5 comments about Alligators, Old Mink and New Money: One Woman's Adventures in Vintage Clothing.

1. My boyfriend gave me this book for Christmas several years ago and it inspired me to act on my long-time dream of opening my own boutique. Each time I re-read this book, I'm reminded why I love vintage fashion and my new business!



2. This is one of those books I just stumbled across and wasn't sure whether or not to pick it up. After reading just a few pages I was hooked. Alison's adventures in the vintage clothing trade are fearless, funny and totally addictive. Her shopping excursions are a scream -- even when she's hunting down replacement "barn doors" (back doors to her van that were stolen) in the most unlikely places. The author obviously enjoys life to the fullest and generously shares the realities of making a new life for herself far, far from her original course. Go Alison! And give us a sequel while you're at it.



3. After reading this book, I look at vintage with a new eye. I loved reading about her adventures with modeling to running her own business. Couldn't put this book down and definetly recommend it to others!



4. Okay "Alligators, old Mink and new money." by Alison Houtte is one of those books that get the reader's attention by the title. This book tells the story of Alison Houtte a former model who opens a vintage shop, while it was cute it wasn't much more and only took me a day to read it.



5. I loved the title of this book! While there is good information about vintage clothing, I feel there is too much emphasis on the author's personal life. I loved the stories about her family, but didn't care so much to read about her love life or the nuts and bolts of her modeling career. I had hoped for more of a primer on how to shop wisely for vintage, as it seems to be a wonderful way to save money.

No comments about The Great Book of Tattoo.

2 comments about Vintage Fashions for Women 1920S-1940s: With Values.

1. A must-have basic reference for women's fashions of the era. Lots of full color photos with detail shots, and all clothes are shown on real people. Good collecting and care tips, too



2. Clear, concise protrayl of beautiful and not-so-beautiful fashions of the 20s-40s. The pricing guide is helpful when buying or selling vintage clothing.

2 comments about Fast, Fun and Easy Fabric Bags: 10 Projects to Suit Your Style (Fast, Fun & Easy).

1. I bought this book online, admittedly a bit suspicious based on reviews of the "Fast, Fun, & Easy Fabric Boxes", but the pictures looked enticing. Unfortunately, that's about all this book has going for it. The instructions, if you could call them that, are more like suggestions and sometimes very vague at best. I had a hard time figuring out whether the book or I missed a step - or three! I had to skip back and forth through the book searching for what I thought would be a logical next step. I did wind up making a lovely little handbag, but it had almost nothing to do with this book!
   
   I have a lot of experience sewing and quilting, and not only would I not recommend this book to a beginner, I would caution anyone against buying this book if they were looking for good instruction; inspiration, yes, "how-to", no. C&T books are generally very good, and I will credit the book with lovely photos and a few basics to get you started on if you are already competent with reducing bulk in seam allowances, setting zippers, beading, and embellishments. However, this book would have been much more successful if it offered detailed and sequential instruction on just one or two basic patterns, then branched out with options on shapes, fabrics, closures, handles, etc. My suggestion... keep browsing.



2. On first glance, this book looks like the perfect venue for an inexperienced crafter to create very functional bags. I can sew a seam, but I'm not an expert, so I purchased this book for the projects. As promised, the projects looked quite nice. However, the book itself lacks a level of detail necessary for the novice crafter to successfully complete the projects.
   
   For instance, one of the projects is a box-type bag. While the point is to provide a guideline for creating many different bags using a single technique, the directions were confusing, there weren't enough illustrations for the 'tricky' aspects of the seaming and construction, and the directions didn't take you through a sample project with precise directions and specifications. For beginner projects, this is essential--you want to make the first project using the precise directions. Once you master the technique, THEN it's time to branch out and use your creativity.
   
   I liked the projects in this book, but I wish the author and the editors took the time to consider their audience and not assume specific experience and knowledge of sewing. There are better books to look at--try "Mary Mulari's Accessories With Style: Quick & Clever Sewing Projects to Wear & Carry."

5 comments about The Perfect Fit: What Your Shoes Say About You.

