Book of Randomness

My FAVORITE book EVER! Ok maybe it is my favorite possession….? I guess that could be stretching it, but this book is definitely WAY up there.

So what is it you may ask?

Freakin’ Fabulous by Clinton Kelly. I feel hesitant to share this with everyone because, well if I share, then you may become more fabulous than I am… oh well. The more fabulous people the better!

Everyone has seen the TLC show What Not to Wear on at least one occasion (and if you haven’t, you must be living under a rock). Clinton is half of the hosting duo, Clinton and Stacy. Clinton is also touring the country’s Macy’s stores for Make Over America (sadly I was not chosen ) He is undoubtedly funny on the show, and it translates perfectly into his book. He had me laughing cover to cover.

Freakin’ Fabulous is like my new life bible. I have only had the chance to read it all the way through once, but I frequently refer back to it. I actually began to annoy my friends and family by saying… “Clinton says….” or “According to Clinton…” I even had my DAD quoting the book!! Weird.

By the first few pages of the book you will wish Clinton was your best friend!

Freakin’ Fabulous is the book that you need if you want to know “How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate, and Generally Be Better than Everyone Else” according to its sub-title!

Highlights of the book… according to moi!

• Dress: Includes everything you need to know from accessories, to tailoring, dressing for certain occasions and a page of very ugly shoes (clearly the DON’T page)
• Speak: Definitely the section I need to read again… and AGAIN. The proper use for words. My greatest accomplishment so far has been taking the “s” off of the end of anyway! The pretty pictures and doodles help my learning… what can I say, I’m a visual person!
• Behave: Don’t butter the entire roll!! Holding wine glasses, eating oysters, texting with company and even a section on “bodily functions.” This section is definitely a must read. Did you know you should never bring your own food item to a party unless requested? I did not know that one, but you can ruin the theme/atmosphere.
• Eat: Four recipes you should MEMORIZE, cutting onions and other great recipes.
• Drink: I was laughing from the first page of this section as Clinton says, “Gin has made me do a lot of stupid things, but I forgive it.” Obviously there are drink recipes in the section, but my part is the section on wine; descriptions, how to serve, how to order and which wine pairs best with your food.
• Entertain: Plan for 1 bottle of wine per person!! Now that sounds like a party! Covers food to serve, music, booting people at the end of the night and making the potty smell nice! The “Mac and Cheese with Bacon” looks and sounds delicious… although it reminds me of the overeating experience I had at Yardhouse.
• Decorate: I cannot wait until I have my own house to be able to do all of this!! Room by room tricks, organization (“Kill the Clutter”), and fresh flowers. Never include baby’s breath or ferns IN an arrangement! Clinton suggests using Flowerbud.com for flowers.

  The book is full of color and information. Clinton has done an amazing job with this book balancing entertainment and information. I suggest it to EVERYONE. Give it to your girlfriends for their birthday or as a bachelorette party gift.

  You don’t NEED a reason, just get the book for crying out loud!! You will thank me later!

My FAVORITE book EVER! Ok maybe it is my favorite possession….? I guess that could be stretching it, but this book is definitely WAY up there.

So what is it you may ask?

Freakin’ Fabulous by Clinton Kelly. I feel hesitant to share this with everyone because, well if I share, then you may become more fabulous than I am… oh well. The more fabulous people the better!

Everyone has seen the TLC show What Not to Wear on at least one occasion (and if you haven’t, you must be living under a rock). Clinton is half of the hosting duo, Clinton and Stacy. Clinton is also touring the country’s Macy’s stores for Make Over America (sadly I was not chosen ) He is undoubtedly funny on the show, and it translates perfectly into his book. He had me laughing cover to cover.

Freakin’ Fabulous is like my new life bible. I have only had the chance to read it all the way through once, but I frequently refer back to it. I actually began to annoy my friends and family by saying… “Clinton says….” or “According to Clinton…” I even had my DAD quoting the book!! Weird.

By the first few pages of the book you will wish Clinton was your best friend!

Freakin’ Fabulous is the book that you need if you want to know “How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate, and Generally Be Better than Everyone Else” according to its sub-title!

Highlights of the book… according to moi!

