50 Episodes Later: Revisiting 27 “Cool Things” – Our Honest Review & Enduring Favorites

Welcome to a truly special podcast episode, as we celebrate a significant milestone: our 50th episode! To mark this occasion, we’ve embarked on a fascinating retrospective journey, delving back into our archives to revisit the beloved “This Is Really Cool” segment. For this unique look back, we recorded our discussion on video, giving you the flexibility to either listen, watch, or engage with both formats simultaneously, much like some of you enjoyed with our previous video podcasts. Over the past 50 episodes, we’ve enthusiastically recommended a diverse array of 27 items, ranging from practical tools and innovative apps to everyday essentials and exciting experiences. Now, after considerable time and real-world testing, the big question remains: do these recommendations still hold their “cool” factor, or have some lost their initial appeal?

Prepare for candid insights and honest reviews! We’re thrilled to announce that a remarkable 22 of these recommendations have unequivocally stood the test of time, proving their enduring value and earning their spot as continued favorites in our daily lives. We’ll share precisely why they remain so impactful and useful. However, in the spirit of complete transparency, we’ll also reveal the five items that, for various reasons, have transitioned to a more lukewarm “meh” status. Our primary aim with this comprehensive review is to offer you fresh perspectives, helping you perhaps discover a new favorite or reconsider an old one, all designed to make your life just a little bit cooler, simpler, or more efficient. Join us as we explore what truly endures among our most cherished recommendations!

Before we delve into our list of recommendations, please note: Some links in this article are affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This commission helps support our podcast and blog, enabling us to continue providing valuable content. Rest assured, we only recommend products and services that we genuinely use, trust, and believe in.

Accessing this special episode, whether you prefer to listen or watch, is straightforward. You can easily download it from all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio. For convenient listening directly from your computer, simply use the embedded player available further down this page. While you enjoy the episode, this very page serves as your comprehensive companion, providing direct links, detailed notes, and all the photos we discuss, making it effortless to explore anything that captures your interest. A brief tip for those viewing in a feed reader: you might need to click through to the original blog post to access the embedded player and all the accompanying resources.

For an enhanced experience and to see these items in action, watch us share our honest reviews and showcase the things we still absolutely love in this dedicated podcast video:

Enduring Favorites: “Cool Things” That Still Shine

After carefully re-evaluating recommendations from our first 50 episodes, we’re excited to highlight the products, services, and experiences that have truly stood the test of time. These are the items we continue to use, trust, and wholeheartedly recommend, proving their enduring value in our daily lives. They are presented here in the order they were discussed during our special podcast episode.

1. Anker iPad Integrated Cover/Keyboard: Though the original Anker model is sadly discontinued, the concept of an integrated iPad keyboard remains indispensable. For a similar premium experience today, we recommend the versatile Brydge cover-keyboard combo, offering robust functionality and seamless integration.
2. Hoopla Digital Library App: A fantastic free resource! Hoopla offers digital books, audiobooks, movies, and music from your local library, saving money and providing vast entertainment from home. It’s an essential, user-friendly service. Discover Hoopla Digital Library App.
3. Monoprice for Cheap Cables, etc.: For reliable and incredibly affordable electronic cables and accessories, Monoprice is still our top pick. Their products consistently offer excellent quality and durability at prices that won’t break the bank. Explore Monoprice’s affordable tech solutions.
4. UE (Ultimate Ears) Boom Bluetooth Speaker: This portable speaker continues to impress with its powerful 360-degree sound, durable design, and excellent battery life. It’s perfect for music on the go, making any gathering or solo listening session more enjoyable. Check out the UE Boom Bluetooth Speaker.

