Book Description
All the techniques for making a uniquely personal purse are right here. Forty projects offer a wide variety of fabulous choices, featuring great fabrics and design options, including novelty threads, raffia ribbon, straps made of jeweled necklaces and bracelets, beautiful yet easy embroidery, and more. Crafters who really want to start from scratch will find 25 simple sewing projects, all originating from seven basic patterns, ranging from a flat folding purse to an oval pocketbook made from iridescent ruched silk. Another 15 designs use plain store-bought bags as a canvas for creative embellishments, such as transforming a simple black clutch with elegant silk flowers, or turn a basic leather purse into something special with whimsical appliqué. An attractive gallery provides additional inspiration. A Main Selection of the Crafters Choice Book Club.
Customer Reviews:
Great ideas, poor instructions.......2007-09-26
The purses in this book are all variations on a set of basic patterns. The color pictures are great and show a lot of great ideas. The text is written in an entertaining and humorous style that is fun to read. Where this book starts to fall apart is when you go to actually make one of these purses. Vague instructions and errors abound. One one page, the instructions list the size of one pattern piece as different than what the pattern piece is drawn for. The author glosses over how to insert anything but a fabric handle. There are no instructions on how to put in a magnetic clasp or bag feet. And the measly section on how to put in a zippered pocket was so vague that I had to rip out the pocket three times. I finally went to another source to get clear instructions. The book also doesn't give guidance on when to add the extras. Should trim go on before sewing the lining together? Handsewn on afterwards? If the author knows, she's not tellling.
Well worth buying!.......2007-07-29
I first got this book out of my local library and was very impressed with the majority of the patterns (not all but then that's to be expected!), good instructions and the range of alterations to the basic patterns they explored in more detail. Impressed to the extent that I had to buy it. I'm in the middle of making one of the bags and the instructions have been good and to the point. The only downside is that the patterns aren't as exact as I would like and there's a bit of figuring out to do before you can cut into your fabric.
disappointed.......2007-05-31
I start sewing a year ago and I started with bags. So this book really appeal to me. Let me say that I was really disappointed when it arrives from amazon. Actually I didn't even bother to keep it and return it a couple of days later. They're better books on the subject (Make Your Own Handbags)
There's seven different patterns in this book and a few variations on each pattern and embellished bags. For my taste, the bags didn't look great and some of the were overdone (too embellished)
You can have a look at some of them if you google the book on google books.
Should have passed on this one.......2007-05-29
Purchasing this book was a mistake. Nothing in it that I would ever try to make. It goes in the donation bag for sure.
Inspirational, Even For A Beginner.......2007-03-21
I can sew a straight seam on a sewing machine (and that's it !) but this book inspired me to get out there and start making handbags. The patterns and instructions are extremely clear and easy to follow and I particularly like the way the 7 basic shapes are presented at the start as basic calico forms which Valerie then gives variations for.
The other thing I really like as a beginner is Valerie's confidential, fun tone. Its like having a hip girlfriend showing you how to do it - she makes even scary stuff (zips ! linings !) seem straightfoward. This is one of the very very few craft books where I actually read it straight through, including the "boring" technical stuff at the start, because Valerie's tone is so engaging. Good thing too ! Its the boring technical stuff that makes the handbags work, but because its so fun to read you almost don't realise that she's just shown you how to make a lined pocket, or attach a clasp.
I originally picked up this book at the Library because I wanted a pretty nappy bag that didn't cost $180. My prototype was leapt on by my Mum, my sister, and various girlfriends with shrieks of delight and then gasps of amazement that I had made it myself. As I write this, I have two up for sale in a girlfriend's shop, two ordered by my Mum, one by my sister, and one for my God-sister who's just had a baby. I have given one to my sister-in-law and another to a friend for her baby shower. I have even gone and got myself some sew-in labels for my "brand" !! Crazy !!! Who would have thought that one book would spark something like this ?
And its FUN. I have a really short attention span and I keep telling myself "I'll stop when it stops being enjoyable" but I still find myself on the loungeroom floor at 10 at night cutting patterns and matching stripes with a big silly smile on my face. I'm off to a fabric sale to buy cheap chinese brocades to make some of the very "in" wristlets - its such a fabulous excuse to paw over pretty fabrics and trims - and cheap - 'cos you only need a meter and a half to make even the biggest bags.
I would very strongly recommend this book, even for someone who feels unsure of their sewing skills. Several of the pattern can be hand-sewn if you don't have a machine, and there is also an excellent section on how to add trims and embellishment to bought bags. The gallery at the back is fabulous with some really exotic and radical handbags that make my mouth water, and make me determined to get better at this craft - I suspect it will bring me a great deal of joy for a long time to come, and I hope that you'll buy this book (or borrow it from a Library :) and get the same inspiration and enjoyment that I have.
Book Description
Good news: You don’t have to sacrifice style just to pay your electric bill. Kathryn Finney, a.k.a. the Budget Fashionista, is the expert on all things chic and cheap. Now she opens up her Prada bag of shopping and style tips to make you fashionably frugal, with change to spare. It’s as easy as 1-2-3!
