Shirt by Jigsaw | Trousers + Bag by Universal Works | Sneakers by Converse | Smartwatch c/o Skagen | Cap by Fair Ends |
Glasses by Moscot
This summer has been unforgettable. The past four months have been some of the most rewarding of my life, and if I could exchange air-miles for beers I'd be set up for life. Something that is niggling me though, I'm getting worse at catching up on things that I've said I need to. A blog post here, a month's worth of admin there, and, well, let's not even mention the blog re-design...
I feel pretty content with most other things, especially when it comes to this summer's opportunities. Being able to travel for work given be chance to strengthen friendships – something that would normally be missed due to being elsewhere. In a weird kind of way I feel like I've had plenty time for my friends – for photography, creative support and even the +1 perks for trips I always reach out to my buddies.
Earlier this month I was invited to Berlin with Skagen for the launch of their new smartwatch, the Falster ll. Jake Millers came along as my photography support, and it turned out that my old mate Brittany Bathgate was also visiting for the event. We haven't spent much time together since earlier this year - both of us busy with things across opposite sides of the UK - but then BAM, there we are together in a different country.
The next day only left us with a few hours to hang, but it was good to hear about Brittany's home DIY progress and chat through the issues that come with owning your own place, as well as being self-employed.
At the fear of this post sounding like it doesn't have a purpose, it's purely a life update. But hey, that's what my space is all about – I'm just pleased I still have the passion to share my journey with you.
After an exhausting first day of filming at the Majestic Athletic factory in the small town of Easton, Pennsylvania, we got to doing what we crew were craving – sitting down with an ice cold beer.
Just a quick recap of part one; myself, Jordan Bunker + a film crew were visiting Easton to work on documenting the cultural importance of this small city – the home of theUS-made cool base jerseys, worn byMLBplayers + fans all over the world. My first blog post was all about our day at the Majestic Athletic factory, and for part two we're sticking to the city.
--------
At 10pm the evening before, the cameras stopped rolling. Full up on pizza, burgers, pasta from one of the city's many old school bars, we headed back to the hotel to get some rest. Truth be told it felt like one of those 2-second sleeps the likes of Salvador Dali championed in the surrealist movement.
Our next day was all planned out; up at 7am for a quick breakfast before heading back to the factory to make sure we hadn't missed anything, followed by a couple of hours of exploring the city before driving back to New York to catch a game at the Yankees stadium. A dream day!
Visiting Key City Diner for cherry pie + coffee, and what the locals call a "hoogie". It felt like I'd just stepped into the original Twin Peaks film set - clashing colours, a mixture of food smells and families just being families
Wearing - Philadelphia Phillies Cool Base Jersey by Majestic Athletic | Banana Republic Shorts | Converse 70s Sneakers
In several way Easton felt like many small towns I've visited across America. Welcoming and warm, sleepy yet full of life, slightly unpolished but reassuringly organised. In a round about way this city is what I think of when I picture working class America.
A visit to Key City Diner – just across the river where Pennsylvania meets New Jersey– was an experience to remember. I've been visiting America all of my life, but the countless trips to Universal Studios couldn't prepare me for stepping into what felt like a real-life film set."Dya want curly fries with that?" hollered the waitress as she took our order – the answer is always yes. I'm yet to have a better strawberry milkshake.
Our group probably stood out like a sore thumb, but after the food arrived we settled in and became a part of the furniture. No trip to an American diner would be complete without an order of homemade cherry pie and a cup of coffee– this one came directly from David Lynch's well-referenced playbook.
It felt great to be wearing these Majestic Athletic jerseys all day, especially knowing how much worth the factory and its workers brings to the local economy. The locals know it too, I received a bunch of nods + compliments as we wandered the city. True, my limited baseball knowledge has all been acquired through Seinfeld, but at least I looked the part.
Exploring the city's craft beer scene - the beautiful interior at The Separatist taproom + the raw authentic feel of Weyerbacher Brewery
Saying goodbye to our three days in Easton, PA, with Majestic Athletic. Long days, short nights, but one of the most rewarding projects to date.
For me, researching before you've got to a new place is all a part of the fun, and food, coffee, local stores and beer are always high on my list. Easton is a true 9-5 city, so I should have expected no less than the evenings being driven by American cooking and the craft beer scene. Visits to two local beer spots made for the perfect ending to Part Two of our trip.
The beautiful interior of The Separatist taproom contrasting against the grassroots set-up at Weyerbacher Brewery felt similar to how I now see baseball. On one hand you have the polished side of MLB, with players looking perfect as they hit the stadiums, ready to entertain all, and then you've got the Majestic Athletic factory workers with 40+ years experience, just quietly getting on with their jobs. Both contrasts, but both parties working towards the same goal – to champion a wider movement.
Our time in Easton had come to an end, but our journey wasn't quite finished yet. Next stop three days in New York - I'll can't wait to share more with you soon!
The Majestic Athletic Cool Base Jerseys which feature in this post are all available here.
With all the constant DIY going on in our house it's refreshing to be able to walk into a room without seeing tool lurking around every corner. In fact, our bedroom has been 100% tooltime free for a good month now. We keep saying "it's not quite finished yet", but then is anywhere actually ever complete? To be fair though, we're not actually plan to do much more to this space, other than restore the original 1930s floorboards and add a few more personal touches.
There's a few things I didn't manage to photograph this time, like our new mirror, and cabinet at the end of our bed, as well as Hollie's side table. But then, it probably doesn't harm to hold a few things back, after all it is our bedroom. I'm sure you'll catch a further of a glimpse on my Instagram Stories, have you been watching?
Above: Our beautiful new JWDA concrete table lamps by Menu kindly gifted to us by Utility, IKEA cabinet, Matisse illustration in brass picture frame by Habitat, bed by Sofa.com, linen bedding by Zara Home, Rennes sneakers c/o Oliver Cabell, candle + skincare by Le Labo + reads by Kinfolk, Canteen and Popeye.
All images displayed on this blog are taken by us unless credited with linked to the source, or provided by press. If we have missed any out and you notice it please let us know.
Disclosure - We occasionally use affiliate + sponsored links on this blog. Any content that has been sponsored will be clearly labelled below the article. Any gifted items will be marked as c/o for their first feature, with the company credited. Both of these things help with the upkeep and running of Buckets & Spades. Without certain Sponsors + Partners we couldn't dedicate as much time to running this blog.
If you would like to use any images that's totally fine but please make sure you credit them, link back to our blog and let us know. Thank you.
This blog design has been edited by Hollie Spade & Matthew Spade.
