Though I’ve already sent two other newsletters this week, I wanted to get this one out to you because while I put it together I realized everything is on sale right now with Labor Day. I am kicking myself for not waiting until LDW to buy a lot of this, since I should have known better! I’ll try to not be too annoyed that I didn’t wait just a few weeks on most of this stuff and instead feel good that I can share it with you! I left some things off the list and focused mostly on the big box stores running sales. Anything else worthwhile to share will come up in other newsletters, I am sure! I plan to do some upcoming letters focused on various areas of the house: a bedding and towels deep dive, all my favorite decor items under $200, and a roundup of all the wallpapers I’ve considered.

With that, I organized this month a bit differently, since there was so much. This is a list style, organized by store, which may be more helpful!

Caraway Home (on sale!): Since we need to outfit the whole kitchen, I went with the Cookwear Set from Caraway which has the pots and pans you most rely on in their signature non stick, which I love! I also got their food storage containers which are such an upgrade from the mismatched ones we have in Brooklyn. What I love is that they are that same non stick and you can also use them for baking and reheating in the oven (we don’t have a microwave). They are a bit hard to open, but I take that to mean they are well sealed so I’m okay with it. And, I got their steamer basket which fits perfectly in the pot and I’ve loved it since I steam a lot of foods for Richie!

Target: We did a big Target run the weekend we moved into the house and I thought I’d share just a few things I got from there that surprised me with how great they were! This $30 wood tray that I have in my kitchen is much nicer in person than it looks online, and I never would have found it if I wasn’t in-store. I was not familiar with Target’s in house line of cookware called Figmint but I’ve really liked what I got from them, especially these non stick baking sheets in a variety of sizes. As I mentioned in my last letter, I love Avaline wine after getting to know Cameron Diaz a bit at a hotel in Italy and this makes the perfect wine spritz’s for entertaining. It’s nice you can pick it up at Target. I also got three of these checkered baskets for Richie’s closet. They would make a great basket to fill with gifts for a newborn! And I’ve liked seeing the Cat&Jack clothes in person at the store, where you can tell which pieces are better quality.

Serena and Lily: (Big Labor Day Sale on Now!) I am a big fan of the brand’s staples which are decently priced for really high quality standards. I got all our beach towels here, all our bath towels and hand towels for all the bathrooms too. Also, I got a set of these dining chairs (currently 26% off!) and I am so happy with them. They’re really comfortable, come in great colors (I got paprika), wipe down super easy, and are very sturdy in the sense that Richie can climb on and off them himself without feeling like they will tip. I got two of these side tables (major sale!) for either side of the cribs in Richie’s room and love them! And I wanted to point out that this step stool (20% off), which I have had for 6-7 years and use in my closet everyday is on sale for $134!

West Elm: (Big Labor Day Sale on Now!) I love this kids table (on major sale!) and mid-century style kids chairs we got! I feel kids furniture is often such an afterthought but you look at it just as much so I wanted something that went well with the house! I also got this shower curtain, this leather drinks table, this plug in pendant for Richie’s room, and this denim looking lumbar pillow.

IKEA: I had heard of the LOHALS rug from Ikea a number of times because it is often cited by interior designers as one of their trade secrets. Essentially they often say it’s great value for money and they use it on projects even where everything else is a much higher price point. I got their largest size for the guest room and am really happy with it! I also got their rug mat, which was a sad excuse for a rug mat, but instead of replacing it, I just got a second one to lay on top of it. Honestly a good rug mat (I like this one on Amazon), is so worth it and can make an inexpensive rug feel so much nicer! The existing kitchen at our new place is Ikea and so it was really nice and easy to get drawer organizers from there because they fit perfectly. I love the UPPDATERA line. This little spice organizer is so useful! I also really like their felt drawer liners for kitchen drawers, and you can easily cut them down to fit your size! Lastly, they make great chip clips that are nice to have in abundance!

Nickey Kehoe: I am such a fan of this store! They have a location in LA and NYC, but the online shopping experience is great too. I got our beautiful bed quilt here and love it so much. The double sided design is fun, since you can fold it in a way that shows both and the quality is beautiful. I love these chambray shams with green piping I got for our bed too. I got this runner, which is am amazing price for what it is. I got this pewter tumbler to use as a toothbrush holder in the guest bath and love the heavy weight of it!

Lulu and Georgia (Big Sale Currently): I had seen this outdoor table (now on sale!) awhile back and had tabbed it. I love the oval shape, the off white travertine top, and more modern leg. It was the perfect size for our back deck and I’m really happy with it! I found a set of six vintage chairs in Hudson that I’ve paired with it. I also got this light (now on sale!) which was a collaboration with Huey, a lighting company I love. I have yet to install it, but it just arrived so I’m excited! And, I got this pendant light (now on sale!), but it’s still on backorder.

Wayfair: I already shared about this great basket set (Now 25% off) for our bathroom shelves, which I found on Wayfair as I was searching for a set that was plastic but didn't look it since they would be used in an open closet in a small bathroom with no ventilation. These are great!! I also bought this kids kitchen (on sale!)- it’s Richie first and it has entertained him so much over the past few weeks! It’s really cheap and came with two broken pieces, but we were eager to set it up for him and for less than $90 I wouldn’t expect much else. I got this hilarious set of way too many plastic food toys on Amazon to go with it and though they are cheap and all plastic, Richie has so much fun with them!

Ralph Lauren: I just love these floral shams I got (on sale!) for our bunk room! They are currently running a great LDW Sale on Home and it includes lots of bedding and towels. I am really surprised by some of the low prices for the brand. I especially love this blue quilt and this quilt for a girls room (if she has a king, which is all that is left!).

CB2 (Big Sale Right Now): I had these great outdoor folding chairs from CB2 that I got about two years ago and we used in our backyard in Brooklyn. But I felt like they worked so well with a table we have out in Bellport, so I brought them out and then bought four more (Now 40% off!). Luckily, they were on sale, and still are. They don’t look or feel like outdoor chairs which I love. They’re really heavy duty and stable. And even my dad, who is so picky about how a chair feels complemented them! Additionally, I got another repeat purchase - a pair of these sconces (Now 20% off) for our bedside in Bellport. Currently I have and love them in my office, but they are hardwired to a switch, so I never use the chain to turn them on and off. But in Bellport, we have hardwired sconces that don’t have a switch, so I needed there to be a switch on the sconce itself. It’s actually hard to find this in a hardwired sconce, and since I knew I already loved these and they were on sale, I bought them again!

Namesake: I learned of this brand through Instagram, if I recall correctly. Since I needed to furnish a whole second nursery with two cribs, a dresser, chair, etc. I wanted to go with a brand that was cute but cost effective. We ordered two of these cribs (now on sale!) which can convert into toddler beds eventually, this dresser, which I am going to replace the hardware on, and two of these little shearling chairs, which are just so cute! I did a lot of research on good organic kids mattresses and landed on two of these from Naturepedic.

New England Trading Co: I have written about these doormats in other newsletters because they really are the best! They’re made of lobster fishing rope so they stay strong, are mildew resistant, all weather proof and easy to clean. I got four of them for our new house and continue to sing the praises of this company!

Reed Smythe & Co: I loved these mugs from the minute I saw them! Then they arrived and I loved them even more. They’re a great size for a cup of coffee, not huge like the mugs I like to use for tea, and the detail on the handle is so nice.

Dosaze (Everything 25% off) - This firming mattress topper was a game changer for us and I just got an email that it’s now 25% off. I wrote them to see if they would honor that for me since I only bought it last week, and they will, so that’s nice! We have a queen bed in Bellport and are using an Avocado mattress that I got before Rich and I lived together. Now that there are two people on it, it felt much too soft. I did a lot of research on toppers that actually help give more structure and support and this one got great reviews! From night one we were both so happy with what a difference it made. If you have a fed that is too soft, I really recommend this!

Okay, and just a few additional non home things!

The Horse: Fin Shoulder Bag - I’ve written about this on here already. I love the color, I love the shape, I love the size, and I love the leather quality, especially for the price!

Bloomingdales: Clare V Hat (20% off!) - I got this online after my mom bought the last one at a local store and then wore it all weekend long and it was just the perfect shape and size. The cord makes it great for wearing it on a bike, or boat, or windy beach!

Margaux Loafers - I was gifted a pair of the Louisa loafers from Margaux (perks of being a friend of the brand!) and LOVED them! They are so comfortable, the perfect proportions, and I like a lug sole that’s just the right amount of heavy. Because I loved them so much, I actually also got the Marlowe loafer style because I don’t have just a classic black loafer and again, I loved the silhouette and proportions of these. They’re just as good in person and so comfortable! I take my normal size in their shoes!

Flamingo Estate - I have had quite a few gifting occasions this past month - our broker who helped us close on the house, a colleague who had a new baby, and a new friend who was having us for dinner. I got all of them things from Flamingo Estate which continues to make gifting so easy! I love that it already comes beautifully wrapped and that so many options are customizable!

The Returns: You win some and you loose some.

I got some bedding and towels from both H&M and Zara when I was already placing an order and should have known better. The quality was poor from the minute I took them out of the box. Sometimes with these stores, since the price is so low, I’ll just throw things in my cart, but I am almost always returning, even if I did check for 100% cotton, it’s important to remember cheap is cheap and you often get what you pay for, or don’t in this case.

Doing the bedding in our bunk room has been more of a challenge than I thought because I really want a cabin inspired cozy look but the beds (Which we actually bought from the previous owners) are very modern. I thought these Quince Floral Quilt sets might go well with the sheets I got and loved, but ultimately determined they were too bold. I was impressed with the quality for the price though!

I read a great article on here that now I can’t find about prenatals and decided to order these FullWell ones since I am terrible about taking mine. I stupidly did not look to see that you have to take 8 pills to get the full does, which makes me that much less likely to take them. The company seems great, but I would return these if I could.

I bought this duvet cover to consider for our room, but went with the above from Nickey Kehoe instead. I still loved this though and think it’s a great print for a cabin-vibe!

With that, I’ll leave you to enjoy your weekend, maybe browse a few sales, and hopefully find something good!

A quick note if you’re local to NYC or visiting soon - last week Rich and I went for a date at Rosella, which I’ve since determined is my favorite restaurant in NYC. It was my second time visiting, the first was about six months ago and both times I was blown away by every single dish. It’s a sushi restaurant but not in the traditional sense. They also serve cooked dishes, salads, and more creative ceviche style fish too. It’s a really small spot but almost all counter seating and a cool laid back vibe. One hack to know is that they do a happy hour from 5pm -6:30pm, everyday of the week! In addition to drinks, it includes a lot of items on the menu. It’s such a nice opportunity to try a bunch of things, have a big early dinner, and leave fully stuffed for under $200. If there are no reservations, I have has success both times with a Resy notification.

Last week we also hosted our first Happy Hour at The Fewer Finer Townhouse. It was such a nice way to casually welcome our friends and clients into the space without appointments or any reason to come other than to chat and hang. We just has simple snacks and served a variety of drinks including some non alcoholic favorites from Minus Moonshine and this organic white wine blend that I’m partial to after meeting Cameron Diaz (the founder) on my honeymoon. They do a really nice Pinot too that’s good served chilled.

On the family front, I am feeling very pregnant all of a sudden - definitely bigger than I was at this stage last time around. I am due in mid November, so officially at 30 weeks! Richie starts school next week! I’m excited for him and thankful that this transition is coming with a bit of time before the baby comes because I am anticipating that both are going to be quite an adjustment. In the meantime, I’m trying to spend as much one-on-one time with him as I can. We’ve been having fun cooking together which is fun!

When I shared about my new AYR purchases (this T-shirt and this long sleeve) last week, and that I wanted to get this sheer top - quite a few of you reached out saying you have it and love it, so now it’s on its way to me too! Speaking of shopping, my next post is going to be about everything I bought, loved, and returned in August, so stay tuned for that! I am daunted by putting it together because with our new house I feel like I’v been buying so much. But I want to share the highs and lows with you, so I will proceed!

With that, Five Fine Things I wanted to share with you:

1. Strawberry Sour Cream Streusel Cake

   Okay! This!! Cake!!! Is amazing. I’ve now made it four times in the past month! It’s so easy, so delicious, and the kind of cake you can eat fro breakfast, snack, or dessert. It is a really nice cake to make if people are coming over during the day because it’s not too dessert-y, or to bring if you’re going over to someone’s place (both instances where I made it!). I have everything on hand to make it again this coming weekend, as I try to eek out the last of summer strawberries!

   

2. Salt Pig and Onion Keeper

   I came across this brand via an interview that did with Ally Walsh, founder of Canyon Coffee. It was perfect timing because when I read the interview where she listed it as one of her favorite things, I was on the hunt for a salt pig, or salt pincher for Bellport. I can’t cook as I want to without easy access to a pinch of salt at all times. I love how big this one is and how you can really see the handmade details. Additionally, on the same listing they sell an onion keeper, which I have never really used, but they showed it used as a tuliperie style vase for flowers and I was sold. I can’t wait to fill this with wild clippings from a walk around the neighborhood come fall.

3. New Custom Cast Diamond Charms

   We launched these new charms officially onto our website after making them custom for clients over the past year. Now, you can easily make your own version with cords, images, or names! I love how we can set diamonds into the images and letters giving it a bit more interest and how truly customizable they are. The image on the left is a necklace we did for a friend of mine. Each charm has a different zodiac inspired image - one for her, one for her husband, and one for their son.

   

4. Etsy Bag, Worth the Wait

   I have been on a big Etsy kick lately! I follow a few people on Instagram that do regular round ups of their favorite things and they’re always pointing me in the direction of something fun. I think it was through one of them that I found this seller who makes these very affordable silk bags... or was it through my friend who has amazing taste? Either way, I loved the bag and ordered it last month. Finally, it arrived to me and it’s just so cute! I love the unexpected use of silk on a bigger tote bag. If you’re interested, some of my other favorite things I’ve saved or purchased on Etsy lately: These cotton plaid sheets I got for our bunk room and absolutely love, this brass chair rail I got to add to a vintage secretary desk in our showroom, these cafe curtains I just ordered to replace the one in our showroom bathroom that I never loved, this brass dinner bell I’ve had my eye on, and this railing that I am sickly obsessed with but have no where to use it!