1. Know your budget: Learn innovative, money-saving ways to increase your clothing funds.
2. Know your style: Get helpful hints from fashion insiders and use them to develop your own mode of self-expression.
3. Know your bargains: Discover the art of scoring exclusive friends-and-
family coupons for your favorite department stores
Whether you’re a homemaker from Houston, a grandma from Grand Rapids, or an M.D. from Manhattan, you don’t need to break the bank to look your best. With great cost-cutting tips, at-home spa secrets, designer discount websites, and access to exclusive deals, The Budget Fashionista is like having your own personal stylist at your beck and call. So before you go out and commit the eighth deadly sin–buying a fake Louis Vuitton–read this must-have guide and learn to be style-smart and budget-wise!
Customer Reviews:
A Great Find!!!.......2007-08-26
I stumbled across this book while checking out at my local library. I have to say that this book was a great find! I got home w/ it and could not put it down. I immediately took out my notebook and made notes. Unfortunately I could only keep this book for two weeks, so I made a promise that I would buy it one day when I had the extra money. This book really inspires and teaches. Ms. Finney shows you how to build your wardrobe and even make your own products at home to pamper yourself. I signed up for her daily newsletter and even her fashion gab forum. I am on it everyday to soak up all of this fashionista's knowledge. As a treat, she even sent out invites to her fashion gab forum and after you completed so many posts, she sends you a copy of her book. I received mine today and it's signed also. This book will defintely be my go book and it stays in my tote bag when I am out shopping. Again, a great resource!!!
great find.......2007-08-25
This guide is a concise, well written, informative and funny guide to the world of savvy shopping. It's particularly aimed at those of us who know very little about what's out there and how to get the best deal. The book is a quick read. The websites provided are awesome. I now have a crick in my neck from checking them out (and ordering from them!). I can't decide whether to share the wealth of information or keep it to myself! Have fun!
If you like thrift and 2nd hand stores...........2007-08-24
I personally prefer to buy new clothes and not used. This book focused a lot on incorporating 2nd hand clothing. I'm so disappointed with this book, I plan on returning it!
Love It! Great tips even for pro bargain shoppers.......2007-08-09
I just read this book, and I have to say, I've found my shopping soulmate! As a professional shopper who's shopping motto is "Don't buy it unless it's at least 90% off retail," I didn't expect to learn much from this book. After all, for the last 7 years, I've traveled the country in search of bargains to pass on to my ebay customers. I often hear salesclerks gasp in amazement as I buy a large bag full of designer items for under $100.
But this book goes way beyond the basics. Written in a straightforward, upbeat style that's fun to read, it covers the full spectrum of tips and tricks for buying a designer wardrobe for less.
My copy is now thoroughly dog-eared and underlined, and I'm ready to take my shopping to the next level. The Budget Fashionista offers amazing tips for scoring the best deals at outlets, online, at consignment shops and even at department stores. I love how she's so specific about when, where, and how to score the best deals. I learned about some new sources I hadn't considered, like DSW Shoe Warehouse, Loehmanns online, and sample sales.
The Personal Style quiz was a great tool for analyzing what I already have that I love, helping me focus on the pieces that really build my wardrobe. In the style of the "Look For Less" tv show, she even explains in detail how she helped a friend buy a full professional wardrobe for under $600. This book is so inspiring and fun to read, and I recommend it for anyone, from a novice to a professional, that wants to buy more great clothes for less money.
The book is Okay..........2007-08-07
I read this book in about two days. It was a quick read and she has some good tips for budget shopping, but I don't appreciate all the stuff about consignment shops, pruchasing off ebay and trading clothes. I will not buy used clothing, who knows where it has been or who the previous owner was.
It's nice to find a good deal at an Saks Off Fifth or Nordstrom Rack, but if outlets and discount retailers are the only place to go then that doesn't work for me. I am not the type to go digging through every rack of clearance items hoping I find something. I do appreciate the insight on looking for certain things like basic tees from low-end retailers but the repeating references to Old Navy and Walmart is starting to get to me. Sales are always nice, but if you are in the average size range whether for shoes or clothes you will not find as many good deals as someone on either extremes. Not everything in the book is new, but it does give you insight to hear it/read it from someone else. Take what you need from the book, but don't follow all the guidelines religously.
Book Description
Stay fit and look fantastic in every type of outfit–from the perfect pair of jeans to the best bikini to the little black dress!
