We write about hundreds of products each week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, we’ve plucked some of our recent favorites: expert-recommended essentials, life-changing stuff you didn’t know you needed, newly launched gizmos, and very good deals we uncovered while trawling through the vast online-shopping universe — including the best one-size-fits-most swimsuit, a compact kit our tech writer uses to create a mobile office, and the homemade gelée that had the Strategist staff Slack group abuzz.
The portable pop-up desk our tech writer brings to coffee shops
If you need a break from your home office but can’t find a portable setup to bring to a coffee shop, our tech writer Jordan McMahon uncovered a useful and elegant solution known as the Logitech Casa. The Casa — a case that comes with a wireless keyboard and trackpad that stows away inside — can be converted into a laptop stand, which supports models with screens up to 17 inches. “I rarely work on my laptop without an external monitor solely because I hate hunching over my screen, so the Casa’s lift is a welcome adjustment that makes even a cramped bistro table feel like an adequate desk for getting through an hour or two of writing,” McMahon says.
Gina Gershon’s wearable phone case
When we spoke to actress Gina Gershon about her favorite things, she told us about this handy phone case, which can double as a card case. Gershon says it’s great when she doesn’t want to carry a purse, like when she’s hiking or just running into a store. “Mine’s black with gold studs, but I’m thinking of getting another one in white,” she says.
The one-size-fits-most crinkle swimsuit that one writer would buy again and again
Our senior writer Liza Corsillo tested five one-size-fits-most swimsuits this summer, and Love & Bikini’s Marbella one-piece ended up being her favorite. Also referred to as “crinkle” swimsuits, these styles feature accordion-like fabric that can stretch several times beyond their original shape, allowing them to fit “most” sizes. “I love how it ever so slightly supports my belly and bust so that I feel lifted up while still feeling like myself,” Corsillo writes. While it’s on the pricier side, she says the swimsuit is worth it for the combination of fit, durability, and comfort.
A bartender-approved citrus juicer
Cocktail expert and writer John deBary rounded up the essential items for stocking a bar cart, from the best jigger and cocktail strainer to some nonobvious products, like this citrus juicer. Compared to a juicing machine, a citrus juicer like this one should provide leverage to extract as much juice as possible and that also allows oils that are released from the skin to make their way into the juice, providing an extra dimension of flavor, he explains.
The “heating pad on steroids” our writer gifted her partner (who’s a professional athlete)
Recovery is constantly on the mind of former Division I runner and Strategist writer Brenley Goertzen, whose partner Connor is a professional athlete. To help him bounce back after practice and games, Goertzen gifted Connor Hyperice’s Venom 2 Back, which she describes as “a heating pad on steroids.” The neoprene wrap swaddles your midsection and can ease muscle tension, decrease soreness, and loosen knots. (It works so well that Goertzen can’t resist borrowing it for herself most days.)
Linen long-sleeved T-shirt for sailing around the Greek islands
In our latest edition of Steal My Vacation, we heard from writer Chadner Navarro, who visited Greece to celebrate his 40th birthday with ten close friends. His weeklong trip included sailing days, seaside tavernas, beach goats — and this long-sleeved T-shirt, which he says might be his favorite clothing item from his packing list. “The linen is so soft and comfortable; it drapes beautifully, too,” he explains.
A low-pH cleanser that won’t strip your skin of moisture
If you missed last week’s edition of The Strategist Beauty Brief, each of our beauty writers shared their can’t-live-without cleansers. Our writer Arielle Avila started using CosRc’s gel-based formula back in 2022, and she still returns to it any time her skin is breaking out or feeling dehydrated. “My skin never feels tight after washing, which isn’t the case with most other cleansers,” she says, adding that any time it’s on sale, she buys it in bulk.
Light-as-air baby tee
In our new Best in Class post covering the best black T-shirts for women, we named this our favorite semi-sheer baby tee. Made by Copenhagen-based brand Organic Basics, the lightweight top is ideal for layering or wearing on its own thanks to a blend of cotton and elastane. Goertzen, who’s been testing it for more than a month now, says the semi-sheer fabric is super soft and stretchy. “I regularly throw it on while lounging around at home,” she says.
The nonstick frying pan approved by multiple professional chefs
Made In’s stainless-steel frying pans got the stamp of approval from Top Chef season-six star Jen Carroll in our roundup of the best induction cookware. That’s because the pans distribute heat evenly, are oven-safe up to 500°F, and have a professional-grade nonstick coating that won’t flake off or lose its slip over time. Our senior editor Kiki Aranita, who’s also a professional chef, is another fan and says, “The Made In pan is my go-to for frying eggs on induction because they always turn out perfectly, with crisp and not burnt edges.”
Fancy jelly you can make at home
And finally, our staff Slack channel was abuzz over the newly launched brand Gelée, which we featured in this week’s installment of Don’t DillyDally. Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla tried several flavors but was a big fan of guava because it reminds her of the refreshing guava juice she drank as a kid.
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.
