It’s 2am and I can’t sleep, but what’s new?

I had so many ideas flowing through my mind, perfect sentences with witty structure, one right after another running with the ease of a sliced egg yolk. In my foolish attempt to summon Shaxep, I mean the angel of sleep, I didn’t write them down, and now it’s 45 minutes later and I wish I had.

April is a weird month. It’s always felt kinda strange, like the awkward phase of the year, the prepubescent spring stuffing her bra and pretending to be full summer. Manhattan weather changes on a dime and if my lip cracks one more time I’m going to look like a pirate who (for some inexplicable reason) takes the 4/5 express train in lieu of her briny vessel.

As odd as April feels, I find it deeply relatable. I feel like my writing style oscillates with my mood, and it’s hard for me to see the difference until I read them back. My brain is swarmed with systems, plans, fascinations and machinations of how to link all of my ideas from one to the other so that I don’t sound like a deranged lunatic who writes things at 2am (the irony) only to refuse to edit (I’m rereading Bukowski) and then PRINT OFF MY WORK AND ANNOTATE IT days later with different colored pens (I am unmedicated, completely sober, and free-range. Can’t you tell?). I just want to sound like myself. I demand capitulation from the universe!!!! Bend to my will!!!!!! For someone who has spent 16 hours in the notes app this past week, I need an outside source to (please) tell me if it’s working.

This month has honestly been pretty great, all my moaning aside.

I saw so many movies in theaters, which means I ate no less than 2 pounds of that processed, delightful umami bomb they’re calling movie theater butter.

1. Project Hail Mary - I liked it, I didn’t read the book (which made me feel violently guilty about seeing the movie at all) and I feel like I should have read it / should read it. It was good and cute, definitely cried, and I really liked the costume design.

2. Super Mario Galaxy - so nostalgic. The fact that Charlie day is Luigi is enough reason for you to see this movie. The Chris Pratt obsession is…? I dunno. I’m a Parks and Rec girl through and through; in my mind, he’s Andy, chewing on pens and eating spray painted m&ms. 🖤

3. The Drama - YO this movie is clinical…..I have so much to say that I’m just gonna narrow it down as much as I can: My boy can act, Zendaya is very good but I needed more emotion, that white bitch (is that the girl from Haim? from that awful movie licorice pizza?) is fucking psychotic and an actual murderer? I understand that it wasnt about her but…it should have been? Did I just write a better movie? I couldnt think of anything else after she admitted what she did.

4. Normal - WOW. Better call….not Saul because he’s in a state. I can’t even say anything else you just need to go see it. Total plot twist, never saw it coming, edge of my seat, ginger ale spilled all over my lap.

Who am I without my 3-7 emotional support realms?

Once again I have outdone myself on Thiftbooks (please sponsor me, I love you so much). I bought around 9 books this month, and my favorite came as a surprise. Recommended to me by one of my oldest friends, The Devils by Joe Abercrombie was fucking stellar. Morally ambiguous with a motley crew of devils, barbarians, a priest, an elf and a vampire, the third best necromancer in all the world, envy, greed, wit and gore all rolled up and served bloody. Makes you wanna just lick your teeth, doesnt it?

I also finished Baby Teeth which….all I can give you on this one is a deep exhale. A story about a 7-year-old girl who wants to murder Mommy (not giving anything away, literally back of the book), I found this both devious but not enough. It was very well-written, I think it was just stopped short of being truly terrifying. However, this is through the lens of someone who spend the entirety of Covid live-streaming on twitch about psychopathology in true crime cases…so my bar could be exceptionally high.

One-word reviews of the books I havent finished yet:

1. The Talented Mr. Ripley: chills

2. Annihilation: terror

3. Predictably Irrational: interesting

All of the other things I’m enamored with at the moment:

My controversial opinions of the month!!!!!

• I fucking hate the phrase ‘bed rot’. Why can’t we just rest without comparing it to death? Are you that tired or do you just hate yourself? In the words of what I assume was a shitty book because I never read it, wash your face girl.

