Dapper Scout – A lifestyle web magazine for men

It’s been a long time since you made those New Year’s resolutions.  And with the weather starting to ever so slightly warm up, it’s as good a time as any to check in on that commitment you made to getting back into shape.  And there’s no better way to monitor your progress (or lack thereof), than with a Tanita Body Monitor.  Using BIA technology (bioelectrical impedance analysis), Tanita Body Monitors measure body fat percentage, body water percentage, muscle mass, and bone mass, among many other things depending on the model.  And being FDA approved for precision, not to mention having at least a 300lb weight capacity, Tanita Body Monitors are built for performance and apparently, durability as well.

Item A.

Tanita BF-683W Body Fat / Body Water Monitor (available at TheCompetitiveEdge.com for $80): these days, it’s not just about how much you weigh, it’s about what makes up that weight as well, and the BF-683W accurately measures weight, body fat percentage, and body water percentage, giving you access to three critical readings you should be aware of, whether you like what you see or not.

Item B. 

Tanita BC-1000 Body Composition Monitor (available at TheCompetitiveEdge.com for $280): triathletes, marathon runners and general fitness fanatics should look no further as the BC-1000 Body Composition Monitor measures not only weight, body fat percentage, and hydration levels, but also muscle mass, overall physique rating, daily caloric intake, metabolic age rating, bone mass, and visceral fat.   These readings are automatically transmitted and loaded to a computer, remote display or Garmin Fitness watch using a wireless USB stick and proprietary software.  This is the ideal body monitor for those interested in capturing detailed information and tracking it over time to understand trending and overall progress.

Bathroom, DS Recommends, Fitness, Loft

We’re all about keeping things as simple as possible, especially around the kitchen.  With our OCD tendencies often at full odds with the chaos we tend to create when preparing food, it’s a constant battle between simultaneously cooking and cleaning that often results in us partially losing our minds by the time the food is ready to eat.  Enter fusionbrands, whose full range of intelligently designed products perfectly represent their mission to make things “easier, faster and more pleasurable” in the kitchen (and beyond).

fusionbrands iceorb (available at fusionbrands for $16): as the most versatile ice tray we’ve ever seen, the iceorb does so much more than just make ice cubes.  Not only does it produce 21 ice cubes on its vertical wall, but it also stores up to 51 ice cubes in an airtight and odor-free manner, while able to chill bottled beverages as well as keep foods cold when used as a serving container. With a spill-proof design that’s dishwasher safe, the iceorb is also incredibly easy to use and clean—attributes we certainly don’t take for granted.

fusionbrands foodpod (available at fusionbrands for $15): made of FDA/EU food-safe silicone and BPA-free nylon, the foodpod is the ideal way of boiling/blanching/steaming food, whether it’s eggs, vegetables, or even shellfish.  The flexible non-stick silicone allows the foodpod to fit in virtually any pot without damaging the food contained and the grip clip lets you easily remove it from pots, letting water quickly drain away.  We can’t imagine a more intuitive way to hold, cook and then transport your food when you’ve got boiling water in the picture.

DS Recommends, Kitchen, Loft

Growing up, we totally believed it when our parents told us it took about seven years for chewing gum to pass through the digestive system.  If only our ever-increasing trash problem was more of an urban legend that we didn’t have to worry about (vs. an environmental fact we’d rather not face today).  With landfills full of plastic trash bags that generally don’t decompose, here are two products that can help change the way you dispose of your garbage and waste one bag/bin at at time.

Item A.
Green Genius Biodegradable Trash Bags (available at Green Home starting from $14):  made of 40% recycled plastic, these Green Genius trash bags undergo a special process that allows the plastic to be consumed by microbes found in landfills, completely breaking down the bags into organic matter such as sugars and amino acids.  These trash bags not only meet ASTM D5511 (the standard for biodegradability), but also feature the same level of durability and reliability as their non-biodegradable competitors.

Item B.
NatureMill Compost Bin (available at NatureMill starting from $299): capable of accepting vegetables, meat, fish and dairy (as well as pet waste), this highly capable compost bin can be used indoors as well as outdoors.  With automatic mixing (every four hours), continuous air flow, and a strong carbon filter, the NatureMill Compost Bin ensures complete odor elimination while allowing you to add food waste at any time during the composting process.  After two weeks, a red light informs you when to empty the bin, and with energy costs limited to approximately 50 cents a month, it’s a small price to pay to divert over two tons of waste over the life of the compost bin that would otherwise have gone to a landfill.

