“Strategist Brain” is a series where staffers share the stores they’ve stopped into, stuff they’ve spotted, and extra tidbits from stories they’ve worked on. You’ll hear from a different writer every week.
Like lots of other people, I’m feeling thrifty this January, but somehow this didn’t extend to books. Those are the only things I purchased in earnest this month, with the caveat that a bulk of them came from the sale section at Book Culture. The 114th Street Book Culture location has a superb sale section. There are deep discounts on books I already have on my shelf or would otherwise read. For some context, I bought nine books for around $120, and two of those were full price. I have also discovered the magic of Thriftbooks and gotten over my used-book phobia, which stems from not liking the smell of old books (I know, I know). These two changes have opened up my reading horizons considerably and saved me hundreds of dollars in the process.
Here’s everything else I’ve seen recently …
The main thing on my mind has been our dining area. My wife and I went from a household of three to two over the past year (our longtime college roommate moved into another unit in our building), and after a few months, we realized we no longer needed a six-person dining table. We have since downsized to a smaller circular table with an expandable leaf (I need the potential of a six-person table without the consistent commitment to it). I’m excited for the extra space but now feel the itch to completely redecorate that area. Do we go for banquette seating? Freestanding chairs? A mix of both?
I like this banquette from West Elm, which has the same look as the brand’s Shelter sofa but adapted for a dining bench. It’s nice that it’s endlessly customizable, has storage, and is available in a range of velvet fabrics (I have cats).
Crate & Barrel also has a nice banquette, though the fabric options are limited. I like the shape of this one a little more; the Shelter model feels boxy in comparison — more sofalike. My couch and dining area are in the same space, so it feels a little less like the two pieces are having a staring contest.
If money were no object, I’d buy this Sixpenny dining bench, which feels like it would be at home in a nicely appointed boutique hotel in a warm locale or at a restaurant emulating that place’s cuisine. Either way, I’m into it, and I love the massive circle pillow detail. The low-back profile is also nice and isn’t too visually heavy.
On the chair front, I’ve been keeping my eye on Facebook Marketplace. I love the Rey chairs but don’t want to pay anywhere close to full price. They’ve also become slightly ubiquitous. I don’t mind a popular chair or silhouette, especially if it’s to my taste, but I’m still trying to work through whether I actually like them. I’m also pinning lots of brutalist chairs from designers like Michel Milleret and Molteni. I like the combination of leather and wood but not the price. So far, I haven’t found anything that won’t bankrupt me, but I can dream. If all else fails, I may just buy this Ivar chair from Ikea, which has a nice silhouette but is, admittedly, not very exciting.
A friend is having a prom-themed birthday party in a few weeks (it’s the year when everyone turns 30), and I’m thinking of buying a new dress. I don’t want to spend too much money, and I want to wear it again. I’ve been eyeing this yellow dress from Abiola Olusola, which has an interesting neckline and a fun hem.
This Banana Republic dress is also a strong contender. I love the color and can imagine wearing it well after the event.
I’ve been wanting a 100 percent cotton sweater, badly, and have been eyeing Babaà’s No. 16 sweater. Fellow Strategist writer Dominique Pariso is a fan, and after seeing it practically everywhere, I’m feeling deeply influenced.
The Babaà is superexpensive, though, so I’m also considering this one from Everlane, which comes in more neutral (read: less exciting) colors but has a nice shape.
Another open tab: this sweater from Gap. The brand has been increasingly popular lately — especially among Strategist staffers (we love CashSoft). I like the boxy shape of this one and the pop of red.
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.
