Dear Gossips, In one of Sarah’s upcoming posts (coming later this morning) about how she experienced the inauguration of President Joe Biden yesterday, she writes about the kind of “normalcy” that might return to the White House now that Trump is out. The normalcy happened almost immediately as the …

Alec Baldwin will not stand for us being mean to his wife, you guys! Or his el wifa, I don’t know, I took French. Alec’s so tired of everyone calling Hilaria Baldwin out on her bs that he’s leaving Twitter, so he doesn’t have to listen to you anymore! Just because his wife misrepresented her entire upbringing doesn’t mean we had to make a big deal out it – as if we don’t all turn our What I Did on my Summer Vacation into mythical backstories. So that’s it, Alec is out.

Alec Baldwin is going silent on Twitter.

After posting a message in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, the 62-year-old actor announced he would cease using the social media service for the foreseeable future.

“Twitter is like a party where everyone is screaming. Not much of a party. Goodbye for now,” he wrote.

It’s not the first time the former 30 Rock star has quit the platform. In 2013, he deleted his account after lashing out at a British journalist who claimed his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, was tweeting during James Gandolfini’s funeral.

His most recent departure from Twitter comes after Hilaria found herself at the center of recent controversy regarding her heritage.

[From People]

We used to call these announced departure a “flounce,” because they took on the cadence of a debutante stomping her foot and quitting a room in a huff after not getting her way. Alec posted this on Monday, what were we yelling about on Monday? Martin Luther King, Jr.? This week has had such a hint of hope to it, it’s been decidedly less shouty of late. Especially since you-know-who got kicked off – ooh, maybe that’s it. Alec’s going method. To take his Trump impression to the next level, he has to ban himself from Twitter to see how it feels. Plus, Alec’s not leaving as much as just walking away from it since he’s not deleting his account or anything. And even then, Alec retweeted something the very next day. So we’ll see how long Alec can stay away from this party he hates so much.

Since President Biden asked us to play well together, I will say something nice: in the past, Alec would have gone full ham on everyone for daring to question any part of Hilaria’s story. He would have lashed out at anyone who dared question her. Although he’s back his wife and telling us to consider our sources, Alec’s response has been much milder than I would have anticipated – not one death threat or voicemail that can be used against him in court. That’s growth, so good for him. I hope he takes the opportunity for some R&R. Maybe he could use the time to travel. I hear Spain is nice.

Photo credit: Avalon

In the middle of Joe Biden’s inauguration, I had a fleeting thought about what President Biden’s first visit to Great Britain would look like – as a proud and sentimental Irish-American – and what would happen if he sent Vice President Harris to the UK as well. Like, whenever American presidents or VPs visit the UK, they usually get some kind of photo-op or greeting with Queen Elizabeth II. If you ask me, QEII was a little too eager to play nice with Donald Trump though. The Windsor clan threw a massive hissy fit about the very idea of Duchess Meghan, an American citizen, encouraging people to vote and reject hate. So the idea that the Queen is supposed to be so apolitical just falls flat, especially in recent history. Now it turns out that QEII sent President Biden a “private letter.” Hm. I’m sure that breaks some protocols. Too political! The monarchy cannot be political!

Britain has long enjoyed a close relationship with the United States—and that continued today, as a Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirms to BAZAAR.com that the monarch sent a private letter to President Joe Biden ahead of his January 20 inauguration ceremony.

Although the palace maintains that the contents of the note will remain private, it is sure to be the start of a friendship between the two leaders. The queen has met every U.S. president, except Lyndon B. Johnson, since the beginning of her reign in 1952 and will no doubt invite the president for an official state visit to the United Kingdom in the future.

The Bidens already know one member of the British royal family well. In 2013, Dr. Jill Biden welcomed Prince Harry to a reception for British and American wounded servicemen and women during his visit to the United States. A year later, Harry invited Jill to attend the Invictus Games in London, where she and the Duke of Sussex were regularly seen chatting and laughing together. At the time, Joe—who also hung out with the prince at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto—joked to Britain’s Guardian newspaper, “My wife was with Prince Harry at the Invictus Games.” He remembered reading in the news that “everywhere Prince Harry went, he had this blonde woman on his arm.” He quipped, “The vice-president’s wife! I’m a little worried here, you know what I mean?”