DS Recommends, Going green, Kitchen, Loft

Standing outside this morning waiting for the crosstown bus, we realized it’s time for a much-needed escapade to significantly warmer climes.  Though it won’t be happening for us anytime soon, if you were smart enough to make plans that take you over international waters in the near future, show a little pride for the red, white and blue with the Valextra U.S.A. Passport Holder (available at Barneys for $295).  This passport holder comes in a grained, royal blue leather accented with red stitching and a contrasting cut-out image of the United States—a visually striking reminder of where you’re departing from before you head off to wherever you’re going (to get away from it all). 

And while we recognize the inherent perils of white leather (and just how few of us can pull it off), for those with the properly rakish demeanor and style quotient, the Valextra 6 Credit Card Wallet (available at Barneys for $370) is the ideal leather accessory (editor’s choice: white) to house all your important plastic and foreign currency as you work on little more than getting intimately reacquainted with that thing called sleep as you take in some sun, and thoughts of that thing called work, slowly start to dissipate.

Accessories, DS Recommends, Leather Goods, Leisure, Style, Travel

We’re fairly confident that our culinary exploits would never be mistaken for anything but experimental, sometimes reckless, and ultimately novice.  That said, one thing we do know is just how critical a quality, sharp knife is for any home cook.  And given that what you’re cutting on is just as important as what you’re cutting with, we’ve provided you with two essential options to consider the next time you’re in the market for some serious hardware.

Shun VGS300 Pro Series Laurent Gras Signature Knife Set (available at Ira Wood & Sons for $380): Laurent Gras is the owner of James Beard-nominated restaurant, L2O, and his three piece signature knife set from Shun includes the Yanagiba, Nakiri and Deba knives, constructed out of pure VG-10 steel and ebony-black Pakkawood handles.  These Pro Series knives have a single-sided, beveled design that ensures an exceptionally sharp edge and the handle’s “D” shape also fits the hand perfectly when cutting food.

Asahi Rubber Cutting Board (available at Korin starting from $230): though resembling wood in appearance and texture, the Asahi Cutting Board is made of high-grade rubber that’s not only durable and sanitary, but also soft and forgiving, ideal as a gentle cutting surface for your precision knives (just remember to alternate which side of the board you use to prevent warping).

DS Recommends, Gear, Kitchen, Loft

While waiting at the checkout counter of our local Bed Bath & Beyond, we’ve often found ourselves looking up at a wall of Umbra garbage cans (which would probably explain why we have two of them), and for some time we didn’t think of Umbra in any other context (a regrettable decision in hindsight).  But Umbra’s product design range extends well beyond just stylish trash receptacles, and these two Umbra Wine Racks exemplify the diversity and exceptional design of Umbra’s home accessories line: the first, perfect for those on a budget and the other, for those who can afford to spend a little more.  Regardless of which Umbra wine rack resonates with you, both will charmingly house every bottle of wine you bring home.

Item A.
Grapevine Wine Rack (available at Umbra for $21): designed by Ran Lerner, this acrylic wine rack holds up to six bottles, is incredibly affordable and makes for an ideal housewarming gift.

Item B.
Loopsey Wine Rack (available at Umbra for $215): designed by David Quan for Umbra’s exclusive U+ Studio Collection, this clear acrylic wine rack has a substantial design presence that allows it to practically stand on its own (even without the wine bottles).

Bar, DS Recommends, Loft, Wine

A recent UCLA study indicated that up to 93 percent of communication effectiveness is determined by non-verbal cues.  The editors at DS are convinced that a good portion of these signals are recognized and understood through people’s olfactory sense, especially considering how smell is tied to emotional memory.  With this in mind, here are two simple, yet highly effective (and portable) tools to ensure that no matter the circumstances, those within close proximity will never get the wrong message from you (at least not through some combination scent of body odor, alcohol and smoke).

Colgate Wisp

Gum is great and for others, curiously strong breath mints have their place as well.  But sometimes, you just want (and really need) to brush your teeth, but the last thing you’re going to do is carry around a toothbrush and toothpaste with you at all times.  With the new Colgate Wisp (available at drugstore.com for $8), you’ve got access to a single-use mini brush that comes with a freshening bead that doesn’t require water, but naturally dissolves and cleans your mouth when in use, and features the benefit of bristles to gently remove trapped food particles and a soft pick to get to those hard to reach areas.  The Wisp is ideal for after first dinner dates—in practically the amount of time it takes to wash your hands, you’ll have significantly reinvigorated your breath and be back on your date with the confidence to show it.

