April Testing Report: The New Version of One of Our Favorite Work Bags

I’ve been testing the updated version ofour favorite unstructured leather work bag, which now includes a key loop and an interior snap system that’s compatible with Cuyana’s organizer pouches. I’ve only been using it for a couple weeks now, but I’m liking it so far. Out of the box, the bag has that delicious leather smell, and it has yet to go away. I appreciate that it can fit everything I need and more, from my laptop to my glasses case to my27-ounce water bottle. Thenew system organizer pouchthat you can buy as an add-on is pricier than I would expect it to be, but it’s spacious enough to hold anything that would usually hide in the depths of my bag, like hand sanitizer andhand cream. Without it, the bag would certainly become unruly. —Bella Druckman, junior writer

I’vebeenpretty loyal to my 100 percent cottonBrazilian-cutundiesfrom Intimissimi, but I’m always on the lookout for clean-cut cotton styles in general. These delivered. I got them in Sand, the brand’s “first-ever undyed” and unbleached shade, and they’re substantial — thicker than my Intimissimi pairs — with more coverage along the front of my waist and hips. They’re comfortable, too, almost like wearing sweatpants, with no tags, scratchiness, or awkward digging. Since these are on the thicker side, I wouldn’t wear them under lighter skirts or silk and satin bottoms, but they’ve been delightful underneath just about any otherjeansandtrousersin my current rotation. Plus they’re compostable — something no other intimates I own can claim.—Najwa Jamal, updates coordinator

I was skeptical ofQuince’s curtainsafter trying two styles that were okay but not great. But I love this camel cotton-velvet panel, which is about a third of the price of something similar at Anthropologie. The fabric is dense and soft, and it diffuses light really nicely — definitely a heavier, more dramatic look, but I’m excited to find a good velvetcurtainthat isn’t $200 (or made of polyester). —Erin Schwartz, writer

I also redid mybeddingafter my move. I had been served so many Instagram ads for this brand and finally caved. It’s been worth it so far. The color is as vibrant as the ads (I went with the baby blue and white colorway), and it’s very breathable (a must for ahot sleeper). And after two washes, it has only gotten softer. —Arielle Avilla, writer

I’ve noticed a slightthinningaround my temples, so I’ve been applying this serum to those areas nightly since mid-February. I do believe I have some new growth in the sparse spots. Unlike some other treatments I’ve tried, this serum feels like water and leaves no residue on myhair, so I can apply it to wet ordry hairwithout it looking greasy afterward. It contains peptides and growth factors to activate dormant follicles; ginseng, rosemary, and eucalyptus to improve blood flow; caffeine and red clover to block DHT (a hormone linked to hair loss); and Biotin and panthenol to strengthen. I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen so far and plan to keep using it.—Krista Bennett DeMaio, writer

I was in L.A. last month visiting my family, and my mom pulled out a couple of newcutting boardsfrom Teakhaus she’s been using. I had never heard of the brand, but they were especially nice-looking and, as the name suggests, incredibly lightweight. This latter feature is harder to find than you might think when it comes to wood boards, so I decided to call one in for myself and test it in my ownkitchenwith some day-to-day use and cleaning. It just came a couple of days ago, but so far I’m impressed. —Emma Wartzman, senior writer

After finding out about my severe vitamin-D deficiency, I’ve been making a conscious effort to ensure I get my daily dose of needednutrients. I’ve been taking these electrolyte gummies for an extra hit of hydration before I sweat it out at my cardio-dance classes. For something that’s meant to be “healthful,” they actually taste really good — slightly salty with a subtle lychee flavor that’s not at all artificial. It’s definitely more pleasant than forcing myself to choke down a sickly-sweetelectrolyte powderin my water. —Kitty Guo, writer

I recently moved into a small 500-square-foot studio and have been testingDyson’s newest vacuum. It’s incredibly slim and weighs next to nothing. My entire apartment has laminate flooring or tile, so it glides seamlessly, picking up stray hairs and crumbs. I used to think LED lights on vacuums were superfluous, but seeing the dust disappear adds extra satisfaction to the entire experience. I also like that this comes with a floor-stand-slash-charger that requires no setup (compared to the V15, which only had a wall mount). I wouldn’t recommend this for folks with a larger home (the battery life only lasts about 30 minutes), but so far, it’s perfect for daily sweeps of my studio. —A.A.

I’m mainly a side sleeper, so when I decided to upgrade my pillow, I went with the top pick from ourbest pillows for side sleepersroundup from the brand Eli & Elm. The crescent shape allows me to nestle my shoulder right up against it so that there’s no gap or weird angling between my head, neck, and the pillow. I’ll also sometimes roll ontomy back, and it works just as well for that position — I feel supported, aligned, and, most important, well rested. —K.G.

In my ongoing quest to find the best lightweightstroller, I have been trying out the new travel stroller from Joolz called the Dot. It weighs a measly 12.2 pounds and has most of what I love about the 2-pound-heavier Joolz Aer — smooth steering, tall (and upright) seat-back, stylish design, and a ridiculously easy (ultracompact) one-handed fold. It’s an ideal backup stroller to take on a trip with a toddler even with its smaller storage basket and less extensive sun canopy. But if you’re looking for something that works as an everyday stroller and a travel stroller, I would still opt for the more versatileJoolz Aer 2. —Liza Corsillo, senior writer

After just over a year riding around our neighborhood on his Woom Balance Bike, my 3-year-old son is anxious to try apedal bike. I, on the other hand, would like to prolong his use ofbalance bikesfor at least a few more months to give him as much low-stakes practice as possible. So this spring has been the perfect time to test out Early Rider’s Big Foot balance bike, which is designed as an introduction to mountain and dirt biking. It has big, knobby air-filled tires, a shiny brushed aluminum frame, a toddler-size hand brake, and wide-set handle bars. It’s light enough for him to drag up a few steps or easily schlep by hand, or stow opposite him in ourMunchkin Stroller Wagon. So far we’ve taken it out to a few small hills and some dirt trails in Prospect Park and watched as he confidently races down them with his feet up. It’s also $10 cheaper than theWoom Go 1 Balance Bike, but not as good for very little toddlers since the crossbar on the frame is higher up and therefore harder to step over. —L.C.

TheCadence pill canistershave long held the title “best travel pill organizer” inour guide to pill cases, but a recent price increase ($98 to $105) caused me to wonder if there was something better formuchless. After testing Vera Bradley’s pill case whiletravelingand at home, I’m ready to give it Cadence’s title. It’s available in two sizes — a long, rectangular seven-day organizer and a more stout version with an eighth canister for extra pills. Each plastic lid-based container fits neatly inside either a cotton or nylon carrying case that’s available in a variety of classic Vera Bradley patterns. I’ve never had problems with my pills falling out, and the case looks nice in my bag, too.—B.D.