5 comments about Louis Vuitton: The Birth of Modern Luxury.

1. WAY TOO EXPENSIVE...ILLUSTRATIONS ARE JUST AS GOOD AS WHAT YOU FIND ONLINE...EBAY EVEN. HISTORY IS HIGHLY INFORMATIVE, HOWEVER. THANKS.



2. Fantastic history and beautiful illustrations. It has almost everything you've wanted to know about Louis Vuitton.
   
   Plus great pictures so you can see what all the fuss is about!



3. This book is filled with the history of the company from the person, Louis Vuitton's childhood, up through the generations that came after him. There are pictures of LV pieces scattered throughout the book. Not enough for those of us who love to look at LV bags and luggage. Overall a great addition to a collectors collection. The book retails in the boutique for $135.



4. This is a must have for all LV officianados. I have been collecting and using LV for over twenty-one years. This is an excellent literary and pictorial compilation of La Maison de Vuitton. Cudos! to the author, publisher, and of course La Maison de Vuitton for their continued commitment to perfection, elegance, and extrordinary products. Cudos, to the artisians for their pain-staking perfectionism in creating such works of art. This book is a tribute to over 150 years of leathercrafting, and now within the past 5 years pret-de-porte, couture, and precious metals. Vuitton continues to allow those of us loyal to the House to continue pushing the boundaries of style and fashion,and subtly encouraging admirer's of the House to indulge.
   
   Life is a journey, so why not travel with the best. Well done LV! Tres magnifique!



5. If you are a Louis Vuitton collector as I am, or LV enthusiast, this tome will be a magnificent addition to your collection, or to your library. It is full of remarkable LV family history and full of the most beautiful photographs, some suitable for framing.
   
   It contains manyo of the LV Posters for example, that I've tried to collect, and now have them in this book. It could make a wonderful coffee table book this holiday season.
   
   One drawback: The center page is wonderful but terribly flawed by the center binding. It should have been a pull-out page instead.
   
   I also saw it on eBay for more dollars and listed as "rare". Hardly!
   
   Enjoy it.

5 comments about The Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style: A Maintenance Bible for Fashion, Beauty, and More . . ..

1. This was a mixed bag.
   
   On one hand, there were photos of great outfits that gave me great hope as I flipped through the book.
   
   The text, however, was all about rules that are ridicoulous. Such as women whose arms aren't perfectly toned should never wear short sleeve or sleeveless shirts. Even in the summer. This woman has clearly never been to Michigan in the summer when it's 90 degrees and 100% humidity. A person with long sleeves would look ridiculously out of place unless she were working in a bank or something. Even then, I'm pretty sure they wear sleeveless shells beneath their jackets.
   
   Fashion books that tell me that unless I fit the ideal of young and taut and size 2 are books I will not take seriously.



2. well my upper arms are flapping in the breeze, for all to see. Which is a style rule I'm consciously breaking.
   
   BUT IT is SURE nice to KNOW those rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   
   Knowing them, then consciously breaking them doesn't leave me feeling bad about myself, it leaves me feeling in power.
   
   No not empowered! Everyone under the sun is busy being empowered by something or other.
   
   This book gives me the power to know the best ways to present myself and then I can follow that or not as I see fit.
   
   I'm over 50. I don't care how people see me, but I do care how I present myself. It's a fine point but a lot of over 50's know what I mean.
   
   This book is a help not a hindrance.
   
   For self esteem bolstering and empowerment, look elsewhere. For finding so0me fashion ground rules (then breaking them judiciously) this book is a good road map.



3. I loved the book. I really used the information provided to update my look. She has a classic elegant style, which was what I was after. It really inspired me and I have implemented many of her suggestions. I give it two thumbs up.



4. I see that a lot of reviewers had problems with this book because the author is so brutally blunt. She's also correct. Once you are over 40 NOBODY wants to see your jelly roll stomach or your crepey flesh spilling from your white teeny tiny shorts.None of us wants to be that silly woman who prances around the PTA meeting dressed exactly like her young daughter;do we? If you follow the advice of this book that will never happen to you.
   
   What the author is trying to get across is style doesn't die just becuase you're over 25. In fact, you can look a lot classier and even beautiful at 40 than you did at 20 IF you know the tricks of dressing to your advantage.



