An all-over-the-place assortment of stood-behind products culled from this very website that appears in the most recent November issue of New York Magazine.
Celebrity Shopping
“There’s nothing more satisfying than cracking open a new notebook. I use this one for everything: songwriting, journaling, scheduling. It has a really nice writing surface that pens don’t bleed through, and I love that there’s a little pocket in the back.”
“I love tea with bergamot. It’s a really nice fragrance, and it makes the tea very tasty with lots of flavor. I drink black tea every morning and even later in the day. I have some green tea, too, but I start with black tea with bergamot.”
This Thing’s Incredible
I happened on this Rescue Spray last year, and it’s the best heat protectant I’ve ever tried. It detangles my towel-dried hair, which would otherwise get tugged by a brush. It fights frizz from the highest temperature settings on my Dyson Supersonic. I can spray it on my hair when it’s dripping wet or almost air-dried with the same result: a blowout that makes me feel like I’m cheating on my hairdresser. And it’s good post-blowout, too. It smooths down flyaways and naughty baby hairs easily. Also, it smells tropical but not in a Jimmy Buffett– tribute-concert way. –Ambar Pardilla
Painless Shopping
Stocking tiny guest soaps is a hosting tradition of yesteryear, but these sugar-wafer soaps might be inventive enough to bring the practice back. I’d give them to a friend in lieu of actual sweets.
It’s rare to find a gift that’s frivolous and luxurious while still budget-friendly. This pewter-cast wishbone fits the bill. It’s ideal for someone in need of a little luck.
This set is just right for a tool minimalist or any person who often tightens things. It’s made
by the woman- owned Chapman Manufacturing in Connecticut.
By now, we all probably know to wear earplugs for protection at loud events, but who else is guilty of not actually doing it? Give these stylish earplugs to your favorite concertgoer.
Because of their sophisticated joinery, these artful cherrywood chopsticks fold flat and can also be used for plucking toast out of the toaster or as tongs.
I Keep Seeing This
I’m generally dismissive of viral “packing hacks,” but I just had to try this sturdy, waterproof backpack, which can be vacuum-sealed to increase its capacity by 50 percent. Watching my clothes quickly condense into a hard, lumpy brick was immensely satisfying. And it enabled me to pack a lot more than I would have otherwise. The mini-vacuum (an extra $129, or you can use a household vacuum) was simple to use and small enough to take on the road. Plus there’s an integrated scale on the handle, so you can see if you’ve surpassed the carry-on weight limit before setting off for the airport. –Katherine Gillespie
Ask a Cool Person
The best board books capture infants’ attention with high-contrast images and silly words. I asked authors and illustrators to share their families’ favorites. –Youngna Park
This is “a tender book about family with beautiful illustrations by Indigenous–First Nations creators,” says illustrator Ruth Chan. The story celebrates the potential of all children and has a soothing cadence.
“It’s just black-and-white images, but it awakens something within an infant’s brain that turns him from a flopping potato into a genius,” says author Bess Kalb of this wordless collection of striking shapes.
Sarah Jacoby, an illustrator and author, recommends a number of books by Gomi, one of Japan’s most prolific children’s-book authors. “They’re sweet, meditative, and not annoying,” Jacoby says. “Amazingly, the meaning grows on each rereading.”
Please Advise
In his latest column, Chris Black responded to a reader in search of a warm hat with a sophisticated aesthetic.
“Based on a ‘surplus-inspired’ watch cap, this wool-and- cashmere beanie keeps your head comfy without expressing anything, which is sometimes the best choice.”
“Aries is one of my favorite London brands. I cannot pull most of it off, but this beanie is an exception. The logo is tonal and embroidered, and the ‘space dye’ gives low-key Missoni.”
“Cable knit feels deeply wintry to me, and this made-in-Scotland beanie will put you in the holiday spirit.”
“I can’t recommend beanies without including streetwear. I love this rolled-edge version, which features the logo in a tasteful chain stitch.”
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.