[From Harper’s Bazaar]

Yeah, again – Prince Harry already had a warm relationship with Dr. Jill and Joe Biden. They adore him, he adores them. Meghan, a Democrat, was obviously anti-Trump but she never said that explicitly once she joined the royal family. The point is that Meghan and Harry backed the right candidates and they did so smartly. All while the Queen is trying to do some too-little-too-late damage control after she leaned in too hard with fascism. She’s the one who was pro-Brexit and pro-Tory, and she’s the one who was eager to give Trump a big, splashy state dinner. F–k your private letter! (Also, did you know that Biden’s Irish relatives came from Northern Ireland? Also, I don’t think Biden, when he was a senator or VP, ever met with QEII.)

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.

Many questioned why Jennifer Lopez was asked to perform at the inauguration. But for years now, Jennifer has been a pretty big Democratic Party supporter and fundraiser and an advocate for the Latin vote. She did virtual appearances and interviews for the Biden-Harris campaign, and my guess is that President Biden just likes J.Lo. What I found questionable was how J.Lo’s fiance Alex Rodriguez got such prominent seating at the inauguration and how much camera-time he got. Gross. But Jennifer was… fine.

It was fine! Aggressively fine. I’m not going to nitpick, it was okay. My favorite part was the fact that You Know Who was enraged over the fact that such cool people came out to the Biden-Harris inauguration. What she said in Spanish was “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice of all.”

As for Jennifer’s look, she wore head-to-toe Chanel, including Chanel-branded jewelry. I like that she didn’t play it down, actually. She’s J.Lo! We shouldn’t expect her to leave her sparkle at home because she’s in Washington. We want to see the sparkle!

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Getty.

I realized yesterday that I needed the schmaltz. Most days, I roll my eyes at cutesy, twee, crying-at-the-Anthem kind of stuff. But holy hell, we are all climbing out of a deeply traumatic experience with the Trump presidency. Just two weeks beforehand, armed terrorists laid siege to the Capitol, where they hunted for congressional leaders to murder, erected gallows on federal grounds and beat a Capitol Police officer to death. So yeah, I’m totally okay with Lady Gaga tearing up as she sang the National Anthem. I was also okay with her crazy ensemble, which involved a giant red skirt and a giant gold dove brooch. She made me cry!

Many people believed Gaga would wear Givenchy to the Inauguration, because she wore that label to the rehearsal the day before. But she had something custom made for the inauguration: a Schiaparelli haute couture ensemble which consisted of a navy cashmere fitted jacket and a red silk faille skirt. Maison Schiaparelli is a French label, but the house’s current creative director is Daniel Roseberry, a Texan.

Also, I was so charmed by the fact that Gaga seemed to hang out for a while after the inauguration. I saw a lot of pics of her taking photos with National Guardsmen and some of the military men and women who were there for the parades and such. She also was seen glad-handing with all of the politicians, including the Obamas and Clintons, and she gave Amy Klobuchar a big hug.

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Getty.

From CB: I’ve been shopping a lot out of sheer frustration. I tell myself it’s part of my job to shop, but that’s just an excuse. I got the inexpensive hyaluronic acid by Eclat we featured a couple of weeks ago and it feels great. I don’t know how effective it is yet but it has the consistency of the last brand I used which was pricier. I also got a few as gifts. Plus I reordered my go-to eyebrow mousse, eyeliner and mascara as they were running out. We’ve talked about all those before! My eyeshadow is still going strong. I mostly focus on my eyes with my makeup now. Here are a few more things Hecate and I are looking at.

A quiet and powerful air purifier that’s called an “allergy killer”

From CB: This small but powerful air purifier by Levoit changes the air up to five times per hour in a 200 square foot room. It removes 99.97% of dust, smoke, mold and pollen and is the number one bestseller in HEPA air filters. It has over 19,500 ratings, 4.7 stars and a B on Fakespot. People say it’s quiet, that it really works to help clean the air and that it reduces dust too. “This little quiet unit is amazing. I live in Santa Cruz, Ca. Our area is burning…. There’s no smoke smell in the house at all, actually no musty smell houses get from being closed up for days.” “My daughter now wakes up pretty free from the usual congestion and she gets a much better nights sleep when it on. It works so well we have on in our room also! If you have allergies you need this purifier.”

Keep your car clean with a heavy duty waterproof trash container

From CB: This waterproof car trash can by Epuato is the number one bestseller in automotive garbage cans. It has over 24,000 ratings, 4.7 stars and a B on Fakespot. It attaches right to your console, seat back or glove compartment and includes storage pockets for necessities like hand sanitizer and tissues. It comes in four colors, all under $16. People write that it’s big, sturdy and that the design helps trash stay in without spilling. “ Both passenger and driver can easily reach it. Can use a regular plastic bag from Walmart to fit inside. I especially like the Velcro strip on the underside that sticks to the carpet to secure it in place.” “I was pleasantly surprised by the quality… the kids and I spend a LOT of time driving and often eat on the go, creating all kinds of garbage. This was perfect for my needs. Good size and well designed.”

