An Appealing Alternative

Hi friend,

We can’t stop thinking about The Bird’s Nest, a woman-only tiny house community in Texas that recently was the topic of a story in the Times. 

“Most of The Bird’s Nest women are single — as are half of American women 65 and older,” writes Lisa Miller, who visited the community. “Most are also divorced, one has never been married and one, a widow, has ‘the perfect relationship’ with a man who lives out of state.”

The Bird’s Nest was founded by accident after Robyn Yerian, described as a 70-year-old extrovert, realized she didn’t have enough money saved to retire. She used the money she did have to buy a tiny house and some acreage, which she fitted (and had zoned for) an RV park. 

It’s just one example of a new vision for life after child-raising or marriage, one that’s less isolating and expensive. And there are more experiments like it out there.

“In reporting this story I did meet other groups of women – including in Manhattan and in New Jersey – who did similar to The Bird's Nest, buying apartments in the same building,” Miller comments. “Several had boyfriends. Several were long married. What they had in common with Yerian's group: they prioritized these female friendships and had committed to mutual support (and fun!) long term and made proximity to one another a priority.”

So if you’ve fantasized about doing something similar, take heart: It’s more than possible, even with limited resources.

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

We are firmly in back-to-school season, and while we don’t need a new backpack ourselves, we still crave a hit of that fresh notebook-and-pen excitement. For us, that’s a new pair of sneakers. We can wear them now with shorts and skirts, and later with jeans or sweats. A few favorites, both classic and trendy, are below.

• Stylish, but not pretentiously so. Autry Reelwind Low Sneakers, $220.

• Easy, preppy, comfy. Vans Premium Authentic Sneakers, $75.

• Simple and sleek. Cos Minimal Leather Trainers, $159.

• We like the hint of silver on these. Nike V5 RNR Sneaker, $89.96.

• An update on the popular “dad” sneaker. New Balance 9060 Sneakers, $140.

• Love the colors, and the retro vibe. Alohas Tb.490 Rife Sneaker, $150.

• We saw the chicest older woman wearing these a few weeks ago. Keen x Highsnobiety Jasper Sneaker, $140.

• Get them while they still have sizes in stock. Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 SD, $190.

• Cute, classic, and very wearable (Natalie Portman is a fan). Keds Champion Original Lace-up, $54.95.

• This is one of the hottest sneakers right now, just FYI. Salomon Xt-6 Sneakers, $180.

• A workhorse of a shoe that also looks cool. Nike Wildhorse Trail-Running Shoes, $165.

• Might need to get this cheetah-print pair. Adidas SL 72 OG Shoes, $110.

• We are coming to terms with the fact that our feet require a cushy walking sneaker, and this one is under consideration. Hoka One One Mafate Three2 Sneakers, $225.

• We like the gum sole and the OG ‘80s design. Gola Classics Torpedo Sneakers, $60.

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After a summer of chlorine, sun, and salt water, we need a hair reset. We’ve been using the new Rosemary Serum by Nécessaire – one of our very favorite hair and body-care brands – to repair and strengthen. 

The clear, quick-drying, non-greasy formula is essentially an advanced leave-in treatment you can use daily to support denser, fuller, healthier-looking hair. Just apply and go.

We pair it with the Rosemary Shampoo and Conditioner combo because we love the grounding, herbal scent, and the way our hair looks and feels afterward.

Shop the Rosemary Serum here, or get the complete Rosemary Hair Essentials set, and use code GLORIA10 for 10 percent off. #partner

TO STREAM People are calling political thriller Hostage (on Netflix Thursday) the new Bodyguard, and that’s enough reason for us to give it a try. Also: Julie Delpy. For less intensity, there’s romantic YA drama The Map That Leads to You, which is based upon the popular book of the same name (on Prime Video tomorrow).

TO TRY If workout classes feel too time-consuming or intense, this program is for you. The Reverse Health Wall Pilates Challenge is designed specifically for women age 40+ to help tone and build strength in just 15 minutes per day. All you need is a wall. Click here to get a customized plan — it’s 60 percent off for Gloria readers right now. #partner

TO LISTEN If you’re mourning the season’s end of The Gilded Age, take a listen to this two-part chat journalist Michele Norris hosted with the show’s co-executive producer, Erica Armstrong Dunbar. She’s an expert on African-American women's history in the 19th century, and her insights are fascinating.

TO BAKE This GF peach upside-down cake was one of our more ambitious baking projects to date, but it came out perfect and was a major hit. Credit goes to the recipe, which fully explains all the steps, including the importance of using room-temp milk and eggs.

“When your kids need you less, will you be ready?” • A good review of the lackluster new Netflix documentary about The Biggest Loser. • Is perimenopause why you want to get divorced, or are you just finally fed up? • SeaWorld’s been hosting throwback Hip-Hop and R&B concerts. • Back to the mall, and the trends of our youth.

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