5. Hetta Furniture Sale

   I was introduced to the furniture brand Hetta earlier this summer when I was invited to a beautiful backyard dinner one of the founders, Barbora, hosted for some Brooklyn founders and writers. It was really cool to learn more about Barbora who started the brand with her husband and two friends, is a mom of four, and has a really smart approach to business. Since I am so deep in home content lately and taking you along with me, I wanted to share that they are doing a big sale right now with major discounts on some pieces as well as free shipping!

   If you’re in the market for a new dining table, this one is beautiful. I love that it has a few points of interest with the bolts but is otherwise more neutral. I love an upholstered bed, and had we needed one more for Bellport, I would have considered this one! I’m in need of lots of side tables and I think a stool that doubles as a side table is so useful so I’m considering two of these! Other things I like: this coffee table, this couch, this bench, and this side table.

   

That’s all from me for now! See you next week with my favorite things I bought in August post!

xx, -Madison

Now, scrolling is a daily habit, I am a little bit addicted, and I have a new house full of things I’ve scored on there! Being in NYC where there is so much in a small radius, lots of people with great taste, and the additional access to nice areas in the NJ/ CT/ and Long Island suburbs, is a major plus. Also, having an SUV is another one! But, I really do think that with a bit of work and a better understanding of how the platform works, everyone can find success scoring great finds on there.

What I love about buying vintage or secondhand in the home category is a few things: First, I often find old pieces have much more character than new ones. Secondly, I can buy much higher quality things at the same or lower prices than I would if I was buying new. And third, there is just more variety and uniqueness in the second hand market because I am not limited to the stores around me or the websites I know of.

With that, I put together five tips on how to make the most of Facebook Marketplace, as well as a full list of everything I’ve bought in just the past four months on there. I think my scores speak for themselves, and hope this encourages you!

Facebook Marketplace Tips

1. Press the Save Button - When scrolling, save anything you like. Even if it’s not something you need, or it’s a bit different than the thing you’re looking for. Saves are the primary way that your algorithm learns what your style is and how to show you more items like it. If you save a wicker vase, it will more likely show you a wicker mirror. If you save something from Ralph Lauren, it will show you more Ralph Lauren items. Because I save a lot, my algorithm knows my taste and anytime I open up the app, my home page is full of great stuff.

2. Look at Other Items a Seller is Listing - If you like something from a seller, click on their name to see that sellers other listed items. If they have good taste on one thing, they likely do on others, and often people are moving or cleaning out and selling a few things at once!

3. Find Curators and Businesses - There are quite a few vintage sellers who have established businesses through Instagram, retail stores, Etsy shops, or other online retailers that sell on FB Marketplace to get more eyes on their items. I have discovered quite a few great businesses because of an item I saw listed on FB Marketplace. Recently I bought a pair of bedside tables from a woman who was selling them for twice as much on her Etsy shop. Most of the vendors sell on Facebook marketplace for less than any other platform because they aren’t paying fees and can turn things over more quickly. This woman is a furniture refinisher and now I’m going to have her redo a few other pieces. I also discovered a really cool local vintage home wear showroom in Greenpoint that I had never heard of but found through chairs I messaged about on FB Marketplace. I then went to her showroom and found some more things I liked! This has happened with a number of other businesses too!

4. Pickup ASAP - First to be there always wins! People are ruthless - both sellers and buyers! Even if you have an agreed pickup with a seller, if someone else offers to pick it up first, they will almost always give it to them. The best way to make sure you get a piece that you love is to get there for pick up as soon as possible. Sometimes I’ll get there myself, often times I’ll call Rich frantically to rush to pick something up, and other times I’ll send an Uber courier. Some things don’t require such urgency but if it’s good and priced well, it will go quick and you don’t want to miss out because you dilly dallied!

5. Make a Deal - Almost every single item I’ve bought on Facebook marketplace I have bought at a discount from the listed price. There are a few items where the price is right and I know it will be competitive and I pay the asking price upfront, but for many pieces, I start with an offer that is lower, as well as a guarantee of how quickly I can pick it up. For most people getting paid something and having the piece taken off their hands is more appealing than waiting for a higher offer. Half the fun is the bartering process, so don’t be shy to ask for a lower price - the worse that they can say is no. Paying in cash is appealing to some, but I’ve found a lot of sellers actually prefer Venmo. I’ve also put down Venmo deposits with people to hold something for me until I can pick it up, which is a bit of a risk but I have yet to be burned.

My Facebook Marketplace Finds

Because I’d be noisy about this myself and many of my friends and family have been asking me what good stuff have I scored as I’ve touted my new FB Marketplace skills, I went around the house and quickly captured photos of nearly everything I’ve purchased through FB Marketplace so I could share with you! Note that we are very much in move-in phase and most of this is un-styled or not yet finished with new upholstery or paint. With that caveat, here is my haul of things I’ve scored on FB Marketplace since about mid- May when we knew we were moving ahead with the house and had a whole place to fill!

Okay, that’s all for now! Wishing you success with your own Facebook Marketplace endeavors!

Talk soon,

Madison

The First Five Upgrades I Made to Our New Place

Okay so for today’s letter, I wanted to tell you about five things I did in the first two weeks of having our new home that were very easy to execute, don’t even need a contractor, and make a noticeable difference in the look and feel of the place. I love how small changes like this can feel so significant and this advice applies to rentals too!

1. Swap Out Old Vent Covers: The vent covers at the house were old, dusty, and rusty. Since there are at least two per room, it made such a difference to replace them with fresh iron ones and I like that the black now matches the black door hardware (knobs and hinges) that already existed throughout the house! Ours are from Vent Covers Unlimited.

2. No More Chrome: I don’t love anything chrome and mostly don’t love brushed finishes - both of which were used in all the bathrooms. I swapped out all the non-plumbing hardware (didn’t get to do the sink faucets or shower heads - that will come later) with polished nickel and it makes such a difference! I got mine from KHTUMEWARE on Amazon because I wanted them to ship fast and I am really happy with them!

3. Add Extra Long Shower Curtains (and liners): I think this is one of the best ways to add an almost instant upgrade to a bathroom with a shower curtain. First, get a fresh curtain bar, then install it as close to the ceiling as possible, then find an extra long shower curtain that comes to the floor. It gives the space a luxe feel and acts more like a drape with diffused light than it does a typical shower curtain. For the liners, these are what I got. This curtain is from Amber Interiors, and is now on sale!

   

   

4. New Toilet Seats: What a way to make a house feel like your own! Get new toilet seats! This is also such a nice thing to do in a rental. They’re really easy to install and just feel fresh. The toilets at the house we bought were nice but a few of the seats were an off white that had discolored over time. We went to Home Depot and splurged on the nicer Kohler ones (which are still only about $40). The bathrooms instantly felt better!

   

5. Remove Unnecessary Doors: Our main bathroom had a closet door that was behind the main door and the two would annoyingly get stuck together and hit. Within the first few days we removed the closet door off the hinges and it’s so much nicer! Now we’ll spackle over the hinge spots, wallpaper inside the closet, and just have it live as an open nook! We did something similar in Richie’s room which had two closet doors that were kind of unnecessary and cumbersome. We took those off and will add a dresser inside his closet with his diaper changing station of top of it (for the new baby) and clothes hanging above. I’ll paint it a contrast color to the room and have it live as more of an open nook in the room than a true closet. With kids closets I think this works well, since their clothes look cute hanging!

   

Five Things I Want in Both Homes

Hoping to not sound obnoxious, I thought it would be helpful to share five things that I ordered in the first week of having the place, that made it feel more like home. All of these are things I have in Brooklyn and love so much that I felt I really did need/want a duplicate in this weekend place. Interestingly, these are all just Amazon buys or DTC brand items -nothing super special or unique - but they are things I really love and have kind of built my little routines around!

1. Hatch Alarm Clock - I really do LOVE this thing! I have heard some mixed reviews from friends who have bought one and then underutilized it but I use mine for two specific purposes that really do make my night and morning routine. At nighttime, I have it start to play a brown noise that goes for 30 minutes which is longer than I need to fall asleep. I press one button as I get in bed and doze off to it! You can pick from a big variety of sound machine sounds and adjust the volume to your liking so it really can be made custom to what you like. Then, in the morning, I have it wake me up at the same time everyday, which I think is good for us. Mine starts with a 5:45 sunrise where the device gets brighter and brighter and by 6:15 is is full brightness and then plays birdsongs to wake me :) Usually I am woken by the light before the noise come on, and if not, it’s the gentlest and best way to wakeup. Going back to any alarm option on the iphone is seriously unpleasant! I like that you can adjust these things on your phone easily in their app but once your routine is set, you don’t have to change it day to day. Or if you have a one off day you need to wake up differently, it’s a simple button to change on the app. One thing I find confusing is Hatch does offer the option to pay a monthly fee to access more sounds and features which I think is confusing to the user - because who wants another subscription - but I’ve never found a need to subscribe. The included options are plenty. This is of course not sponsored or anything, I just love this product and wanted to share the details of why!

   

2. Crown Affair Hair Towel - Same goes for my hair drying towel. I just have such a routine around using this. After I wash my hair, if I don’t have this and have to use a regular bath towel, it’s not half as nice and air drying without using it feels like it takes 2x as long. I like that this is simple and white and matches my other white towels hanging.

   

3. Beast Blender - I am obsessed with this thing and use it everyday at home. I knew I needed another in Bellport. I use it for smoothies, salad dressing, chia pudding, hot chocolate, dips, marinades, and so much more.

   

4. Felt Drawer Organizers - In almost every drawer at my house and my office, I have these specific felt drawer organizers. I just love them and love an organized drawer. I bought a few packs for our bedside tables, “junk drawer” and credenza drawers out there and love having them!

   

5. Bathroom Night Lights - We have these in our toilet room and bathroom in Brooklyn and I love not having to turn on the lights as I’m getting ready for bed or up in the middle of the night to pee. It just feels more peaceful! I have them on auto so they only go on, to a gentle but illuminated enough light (you can adjust brightness), if there is motion and it’s nighttime. They’re the best and I got them immediately for Bellport!

   

Five Fine Things I’m Loving

Lastly, in the spirit of Five Fine Things, and for those who are maybe not in the market for anything home related, here are five other things I’ve come across or loved this week!

1. AYR Tees - I love AYR Denim but am not buying jeans now given I’m pregnant! I did recently get some tees since they’re running a 20% off two or more sale! This stripped long sleeve is so cute and reminds me of one from Kallmeyer I wanted earlier this year that sold out too quick. I got this t-shirt too, because after getting my colors read, I’m always looking for washed out colors like the vintage navy. I also love the longer sleeves! I didn’t get this top, but I feel like it in black could be the answer to my easy but chic but sexy “going out top” problem that I’m always looking to solve!

   

   

   

2. J.Crew American Museum of Natural History Collaboration - I am a sucker for a NYC museum collaboration in any form, and love this one because the AMNH is one of my favorites! I think the tote is such a great design with all the external pockets and an interior one too! They actually make the same tote design but without the museum logo in a Medium size and Large size. Even though I have so many totes, I actually think this would be a great addition to my collection because of the ease of reaching in and out of the pockets! And maybe it’s Richie’s love for dinosaurs that’s drawing me to this hat, but I think it’s so cute!

3. Somos Chili Crisp - I love this stuff! It has just a little bit of heat, but really isn’t too spicy. And it has such good crunch from all the nuts and seeds. And, I love that it uses good Avocado oil. You can get it on Amazon Prime, or at Whole Foods. My favorite way to eat it is on avocado, or eggs, or drizzled over grilled zucchini with labne and a squeeze of lemon!

   

4. A great silver cup - I have gotten not one, but three great silver cups recently and wanted to share! The first was the Pewter Tumbler from Match Pewter via Nickey Kehoe - one of my favorite home stores. I love that it’s really heavy on bottom so you can load it with toothbushes and it doesn’t tip over. The second was for a toothbrush holder in our bathroom and was a vintage piece from my friend Lauren’s amazing collection, Well Found - check out her other finds here. The third was for a friend’s birthday gift, this adorable “Brushes” cup which is the chicest way to display makeup brushes on your vanity!

   

5. STAKT Mat - I learned about these from doing the Sculpt Society workouts but had never used one. Since I needed a new yoga mat for Bellport I splurged on this one. I have to say, I love it and think it’s worth investing in. It’s thicker and lighter than my other good mats and so much easier to fold than roll. Sometimes I think these simple upgrades are the most worthwhile ones and I’m totally up for buying better versions of simple things you use everyday!

   

Okay, that’s a lot for today! Chat soon, and thank you for subscribing, sharing, and following along.

xx, Madison

After that we headed out to Bellport to continue settling into our new place out there. We had a Saturday of contractor visits from the exterminator, HVAC guy, gardener, and a few more. The place is coming together! We got to host our friends for a nice Sunday lunch, swim in the pool, and still really enjoy a summer weekend out there despite all the work we were doing. I have lots of thoughts I want to share in this letter about all things home/kitchen/design, so you can expect that in the coming months. I’ve never shopped so much or received more Amazon deliveries than I have in the past two weeks.

With that, I’m back to basics with a typical style of this letter, which is to tell you about five fine things I’m loving and think are really worth sharing!

1. The Horse Fin Shoulder Bag

   I am so happy with my new purse from a brand I’ve been seeing on Instagram. With 10% off your first order, it brings the bag to less than $300, which I think is great for the quality. I loved the red since it’s a deeper color that works well for multiple seasons and am really impressed with the leather quality. I will say the suede inside the bag feels a bit cheap to me, but I wouldn’t expect more considering the price. I think the ecomm photos don’t do justice to the fact that you can also wear it un-cinched and give the bag an even more casual shape.

   

   

2. New Blowdryers for Bellport

   I got two new blowdryers for Bellport and was deciding which one I want to keep in my bathroom and which one I’ll put in the guest room. Both are beyond what I expected from them! I got them from L’ange because they’re affordable, lightweight, and streamlined. I got the HaloRing, which I really like because it comes with a magnet thing that allows your to put it up on the wall (I put mine inside the linen closet), which makes it so easy to use and you don’t have to deal with untangling the cord all the time. It’s also so lightweight and just straightforward which is what I want out there. I also got the HauteAir (now on sale!), which has more attachments and is kind of like an affordable Dyson with a few attachments. I also love the light weight of this one and that it has the pick and straightening attachment. I put this in the guest room because it’s more versatile for different hair types. I first heard of the brand because I heard this product is great - I didn’t end up getting it, but now I’m curious to try!

