Books

I love a good chick lit but I love it even more when it also includes insider secrets of the publishing industry, product recommendations, and is penned by a fellow blogger- in addition to the obligatory hot guys, lovable protagonist, and the bitchy underminer that eventually gets served. I devoured Nadine Haobsh’s newest book: Confessions of a Beauty Addict in one sitting last week while simultaneously getting jealous and giddy reading about all the going-ons of Bella Hunter, Beauty Editor. If you love yourself a little Devil Wears Prada style peek at what really goes on in the beauty world, you’ll have to get yourself a copy. (more…)

If you were on Team Jennifer during the whole Brad/Angelina fiasco, Something Borrowed is a book that could potentially make you see Angelina’s point of view and even make you sympathetic to her cause.  Although this book wasn’t published recently, it is one of my favorite chick-lit books and I always recommend it to my girlfriends on long plane flights for its compelling narrative and addictive plotline.

I am not giving anything away by telling you that the book starts off immediately with the everygirl protagonist, Rachel, sleeping with her glamorous best friend, Darcy’s boyfriend, Dexter.  Despite whatever initial feelings of hate you might bear towards Rachel, author Emily Giffin, deftly explores the frenemy relationship between Darcy and Rachel, to make you empathize with and root for her heroine.  The writing is easy to read, and the poignancy of Rachel and Dex’s feelings keep you turning pages.

Pick this book up before your next long haul plane flight, and be enthralled as the hours fly by and you become absorbed.

It’s no secret if you check out my obsessions that I am officially a fan of Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen (and not just because they are alumna, or rather un-graduated alumna of my alma mater).  I know people have mixed reactions regarding the bohemian chic look that they made popular, but I always give them credit for wearing interesting and original looks.  I grew up watching them on Full House like everyone else, and even ran into Ashley Olsen one time on the street back in my college days; I’m pretty amazed at how these teenage millionaires have created not only one, but two carefully created fashion lines (The Row and Elizabeth and James) and also a new, interesting coffee table book all about the creative process. (more…)

Say what you want about Karl Lagerfeld, but there’s no disputing that he is a fashion institution and a fascinating individual, with a few…eccentricities, like any good ”creative” person.  Although his eccentricities aren’t restricted to appearance, if you ever see Karl in pictures, there are always a few undeniable facts:

1. His hair will be in a low, swept back ponytail.
2. His outfit will predominantly consist of black, including black skinny jeans.
3. His hands will invariably contain a collection of heavy silver rings.

The fashion documentary, Lagerfeld Confidential, directed by Rodolphe Marconi, cements all of these facts and more, by granting the viewer a brief look into the fashion maestro’s world through personal interviews; behind the scenes access to the Chanel fashion show; and a view into his personal abode, so that you see Karl Lagerfeld in all of his facets: photographer, designer, and marketing genius.  (more…)

It’s no secret that us TDO girls love traveling. We love doing it in style and sharing all our finds and secrets with you, our dear reader. Currently, we are all in between trips, but keeping ourselves informed and motivated for our next big one by reading the book Mr & Mrs Smith: Boutique Hotel Collection. Their global shortlist profiles 30 top properties around the world in a chic guide filled with decadent pictures and firsthand accounts of staying at the most luxurious hotels. I’m getting starry-eyed just thinking about traveling to these locations. Whether staying at one of these properties is a reality for you or a fantasy, this book has got you covered. In addition to hotel reviews, Mr and Mrs Smith includes concise city guides that tells all you need to know – how to get somewhere and what’s worth getting out of bed for (I, too, would have a hard time getting out of those amazing looking beds). Thanks to what I learned in the book, Mexico City and Istanbul are now high on my list of must-visit spots.

So who exactly are Mr and Mrs Smith? It’s a stylish panel of industry insiders who are frequent travelers living the good life. Contributors to this book include Dita Von Teese (burlesque artist), Bee Shaffer (fashion columnist and daughter of Anna Wintour), Anne Kornblut (political reporter with The Washington Post), and Serena Rees (lingerie designer for Agent Provocateur). They visit all the venues anonymously and then dish on their findings. Whether you’re planning your fantasy trip or just dreaming about your next vacation, Mr and Mrs Smith will let you know  what’s cool and definitely make you antsy to get your travel on.

Each of us at TDO have a stack of beauty and fashion resource books, and Curve Rule & Flat is Fabulous by Elycia Rubin and Rita Mauceri is my new go-to reference.

I really love that this book empowers women and tells them to love the shape they’ve got.  Elycia and Rita don’t believe in the cookie-cutter body types of “boyish” or “pear” – and instead, know that women can be a combination.  Thus, they’ve got strategies for dressing for different body parts. They created a mix-and-match system with playful, fun tags like “Belly Babes,” “Curvies,” and “Tatas.”  So for instance, if you’re one of the “Hipsters” and also fit into the “Busties” category, you’ll find tips that address both those areas.