1. Miss Meghan's oeuvre opened my eyes to the real depth of the gap between mine and her generations. She discerns several different "shoe styles" where I can see, at best, a single footwear category, though I would not ascribe to all these sneakers and bowling, running or basketball shoes the attribute "style". On the other hand, where I recognize numerous styles, each available for view in my closet, Miss Meghan can't distinguish more than "high heels". Well, that much for the direction the taste in clothing takes in the young generation. Even more interesting is outlook on life, expressed primarily in the professions Miss Meghan selects for her readers. Positions in the media and marketing dominate the selection. There are few occurrences of the legal occupations, corporate ranks, non-profits, full-time mommies and housewives. There is even a waitress and a lab worker and perhaps a teacher and a fashion designer. What is missing: medical doctors, engineers of all kinds (chemical, electrical, mechanical), technology workers, trades women - not a single lady welder or lady carpenter, for example! - university professors, pilots, military women. Shortly, all the professions important in the life of each society are neglected, with all the marginal and decorative occupations as the recommended careers for the modern woman. Return to Victorian times, shoed in sneakers? After all, those Victorian shoe styles were not glamorous, and after factoring in the difference in manufacturing technology they were more like sneakers or hiking boots than high-heel sandals with ankle straps.



2. Really disappointed to see the stereotypes this author connects to different styles of shoes. She was totally off the mark on several styles I wear, connecting them to personality traits that aren't even close to how I am. Judging by the other reviews I read, this book may just unfortunately reflect what "the masses" assume about certain people who wear certain styles. Sad to say that this book will likely cause wrong impressions and even discrimination against people who wear certain styles by those who read this book and buy into it. Could be a generational thing in that the author makes assumptions that date the book, reflecting a limited age range's view of others. Alarming thing is that readers may give more credence than they realistically should only because of the author's credentials.



3. I went to a showing at Macy's and one of the gifts in the
   giveaway bag was this book "the perfect fit, what your shoes say
   about you"
   on top I got to meet the most charming young lady who wrote the
   book. I got to meet Meghan Cleary! The book is filled with little
   quizzes and with the whole idea is to help you discover your Shoe
   Sun sign and even tells about what you shoes you didn't buy
   says about you!! Its the cutest little book and a great gift for
   anyone who is a bona fide shoe freak! Now who do you know who is
   a shoe freak? Maybe yourself? Want to know why you bought those
   stiletto's when you know you won't be wearing them but just had
   to have them?
   Get today the perfect fit and may you find out what your shoes
   say about you!! I am not saying what mine say about me...
   At least my copy of the book is signed by Meghan herself!



4. Miss Meghan has it together! A must have for anyone who loves shoes or wonders why others love them. I look forward to more from Ms Cleary.



5. This book has great insight. I now look at people's feet when we meet. This book is a really fun read!

1 comments about Juergen Teller, Cindy Sherman, Marc Jacobs.

1. with a team like this, how could they go wrong? i bought it for a friend and would love it as a gift myself on day (hint hint).

4 comments about Accessorizing The Bride: Vintage Wedding Finery Through The Decades.

1. Accessorizing the Bride is one of the most detailed and comprehensive coffee-table books I have ever seen. The author is meticulous in her description of each garment and article. The top-notch photography brings detail to life. This book is a must read for collectors, historians, or anyone interested in the evolution of wedding apparel.



2. Norma Shephard's book is a beautifully nostalgic tribute to the wedding fashions and trends of generations past and present. It is as delightful as it is informative.



3. Sentimental,enlightening and gorgeous. I especially liked the non-traditional wedding gowns and bridal stories.



4. Readers may find it difficult to believe that author Norma Shephard has such a magnificent collection of wedding accessories. And then to see them photographed so beautifully is almost beyond the realm of imagination. But it is true. Most artifacts exhibited in Accessorizing the Bride, Vintage Wedding Finery Through the Decades are part of the Mobile Millinery Museum's Wedding Collection and yes, she did all the photography in her tiny Burlington, Ontario studio.
   What makes this coffee table book so fascinating? It may be the detailed pictures of fabrics, styles, hues, beads, sequins and lace. Or it may be the memories and dreams that it ignites as we flip from era to era and maybe for the first time experience what grandmother or greatgran or even her mother may have worn on her wedding day.
   If a bride-to-be is lucky enough to view this book before she's selected her gown and accessories, it may help her decide about a veil, train, headpiece, waistline or hemline.
   And for the many ladies who donated or loaned gowns to the Mobile Millinery Museum's Wedding Collection, the book takes on a magical quality of pride and appreciation to know that their wedding finery is being admired all around the world.
   What Shephard shows she also tells and her apparent wealth of knowledge goes beyond fashion. Between the lines of real-life stories, anecdotes and progression of style, she subtly integrates the social history of women's movements, traditions, issues and advancements.
   Collectors, historians, curators and fashion aficionados will devour this tome of information and illustration, but Accessorizing the Bride, Vintage Wedding Finery Through the Decades offers more than that. While many wedding books feature gowns of celebrities, this issue credits everyday women like you and me with the ability to select, design or create that special gown for that very special day.
   Whether chosen as a reference or as a keepsake, this is one high quality coffee table book that will be opened over and over for second, third, fourth and more perusals.

