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By Laura Carson Miller

Hi there,

Today I wanted to share some thoughts on this month’s Vanity Fair cover story featuring Gwyneth Paltrow.

Now, I know Gwynnie can be a rather polarizing figure. Most folks are hot or cold on her. There is not a lot of gray area from what I gather, speaking to friends and family about their interpretations of her as a person and in business.  Be it concerning her movie career, which she is reprising or her goop website or her podcast, people have opinions. And that’s fine. Opinions make our world go ‘round, right?

I want to start by giving a big shout out to the writer of the article, Michelle Ruiz. I think she wrote a great piece and asked a lot of very pertinent questions. Plus she reported on fun details like Gwyneth’s milky white nails and how she puts heavy cream in her coffee. (Do you see what I did there with the milk thing?) Bonus tip: Ruiz is putting the finishing touches on a novel inspired by another polarizing Monecito resident, Meghan Markel. So we have that to look forward to. I am also excited to read Graydon Carter’s new book!

Anyway, back to the article. I was struck and almost comforted – as weird as that sounds, about how transparent Gwyneth appeared to be about lots of areas of her life. She’s seemingly not afraid to say something didn’t work or that she doesn’t like the term ’empty nester’ or is sad or mad about certain things or was treated poorly by a producer years ago who totally ignored labor protections and basically balked when she asked for a 12 hour turn around on filming – which was standard – because her then boyfriend, a guy named Brad Pitt, was visiting for her birthday or that she used to really love Oreos, but now they don’t taste the same – cuz I can totally relate! They do not taste the same!!!

My favorite parts of the article, probably because I do not have kids so the pain she feels as they go away to college is not something I have personally experienced, was when she was asked about goop and various changes the company has undergone in recent months. Gwyneth seemed to talk about it all with candor and emotion, saying certain things didn’t work on the website and that the downsizing of the company, ie letting staff members go, was something she took very personally.  She has a great mind for business and understands all the ins and outs of what they talk about on CNBC (business cable channel) every day (NOT MSNBC). I watch it so I know! And she has made it her, ummm, business to understand all this. She can tell you about price to earnings ratios and EBITDA., which is Greek to a lot of people. She seems very invested, both literally and figuratively. This is meaningful to me.

Side note: speaking of goop and the offerings on the website, I must say my fave pair of leggings ever came from goop. They are now complelty sold out. And I am a huge fan of her goop skin care products. There are/have been sweaters and jackets I’ve had my eye on but they never seem to go on sale. She does have items on sale though! They are just not the ones I covet. So BLAH! Also: when I use her clothing and accessories items in my LTK collages, they do not sell. When I share about my love for her skin care the items and show them in photos, they do sometimes sell. So noodle on that, won’t you?

I find her very insightful and unafraid to state her truth. I personally love that Gwyneth isn’t acting like everything is perfect. With her beautiful home, cute husband, great career ( x2, as she is in a new movie with the ‘it’ actor Timothee Chalamet, after a long hiatus from acting), stellar wardrobe, thin, fit body and seemingly top notch health, she’s real about the ebbing and flowing of life. Her skin’s not perfect and frankly, to me, she always looks like she desperately needs to get the ends of her hair trimmed. And all this makes me like her even more.

The styling, outfits and hair/makeup in the story’s photos are also phenomenal. So pick up the magazine, sit in a quiet place with your coffee, Clover Sonoma heavy cream optional, and drink in the words and pictures for a bit.

However you may size up Gwyneth I think you’ll be glad for this little departure from whatever you’re doing. You may even find yourself interested in trying her skincare I love so much (it’s the Less is More trio) or purchasing one of those not on sale sweaters.

Sometimes a person can be a subtle powerhouse. I think that’s what we have here. And while you may not agree with all of it, it certainly doesn’t mean you can’t be open to or interested in learning more about what Gwyneth might have to say on certain subjects. I think she offers value, be it big or small. I’d love to know what you think of the article or Gwyneth in general. You can message me on Instagram or at [email protected]. Do not use the envelope icon at the top/bottom of the page as it is currently linked to a defunct address.

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