A VIEW OF NEW YORK THROUGH SONY’S DSC-QX100 SMARTPHONE LENS CAMERA

The folks at Sony sent over their wireless, smartphone-attachable lens camera, the DSC-QX100 for a test drive. The QX100, as you can imagine, is a simple cylinder body with a built-in clip to attach to your phone. Inside the lens body is a 20-megapixel, one-inch sensor that shoots 28-100mm f/1.8-4.9 using Carl Zeiss glass.  While the Sony DSC-QX100 has no LCD,  it does feature a  shutter button and a zoom lever for dialing in the best shot.

The QX100 lens camera shoots wirelessly to your iOS or Android device via a private WiFi connection. An NFC-enabled phone can connect by simply holding the camera to the device. Those interested in more traditional forms of storage will appreciate the built-in MicroSD slot for saving photos.

The magic of the Sony QX100 lens comes with the wireless connectivity and use of Sony’s PlayMemories software that allows you control the camera while mounted to your smartphone. Use it to set white balance as well as various modes of picture taking. This, in essence, becomes your LCD screen to frame photos.

Those looking for the power of a camera similar to Sony’s RX100 digital point and shoot will appreciate the ease of use of the Sony QX100 lens. It is small and light enough to carry around easily while providing you with excellent photo quality from your smartphone.

We share these untouched, unedited photographs shot throughout New York City with the Sony DSC-QX100. Available now for $500.

COMADOR CIGARS

Jay Z's adds another line to his ever growing resume with his latest venture, Cigars. Comador is a luxury cigar line created in partnership with one of the biggest names in the industry, Cohiba Red Dot. Comador will be sold in three editions: The limited edition, mahogany-lined Comador Humidor ($999) which contains 21 cigars, a travel humidor with 7 cigars ($350), and the 7-cigar Comador Robusto Box ($210). The Dominican cigars will be available at Club Macanudo, select Barney's locations, and the 40/40 club in New York City.

The Sunday Drive 2015 BMW M3 and M4

Though we’re expecting the 2015 BMW M3 and M4′s to get officially unveiled at next month’s Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS), the German automaker couldn’t wait any longer and have dropped some official shots of the sedan as well as the coupe. The latest M vehicles based on their F80 / F82 brethren. Expect a beefed up but with all the high-performance parts we’ve come to expect from BMW’s M Division. Some of the visual enhancements include a more aggressive hood, M3/4-branded strakes on each front fender, split-five-spoke 19-inch wheels, and carbon-ceramic brakes. Both beauties come with a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine that dishes out 425 horsepower and 406 lb/ft torque. Both are mated to either a six-speed manual or BMW’s Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT), clocking a 3.9-second 0-60 mph time. The interior’s fitted with a new, slimmer steering wheel when compared to its predecessor as well as optional carbon fiber trim, side and top-view cameras, and LED lighting.

CALIBRE DE CARTIER DIVER

Cartier isn't exactly top-of-mind when it comes to sport watches. Next year Cartier hopes to change that with a serious diver from their Calibre de Cartier collection. The watch is rated to 1000ft and features a unidirectional DLC-coated bezel, a 42mm case in steel or gold, and Cartier's in-house 1904-PS MC automatic movement.

$6,000-$8,250, (via Perpetuelle)

SHINOLA WRIGHT BROTHERS RUNWELL BICYCLE

Shinola is honoring the Wright Brothers for one of its first pieces in their new Great Americans series. The American-made, jet-black bike frame is limited to 25 examples and is accented with bamboo fenders, headlamp, F. Gimondi crankset, and Shimano components throughout the bike.

The Thursday Cocktail Recipe

The Xmas Party

1.5 oz. Oronoco® Rum

1 tbsp(s) Grand Marnier®

1 twist(s) cranberry juice

1 twist(s)lime juice

1  lime twist(s)

BAXTER OF CALIFORNIA X BISON STRAIGHT RAZOR STROP

Baxter of California and Bison team up to produce a Razor Strop for those of you who subscribe to the old school way of shaving. Available in navy or black, the strop is made of Horween Russet leather, a heavy duty horsehide to keep your blade in tip-top shape. Its also matched with a cotton-linen canvas for removing moisture after shaving.

$125, Baxter of California

DENTS HARRIS TWEED GLOVES

Dents put together quite the recipe of materials to craft their winter glove. The company is definitely world class when it comes to making gloves, they've been doing it since 1777 and since then the gloves have been hand made in the same facility they started in ever since. This particular style caught our eye with its Harris Tweed backing, deer skin palms, and cashmere lining. It also comes in black/grey if "Tobacco" isn't your thing.

HODINKEE CANVAS WATCH ROLLS

If you're making your way to the Pop Up Flea in New York this weekend, one thing you'll have to look out for is Hodinkee's latest product, their canvas watch rolls. They come in three colors, fit six watches, and are all made in the USA. It's perfect for travel or the perfect addition to that handful of vintage pieces you just bought at the Pop Up Flea (tell Hodinkee we sent ya!). If you're not going to be in New York, Hodinkee will have them up on their store next week.

$110, Hodinkee

BUSHMILLS X GRADO

Grado releases its first closed-back headphone, a unique collaboration with Bushmills Irish Whiskey. Designed by Elijah Wood (Yes, Frodo himself) and Zach Cowie, the headphones feature earcups made from wood sourced from old whiskey barrels from the Bushmills Distillery in Ireland. The headphones also feature a tan leather headband and a limited edition wooden box and headphone pouch.

BRABUS 850, this is just too much!

