A Page from Josh Peskowich's Style Files

FALL GIVEAWAY!

Today’s giveaway is from The Honey Press and exPress-o Blog.

Today, we are offering one lucky person a chance to win this Inspirational quote flannel plaid pocket square handkerchief. That quote makes me smile every single time I read it and this sassy little gem would make a fantastic daily reminder as well as a stylish accessory to someone special in your life.

For a chance to win you should be a follower of exPress-o, please visit The Honey Press and tell us which piece is your favourite from the shop. The giveaway is open worldwide. The winner will be chosen at random on Sunday night. 

Good luck! xo

For extra entries: 

Follow exPress-o on Twitter, follow The Honey Press on Twitter, follow Pascale on Pinterest, join exPress-o group on Facebook, follow The Honey Press blog, follow exPress-o on Pinterest or tweet, blog or pin about the giveaway and please make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. Also, please include your email address, so I can contact the winner. Thank you!

Tenugui: Japanese Handkerchiefs

Tenugui, a hand dyed cotton cloth, has always been an essential tool for the Japanese. Not only was it used as a wiping tool such as a towel or a handkerchief, it was also used as a bandage or a headwear in the old days. Beautiful!

Using handkerchiefs slows the deforestation of virgin forests

I just came across this great article from TLC about how using handkerchiefs instead of kleenex tissues and paper products can help slow down deforestation. "One study found that a total of 300 million tons of tree fiber from virgin forests in the US are used to make paper products each year." It goes on to say "a resurging handkerchief trend might be our best bets to slow all that deforestation— the time is ripe: environmental issues are on the forefront of mainstream culture, and people are more willing than ever to do their part." Cheers to that! You can read the full article here.

via The Honey Press

Walt Disney's Secret to Success

Ever wonder what Mr. Disney's secret to success was? Now you know!

Can pocket squares be punk?

via GQ

via My Silky Scarf

Handkerchief as a Watch Strap

via Steve & Co.

Inspirational Quote Handkerchiefs + A Giveaway

I am thrilled to announce the arrival of inspirational quote handkerchiefs. Beautiful cotton hankies with two of my favorite inspirational quotes, screen printed on to encourage mood lifting feelings to start the season. Shop them now! Below are a couple of examples, click here to shop them all. AND....enter our contest by voting for the next inspirational quote. You could win an inspirational hanky of your very own! (see details below)

"Something beautiful is on the horizon."

"Breathe it all in. Love it all out."

A GIVEAWAY

I would love to make more of these but I need your help! Please take a look at the designs below and tell me which one is your favorite. To enter the contest, leave a comment explaining which message and/or design is your favorite and why. I will then pick a random winner next Monday, May 13th and you will win the message you chose on a handkerchief chosen by me. Extra entries if you Tweet about the contest and/or follow me on Twitter and/or follow me on Pinterest. Thanks and good luck!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHoneyPress?section_id=13460257

Handkerchief Seller

Beautiful photograph of a handkerchief seller in India wearing a worn out suit trying to make a living, taken by Daniel Cheong via Techno World

Happy Earth Day!

"Using reusable cloth hankies instead of facial tissues further reduces our impact on ancient forests."

This spring's most popular pocket plumage

The Los Angeles Times recently posted an article written by Adam Tschorn, about the recent resurgence of pocket squares. One of my favorite exerts from the article is: "Since it's the kind of fashion flourish often used to telegraph a man's attitude and individuality in situations where such opportunities are rare (John Carroll calls the pocket square the suit coat equivalent of the loud men's dress sock), it's not surprising that color has been king lately."

Click here to read the entire article.

A very cool way to store pocket squares

via Pinterest via Kleidsam

The Handkerchief, A History

Some historians credit Marie Antoinette with the invention of the pocket handkerchief. She was so broken up at leaving her home in Austria that she cried all the way to France and wiped her eyes with bits of lace torn from her dress and lingerie. Anticipating future tears, she made it a point always to have a piece of lace tucked in a pocket of her dress. This, say these historians, was how handkerchiefs were born.That is such a cute and beautiful story. The romance that surrounded writing for women of the time is priceless, but it is of course a load of you-know-what.

According to margaretroedesigns.com, "The earliest written evidence of the handkerchief comes from the Roman poet Catullus in the first century A.D. Most often called a sudarium, from sudor, to sweat, it was used to shield or veil the face and mouth and to wipe off sweat. In the first century B.C., it remained a luxury for the rich, due to the expensive nature of linen, which was then a prized import. By the first century A.D., when linen was more easily and cheaply imported, the middle and lower classes gained access to the handkerchief."

