Simple Living

Welcome Back, Armani AR0585 I took the plunge and repurchased the Armani AR0585 —a model I used to own years ago and regretted selling. It served as the perfect beater watch, and I was lucky to find it again at about the same price I sold it for, but in even better condition! For $65 , this watch is an absolute steal. It’s a shame that Armani doesn’t produce watches like this anymore. Specifications Dial Size : 43mm Lug Width : 23mm Movement : Quartz (Miyota OS20) Battery : SR927W (equivalent to 395/399) Chronograph : 3 registers at 3, 6, and 9 dial positions Water Resistance : 5 ATM (50 meters) Material : Stainless steel with a deployment clasp Comparable Model : AR0527 (features a rubber strap instead of a metal bracelet) Domed vs. Flat Crystal One of the standout features of the AR0585 is its domed crystal . While this design makes it more vulnerable to chips and scratches from hard surfaces, I find that the aesthetic appeal of a domed crystal is unmatched. Visual Appeal : The curva...

Simple Pleasures: Mr. Brown Iced Coffee It's often the simple things in life that bring us the greatest joy, and for me, that includes enjoying a can of iced coffee from Mr. Brown . This Taiwanese brand has become a favorite of mine, and I can usually find these 8.12-ounce cans for about $1 at various stores around town. Flavor Variety Mr. Brown offers several flavors, but so far, my favorite has been Cappuccino . The rich, creamy taste is perfect for a quick pick-me-up! Moderation I tend to limit myself to 1 or 2 cans per week , making it a welcome treat rather than an everyday indulgence. As the hotter summer months approach, I anticipate enjoying them even more. There’s something refreshing about sipping on an iced coffee while soaking up the sunshine.

Weekend Coffee Ritual I've been savoring Cappuccinos at one of my favorite local coffee shops. Typically, I treat myself to a cup on either Saturday or Sunday , using the time to read a book or study more of the Kimball Data Warehouse material. Balancing Indulgence with Budget To manage my budget, I’m trying to limit myself to 1 or 2 cups a week , as those delightful drinks can easily run $5 each . During the week, I stick to Starbucks ground coffee at work, which costs only about 20 cents a cup . It’s a great way to balance indulgence with practicality. Weekend Enjoyment These weekend cappuccinos have become a cherished ritual, allowing me to unwind while enjoying quality coffee. Whether it's studying or simply relaxing, it's a perfect way to recharge before the week ahead.

Uniqlo Supima Cotton T-Shirt Experience I recently had a bit of an adventure with Uniqlo's Supima Cotton T-shirts . After struggling to find a Large size at my local store in the U.S., I asked a friend in Japan to pick some up for me. I was excited to order five shirts, confident that I’d finally have the perfect fit. The Disappointment However, when the shirts arrived, I was shocked to find that the Japan size Large fits more like an American size Medium . This discrepancy was frustrating, especially since I had done some research, but it turns out that vanity sizing often leads to differences in sizes between countries. After realizing that the shirts wouldn’t work for me, I gave them away to another friend. Just by luck, I decided to check my local Uniqlo store, and they had finally restocked Large sizes . I purchased five of the Supima Cotton T-shirts I originally wanted, so the experience ended on a high note. Lessons Learned This whole situation was bittersweet. While I’m ...

Review of Apple AirPods (1st Generation) The Apple AirPods have been around for several years, and I'm currently using the 1st Generation model, which I acquired about five months ago in December 2018. Overall, I've found them to be a convenient addition to my tech collection. Here’s my assessment based on five key categories: Overall Impressions The Good Battery Life : The battery life is impressive. I can get about 8 hours of listening time daily , and they last me several days without needing a recharge. Ease of Use : They sync effortlessly with my iPhone and other Apple devices, which enhances the overall user experience. Build Quality : Like most Apple products , the AirPods are well made and designed to integrate seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem. The Average Sound Quality : While the sound quality is decent for casual listening, they don't compare to wired headphones. Even the standard wired Apple Earbuds provide a better sound experience. Form Factor : The co...

