Aaron's Favorite Things 2024

 

Eight Sleep Pod 4: "I'm hot, I'm freezing, turn up the air, turn it down—fine, I'm sleeping in the guest bedroom tonight." My wife and I were precariously close to getting a "sleep divorce" before Eight Sleep came to the rescue. We now have full, temperature control on our sides of the bed. The new Pod 4 adapts to your body's heat with dynamic temperature control adjusting based on your sleep cycle. The latest model also allows you to tap the side of your bed to manually heat up or cool and your bed is now your alarm—vibrating to only wake you up and not your partner. Please note this is a topper, not a mattress.  $2,549

Oura Ring 4: "Oh My Precious," is what comes to mind when I think of my Oura Ring 4. I'm probably a little too obsessed with tracking my sleep, but it's fun since my buddies are in my "sleep circle" so we can see everyone's scores upon awakening. Sleep competition aside, this sleek, lightweight ring also delivers valuable health insights—tracking sleep (all cycles), stress, heartbeat, and readiness with pinpoint accuracy. Giving this as a gift is a little tricky, however, as you need to size the ring by purchasing the sizing kit $10 first and then purchase the ring. $349

Block Blue Light SunDown Taylor Blue Blocking Glasses: If you come over to my house after sunset, there's a good chance you'll find my wife and I rolling around the house in our blue blocking sunglasses.  We compete in F1 Fantasy and Oura Ring sleep scores, it's just a thing.  Blue light blocks melatonin production, so wearing these, especially during screen time is important.  You can get cheaper pairs on Amazon, but this company is one of the most reputable and the glasses are very stylish. They come from Australia, so order early.  $90

Manta Sleep Mask: Keeping with the sleep theme, this is the best sleep mask on the market.  This is a 100% black out mask ensuring one of the most important sleep variables, a dark sleep environment.  With its innovative design, the Manta sleep mask provides coverage without pressing on your eyes—zero eye pressure!  Made from breathable, high-quality, skin-friendly materials, the mask ensures a comfortable experience.  It's also machine washable and comes with a nice, compact carrying case for travel. $35

Howard Leight Laser Lite Earplugs: I promise, this is my last sleep related item.  Rather than plug my wife's nose or smother her with a pillow, I've opted for these ultra soft ear plugs for evenings when she's had a couple glasses of wine before bed.  It also doesn't help that my French Bulldog is a constant sound machine.  I always travel with these in my backpack, and use them for plane travel and noisy hotels.  $14

Le Creuset Extra-Large Logo Mug: Now that you've woken up from that amazing sleep, it's time for a monster cup of coffee. If you followed last year's list, you'll be making your coffee with this machine, using these beans.  My morning cup of Joe is always extra large, so this 20 Oz. coffee mug is perfect.  $28

Chobani Zero Sugar Coffee Creamer: Now that you have that big ass mug, you have room for some frothy creamer.  Chobani recently launched two, zero sugar coffee creamers that taste amazing.  Even my wife, who hates flavored coffee loves these sweet creams.  Crafted from high-quality, farm-fresh cream, it blends effortlessly into your coffee, creating a velvety texture and perfectly balanced taste. 

Nespresso Aeroccino 4 Frother: If you want a velvety cream to top your coffee, this is the best frother on the market.  I use it every morning to froth my wife's almond milk and my crazy creamer du jour.  It's easy to clean and froths your milk extremely fast. Use this for lattes, cappuccinos, or any concoction you can imagine. $119 

Catherine Rising Incense Stick - COPAL: The morning routine continues—great sleep, good coffee with some velvety cream, now it's time to flow into meditation by lighting my favorite new blend from Catherine Rising, Copal.  This hand rolled incense stick burns for over an hour and smells incredible.  Combine this stick with Marmol Radziner's beautiful, brass incense burner $290 and you'll be well on your way to the Fourth Dimension. $18

Two Minute Mornings by Neil Pasricha: Nothing better than starting your day with an "Attitude of Gratitude."  Before starting your mediation, crack this little book and complete the three prompts: 1) I will let go of.... 2) I am grateful for..., & 3) I will focus on...This is such a great practice and perfect way to start your day. $15

Waking Up: There are several great meditation Apps, including Head Space and Insight Timer, but this is my new favorite.  With guided meditations, mindfulness teachings, and insightful talks, this app is a toolkit for mental clarity. It’s ideal for anyone, from beginners to seasoned meditators, wanting to deepen their self-awareness. Perfect for carving out calm in a busy world.  You can download from your App Store.

