Stupidity, Or Something Else?

Hi friend,

It’s almost time to look back at the year that was. And at New York Magazine, the question is: Why was (is) everything so dumb? 

“The stigma that was once attached to ignorance has disappeared,” writes Lane Brown, “and the loudest and least informed voices now shape the conversation, forcing everyone else to learn to speak their language.”

Writers and reporters like Brown are used to doing research and then putting words on paper to theorize or explain. That makes them uniquely unqualified for this moment in time, where literary smarts have been usurped by a different sort of smarts entirely. It’s a hard pill to swallow.

Speaking of the media, we’ve seen a lot of criticism of this Sean McCreesh piece, specifically its headline: “Epstein emails reveal a bygone elite.” But if people would actually read the story (big ask, we know), they’d realize it’s an important counterweight to all the nostalgia. Yes, those days were heady, full of big budgets and glossy magazines. But industry tastemakers were also gatekeepers who protected people like Jeffrey Epstein.

“Mr. Epstein had close ties to many key players in the news media and adjacent industries,” writes McCreesh. “The emails show how the clubby nature of the old media suited Mr. Epstein.”

That was then. Now we’ve entered a golden age for marketers, scammers, and extortionists — the most successful of whom have been able to harness utter shamelessness. Consider the political reporter Olivia Nuzzi who, outside of insular media circles, is now known as the writer who had a "digital affair” with RFK Jr. Instead of slinking away forever after news of the sordid situation went public, she has decided to embrace the infamy with a big, buzzy, salacious new book titled American Canto. Early looks are out this week in the Times and Vanity Fair, both accompanied by glamorous pictures of Nuzzi, windswept in Celine shades. The gossipy tidbits she discloses include: RFK saying he wanted her to have his baby, that the brainworm isn’t really a brainworm, and that he’s still using drugs. 

Nuzzi promises that American Canto will be neither a “memoir, nor a tell-all, nor a book about the president,” that instead it will “reframe our understanding of the history we are living through from the perspective of someone who observed it from within the kaleidoscope and now sees it clearly from the other side.” What did she see clearly? That I’m rubber, you’re glue actually works now? Time will tell, particularly as her ex-fiance dishes out the dirt, too.

Speaking of that time of year: It’s also gift season. And we have been searching and saving appealing, eye-catching, and unique options at all price points for months. Check out our ideas below, plus a few recommendations for your week.

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

• A sturdy carry-all that no one else will have. Puebco Market Tote Bag, $32.

• The tastiest candy. Bonbon Holiday Gift Box, $20.

• A luxe mechanical pencil, which we have and love. Astier de Villatte Robusto Mechanical Pencil, $18.

• For that one mom (or aunt) who is a superfan. The Look, by Michelle Obama, $32.50.

• Lots of tees in here for a specific breed of Gen Xer. Feels So Good Prints, from $32.

• Cat calendars can be schlocky, but not this one! ToiletWalter PaperChandoha Calendar 2026, $29.95.

• A pretty hand cream in a lovely scent. C.Atherley Geranium No.1 Hand Cream, $34.

• These colorful, buildable kits make for a great activity. For Clixo Tropical Birds Pack, $45.

• If they’ve been stealing your iPhone to take millions of pictures, they will surely be pumped to have their own camera. Campsnap Screen-Free Digital Camera, $70 (use code GLORIA7 for 7% off).

• A tiny bit gimmicky, yes, but a new Jibbitz every day for a month? Crocs Holiday Advent Calendar, $50.

• This sweat set is adorable, soft, and durable. Old Navy Bounce Fleece Half-Zip Sweatshirt and Sweatpants, $37 and $35.

• You know this will be a hit (brace for noise). Furby DJ, $55.

• For makeup-curious pre-tweens. Summer Fridays The Lip Butter Balm Minis, $25.

• The holidays are a great excuse to replace your old, mismatched sheets (FYI they will be further discounted on Black Friday). Quince Organic Percale Bedding Bundle, from $146.

• A bit of shine courtesy of an affordable tennis necklace, pretty hoops, and a delicate bracelet. Electric Picks Richie Necklace, Disco Hoops, and Initial Bracelet, $82, $40, $54.

• We are obsessed with this ultra-fluffy set. Cos Cardigan and Vest in Brushed Cashmere, $299 and $229.

• All the warmth, but with a sleeker and more fashion-forward vibe. Ugg Elea Slip-Ons, $125.

