Modern Simple Living

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...

GEAR REVIEW — TECH iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Downgrading on Paper, Upgrading in Practice A lighter phone, a plain screen, and USB-C finally showing up — was it worth trading the Pro extras away? A18 Bionic Chip 6 oz Weight 8 GB RAM USB-C Port Table of Contents ① What I Expected ② Why I Chose the 16 Over the 14 Pro ③ First Impressions: Good, Not Great ④ Final Thoughts Section I What I Expected Going in, I assumed three things: a lighter phone, a bit more speed, and possibly a worse screen than what I was used to reading about online. I wasn't too worried about that last part. I'd been perfectly happy with the LCD on my iPhone 11, so an OLED panel — even a 60 Hz one — seemed like it would still be an improvement, not a compromise. Section II Why I Chose the 16 Over the 14 Pro On paper, the 14 Pro and 16 aren't far apart. But two things tipped it for me: USB-C charging, finally, and a noticeably lighter build. I also stopped caring about the Pro extras. ...

Tech Samsung S20 Fan Edition Still Impressive After 4 Years $130–150 Used on Amazon 120 Hz Super AMOLED 8 GB RAM Overview Overpowered at Launch, Competitive Today Even after more than four years since its release, the Samsung S20 Fan Edition (FE) remains an impressive Android phone that holds its own against modern devices, particularly budget models like the A32 and A15. This speaks volumes about how overpowered the specs were at the time of its launch. You can find used S20 FE models on Amazon for around $130 to $150, often in excellent condition. This makes it perfect as a backup phone or for streaming videos. With its stunning display, snappy processor, and substantial battery life, the S20 FE delivers an exceptional user experience. It encapsulates why many users love their devices: you don't necessarily need the latest features; the right combination can create an...

Gear & EDC A Closer Look at the Adidas Stan Smith The $55 Bargain with a Common Projects Silhouette $55 Price ~2 wks Break-In Period Size up Sizing Tip Overview A Unique Niche in Footwear The Adidas Stan Smith occupies a unique niche in the world of footwear. Its design closely resembles that of higher-end white leather shoes like Common Projects, making it an undeniable bargain when available for just $55.   The Review Three Categories, Honest Takes Form Factor — Adidas Wins When it comes to classic silhouettes, Adidas takes the lead. Nike has yet to introduce a shoe that can rival the Stan Smith in this category. Despite my past disappointments with the quality of newer Adidas sneakers, there's something about the Stan Smith that compels me to purchase another pair. While I occasionally lean towards the chunky Air Force 1 or the bold colorwa...

Travel Road Trip to Houston: A Relaxing Getaway Four days, one great BBQ, and a lot of doing nothing 4 Days Off 3 Restaurants 1 Standout Meal Table of Contents ① Overview ② Bori K-BBQ ③ Hilton Woodland Resort ④ Sushi Masa The Trip Overview I recently had four days off and decided to take a road trip to Houston. During my stay, I dined at Bori K-BBQ and spent the night at the Woodland Resort. Overall, it was a pleasant and chill experience. The best part of the trip was simply doing nothing and relaxing. I took it slow and soaked in the atmosphere, which made for a refreshing break. Unfortunately, I didn't have my phone with me and missed out on taking more pictures. Venue Verdict Bori K-BBQ Amazing! ...

Health & Wellness My Weight Loss Journey A Steady Path to Health 184 Starting lbs 161 Current lbs 150 Goal lbs 23 lbs lost Table of Contents ① The Journey So Far ② Goal & Reward ③ Diet & Hydration ④ Exercise ⑤ Sleep ⑥ Kg Conversion Reference   Section I The Journey So Far It's taking longer than expected to lose weight, as I began this journey over a year ago during the summer of 2023. I successfully dropped 19 lbs, going from 184 to 165, but then plateaued for nearly a year. During a recent trip to NYC in May 2024, I jumped back up to 173 lbs. However, I resumed my dieting efforts and have since lost 12 lbs, reaching 161 lbs as of August 2024. I now feel optimistic about achieving my original goal of 150 lbs. What seems to have helped is accepting that this proc...

Food & Dining Argentinian Malbec Incredible Value in an Often-Overlooked Grape $6 Per Bottle Ready On Opening 2nd Bottle Already The Discovery A $6 Bottle Worth Stocking Up On I've recently enjoyed Argentinian Malbecs and am continually impressed by the incredible value this often-overlooked grape offers. I found a delightful, inexpensive red wine priced at just $6, and I'm already on my second bottle — it's that good. It's easy to see why this particular Malbec is a bulk buy. Unlike many other Malbecs I've tried, this one is enjoyable right upon opening. Typically, other Malbecs require some time to breathe and are better on the second day. No decanting, no waiting for day two — just open and pour. That alone sets it apart from most Malbecs at any price point.   Taste Profile What to Expect in the Glass ...