Shopify Bazaar

Welcome to Ask Wirecutter, where deputy editor Annemarie Conte helps you figure out how to make the most of your stuff in real life. If you have a shopping conundrum for our advice columnist, submit it using this form or via Annemarie's Instagram , where she posts question prompts for you. Dear Wirecutter, I feel like I have to buy a new garden hose every year. What hose should I be buying? I’m a sucker for the soft ones, since they are so much easier to wrap on to the hose stand. What should I be doing next winter so they last? We rely on a small network of splitters and connectors to have water both in front and out back off a single faucet in the front. Some combination of pieces end up needing to be replaced every spring. SF Dear SF, Wirecutter has had a guide to garden hoses since 2013. That’s over a decade of deep garden-hose knowledge that we can pass along to you. So you came to the right place! If there’s one thing to take away from this article, it’...

For those who love to get outside, May has it all: lush greenery, warming temperatures that usually don’t approach those of sweaty mid-summer, and timely sales to help you replace a tent on its last legs or buy those new hiking boots you’ve had your eye on. REI’s Anniversary Sale pops up annually in May, and it’s one of many sales from purveyors of outdoor gear that we’re monitoring right now. Not every sale price is worth jumping on, and not every discount rises to the level of the best price we’ve seen in recent months, but if you’re looking to upgrade, the outdoor sales that are live right now provide the best prices available on the broadest cross-section of outdoor gear we’ll see this season. We’ve rounded up our favorite deals on expert-recommended gear from REI (and other retailers) so you can get in on the action. Note that for this sale, REI members get an additional 20% off one full-price item and one REI Outlet item with the code ANNIV26 . For more infor...

A patio umbrella is an invitation to laze and linger, its coverage offering a cool respite from the sun. A good umbrella—along with its accompanying base—should move easily and adjust as needed, whether you’re lounging on an outdoor sofa or gathering with friends at a patio table . Just as importantly, it should weather the elements for years to come and maintain its function and maneuverability without becoming a perennial source of frustration. After 45 hours of research and years of long-term testing patio umbrellas and stands across the country, we recommend the Treasure Garden 9 Foot Round Push Button Tilt Market Umbrella and the 55-pound Article Paima Umbrella Base as the best for most people, whether you’re using one in a generous garden or on a small apartment patio. Top pick The best patio umbrella Treasure Garden 9 Foot Round Push Button Tilt Market Umbrella (Sunbrella) This reliable umbrella resists sun and wind damage better than cheaper models and l...

There are plenty of good reasons to get yourself a treat: a big promotion or a bad day, a major breakup or just feeling yourself on a Tuesday. Whatever your motivation (or justification) for performing a little self-care, we’ve got a gift to suit your fancy. Some people treat themselves to nature walks, while others may pick up something sparkly to brighten a gloomy day. All of the gifts below fall broadly under the self-care umbrella: a lightly scented body oil , a deck of cards promising to reboot your life, and an acupressure mat that sorta hurts at first but really gets the knots out. So, however you define self-care, go ahead and indulge. Looking for other pampering picks? Check out our guides to the best robes , gift boxes , and skin care . from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/yKBfcwZ via IFTTT

Not going to lie — teens, including my own, can be tough to shop for. Sometimes they simply want cold, hard cash or a gift card so they can pick exactly what they want. But watching them light up when they receive something special, something that shows that we really see them? That’s a gift for us, too. Teenagers are extraordinary beings: They are growing into their identities as young adults, attuned to what’s happening around them and ripe for new experiences (concerts!) and challenges (driving!). They value their friendships more than ever. They’re exploring and wrestling with more-serious adult themes. And they’re increasingly engaging with the world around them (first jobs, community service, social activism). But they’re also still kids at heart, and they find joy in the silly and the absurd — like revisiting their favorite childhood cartoons. To find ideas for that special something, I surveyed a classroom of high-schoolers, interviewed child-development ex...

Earbuds are discreet and convenient to use, but if you want to get the best wireless sound for the money, choose over-ear Bluetooth headphones. Although no single headphones set is a perfect match for everyone, the JBL Tour One M2 comes darn close. We love this pair’s customizable sound, stellar call clarity, and days-long battery life — plus, it includes some bonus features usually reserved for pricier pairs. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/seSqgEy via IFTTT