Do you avoid certain household staples? We do—and it turns out many others do as well. Experts now suggest some familiar items could eventually disappear from the modern home. In this episode we explore how typical homes and everyday contents are changing, discuss the comforts we’ve decided to live without (one is a bit strange, I admit), and share the story of the best spring-break rental we’ve ever booked. We also talk about traveling with kids, a dog and lots of gear—how we packed, flew and managed car seats and a crate—plus why your garage might be holding things it shouldn’t.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio or Spotify — or listen below. Use this page to find the links, notes and photos we mention. Note: if you’re in a feed reader you may need to open the post to see the player.
What’s New
- This spring we stayed at a highly recommended vacation rental in Pompano Beach, Florida (just north of Fort Lauderdale). The listing’s claim of a five-minute walk to the beach wasn’t accurate for us, but we still loved the place—parking was easy and affordable, and it proved to be a great, family-friendly base for our trip.
- If you’re curious about dining with history, we visited Cap’s Place, a century-old restaurant with a long list of famous guests and a memorable approach: you take a small boat to reach it. It added a fun, unique moment to our vacation.
- We’ve linked to last year’s spring-break episode in Cape Canaveral for anyone who wants a comparison. That rental was also nice but was on a shared property, so it felt less private than the Pompano house.
- Traveling with a dog on the plane was smoother than expected—our pup, Burger, traveled in his carrier under the seat and turned out to be one of our favorite travel companions on the trip.
- Special thanks to friends and fellow bloggers who offered travel tips and encouragement before we left; their advice helped calm our nerves and streamline packing for a child, a pet and a lot of gear.
What’s Not
- Is your garage a safe, organized storage space? There are a number of items you should avoid storing in the garage—flammable materials, certain electronics, and anything that can be damaged by heat or humidity are a few examples. Clearing these items can reduce risk and free up usable space.
- We store our cordless electric lawn mower in the garage, which works well for us because it’s designed for indoor storage and doesn’t present the same risks as gasoline-powered equipment.
- Keeping a fire extinguisher in the garage is smart and practical. If you don’t already have one close by, add it to your list of safety essentials.
What Millennials Are “Killing”
There’s an ongoing conversation about how younger generations are reshaping consumer habits and household priorities. From traditional bed frames and nightstands to certain linens and decorative items, many products that once felt essential are being rethought. Business and lifestyle outlets have compiled lists of items that appear to be falling out of favor, and the rise of minimalism and practical design choices is a big part of that shift.
One specific debate that keeps popping up is the top sheet. A surprising number of people are skipping it—parents included—because removing a single quilt or duvet for washing is easier than wrestling with sheets and a duvet cover every week. For busy families, simplifying bedding routines can make mornings noticeably smoother.
For a deeper look at these trends, we referenced several articles and earlier podcast episodes where guests and listeners share strategies for simpler, more intentional living and easier daily routines.
We’re Digging
- Crafts that actually work: we finally tried MarvelBeads—the kits expand and produce marble-sized beads that are easier to handle than we expected. We still have a lot left from the first bag because they take up less space as they grow, and they’ve become a hit with kids for birthday gifts.
- On the novelty front, items like the Orbeez Foot Spa are entertaining conversation pieces. If you’ve tried one, we’d love to know how it held up.
- For reading on the plane, we devoured a few dark, compelling thrillers that were perfect for travel: The Couple Next Door, Final Girls, and The Girl Before. If you enjoy tense, twist-driven fiction, those were our top picks for the trip.
If you want to find recommendations we’ve shared in previous episodes, check our master list of favorites from past shows. It’s a handy resource when you can’t remember which episode included a particular product or idea.
Finally, thanks to HANDy Paint Products for sponsoring this episode. If you have a painting project coming up, we recommend their paint cup with a magnetic brush holder and their easy-to-move paint tray—small tools that make painting faster and less messy.
Thanks for listening and following along. If you enjoyed the episode, consider subscribing so you don’t miss future discussions about modern home trends, travel tips and practical design ideas.
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