This book is divided in various sections such as Beachy, Lacy, Casual, Loungy and Sophisticated; each section devotes time to key basics that help empower all of us to dress better in our daily lives.  For instance, it’ll break down stragies for wearing a Straight Leg jean for “Booties and Hipsters,” “Belly Babes,” “Leggies,” and “Dainties.”  In addition to adorable illustrations, this book is chock full of REAL women throughout each section that illustrate the tips they’re giving, so you can an immediate visual without having to try on everything in your wardrobe. They even delve into the “Lacy” (i.e. intimates), offering advice on how to wear a Soft Cup Bra for “Busties” – full coverage is key – and “Tatas” – stick to a triangle style with an elasticized band.

Truly, this book is so fantastic that even the most stylish women could probably learn a thing or two.  I certainly found a few things that I was doing wrong (beachwear is a tough one for me!) and I highly recommend picking this up for some fabulous tips to improve your fashionable life.  

Order at Amazon.com for $18.95.

I still remember the first time I ever picked up a book about makeup. It was Kevyn Aucoin’s, and I remember feeling so amazed at the transformative powers of beauty products. I was only in high school then, yet I still find myself leafing through beauty books from time to time. My most recent find is the Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual, which is definitely a keeper. Rather than show you looks that you probably wouldn’t be able to achieve on your own, Bobbi walks you through all the how-tos of makeup so that you can always look your very best.

Along with Bobbi’s expert advice, the book contains beautiful photographs and easy to follow, step-by-step instructions on every type of makeup. You’ll know how to apply eyeliner and blend eye shadow correctly, pick the right shade of foundation for your skin tone, and learn about the different kinds of makeup brushes. But beyond that, Bobbi also discusses how to take care of your skin, since that’s where it all starts. Proper cleansing and moisturizing are super important and too often overlooked in favor of just covering the flaws up.

The Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual is billed as “For Everyone from Beginner to Pro,” and I agree completely. Makeup novices will learn about basic application and those with more experience will find new looks and skin care tips. This book is a must-read for any beauty or BB fanatic!

If you are anything like me, at least once a week you look in your overstuffed closet brimming with clothes and think: “I have nothing to wear.” Countless minutes later, your bed is strewn with rejected outfits and you think, “I need to start shopping more judiciously.”

If this scenario sounds familiar to you, Nina Garcia (of Project Runway and Elle magazine fame) is here to offer some guidance with her new book, “The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Might Own.” Literally ranging from A-Z, Nina has listed out her favorite must-have pieces that are essential to a well stocked closet and prevent that dreaded “I have nothing to wear” syndrome that we all sometimes face. (more…)

Say no to ho! Talk about a mantra in the making. Reading Simon Doonan’s new book, Eccentric Glamour, was a veritable parade of mantras – every page bears timeless advice that all of us glamorous gals (and guys) should have in our back pocket. In between the digs at the Paris Hilton-style tartlets that parade as fashionistas, Doonan (a.k.a. the creative director at Barney’s New York) offers timeless tips on creating not just a perfect look, but a style that’s unique – with just a touch of eccentricity. Or, maybe more than a touch. Interviewing icons of eccentricity like Iman, Kelly Wearstler, and Lucy Liu, Doonan uses their unique style to teach by example.

Doonan can be comically brutal, relating a tale in which he cautioned America’s Next Top Model contestants against “letting their clothes write checks that their personalities cannot cash.” But he can also be brilliant, suggesting we approach our personal style like an objective third party. Rather than allowing fashion to become a source of stress and confusion, as it often can, Doonan advises us to “[a]bandon the role of insecure, sweaty, nervous ingenue, you are dressing an important star who has her own iconic look. Yourself!” He adds, “[E]ach and every blouse and pocketbook has the potential to communicate something horribly fatal or utterly fabulous about you.”

This book is a must-read for any die-hard fashion addict; Doonan is sharp, witty, and unfailingly fashionable. Between his advice and the amazing fashion icons he’s interviewed, you’re sure to pick up a slew of fashion confidence, as well as a few tips and tricks. But more than that, it’s the perfect gift for a teenage girl, who is just learning about fashion and developing her style. And it’s also on my list for that woman we all know who’s relying too much on short skirts and tight tops as a substitute for true “fashion.”

Grab your copy today, and when you’re done reading, pass it on to a friend who’s in dire need of some sound style counsel.

Do you ever have those days or moments when you don’t just want to look fashionable or put together? You just flat out want to look like the hottest woman in the club. Well, draw inspiration from all the temptresses who have come before you in the book Seduction – one of the first that I’ve seen emphasize sultry, sensual style.

Now of course like any self respecting fashionista, Caroline Cox doesn’t profile sexiness as your college bar, midriff-baring, cut-off shorts-wearing drunk girl. Instead, she emphasizes the subtleties: lace and satin, corsets and fishnets, and lingerie… lots of lingerie. I also like that almost half the book is focused on pre-20th century when, regardless of your moral beliefs today, seduction was really the most effective tool women had to power. All in all, this is a very distinctive book: there’s quite a bit of history in the text to be read and quite a few pictures to indulge in. Keep it in the boudoir and you’ll learn to perfect your seductress style in no time…