TOTO WASHLET+ Electronic Bidet Toilet Seat: For the record, this is my favorite "Favorite Things" of all time.  If my house catches fire, I'm running out of the house with this under my arm. No more toilet paper, automatic lid opener, custom settings for two people, warm seat, warm water & air drying.  $1,000

Hydroflask 40 oz All Around Travel Tumbler: Stanley had a good run, but once Hydroflask countered with their own contoured base model the competition was over and the OG water bottle is back on top.   Three reasons this bottle is better: 1) straw is centered so you can drink from both sides without adjusting top, 2) flexible, rubber straw more comfortable,  and 3) easier to open and close lid (you don't have to screw it). $35

Flexisnake: Before calling the plumber, this is my first line of defense.  This is great for unclogging those nasty hair balls that lurk below your drain's surface.  $16

Bissel Little Green Machine: If you have animals, this is an absolute must.  Cat and dog puke, hair balls, and god forbid the accident, this machine is the best.  Also great for spills of any kind. $81

Koviuu Pill Organizer: I can't believe my life has come to this.  A true sign you're getting old is when you need an organizer to keep track of your vitamins and medications.  I love this because each container is split for the morning and evening and you can pop out a couple containers for a weekend trip. $17

JBL Clip 5: My brother clipped this on to his kayak as we all belted songs while my family floated the Weber river in Utah.   This compact, powerful, waterproof speaker is ideal for any activity where you want to throw down some jams. I clip it on my bike for a long Strand ride or on my backpack for a day at the beach.  $50

Belkin Apple Airtag Secure Wallet Insert: I have AirTags on all of my car keys, one in my backpack, my computer case, and on all my pets.  Now, I'll never lose my wallet thanks to this new wallet insert from Belkin. Of course you'll need to buy AirTags first $24, but once you do, just slide this insert into a credit card slot and you're good to go. $7

Vuori Cascade Tech Chino Pant & Long Sleeve Bridge Button Down: I just got back from Europe, and I'm pretty sure I wore this ensemble every day (pants & shirt in three different colors).  These are also great for work— light weight, athletic look, wrinkle free, and so comfortable! The pants $128 and the shirt $98.

Vuori Meta Short & Strato Tech Polo: Two birds with one stone—this is basically the shorts version of the CascadeChino Pant.  I love the comfort, length, and overall fit of these casual shorts.  I wear these almost every day during the spring & summer. $94 The shirt is the polo version of the Strato Tech Tee, which is my go to workout shirt, so light & breathable. $64

On Running Cloudrunner 2: Sorry Hoka, but I've moved on. This is my utility shoe— best for running, walking, and overall gym cross training.  They are light, super comfortable, and come in five colors. $150

Costco Puma Socks: These are my favorite workout socks, so soft, great fit and of course a great value. I like the crew socks for fall/winter $16 and the low cuts for spring/summer. $11

Lakrids by Bulow: After arriving in Copenhagen, I saw these little colorful balls all over the airport.  It seemed everywhere I turned in Denmark these things followed me.  I finally tried some samples in the Tivoli Gardens and was instantly hooked.  I know chocolate covered licorice sounds gross, but it's unbelievable.  This Scandinavian treat are one my most favorite and unique candies of all time. Pick your poison at their new Amazon store. 

Haribo Maoam Frucht Kracher: I was sitting in a Vienna airport lounge when I noticed these little colorful morsels in a dispenser.  I popped one in my mouth and it was probably the same as taking a hit of crack or heroine for the first time.  My wife literally hides these from me until I torture her sufficiently for their location. If you buy these, you will curse my name. $25 

Yasso Bars: My freezer is jammed with just about every flavor of this amazing, frozen greek yogurt bar.  These low calorie (80-150) bars are my go-to desert and come in twenty one flavors, including chocolate covered sea salt caramel—my favorite. You can find these at most higher end grocery stores. You can explore their flavors and ingredients here. Yasso

Hazel Hygiene: Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream: Expensive, but so worth it—my friend talked me into this and it's the only face cream I'll use.  $72 Hawatour Nail Clipper Set: Great value and great product—love the case. $8 Extra Rough Exfoliating Washcloth: From Japan, this exfoliating wash cloth eliminates all your dead skin—best for your back, and only use once or twice a week. $14 Joe MaloneWood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne: This is my travel cologne—always in my toiletry kit. $58

