The Time is Right for Independence.

It seems like every time work takes me to Chicago, I only get one day to explore. And the more I visit, the more apparent it becomes that I need much more time in The Second City. The food/drink scene alone can dominate the better part of a week’s furlough. While time was limited on my most recent trip, I did have a chance to visit a few stores I have been hearing about as part of my ongoing, unofficial quest to document every good store in America. Certainly deserving this call out and your own visit is Independence — which is the retail outpost of Oak Street Bootmakers. The store, by concept, sells only US made goods—one of the only stores I have seen that sticks to such a defined subject.

There’s a lot to buy at the shop, but what really stands out to me is the opportunity to try on and take home a very nice selection of footwear from Oak Street Bootmakers. That said, there is all sorts of other good stuff from Batten Sportswear, LVC, Gitman Vintage, Post Overalls and Imogene + Willie. Also present are a bunch of very nice (and well priced) wool blankets from the fairly recently relaunched Faribault Woolen Mills — which are highly likeable things.

The Sunday Ride

We love a cafe racer bike, especially when said bike is both Ducati and vintage. The JvB-moto Ducati Pantah is just such a beauty. The Pantah’s designer, Jens vom Brauck, wanted his build to look like “it was found in a shed… a futuristic design study for a 1981 motor show” that was never displayed. We’re pretty sure his refined imagination paid off.

The bike’s build took three full years and used parts and materials from the past three decades. Starting with a stock Ducati Pantah, Brauck cut down the subframe and modified the gas tank. He also used narrow wheels and tires for that vintage look, while adding carbon fiber bits to bring the ride into the 21st century. The fairing, of course, is nowhere to be found, and it’s all the better for it, frankly. The bike weighs in at a mere 375 pounds; its go is heartily supplied by a V-Twin engine and a custom exhaust that Brauck frankensteined from various pieces. Sadly, the custom bike will not be duplicated, though we’re highly suggesting that Ducati consider a free special edition giveaway for, say, bloggers who’ve written about the bike (nudge, nudge). ( via GEAR PATROL)

Adrianne Ho for Boast S/S 2013 Lookbook

Panerai PAM 389 Luminor Submersible Amagnetic

Panerai previews its latest timekeeping beast, the PAM 389 Luminor Submersible Amagnetic. The 47mm watch features an antimagnetic titanium case, Panerai's P.9000 in-house movement, 300M water resistance, and a ceramic bezel.

The Thursday Cocktail Recipe

• ½ ounce whole black peppercorns
• ½ ounce whole cloves
• 9 ounces whiskey
• One 1-inch-long piece of fresh ginger, scraped and sliced crosswise into 4 coins
• 2 ounces honey syrup
• Ic

Norse Projects

Red Epic-M Monochrome

What’s black and white and Red all over? The Red Epic-M Monochrome ($42,000). A technical auteur’s delight — director David Fincher is already shooting with it, of course — the brain (body in Red parlance) is based around the newly developed Mysterium-X Monochrome sensor. The sensor, which boasts a native ISO (ASA) 2000, double the Epic-M or X, reaches new imaging heights thanks in part to an absence of color debayering; removing the need to read RGB data means each of the sensor’s pixels can more effectively capture luminance and image data. The camera also features a new low-pass filter to help deal with all that extra resolution, and further future-proofing also includes a free upgrade to the new Dragon Monochrome Sensor, which is slated to be released next year. Now, if you’re looking to just shoot B&W stills, you can save yourself $34,000 and pick up a Leica M Monochrom or two.

Salt Optics Collection Three 2012

Salt drops its third collection for the year delivering another round of solid frames. New to the line are a couple of new aviator styles which feature beautiful acetate temple tip treatments and new optical frames in bold yet timeless hues. 

The Sunday Drive

This is Made By Hand: The Cigar Shop

Cigar smokers were shunned by many even before the pervasive smoking ban was instituted. Though probably good for the common health, cigar aficionados still weep over the loss. Some shops still keep the candle stogie burning — and then there is the rare shop that rolls its own odiferous sticks. Such is the case with NYC’s own Martinez Cigars, a small shop that’s been in the business since 1974. Started by Dominican Republic immigrant Don Antonio Martinez and now run by his son Jesus, Martinez Cigars not only knows how to impart some mighty fine looking cigars, they help perpetuate the cigar culture that breaks down barriers and cements friendships among men who might not ordinarily know each other outside of smoke rings. Directed and produced by Keith “keef” Ehrlich, the video does an excellent job showcasing the art of cigar rolling (note the difficult creation of a figuradocigar with the tapered end), as well as revealing the community the shop fosters.

