ACCENT PIECE

As men’s jewelry goes, cufflinks seem especially superfluous. They are absent the solemn symbolism of a wedding ring and lack the whiff of the counterculture that a man’s earring has. Despite the work they do in fastening sleeves, cufflinks, unlike, say, a wristwatch, have little practical value — the French cuff itself is but a sweet folly of fashion. And yet, here cufflinks are, thriving some three centuries after men first began looping little chains through the buttonless holes at the ends of their arms.

The options for the cufflinks wearer are absurd. Cufflinks come with hinged backs or little snaps, or they simply get pushed through the cuff. Some are silk, and some are leather. You can get cufflinks in the shape of a martini glass or a can of cola, a working slot machine or a spinning roulette wheel. Cufflinks might advertise your favorite sports team, your religion, or your political leanings. Time was, in the late 1800s, that grieving men wore a lock of their deceased loved one’s hair under glass on their cufflinks. Today no custom exerts such weight on the clasp; cufflinks merely add personality to an ensemble. One man wears gold-stud cufflinks, another wears tiny silver frogs, a third wears a pair of faux paperclips, and with these little links each man gives the world a small glimpse of who he is.

HISTORICAL LINKS
Before becoming King of England in 1936, Edward VIII once received a pair of diamond-and-platinum cufflinks from his lover Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee. Edward VIII later abdicated the throne so he could marry her; the cufflinks sold for $440,000 at auction in 1987.

INDUSTRIAL LINKS
Only the truly wealthy wore cufflinks until the 1880s, when George Krementz, a jeweler in New Jersey, built a machine based on the one that made Civil War rifle cartridges. The device enabled him to mass-produce cufflinks, which soon became prevalent accessories for U.S. businessmen.

FICTIONAL LINKS
In the 2003 whodunit The Affair of the 39 Cufflinks by James Anderson, cufflinks are found scattered about at the scene of the crime. In a more colorful genre, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are put to the test in “The Big Cufflink Caper!” when burglars stealing from high-class stores take only cufflinks.

— Kostya Kennedy

Photography by Nichola Evans/Getty Images

2008 1 SERIES BMW 128I

“Year One Of The 1” reads the inscription etched into the nickel trim of the engine start button. This concise message reminds American drivers that they can now enjoy what Europeans have had for years: the thrill of owning a 1 Series BMW (and for under $30,000).

The 128i is hardly an entry-level Bimmer. It’s powered by the same silky-smooth, high-revving 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine found in the much larger 328i coupe. A relatively long wheelbase, measuring over 8.5 feet, and an ideal 50/50 weight distribution give the car excellent stability and agility on the open road. Whether driving through mountain switchbacks or zipping through city streets, the best way to enjoy the 128i’s 230 horsepower is to equip it with BMW’s notable 6-speed manual transmission. Configured as such, the 128i sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just over 6 seconds — certainly not lightning fast, but powerful enough to pass most cars. With such a small car, one would expect superb fuel economy, but the EPA rates it at just 18/28 mpg city/highway driving.

Slide into the driver’s seat and you’ll see no frills or fancy electronic gadgets; the interior is sporty, yet practical and ergonomic. A split rear seat folds down to provide plenty of extra cargo space, but even with the seats up, you can still fit two golf bags in the 10.7-cubic-foot trunk. If you’re hauling more precious cargo, the rear seat fits two passengers and offers sufficient legroom. Another bonus is BMW’s top-notch no-cost maintenance program. This added perk makes owning this coupe an even more attractive proposition. The 128i arrives at dealerships in the U.S. this month.

— Nate Chapnick

SPECTACULAR

See and be seen in eyewear that’s hard to overlook.

Classic With a Twist
In-the-know New Yorkers have been getting their eyewear from Moscot, a Lower East Side institution, for more than 90 years. The Moscot Originals collection brings back favorites from the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s, including the Buddy Holly–esque Nebb. Even better, Moscot has just juiced the Nebb with four new colors: peacock, golden olive, cerulean, and orchid. moscot.com

Seeing Green
An eye-catching fusion of high style and earth-friendly materials, the Bamboo Eyewear Collection from Amy Sacks is just that — a selection of frames made of bamboo. Strong and resilient, with a subtle but distinctive grain, bamboo is a natural for eyewear; Amy Sacks frames can be used for reading glasses, sunglasses, and prescription lenses. amysacks.com

Second Look
Vintage eyewear dealer and craftsman Nader Zadi treats each eyeglass frame as a unique piece of art. Zadi, who works by appointment out of a studio in New York’s Upper East Side, takes old frames — all are pre-1950 in white or yellow gold — and refashions them into one-of-a-kind glasses, tailored to each customer’s taste. rareframes.com

— Liz Seymour

 

Photography by Mark Wagoner

 

BLENDED TEAS

Mix-and-match china lets you serve it up your way.

Handmade and painted by artisans in Peru, Milani Home’s boldly graphic Verona tea set proves that fair trade and high style can go hand in hand. The striking collection is designed with complementary black-and-white patterns of circles, stripes, diamonds, and flowers, along with surprise splashes of pistachio green and blue. The 48-ounce teapot is big enough for a party and pretty enough to use every day; in addition to the tea set, the Verona collection includes platters, bowls, plates, and oven-safe cookware. $60 for sugar and creamer dispensers, $90 for teapot milanihome.com

— Liz Seymour

Loose Leaves
SerendipiTea carries more than 50 kinds of organic and fair-trade blends from around the world, making the company a premier purveyor of teas and herbal infusions. Go to the Web site to find enticing blends such as organic white tea with apple, rose petal oolong, and chocolate-vanilla rooibos; the Tea World section will guide you through the history, customs, and health benefits of tea, while offering tips for brewing and steeping a perfect pot. serendipitea.com

 

 

HIGH AND DRY

Take cover with one of these sturdy, stylish options.

