edc hacks Archives - Ashley Weston

10 Best Gifts For Men | Men’s Gift Guide 2019

It’s officially holiday time and there’s no doubt you’re going to need to find some cool, useful gifts for your friends and family. While you’re at it, you should probably pick out something nice for yourself too right? We see a ton of products all the time so we thought we’d do the hard work for you and pick out some of our absolute favorite items to make your shopping that much easier this year. Add these to your list and we guarantee great results and a ton of happy recipients. Need a few more ideas? Check out our Gift Guides from years past.

Here are our picks the 10 best gifts for men! Happy Holidays!

LEATHERMAN KEYCHAIN – $35

Super handy and will always be useful when you least expect it, we gift these to everyone in our lives. It’s small, affordable, and packs a ton of utility into a small package. They come in a range of colors too.

Dad Fanny Pack – $10

Whether you need a good, affordable silly gift for a white elephant gift exchange or just want to gift friends and family with something funny, this is a great option.

Vitamix Blender – $400

The absolute Rolls Royce of blenders, this item is a staple item in our lives and we use it a ton. It’s great for everything from smoothies to soups to “Nice Cream” (frozen banana ice cream). Not cheap, but it’s absolutely worth every penny.

Pour-Over Coffee Brewing Set for One – $69

Good coffee gear is absolutely essential and this handy, single-cup brewer is an awesome gift for all the coffee snobs in your life. Once they ditch the garbage Keurig brewer and try a fresh cup from a pour-over there’s no going back, we promise. We’re also big fans of the Aeropress brewer for more of an espresso-style cup.

Manscaped Lawnmower 2.0 Trimmer

It goes without saying that proper grooming is hugely important and that goes for body hair and your hair downstairs. Speaking for the women in the world, Ashley can’t recommend this trimmer enough for keeping your package area tidy and neat. Trust us, it’s that important. The Lawnmower 2.0 trimmer is super handy and makes grooming everywhere a breeze. It’s waterproof and has a powerful 6,000 RPM motor with SkinSafe™ Technology so you’ll never experience any nicks or snags. They even guarantee it and will give you your money back if you’re not happy.

We’ve got an awesome deal from Manscaped and you can get 20% OFF plus Free Shipping, and 2 free gifts with code WESTON at Manscaped.com! The Perfect Package 2.0 kit features the Lawnmower 2.0 trimmer, a refreshing crop reviver toner, crop preserver deodorant, and a comfy pair of boxer briefs. Pick up your kit here, it’s perfect for friends, family, or yourself!

Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones – $400

We’ve discussed how important these are before and this new model from Bose is even better. An absolute must for anyone who travels a lot, this new version even has a toggle switch that adjusts the noise-cancelling levels for a custom feel. Another item that’s pricey but worth every penny.

Ultra-Slim Lightweight Charger – $29

Speaking of handy travel accessories, this small charger is a life-saver if you’re like most of us who and constantly teetering on low battery. The perfect affordable stocking stuffer!

Custom Family Portrait Illustration – $20 and up

Both thoughtful and clever, this gift allows you to create a custom illustration based on a photo. Awesome for a thoughtful or funny gift.

Zojirushi Stainless Thermos Mug – $27

Another one of our absolute favorite EDC items we have recommended before, this mug is incredible. You won’t believe how warm or cold it keeps your go-to beverages. It’s available in multiple colors and sizes too.

Itunes Store or Google Play Store Gift Cards – $10 and up

Cash can feel impersonal and something as simple as an Itunes or Google Play gift card is a way better option. No matter what the situation is, the recipient is always going to love this one.

$50 & Under Items That Are Totally Worth It

Sure, we know, $50 may not be a lot, but these days it can go a long way if you’re spending it wisely! In the past we’ve down a few of our go-to essential items that make our lives easier, from apps to entertainment, but what about those must-have tools and services that we can’t live without?

Well, we’re going to give you 10 items that we think are not only worth $50 but will have a huge impact on your life well beyond something fairly inexpensive.

