Dapper Days: Sometimes New Boots Make A Day Worthwhile

Dear Tom's boots,

Thank you for making this day a better day. And thank you for being on sale and in my size. I was worried that I wouldn't get to wear you very often this winter. After all, you may be trimmed in leather but your body is canvas. You're really more of an autumn boot. The snowy, slushy season that has settled upon us has meant that I've had to limit wearing you, my adorable boots, lest you get splattered and stained. But today is your day. Thank you for making this day a better day, Tom's boots.

Finding Beauty in the Winter That Just Won't Quit

There are just three words to describe this winter: cold, snowy and miserable. Here in Chicago we've been covered in snow since well before Christmas. This is one of the harshest winters I can remember experiencing. And it seems like no matter where you are in the United States, you've been impacted by this brutal winter. If I never hear the words "polar vortex" again, it'll be too soon!

As much as I've been wishing for a sudden warm up and despite my pleas with her to give us a break, Mother Nature has dealt snowstorm after snowstorm on the Midwest. Apparently Mother Nature does not bend to the whims of one stylish gay guy in Chicago. (The nerve of her!) Instead of bitching about the weather (much) I've been trying to find the beauty in this brutal winter.

I've been layering up and hitting the streets, shivering along with everyone else.

I've been appreciating how the snow seems to make the city a little brighter, even on the darkest of nights.

I've taken note of how Lake Michigan has disappeared under a sheet of ice. And of how the naked trees stand out in stark contrast against the vast whiteness of the winter landscape.

I've come to appreciate new tracks in fresh snow.

I've come to love the way the snow clings to the trees, dressing the naked limbs in a downy layer of white.

Sure, I'm still cold. And, yes, I still want all of this snow to melt. But until that happens I'm making an effort to appreciate the beauty that winter brings.

How are you surviving the winter that just won't quit?

Images: Jason Loper

Follow My New Home Blog – Mr. and Mr. Blandings

Hello, dear readers. You may have noticed that it's been a little quiet on Captain Dapper lately. You may have also noticed a new button at the top of the side bar that links over to Mr. and Mr. Blandings. It probably doesn't take Matlock to figure out that I've launched a new blog. But it's more than just a blog. I'm launching a new life!

The Mister and I made a big leap of faith and bought a big old house in Iowa. Not just any old house, mind you. It's a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed American System Built Home! That's right, folks, we own a little piece of architectural history! The house is in great physical condition - newer roof, electrical and heating/air conditioning - but it needs a lot of cosmetic help. This is a job for Captain Dapper!

In case you missed it, allow me to reiterate that the house is in IOWA - some 250 miles away from Chicago. And that's where the new life comes in. While The Mister's job is keeping him tethered to Chicago, I find myself with the freedom to work from Iowa for awhile. I'll miss the city (read: shopping) but I'm looking forward to a change of pace (read: fresh air and wide open spaces).

So what does this mean for Captain Dapper? I'll probably post here a little less and I'll reserve all of my home related posts to the new blog. But I'm sure I'll find some new style inspiration in the Iowa that I'll share on Captain Dapper. In other words: while I'm going away, this blog isn't going anywhere!

Stay tuned to both blogs, folks!

Image: Mr. and Mr. Blandings

Landfill Dogs: Finding Beauty in Despair

When I first saw Mary Shannon Johnstone's photos of dogs in need of homes, I, like anyone with a heart, said awww. And then I was filled with sadness. And then a little hope. And then I wanted to go adopt every single one of the dogs. Since that's not an option, I'm going to help spread the word about Mary's project, Landfill Dogs.

Mary Shannon Johnstone started Landfill Dogs with one simple goal: to give dogs facing euthanasia one more opportunity to be adopted. Working with the Wake County Animal Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, Mary takes one dog per week to a nearby landfill and photographs it in adorable canine poses. Working with dogs that have been at the shelter for more than two weeks and as such are at risk of being put down, Mary gives the pups a little fresh air, one-on-one time and one more chance to be scooped up by a loving human. The images of the dogs that she captures are a vast improvement over the low quality quick snapshots that shelters normally use. And that's part of what has made this photo project so successful. Many of the dogs that Mary has photographed have gone on to be adopted.

But what about those dogs that don't get adopted? Well, here's the sad part. The reason Mary chose to photograph the dogs at the landfill is because that's where they will end up if they're not adopted. That's right, folks. When unwanted dogs and cats are put down, they're buried deep under all the other human detritus. As Mary says, "This government structure reflects a societal value: homeless cats and dogs are just another waste stream. However, this landscape offers a metaphor of hope. It is a place of trash that has been transformed into a place of beauty. I hope the viewer also sees the beauty in these homeless, unloved creatures."

