The Scout Guide Cincinnati

We are so excited to announce a NEW location for one of our favorite workouts -- Burn Boot Camp in the Cincinnati/NKY area -- 6,000 square feet of the best gym space in the heart of Fort Mitchell (located at 2505 Dixie Hwy, the redeveloped Remke Plaza)! This now makes MULTIPLE locations around the area where you can challenge your body, build strength and community -- all while having a great time with some of the regions best personal trainers around. 

Head trainers Ashley, Kat and Ryan; Images by Ross Van Pelt

Current locations now: Hyde Park, Mason, Centerville and NEW Ft. Mitchell.

Never tried a Burn Boot Camp before? Don’t fear, they’re the BEST at making everyone feel comfortable, yet challenged, and create a personalized plan for you to reach your goals, regardless of your fitness level. They’re a fun and friendly-style gym that offers trainer-instructed camps (:45 each) that vary each day to ensure no one gets bored and remains challenged. There are between 8-9 camps/day, allowing you to choose the best time for you, between 5:00am to 6:15pm. 

There are multiple ways you can work out at Burn. First, if you’ve never tried it before, you should look for a FREE VIP camp and visit the gym closest to you. After that, most join the unlimited monthly so you can take as many camps as you want. They also have punch cards, should you want to drop into camps when you can. Also, when you’re a member, there’s CHILDCARE! 

Fort Mitchell is having a special in their opening month, $69 for 4 weeks for unlimited camps; sign up here. 

It’s no secret Dad’s best day is coming next Sunday (6/21, for those who don’t know yet!), nor is it a secret that it is more important than ever to support local. Thus, we’ve scouted out some of our favorite gifts for dad that you can pick up right here in Cincinnati, just in time for Father’s Day. Don’t forget to tell them Scout Sent you! 

1. Shinola Watch from Welling + Co Jeweler (Loveland + Westchester)

2: Personalized barware from Elizabeth Grace Home in Montgomery

3: Randolph Sunglasses from Trevor Furbay Bespoke Tailor in Mariemont

4: Smathers & Branson belts + gifts for him from Pomegranate & Lime in Mariemont

5: Electric bike from Montgomery Cyclery (Montgomery, Loveland, Beechmont) 

6: Steak dinner (meat + spices + bourbon) from Lehr’s Prime Market

7: A variety of Johnnie-O brand polos and performance shorts from Khakis in Hyde Park Square

8: Yeti Coolers from Benchmark Outfitters in Blue Ash

9: Running shoes from Tristate Running Company in Mariemont + Edgewood

10: Customized Kleinberg belt from Trevor Furbay Bespoke Tailor & Clothier

We are stepping up our morning game over here with the help of Christy White, the owner of Whirlybird Granola, right here in Cincinnati! She’s adapted this delicious recipe from Taste of Home, and we can guarantee you won’t be disappointed (and might have to fight the family for leftovers)!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cup Whirlybird Granola (r)  (I used Chocolate and I just dump the whole bag in)

Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Beat the butter and sugar until crumbly. Then beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.

Combine the Flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt then gradually add to the butter/sugar mixture.

Stir the Whirlybird Granola into the dough.

Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a rectangle on the baking sheet. Each portion should be about 1.5 inches thick.

Bake at 350 degrees until golden. Let cool for a few minutes and transfer to a cutting board where you will slice each portion 3/4 inch slices using a serrated knife. Place the cut side down on the baking sheets. Bake for another 5 minutes and turn them on onto the other side for another 5 minutes. 

Remove from the baking sheet and let them cool and ENJOY! 

It is in times of uncertainty, like we are experiencing now, that the clients at Gibbs Insurance Associates get to see why the agency has been in business since 1917. This independent agency has a long history of commitment and dedication to its clients through their most difficult days. 

Jonathan Gibbs, Owner of Gibbs Insurance Associates. Photo: RVP Photography.

Their offices remain open to serve their clients, and have seamlessly transitioned primarily to phone and email interactions, they continue to be available in the office as needed. They continue to be the trusted advisors their clients have come to know and love.

Their family of insurance partners have been quick to offer support during these unprecedented times in a variety of ways:

Providing premium refunds or discounts on many auto and commercial policies.

Extending premium due dates and waiving late fees.

Offering optional virtual claims services to better protect their clients.

Establishing emergency community funds and grants.