• Such a cute necklace. Roxanne Assoulin The Happy Cord Charm Necklace, $95.

• A soft cashmere kerchief in a great red. Everlane Unisex Cashmere Kerchief, $59 (here’s a splurge version).

• Comfy pants, the ultimate gift to ourselves. Donni The Pointelle Crop Pant, $144.

• Socks can be a boring gift, unless they are these cushy ones. The Great The Sweatshirt Sock, $38.

• Festive flannel pjs trimmed with lovely white piping. Sleepy Jones Marina Pajama Set, $198.

• We want everything from this brand, but will settle for this thick bathrobe. Autumn Sonata Bathrobe, $198.

• Grab ‘em before they sell out again. Rothy’s Cozy Clog, $169.

• Forget style, these actually keep your hands warm. Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Mittens, $79.

• A classic heavyweight sweat. American Eagle Everyday Luxe Jogger, $35.

• A mini set so you can try it all: blush, highlighter, lipstick, and lip liner. Westman Atelier Petite Petal Holiday Set, $75.

• A salon-quality, made-in-Japan brush. Y.S. Park Aerozaurus AZ34 Brush, $35.

• The milk hair serum was our gateway drug, and now we want the entire lineup. Roz Healthy Hair and Scalp Kit, $145.

• Our favorite hand cream; it’s effective. Soft Services Theraplush Set, $62.

• This is the best nail polish. Dazzle Dry Lodge Life Mini Flight, $48.

• A chic, hydrating lip balm that gives a hit of color and shine. Violette FR Lip Nectar, $29.

• A gigantic pail of fancy salt. Millenaire Fleur Sel Guerande Salt, $24.

• A made-to-last cake pan that isn’t nonstick (hard to find). East Fork Spun Iron Cake Pan, $64.

• Display-worthy cutting boards. Hawkins New York Pebble Cutting Board in Maple Wood, $95.

• An amazing way to try all sorts of jam flavors, including limited editions that aren’t usually available. Bonne Maman Advent Calendar, $55.

• Leopard print is very unexpected (and welcome) on an apron. Damson Madder Apron, $65.

• Cooler than the old plastic ones we all have. Handmade Steel Fish Clips, $3.

• A true indulgence. Vosges Wild Cacao Ensemble, $110.

TO STREAM There are so many famous people talking about Eddie Murphy in the new documentary about his life, Being Eddie (Netflix), which is a great walk down memory lane. Speaking of documentaries, everyone we know is cuing up Ken Burns’ big Revolutionary War series, The American Revolution (PBS). 

TO TRY When the calendar fills up, this clothing rental service keeps you out of the panic-buying spiral. It allows you to rotate in beautiful clothes from great brands every month. You share your style, and get a personal closet built for you using smart tech and real stylists. It’s like borrowing from a stylish friend who always has the perfect thing. Right now, all plans have unlimited swaps, and you can pause at any time. Use code GLORIA for up to 60 percent off your first month, plus two bonus items. Try it here. #partner 

TO TRY We saved this flower-arranging tip because it seems easy and takes just three types of Trader Joe’s flowers, a bowl, and some chicken wire (or an alt to hold everything in place). The result is a very cool and sculptural centerpiece. It’s a bit of a project, but it certainly looks nicer than jamming a bunch of stems into a vase, which is our usual strategy.

TO MAKE Colu Henry is an amazing recipe writer, so we are excited for her upcoming cookbook and for this delicious-looking fennel gratin at the bottom of this post.

TO DRINK This smooth, delicious, high-quality matcha is endorsed by experts in the beauty and wellness industry. We like it for its taste, and how it delivers steady energy. (You can pair it with this electrolyte for an easy hydration boost.) It’s such a treat every morning. Get 20 percent off for life + free gifts! #partner

TO LISTEN Zero to Well-Read is a new podcast about all the "important" books you know you should have read in school, but you maybe haven’t. We just listened to their convo about one of our faves, Octavia Butler’s The Parable of the Sower; prior episodes tackle books like To Kill A Mockingbird, Hamlet, The Bluest Eye, and The Great Gatsby.

“The wild, weird, and mind-boggling fertility paradox of entering your thirties.” • The real reason women aren’t sharing their boyfriends online. • Even fashion people are falling out of love with The Row. • An eye-opening account of the brand behind the baby formula botulism crisis.

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