I Tried All the Curtains at Quince
Erin Schwartz tested every material in Quince’s nearly 100‑curtain lineup, covering cotton velvet, European‑linen, raw‑silk, slub cotton, luster velvet, and piped‑edge cotton. She found cotton velvet and silk panels deliver premium feel at a fraction of typical prices, while linen curtains trail West Elm’s quality despite a broader color palette. Velvet quality varies by fiber blend, and the piped‑edge curtain fails to include true piping. Adding a room‑darkening liner improves irregular sheerness across most options.
10 Things That Delighted Us Last Week: Quince Carry-Ons and Prada-Ish Backpacks
Strategist’s weekly roundup spotlights ten standout products, ranging from affordable fashion to high‑performance tech. Highlights include Uniqlo’s $40 minimalist backpack that looks like a Prada design, L.L.Bean’s $80 wrinkle‑free Oxford shirt, and Quince’s $240 Italian‑leather weekender with multiple compartments. The...
These $33 In-Ear Monitors Sound Way Better Than Apple’s Wired Earbuds
Jordan McMahon of The Strategist tested Linsoul’s Kiwi Ears Cadenza, a $33 pair of in‑ear monitors, and found them to sound noticeably better than Apple’s $250 wired EarPods. The IEMs deliver bright highs, lush mids, and controlled lows while providing...
My Hunt for Ankle Boots I Can Dance in From Dusk Till Dawn
Simone Spilka chronicles her eight‑month quest in Paris for ankle boots that can transition from cobblestone streets to all‑night dance floors. She tests seven styles from Reformation, Sézane, & Other Stories, and Bobbies, focusing on kitten‑heel heights, stretch materials, and bold...
The AirPods Max 2 Got an Upgrade But Still Falls Short in Some Ways
Apple’s second‑generation AirPods Max launched at $550, featuring the new H2 chip, a high‑dynamic‑range amplifier and USB‑C connectivity that enables lossless audio over a wired link. The headphones deliver richer, more balanced sound and improved active‑noise‑cancellation, transparency, and adaptive audio...
Most of Damson Madder’s Anthropologie Home Collection Is Over Half Off
British brand Damson Madder’s vibrant homeware line, launched with Anthropologie in January, is now up to 60% off in the retailer’s extra‑50‑percent‑off home sale. The collection features hand‑painted stoneware, bright textiles and whimsical kitchen pieces, with the Berry Basket priced at...
I Wore This $40 Prada-Ish Uniqlo Backpack All Over Utah’s National Parks
Uniqlo’s new multi‑pocket backpack, retailing for under $60, delivers a Prada‑inspired look at a budget price. The reviewer used it on a family trip through Utah’s national parks, noting its structured shape, padded straps, and ample compartments for tech, water...
Here’s How I Throw Dinner Parties for 8 With No Dining Room
The Strategist outlines how New York apartment dwellers can host dinner parties for up to eight without a dedicated dining room. It recommends extendable or pedestal tables, folding surfaces, and strategic use of tablecloths to create a cohesive dining area. Flexible...
I Tried on All of REI’s Hiking Pants
The author tested four REI Co‑op women’s hiking pants ranging from $35 to $99, comparing them to pricier $200‑plus alternatives. The $35 Trailmade Pull‑On offers a skinny, elastic‑waist design with six open pockets but limited durability. The $99 Flash Pants...
A Spring Guide to Shopping in New York City
Spring 2024 sees a wave of new retail concepts across New York City, from the enlarged New Museum store showcasing artist‑made goods to Uniqlo’s three new locations partnered with the NY Public Library. Independent boutiques such as Wild Sorrel Cookbooks...
The Hottest New Lamps Were Designed in the ’60s and ’70s
The 1960s‑70s era of experimental lamp design is experiencing a resurgence as companies reissue iconic pieces. Kartell relaunched Joe Colombo’s 1967 KD28 for $295, replacing vintage $1,000 prices, with LED technology. Artemide celebrated the 50‑year anniversary of the Sintesi task...
There’s a New Generation of Window AC Units. We Found the Best Ones.
The latest generation of window air conditioners uses inverter technology to deliver steady cooling, dehumidification, and significantly lower noise than traditional units. Inverter models achieve a CEER of 15 and can save $35‑$50 per year in energy costs, while many...
My Week With the TikTok-Famous Rolling LG TV
LG’s StanByMe 2 rolling TV lets users wheel a 22‑inch 1080p screen from room to room, doubling as a tablet with a four‑hour battery. The tension‑based stand offers swivel, height, and rotation adjustments, while a matte panel improves visibility in bright...