Everyone has at least one pair of “skinny jeans” hidden in the back of the closet. Well, it’s time to brush them off and bring them back out into the light. Fitness expert Sue Fleming, author of the popular Buff workout guides, now shares simple exercises, taylor-made to your body type, to tone and trim your figure– as well as indispensable wardrobe tips to flatter your frame. Inside you’ll find
• your favorite clothes matched up with focused workouts: the tank top (arms), jeans (rear), the little black dress (chest and back), bikini (stomach), shorts (rear and thighs), and stilettos (calves)
• the Fashionably Buff golden rule: Enhance your appearance by drawing attention to your best features (i.e., working with what you’ve got)
• priceless wardrobe secrets for appearing taller, fitter, or slimmer in the eye of the beholder
• strategies for setting achievable goals, staying motivated, and keeping it fun
• step-by-step instructions for creating your own inexpensive home gym
• the six-week Total Buff Body Promise–an exercise routine for sculpting a new and improved you to go along with your new and flattering wardrobe
Filled with photographs of the workouts and illustrations of the clothes that will look good on you, Fashionably Buff is like having your own personal trainer and stylist rolled into one. So get the skinny on exercise and style with the guide that has everything you need to be fashionably buff!
Customer Reviews:
It delivers!.......2007-09-07
I was new to the "Buff" line when I bought Fashionably Buff, so, unlike the first two reviewers, I had no preconceived notions before reading this book and trying its work-outs. After six weeks of doing the prescribed work-out routine together with a reduced-calorie diet, I am 10 pounds lighter and inches leaner. What this book promises, this book delivers.
I chose Fashionably Buff (FB) over other exercise books (including Buff Brides) because I was looking for a book with simple exercises that didn't require a ton of time or a lot of fancy-pants equipment. Of the seven exercise programs in FB, six target specific areas (arms, legs, etc.) and one is an all-over work-out. Before targeting any one problem area, I decided to trim down, so I did the more general work-out. Six weeks later, I'm thrilled with the results! (And even though I didn't actually target my arms, legs, or abs, all of them are leaner and stronger as a result of the all-over work-out and losing a few pounds.)
This book is what it purports to be: an exercise book that can help you get fit and look better in certain types of clothes. It's not a fashion magazine article; its fashion advice is neither novel nor particularly helpful. But if you're looking for an exercise book to change the body you're putting into the clothes (not just fashion advice on how to make the body you have look a little better at the moment), this book is wonderful in its simplicity and effectiveness.
Not what I was expecting..........2007-03-02
Like the previous reviewer, I am a big fan of Buff Brides, used it to tone up before my wedding and am still using it several months later. I needed a change, so I was happy to see that Sue Fleming came out with a general workout book.
But, I am a bit disappointed in it: While Fashionably Buff has some new, interesting workouts, what I loved about Buff Brides was the fact that it had two, very comprehensive workout guides, telling you which exercises to do on which days. With this book, I feel totally lost. I may take a better look at it and maybe formulate some kind of plan, but I'm a bit disappointed.
A little disappointing, compared to Buff Brides.......2007-02-24
I ordered this book because I've really enjoyed Buff Brides by the same author. (She also has out Buff Moms-to-Be and Buff Moms, which I might try when I get to the appropriate life stages.) I bought Brides about a year and a half ago, enjoyed it and the results, and still follow the workouts 9 months after my wedding. I recommend that book, even for non-brides; I gave a copy to my teenage sister-in-law recently. I thought some new exercises and workouts from the same author would keep me motivated, but so far Fashionably Buff doesn't seem to be as good.
The first half is advice about choosing clothes for your body type. The advice seems good, but there's little I haven't heard before. It can also be a little confusing. For example, it seems that she's using the word "petite" to mean less curvy rather than shorter-proportioned. Or, on page 35 she suggests narrow or straight-legged pants to look taller, while page 17 said that boot cut creates the appearance of length. (Aren't those the opposite thing? I still don't know what to wear as a short girl!)
The second half of the book is about workouts. Since this book is brand-new, I've read it but not done the workouts yet. I think all the exercises in this book are new, and not repeats from Brides. She gives helpful advice about equipment, getting started, and balancing muscle-building exercise like this with cardio. After this type of general information, instructions for 7 workouts follow, each geared toward looking good in a particular article of clothing: tank top (upper body,) jeans (backside,) bikini (abs,) etc. #7 is "The Total Buff Body Promise". This is an overall workout with five exercises, and promises "a firmer, buffer body" in six weeks if you complete the workout 4x per week. Again, I'm a little confused. Page 66 talks about always exercising each of 8 major muscle groups, so as not to focus on certain ones and cause imbalance. However, the way the workouts are put together seems to encourage you do to the opposite: pick one and focus on one group of muscles to make one area of your body look better.
Unlike Fashionably Buff, Brides taught a wider variety of exercises, and then arranged them into a suggested plan of workouts, so you had a new balanced combo 3-4 days a week, every 2 weeks, in 12- and 24-week programs. It also had more specific suggestions on weights and reps at different fitness levels. With this, Total Buff Body Promise has you doing the same 5 exercises 24 workouts in a row! It's less real content - but, it may work...
Other comments: the binding doesn't look any different than my Brides book, which lost pages. The black-and-white pictures will be helpful in learning the exercises, but are pretty grainy. It looks like weights and an exercises ball are the only equipment you'll need to have. I still like that this author is realistic, and encourages being happy with and making the best of the body type you have. I think this book promotes a healthy body image and lifestyle.
