Vicarious back-to-school haul

Recommendations from my commerce writer brain to your inbox

Actually Good Things is a Friday-morning newsletter filled with recommendations from a flesh-and-bone woman who makes a living testing products.

This week—while saying “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out” to summer (no offense) and watching my annual batch of 9/11 documentaries, as one does—I’m enjoying a vicarious back-to-school vibe.

One of the best parts about being a parent is reliving the delights of childhood. Not in a cringey Disney adult sort of way, though it’s nice to have a reason to screen Pixar classics. It’s also fun to geek-out on writing utensils and get excited about stuff like Halloween candy.

Anyway, these are the grown-up versions of actually good things a teen (or, okay, tween) might have on their back-to-school wishlist.*

Cool-mom jeans

Abercrombie’s ‘90s Mid-Rise Straight Cut (left) is everything I want in jeans right now. For a baggy-adjacent look that makes me feel less like a millennial clinging to last decade’s fashion, it’s these barrel jeans from Madewell (middle). For the bootie view, it’s Levi’s Wedgie Jeans (right)—heads up: they run small and short.

The perfect little baby tee

Uniqlo is doing everything right. The cuts are pristine, and the prices are silly-cheap. Don’t get me started—I’ll talk to anyone about Uniqlo. This crewneck baby tee is tailored, sporty, and very accessibly priced.

Your new favorite long-sleeve

Looking for long sleeves? PerfectWhiteTee makes, well…the perfect white tee. And the perfect off-white tee, and black tee, and heather gray tee, etc., etc. I’m partial to the Lauryn.

Retro-inspired Nikes

These ‘70s-coded sneakers go with almost any on-duty mom outfit—jeans, joggers, maxi skirts, you name it.

Posh packs

I’ve tried a lot of premium travel bags and always come back to this pared-down July backpack for trips. She’s sleek, lightweight, not at all bulky, and backed by a surprising five-year warranty. I’m also fond of CalPak’s Luka Backpack, specifically the limited-edition copper hue.

Cherry lip gloss

Ugh, okay, I know—lip gloss should not cost one-quarter of $100. But Charlotte Tilbury really got the formula right on this one. She’s moisturizing and super-shiny, never greasy or goopy, with a subtle tint and fruity flavor to foster middle school nostalgia.

A no-nonsense drugstore face wash

If money were no object, roughly half of my chosen cosmetics would still be from drugstore brands. There’s something sorta high school about an unsexy, affordable face wash that staves off breakouts. This new one from Cetaphil removes makeup and sunscreen without leaving skin parched, and it’s only 10 bucks. A slightly bougier pick is this glossy, Barbie-pink tube of pore-clearing cleanser from—surprise!—Paris Hilton’s brand.

Pens for pen people

If you’re a pen person like me (that is, someone who really likes pens), this one’s for you. These pens are smooth-gliding and inky yet quick-drying, so they don’t smear. And the clickers are silent, which, until recently, I didn’t realize was a thing people demanded of pens.

Not your mother’s toaster oven

One of my favorite ice-breaker questions is asking someone what their go-to after-school snack was. You know, during those coveted two-ish hours you were home alone and left to fend for yourself before your parents returned from work. Many of my food choices involved a toaster oven. I’m talking cheesy toast, English muffin pizzas, grilled cheese—just various things with melted cheese. The Wonder Oven from Our Place is not only a toaster oven but also an air fryer, broiler, and tiny convection oven.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission.

What I’m reading lately:

• Vogue | Could There Be a Whole New Way to Think About Our Breasts?

• The Atlantic | The New Millennial Parenting Anxiety

Want more good things? Subscribe below or upgrade to paid.