All natural spring water that soothes and preps the skin

From CB: My first reaction to paying $14 for spray-on spring water is “what a crock,” but then I looked through the reviews and wanted it. This spring water spray by Eau Thermale has 4,500 ratings, 4.5 stars and a B on Fakespot. Women write that they understand the skepticism, but that it really does work to refresh and soothe the skin. A lot of women apply it before their moisturizer. “I don’t know how or why, nor do I really care anymore, but this stuff is amazing. There is not a single day that goes by that I do not use it.” “For the last year, I have been suffering from a severe eczema outbreak as a result of mold exposure. Before I sprayed it on, I was covered in dry, red patches… After I sprayed myself head to toe, the itching was gone, and my most stubborn patches were 80% improved after about an hour of spraying.”

A blackhead remover vacuum that really works

From CB: This blackhead remover vacuum by June Julien has five different suction settings and comes with four different heads. It has over 16,000 ratings, 3.9 stars and a B on Fakespot. People say it removes blackheads and reduces pores like nothing else they’ve tried. There are photos showing how much junk it gets out too. “This blackhead remover works wonders. I use it about once or twice a week & absolutely love it… I have seen a size reduction in my pores since using it for the past few weeks.” “Overall I love this new facial gadget… it removed a lot of whiteheads that were clogging my pores and left my face feeling lighter and smoother after one use.” There are warnings to make sure to use a low setting and keep it moving as it can be damaging if you leave it in one area for too long.

Curl activating hair products for soft, bouncy curls (sold separately)

From Hecate: My daughter really wants to bring out the curl in her hair but she only inherited curl from one side of the family. I got this Shea Moisture Curl and Shine Shampoo and Conditioner. It’s made such a difference! She went from limp waves to actual pin curls around her face and it’s starting to curl up in the back too. Plus, it’s not frizzy. Prior, she wasn’t brushing her hair because it would eliminate any texture. She’d look so unkempt. But this keeps her hair looking smooth and styled (I’m so happy). Both shampoo and conditioner are under $10 each. If you’re co-washing, this conditioner works well for that. It earned 4.6 stars out of 8,600 reviews and Fakepot gave it a B. Reviewers had the same results my daughter is getting, “The frizz has gone away and my hair is significantly more curly. This is the first product I’ve used that’s actually made my hair manageable.” Another said it won’t weigh your hair down, “My hair feels amazing and so much lighter since it doesn’t have the typical product build up.”

Cable knit Leg warmer socks for warm feet and legs

From Hecate: I think these are so freaking cute, I can’t decide if I want to get them for me or my daughter. They come in 10 different colors, some with pom poms. I’m probably getting these to wear under boots but I think they’d be great for weekends and chilly mornings working from home. Even though they’re new, they earned 3.8 stars with 90 reviews and Fakespot gives them an A. Most reviewers said they liked them, they just wished they came further up their thigh. I just want it to come over my knee, so I should be happy. One review said, “I love them!! Thick and soft..” which is what one wants in comfy socks. Another said they weren’t sure about buying them but were very happy with what they got, “I didn’t have a ton of confidence ordering these, but they’re REALLY cute, the color fade is good, and they’re vibrant and went through the wash really well. I’m glad I took a chance on them!”

A 5-quart cast iron dutch oven to up your baking and cooking

From Hecate: I never know if my Twitter feed is representative but it’s dominated with discussions about Le Crueset bakeware right now. Le Crueset is excellent and I would own a ton of it if I could afford it, but a 3.5 quart dutch oven is over $300 on Amazon. However, I got a good old fashioned 5-quart cast iron dutch oven as a wedding gift that I wouldn’t part with for anything. I also inherited my mom’s enameled cast iron dutch oven, but I use the regular one more. This is $60, but these things last forever. I like this one because it has the top handle, most of the other ones have only side grabs. I chose this one because of the free shipping (these suckers are heavy) and because it looks like the one I use.This has 40 ratings and 4.8 stars on ReviewMeta. Reviews say it is perfect for bread, “I bought this to make bread in and it works perfectly! I absolutely love it and am so glad I got it” As another mentioned, cast iron is good for everything, “This is definitely one of the best values in cookware around. The cast iron cooks very evenly and is very durable.” It really is a good price for what you get.

