...the best coffee, Korean sunscreen, and random stuff.

AKA, things I've been researching, using, and loving.

If you read the first installment of my newsletter, you can probably tell that I’m a compulsive planner and researcher. I find so much satisfaction in discovering, testing, and refining the use of products and information, which has led me to be a resource for many of our friends. It’s also led me to make some mediocre, impulse purchase decisions, so despite my constant info gathering, I make my share of mistakes. With that said, I’ve been going through a recent wave of great finds, so here are the best things I’ve discovered and used over the past few months.

Coffee - Tim Wendelboe

Tim is well-known among coffee geeks, and his reputation as one of the best roasters in the world is well-earned. Visiting the shop in Norway might not be convenient for everyone. Still, the beans are available online, either as a subscription or in individual bags, and they consistently source their coffee from the best farms around the world. They often get exclusive crops from select growers, and their products rotate frequently, so you’ll have a chance to sample a wide variety of coffees. I’m typically partial to their Ethiopian roasts, but the Geisha options they’ve carried this year have been ridiculously good.

T-shirts - Whitesville and Lady White Co

I wear a white T-shirt and jeans nearly every day. It’s my default uniform, and I’ve tried dozens of brands, weights, cuts, etc., over the past 15 years of working from home. Before I get into the recommendations, we all have different shapes and fit preferences, so I’ll provide some reference details:

• Height: 6’

• Weight: 185

• Build: semi-athletic

• Usual size: M, sometimes L

I love an ultra-soft, heavy-weight shirt, and Whitesville ($90 for a two-pack) has crafted a line that checks all the boxes. It’s a legacy US brand that was given a second life in Japan, where the focus on sourcing quality fabrics and detailed construction is hard to beat. Their smooth, tubular weave creates a seamless shirt that gets softer with each use. One major caveat, I’d highly recommend going two (2) sizes up (i.e. I purchased XL) because their cuts are more in line with Japanese sizes versus US sizes.

For a slightly boxier cut, I can’t say enough about the Municipal T-Shirt from Lady White Co. ($75). It’s stiffer than Whitesville, but breaks in nicely over time, and the cut is what makes this shirt stand out. The way it drapes down the body and maintains its shape, without looking overly baggy, is a testament to its construction. Totally worth the investment in any of their colorways.

(Honorable mention to Uniqlo Supima Cotton Shirt. Avoid any other version, especially their cotton/poly blends. This is the only one you need, and it’s $25.)