An all-over-the-place assortment of stood-behind products culled from this very website that appears in the most recent February issue of New York Magazine.
Best in Class
When you’re buying an appliance that’s likely to live on your countertop, it’s worth paying more to ensure it looks good. And sleekness is the main edge of the Aarke Carbonator 3, says the Strategist’s kitchen and dining writer, Emma Wartzman, who interviewed recipe developers, chefs, and several soda-water enthusiasts to find the finest option. It’s made entirely from stainless steel, so it feels solidly engineered, and comes in colors like a matte sand and a gleaming copper. The only plastic part is the bottle, and even that has a polished-stainless-steel cap and base. (Jess Damuck, a cookbook author, says it’s attractive enough to bring to the dinner table.) The carbonator is also easy to operate—so much so that Alexandra Wight, the owner of Crown Jewel on Great Diamond Island, Maine, says her 5-year-old can make their own seltzer. To use it, simply press the lever on the side until you hear the CO2 releasing. You can do this up to three times, depending on how fizzy you’d like your drink to be.
Celebrity Shopping
“I’m particular about hand lotion because it can dry your hands out. I’m not fetishistic about it, but I do like this one. It moisturizes without being greasy. I fly a lot, and it’s good on airplanes. It’s a rather bespoke hand cream, but when you use certain things all the time, it’s okay if they cost more than the generic versions.”
“I wasn’t always a sleep-mask girlie.
I actually got gifted one of these and subsequently bought ten. I take them everywhere when I travel. It’s the softest thing to put against your face, and the silk goes all the way around so it doesn’t mess up your hair.”
“I started wearing these when I moved to L.A. with my family when I was 11.
It was very sunny, and I have sensitive eyes and my wife says I have a big head. The Wayfarers fit really well, and they’re comfy and practical. They’re probably the best-constructed glasses the world has to offer.”
Strategist Haul
When I heard that electric pencil sharpeners had been a holiday hit with senior editor Jen Trolio’s kids, who are similar in age to mine, I knew this would make a good birthday gift for my eldest, who recently turned 9 and spends most of her free time drawing and doodling. It’s rechargeable and easy to move wherever you need it. It has also produced a nice sharp point on pretty much every size and shape of pencil in our possession. Not to oversell it, but my daughter said it was the best present she’d ever received. –Winnie Yang
Please Advise
In his most recent column, Chris Black responded to a reader who wondered about the best way to stay comfortable while avoiding the low-quality exercise gear that has crept into the daily wardrobes of many men.
“LWC is making the best basics money can buy, and these straight-leg cotton sweatpants are no exception. They have
an open bottom, which looks good with every shoe; a back pocket; and a drawstring closure.”
“For the price, you can’t beat the generous cut on these. But stick to the solid colors; no one needs to see you in camo sweats at Whole Foods. And be careful not to pair them with UGGs.”
“I have a pair of these in navy, and the yare built like a tank. You can wear them solo or over shorts en route to the gym on the coldest day of the year and be fine.”
“I try to avoid logos and insignia unless they are classics, and I put the Thom Browne 4-Bar into that category. The pockets are lined with striped oxford cloth.”
Painless Shopping
Children’s furniture is not only visually delightful but also usually costs less than regular pieces. It can fit into city-size spaces more efficiently, too.
This Thing’s Incredible
I fell for Jordan Samuel Skin’s the Lip Balm after a particularly dehydrating night in my radiator-heated apartment when the humidifier ran out of water. I woke up to riotously crunchy, peeling lips and applied the balm right away. Immediately, I was struck by its texture: thick and occlusive without being slippery or tacky. After about an hour, the formula had softened the flakiness but was also still on top—not completely absorbed. When
I went outside, my lips seemed protected against the dry air. I reapplied it a few more times throughout the day, and by that evening, my lips were back to normal. Since then, I’ve used the balm daily and avoided chapped lips entirely. –Crystal Martin
Strategist Explains
I asked several small-space experts for their best tips on serving a festive sit-down meal if you lack an obvious place to do so. –Emma Wartzman
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Invest in armless dining chairs
To put it bluntly: “There’s no room for arms in small spaces,” says Alison Mazurek of the blog 600sqftandababy. This still gives you many options. “Thankfully, folding chairs have come a long way,” says Shamika Lynch from Maximizing Tiny Interiors.
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Hide weird surfaces with a cloth
Strategist senior editor Hilary Reid used to place her desk next to her kitchen table and cover the setup with a tablecloth. “No one knew what was under it,” she says. “I put out nice plates, and it felt special.”
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Consider a folding table
“Get a six-foot table, set it out in front of your sofa, and put seats on the other side,” says Lynch. “It’s tight, but now you have a big table where you can sit down and have dinner. You can set a mood in that area.”
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