The 9 Very Best Air Purifiers
Consumer Reports refreshed its ranking of the best air purifiers, naming the Blueair 511i Max as the top pick for compact spaces and adding the Dyson Hushjet for its five‑year filter lifespan. The article clarifies how true HEPA certification, Clean...
The Very Best Washable Rugs
The Strategist’s latest guide spotlights washable rugs as a practical solution for families, pet owners, and busy households. It evaluates a range of options—from premium two‑part systems like Ruggable to budget‑friendly cotton rag rugs and eco‑cotton flatweaves—detailing prices, materials, and...
A Matcha-Green Owala Tumbler Is $28 Today at Amazon’s Spring Sale
Owala’s 40‑ounce matcha‑green FreeSip tumbler is on Amazon’s spring sale for $28, representing a 20‑31% discount. The deal appears on the second‑to‑last day of the promotion after a previous 20% off on the brand’s smaller FreeSip vanished within 24 hours....
I’m Going All In on Low-Rise Jeans
The article chronicles a personal shift from high‑rise to low‑rise jeans, highlighting how the author, once a high‑rise devotee, now embraces ultra‑loose low‑rise styles. It reviews several brands—from Abercrombie to Levi’s—covering price ranges from $38 to $325 and noting fit...
I Tried All the Cotton Roll-Necks I Could Find
The Strategist tested eleven cotton roll‑neck sweaters ranging from $25 to $400, highlighting a resurgence of the style driven by celebrity influence and spring weather. Review criteria focused on 100% cotton, soft knit, flattering length, and front‑tuck friendliness, with particular...
My Hunt for a Walking Pad — the Treadmill’s Cheaper, More Discreet Cousin
The Strategist’s Michael Zhao recommends the Urevo CyberPad Office as the top walking pad, despite its $450 price tag, because of its all‑metal construction, quiet dual‑motor system, and 400‑pound weight capacity. The pad offers a 39.4‑by‑16.5‑inch walking surface, 14% electronically...
Unisom Was the Only Thing That Helped My Pregnancy Insomnia
A pregnant author found Unisom (diphenhydramine) to be the only effective over‑the‑counter sleep aid for her chronic insomnia, especially during multiple pregnancies. She reports that a half‑tablet delivers an eight‑hour, hangover‑free rest, while smaller doses can ease night‑time awakenings or...
These Goggles Are Like a Foot Massager for My Eyes
Therabody’s SmartGoggles are a high‑tech eye mask that combines blackout shading with vibration, temperature control, and biometric feedback to promote relaxation and sleep. The device offers three modes—SmartRelax, Focus, and Sleep—each delivering adjustable compression and humming vibrations that mimic a...
Ask a Picky Guy: A Suit With More Swag Than a Typical Navy Two-Piece?
The article spotlights the growing "soft suiting" trend, where unlined, relaxed‑fit jackets offer a shirt‑like drape but can be challenging for larger builds. It reviews several soft‑suit options, noting that heavyweight linen works only in cooler climates while lighter fabrics...
I’ve Tested Over a Dozen Alarm Clocks, and the Hatch Is My Favorite
The Strategist tested dozens of alarm clocks and found Hatch’s Restore 3 to be the standout. This sunrise alarm mimics natural light, offering customizable color, gradual brightening, and on‑device controls that eliminate the need for a phone at night. While basic...
AirTags Are $60 — and More Great Apple Deals at Amazon’s Spring Sale
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale 2026 is offering a slate of Apple products at steep discounts, with price cuts ranging from 20% to 40%. Highlights include a 4‑pack of AirTags for $60, AirPods 4 at $149, the Apple Watch Series 10 titanium...
Tons of Levi’s Are Under $50 at Amazon’s Spring Sale
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is offering a wide range of Levi’s denim for under $50, with many styles averaging $42. The discounted lineup includes women’s wide‑leg, high‑rise, baggy, shorts and men’s classic 505 regular‑fit jeans. Prices vary by color and...
15 Better-Looking Lazy Susans
The Strategist curated a list of 15 visually appealing lazy susans, highlighting options from budget-friendly bamboo models to high‑end glass pieces. Prices range from $6 at The Container Store to $550 for a glass design from Amber Interiors, covering a...
Zendaya Wore Danskos
Zendaya was photographed wearing matte‑black Dansko Professional clogs, highlighting the brand’s crossover from workwear to street style. The article notes a broader resurgence of comfortable slip‑on shoes, tracing clogs from 1990s staples to today’s fashion‑forward options. It underscores the ergonomic...
