Over time, we all come to amass some tricks of the trade: little insider tips and finds that make life a little easier or more beautiful. It’s one of the perks of age and experience. These are usually things that live in the background of our lives—they don’t make a huge splash, but they prove their usefulness time and time again. And the best part about these tricks is sharing them with others.

MIDDI was started as a way to help you cut through the myriad of options and find “the one.” And the three products featured this week are all simple, sensibly priced and fall into the category of “if you know, you know.”

Pass it along.

1. Somatoline Slimming 7 Nights Ultra Intensive Fresh Gel (£35)

My latest French pharmacy find is this body contouring gel from Somatoline Cosmetic, which is actually an Italian brand, founded in 2022. It’s become my secret for beating all manner of bloating, be it airplane, menstrual cycle or salty food induced. This gel contains a blend of sea salt, seaweed extract and Sericoside, which is produced from the roots of the tree Terminalia sericea. They claim this combo reduces fatty deposits and while I can’t say for sure it does that, it does promote lymphatic drainage for noticeable results overnight.

2. Il Bussetto Card Holder (€48)

ilbussetto

A post shared by Il Bussetto (@ilbussetto)

Bulky wallets have their place but when I’m walking the dog, running errands or opting for a smaller handbag, I need something that takes up less space. Mauro Gobbi founded Il Bussetto in Milan in 2004. They make beautiful small leather goods like wallets and bags by molding them around wooden forms to create a seamless look (see here). I found them while hunting for a new wallet for my husband who never carries cash. I bought him this slim cardholder in green and now I want one for myself to hold my credit cards, ID and all those punchcards I can’t say no to.

3. Osco Acrylic Bookends (£3.99 and up)

I love to use books as decor. And when you live in a flat, you also may not have the space for a large bookcase. Acrylic bookends create a clean, floating look and give you the freedom to tuck books into different nooks and crannies around your home without the worry of them tipping over and damaging other items. You can find various sizes online to suit and the height and weight of the books you want to display. To keep them clean, dust them or wipe them down with a little all-purpose cleaner.

Something to think about …

Hysteria Crooked Media Podcast

A staple of my weekly podcast lineup is Hysteria, from Crooked Media. Hosts Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss politics, current events and trends in popular culture alongside a diverse panel of women from across the U.S. It’s a hilarious, informative show that offers me both news and a pep talk in one.

Last week on MIDDI …

MIDDI

Take Me Home

I’ve been thinking a lot about my home state of Michigan lately. This is the season for Friday night bonfires, college football Saturdays and Sundays at the cider mill. Living abroad makes the topic of home complicated. For me, home is where I live now, even if it changes ev…

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7 days ago · 1 like · Petra Canan Trudell

MIDDI is a weekly roundup of mid-priced beauty, fashion and home buys released every Monday. Have a product you’re searching for? Leave your suggestions in the comments.