• If one more person tells me I’m brave for not getting Botox, I might have to finally start going to therapy for anger management. Aging is a gift. I am not brave. :) you are weak :)

• Alani is far superior to Celcius

• I wear socks when I sleep and that makes me brave

• I saw someone chain smoking cigarettes on the subway and I think we all need to have a little more audacity in our lives. He didn’t care, at all. Wear your weird clothes

• Claud cowork is a waste of time. Flash from Zootopia could do things faster

• I bought a Bratz labubu. There. I said it. She’s really fucking cute, too.

• I miss smoking

• Costco brand oat milk is better than Oatly

• If you say ‘I’m just a girl” I want you to get away from me

• Low-maintenance friendships aren’t friendships. Real friendship is an inconvenience, and you should be grateful to experience it.

• What happened to the sour candy craze? Can we bring this back? I want to eat so many sour skittles I cant feel my tongue

• STOP PUTTING PROTEIN IN MY FUCKING CHIPS YOU FUCKING KGIHAKUGHKAUDHGAULRWAG;

Reply: All

Heard you loud and clear and im making a study guide for the 48 laws of power!!! I am making this now and I think it should be done in around a month or so. :)

I’m sure I’ll add more to this later, or maybe just republish it entirely, but I am fucking exhausted and need to catch some zzz’s. I’ll schedule this for the morning. If you’ve read this all the way through, you’re the best, and I love ya.

With great personal aesthetic,
Alexandra Diana, The A List

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Bonjour, my black swans!

Is it just me or did March fly by? I know I’m writing this while it’s still technically March, but my birthday is over so mentally, I’m in April. I am exhausted yet energized, realizing that I might have finally bit off more than I can chew. Ah, but who would I be without the delightful buzz of caffeine in my ear and my prized obsessions?!

A typical Tuesday in the month of March:

Wake up at 6am, hit snooze until 6:15. Carefully get out of bed and tip-toe around the labyrinth that is my polly-pocket sized Manhattan bedroom (without waking Nick or pushing over my bookcase of shoes, therefore waking up Draco and beginning the calamity), brush my teeth (I don’t know how people wait until after coffee, if I wait more than five minutes to brush my teeth I want to rip my gums out), walk around with ice cubes pressed to my collarbones, fish out some kim chi with my bare hands (they’re clean, its not gross), activate morning synth mix and zoooneeee out writing ‘til around 9.

From 9-9:20, I get dressed for my job Method Acting as a Woman in Corporate, and accessorize until my earlobes hurt. On school days, my closet operates like a vending machine, quick n’ easy. But Friday through Sunday, my wardrobe is the buffet at the country club of my dreams. Endless options, unlimited time, back again and again to change, readjust, gorge and make elaborate concoctions. But back to Tuesday. I snatch some food from the fridge, headphones back on and I’m on my way (I wouldn’t call it a run… more of a fierce walk…though if I’ve ever left you a voice memo during this time I know you’re rolling your eyes right now hahaha), to catch the express train. Fridays have a much sexier morning routine, thats when I see my trainer (Hi, Bri!) which produces so many endorphins I feel like a dolphin in a Lisa Frank painting.

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The 9-5 flies by, and on the train home I either edit videos or read a book, and I usually select the latter because my eyes are burning. This wouldnt be the case if I didnt forget my blue light glasses, but I was literally sprinting out the door, sooo happens more often than not. When I get home, I shed my exoskeleton and hit the gym as soon as possible (if I make it more than 20 feet or get minorly comfortable, the bet is off). 30 minutes of weights, 40 minutes of cardio, and one Alani energy drink for good luck (have you had the pink slush flavor? It’s the color of the energizer bunny if the energizer bunny was electrocuted. Highly recommend.)

After the gym, i usually check my phone for the first time in hours, and sit on the floor Japanese-style and eat whatever I made on Sunday, which I’ve been pretty good at keeping up with. I have a strict no-plastic rule, so even when I drink my Elixir (Zero Sugar Canada Dry & Dad Grass), it will always be inside some kind of crystal goblet, or a spiky little tumbler. My current programming is either re-runs of The Legend of Vox Machina (the best show ever created, please HURRY UP WITH SEASON 4), The Mighty Nein (same request, for the love of the dawn-father), High Potential, AP Bio, and Bob’s Burgers (who am I without Bobs Burgers reruns?) This usually concludes around 830, when I start to feel the rising yet benevolent pressure to re-focus, which leads to the staying-up-too-late habit I just can’t seem to shake. I try to play Worldle but I suck at it, which is infuriating, so I’ll play Connections, which I’m far better at, and it restores my waning ego.

