The Five Senses

My sensory lookbook — the sights, sounds, scents, textures, and tastes shaping my moment.

Jun 29, 2025

Ciao!

I’m writing to you as we journey back from a little Saturday day trip to Michigan. Lately, I’ve been craving adventure, but I also want to sleep in my own bed — so, day trip it was! Yesterday felt like a true summer Friday: I had such an affirming meeting with a new client I’m working with. I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it here, but I recently parted ways with a longtime client, and I can’t lie, I was pretty shaken up over it. But just two weeks after our contract ended, some pretty amazing opportunities came into my life. Already, they feel so much more in alignment — it really took stepping away from that past client to see it was time for that chapter to close. I’m so grateful to God and the universe for never failing to point me in the right direction.

After my morning meeting, I bopped around West Town — picked up artisan bread flour from Publican’s Bakery (home of the best croissants and breads in Chicago, if you ask me — well, maybe besides my own kitchen, ha!). There are so many antique shops around there, so I wandered in and out on my way to Neybir. Neybir is such a lovely store, and they carry my favorite candles from Tatine. Deb and I have officially coined the scent of the summer, so of course I had to restock! More on that later. Afterward, I walked through the neighborhood to — you guessed it — Deb’s, for a quick tea! We had a lovely time, and I got home around 4. Then a quick deep clean to refresh our space for the weekend. We had a lovely evening of Tri Tip from Agora (a very flavorful cut — I was impressed) with crispy potatoes and steamed asparagus topped with pecorino. Simple summer food! I took a magnesium bath and got in bed early.

This morning (Saturday), we had a slow start: Blake made us coffee, we listened to worship music, I prayed and read my current favorite devotional. Around 11, we headed to Michigan, aiming for Three Oaks. Here’s what we did:

Red Arrow Coffee Roasters — split a cortado and a biscuit with their honey butter (so good!)
All the antique shops along Red Arrow Highway — I found the loveliest basket for our sideboard.
AP Lakeside for a bit of shopping. Make sure to stop next door for my favorite teas (Belloq).
Whistle Stop for lunch. Get the chicken club — trust me! I usually hate mayo, but love it here. Also pick up their chicken salad to go (same note on the mayo) and some local milk and cream to take home. We always bring our big Yeti cooler — heavy, but worth it.
Granor Farm for fresh produce. I’ve wanted to check this spot out for a while! I’ll admit though… nothing quite beats the Wisconsin farmstands on the way to Lake Geneva, plus I’m spoiled with the selection at Bread Garden. Still, it was worth the visit.

Now, for what’s igniting my five senses:

TASTE
I’ve always loved tea, but lately an afternoon cup with local honey feels even more special — maybe it’s the 90-degree days! Favorites lately:

Belloq’s Nocturne, Le Hammeau, and Little Dickens (a new addition)
Kusmi’s Chamomile
Teapigs Licorice & Mint
Muna tea from Peru
Iced mint tea with fresh mint from my garden

And always: a great local honey. Pair it with a piece of sourdough, French butter, and honey… or after today, I might be team biscuit with honey butter. I’ll definitely be making this at home on repeat!

SMELL
Tatine’s Wild Honey candle is, to me, the scent of summer. It was her final pour (😭), so I’m hoarding my stash. Grab two if you can!

SIGHT
Just finished It’s A Love Story (loved! Think: How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days) and Husbands and Lovers (slow to start, but stick with it — it gets very good). Now onto Listen for the Lie — a little dark, but compelling. Definitely deep in my summer reading.

Whenever B travels, I get into a new show. This week: Sirens — wild, but it pulled me in. Tonight might be movie night (The Life List is on deck). Oh, and we finally got Netflix for the first time ever. Lol. We live under a rock and I love it. I don’t watch much TV, but there’s something about curling up after a long summer day.

FEEL

Poplin summer dresses for errands — Matteau, Doen, Buck Mason.
Summer sweaters — a must for chilly indoors/hot outdoors days. Love a silk or linen knit (or both).
Linen tees — Jamie Haller, Toteme, Sezane.

SOUND
I’ve been trying to build a worship playlist that feels soulful and real — not overly polished or “howly.” It’s been a challenge, but I’ve found a few that I love and I’m adding more as I discover them. Send me your recs too! The only criteria: it should make you feel something, and feel closer to God (but not in the Jesus I Love You kind of way).

Thanks for being here and sharing in these small but rich moments with me.

All my love.
Mary