Undefeated
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A Father’s Day
Dear boys,
Today was good. I watched you sleeping as I lay next to you—like every other weekend we’re together. All too soon you will be too big for me to sleep in between you, swing you from my limbs, and kiss you on the lips. I’m aware of the frailty lining these moments.
Harrison, my firstborn, my strength. Your eyes are a mirror into my childhood—the joys, the disappointments, the victories, the defeats. There is this joy in your chocolate eyes that lights up a room.
Jonah, my baby, my heart. Everything I loved about your mother I experience in you. We speak an unspoken language in the hugs, wrestling matches and piggyback rides we share. I vividly remember the day I found out I was having a second son...they told me I’d have a little girl. But you arrived, and have not ceased to amaze since.
Sons, nothing you do will ever change the way I feel about you. Follow these rules when we are apart. And when we are together, may we live in our moments.
• Take lots of pictures.
• The key to good photography is not timing. It’s editing.
• Live in New York City at some point.
• Make sure your clothes fit properly
• Spend time with your mother. She’s cooler than you think.
• Learn to tie a bow tie.
• Never side against your brother in a fight.
• Don’t be afraid to ask out the best-looking girl in the room.
• When shaking hands, grip firmly and look him in the eye.
• Always use your last name when introducing yourself.
• Surprise me at the office. Trust me, whatever I’m doing is not as important as you.Love,
Daddy*Modified version previously featured on All Plaid Out.
Jun 22, 2011 | Permalink (23) View/Leave Comments
left a comment on 2/18/2012 at 7:56 AM:
I love your blog (reading it in Tokyo!) and this post about your sons is heartwarming. I am the mom of three (two of whom are boys) and think your advice is thoughtful and very sweet. Keep up the good word, dad! -Stephanie (thetravelbugphotoblog.blogspot.com)
left a comment on 8/25/2011 at 8:30 PM:
Wow! I hope my hypothetical, future husband is this great of a father. This is fantastic.
left a comment on 6/30/2011 at 6:52 AM:
They are adorable, not to mention their style is impeccable even at there young age. Your words of wisdom don’t just apply to them, but to everyone, including us reading them! Well done, brilliant post, one of your best.
left a comment on 6/25/2011 at 1:45 AM:
this is purely beautiful. it really warms my heart. i have not had a great relationship with my father after my mother divorced him long ago to marry someone with a bigger wallet, and this post has really made me realize that when i have children i need to be as close to them as possible as a father, and not just leave them alone like my father did to me and my sister. Wow Unabashedly Prep, not only are you inspiring me sartorially, but emotionally as well! Thank you
left a comment on 6/24/2011 at 4:25 AM:
what shorts is the 2nd kid wearing? is that a map print? LOOKS AWESOME.
left a comment on 6/23/2011 at 9:11 AM:
Thank you for setting a great example and cherishing your children for the gifts they really are.
left a comment on 6/23/2011 at 1:32 AM:
This still chokes me up every time I read it. Your boys are so great. They will treasure this letter when they are old. Glad you got to spend Father’s Day with them. Great photos. They are growing so fast!
left a comment on 6/23/2011 at 12:13 AM:
Good to know that there are dads out there that take such interest in their kids lives. It looks like you guys enjoy yourselves when you’re together! I have a daughter, and she is my world!
I like the idea of having a how/what to dress kids in feature.
left a comment on 6/22/2011 at 9:51 PM:
You have officially elevated your talent to something only few can understand and others only wish to experience; I being one of the latter. You have brilliantly mixed your photography, fashion, genes, writting and fatherly love into what is my favorite post. I will definately be showing this post as an example of your fine work. Couldn’t ask for anything more.
left a comment on 6/22/2011 at 8:30 PM:
I’ve never had children and at my advancing years it’s one of the biggest regrets I have.
That was one of the most touching writings I’ve ever read.