Average customer rating:
- Quite useful for the straight (or gay) man
- Excellent
- Plenty of useful advise here!
- Family of Fab Five Fans
- Turning yourself up two notches
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Queer Eye for the Straight Guy : The Fab 5's Guide to Looking Better, Cooking Better, Dressing Better, Behaving Better, and Living Better
Ted Allen ,
Kyan Douglas ,
Thom Filicia ,
Carson Kressley , and
Jai Rodriguez
Manufacturer: Clarkson Potter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Special Occasions
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| Self-Help
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Off the Cuff: The Essential Style Guide for Men--And the Women Who Love Them
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The Metrosexual Guide to Style: A Handbook for the Modern Man
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Esquire's Things a Man Should Know About Style
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Queer Eye for the Straight Guy - The Fab Five Collection
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Beautified: Secrets for Women to Look Great and Feel Fabulous
Accessories:
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Men-u Ultra Concentrate Shave Cream
-
philosophy razor sharp silicone shaving gel
-
Braun 8595 Activator Self-Cleaning Shaving System with LCD Display
-
Sonicare Elite 7500 Power Toothbrush
ASIN: 140005446X
Release Date: 2004-02-10 |
Book Description
Imagine this: Five eminently stylish and hilariously witty gay men -- authoritative experts in food and wine, grooming, decorating, fashion, and culture -- invade your life, assess your strengths and weaknesses, and, in the course of a day, make you better dressed, better groomed, better mannered, and a better cook, living in a better home. All of this is painless (unless you have a really egregious body-hair situation), liberating, and downright fun.
This is what Queer Eye for the Straight Guy does each week on one of the hottest TV shows in memory, as the Fab 5 -- Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley, and Jai Rodriguez -- turn an everyman frog into an every-girl's-dream prince. And this is what the book offers: the essential "make better" advice from each of the Fab 5. Just like the show, the book focuses on easy but lasting lifestyle transformation -- the tasks, the projects, the modest purchases, and, most important, the new attitudes that immediately make a noticeable difference.
From Kyan's instructions on how often to wash your hair to Carson's explanation of why shirts are the new ties, from Ted's strategies for ordering wine and Thom's suggestions on a better bathroom to Jai's hints on shaking hands,
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is filled with clear, direct advice on the issues that confront every man. But
Queer Eye doesn't try to make you dress like Carson or dance like Jai; it's about teaching you how to refine your own personal style, without throwing away your entire closet and buying a whole new everything. It's about helping you realize the best expression of yourself -- the real you.
Queer Eye introduces men to the rewards that women -- and a lot of gay men -- have long reaped by thinking about the day-to-day details that make them look better, feel better, and get more out of life. Many straight men have long felt that these subjects are not for them. Nothing could be sillier. In this book, the Fab 5 sets them straight (so to speak).
Customer Reviews:
Quite useful for the straight (or gay) man.......2006-01-01
Now first off, I have to get something off my chest. I am not a homophobe - I had a homosexual roommate sophomore year of college and we got along fine - but I get tired of people (most commonly women) who either drool at anything or anyone homosexual or having this belief that homosexuals are inherently good at anything involving home decor or style. I hate to break it to you, but homosexuals are like you and me, and not all are like the Fab Five. Remember my homosexual roommate? His side of the room was the messiest I have ever seen a human being make. The Fab Five would have had collective heart attacks upon seeing the state of it. By the logic of the homofangirls, I was the homosexual. Not to mention that half the things said in this book I have also read in "straight" men's magazines including "Men's Health" or the alternate "Men's Fitness." I'm sorry folks, but there's no Cult of Gays out there in brown robes meeting in caves and passing down tablets written by God that tell you what brand of shaving cream to use. The reason the Fab Five are so good at what they do is because they have had the training or education and DO know what they are talking about. For example, Thom Filicia founded an interior design company, and Kyan Douglas has had experience in professional and commercial salons.
Now that I've gotten that off my chest, let me talk about the book itself. Like the show, it offers some great insight into better living and hygiene. A lot of it is just resourceful, showing you different types of styles or ideas to open up what you might be comfortable with. There's also some pretty decent advice here, from what grooming products to use and not use, how to treat your hosts at a party, (and more importantly, what to bring as a gift) some all-important social tips, (and boy do I know a few people who need some of those) right down to what to think about arranging your furniture and eating out. It's entertaining and well written, making it at easy read that's good if you want something to just sit down with and glance through for a few minutes or so.
Well worth the money. I wish I could have given it to my sophomore roommate, maybe then I could have gotten from my bed to the door.
Excellent.......2005-09-27
Fun format, visually appealing (of course!), useful information in all subjects, even some really delicious, simple-to-cook but impressive-to-serve recipes, and take it from a girl: what these guys say about what appeals to women (or turns us off) is absolutely true. Best of all, it's never about changing who or what the reader is, but about bringing out the best that's already in him.
