Zachary A. Martz

A Bittersweet Dinner with the Biddles

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Change is always bittersweet. One part of you acknowledges and celebrates growth; the other longs for the past and its golden nostalgia, its memories. My best friend and work wife of over four years, whom I’ve worked with at Club Monaco, Ralph Lauren, and Eileen Fisher, decided to take a new job at a new company—meaning she’d be moving to Denver, Colorado.

We got together for a final farewell, a last supper of sorts. We had dinner at her parent’s house, where we ate hamburgers and drank wine. It’s funny—after all the years of knowing her, and despite her having met my family and my husband, this was the first time I’d been introduced to her parents. It took us all that time, up until right before she left, for me to meet them.

Now Harry (the dog) i’ve met many of times. As you can see from the photos he is always in the the right spot, at just the right time! He adds that class and cuteness any good time requires. He may have to stand in for Hannah and fill the void of her absence.

Of course, I will be going to Denver to visit her. But it was nice to be there to give her a proper send-off at dinner as part of the family. It’s also nice to know there will never be a “goodbye” for us—just an “until next time.”

Weekend Clambake, Seafood Galore

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We decided to do a clambake steamer bucket from Captain’s Market—a.k.a. Captain Stinkies (more on that later)—here in King of Prussia. You’re given a bucket, into which you add wine or beer or whatever you’ll want to steam, along with your seafood like shrimp, clams, oysters, crab, or lobster and sundry ingredients (i.e. corn or potatoes).

You can steam it on a grill or over a fire; we used our stove. We have now lovingly referred to Captain’s Market as Captain Stinkies, christened with the nickname by Angel when neither of us could remember the actual name off the top of our heads. Not disparaging by any means; we loved it and look forward to our next summer clambake!

Pride at KOP & Eileen Fisher Visit

I went to visit the Eileen Fisher store at King of Prussia for Pride Month. You can see the celebratory Pride message up on their in-store screen. Every Eileen Fisher location has one of these screens that they broadcast a certain campaign or special messaging onto. In fact, the entire mall had select stores that featured Pride in its windows, or through a specialized product, or by asking for a donation at checkout.

There is has been some controversy about corporatizing Pride; a conflict about using it as a marketing ploy more so than actually supporting the community. But a number of stores in the mall actually did and do on a regular basis support the community outside of just adding a rainbow to their logo for the season.

Massage Time, an At-Home Act of Self-Care

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A few years ago, even pre-Covid, Angel and I became interested in general wellness, which led us to an interest in massages. We became invested in self-care; taking time to center ourselves and focus on our health, instead of a constant preoccupation with stress from a life in the city, our jobs. Trying to clear one’s mind takes effort.

Both of our companies encouraged an interest in wellness, including a stipend that could be used on anything from bikes to massages. For a while, we went to a few spas and studios, but it became hard to schedule around other engagements. We soon learned you could book at-home treatments through apps. We started to use Zeal on a regular basis, scheduling massage therapists to come to our residence. They either bring their own table with them or if you have one yourself, you get a discount.

After about ten massages with massage therapists we liked, we decided to invest in our own table. Now we have a nice set-up for our at-home therapy. You’ll see Peleton in the back, as well as a piano. This is an office by day and an all-purpose, comprehensive wellness room by night.

Crispy Chicken Sandwich from Capt’n Stinkies

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My company, ZAMartz, is a sponsor of the Upper Merion Township farmer’s market. You’ll remember I have a booth there. On the weekends, when the market is open, a food truck steps up shop—it could be pizza, it could be seafood. This particular week, they had crispy chicken sandwiches.

They were from Capt’n Chucky’s, otherwise known and lovingly referred to as Captain Stinkies. Readers will know Angel began this nickname; it’s become a running joke between us. At this point, we may never retain its actual name!

My dad and I were in the sponsorship tent, so seemingly by law—or for the greater good, either one—we had to try the food truck. I ordered the crispy chicken sandwich, a seaside recipe from a seafood restaurant. My review? Very crispy, very good. Don’t forget an order of fries.

I’m a big fan of supporting small businesses and the local community, as well as being a self-proclaimed foodie, so all-in-all it was a great day at the market.

A Meditation on Textures, balcony addition

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This summer, I thought up a recurring photo series—a thorough examination of the textures and materials on my balcony. After the recent outdoor renovation we did, I’ve been thinking a lot of the elements that make up tactile surfaces. In the summer, we all tend to be outside in the warm weather and sunshine, and I’m no exception. When I’m on my balcony, I find myself pondering how everything has its own physical fabric in this world, and begin to eagerly examine and study the textures I see.

