Sex and Vanity

“When we align with the truth of who we are, all things are possible.”

“I think the most impractical thing one can do is not follow your passions.”

“Because the only person you’re deceiving is yourself.”

“I think of myself as a human being, because under the sky, we are but one family, it just so happens that we look different.”

“Holy Moira Rose!”

“It was like a scene straight out of a Merchant Ivory film!”

“LA? You want to move to LA? Why would you want to move to a place that’s devoid of culture and has no seasons”

“The thing about the superrich is that they always need more space with no people in it.”

“Can you imagine what our children will look like? Quarter Asians are the most beautiful species in the world”

“I moved out of Shittinghurst today”

“The only person you’re deceiving is yourself.”

“courtesy of Isabel and Dolfi De Vecchi, who unfortunately could not attend the gala, as they were at an intimacy retreat at Lake Titicaca.”

“Everyone gasped at the delightful menagerie, as the board member who had generously opened up her hundred-million-dollar property for the gala and Marian—already dressed in her heirloom purple silk cheongsam—walked up to greet their VIP.”

“Ten feet into the lobby was a velvet panel on the left that looked like it was part of the wall, but when the select crowd who knew of its existence pushed against it, the hidden panel would swing open smoothly,”

“Donkey milk abounds with vitamin C, proteins, and fatty acids, conferring a multitude of antiaging benefits for your skin. Cleopatra was known to bathe in donkey milk to maintain her renowned beauty and youthfulness, so if it’s good enough for the Queen of the Nile, isn’t it good enough for you?”

“This is my favorite room, Cecil. I love the scent of oud and the fire pit and all these velvet chaise longues placed in a sunburst.”

“I don’t want to be in that big Shittinghurst in the winter,”

“Lucie, this is Viv.”

“Rosemary cleared her throat. “I’m sure. I would expect nothing less from Cecil. Such a nice man. You know he helped us rent Shittinghurst.” Lucie, Freddie, and Marian burst out laughing. Rosemary frowned. “What’s wrong?” “It’s Cissinghurst, Mom, Cissing,” George said patiently. “Oh, sorry. You know English isn’t my mother tongue,” Rosemary said.”

“I thought, Lucie and George and Petra. We three were meant to be together tonight.”

“Hallo! I am Petra [Munich International School / London School of Economics / Barbara Brennan School of Healing / Omega Institute / Esalen],” she said with a German accent.”

“Ah yes. I recently heard someone call it ‘an excellent school for people who want to read a lot and have feelings.’ ”

“your future, your whole life, is in his hands right now!” “My whole life?” Lucie stared at Charlotte dubiously. “Do you understand the ramifications of what could happen if that footage ever went public? Let’s start with grad schools—you can forget about getting into any of the Ivies. And then you’ll never be hired by a Fortune 100 company. You’ll never get into any of the good clubs. You’ll never marry into a good family. And let’s not forget, you’ll never be president!”

“What’s the point of being a billionaire if you can’t have an army of slaves at your beck and call to do whatever you want?”

“In one kiss, you’ll know all I haven’t said. —Pablo Neruda”

“No Jews, Mrs. Pike. And that means no one with a drop of Hispanic blood either. You need to have come over on the Mayflower to get into this building.” Now, Reneé scrutinized herself one last time in the inlaid mirror of the elevator. With her expertly balayaged hair and her expensively sculpted nose, did she still look like she had any Hispanic blood coursing through her veins?”

“What do you mean? They don’t want to pay their fair share?” “No, Charlotte, they’re all fighting to pick up the whole check! They screech at each other, play tug-of-war over the bill, or try to bribe the waiter not to let anyone else pay. Apparently it’s considered good manners to make a big show of it,” Lucie tried to explain.”