Expect a new Crabapple within the next few months.  I’m rebooting the whole site.  The old (original) blog will be put into storage somewhere – hopefully in an accessible archive.  I’m still trying to decide what the new version will look like.  Let’s just say I do not plan on posting much about new arrivals at J.Crew.

Until then…

~Sam

Greetings and salutations, my friends.  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season.  I may have enjoyed myself a little too much, but that is what the holidays are for, am I right?

The tough part is getting back into a routine following a month of feasting, and perhaps not enough exercise.  The good news is I am still down over 20 lbs since I started Operation Trim last January.  I was getting close to 30 lbs, and my ultimate goal of 38 lbs, but sometimes life just gets in the way.

The photos above and below show a comparison of January 2012, and last week.  I definitely still see a difference.  I know the lighting is different, and I raised the wrong leg, but you get the idea.  I’m happy with what I have done so far to change my way of eating and drinking, but I definitely still need to do more.

The first thing I need to do is to stop my alcohol consumption during the work week.  I got into the habit of having a glass of wine with dinner, and perhaps a scotch or a cognac before or after dinner.  So, alcohol will be kept to a minimum, and only on weekends.

Second, I need to cut back on unhealthy snacking, and desserts.  When you have Christmas cookies and chocolates in the house, you tend to gravitate towards eating those instead of better snacks like vegetables and fruit.  Step two – pitch the leftover holiday treats, and buy more fruit.

Third, start cooking more again instead of ordering in.  This is a killer.  Even if I think I am ordering something healthier, I don’t know what the restaurants put into these dishes.  If I cook it, I know what’s in it.

Fourth, I need to hit the gym 3 times a week for 45 minutes to an hour, and run an additional 3 times per week giving myself one day a week of doing nothing.  I found last year that running was the best exercise for me.  It helped me shed the pounds.  I hate going to the gym, but lifting light weights a few times a week is a good way to keep myself toned.

Fifth, I need to get back to being accountable.  I don’t plan on updating Operation Trim every week like I did last year, but I will continue my weekly Weight Watchers weigh-ins, and I will post a monthly update.  In addition, I invite any friends and readers who have similar goals, or success stories to email me if you are interested in having my post your story to this site.  Could be fun!  crabapplenyc @ gmail.com

In addition to updating this particular category, I am considering a reboot of the entire Crabapple site.  This will help me focus the site a bit more, and to get back to writing about what I really like – clothes, fitness, The New York Mets, James Bond, fiction, travel, etc.  That’s all a work in progress.  We’ll see how that goes.

Have a great week!

It’s been an interesting year.  I started 2012 at 198 lbs, the heaviest I have even been.  Almost 52 weeks later, and I’m weighing in around the 172 mark.  That equals about 26 lbs, or about 1/2 lb per week lost.  In the grand scheme of things, I am happy to have lost this weight.  Around late spring, I plateaued in the mid 170′s, and have been bouncing around this mark ever since.  The good thing is I haven’t gained the weight back even with vacations, summer bbq’s, business travel, and Thanksgiving.  The real challenge will be next week for Christmas at my in-laws – my mother in law likes to make us pancakes.  I figure I can get through the holidays, and start fresh in 2013 working towards my goal of 160 lbs.

This was my first Operation Trim photo taken on January 2nd.  Yes, the lighting is bad and the angle is different, but I think the difference is clear.  Not only do I have Weight Watchers to thank, but also my wife, my friends, and my family for being supportive.  And running has certainly helped.  This year I ran four short races between 4 and 7 miles.  Next year I hope to run a half marathon, but we’ll see.

I also need to land a new job for 2013.  Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve updated anything on this site.  Unfortunately my last position did not work out, but it was certainly an interesting learning experience.  I really hope my next move will be the right one, and that I can stay there for a long time.

I’m not sure what I plan to do with Crabapple, or my other blogs in the new year.  I have kind of lost the passion that fueled my blogging in the past.  I would love to get back to writing fiction in my free time next year.  If I did plan on writing a list of New Year’s resolutions that would be on it.  So would the final 12 lbs.  Then I would add curbing my spending on clothes and dining out.  But this isn’t a list of resolutions, so there.

