If readers were provided a background check on stories written by influencers perhaps they would be more informed of the agenda. College transcripts and voting records are a good start. Until then, on this piece identifying what is sexy, the writer is a woman who does not get gooey when a tatted pop star takes off his shirt during a lackluster performance to garner squeals.

Getting out of bed all mussy is sexy, and we can assume it wasn’t after a night catching up on beauty sleep. Photo credit and Parfum by Lab on Fire.

What is sexy? Intelligence, charisma, self-reliance. Someone with style who does not need to gratuitously reveal to get attention. This applies to men and women. Specific to women, sexy is classic styles, independence, humor and selectiveness. You won’t see her in a dress made out of spandex to allure. Catherine Deneuve and Princess Charlotte of Monaco come to mind, women who happen to be French but we will continue that in another story.

For Valentine’s Day there is no need to go the tawdry route with complex lingerie that comes with a manual. Seduce with charm and confidence, thus securing the right kind of attention, which is significantly sexier.

Here’s a list for the confident sexy woman in your life:

1. Bluebella black bra 2. Hank Panky hipsters 3. Bluebella lilac bra 4. Eileen West nightgown 5. Crystalline bikini 6. Mary Green lingerie

Resources:

Messy Sexy Just Rolled Out of Bed Perfum: A Lab on Fire

They ate casseroles. Do people still bake these? Dishes prepared with the help of Betty Crocker and pulled from the oven in cocktail attire, protected by a cute apron. A young married woman could fit into her wedding dress despite childbirth thanks to the right under garments and exercises still used in retirement rec centers. For Midge Maisel, she upheld her role chirpily until her weak husband propelled their technicolor life into a film noir. Midge’s style, with its color and classicism, takes us back to the elegance of a mannered period.

When setting the table showed your skills as a homemaker.

Daily routines were an occasion to dress for, not harried errands performed in workout wear. Quality pieces decorated the home. Accessorizing carried into all facets of living. Midge Maisel is a gifted style influencer and her look still holds.

Midge’s Shopping List:

1. Long Line Satin Underbust Corset 2. Colefax Seraphina Wallpaper 3. Macarons 4. Foam Hair Curlers 5. Vince Camuto Pants 6. Gucci Roses Silk Neck Bow 7. Handcrafted Pram 8. Black and White Cookies 9. Capezio Leotard 10. Celine Cat Eye Sunglasses 11. The Rug Company Pink Traditional 12. Eugenia Kim Annabelle Hat 13. Peignoir Set 14. Cuvée Rosé Champagne 15. Jennifer Rouellette Leopard Garbo Hat 16. Besame Portrait Pink Lipstick 17. Gooseberry Pink Pyrex 18. Portolano Mid-length Gloves 19. Slip Silk Pillowcase 20. Smythson Notebook 21. Theory Shift Dress 22. J. Crew Coat 23. Waring Bar Blender 24. Mod Cloth Dress

Resources:

Macarons is the staple hostess helper for their taste and appearance.

Macarons: Pastreez

Carousel Collection Green Tea Gift Set: Newby Teas

Pink pedestal plate: Rosanna Inc.

In a rare interview with the press Melania Trump said how she is one of the most bullied people in the world. The sentiment resonates as bullying has a tendency to be considered a schoolyard issue. In fact, you can see bullying happen everywhere from mother’s who helm school auctions to the White House. The media, for which I am a member of, sets a weak example to the world which they have such intimate access to.

Melania Trump on a cover I created for Hamptons Country Magazine, photographed by Chuck Baker. She was one of my favorite models to work with from her quiet demeanor, professionalism and hard work. A graceful spirit that lights up an environment.

Melania is a mother and wife who happens to be married to a controversial president. Our country leads the world because it is founded on free expression. However does that mean we can be nasty and unmannered? Is it fair to make personal attacks on everything from Melania’s style to her son? Melania is a thoughtful, intelligent and humble woman. I had a few encounters with her in my days in New York as an editor and panelist at the Miss Universe pageant. She was extremely complimentary of her cover and engaged with plenty of warm smiles that weren’t with an agenda. In her position she could put on an air of exclusivity but she did not. She was poised, funny and mannered. Many of the reporters who write about the Trump family could benefit from some lessons from her. Keep to the facts and do not make it personal. Perhaps an issue may not go your way but that is not a reason to be mean-spirited. If we know bullying is damaging to children, have the sense not to continue it in the grownup years.