Articles – Well Spent

West Coast Shaving Wet Shave Set Giveaway

May 10, 2013

This might be more about me than you care to know, but I have extremely sensitive skin. Consequently, I’ve spent much of my life hating shaving, as it’s always left me irritated and dried out. That’s why I made the switch to wet shaving several years ago (that wet shaving also saves me money and reduces waste are added bonuses). Read More »

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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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Juniper Ridge Cabin Sprays

April 15, 2013

Cost to get to Big Sur from Chicago: around $400. Cost to bring Big Sur to Chicago: $65. In those terms, these new Cabin Sprays from Juniper Ridge are a clear bargain. Made using sustainably harvested ingredients from in and around California’s Big Sur region, each spray is like a trip in a bottle, only without the carry-on limit. Read More »

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The Machus Fragrance by Machus

February 21, 2013

Fun story: back in the ’80s, Justin Machus’ father had a menswear boutique with its own signature cologne. 30 years later, Justin opened a boutique himself, and, with help from the Portland based perfumery Imaginary Authors, recreated his father’s scent. Read More »

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Seven Questions: Juniper Ridge

February 13, 2013

I love Juniper Ridge. Like, almost to the point of obsession. My use of their products is so profuse, that at any given moment, you’re guaranteed to smell at least one of their fragrances wafting through the air in my home, though usually it’s more like two or three. I’ve simply never come across another brand that does what they do as well. The company’s incenses, soaps and room fresheners – all of which are made using sustainable ingredients from in and around the Pacific Northwest – capture the essences of those areas with such accuracy, that they’re basically the next best thing to being there.

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Juniper Ridge Trail Crew Soaps

January 24, 2013

True story: the first time I used one of the Trail Crew Soaps from Juniper Ridge, I literally started shouting expletives, because it smelled so good. Made from a mix of saponified organic oils and wildharvested fragrances, the all-natural soaps not only clean your skin, they leave it smelling fan-fucking-tastic (there I go again). 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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Good Giving: 50 Under $50, Pt. 1

November 26, 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. I’ll be posting 10 products a day for the next five days, so keep checking back. Here’s to a healthy and sane holiday season. 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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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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Owen & Fred Father’s Day Gift Guide

May 30, 2012

As I’m sure you already know, Father’s Day is rapidly approaching. And, since we’re all well past the age of giving dear old dad a clay handprint or tie from his own closet, the pressure is on to find a gift. With that in mind, I’ve asked Mike Arnot, one of the founders of the hardwearing yet affordable accessories e-tailer Owen & Fred, to round-up some of his favorite items for a Father’s Day Gift Guide. Not only did Mike put together a hell of a list (seriously, some of the stuff is so nice it almost makes me want to be a dad just so I can receive it), he’s also very generously decided to offer a free $10 O&F gift card on all orders over $50 that use code THANKYOUWELLSPENT (more like thank you Mike). Check out Mike’s picks after the jump.

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Juniper Ridge Backpacker’s Cologne

May 15, 2012

And now some exciting nose news. The nature-philes at California’s Juniper Ridge have just added a small range of limited edition men’s fragrances to their online store. Dubbed the “Backpacker’s Colognes,” the scents are wildcrafted entirely from natural ingredients using a converted whiskey still (seriously). Read More »

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The Friday Find: The Sig Other x Huckberry

March 2, 2012

What’s on sale RIGHT NOW.

Everyone’s favorite female menswear blogger Marisa Zupan of The Significant Other has teamed up with the flash sale site Huckberry to bring us one of the greatest blogger curated sales I have ever seen. Her picks include: oxford and chambray shirt from Individualized at 50% off, Italian-made boots from Brooklyn Bootworks at 50% off, handcrafted bags from Skinny Vinny at 30% off, Skincare from The Motley at 30% off, and NYC-made ties from Graham Withers at 35% off. 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. 5

December 2, 2011

Welcome to part 5 of the 2011 Well Spent holiday gift guide. 40 items, low on cost, high on quality. The 6th and final post will be up this afternoon. Enjoy! Read More »

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