23+ items that caught our eye in July: Brooks, Vornado, Athleta and more

It’s fair to say that July is one of the busiest months of the year. This is especially the case for us here at NBC Select. This month, we covered several Fourth of July sale events from brands like REI and Lowe’s. We also wrote about the 200+ deals for Amazon’s Prime Day, which happened to be four days long this year. In addition to covering all the important sales this month, we also did a lot of shopping of our own.

During our Prime Day and holiday spending, we found products across categories like walking-friendly footwear, brightening skin care, powerful air circulators and much more. We also shopped around some of our favorite brands, like Vornado, Hoka and Tula, just to name a few. We don’t always have a story planned for each and every item we end up loving, this column serves as our chance to talk about everything we tried and loved.

After years of dealing with health issues, I’ve returned to a regular workout routine that includes a walk-run combination on most mornings. My feet are feeling it, so I’m pulling all the stops when it comes to recovery. Besides sleep, hydration (here’s your reminder to drink more water), my beloved compression boots and epsom salt bath soaks, I’ve added these adorable socks to my arsenal. I’ve used toe separators in the past but they’re awkward, tiny and easy to forget about — these socks are brightly colored and hard to miss on my nightstand so I always remember to wear them. I feel my toes being gently stretched when they’re on my feet and that’s exactly what they need after pounding the pavement.

This is one of the least sexy and most comfortable purchases I’ve made in a while. It’s been a brutal summer in New York City and cotton underwear is the only type of undergarment I can tolerate in the heat (plus, I was overdue for some new pairs anyway). Besides the waistband, these are 100% cotton and they truly don’t ride up my backside, even when I’m working out. I’ve worn them with pants, skirts and dresses with no issues.

I spotted this less than a minute after walking into Costco and knew I had to have it. Oversized button downs are effortlessly chic and my closet doesn’t feel complete without at least one. This shirt is made of moisture-wicking material that I can confirm passes the New York City subway in the summer test. I wore it during an extremely hot day and came out on the other side with just a few wrinkles and back sweat that disappeared in minutes.

I am notorious for leaving my bags on dirty floors and I’m really trying to do better. The brand sent me a courtesy sample and I’m impressed with how much weight it can hold. My work backpack is heavy and it hasn’t fallen off the edge of my desk once. I’m also using it at home and plan to take it on my next vacation. It’s one of those small, unassuming gadgets you want to keep handy, much like an Airtag.

I started buying these randomly from the grocery store a few months ago and thought, “I wish these had just a little more protein and that I could buy them in bulk.” So you can imagine my excitement when I saw the “Elite” 12-pack version on sale during Amazon Prime Day. I love all of the brand’s flavors and the texture of the drink is smooth, not chalky. The elite version has 32 grams of protein compared to the regular ones, which only have 18 grams. I drink one every morning and feel satiated until lunchtime, usually around noon.

As someone with extremely processed hair, this repair bond gloss by JVN added strength and shine after just one use. I have been on the market for a hair gloss and wanted one that would help revive hair after bleaching it so many times. This product works in just one minute, and when I went to brush my hair I noticed less breakage and a glossy, salon-quality finish.

I recently have been getting back into reading for fun with a realistic goal of one book per month. I wanted to get a head start on purchasing the book I will be reading in August and came across this debut by new author Katie Yee. This novel touches on themes like heartbreak, grief, and healing following a woman navigating the end of her marriage and a cancer diagnosis. From what I read so far, this is great for anyone that likes authentic, relatable works of fiction.

Earlier this summer, I was struggling to find a pair of comfortable, supportive and work-appropriate sandals I could wear to the office and home. Some of the options I found weren’t the most stylish, and others seemed like they’d quickly give me blisters or foot pain. I’ve always heard great things about Aerosoles, so when the brand offered to send me the Fez Sandals, I excitedly accepted. They checked all my boxes in terms of their overall look — I got them in black so they could match whatever I’m wearing, and are made from leather criss-cross straps with a big silver buckle, making them simple yet polished. The real test, however, came the first time I wore them to work. They kept my feet incredibly comfortable during a 10+ hour long day, which included two 20-minute walks in the heat back and forth to my office. I now reach for these sandals multiple times a week and get so many complements on them.

My family and I are going on a few road trips this summer and I’m bringing my 8-month old, 9-pound puppy, Mabel. She’s crate trained, so I bought this collapsible crate in the medium size to set up at the rental homes and hotels we’re staying in. I’m so impressed by every aspect of it. It folds up into a compact bundle that I stuff inside the included carrying bag, making it easy to travel with. The crate takes up very little space in my car’s trunk and storage closet at home, plus it requires virtually no setup — I just unfold it and snap a few latches together. The crate comes with a machine-washable, soft fleece bed, as well as has two exterior storage pockets that I put bowls, toys and extra poop bags in. There’s also four mesh roll-up doors with locking zippers and a water drinking hole. Bringing the crate on our road trips gives me peace of mind that Mabel has a safe place to stay when I’m not home, and she was very content napping in it during our recent Cape Cod vacation.