   

   

3. Ayoh Mayo and a Subscription to “The Club”

   I have been a fan of Molly Baz for a long time, since her days at Bon Appetite! I always watch her cooking videos on IG but rarely made the actual recipes. I also got to work with Molly to make she and her husband matching gold Custom 3D “Boots” Charms that represent their son, who is nicknamed Mr. Boots. Recently, I joined “The Club” which is her subscription membership to her recipes. I love the way she cooks seasonally and makes approachable but fun things. With her top of mind, I finally picked up a bottle of Ayoh Mayo, her new mayo brand, at Whole Foods and as someone who doesn’t really love mayo, I am so surprised to say it’s so good! I’ve used it on tuna salad and chicken salad and in dressings and all have been fab. They have so much flavor in them, I didn’t even include much more than the chicken/tuna/basic dressing of olive oil and lemon. I can imagine they’re great on sandwiches too. I tried and loved the Dill Pickle, but if you’re really into mayo you can try the variety pack here!

   

   

4. Crow Canyon Home Splatterwear

   I first discovered this brand when I was at the Vermont General Store this winter and bought a massive salad bowl. I love that, unlike some of my nice looking serve wear, it is really light and easy to wash, which is convenient for something so big! I love having it on the counter full of things we get at the local farm stands and that I can also use it for salads. I just bought another in the small size which is more of your typical salad bowl size, along with these great oval shaped plates and these bowls which are perfect for yogurt or snacks. I love enamel wear in the summer because you can use it outside easily (not glass), give it to toddlers, and it works well with cold food. In the winter it’s not as great because it doesn’t hold heat well and can be hot to the touch, so I don’t use it to serve anything hot.

   

   

5. My Favorite Dish Towels

   These dish towels from Hawkins New York are my absolute favorite. I discovered them at Big Night, our neighborhood store for all things kitchen/dining/hosting. They are the most absorbent of any I’ve tried and seem to never stain, and I can’t live without them! I recently got another two packs for our Bellport house.

   

   

Oh, and one thing I’d love your help with: I am planning on finding a graphic designer to do some branding for the newsletter so it’s not so elementary and even get’s a real logo! If you know of any designers working on projects like this, or have someone to recommend, please let me know!

Talk soon! xx, Madison

It’s been so! much! fun! I’m pinching myself with how lucky I feel to get to do this!

I’ve done this round up a few different months and it seems to be everyone’s favorite style of letter so I wanted to continue here with all the things I bought last month, my top line notes about each one, and everything I returned, too.

What I think is nice about this retroactive recap of everything I bought and loved is that I can give you feedback on the pieces, not just links to things. Also, as I was pulling the links, I realized so much of what I got at full price is now on sale - lucky you! I noted those where I could!

Ideally I like to share my own photos of the things I recommend here because I think it makes for a better recommendation than a product photo but I have been so preoccupied with our move, and work, I didn't have as much time as usual. I shared them where I had!

I’ll plan to do this in August too, since I have shopped more than ever in an attempt to fill this house up with everything from necessities like drawer organizers and sheets, to total non-necessities like decorative objects and Facebook Marketplace scores I couldn’t pass up. Sometime soon, I plan to do a post all about how I navigate FB Marketplace to find the best things on there, because I have seriously filled up half our house with it, so stay tuned!

Much more than Five Fine Things I bought and loved this past month:

• Fewer Finer Family Ring in Full Diamond Eternity - I love the way the all diamond version looks on my stack now (pictured with our Signature Eternity Ring and Signature Pave Eternity Ring (coming soon).

  

• Ice Roller Balls - This is maybe my top Amazon purchases of summer! They used these exact ones on me in a facial recently and I loved them. I like that, different from others I’ve seen, the balls roll around so you don’t have to twist your wrist to roll them over the face. I also love that they’re so cheap. I keep them in their little dust bag in my freezer!

  

• STAUD Sandals (now on sale)- I was looking for an easy sandal that was not a flip flop and I love that the snake skin kind of goes with everything. These run true to size!

  

• JOC Goods Stainless Steel Prep Trays- I have used these so much in just the two weeks I’ve had them. I love that they double as storage containers (like pictured below), and that they keep my prep area organized when I’m cooking!

  

• Doen Petra Cardigan - I have talked about this a bit, because I have loved it for over a year. It’s my favorite cardigan I own and when it went on sale (sadly no longer running - it was just on a few colors), I bought it in a second color.

  

• Victrola Sonos Record Player - For Father’s Day I got Rich a record player and a few albums. We have never had one and I thought it would be so fun in the new house. I did my research wanting to find one that was simple to use and for beginners, but that looked good too. This is the only one that’s fully Sonos compatible which is amazing. You just put your record on, put down the needle, and it starts playing on your Sonos speaker. We have been loving it!

  

• Flamingo Estate Gifts - One of my go-to gifts is a set from Flamingo Estate. They can appeal to almost anyone, come beautifully wrapped, and feel like a luxury you would not get yourself. For someone who likes to cook, my two favorite sets are the Chef’s Kiss, and the Spicy Finishing Set. Also, I got this limited edition fig balsamic and it’s so good with yogurt and fruit.

  

• Margaux Flats - I was gifted these flats and I cant tell you how much I love them! They are so incredibly comfortable and I like that they can lean really casual or more dressed up, and that they work for summer and fall. I also love the cow print of these classic ballet flats! And, I love these loafers for fall!

  

• Vir Vita Tank - I really love this tank! Wide straps, nice seam detail on back. Half the price of the other tanks I buy, plus a bit more stretch.

  

• J. Crew White Skirt (Now on Sale!, pictured above) - I got this on a whim when I was in the store for a return. I have worn it so much to dress up or down. It’s easy and lightweight and works well now in pregnancy, but I know it will too afterwards.

• Madewell white denim top (now on sale) - I got this in my usual size and it works pregnant so maybe size down. I love that it’s more structured than a t-shirt but just as easy to wear with sorts or drawstring pants this summer!

  

• Everlane Knit Polo (now on sale!) - this shirt is so cute and easy. I love the sailor inspired collar on back!

  

• H&M Home “Stairs” Basket - If you read the letter, you may remember that I love a basket on the stairs for things that need to go up, but you don’t yet want to take. You can read about my front door basket “system” at home in FFT #9. This one was the perfect size for your new place!

  

• Sorella Glenn Tassels - I just love the pop of color these bring to a door. I got one for my office and one for our bedroom door.

  

• Wayfair Baskets (now on sale!) - I got these this month actually, but wanted to share them since I thought they were such a good deal for the quality and they are currently on sale. I got them for our new linen closet and love that they’re actually plastic, not rattan which is better for a damp bathroom. I am so pleased with them - I got 3 sets!

  

• Target for Kids - I never get to go to a Target in person but recently went when we were in the suburbs and found Richie a few pairs of Cat and Jack PJs and this adorable little American flag sweater (just realized this is technically for girls as I pulled the link). It reminded me to shop there for his clothes more. I was so impressed with the quality of both, especially for the price!

  

• Isla Beauty Essentials - Since I knew we’d be spending a lot of time out east at our new place, I wanted to stock up on my most minimal skincare favorites to leave out there so got this duo of the elixir and serum I cant live without and my favorite lip balm too. Since I talk about the brand so much, they nicely reached out and gave me a code to share with readers for 15% off your purchase: MADISON15

  

• Zara Home Duvet Cover - I was so excited about the Katherine Pole collaboration with Zara! I got this striped duvet cover for our new house and was so impressed with the quality. I have it layered with some fun printed sheets and a cool patterned quilt and just love it. Sadly I didn’t get a photo! Only complaint is that it’s missing the ties that allow you to secure the duvet inside so I think I’ll try and sew some in (or, more realistically, ask my tailor to!)

  

• Fewer Finer Archive Sale Ring - I plucked this out of our Archive Sale after loving for a while and secretly hoping it didn’t sell. I was surprised after almost a year in inventory it had not sold, but was happy to claim her. We have so many other amazing finds in our Archive Sale, which is happening in person this Friday at The Fewer Finer Townhouse! See more details on our Instagram. Whatever does not sell will be live online Saturday morning for remote shopping! Until then, here is current vintage inventory which will not be discounted.

  

And five not so fine things I returned:

1. H&M Home Throw Pillows - My friend told me about H&M Home’s new collection recently and I was happy with a few things I bought but I did return these two pillow covers because the quality was poor.

   

2. Target Oversized Towels - As an honest towel snob, I don’t know how I fell for these cheap towels but the reviews were great and I wanted something unfussy for the pool and beach that I could have a big basket of at our new place. I was not happy with the quality at all, but had to open one pack to realize that so I returned the other unopened two. The colors bled in the wash and they are not very absorbent.

   

3. Hill House Home Set - I saw this on and thought it looked so cute but it did not translate well in pregnancy sadly :(

   

4. STAUD Dress - I was delusional and thought this in a larger size would be cute with a little bump. I looked like a pregnant little pageant queen. It went right back!

   

5. Pooky Lighting - I was looking for a very slim profile art light for a painting in my house I recently moved to a new place. It was hard to find something as slim as I needed and I tried this out. I should have known the quality was not the highest, given the affordable price point. That said, I almost kept it, and if you are on a tighter budget or less picky, it was pretty good, especially for the price. I am particular about nice metal on lighting fixtures, so I am hard to please. I guess it’s the jewelry designer in me!

   

   ---

   And I will leave you with that! No judging my shopping allowed :) Do let me know if you discovered anything you love through this, that’s why I like sharing and always love to know!

   Thanks for reading Five Fine Things! Subscribe for more letters like this here:

Now, onto Five Fine Things I want to tell you more about:

1. Le Sac Sulpice

   

   I discovered this brand at a trunk show we did recently and just love their bags. Obviously the stripes pulled me in because I love anything with a stripe, but I also really like the material which is easy to wipe down and no problem to get wet - just perfect for summer. We are doing a pop up with them tomorrow at The Fewer Finer Townhouse! More details on Instagram here. If you’re in NYC, come by. There will be treats, drinks, jewelry, and complementary embroidery on any bag purchased! Details and RSVP here.

2. Protein Waffles

   

   I have been using this simple recipe for making protein waffles in the blender and then on the waffle maker as a fun morning thing to do with Richie. He loves the whole process: pushing the blender buttons, waiting for the light on the waffle maker to turn green, and then getting to watch me open it. They are so good - I like mine with salted butter and almond butter and have been taking them taco-style as I walk out the door to work. One day, when I ate at home, I made them without the honey/maple syrup and then put a fried egg on top with some pesto and avocado and it was amazing.

   To make this especially easy, I use my Beast Blender - I have the Mega 1200 Plus and have loved it for years. I use it every single day! Then, I make them in my vintage Swedish heart shaped waffle maker. We grew up with one of these at home and wouldn’t use any other maker - this style makes them crispy and thin and just perfect. They’re a bit harder to find and the one I have actually needed an adapter since it’s from Europe, but they’re cheap and just the best! This one seems like a great option!

3. Door Tassels

   

   I truly have never met a door tassel I didn’t like and the two tassels I ordered from this shop arrived last week. I learned about them from someone here on Substack and I love the unique colors and larger size! They’re well made and add such a fun pop of color!

4. Merit Flush Balm

   

   I have been a fan of Merit makeup for years and the one thing I can not live without is the flush balm. If I could only use three things every day, it would be my fave tinted SPF, favorite brow gel, and one of these blush balms. I love that they are such an easy to use creamy formula that you really can’t apply incorrectly. I use them on my cheeks and my eyelids and on my lips, too. It really is the perfect summer makeup - one thing that does so much. I wanted to mention these since I’ve been loyal to them for years. My favorite two colors are “Cheeky” and “Fox.” If you’re shopping on their site, I also love their great skin serum (so nice before putting on makeup) and their lip liner!

5. Actually Amazing Jarred Pasta Sauce

   

   I have never tried a jarred pasta sauce that I’ve liked - until this one. Truly, I never buy it and always find it tastes tannic, but this one is absolutely the exception. My mom introduced me to it last week when she was in town for just a night and brought good dried pasta and two jars of this. We made the simplest dinner with some added spinach (using the trick she taught me that I wrote about in FFT #10) and really good parm and it was the easiest and best meal I’ve had all week! I loved the Caramelized Shallot and Anchovy one she brought, but you can get a pack of their three options here. I’ve already ordered a three pack of the one we ate and the variety pack to keep on hand for easy dinners for just us or entertaining!

Up next week, I’ll be sharing a full recap of Everything I Bought, Loved, and Returned in July!

Chat soon - Madison

I’ve been a fan of Auberge Collection for years. Before starting Fewer Finer, I worked in luxury hospitality marketing for an agency called Spherical as the Lead Producer. I would travel to hotels producing photoshoots for their websites, social media, and marketing. In my last year there, Auberge became a client and I wish I got to work with them more! My biggest client was Rosewood Hotels, and a fun fact that I get to brag about is that I’ve been to more Rosewood Hotels than anyone you know - I’ve gotten to stay at over 20 Rosewood properties around the world.

For our first babymoon, we went to Hacienda AltaGracia, another Auberge in Costa Rica and it stands as one of my top five favorite hotels of all time. If you ever have a chance to go, I can’t speak highly enough about it!

For this babymoon, given that it is our second one, we were taking it in the height of a very busy summer, and we are at a stage of life where we’re looking for something easy, seamless, and just relaxing, Esperanza was a perfect fit. Because of my relationship with the brand, I did get a discount on our stay. Of course, anything I ever share on here is a genuine recommendation and my honest take!

It was the ideal trip, just the right amount of time, and such a luxury to take a few days away! Below, I wanted to share a list of fifteen things (usually this letter focuses on just five things, but sometimes I want to share more!) I loved about the hotel. These are the kind of details every great hotel should consider! And after, a Five Fine Things list of favorite items I packed and loved for this trip!

