Garages are wonderful things. So much so that they’re a non-negotiable addition on many a home buyer’s list. Not only do they provide private protected parking, but they also give you the option to expand your living space or even just simply store "stuff". In an age where we’re growing out of our homes like there’s no tomorrow, that’s a sure plus. Unfortunately for those of you who might be looking at that space out back that hasn't been used in ages... watch out! There may be some unexpected surprises waiting for you in there...

For many of us, our wedding day was one of the best days of our lives. We were young and in love and everything seemed perfect - but in reality, most of us guys probably weren't as understanding or helpful to our brides as we should have been. There were things we did wrong or should have simply done more of. While I am happily married now and can't imagine having to do things over again - other friends of ours are planning second weddings and this gives them a new chance to do things differently.

Last month I got invited to drive two new Mazda's in San Diego - the CX-5 and the MX-5 RF. After weeks of counting down the days till I could get behind the wheel, when I saw the itinerary I was crushed to see that I'd be sitting in design seminars for as much (maybe more?) time than we'd actually be behind the wheel. Nothing quite made sense. After all, this was a car launch event and driving matters... right? After some initial disappointment though I decided to simply make the best of the situation and try to learn something. I'm glad I did! While there was the minutia of how many bushings were created and how sound were avoided by adding an extra micron of padding here and there, the ultimate takeaway was something greater. Mazda guys really live and breath a design philosophy that quite frankly has created some of the finest cars in the industry today. 

All too often, I simply just throw a toothbrush and a few other items into my backpack and away I go for a quick trip. That works for a guys weekend, but when you are headed out somewhere fun with that special person in your life, it's important to put a bit more thought into packing. Here's some toiletry kit essentials that you need to pack to ensure the perfect /romantic-getaway.

As you know, we absolutely love the Travel Backpack from Standard Luggage that we received earlier this month. It's a great addition to our travel gear, but the person behind it is even more interesting. It's not often that we get to talk with the guys who actually create great stuff. After chatting with Ryan a bit through email it became clear that he was more than just a guy who saw a niche in the marketplace. Instead, while he is clearly a business person creating an awesome product he's doing it out of his personal passions, and experience as a seasoned traveler too.

I've tested a LOT of luggage over the years and most of it falls into pretty conventional categories and the result ends up simply being an aestetic choice determining which I use. Then there are those "innovators" that seem cool but simply fall flat. When I was approached by Standard Luggage to do a review of their new Travel Backpack during some upcoming trips I was a bit skeptical but I'm usually willing to give something a chance if it fits a need I genuinely am looking to fill. 

I'm a huge fan of electric vehicles. The promise of emissions free car travel that is both quick and quiet is something of a dream for simply cruising down the road and enjoying a beautiful landscape. Unfortunately, until recently EVs were expensive, had limited range, and in many cases were "Electric Vehicles" as opposed to cars powered by electric motors. That last point is a subtle distinction but an important one. While I enjoyed the promise of cars like the Kia Soul EV and the Mitsubishi iMIEV they were really products designed for a limited audience. With the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Chevy is offering a car that doesn't sacrifice anything.

Volvo as a brand is synonymous with safety, but until recently I didn't necessarily associate it with luxury - I simply just associated safety and European with being expensive. Things have changed over the past few years with the brand however. It is no longer a subsidiary of Ford and their new Chinese owners have provided the Swedish engineers and designers with the freedom to take the brand to the next level. As they go through the transition, various models are at different points on the spectrum - with the XC90 that I absolutely am in love with at one end and the V60 not quite as far down the path of modern luxury.

When it comes to gift giving, sometimes those over-the-top items are just perfect and so we were excited to test out the Oral-B Genius electric toothbrush. Never in my life did I expect to ever be the owner of a toothbrush that connected to my camera through Bluetooth so it could monitor my brushing pasterns, but here we are... thanks Oral-B! At $249.99, this isn't the cheapest item on our gift list for guys but it is a perfect idea for someone who wants to combine smart home technology with looking great.

Every so often, something new comes along and knocks the order of things a bit off its existing axis. That's sort of how I felt when I first experienced Kam's Chili Sauce. The brand offered to send me a few jars and so I said yes... not really knowing what or why I agreed to test it out but they just got lucky that day I guess. Honestly, it sat on my counter for a while as I tried to think of what I would do with it... they said it goes great on seafood, that it can be used as a sauce for cooking or even as a condiment. Last night though I decided to try it on my wings for a different taste than my normal classic Frank's wing sauce and I was impressed.

Roku sent me one of their Roku Ultra units to test out on a trip, so I was excited to give it a whirl! Hotel TV's and cable packages have gotten a lot better in the past few years. As a kid I remember getting excited to see the "Free HBO!" sign, while today you generally see a large flat screen TV in your room with a moderate assortment of channels to help you relax before bed. The problem here though is exactly why so many people (including me) are cutting cable from our own homes. It's the programming. Unfortunately, there's very little that the hotels and resorts can do aside from what some have graciously done by providing accessible HDMI and other ports. This allows me to bring my own content and cut the cord when I travel.

To many people "turkey" is just basic - bland, dry, and not that exciting.  but I like to take things over the top and experiment a bit. So that's what I did here with an innovative twist on the classic breakfast sandwich.

I recently got a chance to check out an innovative new product that's a cross between a hoverboard and a skateboard but it's equally fun on pavement as it is on trails out in the woods. Sound fun? Let's check it out!

If you are going to get dad a corkscrew for Father's Day then you had better get him a damn good one. Luckily the Vinturi Vertical Lever Corkscrew falls into that category and I'm thrilled to have it as part of my permanent bar tools collection now!

Too often in life we are told to conform so that we can fit in but luckily there are people who reject that notion places where we can buck that trend and have a blast doing it. 

Safety razors have recorded a comeback into the mainstream world thanks to their high quality and durability. Business professionals prefer shaving with a safety razor instead of choosing disposable products that eventually fail regarding shaving quality. Since the average man travels at least once a year due to work or personal life, you’ll find a new challenge in searching for suitable safety razor travel cases.

In case you haven't noticed, Holiday shopping season is officially here and almost every woman I talk to is looking for great gift ideas for the men in their lives. From husbands to their dads and even sons, this can be a confusing time but I have some great gift ideas that I'd like to share on behalf of Babble Box who sent me some products to share with you guys. If you agree that these are some great gift ideas, then just share this page with your female friends and help a brother out!

Remember back in high school - or your last cruise - when you might have been suspected of sneaking vodka disguised in a water bottle? Well that's the premise here too. It's a gimmick plain and simple but luckily the water bottles are actually well designed and have great visual appeal as well.

Eating healthy never looked (or tasted) so good! This is a quick and easy alternative to a bowl of ice cream this summer, as well as being a great way to start your morning off right.

Fogo de Chao is hands down one of my favorite restaurants. Not only do you get a never-ending parade of meats but the place is fun and imaginative when it comes to creating seasonal updates to the menu. We were invited to check out their new Spring Menu this week, so how could I resist when it includes three new cocktails to try!