THESE DAYS everything you do or say online, or even in person, sparks an immediate survey asking how satisfied you were with whatever it was you just did. It’s nuts! Also annoying, like we have nothing else to do but give them free marketing data? I remember when you had to pay for that kind of thing and also were paid to participate in a survey. Now it’s just assumed you will tell anyone all they need to know in order to improve their services and thus wring more money from the public.
I began wondering if that survey thing could somehow work to my benefit. So starting today I will be sending surveys out to any and all people who come by for a visit, stay for a meal, use the bathroom or whatever. That way I can improve and maybe even get to a better spot in Heaven than I ordinarily would. You know, closer to God or something.
Following is the one I prepared for last Thursday when my husband and I hosted two family members and a guest for Thanksgiving. (Please don’t tell the Governor of New Jersey.)
2020 Thanksgiving Survey
1. How easy was it for you to find parking at the venue?
A) Ridiculously easy B) Very easy C) Somewhat ridiculously easy D) Not at all hard
2. How worried were you that you would contract the coronavirus at the venue?
A) Not at all worried, I’m a moron B) Somewhat worried C) Very worried, I’m a moron
3. How would you rate the meal?
A) Fabulous B) Excellent C) Stupendous D) Yummy E) All of the above
4. How likely are you to recommend this venue to others?
A) Extremely likely B) Very likely C) Pretty likely D) Highly likely
5. Who was your favorite person at the dinner?
A) The hostess B) The host C) The funny one D) The pretty girl E) The cat
6. Which stuffing did you like better?
A) Cooked inside the bird B) Cooked in a pan in the oven
7. What might have improved your dining experience?
A) Being allowed to take off my mask to eat B) Not having my temperature taken every 10 minutes
8. Overall, how did this year’s holiday compare with past holidays at this venue?
A) It sucked B) It was similar except for all the anxiety C) No different
Two male turkeys from North Carolina named Corn and Cob hang out in their hotel room at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., ahead of Tuesday’s pardoning.
Bet these turkeys are grateful for their pardon!
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. We’re staying close to our respective nests to protect ourselves and others. We’re grateful to all of you. Stay safe.
*A previous edition of this post named the 2020 pardoned turkeys Bread and Butter. Those were last year’s names of the turkeys.
A digital replica of the Brooklyn Museum of Art’s Beaux Arts courtyard, with its 60-foot ceiling, big brass chandelier and glass-tile floor, circa 1920s. / Photo courtesy of Netflix.
TWO WOMEN with the same name—Elizabeth—play the lead role in Netflix’s limited series The Queen’s Gambit and season four of The Crown. One is Elizabeth II, queen of England; the other is an orphan from Kentucky, who rises to the top of her game in chess, not known for its women champions. Both Elizabeths (and Margarets and Diana, too) understand how fashion can further their agendas. Whether or not you’ve seen either show, you can view a selection of costumes from each in “The Queen and the Crown,” a virtual exhibit that’s a collaboration between the Brooklyn Museum of Art and Netflix.
Visitors enter the exhibit to a view of the museum’s columned facade and arrive at its beautiful Beaux-Arts Court. Orchestral soundtracks from both shows play kind of hauntingly in the background.
You can drag your mouse 360 degrees to mannequins in outfits from Queen Elizabeth’s sashed and medallion-ornamented uniform for the Trooping of the Colour (a ceremony marking the official birthday of the British monarch) to Elizabeth Harmon’s outfits that frequently reflect the pattern on a chess board. Related objects from the Brooklyn Museum’s collection, such as an ancient Egyptian gaming board and a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II made from hundreds of plastic toys and trinkets, are displayed alongside the costumes.
Click on an “i” to find out when a how a frock was made, when it was worn and its significance; on the camera pic for dress details. The arrow icon takes you to a film clip in the show.
The exhibition is curated by Mathew Yokobosky, the Brookly Museum’s senior curator of fashion and material culture. His past credits include exhibitions on David Bowie and Pierre Cardin. The Queen’s Gambit costume designer Gabriele Binder created the wardrobe for Elizabeth Harmon; Amy Roberts constructed the outfits for The Crown to resemble the looks worn by Queen Elizabeth II, Margaret Thatcher, Princess Margaret and Princess Diana.
The exhibit is open to the public virtually until December, 13, 2020.
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: Costume designer Amy Roberts created Queen Elizabeth’s early 1980s Braemar Games Suit with silk blouse as worn by Olivia Colman in The Crown. The Queen’s style of dress is always conservative, tasteful and, most importantly, stable. RIGHT: The suit as seen in “The Queen and the Crown” virtual exhibit. / Photos courtesy of Netflix.
ABOVE: This mid-to-late 1980s boucle wool “Power Suit” was worn by Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher in The Crown. Thatcher’s style evolves with the decade but also as her political stature changes. As she gets more established within her role, the Iron Lady dresses in much sharper shapes and wider shoulders. / Photo courtesy of Netflix.
ABOVE: Princess Diana’s 1981 fairy-tale wedding gown was designed by David Emanuel. The re-creation of the confection took three people four weeks and 600 hours to create, using 312 feet of fabric and 100 meters of lace, along with a 25-foot train. / Photo courtesy of Netflix.
LEFT: Visitors to the museum’s virtual exhibit can click on the “i” for information about the costume, the graphic of the camera to focus on details like a fabric swatch and the arrow for a film clip, which shows Elizabeth (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) getting ready for a match with Russian grandmaster Vasily Borgov. RIGHT: Inspired by French designer Pierre Cardin, this dress was purchased and worn by Beth while in Paris for her first European chess tournament. She’s not only a chess genius; she clearly has an eye for expensive and elegant French fashion of the period.
ABOVE: Elizabeth wears her go-to jersey T-shirt, based on one by Andre Courrèges both at an early-career chess match in Kentucky and hanging out with friends in New York City. The black and white in the shirt mirrors the divisions on a chessboard.
LEFT: The Bow Dress in the Brooklyn Museum’s virtual exhibit, “The Queen and The Crown.” RIGHT: Anya Taylor-Joy as Elizabeth Harmon runs through a Paris hotel wearing this mid-to-late 1960s flowy crepe dress, inspired by Pierre Cardin. She is rushing to meet her Russian nemesis in one of her most important matches. Unfortunately, she has a terrible hangover. / Photos courtesy of Netflix.
LEFT: Created by Gabriele Binder, this cashmere-wool coat and hat combination (it’s in the museum exhibit) was designed to mimic the profile of a White Queen piece in chess. After winning the world championship in Moscow, it’s Elizabeth’s triumphal outfit in the last scene of The Queen’s Gambit. RIGHT: Chess, anyone? Modeled after a late 1960s design, this chessboard of a coat is worn by Elizabeth for the final tournament in the show. She’s recognized as a chess star, signs autographs and takes interviews with journalists. In both these outfits, Elizabeth’s new confidence is reflected in her wardrobe choices./ Photos courtesy of Netflix.
NO ONE NOTICES what I’m wearing these days—except me. In fact, when I’m out walking in my neighborhood, hardly anyone even recognizes me beneath my mask. I wave at people I know, and they wave back, no doubt whispering under their breath, “Who was that?” It’s not that I believe my experience in feeling invisible is unique.