I cannot wait!

until I have unlimited time to make my wardrobe and jewelry collection into a full-scale potions laboratory. I love giant rings, bulbous jewels, I love to layer and layer until my chiropractor scolds me like a child caught rummaging through great-grandmas armoire. There is so much glamour in the details, the spice and delight of something strange! One of my all-time favorite icons is Iris Apfel, and she is the gold standard for me in all things accessories. She looked like a walking bibliography and I find that so intoxicating. Like my fascination with watching chess savants, I could have just stare at her all day. Fun fact: I tried to win this coat of hers when it went on sale at Christies, but I was beat out by someone who paid more than triple my asking price. As a side note, do we think they dry clean those items before sale, or do you think people want to smell like the person who wore it? Or moreover, do you think people want to be able to smell the person on the item itself, like a way to inhabit, a method-acting horocrux?

I finished The Secret History and have…so many thoughts. One of the biggest things that stood out to me was the style of each of the characters.

My obsession with this was catalogued, recorded, deleted (WHY) and then re-recorded here:

@byalexandradianaWho is your favorite character and why is it Francis

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The way they were described was so vivid, so real, its one of the few stories I can think of where without the detail of clothing, garments, accessories or lack-thereof, the story would have fallen flat. I want to create study guides, rubrics for my favorite books to discuss these kinds of themes, how clothing is so important even in settings we cant see it, we must imagine it. I think that makes it even more compelling, not to mention the part it plays in power, allegiance, diligence, and mourning.

Speaking of books, ACOTR is releasing two more books and…. I am so excited. If you read this series, tell me which one was your favorite, and why is is the second one?

My bank account is always screaming, on account that I treat it more like a vault at Gringotts that magically and perpetually overflows, HOWEVER! IT’S VINTAGE SEASON! One of my followers on tiktok (@theangelicamis) creates videos with entire listings of when and where they’ll be, and not only do I want to go, but I want to shop with you! We can split a cheeky smoke and rifle through clothes like Eloise at the Plaza.

• Specially, im looking for: old playboys, vogues, brooches, statement rings, socks (is that gross?) something argyle, and maybe some fun hair accessories. I just recently started ‘doing’ my hair, and I want to style it more with accessories.

I’m running late (what’s new) and have to hit publish now or never, so if you’ve read this far, thank you! I know this is a total deviation from what I normally write about, but my hope (goal?) is to make part of The A List more personal, so you can get to know more about me as a person, and not just the person who is obsessed with what you wear, ha!

With great personal aesthetic,
Alexandra Diana, The A List

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1,000 closets.
1,000 first impressions.
1,000 people testing who they can become.

If you’re here, you’re not a just casual reader. You’re part of the core audience that’s been here from the beginning.

We are no longer just a cozy little fashion-and-psychology-obsessed corner of the internet (!!!) so before I formalize what I’m building behind the scenes, I need to understand the most significant elements first: who you are, and what you want.

Your answers will determine what expands and what becomes exclusive.

As promised, this will take you no longer than 2 minutes (timed it myself), and will be totally anonymous.

Let’s begin.

And finally: What do you suspect your style says about you that you’ve never said out loud?

Don't overthink it

Before you go, I made something for you.

For one month, pay attention to what your appearance is actually doing. In 30 days, you’ll see the self-fulfilling nature of your style, and be able to track the information most people shy away from. Each checkmark is small…but the patterns are not.

With great personal aesthetic,
Alexandra Diana, The A List

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*Leave a comment after completing the quiz. Privacy policies prevent me from seeing individual submissions.

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🧚 Hello, darlings, it’s Ember speaking.

I’m Alexandra Diana’s ever-so-charming assistant at The A List; the one eavesdropping, taking notes, and keeping things interesting.

Each quarter, I present The Curiosity Test: a private glimpse into what you savor, skip, and secretly crave. She may mastermind the magic, but let’s be honest, I make sure it stays lively.