The Very Best Treatments for Eczema
The article compiles a dermatologist‑approved list of the most effective eczema treatments, ranging from daily moisturizers to intensive ointments and gentle cleansers. It highlights products such as Vanicream, CeraVe, La Roche‑Posay, Aquaphor, and Aveeno, noting key ingredients like ceramides, colloidal...
The Very Best Earplugs for Sleeping
The Strategist’s Sleep Better Week roundup identifies the top earplugs for sleeping, evaluating comfort, noise‑reduction performance, and price. Reusable thermoplastic models like Alpine Silence and Alpine SleepDeep score high for side sleepers, while foam options such as Mack’s Ultra Soft...
Should You Buy a Sundays Sofa?
Sundays, a Canadian direct‑to‑consumer furniture brand, offers minimalist sofas upholstered in performance fabrics, with prices starting around $2,650. The flagship “Movie Night” sofa feels larger and firmer than its online photos suggest, while the Get Together model still lags behind...
These Organizers Turned My Bedding Heap Into a Sheet Library
Erin Schwartz reviews SpaceAid sheet organizers, a flexible‑plastic‑in‑fabric system that turns chaotic bedding piles into a labeled, stackable library. The four‑pack costs $30 and folds into a box with zip and Velcro closures, a clear porthole, and a label sleeve....
Your Spoon Rest Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought
The article curates 25 spoon rests, highlighting price, material, design, and brand options. It emphasizes that spoon rests can be both functional and decorative, offering choices from budget‑friendly Etsy finds to premium brass sets. Notable brands such as Le Creuset, Anthropologie,...
The 12 Best Carry-On Backpacks
The Strategist’s latest guide ranks the 12 best carry‑on backpacks, spotlighting the Cotopaxi Allpa 50 L system as the overall winner and the Peak Design Travel Backpack as the top choice for business travelers. The list covers a range of capacities from...
A Definitive Guide to What Carolyn Bessette Kennedy Wore
The Strategist’s deep‑dive into Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s wardrobe has become a cultural touchstone, especially after Ryan Murphy’s series “Love Story” revived interest in her 1990s looks. The article catalogs everything from her favorite Petit Bateau tees and Levi’s 517 jeans...
The Best Knee-High Boots, According to People Whose Taste We Trust
The article curates a list of the best knee‑high boots for 2026, spanning budget options at $66 to luxury pairs near $1,000. Recommendations come from stylists, founders, and fashion writers, highlighting comfort features such as memory‑foam soles, slip‑resistant insoles, and...
Shop the New York Classifieds
New York Magazine has launched a subscriber‑only classifieds hub where members can list and purchase items ranging from furniture to fashion. The platform operates on a rolling update schedule, features special curated drops, and imposes no listing fees. Sellers and...
On My Mind: The Mary Janes I Wore on My Book Tour
Editor Ailbhe Malone embarked on a multi‑stop press tour to promote the short‑story collection Banshee, juggling a launch party, media appearances, and a podcast recording while traveling with only hand luggage. She detailed a streamlined wardrobe and makeup routine, highlighting...
The 3 Very Best Robot Vacuums for Pets
The Strategist’s latest guide ranks the top robot vacuums for households with pets, highlighting three models: the Roborock Q7+ Max as overall winner, the Roborock Saros 10R for combined vacuum‑mop performance, and the budget‑friendly Matic. The review is based on hands‑on...
63 Delightful Things to Buy With Your Leftover FSA Funds
The article reminds readers that the 2025 Flexible Spending Account deadline is March 15, after which unused pretax dollars are forfeited. It offers a curated list of 63 FSA‑eligible products, spanning everyday medical supplies, skincare, oral care, and high‑tech wellness gadgets....
We Asked 15 Stylish Women About Their Favorite Belts
A panel of 15 fashion‑savvy women shared their top belt picks, ranging from budget‑friendly J.Crew leather options to high‑end designer pieces by The Row and Khaite. Prices span under $100 to nearly $600, highlighting a market that values both versatility...
I Covered My Whole House in This Plastic-Free Paint
Alkemis, marketed as the world’s first wellness paint, replaces petro‑based binders with mineral ingredients like clear quartz, eliminating plastic micro‑particles from interior walls. The paint is Cradle to Cradle Gold certified, zero‑VOC, and claims a 20‑year lifespan while remaining breathable...