Cafe Grumpy • New York, NY

Date: 11-09-12
Location: New York, NY.
Photography by: Luis Valdizon
Words by: M.L. Morris & Luis Valdizon

It was a chilly afternoon in Manhattan and my first time visiting SoHo. David, Bill and I were traveling to Cafe Grumpy to meet their long-time friend Elizabeth, who runs a superb site called The Coffee Experiment that I've coincidentally been following from my hometown of Vancouver. She's one of the most elegant and incredibly talented people I have had the privilege of being introduced to via David. Our meeting at Cafe Grumpy was her idea and although I knew very little about the cafe, I couldn't help but be excited. She is constantly visiting some of the most prestigious coffee establishments across the globe, so I knew we were in for a treat. We ordered cappuccinos made from a batch of espresso beans from El Salvador, if my memory serves me correct. All except for Bill, who ordered his usual: a black drip coffee. We sat down, sipped our drinks and took in the ambience of Grumpy's private outdoor patio. The cold didn't seem to bother any of us. At some point amidst our conversations, Elizabeth debuted her beautiful engagement ring to us, which has since been worn with a white dress and received a gold companion. Moments like this paired with excellent coffee, autumn colors, crisp air and the New York City backdrop are ones I'll never forget. I couldn't have asked for a more picturesque afternoon.

New York, NY • Bevin Elias

Date: 08-11-12
Location: 5th Ave. New York, NY
Photographed by: Luis Valdizon
Words by: David Morris

Bevin Elias: the man, the myth, the legend. He was one of the first friends I made when I moved to New York City. We bonded over fashion while he worked at The Brooklyn Circus. I used to come in the store and chat for hours. He's hustled his way up the corporate ladder and now works for elite Italian suit maker, Brioni— the window display above is his creation. He also has an interior design and personal styling company on the side that caters to private events and individuals looking for curated assistance (special thanks to him for the Brioni suit I'm wearing in the "Flattery" video). He's one of the few people I turn to for advice, ideas and inspiration when it comes to fashion. Bev has inspired the evolution of my personal style and always seems to be one step ahead of the trends. He's a low-key tastemaker that carries himself with the supreme type of confidence that merits respect at first sight. Follow him on Instagram for visual guidance on how suits should be worn, clothes should fit and your event should be aesthetically designed.

New York, NY • Alidoro

Location: South Village, New York, NY
Date: 07-11-12
Photographed by: Luis Valdizon
Words by: David Morris

One hot summer day in 2010, I stumbled into Alidoro on 105 Sullivan St. in the SoHo district of Manhattan. I was pleasantly surprised to find a quaint hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop with authentic Italian roots. The menu is expansive and offers a plethora of sandwich options. You can choose the bread of your choice and alter the sandwiches to fit your personal preference. The owner, Walter, will talk your ear off about music, movies and TV shows, and prepares each sandwich with precision and care. It's the type of establishment frequented by locals and discovered by lucky denizens like myself. With its fixation in the same location for the past few decades (it was formerly known as Melampo, but retained the same great food and reputation when the name changed in 2001), it's no wonder why it has such a rich history and devoted customer base. I recommend the Marina on Foccacia. Tell them Dave sent you.

New York, NY • Subway Commute

Date: 11-06-12
Location: New York, NY
Photographed by: Luis Valdizon
Words by: David Morris

Commuting in New York City is both a gift and a curse. But crowded train cars, confusing routes and the bustle of fellow commuters is a small price to pay for the time, money and road rage saved by not driving in such a large city. Coming from Brooklyn, I typically take the A/C or F trains into Manhattan. When passing through midtown, it's a ritual of mine to stop at Dunkin Donuts in the 47-50th Rockefeller Center station. The donuts and coffee are always fresh (due to the constant high volume of customers) and it’s conveniently located near a lot of great shopping on 5th Avenue.

New York, NY • 2012 Election Night

Date: 11-07-12
Location: Times Square. New York, NY
Photographed by: Luis Valdizon
Words by: David Morris

This past November, we made our way to Times Square on election night to join in on the celebration. If you've ever been to Times Square, you know how wild it gets. Multiply that excitement by ten and that's how it felt—true American pride at it's finest. They say two things you don't talk about are religion and politics. But, no matter your personal preference in either matter, it's always a powerful thing to see people come together. After all, this country was founded over 235 years ago on the fundament of equality and unity. It's great to see both alive today.