Plenty of useful advise here!.......2004-11-30
Heard the taped version of QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY by Ted Allen et al. . . . I must admit to not being a big favorite of the TV show (of the same name); however, that said,
this was an engaging program with lots of useful advice about food and wine, grooming, decorating, fashion, and culture.
For example, I liked the suggestion to have two bottle openers in case one disappears at a party--as it usually does.
Also, I took note of such other ideas as:
* On how to button jackets, remember: sometimes, always, never. If a three button jacket, that's how to button it; if a two button jacket, skip the first word (sometimes).
* Jeans should fit you as you leave the store. Don't buy them too short or long, as they are now most often preshrunk.
* Give more compliments. They strengthen relationships and show you care.
* At a party, hire somebody to help.
* If you get a cellphone call, say, "Hi, I'm with someone. Can I call you back later?"
* Don't take a call while dining!
* Read COSMOPOLITAN to learn about relationships.
Family of Fab Five Fans.......2004-10-01
Having become a Fab Five Family Fan Club, we had to have this book. I'm a wife and mother living in an otherwise male household. These fantastic guys offer advice for the betterment of all of us..from the inside-out. The truly wonderful thing about this book, and about these men, is that they are just that, men..who happen to 'get it.' They aren't afraid to pass along hints which simply elude many people. They gently encourage us to make the attempts to broaden and enrich our lives. This isn't just about men, either. Face it, girls, we don't understand men any better than they understand us. This book has cleared up many a confusion for me. In fact, I've learned a little more about all five areas these charming men discuss. This book is on our family reference shelf, and has served us all well. Thanks, Fab Five, for putting into the simplest terms, and with the most well-placed humor, all the little things we need to know to raise the bar. Hats off to the boys! Cheers!
Turning yourself up two notches.......2004-07-24
I bought this book having seen only 20 minutes of one episode -- you don't need to be a fan of the TV show. It helped that I have a few gay male friends who have taste, so it was not a tremendous step to take advice from five gay men. The easiset chapters to put into practice are on grooming, clothes, and culture. Who knew that plucking eyebrows (gently) and caring for one's face twice a day would have people notice? The chapter on clothes is helping to get me out of a predictable clothing rut, and the chapter on culture has some really action-provoking suggestions on going out, even if it's just you by yourself. The point of the book is to gently nudge you into a different direction. The first step is being open to new things. You'll find your confidence increasing and that you secretly covet other men's clothing and hair styles. Check out the music CD, also -- you can dance around while you get ready to go out.
Average customer rating:
- Liked the original better
- Color Me Beautiful Expanded
- One of the best...
- Helpful companion to the original
- Color Me With Confusion!
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Color Me Beautiful's Looking Your Best: Color, Makeup and Style
Mary Spillane
Manufacturer: Madison Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Beauty & Fashion
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
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Color Me Beautiful
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Color Me Confident: Change Your Look - Change Your Life!
Accessories:
-
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
ASIN: 1568330375 |
Book Description
The classic makeup and style book, now updated for the 1990s and expanded to 12 color palettes.
Customer Reviews:
Liked the original better.......2007-07-28
The author has some valid points in this more-or-less updated book on Color Me Beautiful. However, I really liked the first method better. It was simpler to follow, easier to understand, and less time-consuming. But, if you're really into this, it is an interesting read with some good information. Just know that you'll be picking yourself out from twelve different types as opposed to the original four!
Color Me Beautiful Expanded.......2007-07-03
I really found this book helpful in the way of the 12 seasonal groups as opposed to the original CMB which only determines the original Summer, Winter, Autumn and Spring. I have been told (by CMB) that this was created due to the fact that some women were unhappy with the original CMB seasons. The color swatches are not the best in this book and it fails to show all the colors in a palette, shortfalling with a list at the back of the book. It helps if you already know what season you are before reading this book. I had my colors done a couple of years ago by a Color Consultant. Therefore I can determine that I am a Clear Winter from reading this quite easily. I then contacted CMB and purchased a packet of fabric swatches from them. Although someone who isn't sure of their season may find it difficult working it out. The best way to do this is via professional color consultant.
Because I already knew my season and bought swatches from CMB I find this book indespensible. I am very pleased with the Clear Winter color palette I now have. The section on body type is excellent too. Although some of the book is a little dated, much of the advice is timeless.
One of the best..........2007-04-30
...books on makeup. Not everyone knows "how" to do it well but this is not only a book to "read" but also practical in its uses on how to do makeup well.
Helpful companion to the original.......2006-06-08
Our old "Color Me Beautiful" book was torn to shreds from looking at it so much, so we bought this update. The 12 subcategories were very helpful to me in honing into my season. I was sure I was one of the warm seasons (spring and autumn), but yet I look great in vibrant colors, and not the more toned down ones of spring, or the deep muted colors of autumn. As soon as I turned to the Clear Spring type in this book, I knew it was my type. It's much easier for people who are "between seasons" to find themselves in this book.
My only gripe, like many other reviewers, is that the color swatches look shoddy and like they were colored with many different colored crayons.
