[Toasted Life] New Series Alert!

PRESENTING: HUSTLE + LEISURE

Hustle + Leisure is our new content series that serves as a digital gateway for you to stay informed on dope cultural trends, product recommendations, premium experiences, explore thought-provoking topics, and most importantly celebrate life.

Each series features individuals who embody the Toasted Life – tastemakers who are living life boldly in their pursuits and passions.

Check out our first feature with Lifestyle Connoisseur, Interior Design Aficionado, and #SoftLife Goals, Berto “TPG” Horne as he talks ATL hot spots, grooming must haves and luxury mindset!

An Elevated Night Out in Atlanta

Berto “TPG” Horne

Lifestyle Connoisseur

Herberto Horne, known affectionately as Berto, is a native of Detroit, and founder of The Perfect Gentleman (TPGent).

Berto is a brand ambassador, public speaker and entrepreneur. He has represented over 50 brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Crown Royal, and High Museum of Art just to name a few.

We joined him in Atlanta to see how this Lifestyle Connoisseur spends a weeknight in the city.

Where are you headed and who are you going with?

I’m taking a few of my homegirls out to RockSteady. It’s a spot here in Midtown which has an Afro-Caribbean type vibe. As far as food and music, very authentic.

What’s something only insiders know about this spot?

They have a lounge upstairs, and on Tuesdays my boy DJ Kash djs Amapiano, Soca, and Afrobeats. It’s called Bamba Tuesdays, so if you’re ever in Atlanta on a Tuesday, it’s the spot to go to.

What should we order there?

I like the curry alfredo veggie pasta, their rum punch is amazing, and I like their tequila cocktail called First Class.

If we’re only in Atlanta for 24 hours, where do we need to pull up?

Start off by going to Pepper Boxing in The Battery. When the work day is over, go to Drawbar at the Interlock West. After that, MCK Restaurant and Bar in Bucktown.

Because it’s Atlanta, the night can go in any direction after dinner. I’d hit a lounge, like the James Room off the Beltline or Bar Vegan at Ponce City Market.

Whats your pre-event prep routine? What helps you get ready for the vibes?

Ever since I got back from Tanzania, I’ve been playing a lot of Afrobeats, amapiano specifically. That’s South African house music. Fragrance, I love an eau de parfum, something that lasts. My sister got me Burberry Hero for my birthday.

In terms of style, tell us what brands you’re into these days. What’s Berto stepping out in?

My jewelry is David Yurman. The timepiece is a Rolex Datejust 41. This was my first automatic watch. I purchased it for my birthday last year. Each year my goal is to buy a watch.

I was gonna buy a Cartier Tank Must Large this year, but I ended up buying a ticket to Tanzania, which costs the equivalent of that timepiece. So I sacrificed that watch for a trip that changed my life.

My beat ups, my everyday shoes, are Golden Goose white Stardans. I like having something that’s quality leather but over time it shows its character. They're not like Air Force ones that people dirty up on purpose.

What draws you to certain brands or products?

Typically I wear black owned clothing or a mixture of black owned clothing and luxury heritage brands. I'm currently wearing Honor the Gift by Russell Westbrooks.

For sunglasses, I like the brands AKILA sunglasses and Wisdom sunglasses, which is black owned. My skincare products are by Buttah, and I use Bevel for my grooming.

I like supporting people I know and brands I have good relationships with.

I've built a relationship with the David Yurman boutique here in Atlanta, and we're going to do a store event coming soon with my brand Gentle Life.

You’re launching your own brand, that’s exciting! Tell us more.

Gentle Life is elevated lifestyle essentials, home goods, and accessories. My first product will be stemware. Everyone deserves to drink something exquisite, not in a regular glass, that has meaning and a story to it.

It seems like you balance work and play well. What does self-care look like for you?

I do my own manicures sometimes, but I also go to a nail salon. I get massages and facials. I go to the gym and box. When I travel, I love going to spas, saunas, and bath houses.

What are the top three things that have helped you get to where you are today?

Relationships, mindset, and being authentic. Not being selfish, but self-full. Relationship building is different from networking. It’s about knowing people’s family, what they have going on. That’s big in the space that I’m in.

To close out, what to you makes a Toasted Life?

When I think of Toasted, I think of toast, as in to honor, to celebrate. A toasted life is an accomplished life, a life that you worked hard for. Sometimes you have your head down so much, you don't even realize the things you’ve done. People don't always celebrate their wins, but I think it’s important for us all to do so.

Check out some of Berto’s must-haves for going out in style below: