Samantha Powell
@sdpowell1.bsky.social
Writing about fashion. Writing about other things. Zoë not Zelda. She/her.
In middle school history, they told us it was cow paths that became the streets in Downtown Boston. Same difference.
other cities have terrible drivers but the key to Boston driving is that you have no choice because it’s all one way streets built on goat paths so if you miss your turn you are capital-f Fucked and good luck ever get back where you were going
you must cut people off to survive
you must cut people off to survive
February 7, 2026 at 8:49 PM
In middle school history, they told us it was cow paths that became the streets in Downtown Boston. Same difference.
This is the last important thing about the Olympics, but every time they roll around I hope for someone besides Ralph Lauren to be in charge of the Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony looks.
February 6, 2026 at 10:58 PM
This is the last important thing about the Olympics, but every time they roll around I hope for someone besides Ralph Lauren to be in charge of the Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony looks.
Talking with my best friend about how my family is a Zadie Smith/Toni Morrison novel. We are a disaster.
February 5, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Talking with my best friend about how my family is a Zadie Smith/Toni Morrison novel. We are a disaster.
*puts on nerd hat*
There's a reason why there were a healthy amount of newspapers in the 19th century run by people who weren't of the dominant class.
There's a reason why there were a healthy amount of newspapers in the 19th century run by people who weren't of the dominant class.
As terrible as what is happening right now to journalism, we actually should dismantle the romantic myths we have of the press in America.
I teach in my class about colonial press censorship, and then how the independent press was a tool for the wealthy, white power holders to maintain dominance.
I teach in my class about colonial press censorship, and then how the independent press was a tool for the wealthy, white power holders to maintain dominance.
This is it.
And the founders also never really envisioned a system like industrial and post-industrial capitalism that would be *fundamentally at odds* with their vision of a democratic republic.
Which is why capitalism must be dismantled.
And the founders also never really envisioned a system like industrial and post-industrial capitalism that would be *fundamentally at odds* with their vision of a democratic republic.
Which is why capitalism must be dismantled.
February 4, 2026 at 11:23 PM
*puts on nerd hat*
There's a reason why there were a healthy amount of newspapers in the 19th century run by people who weren't of the dominant class.
There's a reason why there were a healthy amount of newspapers in the 19th century run by people who weren't of the dominant class.
I know that people who do cultural criticism have been laid off in swarms in the past decade, which is awful, but also laying off international and war reporters during this moment in history is...
February 4, 2026 at 11:07 PM
I know that people who do cultural criticism have been laid off in swarms in the past decade, which is awful, but also laying off international and war reporters during this moment in history is...
I've lived in Los Angeles for nearly 12 years, but I still find it odd that I currently have on the air conditioning in January because it's 90 degrees outside.
February 4, 2026 at 10:15 PM
I've lived in Los Angeles for nearly 12 years, but I still find it odd that I currently have on the air conditioning in January because it's 90 degrees outside.
Watched the final episode of the first half of S4. The WoC who get involved with Bridgerton men are consistently the most interesting characters on the show.
Four seasons of Bridgerton and I'm still waiting on the in depth piece about Queen Charlotte's wigs.
February 4, 2026 at 4:14 AM
Watched the final episode of the first half of S4. The WoC who get involved with Bridgerton men are consistently the most interesting characters on the show.
Groundhog Day 2026 makes me want to look up the ones from 1994, 1996, and 1997 because Boston got winter fucked until April all of those years.
February 2, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Groundhog Day 2026 makes me want to look up the ones from 1994, 1996, and 1997 because Boston got winter fucked until April all of those years.
Being the child who is good at organizing things fucking sucks.
Have had four calls today, and it's not even 9 AM here.
Have had four calls today, and it's not even 9 AM here.
February 2, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Being the child who is good at organizing things fucking sucks.
Have had four calls today, and it's not even 9 AM here.
Have had four calls today, and it's not even 9 AM here.
Another one of my nerd interests is reading and watching a lot of history about wars and other various conflicts, and contagious diseases have been a top killer during them for most of human history.
