Hello again!

I hope you enjoyed revisiting some of MIDDI’s greatest hits recently. I want this newsletter to remain one you look forward to seeing in your inbox each week, so it was time to take a break and recharge. The goal is always to share useful, inspiring recommendations that are in line with the ethos of MIDDI, which is that you don’t have to settle for cheap crap or blow your budget to find something great.

I spent the past month reorganizing older content and researching new brands and buys I think you’ll love. As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated, so if you’re interested in a topic or item, please drop me a line in the comments. This week, I’m sharing three picks from the 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, one of my favorite events of the season here in London.

Keep scrolling to learn about what’s new and thanks for being a part of MIDDI!

1. Heyland & Whittle No.4 Men’s Amber Oakmoss Eau de Toilette (£42)

Heyland & Whittle

Heyland & Whittle on Instagram: “Happy Father’s Day everyone! However you’re celebrating today, we hope it’s a wonderful day. #FathersDay”

May 2, 2023

This was not my first trip to Heyland & Whittle (see what I got last time here). With my sister in town visiting, I had to bring her by their booth at the flower show to see what new additions they’d made to their lineup of soaps and home fragrances. This time around, I skipped the diffusers and candles in favor of this eau de toilette, which has notes of amber, oakmoss and bergamot. It has a warm, rich scent but is far from smelling like an aftershave. I don’t believe scents have genders, so while I picked it up for my husband, I’ll be stealing a spritz or two.

2. World Secrets Shoes (£125 and up)

World Secrets

World Secrets on Instagram: “As Tom said in his speech “Congratulations to World Secrets on their biggest PR event yet” ….🙊😂oops! Dancing Shoes Essential!!! Check back at 10am tomorrow to see our Giveaway with @millymaunder … it’s a good one! 👰🏼‍♀️👟💍🎟️ P.s big shout out to @slockstagram @gabbygolocky for organising these group photos and forcing everyone to get their dancing shoes on early, they were a lovely surprise 😊 #wsadventures”

June 5, 2023

World Secrets’ colorful stand caught my eye for the second year in a row. Their shoes, bags and accessories are all made using ikat silks and antique Turkish kilim rugs, making each creation one of a kind. Launched in 2012 by former surveyor Alice Prichard, this British brand is based in Devon, while its products are made in Turkey. You can also find a range of home goods made using their signature colorful fabrics. My favorite shoe style is the Lazy Mules, and I also cannot resist a colorful dopp kit like their Wash Bags, which make this travel staple a lot more fun to lug around.

3. Bull & Stein Graffiti Apple Sculptures (£169 and up)

BULL & STEIN

BULL & STEIN on Instagram: ”#graffitiapple by Bruno da Silva for #bullstein @Chelsea Flower Show, London”

July 21, 2019

Bull & Stein specializes in eye-catching, oversized ceramic fruit sculptures. These colorful apples are the result of a collaboration between the design company, founded in 2000 by Cynthia Stein and Marcus Bull in São Paulo, and Portuguese graffiti artist Bruno Jorge Monteiro e Silva. No two apples are the same and there are a variety of sizes available to adorn your bookshelf or garden—either way, these splashy fruits are sure to catch the eye of any guest and make a lovely housewarming gift for art lovers (and current or recovering New Yorkers).

What’s new on MIDDI …

MIDDI turned two years old on May 31, with more than 140 editions to date. To make it easier to explore the MIDDI archives, I’ve organized all past editions using tags and categories. The homepage now has a complete menu to help you find Gift Guides, Shopping Tips, Travel Guides and more as well as each new edition.

You can also join the conversation on Substack Notes, and be sure to follow MIDDI on Instagram for a closer look at my weekly picks and how I use them IRL.

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.