5. Unlike some of the more negative reviews for this book, I absolutely loved it and have given copies to several friends and family members. The frank, conversational style of Ms. Schwab's book was a delight to read and was filled with excellent photo examples of her suggested was to avoid common fashion pitfalls and how to recover from them with aplomb.
   
   Rather than approaching the author's comments as a means to feel badly about oneself, I took them to be guidelines about rethinking my observation skills --- what it means to be fashionable and attractive well past the "shelf life" presented by Madison Avenue's standards.
   
   The goal is not to imitate the reckless youth we've left behind, but rather to emulate a more classic, and yes, conservative sense of style. That is not to say that by making yourself more age-appropriate you are wholly restricted in your artistic leanings or eclectic fancies. However, this book illustrates well the wisdom of avoiding the cheap-and-trendy selections in favor of adopting a more chic-and-tailored lifestyle. By opting for less flamboyant wardrobe choices and maquillage, we learn to show a more educated, refined sensibility. We can present a more polished and glamourous exterior, and one which we've earned by outgrowing our need for flashy-trashy, attention-getting frippery.
   
   So yes, this book suggests letting go of our bygone eras worth of frills. And it does recommend that we flaunt what we consider our assets while creatively concealing our detriments. Rest assured the stylists to the stars also offer similiar advice to their charges, so what's wrong with taking a little insiders advice? Maybe it is high time we take a good look in a full lenght mirror from all angles and have that internal heart-to-heart with ourselves, admitting that while maybe our knees aren't as cute as they once were or our waddling arms as attractive in short sleeves, but damn it, we still have shapely calves and a nice collarbone that deserves more focus.
   
   Huzzah to Ms. Schwab for this wonderful book! She gives me much food for thought about how to remain alluring and charming in my later decades without resorting to try to pull off looking like Paris Hilton in drag.

5 comments about Knitting Ganseys.

1. If you haven't knitted ganseys before, this book will give you the tools you need. There is a sampler sweater that uses all the techniques in the full sized sweaters and is a must-do for that. I am now working on the Grace Cardigan which was the only adult pattern using the 10-ply twist sportweight that I had already purchased. This seemed the most authentic. I would like to design my own pullover next and the design instructions are included and look straight-forward. The cardigan instructions are simple since I already made the sampler for a doll (which was so cute). The buttonholes were not on the sampler, but were explained well. Spacing the buttonholes made sketching out a chart of the sweater a necessity. There is already a chart of a section of the sweater, but you will need to enlarge it on a copier and make a plan of the whole sweater before you start. If you plan carefully and are already moderately experienced, you can make these sweaters. Go on Ravelry if you want to see some that others have made. You can see what you are getting into. By the way, the small yarn, made in a finer gauge is somewhat hard on the hands. You might want to get two circulars and use them like straight needles if you are working back and forth. There are over 300 stitches per row. Cramping may occur.



2. My review of this gansey knitting book by Beth Brown Reinsel is the same as for my review of Gladys Thompson's "patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys and Arons".
   It is very interesting and informative and every fishermens jersey knitter would be missing out if they don't have one.



3. Anxiously awaited arrival of this book, since it was referred to me by the reviews on Amazon.com. It is an exceptional book for someone who loves knitting and wants to learn more about "Ganseys" The sample sweater looks intriguing. Just from reading the book, before jumping in to knit something, I learned a lot. I am enjoying this book immensely. Can't wait to start knitting...Very glad I purchased it. And, the price was right ( I would have paid more)



4. I was thrilled to get this book. It has a wealth of information in it about knitting Guernsey (Gansey) sweaters. I especially like the way you can go along, knitting a sample small Gansey, to get the ideas of what to do and how to do it. It also gives directions for about 6 sweaters, but it encourages you to design your own (or in my case, to complete the sweater that I have half-finished and have lost the directions for). I've knitted about half of the sample sweater in a lovely wool, and I'm hiding it from my granddaughter who will want it for one of her dolls. (I might want to keep it for reference for the next sweater!)



5. This book has great instructions for knitting a sampler gansey. The sampler is small, so it knits up fast, and at the same time, teaches you all the techniques you need to begin knitting your own full size sweater. I'm experienced at knitting all kinds of patterned stitches, but only in flat shapes, eg. rectangles, triangles, circles. Knitting the sampler was easier than I expected, thanks to the clear instructions and pictures. Now I feel completely confident to knit my own sweater!

