After a stressful or exceptionally busy period, I like to scale things back and take a more natural approach. I go out less and try to look after myself more. I focus on recovery and recharging my batteries mentally and physically … just in time for things to pick back up again, of course.

The three products in this week’s edition can help you streamline your days and give yourself a bit of a break. They take the guesswork out of certain parts of your routine and keep future headaches at bay. They’re all no-brainers, so to speak, that I’ll be using over the next month for a bit of a reset as I prepare for our next big adventure coming up in October.

Stay tuned.

1. essie Nail Care Hard to Resist Nail Strengthener - Pink Tint (£9.99)

With multiple events this summer, I put my nails through a lot with gel manicure after gel manicure. Now I’m giving them a reprieve and looking to repair some of the damage. I’d been a big fan of Dior’s Nail Glow for years, but when it came time to replace my bottle, I decided to look for a more budget-friendly option. essie, the American nail brand founded in 1981 by Essie Weingarten, makes a similar product that not only makes your nails look brighter and healthier, but also strengthens them. One weekly coat is my go-to low-maintenance manicure.

2. Barbour Wilton Wellingtons (£54.95)

I’ve always been an indoor cat, but living in the UK has started to change something in me and I’m enjoying spending more quiet time outside (hold onto your tents, I’m not pulling overnighters in the wilderness anytime soon). On our last trip to Scotland, I picked up a pair of these short, Chelsea-style boots from Barbour (previously featured here) to keep my feet warm and dry during a rainy tour of the western highlands. Made of rubber and lined with cotton, they kept me comfortable all day long and are super easy to clean after treks of either the urban or hillside variety.

3. Mindful Chef Smoothies (£12 for five packs)

The start of a new season is a great time to reset the diet and pick up healthier habits. Smoothies have long been a favorite breakfast of mine and the pre-mixed packs from meal delivery service Mindful Chef make enjoying one each morning a breeze. Made with fresh fruits, vegetables, oats and nut butters, each individually portioned pack is full of vitamins, minerals, protein and more good stuff. They also taste delicious. My favorites include Get The Glow and Peanut Butter Lover, which I like to blend with some coconut water.

Something to listen to …

Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley BBC Radio 4 Podcast

If you’re looking for a new twist on true-crime storytelling, Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley is one to add to your queue. Each short episode of this podcast reexamines a crime committed by a Victorian-era woman through a feminist lens.

In case you missed it …

Back to School Petra Canan Trudell · Sep 11 Read full story

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.