Kudos to Mary for spreading some beauty and giving hope to an otherwise grim situation.

Images: Mary Shannon Johnstone

Saluting Veterans with Post Secret's Soldier's Secrets

Every Sunday morning, while shaking the sleep out of my head over a hot cup of coffee, I scroll through the Sunday secrets on Post Secret. If you're not familiar, Post Secret is a non-profit blog that posts secrets that have been mailed in on postcards. Started by Frank Warren in 2005, the blog has spawned a book and a short-lived app, and has also helped countless people realize that they're not alone in the world. I can readily admit that the blog has helped me overcome some very dark times.

As I opened Post Secret yesterday, I was met with the video above. With $2,000 in funding from the Post Secret community, the video is a collection of secrets submitted by soldiers over the years. Since today is Veterans Day, this seems like a fitting way to give a tip of the hat to all the men and women in uniform. Thanks for all you do, soldiers.

For more secrets, be sure to check out the official Post Secret blog.

Video: Post Secret

Weekend Assignment: Stop & Admire the Fall Colors

Here in the upper Midwest, we're seeing the last vestiges of Mother Nature's display of colors. There are still a few trees that are clutching their bright red leaves by the stems but with every rainy day and chilly evening, the branches lose their grips on their colorful friends.

If you're in an area of the country (or world for that matter) where there are deciduous trees, Captain Dapper has an assignment for you. It's an easy assignment that's designed to help hit the pause button on your go-go life and appreciate the world around you. This weekend, I want you to go out and soak up the autumn colors. Find a bright red tree and stand under it. Gaze up at the fiery canopy above you. Soon, that tree will be empty, its bare limbs shivering in the cold of winter. Soak up the vivid color while you can.

Remember when you were a kid? Did you ever rake a pile of leaves purely for the joy of jumping in them? Do you remember scooping up a handful of dried, crunchy leaves, throwing them up in the air and watching the wind carry them away? Ah, such simple joys!

Let's be kids this weekend. Let's reclaim the simple joy of playing in piles of leaves. Attach your cares to those leaves, toss them in the air and let the wind carry them away.

Image: Jason Loper

Captain Dapper Loves Logan Square's Bang Bang Pie Shop

I have distinct memories of watching my grandmother roll pie crusts and biscuits on her flour dusted kitchen table. I would try to sneak little bites of raw dough, but she'd slap my hand away. If there was any leftover dough, my grandma would make little cinnamon rolls for me. To say I have a weakness for biscuits and pie would be an understatement. No food brings back childhood memories quite like baked goods - especially pies and biscuits. So when I learned that there's an entire cafe devoted to pie and biscuits, I knew I had to experience it.

Sitting on a stretch of California Avenue between Armitage and Milwaukee, Bang Bang Pie Shop is housed in a tiny little wedge shaped storefront. (Doesn't it seem totally fitting that a pie shop should be wedge shaped? I wonder if that was intentional?) From a tiny little kitchen lined with subway tile, the folks at Bang Bang serve up a menu devoted solely to pie and biscuits. If that seems limited, think again. You can dress up your biscuit with butter and jam, butternut strata or, of course, gravy. (I chose the latter. You can take the Captain out of Southern Indiana but you can't take the Southern Indiana out of the Captain.) Bang Bang also serves up breakfast biscuits that are dressed up with meat and eggs, as well as dinner biscuits, with the likes of bacon, collards, pow pow sauce and poached eggs.

The biscuit with gravy and egg was delicious. I inhaled every crumble out of my little white bowl while grooving to 1960's soul tunes. While the dining room is small, with three 4-top tables and two 2-tops, it's a very congenial atmosphere. Outfitted with vintage table, colorful red chairs and worn wood floors, it's a comfortable little space that makes you want to dig in and order biscuit after biscuit. While the weather is still mild, there's also an outdoor seating area that's outfitted with heat lamps and picnic tables.

I think the sign posted in the kitchen of Bang Bang Pie Shop says it all. "Before machines took over," it says, "pie shells were made by hand with lard and love and people were happy." True that!

More about Bang Bang Pie Shop from around the web:

• Bang Bang Pie Shop Serving Brunch and Lunch; Dinner Coming Soon via Eater
• Bang Bang Pie Shop on Metromix
• Bang Bang Pie Shop Announces Apple Pie Contest via Chicagoist

Check out the cafe for yourself - they're open seven days a week - or contact them to order your holiday pies.