No comments about Valentino: Themes and Variations.

1 comments about Fashion Frenzy (Beacon Street Girls #9) (Beacon Street Girls).

1. I can totaly relate to these girls, Katani and Maeve go to a New York fashion show, on the way bad things happen, like, Maeve gets lost and a famous fasion designer is having problems with her designs. At the same time Isabel, Charlotte and Avery are back home dealing with a boy obbsesed with Isabel.
   
   I can relate to all five of these girls, and it shows my NYC dreams

3 comments about Julie Taymor: Playing with Fire.

1. I bought this book after looking at a friend's copy, and I can say that this was one of the finest investments in my Theatre Arts library that I have ever made. This book is filled with brilliant pictures and vivid writing that will keep many in awe and almost child-like wonder at the genious of Ms. Taymore. This isn't just a book for those that appreciate theatre - I suggest it for anyone who is interested in puppetry or film, not to mention anyone who can appreciate art in general.



2. I have been in love with theatre for a long time. Many musicals I see and enjoy, buy the CD and just listen to that. Others blow me away. Those that have that capacity I tend to investigate and become obsessed with. The Lion King was one of them. I soon became fascinated and extremely appreciative of Julie Taymor's work and pure brilliance in musical theatre, opera, and film. This book highlights every show that Julie has been involved with for her 20 years in the performing arts business. This wonderful book illustrates what true theatre is! Julie is too amazing for any human language too describe; even emotion can't portray my love and idolism for this excruciatingly wonderful woman! Anybody who loves theatre, whether it is film, opera, musical or non-musical, you will be able to love and appreciate this book for all eternity.

   I love this book so much that I would dare to give it infinite stars. Now imagine this, if there were such a number, I'd give the music from these shows infinitely infinite stars!

   Now, more to the book. It starts out with a quick overview of her work. Then we get into the real meat. There are pictures (both of the show and backstage!) from each and every single of her shows. Included are some original sketches of costumes, masks, and puppets. Along with the pictures are writings by both Julie Taymor and Eileen Blumenthal. This is an extravagant work of art in itself that all should have their eyes glued onto...buy it now! Also buy everything you can find that relates to Ms. Taymor. You will be fascinated! The only regret I now have is that I didn't live in Europe and Asia to see her other fascinating shows...

   Hail Taymor! I will look forward to all of your work in the future!

   Lastly, if anyone finds the film Fool's Fire (by Taymor), PLEASE! E-mail me at Cepheus9@aol.com...I want to buy it SO badly!




3. A facinating insight into the mind of one of the great contempary designers. A must have for all theatrically minded people. The book takes you through the creative process to achieving such powerful and passionfilled productions such as The Lion King. Disney would have flopped without Julie Taymor.

4 comments about Build Your Own Stonehenge (Running Press Mini Kits).

1. this little model is very well done and when assembled it looks like the real thing. Very enjoyable indeed.



2. so much detail went into the creation of this product! I'm so impressed with it I'll be buying it for friends as well! Anyone who loves miniatures will go nuts for this tiny kit!



3. Yes, it's tiny. It's supposed to be tiny, that's the point. The whole thing fits in a tiny box, it's the same with the rest of the Running Press Mini Kits. But, like most of their other kits, this is a lot of fun and really cool. You get a tiny model Stonehenge to build and display in your home/office/whatever. If you're quirky, eccentric, or just into this kind of thing then you'll love this. I do!



4. Pay close attention to the Product Dimensions: 3.2 x 3 x 1.3 inches. It's very small, with TINY pieces.

No comments about Think Pink: Crochet for the Cure.

2 comments about People in Vogue: A Century of Portraits.

1. This is a useful compendium of some great shots from Vogue's past. It brings you from the early days, through the "royal" period (gag!) into the 90s. Those who are into art and fashion photography will find the portraits interesting, and the history of the magazine itself is evident in the accopmanying narrative.
   
   Worth the few dollars you'll spend on it.



2. Muy buena selección fotográfica en una secuencia bien escogida de las principales figuras del siglo XX. Muy recomendable.

No comments about New Shoes: Contemporary Footwear Design: Contemporary Footwear Design.