1.Leatherman Keychain – $35

We love this handy little number from Leatherman, it’s truly a lifesaver. And while it may not seem like much, you will be blown away by how often you use the super useful combination of tools. One of Dorian’s go-to EDC items.

2. Minimal Hard Shell Phone Case – $12

You spent some good money on a great new phone so give it the protection it deserves with a case that’s not only protected but also slim and stylish. Looking for a few more options? Check out our phone case rundown.

3. Paperkarma $12-$20 Per Year

An insanely useful service that helps you get rid of obnoxious, unwanted junk mail. Simply download the app, take a few pictures of junk mail as it comes in and you’re good to go. Not only is it easy to use it saves you time, money and help cut down on unwanted paper waste for the environment. Win-win-win.

4. Herschel Charlie Wallet – $30

We’re big fans of Herschel’s goods and we reviewed another one of their options in our Best Wallets of 2019 article. This card case is perfect for those who like a slim, pared-down vibe. It’s a great bang for your buck and the leather is very nice. They’ve got a ton of great color options too.

5. Zojirushi Thermos – $26

This sleekly designed water bottle/thermos might as well be magic because it keeps your drinks cold or hot for what seems like forever. It comes in 3 different sizes and a bunch of great colors.

6. External Phone/Laptop Battery – $46

If you’ve ever known the sweet agony of having your phone or computer die at the wrong moment when traveling or working away from home you know how valuable one of these babies can be. Light and portable, one of two of these is money very well spent.

Picks:

Anker 1

Anker 2

Anker 3

7. Vintage Casio Digital Watch – $34

From a style perspective, we love the vintage vibe of these classic digital watches. They’re super affordable and add a great throwback-inspired vibe to your style. You can slap on a perlon strap to add a different look too.

Casio 1

Casio 2

Strap Options

8. Slow cooker – $30 – $50

While there is a serious debate in our house as to which slow cooker is best, there’s no debate about how awesome and practical both of our favorite slow cookers are. Drop in some ingredients and some flavorful items, hit the dial or button and you’re good to go. An absolute must for any busy guy who still wants to eat well and healthy.

Ashley’s Favorite: Crock Pot

Dorian’s Favorite: Instapot

9. Betterment – No Fees

A great new option for financial services, we love Betterment’s free checking and savings accounts. They both have zero fees and the savings account has one of the highest interest rates anywhere at 2.39%. So, essentially you get paid every month to keep your money in your savings account. Investment and retirement have an annual fee of 0.25% per year on your retirement balance, but since you’re getting paid in your savings account, it will likely cost you nothing.

10. Incase Backpack – $49.95

Yup, we’re huge fans of Incase. We’ve featured their backpacks and briefcases previously because we absolutely adore their clean, minimal design, functional features, and great price. This version in particular, at $50 is an absolute steal and one of the very best affordable backpacks out there. It comes in a range of colors but our favorites are the light grey and dark grey.

Our Favorite Podcasts? / Best Podcasts 2019

Just like a ton of you out there, we love a great podcast. Whether we’re in the car, cleaning the house, or just taking some time to ourselves, they’re a great way to learn, be entertained, and get motivated. Recently a viewer asked us what some of our favorite podcasts were so we thought we’d share some of our go-tos, for entertainment, business, and more.

In this episode of 2 Minute Tuesday we’re running down a list of our favorite podcasts and why we love them so much!

Dorian’s Favorite Podcasts

Dorian loves a mix of history, business, current events, and entertainment in his podcast diet. Here are some of his favorites.

Conan Needs A Friend

A hilarious and insightful interview pod hosted by Conan O’Brien and featuring great guests like Dana Carvey, Bill Hader, Jimmy Kimmel, and more.

The Rewatchables

Part of The Ringer’s awesome podcast network, The Rewatchables recaps classic action, comedy, and thriller movies in a really funny way. if you’ve ever found yourself on the couch on Saturday or Sunday afternoon watching movies like Step Brothers, Bloodsport, Top Gun, and really wanted to discuss how perfect these movies are, this is the pod for you.