Bang Bang Pie Shop
2051 North California
Chicago 60647
773.276.8888

Images: Jason Loper

Be Yourself. There's No One Better.

OK, listen up. It's time for a Captain Dapper pep talk. Imagine this talk being delivered reality TV style. Picture Tim Gunn walking into the room and consoling a distraught designer in his soothing, almost fatherly way. The cameras pull in tight as the designer listens, cries and then, with the announcement of "Make it work!" perks up and decides that they can persevere. That's what I'm going for here -- a little pick me up post for those times when you're filled with doubt and frustration.

When Mark Zuckerburg, Jack Dorsey and all those other social media folks were launching their sites, I wonder if they considered the far reaching ramifications. It's never been easier to feel like you're getting a peek into the personal lives of others. Ten years ago you might have had an intimate circle of friends who would share little musings via email or text or maybe even on a blog, but that's nothing compared to social media. Today, flipping through Facebook, Twitter or Instragram, you witness little blips of intimate details in the lives of friends and strangers alike.

Seeing these little vignettes, it's easy to start comparing yourself to others. I mean, who hasn't thought:

"Gah! Why does she always look so good? I want to be pretty!"

"Hey, I'm the same as so-and-so. I wonder why he's more successful than me?"

"Oy, what a mess! I can't believe he broke up with another boyfriend."

"They look like the happiest little family. I want to be happy."

Well all do it, right? We look at the successes and failures of those around us and we compare them to our own lives. Sometimes we use those comparisons to inspire us, or comfort us, but sometimes they do nothing but hold us back.

OK, now pull the camera in close and let me dispense my sage advice in a warm but serious tone.

Be yourself. There's no one better.

Easier said that done? Totally. But it's important to try it anyway. You do you, in the best way you know how, and don't worry about all the others. Most likely they're just trying to be the best them. Stop comparing and start being. Do the things that make you happy. Appreciate what you have and be comfortable in your own skin. Explore your passions and enjoy the people around you. Recognize that you may not be where they are, but they may not be where they want to be either. And who cares anyway? Take your attributes and your failings in equal measure. Embrace yourself. Be you.

Image: Jason Loper

Weekend Reminder: Slow Down & Enjoy the Moment

As I was walking down a side street in the Edgewater neighborhood, I saw this message painted on a driveway. The words "slow down" are painted on the concrete in a bright shade of yellow. I know the message is intended for cars entering this building's parking lot, but in the moment I took it as a universal sign.

Running around, feeling stressed, trying to fit everything into the day ... does that routine sound familiar? Of course it does. We're all doing it. While computers and smart phones were supposed to make our lives easier, it feels like they've done the opposite. We're always connected. We're always stressed. We're always rushing from one thing to the next.

Sometimes I think we all need to slow down a bit. We need to unplug, unwind and understand that things can wait. I've been making a conscious effort to leave my phone on the charger for long periods. I try to stop and appreciate the world around my me. I try to keep my head up and meet the gaze of the people I pass on the street. I try to live.

That's your task for this weekend, dear reader. Slow down a little. Even if it's only for thirty minutes, take a break from the daily grind and give yourself a chance to breathe. All of those stressed and commitments will still be there when you get back. Maybe, just maybe, taking a break from your responsibilities will help you see them in a new light.

And, of course, this message also made me think of Simon & Garfunkel's Feeling Groovy, quite possibly the best message to kick up the cobblestones and enjoy the moment.

Image: Jason Loper

A Reminder to Be Grateful for Everything (Even the Bad Stuff)

Captain Dapper has been in a mood. You know the kind of mood I'm talking about - grumpy, lazy, a little hopeless. Yep, I've been a total dark force for the past few days weeks. I feel like I'm living the lyric from Robyn's Dancing on My Own - "Some big black sky over my town."

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I wish life was all rainbows, sunshine and lollipops. This journey through life can be so bumpy it's enough to give you motion sickness. Full of ups and downs and twists and turns, stops and starts and completely stalling out. Wouldn't it be nice if life was more like a long, smooth ride in a Bentley instead of a stop and go adventure in your aunt's old Mercury?

So I'm walking to my favorite coffee shop, that big black cloud raining all over my parade, when I saw this graffiti on a sidewalk planter. "Thank you..." is the simple message. For some reason, the simple yellow graffiti made me smile. That old Sly and the Family Stone song, Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again, popped into my head. (As you might have guessed, I have a song for every occasion.)