Last week, eagle-eyed Managing Editor Nancy McKeon alerted me to comments on a fashion post in the New York Times. One woman expressed how happy she was to be acknowledged by another human being who complimented her earrings. To which another woman responded, “Dangly earrings are my new lipstick.”
Whether earrings are made from a precious metal, a gemstone, a crystal or hammered metal, sparkle worn near the face brightens the eyes and whatever skin is exposed. Plus, who can deny that wearing earrings that swing from side to side as you move isn’t just plain fun.
Below we’ve chosen 12 pairs of dangly earrings (one single) with interesting shapes, vibrant colors and textures, plus ones that made us giggle. Some are on the splurge-y end of the spectrum; others are not.
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: Head designer Patricia Trujillo of 100-year-old label Cano employs local Colombian artisans to create bold designs like these matte, pleated brass Camino 24K gold-plated earrings ($265, Moda Operandi) with a mesmerizing spiral. RIGHT: We all need a laugh these days. So, make haste to grab these Bauble Bar Roboto Gold-Tone Simulated Pearl & Ball Chain Drop Earrings ($38, Bloomingdale’s) for a little laugh and no chance of a malfunction.
LEFT: Co-founder and designer Sophie Kahn of Aurate New York designs and manufactures most of the label’s pieces right in Manhattan, drawing inspiration from the city (for example, rings modeled after the arches of the Brooklyn Bridge). A riff on classic hoops, these Connection Earrings (a single is $110, a pair, $220) are made of interlinking gold-plated (recycled vermeil) loops that do faces favors by reflecting light. They also can be made to order in yellow, rose or white gold. CENTER: Even if single earrings are not your style, this unique 14K gold West Medusa Relic Earring ($450, Catbird) could change your mind. With her head of serpents and ability to turn anyone she looked at to stone, the mythological Medusa has become a symbol of protection, much like the evil eye. We’ll take it. RIGHT: New York City-based Stone and Strand launched in 2013 with a mission of combining affordability and well-designed, quality jewelry. The pieces in the brand’s Act collection, which includes these oh-so-dainty Gold-Filled Pink Flower Hook Earrings ($75), measure 5 percent of their total weight in gold—which means they should last.
LEFT: Foundry’s Tiered Oval Drop Earrings ($15, Lou Lou Boutiques) in hammered metal have the patina and look of a well-loved antique without the price tag. RIGHT: Deep pockets or not, you’ll be, er, charmed by Elizabeth Locke’s Blue Sapphire Earring Pendants (hoops not included, $2,275, Neiman Marcus). Inspired by the jewelry of the ancient Etruscans, Greeks and Romans, Locke designs neo-classical pieces in 19K hammered gold.
LEFT: Stand out from the crowd of masked faces with these arty Nectar Nectar Mother of Pearl Earrings ($158, Anthropologie) that unexpectedly mix the classic sphere of a pearl with sinuous curves. RIGHT: Even if you’re only the tiniest bit superstitious, spring for these Ito Spirit Eye Drop Hoop Earrings ($168, Anthropologie). Made with 14k gold-filled metal, freshwater pearls and mother of pearl, they’ll protect you from the dark side while zhuzhing up your appearance.
LEFT: A trio of high-shine links, Melia Large Rounded Paper Clip Earrings ($35, Shopbop), will add some light and levity to the conversation even among mostly masked faces. Limited availability. RIGHT: A creative combo of 18K gold-plated brass, embroidery and seed beads adds up to adorable Fish Drop Earrings ($198, Anthropologie).
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BELIEVE IT or not, there is something you can do to escape the anxiety triggered by the coronavirus, the bickering of politicians, the accusations of a dirty election and the frenzy of journalists fanning the flames of it all. It’s called The Hallmark Channel, and it’s on your TV. The best part is that with Christmas coming, you can watch sappy chick flicks with a holiday twist all day and every night from now until year’s end.
Like many self-designated intellectuals, I never sat through one of those movies before now. Featuring no-name, grade-B actors and amateurish scripts, who had time for that? But suddenly those movies are a godsend, saving me from the nightly horror of FOX, CNN and MSNBC, night after dismal night.
The plots of Hallmark Channel movies are identical, so you don’t even have to think. You can tune in late, leave the room to go to the bathroom or fix a snack, talk on the phone or check Facebook and still know exactly what’s happening when you return. Here’s the story: Due to forces beyond their control, a young man or woman (on the Hallmark Channel there are only two sexes) is forced to move to a small town in an idyllic setting. It’s often in Alaska but it could be Montana, Maine, Vermont or even a suburb of Paris or Vienna. They move there because of a new job, or a rich relative they never met left them a big house on a beautiful lake, or a sibling died—usually in a car crash—and they have to take care of their kids.
Naturally they don’t know anybody in town, but on the first day there, often in the hardware store on Main Street, they run into a local who offers to show them around. This person might be the town’s vet, doctor, carpenter, school principal or real estate agent, and is always extremely good-looking. At first the two protagonists butt heads over a burning issue that impacts the town. Or else the local is about to be married. Whatever the cause, circumstances prevent them from being together. But eventually, through some scheming on the part of the town’s Santa Claus and his helpful elves, they are repeatedly thrown together and end up in love. The final scene has them opening presents around a Christmas tree in a ski-lodge type of cabin with a cozy fire crackling in the background, or else canoodling under a blanket on a sleigh ride through the falling snow, pulled by Rudolph with his nose so bright.
I have several friends who share this addiction with me. In fact, I sent one of them a special gift to snuggle in while sipping her hot chocolate. (I hope it arrives before this blog post spoils the surprise.)
ABOVE LEFT: I love my old Ugg scuffs, so much so that the lining at the heel is practically non-existent. I’m eyeing a replacement with another Ugg—this Dakota Slipper ($100, Nordstrom). Instead of the usual suspects in brown and beige, though, I’d go for this pretty “wildberry” suede. BELOW RIGHT: Family-operated German company Haflinger is known for its ultra-comfy, durable footwear, as well as its graphic styles. This cute Coffee Slipper ($85.95, Nordstrom) conforms to the shape of your foot the more you wear it. Boiled wool makes them feel cool in the summer and warm in the winter. RIGHT: Subu is a short version of the Japanese expression “sutto haku butsu,” which means slip-on shoes or shoes you can put on in the blink of an eye. Subu Indoor/Outdoor Slippers ($55, MoMA) have durable soles with an outer nylon shell that’s stain- and water-resistant, thanks to a special Teflon coating. The soft-cushioned insoles are filled with polyester down. Think of them as a warm down jacket for your feet.
ABOVE: We especially like this lumber jacket pattern (it’s also available in red and black and six other colors) on Birkenstock’s Zermatt Genuine Shearling Lined slipper ($99.95, Nordstrom). It looks cozy enough for lounging around the house or venturing outside it. Why? It’s shaped like a foot, has arch support, a warm lining and a rubber sole. BELOW: These Acorn Moc slippers ($44.95, Zappos) will hug your feet in faux fur uppers and a faux shearling lining. Like this new generation of slippers, this one has a rubber sole for traction.
LEFT: Stay snug—and feel fashionable—in a long sweater like this army green Raya Wool & Mohair Blend Cardigan ($430, Nordstrom). RIGHT: Why not wear hot pink in the middle of winter? Slip on Boden’s ribbed Rosslyn Fluffy Cardigan ($130, Nordstrom) with tortoiseshell buttons to chase away cold-weather blues.
