Modern Simple Living

Gear Review Welcome Back, Armani AR0585 *Revisiting a classic beater watch that defines affordable style* $65 Price 43mm Dial 5 ATM Resistance Section I The Return of a Favorite 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.   Technical 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 d...

Food & Drink Simple Pleasures: Mr. Brown Iced Coffee *Finding joy in a convenient, creamy classic.* 8.12 oz Size $1 Price ~2 Cans Weekly Consumption Section I The Daily Pick-Me-Up 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! Consumption & Lifestyle 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. Feature Detail Brand Mr. Brown Typical Cost $1.00 Serving Size 8.12 ...

Food & Drink Weekend Coffee Ritual Finding the balance between professional development and weekend indulgence 2 Cups Per Week $5 Price per Shop Cappuccino $0.20 Price per Work Coffee Section I The Weekend 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. Coffee Source Frequency Cost Local Coffee Shop 1–2 per week $5.00 Office Coffee Daily $0.20 Tip: Creating a specific budget for weekend treats makes the experience feel like a reward rather than an expense, helping you savor the quality ...

Gear Review Uniqlo Supima Cotton T-Shirt Experience A cautionary tale on international sizing and finding the perfect fit 10 Shirts $50 Cost 2 Countries Section I The Sizing Discrepancy 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 Sup...

Gear Review Review of Apple AirPods (1st Generation) *Five months of everyday listening in the Apple ecosystem* 5 Months Owned 8 Hours Battery $159 Retail Price Section I Overall Impressions 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.   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 ...