Fifteen* Fine Things I Loved About Esperanza

1. Incredible Food - I knew the food here was going to be amazing. It’s hard to do Mexican food wrong if you’re using good ingredients and making authentic dishes, but the attention to detail here and the execution on every dish at every meal was such a score. We ate so well! Fresh seafood, more elevated dishes, some casual ones, poolside food that was exactly what you want to eat in that setting, so many incredible salads... One dish we got two days in a row that was probably the best thing we ate was birriería tacos - a Mexican dish that has slow stewed beef and melted cheese on a crispy taco that you eat with grilled onions and a consomé for dipping - the one at La Palapa blew us away!

   

2. Perfect Beds -A great hotel should have a perfect bed. Amazing sheets that feel brand new, plenty of pillows, and a feeling of abundance that is hard to mimic in your bed at home. That’s what they had here. The pillows were so great that I removed the three layers of pillow covers and protectors to find the brand and type. They were Kassatex (inner chamber 95% waterfowl feathers, 5% down, outer chamber 12% white down), and I think I’m going to buy two for our bed at home!

   

3. Turndown service twice a day - Any fine hotel should do twice a day turndown service, and it’s a luxury I really love. It’s so nice to come back from breakfast to a tight made bed, fresh towels, and all your toiletries organized on the counter. Here they did all that, plus at evening turndown there was always some kind of cute little treat or gift left on our bed. On the last night they gave us a baby hat embroidered with “Baby Podpirka” because they knew we were celebrating our babymoon!

   

4. Sunscreen Stations - this one is specific to beach/pool destinations but I thought it was so nice that at every pool and beach entrance they had these towel stations that also offered big pumps of sunscreen (30spf, 50spf, and aloe). While I love a fancy sunscreen, especially for my face, at a place like this where there is so much time in the sun and you’re reapplying constantly, it felt like a luxury to not have to think about buying more at the gift shop.

5. Good Fitness Programing and a Beautiful Gym - When I’m on vacation, working out is a luxury because I can take much more time for it than I can in my day to day. I love when a hotel has great fitness programing and I really appreciate a beautiful gym. The gym here was a big nice bright room full of top of the line equipment. Everyday there were a handful of classes to choose from. One day, I did yoga, and another we did a boot camp on the beach!

   

6. Private Beach Coves - If swimming in the ocean is something you want to do lots of, Cabo is not the destination for you because it’s on a peninsula that is rocky and can be quite rough so there’s not a lot of areas to safely swim. But, if you’re okay with little dips and love looking out on water that’s always changing and crashing into the rocks then I highly recommend. Personally, I was just captivated by the views here from the beaches and vantage points. I think a setting like this is so much more interesting to look out on than a flat ocean. There are two private beaches coves at Esperanza - we swam in the ocean every day, rented a beach cabana one day, and had a little private beach bonfire dinner set up by our concierge on another. It’s so nice to do these things tucked into a cliffside in total privacy.

7. Comal at Chileno Bay, the sister property - Because this was a short trip and we had been to Cabo before, we really delighted in the fact that we had no plans and nowhere to go. We didn’t feel like we needed to leave the resort to explore anything else, and were happy little resort rats the whole time! One thing that got us off the property was Esperanza’s sister hotel, less than 10 minutes down the road. We went for dinner one night at Comal, the awarded restaurant there where everything is cooked on a comal, the spanish word for flat top grill. The meal was outstanding! It was fun to get off property to see another hotel with a different more modern, sleek design, and to try another restaurant.

   

8. Spa amenities you can use with or without a treatment / appointment - This is something I really value in a hotel and I’ve noticed it is a bit more common these days. Sometimes you want to use the spa amenities without having an appointment booked and I think it’s so nice to be able to do that as a guest, especially if the spa amenities are worthwhile. Here you can use their relaxation room, the steam, hot tub and cold shower anytime!

   

9. Personalized details at the spa - We did a couples massage and I loved that the spa had a few thoughtful details that made the experience even better. First of all, when you check in they give you a menu of drink options to choose from for after your treatment and then they bring it to you in the post treatment room along with a plate of fruit, vegetable and nuts. I love that it felt more personal that you got to choose your drink and look forward to it after. They also had these little note cards that you filled out with questions about if you like your scalp massaged, what kind of pressure you liked, and a picture of the front and the back of a human figure that you could circle, or cross out in the areas you wanted them to work on or avoid. It was fun and easy to fill out and I feel like it made it much easier to communicate to the masseuse what you like and don’t like without any awkward conversation.

   

10. Great mocktails - Every menu here has an extensive mocktail menu. Honestly, pregnant or not, I love this because I didn’t drink very much. They didn’t just have mocktails, they had really amazing ones! Rich and I both loved the Orange Turmeric drink at Cocina Del Mar and had it multiple times, and I had many different versions of mint lime basil mocktails throughout our stay!

    

11. Real Pickleball Courts - Sadly, we were a little bit too lazy to make it to the tennis and pickleball courts, but they were beautiful. We took a nice morning walk every day and there was always a group of people playing pickleball shouting and having fun. I don’t play a ton of Pickleball, but I’ve often played on courts that are tennis courts with some extra lines and miniature nets set up but here they have proper pickleball courts that are beautiful. It’s so much better to play on a court specifically for pickleball so you’re not constantly setting up your lines and chasing after balls on a big court. Next time, I’m here, I definitely want to play!

12. An extensive breakfast buffet- Our room included daily breakfast and I loved that the buffet here was extensive with lots of options. I love the excitement of choosing from a big variety of things at a hotel breakfast. Despite the many options, I loved my breakfast so much the first day that I had the exact same thing everyday. It was a chia pudding, an egg and chorizo breakfast burrito, a slice of toasted banana bread, and a grapefruit/orange juice. Perfection!

    

13. A Sense of Fun - I want any hotel I go to have an aliveness. Hotels really are living breathing things and the energy matters. When a hotel feels fun, especially in Mexico, it’s such a bonus! I love that Esperanza had that with little touches that didn’t feel over orchestrated. The day we got there was the final for the World Cup and they turned one of the pools into a watch party. People were watching a big projector they set up from floats in the pool and they had a DJ there. One night, the restaurant had a woman set up who was rolling Cuban cigars which if you are cigar smoker is just a fun little activity. They come by the pool in the afternoon with popsicles. And they do live music on certain nights, which of course always feels fun too!

    

14. A Beautiful Magazine - “Auberge” is the name of the beautiful magazine the brand publishes with great editorial content and gorgeous photography. I spent an hour reading it on our room’s patio and loved how it covered fashion, food, interiors and storytelling, with more beautiful imagery, and better writing than most of the magazines I subscribe to! I love when a hotel brings you into their world in some way and this magazine did it so well. At the end it also lists all of their hotels and I realized I’ve only stayed at a few: Wildflower Farms (Hudson Valley), The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern (Los Olivos), and Hacienda Altagracia (Costa Rica). The others now top on my list for future trips are: The Dunlin (Charleston), Domaine Des Etangs (France), and any of their African properties!

    

15. Water and WiFi Everywhere - Another thing I really appreciated was that the hotel had amazing wifi everywhere which surprised me for such a large property. While of course I try to disconnect, I also really loved that even sitting on the beach I could read Substack or do things on my phone if needed. Also, there was no lack of water, which when you’re in a country where you aren’t drinking the tap is so nice to not have to go looking for. Every night in our room they left plenty of water bottles, they have water stations throughout the hotel, and all the restaurants serve nice bottled water when you sit down without asking for it!

Five Fine Things I Packed:

1. Birkenstock 1774

   

   The 1774 collection for Birkenstock reimagines the brand's legendary silhouettes through the vibrant lens of the historical 1920s in Berlin (or so says my research!). I got mine a few years ago and I love that they’re different, feel luxe, but don’t have any designer branding. They’re a great shoe for a beach trip! They don’t make my exact pair anymore, but these ones are almost identical! I also like this dark brown pair, and this navy blue pair - both are on sale!

2. Hunting Season Clutch

   

   I got this clutch on The RealReal awhile back and loved having it on this trip. I found I needed something small just to hold my room key, phone, and sunglasses when going around the hotel and it was perfect for that. I packed it to use as my evening bag, which I did, but like that the woven detail made it work well for the day too. I love the simplicity and size of it. The all-leather version available on their site now is beautiful and comes in some great colors. And, here’s a lighter color available on The RealReal.

3. J.Crew Sadie Dress (now on sale!)

   

   I shared this dress (which is now on sale) in a recent round up and wanted to point it out again. If you’re looking for something for really hot temps, this is perfect. It’s the softest thinnest material, but I still feel like I can wear it with regular underthings (aka i't’s not see-through) and on our hottest night here, I was so happy to feel like I was wearing nothing! I now want it in the other print too!

4. Fave New White Tank

   

   I have been on a mission to acquire a few great tanks since that’s what I’m living in this summer. I recently got the Kana Tank from Vir Vita, a new-to-me brand and I really love it. It reminds me a lot of the Flore Flore “Jill” tanks I love, but is a bit more stretchy (the FF ones tend to be a thicker, stiffer material) and it’s longer (the FF ones are kind of cropped) - plus, importantly, they are half the price of Flore Flore. Since I needed something with more length and in a larger size than usual, I was hesitant to get more Flore Flore and I’m happy I discovered these. I love the thick straps that let you easily wear a concealed bra with them, and the seam detail up the back.

5. My Favorite Bikini

   

   My favorite bikini - pregnant or not is The Harley Bikini Top and Bottom from Solid & Striped. I’ve worn this all summer long and have had it for years and it’s still my favorite. For me, it’s the perfect cut, the easiest softest material, and simple in a way I find unfussy.

Thanks for reading!

- Madison

The way I write this newsletter is by keeping a running list in my phone of things I want to share and then, about weekly, I like to put something together - often just a general list, and sometimes with a specific topic, like the most opened and clicked letter I ever sent: Favorite Things (I Bought), March, or my guide to New Baby Gifts. Maybe it’s because I’m only six months into writing this, but more likely its because I just love to share things I’m passionate about, I’m never having to come up with the final fourth or fifth thing - I’m much more often saving things for the next letter or narrowing them down.

So, that’s why I wanted to write you from here, where I feel I have an abundance of time, no Lover Boy (aka my son Richie) to hang with, no work to do, and a notes app full of things to tell you about. What I hope you know to count on me for is genuine recommendations and reviews of things I think are worth you knowing about, a discerning eye for quality and a considered approach to how I fill my time, my home, and my closet!

Last week was a busy one at Fewer Finer. On Tuesday, we had a photoshoot with my friend Bo McKinley, a very talented photographer who we love working with. If you have a brand or business or even need personal shots, he’s amazing! Then, on Wednesday, we had a Quarterly Team Meeting, followed by a fun pilates class at Good Day. We are also planning an event in two weeks for a pop up with a just-launched bag brand, Le Sac Sulpice, so if you’re local to NYC, I’d love you to come! They’ll be doing complimentary embroidery on any bag purchased - RSVP here!

Oh! And one more FF related thing - we finally got to share about this incredible engagement ring we’d been working on for the cutest couple. He was totally surprising her with it and I haven’t gotten to meet her yet, but I was so happy to see their proposal photos and I could not love the unique style of the ring more!

Now, onto the Five Fine Things I wanted to share:

1. Fish Knobs

   

   I don’t have a spot for these fish knobs just yet, but I’m obsessed with them and bought two because I know I’ll find a space! They also have a fish hook and a fish swing arm hook! I love this brand and have a few pieces from them at our house and the Fewer Finer showroom! The shipping costs 22 GBP, so it’s a bit more worth it if you’re buying a few things. Others I’d suggest that are on my wishlist: these colorful knobs, this colorful table lamp (I love the pinhole lampshade, sold separately), and this narrow, elongated doormat - a shape and quality I think is hard to find!

2. My Newest Piece of Art

   

   I was so excited to share with you my newest piece of art - two giant framed gunnera leaves. It’s by Tom Berington of House of Herbaria, in the UK. I discovered his work through my friend Georgia who writes . I had seen this style of artwork in an Architectural Digest feature and had pinned it in my mind but had never gone searching for where to find it. Then, just when I was in need of a new piece for above our dining table, I discovered Georgia’s writing (she has since become a real life friend) and read her piece - “The very specific art that I am obsessed with.” From there, I reached out and started a commission. The process is cool because I was able to tell him things I liked, like the richness of the color on the leaves, the specific size I was hoping for (the leaves only come in certain sizes), and the fact thatI wanted a diptych, or two frames that matched together. It took about three months to make, and another month or so to ship, but the wait, of course, was well worth it! I wanted to show it to you hung up in our house but it was hung incorrectly (with no spacing between the frames) so needs an adjustment before it’s ready. I love it so much and am incredibly thankful for the kismet timing of learning about his work!

3. AI Grocery List

   

   I am embarrassingly inept at using AI in a way that I’m sure could be productive for me as a business owner and just a person in the world. I mostly still use it just as a glorified search engine, but I did recently task it with something I thought was worth sharing: Inspired by my friend Dana, whose husband owns a grocery store and brings home what she requests from a grocery list almost daily, I did what she told me she does for him… I put the list of things I wanted Rich to pick up into ChatGPT, and asked it to sort it into a list, organized by section, with an emoji for each item. I thought it was so fun and Rich said it was seriously so useful! Don’t count on me for anything more sophisticated in the category of AI tips, though :)

4. Good Fake Florals

   

   Typically I really only like fresh florals and luckily someone in our office makes beautiful arrangements for our showroom each week! But, we have this one cool vintage vase that sits on a pedestal and looks great with branches. Unfortunately, those can really only be found in the flower district and having someone run up there every week or two was getting to be too much for our small team. So, I bought this large arrangement from Apartment387, a NYC company that’s kind of the leader in much nicer looking silk flowers. I was really happy with the quality, but the arrangement wasn’t right for the space and vase (and they happily let us return it!) Instead, I just bought 4 bunches of artificial cherry blossoms from AFloral and I’m really happy with them!

5. Premium Stainless Prep Trays

   

   I am so excited for my new prep trays to arrive! I ordered them last week after watching so many of Maximillian Baroni’s videos on Instagram. When I was sick, I discovered his content and went back into his archive watching his cooking Reels. Turns out, he used to chef at one of my favorite Brooklyn restaurants, The Four Horseman! He’s so cute and makes all kinds of great looking food. These prep trays caught my eye because he uses them for everything from just setting his ingredients out, to roasting things on them, using them to flour/egg/breadcrumb drench, and much more. I was able to track down what look to be identical and bought them in the small size. I love that they also come with tops so you can use them as storage containers too!

