I have been wrapped up in the thought of being wrapped up
in a cashmere blanket.
in an angora capelet.
in above-my-head bubbles in a bath.
in the most indulgent scent.
in stacks of gold bangles.
Glamour as a concept is always interesting to me.
Is it sweaty Bianca Jagger in a Studio 54 picture? Or Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch— the white dress over the subway vent? Right?! There’s variability, but we all know what we mean when we say it. There’s a “done-ness,” a sense of someone presenting themselves as they feel is best. A glimmer of intentional prettiness.
Thing to Read
A book dripping in fabulosity:
Women I Have Dressed (And Undressed!) by Arnold Scaasi
Inisde the world of celebrity outfitting— truly a glamourous task— the idea of building a mystique with clothing items intrigues me so much. How a persona can be built by tailoring, fabric choices, color palettes. Again, glimmers of intentionality in the prettiness.
A “done-ness” as the hair, shoes, nails, lipstick were allllll thought about and executed.
Thing to Eat
What is more glamorous than dates?
Anything that makes me feel like Princess Jasmine while I eat it is A++ for me. If I have to eat it with my hands, if I can flick a wrist, tell a story, sip from a pretty glass, and pop a morsel into my mouth? I’m in in in in in!
Make these with an almond stuffed into the goat cheese? Incredible.
Natalie Schlabs, Shannon Holt, and I used to make these when we lived together in the house on Loyce IYKYK
and watch How To Marry A Millionaire or Shakespeare Behind Bars.
Thing to Wear
Let’s talk about quality, and access to it!
You can easily find luxurious natural fiber clothing on these sites for the price of something full price and synthetic from Gap or Dillard’s. The mall brand item is not only often synthetic, but they do not have the benefit of designer quality patterns which can sometimes provide better quality fit, as well.
Obviously this requires searching through the site, but I think the gems hiding are so much higher a prize.
Thing to Gift
Give the gift of hotel glamour
There is a woman on TikTok who has a series of Unnecessary Necessities, which is where I got this idea from. Her handle is @ annivanderbeek
She stayed at a hotel in Miami or New York, I forget which, that had great waffle knit throws at the foot of the bed, and she loved it, so she did the same at her home. I think it’s such a good, cozy house warming gift. The perfect way to transition a teens room from little kid to more grown, as well. Also, a way to make a nursing home suite more home-y.
A great waffle knit blanket:
Paired with a beautiful comforter, good pillows, and folded over the foot of the bed it speaks to the luxury of coziness. Being able to lounge can be a kind of glamorous. A good robe doesn’t hurt, either.
Thing to Watch
Give me gilt frames, dahhhhling
This is a Netflix hidden gem, a Turkish language TV series about accidental time travel (the English dubbing isn’t bad). The sets are gorgeous, even if the scripting can be a little weak, with the backdrop of Istanbul at it’s modern cultural peak.
Thing to Listen to
A leedol addition for your playlist of haute musique
If this comes on at the function I am Dancing and maybe getting wine drunk in a happy way— very Studio 54 smoke, glitter, sweat glamour.
Compulsory Sports Thingamabob
A glamourous man’s sport:
I think I could make an argument that all sporting is in some way inherently glamourous, if we take that word to mean to stun with beauty. Great athleticism definitely does that.
But polo being something built around classist ideas raises its profile in the Western mind— whether that’s negative or not depends on the perception. It may stink of elitism, or the gleam of sweat and the specificity of hand-eye coordination may charm you… or both.
Beauty Bomb
Marlene Dietrich made her makeup artist dust real gold into her luscious blonde hair
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An as for a relaxed body, nourished skin, and better beauty sleep? A magnesium.