I snapped this pic, walked into the coffee shop and sat down. Out of nowhere, it occurred to me: if it wasn't for the bad times, we would never appreciate the good times. If life was smooth and easy, we would become bored with the monotony of happiness. If it wasn't for the struggles, how would we know how sweet success can be?

Oh, sure, that bad mood is still lingering. I'm still struggling with some of the decisions I've made and I'm still trying to find my footing in this new life of mine. The difference is that instead of feeling totally hopeless about it all, I'm seeing it as the rough road that must be traveled in order to get to the big payoff.

So I'm here saying thank you to bad times. They may be a real downer, but it's all part of the process in finding happiness. And, really, isn't that what life is all about?

Image: Jason Loper

A Blogger's Life: Reflecting on Putting It All Out There

Hi, my name is Jason and I tend to over share. Whether in conversations or in writing, more often than not I end up giving up a little bit too much personal information. I might tell a complete stranger one of my deepest fears or about my older brother's death when I was a teenager. Or I might tell my boss about how the bullying I experienced in my childhood has affected my adult relationships. While most people would hold back and save these personal stories, I'm likely to just blab it out. Usually I'm OK with that. My life is an open book, I've always said. But every now and then I'll reflect on what I've said and I'll wonder how I could have been so loose with information.

In many ways, my habit of getting personal has served me well as a blogger. I think the fact that I'm willing to share what's happening in my life makes my posts more engaging and easier to relate to. In my early days at Apartment Therapy, when I was writing about my many home projects and giving first person accounts of my DIY life, I would often hear from readers that they appreciated my personal perspective. As I became an editor and the posts I was writing shifted to product roundups, I would still find a way to make them personal. The first person perspective is just how I write. I think it's one of the things that makes me a good blogger.

Sometimes, however, I wonder whether I'm doing a disservice to myself by putting so much of  my life out there in the world. Before I left Apartment Therapy a few months ago, the executive editor informed me that I would probably be better off building my own brand. In the months leading up to my departure, my social media accounts had come under scrutiny by my boss. I would get frantic evening email messages that I had to pull at Tweet from my personal Twitter account because it wasn't fitting for the Apartment Therapy brand. In many ways, it seems, my openness spelled my doom with AT. The very thing that had attracted readers in the first place had ultimately infuriated my bosses. And once that happened, I found myself in a spiral of self doubt and depression. Of course, I shared those feelings with co-workers and, in a more generic way, on social media. This exacerbated the issue and angered my bosses more.

It's easy to look back at what you've done and see your mistakes. Hindsight is 20/20 as they say. It's when you're in the thick of something, living it from day to day, that it's hard to know whether what you're doing is right or wrong. While I regret some of the things I've shared, whether at Apartment Therapy, on my own blogs or in conversations, I doubt it will have any impact on how I behave going forward. I'm a little nervous that if someone Googles my name and clicks around a bit, they could learn just a whole lot about me. But I'm clearly not nervous enough to pull back. I mean, I'm writing this post, aren't I? This post is just another way to putting myself out there, telling it how it is and letting the wider world get to know me. I am still of the opinion that my personal take on things is the right thing to do. I'm just being me, after all.

Let's just hope that others see it that way as well.

So how about you? Do you hold your cards close to your chest or broadcast your feelings loud and proud?

Image: Jason Loper

Shopping with the Everyman: One Reason I'll Always Love Craigslist

If you saw my house tour over on Huffington Post, you learned that my favorite shopping resource is Craigslist. It is no exaggeration when I say that a quarter of my home is furnished with things I've bought via Craigslist ads. While I window shop at West Elm and DWR, I usually end up buying my furniture secondhand. I do it out of thriftiness, of course, but I also do it for the hunt. I get a little thrill out of trolling Craigslist until I find the perfect chair or table. When I scored my yellow West Elm Parson's desk for 1/4 of the cost of a new desk, I felt like I had won the lottery.

I'm not just a buyer on Craigslist, I'm a seller too. As often as I redecorate, I would have a storage room full of furniture if I didn't recycle it. Selling unwanted furniture and accessories on Craigslist is my way of keeping my life minimal. And, unlike donation centers or thrift stores, there's no middle man here. I list something I no longer need and someone who does need it buys it from me. It's practically primal, people. Mankind has been bartering since the beginning of time. Craigslist is kind of like 21st century bartering. The only thing that would make it feel more like the bartering our ancestors did is if we were trading chickens and bushels of corn for our IKEA tables and vintage bikes.