Building My Fountain Pen Ink Collection I recently received a delightful gift: a 3-pack sampler of Pilot brand Iroshizuku ink . This set includes 15 mL samples of three beautiful colors: Syo-Ro Ama-Iro Fuyu-Gaki I'm thrilled to add these to my growing collection of fountain pen inks, which now includes five Iroshizuku colors : Kon-Peki and Murusaki Shikibu are already in my arsenal. First Impressions with Ama-Iro I inked one of my Pilot Metropolitan pens with Ama-Iro and was pleasantly surprised by its lighter shade of blue. Initially, it looked quite similar to Kon-Peki , but once dried, I noticed that: Ama-Iro is much lighter and fresher in appearance. In contrast, Kon-Peki starts darker but lightens up to resemble Ama-Iro after drying. Future Plans I'm looking forward to trying the other colors in the sampler. I’m also considering expanding my collection with the following 3-pack samplers: Asa-Gao, Shin-Kai, Yama-Budo Tsuki-Yo, Take-Sumi, Kon-Peki This would help me e...

Simplifying My Wardrobe with Uniqlo In my quest to simplify my wardrobe, I decided to give Uniqlo a try, despite my skepticism about the quality of fast fashion retailers. I've had mixed results with brands like Zara, H&M, and Old Navy , particularly in finding basic essentials. Here's a summary of my experience so far: T-Shirts: Impressive Quality Purchase : I bought both the Supima Cotton and Dry Packaged lines of t-shirts. Quality : I'm quite impressed with the quality, especially for the price. Size Challenge : I had some difficulty finding them in size large, as I’m in that tricky size range between medium and large. I generally opt for large, hoping it shrinks slightly for a better fit. Oxford Shirts: Satisfied Short Sleeve Oxford : I found a nice light blue oxford short sleeve shirt, which I’m very happy with. Linen Shirt : I also picked up a blue/white plaid linen shirt for just $3.90 . While I would have bought more, the other patterns didn’t suit me as we...

Outdoor Day: Walking and Coffee I had a productive day that included a 5-mile walk at a 19-minute/mile pace . Here's a breakdown of my day: Morning Routine Cappuccino at Olive & Oliver : I started with a nice cappuccino, which was quite good. It was the perfect pick-me-up before my walk. Walk Details Distance : 5 miles Pace : 19 minutes per mile Ending Location : I finished my walk at Denny's for lunch, enjoying a well-deserved meal after my exercise. Afternoon Plans I still plan on taking a hike later in the afternoon when it cools down and becomes less sunny. I’ll also continue studying Kimball Data Warehouse , making the most of my day outdoors while keeping up with my studies.

Adidas Clothing Haul I recently took advantage of a 50% off sale at my local Adidas store and picked up two items: a track jacket in red/black stripes and a navy/white stripe windbreaker . I'm quite pleased with both of them! Product Reviews Track Jacket Style : Red/black stripes Use : Great for indoor wear, but not very warm outdoors. The material tends to let the breeze through, making it less effective for cooler weather. Windbreaker Style : Navy/white stripes Use : Phenomenal! It's very lightweight, keeps me warm outdoors, and is water-resistant. This piece has quickly become a favorite for its practicality. Purchase Details Total Spent : About $45 Track Jacket : $20 Windbreaker : $25 While I would have preferred the track jacket in a classic red/white stripe and the windbreaker in royal blue, I'm still satisfied with the current choices and expect to enjoy them for many years. 2019 Clothing Goals This purchase fulfills about half of my clothing needs for 2019. I plan...

