Simple Living

A Comparison of Two Iconic Shoes: Air Jordan 1 Low vs. Air Force 1 ‘07 I’m surprised so few people have posted comparisons between these two iconic shoes: Air Jordan 1 Low Air Force 1 ‘07 Both are basketball shoes that are famous in their own right, sharing similar price points of $110 with comparable materials and build qualities. Versatility: Air Force 1 When it comes to versatility, I give it to the Air Force 1s. In the Triple White colorway, they can match so many outfits and styles. A close second are the Jordan 1s, which in certain colorways can really make a bland outfit pop. However, Air Force 1s look better with baggy jeans due to their chunkier profile, while Jordan 1s pair well with slimmer jeans. Comfort: Air Force 1 In terms of comfort, I’ll need to break in the leather on the Jordan 1s, as they are stiffer than the Air Force 1s. The thicker sole and air unit of the Air Force 1s make me feel they will win out for long-haul treks. I'm sure that once the stiff leather of...

My First Pair of Air Jordan 1 Low: Reverse Black Toe I went with a classic colorway of Red/White/Black for my first pair of Air Jordan 1 Lows, also known as the Reverse Black Toe. I’ve wanted a pair of AJ1s for quite some time, especially after trying on a pair of Air Force 1s, which sparked my curiosity about the Air Jordans. I’m glad I waited; initially, I was going to get a pair of mids, but I decided that the lows are more versatile and can match better with the outfits in my wardrobe. I’m looking forward to wearing them and seeing how they perform. I anticipate buying a few more Air Jordans, as I want to explore different colorways. Future Planned AJ1s Green/White/Black Black/White UNC Blue/White Purple/White/Yellow — LA Lakers Red/White I’m undecided on whether to go for highs, mids, or lows, as well as the types of materials I’ll choose. I’ll figure that out in the coming years. 6 months later these AJ1’s have traveled the globe

My Nespresso Vertuo Experience I’ve grown tired of hunting for good coffee shops and spending $5-7 per pour, so I decided to invest in a Nespresso Vertuo machine, which I found for $140 at Costco. The machine came with 30 pods, and I used a $40 coupon to buy 40 more pods at the Nespresso store. I also ordered another 100 pods online to take advantage of the welcome gift, which included 10 more pods and two free coffee mugs. In total, I’ve purchased 180 Vertuo pods for this machine! Given my consumption rate of 2-3 pods a day, about 3-4 days a week, that adds up to 6-12 pods weekly .

Year-End Review: 2023 Purchases and Reflections Another year has gone by, and I’ve accumulated quite a bit of new stuff, from clothes to tech. 2022 was a banner year for me, but 2023 is the time to improve the quality of my wardrobe and invest in a new computer. Planned Purchases Tech - $106 Dell Precision 7530 - $250 - Sold JBL 510BT Headphones - $30 - Done Vuolao V8 Headphones - $16 - Done Apple AirPods 2nd Gen - $60 - Done Shoes - $311 Jordan 1 Mids 9.5 - $110 - Done Jordan 1 Lows 10.5 - $130 - Done Air Force 1s 10 - $71 - Done Clothes - $323 Uniqlo - Clothing Haul - $150 - Done North Face - Winter Jacket - $173 - Done Hobbies - $0 Swiss Army Knives - $0* - Done Total Expenditures: $740 I’m keeping it simple. For the Jordan 1s, I’m considering the Black & White Panda colorway or Green/Black/White to have something a bit more subdued than my current pair. I also added a pair of budget-friendly Bluetooth headphones. While I love the AirPods Pro, I’m finding it easier to have tra...

My old wireless keyboard died, and I was using a wired USB one as a temporary solution. I found an Apple-style set on Amazon for $25 . Initial Impressions Overall, it’s okay. I’ll see how it fares long term. Update - 11/17/23 - 11 Months Later This keyboard and mouse combo is still going strong! I use it daily and am still on the original battery, which is impressive. For the price, it beats the previous junk I bought from Best Buy. The mouse features a slimline design, but you quickly get used to it. Looking forward to seeing how it holds up in the coming months!

