Works of Art

Products

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the products or brands listed below, nor do I make any financial gains from mentioning them. This is simply a list of things I like.

Bicycle Rider Back playing cards

US Playing Card Company – $5

They look classic, withstand tons of abuse, feel great, and you can find them everywhere from gas stations to game shops.

Milk bar soap

Pré de Provence – $8

Smells great with a rich lather, I use this soap not only to wash, but also to shave. The aroma is lightly floral with hints of cream and powder.

American Custom SD Bolero drumsticks

Vic Firth – $10

These are thick, but lightweight, balanced, and are made of maple, which makes a really pleasant sound when struck together.

2001w Fine Jersey Crewneck t-shirt

American Apparel – $11

I’m tall. This shirt fits well, comes in a bunch of colors, holds up well, and is long enough to fall past my belt. (Their Tri-Blend Crewneck Track T-Shirt (style tr401w) is a close second.)

Nanoweb electric guitar strings

Elixir – $12

The coating on these is thin enough that it doesn’t affect the feel, but effective enough to ensure these last months longer than uncoated strings.

Harrington socks

Gold Toe – $20

I have tried dozens of different socks at many price points, and these check all the boxes for a reasonable price.

RS66LD Swing Bass electric bass guitar strings

Rotosound – $22

I suppose there’s a reason that all the bass players of consequence use these. There’s a lot of lore around a couple unique features of these and the story of their creation. The two most important things about them are the balanced tone and the way they feel.

California Fleece hoodie

American Apparel – $30

A slim fit with raglan sleeves, matching zipper and pullcord, and a mid-leightweight fleece improve on issues I have with most hoodies made today. It works indoors or out in all seasons, looks and feels great over a t-shirt or under a coat. This comes in men’s and women’s sizes, and in zip or pullover styles.

501 Original Shrink-to-Fit men’s jeans

Levi’s – $35

These are the classic. I bought two pairs of these in the summer of 2019 (one blue, one black), have washed them twice, and haven’t covered my legs with anything else since then. They’ve broken in nicely and look to last another couple of years at least.

Samba Classic shoes

Adidas – $50

I used to buy a new pair of these every 5 years when I wore them everyday. I now wear them a lot less, so we’ll see if I ever need another pair. Fun to note that these are pretty different from the Samba Original, which has a very flat insole. These have more substantial arch support and mold to your foot over time.

Duck Traditional Arctic Quilt-Lined coat

Carhartt – $120

I’ve worn this coat everyday for six months each year for five years. It gets washed regularly, looks great, and keeps my upper half warm in -20°F with just a t-shirt underneath. Comes in tall sizes, as well. Do yourself a favor and buy the matching hood (102368 – Arctic Duck Hood – Quilt Lined – $25).

Multifunction Pan, 2.5 quart

Le Creuset – $200

The cast iron core of this combination cooker is durable and retains heat well. The enamel coating looks great and makes these more flexible and easier to maintain than uncoated cast iron. This can be used as a pot, a skillet, or a dutch oven, works in the oven or on stovetop on gas, electric or induction, cleans up easily, and looks as good in use as it does on the shelf.

875 Moc Toe boot

Red Wing – $280

I already owned two models of Red Wing boots when I discovered that these were my favorite. They’re light, tough, and have a roomier toe box than most other models. They look and fit wonderful new, and improve the more you wear them.

KBGT coffee maker

Technivorm – $320

It’s expensive, but this Italian drip coffee maker makes some of the best coffee I have ever had. My wife and I have been sharing two pots per day and clean it every 60 days since January 2019.