A Florist for A Gentleman!

Ferrera Fresh Tip: GENTS Shhh, but you should have a business relationship with a few florist so that can help you and show you love throughout the year for your lady...or ladies...

Gentleman, there are almost two or three different occasions throughout the year that we for sure need to grab a beautiful bouquet of flowers for that special lady in your life. Among those days are Valentines Day, a birthday and anniversaries if you're lucky enough to be married. Not to mention, that you can send flowers for no reason at all, which ladies absolutely love! So when these days begin to come close there is no need for you to be running around, searching the Internet, and calling multiple stores looking for a some flowers. It is much more beneficial and convenient to find one or two florist that you know personally that also know you. Yes, cost is a factor but in the long run a "relationship" with a local florist will be more cost effect by getting favors and discounts because you're a regularly customer. In addition, when you call, pick up or have your flowers delivered you have the confidence of knowing your flowers are going to look good for that special lady! (or ladies if you're single, just kidding...but not really)

Remember, ladies (plural), does not have to mean a lady you're dating! We all may have mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, clients or friends that are deserving of an occasional flower arrangement. There also may be occasions, good and not so good, throughout the year that flowers are appropriate. Such occasions are sending a "Get Well" bouquet for someone that is ill, a bouquet for a friend after a passing in their family, or a generous "Thank You" bouquet as a kind gesture. All these yearly events will allow you build a positive relationship with your local florist which will be handsomely rewarding to you as a gentleman in many different ways! ;o)

That's Life...With Style!

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

Here are some flicks to add to your repertoire of "Girly Movies"

You dont have to like them, just know they exist and there's some flower shops scenes in them to grab some tips from too.

How to Wash Dress Shirts: Cleaners or Laundry

Ferrera Fresh Tip: You invest in your dress shirts, so invest in taking care of them as well...

Since we all have busy schedules, many of us love the convenience of dropping clothes off at the local cleaners to be washed, dried and pressed! Then we pick them up or have them delivered in a day, or even a few hours. Convenient for gentlemen and ladies a like!

A client asked, after receiving his first order of Michael Ferrera custom shirts, "How should I wash and take care on my shirts?" That question prompted a blog! As a wardrobe consultant and fabric connoisseur, as you've read in the post Care for my Sheep,  I will share one of the best ways that will make your dress shirts, last longer & look better!

I start by saying that taking your shirts to the cleaners is not completely wrong. In fact, the convenience of having someone do your laundry for you is almost priceless! However, when washing dress shirts, try to wash & dry them at home and then take them to the cleaners just to be professionally pressed. The advantages of doing this are:

1. You control the chemicals or detergent that goes on your dress shirts! The chemicals and washes that the cleaners uses are extremely powerful and can be more harmful to cotton. By washing dress shirts at home will allow your dress shirts to last longer because of using a more delicate detergent.

2. You control 'how' your clothes are washed! In your machine at home you can choose a normal or delicate cycle and adjust accordingly to your liking. Most of the time a normal cycle is fine for home machines, but at the cleaners only uses one cycle for all clothes washed at the same time, which can be harmful to your fancy cotton dress shirts.

3. You control the drying as well! Just as when washing, drying at the cleaners is done in bunches. At home you control how your clothes are dried and can even choose to air dry which will also cause less shrinkage over time.

4. Your clothes don't have that awkward cleaners smell! You know what I'm taking about. The smell that doesn't really smell like laundry. Yes, your clothes look clean but imagine the types of chemicals they used to get them that way, which gives off that awkward cleaners smell.

5. You could save time! If your cleaners does all work on site, which is a good thing, the longest part is the washing and drying. When your shirts are already washed and dry you can sometimes drop in with your shirts and simply wait for 10 or so minutes at a local shopping center while your shirts a being professionally pressed!

Now that you've considered these things on how to wash dress shirts, apply the tips and see if you like. Your dress shirts will look better, smell better, feel softer, and last longer, which so appropriate when living your "Life...With Style!"

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

Smell Good & Stay on Her Mind

Ferrera Fresh Tip: Gentleman, if you want to stay on her mind, have an awesome fresh scent and she will smell you there, even when you're not!

Why is it that when we smell a particular scent that it brings up memories of that event,  moment or person? Many times it is not even the scent that is the most enjoyable part, but it is the scent that brings us to remembrance.

In professor Trygg Engen's book Odor Sensation and Memory he explains why we react so instinctively to scent. Although I will not go into detail about the book specifics it is important that we take note. If scent has such a powerful affect on memory then its only right that we smell good to stay on her mind gentlemen. The body wash we use, the environments we're in, and of course the cologne we choose all play a part in how ladies remember us.

When you embrace her for that gentlemanly kiss, pass by in close proximity, hug or caress her she embraces your scent! Knowing this, you can stay on her mind long after you are gone gents! If she ever compliments your cologne you're wearing, you may want to stick with that one for a while. Your scent will make her remember the good times she has with you or that she has not yet had.  Then, just for a moment, she may pause and reminisce on the wonderful gentleman that you are! And that's all you need to stay on her mind and have her wanting you more. That's Life...with Style!

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

Male Grooming

Over the past 2 or so years we've seen a drastic shift in males putting more care into grooming themselves. With the consistent influx of GQ, Esquire and of course lady mag's stressing the importance of a well groomed man; gents have considered haircuts more often, MAN-manicure, and even MASK-uline facials. However in the April '10 issue of GQ we see an article asking, "has male grooming gone too far?" Among the male eyebrow waxing, and pedicures by men we see some gents go the complete opposite. It even features photos of lady hunk Brad Pitt and football star Randy Moss rocking full rugged beards with not much grooming, to say the least, in a interesting humorous read. (Take a look when you can)

It definitely made me think is a life with style what magazines, movie stars, televisions shows and blogs tell us? Not at all! A "Life...With Style" is what you choose, in your style! It's what makes you unique and individual, which is the reason why "Life...With Style" by Michael Ferrera was created. To encourage you with stylish ideas to enhance your current lifestyle. Yes, blogs & GQ style magazines can give you helpful tips, advice and ideas. But when all the reading, watching, and reviewing is done, it's up to you to choose what you like, what to tweak into making it your own life with style!

So if Man-manicures, pedicures and facial are your thing, hey, do it! If not, pay no attention it cost you nothing...(maybe.) Yes, pampering oneself feels great but we also know that women still want a man in their gentleMAN. Fresh haircuts, shaves, and so on are always nice complements, but whatever you choose, choose to be confident in your "Life...With Style"

Ferrera Fresh Tip: Be you, do you, there's no one else better for you to be...

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera