Every month, the Cool Material team tests, tries, and lives with all sorts of new (or new-to-us) goods. Black Book is where we showcase the ones we most recommend right now.
We’re doing our best to spend as much time indoors these days during the frigid cold temperatures of winter. So, it should come as no surprise that we tested out some excellent home goods like a spectacular knife sharpener, some excellent algae cooking oil, and a practical home office organization system. But, we also had some holiday travel so we had plenty more gear to try out like some stylish packing cubes and a handsome overcoat. These are the products we’re loving from the past month.
Nike Recovery Small Roller Bar
I'm finding that a proper recovery can have as much of an impact on my body as a good workout. So, I'm winding down most of my activities with some time with this handy roller bar from Nike and absolutely loving it. It works out the kinks in my muscles while I stretch and recover. It's maybe the best $35 I've spent in a long time.
Buy: $35
horl®3 Cruise Knife Sharpener
I'll be the first to admit that I tend to overlook proper knife sharpening. But now I have no excuses with the HORL 3 Cruise, an ingenious and fool-proof knife sharpening system.
Buy: $99
Kickback Jukebox Mini
Kickback is a new brand betting big on retro nostalgia. And so far, I'd say they're nailing the Y2K aesthetic with throwback digital cameras, portable CD players, and a stylish turntable. We tested out the vibrant Jukebox Mini and loved this portable Bluetooth speaker. The minimalist design makes it an eye-catching piece of tech whether you're on the go or enjoying music from the comfort of your home.
Buy: $90
Algae Cooking Club Chef-Grade Algae Cooking Oil
I first tried out Algae Cooking Club's unique algae oil a few months ago but I continue to go back to it because it offers an excellent cooking experience and a subtle yet delicious flavor. For any high heat cooking, I trust Algae Cooking Club to get the job done.
Buy: $23
Grovemade Wool Felt Studio Pad
At this point I've pretty much completely outfitted my work space with Grovemade's minimalist desk accessories. I need my office to be neat and tidy while I work and Grovemade's all-in-one Felt Stuido Pad offers everything I could want.
Buy: $200
Quince Italian Wool Overcoat
I've had this overcoat for about a year now but this winter I've really incorporated it into my wardrobe. Quince's affordable prices make this an instant recommendation and I've been really impressed by the high quality wool.
Buy: $180
Jeni's Boozy Eggnog Ice Cream
I am a strong advocate of year-round ice cream, regardless of how cold it is outside. So I was thrilled to cozy up on the couch with a pint of Jeni's Boozy Egg Nog ice cream. It's a delicious seasonal flavor that quite frankly did not last very long. Now I need to re-up.
Buy: $12
Houseplant Blackberry THC Sparkling Water
It was only a matter of time until Houseplant, Seth Rogen's luxury cannabis accessory brand, would begin offering its own THC products. The only surprise is that it's this good. I love the blackberry flavor, delivering just the right amount of sweet and tart. Plus, the 3mg dose hits just right.
Buy: $20
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" CP-81 Portable Cassette Player
I'm a sucker for anything Charlie Brown, especially around the holidays. So I was immediately sold by Retrospekt's holiday cassette package featuring the iconic "A Charlie Brown Christmas" soundtrack and matching tape player.
Buy: $109
Cram Packing Cubes
Cram has redefined the travel experience with its bright and colorful Packing Cubes, offering a splash of whimsy to any trip. They're perfectly practical giving everything a proper home in your suitcase. But it's the fun color combos that really seal the deal.
Buy: $55