As one of our oldest (and best) hometown insurance partners, their mission, as always, is to help their clients develop an insurance program that provides the valuable protection they need at the best premium. They are always available to review your current insurance plan to make sure it is keeping up with your insurance and financial needs and see if any adjustments should be made during this challenging time.

“At our agency, our clients are our family. We are here to help you navigate and celebrate the great milestones in your life, but most importantly, we are always here when life happens and you need our guidance and support. It is our honor and privilege to serve the communities in which we live and work in good times and in bad.” – Jonathan Gibbs, Owner

We are excited to bring you some of the best gifts for moms -- especially during these times that have put extra responsibilities on many of their shoulders! The best thing about all of this? You’re supporting local and you can get these things by Mother’s Day! 

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1. These stunning Julie Vos jewels -- bracelets, earrings and necklaces -- are the perfect gift for her; available at Pomegranate & Lime. Shop and order from Jennifer via Instagram. 

2. Pamper mom with a Gift Card to Mitchell’s Salon & Day Spa so she can get her hair cut, her nails done or a massage and facial - her pick (after June 1). Better yet, 20% of proceeds from Gift Card sales go to support the staff. Order online on their website.

3. Some of the best sunglasses and eye care products from Eyecare on the Square to help her stay stylish and keep her eyes healthy this Summer! Contact Dr. Carly Rose on Instagram to pick your favorites and get product recommendations.

4. Give her a gift basket of the best in skincare from Mona Dermatology! This amazing basket of goodies includes a Diamond Glow Treatment, 2 SkinMedica products (Instant Bright Eye Cream and Masks), MONA water bottle and Sweatyband and Avene “Physician Favorites" Tin (Bonus Samples). All of this is valued at $380, but available to you for only $200! Contact them via their website or Insta to set up your curbside pickup.

5. Give her home curb appeal this Summer like never before, with stunning flowers from My Flower Service. Order on their website and pickup at the shop in Newtown.

6. Give her a timeless accessory like a luxury brand scarf from Shop Jacob James. Order on their website for home delivery.  

7. Fill a timeless Vietri vase from Camargo Trading with some fresh cut flowers from our local Farmers Markets. Call the store 513.561.0842, email [email protected] or shop on their website and arrange pickup or local delivery. 

8. Give her the comfort of a new beautiful robe, pajamas or lingerie from Elizabeth Grace Home – let’s be honest that this is the most frequently worn items in her closet right now! Email [email protected] to shop and order for pickup or delivery.

Join us Wednesday, 4/22, at 5:30 for a ZOOM Brawl class, taught by Michelle, the owner of The Barre Code Cincinnati! 

https://thebarrecode.com/pricing/cincinnati/

***BONUS***: Use this discount code “TSGTBC3″ to get $15 off the ticket price (for non-members) 

Here's a simple recipe for any darn day during quarantine -- and a great way to use up the random bits and pieces in your fridge right now. We had fun chatting with the team from Cooking with Caitlin & CWC the Restaurant, to bring you this creative, and DELICIOUS pasta the whole family will want more of! 

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: 

1 lb of Spaghetti 1 Cup of Frozen Peas 1 Cup Cream 1 Lemon Salt + Pepper

6 Slices Prosciutto 6 Leaves of Mint Ricotta Black Pepper

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. In a blender combine the peas, cream, zest and juice of the lemon. Season with salt and pepper. 2. Fill a pot of water 3/4 full and bring to a boil. 3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the prosciutto on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and place in the oven to cook until crispy and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before adding to a food processor with the fresh mint. Pulse together to a coarse crumb. 4. When the water is boiling rapidly, then, cook the pasta to tender. Once the pasta is finished cooking, drain the water and toss with the pea cream sauce. Portion onto your plates, garnish with a generous spoonful of ricotta, a handful of the prosciutto crumbs, and black pepper.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 20 Minutes Yields: 6 Portions

CHANGE IT UP!

Prep it just as Caitlin suggests, or tailor it to your tastes:

~ Substitute bacon for the prosciutto, or a creamy hunk of burrata for the ricotta.

~ Play with the herbs too, to keep it seasonal; use flavors you like.

~ Substitute roasted red peppers for the peas and basil for the mint.

~ Then, in the summer months ahead, try fresh corn in place of the peas, with fresh thyme instead the mint.  

You can find more delicious finds from our #Hometown #TopChef on their website, and be sure to support them all when we reopen! Wishing you a delicious quarantine, friends! 

