Review: Taylor Swift Style

 

Sarah Chapelle has a blog all about Taylor and her fashion choices. This book goes through all the eras. I loved learning more about her fashion choices when she was first starting out. Even though I am an OG Swiftie, I didn't pay much attention to her fashion. I mean I knew she wore sundresses and country boots, but I liked learning the reasons behind the fashion.

I love how her style changed throughout the eras and that she created significant looks for each time period. It's really impressive. I'm not a huge fashion person but I loved pouring over this book. 

* This makes a great gift for Swifties

Picture Book Review: Claris

Claris the mouse loves Paris and longs to live in Paris. When she moves, she has a hard time finding a home.

I love the illustrations of this cute picture book. I love the message about friendship and kindness, being brave, and taking risks. A gorgeous book that's perfect for fans of Fancy Nancy.

Graphic Novel Review: Prince and the Dressmaker

Prince Sebastian has a secret and he's not willing to share it. There are days when he likes being a prince and there are days when he likes dressing in dresses. When he spies a dress created by Frances, he tracks her downs and offers her a job as his personal seamstress. 

Frances can't believe her good fortune; she loves creating and designing dresses. 

Soon the two become great friends. But Sebastian's secret is hard to keep when Frances has the opportunity to meet her role model. Keeping the Prince's secret means keeping her identity a secret as well.

My Thoughts: I really loved this graphic novel; I didn't want it to end. I loved the art work. I loved the fashion. I loved the friendship between Frances and Sebastian. I felt bad for both of them dealing with this secret and trying to live in the palace. I loved Sebastian's parents. Believe the hype about this graphic novel because it's true!

Cover Thoughts: Adorable.

Source: my Library

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for all public libraries!

Picture Book Review: Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau

Madame Chapeau makes one of a kind hats for her shop - they're all unique and suited for the buyer. But when she's headed to her birthday dinner with her favorite hat, disaster strikes. A crow snatches her hat. Although many people offer her their hats to wear, none of them are quite right - until one of them is perfect.

A heartwarming tale about hats made with love and a strong community who help each other out. Great illustrations - and if they seem familiar, this is the team from Rosie Revere, Engineer. 

I love hats, so it's no surprise that I loved this book. Just an adorable read filled with fashionable hats and a sweet message. 

Mysterious Saturday Review: Model Undercover

* Book 1 in a New Series * 

Axelle wants to solve mysteries, but her parents don't approve. Instead, they're sending her to Paris to visit her aunt for Fashion Week where she'll be a minion for her aunt. Axelle isn't the least bit interesting in the world of fashion - that is until one of the top designers goes missing.

Axelle knows that she could solve the case if only given the opportunity, especially once she realizes the police aren't looking into the family curse. She crashes a meeting and gets a top model on her side. With a little work, Axelle makes a splash in the fashion world. She uses her new fame to question everyone who might have known about the curse. Can she walk the runway and solve the crime before her parents come to visit?

My Thoughts: A great start to a new series with a feisty heroine who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to think outside the box. I liked how even though Axelle entered the fashion world, she didn't let it turn her head; she still kept her own ideas and she still wore the clothes that suited her. I liked both of her friends and how they researched the past to help solve the mystery in the present. I certainly wasn't expecting that ending, but I love the set-up for the next book in New York.

Cover Thoughts: Cute!
Source: My Library

Guest Post: Spice Up Your Wardrobe Easily

Happy Fashion Week. On Monday, the cover reveal for Carina Axelsson's new book 

Model Undercover: New York was displayed. And a contest went up on the blog. You can check those out here. I'm  happy to have Carina give us some tips on fashion.

As a writer I find it all too easy to forget about the state of my wardrobe – even if I do write mysteries set in the fashion world!

Thoughts of sequins and cashmere, hemlines or heel heights, become seemingly irrelevant when I’m holed up at my writing desk, typing away, deadlines looming, research beckoning.

Speaking of which, for me research involves the occasional dip into the fashion waters. For instance, I’m writing this while in London, on a London Fashion Week research trip.

So, while packing for this trip, did I have a panic attack when I accepted a last minute (it seems fashion is always last minute!) invitation to visit London’s premier modeling agency, Storm? Did I break out in hives at the thought of seeing the fashion show of the lovely and oh-so-quintessentially-English fashion designer, Alice Temperley? And what about the prospect of meeting up with the fashionistas at Mulberry to check out their latest handbag designs? Did the thought make me break out in a cold sweat? 

Yes, yes, and yes!

•          Accessorize! If you’re really desperate, perhaps the easiest way to update a look is with a new handbag or scarf. Find one within your budget (the high street make fabulous bags nowadays that don’t cost an arm and a leg), and then keep the rest of your outfit muted and chic so that your new accessory stands out!
•          Jeans! Like a lot of people I live in my jeans – and nothing screams dated more than a pair of old jeans. Treat yourself to a new pair of jeans as often as you can; it’ll instantly update your outfit in a way a blouse or jacket simply can’t. 
•          Nail polish! I know, I know, hard to believe…but trust me, like I said, it’s often the little things that count. And when your nail varnish is so trendy, so bang on NOW, the rest of your outfit will suddenly look quaintly vintage – if people even notice it! Just make sure your hands look lovely!

        So that’s it – my quick and easy tips for spicing up your wardrobe. Milan starts at the end of this week, with Paris to follow. So get going, add some fresh style to your closet – then head on over to the shows!

Thank you Jennifer for this chance to distill a few of my fashion thoughts!

Carina x