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Welcome to How I Pick My Picks — a kind-of-regular newsletter series where we check in with the Strategist staff on the stuff they’re using day to day, the products they’re testing for stories, and the things their friends and family won’t stop asking them about. Consider it a peek into the always whirring brain of a Strategist writer. Today, we talk to senior writer Liza Corsillo.
I recently became a mom and am very wary of that becoming my entire personality. But I try to give myself a break because everything in my life is so different now: Drinks with friends have been replaced by cleaning banana off the floor and nightly readings of Snore Like a Bear. (I actually just recite it word for word now.) A baby really does take over your entire brain. That said, I was a toy writer, a toy collector, and a picture-book enthusiast more than a decade before I had a kid. The only difference now is that I have my own personal toy tester at home and a deeper understanding of what makes a good toy.
My mother recently cleared out a big storage unit and asked me to go through my old toys and decide what to keep. So now, in addition to all the new toys crowding my apartment, I have a few vintage Steiff stuffed animals that were given to me by an aunt who lived in Germany for a while and my vintage American Girl doll — I’m a diehard Molly — with all of her tiny detailed accessories — her tiny camp uniform, beret, pencil case, and Halloween costume. This has inspired me to buy Steiff stuffed animals as birthday gifts for all the children in my life, especially this little brown mouse named Piff.
What’s the product that friends and family always ask for your advice on?
This varies a lot. It used to be masks because I wrote a ton of stories about face masks during the pandemic and tried just about every mask I could get my hands on. Now, it’s more about baby stuff and how to find cute vintage kids’ clothing — I buy nearly everything my son wears on Kidizen. I also just had a long talk with a friend who is pregnant and considering getting a Snoo bassinet (I told her “yes”).
What are you currently testing and researching?
I’m testing strollers and baby carriers at the moment. I think at this point I have tried over 15 baby carriers and I currently have four strollers in my apartment. It’s a little maddening, but I love talking to other moms about the pros and cons of each. It feels truly helpful and gives me something to chat about with other parents at the playground.
Do you have any strongly held opinions that have changed after testing?
When I made my baby registry, I picked a lot of stuff that my friends had used, sight unseen. I would definitely not do that again! After buying and then trying on the nursing or pumping bras that some of my friends reported loving, I learned the hard way that they were extremely uncomfortable for me. Over $200 later, I finally found a pumping and nursing bra that was actually comfortable: the Bodily The Do Anything Bra.
What’s the last thing you bought?
I have a secret (not so secret anymore) habit of ordering a king-size pack of Twizzlers every few months along with whatever essentials I am ordering on Amazon. I like to treat myself with one or two Twizzlers to keep things exciting while I work from home. This time around, I needed various anti-tip furniture anchors and babyproofing straps — my son has been experimenting with putting all sorts of things in the toilet — as well as some toddler-safe animal magnets for our fridge. I got the photo ones instead of the cartoon ones because I think it’s nice to show him what a real goat or piglet looks like out in the world.
If you had to spend $1,000 at FAO Schwarz, what would you buy?
I went a little over-budget! Am I shopping for myself or my child? I don’t even know. Anyway, here’s what I would buy:
Writing about toys for the Strategist has made me a huge Tender Leaf Toys fan, and I have been excited about buying this specific toy kitchen for my son since before he was born. It has just the right amount of detail and isn’t too big for a New York apartment. Plus it comes with an impressive amount of extras: a kettle, cups and saucers, utensils and holder, a gingham tea towel, a wooden bar of soap, a baguette, and an oven tray that can be put over the sink for extra counter space. We should all be so lucky
Writing about toys for the Strategist has made me a huge Tender Leaf Toys fan, and I have been excited about buying this specific toy kitchen for my son since before he was born. It has just the right amount of detail and isn’t too big for a New York apartment. Plus it comes with an impressive amount of extras: a kettle, cups and saucers, utensils and holder, a gingham tea towel, a wooden bar of soap, a baguette, and an oven tray that can be put over the sink for extra counter space. We should all be so lucky
I would compliment the kitchen with this set of wooden seafood in a little basket so we can pretend we are cooking in an Airbnb in Portugal.
It is very difficult to choose just one Jellycat stuffed animal. With oversize stuffed animals, it’s important to think of them like a piece of furniture, so while I would love to say I’d buy the giant octopus or the whale, I think this black-and-white puppy is the best option for the overall décor of my apartment.
At Christmas, I went with a friend to the John Derian store in NYC, where he had two enormous Steiff stuffed animals — an incredible flex. This isn’t as big, but it’s much more useful, and as I have seen with the Steiff animals from my childhood, it will last forever and can be passed down to cousins or even just kept in my living room as a status symbol
Another one of my favorite toy brands is Djeco. They make the sweetest, most clever little toys with incredible illustrations that can be used in a multitude of ways. This wooden animal train is perfect for my son, who is obsessed with anything on wheels.
What are some open tabs on your computer right now? What’s on your list but you can’t bring yourself to buy it just yet?
My tabs are usually 90 percent Etsy. I have become crazed with finding a solid-gold Snoopy pendant necklace after seeing one on jewelry TikTok. If money were no object, I would buy the Cartier version. But I have bills to pay, so I am looking for something under $200 like this.
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 best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