Aaron's Favorite Things 2023

 

Jura Z10 Diamond White: This machine and my Toto Washlet ($1,091) battle it out for the #1 & #2 spots on my all-time Favorite Things list.  First off, the new diamond white finish looks amazing—more like kitchen artwork than an appliance.  The grinder is quieter so you don't wake up the neighborhood, the programmable display allows you to customize your favorites on the home screen, and of course, the coffee is outstanding. $3,899

Vivace Coffee Beans: David Schomer is a freak, a coffee savant and mentor to nearly all of the world's top roasters and barista's.  He even gave a Ted Talk on his history and perfecting the process, from bean to cup.  It may be a little on the pricey side after shipping, but treat yourself to a batch and you won't be disappointed—opt for the higher blends, such as the Ugandan Ekende.  $22

Reviver Digital License Plate: This digital license plate came installed on my new car and I love it!  I will never own another car without one and no doubt it's the future.  No more annual registration stickers, the plate updates automatically, and you can also customize messages below your plate number as often as you'd like.  If you're in CA, AZ, or MI, get yours now. $599

Fanttik X8 APEX: This hand-held air pump inflates anything; I love it because you pre-set your PSI, so no more under or over inflating.  This is great for all your bicycles, balls, and I keep it in my car for emergencies. Please note that this unit only charges using a 5V power supply (you probably have one sitting in a drawer). $79

Apple Watch Ultra 2: Finally switched from my normal Apple Watch to the Ultra—huge difference!  The two most noticeable upgrades are the battery life (72 hrs) and the screen size. You can fit so much information on your Home Screen.  This watch is a must if you're into working out and it's great for hiking & water sports.  $799

Varsity Headwear Baseball Cap: Two Norwegian brothers set out to create the perfect baseball cap.  They did it.  I know this is a little Kendall Roy from Succession, but there is a time and place for a nice ball cap.  I stumbled upon this brand at Bergdorf Goodman's in NYC and also found them at Le Bon Marche in Paris.  They come in various materials including wool, linen, and of course cotton.  If you want to wear a nice outfit with a hat, this is your best option. $80-$135

K-Way Le VRAI 3.0 Claude Rain Coat: This was another Paris find—compact, colorful rain jacket that folds up into its own pocket to create a functional fanny pack.  I keep this folded up in the back of my car and it always comes in handy.  $98-$130

Vuori Kore Short: I hate to admit this, but I love this short so much I cleared out my old workout shorts and bought this short in five different colors.  It's the perfect length, has built in underwear, and is comfortable and breathable for any type of gym workout.  $68 

Vuori Strato Tech Tee: Just like with the shorts, clear out your workout drawer because once you work out in one of these shirts, everything else feels like smothering sand paper.  Lightest, softest, most breathable workout shirt out there. $54

Vans UltraRange EXO Shoe: Now that you're all decked out in your Vuori workout gear, you'll need some agile kicks for the treadmill and bench.  Having just watched Fast Times at Ridgemont High, I feel extra compelled to rock Vans.  This was a XMas gift last year from my Son-In-Law and they did not disappoint.  They are so light and comfortable and make for a hipper workout alternative than Nikes, Brooks, or Hokas, etc. $90

Onitsuka Tiger Ultimate 81 EX: If you've read Shoe Dog, you're familiar with Phil Knight and this Nike predecessor.  I was visiting the Onitsuka store in Bangkok and was overwhelmed with the variety of cool designs; I almost walked out with three pairs.  My wife gave me this pair for XMas last year and it's one of my favorites. $130

Haflinger Wool Slippers: During the late fall and winter, this pair of cozy, warm, cork & wool slippers is always stationed next to my front door.  I slip these on when I need to take the dog outside potty, getting out of the cold ocean after a surf, or walking to yoga.  Don't worry, I have not gone for the Portland barista look, I don't rock a man-bun, but I do like warm dogs when it's cold outside. This German company's origins date back to 1898.  $160

Munich Moebius: A group of eight of us were strolling around old town Barcelona when we stumbled upon the Munich store. Suffice to say, all of us walked out with a pair.  This Barcelona-based company produces some very cool, colorful, comfortable shoes.  I have this high top in two colors and always get compliments. $130

