Modern Simple Living

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...

Tech Preparing for the iPhone 16 A quick comparison with the 14 Pro A18 Bionic Chip 6 oz Weight (vs 7 oz) USB-C Finally 8 GB RAM (vs 6 GB) Table of Contents ① What I Expected ② Why I Chose the 16 ③ First Impressions ④ Final Thoughts ⑤ Specs Comparison I. What I Expected → A lighter feel → Slightly faster performance → A possible downgrade in screen quality (based on reviews) I was happy with the LCD on my iPhone 11 — so I'm confident the OLED on the 16 will be more than fine.   II. Why I Chose the iPhone 16 Over the 14 Pro Although the 14 Pro and 16 are similar on paper, two features made the switch worth it. I also no longer feel I need the Pro extras — especially not at the higher price. → USB-C charging → Noticeably lighter design ...

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...