From Better Boat Shoes to a Trusty Target Bathing Suit

Strategist kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman once considered water pitchers a low-priority tableware purchase. Then she talked to a bevy of hosts, cooks, prop stylists, and food photographers about their favorites and became convinced of their utility. Especially compelling: the Anchor Hocking Bistro Glass Pitcher ($19), which photographer Mackenzie Smith Kelley has had for more than 15 years. She says the rectangular shape allows it to slide into and out of the fridge easily; it’s large enough to capably hold water, juice, or batch cocktails; and it’s particularly nice to make sun tea in thanks to the plastic stopper that keeps dirt and debris out while the whole thing steeps outside. Practicality aside, Smith Kelley says, “when the light shines through it, it makes a pretty refraction, and its fluted texture means you don’t see fingerprints on it as much as you would with a smooth pitcher.”

G.L.: Lino Sabattini was one of the revered Italian silversmiths of the 20th century. We love his work and would love to have his set to use every day.

[Editor’s note: Proantic lists all prices in euros, so the price shown here is an approximate conversion to U.S. dollars.]

T.V.: We have a few already, but we need more. The designer is our friend. She makes them by hand and paints the beads. I love how they fit in our house. They are the most useful coasters: I have one under a vase with flowers; I have one under a candle. Gennaro uses his for coffee every morning.

G.L.: We’re planning to get a bigger house, hopefully with a garden. We’ve been dreaming of this summer, when we can bake. It’s the idea of gathering with our friends in the garden while making and sharing pizzas that makes the oven special for us.

Let me introduce you to the Canoe Shoe. Maine-based Quoddy sews each pair by hand in a traditional moccasin construction. They slip on easily and mold to your feet over time. The brown pebble leather with the Vibram sole is my favorite.

The Stan Smith is a classic, and this version is made to the original specs out of much more premium materials. They are authentic and easy, like Common Projects, but not corny and expensive.

This suede version of the penny loafer is unlined, making it much more comfortable than the traditional leather version. They are also super-breathable for the summer and can be paired with shorts or a suit, depending on the occasion.

“I love this toned paper; it helps me express my ideas. It’s like magic being able to put in the shadows, highlights, and shape of a form. If I’m ­trying not to be too involved in a sketch, I’ll use the smaller pad. I get a bigger one when I’m ­working on a drawing over a couple of weeks. I actually pull the page out and clip it to an easel, so I don’t ­actually draw in the pad.”

“I like to earth it a lot — that means go barefoot. So when I go places where it might be too nasty, there are these stickies that go on the bottom of the feet. You’re still getting the reflexology when you’re stepping on little pebbles and rocks, but you’re not getting the germs and cuts.”

I want to be a stronger swimmer (and finally conquer my lifelong fear of getting water up my nose), so I signed up for private swim lessons at my local YMCA. And though I have a whole basketful of swimsuits, my stringy bikinis and high-cut one-pieces weren’t right for swimming laps. So I grabbed this suit in black on a Target run back in March. It’s cute but still appropriate for family swim, stays in place while I’m flapping around in the water, and feels much more high ­quality than the price would suggest. I liked it so much that I just bought a second one in red. — Maxine Builder

Writer Arielle Avila spoke with “Wendy,” who has been an assistant to a fitness-and-wellness influ­encer and TV host since 2020, about the stuff she buys for her boss. Unless her employer is ­working out, she’s always in heels, Wendy says. Wendy’s boss swears these Fab Feet foot pads ($7) make walking easier and more comfortable. “I’ve inserted these into every pair of heels she owns,” Wendy says. Every few weeks, she goes through her boss’s shoe ­collection to replace worn-down pads and ­readjust any that have lifted or shifted. She keeps at least one spare in her bag at all times.

Under two gallons, open top.

Under two gallons, lidded.

Over two gallons, open top.

Over two gallons, lidded.