For most of us, life has slowed down as we work from home in sweatpants and binge watch Netflix! But for those in the financial industry it has been a busy time.  I was fortunate to get some of that precious time with Bob Carroll, the Managing Director for the Cincinnati office of Carnegie Investment Counsel and founder of Carroll Financial, to discuss how coronavirus is impacting his work.  

Bob Carroll; Photo by RVP Photography

McKenna: How have things changed for you in the past few weeks? Bob: Somewhat surprisingly, there have been not as many incoming calls as you might expect in a moment like this.  Most of our time has been spent reaching out to our clients and checking in on them.  Thankfully, everyone is heeding the health warnings and hunkering down until the health concerns pass.  I’ve even offered to make dinner for a client that has a compromised immune system. Hope she likes Turkey Lasagna (Barefoot Contessa recipe. Never disappoints).

Our firm effectively set up a virtual office “overnight”.  We are fortunate that there is terrific technology to continue our ability to meet client needs.  Our work from home dress attire though can be a subject for another blog.

McKenna: What are the most common concerns you are hearing from clients? Bob: Uncertainty of course.  We don’t really have any past history to draw on, all previous financial downturns have been ‘man made’, the cause of this one is very different and clients are hearing a lot of conflicting advice.  But this will end!  I have spent a lot of time reassuring clients, for some we have made adjustments to their plans but for the most part we had built in safeguards to weather this storm, that is one of the benefits of having a personal financial plan.   

McKenna: Is there anything that individuals can do now to strengthen their finances? Bob: Yes!  It may be tough to get motivated, but it is a great time to take stock of your financial picture.  Start with a budget and evaluate your spending.  This area is the “low hanging fruit.”  We cannot control what happens in the stock market, but we are in control of our spending decisions. For many of us spending has gone down as we ‘shelter in place’. Are there expenses you can cut, such as:

subscriptions you no longer use

insurance you may be able to renegotiate or take advantage of the low interest rates?  

Are there any habits you have formed now that you can maintain once this is all lifted – maybe eating out less often or exercising at home?  

Are you able to re-direct some of those savings to support small businesses or charitable contributions to help others impacted?  

Don’t be afraid to rely on the experts, much like you would for legal, medical or automotive advice – lean on them to guide you to a good outcome for you. While it may be tough to get started, once we return to our busy lives you will be happy that you carved out some quarantine time to focus on your finances.  

McKenna: You are also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, are you seeing anything different in that part of your business? Bob: Absolutely.  Divorce settlements may need to be revisited as employment status changes or salaries are temporarily reduced.  While there’s talk of a baby boom, sadly, we are also expecting an uptick in divorce as a result of the stay at home orders.  Creating a clear picture of budgets and finances is an important first step in the divorce process.   

  McKenna: What are you looking forward to most once life gets back to normal? Bob: Definitely meeting with clients in person!  The best part of my job is working with people on some of the most important aspects of their lives.  I really feel honored to be able to help people articulate and reach their financial goals and modify and adjust as life unfolds – but I have learned that it is a lot more enjoyable in person!

On a personal note, my wife and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary this fall with a trip to Italy.  It will be a great way to celebrate and hopefully help out a country (even if only in a little way) going through some difficult times at the moment.”

Watch a short video on all the things Bob Carroll helps his clients with! https://vimeo.com/408975257 (Work by Rhine Media & RVP Photography)

Thanks to Bob for taking the time to share his wisdom during this busy time.  If you need any help with Financial planning or divorce financial planning, you know who to call and be sure to tell him Scout sent you!

~McKenna

Our friends at The Rug Gallery Cincinnati have pulled together an amazing idea to give back to our “Superheros in Scrubs!” They are auctioning off this beautiful, hand knotted Turkish Sivas rug, worth $4,000, and giving 100% of the proceeds to feed our healthcare workers on the front lines fighting COVID-19 in partnership with Pleasantry OTR. 

You can place a bid on this beauty on this auction site:  https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/turkish-sivas-circa-1970-charity-item-77a-c-d3a47399b8 -- and the Live Auction closes at 5:00pm on Saturday, April 18, 2020. 