Apolis + Kinfolk Garden Bag

Apolis and lifestyle magazine Kinfolk present the perfect bag for your fall outings with their versatile Garden Bag. Crafted in a women artisan co-op in Bangladesh, the Garden Bag is carefully constructed from natural Golden Jute Fiber with a waterproof lining and leather handles which are fastened to the bag with antique nickel rivets. $78, Apolis.

Thursday Cocktail

• 1¼ ounces Tanqueray® London Dry Gin
• ¾ ounce lemon juice
• ¾ ounce simple syrup (1 part water: 1 part sugar, stirred to dissolve)
• 12 large fresh basil leaves plus 1 sprig for garnishing

DIRECTIONS

In a mixing glass or cocktail shaker, add the ice, gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and basil leaves. Shake very hard and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a basil sprig.

Maison Kitsune' Fall Accessories

MARSHALL HANWELL SPEAKER

Don’t you love it when companies celebrate their milestones by offering you awesome new stuff? It’s not like on your birthday you go around handing out cards with cash in them to people you know. Marshall has decided to celebrate their 50th anniversary by releasing their first ever home loudspeaker. Resembling one of their classic amps from the outside, the Hanwell is all ready to blast your iTunes playlists at your next booze-fest. Featuring retro analog controls for volume, bass and treble, the Marshall Hanwell is just about the most beautiful loudspeaker we’ve laid eyes on. Now break out that CBGB’s mixtape and get ready for some noise (well in November at least, since that’s when it comes out).

Bamford Watch Department Rolex Datejust

Bamford Watch Department releases one of their best looking customs yet, a blacked out yet completely refined version of the new Rolex Datejust. The gold markers of the Bi-colour dial is a perfect contrast against Bamford's popular black PVD coating. 

SHELBY LEATHER ONE POCKET WALLET

When Carroll Shelby passed away earlier this year, it was a sad day for any auto enthusiast (especially one hardcore into Mustangs). It also marked the passing of a man badass enough to not let having a girl’s name keep him down. Display some of that badassness with this one pocket wallet. Along with the Shelby Cobra emblem are the words spoken by Mr. Shelby back in 1965, “Ferrari’s ass is mine.” Each wallet is hand-crafted and perfect for storing some cards necessary for a night out. (Warning: This is an awful gift for the Ferrari fan in your life.)

The Cocktail Recipe

2 oz Bourbon 

0.75 oz Applejack 

0.5 oz Cherry Heering 

0.25 oz Aperol 

3 drops Burlesque Bitters 

Shake well with ice, pour over a large ice cube. 

Squeeze some orange oil out of a peel into the finished drink and drop in to garnish

2013 Porsche Carrera 4

The next generation of Porsche's next generation all wheel drive technology debuts in the 991 with the 2013 Carrera 4. Marked by that striking red LED-lit light strip, the new C4 is lighter than the previous generation but puts on more muscle with a wider track and a speedier ride. Speaking of speed, the car will hit 60 mph in 4.5s (4.7 in the cabrio) while the 4S hits 60 in just 4.1 (4.3 in the cabrio). Other new additions include an all-wheel-drive indicator, adaptive cruise control, and a sliding glass sunroof

Hard Graft takes a leap into footwear with new range of boots crafted with the same keen eye for materials and construction that the brand is known for. The boots are made by hand in the same Italian factory where the bags are crafted and are constructed from vegetable tanned leather with soft calfskin lining and each boot is finished with a wool accent on the heel, a nod to their signature fabric. $473, Hard Graft. 

VINTED BAGS & LEATHER GOODS

Kickstarter has fundamentally changed the way people get products to market, and the story of Vinted is one them. Rather than a traditional bag and leather goods launch, they opted to leave it up to the people. You get to help some people realize a dream and you get something tangible out of the process. Vinted has a lot of potential rewards for you. Everything from a cable case to a wallet to an iPhone sleeve and the bags in the line: Charlie (weekender), Roger (briefcase) and Tomson (backpack). All of the Vinted products are decked out in high quality leather, show off the founders serious design chops and all come in at a price that won’t force you to skip drinks.