Mabel likes to chew on her collar’s name tag, so I’ve been looking for an alternative. I came across The Foggy Dog on Instagram and fell in love with the adorable prints the collars came in. I also appreciated that the brand let me add a buckle engraving with the same important information I’d typically put on a name tag. I ordered Mabel a collar in the sprinkle print and added an engraving with her name, my phone number and a microchipped label. It came in about a week and it’s exactly what I hoped for. I can clearly read the engraving on the buckle, the collar is durable, feels and looks well-made, and it’s adjustable. Now I want to buy other dog supplies from the brand.

I’ve been giving my puppy Mabel a daily probiotic for a few months to support her digestive system. I’ve tried a few brands’ formulas to see which she likes best, so during Prime Day, I bought Native’s powder on sale. I sprinkle it over her dry dog food with a little water every morning, and it dissolves into a beef-flavored broth, which Mabel gobbles up. The powder comes with a little scoop to help me accurately measure it out, too. The container has about 120 servings, which will last me a couple months. Because of how much Mabel and I both like this powder, it’s our new go-to.

My step count dramatically increased after moving to New York City in May, so I needed comfortable and stylish shoes that don’t cause blisters. My coworker recommended these Sam Edelman flats, and I completely understand why she raves about them. My feet don’t hurt after walking around most of the day, and I honestly think they’re more comfortable than some of my sneakers. I wear the black and red leather flats almost every day. I’m hoping to expand my collection so the linen pair is on my wishlist.

The skin under my eyes is dull and dry, so I jumped at the chance to try this brightening eye balm sent by Tula. For the past few weeks, I applied the product during my morning makeup routine, and I’ve definitely noticed a difference. The cooling sensation feels great and helps depuff my under-eye bags to prepare for concealer. My skin looks fresher and feels more hydrated throughout the day because the balm contains hyaluronic acid.

I was looking for a stroller that’s good for running and everyday use, one that folds down to a compact size and has ample underseat storage for hauling. I could not find a stroller that fit the bill until Guava sent over the Roam Crossover for testing. It’s comfortable for me and my child and while it is heavy, it folds down small enough to fit through the many small doorways and vestibules of New York City. Now I can’t imagine another stroller fitting my routine as well as this one.

Despite having a strong window AC unit, my bedroom was uncomfortably hot during the week-long June heatwave in New York City. I impulse-bought this fan at 2 a.m. after waking up in a sweat (again). I placed it near my window AC, and it’s done a fantastic job of circulating that cool air around my bedroom. It’s simple to use, with buttons on the top of the fan, and you can pivot the angle to your liking.

I’ve been at the beach every single weekend since the summer started, so I’m no stranger to packing a beach bag. I was super excited to bring this Faherty bag (which the brand sent me to try) on one of my weekend beach trips. It perfectly fit everything I needed — sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottle, snacks, a beach towel and even a sweatshirt. The crochet material is also perfect for the beach — all I had to do was shake it a bit and the sand came right off. This bag is also great for a grocery run, shopping day or just a quick errand around the block.

This is my absolute favorite hair oil of all time — and as someone with frizzy hair, I’ve tried a lot. I like to apply the K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil after styling, and my hair stays soft and smooth and my flyaways stay put for at least 24 hours. I’ve been wearing this hair oil on my walks to work, and my hair stays fresh — even in the New York City heat and humidity. It’s definitely on the more expensive side for a hair oil but a little goes a long way, so I think it’s worth the splurge.

I’ve been in the market for a digital camera for a while, but have also been trying to avoid spending over $1,000 on one. I have a vacation coming up next month and I want to take lots of photos, so I decided to try the Kodak PixPro FZ45-RD Digital Camera, which is on sale for less than $100 on Amazon. I’ve only been using it for a few weeks, but I am already obsessed. I even have a new profile picture, thanks to this camera. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to throw in my purse before heading out. For such a small and affordable camera, I was impressed by how well it captured scenes. If you’re just starting out with photography and are looking for an affordable option, this camera is a great pick.

Athleta’s probably my favorite workout brand on the market. The quality is fantastic and all of my pieces have held up over time — especially the jackets. During a recent sale, I scooped up this windbreaker and I’ve been impressed with how lightweight it actually is. Rain slickers can often feel sweaty and sticky, and this one’s been pretty breathable so far. I love its two-way zipper so I can keep the collar popped up, while unzipping the bottom half for a breeze. My only note: Size down since it definitely runs big.

I’m quite picky about my sneakers and like brands few and far between. I’m a loyal Asics wearer, and sometimes dabble with APL, but Saucony sent me these Progrid Triumph’s and I’ve been really enjoying them. I prefer a chunkier sneaker generally; I like the feeling of some weight on my shoe when I walk and these have that just so slight, weighty feel. That said, they’re covered in mesh, which keeps them breathable and not too heavy. I have wider feet and I haven’t had any issues with the fit. In fact, if you have narrow feet, you may not love these. I’m also picky about sneaker tongues: I hate when they’re built into a shoe, like a sock, offering little flexibility (especially when it’s hot and my feet swell). These have a big, adjustable tongue that I find really flattering, too. They also just look cool, so I’m definitely a fan now.