Color Me With Confusion!.......2004-06-04
I have NEVER been able to figure out my "season" with either Carole Jackson's Book, or with this one by Mary Spillane. I do not fit into any of the categories they suggest ,even though the seasons are expanded in Spillane's book. (I have ashen blonde hair color like a Summer, olive green/golden brown eyes like an Autumn, and pale translucent ivory skin , like a Spring). The color palletes look like coloring book swatches that were done by a five year old (what are we supposed to gain from that !) Overall a huge disappointment, and only helpful purhaps to those who have well defined seasonal characteristics. For the rest of us, I would suggest basing your color choices on compliments you get from friends and family, and even strangers, and taking your clues from them.
Book Description
From the breakout star of the hit television series, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
Carson Kressley is the most recognizable name in men's fashion today. With a legion of fans who hang on his every tip and quip, Kressley has single-handedly made it cool for the average guy to care about clothes. In Off the Cuff, Carson makes over the tired men's style guide with an edgy, hilarious romp through every man's closet: from socks to scarves, from jeans to leather jackets, from the dreaded pleated khaki to the classic pink oxford.
Trading trends for timeless style, Off the Cuff mines each man's unique personality and physique and lets readers in on Carson's best-kept secret?that the only thing sure to stay in fashion is the man who wears what's right for him.
Vibrantly illustrated with full-color photographs, and written with Carson's signature wit and irreverence, Off the Cuff is what Queer Eye fans have always wanted: Carson in their closet.
Customer Reviews:
Very Helpful book.......2007-01-13
This book has lots of good advice and helpful tips. It is written in Carson Kressley's inimitable style which means you will laugh out loud at times.
Thank you Carson!.......2007-01-03
I bought this book for my husband. He's an engineer and they have a "uniform" - khaki pants and a golf shirt. I tried for years to upgrade this image, but to no avail. With a recent promotion and some hard earned weight loss, I wanted him to be more knowledgeable about how he gets dressed in the morning. I bought several books on men's fashion, but this is the one he refers to most often. It's simple, straight forward and funny, and it's getting good results. Thank you Carson!
Informative and Funny.......2006-11-01
Karson's Approach is very informative and funny although I might not agree with all of his ideas on styling. I like the fact that he can be very 'in-your-face' but that's great and at least he's being honest with a lot of fashion faux pas that people make.
Which one is this - Remus, or Romulus?.......2006-03-25
Does he BELIEVE he was hired for TV because of his GOOD TASTE? Or just to laugh at in humiliation of him and his "fashion victims"? Obviously Carson is someone raised by wolves, but I do "Lupa" and the boys an injustice by failing to note their superiority.
Just look at the dork! Wearing old lady slippers, and NO SOCKS!
His advice is all on the cover, and looking at it to see what NOT to do is all that's necessary to receive full benefit of the book.
Practical, tactful, wonderful, the only book on dressing you'll ever need.......2006-03-09
I'll admit it, I was not a terribly dressed man, but I knew I could do alot better and realized the impact it had on my life.I don't usually write reviews, but I had to for this one, I'll admit it, I'm a fan of carson and queer eye as a whole but I was never out to dress like carson, I just thought he had good taste on every man he helped dress, as he says, don't dress like him, the whole book is about developing your own style based on what works for YOU. But this book has completely changed the way I look at clothing, and my understanding of how things look good and why things look good and how we can use simple and fun ways to get there. Whether you spend 200 dollars per month or per year on clothing, this is the book that will give you the basis you need to fit every man's needs and trust me, he'll cover everything, even things that people who wrote bad reviews said it lacked, I don't understand why, I quickly found it, I'm done with the book after two days, I could not put it down. I love my fairy godstylist.
Book Description
For those who have mastered the basics and want a challenge, Serger Secrets provides instructions for adding more than 50 techniques to the sewers arsenal. Complete with troubleshooting tips and dozens of inspiring photographs of completed garments, Serger Secrets is guaranteed to bring out the creativity in any designer.
Customer Reviews:
serger secrets indeed!.......2007-07-31
I'm new to serging and have a tendency to research a new subject to death. This book will help you get started with the wonderful new world of serging. This book along with Singer's Sewing with a Serger gives you plenty of information that the instruction book that came with your machine leaves out. This book will help get you going and keep you coming back for more information as you progress. Highly recommended.
serging.......2006-01-29
This book is a great help for a new person like myself to learn all about using a serger machine.
I am still learning and still figuring the machine out but I have gone to the book for reference. I am glad I bought this book and the 2 other books I books I bought.
Most creative serger book on the market.......2003-03-26
Truly excellent, I refer to it all the time for creative ideas. Just like other books on sewing, some ideas are a little cheesy for my taste. Having said that, I still think this is the best creative serging guide out there. I love the serged toggle buttons, flatlocked zipper, chain stiched details, serged French seam and the keyhole back placket serging guide. My clothes have never looked better! As for the machine, they have suggestions on how to adapt sergers with fewer stitches. I bought my machine used & factory serviced--it was a much better buy than paying the same money for a new machine with fewer options.
