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Military

Crown Royal Sending Special Camo Gift Bags to Troops Overseas

Filed under: Spirits, Charity


Crown Royal's iconic purple velour bags have become a symbol unto themselves, but they're getting a dose of the camouflage treatment this year to honor our troops stationed overseas. The initiative will see the Canadian rye whisky distillers sending as many as 10,000 gift packages to American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq (amongst other global positions).

The packages include such personal items such as a toothbrush, razor and sunscreen, snacks and phone cards, all packed inside specially-designed purple camo versions of the iconic pouches. We're guessing that military procedures precluded them from sending actual bottles of whisky, which would undoubtedly be more thoroughly enjoyed, but the public can take part in the campaign – spearheaded by football coach and brand spokesman Jimmy Johnson – by buying bottles of the rye whisky packaged in the special purple-camo bags from their local liquor stores across the United States.

Parabellum Bison and Kevlar Laptop and iPad Cases

Filed under: Gadgets, Men's Style


Parabellum
, makers of hand-crafted leather goods with a military flair in Los Angeles, have come out with a new line of bison hide and Kevlar laptop and iPad cases. The CPU Portfolio for $980 is designed for safe and luxurious storage and transit of either a 15" or 17" laptop. That's not just hype - the case is lined in pure cashmere – vintage 1940s dead stock cashmere from the UK, to be precise. It's made of deep textured Reservation Bison with leather and Kevlar reinforcements and features a carrying strap, super smooth zipper and a ceramic covered snap lock. Each piece is individually numbered for authenticity.

The iPad case for $600 is also made of deep textured Reservation Bison with a lambskin liner, dual ceramic covered snap locks, Kevlar reinforcements and reinforced, elastic and leather corner holders on the back. Each one is also individually numbered for authenticity. Prabellum's deep textured Bison hide comes from free-range American ranches, and is tanned domestically in small batches using age old techniques. Their ceramic hardware is military grade for the ultimate in durability. The cases are available at Maxfield and Union in Los Angeles, The Webster in Miami and Colette in Paris.

BFF Bracelets Link Soldiers and Civilians

Filed under: Charity


This isn't a luxury item, but it's a neat idea worth mentioning. America Ferrera, Camilla Belle, Corbin Bleu and Wilmer Valderrama are some of the celebrities that are part of the BFF initiative. BFF bracelets are matching friendship bracelets created by BFF Entertainment, in conjunction with the American Freedom Foundation, as a way to directly connect American citizens with military personnel overseas. These matching friendship bracelets create a pen pal connection, giving the military buddy a link to home. After purchasing the bracelet, the buyer registers it online to be connected to a soldier who will receive and wear an identical bracelet. 25% of the purchase price goes directly to the American Freedom Foundation to support veterans. The bracelets cost $10.

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos



Think that Mercedes-Benz G-Class you take the kids to soccer practice in is hard-core? Well, it is, but it looks like any other family hauler next to the version you see here.

Unveiled by Mercedes at the Eurosatory defense exposition in France, the G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept is the latest armored military version of the legendary sport-ute. Its common-rail diesel engine can propel it, along with all the armor plating and 2,866 lbs of cargo, up to a top speed of 150 kilometers per hour. It's also got an adjustable suspension with 18 inches of ground clearance and enough attitude to make your enemies surrender without firing a single shot.

Parabellum Accessories, Made from Bison and Kevlar

Filed under: Men's Style

parabellum accessories
Proudly handcrafted in Los Angeles, and utilizing the most authentic and sophisticated materials available, Parabellum has just launched its inaugural line of belts and premium accessories for men. By combining military grade ceramics, free-range 15 year old American Bison, DuPont Kevlar and supple lambskin, Parabellum aims for "the perfect union between luxury and utilitarianism." Honoring classic American craftsmanship and style, the Parabellum line is also totally modern. After tanning, each bison hide is meticulously selected and hand-cut for each individual item. Just as no two hides are the same, no two Parabellum products are exactly alike. All leather is hand-skived, all corners are hand-turned, and each and every item is individually numbered for identification and authenticity.

Parabellum believes its Reservation Bison is the "richest, softest, most complicated and most beautiful" leather in the world. It is tanned in small batches, using old world techniques by true American artisans. Natural-tone, vegetable tanned lambskin linings are used to compliment the rugged beauty of the bison. All of their leather goods are also internally lined with Kevlar for strength and durability, and each and every Parabellum product includes laser-etched, military grade ceramic hardware for a level of true technological sophistication. Designs are military inspired as well. The full range of Parabellum belts, wallets and pouches will be initially available next month at Maxfield in Los Angeles. Key pieces include the Peace Maker belt, Instrument Case for PDAs and Comms Pouch cell phone case.

Gallery: Parabellum

Comms pouchComms Pouch detailInstrument caseCourier casePeace Maker belts

Balmain Studded Military Blazer

Filed under: Apparel

balmain military jacketThe Balmain design house creates unapologetically bold clothing. Especially when it comes to their jackets. They are overly structured with exaggerated shoulders and adorned with pieces that look as though they can be found on window treatments - but it all works. And with famous stars like Rihanna and Beyonce having been photographed wearing Balmain jackets, Christophe Decarnin's designs have only increased in popularity. His designs look amazingly beautiful on the runway and on celebrities but may not always translate so easily into the real world. However, the Balmain Studded Military Jacket may be the exception. Made from cotton canvas, it's slightly tapered for a well tailored fit and beautifully decorated with silver studs and military patches along the along the front, sleeves, and lapel. And with such a star studded and eye catching jacket, the rest of your outfit could be understated, allowing the jacket to take center stage. Price: $6,225.

The Fashion Statement: What Will You Be Wearing in 2010?

