
As I roll into another Pure Michigan weekend — following a couple momentous yet relaxing weeks in my home state — I’m both grateful for relaxing time spent on the shores of Lake Michigan, as well as the chance to keep up with my freelance writing pursuits all the same.
It’s the best of both worlds if you ask me, complete with both tranquil lakeshore views and cold beer (along with more than a few dispatches to add to my freelance writing portfolio). Fireworks, food, fun and … menswear? Sure thing. Fair warning: You’ll also want to keep scrolling today to read about a sharp new watch from Shinola.

As to my time in Pure Michigan: In between fun in the sun and sand, I wrote about another partnership near and dear to my heart. That’d be the stunning Filson x Indiana Jones capsule, as seen at the top of the page and covered by yours truly at Maxim.com. It’s a set of rugged, Indy-inspired gear made for the outdoor explorer, and you’d do well to shop Filson x Indiana Jones heading into your weekend.
By the way, the Filson Summer Sale continues to roll on, so you’ve got more than enough reason to shop the legendary Pacific Northwest outfitter.
As to the rest of your plans over the next three days, use my helpful picks below as a guide to shop and sip your way through breezy summer days. Cheers, my friends.

- Here’s a nice sipper to guide you into the weekend. Back in May, Jim Beam (known more formally as the James B. Beam Distilling Co.) launched its first-ever American single malt whiskey, and I had the chance to taste Clermont Steep Single Malt in New York City as part of my spirits writing for Maxim.com. It’s crafted from American malted barley from Clermont, Kentucky, then distilled at a single distillery (the same approach taken across the pond for single malt Scotch). It was a wonderful night, and I’m here to say that the first foray by Jim Beam into this new category is a winner. Oh, and here’s the kicker: You can get yourself a bottle of Clermont Steep at Drizly right now.
- If you thought the Filson x Indiana Jones capsule was fun, how about this: Shinola turned one of its April Fool’s jokes into a real-life, limited-edition watch. Meet the Shinola Runlate, a clever play on that friend who’s always running, well, late (even if that friend happens to be you). The design of the classic Shinola Runwell gets an update via “Late” hour markers, instead of the modern Art Deco design of the OG watch. Plus, the Runlate features a crisp white dial and tan leather strap combo. It’s playful, it’s limited-edition and it comes on the heels of a wave of customer requests for this ultra-fun watch. Don’t be late: Only 100 units of the Shinola Runlate are available.
- Let’s shift briefly from whiskey and watches to outdoor pursuits for summer days ahead. Just yesterday on the blog, I wrote about some of the best hybrid shorts to wear now: These Free Fly Breeze Shorts are ideal for trail hiking, quick training sessions, evenings around the bonfire… the list goes on. Dive right in via my Thursday Buy, and we’ll see you out there.
That’ll bring today’s Friday Read to a close, and I hope I’ve covered enough bases for everyone. Of course, there’s the chance to shop the best hybrid shorts from a trusted apparel brand, along with the fun-as-can-be Shinola Runlate watch and new American single malt whiskey. Check back tomorrow for my Style Pick of the Week, and in the meantime, cheers to summer and thanks for reading!

















