Articles – Well Spent

Seven Questions: Corter Leather

January 23, 2013

Eric Heins, aka Corter Leather, is an easy guy to like. Affable, unassuming, and as down to earth as they come, he’s one of those people you just can’t help rooting for. That he’s also insanely talented doesn’t hurt either. Over the last three years, Heins – a self-taught designer, maker and company owner – has grown his one time bedroom-based business into a full-on, and highly respected, brand. And yet, despite his myriad achievements, he remains just as approachable as he ever was.

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The Friday Find: Unionmade Fall Forty Sale

January 18, 2013

What’s on sale RIGHT NOW.

I don’t want to oversell it, but the Fall Forty Sale currently underway at Unionmade might just be the greatest sale of all time. Countless brands (Gitman Vintage, New England Shirt Co., Post O’Alls, Filson, SNS Herning, Howlin’ by Morrison, Unis, The Hill-Side, Quoddy – just to name a few). Hundreds of products. And all of them 40% off. 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. 4

November 29, 2012

Part four of the 2012 Well Spent Holiday Gift Guide. Have at it.

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Good Giving: 50 Under $50, Pt. 2

November 27, 2012

Part two of the 2012 Well Spent Holiday Gift Guide. Dig in.

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BRZN Bracelets

November 8, 2012

By Nick Grant

Want to add a little bad-assery to your wrists? How about some bracelets made from paracord-wrapped wire and hollowed out bullet casings? Yeah, for real. The brand’s called BRZN, the bracelets are handmade in Chicago, and they’ll run you $49 apiece. Bad-assery indeed. Read More »

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Colorado Horsehair Braided Bracelets

October 23, 2012

By Nick Grant

According to Colorado Horsehair’s website, all of their bracelets are handmade with “natural, genuine horsehair,” which leads me to wonder: where the hell did they find a blue horse? Well, wherever this magical creature lies, its majestic mane is being put too good use. As are the manes of its multicolored brethren. Read More »

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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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Cause & Effect Tail Hospital Bracelet

October 2, 2012

By Nick Grant

If you’re embracing the mewelry trend, chances are you’ve already got a streak of peacock in you. But, the question is, just how bright are your feathers? Are you the conservative cowhide snap bracelet type? Or, would you prefer to shun mediocrity and go all sorts of cray with the handcrafted Beaver Tail (repeat: beaver tail) Hospital Bracelet from Cause & Effect? Yeah, that’s what I thought. Read More »

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Instead of Rent: August, 2012

August 8, 2012

The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month.

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Bexar Goods Co. 25% Off Sale

July 2, 2012

It’s gonna be an abbreviated week thanks to the holiday (thank you holiday). But, before I take off, I thought ya’ll might like to know about a few Independence Day themed sales that are currently underway. First up, the Texas-based bag, belt and bracelet maker Bexar Goods Co. has taken 25% off its entire online inventory. Read More »

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Chamula Bentable Bracelets

June 5, 2012

It’s starting to get warm out, and you know what that means: silly Twitter debates about whether men should wear bracelets. For those of you who vote yes, these Bentable Bracelets from Chamula are pretty sweet. They’re handcrafted in the USA out of dyed horsehair and pure sterling silver. They can be bent to fit any wrist shape. And, they look fantastic. Read More »

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The Friday Find: Archival Clothing Odds & Ends Sale

May 18, 2012

The good folks at Archival Clothing have just added a sizable selection of deeply discounted one-offs, samples and discontinued items to their online store. Included in the mix are US-made rucksacks, field bags, scarves, tees and more. Additionally, the brand is offering an extra 10% off storewide to all Well Spent readers with code WELLSPENT (can be applied to both full price and discounted products). Read More »

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N’East Illustrated, Vol. 4

April 27, 2012

Once again, the ever resplendent Christine Mitchell of N’East Style is back with a fresh batch of #menswear illustrations, and, once again, they are awesome. Click through to see the full set. Previous sets can be viewed here. Read More »

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form•function•form BFS Bracelet

April 23, 2012

Regardless of where you stand on the men in bracelets debate, there’s still plenty to appreciate about the BFS Bracelet from Florida’s form•function•form. Handcrafted from buttery Horween Natural Chromexcel, and featuring a Grade 316 stainless closure and US-made YKK snap and rivet, the BFS is, as the company puts it, “not to be handled with care.” Read More »

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The Friday Find: Corter Leather Weekend Flash Sale

March 9, 2012

What’s on sale RIGHT NOW.

Want 20% off leather goods from Boston’s Corter Leather? Of course you do! This weekend, Corter founder, and all around awesome dude, Eric Heins is offering 20% off his entire collection of handcrafted wallets, belts, bracelets, journal covers, guitar picks, etc. to all Well Spent readers. Simply enter code WellSpent at checkout to get the discount. Read More »

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The Friday Find: 15% Off Sale at Sir & Madame

November 11, 2011

What’s on sale RIGHT NOW.

The good folks from Chicago’s Sir & Madame (you remember them from last week, right?) are knocking 15% off their entire stock from now through Sunday. Choice US-made goodies include outerwear from 3Sxiteen, boots from Red Wing, jeans from LVC, leather goods from Tanner, and of course, S&M’s own in-house line (those bags!). Enter code “15OFF” at checkout to get the discount. Read More »

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Il Bisonte Braided Leather Bracelets

August 18, 2011

Yes, $88 for a bracelet is a high. But, if you think about it in terms of cost per wear, the pricing of the Braided Leather Bracelets from Il Bisonte isn’t actually so bad. The leather is premium Italian cowhide. The buckle is made by hand. And the whole thing is lovingly – and painstakingly – put together in Italy. Add all that up and you’re looking at least a decade of use. And if you divide that into $88, that’s just over two cents a day, which I’d call a deal. Read More »

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