More about the Rug

Turkish Sivas circa 1970, classic vintage look with Pistachio green border, Rose colored field & medallion. Hand knotted with ivory accents, 0 pile, bohemian chic with floral motif surround. Fretwork Persian design (made in Turkey) with Asian influence. 142” L x 93” W 

Dimensions: 142” L x 93” W

Artist or Maker: Turkish Sivas

Medium: RUG

Date: 1970

Condition Report: Excellent

Provenance: Turkey

Notes: Turkish Sivas

Photos by Ross Van Pelt

Getting the Rug

This Rug Retails at $4,000 being sold with NO RESERVE! Rug can be picked up safely at The Rug Gallery utilizing Social Distancing protocol or wrapped and shipped anywhere in the lower 48 contiguous states. ALSO curbside/porch residential delivery free within Cincinnati Metro Area. The Rug Gallery/Blue Ash 9350 Kenwood Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45242 513.793.9505 

Inquiries 

For more info about the rug, or The Rug Gallery Cincinnati, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the team @ [email protected] . 

You can also read more about the Superheros in Scrubs service here: http://www.pleasantryotr.com/cardsandmeals/buy-a-meal-for-a-healthcare-worker

Hop to it! School and activities may be cancelled, but no one can take away the fun surrounding a holiday like Easter. Knowing we will all be social distancing and celebrating Easter with our immediate families, we compiled this list of activities you can do with your family at home, or some you can do virtually with friends afar. 

1. Paint Rocks or Wooden Easter Eggs || Find some rocks around the neighborhood, or order some wooden eggs (hard to find locally right now) and pull out your favorite art medium, such as watercolors, markers, oil pastels... or glitter. With real eggs in high demand, this is the perfect eco-conscious activity for families with little ones, and we’ve found some great inspiration here. Plus, next year when you pull then out you’ll have a colorful memory of Easter 2020 (although, maybe you’ll want to forget).

2. Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt || Flip it in reverse this year. Give your kids a few plastic eggs and send them off to fill them with whatever they can find in Mother Nature. 

3. Easter Dice Game on Zoom | Schedule time with family anywhere in the world and play a round (or two) of a fun dice game. Have a die for each player, one Golden Egg (with the best candy, or even $ in it!), and a filled egg for every other player. We love THESE PRINTABLE CARDS. Have one person roll at a time, and see who gets the golden egg! 

4. Jelly Bean Sort || Give each player the same number of jelly beans in an assortment of colors, with one cup or bowl for each color. The first person to sort their jelly beans correctly wins! (this could also be done on Zoom!)

5. Basket Ribbon Hunt || Have little ones at home that are expecting the Easter bunny? Tie a ribbon or string on their bedpost and make them chase it through the house to where their basket is hiding. Bonus points if you multiple kids and their ribbons cross paths!

6. DIY Easter Bunny Bag Toss || Convert one of the (hundreds of) boxes you’ve received at your doorstep these last few weeks into a bag toss! Use this inspiration to draw and cut some holes, and use a thick market to do all of the drawings. You can also simplify the bags by using (small) socks and raw beans inside. 

Whether you’re looking for ways to please the whole family, or just simple breakfast options that use a lot of basics you have in your fridge and pantry -- we have a favorite for you! 

This large, fluffy pancake can easily be ‘sold’ (to picky eaters) as a pancake, eggs or even dessert - any time of year! It’s basic and extremely easy to make, and you can make it your own with a variety of toppings. 

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: 

3 Eggs (room temperature)

1/2 Cup Flour

1/2 Cup Milk (room temperature)

1 Tablespoon Sugar

Pinch of Nutmeg (can be left out)

4 Tablespoons of unsalted butter

Toppings (Powdered Sugar, Syrup, Cinnamon/Sugar mix and berries)

(And we always have bacon on the side....because can you ever eat too much bacon?)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees

2. Combine eggs, flour, milk, sugar and nutmeg in a blender, or whisk in a bowl, until smooth.

3. Place butter in a heavy, 10-inch skillet or baking dish and place in the oven until melted (around 4:00, but watch closely so it doesn’t burn!). 

4. Pour batter mixture into the melted butter skillet/baking dish, and bake for 20 minutes, until the pancake is puffed up and golden. 

5. Lower the oven temp to 300 degrees, and make for 5 minutes longer.

6. Remove pancake from oven, cut into wedges and serve with your choice of toppings (our favorites are Cinnamon+Sugar mix and strawberries and blueberries). Enjoy! 

Navigating the curves through winding roads past some of Cincinnati’s finest estates in Indian Hill, you’ll come to a lot where the newest addition to this beautiful neighborhood is taking shape. Not long ago, a family living in Mason decided to purchase a 5-acre lot located in the heart of Indian Hill. With the expert guidance of Jay Takach, Creative Director at Evolo Design in Montgomery, they are finally building their dream home. This family is excited to embark on such a special project, their fifth working with Evolo. 

