With the ACRES and ACRES of space we now have on the NEW AND IMPROVED WOW Report (isn’t it lovely?), I thought I’d post a treasure trove of pics of the late romance writer (and Princess Diana’s step-grandmother!) Dame Barbara Cartland. And why not? Just look at her! She’s magnificent! One of the most prolific writers of the 20th century, Barbara published 723 books in her lifetime (and left 124 unpublished after her death). In 1983 alone, she published 23 novels, earning her a spot in The Guinness Book of World Records for most novels written in a single year. Of course, they were all perfectly dreadful. Really, just unreadable dreck. But that’s not why we loved her. It was her predilection for pink chiffon dresses, plumed hats, frosted blue eyeshadow, parasols, and pearls that she will forever be remembered. And it’s how I want to age. Many, many, MANY more pictures after the jump.