5. Delsey Lightweight Spinner Suitcase: Our Delsey suitcase remains a travel game-changer. Its incredible lightness simplifies packing, helps avoid extra baggage fees, and its smooth spinner wheels make navigating airports a breeze. It’s a durable, practical, and indispensable companion. Find your Delsey Lightweight Spinner Suitcase.
6. Barre3: This unique fitness regimen, blending ballet, Pilates, and yoga, consistently delivers effective, low-impact workouts. Barre3 builds strength, flexibility, and balance, keeping us engaged and feeling great with its adaptable approach suitable for all fitness levels. Experience Barre3 workouts.
7. Suave Conditioner as Shaving Cream: An enduring, budget-friendly hack! Inexpensive Suave conditioner provides an incredibly smooth, lubricating layer for a close shave and leaves skin feeling soft. At around $1, it’s a brilliant, cost-saving solution for a smooth routine.
8. H&M Home for Quality Pillows, Linens, and More: For stylish home decor updates and quality textiles at fantastic prices, H&M Home continues to be a go-to. Their collection of pillows, linens, and accents offers modern style without a hefty price tag. Browse H&M Home’s stylish and affordable collection.

9. San Francisco Bay Coffee in Compostable Pods: Combining quality coffee with environmental responsibility, these compostable pods are a winner. The delicious coffee and guilt-free disposal make our morning ritual even better, proving sustainability can be convenient. Enjoy San Francisco Bay Coffee compostable pods.
10. Newman’s Own Mints in Wintergreen: A small but mighty favorite, these Wintergreen mints offer a perfectly refreshing burst of cool mint without being overly strong or sugary. They’re our go-to for a quick palate cleanse and continue to be the best mints we’ve found. Stock up on Newman’s Own Wintergreen Mints.
11. Inexpensive Kayak Racks (for cars with luggage racks): For outdoor enthusiasts, these affordable kayak racks simplify transportation for cars with existing luggage racks. They provide a secure and efficient way to carry kayaks, making spontaneous water adventures more accessible and enjoyable. Discover affordable kayak racks.
12. Seedling Heat Mat: An indispensable tool for gardeners, especially for peppers and tomatoes. This mat provides consistent, gentle warmth, significantly boosting germination rates and promoting healthier, stronger seedling growth. It’s crucial for successful early-season seed starting. Invest in a seedling heat mat for robust plants.

13. Impact Driver/Drill: A true powerhouse for DIY projects, this tool offers superior torque and efficiency, making quick work of driving screws and drilling through tough materials. It saves time and effort, proving to be an invaluable addition to any homeowner’s toolkit. Upgrade to an Impact Driver/Drill.
14. Knitpicks Interchangeable Knitting Needles: For knitters, this set’s versatility and smooth joins are unmatched. Being able to easily swap tips and cables reduces clutter and enhances the knitting experience, accommodating a wide range of projects with ease. Enhance your knitting with Knitpicks needles.
15. AT&T Ticket Twosdays: A fantastic perk for AT&T customers! This program offers buy-one-get-one-free movie tickets through the app, making trips to the cinema more affordable and enjoyable. It’s a simple benefit that truly enhances leisure time. Learn more about AT&T Ticket Twosdays.
16. Apple AirPods: Still a top-tier choice for wireless audio. Their seamless Apple device connectivity, comfortable fit, and consistently clear sound make them ideal for podcasts, music, and calls on the go, delivering unmatched convenience and reliability. Experience the convenience of Apple AirPods.

17. LastPass for Keeping and Using Passwords: In today’s digital landscape, LastPass is an essential password manager. It securely stores and auto-fills credentials, generates strong passwords, and significantly boosts online security and convenience, reducing password fatigue. Secure your digital life with LastPass.
18. Italian Leather American Eagle Outfitters Backpack: A surprisingly durable find, this Italian leather backpack has proven its worth. Its quality craftsmanship, premium material, and timeless style make it a practical yet elegant choice for daily use and travel, showcasing that quality can be found in unexpected places.
19. Inexpensive Wetsuit for Surfing: While the core “cool thing” here is surfing itself, the inexpensive wetsuit (like this Xcel 5/4 Axis Wetsuit) symbolizes how accessible equipment enables enjoyable pursuit of hobbies. It allows for comfortable entry into surfing without a huge investment, proving great experiences don’t always demand premium gear.
20. Comfortable Leather ‘Me-Too’ Bootie: These ‘Me-Too’ booties strike the perfect balance between style and comfort. Their soft leather and supportive design offer versatile wear for various occasions, proving that fashionable footwear doesn’t have to sacrifice comfort. Step into comfort with ‘Me-Too’ booties.

