Strategist Circular: 6 Things That Delighted Us Last Week

We write about hundreds of products every week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, we’ve plucked some of our recent favorites: expert-recommended essentials, life-changing stuff you didn’t know you needed, newly launched gizmos, and very good deals we uncovered while trawling the vast online-shopping universe — including the discreet Baggu shoulder bag one writer wears for hands-free souk shopping, a charming toothbrush holder shaped like a mini-doughnut, and our best overall bra that’s now 30 percent off as part of Nordstrom’s blowout anniversary sale.

Although the two-day shopping event is over (phew!), we’ve gathered a list of all the non-Amazon deals you can still take advantage of, including this bamboo sheet set from Cozy Earth that’s 30 percent off. “They are easily my favorite and feel like creme brûlée — minus the sugar crust,” Strategist writer Latifah Miles says. She notes that the luxurious material has the shiny, silky-smooth texture she loves, and the bedding holds up well in the wash. There are still plenty of ongoing summer sales, but Cozy Earth’s sitewide discount ends this week (July 17), as do Crane & Canopy’s (July 16) and Urban Outfitters’s (July 19) markdowns, so why not get some shopping in today?

Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale starts Monday, which means you can get our best overall (and top-selling) Natori Feathers bra for more than $20 off its usual price of $72. Writer Molly Lamoureux says the lightly lined bra with contoured cups is “the unicorn of undergarments” for its comfort and support, while Parsons School of Design fashion-marketing student Tammy Lee says it makes “your boobs look natural while being held up.” When Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla tested it, she also “found it to be uplifting, like my breasts were being gently held up,” she says of the dramatic plunge cut with molded mesh that ensures nothing pops out. Nordstrom’s sale — which includes flex-y New Balances; Sunday Riley Good Genes; and the dermatologist-approved, face-sculpting NuFace — runs from July 17 to August 6, but if you have a Nordstrom credit card, you can access all the deals now.

New York features editor Katy Schneider says this minimalist toothbrush holder from Muji, which we named our best overall pick, is “really quite charming.” Several other tasteful people who recommend the doughnut-shaped porcelain ring, which is designed to hold a single brush upright, say they admire its evocative plainness, with Strategist writer Erin Schwartz comparing it to an octopus sucker, and Wall Street Journal photo editor Alexandra Citrin-Safadi calling it “so precious; the seat of power your toothbrush deserves.” While Muji offers matching toothbrushes, those from other brands will also fit — Liz Lipkin of Liz Lipkin Interiors says hers holds an Oral-B.

Strategist contributor Teddi Crawford has traveled to Morocco five times, and one of her favorite activities is strolling through the souk in Marrakech for hours and negotiating deals. “A cross-body bag that’s low-key (not a flashy designer one) is essential for the souk,” Crawford says, “so you can just easily grab stuff out and zip it back up.” She likes this nylon one from Baggu, a Strategist-approved brand we can’t seem to stop writing about. The bag has one large zippered compartment and two inner pockets, and is available in four colors.

If you’re in the market for an affordable portable air conditioner, Strategist contributor Steven John named this one from EUHOMY his best overall (less expensive) choice. Though the under-$250 model is only rated to cool a 250-square-foot place, John says it’ll do that well with easy installation (it’s not too heavy to lift for most adults, and the venting kit connects to most windows with a few wood screws). As for maintenance, John says you simply clean the filter once a week and empty the condensation reservoir when the control panel indicates it’s full.

When Strategist contributor Madeleine Kuhns spoke to experts to find the best-in-class cordless vacuums, Katrina Green, a professional organizer and owner of Badass Homelife, said she loves this handheld, powerful-for-its-size Beyond by Black and Decker model — which is available on Amazon for only $30. “I use it for work when I have to vacuum the inside of cabinets or small spaces, and I highly recommend using it for your car as well,” she says. Green has owned hers for about a year and says she relies on the easy-to-clean model frequently for hoovering other small spaces like a “very dirty junk drawer.”

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The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.