November 07, 2026

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers, Joe McKendry

I love this little tidbit from senior editor Hilary Reid’s most recent Strategist Brain. She says a recent “stroll-and-shop” with her mom “was a great reminder of how fun it is to visit stores you’ve never browsed in before — even if what’s inside isn’t exactly your taste or is out of your usual budget.” She likes to “check out the clothes in person and the store’s decoration, even its scent, and chat with the sales associates about what’s on the racks.” Here are some things she’s recently spotted: a lace yolk nightgown, kitschy patterned tissues, and woven flats worthy of walking 10,000 steps in before going out for dinner. 

Belle and Sebastian front man Stuart Murdoch’s list of things he can’t live without is also full of surprisingly great insights. Some highlights: the Oilatum Emollient that cured his eczema and helps keep his skin moisturized after a bath, the portable fold-up cushion he doesn’t go anywhere without, moisture-wicking bamboo V-necks that “feel like silk,” and the scooter that made him a “scooter guy.” 

Also on the site: Michael Zhao told us about the only TV he’d ever buy and Katherine Gillespie found the best luggage tags to help you decipher your Away suitcase from all of the other Away suitcases at baggage claim.

MICRO ODE

I usually bring an air mattress for camping (no, I am not hardcore). But air mattresses are a pain to set up and, frankly, not comfortable. On a recent camping trip, I tried the Foamy camping mattress instead. It’s a mini memory-foam mattress, but with an outdoor-resistant cover and a roll-up design for transport, including a handle. Setup was easy — all I had to do was unclip and unroll — and it was vastly more comfortable than an air mattress. I’d go so far as to say it was more comfortable than some actual mattresses I have tried. The foam is thick and substantial enough to feel supportive, while cushioning enough to be comfortable. My partner was so jealous that he now plans to buy a Foamy for himself (you can link two together with the clips on the side!). I could even see pulling this out for a friend to crash on at my place. It’s a little bulky even when rolled up, but if you have the room, it’s worth it. —Amelia Jerden, sleep writer