Monday Memo No.20

FOOLPROOF OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING TIPS

ICYMI, recently shared a few no-fail tips for easy summer hosting, including a delish white peach sangria recipe and a simple, scrumptious watermelon feta skewer that features the best of summer produce.  We’re about to embark on a week-long rainy streak here in New York (my hair and I are equally upset). But don’t forget that there’s still a full month of official summer left.  It’s never easier to host a delicious, stylish get-together (even last-minute!) than it is in the warmer months. So call (who are we kidding, email) your #1s and invite them over for outdoor hangtime.  Whether you host on your roof, your fire escape, your back patio or your closest park, it’s time to carpe diem. 

DOUBLE-WALLED MUGS YOU NEED TO TRY

I know we all settle into that “favorite” coffee mug or teacup. But this cool, clear set makes a STRONG case for a change.  The price is unbeatable, at $25 for the set, and they’re double-walled which means they keep hot drinks hot (and I mean HOT) for way longer than your traditional mug. PLUS the double walls mean they’re never too hot to hold.  If you’re a tea drinker, the glass mugs make it easy to see if your tea has steeped the way you like it.  Also, there’s something about these mugs that reminds me of science class, in a super chic, visually appealing way.  

NEVER LOSE YOUR KEYS AGAIN

Attention all forgetful, disorganized, and/or busy people:  Tiles are a lifesaver. Just attach a Tile to anything you’re prone to lose (your keys, your phone, your boyfriend), and have a little more peace of mind knowing your days of tearing your home apart in search are officially over.  The Tile app keeps track of the last location of your Tile. And also “calls” your Tile to make it ring when you need to locate something.  And, if you lose your phone itself, press a button on any of your Tiles, and it will ring–even on silent. 

The Best Face Cleanser

Some recommendations come with more feedback than others. And I’m thrilled to see that you guys really liked this one. I’ve mentioned DHC Deep Cleansing Oil in the past when I did a deep-dive into how to properly clean your face in this post (definitely read if you haven’t!).  But, after sharing it again in my Insta stories last week, I was so happy to hear that MANY of you have fallen in love with it too, since ordering it after reading my post.  I’ve found it to be an essential part of my two-step cleansing routine. And apparently, I’m not the only one. 

The most common messages I’m receiving are (1) that you expected your skin to feel greasy or oily afterwards. But instead your skin has never felt cleaner or more hydrated; (2) you expected your skin to produce more oil afterwards throughout the day, when in fact you experienced less shiny/oiliness after using this product; and (3) you’ve never felt so deceived by all of the face wash companies convincing you for years that you had to strip your face with harsh products to really get it “clean.”  Bottom line, if you haven’t tried this stuff, run, don’t walk.  And if you have, stock up on more here.  

MY FAVORITE PROTEIN BARS

Let me put this out there–I’m not a big energy/protein bar fan.  Protein bars are honestly pretty lackluster when it comes to flavor. And I’d typically prefer to get my protein in with either a well-balanced meal with lots of protein or a protein shake if I’m on the go.  Maybe I’m asking for too much, but I’m looking for something that tastes good and makes an impact.  Enter Power Crunch Protein Bars.  These are the best protein bars on the market. And the only protein bars I buy—and even then, I purchase them ONLY in the peanut butter flavor.

They live in my bag and they’re the only food in bar format I actually look forward to eating after a workout or in-between meetings.  You can read a full review here if you want to dive deeper. But they are very low in sugar and have an excellent protein to calories ratio.  

The Cashmere Maxi Cardigan You Will Never Take Off

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is open to the public and still going STRONG.  Yesterday, I shared a few favorite sale picks in addition to my post outlining the best ways to navigate the sale. I keep going back to the sale and making new discoveries each time, most recently, THIS MAGNIFICENT HOODED CASHMERE DUSTER.  I ordered the oatmeal color, but after receiving it and realizing that I will actually LIVE in this all fall and winter, I’m going back for the grey.  

BINGE-WATCH: THE STAIRCASE

People used to chat about a hot new TV show around the office watercooler.  Now we just DM each other.  If you’re looking for something new to Netflix, please join Rich and me in our obsession with The Staircase.  Anyone who’s into a good real-life mystery like Making A Murderer or Evil Genius will be instantly hooked.  The series originally aired in 2004, and a new season was just released showing how the case, and those affected by it, have changed over time.  Utterly fascinating.