May's Menu

Welcome to this month’s Menu (f.k.a the monthly Consumer Digest), a list of everything I consumed this month that has had a lasting impression.

We’ve got so much to discuss…

Let’s Digest!

1. Meta Ray-Bans

Meta Ray Bans In my mind I’d like to be great at capturing moments, but in reality I suck at it. It’s likely because I’m always multitasking, holding multiple things, not sure where my phone is, the list goes on and on. I recently got my hands on the Meta Ray Bands and I regret to inform you they are the coolest piece of tech I have experienced. I can record, take photos, listen to music, ask Meta questions and so much more. We of course know the video and photo capabilities, but I think the music feature is the coolest. You can listen to music without being unaware of your surroundings, so it feels a bit safer than noise cancelling headphones.

p.s. Please, please, please use these responsibly !

some photos I took with the Meta Ray Bans!

2. Cyklar Perfume Oil

Cyklar has managed to appear on nearly every Menu this year—and with good reason. Just when I thought I’d seen all they had to offer, they launched this perfume oil. I was skeptical—it’s described as “musk,” a scent profile I usually avoid—but I was wrong. It’s rich, smooth, and somehow everything I didn’t know I needed. It lasts all day, often outlasting the perfumes I layer it with.

3. Bag Hook

Owning a purse can feel like a logistical nightmare: Will I hold it all night? Is there space on the table? Do I have to balance it on my lap at dinner? This tiny invention has solved all of that. A sleek bag hook lets me hang my bag off any table—no stress.

I can’t take credit, though—this was a gift from my boyfriend, who officially earns the Chic, Conscious Consumer stamp of approval.

4. Flamingo Estate Candle

Gourmand is my go-to scent family—I love smelling like a toasted marshmallow. But for my home? I don’t always want it to feel like a full-time bakery.

This candle strikes the perfect balance: sweet and nostalgic with just enough green and floral to keep it elevated. It was inspired by the Swedish Princess Cake from Saint Ambroeus, a cake that typically features raspberry, marzipan, heavy cream and more.Think upscale dessert table meets boutique hotel lobby.

5. Moment of The Month: Wagyu Night

Every year I host all of my friends for a steak filled night with a primary focus on Wagyu. I cook Wagyu a whole bunch of different ways and we all eat, dance, party and have fun. Everybody has to bring non-perishable food to be donated to Common Pantry as their “ticket”, which is something that makes the event.

6.Table Lighter

I’ve been into vintage home goods and fell down a rabbit hole on Etsy. This train led me to table lighters, a very chic and sophisticated take on the common, plastic lighter but merging functionality with decor. I think it’s the little things that elevate a space, and why not have have them be functional too!

7. Lip Stains

Lipliners and I just have so many issues to hash out. For one I am always losing them. So when I tried my little sister's lip stains I knew I had found the perfect work around. These lip stains last all day, meaning you don't have to take your liner out into the high risk world– a vortex stealing lipliners.

8. Biologique Recherche P50 PIGM 400

This pick is directly connected to April’s Menu—the facial I had at Karine Kazarian Studio. Since then, I’ve been reaching for PIGM 400 to tackle dark spots. My relationship with Biologique Recherche has always been a little on-again, off-again. The price point and maintenance-heavy reputation make the line feel equally luxurious and intimidating—a true Catch-22. I fall into this cycle of Love → Forget → Rediscover, often rekindled by visits to facial studios that swear by their protocols.

Of course, I’ve used P50 before—a rite of passage in the skincare world, sanctified for me by Rescue Spa in Flatiron and, for most, by the Olsen Twins. But for the past month, it’s the PIGM 400 that’s been on rotation. I’ve been using it as a spot treatment, and honestly? I couldn’t even do a before-and-after if I tried. The dark spot is so gone, I forgot where it even was.

9. Large Bottega Andiamo in Ribbon

I’ve waited years for this bag. The Bottega Andiamo has become a quiet icon—elegant, versatile, and wearable in every size. But it was the Ribbon color that really got me. Like the rest of the internet, I was completely floored when I saw A$AP Rocky carrying it.

I had to have it.

From that moment on, I asked about it in every Bottega store I visited—every city, every country. The answer was always no. In January, I got more strategic: “Have you ever had Ribbon in inventory?” “Is it really an Asia exclusive?” “Is there any way to place an order?” Finally… yes.

The bag arrived at the end of April. For the first few weeks, I mostly admired it like a museum piece. I haven’t worn it much yet, but honestly, just having it is why it’s on this list. A full TikTok review will come once we’ve logged some miles together.

10. Westman Atelier Lip Gloss in Garçonne

Lip gloss is something I have far too much of. In my quest to Project Pan and narrow down my forever favorites, Westman Atelier’s glosses have risen to the top. Especially the shade Garçonne—a mauve-y nude that perfectly complements my purple blush obsession. It’s glossy, elegant, and long-wearing.

Thanks for consuming!

Phia

“Each Day Gets Better”