From Fat Joe’s Favorite Tees to Ugly-Cool Kitchen Shoes

Using a straight razor isn’t the easiest way to achieve a clean shave—experts say that it can take about three months to get the technique down—but it is the best. Straight razors offer complete control over the blade, which means they are great for shaping beards, says barber Angelo Ruscetta. And while technique is key (try one on a balloon covered in shaving cream before testing it on your face), so is the tool. For a weighty but manageable and safe razor, a majority of our experts recommend the Dovo Silver Shavette Satin-Finish Straight Razor. It has a stainless-steel handle that’s sufficiently heavy to apply the amount of pressure necessary for a smooth shave and a clear plastic guard that master barber Julien Howard says makes it an excellent option for the novice. We had one straight-razor virgin test it out; he managed to shape his coarse beard on the first try without a single cut.

“I refuse to look my age. Of course, I accept and embrace my age, but I like to maintain my looks. Because I’m bald, I mostly put this on top of my head. I also apply it along my neck and hands. You can have the most youthful face, but the hands and neck really can give away a person’s age, so I gotta make sure to moisturize there.”

“I eat it as much as I can. I make hot pot at home at least two times a week. I use Sichuan seasoning, this hot-pot mix, chicken broth, some pepper, and a bunch of veggies, rice, and beef. I have a high spice tolerance because of how much spicy soup I eat. You know that show Hot Ones? I feel like I could take those wings down now.”

Apartment stagers Hollister and Porter Hovey first saw the Umbra mirror six years ago while perusing Urban Outfitters. The 37-inch mirror is just $155, while others of this size can run upwards of $500, the Hoveys say. They had a hunch the basic design would be versatile enough to incorporate into different aesthetics, and they were right. They’ve used one in about 600 jobs decorating industrial lofts, new-build condos, and townhouses. The Umbra works in all of them. “It’s minimalist, but it provides real geometry on the wall,” Porter says. –Emma Wartzman

This solid-gel serum glides on seamlessly and absorbs within seconds yet still manages to do a top-notch job of nourishing my parched skin.

I use it right after cleansing on inflamed-skin days, and it helps calm the redness considerably thanks to the blue tansy in it. It also contains vitamin E and grape-seed oil, which keep skin moisturized.

Soon after I bought this, I came down with a nasty cold and my nose went through the wringer—I continually slathered the squalane-infused formula around my schnoz throughout the day, and it helped with the rawness tremendously.

This one is similar to Tatcha’s, but it also has glycerin, probiotics, and coconut oil for added TLC. I love that the formula is totally nonsticky and fragrance free and delivers an instant brightening effect.

It has myriad benefits—from hydrating and soothing to repairing damage—plus it’s just lovely to use as it applies so effortlessly and feels like butter on the skin.

“I am obsessed with this Japanese children’s line. These hyperfunctional backpacks have the coolest color combos,” says Claire Mazur, co-creator of the podcast A Thing or Two and parent of a 4-year-old. “And I love the two deep, external pockets for water bottles.”

“My kids used this backpack from preschool through early elementary, and it was a perfect fit for all their needs,” says Courtney Klein, CEO of Storq maternitywear, of this recycled- nylon ten-liter pack. Its padded straps fit snugly on shoulders, and it has a tab- let sleeve and an exterior front pocket.

“Both of my kids have had theirs for multiple years—through travel, school, and camp—and they hold up physically and aestheti- cally,” says writer Lexi Mainland. “The backpacks manage to be structured and protective with- out losing the bit of slouch that is essential to looking cool.”

Until a few years ago, I worked as a writer, my unfettered civilian feet tucked into whatever I pleased. Now, I’m a line cook who stands 50 to 60 hours a week. I’ve lost as many toenails from a few years of my feet jamming against the front of my kitchen boots as I have in 17 years as a runner. The four pairs of shoes I’ve tried all let me down, but I found the cure during a post-shift Instagram scroll: Mise’s superbly comfortable slip-on kitchen shoes. Their flexible leather upper gives way to a breathable, perforated neoprene opening that hugs your ankle. The toe box is gloriously wide. The sole isn’t lofty as with some clogs, which I’ve found to be a surefire recipe for rolled ankles. And the cushioning lives between firm and foamy, providing all-day support, while the tread is grippy enough to withstand whatever mystery liquid has pooled by the sink. The look isn’t for everyone, but they fit a utili- tarian, ugly-cool niche. I do miss the look—and stomp—of my old kitchen boots. But I’d trade the cracked toenails and numb pinkie toes for Mises any day. –Lauren Joseph

Neat Little Nest’s Michele Vig says this is a great starter kit. It has four large bins for items like cereal boxes, two narrow bins for products like pasta, two snack bins, two ten-inch turntables for spices and condiments, and a three-tier shelf for canned goods.

A splurge, but Swiss company Vitra is known for its design-y home goods, and this organizer fits that profile while providing caddies for notepads, pens, and scissors along with hooks for hanging other supplies.

For keeping toy clutter behind closed doors, Mustard offers versatile and colorful locker-style options. The Lowdown can store baskets full of dress-up clothes and boxes of beads on the inside, and the top is a handy surface for stacking books.

The new version of Hay’s cult-favorite Colour Crates, made from recycled plastic, is now available with powder- coated-steel lids and wheels as add-ons. It can be used for everything from
sewing supplies to socks to just-in-
case power strips