LEFT: Inside/outside wearability applies to this Phoebe Floral Jacquard slide ($120, Birdies), which combines the softness of a slipper with the look of a designer flat. Comfort comes courtesy of quilted satin, memory foam, arch and heel support and a no-slip rubber sole. RIGHT: The fashion forward may just want to splurge on these camo-print shearling, clog-like Sleek Slippers ($180, Anthropologie) for themselves or as a gift for a trend-loving friend, who will be tempted to wear them day and night, inside and out.
LEFT: Cozy? Not so much. But this Mission Lurex Sequin Cardigan from Maje Paris ($340, Bloomingdales) sparkles with style (and the look of a much more expensive Chanel jacket). RIGHT: A knit cardigan/ jacket from BA&SH (the brand is named for the first two letters of the founders’ names—Barbara and Sharon), this Brut. Sweater ($395, Bloomingdale’s) in navy with light-catching round gold buttons projects a relaxed military vibe.
LEFT: Everlane delivers on basics like this ribbed Cropped Cardigan ($110), made with plush, warm alpaca that’s supposed to resist pilling.
Also available in ivory, tan and black. RIGHT: Mango’s wool-blend Chunky Knit Cardigan ($99) looks aces with jeans, but I could also see throwing it over a tailored pajama top for an impromptu Zoom.
LEFT: Sorel gets into the slipper business with this Go Mail Run Slide ($75, Nordstrom), a pouf of fluffy faux fur grounded by a rubber sole—just the thing for short dog walks. RIGHT:Mattress manufacturer Tempur-Pedic weighs into the slipper market with Vallery ($77.95, Zappos). Its faux fur collar and fleece lining will keep your tootsies toasty.
LEFT: Cable sweaters like Madewell’s Pointelle Cardigan ($110) check the right boxes for chunky but not too heavy thanks to airy eyelet details. Besides this mossy green, it’s also available in ivory and lilac. RIGHT: A bomber jacket-like Textured Knit Cardigan (Mango, $99) with long puffed sleeves, side pockets and front zipper to wear now through early spring.
MY NEW anti-anxiety drug is a woman named Brenda Gantt. I have mentioned her before as the star of her own online cooking videos. A Southern lady with a thick accent which is 85% of her charm, she has an amateur camera set-up in her Alabama kitchen that doesn’t always show what she’s doing, but no matter. Still you get a good look at her environment: The giant RC Cola thermometer hanging on the wall, the milkglass-shade lamps seemingly everywhere, the pots and pans and aprons and rows of canisters holding flour and sugar and who knows what else, just like your momma had when you were little only in my case, she didn’t. My mom was strictly a glamour queen; instead she had rows of face creams and eye shadow and couldn’t cook her way out of a paper bag, as they say.
Anyway, Brenda is also a magician. Sometimes she appears without any makeup looking as old as Methuselah, her hair a mess and her face creased, and other times she’s gussied up real pretty with her hair fixed and lipstick and sparkly earrings, looking as good as any professional TV chef would.
Brenda’s food is also spotty. Some of it looks mouth-watering delicious, other times it’s grossly unhealthy, and still other times you want to run out and get all the ingredients and fix it right then and there. I never do. I just watch for the sound of her twang and a glimpse of a peaceful world where there’s no Internet, even though she starts out each video saying, “Good morning, Facebook friends!” But there’s no mention of Trump, or the election or Jeffrey Epstein or the college scandal or the coronavirus. There’s just the sound of frying bacon and making biscuits with tomato gravy and pear preserves and smothered potatoes and all that “Y’all” talk that’s so comforting during this unhappy time. (As one Yankee friend of mine said, we should all talk that way.)
I used to turn to Tara Brach, a Jewish Buddhist guru who lives in Bethesda, Maryland and offers guided meditations and stories about overcoming anxiety and quieting the voices in your head telling you to kill yourself, or others.
But no more. Now it’s “Cooking with Brenda Gantt” that chases away my bad moods, like the old “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” did for children years ago. And with Brenda you get a dollop of God-loving religion along with useful cooking tips, like yesterday when she made buttermilk biscuits in a big bowl of flour just using one hand. It was like watching a magic act! Really, check it out; she’s on Facebook. As Brenda says, “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice in it.” So go ahead and rejoice.
YOU KNOW how every September, even though we haven’t been in school like forever, we still think of it as the beginning of a new year. Likewise, I’ve been conditioned from years, maybe decades, of shopping with my mother, that mid-October to mid-November was the time of year you looked for a new winter coat. In the old days Columbus Day and Veterans Day sales provided the impetus.
Although the retail landscape may have changed dramatically, cold weather is still coming. And in light of the COVID-19 pandemic’s restrictions on socializing, this winter may be challenging.
Bundling up will be a key strategy—for outdoor dining, getting together with friends around fire pits or on porches with heat lamps, as well as going for walks in the park. While black down coats and jackets have been the staple of the past couple of years, this season designers have upped their game with more faux fur styles, houndstooth and plaid patterns, quilted looks, padded leather and vibrant colors, along with neutrals like army green and khaki. There’s also a greater emphasis on using recycled materials. Many of these new coats are oversized, allowing ample room for layers of long underwear and sweaters.
In short it’s a good time to browse for coats and jackets that stand out and make a bit of a fashion statement. Not only this year but for a post-Covid world. No one is likely to notice what you have on underneath.
Below, some ones we have our eye on:
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: J. Crew’s Quilted Cocoon Puffer ($188) is only available in petite; if you’re not, though, you can still snap up this slim-fitting jacket in navy, ochre and olive (reduced to $104.50 in this color). It’s made from recycled poly and filled with PrimaLoft®, an eco-friendly down alternative to keeping the chill away. RIGHT: We’re seeing shades of green, khaki and other neutrals this season—like this Long Quilted Down Anorak ($299, Mango). Attractively accented with chocolate brown trim around the collar and the pockets, it looks exceedingly warm (the fill is 90 percent duck down). Tackle the voluminous look by wrapping up with the matching belt and present a united front by coordinating with similar neutrals as shown above.
LEFT: Baffle-box quilting locks in the down-hybrid insulation of Cole Haan’s Hooded Down & Feather Jacket (reduced to $149.90 from $225, Nordstrom), fitted at the waist and inset with a vest. The graphite color sets it apart from ubiquitous black puffers. CENTER: Minimalist lines and vibrant prints are the DNA of the Chloé Stora brand. This wool-blend, double-breasted Oversized Checked Coat ($501, Farfetch) looks elegant and also as toasty warm as a blanket. RIGHT: French Connection’s Carmen Faux Fur Trimmed Parka ($278), constructed from recycled plastic bottles, is a utilitarian go-to for cozying up to a bonfire and/or for a weekend hiking expedition. Cinch in the waist drawstring for the most flattering silhouette.
LEFT: For quality and style, Massimo Dutti jackets are hard to beat. Take this Moto Jacket ($399), which ups the ante on the classic look with quilted leather, high neck and a drawstring hem. RIGHT: We couldn’t resist this Iren Faux-Shearling Cropped Jacket ($198, limited availability, Nordstrom). So fluffy. Got leather or faux leather pants? Wear them with this.
