Modern Simple Living

Coffee & Café Reviews Coffee Shop Review: Merit Coffee in Deep Ellum Deep Ellum · Dallas, TX · One of the few that doesn't burn the coffee I finally visited Merit Coffee, located in the vibrant Deep Ellum neighborhood near downtown Dallas, and it was definitely worth the trip. This spot stands out among the many coffee shops in the DFW area for its commitment to quality.   Coffee Quality What I Ordered → Espresso Drinks — Merit is one of the few places in DFW that doesn't burn the coffee. They craft excellent espresso drinks that highlight the true flavors of the coffee. → Affogato — Used ice cream instead of gelato. Still enjoyable — the richness and creaminess of the espresso carried it — though Magnolia Sous Le Pont does a better job with gelato. → Cappuccino — Good, though slightly behind the exceptional standards set by Fiction and Otto...

Wine · Reflections From Charles Shaw to Finer Selections Reflections on a wine journey — from $4 bottles to Napa Valley, and back again The Beginning Wine Was Just Wine I'll admit that I've become a bit of a wine snob after diving into the fascinating world of wines. Initially, I thought it was all about the types of grapes and that wine was just wine. My go-to was the infamous $4 Charles Shaw red wines, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon, as finding a good Pinot Noir was challenging.   The Transition Discovering Finer Wines As I began to sample finer wines in the $30–$50 range, I noticed a significant difference in quality. The Charles Shaw wines started to taste quite mediocre in comparison, prompting me to shun them for a while. I was enthralled by the complexity and nuances of better wines, which made me reassess my earlier preferences. Full Circle A Nostalgic Appreciation However, I've come full circle. Whi...

Wine & Drinks Wine Discoveries: Trader Joe's Gems and New Additions Grenache, GSM blends, a Margaux splurge, and lessons learned $7 Bulk Buy Price 19 Bottles in Rack $60 IKEA Omar Rack Table of Contents ① New Purchases ② Building the Wine Rack ③ Update — Giscours Margaux ④ Update — La Sonriente ⑤ Final Thoughts Section I New Purchases I've been diving deeper into the world of wine, and my latest finds have been quite satisfying. The online reviews don't lie; the 2021 La Sonriente from Trader Joe's is a gem at just $7. This pure Garnache/Grenache is a fantastic addition to my collection and is the main component of many red blends, especially my growing favorite GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) wines. I also scored the 2016 Rancho Viejo, a GSMT (with Tempranillo), which has been a delicious complement to th...

Coffee & Café Reviews Coffee Review: The Book Shoppe Experience Cappuccino & Macchiato · A pleasant spot, with caveats Espresso Quality What I Ordered I finally got the chance to check out The Book Shoppe, and I tried their Cappuccino and Macchiato. Overall, it's an okay spot, but there are some notable points to mention. → Cappuccino — Espresso felt a bit burnt, a common issue in Texas coffee shops, but the milk sweetness was well-restrained and not overdone. → Macchiato — Similar impression; balanced on the sweetness front, which is often used elsewhere to mask burnt espresso.   Finding a Balance Adapting to the Local Scene I find myself adapting to the local coffee scene by adjusting my expectations. While I'd prefer a more balanced espresso, I've learned to appreciate this method of enjoying coffee given the available options. It's a...

Sneaker · Air Jordan Air Jordan 1 Low: A Step Towards Comfort Flight Club colorway — and the simple sizing change that fixed everything 9.5M Old Size 10.5M New Size Zero Foot Pain The Pickup Another Pair, a New Size I recently bought another pair of Air Jordan 1 Lows, specifically in the 'Flight Club' colorway, to see if switching from a size 9.5M to 10.5M would alleviate the foot pain I've been experiencing. So far, I'm happy to report that the larger size has made a significant difference.   Size Matters The Right Fit → No More Foot Pain — With the 10.5M size, there is zero foot pain. The previous shoes were simply too small. → AJ1s Don't Stretch — It's crucial to wear the size that feels comfortable from the start. Try them on in the afternoon after some walking, when feet are at their maximu...

