Postcards from Home—#10
S is for Summer Shopping
Hello from my home to yours!
This is Marie from Marie Home.
How was your weekend?
It's kind of crazy that we're already a week into June.
May has been a whirlwind for me, mostly because I spent it in a haze of hay fever. I only recently learned the term (who knew that I had one?), but thankfully, I'm finally feeling like myself again.
Before the worst of allergy season hit, I managed to visit a couple of cute restaurants that had been on my must-try list for ages.
The first one was the Okiboru House of Udon in the East Village.
They serve Himokawa udon—extra-wide, flat udon noodles served with a dipping sauce. I was so excited when they opened in the city, especially since I didn't get to try Himokawa udon during our last trip to Tokyo. And the taste? Just as amazing as I'd hoped. They don't take reservations, so I recommend going right when they open. The space is small and cozy, and by the time we sat down, a line was already forming.
The second spot was Ingas Bar in Brooklyn Heights.
It was another place that had been on my Google Maps' saved list forever. And somehow, one day, my friend and I had the same wavelength, and we had this place in mind at the same time.
The restaurant was way more spacious than I ever expected, huge by Brooklyn standards! It had a charming, neighborhood-favorite kind of vibe that made it feel instantly welcoming. Their Tender Lettuces salad with Green Goddess dressing was a standout, with a minty flavor I'm still thinking about. We also shared Manila Clams, Agnolotti, and their Dry Aged Cheeseburger. The portions were generous for two girls; we left happily full.
Let's get back to the main topic. I've been on a bit of a shopping spree lately. While I didn't (and couldn't!) buy everything I've been eyeing, I wanted to share a few things I did pick up—along with some wishlist favorites, as always.
From home goods to fashion and beauty, I hope something here sparks your interest, too.
First things first: I finally got the Sabre Paris chopsticks!
They are thin metal chopsticks, which, coincidentally, is the classic Korean style, quite different from the wooden ones in Japan and China. They can take a bit of practice to use, but they'll definitely last longer. I got them in pink and pastel blue, and they are also very cute as a mix-and-match. I'm so happy to finally upgrade our chopsticks collection.
Since I ordered them from the Sabre Paris' official US website, I couldn't help but buy a couple more things. I got a small kitchen knife that will be perfect for peeling fruits and vegetables(it's very sharp!), and a tart slicer, both in blue gingham. The tart slicer will be a gift to my dear friend, who's an incredible baker, so I hope it adds up to her kitchen game.
And now, a little Skims update.
You might remember that I was wondering about Skims products before—especially their buttery-soft pants. I ended up buying them pretty much right after I wrote about it, and here's my report back after a few weeks of wearing them: they really are buttery-soft. Especially the Foldover Pants in modal—those are extremely buttery. The cotton pair feels more breezy and lightweight, while the modal one wraps around your body like whipped cream. That kind of softness!
But one thing worth noting is that the pants definitely run big. I ordered Cotton Rib Pants first in size small (which seemed like my normal size according to their size chart), and while I expected the length to be long, the waistband was also quite loose. Since I planned to wear them as loungewear, it wasn't a dealbreaker—but I went ahead and ordered the Soft Lounge Foldover Pants in XS, and they fit perfectly.
All in all, these are the cute and comfy loungewear pants I was looking for, so I'm really happy with the purchase!
I also tried the Fits Everybody Triangle Bralette in the color Sienna, size small. I normally wear 32B or 34A, in case anyone needs a size reference. People were praising it as the most comfortable bralette ever, and I can also say it is indeed the softest and comfy bralette! One thing to note: while it's double-layered, there are no removable pads or anything else, so it doesn't provide full nipple coverage. Although I think that's the main reason for wearing bras, it does provide some coverage when I'm wearing a flowy shirt, like the one I recently got from Doên, so it's a keeper. I like the deep triangular cut, which makes it easy to wear with clothes with scoop necks. I liked it enough to order one in Onyx as well!
While I was ordering more, I also decided to try a "real bra" and got the Wireless Form T-shirt Demi Bra. As a strong bralette girly, I've been skeptical about any structured bras, but I was in need of a reliable option for full coverage when I needed it, so I decided to give it a try. I chose this one because it's lightly lined, wireless, and claims to have cloud-like molded foam pads for an ultra-comfortable fit. And my honest opinion? I think I've found my new favorite real bra.
MAC Lipstick: "Hug Me"
Lately, I've been noticing a wave of nude-ish lipstick trends on Instagram, and one shade in particular caught my eye: Thanks, It's MAC. I finally headed to a MAC store to try it in person, thinking it could be a nice update from my old favorite, Teddy (yes, the old version from before the renewal... which I probably need to toss for hygiene reasons!).
