Year 2, Week 5 (Days 395-401)

Bow Tie Spotlight: I've worn it twice this week - that's how much I think of Carlos' work. The man behind Knot Now and Necks Tuesday bow ties is not only generous with his ties but he was kind enough to take about four hours of his personal time to teach a total stranger how to work a sewing machine enough to start crafting his own bow ties. Carlos - I'm forever grateful and hope all is well!

This week's featured sponsors:

Not Know

Necks Tuesday

Xoelle

Aaron Michael

Year 2, Week 3 (Days 381 - 387)

Bow tie spotlight: This week I'd like to highlight a camo bow tie that was gifted by Laura P. from Xoelle. It's unique in that it is handcrafted from vintage camo fabric that's about as thick and tough as denim. The faded pattern is awesome when paired with a hoodie and your favorite jeans. 

This week's featured sponsors:

Xoelle

Forage

Aaron Michael

Year 2, Week 1 (Days 367 - 373)

Welcome to the second year of my self-imposed challenge to wear a bow tie for 1,000 consecutive days. 

For this second phase of my blog I'd like to modify when and what I blog. I'm making this change for a variety of reasons but essentially I want to ensure that I am making the most use of my time on a daily basis. I'd rather apply the minutes that uploading/posting on a daily basis toward other parts of my life that need it. Instead, you'll hear from me once a week, recapping the bows I wore, highlighting something new, and mentioning something unrelated to bows. My hope is that there will be more value in 52 than 365 blog posts.

Bow tie spotlight: Pictured center is a new design created by yours truly inspired by the Spartan races. It features a green spartan helmet with a comical sword driven through it. I intend on wearing a bow tie to at least one of the obstacle races I'm running this year. Let's see if I don't change my mind before the year is up. Speaking of my races this year, I'm currently planning on participating in TEN OCRs (obstacle course races) in 2013. This number may increase but I'm hoping to really push myself farther than I anticipated in 2012 when I began training for these events. Here's a table of said events:

This week's featured sponsors:

Aaron Michael

Knot Now

Xoelle

Day 343

Today's bow is brought to you by Aaron Michael. The sweater, by Rugby, was an early Christmas gift from the Mrs.

Day 321

We got the boys their holiday haircuts today in preparation for our annual photo card. I can't wait for the blog unveil! If you haven't done so already - check out my instagram @mathquez for daily updates that are becoming more frequent than this platform. Today's bow came by way of Aaron Michael bow ties. Check out their collection of bows here.

Day 313

Today's bow came by way of Aaron Micheal and features a really cool plaid pattern on a soft woolly fabric. I got to do something pretty darn cool this afternoon. The school featured in the feature film "Brooklyn Castle" is about 2 miles from our school and welcomed a few teachers from our school to check out a couple of their chess classes. I gladly jumped at the chance to check this out, in part, because I've always enjoyed playing chess and have considered starting a chess program at our school. What I enjoyed more than how the teacher ran her chess class was this overwhelming culture of excellence. From the trophies in the stairwell to the analytic questioning presented to students - I was inspired to find something I'm passionate in to present to our own scholars.  Perhaps it isn't playing chess. Perhaps it's obstacle course racing. Stay tuned folks.

Day 285

I woke up extra early this morning to get in this work out. I've been stepping up my training in light of the upcoming Urbanathlon. I can't just expect to show up to the event and think I'll be fine to compete and complete the race. I have to put some effort to train for it. My training is starting to bleed into other parts of my life, where I'm realizing I need to work more to see true results.

Today's bow was gifted by Aaron Michael.

jI got an early start to my Friday 

Day 283

Back in the classroom and excited to start a new unit. Exponents and expressions - here we come. 

Today's bow was gifted by the generous folks at Aaron Michael, based here in Brooklyn, NY. 

Day 280

Today I felt the results of yesterday's Grandmaster WOD. Did I mention I scored an invitation-only WOD and got to lift with the big boys? I'm humbled to think I started out as a near 125 lb cocky dude and have grown to a 142 lb hunger little beast who looks for obstacles with every step he takes. This week has challenged me in more ways than one - particularly while running. It's the 4th time in seven days, for instance, that I've been caught out in the rain while running more than 1 mile. I logged 5 miles in under an hour today just after a light rain, but I finally faced the weather with some preparation and style in my new Northface hoodie. 

Speaking of style - I chose to embrace the Fall with this beautifully plaid bow by Aaron Michael and a coordinating sweater from Rugby.

Day 274

Oh, Mondays.

Today's bow was gifted by the kind folks at Aaron Michael. Check out their shop here.

Day 261

There's nothing like plaid on plaid to brighten up a gloomy day in Bushwick. Today's bow was gifted by the generous folks at Aaron Michael. Check out their selection of bows here.

Day 43

It was pretty chilly out here in NYC today so I decided to keep warm with some warmer fabrics while spending the day with family and loved ones at church. Check out the new Rugby blazer I found at a fraction of the suggested retail price. Yes, those are green frames. Gotta love the inexpensive readers that Urban Outfitters will sometimes put out there. With just two more days until the next chapter of my life begins I'm already counting the blessings and trying my best to live with a greater sense of gratitude and in light of the blessings God has provided to me and our growing family.

Today's bow is certainly another blessing - this one is from Aaron Michael. If you haven't check out this great collection of unique fabrics representing Brooklyn, NY - you're simply doing yourself a disservice. Check it out - like now. Have a Linspirational week, friends!

Day 39

The resolution on my laptop's camera clearly doesn't do this wool bow tie with a bold tartan pattern any justice. It's such a soft and light tie it almost wraps itself around you, reminding you how lovely New York can feel in the winter. Thanks, again to Aaron Michael!

Day 35

If the background looks familiar it's because I was in my classroom today --- ah, the fruits of forgetfulness. I left something on my laptop at work that our Rondalla (that's us in the poster behind me) needed for tomorrow. Good times.

Today's freestyle bow comes by way of Aaron Michael. It features a Glenurquhart check pattern in tan and navy with faint red stripes in a clean worsted wool. It's ridiculously soft and pleasant to tie. If it were a dessert I'd say it melts in mouth, not in your hands. I'm also very pleased to say it's quite similar to the Brixton cap on my dome. Happy Saturday, kids.