The Strategist Haul: What the Editors Bought in November

I’m bracing for winter, so in addition to snapping up an oversize cashmere chesterfield coat from the Jil Sander x Uniqlo collab, I stocked up on more hand and toe warmers for future outdoor hangouts.

I’ve always liked an occasional dog bandanna on my wheaten terrier, Lupo. But I’ve been Dance Mom–level committed to her wearing them during the pandemic because of the joyful reactions we get from our neighbors on walks. Tail Trends makes appliquéd bandannas for every season, so she’s had lots of looks: a sunglasses-clad pineapple this summer, spooky spiders for Halloween, and a clueless-looking turkey for Thanksgiving. This month, I purchased Lupo’s holiday collection: a snowman, smiling Christmas trees, Rudolph with a rhinestone nose, and Mr. and Mrs. Gingerbread.

This month, I took deliberate steps toward not being so negative all the time — less Twittering, more gratitude journaling, etc. And for this reason (in addition to the fact that the author happens to be my good friend), I bought three copies of this book on, essentially, how to feel better about yourself through the prism of Frida Kahlo. The cover art alone is enough to brighten your mood; I’ve got one copy on my kitchen windowsill and plan to give the other two as gifts.

I stocked up on wine — ’tis the season — from Mysa, which has the best selection of weird, funky natural bottles on the internet. Mysa ships superfast (even if you’re quarantining in the middle of nowhere), and it’s a small business so you can feel good about supporting it. The lineup is tightly curated, so you really can’t go wrong (but if you need a recommendation, choose anything from Swick).

I’ve been wanting to try running clothes from Sweaty Betty for a while now, so when the brand was offering 30 percent off for Black Friday, I jumped at the opportunity and ordered these warm-looking leggings. They’re lined with brushed fleece and have lots of pockets, so I’m excited to try them out. I also like that they come in a 7/8 length, which I hope will work for me since I’m short.

After I noticed this touchless trash can in a couple of tech TikTok videos, I asked Townew if I could test one. It’s too small to replace our kitchen can (the company says a kitchen-appropriate 40L version is in development), so we’ve been using it in the bathroom. Now, instead of struggling to tie off an overstuffed bag without having old dental floss slap onto the back of my hand, I hit a button and the trash can snips and heat-seals the top of the bag for me. Once I take that out, the can automatically lines itself with a new bag. It’s gimmicky but useful — and pretty fun to watch. If there’s ever a diaper-pail version, I’ll buy one right away.

When I used to reach for my phone while sitting, it looked like I was trying to perform Krav Maga on my pockets. My phone had turned into a technological burden, a piece of baggage I had to lug around everywhere. So when it was time to upgrade, I got Apple’s new flagship tiny phone. It has solved most of my issues, and though it’s small, it has all the bells and whistles of the larger phones. The battery isn’t as good, but who cares? We’re all spending most of our time inside anyway, and maybe it’s a good thing if I manage to put my phone down a little more.

I’ve been in my apartment for two months now and have finally had it with the blank walls. I first learned of Jesiah Atkinson through the Black Artist Fund and fell in love with her prints. I bought a few, as I am planning a pretty big gallery wall, and this one is definitely my favorite.

When I bought my new phone, Apple expected to ship it out in the middle of November. Well, it arrived about three weeks early, and because I couldn’t bear the thought of carrying around a caseless phone, in a very un-Strat-like manner I bought the first case I saw and kind of liked, assuming I could just buy a new one later. Luckily, I actually love this case. I think the design is fun, and the case is extremely secure. I bought the “bold” version, which the brand said is more protective, for only a few extra bucks. I’m not prone to dropping things, but I don’t really want to risk it.

I also (of course) bought some books. This month, I picked up a few new releases, including Danielle Evans’s The Office of Historical Corrections, which is ultra-exciting because it’s the first thing she has published since Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self, one of the first short-story collections I’d read in undergrad by a Black female author. This is both a story collection and a novella, and I’m excited to dig in. She’s such an incredible writer, and I’m sure it will keep me occupied and delighted for hours.

I also bought a couple of books at Community Bookstore in my neighborhood. One, which is a Hanukkah ‘present for my partner, will remain unnamed, but the other — To Be a Man, by Nicole Krauss (my all-time favorite author) — caught my eye at checkout. I bought it on the spot, and I plan to spend a full, rainy Saturday reading it.

While I risk outing myself as a poseur who is not technically a member or (until this purchase) a financial supporter of the Sunrise Movement, I do follow the progressive organization on Instagram, which is where I scrolled upon this tee. I liked how aggressively the shirt spoke to me about the policies it promotes: stopping climate change, defunding the police, creating new jobs. The tee, as when I bought it, is still available only for preorder. But like the policies it advocates, the shirt itself is another of those good things worth waiting for.

November was a month of birthday shopping for me: I got one of Bethenny Frankel’s favorite oversize sweatshirts for my mom, a carnivorous pitcher plant for my mother-in-law, a larger potted aralia for my soon-to-be sister-in-law, and lots of things for my husband, including one of these newly released beanies made from the same wool as some of our favorite sweaters. It definitely surprised him — as did the fact that I ordered another one (in navy) for myself so I didn’t have to borrow his.

As someone who likes 100 percent cotton jeans that break in naturally, I’ve been wary of buying new pairs from Levi’s in recent years, as the brand has increasingly moved toward cotton-elastic blends that just don’t age as well. Thankfully, Sid Mashburn keeps an eye out for the few pairs of full-cotton jeans that Levi’s still makes and sells them at a very reasonable price point. My new Mashburn-approved 501s arrived a few weeks ago, and they’re beautiful, textured, and getting softer every day.

On Black Friday, I picked up this backpack after a discerning cyclist told me it lasts forever, is fully waterproof, and has tons of storage space (including a clever helmet pocket) without ever feeling bulky or restrictive while riding. If you’re on the fence, check out the reviews of this thing — it’s like a cult. I can’t wait to start throwing it around.

I did a lot of gift shopping this month, but at the risk of one of my friends or family checking the Strategist, I’m going to share just the two things I picked up for myself. My sister’s brand, HVN, just launched a ton of absolutely adorable, sparkly, vibrant Christmas-tree ornaments: I snagged the basket of strawberries and the purple dolphin for myself. I stare at them dangling on my tree all day and, frankly, I’m tempted to buy the peach and the jellyfish.

And for the first time in my 30 years on this earth (or at least since I was a toddler), I am now the owner of a real-deal set of pj’s. Bad news for my collection of giant T-shirts but good news for my personal comfort. These pj’s, which I’m wearing as I type this, are not only soft but delightfully weighty. They’re like putting on a wearable weighted blanket. True comfort at its finest. I’ll think of the Strategist every time I wear these (so every single night except on laundry days), and I’ll see you all later!