LEFT: Not your everyday puffer, Ganni’s double-breasted Ripstop Quilted Coat ($425, Shopbop), made from recycled polyester, is a highly styled long coat with hidden snaps, duffel-inspired tortoiseshell acetate toggles, an exaggerated back pleat and elasticized cuffs for warmth. CENTER: Stand Studio’s Oversized Herringbone Coat reminded us of a Perry Ellis coat a friend once owned and loved for its cocoon feel. It’s unfortunately sold out. E-mail Farfetch to see if and when it comes back in stock. RIGHT: Who needs real? And, you don’t need an occasion to throw on this Celina Faux Fur Coat in dark green (along with five other colors) from Apparis ($275, Farfetch). And it has a hood!
LEFT: Despite the Paris in Les Coyotes de Paris, the brand is an Amsterdam-based design studio; it focuses on tailoring and custom fabrics. A re-imagined trench coat with statement voluminous sleeves made in an Italian wool-blend twill, the label’s Ruby Wool Coat ($975, Neiman Marcus) has that wear-it-forever look. RIGHT: Mango’s Straight-Cut Wool Coat ($299) with faux-leather piping says relaxed elegance. When you tie the bow (it’s removable) at the neckline, a reminder of the great sportswear designer Bonnie Cashin.
LEFT: Take your pick of how you want to wear this Long Reversible Faux Shearling Coat ($649, Nordstrom) with belt (not shown). Show off the faux fur side or wear it on the smooth, velvety black side, keeping the shearling all to yourself. CENTER: Cuddle up in Stand Studio’s generously proportioned Camille Cocoon Coat ($450, Shopbop). We love the nubby texture. RIGHT: Go for timeless. In recycled Italian herringbone (a wool, polyester and cashmere blend), Tibi’s Cocoon Shape Maxi Coat ($995, Shopbop) in loden gray telegraphs a vintage menswear vibe.
THE OTHER DAY I had a longish phone conversation catching up with an old friend—in fact, my oldest friend. Our mothers were pals long before we were born and so Carol, a few years older than I, was around from the get-go. Until I was nine, our families lived with just one house between us, still it felt like they were right next door. After that we all upgraded, and our new house was one street over from theirs in a nicer town. The two families felt like one, despite ours being Jewish and theirs Italian Catholic; Carol’s younger brother Kenny and I certainly fought like siblings. Still, all was simpatico.
Carol was the perfect, fairy tale “big sister” I wished I had. She was beautiful and fun, with a winning personality and an endearing magnetism about her. She grew up to be a professional dancer, eventually becoming one of the famous June Taylor Dancers of long ago that I watched on TV’s Jackie Gleason Show each week. We have kept in touch, and a few times we have visited despite living far apart all of our adult lives.
About that phone conversation. We squandered it talking about our various ailments, bouncing back and forth between her skin cancer and my skin cancer, her torn rotator cuff and physical therapy and my arthritis and possible hip replacement. Then we moved on to the relative merits of taking turmeric in powder form versus capsules, and whether or not alternative medicine was better than more traditional treatments. Finally after about 30 minutes of this, I noted that we had spent the whole time talking about how sick we are, and what fun is that? She laughed, I laughed, and we changed the subject—we started talking about her 92-year-old mother’s back pain and her almost-as-old aunt’s upcoming heart-valve surgery. (We had to talk about Carol’s family, because most of mine is dead already.)
Despite the focus on our obvious decline—these are after all our declining years—we hung up laughing, and our conversation was a tonic like few others available; certainly none that come in a bottle. Carol will turn 70 in a few days and I can assure you she is definitely the best-looking, funniest and most youthful 70-year-old woman you will ever meet. The bottom line: As long as you’re on this side of the grass, you’ve still got a shot at happiness.
—Andrea Rouda
Andrea Rouda blogs at The Daily Droid. This post is an oldie-but-goodie from her archive.
DESIGNER VICTORIA Beckham is partial to plaid prints, long skirts and big sweaters; actress Cate Blanchett favors elegant pantsuits, while the secret sauce of former J. Crew creative director Jenna Lyons is the mix.
Although we may not have star-studded budgets, and most of us are not currently making spendy wardrobe purchases, the style of the likes of Victoria, Cate, Jenna, as well as Julianne Moore, Karlie Kloss and Iris Apfel, can inspire.
That’s the idea behind Sophie Gachet’s new book, Anatomy of Style (Flammarion, October 13, 2020, paperback, $29.89). The co-author with Ines de la Fressange of Parisian Chic and four more style guides, Gachet covered fashion for Elle magazine from 1998-2019. In this latest book, through lots of photos, she dissects the clothing choices of 120 celebs, showing us how to copy their tricks and steal the ideas behind some of their best looks.
For example, for her always-polished outfits, Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice, pairs her oversize turtlenecks with long pleated skirts and boots or for more casual days, with trousers and sneakers. For Cate Blanchett, the key to wearing a pantsuit for evening is to go bare underneath the jacket. Wearing something simple and then throwing on the sparkle, sequins, jewels, etc., is classic Jenna Lyons. Karlie Kloss’s skill is combining colors, like bubblegum pink, shocking pink and fuchsia or similar shades of pastel blue.
Tucked away in closets, many of us already own what Gachet refers to as style essentials—white shirts, jeans, trench coats, little black dresses and leather pants. But wearing them for the most impact, well, there’s where we would welcome some direction—like the way to make jeans look elegant is by channeling Julianne Moore who matches her denim jacket and pants and then accents the suit with a mustardy sweater, bag and shoes. Or that black leather pants are classic and multipurpose, and the best way to wear them is with ballet flats or low boots á la Elle Macpherson.
Frivolous reading you say? Sure. But during these difficult days, one could do worse than dream about reinventing a wardrobe for better times ahead.
—Janet Kelly
ABOVE: Victoria Beckham‘s style morphed from her Posh days of mini-skirts and skin-tight pants to mid-length skirts and flows pants. Sunglasses are her thing; so are matching bags and shoes.
LEFT: Model Jordan Dunn breaks the rules, combining a big winter sweater with a summery skirt. RIGHT: Pile it on like Iris, but keep those necklaces and bracelets in the same color palette as your outfit.
I FINALLY figured out the problem with Maine: Despite its awesome beauty and majestic woods and rocky cliffs and 24-hour access to duck boots, it’s just not funny, which is a bummer because laughter is definitely one of the best things we humans have going for us. That, and our thumbs. But here in Maine, the natives simply do not have a sense of humor, unless you think saying “lobstah” instead of “lobster” is a laugh riot, because if you do, then you’ll love it here because they say that all the time. It’s funnier in summer when vacationers from away come for a whiff of pine, so from June to September you can count on a laugh or a smile from someone. Otherwise forget about it, and don’t even think about laughing up here in winter—it’s just not done.
It’s no surprise that there is only one comedian in the whole state, and he is also not funny, despite being a big hit with the locals. His name is Bob Marley, and you can check him out on YouTube and see that I am telling the truth: not funny. It’s possible his jokes are only understood by Mainers, which would explain his popularity.
Unfortunately, being funny myself, almost 100% of my material is wasted on a daily basis, especially when my husband is out of town. I have lived in places where my humor was appreciated, starting in Manhattan where the street vendors do stand-up. For a while I lived in Baltimore, and Baltimoreans, or whatever they are called, are pretty funny, too. And years ago I lived in Salt Lake City; believe it or not, Mormons are much funnier than Mainers. (Read “The Book of Mormon” if you don’t believe me.) As for my second home town, Washington, D.C.—oh please, that whole place is a joke! Everyone is a comedian there, and not just on Capitol Hill.
