Here’s a secret: Despite having a job that surrounds me with fabulous, time-saving products, often at equally fabulous prices, I am not actually a natural shopper. Maybe it’s because I spent so many years with very little extra money to spend, or maybe it’s because I’m a New Yorker, always wary of bringing too many things into a tiny space. But either way, whenever I do buy something, I need it to be top-notch. Here, seven recent purchases I’ve made that I truly cannot stop talking about.
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1. Anthropologie Nisolo All-day Heeled Mules
Trends come and go, but a buttery soft, easy-to-walk in block heeled mule is forever. (Or at the very least, will need to be pried from my cold, dead body.) I pair these puppies with everything from mom jeans to rompers to flowy dresses, and I love that they give me height, without killing my arches or smooshing my toes.
2. Ciaté Triple Shot Xxl Mascara
I have tried a lot of mascaras in my day (and I’m still a fan of the Note Ultra Volume Mascara), but I was surprised by how much I loved this Ciaté offering, which has a noticeably skinny spoolie that’s really good for lower lashes and for getting under upper ones. Great for days when I want a minimal, natural vibe.
3. Graza “sizzle” & “drizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Maybe I’m a sucker for good packaging (and a rave review from a PureWow food editor), but I absolutely love the single-origin oils from new company Graza. The two-pack comes with an all-purpose cooking oil (Sizzle) and an olive-y tasting, straight-from-the-bottle oil (Drizzle) meant to be used directly on foods, or mixed into dressings. They taste way better than anything at the supermarket, and the squeeze-bottle design is aces.
4. ‘vladimir’ By Julia May Jones
I cannot stop raving about this debut novel about a mid-50s professor at a liberal arts college who, after her husband is accused of a ‘Me Too’-era scandal, develops a serious obsession with a young novelist who’s new to campus….and well, it’s best if you don’t know too much else. For fans of Elif Batuman and Ottessa Moshfegh, this is a must-read.
5. Scandia Home Salzburg Medium Weight Down Comforter
Ok, I know. This is…not cheap. But as a person who is most herself while reading a book (see above) while cuddled up in a cool room, under a nice warm comforter, I firmly believe that good bedding is worthy of the investment. And is there anything more splurge-worthy than a 720-fill white goose down comforter that’s cozy and warm in the winter but light enough for summer months as well? No, no there is not. Three cheers to always feeling like you live at a hotel.
6. Coleman Camping Cot With Sleeping Pad
On the decidedly non-hotel front, I’ve officially caved and agreed to camp with my family. But while my children may be fine sleeping on the ground, I most certainly am not, and have stipulated that I will only camp if I can have something approximating a real bed. Enter this brilliant camping cot, which folds in half for easy storage, and comes with a surprisingly cushy mattress pad. I can almost pretend I’m inside a temperature-controlled bedroom.
7. Madewell Whisper Cotton V-neck Tank
Welcome to my summer uniform. Every year I buy a batch of these guys and wear them from Memorial to Labor Day. Something about the thin material and boxy cut is extremely flattering (I have a thing about straps that are too narrow), and I love that they work equally well tucked into slacks or worn loose over cut-offs. Easy and breezy.