Mitzie Mee Blog

This could be the best sleep mask ever – Silk contoured sleep mask

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

This could be the best sleep mask ever – Silk contoured sleep mask

If you travel a lot, or you just need to sleep during daytime, you know that a good sleep mask is priceless. I have tried so many sleep masks through the years, but I have never managed to find one that ticked all the boxes. So I decided to make my own, and together with the women at CWSG we started working on the best sleep mask ever. It took more than three months and 20 prototypes to come up with the final design, but it was all worth it, and I am so happy and proud of what we have created. This is a wonderful, wonderful sleep mask!

Here is why it is so great:

It has plenty of room for your eyes and your lashes

Flat sleep masks have just never worked for me. The pressure from the mask on my eyes makes it difficult to blink, resulting in dry, irritated eyes. Besides, flat sleep masks are not compatible with eye make-up and lash extensions.

Flat sleep masks have just never worked for me, because the pressure from the mask on my eyes makes it difficult to blink, resulting in dry, irritated eyes. Besides, flat sleep masks are not compatible with eye make-up and lash extensions, which I wear now and then.

I thus knew that I wanted to make a contoured sleep mask, so I reached out to Metric Products which is a US company that holds the patent for the type of contoured core that I wanted inside my mask. They have developed a patented material, Metric 66, which is super lightweight, hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly, just what I was looking for. As we were talking, I found out that Metric Products runs several social projects in Sri Lanka, where their production facilities are located, so I did not hesitate long, before I placed my order.

My sleep mask has 20mm deep eye cups, so you can blink away as much as you like, even with eye lash extensions. The mask also prevents you from accidentally scratching your eyes, which further help prolong the life of your lash extensions, and if you take a nap on board the train or the plane you will not have to worry about waking up looking like a panda. The sleep mask will make sure that your eye make-up does not get smudged all over your face.

It is made with super soft Peace Silk

When it comes to that super soft, luxurious feeling, nothing compares to silk. Though in traditional silk production, the silkworms are gassed or boiled alive, which I thought sounded wasteful. For my sleep masks I therefore decided to use Peace Silk, which is silk made without killing the silkworms. Instead, the worms are allowed to hatch from their cocoons and become beautiful butterflies.

The outer layer of the sleep mask is 100% Peace Silk satin, which has a shiny, soft surface that feels wonderful against the skin so you will wake up looking just as rejuvenated as you feel. The sleep mask comes with a handwoven pouch so it is easy to bring along when you are on the go.

It is adjustable

It was important for me that the sleep mask was adjustable so it would be comfortable to wear for any head size. The easy solution, which many other sleep mask makers use, is Velcro, but if you have long hair like me, you know why Velcro is a terrible idea:) Velcro gets entangled in your hair but it also loses some of its stickiness over time, so we quickly started looking for other options.

We tried bra sliders, hooks and buttons, but they were not very comfortable or they were too difficult to adjust, so for a while we were considering not having adjustment at all, but instead just using an elastic band. Though finding the optimal length of the band was difficult. The mask would be too tight for people with big heads and too loose for people with smaller heads. Furthermore, elastic band gets less elastic over time so a good fit now would turn into a too loose fit over time.

So after all the trial and error above, we finally decided on ribbons, as that would allow for the best adjustment of the fit of the mask. At first I was skeptical towards ribbons, as I thought the bow would be uncomfortable to sleep on, but I was surprised to find out that if you tie the ribbon and place the knot at the back of your head where the skull and the neck meet, you do not feel it at all. I sleep on my back, so you can take my word for it.

The ribbons have an elastic part which makes sure the mask fit tightly, and the edge of the mask is lined with Peace Silk fiber to make the fit even better and the mask even more comfortable to wear.

It is handmade and fair

It is the women at CWSG who make the sleep masks. CWSG is a women artisan group in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the group helps disadvantaged and marginalized women get a source of income and social support.

We spent many late evenings making prototypes and discussing the design, and they played a big part in transforming the sleep mask from an idea that seemed impossible into the final product.

The white and pink Lucky Cat is my favorite, and that design just happened by coincidence. I had asked Kanary’s (the founder of CWSG) daughter Katherine to make some suggestions for decorations and she drew the cat because that was something, she would love to wear herself. It was not in the style I had originally imagined for the sleep masks, but when I saw the cat, I immediately fell in love:)

April 18, 2023 0 comments

Different ways to use a tea towel

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

Tea towels are one of the most useful items you can have in your kitchen. They are simple, yet versatile, and can be used for a variety of tasks. Whether you’re drying dishes, wiping up spills, or just need something to hold a hot pot, tea towels are the go-to item for any home cook.

