An all-over-the-place assortment of stood-behind products culled from this very website that appears in the most recent February issue of New York Magazine.
Best in Class
After attempting to rest on around 40 different mattresses, the Strategist team named the Saatva Classic its ultimate favorite. Sleep writer Amelia Jerden was struck by its gentle “on top of the bed” feel, luxe organic-cotton cover, and quilted Euro top. She also appreciates that it’s not an all-foam bed-in-a-box and has two different kinds of innersprings, which give it a strong, responsive foundation and a supportive sleeping surface. Complimentary white-glove delivery comes with every purchase: A crew brought the mattress straight into her home and offered to haul her old one away for free.
Celebrity Shopping
“I am always in the Caribbean and often in the sun. When I don’t put SPF on my face, I tend to tan unevenly and get little patches on my cheeks. I love this lotion because it has SPF 30 in it. It feels really lightweight and moisturizes my skin.”
“I don’t cook—I warm up. This is my device of choice because it’s better than
a microwave. It can air-fry and make toast, but I mostly use it to warm up food that I’ve ordered. The food gets a little crisp. I put the oven on for ten minutes and walk away and then—boom. Perfect.”
“My wife and I have our coffee together every single morning. The taste grounds me and gives me something to get excited about. I like Verve’s single-origin coffees from Ethiopia and Kenya. Verve also does special varieties. It can be expensive, but I’ll buy a couple bags and use them on special occasions.”
The Hunt
I went searching for unusual gold, silver, and platinum pieces that don’t cost more than $500—and that make for a particularly thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift. –Ambar Pardilla
The itty-bitty diamond ring is inspired by one that designer Susan Highsmith gave to a childhood crush.
You can always spot a Ted Muehling original, whether it’s a rice kernel or a berry made from amethyst, chrysoprase, turquoise, carnelian, citrine, or chalcedony.
These are the tiniest renditions of Anthony Lent’s Man in the Moon.
Strategist Roundtable
The Strategist team discussed whether a glaring overhead ever belongs in the mix (and what should replace it).
Dominique Pariso, writer: I’m ashamed to admit it, but I’m a Big Light person. I can’t see! My roommate comes home every day and turns the Big Light off.
Alexis Swerdloff, deputy editor: I’m always turning on 893 little lights, and my husband saunters in and turns on the Big Light. I wander around like Ebenezer Scrooge with the Hay PC Portable Lamp.
Bella Druckman, junior writer: I’ve recently become intrigued by Tulip Gem Bark Shades to make my ugly Big Lights more bearable.
Liza Corsillo, senior writer: I love Tulips! I had to change my lightbulbs after installing them, though, because it was too dark. I still need more lamps to even things out.
Emma Wartzman, kitchen and dining writer: I have the Crate & Barrel Weave Natural Floor Lamp, which is one of the best purchases I’ve ever made—I needed something in a small corner.
Crystal Martin, senior editor: I have the warm, low Ikea Trådfri smart bulbs in my overhead in a clear shade, so I do turn it on.
Compulsive Shopping
It’s outerwear that doesn’t scream “outdoors,” and the collar adds a touch of texture to an otherwise simple layer. Here are six that I wear on rotation. –Jeremy Rellosa
I got this one at a thrift store when I was in college, and I call it my George Costanza jacket. I love the boxy fit.
This comes with a wool liner that has polyester sleeves.
It’s not a particularly thick jacket, but it’s warm enough for overcast spring days.
Barbour jackets look better when they’re worn in, so I bought mine from a second- hand seller in Europe. I wear it in wind and rain, to work, and to nicer events.
I have this one in three colors, but I wear the brown most. The sherpa lining is plenty warm for cool spring and fall weather.
Like the classic Eddie Bauer jacket this one has a dropped, unstructured shoulder and semi-cropped length.
This Thing’s Incredible
No one feels amazing after
breathing airplane air for
several hours, but I’m a
professional vocalist and the
resulting scratchy throat can
render me unable to do my
job. The HumidiFlyer mask
purports to keep voices moist in even the driest airplane cabins, and to my delight, it made an instant difference for me. The mask’s design retains moisture while allowing the rest of your breath to escape. I can now fly and audition on the same day without issues. While the extra germ-cautious (including myself ) should use an N95 in flu season, I plan to return to my HumidiFlyer when the germs subside. –Kristen Gornstein as told to Michael Zhao
Ask a Cool Person
Recipe developer Caroline Chambers bought two sets for a party and then adapted them as her everyday plates. “They look like pretty ceramics,” she says. “Not a single chip, and I’ve used them exclusively for two years.”
Christene Barberich, author of the newsletter A Tiny Apt., says this stackable melamine dinnerware is useful if you entertain often because you can fit a lot of it in a small cabinet. These plates have been in production for over 60 years.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