That’s all for today!

Chat soon, Madison

I saw a reel on Instagram about one gal’s philosophy for dressing when pregnant that I really agreed with. She broke it down simply: 1st Trimester: loose on top and loose on bottom. 2nd Trimester: tight on top or bottom, loose on the other. 3rd Trimester: tight on top and bottom. I agree that this is the general way I feel most comfortable.

Here are some of my thoughts on second trimester dressing, specifically in the summertime, and the pieces I’ve relied on most! None of these are maternity, and I will use and love most next summer too, so may be worth browsing even if you’re not pregnant!

1. Dresses:

   I’m really picky about dresses in pregnancy. I need ones that allow me to wear a bra. And I personally only like a short dress. Once my bump is bigger I can do a tight maxi style but anything with extra material at this stage is not for me. A few that I’ve loved recently include: Black Silk Cutout Dress from Natalie Martin (this is an XS and I’ll continue to wear through summer even as I get bigger), Brown Linen Dress from JCrew (this is from pre pregnancy so I linked something similar), this Deiji Studios very light plaid dress (it’s easy for the super hot days of summer and not too night gown-y in style which is not for me), this JCrew print tie dress (something fun, bought recently has plenty of room, but will wear sans a bump). The next two on my wishlist are this simple jersey black cotton dress from Leset, a brand I always love, and this A line style dress in white. And, I’m eying this black and white stripped dress for my upcoming beach babymoon!

2. Low Rise Pants:

   Okay let me vent for a minute about the issue I take with all maternity pants - the cut is always so lame. In the elastic side ones I feel like a frump and in the elastic belly band ones I feel bulky. Then, if I wear a non maternity style that’s elastic or drawstring and wear it under my belly, the crotch always hangs way too low. I have no interest in starting a maternity brand but I think there is a huge opportunity for someone to design ultra low rise, ultra short inseam pants with stretch for all pregnant women. I need a low rise because I never wear something over my belly or I feel like Winnie the Pooh. So, I have made it my mission to find pants that work best, though none are perfect. My favorites for this stage have been: Pistola Denim Sabrina Pant (my favorite of all! Bought 3 sizes larger than my usual), Rag and Bone Denim Logan Trackpant (got my usually size and they’re still a bit big), Nelle Atelier Miri Baggy Jeans (have three sizes bigger than my usual), Abercrombie Linen Drawstring Jeans (I searched for ultra low rise and have been happy with these! I got the petite size which means a shorter inseam too! I got two sizes larger than my usual), J.Crew Cosmo Pant (got these in 2 sizes bigger and the petite for the shorter inseam, plus I had to get them hemmed so they don’t drag too low when I wear them so low on the waist).

3. Tight, Long Shirts:

   I like a more fitted top, with a lower rise bottom for most days, so here are the shirts I’ve relied on most: The LeSet Pointelle tee shirts in Large (I usually wear small), this Abercrombie “Essential Tuckable Baby Tee” that is longer than most t-shirts I’ve tried. Uniqlo built in bra tank tops in Medium - these are the best I’ve found and I have tried and returned a lot!

4. The Right Bras:

   I have bought and returned way too many bras recently in search of ones I like with boobs at least 2 cup sizes bigger. I’m so picky about bras and have liked very few. Typically my daily go to bra is The Scoop Bra from Cupp - but it’s not lined and has underwire and in pregnancy I want something lined because you’re nipples are bigger (sorry just giving you the facts!), and underwire is less comfortable when your rib cage has expanded so much. The ones I’ve liked most are the Commando Butter Bralette (light and unpadded) which you can get on Amazon. It’s tight enough that you can avoid lining- which is my preference, and so comfortable. The other I’ve liked is the Cuup Wireless Plunge Modal. Again the higher stretch fabric can replace a lining and I like it easier on my ribs. I get both in 2 sizes bigger than usual. The Uniqlo built in bra tank tops (on sale) I mentioned above are amazing and my preference over a bra at all.

5. Accessories:

   My personal style when I’m pregnant tones down a bit because I find that I don’t want to accentuate too much. Frilly tops, bold patterns and more interesting drapes all feel a bit too much, so I have found my philosophy is to dress simply and then wear some more statement-y accessories, which makes summer time a good one for pregnancy since my accessories are more fun in this season anyways. I’ve relied on these wide strap red sandals I’ve had for years or my other red sandals from Zara that are sold out but I’m tempted to get these great strappy sandals (on major sale) next. You really can’t have too many red sandals! I love the black woven Margaux flats for dressing up. And I love the my J.Crew jelly fisherman sandals (on sale) which make me nostalgic for the ones I wore and loved as a kid in the summertime. I’ve loved wearing colored necklaces. This from Zara kids (now $5! I clip off the cheap looking long chain in back), this shell necklace from this vintage store I love (someone get this silver shell!), and this shell from Lizzie Fortunato, and these precious stones with a gold bail and diamond that we just launched at Fewer Finer.

And while I have you, If you’re in your 1st trimester and suffering from nausea - which was all consuming and totally flattening for me in the beginning of both of my pregnancies - here’s my advice to you: First, know it will pass but it will take time (week, months) which is hard to cope with but the reality. Second, know not much helps to actually relive it (it really is a trial in patience and acceptance), but these few things (five in fact!) were the ones that brought me some relief:

1. Accupuncture - I saw a prenatal accupuncturist when I was trying to get pregnant (I do think it helped!) and then continued to see her through my 1st trimester. She would do some points that were nausea specific and I noticed a difference in the hours and days afterwards.

2. Apple Sauce Pouches - Random but important. I relied on these big time. For some reason they were all I could stomach and the convenience of the portable pouch that you can eat the minute you feel you need to (no prep, no utensils) was helpful.

3. Magnesium for Sleeping - Sleeping is tough when nauseous. My first pregnancy I was up throughout the night often needing to eat. This second one I slept better but still woke up very early, needing to eat immediately. Taking magnesium before bed did help me to sleep longer and deeper. (The Unisom doctors tell you to take didn’t make a difference for me).

4. Lemon Iced Tea - I was told that sour foods are used in many cultures to combat nausea and that drinking as much water as possible is important too. I found being nauseous made it almost impossible to drink wanter at all, but when I would make an herbal iced tea with a little honey and a ton of lemon, I could drink it more easily throughout the day and this really did help!

5. Walking - Movement was so hard because everything felt like a big ask, but I walked to and from work for about 25 min almost everyday and on the weekends tried to take one walk a day. It helped get my mind off of feeling awful and definitely gave me some much needed endorphins.

On a lighter note, I am feeling much better now, very thankful to be pregnant and growing our family, and loving dressing with a bump in summertime!

Hope this gave you some ideas if you’re also pregnant in this season, to just love loose, easy clothes!

xx, Madison

I’m excitedly pregnant with our second child, due in mid November! Being up there with our son, my three nieces and nephews, and another baby on the way is a totally new way of being at the lake and changes with each year. This year was really all about the kids, and it was fun to lean into that for a full week. It was also about lot’s of boat time, outdoor showers, homemade meals, swimming, relaxing, naked kids, and time with my parents and siblings.

With that, here are some “things” worth sharing from this week:

1. Things You Should Make

   My family is a food-first family. Everything revolves around the meals and the cooking and the shopping. It’s mostly a blessing, because I love to eat, but can be a curse since it can be overwhelming to think about food for so many people all the time. We did well this year with a mix of simpler meals that included the kids, and some really nice multi-course ones after they went down. There were so many great things we ate but the two I had to share here were the ones I couldn’t leave without the recipes for.

   1. First up, my mom’s date and walnut “breakfast cookies.” She had made a batch before I arrived and had them in the fridge. They were so delicious and very much my kind of thing - not too sweet, nutty, and wholesome, but kind of cake-y too. A few days in, she made another batch and warm out of the oven they were even more amazing. We fed them to the kids, ate them for breakfast, and snacked on them between meals. She kindly wrote up the recipe for us here!

      

      

   2. Next was my mom’s Strawberry Rhubarb Cornmeal Cake (recipe here). This was incredible!!! It was presented after dinner and eaten up so fast I have no photos but trust that this is worth going out of your way to make. I’ve had so many fruit tarts and summer cakes as dessert at restaurants over the past few months and nothing holds a candle to this. It was moist, dense, cakey, not overly sweet, and everyone loved it! Serve it with a little maple syrup sweetened creme fresh or whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Please tell me if you make it! I’ll be seeing if I can do as well as my mom this weekend.

      

2. The 3 MVPs of the Clothes I Packed

   

   

   Even though I packed a few cute outfits, most days lived in a bathing suit, t-shirt and simple shorts. I love going on a trip where I can be so casual and find that the clothes I reached for most are the real workhorses of my wardrobe at home too. My three favorites this past week were: This Rag and Bone Stripped Polo Shirt that is great quality and works well in so many situations from thrown over my shoulders to worn on a boat ride. These Rag and Bone Jeans/Sweatpants (now on sale!) that are perfect for being pregnant and don’t look like jeans trying to be sweats. These run large - I have a small and they’re a little big, even at 20 weeks pregnant. And lastly, this Doen Cardigan that my friend urged me to buy awhile back - how great could a cardigan be?, I thought - but I wear this constantly! I think it’s the wool blend material that just makes it easy to layer, more interesting in texture, and good for all seasons. I have the grey and really want the light blue next! My sister bought one after my recommendation, says she wears it all the time, and brought hers too.

3. Amazon Sunglasses

   

   These are the sunglasses I’ve worn all summer long. They are $15 on Amazon and actually a dupe of a Prada pair. To be honest, I don’t usually love a dupe, but I actually liked these better than the real Prada ones I tried because I really like the maroon color. Plus, I am not very careful with my glasses and I love that I don’t have to be precious about these at all.

4. Beatrice Valenzuela Sandals (and my go to pedicure color)

   

   If I could pick one shoe to wear all summer long it would be these. They’re elevated enough for work or dinner out and casual enough for a walk or the beach. I’ve had a few pairs of this exact style (sadly lost 1 or two) but this pair I got years ago and they’re still going strong! I only packed these, sneakers, and Birkenstocks for my whole week away. Also, thought I’d share the nail polish color I’ve used on my toes almost exclusively for years - OPI Gala-Vanting. Any time I deviate for something else I’m disappointed. For me, this is the perfect deep red and it works well in every season.

5. Facial Gua Sha and Cleansing Balm

   

   When I pack for a trip like this I go very minimal on my skincare routine and I actually forgot my makeup bag and didn’t miss it once. It is a super casual vibe up there. But, I did bring my dry brush for body brushing (which I am obseessed with) and my Gua Sha and cleansing balm. When it comes to dry brushes and Gua Shas, I actually think most good quality ones are created equal (but I linked the ones I use if you’re looking for one). However, one thing I want to put you onto is this specific cleansing balm that I really love for using with my Gua Sha. I put it on in the shower, then do my Gua Sha routine in there - I find this makes me much more likely to do it, since I love the shower. I like that this product makes the Gua Sha so easy to use and slide around my face, that it is also my daily cleanser, and that it rinses off so easily. Most other cleansing balms I’ve used are much tackier and hard to rinse off which I don’t like. I’ve only recently started using a Gua Sha, inspired by my friend who's 40 and looks younger than me!

We got back to Brooklyn Friday afternoon where the stomach bug that got Richie on the second last day of our trip hit both Rich and me! Thankfully my in-laws came to the rescue to take Richie for a sleepover and we got a MobileIV to come over and revive us 24 hours after it hit, which was a Godsend. If you have not used them in NYC, I highly recommend!

Now that I’m in better heath, I’m looking forward to a week ahead, back in our routine and back to work!

Talk soon, Madison

I sent out a group text to all the wives and was happy everyone was able to make one of my suggested dates work, especially considering summer travel schedules, and all the other things like work and babysitters. It was actually really nice to do on a weekday, where I find it’s easier for most of my friends to find childcare, and people are much less likely to be traveling.

The best thing I did for this dinner was hire a chef to handle cooking, and the even better thing I did was choose my brother as that chef! I knew ten people on a weeknight would be hard to execute and I wanted to just enjoy and get to catch up with everyone. My brother, , who writes Myles Cooks, is a chef who’s worked in restaurants and private events. He just recently moved onto our street (!!! a life upgrade I’m so excited and thankful for), and he was up for it! You could of course do a similar style dinner by cooking on your own and still really enjoy the night.

Here are Five Fine Things worth noting that made it a perfect night:

1. Setting the Table:

   

   I was so excited that my main task for the night was setting a beautiful dinner table! When I’m cooking, the food is my main focus and the table is a second thought, but for this I got to focus just on the table and the vibe, and I loved doing it! For the table I got this folding table online, and it’s such a great thing to have around. It folds up to easily store anywhere and can seat 10 people, which no other table we have can. Then I got these deep red stools from Muji which stack up so easily, so are also great to just have around, and honestly they perfectly comfortable for grown adults and men to sit on for the whole duration of dinner. These portable lights (on sale!) are amazing for outdoor dinner because you charge them and then they’re cordless and you can bring them anywhere. They have three brightness settings that you can adjust for ambiance. We’ve had these for years and they’ve served us so well! For the table cloth, I layered this extra large one, which is nice because it’s so big that it fully covers the legs of the table, with this floral tablecloth that Rich gifted me recently from PORTA which is also where my plates and serving dishes are from. I love the glasses I used, which were half our basic ones we use daily and half these fun ones from Zara Home that are no longer available. But, as you know, I love Zara Home and have so many great finds from there! I love these yellow glasses, these striped ones, and these blue rim tumblers they have currently. With Zara Home, if you like it, buy it, because they sell out quick and change inventory often. Also, a reminder to me and you to get more than a set of six on anything I’m buying for tablewear - both for larger groups, and also because things do break and then I find myself with random mismatched numbers. So long as I like the pieces, I don’t mind them mismatching! For instance, I got these rainbow color steak knives in Portugal years ago, and even though I didn’t have enough for everyone, I liked putting them out! For apps, I always have a roll of these disposable cloth bar napkins on hand!