Shall we begin?

And lastly,

Our work here is done!

Don’t forget to leave a comment when you’ve finished, I do love a good surprise :)

With great personal aesthetic (that’s what she says, right?),
Ember, Curator of Curiosities for The A List

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Take the quiz for a chance to win a 6-month paid subscription—because good taste should be rewarded.

After you’ve answered all the questions, simply leave a comment or send a private message to be entered to win 🥰 (I would collect all this information myself but, alas, privacy laws!)*

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Hello, darlings. It’s me, Ember—Alexandra Diana’s ever-so-charming assistant at The A List. She may be the mastermind, but let’s be honest, I’m the one eavesdropping, taking notes, and making sure this place stays interesting!

How is she supposed to read your mind if I don’t do a little… digging?

Click, vote, and let your taste do the talking.

Your ever-curious, slightly intrusive, always fabulous,
~Ember

Welcome to this month’s Curiosity Test—a monthly game of taste, where I pry into your preferences to uncover what you love, what you skim, and what you secretly wish The A List had more of.

Consider your work here done. Now, sit back and watch as The A List evolves—mysteriously, effortlessly, and maybe just for you.

With great personal aesthetic (that’s what she says, right?),
Alexandra Diana, The A List

*due to Substack’s privacy agreement, I am unable to see individuals who have participated in polls, only the overall number of engagement. Please let me know you have taken the quiz by commenting below, or sending me a private message. Thank you! :)

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Take the quiz for a chance to win a 6-month paid subscription—because good taste should be rewarded.

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Oh, finally! I was beginning to think she was keeping me a secret! I’m Ember, Alexandra Diana’s charming assistant.

One of my many duties is to gather insight into your tastes and report back to Alexandra, ensuring she curates only the finest for you.

What better way to do that than with a delightful little quiz?

Welcome to The Curiosity Test—a game of taste, instinct, and the occasional surprise!

And because I’m feeling generous, one of you will be chosen at random each month to win a six-month paid subscription to The A List. After you’ve answered all the questions, simply leave a comment or send her a message to be entered to win! (I would collect all this information myself but, alas, privacy laws!)*

Tell me—which of Alexandra Diana’s recent pieces was your favorite?

Even the most carefully curated libraries have a book that gathers dust. Tell me, which article did you skim and swiftly forget?

Trends come and go, but some are utterly intoxicating. Which one has its claws in you?

Beyond my undeniable charm, what’s the real reason you return?

Everyone has a favorite…

Some command attention; others master restraint.

Is style an art, a science, a game—or an illusion?

Are you the prophet, the curator, the rebel… or the blueprint?

Words are spells—what makes you stay under their influence?

One of you certainly deserves a little something extra… why, exactly, should it be you?

Well, well… that was revealing! I’ll be delivering my findings to Alexandra—consider me your charming little informant. But don’t fret, your secrets are safe with me… for now ;)

Until next time—stay sharp, stay curious, and do try not to miss for me too much.

With great personal aesthetic (that’s what she says, right?),
Alexandra Diana, The A List

*due to Substack’s privacy agreement, I am unable to see individuals who have participated in polls, only the overall number of engagement. Please let me know you have taken the quiz by commenting below, or sending me a private message. Thank you! :)

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This week’s article & Critically Yours have both been rescheduled for next week, in order to reduce screen time as much as possible over the holidays. What would you like to read the most, after holiday mania?

To make up for it, I’m making my latest Critically Yours available for all to read:

It’s because of you, dear reader, that I am able to do what I love every day. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season— may you rejoice in the simple that fact that you are you— an extraordinarily singular creation.

All my love and with great personal aesthetic,
Alexandra Diana, The A List

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To close out 2024, instead of making a list of things I have purchased / used / reviewed, whatever, I wanted to share something more personal.

I have surmised my 6 favorite learnings & concepts of this year— things that have inspired me, made me think, filled me with wonder, and made me giggle. I hope they add some spice to your day. Without further ado!

Make physical art!

