Del Russo, Dawn. 101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle: A Cheeky Book with Tidbits of Advice for a Glamorous Lifestyle.

With illustrations by Barbara Ann Scarrillo. BookSurge Publishing. 2009. 110p. illus. ISBN 978-1439256336. $14.99.

In this publication, Del Russo (Fashion Merchandising and Design, Parsons School of Design, 2002; B.S., Business Management, Wagner College, 2001; contributing fashion writer for select online magazines), an up-and-coming fashion stylist and founding owner of a successful, storefront and online, clothing and accessory boutique Bella Dawn, with the assistance of Scarrillo (Fashion Institute of Technology; Owner, Brushstrokes), a graphic designer from New York City with over twenty years experience, provides a pocket-sized, guide book for women, who may be searching for budget friendly glamour and quick, easy ways to go beyond their everyday fashion, beauty, and/or lifestyle routines. By means of 101 tips, each of which is boldly-presented and colorfully-illustrated on a separate page, the author sets forth practical and realistic advice that may have financial consequences. Covering clothing, jewelry, accessories, cosmetics, hair, personal hygiene, self-presentation, health, body, mind, work, home, travel, entertainment, and more, Del Russo focuses on outward and inward aspects of glamour, thereby broadening the scope of the subject and suggesting that there is more to the topic. For the author, glamour is more than skin deep. It goes beyond appearances and constitutes a mindset and way of life. While many of Del Russo’s recommendations may relate partly to socially- and culturally-accepted standards of decorum and fashion—ex. Tip #23 Wear deodorant … (p. 31)—and others are not new but rather longstanding and true—ex. Tip #13 Find a little black, “‘must-have”’ dress …(p. 21)—most if not all her “tidbits” are original, to the extent that they combine fashion, beauty, and/or lifestyle tips into unique statements. For example, on the subject of shoes, in Tip #42, Del Russo proclaims, “Slip into a pair of designer pumps. … Every girl should own at least one pair, right?” Yes, true, probably every “girl” or woman should own a pair of pumps, a well-known, widely-disseminated fashion principle. Del Russo further implies by the wording of Tip #42 that if you can not afford to own more than one pair of pumps, than at least buy a designer brand. The author believes quality matters and it usually is an excellent indicator of beauty and style, although not the only factor. For all women, but particularly for younger, single women, who may be “home alone on a Friday night” and more able to “dress red carpet style” (Tip #69, p.77) without a husband and/or children around, this well-presented, nicely-illustrated, unique, delightful, easy-to-read book serves as a useful, fun, beauty guide. While it is not comprehensive, it may serve as a good, first start for many women, who may need a little fashion, beauty, and/or lifestyle help to move beyond the everyday. A great personal gift, it also belongs in some public libraries as a complimentary, fashion, beauty, and/or lifestyle resource as well as an enjoyable read. Recommended. Review copy. Amazon.com, Bella Dawn.com

McGraw, Robin. What's Age Got to Do With It? Living Your Happiest & Healthiest Life

Thomas Nelson Publishers. Dec. 2008. c218p. ISBN 978-1-4002-0214-0. $24.99.


Here Robin McGraw, “New York Times”- bestselling author (Inside My Heart; From My Heart to Yours) and wife of the celebrated talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw, presents her way for living her healthiest, happiest life so far. Experiencing the untimely death of her mother, who suddenly died at fifty-eight years old from a heart attack caused by heart disease, at thirty-two years old, McGraw decided not to relive her mother’s life of self-neglect. Believing that by taking care of herself she was not being selfish but rather the best wife, mother, and woman that she could be, she chose to live her healthiest life possible and thereby in her view, her happiest. In this self-help guide that does not purport to provide professional advice or services—in fact, there are two cautionary disclaimers printed in this book, one at the front, on the verso of the title page, and one at the back of the book-- McGraw imparts worthwhile information to other women concerning aging, fitness, nutrition, skin care, menopause, hair, makeup, fashion, faith, and more. Each of the aforementioned main topics includes McGraw’s experiences, knowledge, and tips. In question-and-answer formats at the end of each chapter, members of McGraw’s team of experts, who have assisted her-- a personal trainer-nutritionist, aesthetician, pharmacist, doctors, psychologist, celebrity make-up artist, fashion guru, and hair colorist-- answer questions that her fans may have asked her over the years. Four pages of endnotes follow the text, which unfortunately, lacks a bibliography, appendices, index, pictures, diagrams, and other features that could have added to the content. While this book is dedicated to “every woman … who seeks to live with dignity and grace,” many women may not be inclined to read it. Marketed toward, but not entirely intended for middle- aged and slightly younger women, this publication constitutes a personal and general as opposed to “authoritative” and objective resource on the subjects presented within its pages, particularly since it seems to be more focused on McGraw’s “way” or “brand.” Despite its focus, many readers may find this book readable, engaging, inspirational, and useful. Recommended for general readers and most public library collections serving the needs of women-- C. A. Lajos