Fortunately I have funny friends: Sue is a scream but she lives in Pittsburgh. Patsy is quite funny but I see her for like a day a year, so that’s not much relief. Gabby lives here now, but she’s from New York originally and she’s hysterical. Deb isn’t funny herself but at least she can tell when something is. And even my neighbor Dagmar, from Germany, is way funnier than any Mainer, and that’s saying something. Anyway, it’s pretty weird.
WE’RE CURIOUS—about what you’re wearing these days. We keep reading that people are living in their sweats or that they’re just sick and tired of them.
• Are you—living in your sweats or fed up with them?
• Do you get cleaned up (sort of) and wear eye makeup to go to the supermarket? Is there one piece of jewelry or clothing you wear to prove to yourself that you haven’t given up?
• If you’re wearing sweatpants, do you feel better dressed as long as your nails are manicured or you have mascara on?
• Are you buying any new clothes, shoes, etc.—in stores or online?
Thank you, all, for your responses. We love having conversations with our readers. Here’s what we found out: It looks as if we’ve passed the sweatshirts- and sweatpants-wearing stage. Although you didn’t say you were sick of sweats, only one of you mentioned you were wearing them. But you are wearing eye makeup (including brow gel) and rings, earrings and necklaces. Lipstick, you say, is mostly reserved for Zoom calls, but some of you can’t get used to living without it. The majority of you are keeping your nails au naturel, instead of having manicures. Some of you have ventured into stores—briefly, but buying online is your preference.
See below for the full text of answers to our questions and what you’ve been buying or have had your eye on in the last few months.
—MyLittleBird Staff
LEFT: No matter what else she has on, our own Nancy McKeon says she wears her yellow-gold and onyx Vintage Alhambra Necklace (Van Cleef & Arpels) every day, even if it’s under a shirt. She tells herself she’s doing it to amortize the cost of the thing but thinks she’s really doing it just to try to be civilized. Maybe it’s also her lucky charm(s). RIGHT: Ada Polla, CEO of skincare company Alchimie Forever, had given up wearing bright lipstick a few months ago. She recently discovered Westman Atelier’s Lip Suede (a palette of tomato, brick red, dusty rose and vivid fuchsia shades, $85, Violet Grey). Wearing it makes her feel like herself again.
Nancy G: After literally spending at least a month and a half not leaving the house even to go get the mail, and in nothing but sweats (which I did wash periodically), as soon as I felt safe enough to venture out into the world I started getting dressed by mid-morning. “Dressed” meant, for the most part, one of my many pairs of jeans, in various styles, and a sweater or T-shirt. If I was going to the office, occasionally I’d put on a dress, or a nice button down with my jeans. Once in a while I’ll put on a pair of black pants. I got really tired of not dressing, so now I’ll actually think about what I’m wearing for the day, whether I’m going outside the house or not, even to the grocery store. I’ll put on my watch, wedding band (which I take off at night for some reason), and earrings, and a necklace of some sort. Recently, that’s been a gold pendant I purchased in Israel decades ago, sometimes layered with something else. As for makeup, since we’re wearing masks, all I’m doing is my eyes and eyebrows. About a month ago, a few friends and I hit Loft, Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Anthropologie. Just touching new clothing on a rack was such a treat. Masks worn everywhere, hand sanitizer all over the clothing stores (not Bed Bath & Beyond, though), and “gate keepers” at the doors to limit the number of people inside. At Loft they told us they steamed anything from the dressing rooms not purchased, and put them in the back for at least 24 hours before putting them back on the floor. I’ve purchased things online, but not clothing, more makeup and stuff for the house and the grandkids. And I’ve gotten two pedicures and one haircut—such luxury!
ABOVE: This gold-filled Vote Necklace ($27.65, Etsy), à la Michelle Obama, spells out the most important message of the moment. Carol Lichty wears hers 24/7.
Carol L.: During the warm weather, my uniform was my favorite denim shorts and a colorful T-shirt. I did get a supply (per your instructions) of nice white T’s, too! Now I am back to a couple of favorite jeans with a weather appropriate T-shirt. I have my favorite zip-up hoodie for cool mornings.
I have only put on makeup for my occasional work Zoom meeting or on the rare occasion when we go for outdoor dining. No lipstick, what’s the point? I never go out anywhere without earrings! And now 24/7 I wear my VOTE necklace like Michele Obama’s that I found on Etsy. I’ve been to a retail store a couple of times, usually for something specific I need, and I get in and out ASAP. Although I make my way through the sale racks just in case there’s a super bargain. Talbots, Anthropologie, Bed Bath and Beyond and, of course, Marshalls!!
Before I got my first pedicure end of May, I purchased a few pair of nice casual shoes to cover my toes (I like Toms and Keds).
LEFT: Our fab former colleague at the Washington Post, the impeccably groomed Jura Koncius, opts for Eileen Fisher’s System Viscose Jersey Ankle Leggings ($88) as the base of her WFH uniform. CENTER: It’s a sweater, it’s a fleece. However you describe it, this wool-poly blend Quarter-Zip Pullover ($118, Anthropologie) is just the kind of item you can wear over and over again. I’m tempted. RIGHT: Another great pal of ours (and former WAPO arts editor), Christine Ledbetter, is all for comfortable clothes, and to keep up her fashion cred, stylish ones, too, like these Cheetah Silk Pants ($295, ATM Collection) she sprang for.
Jura K.: I live in Eileen Fisher black leggings. For my fall top ensemble, the rotation will be black or gray cotton turtlenecks from Lands End—the ones with the cuff and the tight neck fit—worn sort of just naturally warming the neck not folded down. A long denim shirt from Chico’s or sweaters or fleece vests will fill out my everyday outfit.
No makeup. Lipstick is my favorite cosmetic, but there is no way you can wear that with a mask and not get it all over your mask. I do wear lipstick for Zooms.
I wear my thick Elsa Peretti sterling silver Tiffany doughnut bangle, which was a gift to me from my husband for my 40th birthday and which is my good luck talisman.
I do not own sweatpants. My nails, which were professionally manicured weekly for 40 years, are now bare and looking so pink and healthy. I wear suede loafers with no socks daily. I do not go to clothing stores. I have bought a few new things from Eileen Fisher, Chico’s and Lands’ End.
Christine: I’m wearing a lot of loose clothes, because why wear skinny jeans? Just bought ATM Cheetah print silk pull-on pants as my concession to a little style. Barely wear earrings anymore, and I have double piercings. I do my eyes if I’m going out, but that’s like three times a week these days.
I’m finding my Vogue magazine increasingly irrelevant.
ABOVE: Even if you’re not wearing makeup, groomed brows frame your face. A pomade like Boy Brow ($16, Glossier) shapes, fluffs and keeps them in place. Available in five shades, including auburn and clear.
Ada P.: I have never lived in sweats, and COVID-19 has not changed that.
I get dressed every day in black jeans and a black shirt or a crisp white button down. Sometimes a black dress. For WFH or for the grocery store. My more casual days are weekend days. I have moved to more casual foot wear, flip-flops during the summer and Converse this time of year (I tell myself I’m channeling Kamala) instead of my usual stilettos. I still wear earrings and rings every day. Yes to fashion sneakers. I still wear mascara and eyebrow gel everyday. I gave up on bright red lipstick for a few months (which I usually wear every day) but have started back (thanks to Westman Atelier’s Suede Lip palette), and I definitely feel more like myself. No clothing purchases in many months, but I will need to replenish black T-shirts soon—online.