Dennis
left a comment on 6/22/2011 at 4:39 PM:
Wow! Your sons are adorable and on top of that impeccably dressed - not that that should come as a surprise to any of your regular readers. Great photos!
left a comment on 6/22/2011 at 3:04 PM:
Such cute kids… I can see by their style they are following in your footsteps.
Very touching.
left a comment on 6/22/2011 at 2:15 PM:
You have some very fashionable little boys! You should really start posting more of what they wear, we all could use ideas for how to dress our children like us too.
left a comment on 6/22/2011 at 10:39 AM:
Great post,sharp kids. And the advice is awesome. Especially the one about giving firm handshakes. If its one thing I hate its a guy who slaps a dead fish in my hand. I’ve got two kids of my own whom I’m tryna implant some of these same values in.
left a comment on 6/22/2011 at 10:19 AM:
That was one of the best blog entries I have ever read. Beautiful! So deep and thoughtful. I love this blog and this post puts it in the highest company. I loved “live in NYC” and “Ask out the best-looking girl” advise.
left a comment on 6/22/2011 at 9:56 AM:
so sweet…and your boys are so adorable. i remember seeing pics you posted of them on your old blog, they’re growing into such handsome little men!
i was just talking with my husband the other day about how big our son is now, and how he used to love to hug, kiss and cuddle with him when he was little. it’s a wonderful thing for a father to be so affectionate with this sons. wonderful—-and important too. my husband said he misses those days…now, with a 15 yr old, he’s lucky to get a hug that lasts more than 4 seconds. enjoy your time with your little boys….they grow way too fast.
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Collection
Tumblr is finally relevant to me. It’s the new home to my inspiration board. Although I have an actual inspiration board with photographs, magazine tears, patches, and quotes housed within a gold vintage wood frame, its space is limited. Moving my board online allows me to draw from it anywhere I go, but what’s more, allows you to step further into my world.
Aptly named, Collection by F.E. Castleberry is just that—a collection of images, quotes, and original photographs fashioning a timeless, Ivy League inspired world with traditionally preppy roots. If you Tumble, "follow", "reblog", and "like" to your heart's content. For those that don’t, the best way to experience Collection is by simply viewing it in the collage style seen below and, well, being inspired.
Jun 21, 2011 | Permalink (9) View/Leave Comments
left a comment on 7/10/2011 at 10:32 AM:
@Andy—I haven’t really had to get into too much restoration yet as I bought it in fairly good condition (for a 1987 model). It only had 106,000 miles on it and now only has 115,000.
left a comment on 7/10/2011 at 10:29 AM:
Have you had trouble maintining/restoring your BMW, either engine, carriage or interior? How many miles are on it now?
left a comment on 6/25/2011 at 3:47 AM:
You are looking for inspiration? Try this: www.http://lord-of-hahn.tumblr.com/archive
Hope you’ll get what you are looking for
left a comment on 6/22/2011 at 7:49 PM:
Already following you Mr Castleberry, so much inspiration, I hope I can inspire others too, with a London take on Ivy. Summer seems the perfect time to draw inspiration.
follow me at preposity.tumblr.com – currently covering Wimbledon style
left a comment on 6/21/2011 at 9:14 PM:
FEC- as always, I love this. Keep up the good work and follow me on Tumblr at straymorningthoughts.tumblr.com
Robin- I’ll check out your tumblr as well!
left a comment on 6/21/2011 at 6:21 PM:
Great stuff. Love the underwater shot colors, and lemons quote !
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Personality with Clothes
Jun 16, 2011 | Permalink (3) View/Leave Comments
left a comment on 6/18/2011 at 5:15 PM:
I’ve found this to be very true with the people I style back at home. They are always reluctant to take fashion into their life until I force them to try on something that I know they’ll love. After that, it’s just a matter of showing them that they’ve always wanted to look good, but they just need me to show them how.
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CHC left a comment on 7/15/2011 at 4:37 PM:
Good quote!