Visit to Otto Coffee at the Adolphus Hotel I finally made a visit to Otto Coffee in the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas. The place exudes a charming old-world style with dark wood panels and leather seating, creating a cozy and elegant atmosphere. What I Tried Latte : Smooth and well-balanced. Cappuccino : Excellent; I rate it a 9.0 out of 10 . Texas Pecan Sticky Bun : Delicious and a perfect pairing with the coffee. Espresso Machine I noticed that Otto uses a La Marzocco for their espresso, which adds to the quality of their coffee offerings. Overall, a fantastic experience at Otto Coffee.

Boba Milk Tea from FULLL I decided to change things up and grab a Boba Milk Tea from FULLL (yes, three L’s). This spot is rated 4.6 stars on Yelp , and I can confirm that the rating is well-deserved—both the tea and the price are great! Order Details Sweetness Level : I opted for 30% sugar and requested less ice . Taste : Absolutely delicious! Comparison with Tiger Sugar While Tiger Sugar holds the top spot in Dallas, I found that FULLL offers better prices, making it a solid contender for my favorite boba spot. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.

Mr. Brown Coffee: The Sugar-Free Cold Brew One of my all-time favorite canned coffees is Mr. Brown Coffee . While it’s not exactly gourmet and might not be the healthiest choice, I can’t resist its appeal! They’ve recently introduced a sugar-free (or very low sugar) cold brew version, and it’s just what I’ve been looking for. Why I Love It Plain Iced Coffee : Sometimes, I crave a simple iced coffee without any sugar or cream—just plain black. This new option fits the bill perfectly! Convenience : At $1.49 , it’s a fantastic alternative to brewing and chilling my own coffee at home. This sugar-free cold brew has become a staple in my fridge, offering a quick and satisfying caffeine fix.

MoonSwatch Mission to Mars Review I finally got my hands on the MoonSwatch and chose the Mission to Mars ! My first choice would have been the classic Mission to Moon , but the captivating red of Mars drew me in. Initial Impressions Design : This watch is incredibly thin, which enhances its comfort. However, I found the stock white strap to be quite stiff and awkward. Switching to a NATO strap was a must for a better fit. Value : At $260 , it’s on the pricier side for a Swatch, but it feels worth it, especially considering the cool collaboration with Omega. 5-Day Review After wearing it for a few days, here are my thoughts: Fragility : I’ve found it to be a bit fragile for certain tasks. I need to be careful around water, such as when cooking or washing my hands. Comfort : Overall, it’s light and comfortable on the wrist. It took a few days to adjust to the watch strap, but it eventually settled in nicely. Aesthetics : The red and white colors really pop, giving it a nice wrist presen...

Wine Experience: Darioush Caravan Cabernet Sauvignon I've decided to step up my wine game and recently tried the Darioush Caravan Cabernet Sauvignon priced at around $40 . Tasting Notes Quality : This Cabernet was a noticeable improvement over the cheaper wines I've tried so far. It offered a richer profile and more complexity. Comparison : While I found it enjoyable, it didn't quite reach the same heights as the $40 Flowers Pinot Noir that I previously sampled. The Flowers had a more captivating flavor profile that left a lasting impression. Conclusion Overall, the Darioush Caravan was a solid choice, and I’d be open to trying it again in the future. It’s clear that spending a bit more can lead to a more satisfying wine experience, and I’m looking forward to exploring more options at this price point.