LEFT: Sure you can wear your slippers all day, but MLB Art Director Kathy Legg says Keds are her go-to shoe. These Crashback Leather ($59.95) slip-ons are as comfy as slippers and signal to yourself that you’re dressed and ready for the day. RIGHT: Combat boots are ubiquitous this fall. And this Fly London Salv Chelsea-style bootie ($140, Zappos) is über-comfortable, according to our gardening guru Stephanie Cavanaugh.
Kathy L: Having spent 99 percent of my time at the farm (where I mostly wear rags even in the best of times) since all this began I’ve thought very little about how I look and done even less about it.
The few times we’ve gone out to eat with friends here I have gone with the whole nine-yard makeup routine and admit it does make me feel “normal” for that brief, three-hour period of eating and chatting. Otherwise, nada, zip, nil. The supermarket has to take me as I am, sans makeup, jewelry or any other type of adornment. However, I feel the need to explain, so as not to upset Dr. Fauci, the only restaurant to which we have gone, with the same couple each time, formerly was the dining room of a Holiday Inn that years ago became a Quality Inn. It isn’t pretty and the food is bad, but the drinks are cheap and, best of all, no one goes there. Social distancing is never an issue. It’s just the four of us and the waitress.
The one thing I refuse to ignore is my hair. I make the pilgrimage to DC every two months for a cut and color. Some things just are not negotiable.
Still no manicures or pedicures and none forthcoming for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, I have strong nails and am fairly proficient at shaping them. And my slip-on Keds (see above) remain the sneaker of choice. Every year I buy a new black pair and a white pair and throw away the previous year’s dilapidated ones.
I’ve been in one clothing store, Chico’s, and bought yet another pair of white slacks and black slacks (the only colors I wear). I’m trying to rival the 70 pairs of black pants Nancy uncovered from various closets when she moved. The only other clothing purchases have been more white T-shirts from Gap online. It’s basically a standing order.
Oh yes, I ordered two of the products you included in last week’s post. Two of the serums. Probably overkill, but who cares.
Stephanie C.: Having worked from home for 20-plus years, I’ve never needed office wear. I do have a uniform, though. Black yoga pants and a black cashmere turtleneck for fall and winter. I discovered London Fly combat boots last year and find them amazingly comfortable. I have horrible arthritis in my big toes AND bunions, but hate being SHORT. The LF booties have a nice wedge that gets me up a couple of inches, they’re very well padded and the leather is soft—a hallelujah find.
My jewelry is generally pretty big, loud . . . eccentric, so I save it for evening events (or what passes for evening events right now). But I always wear my dad’s ring. A white gold band that he had set with a 2 carat diamond that was my grandmother’s, so it has lots of meaning—and, as it only fits on my middle finger, when I raise the digit, it really resonates.
Mary F.: I get dressed every day in chinos and a shirt even though I work from home. Sometimes I wear jeans but I chose to never wear sweatpants. I always wear my diamond earrings and a little necklace. If I run out I put on a little lipstick for no reason because I am always wearing a mask.
I discovered I like Joe’s Jeans so I ordered a couple of pair from Nordstrom’s. I did buy a few tops which sometimes has me going inside a store to do an exchange which means I have to sneak a look and replace it with another one. I don’t know about other areas but in Montgomery County the dressing rooms are closed.
Caren: I am so boring in what I am wearing. Tennis or golf clothes, then jeans or sweats for the evening after I shower. If my husband isn’t home for dinner I go straight for PJs. I seldom go out and the dogs could care less how I look.
Abigail C.: Sweats just mean you’re eating too much and embracing slothdom. Not a good place to reside in with everything else going on out there. I go to the supermarket right after my 6:10am solid core class, so no makeup and at the beginning of the day, no one is there. Great time to get essentials.
I wear my favorite earrings all the time and occasionally put on my silver ID necklace that looks like a Tiffany one.
I do love to have my nails done regularly (every three weeks—a gel change). It makes you feel special and complete.
No new clothes, just thrifting stuff — a sweater, jacket and perfect Adidas pants, classic pieces I’ll have for many years to come. And, I am getting all my boots resoled and polished for the fall. Makes such a difference.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.
I’M GETTING tired of this whole Covid thing, especially all the rules and regulations that change like the wind. Last weekend my husband and I went hiking and closely passed groups of other hikers from time to time. Less than half of them wore masks. In fact, here in Maine masks seem to be losing popularity. Often you’ll see people who have one hanging off of one ear, signaling they are ready to use it if some obvious need appears. Otherwise it dangles there like a giant cloth earring. Still, I wear one to keep other people’s germs, Covid or not, from entering my system. In fact, I probably will wear one forever; why not? They also keep out bugs, and I have surely eaten my share of those little gnats when I’m out walking.
What we need is a brand new obsession, like maybe an asteroid heading our way that will smash into the Earth in a few months. Imagine how exciting it would be to anticipate. Suddenly there would be something that nobody could be blamed for!
In fact, according to NASA, a large asteroid “the size of two football fields” recently passed by Earth, but nobody said much about it. Another one is expected to come fairly close around Election Day, again doing little damage. What I’m talking about is one that will hit us head on and take out the whole lot of us.
But that’s not happening today, so I shall get out there and enjoy this fall weather and start counting how many intact pumpkins are on people’s front steps, before they get smashed by the asteroid.
THE SHOWS will go on—even though they’ll be virtual and merged into one. Because of the pandemic, Smithsonian’s blockbuster spring showcase at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., was postponed until fall, and now it will combine with Craft2Wear’s wearable-art boutiques for two weeks. The works of the selected top craft and wearable artists will be for sale on Bidsquare through October 25.
The event kicked off yesterday, October 13, with a special Smithsonian Visionary Award given to 80-year-old Seattle ceramicist Patti Warashina. The craft show gala, also virtual, will be held October 21 at 8pm with host celebrity chef Carla Hall and Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Lonnie G. Bunch III. The evening continues with an online live auction, featuring 37 lots, including Warashina’s humorous and surreal ceramic container in the shape of a cat and a set of three porcelain cups, one of Lady Liberty in Tears.
LEFT: In Smithsonian Magazine, Patti Warashina says it was the material that hooked her. “It was the challenge of trying to overcome the physicality of the clay, controlling it on a wheel.” The Renwick’s Nora Atkinson says Warashina uses humor and poignant social commentary “to address serious personal, political, and social subjects, from feminist critiques of the art world, to the internment of the Japanese during World War II, to the absurdity of contemporary social media.” The bidding for Warashina’s Catbox begins at $2,750. CENTER: Designer Mary Lynn O’Shea’s lush upholstery fabrics are sewn into handbags in her Middlebury, Vermont studio. This Molly Bag in Red Wine, lined in contrasting cotton, is durable and can withstand the weight of books, laptops and other heavy items. It is $245. RIGHT: Stephanie Wheat’s Rebellion Bag in taupe Tibetan wool would be easy to, er, warm up to. It comes in a weekend-size tote for $1,450 and also as a wristlet for $375.