21. EZVIZ Waterproof Knock-off “GoPro” Camera: For capturing adventures affordably, this EZVIZ camera is an excellent alternative. It delivers reliable performance and waterproof durability for recording outdoor moments without the premium price tag, making action videography accessible to more people. Capture your adventures with the EZVIZ waterproof camera.
22. Peppermint Crunch Junior Mints Candy: A highly anticipated seasonal delight! These Peppermint Crunch Junior Mints offer a delightful blend of refreshing peppermint, satisfying crunch, and rich dark chocolate. Prepare to seek them out next year – they’re an addictive and joyous holiday treat you won’t want to miss! Get ready for Peppermint Crunch Junior Mints.

The “Meh” List: Recommendations That Didn’t Quite Endure

In our commitment to honest reviews, we also want to share the five recommendations that, over time, have lost some of their initial appeal. This doesn’t mean they’re inherently bad products, but rather that our personal experiences or evolving needs have shifted their utility for us.

• ‘Lipstick’ Charger: While still a functional portable charger, its utility has diminished for us personally as our phone usage doesn’t necessitate frequent recharges. However, it remains a useful gadget for heavy phone users, like teens, who burn through battery life quickly. Consider the ‘Lipstick’ Charger for heavy phone users.
• Sleep Fan App (for white noise): The initial appeal of a convenient white noise app for sleep eventually wore off. Over time, the simulated fan sound became more irritating than soothing, highlighting that sometimes digital reproductions can’t quite match the real thing, or personal preferences simply change. Explore the Sleep Fan App (use with caution!).
• Cold Sassy Tree book: Our initial glowing review was based on the charming first half. Unfortunately, the book’s second half took a much darker, less sweet turn, fundamentally altering our overall enjoyment and making it less of a feel-good recommendation. Read ‘Cold Sassy Tree’ (be prepared for a tonal shift).
• TaoTronic Bluetooth Headphones: Despite their affordable wireless promise, these headphones failed on practicality. They consistently fell out during activity, and their battery life was disappointingly short. For reliable and comfortable audio, these ultimately fell short of expectations. Check out TaoTronic Bluetooth Headphones (buyer beware).
• Arizona Chipotle Spice: This is a bittersweet inclusion. While initially an almost perfect spice blend, the company regrettably changed its formula, much to my dismay. Though still usable, the new blend lacks the magic of the original for me (though Brian still enjoys it!), demonstrating how product changes can impact long-standing favorites. Find Arizona Chipotle Spice (original formula nostalgia).

Your Engagement Fuels Our Podcast!

Thank you so much for tuning into this special milestone episode and joining us on this retrospective journey through our “Cool Things” recommendations! We truly hope you enjoyed revisiting these items with us and perhaps even discovered something new that could bring a little more joy or efficiency into your life. Your support means the world to us, and we are constantly striving to bring you valuable and entertaining content.

If you’ve enjoyed this podcast episode, or any of our previous ones, there are a few simple ways you can really help us grow and reach more listeners. Please consider telling your friends, family, and social circles about our podcast. Word-of-mouth is incredibly powerful! Additionally, subscribing on Apple Podcasts (or your preferred platform) and leaving us a positive review makes a huge difference. Reviews help others discover our content and understand the value we aim to provide.

We love hearing from our listeners! If you have a question you’d like us to address, or a brilliant idea for a future podcast topic, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can call us directly at (541) 658-0215 to leave a voicemail, and we’ll do our best to discuss it on the air in an upcoming episode.

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Disclosure: As a friendly reminder, this post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission based on sales, but rest assured, it will not change the price you pay for the product. Our recommendations are always based on genuine experience and belief in the product’s value. For a complete understanding of our affiliate relationships and advertising practices, please click here to read our full disclaimer and advertising disclosure policy.