Alex Borstein plays Susie Myerson on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and voices Lois Griffin on The Family Guy. I never took to Mrs. Maisel but in the episodes I watched, Alex was about the only thing I liked. Alex recently did one of those “What’s in My Bag” series with US Magazine. As an aside, I participated in a “What’s in My Bag” bit on a former website I worked, and we got pilloried for it. We were written off as vapid and trite. You know what – eff you, literary snobs. Sometimes writing is just for fun and if you pay attention, you can learn from a “frivolous fluff piece.” Needless to say, I discovered a few things about Alex that I didn’t know before and they all made me like her even more. Here are some highlights of the contents of Alex’s bag, starting with the fact that she’s launched a detachable sleeve collection.
Cold Shoulder: “I’ve created a detachable sleeve called Henabee’s. I think armpits and arms, even if they’re toned, look like raw chicken in the sink. So I like to beautifully cover myself.”
The Bright Side: “Lorac has a cool glittery eye pencil that comes in silver. It looks like you fell asleep and a fairy s—t on your eyes.”
Sound Bites: “I always have a snack in here for the kids, usually peanuts or raisins. I call it ‘shut-up food.’”
You can read what else Alex’s carrying in her purse here. It’s a lot of brand-name dropping, as all their pieces are, but I haven’t tried most of them, so I don’t want it to read like an endorsement. I was intrigued by that eye pencil she mentioned, though, the Lorac one. I might have to check that out. The Henabee’s sleeves she’s created, that can be purchased here, are currently limited to black. But they come in polka-dots, plaid, lace or plain. The Henabee’s page say Alex has “been inspired by vintage burlesque and she wanted Henabee’s to have the same sexy and fun feel.” I’ve always neglected my arms, even when I did workout, so I’m a big fan of sleeves, I’m the one who asked CB to find some 3/4 sleeve options for her Amazon post. I added sheer-fitted sleeves to my wedding dress. I even have a couple of these, which may not actually make my arms look better but psychologically, it helps my confidence. So I’m very happy to discover Alex’s Henabee’s collection. I hope she’s able to expand the line with a variety of lengths and colors. It’s a simple, sexy, fun fix, just as she intended.
The other item in her bag I truly appreciated was an Evelyn Hotel key card. Alex started her interview by saying that, as a single mom, she relies on hotels for her hookups. She keeps her key cards and writes, “the dates of my encounters on them.” I love this. I giggled a little because I kept many of my card keys from hotels I loved when I used to travel for work. I have a pretty sizable stack of them. I’m tempted to write random dates on them and freak my friends out. I think my big take-away from this article is that I’d probably really dig hanging out with Alex. She’s sounds clever and fun and we could trade sleeves when we saw each other.
Photo credit: WENN Photos and Instagram
I like this interview. She does seem like she’d be a hoot to hang out with/have a drink with.
I really like her sleeves; I wish they were longer though, at least to the elbow. Having lost a lot of weight, I have (what my loving nephew (when he was about 8 yrs old) referred to as) “Dumbo Arms” lol. I *do* look like if I flap hard enough I can take off in a strong wind 😂 No matter what I did, the skin there just didn’t tighten up.
Aw, I didn’t realize that she and Jackson Douglas had split. Sad!
I like the sleeves idea! I’m happy to go sleeveless too, but I don’t like being sleeveless at work and I have a tattoo on my shoulder I like to cover in certain formal situations. I had a b-tch of a time finding a wedding dress with cap sleeves.
This isn’t a terrible idea. I’d probably use them if I lived somewhere that didn’t have perpetual summer.
Spanx makes them too. And they are pretty cool, they aren’t “shaping” but cute.
https://www.spanx.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=arm+tights&gclsrc=aw.ds&&camp=kw=AgencyWithin_Brand_Apparel_Exact_Reengagement&s_kwcid=AL!8004!3!348174791486!e!!g!!spanx%20arm%20tights&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiILsBRCGARIsAHKQWLN9_8roC0HJ7qjD-iGF_nRbvvYL_-JxhuU5baFp_mimQLJ8gduy_CYaAgJxEALw_wcB
I don’t believe that she “invented” the strap-on sleeves. http://www.sleeveywonders.com has been making them forever (and in various sleeve lengths, colours and fabrics), and has sued Spanx for copyright violation when Spanx introduced its line of arm tights.
Thanks for the link!
Can we stop with the making out random bits of our bodies are revolting for financial gain? Sure you can like sleeves, and perhaps want a more modest adjustment to a look or more coverage but arms and armpits are just that. No, they don’t look like raw chicken, they look like arms. *Puts soapbox away
Ah, so happy to find someone making this point!
I have a lot of sleevy boleros for warmth, but this idea that we need to shamefully cover up our arms makes me want to go sleeveless deep into winter.
I am with you, I’m glad whenever I see women launching new business ventures, But the level of, I don’t know, self hatred or body shaming or what in that Instagram ad is kind of offputting. It’s, sort of reminiscent of the feminine “hygiene” products whose marketing relies on making women think their vaginas smell bad.
THANK YOU.
lol, lady. If I ever saw raw chicken breasts with as much hair as I’m usually rocking, I would report the store to the health department.
I love wearing sleeveless shirts. I lost weight recently and have been lifting weights so I’m grateful that my arms finally look good again.
I am a huge Mrs. Maisel fan and the Susie character is the highlight for me. Alex is absolutely amazing. Cannot wait for Season 3.
It’s like we’re professionals at hating bits of our bodies.
My arms are looking quite decent lately, but I’m a sleeve gal to the moon and back lol. And I absolutely love soft flowy long sleeves which flair and dust my fingers. Even if I’m feeling a bit sexy and want to go tight, I still throw flowy sheer over. Imma silhouette person. 😁
She does sound like loads o’fun, and I’m sure she’s good on that show, but it was not for me. Not even a little lol.
She is a fantastic actress and she looks great in the top pic. Absolutely loved her in Getting On and in any damn thing she plays.
I love those sleeves. The flowy aesthetic fits me better than the fitted sleeves from spanx and sleevey wonders. But I do like how those sleeves are worn as a top, almost. Attaching sleeves with just tape would make me nervous. I’d probably be distracted and checking them constantly.
I love love love this idea and it is way more than “chicken arms”. I’ve been altering/sewing on sleeves to dresses for years! I work in an industry with “royal dress code” for multiple events – sleeves to your elbows, gloves, below knee dresses, enclosed shoes, hats, morning suits/top hats, etc. It is crazy hard finding multiple outfits that are flattering, trendy, AND meet the requirements (and budget!) I am obligated to follow. I have added so many sleeves for myself and other staff. If its a cheap sale dress, I even purchase two so I can use the exact material to create sleeves, add pockets or length, cover bust, etc. Sleeves and pockets are my two biggest add-ons (come on, designers – give me a formal dress that is functional!).
Sleanne, I am totally impressed with your talent. Both my grandmothers were professional seamstresses, yet the extent of my sewing abilities is limited to the occasional button.