On My Mind: Basil Hand Pomade and Tomato Bag Charms
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“Strategist Brain” is a series where staffers share the stores they’ve stopped into, stuff they’ve spotted, and extra tidbits from stories they’ve worked on. You’ll hear from a different writer every week.
As it turns out, apartment decorating in your 20s isbasicallylike the myth of Sisyphus. The second you get the rock close to the top of the hill, it falls back down again — or in my case, the second you find that perfect rug for one apartment, you move … again. Needless to say, the hunts I was occupied with whenI last wrote a “Strategist Brain” five months ago (namely an expansive yet simple rug for my common space and some hanging bookshelves) are more or less resolved. The new apartment has some built-in shelves, which solved my bookcase search, and thenice blue rug from RuggableI bought for the first apartment worked just as well in the second. Now, I’m moving onto smaller items, like a nice-looking clock to put on one of the walls in my living room. My parents had one in the kitchen of my childhood home, so it feels fitting to have one in my own space (even if I usually look at my phone for the time anyway). My boyfriend, Jack, and I chose a blue aesthetic for our apartment, so it only makes sense that said clock would be somewhere on the blue spectrum, less sterile than what you’d find in a high-school classroom, about 12 inches wide or larger, and $150 or less. Here are a few options that I’m currently considering.
During my search, I came across a few options thatcouldpersuade me to break away from the blue color scheme. I’m usually charmed by anything Mackenzie-Childs, and who knew Yamazaki made such a handsome wooden wall clock? Meanwhile, I’m usually pro-numbers when it comes to clocks, but I like how dainty this ribbony Umbra one is.
Here’s everything else I’ve seen recently …
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I may be spending money on my move, but my new apartment is cheaper than my old one, so I’m excited to treat myself to a few little luxuries with my extra spending money. First on the list is a bag charm. It seems like everyone in New York City has a dog-shaped leather-bag charm on aPolène Cyme bag. While I may not have said Polène bag, I’m a dog person and would love one of those adorable charms. My colleague Brenley Goertzen recommended this Etsy shop, which sells this charm that looks similar to my family’s Bernedoodles.
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I also might go for one of Maison de Sabre’s charms. I just finishedVeronica Marsand have been following Kristen Bell’s Instagram to cope. She recently posted her Little Miss Sunshine charm, but I’m even more drawn to this Little Miss Princess charm that’s equally adorable.
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I’ve also been keeping tabs on the Vera Bradley revival. (TheGarden Park HandbagandMini Roxbury Crescent Shoulder Baghave the old Vera Bradley patterns with a twist.) I’m a sucker for food-shaped accessories, so this tomato-shaped bag charm is also on my list. If I make my decision based on price, there’s no doubt that I’ll go with this one.
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Second on the little luxury list is a nice hand lotion. I’ve spent many recent weekends wandering between Le Labo, Diptyque, and Malin+Goetz, trying out their lotions and smelling their candles. I’m flirting with spending-danger here, but I’ve been thinking about Le Labo’s basil-scented hand pomade for about a month now. The basil and verbena (“a citrusy and vegetal aromatic note,” according to Le Labo) always has me repeatedly smelling my hands after I leave the store. It’s pricey, but I’m a pro at making things last. (Yes, I was the kid who would ration their Halloween candy until the next year.)
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On a more practical note, I’m searching for some extra storage space. Jack and I will likely look at some secondhand shops for bookshelves, but I’m not picky when it comes to my bathroom. As it stands, we only have three narrow shelves behind the mirror, so I’m into this white over-the-toilet organizer, which is on sale and looks nice, too.
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I’m still in that stage of moving where I’m not sure where all my clothes are. In a random bag in the closet? Somewhere in the kitchen? Who knows. Needless to say, I’ve been living in these Set Active “sleep” pants, which happen to be one of the few comfy items I have on hand. They’re a stretchy, breathable option that don’t feel tight on my waist yet have never threatened to slip down while I’m carrying heavy furniture items.
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I’ve been building out my collection of pocketless sweat(ish)pants, which I prefer over bulky sweats with pocket lines (which I find more offensive than panty lines). So far, that collection includes some old Muji sweats I’m trying to part with, the Set Active pants,a pair from Garage, and someMadewell waffle pantsthat I included in aStrat Haul. I’m clearly covered when it comes to pairs I can sleep in, but I’m still looking for a pair that I feel comfortable enough to wear during grocery and pharmacy runs. Since these are a bit thicker and sleeker than the others, I think they might be it. There’s just a Buck Mason store visit in my future in order to make sure they’re not too long.
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Last but not least: My latest dessert of choice, which I discovered while wandering around Fifth Avenue in a hungry haze. Läderach was offering samples of this hazelnut-studded milk chocolate that’s so good I immediately bought myself a quarter-pound. It’s a delightful mix of creamy milk chocolate and caramelized hazelnuts that taste like what you’d want the nuts from Nuts 4 Nuts to taste like. My stash is currently empty, but I’m planning a trip to replenish — stat!
The Strategistis 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 abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