Revisionist History

A great deep dive into notable historical and current events but with a unique perspective, this educational and entertaining show is hosted by Malcolm Gladwell, the brilliant mind behind such classic books as “The Tipping Point“, “Blink” and “Outliers“.

The Daily

Dorian loves the mix of important news stories and outstanding news stories from The New York Times editorial team.

Slow Burn

Dorian has mentioned his love for history, and in particular, presidential history and this killer series has seasons on The Watergate scandal and the Clinton/Lewinsky affair. We’re definitely excited about Season 3, which will cover the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.

Economist: The Intelligence

Another current events podcast, this time from The Economist, it offers excellent business coverage as well.

Revolutions

Another podcast for you history nerds out there, this one focuses on some of the most important and, well, revolutionary revolutions in history.

Seincast

Dorian’s love of Seinfeld is deep and strong, so obviously he’s going to be into this hilarious podcast.

Batman – The Animated Podcast

An offshoot of the awesome animated series (definitely not for kids), this serialized podcast is super entertaining and a must for all comic book fans.

Ashley’s Favorite Podcasts

Ashley loves true crime, technology, and some interesting non-fiction in her podcast menu. Here are her go-to’s.

Reply All

Not so much a technology podcast, rather, it’s more about human stories with bits of tech, social media, and communication within it. We also love the great rapport between the two hosts.

Criminal

Ashley is a huge true crime fan, so this one is right in our wheelhouse. Sure, it’s probably obvious that this one is about crime and criminals, but the stories are crazy and out-of-the-ordinary in a really entertaining way. Guaranteed to blow your mind!

Couples Therapy

A podcast with Casey Neistat and his wife, Candice, this podcast is pretty raw, unfiltered and a really interesting look into their relationship (and all relationships, really).

7 Books That Could Change Your Life

Whether you’re a student or making your way in the professional world, never underestimate the power of a great read or two. Whether it’s about organization hacks and work habits or motivation and goal setting, we always encourage you to keep up with some solid reading.

We’re both big believers in the improvements that great books can make in your life so we thought we’d share some of our favorite, life-changing reads with our picks for 7 books that could change your life!

The Last Lecture

Randy Pausch was a professor at Carnegie-Mellon University who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006. He died in 2008 but before he died he gave an incredibly moving lecture called “Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”. “The Last Lecture” is an addendum to the commencement speech he gave after he learned that he was dying, and it’s the perfect ready for those feeling overwhelmed by it all. It’s an especially great must-read for any students who want to take some time to pull back and think about the big picture in life.

Bullet Journal Method

We’ve raved about this one before, this NY Times bestseller and one of Dorian’s favorite organizational books, we’re both now converts of this goal setting and organizational process. No matter if you’re working in a business job or in school, the tools and tips in this book are incredibly useful for maximizing your time, organizational habits, and overall work/school performance.

Tao Te Ching (Stephen Mitchell translation)

A super quick, impactful read, this philosophy book is sort of like a very practical operating system for living your life. Written by an ancient philosopher, it just goes to show how universal good advice and practical wisdom can be. Just make sure you get the translation by Stephen Mitchell linked above, it’s universally regarded as the best one among many, many options.

4 Hour Work Week

Another one of our favorites that we have talked about before, this book is all about thinking about smart work versus hard work. This book is packed with solid tips and an excellent framework for creating success in work, school, and life in general.

Catch-22

An absolutely classic work of fiction, Catch-22 focuses on the absurdity of war, but just like in war, college life is absolutely absurd if you step back and look at it. It was recently made into a tv series as well.

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

We all know how good habits and positively affect our lives, both with school and work and this excellent book is a great deep dive that not only explains how habits are formed but also how to kick bad ones and hang on to the good. Essential reading if you’re embarking on a new school year or a new job.

How To Win Friends and Influence People

Al all-time classic, this book about personal and professional relationships is just as relevant today as it was when it was first published way back in 1936 (seriously!).

A Few More Of Our Favorites

Thinking, Fast and Slow
An international bestseller, this book by a renowned psychologist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, is a fascinating dive into our minds and explains the two systems that drive the way we think. An essential for someone who’s working on developing better habits and efficiencies, both in school or work decision making.

