Simple Living

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.