In all my years buying and selling on Craigslist, I have never had a negative experience. Oh, sure, I've gotten the spammy emails that promise to wire funds but those are easy to ignore. (And, actually, I haven't gotten one of those emails in awhile.) When I've bought pieces, I've always found them to be exactly as they were described in the listing. Sometimes I negotiate but often I pay what the seller is asking.

Whether I'm buying or selling, the people I've met through Craigslist transactions have always been everyday Joes (or Joans). They've always been easy to work with, eager to make a little cash or buy something that's new to them. Sometimes there's an interesting story involved.

That's where the bike shown at the top of this post comes in. I'm trying to clean out my basement storage area before winter arrives and this bike needs to go. I bought it three or four years ago (via Craigslist, of course) but have only ridden it a handful of times. I already have a newer Schwinn that's my everyday ride, plus The Mister's mother's vintage Schwinn for leisurely rides. I only bought this vintage Huffy for the basket, really. I fell for its vintage charms when I was scrolling through Craigslist one day. I didn't need it, but it sure was a handsome ride.

I listed the bike two days ago and got a couple of emails that didn't pan out. And then I got an email from Jose, asking if the bike is still available. I replied that it is and gave a little information about where I live. Not my address, but a nearby intersection to give him a general idea of where I am. Jose emailed again and asked if he could see the bike after 5:00. He also wanted a few more details about the condition of the bike.

A little after 5:00 I got another email from Jose asking if he could swing by at 7:00 to buy the bike. We made the arrangements, I gave him my address and around 7:30 he called to say he was a block away. When I met him downstairs, he had his son with him. As I unlocked the bike and rolled it out from behind my building, Jose's son put his hands on the handlebar.

"It's for his birthday," Jose said. "Today's his birthday."

Jose's son, who I would guess was 12 or 13 years old, seemed genuinely excited.

"It's great," his son said. "Thank you, I love it."

"Get on it, ride it a little," his dad instructed.

As his son rode the bike down the sidewalk, Jose said, "I told him I'd get him a new bike for his birthday but he really wanted one of these vintage bikes with the baskets."

I told Jose I understood. I had bought the bike just for the basket, I told him. I may be in my late 30's but I guess I'll always be a kid at heart!

As Jose counted out the money for the bike, his son thanked me. And then he thanked his dad. Good kid, I thought.

Before I walked back into my building, I wished the kid a happy birthday and shook Jose's hand.

And that's it, really. The number one reason I will always love Craigslist is the human experience. This free to everybody website allows you to connect with other people to do what we've been doing since the dawn of time - exchanging stuff.

I love to hear Craigslist stories - good and bad. Share yours in the comments below.

Image: Jason Loper

Captain Dapper Does 9 to 5 The Musical at Marriott Lincolnshire

As you know, Captain Dapper will always love Dolly Parton. A couple of years ago, The Mister bought me tickets to see 9 to 5 The Musical on Broadway. Unforeseen circumstances prevented us from making that trip and I've been pining for the musical ever since. When I walked into the apartment on Friday, a very excited Mister met me at the door.

"Do you want to go to the suburbs tomorrow night?" he asked.

"Maybe. Why?"

"I'm taking you to see 9 to 5 at the Marriott Lincolnshire."

If there was ever a reason to go to the suburbs, this was it.


I had never been to the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire so I didn't know what to expect. What we found was a quaint little theatre with an attached hotel that includes a ship themed restaurant. Unfortunately, we didn't time our evening to be able to enjoy dinner at King's Wharf but I did snap this pic:

When did themed restaurants go out of style? And why?

The show itself was quite entertaining. Of course, this being regional theater, the production was not quite as high quality as what we would have seen on Broadway, but that's to be expected. The performances were quite strong and the actors worked the hell out of a very small stage. And, oddly enough, the actress playing Violet bore a striking resemblance to Allison Janney, the actress who originated the part on Broadway.

Now, who's ready to road trip out to the northwest 'burbs for dinner at a ship themed restaurant? That's definitely an event in my future!

9 to 5 The Musical runs through October 13, 2013. See the Marriott Theatre website for more information.

Images: Jason Loper

The One That Got Away: A Lesson in Buying What You Love

As I was shopping in Northcenter last week, I came upon a framed photo apparently shot by an amateur photographer for ten dollars. I liked the photo enough to stop and snap a photo of it with my phone ... but not enough to buy it on sight. I am now regretting that decision.