• Dress: Includes everything you need to know from accessories, to tailoring, dressing for certain occasions and a page of very ugly shoes (clearly the DON’T page)
• Speak: Definitely the section I need to read again… and AGAIN. The proper use for words. My greatest accomplishment so far has been taking the “s” off of the end of anyway! The pretty pictures and doodles help my learning… what can I say, I’m a visual person!
• Behave: Don’t butter the entire roll!! Holding wine glasses, eating oysters, texting with company and even a section on “bodily functions.” This section is definitely a must read. Did you know you should never bring your own food item to a party unless requested? I did not know that one, but you can ruin the theme/atmosphere.
• Eat: Four recipes you should MEMORIZE, cutting onions and other great recipes.
• Drink: I was laughing from the first page of this section as Clinton says, “Gin has made me do a lot of stupid things, but I forgive it.” Obviously there are drink recipes in the section, but my part is the section on wine; descriptions, how to serve, how to order and which wine pairs best with your food.
• Entertain: Plan for 1 bottle of wine per person!! Now that sounds like a party! Covers food to serve, music, booting people at the end of the night and making the potty smell nice! The “Mac and Cheese with Bacon” looks and sounds delicious… although it reminds me of the overeating experience I had at Yardhouse.
• Decorate: I cannot wait until I have my own house to be able to do all of this!! Room by room tricks, organization (“Kill the Clutter”), and fresh flowers. Never include baby’s breath or ferns IN an arrangement! Clinton suggests using Flowerbud.com for flowers.

  The book is full of color and information. Clinton has done an amazing job with this book balancing entertainment and information. I suggest it to EVERYONE. Give it to your girlfriends for their birthday or as a bachelorette party gift.

  You don’t NEED a reason, just get the book for crying out loud!! You will thank me later!

In honor of the new Amazon Widget (below), I am going to be explaining my reasoning for choosing those items.  Eventually I will get to them all… eventually.

The first installment of the “Widget Files” is about the author Patricia Cornwell.  The reason she jumped right to the front of the line…?  I am SOOO excited because while selecting the items, I discovered that she not only has one new book coming out this year, but TWO. 

My mother originally got me hooked on the Cornwell books.  My obsession quickly gained momentum as I routinely stayed up until 4a.m. because I just could not put the damn things down.  I always remain up to date with the series of Scarpetta books which is why I am thrilled to see there are more coming out.

 

About Patricia Cornwell:

Cornwell got her start in the murder mystery arena as a computer analyst and technical writer for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia (where no surprise, many of her books are based around).  One would assume that her experiences there would have given her enough information for her novels, but no.  Cornwell immerses herself in the characters, often times learning things or experiencing what they do.  A character is going to scuba dive?  She gets certified.  A character is going to be a helicopter pilot?  Why not? 

It is no wonder Cornwell is known for the detail and accuracy of her books.  And no surprise that she has won pretty much every possible award.  It is funny to think however, that her first book, Postmortem in 1990, was rejected by SEVEN publishers.

In 2006, Scarpetta was asked to write two 15-week series.  They were so popular that they turned into books, and were later optioned for movies.

 

About the Scarpetta Series, aka why I love Patricia Cornwell

The Scarpetta novels are undoubtedly the most popular of the Cornwell books.  I have not read many of the other books (she has also written a few non-fiction books including one on Jack the Ripper), but these are the ones worth reading!!!

Dr. Kay Scarpetta is the main character.  I know, you are saying obviously if it is the Scarpetta series…  Make no mistake, the books would be nothing without her usual partner/friend Lt. Pete Marino, niece Lucy, and friend/lover/etc. Benton Wesley.  Scarpetta is the Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Virginia, but seems to be plagued by, murders, terrorists, and just about everyone else. 

Postmortem (Kay Scarpetta)

Postmortem began the series in ’90, and has been followed by at least a dozen since.  The newest book, The Scarpetta Factor comes out on October 20.  It is slightly frustrating though because I prefer not to read hard cover books… why do those always have to be the first release??

The Scarpetta Factor

You HAVE to read the Scarpetta series, and I mean all of it.  You definitely need to start with the first book and work your way through it.  Cornwell has this amazing ability to hook you in the first few paragraphs.  If you go through the books in order, you will see this emotional attachment that will form between you and the characters.  I admit, there are times I have cried because it was as if I felt Scarpetta’s pain. 

All in all, the Patricia Corwell books are easy, entertaining, and action packed reads.  I guarantee you will enjoy them.