Excellent decorative serger manual........2002-02-17
Subtitled "High fashion techniqus for creating great-looking clothes" the illustrations and instructions are thorough. There are two drawbacks: a substantial amount of decorative stitching described is not available on the average serger. In fact, one of the more attractive decorative stitches in the book was for a Bernina serger that wasn't yet on the market at the time of publication. There are a lot of creative suggestions anyone can use, but you may feel "left-out" because much is geared to coverlockers that also do chainstitching and a lot of the decorative work is chainstitch-based. After reading it, I felt like I needed a new serger and the one I have is less than a year old! Second, the "Garment Gallery" is too long, my opinion. The seamstresses are rightly proud of their work, but it was more than I wanted to see. That said, if you are well acquainted with your serger's basic stitching, and want to explore its creative potential, this is a great book full of tips and ideas.
This book was great.......1999-01-09
Serger Secrets has been one of the best books on this issue that I have ever read. I loved the full color illistrations on the different stitches the serger can do. It helps the mind to use it's imagination and create anything it wants. I found so many helpful ideas throughout the book . It was just one great book.
Customer Reviews:
not too bad........2007-02-09
had good tips, but seems a little old fashioned. (Published in 1996). Still useful, but don't look at the styles or you will be a bit behind the times...at least untill the styles come back into popularity.
Lack of Picyures.......2006-07-06
I did not really like this book because it did not have many pictures to demonstrate what was being explained.
Other then that, it had a lot of good ideas about sorting clothes, making a list of cloths that work well with other clothes on the list.
Get Some Self-Esteem Back!.......2006-02-24
I love this book! It is well organized and practical, making it easy to refer back to just the info you need. There are lots of visual helps, including photos of lovely plus size models of a variety of ages and skin tones. The book guides you to establish your own personal style with confidence. Best of all, this book is an upbeat celebration of women as we really are, encouraging us to be proud of our strength and beauty. After reading this book, I felt motivated to put my best foot forward NOW, not someday when I'm thinner. I approach shopping for clothes and accessories with confidence and a clear goal. Thanks, Suzan! I couldn't have done it without you!
Even my not-plus-size friends loved it.......2003-11-13
I've had this book for a few years and would skim through it now and again. I finally picked it up this past fall when I decided to do a wardrobe overhaul. I am SO glad I did.
This book isn't just for and about plus-sizes, it's for every woman who wants to make her clothes work for her, regardless of budget. I have spent over $100 on a sweater that I feel more frumpy in than when I wear my $11 sweater I bought off of Ebay.
It's so good, I loaned it to two friends who are not plus sizes. It took me days of begging just to get it back. One friend even told me she was getting compliments on her commuter train on how "different" she looked. Why? She followed Suzan's advice on how a bra should fit. And I admit, my friend DOES look 100% better with a good fitting bra.
I wish she would come out with a volumne II edition.......2003-10-16
I refer to her book twice a year when I'm about to do my seasonal shopping. She gives great advice on how to look great, how to shop, applying makeup, you name it. Anything that has to do with looking good. Although 90% of what she said is still relevant, I wish she would come out with a new book with more up to date pictures of clothing and maybe some new "tricks" on looking stylish. I highly recommend this book.
Book Description
Strippers are the experts when it comes to getting naked especially when the topic is looking your best while wearing the least. Authors Jennifer Axen and Leigh Phillips are "regular" women who interviewed hundreds of strippers to uncover the real-life beauty secrets of baring it all. Their mission: to deliver these sexy trade secrets to women all over the world! The Stripper's Guide to Looking Great Naked reveals how to walk, stand, and move with allure, and incorporate confidence and sex appeal into everyday life whether crossing the room during the day or slipping out of your clothes for that special someone at night. Here are quick, incredibly useful backstage tips for covering body blemishes, dealing with naked "emergencies," and showcasing any body shape's best features. This daring and fun illustrated guide reveals how any woman can use these racy but simple strategies to feel more confident, no matter what her state of undress, from the beach to the bedroom. In the age of celebrity burlesque, pole-dancing on Oprah, and striptease classes and workouts, The Stripper's Guide to Looking Great Naked finally puts the spotlight where it should be: when it comes to baring it all, it's what you know and how you work it.
Customer Reviews:
Surprisingly Good.......2007-09-10
My expectations were fairly low for this book, but I have to tell you that I was pleasantly surprised by it. The information in the book is interesting and pretty useful. The book is easy to read, and you should be able to get through it in 30 minutes or less. I recommend it.
Dont get naked with out it!.......2007-06-07
I came across this book while shopping in Chelsea NY. I was hooked and couldn't put it down . it has great tips on how to cover up and or treat problem spots, enhance your assets and shake it like a poloroid picture! You get to see how strippers and movie stars always look good
definately buy this one its a keeper!
A Fun Read.......2007-03-22
This book was a fun read, but nothing new. It would probably be helpful for someone that felt inhibited, or uncomfortable naked or with lingerie.
