A New USEFUL How-To book

I'm not the biggest fan of serious how-to-dress books, they become outdated very quickly and are often un-relatable for most people. That said, I got an advanced copy of Nina Garcia's new book "Look Book: What to Wear for Every Occasion" and I have to say, it's pretty great. It's a fun read, with gorgeous illustrations by Ruben Toledo, and the advice is general enough to work for everyone, while specific enough for each occasion she lists, that it is truly helpful.

I think this would be a fantastic gift for a new graduate, someone who has just moved to a new place, started a new job or just a friend who asks you advice all the time!

Happy Reading!

Hostess Gift Ideas

I have some trouble, even as a professional shopper, figuring out exactly what to bring as a "hostess gift." Take this past weekend for example, Greg and I went down to San Diego to visit a friend and meet her baby while she was visiting her mom (otherwise she lives very far away) and I had no idea what to bring them beyond the baby gift. I think something like this cute measuring cup set would make a lovely gift for a house you are visiting:




They come in several colors so you can choose according to the recipient's taste.

A beautiful cookbook is also a great gift idea, something special like one of these -


Of course if you can plan in advance, homemade jam, cookies or bread (or anything else you'd want to prepare) would make a perfect gift.

Have fun!

Brain Freeze

Since leaving grad school last summer my reading list has included many decidedly un-academic titles, like the collection of essays on the trials and tribulations of womanhood "The Bigger The Better The Tighter the Sweater." While it was amusing I can't say it's much more than that. I have read some great books, mainly food memoirs by Ruth Reichl and the surprising page-turner Heat by Bill Buford (if you haven't read it yet go buy it NOW). But Catie over at Cuffington has a lovely post on a few fashion memoirs. I have already ordered a couple of them from Amazon, including the one about Andre Leon Talley who I swear I saw walking in Union Square last month. Check out her post here.

And there is also this other book I have been thinking of reading. It's by a shoe historian and curator so maybe we can consider it 'serious' reading!