Pink Miracle Shoe Cleaner: Now that you have all these new shoes with white rails, you'll need to keep them clean.  Dirty sneakers make my left eye twitch, so I'm always cleaning my sneakers with this classic formula and brush. $22

Wisdom of the Ages by Wayne Dyer: This book is a powerful collection and brief, insightful analysis of 60 of the world's greatest thinkers, including Buddha, Michelangelo, Rumi, Whitman, Jesus, Dickinson, Emerson, Francis of Assisi, Mother Teresa, and many others.  Wayne Dyer takes the best teachings from the best Masters and offers suggestions for applying their knowledge into our daily lives. $15

Fishwife Classic Smoky Trio: You either like smoked fish or you don’t.  If you do, order up this colorful trio of smoked salmon, tuna, and trout.  Instead of a boring tuna fish sandwich, mix things up by mixing some mayonnaise with this smoky fish on bread.  The packaging is so cool and makes for a nice gift when visiting a friend’s home. $33

Meater Plus Wireless Thermometer: I hate when my wife just tells me to “eyeball it."  I’m not programmed that way—I need precise measurements, times, etc.  The Meater takes the guess work out and allows you to cook meat perfectly.  It syncs with your phone, and alerts you when your ideal temperature is reached.  $80

Graza "Sizzle & Drizzle" Olive Oil: My interest in olive oil was piqued as my wife and I just completed a live, Whole Foods produced, online olive oil tasting class—who would have thought orange slices with olive oil and cinnamon were the bomb. These olive oils pass all the expert tests and are always within reach on my kitchen counter. Sizzle is for cooking and Drizzle is for eating—squeezing rather than pouring your olive oil is a game changer.  You can buy this dynamic duo at Whole Foods or online. $38  

Auto Registration & Insurance Holder: "Insurance and registration please." Words nobody wants to hear, but when you get lit up, it's nice knowing you're ready.  This is a simple holder with one side holding your insurance & the other your registration.  Hand this to the Police Officer and he may be so impressed he lets you off with a warning. You will receive a pack of four for only $8.

TaskRabbit: Someone suggested this app when I was in a jam and needed 10 LCD's hung in a couple hours.  I jumped on this app and there were two UCLA Engineering students that showed up hours later and completed the task—so impressed. I've used the app for electrical, plumbing, and random handy man style tasks.  Each Tasker is rated so you can get comfortable with their experience. TaskRabbit

PushHealth: I was in the Hudson Valley for Christmas and came down with a horrible sinus infection.  Based on my history, I knew antibiotics were the only course.  I jumped on the PushHealth app and had a prescription ready at Walgreens within the hour.  I like this because I have the same Dr. at all times—a former Navy Seal and a Chicago-based ER physician.  He always gets back to me promptly and will let me know if my symptoms require a physical Dr. visit.  There's no fees unless they write a scrip. Great having your own private doctor on call.  PushHealth 

Mark Cuban CostPlus Drugs: If you have any recurring prescriptions fulfilled by the legacy pharmacies, I encourage you to check out this site.  I was shocked by the discounts and saved almost 90% off what I was paying. In addition to the savings, getting your prescriptions mailed to you is so convenient. CostPlus

Withlocals: I was in Chiang Mai Thailand and wanted to hit the night markets and experience all the different foods.  I detest group tours and private tours arranged through your hotel are usually $$$.  So, a friend turned me on to this app, which matches you with a local for your desired activity.  My wife and I met our "Local" and we had one of our best nights out in Thailand; our local had everything wired, showed us where to eat, what to order, where to sit, and we thoroughly enjoyed her guidance and company.  Withlocals

Hazel Hygiene: Duke Cannon Bloody Knuckles: If you look at your hands and the image of your Grandfather comes to mind, buy this now. Dry, cracked hands (Joe) are nasty. $8  Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream with SPF 30: Ok, so this is really expensive, but once you've had Mohs Surgery on your face, you'll pay anything for the best, daily moisturizer with Broad Spectrum protection. $71  Olaplex No 4 & No 5 Shampoo & Conditioner: Again, pretty expensive, but so worth it—smell and texture is the best, only use a little. $60  Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen: I hate messy, thick, white sunscreen on my face, especially if I have stubble.  This face sunscreen is clear, so perfect if you have any facial hair. $38