There's this little secondhand shop on Lincoln Avenue, just south of the Trader Joe's, called Carlos and Sarah's Surplus of Options. If you've driven down this stretch of Lincoln Avenue, you know that store I'm talking about - there's a desert scene painted on the side of it and there's usually furniture stacked up on the corner. I've always meant to stop into this store but it wasn't until I was writing the Northcenter post that I finally made it in ... only to find out that the store is closing at the end of this month. Insert sad trombone sound here.

Don't put away that sad trombone just yet. I'll be needing it again later. So I'm wandering around the Surplus of Options looking at the limited inventory. Since the store is closing at the end of the month, they've sold off most of their bigger pieces. And then, down on the floor, I saw a little pile of framed photos - including the one above. Most of the photos were in black and white but there a couple of color shots, all apparently taken some time in the 1970's. The woman in the photo above appears in many of the other shots as well. But it was this photo, with the women in her amazing patterned dress and the flash of her panties and that sideways glance, that spoke to me. OK, wait, that sounded gross. I promise, there's nothing pervy going on here. I'm honestly looking at the photo as amazing outsider art. I had an immediate reaction to it but I put it back down and walked away.

A few days later, after showing the photo on my phone to anyone who would look, I went back to buy it. And, of course, it was gone. Cue the sad trombone. Someone much smarter than myself looked at it and thought, "Oh, it's only $10. Of course I'll buy it!"

I flipped through all the other photos but I didn't feel the same visceral connection to any of them. I once again walked out of the store empty handed.

The lesson here? If you love it and you can afford it, buy it. Don't wait, don't second guess, just buy it.

Images: Jason Loper

Celebrating Chicago Instagramers: Captain Dapper at ChitectureEX

If you're a frequent reader of Captain Dapper you probably already know that I absolutely adore Instagram. Whereas Twitter relies on 140 characters and Facebook seems to be all about game requests and birthdays, Instagram allows you to tell the story in pictures. And you know what they say - a picture is worth a thousand words.

I also happen to love Chicago, as you may have guessed from my recent anniversary post. Even after sixteen years in the city, I am constantly inspired by it. The city is the special guest star in many of my own photos on Instagram. When I'm not snapping my own photos of it, I'm following other Chicago IGers, which is how I learned about ChitectureEX. One of my favorite Chicago 'gramers, chicagomatt, is the Co-Moderator of @chitecture and had posted a link about last Friday night's event.

Chitecture, as their tumbler explains, "is an Instagram feed celebrating Chicago’s scenic skyline and architecture. Instagramers submit their best Chicago Architecture photos using the hashtag #Chitecture for a chance to be featured on the thread, winners are chosen twice daily." Friday night's event at Loft on Lake was a curated exhibition culled from thousands and thousands of user-submitted photos.

One of the things I love most about Instagram is that it let's you see life through other eyes. In addition to the framed prints hanging on the walls, there was a slide-show of hundreds of additional Chicago shots. Each photo allows you to stand in the photographer's shoes, see the world as he or she sees it ... beautifully filtered, of course.

Oh, and then there was this mesmerizing video of city scenes...

The turnout for the show was incredible. Perhaps it was the promise of free food and beer, but the space was buzzing with other 'gramers. Upon entering the event you were encouraged to wear a name tag with your Instagram handle on it. I heard more than one person exclaim upon meeting someone, "Oh, I know you! I follow you!"

The most popular attraction of the night was the makeshift camera booth set up in the back of the space. I shot fellow IGers, perk3333 and cakebones, while they took their turn in the booth (top photo above). It was an impressively little set up that churned out really stylish photo strips.

I enjoyed watching the shoots as much as I liked posing for my own. In fact, when I got in front of the camera I panicked. I have no idea what I'm doing in the second pose:

For more great Chicago pics, follow @Chitecture on Instagram. And don't forget to follow Captain Dapper on Instragram. I promise lots of Chicago shots, as well as cute pets, food porn and lots and lots of style.

Images: Jason Loper

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy 10 Years Later How a Design Show Changed the Face of Homosexuality in America

I was flipping through the offerings on Netflix one night, looking for something zippy and silly to watch after a very long day, when I came across all five seasons of Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. "Oh fun!" I announced to The Mister. "We can finally watch Queer Eye!" We weren't cable subscribers back in 2003, when the series premiered, and other than little clips here and there, I've probably only seen two or three episodes over the years.

Whether you had cable or not, if you were alive between 2003 and 2007, you probably knew who the Queer Eye guys were. The reality show was Bravo's first big hit and it was huge. Like cultural phenomenon huge. It seems like the Fab 5 — Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley, and Jai Rodriguez — were everywhere. They strolled red carpets and appeared on Oprah, whether collectively or individually, introduced as gay guys who could make your life better. Getting queer eyed became a verb ... and something everyone wanted to be a part of.