I want to thank everyone who has kept up with my weight loss in 2012, and who has offered support and encouragement.  You were all a big help.

Have a wonderful holiday season and happy new year!!

Last night marked the London premier of Skyfall at the Royal Albert Hall.  Fans turned out in droves to catch a glimpse of the stars of the film, and even Charles & Camilla.  Daniel Craig walked the red carpet in what appeared to be a blue shawl collar dinner jacket from Tom Ford which differed only slightly from the classic black number he sports in the movie.

At some point in the film – my guess is it follows London – 007 finds himself in Shanghai where he encounters the beautiful Severine played by French actress Berenice Marlohe.  The trailer shows an encounter where he inquires about her boss, who we may assume to be Javier Bardem’s character.  They later film a shower scene together, and at another point he watches her in a hotel room from across the street (more on that later this week.)

The shawl collar tuxedo is very classic, and fairly easy to find in most stores including, yep you guessed it, J.Crew.  And if you hadn’t already figured it out, I have assembled a kit below highlighting the elements to Bond’s sleek style using mostly items found at J.Crew.  Can you spot the one that isn’t?

Clockwise From Top Left:

Ludlow Shawl-Collar Tuxedo with Slim Pants in Italian Wool | $525, Jacket $265, Pants

Satin bow tie | $52

White linen pocket square | $42

Omega Seamaster Special Edition | From $4,195, Omegawatches.com

Preston bluchers | $215

Black satin cummerbund | $75

Thomas Mason® for J.Crew Ludlow bib tuxedo shirt | $148

Like in an good Bond film, Skyfall takes Commander Bond back to London.  From what I can gather from the story & trailers (possible spoiler alert) is that after the first scene in Istanbul, James is presumed dead and “enjoys death” somewhere in Turkey (more on that tomorrow) before some unknown forces him to come back to London to make things right with MI6, etc.  In the above image, we see Daniel Craig as Bond standing on some London rooftop gazing out over his home city with the Union Jack flapping in the background.

Bond’s style here is rather simple and London conservative.  Luckily, I was able to find good options for all pieces at J.Crew (see, I don’t like to scour a lot of websites for this sort of thing.  I do 90% of my shopping at J.Crew, so why not feature it predominantly?) from a heavy English wool suit to the black shoes, overcoat, scarf, & gloves.

Clockwise from top left:

Ludlow Fielding Three-Button Suit in Heathered English Wool | Jacket, $750, Pants, $375

Thomas Mason® For J.Crew Spread-Collar Dress Shirt in Fine Stripe | $135

Portolano® for J.Crew cashmere-lined leather gloves | $138

Mayfair topcoat in wool-cashmere | $398

Alden® for J.Crew black leather longwing bluchers | $515

Mini-herringbone wool tie | $59.50

Cashmere scarf | $98

Those of you who know me well (or maybe even not so well) know that I am a big fan of the James Bond 007 film series.  I have been watching Bond films since sometime in the 80′s when my dad and I were flipping channels, and landed on Octopussy.  Since then I have watched all films – some many times over – I’ve bought the merchandise, drank the drinks, and have even attempted Commander Bond’s style here and there.

James Bond has always had high, yet classic style, and from what we’ve seen so far for Skyfall (November 9th, US) lives up to the gold standard.  This week I present a series of kits based on Daniel Craig’s Skyfall wardrobe ranging from his suits, to the razor sharp tuxedo, and even a more casual option perfect for scorpion drinking games.  I look to my favorite outpost, J.Crew for most options, though you’ll notice a little something extra thrown in here and there as necessary.

In the image above (top) we see Bond on a motorcycle whipping through the streets of Istanbul in pursuit of…somebody.  He’s wearing a classic, medium grey suit, and a light tie, white shirt, and a pocket square.  We don’t see his footwear, but one can only imagine it’s something stylish, yet practical (for running, etc).  We can also see a glimpse of his watch which is undoubtedly an Omega, but for the sake of creativity I chose an option that he may wear had Omega not been an endorser of the film (no worries, the real one will show up later this week.)