2. Cooking and a Theme:

   

   

   As mentioned above, I hired my brother to cook the dinner. I told him he could make anything he wanted and knew he would execute! He decided on a “Spanish Style” dinner, inspired by Rich asking him to make these reverse seared ribeye steaks he cooked for us last year. Myles made all his sauces (aioli, romesco, whipped feta) the Sunday before, because he too was working on Tuesday. The night before, he salted the steaks, roasted the beets, and did some mise en place prep. Then, the day of, he did the potatoes, made the salad, and seared the steaks. For the apps and dessert, it was really just assembly, which is nice if you’re entertaining and it was done just before guests arrived and after we cleared dinner plates!

3. Menus:

   

   You can see the full menu of what we got to eat here and admire my Canva skills too! The morning of, I thought it would be nice to make a menu. I designed them on Canva, but you can also look through a large library they have of menu templates if you are not as design-savvy. I just emailed the PDF to the local UPS store near me and cut them there when I picked up! I think people really like seeing a menu because it gets them excited for the dinner ahead and gives them a vibe for the night and the meal. I also think people do appreciate being told where to sit so I did double duty and used the menus as place cards. I love the task of getting to choose who sits where and thinking about the dynamics and personalities. I sat Rich and myself at the heads of the table to play hosts and then overlapped the couples next to each other in a way I thought they would most enjoy.

4. Guests and Intention:

   Anytime I host I am guilty of overthinking the dynamics. If we’re having new friends over and then Rich suggests adding in someone already close to us, I will often resist thinking it’s not the right fit. That said, I have gotten better, and I do believe that a generous and laid back host is the key to entertaining any group together. But, I do still like picking a group to host for dinner that has some connection and then playing matchmaker throughout the night, helping people get to know each other. For this dinner I invited all couples who live in Brooklyn and have a 2 year old Richie’s age, since that was my main connection to most of these friends. I also think having some intention for the night - be it the theme of the food or the reason you’re all together is nice as host and guest. I chimed my glass for a quick toast before we ate just to say thank you to all of our friends for making the time to come over, comment on how cool it is that out kids brought us together, and say how much I love introducing the friends I love to each other.

5. Dressed to Host:

   

   I hate to be overdressed. I’d rather be the most casual person in the room than the most done up. When I’m hosting, I tend to lean even more casual. I think it’s a weird dynamic in my head of wanting to make other people feel at ease. That said, it’s fun to wear something cute and it’s really nice to be comfortable when you’re home because, different from a restaurant, you’re probably doing a mix of sitting in a dinging chair, lounging on a couch, serving, cleaning, etc. I have a few go-to rules when hosting: Never wear a heel (a kitten heel could be an exception) and wear shoes that you can easily remove: its ideal if I can be barefoot at some point and even in the winter its nice to have shoes that side off if you end up on the couch later or want to run upstairs. Go casual: I like something that is simple and easy to move in. I don’t want my guests to feel they’re ever underdressed. Wear your great jewelry: If I am wearing something really fun when entertaining, it’s likely jewelry, rather than a bold sleeve or a unique pant or top since those tend to be annoying to host in. Jewelry on the other hand is my favorite way to casually dress up a simple jeans and t-shirt outfit or add interest to an otherwise simple look. For this dinner, I wore a red sandal, the silk Natalie Martin dress I’ve worn tons in the past few months, and a bold vintage shell necklace.

   ---

Today Fewer Finer launched our limited edition Precious Stone Charms! I loved making these and shooting them. I was inspired by the colors of New York in the summertime. I asked one of my best friends who I’ve known for fifteen years to model for us - isn’t she gorgeous? The charms, of course are too!

And, last week we launched our Family Rings. I filmed a video sharing more about them (I much prefer propping my phone at my computer and talking to the camera on my own, but it was nice to try something new here!). I love these as a place to collect names, monograms, and details for people and places you love!

Tonight I’m hosting a dinner party for the first time in a few months and am looking forward to setting a nice table and eating al fresco with some friends. I also have the guy who hangs everything for us coming over, which means more of our house projects are finally getting ticked off! Also, this hat I shared about last week arrived from Amazon and I love it!

And now, for Five Fine Things from this week to share with you:

1. The Bath Towels I Love

   

   I was recently talking with friends about the towels we’ve used in our bathroom for years, and I thought I should share them here. As we’re refreshing our guest bathroom, I repurchased the exact same ones because I haven’t found anything I love more.

   I’m partial to white towels. They always feel the freshest to me, and I love that you can keep them looking bright with a little OxiClean when needed, and mine do after more years than I can count - maybe that means it’s time to refresh these too, but I honestly see no need.

   If you’re a towel snob like me and like something soft that actually dries you off, you’ll appreciate these. They’re incredibly absorbent while still feeling plush. We love the oversized “bath sheet” size.

   They’re not cheap but they really are worth it! As my mom always says, “buy it right or buy it twice!” You can buy them on this site for $90 less than Bloomingdales!

2. The Perfect Brow Gel

   

   Finally, I’ve found the best brow gel! I am someone who needs a good brow gel to give my eyebrows some sense of identity. They’ve never been particularly full, so brushing them up and keeping them in place makes all the difference.

   For years I was loyal to the Sania’s brow gel, but recently I noticed it was drying a little too hard. Instead of disappearing into my brows, it left a visible gel look that I don’t like. Even with a brand-new tube, I was having the same issue.

   So, I went down the rabbit hole of trying replacements. I ordered several highly recommended options, but none of them I loved - either the gel was too sticky, to visible, or the brush was no good. Then I came across this one—either through an ad or an influencer, I honestly can’t remember—and it has turned out to be the best brow gel I’ve ever used.

   It’s been a long time since I’ve used a tinted formula because I usually prefer filling in my brows with a pencil and finishing with a clear gel. But the tint is so subtle that it works really well. It holds my brows beautifully, never dries crunchy, and looks very natural. I wear the Medium shade.

3. Bread Bags

   

   One of my favorite things to have at home is a fresh loaf of bread, but if we don’t finish it within the first day or two, I’m usually slicing it up and moving the rest to the freezer.

   These beeswax-lined bread bags are my new solution. They help keep bread fresh longer than the plastic freezer bags I usually use. I love that they are so cute and come in a few different striped patters.

   I also think these would make such a thoughtful hostess gift this summer for anyone who is hosting you. Pair one with a great loaf of bread and a favorite jam, or good olive oil and you have the perfect gift!

4. Lighting Brand that Was Worth The Wait!

   I wrote about Huey Light Shop a while back when I had just placed an order for several pieces. The lead time was long, and then, as is always the case with home projects, we had to wait until we could finally coordinate with our electrician. This weekend everything was installed, and I can happily report that it was absolutely worth the wait.

   We added a chandelier to our closet, small accent lights in our bathroom, a table lamp for our bedroom, and one of their beautiful plaster wall pieces between our bathroom mirrors.

   Lighting is one of those things that completely changes how a home feels, but it can also get incredibly expensive. I’ve been so impressed with the quality and design of everything from Huey, especially considering the price point.

   My only complaint is that I wish they would expand their collection because I already have a running list of places in our house I’d love to update next.

5. J.Crew Boxers (Now 40% off!)

   

   I originally bought one pair of these boxer shorts (that are now 40% off!) to wear around the house on hot summer nights, and loved them so much that I now own three pairs.

   There’s nothing groundbreaking about them, but I’ve ordered and returned enough boxer shorts over the past few years to know that finding the right pair isn’t as easy for me. I want them to be flattering, washable (no silk!), and easy.

   I love the cut, the comfortable elastic waistband, and the lightweight cotton fabric. They do run quite big—I bought my first pair in a Small, but the next two I ordered in an XS, and I much prefer the fit, which is still comfortably roomy.

   I have one pair in the light pink, which is a little sheer, but the darker colors I can wear out of the house. I think they’ll be perfect thrown over a swimsuit on the dock this summer.

Until next time,

Madison

We took our trip by car, which is essential for hitting all the spots, but if you did just want to focus on Hudson for a full two days, there is more than enough to do and you can easily take the Amtrak from Penn Station directly to the town in just two hours. For drivers though, it opens up more, so I’ll share a play by play of what we did. Our trip focused on eating and vintage shopping - two of my all time favorite things to do. I was so chuffed with the way the weekend played out, so I am very excited to share an itinerary for your inspiration/duplication here!

p.s. We have a two year old, so leaving during the weekday when we have on nanny is arguably easier. We were lucky to have her work her regular days and then stay overnight with our son on Thursday. It made it seamless! Also, we were originally supposed to go Friday morning through Saturday evening, but I characteristically booked the hotel incorrectly and then could not find anywhere to stay on Friday night, but below I’ll make my case for why I think a Thursday-Friday is even better than a Friday-Saturday anyways! Oh, and this post is long so you may have to open it outside your email to see it all.

So, here’s the itinerary:

Thursday

9am - Depart: Our nanny arrived and we headed out in the car with just a tote each - less than we’ve packed in a long time, especially with no baby gear necessary and the car seat taken out so we would have more room for anything we wanted to bring back!

10:30am - Downstate Newburgh: More than halfway into our trip we stopped in Newburgh, a cool river town on the west side of the Hudson, 1.5 hours from Brooklyn. We were going to check out this coffee shop/breakfast spot and it blew us away. The coffee program is amazing (try the espresso tonic) and the Mexican inspired food was worth driving way out of your way for, though luckily for us it wasn’t! The breakfast burrito with brisket and avocado was maybe the best I ever had and absolutely massive!

Noon - Antique Shopping in Newburgh: We went to two spots: Hudson Valley House Parts which is more of a salvage place to find old things like doors, knobs, and lighting, and Newburgh Vintage Emporium (they have two locations, the “Ware-House” and the main store in town. This is more of your typical vintage “mall” where different vendors have alcoves full of their curation. I like shopping this way because you can see a lot in one go and quickly assess if the shop’s vibe is yours, or if you can keep walking past.

3pm - The Antique Warehouse, Hudson: Leave Newburgh and drive another hour or so north to Hudson. This place is a huge warehouse on the edge of town full of vintage finds from a mix of sellers. It’s massive so you need a bit of energy to hit it (maybe drive past Supernatural Coffee + Bakery for a pick-me-up before you head in). It’s full to the brim of vintage finds at good prices and most are negotiable. I left with outdoor dining chairs, two very cool vintage pillows and a vintage t-shirt.

4pm - Check into Pocketbook Hudson and use the Bathhouse: One of the reasons we did this trip was that you can stay at this new Hudson hotel for just one night on the weekdays - most hotels in the area required 2-3 night bookings over the weekends. It’s also much more affordable on the weekdays (our mid-tier room was $250 for the night). What I like most about the hotel is that it’s walking distance to the main street, and has a bathhouse you can use as a guest without needing toybook a spa treatment. We were lucky that it started pouring right after we checked in so we put on the robes and spent the next hour or so relaxing in the hot tub, pool, cold plunge and steam. What I also loved about a Thursday night stay was that the boathouse was nearly empty and we didn’t need a booking, which meant we could go when worked into our day instead of planning around it. On the weekends you have to book and they said it gets quite busy.

6pm - Drinks at The Hereafter: This place is walking distance from the hotel and was such a great find. It’s a serious cocktail bar with a cool vibe and an impressive food menu that we sampled while doing our best to not over order and spoil our upcoming dinner reservation. I would love to go back and try more!

7:30 - Dinner at Casa Susana: It was funny that our two main meals of the day were Mexican, but with both being so outstanding, and differentiated enough it didn’t matter at all. This place is not to be missed! The scene is interesting - it’s located in a roadside motel in the town of Leeds, just a 15 min drive from Hudson. It’s won many awards for its focus on seasonal ingredients and the highest quality corn. Everything we had was amazing and the service was great. I liked the casual setting with more elevated food, and the drinks were amazing!

Friday

8am - Nature Walk in the Greenport Conservation Area: This was a beautiful nature preserve with many different trails along the edge of the Hudson River. I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was and starting the day here was just perfect!

9:30am - Breakfast at Mel The Baker: If you’re in Hudson, you can’t miss a stop here. This place used to be located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and I loved it. I was so sad for them to leave. It’s one of the best bakeries of all time in both sweet and savory and breads. We sampled lots and brought home their dense rye bread that I love. The standouts were the savory scone and the most amazing cardamom bun.

10:30am - Check out of hotel and shop Warren Street: We headed back to the hotel and packed up. Rich stayed back to use the bathhouse again and I got a head start shopping. Warren Street, the main shopping street of Hudson, is a quick walk away and is fully open by 11am on Fridays. There are so many great places to shop here for clothes and home wear, but the ones I never miss are: Hudson Home, FINCH, Shaina Mote, B Sides Denim, Alfredo Paredes, and Clove and Creek.

1:30 - Lunch at Talbott & Arding: This is a local cheese and specialty food shop that I‘ve been coming to for years. They used to have a cute little store on the Main Street but now have a much larger location just two streets over. Everything they do is perfect. It was just the right spot for a simple lunch of sandwiches and some prepared food - we wanted to eat lighter to save room for an early dinner and welcomed some protein and greens after our bakery breakfast.

3pm - Shop Millerton: This town was new to me and was really worthwhile to visit! It’s about 40 minutes from Hudson and just 15 minutes from the dinner spot. I was surprised I had never head of the town based on how well established it seemed and how good the shopping was. Notable places to visit: Millerton Antique Center, Montage Antiques, Cottage + Camp, The Dutchess Trading Company, Westerlind, and Harney & Sons (this is the tea company’s flagship tea house!).

5pm - Dinner at Stissing House: I love an early evening reservation - you get the excitement of a whole night ahead and plenty of time to digest after. The atmosphere here at Stissing House is as special as the food itself. There is such attention to detail in the way things are presented and displayed, candlighting everywhere, and a sense of a place that feels relaxed and special at the same time. Everything we had was amazing, but I can’t stop thinking about the bread, butter, and local cheese. is the chef behind the restaurant and I have been a fan of hers for years. We both went to the same Cooking School in Ireland (Ballymaloe), though not at the same time.

