Mondays can be tough. No matter how the weekend went, the first day back to the grind always takes a bit more effort. I originally decided to send MIDDI out on Mondays to provide a break from the minutia and some inspiration for the week ahead (and possibly, for payday).

These three featured products can all make getting through the start of the week easier. Use them to perk up your look if you hit the snooze button too many times or boost your energy when that afternoon slump hits.

Consider them your secret weapons for a case of the Mondays.

1. Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray (£16 and up)

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I’m lucky to have thick hair, but that doesn’t mean I always have volume. When my hairstyle is on day two or three, I reach for this spray from Living Proof (previously featured here and here) to lift up my locks and add some messy texture back in. Just spray at the roots and then massage your scalp with your fingers — it refreshes your style in seconds and can used to make hair simpler to put up by taking away the slipperiness of clean hair. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free and made without nasty stuff like sulfates that can damage your hair.

2. Sweaty Betty Harper Short Sleeve T-Shirt (£30)

I’ve said it before: A good white t-shirt is a wardrobe essential. As the return of Y2K fashion shows no sign of slowing down, I knew the “baby tee” was bound to make a comeback. This soft, ribbed t-shirt from Sweaty Betty (previously featured here, here and here) is the grownup version of a baby tee. The sleeves and bottom hem are just short enough to give that shrunken look without being childlike and the stretchy fabric is super flattering and breathable. I will probably pick up at least one more white one (and the black one) to wear with denim cutoffs and skirts this summer.

3. Hu Kitchen Chocolate Bars (£3.50/bar)

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I have a vicious sweet tooth. I can’t end a meal without something sweet. It’s a habit I’ve tried to break, to no avail. So now, I’m smarter about which sweets make it into my cupboard to keep me from going overboard. Hu Kitchen was founded by Jordan Brown, Jason Karp and Jessica Karp, who opened the doors to their NYC flagship in 2012. All of their chocolate bars are fairtrade and made with organic 70% cocoa, organic cocoa butter and organic unrefined coconut sugar. They’re also delicious. My favorites are the Almond Butter + Crispy Quinoa and Crunchy Mint varieties.

Something to read …

I had the pleasure of hearing Crystal Hefner speak about her memoir recently at the Century Club. The event, hosted by the Trouble Club, was part book event, part cultural reckoning. She and I are the same age and I spent some of my formative years watching The Girls Next Door, the shiny, plastic reality show that documented her time living in the Playboy mansion. I finished this book in one day and I’m confident you won’t be able to put it down, either.

In case you missed it …

Spring Forward Petra Canan Trudell · Apr 1 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.