TOP LEFT: “Weaving metal perfectly marries my desire for beauty, function and cleanliness of design,” says jewelry artist Linda Bernasconi. These whimsical, handwoven sterling silver earrings are $375. BOTTOM LEFT: There is something so satisfying about moving metal, notes Boston-based jeweler Melissa Finelli. The bidding for Finelli’s Sparkle Nuggets Ring, made from 18k gold and diamonds, begins at $800 on October 21 at the Smithsonian Craft Benefit Auction. RIGHT: Erica Rosenfeld’s work is made from blown, hot-worked and carved glass. The Brooklyn, New York-based artist’s jewelry is inspired by mid-century modern design and turn-of-the-century Viennese design. This carved glass necklace on a nylon cord is $160.
Categories for the virtual 100-plus artists shops remain the same as in past years—ceramics, fiber and basketry, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather and metal, paper, wearable art and wood. Prices range from $100 for a pair of Francesca Vitali’s paper, gold leaf and stainless-steel earrings to $30,000 for Pavel Novak’s Pinnacle, a piece of multifaceted art glass for the serious collector. The holidays are coming. No matter the size of your budget, you’d be hard pressed to find such an abundance of handmade and unique pieces of superior craftsmanship in one place.
The 38thSmithsonian Craft Showwill be held online through October 25. Although the Oct. 21 gala is free, it requires pre-registration on the website. Proceeds fund research, education programs and exhibitions at the Smithsonian Institution.
I HAVE always believed in God. Not a He or a She but an It; the form of Our Heavenly Father has changed over the years. As a child and well into my teens I truly believed that God was the Ocean, or rather that the Ocean was God. That explained its deep and unknowable mystery and the fact that it covers the globe. Nothing else goes everywhere, except of course the Sky.
So then I started thinking the Sky was God. Perched high above all of us it sees everything, sort of like Santa Claus. You can’t hide from the Sky. Yup, the Sky must be God. Or maybe Nature —could Nature be God? After all, they call it Mother Nature for a reason. Whatever, God is certainly not some old man with a beard wearing a white robe, like in all the cartoons.
Or is He? I am now convinced that whatever God is, He, She or It can read, has a very long reading list, and my blog is on it. I believe this because I recently wrote a post concerning the horrible spider living outside my kitchen door that’s been there for a month or so, tormenting me every day. I have shied way from watering the flowers on which its web was spun, and thus they are not doing too well. I got the willies whenever I looked out there, and the quality of my life was negatively impacted by its very existence several times a day.
My post was all about that spider. I went outside this morning to check on how ugly it still was and it was gone. Vanished. Packed up its things and left, leaving no trace. Not a shred of a web anywhere.
So I concluded that either God read that post and took pity on me, or else that spider has ESP—I don’t think spiders can read — and somehow got the vibe it was hated and moved on. Either way, it’s pretty damn weird if you ask me. Not that I’m complaining. In fact, in case God is reading this post right now I would like to say that I am deeply grateful, that I love Him even more today than yesterday, and I will try to live up to His (or Her or Its) highest expectations of me.
We’re seeing a slew of green–army green. / photo by Nancy McKeon.
THERE’S SOMETHING about a uniform. In fact, according to our NYC denizen Nancy McKeon, you can’t walk down one of the city’s streets without seeing a woman clad in an army jacket.
In the late ‘60s, army green declared that the wearer was at war with the powers that were. Think Jane Fonda and John and Oko Lennon in military surplus. Worn to walk the dog in 2020—when it seems we’re always at war—its meaningful connotations are gone. As Marc Jacobs noted at a recent runway show, “Military clothes are part of the fashion vernacular now.”
Slip an army jacket on over a print dress or team with a graphic T-shirt and jeans; wear one over a fisherman knit sweater and midi pleated skirt or pair it with black leather leggings. The color goes a long way to downplaying fashion. Even if you’re wearing the most expensive labels, if it’s army green, it takes it down a decibel. It’s an O blood type item of clothing with a cool silhouette that’s available in prices from Zara’s to Saint Laurent’s. And what it communicates today is utility and a bit of swagger.
At the same time we’re seeing platoons of army jackets, camouflage is also enjoying a revival. Both go in and out of style but inevitably make a comeback. Like olive green, a camo print is easy to wear and versatile, as neutral as an animal print. It’s notable that army jackets and camo pants were favorite looks of fashion icon Jenna Lyons, who just sealed a deal with HBO Max to star in a series called “Stylish with Jenna Lyons,” set to premiere on November 26.
Meanwhile, see our suggestions below for 11 army jackets and how to wear them.
P.S. If you’re inclined to go full bore on military style, there’s a battalion of combat boots for sale online and in stores.
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: A stretchy blend of tencel, cotton and spandex, Canyonlands Utility Jacket ($169, Orvis), even brand new, has that “I’ve been wearing this forever” look. While walking the dog or taking a stroll with friends, stash you essentials in two big patch pockets, a zippered chest pocket and an inside pocket, big enough to accommodate a large cell phone. Pull on the interior drawstring for some waist-defining femininity.
RIGHT: J. Crew’s deep moss-colored Quilted Downtown Field Jacket ($168) will pair just right with your favorite—or any pair—of blue jeans. What’s more, the fabric will keep you cozy when temperatures fall, making it ideal for right-now weather.
LEFT: It may have a camouflage pattern, but this J. Crew Bomber Sweater Jacket (reduced from $158 to $94.80, Nordstrom) will stand out in the crowd—in a good way— for its at-ease vibe.
CENTER: Banana Republic’s olive-green camo Cropped Utility Jacket (reduced from $110 to $77) with its boxy, cropped silhouette is the natural accompaniment to high-rise pants (wide-leg, straight or skinny) or over a knit dress or a high-waist skirt.
RIGHT: We like the screen-printed stars, shoulder epaulettes and frayed hem on this Camilo Jacket ($108, Revolve). Midriff-baring T-shirt not necessary. It’s currently sold out in sizes small and medium, but is being restocked and will be available, according to the website, the beginning of November.
LEFT: It’s not often we see denim in anything but blue or black, so Topshop’s Longline Jacket in military green ($95) gets our attention. There’s only one left in small on the Topshop site but it’s also available on Yoox, the Net a Porter sibling site that features off-season, discount buys on designer clothing.
RIGHT: Made of heavyweight cotton twill, Raey’s khaki-green Whisper Army Coat ($424, Matches Fashion) reflects the utilitarian mood of season with its oversize patch pockets, while remaining true to the label’s pared-back style. If you’re fancying a pair of matching pants, unfortunately, they’re sold out.
LEFT: Channel your inner tough chick in Levi’s midweight-cotton Parachute Fishtail Jacket ($180, Nordstrom). The military-inspired parka is cinched with drawcords at the waist and a longer hem at back to keep your rear protected from chilly winds. Nice touch: You can roll up the sleeves with button tabs to show the contrasting striped interior fabric.
RIGHT: Japanese designer Chitose Abe perfected her skills as a pattern cutter for Comme des Garçons’ Rei Kawakubo before starting her own label in 1998. She is known for her ability to transform familiar women’s knitwear, jackets, etc., into designs that defy conventions, like this interpretation of an army jacket. If your budget is boundless, go for Sacai’s Satin Panel Belted Jacket($1,282,Farfetch). Bet no one else on your block will have one. Note: It was shown styled with combat booties, black long Bermuda shorts and patterned black tights.
