Wm. J. Mills & Co. Stonewashed Jitney Cargo Bag

The fine folks at Wm. J Mills & Co. were kind enough to send a few bags my way recently and one of them saw some action over the weekend so I thought I'd share. If you've done your homework you already know the history of Mills as a family business so I'm just going to jump right into the nuts and bolts. The Jitney is a great bag for a 3 or 4 day pack and carry solution. If you're like me you pack quickly and bulkily and you really don't need compartments in your luggage. That's why cargo bags are perfect for people like us. With the Jitney I packed easily for a weekend getaway (that included dressing for a wedding) and had no problem getting everything I needed in it. (Shirt x 2, jeans, chinos, socks x 3, chones x 3, belt, tie, sweater x 2, shoes, dopp kit.) The zipper on the "top flap" is super sturdy and the handles are a perfect length. I used the top zipper flap as an expanded section for more interior capacity but it also folds into the bag to allow the beefy snaps to close up the top. The model I have is a heavily stonewashed olive with washed navy straps. It's a really nice combination of colorways and the stonewashing gives the canvas a great distressed look and feel without a sense of being "pre-broken-in." (I don't know about you but I'm a grown up boy and I really prefer breaking my items in on my own.) Nothing precious here, just machine-washable cotton canvas, sturdy and usable. This bag was designed 20 years ago and, like all Mills bags, was sewn in Greenport, NY. Available February 2011.

I haven't taken photos with my "real" camera yet but here are a few iPhone shots taken on the go and in the hotel:

(Not pictured here is my dopp kit which also fit.)

Packed and ready to go.

 My wife took this photo because she's awesome.

Aerial view.

There are some fantastic photos of the Mills shop and factory here. The content is in Italian so if that's not your thing, enjoy the visuals.

Knoxville/Smoky Mountains

Had a fantastic weekend east of Nashville with my wife. Began with Sufjan Stevens at the Bijou and ended with Sunday brunch at one of my favorite spots, The Tomato Head. On Saturday we drove into the mountains to see some friends get married. It was snowing on the way up. (Ceremony was outside. Bride was freezing.) Smokies were beautifully dusted in snow. Mast General Store Post forthcoming.

What I Did Last Weekend

Last Friday the wife and I stole away down south to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary.  We'd been to Atlanta a few times before but never for a whole weekend and rarely without kids.  We stayed at the Omni Hotel, which is connected to the CNN center and overlooks Centennial Olympic Park.  It's not a quaint place by any means, but it's high on service and overall quality and the in-house Prime Meridian restaurant serves a pretty boss breakfast buffet.  Speaking of breakfast, Java Jive on Ponce-de-Leon is always on our itinerary when we are in the Dirty South.  Do yourself a favor and try the award-winning biscuits.  The Varsity is a must for anyone visiting Atlanta so we worked it in one evening but we had to have at least one nice dinner out.  Sarah of That's What She Said recommended Two Urban Licks so we went for it.  Pretty amazing fare, to say the least, although quiet conversation isn't an option at such a happening spot.  On the shopping front, we hit some vintage/thrift stores, the highlight being Lucky Exchange (I passed on two pairs of vintage madras pants) and we naturally migrated over to Atlantic Station for the chain establishments and a 3D showing of Alice in Wonderland (thumbs up.)  Nearly all of our final day was spent at IKEA, where we purchased as many cheaply made home wares as the minivan could carry.  All said, a splendid time was had and we likely won't wait another 10 years to do it again.

Weekend Escape Plan: Atlanta

Departing Friday with my bride of 10 years.

Plans include dining, shopping, thrifting, and all the IKEA that our vehicle will carry.

Expect a full report upon my return.

Wm. J. Mills & Co. Canvas Duffels

When I travel (which is rarer than I would prefer these days) I tend to be a "throw it all into a bag with a zipper" kind of guy.  I don't do garment bags and I really don't care to roll a suitcase or fiddle with hard plastic handles that go up and down.  Truth is, I really hate those things.  I like something that I can strap over my shoulder and walk with (or run if I'm late.)  I also like stuff that looks traditional.  I'm not into swooshes and stripes and sporty logos.  I don't care for a bag that looks like it should contain aluminum bats for the little leaguers.  I need something basic and manly.  Behold, the Classic Duck Duffel from Wm. J. Mills Co. of Greenport, NY.

Apparently, these hand-crafted bags are made by a company that used to be in the business of making canvas sails.  I find this comforting for a few reasons:

1.  Boats are cool and those who man them are tough.  I wouldn't mind feeling like a seafaring sailor while I'm packing for a weekend in the Chicago suburbs to visit the in-laws.

2.  Sails are strong.  This bag will probably not be ruined by baggage handlers.  When was the last time you saw the America's Cup Challenge postponed due to sails being mishandled by airport personnel?

3.  This bag is a ticket to survival in an airplane crash over water.  I simply fashion a crude skiff from a piece of debris and hoist my makeshift sail-bag until I sight land.

There are several models and sizes in many colors on their website.  I chose "teak tan" because it looks like the chore coat my late grandpa always wore.  I do kind of wish those straps weren't white but I'm willing to overlook them if this bag is as tough as boat sails from the 1880s.

Belstaff® Colonial shoulder bag 556 for J.Crew

If you are a guy who has not yet come up with a good excuse to carry a man-bag, you'd better get with the program.  These days, having a satchel full of something useful on hand has become an essential part of being a well-prepared and well-heeled fellow about town.  This canvas shoulder bag made by Belstaff® of England will get your "stuff" to wherever you're going and then some.  It's a little adventurous for commuting to the office but the exterior cargo pockets make it a great carry-on option for travel. Heck, we'd even respect you if you biked to the local coffee shop with this thing to work on that screenplay you keep talking about.  If those leather straps get you like they get us you can buy it here .