That is not to say that  Marie Antoinette did not have her little say about handkerchiefs. Lena Weber writing for mienmagazine.com tells us, "Up until the 18th century, the handkerchief came in many shapes from square to round or triangular. It is said that one day at Versailles, the French queen Marie-Antoinette made the observation that the squared form would be more aesthetically pleasing and convenient, prompting Louis XVI to publish a decree ordering that the length of handkerchiefs produced in France would have to be equal to their width." Handkerchiefs during their existence have been used for many things like greeting someone, cleaning your hands, face, or teeth, wiping your tears and nose, applying perfume, and have even been used to signal to a gentleman that you would like to meet him or given to him as a token of your affection. 

Of course now we have kleenex and napkins and hand towels and so rarely use the handkerchief for the many useful things it can do, but there are still so many beautiful vintage handkerchiefs out there. And of course, beautiful new ones too. But I'm biased of course.

How to fold a handkerchief

The Presidential Handkerchief Fold

The presidential fold, also known as the “Classic Flat Fold, is the most elegant and sleekest way to wear your pocket square. It is perfect for formal events such as Black Tie Attire or White Tie, and it is also the type of fold that looks best with a classic white handkerchief.

Lay the handkerchief on a flat surface.

Fold the hanky in half and create an edge at the fold with the palm of your hand.

Then fold one side in – just enough so that only ¼ - ½ of an inch will show once you tufg the hanky in your brest pocket

Tug the handkerchief in the breast pocket and straighten the top to remove and wrinkles or unwanted folds.

One Corner Up Fold

The one-corner up fold is simple and elegant. It is well suited for a wide range of functions from business to formal black tie. Best are solid color handkerchiefs for this type of fold.


Lay the hanky on a flat surface

Fold it in half to create a triangle.

Fold one corner in and create a strong fold with the palm of your hand.

Now repeat this on the opposite side.

Tug the handkerchief in your breast pocket and style to your liking.

Two-Corner Up Fold

Another elegant fold that is a touch less formal than the flat, or the one-corner up fold. It is well suited for solid color or patterned pocket squares as well as good for any type of formality.

Instructions:



Lay the handkerchief on a flat surface.

Fold the hanky in half so that it looks like two overlapping triangles

Fold one side in.

Repeat step #3 with the opposite side

Tug the hanky in your breast pocket and give it some final styling. 

The Three-Corner Up Fold

This type of folding technique is also known as the “Crown-Fold” since the look resembles the shape of a crown. It is a type of fold that may require a little more practice, but once you know how it is done, it will add a sophisticated touch to any outfit.

Instructions:


Lay the pocket square on a flast surface

Fold the hanky in half across the center so that it looks like two overlapping triangles.

To create the 3rd corner fold one side up next two the two tips.

Fold the opposite side over to create flat base.

Tug the handkerchief in your breast pocket and style to your preference.

The Casual Fold

This type of fold is sometimes also called the “Puff fold”. The more voluminous look and lack of symmetry makes this type of fold much more casual looking. It is an excellent type of fold for business attire as well as one to wear to a blazer jacket. Hankies with patterns are best combined with this type of fold. Also, use a fine and soft silken handkerchief.

Instructions:

Lay the hanky on a flat surface.

Pinch the center with two fingers and pick the hanky up.

Slide the hanky through the palm of your other hand.

Turn the hanky around.

Stuff it in your breast pocket and style to your preference.

Google Glass

This is so amazingly cool. I totally want one. Check it out here at Google Glass.

Garance Dore

Garance Dore is everything I try to be - smart, talented, successful, an independent thinker and beautiful inside and out. Her blog, photography, illustrations and Pardon My French videos can be seen worldwide. She has influenced me and the world on how we see street style. Now she gives some amazing advice on how to make money from your blog but still stay true to yourself. Here is the fabulous blog entry.

p.s. Notice the fabulous scarf/handkerchief tied around her neck? LOVE!

Beyond the daily life

via Hip Hip Gin Gin

A quiet life

via Bees Like Honey

Farm Life

I sometimes long for a simpler life. Where hard work raising and harvesting vegetables and animals is reward enough for the enrichment and relationships it gives us to people, animals and the land. These beautiful photographs from Fig and Fauna are so stunning, they make me want to drop everything a buy the farm, literally.

Association

"Association: 

Who you hang out with determines what you dream about and what you collide with.

And the collisions and the dreams lead to your changes.

And the changes are what you become.

Change the outcome by changing your circle."

- Seth Godin

via Swiss Miss