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There were so many moments during yesterday’s inauguration which gave me goosebumps and made me tear up a lot. The moment when Kamala Harris took the oath of office, the first woman (and woman of color) to hold national office in America. The moment when President Biden took his oath of office, about 12 minutes before noon, and knowing that we were finally done with the Trump era. The moment when Vice President Harris saluted the men and women in uniform and walked into her offices in the Old Executive Office Building. And the moment when a young woman, only 22 years old, stood at the dais in a bright yellow coat and recited the poem she had written following the January 6th insurrection just two weeks before.

The young woman was Amanda Gorman, the Youth Poet Laureate, and a resident of Los Angeles. Gorman’s yellow ensemble was Prada. She wore Nikos Koulis’ Energy jewelry gifted to her by Oprah Winfrey, with a Of Rare Origin birdcage ring in honor of Maya Angelou. Gorman recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb” to an enraptured audience in person and watching at home.

I’ve watched her recitation/performance a few times and it keeps getting better and better. What do you love the most? I love the acknowledgement that we are not okay but we will be okay, that we have to keep working because none of this is over. “And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it/Somehow we do it/Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed/a nation that isn’t broken/but simply unfinished.” “A country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free.” You can read the full poem here.

Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:
That even as we grieved, we grew
That even as we hurt, we hoped
That even as we tired, we tried
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious
Not because we will never again know defeat
but because we will never again sow division

Thank you! I would be nowhere without the women whose footsteps I dance in. While reciting my poem, I wore a ring with a caged bird—a gift from @Oprah for the occasion , to symbolize Maya Angelou, a previous inaugural poet. Here’s to the women who have climbed my hills before. https://t.co/5Tegd20sko

— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) January 20, 2021

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

On Inauguration Day 2017, Michelle Obama telegraphed to the world how she felt. She telegraphed her sadness and anger with the expressions she made throughout the day, and she also telegraphed it with her thrown-together, little-effort styling. She didn’t think the Trumps were worth the effort, and she was right. But MO telegraphed something different for Inauguration Day 2021. Suddenly it was big, bouncy hair, monochromatic plum style and a giant statement belt. Michelle arrived at the Capitol looking like a damn Avenger.

Michelle’s ensemble was by Sergio Hudson, a Black designer from South Carolina. Vice President Harris also wore Sergio Hudson. People were joking about “the girls coordinating their looks on WhatsApp,” but seriously, did VP Harris and MO talk to each other about fashion?? It was pretty funny when the Obamas arrived too – every anchor and journalist doing commentary on the inauguration proceedings were like “MICHELLE OBAMA!!! And her husband, Barry Something.” Michelle’s stalker George W. Bush noticed how great she looked too, he spent most of the pre-inaugural trying to get attention from both Obamas.

As always, there were funny tweets!

Hair, LAID. Waist, CINCHED. Fit, BIG DRIP – my forever First Lady did not come to play. pic.twitter.com/idLpj44g2h

— IAMNJERA (@IAMNJERA) January 20, 2021

One thing about Bush, he gon find Michelle pic.twitter.com/SOfQEFUTK2

— vaccine shaw, bad bih at law (@lajefa_logan) January 20, 2021

**raises hand** ? https://t.co/mwRl9gwPVI

— Yene Damtew (@yenedamtew) January 20, 2021

Michelle: handle yo shit
Kamala: no doubt pic.twitter.com/tc3shmyjE3

— ? (@dopevibetweets) January 20, 2021

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

Although most of the stories from the violent attacks on the Capitol were awful, there were a few commendable acts. Like the women aides who had the wherewithal to collect and secure the ballots so the electoral vote could be certified that night as scheduled. Or the young aides who protected their congressional bosses by sheltering in place because they’d been taught to during active shooter drills in school. But one story stood out and that was the actions of Officer Eugene Goodman of the Capitol Police Force. Officer Goodman used himself as bait to lure Capitol insurrectionists away the unsecured doors of the Senate floor and directly into a group of fellow officers:

Absolutely everyone hailed Goodman as a hero, which is exactly what he was. While we watched other officers moving barricades and taking selfies with the terrorists, this man put his life on the line.

