Modern Simple Living

Automotive My Toyota Journey From Corolla to Highlander and Beyond 4 Cars Owned 2035 Keep Until 2028 Next Purchase 3 Future Fleet Size Lately, I've found myself becoming quite the Toyota fanboy. My experience with the 2011 Toyota Corolla, followed by the 2015 Camry and 2016 Highlander, has really impressed me. These cars have offered a perfect mix of reliability, performance, and value. However, my experience with Lexus, specifically the 2007 IS250, wasn't as smooth. I had some issues with the car, but I'm chalking that up to the challenges of Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and Direct Injection engines. Table of Contents ① Keeping the Fleet ② Hybrid & Turbo Watch ③ Next Car: GLE450e ④ Full Specs Section I Keeping the Highlander and Camry Until 2035–2036 I've decided to hold onto both the Hi...

Food & Dining Del Frisco's Double Eagle Best Steakhouse Experience Yet in DFW First Impressions Top-Tier Location, Ambience, and Service Having only sampled a fraction of steakhouses in DFW, I can confidently say that Del Frisco's Double Eagle is a standout. The location, ambience, and attentive service set the tone for an exceptional dining experience.   The Meal Quality from Start to Finish Everything from the appetizers to desserts was outstanding. For my main course, I enjoyed a 16 oz prime ribeye steak, cooked to a perfect medium rare, with a flavorful garlic butter sauce. The oysters were surprisingly delicious for a steakhouse, proving the quality across their entire menu. Must-Try Dishes → 16 oz prime ribeye — medium rare, garlic butter sauce, exactly what a steakhouse ribeye should be → Oysters — surprisingly excellent; proof that the kitchen e...

Est. 2014  ·  Personal Essays ✦ Reflections on a Decade of Blogging ❦ Embracing Habits, Change & Minimalism Since starting this blog in 2014, I've witnessed an evolution in my own thinking, goals, and self-understanding. This space has become a platform to look back, appreciate past lessons, and set a more intentional path forward. Reflecting on my experiences here has been instrumental in shaping the direction of my future, helping me find what truly matters. ✦ I. Accepting My Nature as a Creature of Habit One of the biggest surprises, though it shouldn't be anymore, is how much I am drawn to certain routines. Like many people, I'm a creature of habit. Initially, I resisted this tendency, feeling that constantly pursuing novelty might bring greater rewards. Over time, however, I realised that embracing these patte...

Food & Dining Pecan Lodge BBQ Review — Deep Ellum, Dallas, Texas Overview A Solid Experience with a Few Caveats I recently visited Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum, Dallas, to check out their BBQ. It was a solid experience overall, though I wouldn't go as far as to call it the best BBQ around. Here's a breakdown of what I tried. The Meat The Meat Selection Cut Verdict Beef Rib Easily the highlight — tender, flavorful, and satisfying Brisket Decent quality, but didn't reach the level of other well-known Texas BBQ spots Pulled Pork A bit of a letdown — on the dry side The Sides Sides That Stand Out Where Pecan Lodge really shines is in its sides. Compared ...

Gear & EDC October 2024 EDC Everyday Carry — Streamlined for the Front Pocket The Philosophy Streamlined for the Front Pocket I've successfully streamlined my Everyday Carry setup, fitting all my items into my front pockets by reducing weight. I opted for the 1-ounce lighter iPhone 16 (compared to my previous 7-ounce iPhone 14 Pro) and a slim Coach wallet, making it more comfortable to carry daily. I enjoy swapping between my various Victorinox models, with the Huntsman being a favorite for its utility. I also rotate between my Casio G-Shock 5600 and A168 watches, depending on my mood and the occasion.   The Lineup Current EDC Items → Apple iPhone 16 — 1 oz lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro, a meaningful front-pocket difference → Casio G-Shock 5600 — rotates with the A168 depending on mood and occasion → Victorinox Huntsman — the ut...

Style & Planning Planning for 2025 Building a Thoughtful Wardrobe and Budget $1,461 Total Budget $946 Clothes $115 Footwear The Approach Intentional Over Impulsive As 2024 comes to a close, I'm reflecting on my year and planning for what's next. Each year, I set strategic goals that help increase my productivity in acquisitions and prevent impulsive spending. This structured approach keeps my wardrobe refined and tailored to my actual needs, with an emphasis on quality and thoughtful purchases. One valuable lesson I've embraced is the importance of testing with affordable options before committing to high-ticket items. Lower-priced alternatives allow me to experiment, understand my preferences, and determine what's truly worth investing in. This approach reduces waste and helps me make smarter, more intentional purchases. Once I identify essentials, e...

Tech Adjusting to the iPhone 16 Essential Settings You Need to Know 3 Key Settings 48 MP Camera (unlockable) 12 MP Default (out of box) Overview Three Fixes Worth Making Right Away Switching from the iPhone 14 Pro to the iPhone 16 has brought some challenges, particularly when it comes to enabling certain features. Here's a breakdown of the key adjustments you'll want to make for a smoother experience, especially around vibrate mode and photo quality. Setting 1 Vibrate on Silent To enable vibrate mode when your ringer is set to silent, follow these steps: Step Action 1 Settings 2 Sounds & Haptics 3 Under Haptics , toggle Play...

Personal Reevaluating My Relationship with Alcohol Quality Over Quantity — A More Intentional Approach 3 wks Break Taken 2–4 Drinks Per Month (Goal) Day 3 Cravings Subsided The Realization Habit, Not Choice While my overall alcohol consumption was low, having a drink almost daily began to take a toll on my body. I noticed that alcohol no longer provided the same satisfaction it once did. Even if it was just one beer or a glass of wine each day, it started to feel like a habit rather than a choice made for enjoyment.   The Reset Taking a Break: Three Weeks of Abstinence To address this, I decided to abstain from alcohol for three weeks. Initially, I committed to just one week, but I quickly realized that I wanted to see how it felt over a longer period. So far, I've noticed a significant change — I no longer feel the same need for alcohol. The first...