Articles – Well Spent

Portland General Store Victory Moisturizer

April 24, 2013

Sometimes, it’s the minor victories that are the most rewarding. Catching a grape thrown from across the room in your mouth, or getting to the subway platform right when the train is pulling in, or finding a moisturizer that’s not only all-natural, but that also protects your skin from harmful UV rays. Read More »

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Portland General Store Limited Edition Dopp Kits

December 10, 2012

On the one hand, these Limited Edition Dopp Kits from Portland General Store are great gifts. Five of the co.’s best selling all-natural grooming products (in TSA carry-on compliant sizes) packed in a burly duck canvas / bridle leather bag – clearly a homerun. On the other hand, however, they’re not. Why? Read More »

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Good Giving: 50 Under $50

December 3, 2012

Welcome to the 2012 Well Spent Holiday Gift Guide. Like the 40 Under $40 guide from last year, and the 25 Under $25 guide from the year before that, the following is a collection of goods that are not only affordable and US / first-world made, but also offer some utility, and will last. Hopefully it’ll help you cross a few people off your shopping list. Here’s to a healthy and sane holiday season.

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Good Giving: 50 Under $50, Pt. 5

November 30, 2012

The fifth and final installment of the 2012 Well Spent Holiday Gift Guide.

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Being There: NorthernGRADE Chicago

October 31, 2012

Photos by Nathan Michael

Thinking back on this past Saturday’s NorthernGRADE Chicago pop-up, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude to the vendors for participating in it. Gratitude to the bloggers and publications that helped promote it. And, above all, gratitude to every person that came to be a part of it. I’ve always liked NorthernGRADE more than the other menswear events because of how laid back it is. It’s an easy place to strike up a conversation with a stranger, and actually enjoy it. And I think that carried through in Chicago. It seemed like everyone was having a pretty good time. I know I was. A few of the many people and products that made the day what it was are after the jump. Hat tip to Nathan Michael for the photos.

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Introducing: NorthernGRADE Chicago

October 10, 2012

For as long as there’s been a NorthernGRADE, I’ve been a fan of it. Launched back in 2010 by Pierrepont Hicks and J.W. Hulme, the Minnesota-based event has grown from an intimate gathering of American-made-o-philes to a full-on menswear mecca. And now, it’s coming to Chicago. I’ve had the great privilege and pleasure of working directly with PPH to co-produce the Chicago premiere of the pop-up, and if I do say so myself, it’s shaping up to be quite an event.

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Portland General Store RACER Shave Cream

June 28, 2012

If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear Portland General Store founder Lisa Brodar was some kind of sorceress. How else to explain the seemingly magical properties of her all-natural grooming products? The RACER Shave Cream, her latest so-good-it-had-to-have-been-whipped-up-by-a-wand concoction, combines aloe vera, shea butter, cocoa butter and fruit extracts, for one of the closest, smoothest and soothing-est shaves I’ve ever had (real talk). Read More »

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Portland General Store Alpine Shave Jelly

January 11, 2012

It’s hard not to use cliches when describing the all-natural Alpine Shave Jelly from Portland General Store. It soothes. It lubricates. It gives a closer, more comfortable shave. In short: it does all the things its platitude-ridden press release claims it does. And that’s why it’s been my go-to for several months now. Read More »

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Good Giving: 40 Under $40

December 3, 2011

Welcome to the 2011 Well Spent holiday gift guide. This year, I set out to gather an assortment of high-quality, low-cost goods that, though small enough to fit in a stocking, are a bit more enduring and useful than your typical stuffers. Most of the items are made in the US, and all of them are under $40 (not including shipping). Here’s to a healthy and sane holiday season. Read More »

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Good Giving: 40 Under $40, pt. 3

November 30, 2011

Welcome to the 3rd installment of the 2011 Well Spent Holiday Gift Guide. More sub-$40 goodness below. Check back this afternoon for post number 4. Read More »

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Portland General Store Hunting Camp Soap

September 1, 2011

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Portland General Store. From the efficacy of their products, to the quality of their ingredients, to the handsomeness of their branding – there’s simply no other all-natural toiletry company operating on the same level. Their newly released Hunting Camp Soap is made from ground pumice, sandalwood powder, frankincense powder, spikenard powder, activated charcoal and various moisturizing natural oils. Read More »

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Post Riposte: Toiletries

August 10, 2011

Reader Benjamin recently wrote:

“I’ve been reading a lot lately about all the cancer causing ingredients in men’s toiletries and have decided to go all-natural. Any brands or products I should check out?”

Hey Benjamin, thanks for getting in touch. Between the petrochemicals, artificial colors / fragrances / preservatives and various other man-made nasties found in most commercial grooming products, all-natural is definitely a good way to go. Below are some of my personal favorites, all of which I use on a regular basis.

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