No AMG is ever powerful enough for those crazy engineers at Brabus. They've taken an E63 wagon and cranked the displacement up to 5.9L in the already powerful V8 and with a few dozen other tweaks here and there they were able to get 850 hp and 848 lb-ft torque. All that power gets you from 0-60 in 3.1 seconds and a governed top speed of 186 mph. You better strap those kids in extra tight !

RevolutionWear Launches Its FRIGO® Line of Underwear

Luxury men’s underwear label RevolutionWear recently kicked off the launch of its new FRIGO ® line with a highly interactive pop-up store held in New York’s Meatpacking district in the latter stages of last month.

Building on that momentum, the brand recently introduced its bold new campaign that instead of the typical muscle-bound males you might have been expecting, features seductive Swedish models that authoritatively proclaim “No Men Should Wear Underwear,” ushering in the next generation of men’s underwear and the influence of women on this selection process.

As the intended game-changer for men’s premium underwear the line’s premier model, the FRIGO® Executive, is loaded with performance features that give each pair a level of casual comfort we’d normally expect of those designed for sportswear. These include support elements such as an adjustable pouch for a customized fit, an interior mesh pouch to keep everything in good order and a silicone lining to stops the boxer briefs from riding up. Aside from ensuring a secure fit, the underwear is also made with features to maximize comfort including a proprietary waistband made with wicking fabric, laser-cut vents on the back and patches of Eurojersey and Italy microfiber on the thighs for added breathability.

Nelson Mandela Passes Away at 95

News broke of Nelson Mandela’s passing yesterday, a man who will be remembered for spending 27 years before an international campaign successfully lobbied for his release. His relentless fight against apartheid and continuous philanthropic efforts can’t be overlooked and will serve as key notes for his legacy. He was the first black to become the President of South Africa, a role he held for one term before refusing to go a second time. After leaving office, Mandela became an elder statesman and focused his time and energy on charitable work in combating poverty and HIV/AIDS through the Nelson Mandela Foundation amongst other things.

Winner of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Soviet Order of Lenin, Mandela, or “Madiba” (his Xhosa clan name), was the leader of our generation. We’ve read about others before him but me being in my late twenties, Madiba was who we looked up to in real-time, from as young as I can remember. If you wanted to know how aim to sky and get things done, you’d look to Mandela. If you wanted to learn how to be a good mediator and an even stronger activist, you’d look to Mandela. And if you ever were ever confused about how to give your life purpose and to be more selfless than anyone around you, you’d look to no one other than Nelson Mandela.

RIP, Nelson Mandela – July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013.

 ( via por homme)

The Thursday Cocktail Recipe

To the World...

0.5 oz Aperal Chilled

1.0 oz Hibiscus Tea

Dash of fresh Lemon Juice

Fill LaMarca Prosecco

WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie get involved in the luggage market with their first rolling Carry-On. The De Gaulle S4 Trolley will be presented as part of Le Cabinet de Curiosités of Thomas Erber, more on that here, inspired by the Trudeau briefcase, an early model from the brand. Taking its name from the recently-opened S4 Satellite in Paris’ Charles De Gaulle Airport, the journey from CDG > JFK formed part of the blueprint, the resulting case described as the “ultimate in travel sophistication.” A nice bridge between classic and contemporary luggage, a mix of soft Italian and French calf leathers, the super simple design features an interior card pocket, mesh pocket, padded laptop pocket and an exterior clip for hanging extra bags. A superb piece of kit, the S4 Trolley will be available at Maison Kitsuné, NoMad Hotel and online.

hard graft New Box Kit

Accessory maker hard graft presents a new multi-functional leather box kit. Handmade using premium vegetable-tanned Italian leather construction, the kit is lined with soft Italian wool, making it spacious enough to hold any number of different things while remaining durable enough to protect whatever’s inside. The bottom straps to the lid and can also be nestled inside to make a stable table-top holster for writing utensils and the like. Fine details include the small understated stamped branding and signature red and white ribbon. Priced at £150 GBP (approximately $250 USD), the Box Kit is now available for order over at hard graft’s website.

Roundel by London Underground x Nike Air Max Collection

Nike‘s ever iconic Air Max series gets a new update through a specially designed Jacquard pack, inspired by London’s Underground subway system. Touted as the world’s first underground railway, the pack utilizes jacquard woven patterns made from moquette (a dense woven pile fabric) in a similar style as the upholstery of London’s train cars. The commissioned District geometric pattern was created by famed designer Misha Black back in 1978 for usage on new trains on the District Line.

From a construction perspective, a full one-piece weaving process that wraps around the foot creates a new updated fit and feel for the Air Max 90 without ever changing the visual cues of the cult classic. The Air Max 1 receives the same upper treatment but is produced via a traditional approach to construction. Both shoes feature the classic “Roundel” branding on the tongue and natural gum rubber outsoles.

The first 150 pairs will be release to the public at a Piccadilly Circus station pop-up kiosk space at 6 a.m. on Saturday, December 14 as a celebration of TFL’s (Transport for London) 150th anniversary. The respective shoes will carry price tags of £100 GBP (approximately $163 USD) for the Air Max 90 and £95 GBP (approximately $156 USD) for the Air Max 1s.

The Sunday Drive BMW Alpina B4

While the LA Auto Show is taking place here in the States, the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show is also underway with their own list of impressive releases taking place. Alpina has just unveiled its newest model – the Alpina B4 Biturbo Coupe. It features the same powertrain as the Alpina B3 Biturbo, a twin turbo 3.0L inline 6 dishing out 410 HP and 443 lb. ft. The Alpina B4′s clocked a 0-62 MPH time of 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 197 MPH. An 8 speed automatic transmission comes standard.