7:30pm - Head back to Brooklyn: On a summer night where the sun is not fully down ‘till 9, this drive was gorgeous. You spend the first half of it driving through farmlands and rolling hills just as the sun is setting. We were back home in Brooklyn by 9:15pm, and then had a full weekend still ahead of us! A pretty perfect trip if you ask me!

Five Fine Things From The Weekend

1. Bjornqorn Pop Corn

   The hotel gives you a $25/night credit towards the mini bar (love that!) and so we dove in. I had not had this popcorn with nutritional yeast and sea salt before and it was incredible. I love the cheesy taste and the smaller kernels. Such a good snack.

   

2. The Original Magic Hat

   I saw a cute girl on the street in Hudson wearing one these and then happen to go into a store that was selling them. Sadly they did not have my size but then I saw I could order it on Amazon and in a navy which is a welcomed new color in my large hat collection! I love that it’s fuss free and packable and has a unique shape that makes it a bit more interesting.

3. Commune Hand Cream

   The same store I mentioned above had this hand cream that I loved. The smell was subtle, the pump was a bit different and the box it came I was beautiful. This would make such a nice hostess gift for anyone you’re visiting this summer.

   

4. Cabana Drawstring Pouch

   I brought mine with me on our trip and then used it two other times this weekend. It’s the perfect size to actually fit quite a bit and I much prefer a pouch to a clutch since you can string it on your wrist if you need. Sadly my green daisy pattern is sold out but the all black is available and I think the material makes this really versatile as a day or night piece and one you could just as easily use in summer or winter.

   

5. Ghia and Fever-Tree Light Tonic

   Saturday after our trip my friend invited me for a rooftop party in celebration of Midsommar. She said this is her favorite way to drink Ghia (with the above tonic over ice), and despite the fact that I’ve been drinking it for years, I had never had it with tonic water before. The mini cans of the Fever-Tree are the perfect amount for one drink and the “light” version is less sweet, perfectly cutting the bitterness of the Ghia. This is now my official drink of summer!

   

Enjoy and talk soon (I have a few good posts in the works!)

xx, Madison

I want to do a deep dive on art collecting and some of my favorite artists so I’ll work on that for next week! I didn’t have time to dive into that this week, so instead I’m serving you up a platter of a lot of random recs and good finds.

One of the things I’ve been busy with is answering interview questions for other newsletters I love! If you had not yet seen, Charlotte Parker from featured The Fewer Finer Townhouse and Natalie from featured it too, both taking a different angle with their questions for me about design, sourcing, and inspiration. I’d love you to read both of them:

Charlotte’s Web

Behind the Design: Fewer Finer's Townhouse

Madison Snider Podpirka, founder of the fine jewelry brand Fewer Finer, is a force in the industry—and one of the most genuine people I’ve met. We connected via Substack (if you aren’t already following her on…

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3 months ago · 22 likes · 1 comment · Charlotte Parker

Table Art

The Vintage Vault No. 1 feat. Madison Snider Podpirka

The best thing about the vintage hunt is that there isn't one particular place people go to find the best things. There is no groupthink when it comes to secondhand — and that's what makes it such a thrill: how you can develop a truly unique interior POV through the places only…

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3 months ago · 11 likes · 3 comments · Natalie

Another thing I did recently was participate in a photoshoot for the launch of a new bag collaboration between Parker and Thatch and Big Night - The Everywhere Tote. Big Night is a store around the corner from me that I visit on a weekly basis, so it was fun to support in this way. For the shoot, I got to spend the afternoon biking around the neighborhood with Richie, and I just loved it!

Today we launched a Big Summer Vintage Drop online at Fewer Finer. It’s definitely worth checking out. My favorites that are still available include this gold envelope charm with a removable letter that’s addressed to a real Brooklyn address, this well priced omega chain - my favorite look right now, this amazing greek coin, and the platinum diamond tennis necklace of my dreams! You can see more pieces from the drop in this instagram video!

The whole point of this letter is to share things I really love and use, which is what I like to do in my five fine things lists. Instead of just sharing things I’ve seen or that I like, I want to tell you what I actually use and love! But, sometimes I haven’t vetted something and still want to share it - so here’s a quick grab bag:

• I’m going to Esperanza in July and I can’t wait for a little Mexican getaway. I’m a huge fan of Auberge hotels and this one looks amazing.

• My friend Priyanka shared a very fun birthday wishlist full of things I, too, would love. Have fun reading it!

• I am continuing to love my Isla products and just bought a few more for gifts and my own restock. My three favorites are the Toner (I use this on my legs before lotion and it makes them so much less dry!), the Storm Serum, and the Lip Balm.

• My friend writes a great Substack called and shared this Pac Sun x The Met shirt that I loved and bough immediately even though they just had XL left, so this will be my hang out on the dock/bathing suit coverup shirt this summer. I also like this black t-shirt from the collection.

• I’ve been collecting recipes for summer salads I want to make for dinner and lunch. I have been terrible about packing work lunch lately and need to get back into it. All of these are on my note to try: Smashed Cucumber Caesar, Cucumber Chickpea Salad, Crispy Quinoa Salad, Peas and Goat Cheese Salad.

• I saw this hack for rinsing rice before cooking and could not believe I had never done it this way! We eat a lot of rice at home and now I know the best and easiest way to rinse it!

1. Relaxation Poses

   I read this article, Four Positions That Trick Your Nervous System Into Relaxation, two weeks ago and have been doing one of the stretches for about 10 minutes nearly every night since. I will say, it’s easy for me to work this into my evening because I usually spend about that much time laying on my son’s floor as I put him to bed, but I thought the article was worth sharing and I love having a specific directive on positions to do to help me wind down. My favorite are the first two and I usually pick just one and try to stay in it for about 10 minutes. I have a bolster similar to this at home and love it, and this one looks cute too. This is not sexy stuff, but I really do find that my body needs to be instructed to relax at the end of the day and this helps. Another thing I wouldn’t want to live without is this cream that I’ve written about before. I put on my feat before bed almost every night and relaxes you like you wouldn’t believe!

2. Nelle Atelier Jeans

   I have mentioned this brand on here before but wanted to share a bit more about them since we just hosted them for a pop-up at The Fewer Finer Townhouse last night. I just love their jeans, which are specifically made for petites. They are 100% cotton and such a luxe comfortable denim. The two favorites from last night, both of which I love are the Kiki in Sapphire and the Laura in Pearl. I also own and love the Georgie in Onyx and the Miri in Indigo. Sadly they do small production runs so you have to get them while they are around. The first two I linked have more available sizes!

3. Oaktown Spice Shop

   

   Everyone in my family is a huge fan of Oaktown Spice Shop. They have the very best quality products, really great spice blends, and are kind of like a secret arsenal for taking you cooking to the next level. I highly recommend taking a look on their site and picking out a few blends that align with your taste. I love the Eastern Mediterranean Spice Blend, the Persian Lime Curry Rub, and the Salsa Matcha Mix. You can easily see if any stores near you carry them on the link here!

4. Hibiscus Iced Tea

   Another food/drink thing I had to share more about is my recent discovery of this Zeeza Hibiscus Tea. I found them at a small local shop but then learned you can also buy on Amazon. It makes the BEST iced hibiscus tea, which I could drink all day long in the summer.

5. Cutie Lamp Shades

   I bought a lampshade from Duzy Designs on Etsy a few years ago and recently shared the link with a friend who was looking for something fun. I’ve loved mine and think the quality is amazing for the price. I love really cohesive rooms that then have a punch of color or pattern in the form of something fun like a lampshade! Here are some favorites:

   ---

   Thanks for reading! Talk soon,

   Madison

One thing I did this past (exceptionally rainy) weekend was to finally get around to creating a spreadsheet with all of my art logged. I have a small but growing collection of pieces and knew I needed to better organize the details, prices, and authentications of them all, so that felt really good to get done! I’ll share more about that in my next Five Fine Things, which I’ll be dedicating to my favorite artists and some tips on sourcing.

On the personal front, I didn’t shop as much this month as last (so no dedicated shopping newsletter to share), and most of the good stuff I’ve gotten I’ve shared throughout the past month’s newsletters. I did seem to do more online shopping this weekend than seems responsible (I’ll blame the bad weather), so I hope to have some good things to tell you about once those arrive.

And, if you’re local to NYC or visiting this summer, the best things I’ve eaten lately are everything on the menu at the bar at Sailor, the cabbage rolls and mango sticky rice from Thai Diner, the best Cesar Salad at Leo, and the ham and butter sandwich from Bakeri in Greenpoint.

1. Soft Pants Summer

   Have you heard this idea of Soft Pants Summer? Maybe it’s a Substack thing but I’ve seen it come up a few times and as a pants person, I am here for it. I have acquired a few good ones lately and wanted to share! These are my favorites:

   • J Crew Cosmo Pant - These are just easy and the perfect summer weight!

   • Rag & Bone Atlas Linen Pants - these are cool and casual and comfortable. I love the stitching detail and paracord tie.

   • Silk-Like (but much easier than real silk) Pants form Left on Friday - These are so comfortable and easy! They are a high waist style and I think very flattering with an extra long leg.

   • Alex Mill Linen Hudson Pant - I really like the quality of their linen! The same listing also has cotton ones that I didn’t like the material for, so be sure to go with linen if you want my rec. I like that there is elastic only in the back which makes these feel a bit more pulled together.

2. The Best Vacuum Ever - This Dyson with Light

   

   Every time I’ve used this lately, I have been thinking “everyone needs to know about this vaccum!” Vacuuming is not a chore I usually like but when you have this specific Dyson attachment, where there is this green light that lights up the floor in front of you, and every spec of dust on it, it’s addicting! It shows so much more than you would otherwise see and makes it like a game where you want to get everything. We vacuum our main floor everyday and still I’m surprised by how much there is to pick up. I seriously love this thing! You can get the whole cordless (essential) vacuum here, or if you already own a Dyson, you can get just the attachment here. The Dyson website does not advertise this well, so trust me on it!

3. Chic Room Spray

   

   This is my favorite candle brand and so I love that you can get their fragrances in a bottle form too. This looks chic in a bathroom (for obvious purposes) or works on a display shelf if you want to add a spritz to change the mood of a space. My current favorite scent is Abd El Kader, and you can find all the others on their site. This also makes a great gift, and it lasts forever!

4. Amazing (Trader Joe’s) Dark Chocolate

   

   We go to Trader Joes regularly in our house for basics like oats, berries, and this chocolate bar. I love very dark chocolate and this one in particular is amazing. If you also like it dark, I highly recommend this!

5. Zara Home Short Glass Straws

   

   I’ve probably mentioned it here in the past, but I love Zara Home! I’m always taking a little scroll on the app to see what’s new and often finding really good stuff! These short glass straws are great for anything you’re serving in a shorter glass. I use them for my morning iced matcha and they bring me joy - I just ordered a second set so I can have enough for entertaining. Some other great Zara Home finds from recently (all of which I own and like) include:

   • This side table I have at my desk in maroon and love

   • These chrome little cups that I use for nuts or for serving snacks to Richie (they’re unbreakable!)

   • This tray, great for serving or for a coffee table or shelf display

   • These side tables which I have two sets of (4 in total) in our TV room

   • The best trash can, because it has a lid/cover!

I will say, Zara Home does many things in limited runs so if I like something I try to buy it quick! There were quite a few more things I wanted to recommend to you that I’ve loved recently but they’re already sold out.

Talk soon!

Madison

Talk soon! xxx

Madison

• I went back to my natural brunette and I’m loving it.

• Stopped into Apartment387’s pop up - they make really nice silk flowers.

• Also stopped into Nickey Kehoe which is a home lover’s dream.

• We did a great vintage drop on Instagram - live all week/weekend!

• My newest art pieces arrived and I can’t WAIT to have them installed!

• We got back the most incredible hand engraving on our Diamond Border Charm!

• My sister made me this amazing shell necklace for Mother’s Day! She joked “who makes homemade jewelry for a jeweler,” but I’m obsessed with it!

• Richie is in love with this John Dear Bubble Blower our neighbors gifted him. It’s such a good 2 year old gift if you happen to be looking for one!

• We did a trial run of our table display for Fenimore Lane Design Summit, coming up the first weekend of June. If you’re in the Washington, CT area, come shop!

1. Isla Lipid Layer Lip Balm

   

   This is the best lip balm I’ve ever used. I love it so much. It has absolutely no stickiness to it, there’s a bunch of science as to why the formula is better than others (you can read it on the site, don’t leave it to me to explain), and the applicator is a metal tip that just feels so nice to use. Can’t recommend this enough.

2. J.Crew Visit (and Sale!)

   I tend to write about multiple things I love from a store when I make the time to actually go in and try things on in person, and this week I did that at J. Crew. They have a huge sale going on for Memorial Day weekend that I just missed, so let me save you a few and point you in the right direction. I picked up these jelly sandals I had seen on a few people on Instagram and love them so much. The color is very me and the shape and feel of them is so nostalgic for the ones I wore as a kid (they run a bit small, I sized half size up). Then I got these elastic pants, which I know I’ll live in all summer. I like the material, which is easy, breezy (literally, not just saying that for the rhyme) and so much more flattering than silk. I also got this summer roll neck sweater - I love a summer weight cotton sweater and especially like that is a bit see through which looks cute with a bralette or bathing suit under. Then I got this Irish Linen shirt that my mom raved about and bought in 3 additional colors when she was visiting recently! I love these boxers as a bathing suit cover up! And, I didn’t end up getting this dress, but it’s so cute in person in the white with black stitching and I may have to return for it. I love an easy, A-Line shift dress like this.

3. Nellie Atelier - Miri Baggy Jean

   

   Every time I wear these jeans I get complements all day long, truly! It’s a mixture of their great cut (which is meant for petites) and their beautiful material, which you can see and feel is very high quality denim. I was introduced to the brand through a friend and loved that they are cut for shorter girls like me. I am 5’4” which I think is the high end for what’s considered petites. I do find a petite cut makes a difference for me though; not just in the length, but in the overall fit. We are working on hosting the brand at The Fewer Finer Townhouse for a popup since I love them so much and think it’s much nicer to get to try on jeans in person so I’ll let you know when that comes together!

