Book Review - "The Glitter Plan" by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor (#6 - 2015)

The Glitter Plan: How We Started Juicy Couture for $200 and Turned It into a Global Brand by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor

A breezy read about how Pam & Gela started the phenomenon that was Juicy Couture in the early '00's.  Part entrepreneurial guide, part biography and part history of Juicy Couture, it was really a fascinating look into how these two ladies created a global powerhouse brand by really just trusting their guts and filling a niche.  I was particularly intrigued about how/why they left the company after they sold it and their thoughts about where Juicy is now (at Kohl's), as well as their new line Pam & Gela.  I'm no entrepreneur by any means, but I love reading about how people build companies/brands, it's fascinating!  This book may be a bit oversimplified, but I still loved it!

Book Review - "A Hundred Summers" by Beatriz Williams (#5 - 2015)

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

In 1931 two socialites (friends since they were children, but really don't have that much in common) go and watch a college football game.  Lily, the main character, meets Nick who played in the game and it was love at first sight.  Nick is Jewish and Lily's family absolutely insists they end the relationship.  Budgie, her friend (or is it frenemy) comes in and out of the story, throwing in wrenches here and there.  Look, here's the bottom line, I detested this book.  There, I said it.  I can't believe it's gotten such good reviews on Amazon (which is part of the reason I hunted it down at the library).  None of the characters are likable, the author uses the word "limbs" to the point where I wanted to throw the book against the wall.  I kept reading because I kept thinking it would get better - spoiler alert - it never does.  Add to that a deeply unsatisfying ending and I would recommend you skip this one!

Spring 2015 Trend - Unfinished Edges

Spring 2015 Trend - Layers

Spring 2015 Trend - Transparency

Spring 2015 Trend - White

Lots of white on the Spring runways, head-to-toe, in most cases. This trend goes hand-in-hand with tomorrow's trend as well!

Spring 2015 Trend - Feathers

With the Fall 2015 presentations due to walk in just a few days, I thought it was about darn time I started my Spring 2015 trend roundup!  So let's get started with feathers!  We're talking literal feathers, feather motifs and fabrics cut to resemble feathers.

Book Review - "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes (#4 - 2015)

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (Kindle version is $2.99!)

The story revolves around Louisa who is a young woman living a rather ordinary life, still living with her parents, older sister and nephew (for financial reasons), she has a fitness obsessed boyfriend and a job at a local diner.  Her life gets a jolt when the diner closes and she has to go and find a new job.  She ends up working as a companion for Will Traynor, a once vibrant, adventurous man in his mid-thirties who is now a quadriplegic.  Will is not happy and his mother hired Louisa to hopefully help him find joy again.  I really enjoyed this book, it's a complicated situation and you just start pulling for Louisa and Will.  It doesn't unfold exactly as you would expect, but while it's a bit sad, it's also really hopeful.  If you've enjoyed any of her other books, then pick this one up for sure!

What I Bought - January 2015

1. Vera Bradley cosmetic case - $18.20 (includes shipping and using a gift card)

2. J.Crew espadrille wedges (almost exact Factory version) - $15.99 (from Fashion Project using my $30 gift card in my Winter FFF box)

3.  Vera Bradley slippers - $10.74 (includes shipping and using a gift card)

Total spent out of pocket - $44.93

Go forth and shop responsibly!

I'm linking up with Budgeting Bloggers over at Franish!