What Strategist Staffers Are Buying for Labor Day

My button-down collection is seriously lacking. In an attempt to switch up my fall and winter wardrobe beyond sweaters and turtlenecks, I added this to my order. (Hot, not sponsored tip: Did you know if you have things in your cart from Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic at the same time, you can check out all at once? So convenient!)

Love the mock neck and flow of this dress. And for only $12? Count me in.

I recently spent a couple of weekends up in Vermont, and one of the hotels we stayed at had local brand Ursa Major’s products in the bathroom. I’d never tried their stuff before but really liked what the hotel had, so when I saw the brand was having a sale I got the shampoo, the Golden Hour cream, and the retinal.

I also got two of these rash guards from Seea: one for me and one for my 10-year-old who is almost my size after growing four inches over the summer. (I got the avo and got the solid blue for my 10-year-old.)

A long summer of road trips exposed the limitations of our existing water-bottle collection, so I bought Hydro Flasks for the whole family — bottles with flip-straw and coffee lids and tumblers — after seeing our own coverage of the Micro-edition sale.

I have a short torso, so tops labeled as “cropped” usually just fit me normally. It seems my colleague Emma Wartzman agrees (she calls it not too short or too long), so I may just use the Labor Day sale discount as an excuse to buy it. The simple black one is calling to me.

I have long been loyal to J.Crew’s Goldilocks belts — they’re affordable and simple and look nice with all my pants. But this fall, I’ve been craving something just slightly bigger and bolder. My top contender is this one from & Other Stories, which is 20 percent off for Labor Day weekend.

I’m thinking about the Pomodoro All-Over Rug from the Dan Pelosi x Ruggable collab for my kitchen. The colors are so joyful, and as someone who lives off tomato sandwiches in the summer, the design seems fitting.

We’re moving into a new apartment this month, and as much as I’ve loved our Article bed frame, I felt ready for something new — and upholstered. I hunted all over for one in a cream-ish shade at least somewhat reasonably priced (most upholstered headboards and bed frames will run you over $1,000) and found this elegantly curved one on sale at One Kings Lane.

Am I ready for my third pair of these? Maybe! I bought the navy and red earlier this summer, and the gray are calling to me for fall.

I feel less “I’m rolling out of bed” when I’m rolling out of bed in J.Crew’s matching pajamas. I’m guessing this will be my next favorite set. Maybe the ladybugs will help me dream better.

I once sprained my ankle in a pair of wedges in a Chuck E. Cheese, so having “twisted” Tory Burch heels does seem fitting. I’m trying to get over my heels phobia, and the sandals are my opportunity to in all their 90-mm. glory. Bonus: the jeweled tulip brooch.

I have had my eye on this doormat from Anthropologie. Even though it’s technically Halloween décor, I kinda want to just get it for year-round use because I have two black cats.

Melissa & Doug is taking 20 percent off lots of Strategist-favorite toys: I’m thinking about this Spray & Shine Car Wash, loved by senior writer Liza Corsillo’s son, to give to my toddler nephew for the holidays.

I’m also ogling this pretty tea towel at Block Shop and 30 percent off Stackers jewelry organizers at the Container Store.

As a new Prospect Park loop runner, I’ve struggled to find a bag that comfortably carries my phone, keys, wallet, and water without flopping around. To help me with my search, I enlisted associate editor and resident Strategist running expert Jeremy Rellosa. He suggested I try a running vest. After perusing the internet for something that didn’t make me feel too dorky, I landed on this one from REI. It feels like a reasonable amount to pay for something I’m trying as a new hobby, plus the minimal design is very appealing.