Editor’s note: Click here to check out my last personal style post.

It’s been some time since we stepped away from our  regularly scheduled programming to cover a bit of personal style from your Style Guide author, but this weekend seemed a fitting chance to get out with great new gear.  Namely, it was my birthday on Saturday (thanks for all the love, folks!), and a four-day weekend was in order! Unlike Michael Scott, I didn’t bring in donuts to the office for my own day.  However, I did get the chance to hit up my favorite spots in Brooklyn, spend time with great friends and test out some new #menswear from the likes of JackThreads, Abercrombie & Fitch and more (thanks for the gifts, family!).  And any time I get the chance to get out of the office and enjoy some time off, it’s always much welcomed. So if you didn’t follow along on Instagram … here’s what went down.

Perhaps most importantly, it’s the height of menswear trade show season here in New York, so Friday proved a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of standout — yet busy — shows like Capsule and Liberty last week. After spending Thursday hustling around the shows, some quality Brooklyn time was in order. Of course, it’s always great to see what’s new and what’s next in the men’s style world. I definitely enjoyed catching up with Style Guide favorites like the Bridge & Burn team, along with my pals at Rivay, purveyors of stunningly rugged menswear. I’m particularly excited to working on a neat project with the classic prep-Americana clothiers at JACHS NY over the next few weeks, too.

But all that action meant a relaxing Friday was pretty crucial. I was lucky enough to test out a unique piece of outerwear for the weekend, the JackThreads Munro Leather Biker, a sleek, classic and affordably priced take on the biker jacket silhouette. If you’ve been looking to switch up your style, I’d recommend you take a look at that jacket. I teamed it with some other rock-ready pieces, like my slim Levi’s 505C Denim — a new classic from a brand with tons of history. The denim proved a stylish and suitably rock-inspired move when matched up with my JackThreads Kimbo Chelsea Boots, too.  Plus, I teamed it with a personal favorite, the rugged Todd Snyder Classic Henley in Indigo, for a day spent around Williamsburg. I’ve written often about how I love the quiet atmosphere and beautifully handcrafted menswear at Upstate Stock, and they make an excellent Campfire Latte, too. In short, it’s a great place to post up, listen to some great music (The National, anyone?) and get some work done. The nearby Greenpoint Beer & Ale also proved the perfect place to grab a pre-birthday pint and some excellent “European comfort cuisine,” as they call it. Seriously, throw on your most rugged gear and belly up to the bar!

With some excellent Greenpoint brews in the books, it was time to kick off Saturday with some top-notch birthday gifts — and a crucial Bloody Mary — at another favorite Brooklyn spot, Fawkner. It’s a great neighborhood spot with a neat, rustic interior — like stepping into a Rudyard Kipling novel (think vintage posters, mounted animals and a neat blue color scheme, plus a plush study-like area in the back).  Of course, kicking the day off with a few gifts — and plenty of wishes from family and friends — was incredible, and made me feel very lucky! It’s not for nothing that those gifts included some stellar menswear. Namely  I was pumped to open an outstanding set of Abercrombie & Fitch Flannel-Lined Chinos and the very wearable, slim and stylish Abercrombie & Fitch Plaid Indigo Oxford Shirt — they both stylishly offset another personal favorite for perfect Saturday style, the Taylor Stitch Maritime Submariner Jacket (yet another birthday gift from the family!). I finished the look off with the durable, well-worn CAT Footwear Sutter Boots and my always-essential Timex x Red Wing Watebury Chronograph. The combination took me from brunch and around Brooklyn for a few brews with college friends at The Well, a cavernous, repurposed warehouse-turned-craft brew haven — what better place to celebrate a birthday in style??

With a remarkably fun birthday in the books, it was time to close out the weekend in relaxing — and athletic-inspired — style as I watched my Michigan State Spartans take on archrival Michigan in a much-anticipated home game. That meant reaching for a retro, warm and comfortable Hillflint Tailgate Sweater, a gift Santa left me under the tree this past Christmas in Florida. It’s the perfect way to upgrade your sports-centric style without spending too much. It layered nicely under my tough, weather-ready Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket — seriously, pick up that outerwear if you haven’t already. The rugged combo was stylishly offset by my casual Abercrombie & Fitch denim, featuring brushed cotton for comfort and mobility. Plus, my reliable Johnston and Murphy Karnes Captoe Boots helped me navigate the chilly Brooklyn streets in style. Of course, there’s almost no better locale in Brooklyn — for the excellent beer and the value — at which to take in a game than Keg & Lantern (get the beer-and-wings combo and thank me later). It was the perfect way to end Sunday — topped off with yet another stop by Upstate Stock. I’m telling you, that’s a must-see spot if you love tranquility and menswear wrapped into a serene environment.

It’s weekends like this past one that make me really grateful for a multitude of things — my amazing family and friends chief among them. And the opportunity to live, work and blog in Brooklyn & Manhattan, while taxing at times, is fulfilling, fun and really enjoyable. This past year has brought a lot — professionally and personally — and I’m hopeful the next year will continue to do the same! That goes beyond just this blog, but I really appreciate you reading, thank you to so many for the birthday wishes, and I hope these style tips and musings are helpful! Join us tomorrow for the next entry in our #OOTD series, and follow along on Instagram for real-world style.

Stay stylish!

-Beau