Filed under: The Fashion Statement





You have to be Nostradamus to predict the future. But when it comes to fashion, it's a little easier. Here's my rule of thumb: Consider what's already been popular, push that as far as it can go (ultra low drop crotches, anyone?) and if you can't push it any further, go completely in the other direction.

That, or just ask around, like I did recently! Here are some trends my fashion friends will be watching closely next year.

Tribal prints: From tattoos to prints on dresses, leggings and shoes, tribal prints will be everywhere for spring. The look is warrior-like, intricate and, ahem, fierce.

Sweet Prints: The counterpoint to primitive tribal influences is soft and cuddly prints like blooms, birds, dogs, cats and strawberry. The point is to be cute and nice.

Sheer: Barely there, diaphanous -- whatever you call it, if you can see through it, you'll want to wear it. Many runways didn't bother with undergarments. In the real world, I might.

Military: Michael Jackson died when designers were coming up with their spring 2010 collections and it shows. Epaulets, braids, badges and other accouterments of the uniform marched down runways on both sides of the pond.

More Cigars for Troops ... Do Your Part!

Filed under: Cigars

You know I have a soft spot for this issue ... I will do everything I can to put cigars between the fingers of soldiers who want them. So, when I saw this latest announcement, I was hooked.

"Cigars to the Troops" is hosting its First Annual Poker Run and Fundraiser. On Saturday, May 23, 2009, participants will stop at various locations in the Denver, Colorado area that celebrate those who have served: Fort Logan, American Legion, VFW and Armed Forces Tribute Garden (among others). The event will also include raffles, a sidewalk barbequeue and other entertainment ... including the Palma Posse Cigar Girls.

And, as you may have guessed, there will be some poker played. The best and worst hands will score a stay in Vail.

If you enter solo, the cost is $25, with couples paying $35. In addition to participating and eating, you'll get a t-shirt, cigar and raffle ticket. It's a small price to pay to have a bit of fun and support Cigars to the Troops.

Any soldier knows the importance of the small comforts that make a difficult situation easier. If you haven't served, just trust me on this one. Every cigar that winds up in the hand of a soldier who wants one will definitely appreciate it.

Cigar Shop Cop Looks out for Troops

Filed under: Cigars

cigars

Shawn Carmody, of Phillipsburg, NJ, has made a habit of sending care packages to soldiers. Currently a police officer and owner of the Riverside Cigar Shoppe, he has been keeping New Jersey National Guard soldiers equipped with the accoutrements of tobacconic enjoyment. Thanks to Carmody, citizen-soldiers serving with C/102nd Cavalry have been receiving cigars, cutters and other related items from his store.

Carmody's friend, 1SG Tom Decker, is the top enlisted man in this unit (i.e. Charlie Company) and the benefactor's point of contact for the donations that ultimately wind up in the hands of many military personnel. This isn't Carmody's first care package ... that was a shipment of Tastykakes sent to Jimmy Polacari in Honduras in the late 1980s.

C/102nd Cav is expected to come home to Hackettstown, NJ in June, but Decker couldn't wait that long to express his thanks. So, he sent Carmody an American flag that had flown over Camp Syverson, Iraq – a substantial gesture that has no direct translation in the civilian world.

If you're inspired by Carmody's act of generosity, you can take action. Check out Cigars for Soldiers, an organization that has already sent more than 7,000 to U.S. military personnel overseas. (Many thanks to Don Pepin Garcia for his recent donation of five boxes.)

Panerai Ltd. Edition Radiomir Egiziano

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches


As The Classicist noted in a column on Officine Panerai, the watchmaker founded in Florence in 1860, the firm got its start by supplying timepieces (and other instrumentation) to the Royal Italian Navy or Marina Militare. However they also produced special commissions for the elite branches of other countries' armed forces. One highly collectible example of such is a model made for the Egyptian Navy in 1956, limited to only 50 examples. Panerai has now ressurected the watch, dubbed the Radiomir Egiziano (above), for a new limited run. Only 300 pieces will be available at about $30,000 each. The watch features features a large lightweight brushed titanium case, a hand-wound movement with an 8-day power reserve, and a bi-directional rotating bezel. It comes on a thick tan leather strap fitted with a titanium buckle.

French Foreign Legion Wine

Filed under: Wine


The French Foreign Legion has gone into the wine making business. Fine wine isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the many skills mastered by the famous military force but that isn't holding the group back from taking this innovative approach to raising money for its aging veterans.

The wines are sourced from grapes grown in southern France and tended by retired legionnaires, so they not only provide profits for supporting the Legion and its veterans but also work to keep the men feeling busy and productive well into their retirement years.

Books for Soldiers, Charity of the Day

Filed under: Charity of the Day


Whether or not you support the reasons and politics behind why our troops are deployed, the troops themselves always deserve our support to make their service more pleasant and bearable. Books for Soldiers is a non-profit corporation that sends books to soldiers to help alleviate some of the boredom they face when isolated on bases in foreign countries and facing massive amounts of downtime. It's a great way to get rid of books you've already read (instead of taking them to a used book store) or why not buy the soldiers some books brand new? They certainly deserve it.

Thanks for the tip, Chad!

Luxury Vehicle for War Zones

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

We've heard of cars that have been reinforced with bulletproof glass and siding from time to time, but our experience with defensive measures for cars is limited, so we were a bit surprised to learn about the Combat Reconnaissance/Patrol Vehicle. After all, the vast majority of drivers have no need for a fully-armored, aquatic military vehicle - although if you're going to have one, you may as well make sure it's comfortable, too. This particular ex-Russian Military vehicle is loaded up with a huge sound system, GPS, TV and DVD player, in addition to what appears to be leather seating and carpeted floors. It also has some practical features such as sonar detection, a night vision system and a periscope.

You can see some more pictures of it after the jump.

[via Born Rich]

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