All the Stuff Our Editors Fell in Love With This Week

Welcome to InsideHook’s Staff Picks, a compendium of all the stuff our editors have been digging on recently.

Every Occasion Cards
I have a reputation among my friends and family for giving inane and situationally inappropriate gift cards. A Buzz Lightyear birthday card at a wedding. A “Get Well Soon” for a 30th birthday. Etc. The gimmick has served me well, but it’s time for a new one. So I ordered a 30-pack of these mad-lib-esque “every occasion” cards this morning. Someone I know will be receiving a “Congrats on your stupid ass baby” posthaste. — Walker Loetscher, Editor in Chief

Askov Finlayson North Hat
I’m sourcing out my cold-weather headgear nice and early this year, and the beanie barons at Askov Finlayson are more than up to the task. The Minnesota-based brand runs on a 110% giving business model, meaning they literally give more to climate-change solutions that it costs to run their company. That commitment to “keeping the North cold” plays out on their 100% recycled yarn hats, which proudly proclaim “NORTH” while proffering a playful pom top/colorblock design. Brrrrr. — Tanner Garrity, Associate Editor

Paravel Bright and Early Kit
My current underrated travel hack? Carrying eccentric luggage. Watching a fellow flyer recently receive compliment after compliment (from fellow jetsetters, even TSA agents) for simply toting a colorful bag made me consider swapping out my tried-and-true brown leather, especially on vacation, when I’m looking to catch eyes and hobnob. Paravel’s new Ultralight Main Line, a featherweight canvas duffel trimmed in Italian leather, is just the ticket. Bonus: This combo pack gets you a matching fold-up bag. — Alex Lauer, Senior Editor

Flint and Tinder Flannel-lined Waxed Trucker Jacket
Call me old fashioned, but I don’t typically like being compared to truckers. However, when I’ve got this bad boy on, hair flowing in the wind, women snapping their necks to catch a glimpse as I walk by, I feel like I could own the whole damn Hess empire. Great for wet conditions, thanks to the waxed canvas exterior … while simultaneously being appropriate for those days when the mercury dips low thanks to the flannel lining. — Eli London, Director of Partnerships and User Acquisition

Goodlife Indigo Jersey L/S + Fleece Sweatpant Chino
So we recently extolled the virtues of the “elevated sweatsuit,” and while I wholeheartedly agree with the concept as an excellent fall weekend look, I didn’t have the opportunity to throw this handsome indigo kit from Goodlife into the mix — replacing your standard matching hoodie or crewneck with a cozy jersey button-up adds a nice “this look is very much intentional” vibe, further driven home by the relaxed-but-tailored cut of the pants. That being said, a matching hoodie is also available, as are a butter-soft henley, shawl-collared sweatshirt and a tailored tee. Just saying, a whole set may be in order. — Danny Agnew, Creative Director

*Curious what to pair with down low? Check out our piece on the 15 new sneaker brands every guy should know.

CFDA & Todd Snyder Crafted Collection
There’s nothing cooler than a whiskey barrel. Putting that used wood to good new use: this collab between NY designer Todd Snyder, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky (see photo up top). Here, the whisky-kissed oak is refashioned into a rustic bar cart, dress shoes, snare drums and a charcuterie board. Pair ‘em all with this whisky auction: a classic Morgan Roadster, five extremely rare bottles of the Balvenie single malt and a trip to the distillery. (Note: That’s gonna add about $100K to your tab.) — Kirk Miller, Nation Editor/Managing Editor

THE BEST THING WE DRANK THIS WEEK

I know House of Suntory from their Japanese whisky. In their homeland, however, the company has mastered a range of spirits (and non-spirits). While I enjoyed the Haku Vodka, the just-launched (at least here) Roku Gin was a standout. It’s crafted from six traditional Japanese botanicals (Sakura leaf, Yuzu peel, Sencha tea, etc.) and eight traditional gin botanicals. There’s a bit of pepper in the finish, but overall this is a smooth sipper that worked wonders in cocktails (particularly the Roku ‘n Rolla, pictured above, a mix of gin, grapefruit, fresh wasabi, tonic and sea salt).

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Photos: (top to bottom) The Balvenie; Cool Material; Huckberry; Paravel; Huckberry; Goodlife; The Balvenie; Kirk Miller