This roundup of things we liked this week originally appeared in the December 5th, 2024 edition of the Secret Strategist newsletter, a weekly email where we share the stuff our staff — plus a rotating cast of writers, design-world people, and various others with very good taste — would otherwise keep to themselves. If you want to get our picks straight to your inbox each week, sign up here.
Moses Martin in some 1999 Pumas. You can get them new. —Katy Schneider and Simone Kitchens
This Week’s List
* Christmas at Amanda Cutter Brooks’s Cotswold house circa 2021 House and Garden appeals. We like the pink overstuffed George Smith armchairs and the casualness of Tensira cushions placed on the lawn furniture. (As always, good selection at Goodee.)
*A cheap, pretty gift: this Georgia Hilmer–shot nature calendar.
* Senior editor Winnie Yang saw many good things on her recent trip to Lisbon. “I got my sister this sweater, which is made of the most beautiful fabric in person (it’s brushed and very substantial). ISTO had very nice men’s basics (my husband got a cotton-cashmere button-down). I went to the brick-and-mortar of this yarn-maker who also carries handmade shoes and boots. I tried on some fisherman sandals and almost got them. We also stopped in Otherwise, men’s clothes only. I liked its long-sleeve button-ups. Kinda Bode but nicely priced. And I bought a beautiful wool blanket from this blanket-maker. These are the same prices as what I paid, and shipping is free to the U.S. I also got house numbers from XVIII. It’s very important not to buy tiles from flea markets in Portugal because they’re usually stolen off buildings, but this place was recommended. I saw a guy hand-painting tiles when I went in.”
* At last, Dae’s online shop launched. These flower candles would make a pretty great gift. So would these stunning Cosmo coupes. So would this cherrywood tray! And these aluminum-and-chrome candleholders.
* Saw an elegant older woman in pre-check with a giant beat-up-but-dignified-looking Coach backpack. She’s had it for 20 years and bought it secondhand, she said. Some here, here and here.
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.