And it was good that I tried it in person because, as much as I wanted to like the color, Thanks, It's MAC was a bit too light and sheer for me. It didn't add much color and ended up washing me out. Luckily, the very perceptive MAC artist recommended Hug Me instead. It's from the same sheer-shine line but has a hint more pink and instantly felt like the shade I'd been searching for. Now, I'm using this for the entire face—lips, blush, and a bit on top of my eyelids.
I'm still emotionally attached to my old Teddy, but Hug Me has officially become my new go-to pink-nude lipstick. At least for now, this will be the one I reach for until I use it up.
And one more beauty find!
My favorite K-Beauty moisturizer brand, Aestura, is finally available at Sephora! They've released a mini bestsellers kit that I think is perfect for travel or for anyone wanting to try the line for the first time. Highly recommended if you've been curious.
If you've been reading my Substack from the very beginning, you might remember how long I've been on the hunt for the perfect goblets. The Anna Wine Glasses from June Home Supply has been sitting patiently on my wishlist for ages, and I finally pulled the trigger. Because, really, what was I waiting for?
While I was at it, I also added a French Farmhouse Waffle Dishtowel to my cart—grayish-blue check, classic and charming. I've decided it's time to be more intentional about even the small, everyday things like dishtowels rather than just using whatever ones I've accumulated over the years.
So… was it worth the wait? Yes. Absolutely.
The goblets are everything I hoped for—sturdy (a must!) and yet have delicate fluted details, making them a perfect glass for wine with dinner. Additionally, the fluted detail seems to conceal the inevitable seam line that the goblets can have.
The dishtowel was also a good purchase, adding a farmhouse charm to the kitchen and feeling durable and absorbent, thanks to its textured waffle weave.
Also worth noting: They also have the same goblet design in a water cup size (slightly bigger), so if you like a more generous pour of vino (no judgment here!), that might be the one to go for.
And now, a peek into my current wishlist… I'd say I might be grabbing a few things from this list before my summer vacation. Holiday prepping is my justification.
Reformation has been on my radar a lot lately. But as we all know, online photos can only tell us so much, so I decided to pop into their SoHo store for a proper try-on session.
The things that caught my eye the most were the Mika Two-Piece and the Emi Knit Two-Piece. Neither of them is my usual style, but I just couldn't stop thinking about them. Here are the pics from the dressing room. I love them, but I'm not sure where I'll wear them! I'm usually not a huge fan of trying things on, but it was fun to play dress-up in their cute dressing room (also helpful to know the right size).
Another main reason for the visit was to try the Eden Platform Thong sandals in Espresso Suede. Unfortunately, the sandals weren't in stock, but I was able to get a feel for the sizing. I didn't walk out with anything that day, but the trip was totally worth it. I realized that when it comes to Reformation's sizing—especially for setups—I'm very in-between: if the shoulders fit, the waist is loose for the skirts, and vice versa. The good news is they offer in-house hemming service, so if you're like me, who can be anywhere between XS to M size (I even have L size for certain clothes), that might be the way to go!
Another thing that's living on my mind rent-free: a white poplin skirt.
I feel like I'm seeing this kind of white skirt everywhere these days, and while it's not something I usually gravitate toward, it looks so breezy and wearable for summer. I think it can be a more versatile alternative to white summer dresses, like the one that I bought and wore once in my life. Should I give it a try? What do you think?
I've seen versions across many brands, from high to low, but the Quince one seems to strike the perfect middle ground. They have multiple styles of white skirts, including tiered, pin-tucked, and simple A-line.
Dissh is forever on my wishlist, and I've noticed they're currently running a sale. But I'll be out of town for a bit this week, so I'm hesitant to order and risk a delivery mishap. Still—if you've been eyeing something from them, this might be the right time to check it out before the sale ends!
Last but not least from my wishlist: random vintage dishes that I found from a thrift store in Williamsburg. I stumbled into Mother of Junk (567 Driggs Ave) on one of the hottest days recently. I was a bit too delirious from the heat to make any fine judgments, but I did record my findings that day.
How cute are these dishes? I kind of regret not picking them up.
I hope they're still there—or, if not, I hope someone who treasures them has taken them home.
And I also wanted to share my newly discovered favorite café in the Lower East Side: Le Gaz. I was just on my way to the subway on one of those beautiful, sunny afternoons when I noticed a cozy corner spot with red stools lined outside its glass walls. What really caught my eye was the crowd—people of all ages just enjoying their drinks and the sunshine. So I turned my way and got myself a matcha yuzu tonic. It had just the right amount of sweetness and was incredibly refreshing, a perfect sunny-day treat.
We still get some rainy days here and there, but I'm happy that the sun is getting longer. It accidentally encourages late-night dinners for me, but I'm happy to oblige when I can look out the window and see a beautiful dusk at 8 pm. Do you have any summer plans coming up? What's on your radar for this season? Please leave a comment if you have any specific things in your metaphorical or physical carts. I'd love to hear what's been on your wish lists.
As always, thank you so much for reading this. I'll write you another postcard soon.
xxx
Marie