The Daily Valet. - 8/27/21, Friday
✔️ A Hard Day
Friday, August 27th Edition
It’s Friday, and I’m clearly ready for a break.
Cory Ohlendorf, Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s edition is presented by
Today’s Big Story
Lives Lost at Kabul Airport
U.S. braces for more ISIS attacks after carnage and chaos in Afghanistan
American forces helping to evacuate Afghans desperate to flee Taliban rule braced for more attacks on Friday after two Islamic State suicide bombers killed scores of civilians and 13 U.S. soldiers outside the gates of Kabul airport.
According to the Associated Press, the blasts came hours after Western officials warned of a major attack, urging people to leave the airport. But that advice went largely unheeded by those desperate to escape the country in the last few days of an American-led evacuation before the U.S. officially ends its 20-year presence on Aug. 31.
The Taliban were not believed to have been involved in the attacks and condemned the blasts. However, in an emotional speech from the White House, President Biden said the bloodshed would not drive the U.S. out of Afghanistan earlier than scheduled.
So what do we know about these terrorists? NPR reports the Islamic State Khorasan (known as ISIS-K or IS-K) formed in late 2014 and operates as an ISIS affiliate. “Khorasan” is a historical term for a region that includes present-day Afghanistan and parts of the Middle East and Central Asia.
As for the bombers and gunmen involved, Biden vowed to retaliate, saying “We have some reason to believe we know who they are ... not certain.” He said he had instructed military commanders to develop plans to strike IS-K “assets, leadership and facilities.”
A number of allies said they were ending their evacuation efforts in Kabul, at least in part to give the U.S. the time it needs to wrap up its evacuation operations before getting 5,000 of its troops out by Tuesday. Ross Wilson, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, told ABC News, “There are safe ways to get to the airport” for those Americans who still want to leave. He added that unfortuantely, “there undoubtedly will be” some at-risk Afghans who will not get out before Biden’s deadline.
↦ Dig Deeper: The complex and dangerous evacuation from Kabul airport, explained visually.
Jack Daniel’s, 100 Years In the Making
This limited-edition whiskey is a celebration of the iconic Tennessee brand’s storied past
Due in large part to the ubiquity of Old No. 7, it's widely understood Jack Daniel's is the best-selling whiskey brand in the world. But according to Gear Patrol, the brand's massive popularity isn't seen in a positive light; “it's viewed as a label designed for affordability and easy-drinking above all else, including quality.”
There is, however, a new reason to reassess your perception of the whiskey. The Tennessee institution is releasing its first age-stated whiskey in a century with Jack Daniel's 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey.
The whiskey is the classic Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey recipe, aged in American white oak barrels and bottled at 97 proof, a first for the distillery. It's going to arrive at stores in early September with a limited number of bottles available. Though, it will be an annual release with each year's release being slightly different.
“This product has been hand-crafted by our distillery team in Lynchburg over the last 10 summers all while keeping up with the growing demand for Jack Daniel's around the world,” master distiller Chris Fletcher told VinePair.
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Are you ready for a change? A change in seasons that is. Prep your wardrobe for the approaching cold-to-hot-to-cold days.
World’s Top Chip Maker Raises Prices
Which means the price of our electronics could be going up soon too
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is the biggest chipmaker in the world and the company responsible for the processors used by Apple, Intel, Qualcomm, and even some automakers. And its products are about to get a lot more expensive: the company plans to raise prices of its chips by 10 to 20%.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the higher costs will generally take effect late this year or early next year. Of course, chips are only one of many costs that go into a car or smartphone, but they believe the price hike could eventually filter down to consumers next year unless companies decide to absorb the higher costs.
TSMC’s decision comes in the wake of a global semiconductor shortage that has already affected big players like Apple and most car makers, including General Motors and Toyota.
The Verge says the good news is that the raised prices may actually help alleviate some of the supply issues for TSMC by reducing some of the demand that’s been driving the scarcity in parts.
A Weekend Pairing
The Bob Ross Doc + a Spumoni Cocktail
Bob Ross is known the world over for his calm voice, poofy hair and unflappable demeanor. His televised art class was ASMR before the concept even existed. But as the titillating titled documentary Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed suggests, his career wasn't all happy trees and clouds.
The new Netflix film paints a complex portrait of the artist's life, and the battle that followed it. CNN says it won't ruin anyone's childhood, but it does reflect the difficulty of remembering such personalities in pastel-hued colors—especially when green enters the picture. The doc follows Bob's longtime business partners, the people who helped get him on the PBS airwaves and who now have a firm grip on the Bob Ross legacy via mountains of merch worth a small fortune. Decider says that despite its flaws and a few lingering questions, the film “stirs up reasonable interest about the man and his 'fro.”
↦ Your Pairing:Call me crazy, but I wanted to pair this drink with something a tad artistic. And this grapefruit and Campari tipple, spiked with a sweet-and-savory pink peppercorn syrup and topped with a happy little cloud of its own, seems perfect.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Time for Transitional Dressing
Grab an outfit that will take you into fall
Climate change or not, dressing for the unpredictable weather of September, October and November can be tricky. You know those cold-to-hot-to-cold days of early fall. Seemingly sweltering and almost shivering all in the matter of days or sometimes hours.
So how do you handle such dubious meteorological scenarios? By pulling on a few smart, cozy and altogether versatile layering pieces. They're the kind of items that mix and match with much of what you already own. They also make killer travel essentials. Like rugged, versatile pants and a cotton shirt that layers nicely under a lightweight jacket. Finish off the look with items that will get you through the whole season—from vintage-inspired sunglasses to a hard-wearing ripstop tote bag.
Waffle 2 SP suede-trimmed sneakers, $90 by Nike
Printed poplin shirt, $210 A.P.C., NSW tapered twill pants, $65 by Nike and suede chore jacket, $1,035 by Mr P.
Chalton square-frame sunglasses, $165 by Cubitts
Jungle ripstop tote, $250 by Porter-Yoshida & Co.
↦ Get It: More early fall looks at MR PORTER
The New Shoes to Buy
↑ In a footwear world chockfull of bells, whistles and crazy styles, sometimes you just need a quality trainer to get you through the day. Corridor's goal with the Recess Runner ($185 / $129.50), their first shoe, was just that’create a beautiful and durable sneaker that looks great anytime, anywhere. Crafted in Portugal with quality leather and suede, these retro kicks will never let you down.
↦ Want more? The 5 new shoes on our radar
Today’s Deals
Expires 8/31
Ongoing Sale
Expires 8/30
↦ Want More? See all 36 sales
Morning Motto
Note to self: Take your time or risk making a glaring, foolish mistake.
↦ Follow: @oliviaherrickdesign
That’s all for today...
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