Vintage is SO 2010...

Books, I mean. Take a look at them beauties, would ya? I was raised on my mother's milk, garri - and Harlequins.
Janet Daily, Charlotte Lamb, Violet Winspear, Betty Neals - you name 'em, we had 'em. Our house was probably better stocked than most small libraries on virtually any topic. With a father who was a voracious reader, a mother who stalked garage sales and bought any book (or anything, for that matter) on any subject and three elder sisters who must have had stock in the Harlequin franchise, I was that chick when it came to these babies.
So to discover them after decades, in mint condition, at 50 cents a piece? I could honestly just cry. Thank you so much, Rosie for remembering. And purchasing. This will jump start my 'good old book' collection that I had been meaning to start.
Je suis une bibliophile... pp

Falling Apart In One Piece

First of all, OMG.

If you are married with the slightest inkling that there is an undercurrent of the slightest 'something is not quite right here', RUN and get this book!

If you are married, with full blown chaos in your home and you think you might be alone, GET THIS BOOK!

If you are married and blissfully happy and want to stay that way, you NEED this book!

If you are unmarried and think you might be getting married at some point to your 'best friend and all that', this book is a must-read.

My point is get this book. Read this book. We can all relate to this book. Married or unmarried. Happy or unhappy. Career mom or stay at home mom. Kids or no kids. Male or female.

If you have ever wondered why marriages don't work out sometimes even between two amazing people, then Stacy Morrison will help you 'get it'. And she does this in the most real, unpreachy, loving way. Without self-pity or cynicism, devoid of finger-pointing or martyrdom, she lets you have her answer (because in the end it is her story, and we each have our own) - which it sometimes it just does not.

And that beyond divorce, there is still life and raising a toddler son and work at the helm of Redbook (a magazine for strong, independent family women, who supposedly 'have it all', whatever that means). So yes, life doesn't just stop just because you got problems. Amen, sister.

What I like most about this book is that it neither glorifies divorce nor puts down marriage. It is just one woman's story to which we can all relate. And it does serve as a wake up call, even attractive, successful women can and do have marital woes. And sometimes there is no 'reason' for a spouses change of heart - no other woman, no financial pressure and not even having a beautiful kid together can save that. And as for couples that never bicker - bravo, but complacency can be a sign of some deeper issue. Or not. But you just never know.

Stacy Morrison's voice is imbued with grace and matter of factness, but I still choked up in certain parts at the honesty and simplicity of her story. Think 'Eat, Pray, Love' meets 'The Devil wears Prada'. You know I'm a fan for life now.

Brava, pp

Fashionphile & going green

Where hast thou been all my life? I need to know so that I can make sense of all the wasted years and dollars that my thirst for fashion has produced.

I shop. Alot. I have. Alot. Of clothes. And guilt, naturally. So I assuage my guilt in two ways: a) telling myself that my mandatory once a year purchase of Tory Burch flats and Ugg boots are investments in classics, since I do keep my clothes forever. I mean I do, really, and I can afford to because they are made so well, and I have, well, alot. I also 'give back' - by this I mean I purge my closets ever so often and sell anything I have not worn in a while on eBay, craigslist, facebook.

But if you have ever sold anything on ebay, you know the hell it can sometimes be. people seriously want a real Louis Vuitton for $50. I know it's a buyers market, but um.. yeah, no.

Which is why Fashionphile is my new best friend. They have gently used (really gently used) designer bags and accessories for less than you will find and the better quality than you will find on eBay - with all the worries about authentication safely out of the way. And get this - they also will sell your gently used designer stuff for a price that is not insulting and you get to make some other fashion-obsessed person's day. Now if that's not the most fabulous way to 'go green', I don't know what is.

I'm baaaaaack!

After a one year hiatus. Well, a little over a year, if you want to get all technical with it. What happened to me? Well, let's just say that life conspired against my blog. First computer issues, then camera issues, then monkey-boy and Numero uno son issues (remember them?). Yeah, well just life. But I am back. For real. And to start things off on an upbeat note, I will give myself an award. Cause it's all about moi. The award for 'the crappiest mom' goes to... yours truly! Why? Read on, please.
I am always impeccably dressed. Always. As in my hubby has been known to tease me about it. 'in life there are two certainties, death and Prada Principal having the perfect outfit to wear.' And I extend the same ferocious attention to detail to my boys dressing as well. But like I intimated, life had been 'happening' and I delegated this to Nanny dearest since she seemed to know how to throw things together. Seemed to. Uh huh. Why do I get to Numero Uno's school last week Friday and see him rocking this G.I Joe pajama top, blue jeans and sneakers? I mean, I just about died. As if it wasn't bad enough, the top was slightly snug from being left in the dryer too long, you know what I mean. Just. Not. Right.
Suffice it to say we were out of there in a flash, and I am not sure I can ever show my face there again. Make me feel better, share your 'bad mommy' moments. Pleeeeaaaasssseee!
Yours in 'fashion faux pasdom'