4. Porta Tablecloth

   For Mother’s Day my husband surprised me with this tablecloth that he picked out himself! And it made me so happy since it is very much my style. Also, it looks almost identical to the dress I work for our church wedding, which makes me love it even more! Rich often gets me gifts from Porta since he knows I love the store and it’s so nice having a place like that where your husband knows he can go to get you something you love with his own autonomy to choose it! I know Fewer Finer is that for many people, which makes me so happy and proud!

5. Favorite New Thongs

   

   Since I am nearly certain I have no male subscribers here, I will tell you about my favorite new thongs. I have always been a thong person, so this is coming from someone that wears them exclusively. I got the rec from an interview with who said they were her fave and I was in the market for something cotton. She raved about them, I bought some, and spent some time deciding if I loved them. They are the most comfortable, sunbstantial, and still totally seamless ones I’ve ever tried. Only tick against them is that they have a bit of a shimmer in the waistband elastic that I don’t love. I just bought some bras to try so will report back if I love those as much too, but for now, of all the cotton thongs I’ve tried, these sit at the top!

Until next time,

Madison

I did pull together an email with my team on Fewer Finer’s brand newsletter (where “Five Fine Things” originally started) full of things I’m loving that could also make great Mother’s Day gifts. I talked about my single favorite skincare product, the boots I am obsessed with every detail of, a really nice lotion, our zodiac and birth month flower charms, the almond butter I love so much I have it on subscription, and my new favorite desk accessory. If you want to subscribe to that newsletter, in addition to this, you can do so here. We share some fun emails like our recent guide to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, home of The Fewer Finer Townhouse, some deep dives into our custom work, and of course new product drops and sale alerts. Usually it’s one email a week!

This past week I did discover my dream watch, a vintage Cartier style (introduced to me through ) that I had never seen before, so I’m adding that to my wishlist… maybe for a 5th year wedding anniversary which gives my husband about a year and a half to track one down - they seem to be hard to come by! I finally made it to the tailor and, in addition to getting some of my own things done, I hemmed a handful of Richie’s shorts to a mere 1 in inseam. Call me crazy, but honestly short shorts on kids are just to much cuter! I wear-tested a new chain for our collection. I found the most incredible vintage light you’ve ever seen on Etsy and it arrived even better than I could have imagined - no where to put it yet but it was too good to pass up! I got tacos and did a matcha latte class with my team. I planted lavender in big pots in our backyard. I photographed a recently completed signet ring. And I got some film back from the developer!

And here are Five Fine Things I wanted to share:

1. New Front Door Mat

   

   I realized the other day that I hated the mat we had ben using all winter at our front door. It was cheap and looked it, and something we got out of need rather than intention which is a practice I like to avoid as much as possible for anything home-wear related. I did some research on what to replace it with and came across this company: Wicked Good Doormats. They are really passionate about the mats they make. They’re made out of lobster rope, hand-made in Maine, and all weather/mold resistant. On the site I linked, where I bought mine, they sell them at a discount for a set of two, which I should have bought because you usually need more than one and I just placed an order for two more (and for this great salad bowl as a Mother’s Day gift to myself)! They work for indoor and outdoor which I really like. I got the all black, but some of the simpler striped ones are nice too. Recently, a friend asked me for a good housewarming gift idea and I shared these because everyone needs a mat somewhere and it’s often not something you first buy yourself. Rolled up and wrapped with a beautiful big bow, this would make such a nice gift!

2. Persay Gifts

   

   Speaking of gifts, I discovered Persay because it’s a brand owned by one of my clients, (honestly this is how I have gotten to know so many great people, brands, and things)! It’s an independent gift store with lots of thoughtful things to choose from. I like placing a larger order with things I can gift if I’m going over to someones’s house or need a last minute little birthday something. Nearly every single thing in their collection is something I would be happy to receive myself! Some favorites: Beautiful Watering Can, Blue and White Bud Vase, Tartan Cocktail Napkins, and Fun Matchbooks.

3. The Perfect Little Black Summer Dress

   

   I discovered this brand through who has great style and lives in the same kind of clothes I mostly do too - albiet that she’s in Southern California so our seasonal crossover is limited to the warmer months! I loved the look of this dress but really fell for it once it arrived. It’s the perfect lightweight material that makes it feel easy and effortless to throw on, but the cut and embroidery on it feels luxe. I haven’t been able to wear it yet, but I know it’s the dress I will live in on the wicked hot days of summer. I exchanged my Size Small for an XS, which I usually don’t wear, so I would say size down!

4. Luna Slipper

   

   I now own two pairs of this style of shoe from Le Monde Beryl. One in maroon leather and another in taupe suede. To me they are the perfect flat: instantly comfortable and ones I could walk forever in, unique in their cut so they look good with a wider pant and just about anything else, and easy/fuss free design and fit. There are some other brands kind of mimicking the LMB shape and style, but once you own a pair of these, they’ll be all you want! I find they run small and that I need to size up a full size.

5. Color Analysis

   

   I mentioned in my last letter that I had a color analysis done about a year ago, and I still think about it all the time. Knowing which colors truly work for me and which don’t has been surprisingly useful. This week, I was talking to the girls on my team about it, and we used AI to try analyzing a few people’s coloring. It was fun, but honestly, nothing compares to doing it in person.

   I’ll admit, the experience can feel a little silly at first. I definitely felt a bit funny going alone—if I could do it again, I’d make it a whole thing and go with a friend (or my mom and sister). That said, it ended up being really helpful. The idea is to understand your natural coloring - based on your skin, eyes, hair, and undertones - and then dress and wear makeup in shades that complement those features. When your colors are in sync with your natural tones, everything just looks more balanced and harmonious. Many of the recommendations aligned with what I already instinctively gravitated toward (or avoided), but I also learned a few unexpected things. For example, I love a bright poppy red—but it turns out it’s not ideal for me; the orange undertones clash with my peachy complexion. What’s interesting is that everyone can wear every color, but it’s the shade of that color that changes. For instance, the reds that work on me are more maroon or burgundy or soft raspberry. All that to say—I’d recommend trying it. It’s fun, genuinely useful, and something I still reference more often than I expected. I keep my color guide saved in my notes on my phone and the physical one in my closet. I went to Karen at Key Color Analysis in Long Island City. You can see her do her thing on Instagram here.

Talk soon,

Madison

When someone you love has a baby, there are two main times you’ll give a gift, and I have a different strategy for each. The first is before the baby is born. This could be when you hear the news that they’re pregnant, at a shower, or if you see them in the weeks leading up to the birth. At this time, I think it’s best to give a simple thoughtful something for the baby themselves. I think parent’s like receiving things for the baby to come and that it’s nice to show your love for the baby before they’re even here.

The second time for a gift is after the baby arrives. To me, these gifts meant so much and I received more of then than anticipated. This gift is about celebrating the baby, for exactly who they are (with their gender and name now revealed,) as much as it’s about celebrating the mom for her new identity and the work she put into bringing the baby to life, and also about the family, a new unit, whether this is their first or last baby. For this gift, you can give something for the mom, or for the family, or for the house, or for the baby.

For the closest people in my life, I like to pick something from the first category for the first gift and one thing from each category for the second gift once the baby has arrived. One thing from each category, all wrapped up into one cute package (see category #5), makes for an amazing gift! Of course, plenty of times something from each category is too much, so picking even just one thing from any category on this list makes a great gift. Below are five fine things in each of the five categories for new baby gifting!

1. Something for Baby

   

   1. Monogrammed Roll Neck Sweater - My mom’s signature gift is to order one of these sweaters as soon as she finds out the baby’s name! They’re great quality and a really good price point!

   2. Custom Stationary - This for a boy, or this for a girl. I love the idea of making a baby their own stationary and think it makes such a nice gift!

   3. Stroller Blanket - I love that this is smaller and meant for a stroller or bassinet. If you don’t know the babies name yet, you can always do “Baby P” or whatever the last name initial is. (p.s. This company has amazing gifts for all occasions and does beautiful wrapping. I use them often!)

   4. Onsie and Kimono Set - I love this brand! It always come beautifully wrapped and it’s a great price for the whole set. It’s gender neutral too. I like to gift 3 or 6 months since babies grow out of newborn size so quickly, but take into account the season they’re born. If you want something for winter specifically, this is so cute and great quality.

   5. Cute Outfit - I like this brand because they make really nice quality, simple stuff, at a great price. This allows you to often get a full outfit, and their sets are adorable. You can sort by age and gender easily. I love the pieces in this outfit for a little girl, and this outfit for a little boy. Plenty of gender neutral things here too.

2. Something for Mom

   

   1. Fewer Finer Jewelry - Had to plug this here! This is typically gifted by the husband, if not from mom to herself, but it is also such a nice gift from a mom, mother in law or sister. My favorite picks for a new mom are: Name and Date Charm, Signet Ring with Baby’s Initials, Zodiac Charm, Birth Month Flower Charm.

   2. A Beautiful Lotion - This lotion is incredible and I love the gift-worthy packaging. Truly anything from this brand would make a nice gift for a new mom. I found I loved little indulgences in my self care routine during this time.

   3. At-Home Blowout - This or gift card to a local salon is such a nice thing to give. Whether she uses it for newborn photos, the Baptism, or just to feel great on a normal week, I think everyone would love this treat!

   4. Hair Clips - I am obsessed with this hair clip brand and use the No. 4 at least once a day - often when i’m working out or washing my face. I love to gift them to new moms because they are chic and the packaging is luxe! A new mom always needs to get her hair out of her face because she’s feeding or cooking or changing or the baby is pulling it, and so I think these make a really thoughtful gift.

   5. Lounge Set - A lounge set is such a nice postpartum gift because you really do live in them in the first few months and you can of course wear after too. I would recommend these from Jenni Kayne or Suzie Kondi, both of which have a matching set option!

3. Something for the Family or the Home

   

   1. Custom Matchbooks - We gave these as a gift to some of our best friends recently so they could have a bowl of them on display at their house for visitors to take. Instead of a restaurant name, we customized them with the baby’s name and they were so fun! Our friends text us a few months later that they were refilling the bowl and thought it was the best gift.

   2. Zodiac Print - I saw these awhile back and loved the idea of gifting one to a new baby gift in their zodiac sign. Sometimes all the baby gifts can be so baby focused and I love that these are sophisticated and beautiful. This is definitely something I would love to receive. Also, I think gifting art is so nice and find it is always appreciated.

   3. Landsdown Under Blanket - I have gifted these blankets for many occasions (birthdays, bridal gifts, and baby gifts too). They’re well made, super soft, and have lots of color and pattern options. They’re really the only blankets we have in our house and I love gifting things like this that I use and love. With a new baby, a bigger blanket is great for tummy time at home!

   4. The Most Fun Pillows - I know a baby can’t use a pillow for a while, but these aren’t for sleeping anyways. They’re for decoration in their nursery and I am just obsessed with the little animals that tuck inside. I love that they have so many so you can pick the best one based on the family’s interests: the ski lift one for the skiers, the cactus one for the desert people, the beach one for the beachgoers, etc!. And then you just have some generally cute ones like the barn and the lighthouse. Who wouldn’t be delighted with one of these?!

   5. Photo Subscription to Mootsh - I have had monthly subscription to this photo printing service for at least four years and I love it so much, I think it’s such a fun gift to give new parents since they’ll be taking tons of photos of the new baby, and what better than to get to pick your 10 favorites pics every month and to have them printed and sent right to you in a beautiful patterned envelope case?!

4. Something to Eat

   

   1. Granola - Homemade or from somewhere good, granola always make a nice gift. My personal favorite of all time is the one from Gem Home in Soho which I go out of my way for anytime I’m in the area.

   2. Lactation Cookies - I love to make these for any breastfeeding friends. They’re as easy as any chocolate chip cookies with a few extra ingredients - flax seeds, brewers yeast, and oats - that help with lactation (but are also totally fine for the rest of the family to eat too). This is the recipe I’ve used many times successfully.

   3. Pasta Night - Something we’ve done for neighborhood friends with a new baby is to give them a gift bag full of fancy pasta making ingredients from one of the many great special food stores near us. I like that it’s not perishable so the new parents can choose to cook it that night or in a few weeks. Ideally I’d include nice dried pasta, a few good things to make a sauce, a nice parmesan cheese, and a good bottle of olive oil.

   4. Russ and Daughter’s Delivery (or something from your city via Goldbelly) - Friends know my husband loves Russ and Daughter and so more than one person sent us a whole spread in the weeks after our son was born. It was such a nice way to feed a group, which was perfect since we had so many visitors during that time, and it meant a lot that friends thought to send something they knew we would love so much. Goldbelly, who does deliveries of R&D if you’re not in NYC, also has so many other great places on there so it could be fun to send a local favorite of your own to a friend in another city. We also got a gift card to Goldbelly after our son was born from another group os friends and I used it to get the hummus and spreads set from Zahav, a restaurant I love in Philly. It was incredible and fed us for days!

   5. A Homemade Meal - If you’re local to your new parent friends, a homemade meal is always so nice to receive! Cook whatever you love to cook yourself - the best meal drop-offs are unfussy and simple.

5. Something to Hold (everything in)

   

   1. LL Bean Tote - This specific size and handle height is one of my go-to baby gifts since it’s the bag we have used most to tote Richies things from the day he was born still through today. I love to embroider the baby’s name or nickname on it, and they usually ship fast!

   2. “Snacks” Tote - all parents are going to be toting around lots of snacks so I think this is so cute! The brand also does these really cute city/state specific totes that would be fun if any of their cities apply to you or the recipient! This is a nice option if you don’t want to personalize it.

   3. Toy Basket - This makes such a nice vessel for a gift and is something any parent could find a use for! I like that you can pick pink or blue based on the gender, which makes it feel even more custom to the recipient.

   4. Baby Changing Things Tote - We have two of these at home and they are so great! Even though we don’t have a changing station anymore, we still use them for organizing toys and PJS and they have held up perfectly. The fact that you can get them on Amazon is a plus for last minute shopping. I like that the divider makes it nice for adding a few gifts into and of course makes it nicer to use!

   5. Chic Keepsake Box - I am obsessed with these boxes! I think they make a great gift because they can serve as a special place for the parents to store all of the little keepsakes that they hold onto for that child. And they look beautiful anywhere you put them!

Okay - hope that gives you lots of good ideas for new babies in your life! Enjoy!

xx, Madison