Calamansi

Stella McCartney SS2011
During Christmas I was walking around my parents' garden and came across our calamansi tree. This tree was a small bush when we moved in, but it has grown into a magnificent part of our family. It bears the most delicious fruit. Calamansi is one of my favorite citrus flavors which I grew accustomed to from my Filipino heritage. The sun was shining down on the tree in such a way that was perfect for photographing. Calamansi reminds me of Stella McCartney's Spring prints from earlier this year.


As the Spring 2012 collections make their way into stores, I am excited to be planning my move to New York. My vacation plans to the Philippines and Hong Kong already have me stressed, but I think everything will run smoothly as soon as I return. Fashion week is but a month away and it will be my first time experiencing the harsh East Coast winter. Hopefully the end of March will be different for my move. I cannot wait for Spring!

- jerome

Outerlands Trouble

Karen Walker Sunglasses, Uniqlo +J Blazer, Gitman Brothers Vintage Shirt, J.Crew Khakis, Burberry Prorsum Loafers, Balenciaga Envelope Clutch
A few months ago I had a strange hair day because we drove with the passenger seat window open before my hair product could set brunch with my brother and his fiance at the amazing Outerlands restaurant in the Outer Sunset. The unique decor charms while the food satisfies cravings beautifully (I highly recommend the eggs, bacon, and gruyere on toast), and all the bread is apparently made fresh by the guy who owns the place. A post-meal coffee or tea at Trouble Coffee is essential. They have their own roast and the most amazing toast and pastries made in-house. And when you have had enough to eat and drink, General Store is there to satisfy your craving for craft with their selection of new and vintage clothing, accessories and home decor. The store even boasts a greenhouse in their backyard filled with succulents and plants for sale. Check out all of these awesome SF digs, all next door to each other! The neighborhood reminds me of a beach town. California.


This is a photo of my brother, Joseph and my soon to be sister-in-law, Saskia. We were all perched upon a large driftwood sculpture placed outside of the establishments I mentioned earlier in this post. Also, my Balenciaga envelope clutch. I still cannot get over the perfect Anthracite color matching the mugs at Trouble. I am glad I found these pictures on my phone. Sometimes I forget I even have a camera when I am having so much fun! Flash forward to the next month and we three had dinner with my niece. I don't think she has ever been past Masonic St., which is a total shame, but totally common. We have just the places for her to go to when she is looking for something to do on a beautiful day! I hope more people visit awesome places like Outerlands, Trouble Coffee, and General Store even though they are tucked away in a less frequented part of San Francisco. Support your local businesses!

- jerome

Christmas and Crystals

More photos HERE
I came across these photos of snow crystals by chance when searching for new jewelry. The cliche that certain things "...are like snow flakes; no two are alike" really had me excited. These specimens are some of my favorites. It is a wonder to think that snowflakes fall from the sky as microscopic masterpieces, all of which will never be repeated again. Did we start cutting out snowflakes made of paper only after the technology to photograph snow crystals was invented? I am not sure, but this bottle of malbec really wont allow me to do the research. For now, enjoy!

- jerome

Jerome Pour Homme Pour Tumblr

I started a tumblr! It will serve mainly as a "greatest hits" kind of page where I will post some of my favorite outfits. I think I will also post some of my favorite nightlife photos. Nothing has really been decided yet, but it is fun to play around with the possibilities. Follow me! Also, please comment if you have any suggestions for great tumblrs to follow. Interior design and fashion tumblrs are perfect for inspiration.

- jerome

Living in a Magazine

The soundtrack at my work has switched to holiday music and luckily our creative director has the same taste in music that I do. There is plenty of Queen and David Bowie, and even some fun with Camera Obscura. What took me by surprise was on old track by Zoot Woman. I was obsessed with the band at the pinnacle of my electro phase. They would prove to be my favorite band to listen to while applying eye make up. It is insane to think that this was about a decade ago. See how dated the looks are in these music videos. I am not praying for a come back for these styles, but these songs still have some power over me. Johnny Blake's voice can keep you warm at night.




- jerome

Sunset and the Smell of Leather

H&M Denim Jacket, J.Crew sweater and Chinos, Lanvin High Tops, Dior Homme Belt, Hermés Bracelets and Bag
The crisp air swept across my face as I was walking around town today. Sunset at 4:00PM in the city is a sign that Christmas is just around the corner. For the first time this season I was under-dressed and unprepared for an unforgiving cold that wouldn't melt away in the afternoon. But that ruffle of shopping bags and the satisfaction of crossing off names on a list...


