please advise

Introducing Our New Strategist Shopping Columnist … Wendi McLendon-Covey

Storage solutions, sleep aids, and travel outfits.

Wendi McLendon-Covey isn’t just a comedian and performer. As we discovered in her What I Can’t Live Without, she’s a savvy shopper, too. Now, the Goldbergs, Bridesmaids, and Reno 911! actress is also a Strategist columnist, tackling your burning questions about what to buy and where to buy it. Welcome to Dear Wendi Mc-C.

Do you have a question for Wendi? Leave a comment or email us at strategist@nymag.com.

Dear Wendi,
My bathroom storage situation is a mess; one tiny medicine cabinet and not much room for anything else. Do you have any ideas for storage that aren’t totally hideous?

Hmm … that’s a tricky one because the wrong storage solution in a small bathroom will make you feel as if the walls are closing in on you. How about installing several shallow floating shelves with baskets to hide the clutter?

Wayfair has cool floating shelves in just about every price point. You could try something very traditional and understated like these.

If you prefer something more rustic, there’s also this one that’s got an unfinished quality.

But let’s say you’re looking for something other than floating shelves. Let’s talk storage baskets. I always have good luck at Target with home accessories by Threshold, which you can get in both wicker and wire. I think the best effect is when you have a mix of both.

I recently purchased a few different long, narrow baskets of different depths; one tall enough to hold my hair products, a shallow one to hold my hair brushes, and a few others for little accessories I’d like to keep under wraps.

I’d say start with as few as you think you’ll need and build around that (you’ll be surprised how many you’ll end up wanting). Happy organizing!

Dear Wendi,
What are the best breathable clothes to wear on longish flights to be comfortable, but not a slob? I find myself traveling a lot recently, but wearing jeans isn’t quite the ideal situation on a transatlantic flight!

Jeans on a transatlantic flight?! Sounds like pure torture to me. We all know the importance of looking pulled-together at the airport because, let’s face it: You get treated better and your chance of getting an upgrade is greater when you’re dressed well. But, of course, comfort is important, too, and I personally am paranoid about getting varicose veins from long flights, so I always wear compression socks and leggings when I fly.

Here’s a good solution to solve both of those problems: moto-leggings from Spanx, which are so comfortable, actually stylish (the sheen on the faux-leather gives them this kind of rocker look), and keep the fluid from pooling at your ankles and calves on long flights. Throw it on with boots and a comfy sweater, and you’ll arrive at your destination looking chic, while avoiding deep vein thrombosis.

Dear Wendi,
For the last few years, I’ve been using my dad’s black, rolling Tumi suitcase as my own, and I love it. It’s the right size, not too heavy, and looks sleek. But now, my dad wants his suitcase back, which means I need to buy a new carry-on, and though I love that Tumi, I am not spending half a month’s rent on a new suitcase. Any recommendations?

I’m just like you — I have no interest in spending a mint on luggage. In fact, I was luggage-shamed very loudly at the Reagan Airport by a fellow actor about a year ago, which I did not care for (although, yes, my suitcase was a little on the shabby side).

Luckily, Away has solved the problem of affordable stylish luggage. The luggage is unbreakable, with lots of colors to choose from, and of course, those miraculous USB ports, so you can charge your phone with your suitcase. The best part is that they have a 100-day trial period in case you change your mind, too. Try it, I know you’ll love it. Safe travels.

Dear Wendi,
My boyfriend snores, which can make it hard for me to stay asleep. Since you’re a former insomniac, do you have any tips on things I can use to block him out?

First of all, has your boyfriend ever seen a doctor about his snoring? Because he might have sleep apnea, which is not something you want to ignore. My husband used to snore like a cartoon bear. His doctor ordered a sleep study, and we found out how often he actually STOPPED BREATHING in his sleep. Now, he has a CPAP machine, and the snoring isn’t an issue anymore. (I know this is not a “sexy” proposition, but neither is snoring.) Anyway, when I was an insomniac, one of the things I did to quiet my mind was listen to meditation CDs.

Now, thanks to YouTube, you can make playlists of guided meditations, sleep music, brainwave noises, etc. Experiment with these and see if they work for you. Combine it with Dream Water, something I’ve mentioned before, and I’ll bet that in no time your boyfriend will start complaining about YOUR snoring.

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.

Introducing New Strategist Columnist … Wendi McLendon-Covey