sunday circular

9 Things That Delighted Us Last Week: From Weekenders to Sandy Liang’s Walking Shoes

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

We write about hundreds of products every week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, we’ve plucked some of our recent favorites: expert-recommended essentials, life-changing stuff you didn’t know you needed, newly launched gizmos, and very good deals we uncovered while trawling the vast online-shopping universe — including Ruth E. Carter’s carry-on that’s held up through six years of rough handling, the gummy bears Tori Kelly discovered on the set of The Masked Singer, and a discounted Cuup one-piece that has all the best attributes of its ultrapopular plunge bra.

A skintight, full-body leotard for pregnant people

Although she generally gravitates toward XL attire that makes her “look like a floating grain sack,” Strategist contributor Molly Prentiss decided to ditch the bagginess for a Bumpsuit, which she says is essentially a leotard for pregnant people. After testing two of the brand’s best-selling styles — one with shorts, the other with leggings — Prentiss says the latter is “creamy-soft” and so comfortable it “feels like a hug from a person you want to be hugged by.” And as for using the bathroom, she says sliding the straps down past her stomach is a tad annoying, but “it’s ultimately doable and worth it.”

Amna Nawaz’s slides for post-run (or post-heels) recovery

From $60

As you’ve likely read before, we’re partial to comfy shoes, like these Hoka slides that Amna Nawaz says feel like pillows under her feet. Her husband, who’s a runner, initially introduced Nawaz to the cushy shoes, which she says are just as great for post-run recovery as they are at the end of a long day wearing heels. Though Nawaz admits they aren’t the most attractive footwear, “you cannot beat the comfort,” she says.

The small (but mighty) weekender Ruth E. Carter swears by …

Ruth E. Carter can’t live without this Samsonite rolling carry-on, which she says has withstood “the travel abuse of getting shoved around” for the six years she’s owned it. Despite its petite size, Carters says it’s a true weekender that can hold a pair of tennis shoes, dress shoes, two outfits, and a cosmetic bag. It also has deep side pockets and a front compartment that she says can fit a passport or small book.

… and an all-occasions dress that could be the only one you pack

We asked our editors: If you can only take one dress on a summer vacation, which one would you pack? This Everlane number is Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo’s pick, which she says is both flattering and comfortable — so much so that she wore it during her pregnancy — thanks to its stretchy bodice, bra-strap-concealing top, and billowy cotton skirt. Plus, it’s versatile enough to wear gardening or, dressed up, to attend a wedding, she says.

A screen-free ADHD gadget for jotting down fleeting thoughts

Since his ADHD diagnosis nearly 20 years ago, Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon has spent endless hours researching practices, tools, and apps to make managing his most frustrating symptoms easier. When he doesn’t have a computer or tablet handy, McMahon turns to this notebook, which happens to be an old Strategist favorite, “to store the thoughts that can quickly slip my mind,” he says. The pages have different patterns, which McMahon says helps him organize his notes more freely, like on a whiteboard: “Sometimes a grid inspires me to think in bullet points, while a blank page may lead to a mind map to plan out a project I need to get started on,” he says.

Sandy Liang’s no-lace shoes for clomping around Coastal Ireland

$65

We followed designer Sandy Liang on her weeklong Normal People–inspired trip from Dublin to the Atlantic Coast with her fiancé and friend. Their Irish adventure consisted of sheep sightings, a tour of Sligo (where Marianne and Connell are from), and skirting around the Slieve League cliffs — which inevitably required lots of walking. Because of this, Liang packed these Merrells, which look similar to another pair of Merrells she wrote an ode to, saying that they “make her feet look like small but hefty loaves of bread.” The Moc 3 1TRLs, she says, hug her “loaves” and make them so happy.

The sour gummies Tori Kelly learned about on The Masked Singer

A self-described sour-candy connoisseur, Tori Kelly says vocal coach Eric Dawkins introduced her to these gummy bears — which she now buys in bulk — during her season of The Masked Singer. Kelly says they’re softer and more mouth-puckering than other candies, and the range of 12 fruit flavors, such as strawberry, mango, pineapple, and grapefruit, makes them extra enticing. “I really knew I loved them when I actually didn’t mind the grape flavor,” she says.

An on-sale swimsuit from the maker of our top-rated plunge bra …

To bring you the best Memorial Day sales, we’ve rounded up the deepest discounts from some of our favorite retailers, such as REI, J.Crew, Outdoor Voices, and more. If you needed a sign to hit the nearest pool before the long weekend is over, here’s a sleek V-neck one-piece from Cuup that draws inspiration from the brand’s Plunge bra, which is one of our favorites for women. It’s available in the minimalist black shown and three seasonal colorways, including a baby-blue daisy print.

… and our favorite linen sheets for (a lot) less

To top off our deals coverage, we curated a list of our most stood-behind Parachute staples, all of which are 20 percent off through May 29 as part of the brand’s Memorial Day sale. Named our all-around favorite linen sheets, this set is favored by several Strategist staffers for its breathable, soft-to-the-touch material and reasonable price tag. They’re even great for sweaty sleepers, says Sleep Sherpa founder Ben Trapskin, who notes that choosing a cooler color, such as white or bone, can help reflect more light and heat away from your body.

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.

9 Things We Loved: Weekenders to Sandy Liang’s Walking Shoes