Ask the Strategist: Non-Office-Chair Office Chairs
Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers
In our newsletter advice column, Ask the Strategist, we answer your most burning shopping questions by surveying friends, calling up experts, and drawing on our own personal experience. But we liked this recent edition so much we wanted to share it with all of our readers. To get the next edition in your inbox, sign up here. And if you have an online-shopping question of your own, please send it to [email protected] with the subject “Ask the Strategist.” We’re here to help.
Once you get rid of the wheels, it’s a little harder to find a chair with all the bells and whistles. Namely, you lose a lot of the adjustability. But there are options: This task chair is super stylish and still offers some lumbar support. If you’re looking to spend a little less, this chair has a similar look (though I’m a little skeptical of UO’s quality in general, the price is very good, so I’m including it). And if you want something that’s less traditional, with an even slimmer profile that your body will thank you for, an ergonomic stool promotes good posture and movement throughout the day. —Dominique Pariso, writer
I started my search by consulting our list of the best lunch boxes for kids. I know, I know: You don’t want something that looks childish, but I found two great options there that I think totally fit the bill: this bag from Hydro Flask (a company I generally love and trust) or one of these similar options from Baggu (a brand pretty much all Strategist staffers are obsessed with across the board). Baggu offers a couple different sizes, depending on how much you usually pack, as well as some fun (but not twee) prints (plus more tame and solid options if that’s what you want). Other than that, they’re actually pretty similar: Both are soft on the outside, but still have a decent amount of structure for packing things cleanly and an insulated lining.
I must sadly confirm that the very Yamazaki console table you’re searching for is way back-ordered (it ships within two months), but I found a couple of options that are pretty close. If you can’t wait that long, the dimensions of the Yamazaki are approximately 50 inches wide by 26 inches tall by 8 inches deep. Room & Board’s “Slim” console table is available in a white powder-coated steel frame and has the closest dimensions to the Yamazaki, measuring 40 inches wide by 27 inches tall by 8 inches deep. However, it lacks a second shelf, which might be a deal-breaker for you. It’s also the most expensive option, but Room & Board’s quality is top-notch and is built to last. I found a couple of others at All Modern that are more in the price range of the Yamazaki, but the dimensions are not as similar. I like the Kauai console (55”W x 29”H x 12”D), as it comes with a center partition and two additional shelves, but it’s four inches deeper than the Yamazaki. For something narrower, the Aisha console is another good choice (42”W x 30”H x 10”D). —Lauren Ro, writer
I’ve been using True Botanicals’ Rescue Balm for pretty much everything — lips, elbows, cuticles, you name it — and it’s great: It’s orange in the tin but goes on clear, and it’s made with all-natural ingredients that are similar to the ones found in the RMS balm, including shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba seed oil. However, at $38, it’s definitely pricey, and it only comes in one vaguely herbal scent. If that’s not your speed, Zizia Botanicals is also an organic, clean brand that offers all-purpose balms in multiple fun flavors, including orange blossom, rose, and key lime. —Kitty Guo, writer
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
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