There’s something artistic about all the finishes that come together to form my balcony. From the rough stuccoed ceramic of the pots that hold the plants, the wood grain in the furniture, the weave and textile of the cushions, to the painstaking pattern and braiding of the area rug; all these textures come together to form my own outdoor oasis. A place of respite, escape, and fresh air—surrounded in nature and the textures that comprise it.

New Plants, New Season, all Green

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After the long winter, I have returned to tend to the garden kept on the balcony of my apartment. At my husband’s request, I went to find new plants to nurture among our many others. I brought an Italian lavender tree and a green Japanese maple into the garden to join our existing potted and propagated menagerie. I’ve learned that come fall, the maple’s leaves will change somewhat with the seasons to a shade of orange.

My garden continues to grow in size and age with each passing year. While cultivating new plants, I also care for my old ones. Two plants in particular I’ve fostered for five years. They’ve moved along with me to and from four separate apartments. Each time, they made everywhere I’ve lived feel like home.

All of my snake plants in my garden aren’t only found family, they’re actually related. Propagated from just one snake plant purchased six years ago, as its grown I’ve cut off stems to grow many more since. That one snake plant has roots and relatives everywhere; I’ve given my parents and a couple friends its proliferated offspring.

This past weekend, I’ve made new cuttings to create even more baby plants! Maybe I’ll give out some as gifts, or even start selling them locally. As the warm weather sets in and the days lengthen, it’s been an enriching breath of fresh air to be able to tend to my garden again, and bring out new trees and shrubs to further grow it.

Weekend Reading for the Soul, at the farmers market

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My company, ZAMARTZ, sponsors the local farmer’s market in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania—or King of Prussia, as it’s known to the locals. As part of this sponsorship, I have a booth at the farmer’s market. Recently, my long-time best friend, Hannah Biddle, came to visit me at my booth.

Hannah’s about to make a big life change and move to another state. In the meantime, we’re trying to find time to spend together amidst our respective busy schedules and the state of the world. Anyway, she came that day to give me a book she’d found: Water, Woods & Wild Things, a memoir by American writer Hannah Kirshner that recounts her excursion to a Japanese mountain town and her introduction to its culture, craftsmanship and community.

Angel and I are both Japanophiles, as I’ve attested to before, and Hannah knows our interests well. This book was a great way for us to get into the spirit of our balcony and its verdant garden. Hannah didn’t even know I’d just gotten my green Japanese maple when she gave me the book! And my garden, Japanese maple and all, is just the right, serene setting for me to sit down, do some weekend reading, and get into the mindset of the Japanese and their slower way of life.

In Austin, Texan Stars & Lips Abound

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When Angel and I flew to Austin, Texas for Ken and Joey’s wedding, we also took the opportunity to take a short vacation of sorts. We flew to Austin a day before the wedding festivities and celebrations commenced. While in Austin, we took the time to explore, peruse the city, and as self-professed “foodies” are wont to do—try restaurants and Texan delicacies.

(As a disclaimer: while on the trip, we didn’t live recklessly. Necessary precautions were taken and mask mandates were followed. We conscientiously adhered to any and all rules regulated by the CDC in restaurants, public places, and of course at the wedding. Upon arrival, we took a rapid COVID-19 test and continued to receive negative results throughout the entire week.)

After checking in, Angel and I explored the Austin Motel. A gay-friendly hotel, its signage took the shape of a penis set in bright neon lights. (I can’t say that we didn’t immediately buy a matching magnet of its likeness to put on our refrigerator.) The Austin Motel had an old-school motel feeling—a throwback modernized for its 21st-century guests. Full of novel architectural details, it followed the practice of pairing old historical bones with new modern minutiae. To speak to this, I slept in a room replete with lip print-patterned wallpaper, a big leather-bound bed, and a rotary phone.

Now, for food. While in Texas, it was almost an obligation to eat breakfast tacos at least once! Not too far from our hotel was a little roadside taco stand, where we bought and consumed our breakfast tacos on a couple of mornings. And when not eating tacos, we also went to a few restaurants with James Beard award-winning chefs. The first, called the Odd Duck, served several cocktails that were distilled in barrels on tap. With our drinks, we enjoyed a plate of seared scallops and a Wagyu beef burger in addition to some vegetarian turkey bacon. A couple of restaurants were also recommended to us—one being La Condesa Austin, which served huitlacoche quesadillas from fermented corn. A delicacy I couldn’t pass up!

