Worth Keeping An Eye On?

Hi friend,

Even if you don’t care about luxury fashion, the story of the implosion of Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet’s marriage to Erik Torstensson and the dueling lawsuits that followed is worth a read for its titillating details and eye-popping financial disclosures. Those include a $25.25 million UES townhouse and a 50th birthday in Positano with 150 friends. But we also took note of how she decided to divorce her first husband to be with this man. 

As Torstensson tells it, Massenet “went to the Hoffman Institute in California for a weeklong retreat…When it was over, Mr. Torstensson says, “she decided to get divorced.”

The Hoffman Institute has been around since the late 1960s, but is enjoying a newfound relevance and acclaim these days. It is an intensive, seven-day, phone-free, self-analysis retreat evangelized by influencers as well as Gwyneth Paltrow and other big names like Maria Shriver, Sienna Miller, and Katy Perry. Oprah dedicated an entire episode of The Oprah Podcast to the Hoffman Process last month, saying it opens up space for the “bigger questions in life” and allows for people to “get still enough to ponder them.” (We watched the entire thing, which brings to mind an extended infomercial.)

Hoffman is not cheap. It currently costs $6,200 to attend. But enthusiasts say it’s life changing, and often they mean that in a very literal sense. Massenet isn’t the only one whose Hoffman experience preceded a serious decision like divorce; Hoda Kotb says it started her on the path to leaving her television career. 

It’s difficult to find a negative reviews of Hoffman out there, save for conversations on obscure forums, or in the 1994 book Dangerous Persuaders by Australian psychologist Louise Samways, who wrote, “The courses I worry about particularly are those attempting dramatic changes in short periods of time, such as Landmark Education, EST, Forum, Money and You and Hoffman Process, for they are misusing the psychological techniques allied to hypnosis in order to make the behavioural changes.”

We can neither critique nor endorse the Hoffman Process, as we’ve never been. Frankly, we’re frightened to say anything negative about it at all — particularly if it has helped people. Many say it has. And with the Oprah stamp of approval, we’re sure we’ll all be hearing a lot more about it.

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

Here in the northeast, jacket season is frustratingly short. It’s unfortunate because we are really in a golden age for jackets. There is Western and prep; waxed canvas, boiled wool, and denim; toggle fastenings and zip ups. 14 that caught our eye, below.

• The plaid version is really cute. Abercrombie Mid-Length Waxed Barn Jacket, $150. Size XXS to XXL.

• A chic spin on the classic denim jacket in ecru. Sandro Denim Lace-Up Jacket, $378. Size 2 to 10.

• Not too trendy. Everlane The Ranch Jacket, $198. Size XXS to XXL.

• The exaggerated proportions here remind us of Sacai or Loewe. The Great The Denim Swingy Jacket, $475. Size 0 to 3.

• A cushy bomber in an appealing shade of brown. H&M Oversized Jacket, $80. Size XXS to XXL.

• We like the contrasting corduroy collar and big pockets. Banana Republic Denim Trapeze Jacket, $160. Size XXS to XXL.

• Minimal-sporty perfection. Aligne LB Kate Jacket, $265. Size XS to XL.

• Great for weekend layering. Lee Oversized Double-Pocket Utility Overshirt, $128.95. Size XS to XL.

• This one’s actually warm. Uniqlo Pufftech Jacket, $149.90. Size XXS to XL.

• Timelessly cool. Barbour Myra Waxed Duffle Coat, $470. Size 4 to 16.

• A cardigan-blazer-jacket hybrid. Alex Mill London Sweater Jacket, $298. Size XS to XXL.

• An oversized style, for those who are tired of cropped options. We The Free Barn Jacket, $168. Size XS to XL.

• This one’s extremely popular right now. Xu Zhi Embellished Faux Suede Jacket, $580. Size XS to L.

• A dressed-up, more substantial hoodie. Mango Oversized Hooded Jacket, $96. Size S, M, L.

Shop the Story

TO LOOK Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat’s Samin Nosrat is back with her first new cookbook in eight years. Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love (Amazon, Bookshop) is an homage to what’s actually important in life – sharing time with others – and we’re super excited to get it and try some of the recipes (like this zucchini or this chicken kebab).

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 WATCH The Morning Show is back for a dramatic fourth season on Apple TV+ tomorrow. In addition to all the big names from past seasons, including dueling blondes Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston, Marion Cotillard has joined the cast.

TO LISTEN KEXP just uploaded a live performance from Japanese Breakfast featuring one of our favorite new songs this year, “Mega Circuit.” As a bonus, there’s a brief Q&A with Michelle Zauner about the new album. For a completely different vibe, we’re also enjoying this new track from the upcoming Alabama Shakes album.

The Wayfair Epic Fall Sale feels like the right moment to upgrade our kitchen, swapping the less-than-ideal pieces we’ve put up with for ones that are much more luxurious and functional. We have our eye on a few great finds at amazing prices, starting with a Le Creuset Dutch oven for cozy fall dinners, along with these pretty glasses. 

We’re also grabbing this glass food storage set (so much nicer and more durable than plastic), as well as this classic maple cutting board and a great-quality knife for prep. Shop the entire sale here. #partner

“The lost art of thinking historically.” • If you think your parents are hard to deal with, well, read this. • A solid review of Charlie Sheen’s new Netflix documentary. • Melinda French Gates is throwing a ton of money at women’s health research. • Former Lucky EIC Kim France has a new column.

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