Review: By Invitation Only

 

Piper Woo Collins is not a debutante. Her single father works as an EMT. She's worked really hard to earn scholarships to college; she's something of a science whiz. After receiving a prestigious prize, Teen Vogue shares her profile. 

When an exclusive ball needs to find a replacement ASAP after one of the debutantes becomes a scandal, they pick Piper. Because Piper is not from the wealthy world, they place her with a roommate.

Chapin is not thrilled to play babysitter to a girl who doesn't understand anything - especially the importance of this week. Because she wants to win Debutante of the Year, she agrees to show Piper the ropes. But she makes it clear to Piper they are not friends.

The competition for Debutante of the Year is fierce. Piper becomes involved in one or two small mishaps. But anymore could ruin her future. And someone is looking for more...

My Thoughts: The tagline for this was Emily in Paris meets Princess Diaries - and I'm a sucker for anything Princess Diaries related. It was a good comparison; there was a lot of fashion and Piper was definitely a fish out of water in high society. I loved Piper's relationship with her Dad. I loved her best friend: Seb. I felt terrible for Chapin and her relationship with her mother.  This did make me want to go explore Paris for a few days! The shopping scene was charming. There was romance, intrigue, double crossings, and lots of secrets.  I did not see the end coming. This wasn't a book I wanted to put down, so make sure when you start it, you have time set aside to read! 

Cover Thoughts: Very Gossip Girl

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: 

Picture Book Wednesday: Dazzling Zelda

Zelda Wynn Valdes was a pioneer in fashion - this book shares her story.

I was not aware of this fashion designer before reading this book and I'm impressed. I love how she dressed women of all shapes and sizes. The list of women she dressed is amazing. I admire how she inspired and supported young talent. I love how she created fancy dresses and dance costumes (especially love how she dyed the tights for dancers of color). 

I did a little more research:

The fashion designer Zelda Wynn Valdes, who could fit a dress to a body of any size. Dance Theater of Harlem

*book sent for review

Bookstagram: The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Don't miss this graphic novel! 

The illustrations are delightful! 

It reminded me so much of the Prince and the Dressmaker.

Christmas Review: Christmas Dress

Meg leaves the fashion world of New York and her demanding job to manage her late father's apartment building in Chicago. She hasn't visited in a while and isn't prepared for the state of the building. Everything is falling apart and held together with duct tape and bubblegum. 

To make matters worse, she keeps embarrassing herself in front of the very cute handyman. just when she thinks she'll be having the worst holiday season of her life, she makes a friend. Ellie, who lives in the building, shows off a dress from a night she'd rather forget. 

But the dress is spectacular. Meg's fashionista dreams come rushing back. Could this dress be the answer to everything?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I liked the two stories (Meg and Ellie). I laughed at all the apartment building catastrophes. I loved getting to know the people in the apartment building and their stories. I enjoyed the fashion world and the dress making. I found the romance between her ex-boyfriend and her best friend interesting. And of course I enjoyed the romances. An enjoyable read filled with quirky characters, dreams, and finding yourself. 

Cover Thoughts: Gorgeous

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your public library's collection. 

Book List: Emily in Paris

 

Recently, I watched Emily in Paris

It's on Netflix.

And I enjoyed it.

I loved the scenery. It made me long to travel again. 

I felt bad for Emily and how she struggled - but most of the time, things worked out for her.

I'm looking forward to what happens next.

Here are some book recommendations. 

Adult Books:

Queen of Babble:

I read this book years ago and I loved it! The main character is always saying the wrong thing to wrong person. But eventually everything works out, just not in the way she imagined.

Paris is Always a Good Idea:

Ireland - France- and Italy

I still think this would make a great movie.

Review here.

One Summer in Paris:

You can't plan for everything - but nothing says recovering from heartbreak like Paris...

Review here.

YA Books:

Anna and the French Kiss:

Boarding school in Paris. One massive crush. 

One heck of a debut novel.

Review here. 

Salty, Bitter, Sweet

Cooking school in France is tough!

The pressure. A new family. New friends.

Nothing is easy.

Violet On the Runway:

I read this years and years ago, but it was really fun. Out of nowhere, a lady stops Violet and makes her into a model. Violet's been tall and thin her whole life...and nothing special. But that changes.