Growing up I spent many a fall Saturday delivering firewood for one of my father’s businesses. It was one of the best jobs I have ever had — my Dad still talks about how much I loved the work. Firewood season was in September, October, November, so I would only really work on the weekends because I was still in school. Most of the firewood would end up at homes on Cleveland’s affluent East side. Places like Pepper Pike, Beachwood, Shaker Heights, Waite Hill, Chagrin Falls, Orange and Russell Township. It was in these places that I mastered the art of stacking firewood and it was on those roads in which I cut my teeth driving a dump truck. I can still maneuver a truck in reverse down a curvy 200 yard driveway, loaded to the gills with firewood. Surprising that that doesn’t become more handy living in Manhattan. Anyway, people would inevitably want us to stack the wood as far away from the truck as possible. So we would hand carry a cord (About 10 pieces at a time and around 400 pieces of wood total. That would make a 4 x 4 x 8 foot stack.) or two across decks and yards and through garages. Past their Saabs and Range Rovers and Porsches, it was awesome.

All of the wood would have to be counted, twice. We would load the truck and count every piece, planning for however many deliveries we had. Many times we would have to come back to the yard and reload several times on a busy Saturday. Then, when back at the delivery spot we would have to count each piece again as we unloaded. This made it difficult to bullshit with your coworker, because you would lose count and that was a major pain in the ass. But the work was good and you were your own boss. Once the wood was all delivered you were done and it was easy to see the progress and gain a sense of accomplishment. That is the real beauty of manual labor — you have a job to do for the day and when it is done, so are you. Every fall I remember those firewood delivery days fondly.

American Heritage Leather Duffle

Canvas Briefcase

Leather Document Case in Heritage Leather

Stadium Blanket Wrap

Thermos Guard

Weekend Satchel – Medium

Portfolio – Heritage

Shave Kit

Log Carrier

Ahhh the urge to escape. It has crossed every New Yorker’s mind at least once…in the past week. The daydream of finding a little place upstate where you can live out your days watching the dogs run around the freshly mowed front yard. The Volvo doesn’t have to be moved before 9am and the neighbors all know your name, first and last. Well now you can not only have those two dogs and permanent suspension of alternate side parking, but could probably house every one of your friends while you’re at it. BDDW, a New York based furniture company, is packing up their Hudson River Valley headquarters and heading down to good ol’ Philadelphia, Pa. A move that leaves 147 acres of wooded relaxation up on the auction block. The property includes a 1500 square foot house, two gigantic stone horse barns and the aforementioned acreage. The asking price for the dream? A cool $1.9m. Having access to that clock tower alone is worth the price of admission in my mind. Bed & breakfast anyone? I already have the plans drawn up. —SEAN SULLIVAN

ACL dispatched Mister Mort to Paris to report on Anatomica, one of the city’s best men’s shops. Actually Mort was not dispatched, he went under the guise of a holiday, but we all know he just went to hit the flea markets and take street style photos. Anatomica is nestled on a quiet street right off of the famed Rue de Rivoli and sells an eclectic selection of French, Japanese and American goods, including goods under its own label.

Says Mort:

I spent the better part of my recent trip to Europe searching for the last of the world’s great men’s shops. While not ancient in time or history, Anatomica takes you to another era. The shop carries Alden shoes and also make its own collection of shoes. While there, I got fitted for a pair of navy blue German shoes and I can’t stop thinking about those Anatomica buckle back trousers!

Anatomica is also know for its love of the Alden modified last (which are also loved by the Japanese; in NYC check out Moulded Shoe on 39th Street) and are probably one of the few stores in Europe (correct me if I am wrong) to stock the modified last.

Alden Indy Boots on a modified last. Image via AAAC

Anatomica Blue Suede Alden Indy Boots with the modified last.

Alden Indy image from Ask Andy About Clothes

The third Rag & Bone store on Mercer Street is an airy space with high ceilings and a refined industrial feel. At first glance it looks like the other shops on the retail-friendly cobblestone block, but when you get in there and really look closely you will notice well thought out detailing that makes the space special. The lighting looks like something that came out of an old GM factory (or old New York workspace), the rolling racks were treated with acid to give them a nice patina and all of the furniture in the entire space was custom made for Rag & Bone. One specific piece, a massive floor to ceiling mirror framed in welded steel, serves to boggle your clothing focused mind. One other favorite detail was the Rag & Bone embossed buttons that dot the beautiful gray Chesterfield ottoman that is positioned in the rear of the store under slanted metal and glass windows, a light source that are functional hold overs from the building’s days as a dim warehouse. With the new Mercer space the Rag & Bone folks have walked a fine line between having a functional, beautiful and well branded space — something you don’t see everyday.

Rag & Bone 119 Mercer Street // New York City

More information about Epaulet’s new Brixton boot:

Beginning this very moment, we’ll release a steady stream of exclusive Alden styles. For our first edition, we’re thrilled to present the “Brixton” boot. Crafted in rich black calfskin, it’s that perfectly versatile dress boot that we’ve wanted for years. It has 9 round metal eyelets, intricate wingtip brogueing, and flat waxed laces. With its substantial last and traditionally rounded toe, these shoes are excellent as dress or casual pieces. The sturdy Double Leather sole is thick and substantial, and includes Alden’s signature steel shank and natural cork filling for comfort & stability.

Brixton is a district in South London that’s well known for its vibrant Afro-Caribbean community and multi-ethinc flavor. A center for Jamaican reggae and ska music, you could often find Brixton’s dancehalls packed with well dressed Mods and Rudeboys of all colors. Never ones to accept anything second rate, we think that these beautifully constructed wingtips would fit their mohair suits and sta-prest trousers to a tee.