Do You Do It, Or Does It Do You?
An incredibly insightful lecture by Alan Watts, this piece is a must-listen.

Wisdom of Insecurity
The perfect antidote for those struggling with anxiety, stress, and an uncertain future.

Rework
A great look at what it really takes to grow a business on your own as an entrepreneur from the founders of Basecamp.

Sherlock Holmes Collection
The classic detective series isn’t just entertaining, it can teach out a lot about how critical thinking, reasoning, and introspection can play a part in day-to-day life.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Another absolute classic-for-a-reason, 7 Habits is one of the best and most successful business and self-help books because of it’s no-nonsense approach to building great habits.

We Sold The Company!

In this week’s 2 Minute Tuesday, we’re changing it up a bit and covering a question for Dorian! As a successful entrepreneur himself, Dorian has a lot of experience in the business world and starting and building companies. So, in this episode, he’s going to answer a question about some of his favorite business and entrepreneurship tips and what it takes to build and sell a successful company.

Don’t forget to check out his business book recommendations below!

Read The 4-Hour Work Week

A classic book by Tim Ferriss, this book is packed with solid tips and an excellent framework for creating successful businesses in the modern entrepreneurship world. Check it out here: The 4-Hour Workweek

Use Ignorance / Youth as a Strength

Part being humble and part being resourceful, your ignorance and inexperience can actually be an incredible tool when starting or growing a business. People will often offer help, insight, or advice if you approach your interactions and, more importantly, mistakes, the right way. If you approach business in a cocky or overly-confident way it can often work against you and you’ll miss out on valuable growth and insight.

Try and Test Everything

One of the mantras Dorian loves in the 4-Hour Workweek revolves around constant testing and experimentation. You always want to use feedback, data, and trial and error to constantly evaluate where you’re at. You can’t be afraid to try new things, adjust, and re-evaluate both success and failure (more on that in a second).

Fail Quickly and Often

Part of the trying and testing is failing. It’s a huge part of not just starting businesses and being an entrepreneur but also success in general. You can’t be afraid to fail, start over, or abandon things that aren’t working. It’s called “trial and error” for a reason, and often times your failures and what you learn from failures are the most important part of future success. From Elon Musk to Jeff Bezos, no successful entrepreneur or business owner has ever gotten anywhere without failure, so embrace it, get better, and move on.

Cut Expenses / Mitigate Risk

As you get into starting a new business or work on a new idea you never want to bet your current financial future too heavily. So, it’s important to consider the risk and mitigate potential loss at the beginning with thoughtful planning. Look at approaching your life and business with low overhead and you’ll have more flexibility and less overall risk as you develop your business or company

Dorian’s Favorite Business Books

The 4-Hour Work Week

How To Win Friends and Influence People

Rework

Do You Do It Or Does It Do You – Lecture by Alan Watts

Our 5 Favorite iPhone and Android Apps?

Fine, we’ll admit it, apps rule our lives and we often get asked what our go-to’s are for fun, business, organization, and entertainment. So, on this week’s 2 Minute Tuesday, we’re answering that very question.

Here are each of our 5 favorite apps for iPhone and Android!

Ashley’s Favorite iPhone Apps

Dorian’s Favorite Android Apps

The Best Men’s Weekender Bags of 2019

Whether you’re taking a weekend getaway or packing up for a shorter business trip, a stylish, functional weekender bag is the perfect travel companion. We’ve discussed some of our favorite weekender-style bags before, but these bags are so useful and versatile that we decided it was time for an update. All of these bags meet carry-on requirements and are ideal for 1-3 days of travel. Here are our picks for the best weekender bags of 2019.

Check out all our picks below plus a few extra bags that we added for good measure!

Stuart & Lau -$385

A truly excellent bag, we love the mix of waterproof nylon and full grain leather, as well as the simple, lined interior and clean design. An added bonus, this bag comes in multiple sharp color options and also comes with a matching, full-grain leather strap. It may seem like a small detail but the two exterior pockets on each end are a really handy design detail that gives you some extra storage flexibility. The navy and tan colorway we tested was great, but we also really like the olive and black combo.