Coffee Experience at Sidecar I decided to treat myself to a good cup of coffee and went with the Sidecar . The drink had a delightful flavor that reminded me a lot of a Cappuccino , but I suspect it's actually more of a Latte Macchiato . Differences Between the Two Cappuccino : Espresso first, followed by steamed milk, topped with milk foam. Latte Macchiato : Steamed milk first, then espresso added, and also topped with milk foam. Despite their similar ingredients, the order of preparation really changes the experience! Enjoying Coffee While Studying I appreciated the added side of Espresso , which complemented the drink perfectly. I enjoyed this coffee while diving into Chapter 5 of Kimball's Data Warehouse . It was a great way to enhance my study session, making it both productive and enjoyable.

New Leather Watch Band for Apple Watch I recently purchased a new leather watch band for my Apple Watch. The original rubber band was irritating my skin after prolonged use, making the watch almost unwearable at times. Comfort Improvement Comfort : The leather band has significantly improved the comfort and overall wearability of the Apple Watch. It feels much better against my skin and allows me to wear the watch for extended periods without discomfort. Value : I found this leather band to be a great deal at about $10 on Amazon , making it an affordable upgrade. Aesthetic Consideration The only minor error I made was in choosing the band; I own a dark grey watch , and the end links for this strap are silver chrome. However, this mismatch is barely noticeable to me, so it doesn't detract from my overall satisfaction with the purchase. Overall, I'm pleased with this upgrade and look forward to enjoying my Apple Watch more comfortably.

2019 Liquor Purchase Overview First Purchase: Jim Beam For my first purchase of 2019 , I deviated from my initial plan and picked up a 750 mL bottle of Jim Beam . I was looking for an entry-level bourbon to help me compare and contrast flavors with Wild Turkey 101 , and Jim Beam turned out to be a perfect choice. Tasting Notes Flavor Profile : Jim Beam is sweet and smooth but otherwise quite bland. This characteristic is beneficial when switching to Wild Turkey 101 , as it accentuates the more robust flavor profile of the latter. Price Point : I appreciate the affordability of Jim Beam, making it a very palatable drink for casual enjoyment. Future Plans While I plan to add another bottle of Jim Beam every now and then, I want to make room for Wild Turkey 101 as my go-to bourbon staple. This will complement my current scotch staples, which include Johnnie Walker Red and Johnnie Walker Black . Overall, incorporating Jim Beam into my collection provides a good reference point for unders...

Apple Watch Experience Overview I. Return to the Apple Watch I have owned my Apple Watch Series 2 since April 2017 , and while I wore it regularly throughout most of 2017 , I transitioned back to traditional wristwatches in 2018 . However, I began wearing my Apple Watch consistently again in October 2018 . What Brought Me Back? The primary reason for my return was convenience . The Apple Watch integrates seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem, serving as my main access point for: Alerts and notifications Messages and phone calls Music controls Useful information In essence, the Apple Watch acts as a tiny data dashboard . I only need to pull out my iPhone when I want to search the internet, send or receive messages, or access specific apps. For the most part, I can get through my day without taking my iPhone out of my pocket. Additionally, the interface enhancements have improved usability. I can now easily access music controls directly on the watch, eliminating the previous need to stop...

Liquor Consumption and Future Plans 2018 Overview In 2018, I purchased about 12 bottles of liquor , totaling 8 liters for $404 (with an estimated $65 value for a gift of Johnnie Walker Blue). This averages out to roughly 1 bottle per month , which aligns with my expectations. Bourbon Exploration I decided to increase my bourbon consumption to 33% of my total liquor intake to broaden my horizons. Initially, I found bourbons to be a bit too sweet, which sometimes overpowered the tasting experience I prefer with Scotch whisky. However, after regularly sampling bourbon, I realized I wanted to keep a bottle on hand to enjoy a dram now and then, balancing it with my whisky pours. House of Johnnie It's no surprise that I lean heavily towards Johnnie Walker . About 25% of my total consumption this year came from Johnnie Walker Red and Black , my go-to favorites. I also discovered that Monkey Shoulder and Jameson are excellent alternatives worth considering. 2019 Goals For the upcom...