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 hand sanitizer and the electric toothbrush. We asked Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere about the floral perfume, gel pens, and mattress warmer she can’t live without.
I’d been in love with this perfume for years, and when I turned 30, I bought it for myself and it’s now my signature scent. The tuberose has a slightly creamy, barely there coconut fragrance that’s intoxicating. It’s the first perfume I’ve worn that consistently receives compliments from strangers.
I rotate between multiple pairs of sunglasses, but always come back to this stand-by. My dad wore them in the ’70s, so I feel a little camaraderie there, plus they’re just cool without trying too hard.
This sous-vide device sounds like it’s only for snobby French chefs, but it will change the way you cook. It’s a device that snaps onto a large pot and, once you add water, maintains the temperature, so food cooks slowly and evenly, making it unbelievably tender. You just throw in a piece of chicken, fish, or steak into a sealed Ziploc with some herbs (or if you’re really intense like I am, you also invest in a vacuum sealer), throw it in the water, and forget about it.
After hearing more and more horror stories about the harmful ingredients in regular deodorants, I decided to make the switch to natural. I’m not someone who takes vitamins or leads a particularly healthy lifestyle, but this felt like a relatively easy compromise. Of course, nobody prepared me for what was a rather painful adjustment period. I’d been using pretty much the most intense, clinical-strength drugstore deodorant prior to this, so I basically felt like I had B.O. for two weeks straight. I carried the deodorant everywhere with me, and literally would go wash my armpits in the office bathroom at lunch each day and reapply. But once you get past that, it hasn’t let me down since.
Though I grew up a total tomboy, my fashion taste now veers much more feminine. Up until recently, I would have never considered rocking a tennis shoe with anything other than yoga pants, but I became a complete convert once I discovered Golden Goose. I’d known about the brand for years and always admired their glitzy, slightly deconstructed approach toward sneakers. As soon as I tried on my first glittery pair, I never looked back. (Bonus: The hidden sole makes them super comfortable.)
This exact pair of sneakers is sold out, but Golden Goose has a variety of other glittery pairs in silver, black, and a metallic leather.
I hoarded these pens as a kid, and at one point decided they were too youthful to continue using. I got over that as soon as I rediscovered them in an art store a few years back, and they’re now the only pens I use. They glide seamlessly, and when I want to add a little punch to my to-do list, I trade in my black or navy version for a sparkly pink.
I love all of Caudalíe’s products, but this radiance serum is a game changer. It’s the first thing I apply in the morning after I’ve washed my face, and it makes my skin look luminescent and glowy without being shiny. While I’m not someone who requires a full face of makeup before leaving the house (I usually opt for at least a swipe of mascara and some concealer), this makes my skin look so good that now I frequently skip it entirely.
I know I can’t complain too much about L.A.’s harsh winters or anything, but it can get quite chilly. This heated mattress pad sits on top of your mattress, under your fitted sheet, and can be adjusted based on how warm you want your side to be (the dual-side temperature control is a nice feature). I like mine to be just warm enough to take the chill out of the sheets, but not actually hot to the touch. We put ours on a few hours before we go to bed and turn them off once we get in, and it’s one of the most luxurious things, ever.
We bought this camera for our daughter when she was a baby. The clarity is unrivaled, and I love how I can check on her on my phone, whether I’m in the next room or out of the country. Plus, you can save clips, which has been helpful for momentous occasions, like when she first crawled (my husband was in the other room and missed it), and when she recently escaped from her crib in the middle of the night for the first time.
Okay, so here’s the thing about these thongs: There is nothing remotely sexy about them — they’re devoid of lace, have superthick sides, but they lie completely flat against my skin and don’t show under even the tightest, lightest pieces. And the fact that there are no seams or tags makes it feel like you’ve gone commando (hence the name). Best of both worlds!
I’ve been wearing this vibrant reddish-orange nail polish for nearly a year, and people ask me about the shade almost daily. Darker reds can be a little too dramatic or feel only appropriate during the holidays, but this shade is playful enough to make it appropriate year-round.
I live in soft sweatshirts, and this faded peach version is my current favorite. The optional side ruching adds an interesting visual element, and it’s my go-to uniform when paired with vintage denim for running errands.
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 favorite shopping items of Lena Dunham, Olivia Wilde, Carole Radziwill, Plum Sykes, John Cameron Mitchell, Aubrey Plaza, and Linda Rodin. 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.