The Inaugural Issue
Issue 126, featuring an interview with Paula Gallagher
Welcome to a special inauguration edition of The Girl’s Guide! I’m writing to you with a horrible flu, so if you spot any typos, you can chalk them up to my delirium. If you missed the most recent newsletter, find it here.
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A New Golden Age
2025 marks the a new “Golden Age” for America, if President Donald J. Trump’s inaugural address is to be believed. Just a few weeks ago, I wrote about why we should call the generation born starting in 2025 the “golden generation” — turns out I’m not the only one thinking along these lines! You can read my column with The American Conservative here.
Trump’s second inauguration certainly was one for the history books — but it was also one for the fashion history books! If you were as intrigued by the fashion statements from First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance as I was, then you’ll enjoy this CBS Mornings interview with hat designer Eric Javits (watch here).
You can catch up on all the Inauguration Day looks, left, right, and center, with this USA Today roundup. I think Ivanka Trump’s deep green outfit with matching hat was my favorite.
Interview with Paula Gallagher
Today’s interview is with Paula Gallagher, a woman who is passionate about sharing her story to help others. Connect with Paula on Instagram at @catholic.infertility.coaching.
What does your life look like right now?
I was unexpectedly laid off this past fall, so I’m in the weeds of job searching. But two good things that have come out of this surprise transition is 1) I decided to go to grad school to become a licensed mental health counselor (I plan to focus on women and couples with infertility and reproductive loss), and 2) I now have no excuse not to exercise every day, so I am getting fit! My husband and I also bought our first house last summer, so we are enjoying setting it up, decorating it, and making it feel like home. I also keep busy running the infertility ministry at my church as well as my online infertility ministry Instagram account. And I offer virtual coaching for women struggling with infertility.
What's the biggest lesson you learned in your 20s?
Definitely the biggest (and most painful) lesson I learned in my 20s is how much is not in my control. I spent all of my 20s (and half of my 30s) trying to overcome my infertility. I learned so much about my body and my health — what I could control and what I could not. What I believed about God, His goodness, and His will were tested, and I was challenged to surrender my plans and to trust in Him. I learned (or at least started to) ask for help when I was overwhelmed. While I am still someone who prefers to be in control and know what the plan is, I am more comfortable trusting that God will bring good out of the unknown.
What's the best book you've read in the last year?
The best book I’ve read in the last year is What Happened To You? by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey. It’s about what trauma does to your brain development, stress response systems, and relationship abilities. Dr. Perry does an excellent job putting neuroscience into plain English, and he uses lots of interesting examples from his clinical work to illustrate the principles discussed. As I’m studying to become a counselor, I find it fascinating, but I think anyone with an interest in healing from trauma would benefit from reading it.
On a lighter note, I recently discovered Richard Osman’s cozy murder series, beginning with The Thursday Murder Club. It follows four elderly friends living in a retirement village in the English countryside as they solve a string of local murders (past and present). It’s very cute!
What's a hobby you have that surprises people?
One of my friends introduced me to crochet about a year and half ago, and I love it! I’ve mainly stuck to scarves and blankets so far. I think people are just surprised in general to see someone crocheting.
Do you have any health and beauty products you swear by?
I have always had super oily skin, so finding the right skincare has been a challenge. But last year, I tried the brand Mad Hippie, and now I use their products almost exclusively. I love love love the MicroDermabrasion Facial scrub (it has both physical and chemical exfoliants), and I use the Vitamin C Serum and Face Cream daily. (But I would give their cleansers a hard pass if you have oily skin like I do.)
The Haps
MAHA on the Menu at Steak ‘n Shake
Popular burger join Steak ‘n Shake recently announced it will no longer fry its french fries in vegetable oil and will opt for beef tallow instead. This isn’t a totally out-of-the-box decision — beef tallow fries used to be a fast food staple, with McDonald’s using beef tallow until the 1990s. I, for one, can’t wait to try these fries. Read more here.
New 2025 Postage Stamps Feature ‘Goodnight Moon’
The U.S. Postal Service is slow-rolling out its new stamps for 2025, which will include stamps inspired by everyone’s favorite classic board book, Goodnight Moon. Nick and I both have this book memorized because Margot loved it so much when she was younger. I’ll definitely be picking up a book of these stamps when I’m next at the post office. I’m less excited about the Postal Service’s decision to roll out SpongeBob SquarePants stamps, though. Read the full press release here.
Here are more links to what I’m reading lately:
Ralph Lauren, American Patriot (First Things): Isabella Redjai reflects on the recent Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.
Donald Petrie to Direct Philippines-Set Rom-Com ‘The Last Resort’ (Variety): The director of “Miss Congeniality” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” has a new project. H/t Harvest Prude
The Trendy French Bistro in D.C. That’s the Go-To Haunt for Trump World (Wall Street Journal): If you’re in the area and haven’t been to Butterworth’s, go check it out! Nick’s group American Moment even gets a shoutout in this article.
Ask Evie
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Another wonderful issue Dearest Evie! Hope you’re all well from that flu bug now! Sending much love as always to each of you Solheim’s! ‘Aunt’ Dianne