1. The Swims Automatic Classic has a wide canopy and a smooth, single-button function. Plus its ergonomic handle and rubber tip let it double as a dapper walking stick. $89 select Bloomingdale’s stores or swims.com

2. The angular, aerodynamic shape of the Senz Umbrella allows it to withstand hurricane-force winds. Don’t believe it? See for yourself: The Web site offers video clips of the umbrella in action in a wind tunnel and on a parachute dive. $50–$55 senzumbrellas.com

3. Pare Umbrellas are inspired by owner Satoko Kobayashi’s trips to Tokyo, where bumbershoots are an essential part of a chic wardrobe. Her vibrant, whimsical patterns (lace, flowery swirls, polka dots, bold stripes, and gingham) brighten up a damp day. $58–$85 pareumbrella.com

4. The Davek Solo doesn’t skimp on details: microweave water-repellent fabric, a steel shaft and durable carbon polymer–ribbed frame, a multi-action button, and brushed-nickel handle accents. Backing it all up is a lifetime guarantee — Davek will repair or replace the umbrella if it breaks or fails to work. $95–$149 davekny.com

4. The Ambient Umbrella is a hi-tech way to stay dry. Glowing blue lights in the handle let you know when rain, snow, or thunderstorms are looming, while real-time local weather data is updated wirelessly from accuweather.com. $125 ambientdevices.com

— Callie Young, Pete Humes, and Chelan David

Headed to Mobile, Alabama? Take your umbrella: According to weatherbill.com, it’s the rainiest city in the U.S. The gulf port city averages 67 inches and 59 days of rain annually. (Seattle and Portland each see around 36 inches of rain over some 48 days a year.)

FOOT FEAT

These cool new shoes let you step into green.

From the funky, fast-growing Simple shoe brand comes ecoSneaks. Designed for “folks who want eco-friendly footwear without looking like a hippie,” these affordable, planet-friendly shoes debunk the myth that sustainable means pricey and plain. EcoSneaks come in a variety of fun, wearable colors and designs. They’re equipped with laces made from recycled plastic bottles, soles that were once car and bike tires, and durable uppers fashioned from hemp and soft organic cotton.

If the thought of protecting the environment while pampering your toes doesn’t make you smile, the quirky names — Satire, Retire, Snotire — certainly will. Prefer slip-ons to lace-ups? Check out Simple’s Carousel ballerina flats and button-snap Macaroon Mary Janes for her, or opt for Skiffs for him. $55–$70 simpleshoes.com

— Nancy Henderson

PACKAGING COUNTS
Before you ditch the ecoSneaks box, peek inside for a whimsical, hand-drawn map of Santa Barbara (home of Simple Shoes). There you’ll discover hot spots for everything from dog-walking to drum circles. The carton is made from recycled materials and soy-based inks.

 

 

CHEW ON THIS

It’s a sticky situation. It’s also a lot of fun.

WANT TO MAKE YOUR OWN GUM?
The makers of Glee Gum will gladly send you a Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit.

The successful, family-owned company makes gum like it used to be, using chicle. Not only does chicle furnish a superior jaw workout, it’s also fun to play with. After softening the sap pieces in the microwave or on the stovetop, add sugar, corn syrup, and flavoring; peppermint and tutti fruiti are included, but you can add what you like. “Lots of people call us to claim they’ve invented the next big flavor,” Glee founder Deborah Schimberg laughs. So far, nobody’s unseated spearmint; here’s your chance to try. $13 gleegum.com/news

— Robert Klara

Photography by Mark Wagoner

THE VODKA MARTINI

Potatoes weren’t meant to taste this good.

Once considered the peasant’s choice of libation, potato vodka has gained something of a cult following. Many mixologists prefer its “coolness” over the hot sting of grain-based vodka. According to bartender Dushan Zaric, one of the founders of Employees Only cocktail bar and restaurant in New York City, it’s the tuber’s starch that gives potato vodka a creamier taste than grain-based varieties.

“It’s sweeter and more rounded,” says Zaric. “It’s fantastic for mixing, especially martinis.”

— Chantal Martineau

The Vesper
Zaric’s take on the classic martini incorporates both gin and vodka.

Pour into mixing glass:
2 ozs. Chopin Potato Vodka
1 oz. Martin Miller’s Westbourne Strength gin
1 oz. Lillet Blanc vermouth Lemon twist

Add large ice cubes and shake vigorously for about eight seconds. Strain mixture into chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with lemon twist.

Try tasting these premium potato vodkas neat, or use in a classic vodka martini.

Chopin Potato Vodka comes from Poland and is named for that country’s famous composer. Distilled four times from pesticide-free potatoes in the pristine Podlasie agricultural region in the northeast, Chopin is full-bodied with hints of rose.

Called Christiania vodka in honor of Norway’s King Christian, this spirit is said to be based on a recipe that originated in the court of the beloved Bohemian King 400 years ago. Distilled six times from organic Trondelag potatoes and then charcoal-filtered, Christiania has earthy, grassy notes.

Teton Glacier is made in Idaho from russet potatoes and Rocky Mountain water. A complex distillation process strips the vodka of all impurities; it’s then charcoal- and crystal-filtered for a clean, subtly viscous feel with light citrus and cucumber tones.

Photography by Stacey Haines