Worthless Inane Drivel.......2006-12-08
I had high hopes for this book, but not only is it short in length, it is even shorter in useful tips.
I did not learn one thing I did not already know about the art of sensual nudity, confidence, or makeup.
Even though I purchased this book directly from Amazon Direct, I still feel ripped off.
Might be titillating for a bunch of silly fillies or puerile boys, but for a professional model, stripper, or for an individual in the film industry, it's a waste of paper.
But it's good cash for the authors -- preying upon the self consciousness of most females.
There is not a scrap of anything substantial or useful in this book.
It is for a gaggle of giggling geese at a bachelorette party -- you know the type -- the ones who diss women in the business and would be furious if their men, husbands, or significant others even went near a strip club.
I know most people will NOT find my insight useful because I don't go along with the crowd and I express an alternate opinion.
I did not like the book at all, but I suppose readers can already ascertain as much.
Good Bachelorette Gift.......2006-11-10
I gave the book along with a feather boa as a bachelorette gift and it went over really well. All the girls wanted to flip through it.
Book Description
Look great no matter what!
911 Beauty Secrets exposes just how to mask even the most difficult beauty emergencies. From hiding a hangover to losing weight after pregnancy, beauty and fashion expert Diane Irons tells the secrets to looking our best even if we feel our worst.
Call up 911 Beauty Secrets for a wide range of remedies and tips for any cosmetic crisis, including how to: --apply a last-minute face lift --prevent stretch marks --pack for business trips --conceal the common cold
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic Beauty Book.......2003-05-26
Diane Irons' "911 Beauty Secrets" is filled with many beauty tips, model and celebrity secrets, diets, homemade remidies and masks, and much more. Many of the tips in here are easy to follow and require no other materials besides the ones easily found at home, at the grocery store, and at the beauty supply store. Plus, the book includes fashion and shopping tips, with advice on everything from what to put in your handbag to and the clothes that will work best for you. There are many quick emergency fixes in here, such as taking care of cuts, skin burns, cold sores, etc. Plus, you will get good tips on choosing the right types and colors of cosmetics, quick beauty fixes, and more. My favorite thing about this book were the beauty masks and treatments. For example, did you know that a corn meal and papaya treatment can make the dry skin on your elbows feel super soft? Or that soaking a skin burn in milk for fifteen minutes will soothe the burn? How about using some petroleum jelly to ease the sting from a paper cut? These are just some of the marvelous beauty treatments you will find in this book. This book is a very wise purchase. Trust me, after you've bought it, you will be refering to it all the time to look your best!
BANANAS IN YOUR BRA (AND OTHER STAR SECRETS).......2003-05-26
Powdered milk will help exfoliate skin. Hemorrhoid ointment will help erase wrinkles. Ripe papaya and cornmeal will help soften rough elbows. Allow raw egg white to dry on your face and viola! instant face lift. Bananas packed in the bra will help firm those saggy breasts. (It has something to do with the high levels of potassium.) No, we're not making any of this up. Model/journalist/fashion and image consultant Diane Irons has gathered decades of tips and tricks, secrets and suggests in this hand softbound book, a sort of emergency guide to help all women (and men) look great at every age, size and budget. Strike when the Irons are hot!
The Book!.......2003-01-28
According to my opinion it's really a Book with a capital B. I'm from Europe, so it was quite difficult to find it out but it was worth the pains. I like it, I love it and it belongs to the best when I'm compairing it with other books written in this way and about these problems. And that's why I'm rating it with 5 stars.
Excuse my English, it is not my mothertongue.
Jana
Very good basic beauty book.......2002-08-21
Many beauty books include large color photos, and/or illustrations. This is a text book only, and actually this is a good thing, because it means that the book is full of so much information. It covers the beauty basics, and lots more. Attitude, style, skin care, hair care, emergency diets and so on. Not only the classic beauty chapters are included. Among the more rare ones are Seasonal beauty, Beauty on a budget and Beauty on the road. Not every aspect of beauty is addressed though. Elaborate hair styles are not included, for instance.
This is a book to read if you want to learn the basics and go beyond them. I recommend you to read it from cover to cover, because there are so many good beauty tips in it that are spread all over the book. If you only read the chapter in which you think it is included, you might miss something. On the other hand, the book has a good index, so if you know what you are looking for, you will find it.
I think this book will age well, because the author focuses on feeling good about yourself and finding your classic style. Even the fashion chapters will survive for a long time, since they are based on how to build a basic wardrobe (fashion accessories can always be added), combination of clothes, caring for accessories etc.
The format of the book makes it very handy. Diane Irons says that "beauty is every woman's birthright" and gives every woman the means to achieve beauty - that is, every woman gets the knowledge she needs in order to make the best of what she has got. This book also inlcudes inspiration and motivation - reading it makes you feel more beautiful, already.
Eh..........2002-03-21
Great information. Unfortunately, the time required to do some or all of the information included would require not having any sort of social life.
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- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
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