3. "The greatest luxury is to be a kind, good person."

And of course, great sheets.

Such hideous news — Andre Leon Talley died this week. I’ve long been a fan, his rise in fashion being remarkable for a host of reasons, but also — like so many of my faves — lived life loud and with unapologetic confidence. He had something to say and he always said it. And of course, he loved luxury and the finer things. A kindred spirit.

He left us with plenty of lovely musings, but I’ll share this one today because he’s right:

“The greatest luxury is to be a kind, good person and to impart to humanity something that will enrich their lives, to have a moment with someone that you’ve imparted richness.

And the greatest luxury in my personal life is my four poster bed and the sheets on them. If I’m going to spend money today, it’s on the most extraordinary sets of sheets. I think your bed is important.”

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READ

I adored ALT’s recent memoir The Chiffon Trenches. The tone is glamorous, bitchy and smart. What a life! He names all the names and goes there (even with Miss Anna herself), providing all the hot goss you seek, but it’s also very meditative and introspective, striking the perfect balance in a celebrity memoir. You won’t be disappointed.

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WATCH

I recommend the buzzy and beautiful Japanese film Drive My Car with the caveat that I think it was a touch long with a runtime of three hours. That said, I can’t pick a moment I would necessarily cut so maybe that assessment isn’t wholly correct, but rather a knock on my generally impatient demeanor. Either way, I very much enjoyed it and keep thinking about it and think it deserves all the awards and noms it’s picking up on its festival run. It’s a melancholy movie, with very few chuckles, not in a depressing way, but more like a meditation on loss and grief and how to move on, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Wow, this week’s newsletter is kind of a downer — sorry not sorry tho! It can’t all be hot roller sets and teenage cannibal TV show recs. It’s called taste and I happen to have it.

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BUY

Let’s end on a high note and invest in that beautiful bed of yours, just as ALT would want.

I am a fan of the Brooklinen oeuvre, but I will say that if you run hot in the night, don’t be fooled by the “Luxe Sateen” set. I was, to no one’s surprise, I mean LUXE was in the title, but quickly learned I can only use them in the winter because they’re a little too warm.

I much prefer the “Classic Percale” set, which costs a bit less. Whisper thin and soft, they sleep like a dream. I have yet to try their cashmere offering because it also sounds a bit stifling. Look, I love a cashmere sweater on a brisk day to bebop around town in, but I’m not about bursting into flames in my bed at 2AM so I’ll likely refrain.

Listen, I have tried so many fucking sheets because I’m a particular little princess about luxury bedding and these have stolen my heart thus far. Open to other recommendations though if you have them — I love a regular linen rotation.

On the same note, if you’re in need of a new mattress, Charles and I went with the Layla. I hemmed and hawed for weeks, reading reviews about all the mattresses available — which is kind of psychotic right now how many there are? — but I ended up being swayed by the “two beds in one” that Layla has, a soft side and a firm side. I rationalized that we’d probably like at least one side and I was correct. Plus, when the soft side gets too soft, we can just flip her over and start again on the firm side. And she runs cool as a cucumber, but I got the cooling mattress protector for good measure. Seriously, ice me out! (Poor Charles, but he can put on socks).

And for god’s sake, if you’re splurging on a new mattress any time soon, just get the King! Always get the King. It feels like you’re on permanent vacation, my literal favorite state of being.

Oh, one more hot tip about that, unless you’re a very tall person, a King actually offers more width than the California King. That’s for the talls, with more length, but only slightly more width than the Queen. So pick your poison, but if you’re of average height, the King is the one.

OK bye.