In 2013, with Rupaul's Drag Race and celebrities coming out of the closet every other week, it's easy to forget how big of deal Queer Eye was at the time. For a little perspective, let's look at life in 2003.

• In 2003, the country we being led by a President who didn't think very highly of gay people. But that was OK, because the Bible told him so. To hell with his Vice President's lesbian daughter. 
• It wasn't until 2003 that the Supreme Court struck down Texas' homosexual conduct law.
• Massachusetts was the first state to legalize gay marriage in 2003. 
• The most prominent gay character on TV, Will Truman of Will & Grace, was a seemingly a-sexual "safe" gay.

Now, let's compare that to 2013 - a year when we've seen the President announce his full support for gay marriage. As of this year gay couples can be married in thirteen states - and that number continues to grow. The Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional and the IRS has announced that married same sex couples can file taxes jointly for the first time. TV is so full of gay characters it's like a pride parade trapped inside the boob tube. Gay characters that are as complex and emotionally complicated as their straight counterparts. We're no longer just the one dimensional witty sidekick. We're lead characters. And, increasingly, those gay characters are portrayed by both straight and openly gay actors. To borrow from the old Virginia Slims slogan, we've come a long way baby.

It can be argued that all of these advances in gay rights were bound to happen, independent of whether Queer Eye existed. I actually doubt that. Back in the early 2000's much of the national conversation was about "the gays". I think that having this group of normal, well adjusted gay men on TV helped push the country along in its thinking. It takes seeing people in your own home, even if it's via a TV screen, to be able to see them as people and not a faceless, threatening group. A mother in the middle of Missouri could turn on the TV and see that these guys, in addition to being talented and entertaining, had heart and soul. A straight guy could watch the show and see that although these guys are flirty and funny, they're ultimately no threat to them ... and could maybe even help them.

You've heard it before - the revolution will be televised. Queer Eye may not have been another Stonewall Riot but it certainly has its place in gay history.

So, what do you think? Did a design show help change the state of homosexuality in America?

(For a little update on the Fab 5, check out Where are the Queer Eye Guys Now? on Bravo.)


Images: BravoTV

The Great Outdoors: Scenes from a Late Summer Jog

It's been hot and humid in Chicago for the past few days. We had a relatively cool summer this year. So cool, in fact, that I had thought about removing the window air conditioners a few times. Every time I seriously made a move to do it The Mister would remind me that summer isn't over yet. Sometimes The Mister knows best.

As the temperature climbed yesterday I was tempted to go sit on the beach and let myself soak up the heat. Then I got wrapped up in corduroy jacket posts and other bloggy stuff and it was suddenly late afternoon. I don't want to waste these hot days, I thought, so I threw on some shorts, a tank and sneakers, put my earbuds in and headed out for a jog. For the next hour-and-a-half I walked and jogged and stopped to snap photos, all while sweating my ass off. It was amazing.

I'm trying not to be maudlin about it, but I am definitely not looking forward to leafless trees and brown grass. So here's my advice: go outside and soak up the great outdoors while you can. Soon we'll be darting from heated building to heated building, shielding ourselves from dark skies and punishing winds.

Images: Jason Loper

Automotive DIY: Getting Carried Away with Chalkboard Paint

When I first moved into my apartment seven years ago, painting the entire kitchen with chalkboard paint as one of my first DIY projects. It's a relatively small galley kitchen, mind you. I have two walls that border the doorway which I use for writing notes and drawing silly pictures and the rest is all covered in cabinets and appliances so the chalkboard paint acts as a backsplash. I remember telling people what I was going to do and they seemed a bit shocked. Their main concern seemed to be that my kitchen was going to be black. When people come into my home, however, one of the first comments is usually, "Oh I love the chalkboard ... I should do that in my kitchen."

When I was painting my kitchen seven years ago, chalkboard paint still seemed like this new and exciting DIY material that I'd never heard of. Today, I have seen it on absolutely everything. To illustrate my point, I give you the chalkboard car above.

As I was riding my bike home a few days ago, I spied this Chevy from far, far away. At first I thought the car had been tagged with graffiti. There's a larger tic-tac-toe board on the other side of the car and that's what I saw first. Those poor people, I thought. As I neared the car I began to realize that the entire body has been covered in chalkboard paint. The car had indeed been tagged - apparently by children using chalk.