GoneSmoke Personal Smoke ‘n’ Odor Eliminator Bullet

Safe on any fabric as well as contact with you hair and skin, the GoneSmoke Personal Smoke ’n’ Odor Eliminator Bullet (available at GoneSmoke starting from $5) is an aerosol that’s practically dry and has been formulated to neutralize (as oppose to mask) unseemly odors whether it’s sweat, smoke or something else entirely.  The Bullet is ultra-compact and with just a few light sprays, you’ll emerge from any unpleasant scent cloud, smelling fresh and primed for the rest of the day (or night).  Consider the Bullet your get-out-of-jail-free card, one that will guarantee odor protection from the unpredictably noisome elements you face each day.

Related Item:
Weleda Sage Deodorant

DS Recommends, Gear, Grooming

The editors at DS have been wearing cap toe shoes for as long as we can remember and with some of the updated and varied versions that we’ve been seeing, we’re just as into them now as we were back in the day.  Here are five of our favorites out right now:

Item A. Mr. Hare Kerouac Boots (available at oki-ni for approximately $727): there’s a perfect juxtaposition of rugged and refined in the soft construction of the upper vamp that can be contracted using heavy-duty leather lace and a metal button toggle as well as the quality craftsmanship evident in its fine Italian calf leather.

Item B. Maison Martin Margiela Slip On Balmorals (available at Barneys for $575): we love the fact you can just slip on these Maison Martin Margiela Balmoral shoes without the laces and the unique grey-brown leather is so distinctive, it caught our eye immediately.

Item C. Lanvin Low Top Sneakers (available at Barneys for $565): while the patent leather cap toe reminded us of the Air Jordan XIs, these Lanvin sneakers seamlessly combine a high-end aesthetic with a laid-back sportiness.

Item D. Maison Martin Margiela Brushed Effect Shoes (available at oki-ni for approximately $644): with a vintage treated black leather upper, the Brushed Effect Shoes have a beautifully faded color that’s further accented by a bold over-stitched cap toe.

Item E. Mjölk Hackney Road Shoes (available at Revolve Clothing for $431): not for the faint of (fashionable) heart, Australian brand Mjölk takes the cap toe in a dandy direction with a mushroom color scheme and perforated suede trim.

Accessories, DS Recommends, Shoes, Style

It’s simple.  Watch it.  The editors at DS have had little patience for most movies these days given how invariably insipid so many of them have been.  So without much in the way of expectations, we watched District 9 and were obliterated by the visual onslaught of imagery and documentary-like footage that streamed from the outset of the movie.  We initially gnashed our teeth in disgust and loathing at the protagonist and his naive bumbling demeanor, but we soon found ourselves becoming engaged and entrenched in District 9 as his character became more fully developed and intertwined with the simple, but riveting story.  The special effects and cinematography were superbly executed and though the violence was at times raw (with viewpoints often accentuating the inevitable collateral damage of certain shots), it never felt overly gratuitous.  We were in absolute awe of some of the battle scenes where CGI and imagination were working together in such flawless unison that we couldn’t recall being so caught off guard since we saw the first Matrix movie all those years ago.  And at the core of District 9 is a story told from a perspective that elicits empathy and emotion and had the sci-fi fan in us rejoicing that a movie like this could even exist.

DS Recommends, Leisure, Movies

If you’re a relative neophyte when it comes to sake, here are two great reasons to start down the road towards aficionado, and just because the editors at DS are that thoughtful, we’ve also provided two stylish accessories with which to partake of your sake: one beautiful carafe and a set of sake cups in which to keep your new sake of choice perfectly chilled and then quaffed.

Item A. Masuizumi Junmai Daiginjo Sake (available at SAKAYA for $81): a premium sake with a floral nose that is at once crisp and yet delicate in its finish.

Item B. Chikurin “Hou Hou Shu” Sparkling Sake (available at SAKAYA for $19): a fun sake for a palate that gravitates toward a little effervescence and sweetness.

Item C. Toyo-Sasaki Glass Cold Sake Carafe (available at Zwello for $60): with a little pocket for ice to chill your sake, this glass carafe is both playful and functional at the same time.

Item D. Mori Sake Cups (set of four available at Zwello for $48): made of white porcelain, each Mori Sake Cup has its own unique shape, helping you remember which one is yours as well as making it that much easier to hold.

DS Recommends, Eat & Drink, Loft, Sake