Favorite Shorts, Discount Sneakers & Wake Up Calls

Plus, what's in my shopping cart right now...

🩳 Recent Pickup

As an east coast guy who was lured out to the scorching hot Sonoran desert by a beautiful and mysterious woman, I pretty much live in shorts from May to September.

My western European complexion simply didn’t evolve to tolerate this kind of heat.

So yeah…shorts.

These days, I gravitate toward shorts with a bit of stretch in the waistband. Think drawstrings, not belts.

And my favorite pair right now is from Outlier. Specifically, the Futurelittlebigs in Olive Territory (XS).

Based on the description, I thought these would be too baggy for my skinny legs, but the fit is actually perfect IMO.

Not too loose, but not at all restrictive.

Plus, they’re completely overbuilt. I wear them to my office to make YouTube videos and write emails, but you could wear them hiking, swimming, orc hunting, asteroid mining…whatever you’re into.

They ain’t cheap, but they’ll last a lifetime (in dog years, probably). Check ‘em out here!

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🛒 In My Cart

Here are a few things I’m considering buying…

• ​Mido Multifort Big Date 35mm - Can’t get this watch out of my mind…
• ​Elgato Stream Deck Mini - Productivity upgrade or just desk clutter? Not sure.
• ​American Trench Quarter Crew Socks - Favorite socks right now, could use a few more pairs
• ​Rubber Waffle Strap for Seiko SKX013 - Thinking about breathing new life into my old trusty diver with a custom rubber strap (but it’s sold out)
• ​Shoe Stretchers - Actually just bought these; went cheap because I’m not sure it’ll actually work; will keep you posted

What are you eyeing these days? Hit ‘reply’ and let me know 👀

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👟 Made in USA / UK New Balance Sneakers

Have you been to Nordstrom Rack recently?

There’s one not too far from my office, so I pop in every so often.

It’s one of the last true discount stores. Other shops like TJMaxx and Ross mostly carry low quality junk with name brand labels.

Nordstrom Rack, though? You can still find some real steals, especially in the shoe section.

Every time I’m there, I see a bunch of premium New Balance sneakers from the brand’s flagship MiUSA and MiUK lines.

I’m talking 990s for half price.

The size range is pretty decent too, but you’ll be especially delighted if you have extra small or large feet.

I see tons of options in these less common sizes every time I’m in the store.

So, if you’re ever near a Nordstrom Rack, be sure to poke around for a few minutes!

(Yes, you can check online too. There are just more options in the actual stores.)

🤳🏼 Who I'm Following

​@fitting_in_now​ A.K.A., Loren Fizer, a Houston-based creator with a simple yet fun sense of style. He embraces looser fits, but not to the point of looking sloppy. He wears a lot of blues, greens and browns, with the occasional dash of purple or yellow. He seems like he’s having fun with it, not trying too hard. I find myself bookmarking his fits regularly. Go give him a follow!

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🚨 Wake Up Call

Sometimes I forget how luck I am.

I recently had a pinched nerve in my neck (thanks, jiu-jitsu). Couldn’t sleep for days, couldn’t exercise for weeks.

I’m talking 24/7 pain with no relief. Not to mention, my almost-2-year-old isn’t sleeping through the night consistently.

Then I got a cold. Fevers for two nights straight.

I started feeling pretty dang sorry for myself.

But I remembered this story from Anthony Griffith (via The Moth). I listened to it again, knowing how tough it would be.

It’s a devastating listen for anyone, but especially parents. One of my daughters is the same age as Anthony’s daughter was in his story.

I listened to it because I needed a reminder about how incredibly lucky I am. Two healthy kids, a perfect wife, a job I enjoy, enough money, no serious health problems, two living parents I get to see often.

What’s there to complain about? A minor injury? A little cold?

Stories like this one, as sad as they are, always help put things in perspective.

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In Case You Missed It 👀

Here are my most recent videos:

• ​A Practical, Minimal Everyday Carry | EDC Summer 2025​
• ​5 Sketchy Marketing Tactics Brands Use to Manipulate You​
• ​10 Things You Can Buy to SAVE Money​
• ​If your dryer could talk…​
• ​Do jaw exercise devices work?​

I’m working on another comfy shoe roundup and “Home Upgrades Part 2”.

Stay tuned!

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Did You Know? That tiny fifth pocket in the front right of your jeans was originally meant to hold a pocket watch? Maybe we should bring those back… 🧐

Until next time,

Brock

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