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In many cases, we try these items, review them in an article, and then move on to the next job; the Internet economy is a fast-paced business. But some of these items work their way into our daily lives, and as we begin to use them outside the framework of reviewing for a post, we find a new appreciation for them.
Thus, we decided to put together a list of the items that stood out to us a bit beyond our initial reviews. If you've come to trust our opinions on products and brands, this is where we'll share a bit about the items that have worked their way into our lives outside of the scope of our jobs.
Have a look at some of the things we can't get enough of this week:
I’m helping my mom set up her new condo, and while it’s her space, I’ve told her there are certain things she needs to have around. Chief among them, surge protectors. A bunch of surge protectors. I’ve had some bad experiences with plugging my electronics directly into outlets , and while her place is way nicer than my college dorm, it’s better to be safe than sorry. The surge protector I always buy is this 12-outlet model from Belkin. It’s pretty basic, but nobody buys products like this for the frills. I have two in my apartment right now, and they're more than enough to protect all of my important electronics. If you’re crossing your fingers every time you plug something into an outlet, do yourself a favor and pick one of these up. The peace of mind alone is worth the price. Belkin 12-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector, $25.91
Pillows are among the things just about all people own and use every day but don't replace ( or wash) as often as they should. I'm guilty of keeping mine well past their expiration date, and my sleep has almost definitely suffered as a result. The average lifespan of a pillow is only about 18 to 24 months. If yours are looking saggy, deflated, lumpy, or all of the above, it may be time for replacements. And for replacements, I can't recommend Brooklinen's pillows enough. I’ve been using Brooklinen’s plush and mid-plush down pillows for about seven months now, and I like them a lot. The mid-plush are my favorite. They’re super versatile and great for people who don’t exclusively sleep on their back, side, or stomach, but move around a lot at night. They're a little bit of everything, in a good way. You can find my full review of them here, but suffice to say they're well worth the money. (And Brooklinen also carries down-alternative options.) Brooklinen Standard Plus Down Pillow, $89 Brooklinen Standard Mid-Plus Down Pillow, $69
I’ve already written about my love for the All Day Every Day Pant from Public Rec in this space before, but since then, the brand has expanded its collection, and I’m digging the new gear just as much. Specifically, the Crosstown Bomber Jacket is a new favorite. It’s casual style is similar to that of the All Day Every Day Pant — it’s not something I would wear to an important meeting, but it’s great for around the house, after-work errands, and long train rides home for the holidays. With the cold weather coming quickly and my apartment already agreeing to do what we can to conserve heat and with it our electric bill, I have a feeling I will be getting to know my Crosstown Bomber extremely well in the coming weeks. Public Rec Crosstown Bomber Jacket, $128
The Farmer's Almanac is predicting this winter will be colder than last year, so I'm making it a point to stock up on warm pieces. I recently received MeUndies' new French terry joggers and they do not disappoint. Unlike the brand's lounge pants, which are a team favorite, these joggers are thicker and feel more like a super-soft sweatshirt than a pair of underwear. I've worn these to the gym a couple times, and while they keep me warm outside, they're lightweight enough so I'm not overheated on the elliptical. Above all, I love the fit. The tapered legs will make it easy to stuff these into my snow boots and the comfortable drawstring waist will come in handy after next week's Thanksgiving feast. MeUndies Women's French Terry Jogger Pants, $70
MeUndies Men's French Terry Jogger Pants, $70
Many portable cook stoves require you to lug a big box of fuel, take a long time to build a fire, and are difficult to clean. But the BioLite Cook Stove is everything your portable cook stove isn't. It's a top-loading thermoelectric generator that uses wood and other organic materials as its fuel source — and produces smokeless flames that are free of fossil fuels. I was surprised to find that, despite its small size, it could build an impressive fire in a matter of minutes. I've used it to cook steaks, roast marshmallows, and to even keep warm on cooler summer evenings. Another highlight is its USB cable output. I can charge my devices while I use the cook stove, which is amazing. BioLite Cook Stove, $79.95
One of my least favorite parts about the holidays and winter is that it becomes shockingly easy to get lazy and gain weight. The tool I use to combat that tendency is the ProSource pull up bar . I leave it hanging on a doorway in my apartment and use it at least five days a week. I believe that pull ups and push ups are the perfect exercises, so I make sure to do a few sets of each every day. This isn't enough to stay trim after you eat an entire turkey, but it certainly helps. Regular body weight exercise maintains muscle mass, which burns more calories than the fat that replaces it after too many marathon Netflix sessions, and having to walk under it everyday reminds me to do it. I like this one because it has variable grips, so I can switch things up to keep it a little more interesting. ProSource Multi-Grip Chin-Up/Pull-Up Bar, $22.99