically), which makes this grill perfectly adequate for large barbecues. The temperature range is also impressive, able to reach highs of 750 degrees Fahrenheit for steakhouse style searing and lows  of 200-250 degrees Fahrenheit for low-and slow cooking. The ceramic surface itself doesn’t get as hot as metal, making it a little more safe to be around. The BGE reaches cooking temperature and is ready to use in approximately 10 minutes. The ingenious design of the EGG draws air into the lower draft door, then through the charcoal, and out of the damper top. The makers suggest using natural lump coal, which lights quickly and results in less ash, meaning less clean up. The ceramic is water-proof and doesn’t rust like a metal grill.  They come in several different sizes including XL, L, M, S, and Mini. The Mini is perfect to take tail-gating or for grilling on the beach.

So clear your weekends, reycle your steel grills, and get ready to roast animal flesh.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any licensed internet dealers for the EGG but you can find a distributor on their site.

Or you can take a chance and buy it below.

BUY IT Big Green Egg $749

Popularity: 6% [?]

A couple of years ago, you couldn’t have paid us enough to wear a velvet blazer. Today, we’re skipping meals to save up for this one. For an added level of flair to your blazer and jeans combo’s there is no better jacket then the velvet blazer. Worn with a CRISP white shirt, and a pair of dark jeans you can’t go wrong. Stick with dark purple or black without any tuxedo satin accents, rhinestones, designs, or anything else that would come out of an Ed Hardy factory. Keep it nice, clean, and simple- the velvet alone is a bit eccentric. We personally like this blazer from Ben Sherman. The rich purple lends itself as a jacket meant for nights at the club, or cigars with the boys. It’s also lined by an iridescent orange liner for a little extra when you decide to take this bad boy off.

BUY IT Ben Sherman Velvet Blazer $400

Popularity: 8% [?]