Muhammad Ali was a master of self-promotion and surely ranks as not only one of the greatest boxers of all time, but also the smartest trash-talker in sports history. Ali was supremely confident in himself, loaded with charisma and never feared a fight. He openly declared himself the greatest and often predicted the round in which he would knock out his opponent.

In the early days of Ali’s career, opponents read his brag-and-boast routine as nervous bravado, but few knew how prepared he was, how hard he trained and just how much he wanted to win. By the time Ali got to the ring, he had every reason to believe he was invincible because he had pushed himself beyond his limits, beyond what he believed any other man could endure.

Lesson: Always come prepared
Whatever impression they might give off, alpha males never enter an important situation unprepared or deluded with the belief they’re already good enough to handle it. To them, this is a careless attitude for someone intent on winning at everything they do.

We’ve all seen one rather minor example of the unprepared man; he gave the toast at the last wedding you attended. He thought he could glide through the toast because he knew his buddy so well and because he’s a competent public speaker. But not two sentences in, he’s fumbled and maybe said something dumb or inappropriate. By preparing for all their challenges with intensity, alpha males leave nothing to chance.

In a 1989 article, the New York Times described the 10-seat, 1,000-square-foot theater that Theo Kalomirakis had built in the basement of his Brooklyn home. He had equipped it with an 8-foot-wide screen and an assemblage of now-obsolete hardware that included VHS and Beta recorders and a laserdisc player. At that time, the ability to utilize such technologies in a home setting was considered quite a luxury.

Although Kalomirakis did not realize it initially, his $100,000 pet project represented an evolution of home cinema. Thus, he found himself at the forefront of what would become an extremely lucrative industry. By the end of 1989, he had founded a home-theater-design firm bearing his name, and since then he has become one of the most sought-after designers in his field. So how does the groundbreaking home-theater designer outdo himself?

Continue reading

Don’t have any DROBE?

Now is the perfect time to start building your DROBE collection.

First time clients can ‘pick the price‘ for their first custom shirt! .

• Fit– First and foremost, as its name implies, custom is made to your measurements, your form, and your posture. It is made expressly for you. Once a custom fit is experienced, it is difficult to consider returning to an off-the-rack altered garment that is somehow never just right.

• Selection– Even if you are a 42 regular, ready-made selection is always limited and can never offer you the scope of fabrics that you will find from your tailor. He has hundreds of fabrics in different weights, patterns and qualities and they are all in your size.

• Style– When is the last time you were able to choose whether you wanted a peak or notch lapel, a side, center or no vent, double-breasted, a vest or an extra pair of trousers? Or for that matter, what about something really special, like working buttonholes? All of this is possible with a custom suit.

Continue reading

Clothing is a powerful non-verbal communicator. Before you say a word your clothes have influenced the assumptions of others about who you are: your income, position/title, lifestyle, home, car and even your self-image. You can either have your clothing say what you want it to or leave it to chance.

A wardrobe is more than just a matter of what fits and is affordable. It is also less about quantity and more about quality. In creating a wardrobe with my clients, I take into consideration who they are, their current position and where they plan on their personal and professional goals taking them. Your confidence and self-esteem should flow through what you wear. Your clothing is key in your success – whether at work or play.

Let your wardrobe show your confidence in who you are and what you do.

In Beverly Hills, even the barbecues are coursed out—this epic four-course affair, on one of the city’s most striking rooftops, includes everything from Peking Duck Spring Rolls to grilled rib eye to a formidable dessert platter. For an extra $15, they’ll throw in a whole grilled lobster.

premium domains .

To truly go all out, Pasadena’s grandest hideaway will unveil an indoor-outdoor labyrinth of waffles, Chopin vodka Bloody Marys, cigars, Krug champagne, sausages, Hennessy XO cognac, sushi and plasma screens showing golf. It’s like they see right into his soul.

domain archive .

When you sneak into a hotel, things get sweaty pretty quickly.

No, really. Weights. Kickboxing. The sauna. It’s intense.

Especially now that the rooms at the Los Angeles Athletic Club have been totally transformed—including nine new suites open for reservations.

If you don’t live Downtown, you might never have heard of this old-school, members-only ode to deal-making over squash, yoga, tai chi, boot camp, basketball, volleyball and…scotch. But the classy revamp means now’s the time to check it out, since, for the rest of the year, hotel guests have free use of the fitness facilities.

All the rooms have been redone, but we suggest one of the nine new suites, all with themes like the Country Club, the Yacht Club or the Social Club—that last one’s where Charlie Chaplin once lived (his quads were legendary). The amenities are basically the same in each, but your choice is pretty important—if you book the memorabilia-choked USC Club Suite for a night away with your favorite UCLA alum (or the UCLA suite with your favorite USC alum), things could get ugly.

Of course, then you get to make up.

Read more here.

Your eyeglasses should contrast, not mimic, the shape of your face. Here’s a quick guide, courtesy of renowned eyeglass designer Richard Morgenthal.

Your shape: Heart
Your specs: A heart-shaped face already has a lot of definition. Since your head is top-heavy, go for a geometric frame that gives some width to the lower half of your face.

Your shape: Square
Your specs: Since a square face already has angles, go for a round or oval frame that shapes your cheekbones. A decorative frame with width will often do the trick.

Your shape: Round
Your specs: Avoid dark frames; they only make your face appear heavy. A round face needs direction, so opt for angular and narrow frames-never a square or a circle.

Your shape: Oval
Your specs: A modern rectangle is best for an oval face. Because your face is longer than it is wide, you’ll need frames that provide width. If your face is wider than it is long, go the opposite way.