February 2, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Another one of my nerd interests is reading and watching a lot of history about wars and other various conflicts, and contagious diseases have been a top killer during them for most of human history.
It's very obvious that I didn't sleep because I've shifted from fashion to spies rather quickly.
February 2, 2026 at 2:53 PM
It's very obvious that I didn't sleep because I've shifted from fashion to spies rather quickly.
One of my nerd interests is the history of intelligence agencies (I've read a large history book about the history of the British ones), and a thing that I've learned, outside of their amoral work, is that you can't put an unqualified idiot in charge of them.
Exclusive: A U.S. official has alleged wrongdoing by U.S. spy chief Tulsi Gabbard in a complaint that is so highly classified it has sparked months of wrangling over how to share it with Congress, according to people familiar with the matter.
Classified Whistleblower Complaint About Tulsi Gabbard Stalls Within Her Agency
Congress hasn’t seen the complaint, which was filed eight months ago with the U.S. intelligence community watchdog’s office.
on.wsj.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:46 PM
One of my nerd interests is the history of intelligence agencies (I've read a large history book about the history of the British ones), and a thing that I've learned, outside of their amoral work, is that you can't put an unqualified idiot in charge of them.
What people choose to wear can send a message, and many forget that because they think that fashion is merely frivolous.
Love this Grammy commentary from the @fuggirls.bsky.social Substack:
February 2, 2026 at 2:31 PM
What people choose to wear can send a message, and many forget that because they think that fashion is merely frivolous.
Love a good night/early morning of insomnia.
February 2, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Love a good night/early morning of insomnia.
In very Samantha Things, I'm currently suggesting Dad history books to a friend for her dad.
January 31, 2026 at 11:09 PM
In very Samantha Things, I'm currently suggesting Dad history books to a friend for her dad.
The things that my friends kept commenting on were how beautiful Julia Roberts' red curls were and how so many of her fancy outfits have aged well.
Showed Pretty Woman to two friends who had never seen it. It was a hit.
January 31, 2026 at 3:04 AM
The things that my friends kept commenting on were how beautiful Julia Roberts' red curls were and how so many of her fancy outfits have aged well.
Four seasons of Bridgerton and I'm still waiting on the in depth piece about Queen Charlotte's wigs.
January 31, 2026 at 2:10 AM
Four seasons of Bridgerton and I'm still waiting on the in depth piece about Queen Charlotte's wigs.
Showed Pretty Woman to two friends who had never seen it. It was a hit.
January 30, 2026 at 5:13 AM
Showed Pretty Woman to two friends who had never seen it. It was a hit.
A puppy is in my lap.
January 30, 2026 at 2:21 AM
A puppy is in my lap.
Visiting a friend whose dog keeps licking my ankles because lotion.
January 30, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Visiting a friend whose dog keeps licking my ankles because lotion.
It's been a fun afternoon of my stubborn mother sending a painful dagger into my heart when all I want to do is care for her.
January 29, 2026 at 11:12 PM
It's been a fun afternoon of my stubborn mother sending a painful dagger into my heart when all I want to do is care for her.
Reposted by Samantha Powell
Still dealing with family stuff so have moved on to rewatching Miss Fisher's as my smooth brain option.
January 27, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Still dealing with family stuff so have moved on to rewatching Miss Fisher's as my smooth brain option.
Reposted by Samantha Powell
they will never break minneapolis’ spirit. this is why we will win
brass solidarity band brought the resistance and joy from george floyd square to whittier tonight
brass solidarity band brought the resistance and joy from george floyd square to whittier tonight
January 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM
they will never break minneapolis’ spirit. this is why we will win
brass solidarity band brought the resistance and joy from george floyd square to whittier tonight
brass solidarity band brought the resistance and joy from george floyd square to whittier tonight
Just put this on. www.pbs.org/video/part-1...
American Experience | Part 1 | Kissinger | American Experience | Season 37 | Episode 6
The life of the brilliant foreign policy powerbroker who shaped the world in which we live.
www.pbs.org
January 26, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Just put this on. www.pbs.org/video/part-1...