There is a romance to the sun setting on the city skyline. That shade of amber lasts for just a few moments before San Francisco's fog swallows it whole again. Then it all fades to gray - to etoupe. I do love the smell of leather.

- jerome

Target Acquired: Hermés 40cm Veau Togo Etoupe Birkin Bag

Christmas came early this year. Behold my third child/Hermés handbag, the elusive 40cm Veau Togo Etoupe Birkin. Ever since I was a little boy I have dreamed of obtaining three coveted colors of the Birkin: A shade of Bleu, Noir, and either Etoupe or Gold. My trio is complete and I couldn't be more excited! I once crossed paths with this rare color before; I was lacking the funds and the soft and drapey Taurillon Clemence leather was not my first choice. With such a delicate hue, I wanted the leather to be structured. Patience and hard work and eating cheap food paid off once again! My luck at the San Francisco store may have something to do with the fact that my daily route to work includes a stroll right in front of Hermés, but I saw the plastic wrapped, factory fresh, newly shipped box opened and knew it was time.


The Veau Togo Etoupe leather is absolutely brilliant. The grain of this Togo skin is just as fine as in a Clemence and somehow just as soft and spongy. Usually Togo leather is stiff and rigid but this structured bag is firm yet supple. I am in love! Surprisingly I pulled the trigger on the 40cm. I was waiting for another 35cm bag, but my obsession with the color had a "more to love" effect on me. Etoupe is the perfect color of elegance. It reminds me of trench coats, dewy mornings, smoke from an extinguished candle, and tea. Hopefully this will put a hiatus on my Hermés bag hunger, but that may just be wishful thinking. Here is to another year of saving. Like I have said before, Birkins are like children - AND I'VE ALWAYS WANTED A BIG FAMILY.

Please don't shoot me.

- jerome

Meet Dee Dee

This is Dee Dee, the most adorable chug I have ever met. A chug is a mix between a chihuahua and a pug. Dee Dee prances instead of running, setting the cuteness bar quite high. I have been thinking about getting a precious puppy of my very own but with the move it seems unpractical. If I were to get one it would have to be the latest breed of adorable - See: pomsky.

- jerome

Spring in December

Blazer by Oscar de la Renta, Shirt by Uniqlo, Khakis by J.Crew, Loafers by Burberry Prorsum, Cuff by Hermés, Skull Bracelet by Links of London, PS1 Bag by Proenza Schouler, Thrifted and Vintage rings and bracelet
On the first day of December I visited the Ford Models offices here in San Francisco to scout candidates for a possible photoshoot. I have been dying to shoot the Burberry Prorsum studded jacket on the right guy! While browsing some of the new faces, a photo shoot featuring snowfall caught my attention. It dawned on me that I was wearing full blown Spring attire on what should have been a brisk winter's day. San Francisco's late summer barely lasted a week, and my spring clothes feel a little cheated. Living in actual seasons is another reason why I am excited to move to New York.


Behold my re-furbished PS1. To my dismay (or perhaps my mistreatment) my PS1 had gradually faded to a brown color. It was lovely, but the smoke color was one of the main reasons I bought the bag. To get the leather conditioned, protected, and back to its original hue, I dropped it off at Anthony's Shoe Repair. They are pricey and the service is not the greatest (I had to wait 4 weeks after they quoted me 2), but it was worth the wait. My sad distressed bag came back almost factory fresh. Actually, I have to break it in again, only this time the color should stay.

- jerome

A Really Good Base

Serdar Uzuntas SS2012 by Ersoy Alap for NICEBOYS
These looks serve as an excellent template for what I have been wearing on a daily basis. Clean shirting with an interesting outerwear piece in neutral colors will never do you wrong. I put my spin on it by adding strange proportions (knee high socks or chunk soled shoes) and ALWAYS some dangerous looking jewelry. If it looks like I can tenderize meat or make someone bleed with it, I will probably wear it. But rings, my first love, are my main focus. I love to stack my bracelets, however, it seems that everyone is overdoing the arm party and I think it is time for me to keep it simple and really pick my moments.

On the last day of last month, I purged my closet and sold some old treasures to acquire some new ones. I think that I have to really be careful with what I keep, store, and bring to New York. December is finally here! The holidays are my favorite time of the year (did I say that already??) which makes me a little anxious because it brings me closer to the most EPIC LIFE CHANGES that will occur in the next months. This is like a dream; I can't believe it is all really happening so fast.

- jerome