Joe Taormina

I'm upgrading from my 17 Pro Max to the iPhone Duo when the promos land — here's the kit I'm building around it: chargers that keep up, a stand for the unfolded screen, and the trade-in prep that protects my credit. The Duo is out now — I'm timing my pickup for the promo window, and everything here either carries over from my 17 Pro Max or gets me ready.

A sneak peek at what Kendra's stocking in Greenish Iowa — her plant shop opening next door to my Trophy Case card shop in Clear Lake in 2027. Her favorites, her care kit, her vibe.

For the person whose windowsills are full and whose wishlist just says 'more plants.' Kendra-vetted, gift-ready, zero plastic-leaf energy.

Everything Kendra actually uses to keep a house (and soon a shop) full of plants alive — pots, soil, lights, and the ten-dollar tool that prevents most plant deaths.

Kendra ran a plant shop — Greenish Iowa in Williamsburg — and she's opening a new one next to my card shop in Clear Lake. These are the starter plants she hands beginners, including the ones that survived ME.

Our home turf. The day trips and small-town stops our family actually makes — German villages, a winery, outlet deals, and one very good meat counter.

We're moving here in 2027 and opening our card shop here — but Clear Lake days are already a family tradition. The lake, the music history, and the small-town gold, from a family of 8.

The satisfying-organization corner of the internet, family-of-8 tested. Everything under $30 — except one splurge I'll flag honestly.

Full disclosure: I'm the dad — Kendra is the quality control. These are the products that actually get reordered in our house, no influencer fluff.

Road-trip range from Williamsburg: lake weekends, game days, and one fancy night in Des Moines. The gear we pack and the doors we'd actually book.

Asked actual teachers. The mug era is over — here's what they really keep, use, and love.

Iowa's state parks are criminally underrated. Our family's camping kit for Pikes Peak, Backbone, and beyond.

Eight people, finite square feet. Every win here is earned.

Whether it's a client walkthrough or my own driveway — these tools pay rent in every garage.

Feeding 8 people without daily store runs — the pantry backbone we buy in bulk and never let run dry.

Tested in a house with 6 kids and zero mercy. These are the ones still standing.

Our laundry room processes more loads than a hotel. The gear and systems that keep 8 people's clothes moving.

The setup that ended homework chaos at our table — supplies, station, and systems for six students.

Our youngest is 3 and rules the house. Toys and gear that survive toddler life — and older siblings.

I've got a 19 and a 17-year-old. These gifts landed — no eye rolls, I verified.

Why drop $100 at the theater for a family of 8? Our home movie night setup, perfected over years.

Six kids means six birthdays a year here. Great parties, sane budgets — here's the playbook.

Six kids, six supply lists, one cart. How we do back-to-school without the chaos or the credit card hangover.

From a husband and dad of 6 — gifts that say thanks better than a grocery-store bouquet.

I'm a Realtor AND a dad of 6 — I've moved families and been moved. This is the kit I wish every client had.

Hawkeye or Cyclone, parking-lot season is serious business in Iowa. Gear up right.

Counter space is precious with 8 people. These gadgets earn theirs — everything else got donated.