The Glow-Up is Real: A Love Letter to Lindsay Lohan

photo credits: people.com

Let’s talk about glow-ups, not just in terms of beauty but of life. And who better to embody this than the Lindsay Lohan? My obsession with Lindsay started way back when she was just a freckle-faced cutie in The Parent Trap. I mean, who else could play two roles so seamlessly at that age? I was hooked from the moment she appeared on screen—her charm, her talent, and her undeniable it-girl energy.

photo credit: variety.com

Then came her pop star era, and I was living. "Rumors" was my anthem (don’t lie, it was yours too!), and "Confessions of a Broken Heart (Daughter to Father)" hit like an emotional hurricane. Lindsay wasn’t just a star; she was the moment. She gave us bops, drama, and a look into her soul. She was a teenage icon, and I was a full-on stan.

But let’s be real, life wasn’t kind to Lindsay—or maybe it was the industry, fame, or the unrelenting spotlight. It broke my heart to watch her struggle publicly. The headlines, the courtrooms, the mugshots—it was like watching a bright star dim before your eyes. But through it all, I remained a fan. Because if there’s one thing I believe in, it’s rooting for your faves, especially when the world isn’t.

photo credits: preview.ph

Fast forward to 2024, and guess what? The glow-up is real, babes. Photos of Lindsay have been surfacing, and wow, the transformation is jaw-dropping. She looks radiant, healthy, and truly at peace. Compared to the tumultuous images from a decade ago, it’s like night and day. The glow on her face isn’t just makeup or good lighting; it’s happiness.

photo credits: popmama.com

And here’s the plot twist that makes me emotional: Lindsay Lohan is now a mom. A MOM! Knowing she’s in a happy place, raising a child, and living her best life fills my heart with so much joy. She’s gone from being the Hollywood wild child to a beautiful symbol of resilience.

photo credits: mirror.uk

Lindsay’s journey is a reminder that life is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s okay to fall, as long as you rise again. And honey, she didn’t just rise—she soared. So here’s to Lindsay, to glow-ups, and to second chances. Because if Lindsay can reclaim her light, so can we all.

Lindsay, if you’re reading this (a fan can dream, right?), just know: I’ve been rooting for you since day one, and I always will. Keep shining, queen. ✨

- FASHION DOOHICKEy

Quiet Luxury: Because We Can All Pretend We’re Rich (But, You Know, Subtly)

Ah, quiet luxury. The trend that whispers, “I’m rich, but I’m not about to yell it.” How classy. How sophisticated. How…unattainable for most of us mere mortals slogging through life at 30 without a trust fund or a yacht to cry on.

For those who don’t know (or who have been too busy adulting and surviving to keep up with Vogue), quiet luxury is all about understated elegance. Think cashmere sweaters so fine they dissolve in water, plain white t-shirts that cost as much as your rent, and beige everything. Oh, the beige. It’s like the color palette of wealth is a rebellion against all our vibrant broke-people energy.

PHOTO CREDITS: CAMBRIA

Now, let’s pause and address the elephant in the room: this trend wasn’t made for people like us. I mean, how does a member of the middle class—or, dare I say, the low-income club—pull off “quiet luxury”? Should we just…not talk about our overdraft fees? Should we whisper while showing off our thrifted Zara blazer that kinda looks like Loro Piana from afar? Maybe if we squint?

But here’s the real kicker: quiet luxury screams judgment. It’s the rich person’s way of saying, “Loud logos are for people trying too hard.” You know, like us common folk who splurge on a Gucci belt as a flex. But hey, sorry we’re not rich enough to look poor! My apologies for thinking a little branding might help signal to the world that I’ve “made it” (or at least that I know how to max out a credit card).

PHOTO CREDITS: IN STYLE/GETTY

And let’s talk about the practicality of it all. Imagine wearing a perfectly tailored, cream cashmere suit to your 9-to-5. Except, instead of being a tech CEO, you’re working retail, and you know, there’s a 99.9% chance someone spills coffee on you. Quiet luxury doesn’t do “spills.” It doesn’t do “hard-working 30-year-olds who’ve been at it since their teens and deserve a break.” It does soft lighting, wine tastings, and passive income.