Coffee Experience: Renew Coffee in Frisco I recently decided to change up my drink order and tried Renew Coffee in Frisco. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by my experience! What I Tried Hot Matcha Latte : This was the standout drink for me. I found it to be expertly prepared, with a smooth texture and well-balanced flavors. I would rate this a solid 8/10 . Iced Cappuccino : While decent, it didn't quite measure up to the Matcha Latte. It was enjoyable but lacked the same level of quality and flavor. Other Coffee Shops in Frisco So far, I've identified three decent coffee shops in the area worth checking out: Summer Moon - Located on Main St, known for their unique moon milk. Starbucks Reserve - At Legacy West, offering a premium coffee experience. Renew Coffee - Off Main St, definitely a place I’d recommend for their Matcha Latte. Renew Coffee is certainly a spot I’d recommend trying for anyone in Frisco looking for a quality coffee experience.

Coffee Experience: Mozart Bakery Visit I recently stopped by a local bakery, not expecting much, and my instincts were spot on. Coffee Plain Hot Coffee : Unfortunately, it was just your standard drip coffee from a Bunn brand machine. It was the kind of coffee you might find at places like Denny's or McDonald's—nothing special. Bakery Treats Walnut Puff Cookies : On a brighter note, the bakery items were decent. I enjoyed some walnut puff cookies, which added a nice touch to my visit. Overall Impression If you’re looking for a great coffee experience, this place might not be the best choice. However, if you’re in the mood for some baked goods, the cookies were enjoyable enough to make the visit worthwhile!

Magnolia's Affogato Experience I can never get enough of Magnolia's, and their espresso drinks have consistently impressed me. Affogato Delight Affogato : I recently tried their Affogato for the second time, and it was just as delightful as I remembered. The combination of rich gelato topped with a shot of hot espresso creates a perfect pairing that balances sweetness and bitterness beautifully. Overall Impression Magnolia's continues to deliver quality espresso drinks, and the Affogato is definitely a standout. If you're a fan of coffee and gelato, this is a must-try.

I Thought, A Buck 25? Why not and picked up some bags of coffee from H‑E‑B. Well…it’s meh at best. I’ll give them credit for getting the flavoring and aroma right, but it’s sub-par coffee. For those who drink coffee with cream and sugar, this might be their jam. Not for me.

It Shouldn’t Be This Hard It shouldn’t be this hard to close all three activity rings for my Apple Watch, but this is only my second time ever, and the first time was almost four years ago! My goal for the rest of 2022 is to make this happen 12 more times in the final 12 weeks! Then keep it up in 2023 and onward. Update - 5/14/23 This is hard! I only got my fourth consecutive ring just now this week in May 2023. The last time I achieved this was in October 2022. I’ll keep trying and will hopefully get it a few more times this year.

Time for a Refresh in 2022 I currently have 44 items in my wardrobe with plans to add 7 items (1 jacket, 1 pair of shoes, and 5 shirts). I’ll retire a logo T-shirt to keep my wardrobe to 50 pieces . My Planned 7 Items: Green Bomber Jacket - $30 - DONE Air Jordan 1 Low - $110 - DONE Uniqlo T-Shirts (3 Black, 2 White) - $50-100 - Hold for 2023 My Wardrobe Would Then Rest At: Shirts - 18 Outerwear - 14 Pants - 12 Shoes - 6 2022 Acquisitions and Replacements: Adidas Superstar Shoes (replaced in 8 months…) Nike Court Vision Shoes 9.5 H&M Green Chore Jacket M Green Varsity Jacket L (retired to car kit) Air Jordan 1 Low Update - 12/10/22 I picked up a pair of Air Jordan 1 Low and a Red BR Crew Sweater . I’m done for 2022!

The Utility of a Simple Pair of Scissors It’s the utility of a simple pair of scissors that makes a 58mm Classic Swiss Army Knife probably one of the best options for urban EDC. While a knife can work, the scissors just work better in most situations. Bottles, bottles… The one drawback of a Classic is the lack of a bottle opener, which is remedied with the similarly sized Rambler or Manager. For me, a Manager—which is essentially a Rambler with a retractable ballpoint pen—is my ideal urban EDC. Size and weight are also factors in dubbing the 58mm Swiss Army Knife one of the most convenient and practical EDC tools. It also simplifies my choice of complementing the Classic with a separate knife folder; I find a 91mm Camper or my 111mm Trekker to be ideal. But the awl… The only additional tool I could find useful on a 91mm SAK is maybe the awl. It’s surprising how valuable it is to make a hole in a plastic lid using an awl. That said, the Cellidor 91mm awl is in an inconvenient location a...