Wine & Drinks Into French Reds: GSMs and Côtes du Rhône This month's haul — 5 bottles, 4 keepers, 1 dud 5 Bottles This Haul 2 Bulk Buys Identified I've been liking the French reds now and especially the GSMs and Côtes du Rhônes. I also grabbed a Cabernet to round out this month's haul. I got 2 bottles of the Pontificis GSM as I really liked that one, so doubled up. I'll try the others and if I find more labels I like, stock up on those.   Tasting Notes The Haul Label Style Vintage Verdict Pontificis GSM 2020 👍 Bulk buy — doubled up Maison Barboulot Cabernet Syrah 2021 👍 Will buy more Laurent Dublanc...

Coffee · Dallas Houndstooth Coffee Near Northpark Mall — a beautiful shop that lives up to the recommendation 8.5 Cortado / 10 The Visit First Impressions I recently visited Houndstooth Coffee near Northpark Mall in Dallas, which was on my list. I decided to try their Cortado, and I was pleasantly surprised by its quality.   Coffee Experience The Cortado They used whole milk, which complemented the espresso well. While I found the Cortado from El Paso to be better, this one still impressed me, earning an 8.5 out of 10. Ambiance The Space The coffee shop itself is quite beautiful, featuring both indoor and outdoor seating options. The scenic setting made for a relaxing environment to enjoy my drink. Dallas Coffee Rankings Where Houndstooth Stands Shop Location Notes Rating ...

Watch Journal · Travel Casio F-91W as a Souvenir Picked up in Japan for ¥2,000 — a translucent colorway you won't find easily back home ¥2,000 Price Paid ~$14.50 USD The Purchase A Japan-Exclusive Colorway I picked up a Casio F-91W while in Japan for 2000 Yen (about $14.50 USD). While this watch is quite basic and the black resin version is common and often cheaper in the States, the translucent colorways are unique to the Japanese market and typically sell for double that on Amazon. I'm not planning to sell it; it serves as an inexpensive souvenir from my time in Japan. While I'm not sure when I'd wear it, especially since my Casio A168 is a more functional option, the price made it an easy choice.   Collection Considerations Where It Fits I don't intend to count this watch toward my main collection. Instead, it'll be more of a side piece. I've been thin...

Tech & Gadgets Planning My Future Computer Collection Keeping the setup lean — Windows 11, Linux, and a two-year roadmap 3 Machines in Collection 2 Target Long-Term Oct 2025 Win 10 End of Support Table of Contents ① Current Needs ② The Two-Year Plan ③ Benefits of This Strategy ④ Update — March 2025 Section I Current Needs → A Windows 11-compatible device → A Linux device with a touchscreen   Section II The Two-Year Plan The HP i7 6th Gen is not eligible for Windows 11 — support ends October 14, 2025. Windows 11 requires 8th generation processors or newer, so adjustments are needed. Machine Now Post-2025 Dell i5-8400H Configure as Windows 11 PC ...

Health & Fitness My Weight Loss Journey Breaking through plateaus — from 184 lbs toward a goal of 150 lbs 184 Starting lbs 150 Goal lbs 34 lbs to lose 10k Daily step goal Table of Contents ① Goals & Strategy ② Weekly Progress Summary ③ Key Lessons Learned ④ Journey Log — Weeks 1–17   Section I Goals & Strategy I've tried for years to lose weight, but each attempt ended in short-lived success, as I quickly lost focus. Recently, my weight hit 184 lbs, and I decided to try again, motivated by feeling and looking bloated. Despite setbacks, I'm determined to achieve my goal this time. → Daily Steps — 10,000 steps (5 miles at 3 mph, ~100 minutes); a 4 mph pace cuts it to 75 minutes → Diet — Avoid chips, cookies, and soda; focus on fruits, vege...