My first thought was wow! My next thought was cool. A chalkboard car is completely silly and wildly playful but letting your kids draw on your car is awesome. I don't have any back story on this car so I don't know why the owner would do this. Maybe the car needed a new paint job and he came across a large supply of free chalkboard paint. Maybe she's a fun mom, dating this hipster DIY guy who painted her car to impress her kids. Or maybe the car shed its shiny factory coating and underneath there was this dull, dark gray coating.

Kudos to you, chalkboard car owner. Whoever you are, and whatever your intentions, thanks for keeping it real.

Image: Jason Loper

Prolonging Summer at Riz Carlton Chicago's Rooftop Bar The Dec

I worked on a piece about lunching at The dec, Ritz Carlton's new-ish rooftop bar and restaurant, with the stylish folks at Glossed and Found. With cold weather right around the corner, we've got to enjoy our rooftop bars and other outdoor pleasures now! There's not time to dilly dally, folks. Come January we'll be lamenting the lack of outdoor activities. To help you out, I, along with a couple of other Chicago tastemakers, chimed in with our recommendations for your rooftop lunch in a feature Glossed and Found.

Whether you're interested in burgers or not, I seriously encourage you to take the elevator to the 12th floor of the Ritz Carlton and grab a drink at The dec. With the Hancock Building looming overhead and impressive views all around, it's a great way to appreciate Chicago and its architecture.

Check out my picks over on Glossed and Found and get yourself to The dec - stat!

Image: Jason Loper

Happy Anniversary, Captain Dapper! Celebrating 16 Years in Chicago

Today marks the 16th anniversary of my arrival to Chicago. I'm usually terrible with dates. I have to set up calendar alerts to remind me of birthdays and anniversaries or risk missing them entirely. This is especially the case with all of the anniversaries I share with The Mister. There's the day we met, the first time we had a commitment ceremony, the day we had a legal wedding ... and the list goes on. As a former history major, The Mister has a wonderful knack for dates. After missing a couple of our key dates and feeling like a major heel, I've started keeping track lest The Mister decide he doesn't want to share those anniversaries with me any more.

There are two ways I'm able to remember that I first moved to Chicago on August 31, 1997. First, it's my dad's birthday. (Since I've known them all my life, I can always remember my parent's birthdays.) As for remember that it was on his birthday in 1997 that I moved here, well, there's a slightly more macabre reminder for that. As I stuffed my cat into her carrier and set off with all my life's possessions in my tiny Honda Civic early that morning, I watched the news in shock as they announced Princess Diana's death. I was so swept up in my rush to start my road trip that I only briefly watched the news clips about the Princess's death while I washed down a quick breakfast with some hot coffee. At rest stops on my journey west, I would see newspapers and TV screens announcing the shocking news. I remember commenting that morning, "Well, now I'll always remember when the day I moved."

When I first arrived in Chicago I was an idealistic 22-year-old with a lot of expectations and a myopic world view centered solely on myself. In the lead up to my move, as I packed up my old apartment in Columbus and anticipated the new life I would create for myself, I imagined that I would quickly establish myself in some sort of artistic job. I envisioned being spending my days in cool loft office spaces and then going home to one of those apartments that only in sitcoms.

Of course, life didn't shake out like that at all. I lived in shitty apartments and held down entry level jobs. I was impatient that find the elusive "dream job" but I never doubted my decision to move here. From the day I arrived in Chicago, I knew that this was home. It just felt right. Having grown up in small towns in Indiana and Ohio, Chicago represented the land of opportunity for me. And, thanks to the stupidity of youth, I was confident that everything would work out for me here. While my dreams didn't immediately materialize, I was confident of one thing: this city was my best chance to live the life I'd always wanted.

It took awhile but things did work out for me. I met The Mister a couple of years after I moved here. And, over the past fourteen years together, we have had some pretty incredible adventures - personal, professional and everything in between. I undoubtedly would have experienced adventures no matter where I ended up living but I'm grateful for the ones that this city has given me. I'm also eternally thankful that I was in the right bar at the right time on January 16, 1999, so that I would bump into The Mister and have my life forever altered.

At this point, I've lived in Chicago longer than I've lived anywhere else. This is home to me now. I wasn't born here but if you ask me I am a Chicagoan. I've spent almost my entire adult life here. I know the streets better here than anywhere else. I know the people and the weird weather patterns and I can tell you about how much the neighborhoods have changed and what you used to be on this or that corner.

Happy anniversary, Chicago. Thanks for feeling like home.

Image: Jason Loper