Jay Takach and his pup, Dutches, of Evolo Design. Photo by Ross Van Pelt

“We knew we were in great hands with Evolo. They are some of the top designers in the country with contacts all over the world. We love what they’ve done with our other projects, and have no doubt that they will do everything it takes to make our forever home in Cincinnati everything we want for our family,” said one owner.

Takach started by recommending local architect Mike Wentz, who he knew would work well with the owners and had expertise in their type of project. Working hand-in-hand with the architects and the owners, the team at Evolo Design helped the owners review plans to ensure each room was laid out to take best advantage of the property’s views, specified custom millwork on cabinetry, and looked at every detail down to the location of every electrical outlet. The goal was to create a home that looks like it has been part of Indian Hill for decades.

A keen eye for detail and working with top craftsman are important aspects of a project like this. Takach selected top-of-the line Woodmode cabinetry and Artistic Tile to be used throughout the home. Custom ironworks are crafting the railings and other custom details. The project was entrusted to builder Cedar Hill Homes, and will rely on local craftsmen to make the space truly one of a kind.

“We are designing this home to reflect the owners’ personalities while meeting their family’s space needs to accommodate every activity they spend their time doing from work to play.” For the next phase, Takach will be pulling together the interiors based on inspiration from the latest fabrics and designs as well as his knowledge of the couple. “I’m looking at beautiful rugs from Edward Fields and beautiful wall coverings from Gracie Studios for the Dining Room--there’s nothing like having to work at home to make you realize how important it is to surround yourself with colors and accessories that keep you calm, recharged and inspired,” says Takach.

Art on the walls - just in wallpaper from GracieStudio

We here at The Scout Guide Cincinnati hope you’ll join us in watching this premier Cincinnati project come to life, from the first architectural drawings to selecting best-in-class flooring, from coordinating the timing of the cabinet installation and appliance deliveries for the dream kitchen to watching the master bedroom, living room and dining room come together. Stay tuned…

Handmade chandeliers from LA for dining area

Selections for a bathroom from a collaboration between Kelly Weastler Interior Design & Walker Zanger

Blending clean lines and traditional aesthetic with this gorgeous Silver couch from The Bright Group

The current jobsite in Indian Hill, OH

During these stay-at-home days, we’re always looking for easy yet elegant dishes that make us feel like we’re entertaining. Enter: The Birch’s grilled brie. Perfect for entertaining al fresco, this appetizer is destined to become a dinner party favorite (with the family), but we’ve considered making it a standalone weeknight meal, thanks to the satisfying assortment of accompaniments. 

Here’s how to make the simple and delicious starter at home. Many of these ingredients can be found right in your pantry.

Grilled Brie with Accompaniments

INGREDIENTS:

1 wheel (4.4 ounces) Rosenborg Danish Brie cheese, unwrapped with rind on

1/2 Granny Smith apple, sliced thin

3 ounces fig jam

4 ounces candied walnuts (prepare your own, as Birch does, or buy a small amount from your favorite specialty grocery)

1/2 baguette, partially sliced but left whole

Olive oil

Kosher salt

Cracked black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat grill to a medium temperature, and preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grill Brie cheese on both sides for approximately 1 to 2 minutes—just long enough to get grill marks—then transfer the Brie onto a small sheet pan and bake in the oven for 3 to 5 minutes.

While the brie is baking, prepare baguette with a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake in oven for 5 to 7 minutes.

Arrange the fig jam, apple, and candied walnuts on your favorite board. Halve the brie cheese and arrange on the board, then add the baguette.

In a world where events are being canceled and postponed, the Design Cincinnati team is bringing you their next design lecture and luncheon 6 MONTHS EARLY!! Join us Friday, April 3 at 1PM EST for a Virtual Luncheon!

Get dressed! Lipstick on! Pour yourself a glass of bubbly and let’s get together—courtesy Zoom! 

We’re thrilled to announce the first event in their Design Cincinnati: At Home series, featuring back-by-popular demand speaker @susannasalk and her creative partner on the @quintessence​ video series, Stacey Bewkes, for a behind-the-scenes look at their new book, At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and Their Dogs.