So, what exactly are tea towels? They are a type of kitchen towel that is typically made from cotton or linen, designed to be used in the kitchen. Tea towels come in a variety of colors, patterns, and styles, so you can find one that matches your kitchen decor.

I prefer the tea towels in my kitchen to have different styles, but matching colors, but otherwise, I am fairly openminded. I have a whole stack of tea towels at home, and I use them for many other things than just drying glasses. Here are some other ways to use tea towels:

Different ways to use a tea towel

For drying: One of the most common uses for tea towels is for drying dishes. Unlike paper towels, which can be wasteful and expensive, tea towels are reusable and eco-friendly. Plus, they are more absorbent than paper towels, so you can dry your dishes faster and more efficiently.

For wiping up spills: Tea towels are also great for wiping up spills and messes. Whether you spill some water on the counter, or drop a bit of sauce on the stove, a tea towel can quickly and easily clean up the mess.

As a hot pad: Another great use for tea towels is as a hot pad. If you need to move a hot pot or pan from the stove to the counter, simply fold up a tea towel and use it as a pad to protect your hands from the heat. You can also use a tea towel to cover bread or rolls, to keep them warm until you’re ready to serve.

For adding style: Tea towels can also be used to add a bit of style to your kitchen. Because they come in so many different colors and patterns, you can use them to add a pop of color to your kitchen decor. Hang a few tea towels on a hook or towel bar, and your kitchen will instantly look more inviting. Tea towels might be the cheapest way to give your kitchen a quick makeover. Use matching colors and patterns, and see how simple it is to change the style and look of your kitchen.

As a bread basket liner and for wrapping bread: Tea towels are a great way to line bread baskets or bowls, when serving bread or rolls. Not only do they add a touch of style, but they also help keep the bread warm and fresh. Simply place the tea towel in the basket or bowl, then add the bread or rolls on top. The tea towel will help absorb any excess moisture and keep the bread from sticking to the basket or bowl.

For wrapping bread: Tea towels can also be used to wrap freshly baked bread, which is especially useful if you want to transport it, or give it as a gift. Simply wrap the bread in the tea towel and tie it with a ribbon or twine for a rustic and charming presentation. Wrapping fresh-baked bread in a tea towel is also a great way to keep it fresh, without it getting soggy. If you put bread in a plastic bag while it’s still warm, the moisture from the bread can get trapped in the bag, causing it to become soggy. However, wrapping the bread in a tea towel after it has cooled off allows for air to circulate around the bread, helping to keep it fresh and crusty. Plus, the tea towel can absorb any excess moisture, which can help prevent mold from forming on the bread. So, next time you bake a loaf of bread, consider wrapping it in a tea towel for the best results!

Repurpose: After the tea towel has served its time in the kitchen, it can be repurposed for other uses. For example, you can use it to polish shoes or metalware. The soft, absorbent fabric is perfect for removing dirt and grime, and can leave your shoes or metalware looking shiny and new. It’s a great way to extend the life of your tea towel and get even more use out of it.

You can buy beautiful, handwoven, ethically made tea towels from Thailand and Cambodia in my shop:

Mix & Match – Choose among all tea towels in the shop

1pc: $14 // 2pcs: $25 // 3pcs: $36 // 4pcs: $46

View all tea towels >>

April 15, 2023 0 comments

NYC: Homemade Taqueria

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

Homemade Taqueria - Nice Birria Tacos in New York - NYC Blog

Do you believe in manifesting stuff? I’m not sure that I do, but if I did, I think I manifested a nice taco shop, just when I needed it the most:) I had just arrived in New York City, and hungry and jet lagged, I was looking for a place to have lunch. As if by fate, Homemade Taqueria appeared before me, with a nice and colorful appearance and a promise of authentic Mexican flavors.

I had the birria tacos, and it turned out to be a good pick. The tacos were filled with juicy, tender shredded beef that had been slow-cooked to perfection. The meat was packed with flavor and paired beautifully with the warm tortillas. I haven’t had birria tacos since Ale @lemontwist_nyc took me to Chofi Taco in Union City so I was curious to see how the tacos at Homemade Taqueria compared to the ones we had at Chofi. I would say they were almost as good as the birria tacos at Chofi, but I like the consomé at Chofi slightly better.

This place felt like a mom-and-pop style hidden gem, so I was surprised to find out that it’s actually a part of a chain with branches throughout the city. After a long flight, I couldn’t have asked for a better lunch spot and you ever find yourself in New York City, hungry, and jet lagged, heading down to the nearest Homemade Taqueria wouldn’t be a bad choice.

You can see the different locations at the Homemade Taqueria website >>