If you’re like us, you’ve probably wondered what famous people add to their carts. Not the JAR brooch and Louis XV chair but the hair spray and the electric toothbrush. We asked Scott Stringer — a Democratic candidate running to be New York City’s next mayor — about the glasses wipes, chess board, and coffee sweetener he can’t live without.
Several years ago, I switched from sugar to Sweet ‘N Low and never looked back. I’m not going to argue with those who say it’s unhealthy. There may be consequences, but I’ve made my decision. It used to be made in Brooklyn, and I actually saw it produced in Fort Greene before the factory shut down. When I was a kid, my father would carry packets of Equal in his wallet. Now I do the same with Sweet ‘N Low. There was recently a period when I’d walk into a diner and it wouldn’t be there. Now I buy it by the box so I never run out.
The most important appliance in my kitchen. It has a timer you can pre-program. My wife, Elyse, and I take turns at setting the timer before we go to bed at night. When we forget, it can ruin the whole day. We get up at 5 am and try to have coffee before our kids wake up and the bedlam begins. The Sweet ‘N Low sits right next to the machine.
A cool friend recommended them. They’re great all-purpose sneakers and made in a sustainable way. I have two pairs, black and gray. They’ve been very comfortable on the campaign trail. A lot of my younger staffers wear them, too. They’re cross-generational in that way. How often do you hear about a cross-generational sneaker?
My boys, Max and Miles, are chess kids. I bring this silicone chess board when we travel: It comes with all the pieces, so you just unroll it and you’re good to go. It’s great for parks, libraries, or visiting friends and relatives. I didn’t grow up playing, but I’ve developed a renewed interest through them. Miles, who is 7 years old, is really good. I’ve watched him play online and tried to help him with moves, and he’s like, “Dad, that’s the wrong move because I can have a checkmate in three turns if I do this instead.” He didn’t realize it, but that taught me a good lesson about politics. It’s not just about what’s directly in front of you, there needs to be long-term strategy, too.
Glasses have been part of my life since I was a kid. I got my first pair when I was 10. I’m a Warby Parker person and have been for years. The frames are stylish and reasonably priced. I really like these brown tortoiseshell ones. I’ve worn steel frames that look kind of invisible; these are not like you’re trying to hide them, but they’re also not overbearing. I think they’re very me. I’m just not a contact-lens guy. During the pandemic, I’d have a mask on but people would recognize me because of my glasses. They’d point to them and say, “You’re Scott Stringer!”
I’ve tried a lot of things to clean my glasses, and these wipes are the best. I found out about them from a makeup artist who gave some to me before an appearance on NY1. I asked for more the next time I went on the network because they are that good. Then I realized I wasn’t going on NY1 enough to keep a supply, so I ordered a big box. The wipes don’t leave residue on your lenses and each comes in its own special package.
I try not to eat junk food. Popcorn, they say, doesn’t have as many calories, so I’ve become a popcorn person. I feel better eating it. We have these 100-calorie bags at home. I don’t doctor them up, I like them as is.
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