LEFT: Levi’s Parachute Cotton military jacket (available in plus sizes, $89.99, Amazon) comfortably covers your rear. We can also see how that detachable hood will come in handy.
RIGHT: Nili Lotan clothing always seems like an extravagance, but I did fall for the style of this Cambre Jacket ($650). Shown here in sandy beige, it also comes in uniform green. It’s slightly more fitted than other army jackets but still is practically equipped with four cargo front pockets. Wear it alone for Indian summer days; later, layer under a navy coat.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; however, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
WITH THE exception of my husband who is fully human, lately I spend most of my time talking with robots. They call me on the phone and send emails and texts daily. I don’t handle them very well as I hate robots, so usually I shout nasty things into the phone like, “F*** you!” or “Die you Commie bastard!” while they, nonplussed, continue with their pre-recorded talking points as if I had not said one thing.
My most recent robotic interaction was with the team of computers working at Airbnb, and it’s still ongoing. Weeks ago I booked a lovely house on the Jersey Shore where our dear friends from Virginia were going to meet us for a three-day weekend. During the entire process I never spoke with a living, breathing person, instead doing it all on computer. Naturally I was forced to pay in full with a credit card.
Horror of horrors, two days ago our friends had to cancel because of a dire family emergency. Now having no reason to go to New Jersey, we set about canceling the reservation, hoping for a full refund. To begin, my husband engaged the “chatbot,” which issued standard replies to his questions that never addressed the problem. Eventually Mitch found a magic place that allowed him to contact a human and was told via the chatbot it would “take some time.” A day later a text arrived, chiding him that he was not the person who made the reservation, so go away. Turns out it would only speak to me.
This morning the computer wrote, “Your cleaning fee has been applied to your credit card, have a nice day.” Other than that, it’s not looking good, despite the fact that early in the proceedings we spoke with the property owner whose phone number appeared on the listing. Paul was great. A human, armed with a full range of emotions and a working brain, he was quite sympathetic to our plight and assured us we would get a full refund, but we would have to do it through Airbnb, not him.
This is where things stand now. I am continuing to punch the right buttons to get the rest of our money back (“Press 1 if your question is Covid-related, press 2 if this reservation was made after March 20, 2020 and press 3 if you have billing questions”), but so far to no avail. Honestly, I miss the old days when people ran things; these machines are heartless and, dare I say it, stupid. Still, they are the dominant species of the future so we’d better learn to live with them.
LEFT: What I love about LaRoche-Posay’s Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser ($14.99 for 13.5 ounces) is its creamy consistency and that when I’m finished taking any makeup off, my skin feels moist but not oily. Maybe because it has ceramides (sort of like fatty grout for skin) in it. And niacinamide, an new “it” ingredient for which my fussy dermatologist gives the thumbs-up. There is some evidence that it reduces inflammation from rosacea and acne and that it improves hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. Also, for anyone who has had frequent skin cancers (non-melanomas), doctors are suggesting oral niacinamide.
RIGHT: The gentle in Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser ($8.99, Walgreens) is a key word for me. Because I use a retinol product, I don’t want a cleanser that’s abrasive but I do need one to remove my eye makeup. Admittedly, it does take a few tries to dissolve the mascara, etc. But even though I use it liberally, I’ve had the same 8-ounce bottle since pre-Covid days.
Skin/Hair Care
LEFT: I pay way more for my retinoid-hyauronic-niacinamide compound—about $60 to Skin Medicinals every three or four months —than this Skin Renewing Retinol Serum ($18.49, Ulta) from Cerave. It contains the same ingredients (a retinoid, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide—more about this last later) and is also supposed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin texture and appearance. Because mine is by prescription, I suspect it has a greater concentration of that trio than Cerave’s, which doesn’t show the percentages. Still, worth a try.
CENTER: Remember Herbal Essences shampoos from years ago? The brand’s new collection—bio-renew—uses argan oil, white grapefruit, honey, bamboo, ginger, mango and cucumber in its formulas. This sulfate-free Potent Aloe + Bamboo Shampoo (13.5 fluid ounces, $6.17, Walmart) has a green-leafy scent. Fun fact: Herbal Essences works with scientists at the London-based Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to verify and authenticate the real plant extracts in the brand’s shampoos and conditioners.
RIGHT: Founded by a team of M.I.T. grads to create skincare formulas backed by science, data (analysis of reviews from other skincare products) and artificial intelligence-based research, Maelove makes an easy-on-the-wallet line of products; only one sells for more than $30. The super star in the collection, though, is The Glow Maker ($27.95), a serum that contains the triple crown of ingredients to help brighten age spots, firm hydrate and protect: Vitamin C (at 15 percent concentration), vitamin E and ferulic acid (an antioxidant). Reviews compare it to the much celebrated and much more expensive SkinCeuticals’ CE Ferulic ($166, Dermstore)—with the same cocktail of vitamins.
Makeup
FAR LEFT: My current stock of 100 Whole-Foods-bought organic cotton rounds that I use to remove mascara, etc., is a big disappointment—the pads come apart too easily and I need to use a lot of them, so definitely not worth $3.99. These Beauty 360 Premium Cotton Pads ($5.49 for 50, CVS) are generously sized. And though not exactly inexpensive, they look as if they can meet the makeup-removal challenge.
NEAR LEFT: I ordered something or other from Sephora and got a sample of Milk Makeup’s Lip +Cheek ($28, Sephora), a creamy blush/lip color with mango butter and apricot oil that you can apply sans mirror. I stashed it in my purse this summer so I could add a pop of color whenever I was eating outdoors and could take off my mask. In addition to the standard size, it’s also available in mini-versions in six colors, including mauve, true red, coral and dusty rose, for $15.
NEAR RIGHT: The design of Shiseido’s The Makeup Eyelash Curler (currently reduced from $22 to $18.70, Nordstrom) makes it easy to use without pinching your lids or poking an eye out. It’s a must-have, lash-lifting tool that makes any mascara fulfill its mission.
FAR RIGHT: Clean-beauty brand W3ll People’s Expressionist Volumizing Mascara ($19, Ulta) came up 16th on the Wall Street Journal’s list of the 50 best mascaras. A larger-than-usual dense, hourglass-shaped bristle brush head makes it easier to apply; plant-based ingredients like sunflower seed oil condition lashes. You may need more than one coat, but on the upside, the product contains no artificial preservatives, dyes or fragrance.
Body Moisturizers
LEFT: Pro tip: Save yourself a few bucks by buying coconut oil in the pantry section of Whole Foods rather than the beauty/wellness aisle. I keep this Coconut Oil ($5.99) under my bathroom sink, ready to slather on arms and legs post-shower—sometimes pre- as well. If one layer isn’t enough, I combine it with the balm below. The scent makes me think of sandy beaches and piña coladas. Whether or not it has any teeth-whitening effect (I think I see a difference) or bacteria-fighting properties, as some dentists say, I regularly swirl it around in my mouth.
RIGHT: Like La Roche-Posay’s gentle skin cleanser, its Lipikar Balm AP+ Moisturizer for Dry Skin ($19.99) contains the previously mentioned rock-star ingredient, niacinamide. The pump dispenser ensures you get just the amount you want, but a little goes a long way toward soothing and keeping my ultra-dry skin hydrated.
—Janet Kelly
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