Posts Written by Vic Arkoff

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 EV swept the 2022 New York Auto Show awards. This week Hyundai did it again with the IONIQ 6 and unveiled the IONIQ 5 Disney100 Platinum Concept car, the first-ever collaboration between Disney Imagineering and an automaker. A limited-edition production version will commemorate Disney’s 100th anniversary.

Have you joined the adult coloring book cult yet? Steven Rhodes’ wickedly funny drawings will have you reaching for your crayons to color kid-unfriendly parodies such as Death Metal Sing-Along, Alien Abduction Club, and Here Comes the Apocalypse, plus warped activities like occult career selector paper dolls.

For two consecutive years, our favorite NY Auto Show moment has been the concept reveal at Genesis House. This week the Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept blew us away, not only for its sporty profile, Magma paint, and carbon-fiber-shelled Recaro seats, but because this is no pipe dream: a tweaked version will be produced next year.

Mujjo’s all-weather Portfolio keeps the new MacBook Pro and other 16″ laptops organized and protected. More than a sleeve, the zip-top main compartment has a laptop section, access for charging, a magnetic side opening for cords and other accessories, and an expandable opening for bulkier items like your charger.

The MoonShade portable canopy does a great job setting up camp by using your SUV, truck, van, or RV as an anchor. When you need more shade, protection, and privacy, attach a MoonWall tarp to create an extra windbreak, screen, or drizzle barrier. Add more 7 ft. or 9 ft. MoonWalls to create a fully enclosed space.

St. Patrick’s Day is one holiday when people usually don’t show much restraint when it comes to imbibing, so the concept of the World’s Smallest Irish Coffee is a fun novelty… and an authentic one at that, when made for a crowd with triple-distilled Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey.

An instant classic, Kaenon’s high-clarity Rockaway sunglasses feature a lightweight frame in three mod colorways. Handcrafted in Japan, their SR-91 lenses rival the clarity of glass and are more scratch and impact resistant than glass or polycarbonate. Recessed nose pads discreetly keep the Rockaway in place.

Love Yellowstone, Zion, and the Great Smoky Mountains? Wear your heart on your pants with Arcade’s National Parks belts saluting six iconic parks with patches shaped like Ranger badges. They have a comfy stretch band and a TSA-friendly metal-free buckle to keep your pants from falling down at the airport.

Socks are optional in Deckers X Lab’s Ko-Z Chukka SDE 2, a softly-cushioned desert boot-sneaker hybrid. The comfy, water-repellant suede mid-rise is padded at the heel and midsole, and the perforated leather lining lets your tootsies breathe. Removable insoles provide extra ahh, while the rocker sole boosts every step.

A beautiful, teal-colored bottle of Italicus classes up any home bar, and the sophisticated liqueur inside effortlessly steps up your happy hour game. Created by Italian spirits authority Giuseppe Gallo, this aperitif features keynotes of Calabrian bergamot, making it our latest go-to for elevated spritzes and margaritas.

Whether it’s carried over your shoulder or as a crossbody, the waterproof Troubadour Sling Compact keeps gear organized and accessible. The main compartment is long enough for a 500ml water bottle, but the real game changer here is the quick-release Fidlock magnetic buckle that almost effortlessly latches back into place.

This chic little bag makes a huge difference in keeping you organized. Instead of tossing all your EDC accessories in a backpack pocket (AKA “the black hole”), the Mujjo Tech Kit compactly carries a laptop cable, mouse, phone, phone charger, EarPods, and pen. Opens flat for easy access. For more space, try the Tech Case.

Happy hour just got more competitive with Jigsaw Duel Cocktail Clash, a puzzling (and guzzling) game for two. Each player gets their own 70-piece puzzle — a Manhattan or a tiki concoction — to simultaneously try and complete before the winner grabs the final, double-sided piece that fits both puzzles. Best played while imbibing.

Indian Motorcycle’s evolution of the Chief keeps wowing us. The 2023 Sport Chief is an aggressive V-Twin performance cruiser with impeccable styling, lots of options, and top components, including Fox shocks, KYB inverted front forks, Dual-Disc Brembo Brakes, and a 4” Ride Command touchscreen.

Humanscale’s award-winning Trea chair by designer Todd Bracher is a masterclass in form-meets-function. Inspired by a lobster’s exoskeleton, it cradles the sitter in a supportive shell while its mechanism allows parts to move in harmony with the body without manual settings. Available in three leg variants.

Is there an end in sight for celebrity-owned spirits brands? Nope. Music producer-rapper Polow Da Don has twiddled the knobs for Christina Aguilera, Rihana, Usher, etc., and recently introduced YoCo Vodka, an all-natural, gluten-free spirit that uses activated carbon to create some bomb-diggity hooch.

We’ve always had a soft spot for hard ginger beers and ales when it comes to mixers for whiskey cocktails. The sharper, the better. Made in Brooklyn in a cold-press process using more than 200 pounds of fresh ginger per batch, Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur immediately earned the appreciation of our grateful tastebuds.

’Tis the season for instant cocktails that don’t leave us cold. Mix up a warming Hot Buttered Rum, Vodka Apple Pie, or Whiskey Hot Toddy in a flash with Cutwater Heaters concentrated high-proof mixers. No mixology skills needed. Just add hot water and curl up by the fire.

With a secret recipe remaining unchanged since its creation 136 years ago, Amaro Montenegro is an Italian bitter herbal liqueur featuring 40 botanicals from around the world. It’s a pleasant digestif for sipping after dinner and a versatile cocktail ingredient to replace the usual spirits in classic concoctions.

An Italian room with a view is a sure thing at this Airbnb Plus treehouse rental on an olive farm in rural Galluzzo, Tuscany. Located just 20 minutes outside of Florence, the private agrotourismo gem has a wrap-around deck, antique stove, chalkboard walls, and access to the main house’s tennis courts and pool.

Mr Black liqueur has the cold brew and espresso martini trends covered with its bittersweet blend of top-grade Arabica coffees and Australian wheat vodka. A unique cold extraction and slow-drip method creates a bold and balanced liqueur. Coffee lovers get a double java jolt with Mr Black’s Espresso Martini cocktail.

Ojai, California artist Beatrice “Beato” Wood (AKA “the Mama of Dada”) was a free spirit who lived 105 years, attributing her longevity to “chocolate… and young men.” In her honor, Ojai’s Porch Gallery hand makes a seductive Beato Chocolate Bars range featuring Beato’s ribald illustrations. Naughty, yet very nice.

We love opening those little doors on advent calendars for sweet surprises. Eight Days of Spirits’ windows hide artisanal cocktail mixers and barrel-aged bitters by Woodford Reserve and Williams Sonoma. Festive faves include Orange, Chocolate and Cherry Bitters, and Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, and Spiced Apple.