Obviously, Strategist staffers are excellent shoppers (it's why you're here visiting the site right now). So once a month, we highlight all the things we've been buying for ourselves. You'll notice that it's both a blessing and a curse to be a Strategist editor; we're picky, but sometimes we just have to get on with it. (It's online-shopping expertise meets IRL needs.) Below, what we bought in November.
Instead of the bookshelf options I mentioned in my "Strat Brain," I decided to build an Ivar system from Ikea. I love it. It's made of real wood, affordable, and completely customizable. (The last point was a huge deciding factor since I may want to add cabinets later or move it from behind my couch.) Right now, the spacing between the top shelves is a tad off and the unfinished wood makes me nervous, but another row of shelves and a little sealer are a quick and easy fix.
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.