On My Mind: Rare Merrells and Bombshell Hair
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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.
My boyfriend and I went on a mini-tour of Italy last month. Our first stop was Florence, which in hindsight may have been a mistake — after a week of strolling its intimate streets and brimming galleries, we were sad to move on. There was also the food: delicious and so reasonably priced we thought we’d been undercharged almost everywhere we went.
Another thing we spotted almost everywhere, whether it was a family-owned restaurant or a shop selling tripe sandwiches, was the Brutto cookbook. Thanks to my Eater-subscribed boyfriend, I already knew that there was a Tuscan restaurant of the same name in Clerkenwell, London, but I had no idea that the restaurateur Russell Norman’s cookbook had become so prolific. When I arrived back in London I bought a copy and found practically every restaurant that had been recommended to us listed inside, along with recipes for their best dishes. I am currently attempting to perfect the ribollita — I’d like to make it for our upcoming anniversary as a reminder of one of the nicest weeks of the year.
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Here’s everything else I’ve seen recently …
I have tried to resist the polka dot, but I’m close to giving in. I consider the pattern to operate in a similar space as leopard print (which, in 2024, the Strategist Slack decided is a neutral).
Still, I’d avoid anything fast fashion. All of the pieces I’m considering are from smaller brands, like London-based Susamusa’s Meadow skirt (which I’m convinced sparked the current polka-dot fervour) or a puffy cotton jacket from Belle. The one I’m most tempted by, though, is a pink co-ord set from Blondita (you might recognise its polka dots from Sabrina Carpenter’s Taste video). I think it’ll be the perfect fit for Glastonbury next month.
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I slick my hair back a little more in summer, so I was on the prowl for a big statement earring to bring some dimension to my face. I settled on this pair from ByAlona. Their wiggly shape and texture remind me of seashells: I feel like a thrifty mermaid that’s just foraged for a pair from the ocean floor.
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I spotted a handsome pair of Merrells in the wild a few weeks ago but couldn’t ID them myself. Knowing we have a hive of incredibly knowledgeable Merrell fans on staff, I dropped the picture on the Strategist Slack to see if anyone could help me out. Within minutes, senior writer Liza Corsillo had not only ID’d them, but sent me two links to live listings on eBay.
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Listen to me: If your curls drop, if your hair’s flat, if you’ve tried everything, order a bottle of this mousse. It genuinely works better than anything else I’ve tried (and — as I write many of our hair-care guides — I’ve tried everything). I actually learned about its efficacy at an inopportune time when I managed to give myself a perfect bouncy blowout to attend a very chilled-out picnic. But maybe confusing people into thinking I had somewhere to be afterward added a little mystery, a little glamour …
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I often find Frankie’s Bikinis a little too pricey, but I can’t stop thinking about saloon dresses from the Bella Hadid collection. I think the allure is that it reminds me of something my Bratz doll used to wear … and on scorching summer days, I love being comfortable in a flattering knitted dress. Maybe I’ll wait for the sale?
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A milky toner is one of the best steps I’ve added to my routine since starting retinol. I have extra-dry skin that is always grateful for the extra injection of moisture. In the past, I have tried the Rhode Glaze Milk, but I found it a little too thick. This toner is closer to water than milk, which my skin laps up far more appreciatively. I’ve also got a bottle of the Byoma milky toner to try next; it’s a great price if you’re on a budget, but I have often heard it touted as a dupe of the Rhode milk, so my spidey senses predict Then I Met You’s spot in my medicine cabinet is safe.
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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.
