For this week’s “Don’t Dillydally,” we’ve surfaced a range of newly released products we’re particularly excited about, including a baguette-bag collaboration between Urban Outfitters and Kate Spade, smiley-faced tongs from Staff, and a scenic wallpaper collection from Backdrop.
The baguette bag is back — I blame Sex and the City rewatches and the imminent return of And Just Like That … — and the latest iteration is an Urban Outfitters–exclusive collaboration with Kate Spade. Take your pick between polka-dot and stripe patterns that are based on archival Kate Spade prints from the ’90s, or go for Prada-like plain black.
Canned-wine line Waves and home-goods-and-towel-maker Dusen Dusen have launched a trippy towel and tote together. The pattern features Waves’ drip design from artist Jen Stark layered with Ellen Van Dusen’s signature stripes.
Staff is on a mission to make everyday objects more fun — see its turkey baster and toilet plunger — and kitchen tongs are next on its list. The capital-T tongs are made from gold-tinted stainless steel with a blue locking loop and pink and green silicone grips that feature the brand’s smiley-faced logo. These would make an excellent host gift.
Lots of new housewares this week! Sustainability-focused shop Rentrayage recently launched an in-house line, and one of the newest additions is this Fantastic-Not-Plastic glassware collection, inspired by the iconic — but disposable — Solo cup. Made from recycled glass in a family-owned factory in Portugal, the glasses are available in tall and short and come in clear or a range of pastel-y hues. They’re also much more elegant than a Mason jar, if I do say so myself.
In what might be the most Italian collaboration possible, shoemaker M.Gemi and lingerie label Cosabella (which literally translates to “beautiful thing”) dropped a collection of shoes and swimwear that would be perfect on a trip through Puglia. There’s a strapless one-piece named Vita Marina in a Mediterranean-inspired blue and Birkenstock-like suede slides that I’m eyeing in a shade called Sicilian Orange.
These strappy sandals from Ciao Lucia and Margaux remind me of a pair from the Row. Made from Italian nappa leather, they have a beveled square toe, a buckle at the ankle, and a cushioned insole. You can choose between medium, narrow, and wide widths to get the right fit.
Regular Strategist readers know of our love for Tevas (including a Mary-Kate Olsen–approved pair). I really like the brand’s collaboration with FP Movement, featuring two of its best-selling styles — the Grandview GTX boot and Terra Fi 5 sandal — redone in hues of “white smoke,” “sequoia,” and “mauve moon.” Even if you’re not outdoorsy, they’re just nice-looking shoes.
The Cut once dubbed Backdrop the “Brooklinen of paint,” but the brand’s wallpaper selection continues to grow. It just launched a “scenic” collection illustrated by painter Xavier Donnelly, including a giant mural of the Appian Way, one of the oldest roads to Rome. Other designs feature brush-worked clouds and terra-cotta-colored stars.
Air Wick and 1-800-Flowers have released a collection of floral arrangements based on Air Wick’s scents: pink and white roses, carnations, and lilies to go with “Linen + Petals,” purple orchids to represent “Hibiscus + Blooming Orchids,” and so on. Each bouquet comes with the plug-in air freshener that inspired it — apparently, to keep that “fresh flowers” smell alive once the stems die off.
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.