But here’s the thing: we can still embrace our version of quiet luxury. Oh, yes. Quiet luxury on a budget looks like a clean pair of white sneakers (from last year, but we scrubbed them with baking soda). It’s the perfectly curated thrift store haul that makes us look like we could maybe afford brunch with people who say things like, “Let’s summer in Capri.” It’s pretending we’re rich enough to keep things simple when, in reality, simplicity is all we can afford.

PHOTO CREDITS: MENSFLAIR.COM

So, to my fellow 30-somethings who still haven’t gotten their lives together: let’s redefine this trend. Quiet luxury isn’t about being rich; it’s about looking like you’ve got your act together when you don’t. Because, at the end of the day, nothing screams “luxury” louder than someone who knows how to fake it ‘til they make it.

Now, excuse me while I sip this instant coffee out of a thrifted mug and scroll through Net-a-Porter, adding $3,000 sweaters to my cart…just for the thrill of it. Cheers to looking expensive on a budget, darlings!

PHOTO CREDITS: Salvatore Ferragamo

- FASHION DOOHICKEy

Miss Universe 2024: A New Queen Crowned, But Where’s the Grandeur?

Photo Credits: Miss Universe Website

Last night, at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, the world witnessed the crowning of Miss Universe 2024—Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark. And let me tell you, this girl owned it. With her elegance, intelligence, and sheer grace, she brought the kind of sparkle that, frankly, the stage itself couldn’t muster. Victoria, darling, you deserved every bit of that South Sea pearl tiara by Jewelmer. But oh, how we wished the crown had a stage befitting its magnificence.

Photo Credits: Miss Universe Instagram

Let’s start with the obvious. Mexico City, you’re a cultural powerhouse with a rich tapestry of art, history, and vibrancy. So, where was it? The stage looked like a hastily assembled set for a corporate conference rather than the world’s most prestigious beauty pageant. The lighting? Duller than a cloudy day. The glamour? Missing, presumed dead. And don’t get me started on the lack of any substantial Mexican identity in the production. A mariachi band cameo isn’t enough, folks. Where was the wow factor, the fiesta, the flair? This is the land of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and tequila-fueled celebrations. Instead, we got something that screamed, “budget cuts,” louder than Olivia Culpo’s well-meaning yet slightly over-rehearsed hosting.

photo credits: Yahoo.com

Ah, Olivia. Bless her. She tried to salvage the night, but even her charm couldn’t distract from what felt like a drag race running on empty.

Photo Credits: Miss Universe Website

And then there’s the elephant in the room—the placements. Every year, the Miss Universe pageant claims to celebrate diversity and meritocracy, but this year, it felt more like a family reunion for countries connected to the MUO’s new management. Don’t get me wrong, some placements were well deserved, but others? They had me checking my Wi-Fi connection to make sure I hadn’t accidentally switched to a local lottery draw. Some of these countries emerged from the metaphorical shadows, while others—established powerhouses in the beauty realm—were glaringly absent. A few nations seem destined for token slots, while others? Left to wave their flags in the audience. It’s giving favoritism, not fairness.

Photo Credits: Miss Universe Website

But let’s not overshadow Victoria’s triumph. Despite the lackluster production and questionable judging, she rose above it all. The Danish queen will undoubtedly bring grace and excellence to her reign, and we couldn’t be prouder. She shone in a setting that frankly didn’t deserve her, and that’s a testament to her undeniable star power.

Photo Credits: Miss Universe Website

Dear Miss Universe Organization, this is a plea from fans, not just me, the self-proclaimed pageant addict with a sharp tongue and sharper wit. If you’re going to continue as the beacon of global beauty and empowerment, give these women the stage, production, and respect they deserve. Mexico is known for its corazón—heart. Next time, let us feel it.

Until then, congrats to Victoria. You’re the queen we needed on a night that didn’t quite live up to its potential. 👑

Photo Credits: Miss Universe Website

- FASHION DOOHICKEy