Strategist Circular: 11 Things That Delighted Us Last Week

On November 10, 2024By Pranco

Photo illustration: the strategist; Photos: Retailers

We write about hundreds of products every week. Here, in our version of the Sunday Circular, we’ve picked some of our recent favorites: expert-recommended essentials, life-changing things you didn’t know you needed, newly launched gadgets, and super good deals we discovered while searching the vast universe of online shopping – including designer Simone Rocha’s favorite hair ribbon, an extremely durable cardigan and some new New York– themed clothing.

VV Rouleaux Ballet pink silk satin ribbon

Designer Simone Rocha prefers hair ribbon – especially this pale pink ribbon – to one classic hairband. When we spoke to her about her favorite things, she told us about this beautiful example from VV Rouleaux, a store in London that Rocha often visited when she was an intern and had to pick up meters of ribbons. Now she buys rolls for herself and says, ‘What I’m going to do is wrap it around my hair. I just have a tape here, and I would say about 18 inches at a time.

Editor’s note: The brand lists its prices in pounds, so this is an approximation of dollars.

If your New York tote left If you want more merchandise from your favorite magazine, you’re in luck: Zara just released two New York-theme items, which we have included our weekly roundup of newly released products. There’s a classic ‘Reasons to Love New York’ crew and an embroidered hoodie.

Water bottles are one of the most recommended articles in our “What I can’t live withoutseries, and this week drag queen Nymphia Wind put a new one on our radar: the RhinoShield AquaStand, which is compatible with a MagSafe – meaning you can attach your phone to it. “There are a lot of cases where I need to shoot a little video and I just use my water bottle as a stand to hold my phone,” she says. “It was very convenient.”

Grande Cosmetics GrandeDRAMA Intense thickening mascara with castor oil

Topo Designs Subalpine Fleece Vest - Men

“Often associated with white button-downs, Excel spreadsheets and cava grain bowls, men’s vests can be much more than a gray fleece layer with a company logo,” Druckman writes. To prove her point, she chatted with some stylists, clothing store owners, and generally cool and outdoorsy men to find some great, non-basic vestsincluding this sustainable option from Topo Designs. In addition to being made entirely from recycled materials – from the fleece fabric to the zippers – it has an adjustable drawstring around the waist to keep warmth in and a DWR coating for water and weather resistance.

It’s finally November, the socially acceptable month to think about holiday gift givingspecial if you’re hoping to buy the season’s hot tech gifts, which often sell out long before the holidays. Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon collected all trendiest tech gifts of 2024 so you can get an early start. The list also includes this case, which he says is “the only one that managed to stay on my phone for more than a month.” It’s available for several iPhone models, he adds, “and there are tons of designs to choose from, so you can choose the case that suits your loved one’s style.”

Beyond Buckskin black rainbow shell earrings

Masu Japanese handmade starry night wooden chopsticks

“Growing up in Hawaii, where our cuisine comes from many generations of immigrants cooking and eating together, I used chopsticks for almost all foods, not just noodles or Asian dishes,” strategist Malia Yoshioka writes in her book. new guide to the very best chopsticks. After interviewing cooking experts from various chopstick kitchens and testing them for himself, Yoshioka concluded that these are the best high-quality chopsticks thanks to their fine craftsmanship and glaze that makes them easy to clean. “Handmade in Japan, these dazzling chopsticks come in two color combinations and can make a night of takeout just that little bit more special,” she wrote.

LLBean Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe for Men - Black Watch Tartan

With the cozy high season approaching, Strategist contributor Chris Black shared some of his robe recommendations, while steering clear of silky or sexy (“I don’t think you’re going for Hugh Hefner,” he writes). As “a sucker for a black-watch pattern,” he suggests this option his latest columnas I wrote, “I see you putting on this bad boy with a nice pair of slippers and grabbing the newspaper from your lightly snowed porch with a steaming cup of third wave coffee in hand.”

While a band T-shirt is a perfectly acceptable way to support your favorite artist, “many musicians have stepped up their merch game and put their names on all kinds of items,” writes Strategist associate Matthew Schnipper. Memorable merchandise includes hair clips by Sabrina Carpenter, Funko pop! dolls of the Cureand this incense holder in the shape of a Beyoncé cowboy hat that suits her charcoal incense. “You know Cowboy Carter incense wouldn’t smell like patchouli,” he adds.

The Strategist is designed to provide helpful, expert recommendations on things to buy across the vast ecommerce landscape. Each product is independently selected by our team of editors, which you can read about here. We update links where possible, but note that offers may expire and all prices are subject to change.