Leopard-Print Tissues, a Radish Hat, and Other Recent Strategist Finds
An all-over-the-place assortment of stood-behind products culled from this very website that appears in the most recent May issue of New York Magazine.
Best in Class
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Whether you want to drown out the clattering of a subway car or mask the smacks of a loud-chewing colleague, the headphones for the job are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon cites as the gold standard for noise cancellation. Before crowning this pair, McMahon wore eight different options over dozens of hours, listening to music and making phone calls in a range of settings, from his home office to a bustling coffee shop. He says this Bose set has the most intuitive on-device controls of any model he’s ever tried. One multifunction button on the back of the right earcup manages play, pause, skip forward (a double press), and skip backward (a triple press). To adjust the volume, simply slide your finger along a touch-enabled strip; the sound quality is full and clear with vibrant bass and mid-tones and crisp high notes. Thanks to this pair’s soft faux-leather ear cushions (which are removable) and headband, McMahon was able to wear the QuietComfort Ultra for four hours straight without his ears hurting.
Celebrity Shopping
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“I’ve gone through so many fitness phases over the years—HIIT classes, running, Pilates—but lately I’ve prioritized strength training, which is so important, especially as you age. A simple set of hand weights can get the job done.”
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“I have slept in men’s boxers for most of my life. These are the perfect ones. They never wear out, stretch, or lose their elasticity. They can also be worn underneath pants or a skirt—the prints are gorgeous and classy and look so sweet peeking out over the top.”
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“I love to be outdoors as much as I can be. In Scotland, obviously it’s wet a lot. These little things are just genius. I can sit anywhere. They fold up well; they’re really compact. People come up to me in the park and they’re like, ‘Where do you get one of these things?’ Because it’s so cheap, I give it to them. I think it’s quite good karma.”
Strategist Explains
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Fans of this trendy injectable, which is used in med-spas in South Korea and Europe, often talk up its wound-healing properties. Dermatologist Saami Khalifian says there’s merit to those claims. He calls salmon DNA (or PDRN) a “biochemical cue” for our bodies to heal wounds faster. When applied after a procedure, he says, it can lead to longer-lasting results and improve skin hydration. An at-home serum isn’t as effective as an in-office injection, but if you’re on the hunt, pick a formula that contains a hydrating ingredient like glycerin, propylene glycol, or pentylene glycol. –Arielle Avila
Testing, Testing
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Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set
Screen-free audio players for kids serve a very specific function: They keep children independently engaged with music, audiobooks, and podcasts, like the modern version of an old-school Walkman. The two most popular models are the Yoto Mini and the Toniebox Starter Set. To use the Yoto, kids slide plastic cards into a slot at the top to make them play; with the Toniebox, collectible figurines called Tonies serve the same purpose. Both offer hundreds of options, usually from $4 to $20 each, and over our weeks of testing, both audio boxes kept my toddler busy. Still, overall, I prefer the Yoto. It’s more portable and comes with a larger content library that suits a wider age range. Plus, if you lose a Tonie, you won’t have any way of playing what was on it unless you buy a replacement—but with the Yoto, you can play any card that is linked to your Yoto account through the Yoto app on your phone or even through a Bluetooth speaker in your car. And when it comes to extra features, the Yoto wins hands down. You can use it to play sleep sounds and white noise and to set an alarm to wake the kids up for school in the morning. And while both brands make headphones designed for children, my son prefers the fit and feel of the Yoto headphones. –Liza Corsillo
I Keep Seeing This
Lately I’ve been noticing this unlikely root vegetable everywhere. –Ambar Pardilla
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A tote in the tradition of Tyler McGillivary’s hyperrealistic handbags; watering can sold separately.
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Something refreshing for the very discerning pooch.
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Let it be a conversation-starter before the crudité.
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It makes all the difference in getting to that baby’s-first-veggie milestone.
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So your roots aren’t showing! It‘s also available as a watermelon-radish alligator clip.
This Thing’s Incredible
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Over 18 years of living in Brooklyn apartments, I had a mission: replicate the effects of a grill indoors. I would slide a tray under the broiler and play a game I call “broiler chicken”: applying heat and pulling it out, on repeat, in the hopes I wouldn’t turn a pile of zucchini into ashes. But one day I discovered the Közmatik—an enamel-coated steel disk with vents in the bottom designed to sit on the burner of a gas stove so you can monitor the char. A new world opened up. I use it to make vegetable ragù, char Brussels sprouts for salad, and blacken green beans. The tool is the size of a dinner plate and dishwasher safe. I’ve had it for four years and haven’t eaten a floppy vegetable since. –Margaret Eby
Strategist Haul
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These tissues bring me joy. When someone asks if I have a tissue, I can assure you they are not expecting to receive a leopard-print one. Not only are these more fun than a regular old Kleenex; they’re also sturdier. They function like something between a tissue and a handkerchief. –Hilary Reid
More From The Strategist
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- 63 Things You Should Never Buy Full Price
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.