Susanna Salk’s Book, “At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and their Dogs”

Purchase your tickets --> ** HERE ** <-- and and you’ll receive a link to join their Zoom event. Proceeds will benefit special projects at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Stacey Bewkes & Susanna Saulk 

We are working hard at TSG Cincinnati to bring you together and to stay connected, and we hope you can enjoy this inspirational event with us! #stayconnectedcincinnati  Please stay tuned for more great, inspirational events! 

During this unprecedented times during COVID-19 quarantine, we are here to educate, inspire and encourage you to support our local Cincinnati community businesses. One of the first in our series is with Trevor Furbay, the owner of Trevor Furbay Bespoke Tailor & Clothier in Mariemont, OH. 

Enjoy being inspired and learning about menswear and why he’s one of the best in the business! 

McKenna: What have you been doing during these unprecedented times to stay busy?

Trevor: I did a virtual trunk show last week by posting photos of Mizzen & Main products, offered 20% discount. I offered pickup, delivery, shipping options and it did really well!

McKenna: How did you learn about how to do Bespoke tailoring? 

Trevor: I started working for Ralph Lauren in college (both in Cincy & NYC). This is where I found my passion for custom clothing. I then went to work for the largest manufacturer of custom clothing in Baltimore, MD, and bought my first shop at age 24 in Madeira. I have owned my current shop in Mariemont for the last (almost) 3 years!

McKenna: Who is your core customer at the store?

Trevor: We really have 2 types of customers. The first is the gentleman who comes in all the time, and always wants something new. He loves everything they are doing (at the store), and he buys seasonally.

The other guy needs to dress well for work (can mean a lot of different things!), but he really has no desire to shop or give it any effort. He likes that it is not a department store--and that he can have a bourbon, have a bite to eat from the kitchen, etc. They hate shopping, but he feels that shopping at TFB isn’t that bad because things are pared down, approachable, and we help him find things he really likes and needs!

So do people really come in and drink Bourbon?

Trevor: Yeah, there’s actually a pretty big group of people that do! Some come in to shop and drink bourbon, others just to hang out. It started with Amy making food in the kitchen-- and her masterful COOKIES -- we decided we needed drinks too. We wanted people to feel comfortable here, and make it a place for the community to get together. 

For the woman coming in to shop for a man in her life, what do we need to know?

Trevor: Generally how tall he is, pant size helps too. If I have met him I can probably guess pretty well. Thanks to computers, we can also look and see his sizes if he’s shopped with us before.

Do you have any tips for mixing patterns? Is there a way to help the men in our lives do this?

Trevor: We get a lot in the store: “why is everything blue?” Probably half of the things in our store are blue, the other colors are things that go with blue (denim, grey, navy, etc.). When you stick to a few colors that work together, it makes it easier to mix and match with ease. As long as there’s a common color, you can almost mix any patterns!

What is the craziest trend you’re seeing right now?

Trevor: The “no suit” is very popular - wearing a suit but with no tie. This has caused the pocket square trend to become very strong, too. Men are using the pocket square as an accessory to dress the jacket up (as a tie was previously used).

We’re also seeing a lot of shirts with fun details like colored buttons, so that they can be worn on their own without a jacket.

Faherty is definitely our hottest brand. They are based in NY, but have a West Coast, beachy/surfer vibe. I would have never guessed that it would be so successful here and become our largest selling brand. People love it.

Many people think of your brand as just custom suits. But it’s so much more…

Trevor: Yes, we have a lot more to offer. People have thought of me as dressy only, but we try to embrace both casual options and more approachable price points. There is something for every occasion and every buyer. We have tons of jeans and casual pant options. We have casual weekend shirts and shorts, swimwear, activewear and more.

We’ve noticed that you have shirts with the TFB label. Do you make these?

Trevor: We have a shirt maker that makes these for us. They made the original madras for Ralph Lauren in 1970!

Are there things you want to get into?

Trevor: It is my passion to do custom and design for people. I also care a lot about the shirt brand that we carry, Camessi. I want to help build up that brand too.

Many thanks to Trevor for opening up and sharing his expertise in all things menswear! Once we are out of this Quarantine, please give him a call and visit and tell him Scout sent you! 

~McKenna

We had a lot of fun recently talking with Craig Russell, the Owner and “Bulldog” leader of The English Contractor & Remodeling Services in Cincinnati. Craig is tenacious, strong and a passionate business leader and has extraordinarily high standards for workmanship and detail throughout all of his projects. He leads a team of 36 professionals and does so with humor and an eye for perfection, every step of the way! Here is some great advice from Craig and we hope you can “hear” his personality and passion in his answers!  