5 comments about The Fine Art of Dressing: Make Yourself a Masterpiece by Dressing for Your Body Type.

1. I had hoped that this would be an interesting book providing a new perspective on dressing if you have a "Rubenesque" figure, but it was just the same old bull about how you need to wear enormous shapeless clothing to create a "flattering, slim" silhouette. Note to the world: enormous, shapeless clothes do not make you look slim, they make you look enormous and shapeless. In addition, even though this book was published in 1999, all of the suggested outfits look like they're from the 80s. No wonder it's out of print. I am giving the book 2 stars rather than 1, however, because it does have some nice appreciative descriptions of body types that aren't anorexic models. At least it was a cheap book...



2. I really enjoyed this book because it celebrated many different body types, showing how best to enhance each one. It can be frustrating that today there is such a narrow definition of "beauty" and this book goes beyond that.

   I also enjoyed the concept of labeling each body type by the artist that celebrated that shape, as opposed to fruit labels, i.e., "pear" or "apple". For instance, the Rubens shape is all-over voluptuous and generous. That doesn't fit today's "ideals" but why shouldn't one be able to look lovely just the same?

   I myself felt like I was somewhere in between Modigliani (very slender above the waist and curvy below) and a Renoir (similar shape, but more solid above the waist)...it depends on my weight. In any case, some of the same styles apply to both body shapes.

   I can say that following the advice of empire-waist dresses and dresses with bolero jackets for the Modigliani shape has garnered me compliments, both from my husband (a spontaneous, "Wow! That looks really nice on you!") and from others. And that feels great.




3. The author includes detailed charts and drawings, which are indeed helpful. My problem with the book is the rigid categories for body types. My type is almost a Picasso, but deviates from some of the Picasso's key characteristics -- rendering most of the advice for this type useless. I'm somewhat of a Pop Art, too, and the advice for this type contradicted much of that for the Picasso, so I ended up feeling confused. I suggest checking for this book in your local library to determine if it's a worthwhile purchase for you.



4. Finally a book on fashion that makes sense..Margaux has given me the tools I need to go to the store and shop for me. I went through my closet and took all the styles she recomends for my body type and she is right. I was trying to figure out if it was the lable, price, or store that was causing me problems with fit. I am looking forward to another book by Margaux.



5. I was actually somewhat disappointed with this book after having read all the rave reviews. My basic disappointment is that my body type apparently doesn't exist. I don't fit clearly into any of the six catagories that the book outlines and so was left trying to guess which things in two categories applied to me.

   The book does have a lot of useful drawings that can help choose appropriate clothing but I would much rather have had things organized by groups like tips for full hips or petite women. Having to try to cram myself into a category that I didn't really fit in made it more work than it should have been and left me wondering which tips to mix and match.

1 comments about Cowboy Boots: A Book of 21 Postcards.

1. Anyone who has more than a passing interest in cowboy boots will have seen Tyler Beard's books: The Cowboy Boot Book and The Art of the Boot. Beard writes a fascinating story about the history and culture of boots, but the color photographs of the boots by photographer Jim Arndt really MAKE these books. Now it is possible to get a collection of Arndt's boot photographs in a handy-dandy paperback book of post card sized photographs. They are drop-dead gorgeous by a great photographer who also loves boots. Of course the individual post card photographs can be detached to send to special people, but I'd recommend getting two copies. Some to send and a copy to keep! Buy this book, but try not to lick the pages!

1 comments about Debut: Yves Saint Laurent 1962.

1. Yves Saint Laurent wasone of the most talented fashionistas and awarded with tremendous acclaim. Now his company is directed by Tom Ford (who also designs for Gucci). This biography is true and sincere. It is very worth while