Clockwise from top left:

Ludlow Suit in Grey Worsted Wool | Jacket, $425 Pants, $225

Mougin & Piquard™ chronograph watch in black | $695

Stitched-edge belt | $59.50

Thomas Mason® for J.Crew spread-collar dress shirt | $125

Alden® for J.Crew cap toe cordovan boots | $645

Bird’s-eye wool tie | $69.50

Walther PPK | $629 – $859, Smith & Wesson

‘Tis the season to be toasty.  If nothing else, J.Crew’s October launch of new items features a good amount of colder weather outerwear, sweaters, and accessories.  Many of these are the same as in years past.  This is not a bad thing.  Sometimes one just needs to replace a peacoat, or a knit hat.  You can click the smiley fella above to see everything.  What I have highlighted below are a few of my favorite items from the mix.

Ludlow two-button suit jacket in Prince of Wales check Italian wool flannel $425

My favorite of all the new items is this one.  Prince of Wales has been very popular for the past couple of years thanks, in part to Michael Bastian’s version for GANT.

Click on this image for closer detail.  If you are a fan of the pattern, and of the Ludlow cut, then I imagine you will be one of the first to purchase this.  It can actually be obtained as a full suit, but I don’t see why one couldn’t pair it with jeans.

Ludlow slim suit pant in Prince of Wales check Italian wool flannel $225

Don’t forget your pants.  They come in classic fit too.

Ludlow sportcoat in velvet $288

Sticking with the Ludlow theme for a moment, J.Crew has also re-released the black velvet sportcoat.  This would make a nice alternative to the dinner jacket for a New Year’s Eve party.  Is anyone even thinking of NYE yet?  Goofy facial expression not required.

Wallace & Barnes Shetland wool Sutherland sweater $128

I don’t normally give a ratatouille about the W&B offerings.  I mention this one because last month I noted that I really liked the slub merino sweater with elbow patches.  Turns out it didn’t look very good on me.  Perhaps this one would be better?  Maybe I’ll try it.

Marled lambswool shawl-collar sweater $75

I am still digging the shawl collar sweaters too.

Dacota down jacket $218

Nice update on the down jacket.  Price isn’t too bad either.

Thomas Mason® for J.Crew spread-collar dress shirt in gingham $125

I really like the Thomas Mason dress shirts.  This month, it appears they have dropped the price from $135 to $125.  Every little bit helps.

Thomas Mason® Archive for J.Crew slim shirt in 1887 check $168

A new development in the TM collection.  The website describes the shirts as follows:

‘This heritage plaid hails from Thomas Mason, the first name in fine shirting since 1796 (their fabrics have been a long-time favorite on London’s Jermyn Street, the acknowledged shirt-making capital of the world). Originally produced over a century ago, this pattern was brought back to life by our design team after visiting the British shirt maker’s archives in Italy. After combing through their library of over 200 historical prints (some dating back to the 1700s), we hand selected this plaid for its standout pattern, which feels just as fresh today as it did when it was first designed. Recreated exclusively for us with the same attention to detail that you expect from Thomas Mason, this limited-edition plaid can only be found here at J.Crew. Slim fit—a trimmer version of our regular fit that’s cut more narrowly through the body and sleeves.’

I dig.

TouchTec® gloves $85

These are probably one of the most practical items available.  You can be wearing these, and still be flipping through emails, texts, etc on your iPhone, Android, or tablet.  If I find that I will be spending a lot of time outside this winter (could happen) then I may buy a pair of these.

Alden® for J.Crew longwing boots in antique natural $539

Another Alden collaboration gem!

Billykirk® for J.Crew padded briefcase $380

A very handsome and practical briefcase that tethers the line between rugged, casual, and luxurious.

Croc-embossed leather flask $42.50

Finally, I include this for that little hint of indulgence.  It’s not real croc, but it looks pretty authentic.  Now you can feel a bit more sophisticated when sneaking a swig of your favorite cold weather spirit.  I know I will.

All items available at jcrew.com and select J.Crew stores.

Testing out a new daily segment.  Let me know what you think.  And while you’re at it, feel free to answer the Daily Sam’Which!