On My Mind: Reliable Heels and Romanian Bowls

By,a senior editor at the Strategist since 2019.She was previously lifestyle editor at BuzzFeed UK and is based in the United Kingdom.
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Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers, Joe McKendry

This year I went tofive weddings and two bachelorette parties across four different countries. (I was actually invited to seven weddings, but there was some overlap in dates, and some logistically impossible travel to a fourth country.) Next year is looking similarly full: The first wedding invite of 2025 has already come through — along with a slew of40th-birthday parties. Throughout these weddings — and in fact over the past three years of wedding seasons — I’ve relied on a pair of outrageously comfortable black velvet platform sandals from Geox.

At wedding number four — or five?

I’ve worn them while very pregnant at a wine-bar celebration in Farringdon, and while trying to do some chair-based choreography to Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name” at a wedding in Hackney. I’ve worn them to a Catholic church wedding in thevery southern tip of Irelandand while scampering a half-mile from a reception in Cardiff to the bride’s house-party after-party (carrying a floral centerpiece and a bottle of wine).

I grabbed my pair for £25 at TJ Maxx — they don’t seem to exist online anywhere, but I’ve found some optionshere,here, and below. If you spot any more in the wild, let me know.

My other wedding staples are the below Aspinal handbag (the chain detaches, and the handle is big enough to hold in the crook of my arm on the dance floor), and theRevlon One-Step(just say no to awful hotel hairdryers).

Geox Sandals
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$178
Photo: Yoox
Midi Mayfair Bag
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If you’re considering the Aspinal, wait for a sale — I bought mine for half off.

Some other stuff on my mind:

Romanian Horezu Serving Plate
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I spied these traditional Romanian bowls inMiddle Lane Marketthe other day. I bought some when I was visiting my middle brother (who lives in Transylvania with his wife and son) last summer. “Aha!” I said to the shop owner. “Romanian bowls!” “They’re Bulgarian,” he replied. My brother said that they’re probably culturally shared across the two. Also on sale at Toast!

Herman Miller Setu
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Herman Miller Setu

$840
$1,120now 25% off
$840

After five years of working from a dining chair, I caved when I saw the discounts in the Herman Miller Black Friday sale.I bought the classic Setu— 25 percent off, and my posture is 125 percent less prawn-like.

U11 Sletterhage pendant lamp
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I recently moved house, and am on a mission to find some non-awful ceiling lights for our living room. We have two ceiling roses, so I’d like pendants. My budget won’t stretch to aNoguchi Akari(and I don’t think it will suit my 1900s Edwardian London house), but I like the look of thesehabitat ones.I don’t think they will ship to the U.S, so these are a good alternative if you don’t live in the U.K.

AM x Emma Dabiri Grá Claddagh Ring
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Lastly, some tabs I have open. I love Irish academic and author Emma Dabiri, and I love Alex Monroe — so I am very taken with this update on a traditional Claddagh ring.

WNU Chessie Chambray
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I don’t need any moreflappy shirts, but also I don’t think I can live without this one? I own two other shirts from With Nothing Underneath and they fit so nicely — they never gape at the chest no matter the cut, and they tuck very well into trousers and skirts.

Wrestling with the Shadow for Her Life, 2024
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Would very much like this Judy Chicago print. Feels like a psychedelic take on theRite of Spring.

Jumper no18 persephone
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Keep considering this made-in-Spain sweater thatJo Goddardshared in her newsletter a few months ago. I am fearful of color, but I think this poppy-red could persuade me away from the navy option.

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.

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