Attn Utah-nians: Chocolate + Literature + Ladies

Jo is my character darling in Little Women.  My summer in Cambridge was spent penning a comparative thesis on Austen and Bronte.  Margaret Mitchell, Sylvia Plath, Ayn Rand, George Eliot, Emily Dickinson, all bosom friends of my erudite hopeful heart.

When asked to write an essay glorifying my gender, honor filled my feminine breast.  And I couldn't be more delighted to have my praise included in the "We are Women" project.

"We Are Women" is a collection of essays and photographs depicting the divinity of womanhood. 

Tonight (Monday, September 27, 2010) from 6-8 pm the grand book will be released at an open house at The Chocolate in Orem, Utah.

Utah locals please attend that I may live vicariously through you. Those joining me outside the borders of the beehive state, the book will be released to the general public on the morrow. 

The proceeds of this effort will support the Campaign to End Fistula.

  (details about obstetric fistula)

Book Review: The Sartorialist

The Sartorialist

by Scott Schuman

Sartorial: From Late Latin sartor, tailor.  Of or pertaining to clothing or style or manner of dress

As a devoted logophile, addicted to fancy synonyms, the concept had me at appellation.


And I've adored the Sartorialist blog cataloging street fashions on real people for many moons, but now a book of the best.

id est: Missy Milano, I fancy this modern fancy, sans the life span truncating addiction stick.  



And what focus on next week?  Closet Organizing Tools, Detestable Fashion, Plus Sizes?  It's like too many pretty shoes, vote in the comments and help me decide.

Book Review: How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World

How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World

by Jordan Christy

 

"In a society driven by celebutante news and myspace profiles, women of class, style and charm are hard to come by. The Audrey and Katharines of the world continue to lose their luster as thongs, rehab and outrageous behavior burn up the daily headlines. But, despite appearances, guys still want a girl they can take home to their mom, employers still like to see a tailored suit and peers still respect classy conduct. So is it possible to maintain old fashioned virtues in a modern world without looking like a starchy Amish grandma?"

Book Review: How Not to Look Old

How Not to Look Old

by Charla Krupp

I recommend this selection with some misgivings.  The tips are sound and the theory is legitimate, but Fräulein Krupp
violates Cardigan Empire Code. 


Let's imagine a canonical closer alignment, shall we?  First a retitling, "How Not to Look Irrelevant".  For age is NOT a negative attribute.  

Someday I hope to have an undeniably modern cut of entirely white and silver hair. I enjoy the smile lines around my eyes, and although I could do without the worry lines between my eyebrows, it's a visual teacher.


And are the labels young and hip truly complimentary?  They seem so trifling and transitory.  Being fresh and relevant, ensures you are connecting with the present.  Living until you die, consistently changing, learning, and evolving. 

So now you can enjoy this book with a CE disclaimer.  I do own it, it is useful.  Keep the supporting tactics, loose the underlying thesis.

Procure a book customized to your own fashion journey in a personalized fashion look book.

Book Review: Hungry

Hungry: A Young Model's Story of Appetite, Ambition, and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves
by Crystal Renn

Procure a book customized to your own fashion journey in a personalized fashion look book.

Book Review: Icons of Fashion

Icons of Fashion
by Gerda Buxbaum

Lets be honest, sometimes I just like to look at the pictures.

And I like that these ones are arranged by theme rather than chronologically.

And the essays are well written when you are craving something verbal with your visual.

Procure a book customized to your own fashion journey in a personalized fashion look book.

Happy Birthday to the most cleverest, most fashionable, most wonderful Mister who also happens to belong to me exclusively. Hearts to ATB.

Book Review: How to be a Budget Fashionista

How to be a Budget Fashionista

by Kathryn Finney



Is it possible that retailers soak sweet virgin pretties in dopamine? How else can we explain the new outfit addiction? Kathryn Finney begins to explain how to manage and train the well-dressed monkey on the back.



For example:



"The more you save, the more and longer you will be able to spend. Budget fashionistas must save as much as they spend per month on clothes. For example, if you have $250 after paying all your expenses, at least $125 of it should go into your savings account. Deposit the other $125 into a completely separate interest bearing checking or savings account with its own debit card and checks, to be used specifically for shopping. That way you will be able to keep track of the money you spend on clothes."



or



"Know the names of sales associates. Sales associates are a great source of information on upcoming sales and have access to Friends and Family coupons, which offer up to an additional 25% off merchandise." And might I add, maybe your salesy friend will call you when the pair of pants you've been lusting goes on sale.



Check it out from your local library, and in the meantime check out the Budget Fashionista Blog.

Procure a book customized to your own fashion journey in a personalized fashion look book.

Book Review: The Little Black Book of Style

The Little Black Book of Style

by Nina Garcia

"confidence is captivating, powerful and it doesn't fade, and that is endlessly more interesting than beauty."

A petite, eloquently penned guide on fashion basics. Quaintly illustrated and dotted with quotations by famous designers. It prettily presents tips on how and when to wear an ensemble, clever combinations of colors & textures, finding inspiration for signature style, and quite a bit more.

However, my favorite theme was guidelines on projecting confidence onto your imperfections:

"I marvel at a six-foot tall woman in stilettos, a big bottom woman in a curve hugging skirt, a flat chested woman in a tight, low-cut t-shirt. When a woman embraces her imperfections, they can become her greatest strengths, definers of her character and spirit."

Write that in lipstick on your mirror, and join me tomorrow for another addition to your nightstand.

Procure a book customized to your own fashion journey in a personalized fashion look book.

Fashion Book Reviews

On the docket for this week, fashion book reviews, come back my pretty bibliophiles.