We like to think of ourselves as savvy, stylish shoppers. Often times when we go out looking for the perfect item of apparel we know exactly what we want. Unfortunately, it’s a rare occasion that it actually exists. We usually have to settle for a close approximation of our ensemble. Or maybe we don’t. 9tailors — an online custom haberdashery aimed at young professionals — presents a cheaper creative alternative to a bespoke wardrobe by letting you be the designer. All you have to do is log on to their site and in four easy steps you have the garment of your dreams. Just choose the design, pick a fabric, enter your measurements and make sure it fits your fancy. Like our luggage combination, it’s as easy as 1,2,3,4.

On Sunday, I nervously dropped my suit off to get it tailored for my company party. I haven’t picked out the rest of my outfit yet but I know the one thing that will really bring everything together is the cufflinks. I have a few sterling silver pieces and of course plenty of silk knots but so does everyone else. COTO, a New York based, eco-conscious provider of luxury accessories has some really interesting offerings that just might fit into your wardrobe. I am particularly fond of the briar root cufflinks which combines wood, leather, horn, and sterling silver. Matched with a brown jacket, this would be a great fall ensemble. Check out their site to see what else they’ve dreamt up, including solid rounded ties and plenty of other links.

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We’re familiar with the clean and simple style of L.A.-based Yoffy, whose work brings pop culture images into a throwback world of fewer, cooler colors. Since we last checked in with him, he’s added a handful of items to his body of work. From subjects like Anna Nicole Smith and Lindsay Lohan to the edible creations of Yoffy’s favorite sushi chef, his extensive collection has a little bit for everyone. To celebrate the holidays, Yoffy has cut pricetags in half on his paintings and sculptures. Check out what he has to offer at color.la.

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Mike Perry has continually wowed us with his powers of illustration. The Brooklyn-based artist has provided us with everything from hot hand-drawn patterns to super snowboard designs and even some killer typography. At the end of the day though, every artistic talent needs a place to hang their hat and Perry is no different. It’s this need for a home base that has given rise to a brand new site for the art director extraordinaire. Mike Perry Studio maintains all of the warm, fuzzy goodness of Perry’s past while shedding his Midwestisbest moniker in favor of a name that’s a bit more personal with an eye on the future.

Remember the grass gift wrap we featured back in February? It looks like the jolly team behind Giggle Wrap are back, this time with spaghetti-and-meatballs themed paper that — if we didn’t know better — might just try to munch on. The design was inspired by those long ago days when Giggle Wrap’s creator, Kristian Cruz, would “race against my brothers to get the biggest meatball on the table.” It looks like you’re going to have to do the same if you want to get your hands on one of these sheets: only 500 packs, holding two sheets of 18×24″ paper have been printed. So, if you’ve got a particularly boring present that’s got to be covered, or just want to freak out your neat freak brother, swaddle your gift in this and toss it their way.

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When I meet with my international friends I am always humbled at their ability to speak two, three, or four languages. Now that I’m a little older, I’m kicking myself for not studying a language in high school and college. Sure, I can count to seven in Spanish and say “the dog is on the table” in French, but other than that, I am out of luck. The polylinguists at Livemocha are on a quest to build the best language learning service on the web. It’s extremely similar to the expensive Rosetta Stone software but Livemocha allows you to interact with native speakers who add supplemental information to the standard lessons. This includes grammar help, alternate colloquial meanings and other helpful hints. But the best part – it is all totally free!

Pete Karras’s new venture, The Cutty Spot, turns ABC’s of different shapes and sizes into works of alphabetic art. The New York-based graphic designer makes collage-like creations highlighting one letter at a time, ensuring that no duplicate characters exist within the piece by personally hand cutting and setting each one within the work’s 22 x 30 frame. The end result is a truly unique arrangement of letters and fonts. You can currently request your favorite vowel or consonant creation from Mr. Karras — though if you want the latter you’ll have to show some patience, as each item requires about six weeks production time. Though, that seems like a short wait for a one of a kind work.

Watch Cufflinks: Read JS Review | Buy It ($75)
Watch movements mounted on clasps to function as cufflinks? Genius, fashionable, a bit geeky and entirely functional.

Setgo Men’s Accessories: Read JS Review | Buy It ($45+)
The NYC-based maker of sleek and functional men’s accessories caught our eye. Our favorites are the thin, minimalistic wallets.

Hanger 3’s Transit Necklaces: Read JS Review | Buy It ($35)
The fact that anything could be passed off as jewelery makes it both fun and lame. Mostly the latter. Hanger 3’s neclkaces are definitely cool though. Simple design with a bit of history make the perfect gift.

Hlaska Bags: Read JS Review | Buy It ($19 -$1,100)
Hlaska’s leather bags are about as buttery soft as tanned cowhide can be, and unlike the cow, come with tons of pockets.

Makr Wallets: Read JS Review | Buy It ($45 – $85)
If you’ve been waiting for a time to toss your Velcro abomination, guess what? Supple leather, laser etching, and the right size to keep your card-carrying down to the absolute minimum.

Stussy Deluxe: Read JS Review | Buy It ($65 – $230)
A full line of sleek, black leather accessories: bags, tags … flasks. Remember how everyone was into Stussy in middle school? This is not that.

Hard Graft x 2Unfold: Read JS Review | Buy It (â‚349)
One bag. Eight ways. Two turtledoves … and a partridge in a pear tree.

Brixton Ltd: Read JS Review | Buy It ($20+)
I recently read an article in a men’s magazine talking about the comeback of hats for men. I don’t think they ever went away, but until recently only a portion of the population could “pull it off.” Brixton Ltd. hopes to change all that with over a dozen men’s hats to choose from, in a variety of styles and colors.

The Gift: A Chikabird gift pack (makers of these fine wallets) containing a notebook in your choice of available colors, a Slow Loris pocket notebook and motorcycle tee.

The Rules: We’re using complicated chaos models to determine the winner. Just fill out the name and e-mail fields in the COMMENTS section and we’ll run it through the supercomputer in Bern, Switzerland.

The Deadline: Contest runs now through midnight on 12/17.





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