Shoe Review: Nike Court Vision Low I’m feeling bummed about the quality of Adidas shoes, having gone through three pairs, all of which wore out within a year. Both pairs of Superstars developed a hole on the right foot on the outer side below the little toe—the tailor’s bunion. My Stan Smiths developed tears on the upper sole. To change things up, I’m giving Nike another go and added a pair of Court Vision Low to minimize usage of my Air Force 1s and prepare for eventually getting a pair of Jordans. Court Vision vs. Air Force 1 The closest comparison I have is with the Air Force 1s , and the Court Vision are a cheaper version. The build quality looks coarse, and I’m not entirely confident they’ll hold up as well as the AF1s. However, at half the price, they’ll serve fine as a beater pair of white shoes. I’m planning to aim for a pair of Jordan 1 Low in the classic red/white/black colorway. From what I’ve read, it’s best to go with either lows or highs for Jordan 1s, as the mids might...

Joe’s Bakery: A Breakfast Stop Worth Making Joe’s Bakery is definitely worth a stop for breakfast. They serve a delightful mix of Mexican food along with classic American bacon and eggs. The scrambled eggs are amazing, and the barbacoa is a standout. It pairs perfectly with some tortillas, creating a delicious combination. The prices are very affordable. I opted for the small half-price plates, which were quite filling for me. Also, these are my first few photos taken with the new iPhone 14 Pro’s camera. It’s an improvement over the 11—not a giant leap like the upgrade from the 6s to the 11, but still a noticeable enhancement.

iPhone 14 Pro vs. iPhone 11: A Comparison This comparison may not be entirely fair, as the iPhone 11 is the entry-level model for the 11 series, while the 14 Pro is one of the premium offerings in its series. However, I own both and am very familiar with the 11, having used it for two years, while I've just started using the 14 Pro. Initial Impressions Since the 5.8-inch iPhone X, most modern iPhones have looked and behaved quite similarly. They seem to have standardized around the 6.1-inch form factor introduced with the XR and then the 11. The only real difference between the XR and the 11 was the single versus dual back cameras. With the 14 Pro having the same 6.1-inch screen as the 11, it feels functionally similar to its predecessor. Yes, the 14 Pro boasts triple cameras that are significantly larger, along with a 48MP sensor compared to the 12MP of the 11. It also features an OLED screen, a better processor, and increased memory, among other improvements. However, many of the...

Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen Review I recently got the Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen in 44MM, featuring the Cellular + GPS model. I'm curious to see how it compares to my old Series 2, which only had GPS. After wearing it for a few days, I'm ready to share my thoughts. Initial Impressions Overall, the SE 2 feels very similar to my old Series 2. Update - 10/1/22: 10-Day Review After a solid week and a half with the watch, I can say it’s a good choice for anyone looking for a smartwatch without the hefty price tag of $400 for a Gen 8 or $800 for an Ultra. The SE covers all the basics and truly helps me "untether" from my phone. There's something liberating about not always needing to have my phone on hand. Configuring the watch faces took some time, and I plan to continue experimenting until I find the perfect set that suits my style. Another significant benefit has been the activity rings, which motivate me to exercise more. I've pushed my daily walking average to about 8,0...

Cappuccino Search in Dallas I'm still on the hunt for a great cappuccino in Dallas. Recently, I visited Kona Reserve in Frisco, but it was just meh. They slightly burnt the espresso, which surprisingly helped avoid the overly milky taste that often plagues cappuccinos. Aside from the coffee, the café itself is quite nice. The staff is friendly, and there's ample parking—something many coffee shops in Dallas at least have going for them. That said, I’m still searching for that perfect cappuccino. Cappuccino Rating: 5.5/10