Herschel – $90

We’re big fans of Hershel’s backpacks, briefcases, and wallets, so it makes sense that their weekender bag would be excellent as well. This bag boasts a very nice price point that belies it’s sturdy, high-quality construction and materials. It’s constructed with heavy-duty nylon and has an integrated shoe compartment that we thought was a nice feature. While we preferred the basic, monochromatic black and grey colors, the huge range of colors and patterns is a nice bonus if you prefer more colorful options.

Everlane – $98

As with all things Everlane, this bag has a great price point and super simple, classy design. In our previous weekender video, we chose this one as well, but it had a rubber bottom. In this newer version, they’ve done away with that and added metal feet instead, which we feel is a downgrade. But overall, it’s still a great bag at a great price.

Combatant Gentlemen – $110

We loved the price point and mix of leather and canvas with the shoe handy shoe compartments and this bag is a really excellent value. The bag has a unique garment bag design to it but in the end, we weren’t a fan of this aspect because it could potentially affect the clothes you normally put in a garment bag as they can get smashed on the sides and bottom. But, other than this small part, this bag was really great.

Frost River – $215

The Frost River bag is made in the USA and boasts a great mix of affordability and quality. It’s constructed with heavy-duty materials that will age beautifully and last a long time. The leather accents are very nice and the hardware is sturdy. The top zipper design opens up very wide to make packing easier and the exterior pockets are perfect for stashing books, magazines or an iPad, both nice design touches.

Filson – $395

Another made in the USA, heritage brand, Filson builds extremely durable, handsome bags that will literally last you a lifetime. If you favor the more rugged, woodsy look, this is the bag for you. It’s constructed of very sturdy canvas, outstanding leather accents, and strong hardware. It has a very large capacity and features a beautiful all-leather shoulder strap. This bag takes some time to break in but will only get better over time.

Want Les Essentials – $450

This stylish weekender bag boasts a sleek, monochromatic design that we really loved. There’s minimal branding and it features very nice cotton canvas accented with Italian leather details. We loved that the entire base was leather, a very nice touch. While the shoulder strap wasn’t all leather, overall this bag is very nice and has exceptional design.

Billykirk – $550

Another outstanding American-made bag, Billykirk is known for their leather goods and excellent quality. This handsome bag is made from heavy waxed canvas and very nice leather accents (including an all-leather shoulder strap!) that will age beautifully. The style is clean and simple but with a bit of a rugged vibe that’s not too over-the-top. It’s really a great mix of modern classic styles. It comes in two great colorways but we especially love the all-black version, it’s really sharp. This bag also comes in smaller and larger versions, so if you’re looking for more or less space but love the looks you’ve got some options here.

Frank Clegg – $925

Dorian has owned this bag personally for 4 years now and it looks brand new. This bag has it all: clean, classic design, buttery soft tumbled leather that just gets softer with age, an all-leather shoulder strap, lined interior and no metal feet on the bottom. Plus the design features just the right amount of structure to it. It’s a pleasure to own and use this bag, it’s the best of the best.

I Lost 30 lbs In 6 Weeks [The Check In #1]

Welcome to our newest series, The Check In! We wanted to try something new for our viewers and readers so in this series we’re checking in with each other on a few personal things, talking about some stuff we’re excited about right now, and giving you guys a few updates on what’s going on in our lives (like Dorian’s weight loss).

We hope you enjoy this new series, let us know what you think and if you have any questions or topics you want to see us discuss!

Things Ashley Is Into Right Now

Chain Necklaces – Ashley loves a little bit of silver or gold peeking out as a nice bit of bling. Look for what’s known as a club chain in a small size like 2 or 3 millimeters.

Braided Belts – A cool twist on belts and they just add something special to your outfit. Look for them in leather or cotton and you can wear them in a variety of basic colors like brown, tan, black, navy, or gray.

Belt Picks: