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Mike Newman

Managing Editor at Cool Material

1981 BMW M1

The '80s were an era many automakers would like to forget. Designs were... interesting, to say the least. That's not the case for BMW, as the company released some highly desirable and stunningly beautiful rides throughout the days of boxy clunkers. Case in point, this 1981 M1. The M1 was…

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‘The Big Lebowski’ 20th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray

We know, we know. It's been a long time since you purchased a physical copy of a movie. That said, it's been a long time since a physical copy of a movie was worth purchasing. That changes today. For the 20th anniversary of The Coen Brothers' classic The Big Lebowski, Universal…

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1943 Dodge WC51 and 1943 Harley WL

We prefer our off-road vehicles clad in military green, as it speaks to the brawn of the ride we're piloting. That paint job, however, is really just a nod to the vehicles trusted on the battlefield. If you want the real thing, get in on this sale for a 1943…

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Vector Home Robot

Let's get one thing out of the way right now: Vector is f*cking adorable. Like, if Vector had an Instagram page, it would have over one million followers and lots of crying face emojis plastered under every pic. But we're not paying $200 for cute; we're paying $200 because Vector…

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The Best iPhone Photography of 2018

As the cameras on the back and front of the iPhone get better and better, those "Shot on iPhone" ads become less and less impressive. Still, it's hard not to still get blown away when you see an incredible picture not taken with a pricey DSLR. Well, prepare to seriously…

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Stitchbird Rowboat Kit

There's a level of appreciation for an object you build with your own two hands, a kinship unfelt when it's simply plucked off the rack. While we'd love to fashion as many of our wooden goods as we can, some seem a bit daunting, like building a rowboat. Stitchbird offers…

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Zero Real Estate Suite

We've posted more than a few cabins with incredible views that make you feel like you're one with nature, but even we have to admit that they remove you a bit from that nature you're craving. While you could just go camping, why not blend the two ideas? This is…

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The Aloft Speaker Tucks Under a Shelf

If you live in Manhattan, San Francisco, or anywhere else where a few thousand dollars a month gets you a glorified closet, you know the challenges of organizing your pad. You need to consider the placement of every single item you own. That's why we're digging the Aloft Speaker concept…

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Infinite Smart Cooler

There's nothing wrong with your average cooler, per se. But wouldn't it be better if that giant box you had to lug to a campsite did a little more than just keep your beer and meats cold? Meet Infinite, a smart cooler with a bevy of unique functions. Yes, it…

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The Pack Horse Chair Is Designed for Creative Pursuits

When we think of a lounge chair, we think of kicking back with a bag of chips and a cold one and being as inactive as possible. That's why we're intrigued by the Pack Horse from designer Michael Cooper. The Pack Horse is an "active" lounge chair. What does that…

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A Review of Spike Lee’s ‘BlacKkKlansman,’ the Movie Everyone Will Be Talking About This Summer

Spike Lee is not one to toss out jabs; he throws haymakers. Do The Right Thing landed in theaters with a lit fuse attached; Malcom X was the movie its subject deserved; and Four Little Girls remains one of the most impactful yet least talked about documentaries we've ever seen. Yet, like Lee's beloved…

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The Ultimate Lens Hood Lets You Take Reflection-Free Photos Through Glass

You can't always get right up next to your subject when you're taking pictures. Maybe you're at a zoo and that king cobra is, rightfully, in a glass cage, or maybe you're on the road and the scenery out the windshield is breathtaking. Whatever the case, glass is not a…

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Hacking Whiskey

We've sipped our fair share of whiskey, so perhaps it's time to try something new. Not a new spirit, mind you, but rather new ways of enjoying our favorite booze. Hacking Whiskey: Smoking, Blending, Fat Washing, and Other Whiskey Experiments from author Aaron Goldfarb takes whiskey enthusiasts on a journey to…

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Spyra One Water Gun

We were lucky enough to grow up during the heyday of the Super Soaker. As little kids, we shot each other with dinky water pistols that struck fear in absolutely no one's heart. Then the Super Soaker came along and pool parties turned into drenched combat. Now, it's time for…

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Vans Did a Collaboration With the Vincent Van Gogh Museum

The latest Vans collab is one of the more interesting we've ever come across. The iconic sneaker and skatewear brand has teamed with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam to put some art on your feet and on your back. The collection includes a range of sneakers, clothing, and even…

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