The Read of the Year

Hi friend,

Reach a certain age, and you realize you’d like an audience for all your stories. This happens earlier than you’d expect. It doesn’t take much armchair hypothesizing about what’s happening at Vogue for us to start reminiscing about our own Condé Nast experiences, for example.

But Liza Minnelli held off for 80 years before giving in to this seemingly universal urge. This spring, timed to her birthday, she’s sharing her stories in a new memoir: Kids, Wait Till You Hear This (Bookshop, Amazon).

Even for an octogenarian, she’s crammed a whole lot of life in. The famous mother, the many marriages, the fashion choices, the stage and screen roles, and all the drugs and alcohol. From the excerpts we’ve read, it’s shaping up to be quite a ride. It’s already launched one micro scandal! That was the impetus for the book, she says, the shock of being treated as infirm and cognitively impaired. The cold splash of water to the face that is ageism. To add insult to injury, the slight occurred in a place she considers her domain: the stage.

But the book doesn’t dwell on the negative, though Minnelli’s certainly been through plenty of that. Every single section is quotable. To wit:

Of her first husband, Peter Allen: “One afternoon, returning early from an indulgent shopping spree, I walked into our apartment and found Peter having passionate sex. With a man. In our bed!”

On the drugs: “I had ‘trouble’ stamped all over me, because of the intensity I brought to everything. The world knew me as LIZA! For the first time in my life, I wondered what that really meant, especially through the haze of substances. Benzodiazepines. Barbiturates. Amphetamines. Alcohol. Cocaine.”

On her fourth husband, David Gest: “I clearly wasn’t sober when I married this clown. Gest was a fast-talking, wheeler-dealer promoter who wore more makeup than I did.”

On her legendary parties: “We gathered around my dining-room table, which shimmered under the weight of Elsa Peretti–designed sterling silver bowls from Tiffany & Co. piled high with my favorite food — Kentucky Fried Chicken. After schmoozing and dinner, I’d yell, ‘To the piano!’ We’d all gather around my Steinway.”

We cannot wait to read this. Or listen to the audiobook, read by Liza herself.

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

If you believe in color theory, people gravitate towards green because it is a symbol of hope and renewal. Maybe that’s why we’re seeing “gross green” — a striking, off-kilter spectrum — all over the place as the accent color du jour of fashion and interior design, bringing life to plain old beige, gray, brown, and white. Business of Fashion explains the phenomena as a thirst for color and pattern after a long period of quiet luxury. They highlight a bold chartreuse sweater seen at Ruadh, but we’ve also noted pops of green at Dior, Prada, and The Row. Below, 13 ways to give it a go.

• A classic shape livened up in an unusual color. J.Crew Relaxed Tech Jacket, $248. Size XXXS to 3XL.

• This has a ‘90s grunge allure. Cos Knitted Mohair Shirt, $149. Size XS to XL.

• So bold and cool (also this dress, if we had a place or reason to wear it). Tory Burch Deconstructed Satin Skirt, $289. Size 00 to 14.

• A new source for extremely cute scrunchies. Wild West Rag Co. Taos Silk Scrunchie, $7.

• Looks like someone at Old Navy was very inspired by indie brand Flore Flore — right? Old Navy Snug V-Neck Tee, $10. Size XXS to 4XL.

• This color is IT. Rachel Comey Stanza Sweatshirt, $250. Size XS to XL.

• A lot of drama for one little bag. Maria La Rosa Nylon Pouch, $70.

• Just a really pretty skirt. Diane von Furstenberg Sylvie Skirt, $358. Size XS to L.

• The covered buttons level up this adorable, mossy cardigan. Tuckernuck Woodbine Green Riley Cashmere Cardigan, $188. Size XS to XXL.

• Great quality for the price. Eileen Fisher Organic Cotton V-Neck Easy T-Shirt, $54.97. Size XXS to XL.

• Lime side stripes perk up a pair of cotton shorts. Gimaguas Jason Shorts, $143. Size 32 to 44.

• Feels vacation-ready. Mirth Oslo Blouse, $238. Size XS to XL.

• A very versatile shirtdress. Simkhai Jazz Pintuck Midi Shirtdress, $189.97. Size XS to L.

• A simple V-neck sweater for minimalist types. & Other Stories V-Neck Merino Wool Jumper, $119. Size XS to L.

Shop the Story

TO WATCH The Gray House — a new series from Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman on Prime Video Thursday — is about the women who formed an underground spy network to pass information to Union troops during the Civil War. Mary-Louise Parker is one of the leads. 

TO RENT We’re tired of dressing like it’s the dead of winter, even if the weather hasn’t gotten the memo. Armoire is how we’re bridging the gap. Adding an easy jacket, a midi dress, or a statement layer makes cold days feel less repetitive. They send a personalized edit shaped by your style, with real stylists behind it, so getting dressed feels personal and fun. Use code GLORIA for up to 60% off your first month plus two bonus items. Unlimited plan is $99. #partner

TO READ We’ve been seeing raves about Tayari Jones’s new novel Kin (Bookshop, Amazon) everywhere. And that was before Oprah picked it as her next book-club read. It’s about two friends in the Jim Crow South whose lives take very different paths, but really, no description of the plot will do the writing justice. It’s transportative.

TO LISTEN There are very few podcasts that grip us so much that we subscribe to get the next episode, but this one did. This emotional, touching, and very honest series shares the ups and downs of deciding you don’t want to have children. The host is someone who never wanted kids, ever, until she hit her 40s and then something…shifted.

TO COOK This recipe is perfect for people who enjoy comforting tomato soup, but the addition of tortellini makes it more of a complete meal (we also added beans, because why not). Plus, it’s very kid-friendly.

TO SHOP A bright new doormat from Ruggable’s spring collection is just the thing for melting snow, messy shoes, wet dogs, and everything else we’d like to leave at the door. Because of course, it’s washable. Shop it all here. #partner

“Fergie's billionaire lifestyle since the 1980s explains her addiction to men like Epstein.” • Fillers, BBLs, and more cosmetic procedures women are rushing to undo. • The brain benefits of birding. • She was a financial literacy influencer, and yet she was with a man who was stealing from her.

⭐⭐ Don’t forget this great deal on the best hand lotion. Shop it here ⭐⭐

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