There has been much discussion about how, exactly, Goodman will be honored. Many in Congress want to award him the Congressional Gold Medal. I’m sure the Capitol Police force will give him a commendation, perhaps the Mayor of DC will as well. We may eventually see Officer Goodman at one of our new president’s Medal of Freedom ceremonies, who knows. Right now, the dust is still settling from that day and so much needs to be sorted out, both good and bad. With the inauguration and fear of subsequent disruption, accolades and awards must take a backseat to more pressing matters. That’s why it was so impressive that the Biden Inauguration team found a wonderful way to honor Officer Goodman. He was asked to escort Vice President Kamala Harris to the Inauguration as she was sworn in as the first Black/Asian Female Vice President of the United States of America

The now-famous Capitol Police officer who rerouted rioters away from the Senate chamber during the insurrection, potentially saving the lives of Vice President Mike Pence and others, has been promoted to acting deputy House Sergeant at Arms. As part of his new job, Eugene Goodman, a Black officer, escorted Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the first Black woman to hold the office, at the inauguration on Wednesday. Goodman escorted Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff through the Capitol shortly after 11 a.m. Harris and President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in today in a slimmed-down ceremony with precautions for the coronavirus pandemic.

[From The Daily Beast]

I’m giving credit to the Inaugural team, but I don’t know who made the call. VP Harris might have requested Goodman specifically. I, for one, got very emotional when I saw him walking VP Harris (I just like writing it out) and her husband into the building. Not only emotional, but a little safer, did you see how seriously he took his role?

NEW—Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police officer who risked his life to draw the Jan. 6 rioters away from the Senate chamber, has been named the Acting Deputy House Sergeant at Arms…

…now escorts the Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris at #Inauguration
pic.twitter.com/aG6Z9GsJTH

— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) January 20, 2021

Goodman’s presence was lost on nobody. Listen to the ovation he received when he was announced:

The man who saved the Senate.

Standing ovation and cheers for a true hero, Officer Eugene Goodman. pic.twitter.com/MtmQIr6gZk

— Rep. Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) January 20, 2021

Goodman stayed with VP Harris up until she left for Arlington cemetery (I appreciate he wore the camelhair coat, so I was able to find him on TV). Following that, I assume he will return to his job on the force, where everyone will move about the Capitol with more confidence knowing he’s there. Hopefully the honors, citations and commendations will come flooding in. But this is why I love this particular recognition so much: as much as plaques and medals look good hanging on a wall, this honor was the job itself. They said he was so good at what he does, they wanted him to do it for the most important people in the country on the most important day of their career. That is the highest honor they could pay him, and they did it in front of the entire nation. It was a beautiful message for an remarkable person. Perfect.

Started. Going. Strong. pic.twitter.com/5RHqqd1qvA

— YS (@NYinLA2121) January 20, 2021

But even the most perfect moment can stand to have a little fun poked at it, as our friend Karen sent us:

When you wish a motherfucker would: pic.twitter.com/xFVoefz6oo

— Eric Haywood (@EricHaywood) January 20, 2021

These are from Inauguration rehearsals

For the past seven or eight months, I’ve said repeatedly that people have really not paid enough attention to Kamala Harris’s unique family story. Just her marriage to Doug Emhoff alone needs more attention and more press coverage, because they adore each other and they’re so cute! But I’d also like to know more about Kamala’s sister Maya, her niece Meena and all of the grandnieces, and don’t forget Kamala-as-Momala to Doug’s two children, Ella and Cole. Ella Emhoff is 22-years-old and she lives in Brooklyn. She went to Parsons and she’s a Gen Z hipster and artist. And now because of her appearance at the inauguration, people are obsessed with Ella Emhoff. And really the whole Harris-Emhoff clan.

Ella’s inauguration coat is getting so much attention! Many of the prominent women in attendance wore monochromatic looks, bold shades of plum, turquoise, royal purple or ocean blue. But not Ella. She chose a sparkly coat by MiuMiu which stood out really well. I really love the fact that Ella and Cole came out for their stepmom too.

VP Harris’s niece Meena also tweeted out some stuff about her daughters and what they wore:

Special coats to look just like Auntie’s. pic.twitter.com/3WHaysbj4A

— Meena Harris (@meenaharris) January 20, 2021

She asked every 5 mins throughout the entire ceremony if she could meet @HillaryClinton pic.twitter.com/pQIRAM7mvP

— Meena Harris (@meenaharris) January 20, 2021

The mystery man wearing the Air Jordan Dior 1s is Nikolas Ajagu, husband of Meena Harris, Kamala’s niece. #Inauguration pic.twitter.com/kuyn20Mr2z

— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) January 20, 2021

Ella Emhoff, that’s the tweet. pic.twitter.com/CYQ7q2zLNs

— Yener Perez (@Iamyener) January 20, 2021

A unique reaction to Mike Pence’s presence by Ella Emhoff @CNN @CNNPolitics pic.twitter.com/VE2WRc6x8W

— amanda the good witch (@sloppymenace) January 20, 2021

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Getty.