Ida's Menu
The Menu invites Chic, Conscious Consumers to share their go to products & passions because what’s more curated than a menu? From skincare to soundtracks, here’s what's on their plate...
Napkin Notes from your Home Chef, Phia
Allow me to introduce you to our latest Guest Chef… Ida Giancola
Ida is the definition of an IT girl, her recommendations on TikTok are paramount, she was the first person I saw talk about Tank Air, scented laundry detergents and so many other things you’ve seen on my monthly Menus.She recently launched her first perfume, The Afters, which I have proclaimed as the cool girl perfume of 2025, perfectly encapsulating the optimistic trill in seeking what next.
The potion features a rich composition of Tobacco, Black Cherry, Saffron, Patchouli, Dried Bulgarian Rose Petal, Manuka Honey, Labdanum, Vanilla Absolute and more. Ida has such great taste for of course I had to ask her to Guest Chef for the Chic,Conscious Consumers this week.
Without further adieu… I serve you Ida’s Menu!
What is your favorite restaurant?
This is so hard! I want to say Gracioneta in Ibiza is my favorite in the world because I always spend hours there and always have the best day ever. Local to chicago my fave is Bavette’s Steakhouse. I love a good steak.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Opinionated. Optimistic. Vibrant.
Describe yourself or what you do using references from movies, characters, TV shows, or songs.
At the moment, it’s a bit like if Lisa Barlow, the Queen of Sundance and Tequlia, took aesthetic inspo from Sharon Stone in Casino, and decided to create the next Glossier. Donna Summer’s I Feel Love is playing the whole time.
Describe your “digital diet”
I love Chicago House music so I am always listening to a house set while I work or on my daily walks. Right now, I’m watching Pop Star Academy on Netflix and I am obsessed(I love when they talk about “star power” lol), watching thru my Letterboxd list “RICH SEXY AND IN DANGER” which is 80s and 90s erotic thrillers, my favorite creator on tiktok right now is @shesunderated aka (Serena By The Sea)she covers all the niche pop culture things that I love and she’s just so hot and cool! I read the Substack “Neverworns”, and I’m a bravo fan so I’m always watching Housewives and listening to SUP (sexy unique podcast). LOTS of vintage shopping online: I use the GEM app to search and I am always scrolling TRR, eBay and Poshmark. This summer I also got into reading really trashy 80s books my favorite was “Hollywood Wives” by Jackie Collins. I love anything 80s. I am off of Twitter since last year and I feel much lighter.
If you had to choose your “big three” based on your favorite media, brands or products what would your Sun,Moon and Rising be?
Julia Fox in Schiaparelli = Sun The “more more more” SATC promo video = Rising Meadow Soprano = Moon
Let’s start with Aperitivo:
What makes you feel chic?
Freshly washed sheets, a trip booked and a great jacket (my favorite right now is this leather Magda Butrym with shoulder pads).
What are your 2 favorite perfumes?
What’s your drink of choice?
Kettle one martini extra dirty regular olives OR a glass of Verdejo.
What is a free beauty tip you live by?
Walking in fresh air! I walk at least 4 miles a day. I also love to go out and dance - I feel like dancing makes you pretty.
Moving on to Starters:
What are your favorite shower products?
This $5 Korean scrub mit from Amazon, L’occitane Shower Oil, Matrix BIOLAGE Shampoo (iconiccccc 90s salon smell reminds me of my mom I love it), Cyklar Scared Santal Body Wash, and Keracolor color conditioner in espresso because my hair can never be dark enough.
What’s your favorite appetizer?
I love a good shrimp cocktail with lots of horseradish or really good anchovies with a great olive oil.
What’s your favorite piece of content you’ve recently consumed?
Madonna on Jay Shetty’s podcast.
What’s your favorite song? or song lyrics?
Madonna Ray of Light!!!! The song also contains my favorite lyrics of all time. This is like a manifestation song for me, I play it over and over.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
It always feels good to hear: You smell good
Now for The Main Course
What are your favorite serums, body lotions etc.?
Patrick Ta Major Glow High Shine Body Crème, Bio Oil Body lotion, Shelter Skin Tallow Body Butter, Clarins double serum for face
One product you’ll repurchase over and over again?
Makeup By Mario Travis Lip Liner and I have purchased this maybe 15 times.
What’s your most worn fashion piece?
Vintage Prada Zebra pony hair clutch, or any of my rings- I have one on every finger.
What’s your death row meal?
Glass of Verdejo, NY Strip steak (preferably from Slagel Farms in IL and pan seared by my husband), my mom’s linguine with clams, McDonald’s Filet o Fish with no cheese, fresh heirloom tomato salad and basque cheesecake from BRAT in London
What’s in your bag?
Give us a fashion tip that helps you be a more chic conscious consumer.
Sleep on it!!
What’s a perspective you’ve had that has completely changed overtime?
The older I get the more detached with timelines I become. I was really impatient when I was younger- I take my time with things now.
What was your favorite item of clothing as a child?
It wasn’t mine but my sister had this pink cheetah print Betsy Johnson dress that I was so jealous of. I always wanted to wear it. I think about it to this day.
And a final bite for Dessert
What are your favorite lip care products, candles - the things that act as the icing on the cake in your self care and beauty routine.
Clarins Lip Perfector, Makeup by Mario Travis lip liner, NUXE shimmer oil, Trudon Spiritus Sancti Candle, ZUM frankincense and myrrh, and my 10 lb weighted vest from Amazon.
What is your favorite dessert or midnight snack?
Chocolate covered strawberries
What’s your favorite thing on your nightstand?
A glass of ice water with lots of lemon.
If you had to curate the guest list for the ultimate “Chic,Conscious Consumer” gathering, who are your three must-invites?
My sister, Patrica Field, and Rihanna.
What is a topic you wish someone would ask you about – a quirky interest or something you’re well versed in that you don’t get to talk about enough.
Old Hollywood! The 30s thru the late 60s. I’m obsessed with all the gossip. Also, anything Elizabeth Taylor. She was a huge inspiration to me while I was making my fragrance. I was reading her book at the same time. What she created with White Diamonds and how she reinvented herself in the process. She’s just incredible.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
My husband always tells me “If you’re for everybody, you’re for nobody”. That’s helped me so much as I’ve managed an online presence. Having a point of view can turn people off but also will attract who should be there.
Full yet? I hope not.
Pass this plate along—follow, support, and stay tuned to everything Ida’s cooking up, whether it’s The Afters or her next olfactory endeavor. Because great taste deserves great company!
Thanks For Consuming!
Phia
“Each Day Gets Better”
Brilliant curation on the "If you're for everybody, you're for nobody" mindset. That advice from her husband really nails why authenticity beats mass appeal, especilaly when building an online prescence. In my exp, the most compelling voices online are the polarizing ones who aren't afraid to filter out people. It's counterintuitive but makes total sense when you think about trust and loyalty.
Love it!! This is great