McKenna: When and how did you get into this line of work?

Craig: “I was always the kid who drove his mother crazy by constantly taking things apart. I had an insatiable curiosity, a ton of energy and wanted to know how everything worked.  Through a girl I was dating at the time, I became an apprentice to a plasterer, working on high end homes in London and suburban towns. That relationship didn’t last, but my interest in building did. Following my apprenticeship, my learning continued as I was exposed to different trades and built up a business as a residential builder and contractor.

I followed my wife, a physician who grew up in Ohio, here to Cincinnati. Building here is different than in the UK, from codes to materials to nomenclature to, in some cases, techniques. I took my time learning how things are done stateside and started my business as a handyman. I made some great relationships early on and joined up with other talented tradespeople, expanding the scope and capabilities of my business. Those guys are still with me today, nearly a decade later, as The English Contactor is now nearly 40 people strong.

What do you think makes you and the people you hire different (and better)?

“Our name is The English Contractor, but truthfully, we are builders. All of the trades needed to build a home, remodel a kitchen, or construct a home addition are represented under our brand. At times a specialty subcontractor is needed for some of the more unique details we might add to a home. Our clients know that anyone working in their home is part of our crew, with the same standards and commitment that I set forth. I’m a stickler for detail and my team knows it. 

I’m known for having good instinct for people and have used it to build my team. My foremen have been with me since I started my business. We’re all big believers in teaching. We don’t hire “laborers.” We hire apprentices. We build our crew by bringing on board people with the motivation and desire to learn about the trades. We’ve grown our team that way. It’s not just my commitment to my own company, but my commitment to the trades as a whole. Tradespeople in the UK are revered for their skill and expertise. It should be the same here. It takes a ton of skill and know-how to build a house. We want the best-of-the-best to join us as we build all over Cincinnati. 

What advice do you give to all homeowners looking to renovate their homes?

Craig: “Have a master plan. A partnership with an architect, or in some cases, an interior designer, can help you make sure you have all the pieces in place. Call in a contractor early for a reality check on costs. I always say that anything is possible in construction. But some projects cost more than others. Sometimes it’s helpful to have done your own homework ahead of time to have an idea of how costs can add up. A drawer pull, for example, can cost $1 or it can cost $100 (or more). If you have champagne taste, but a beer budget, this exercise will make sure you have an educated idea about costs. 

Another piece of advice is to keep the lines of communication open with your entire team--builder or contractor, architect and/or designer. Each person on the team is going to have responsibilities, including the homeowner. It’s a balance between feeling comfortable with the project and making decisions. When the team works together to make decisions and selections on time, the project is going to go that much more smoothly. 

Why does it take so long to get on a contractors’ schedule and/or to get work done? 

“It all depends on the size of the project and the general timing. We tend to have several big projects going on at once, but depending on the size and scope of the project, we can generally fit in a new project with about a 6-8 week lead time. A larger project, like a new custom home or a major whole home renovation will require a larger lead time. It may seem like it’s a lot of waiting on the homeowners part, but our team has a lot of work to do before we ever start swinging a hammer. A lot of times, the timing depends on where the homeowner is in the process. Like, “Do you have a good idea of what you want?”  “Do you have your selections made--from cabinetry style or tile to appliances?” Sometimes, lead times can delay a project. Then it’s all about balance. We want to make sure all of the pieces are in place before we start the work. We’d hate to go in, demo a kitchen, and then have the project come to a halt because the cabinetry will take 12 weeks to construct.

Do you partner with subs or have everyone on your staff? Why? 

Craig: “I’m proud to have all of the trades represented on my staff. From time to time, for a specialty project, we may have to call in a subcontractor. But for the most part, the person working at your house will be part of The English Contractor team. That helps with timing. No waiting around for the plumber to fit you in the schedule. Our on-staff plumber is fully integrated into our work load. Same goes for our electrician. They know about your project and the standards that I expect.”

What is your favorite type of project to work on? 

“I am a detail person, so I love a project that really integrates bespoke elements. I also love it when a client comes to me with a challenge. I pride myself in being a problem solver. Nothing makes me happier than to help a customer fix an issue that they had with their home with something newly built just for them.”

If this dialogue inspires you like it does us, you can have Craig and team come look at your project by contacting them here. Be sure to tell them Scout sent you! 

All photos by RVP Photography.