I’m usually in a black dress come summer, but from time to time I like to switch it up with a breezy fun print and this Hunter Bell linen vest is exactly that. (The brand sent me a courtesy sample). I’m exceptionally pale so I don’t like to wear pastels or white tones since they tend to wash me out. The colors on this vest are quite vivid and bright, and structurally, the deep V-neck is incredibly flattering. Despite it not being 100% linen, it’s rather lightweight and doesn’t feel heavy in the heat. It runs a little big though, so I recommend sizing down.

I’ve been on a personal journey trying to find the best white t-shirt for years. I recently helped test more than 50 white t-shirts alongside the entire NBC Select team, which is why I was excited to test Buck Mason’s latest made in the USA Toughknit Tubular Tee. The shirt is inspired by vintage undershirts and crafted using modern 24-singles ring-spun yarn, which makes it incredibly comfortable, in my opinion. The tubular construction also gives it this really classic natural drape. If you like a 60s old-school sort of look in your t-shirts, with a gentle hand feel you’ll be happy with the tubular tee.

Hoka recently launched a collaboration with Supervsn, a Los Angeles-based lifestyle brand, on three distinct colorways of the Clifton One9 silhouette. I was able to receive a sample of the shoe, and it is incredibly comfortable with the classic Hoka cushioned sole. There is also subtle co-branding on the heel of the shoe that highlights the collaboration between Hoka and Supervsn.

Although I wear a lot of pants around the office, I’m all-in on shorts and mini skirts when it comes to casual wear in the summertime. Once it gets hot, I rarely find a pair of pants that I find myself reaching for on the weekend, which is why these came as such a surprise to me. Since my roommate gave me these pants, I’ve been wearing them nonstop. They’re made from 100% organic cotton, which makes them so airy and breathable (a must for a super-sweater like me), and I love that the elastic waistband doesn’t feel too tight anywhere around my midsection, so I can adjust the rise to wherever best suits my outfit for that day. I was also pleasantly surprised at the sizing — I usually have to size up with smaller, boutique brands, but in this case, the size medium fit me perfectly.

I originally bought these sandals to wear on my birthday beach vacation to Brazil. Although I did wear them here and there on the trip, I’ve only recently started really putting them to the test as a day-to-day walking sandal, and I’ve been loving them. The platform gives the sandals a very chic look and makes them perfect for pairing with my pants and shorts for casual wear. I especially love wearing them with my dresses and skirts as a comfortable, yet dressy alternative to heels. Since I have flat feet, finding sandals that I can wear comfortably long-term has always been a struggle, but these have held up through full summer days of walking around New York City and Rio de Janeiro alike, and so far I’ve experienced no blisters, bruising or pain at all. These are definitely a new staple in my summer shoe lineup.

This product has been recommended to me by friends and colleagues at various occasions — to stay cool in the office, at outdoor weddings and even while commuting. This past month (my seventh month of pregnancy), New York City graced us with more than one heatwave, and the commute has started to take a toll. I don’t love the neck fan look, so I finally cracked and bought this handheld and I love it. It works while I’m walking and waiting for the train, and also when I get to the office and it isn’t as icy as I would like it. Plus, it doubles as a powerbank and a flashlight in case you need one. It also fits in the palm of your hand.

This might not be the most exciting product, but if you want a break from scrubbing your toilet, it is. I usually deep clean my bathroom once a week but my toilet bowl seems to get a pink ring every few days, which frustrates me to no end. I bought these stamps to see if they would work — they promise to keep away limescale buildup and the dreaded ring, and you don’t have to actually do any of the cleaning yourself. They’re only about $4 and I’ve been using them for about a week and haven’t had a single ring — plus they give off a nice scent after you flush. They’re extremely easy to use, you just dispense one stamp near where the toilet refills and it cleans and deodorizes for you. Each stamp lasts up to 12 days, so I’m going from scrubbing multiple times a week to stamping once every couple of weeks. It’s a small chore that’s been taken off my plate, and we can all do with a few less chores.

I’ve loved almost every shoe I’ve ever tried from Brooks, but my last pair was quite dilapidated, since I used them for all of my running and walking. I was in a DSW and saw that these were on sale for under $100 and I had to try them. I’ve started wearing them for the past few weeks and love how comfortable they are, especially when walking on the treadmill at my gym. They have a medium level of padding on the soles, which is my preference for athletic shoes, and the laces are easy to tie without coming undone when I move. I also love that they have moderate arch, since I have a medium arch and ones that are too high hurt my feet.

I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I write about home and kitchen appliances and several sale events. I also write this column about what our editors bought every month.

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