I cannot tell you how much fun I’ve had this year creating things by hand. I am, by trade, a digital designer, and the amount of time spent in photoshop can take the joy out of creation for me. There’s something deeply enriching about stepping away from the screen and immersing yourself in tangible creation. I highly suggest setting aside nights to create whatever comes to your mind without the burden of a timeline. I have made things that have shocked me, far past where my imagination had allowed me to go before.

Focus on how you perceive your life

There is nothing more true to me than the quote above. My main goal for this year, and will be the goal for all my years following, is to understand more about how I can expand the way I think, why do I feel the way I do? I think this is so overlooked and misunderstood, especially in today’s world, when all we want is a perscription for a quick fix or someone else to compare ourselves to. The perspective of others is only beneficial if you can first understand why you came to your conclusions in the first place. Don’t tell anyone, but I really hope the TikTok ban goes through.

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As I write this, there are 13 days left until 2025. I’m sure when you read this, there will be even less. !!!!!!!

I wanted to create a small array of questions that were a bit more personal than the ones I typically see. These thoughts that are easy to bounce around in your brain— and kind of fun to answer.

I’ve made this downloadable so you can answer these questions in your own time. If you have an iPhone, download the image to files. Click on the round icon in the bottom right corner. From there, you will see a little keyboard icon in the upper-right corner. This will enable you to use your keyboard to write our your answers, and come back to them later.

This year will end no matter how you answer these questions. Give yourself some grace. New beginnings don’t require calendars. If you want to change, the day will always be yours.

As always, it is because of you that I get to do what I love.
Thank you.

With great personal aesthetic,
Alexandra Diana, The A List

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This month’s A List Selects is full of all kinds of things I have used and loved, entirely unsponsored. See below the image for a full list of links, and know that I love you so very much. Xx

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Without further ado, this month in review:

Your favorite article was Borrow the Style, Steal the Credit: The Power of Borrowed Authority.

“Use symbols of power from the past to invite respect and admiration — use them as leverage to build your own legacy. The past is gone, but today, today could be yours.”

If you haven’t read the other articles in this series, I highly recommend:

• How to Use Subtle Statements to Amass Great Power: An Education in Discretion. This is the beginning of my series based on The 48 Laws of Power; specifically around how to use your personal style to enhance your presence and psychologically elevate your power.

Your second favorite article was Fancy Some Indie Sleaze, Love?

This article explored what it takes to embody the Indie Sleaze Aesthetic, and is part of an on-going series in understanding the core competencies of different fashion archetypes.

If you enjoyed this article, I recommend reading:

• So, You Wanna Look Like Old Money?

• The Gothic Scholar: A Study of Dark Academia

My favorite article was A Neuroscientist's Secret for More Mental Energy, by Dr. Julie.

Comparing our brain to an iphone battery, this is a quick and easy read that breaks down the habits we have and how we can lessen them to reduce brain fog. A delight.

And now, a little about myself:

As always, it is because of you that I get to do what I love.

Thank you for your support and passion; I hope to see you in the comments, or in our chat. <3

With great personal aesthetic,
Alexandra Diana, The A List

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I have curated a list of treasures, entirely unsponsored and created as a heartfelt gift to you, my wonderful paid subscribers. Think of it as a peek into my favorite finds this year, with items that bring joy, beauty, and a touch of magic to the everyday.

Here’s a sneak peek! To access the full version (with all the links included), why not indulge in a paid subscription? 😉 Happy capitalism!

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APPY ‘ALLOWEEN!

I am so proud to announce my new series for all subscribers: Monthly Newsletters!

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Here you will find a collection of my favorites, your favorites, little snippets about moi and a teaser of my wishlist. If you would like my full wishlist delivered to your inbox (over 30 items, complete with links), upgrade to a paid subscription tier. You’ll get a couple more monthly surprises from me as well 🧚🏼

Most excitingly, I would like to announce a new section to my substack: A-LEX! A lexicon of my favorite words, in alphabetical order. This is a living document, so if I missed your favorite word, let me know!

A-LEX!

I am in the best mood — thank you for supporting me and my writing! ❤️

Want to see something different next month? Order up I’m hot to go! (translated: tell me in the comments, or in our chat)

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With all my love & great personal aesthetic,
Alexandra Diana, The A List