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Kelly Williams's avatar

Every time you write about your grandma I am madly inspired. I didn’t have an influence like this in my life so I’m adopting yours. Tell us all the stories 🫶

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Thank you so much, Kelly. She was everything to me. I really miss her so much.

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Amelia Lopez's avatar

I love your stories about Dorsey. She sounds like someone who led an authentic and rich life who wasn’t afraid to enjoy the beauty and walk through the tough parts. I also love the idea of waiting to buy things you truly love and enjoying them for decades. Thank you for this inspiring piece of writing.

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Amelia, ah, this is kind and warm. She was exactly that. Somehow she was strong and soft. She found every joy in life. I think about that often. She was always up for a good time.

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Christine Morrison's avatar

Your writing is so heartfelt and lovely — as are all of your Dorsey stories — and so refreshing as I am sadly finding Substack on its way to becoming conformist and duplicative, especially as it relates to fashion. My favorite image today is the lineup of fragrances, where each scent resembles that of bourbon. This reminds me of my impeccably dressed grandmother Cordelia, who in my childhood allowed me to wear her jewelry and spritz on Estee perfume whenever I stayed with her.

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Cordelia! I love this. She sounds so much like Dorsey. I love her bathroom. Whenever I go home to her house I sit in her bathroom. My Dad recently told me that he does the same thing. She spent a lot of time there. She really enjoyed getting dressed with a glass of champagne.

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Ellen S's avatar

I love seeing you rewear beloved pieces - it’s environmentally responsible and so inspiring.

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Thank you so much, Ellen.

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Megan Karp's avatar

I love your writing and your stories, Meg. You shine. Very bright.

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Thank you so much, Megan. This means the most.

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Paula Chesworth's avatar

Do you care to share the details on your Christmas pajamas? Thank you!

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Hi! These are J Crew! x

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Kateryna's avatar

Yes please!

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

J Crew! I would imagine they make them every year. x

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Camille's avatar

I was so touched by your description of your grandmother and how much she inspires you. I feel the same about my grandmother. Everything about her is beautiful and her entire life is chosen so carefully. I can just picture her beautiful tea cups, paintings, silk pants and Japanese robes. She has carefully picked everything in her life and her home is full of purpose and beauty. There is nothing more precious to me than my beautiful nonny 💕thank you for sharing Dorsey with us

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Camille, this is such a kind note. Yes, everything was chosen with so much purpose. The older I get the more I appreciate who Dorsey was and how she lived her life. She continues to be my North Star.

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Emily Grady Dodge's avatar

Your newsletters are so lovely - thank you for sharing your memories and your inspiration!

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Thank you so much, Emily. I always get so nervous to send them!

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GSR's avatar

Thank you for sharing another story about Dorsey. What a fabulous woman and such a fabulous bathroom! Her robe worn by your cousin looks sumptuous and minimal. Was it lined? There's a heftiness to it that's missing in many silk robes today. On personal style, I'm currently reading, What Artists Wear by Charlie Porter. It's such a great book on the personal style of so many artists. I'm finding that I prefer a certain color nail polish as a staple and statement on my personal style, after cycling through different colors over the years.

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Indeed, it is lined! it is so funny that you noticed this because I noticed the same thing. She had a collection of 5 or 6 robes all in silk that she would wear in the mornings and while she was getting ready to go out. The quality of all of them are so much better than most robes I've found today. I'm going to read the Charlie Porter book you've recommended above. It sounds divine. Thank you so much for sharing this with me.

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GSR's avatar

Lined robes need to come back! That extra layer makes a difference in how you start your day, I'm sure Dorsey would agree. Let me know what you think of the book whenever you get around to reading it.

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Lori jenkins's avatar

Oh how I enjoyed reading this! Thank you for sharing Meg.

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Thank you so much, Lori.

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Melissa Ruch's avatar

I love love reading your posts each week. I feel strangely validated in my simple personal style uniform. Less is more to me. The stories of your grandmother are so heartfelt. She would be proud 💜

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Thank you so much, Melissa. Less is more for me, too.

She was really proud of me, my whole life, even when there was nothing to be proud of. And it changed my life to have that support and that love.

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Kate L's avatar

Please share your favorite cookbooks of late!

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

All Ottolenghi books!

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Natalie's avatar

I felt this deeply about your grandmother- really touching and inspiring thank you for sharing 🤍

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Thank you so much, Natalie.

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Jennifer Stach Biedinger's avatar

Meg, I love your Dorsey stories they remind me of my Grandmother so much! So lovely for you to share her with us all. And I absolutely adore the idea of getting dressed jewelry first.

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Thank you so much, Jennifer. It wasn't until I lived with her that I saw her process. Now, it makes so much sense to me. Of course she would start with jewelry! x

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m.fay's avatar

I’ve always loved your writing 💛

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Megan Alida Strachan's avatar

Thank you so much, Maria.

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Mary's avatar

Truly words to live by!

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