10 Things That Delighted Us Last Week: From Tasty Protein Bars to ’90s Jorts

We may be living in the age of protein, according to our friends at Grub Street, but somehow most protein bars remain more functional than tasty. So when Strategist contributor Laura Neilson noticed “a rash of curious new protein bars” hit the shelves of some of her neighborhood’s “bougier health-food shops,” she was intrigued. Neilson went on a hunt for an actually tasty protein bar with at least ten grams of protein. After trying a bunch — all of which she’d happily toss in her gym bag — she found a winner in the protein puff bars from Promix, which are “functional (muscle recovery, digestive, metabolic support), clean, and easy on the stomach.”

For Strategist contributor Katie Stone, jorts “put to rest the classic ‘pants or shorts?’ question that inevitably arises when the temperature cracks 70 degrees.” Accordingly, she has amassed quite the collection of jorts — with a long inseam, in particular — and calls these ones from Reformation her “’90s-looking pair.” “Despite the tailored hem, they don’t feel rigid,” she writes, adding the insider tip that “Reformation’s jeans are designed by the same denim genius behind Khaite’s.”

Camper’s sandals are, admittedly, not for everyone. In fact, senior writer Lauren Ro classifies them as “just ‘off’ enough to look interesting without being gimmicky.” Despite this (and perhaps because of it), several Strategist writers swear they are among the most comfortable shoes they have ever worn. But don’t just take our word for it: singer-songwriter Solange Knowles owns this pair. They have one of the features that makes Camper sandals so good — a just-right heel height — which Ro says is “usually around two inches high … more than enough lift to make a difference but still so walkable.”

“When I walk around my neighborhood, most of the balconies I see are empty save for a couple folding chairs or a few plants,” reports our sleep writer Amelia Jerden. She had higher hopes for her own balcony, though, so she interviewed designers and apartment dwellers to learn how to make the most of her space. While a balcony’s aesthetic will differ from person to person, she learned it’s best to start with seating, and this set comes recommended by Philadelphia-based operations manager Sidney Ro who says it easily fits her small space and can fold for easy moving or storage.

For this week’s Don’t Dillydally, we rounded up a range of newly released products, including Weleda Skin Food’s hyaluronic-acid-based face mist, D.S. & Durga’s first collection of colognes, and this cleansing oil from Dieux that’s “meant to melt away makeup and sunscreen without stripping your skin,” according to Strategist senior kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman. “Anything Dieux comes out with is bound to be a winner,” she says. “So we’re super-excited about this latest release.”

This month’s Strategist Haul saw the shopping highlights from three Strategist writers’ respective (and coincidental) trips to Paris. While Kitty Guo hit the pharmacy and Lauren Ro popped into clothing stores, Bella Druckman stopped at the grocery store to pick up this sea salt. “Last time I was in Paris, I bought my boyfriend some of this sea salt from the local Monoprix, and he never stopped raving about it,” she writes. “This time, I bought three tins, so we could have some in reserve — and for three euros a container, I’d say it was more than worth it.”

Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo’s Father’s Day gifting philosophy is simple: “You can sidestep a lot of gifting confusion — What’s better, a coffee subscription or power tools? — by leaning into something so sentimental it makes him cry.” This is done best with a personalized gift, she says, so she rounded up a variety of sentimental presents that will show him how much you care, including this personalized basketball that you can customize with a word and font of your choice, which Strategist deals writer Alexandra Polk gave her dad a few years ago. “He currently displays his in the packaging in his office like an NBA championship trophy,” she says.

Considering that this is the third Sunday Circular in a row with a jelly item, I think it’s safe to say that the Strategist team has jelly fever. By now, though, we’ve moved on from shoes and onto the jelly bag, which Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio has on her Strategist Brain. “I’ll happily take to the pool and the lake this summer, if appropriately hot weather ever actually arrives,” she says.

“It’s so thoughtful to write a note because anyone can send you a text, but if you took the time out to get beautiful stationery, write a note, and send it with something, it’s just chef’s kiss,” says Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks. Should you be lucky enough to receive a note from her, you’d likely receive a page of this stationary scented with her favorite perfume, Parfums de Marly’s Delina eau de parfum. And just in case you didn’t know, she says, “I’ve got beautiful handwriting.”

[Editor’s note: The stationary is currently out of stock.]

In the realm of drugstore sunscreen, cosmetic chemist (and sunscreen expert) Julian Sass says this Banana Boat chemical sunscreen has zero competition — it’s just that good. “It’s water resistant, and a lot of water-resistant sunscreens are known to make skin super-shiny or -oily. This is not that at all. It has a perfect natural finish,” he says. Plus, since it’s transparent, it works on all skin tones.