While perusing the town, being New Yorkers, Angel and I wanted to walk everywhere. Turns out, Austin isn’t a “walking” city. There were periods where we walked amongst other pedestrians and other times when we felt like the last two people on earth. While walking around, we visited the state capitol, an interesting yet imposing building in and of itself. We noticed then, as we had been noticing for days—the Texas star is never far from sight. On our way to and from the Capitol, I took the opportunity to snap a few pictures of the various stars around town.

All in all, it was a great trip—a chance to celebrate close friends and travel!

Ken & Joey, Welcome to Married Life

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My good friends Joey and Ken got married this year around the same time vaccinations rolled out. It was a scary time to be flying, but after doing our part to stay safe, Angel and I flew to Austin, Texas to celebrate our friends’ union.

We had planned out the trip months ago, and while traveling, we made sure to exercise caution and be fastidious with our hand sanitizer. At the airport and on the plane, we wore our face shields, masks, and gloves. In Texas, we rented our own car to keep and maintain that all-important six feet of social distancing.

Though wary, I ended up really liking Austin. During our stay, the weather was perfect each day. We spent a lot of our time dining outside or choosing restaurants still in accordance with mass mandates and six-foot-apart safety measures, though at that time Texas had dropped their restrictions. We still felt pretty safe.

Joey and Ken’s wedding was held at the Austin Motel, a gay-friendly hotel decked out in neon lights. Each room was themed; ours was decorated with lip-print motifs and a bright red leather headboard on the bed. We had rented a red Mustang for the trip, so we definitely fit in at the hotel!

There was a courtyard next to the main building. On our first day, we gathered there for a meet-and-greet cocktail hour. That’s also where the on-site clinic was, where all wedding guests were required to receive a COVID-19 test. The entire wedding party was vaccinated, but since the vaccines had just been rolled out, not everyone in attendance had been able to receive their second or even first dose. Everyone was then required to participate in an on-site test. Without the test results, you weren’t allowed to remove your mask.

Everything was very well thought-out. No surprise for Ken and Joey! The courtyard during that first happy hour was beautiful; cocktails and finger foods were served

The next day, a brunch was held for all wedding guests. Later that afternoon was the wedding. The event was entirely outdoors, at The Contemporary Austin. The ceremony took place under a tree-covered amphitheater overlooking a lake. At the end of the wedding, Ken and Joey ran through a sparkler runway to where a pickup truck driven by a drag queen was waiting. As they stood on the bed of the truck, giant fireworks shot up into the air while monster trucks drove by in a cloud of billowing red smoke.

At the after-party, the Austin Motel lit up their swimming pool with neon lights for a late dip. There was fast food to eat, and time for Ken and Joey’s close family and friends to wind down after the excitement of the day.

It was a great wedding, full of great people. I’m so happy for Ken and Joey and wish them lots of luck and love. Welcome to married life!

Blue Is a State of Mind, all day – every day

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Having a job in fashion myself, I suppose clothes do make the man. It is my job for fashion to be top-of-mind and for my closet to demonstrate this accordingly, after all. There is, however, a lot to consider in fashion. Styles, cuts, and colors are just a few examples that don’t even begin to delineate the many options one must choose between. In an effort to simplify my life and lessen my own daily decision fatigue, I decided long ago to strip down my closet to just one shade: blues.

Here you’ll see a photo of me at Ken and Joey’s wedding reception in Austin, Texas almost eight years ago. My outfit that day was no exception to my uniform blue color. A beautiful day and an even more beautiful wedding, it was held on the campus of a small art college and sculpture garden. I was at the reception, in an Italian-style villa, when I noticed that at the back of the home there was this profuse, lush greenery. Everything was so striking, I felt compelled to, using the greenery as a backdrop, take a moment and pose for a photo to commemorate the happy day, my chosen wedding outfit, and my blue state of mind.

4 Years of Nintendo Switch and I’m still loving it!

Just found this old selfie of myself from four years ago—the day I got my hands on my original Nintendo Switch. I look excited, right? Well, I might seem a tad underwhelmed in the photo, but trust me, I was beyond thrilled!

Gaming has always been my go-to escape when life piles on the responsibilities. There’s something special about diving into another world, tackling challenges, and hitting those rewarding milestones. Sometimes it’s not even about the deeper stuff; it’s purely for fun. After all, a little gaming downtime never hurt anyone—balance, right?

I might not dive into The Legend of Zelda as often as I used to, but every time I pick it up, I’m transported back to that day I first powered on my Switch. The excitement, the adventure, and how quickly I got lost in the world—it’s all still fresh.

Now with the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, I can’t wait for what’s next. Here’s to more gaming adventures ahead!