Style With Staying Power
Forget disposable. Get the most out of all your buys without compromising on style.
When did we start prioritizing speed over quality? The old adage “they don’t make them like they used to” has certainly proven true. Fast fashion and overnight deliveries allow us to get what we want in a short amount of time, but we may have to toss it just as quickly. When it comes to shopping nowadays, how much value do we assign to the things we purchase? Do we truly cherish them, or has the mindset shifted and everything now feels disposable?
I’ve tried to move away from these cheap impulse purchases as much as I can, both in the name of financial responsibility and sustainability. Whatever I’m buying, I want to find the right thing, the reliable thing I can use again and again. The three items this week all help you stretch your spend and reduce your consumption. They’re all big on style but will help you avoid adding to your local landfill for a while.
Here’s to style that stays with you.
1. Pixi Lip Contour Liner Invisible Smudge Stopper (£6)
Lipstick that bleeds is one of my biggest beauty pet peeves. There is nothing worse than finding your perfect color, only to find it all over your face a couple of hours later. That lipstick is usually the one that ends up unused in a drawer, or worse, thrown out. That’s why I love a clear lip liner, like this one from Pixi Beauty, the London brand launched by makeup artist Petra Strand more than 20 years ago. With a waxy texture, it creates an invisible barrier around your lip line to keep all of your favorite lipstick right where it’s supposed to be.
2. The RealReal
As is the MIDDI way, I love buying my designer goods secondhand for a fraction of the cost. And if you haven’t heard of The RealReal (founded by Julie Wainwright in 2011) by now, it’s time to get on board. I have pieces from Prada, Gucci and other iconic labels in my closet that I paid less than $100 for, all in pristine condition. One of their first brick-and-mortar locations was in NYC. I’ve also visited their Manhattan offices to consign some of my own items. Oh, to have the money to shop designer on a seasonal basis … For now, I’ll take the “old stuff” at a discount any day.
3. Appreciation Project Preserved Flowers (£31 and up)
Having fresh flowers at home is something I’ve really grown to love. But I do not have a serious monthly flower budget, which is why I find preserved flowers so cool. These striking, colorful arrangements from Appreciation Project are produced using environmentally friendly natural dyes and glycerin. The company was started in September 2020 by former fashion designer Natasha Lyon and her husband, John, after they left their London life behind to move to Margate for a change of pace. The arrangements are biodegradable and last for up to a year with proper care.
It’s time you met … Nicole Eissele
In a new monthly feature, I’m going to introduce some inspiring entrepreneurs and leaders. First up is Nicole, who I had the privilege of first meeting while we were both living in Tokyo. Nicole is the founder of The Singing Ant, a line of oh-so-chic, durable children’s play mats which launched in Germany in September 2019.
Describe your brand as briefly as you can:
Modern, minimalistic play mats.
Share your journey to becoming an entrepreneur:
After two international moves, I knew my career path would no longer reflect the traditional “climb” up the professional ladder. Each relocation meant that I needed to write a new story and learn to develop myself without the conventional structure of a full-time position. When we first arrived in Japan, I started taking on freelance positions and other small projects to earn money, learn the language and meet new people. I realized my strength was being able to see what was trending in my home country and what did not exist in the country where I was currently living — then Japan and now Germany. I now call this “Idea Importing,” but it was in chasing after these ideas that I found myself deep into the world of entrepreneurialism.
As a mom, what about the kids’ space did you want to shake up?
I dreamt of a kids’ space that was without primary colors and plastic toys (both of which actually have their place and almost cannot be completely avoided). But, I wanted to create a product lineup that fit into a play space that was inspiring and whimsical, yet also pleasing to the eye and homogenous with the rest of the design in our overall household.
What is the philosophy behind the aesthetic of The Singing Ant?
Our philosophy was to design a pattern that was appealing to all styles — whether it was a modern, industrial, Scandinavian or traditional interior, our goal was that our products complement all tastes and make spending time together a little more beautiful.
What advice do you have for other aspiring entrepreneurs?
Always look for a path. If it means a path to start, like freelancing or creating a side hustle to get momentum for your idea, or if it means looking for a resource or expert in your circle of friends, family, or acquaintances to get the information you need, or adding another product or service to create fresh interest or appeal to new customers. Think creatively in your environment because most of the time there is a path to help you find a solution or reach your goal.
Join Nicole (@thesingingant_kids) and me for an Instagram Live at 10 am BST / 11 am CEST on Friday, October 29!