May 27 2012

Brooks Brothers clearance centre in Garland, NC


Yesterday, I decided to make quite a drive to the Brooks Brothers clearance centre in Garland, NC, USA. There used to be another clearance location in Olathe, KS, but it closed years ago, leaving the one in North Carolina as the only one of its kind. Anyway, as many of you know, Brooks Brothers is my favourite brand of clothing, and so going there made me like a kid in a toy store! Basically, when particular items don’t sell for one reason or another (unusual sizing, unpopular styling, or just overstock), they are put in the “Sale” section of the Brooks Brothers website. They are generally marked down by 25% – 60% from the original tag price. However, if the items still don’t sell, they are ultimately sent to the clearance centre in Garland, NC (which is, naturally, right next to the Piggly Wiggly):

Brooks Brothers clearance in Garland NCPiggly Wiggly Garland NC

Fortunately for me, I’m a somewhat unusual size. Therefore, there were many items that fit me nicely. The prices at the clearance centre are unlike any other deals that one can get from Brooks Brothers. For instance, I got a sport coat for $29.00 USD instead of the tag price of $598.00 USD (nothing like approximately 95% off :)). Anyway, I left there with a huge amount of shirts, sweaters, some pants, and even the previously-mentioned sport coat for a mere fraction of what I would have paid for the lot in the store!

Brooks Brothers Garland NC purchases

Not too bad if I do say so myself… and I do. I’m hoping that I get another opportunity to go to the clearance centre in Garland at some point. I would also like to just spend a day or so in the area, because it is a beautifully quaint little country town, with fresh produce stands lining the roads, Mom & Pop shops, and crafts all around.

Brooks Brothers Garland NC tags

Cheers,
Zach

P.S. I would imagine that BB chose Garland, NC as the primary outlet centre because they also own the Garland Shirt Company, which manufacturers many of the Oxfords, dress shirts, and sports shirts that are nearly synonymous with the quality that is Brooks Brothers.

May 25 2012

Signed up for my first wine class

Seeing as I really enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner, and that I’m highly interested in the process of wine-making, subtleties of the different varietals and vintages, and many other aspects of the wonderful grape-born beverage, I have signed up for my first wine class. It is a two-and-a-half-hour introductory course on categorical distinctions of varietals, vineyard keeping, the growing and making processes, and much more. It is coming up on Thursday, 07 June 2012, and I have to admit that I’m pretty excited about it!

At first, I thought that $36 USD was pretty steep for a class, but with the tastings, the intimate setting / small number of participants, and seeing as it is supporting a local business, I am fine with it. I will certainly post some of the interesting things that I learn in the class. 🙂

Cheers,
Zach

May 24 2012

IISE Top 10 New Species for 2012

Each year, the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University chooses the top ten new species found throughout the previous year. The Top 10 for 2012 have been chosen, and posted to the website. This year, there were some really neat plants and animals that made the cut, including the Walking Cactus and the Brazilian blue Sazima’s Tarantula.

My personal favourite, however, was a mushroom that inherited its name from a contemporary cartoon–not only is the common name the “Spongebob Squarepants Mushroom,” but the binomen is Spongiforma squarepantsii. The latter, to me, is absolutely fantastic as it manages to bring something modern to the so-called ‘Dead Language.’

Anyway, you can see all of the other species that made the list this year by visiting the site linked above. There you can find additional information like the rationale for each making the Top 10, the etymology of the name, the family, and the native locality.

Cheers,
Zach