Five Fine Things, No. 19

Hi! I’m writing you today from the road as Rich and I drive back from Bellport Village, the Long Island beach town where we now have a home! We closed earlier this week and did our move-in today! It’s been a really thrilling process that started in late April when we first saw the place and I’m giddy with excitement. It’s perfect timing as we’ll now get to spend lots of time out there this August. I’ll be sharing more about the project, decorating, and all the fine things I’m hoping to fill the space with, so stay tuned.

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