Recently I received a review copy of  WITH child photographed by Howard Schatz.  WITH child is an impressive coffee table book featuring more than 100 mothers-to-be over a twenty year period.  Before becoming a full-time photographer Schatz was a physician who helped deliver many babies which surely inspired him to document this miraculous process.

I have been blessed to be with child three times myself but I now realize I did not take enough pictures.  Luckily my husband and I agree that I’ve found my pregnant double down to the nitty gritty details in this book — and no I’m not mentioning what page you can see who I resemble!     Surely I’m not the only one, other mamas are sure to see a bit of themselves WITH child. 

The photos are what some may consider graphic but they are always tasteful.  Black and white photography is perfect for this subject so the viewer can concentrate on the form and shapes.  The book on the whole is a beautiful tribute to mothers everywhere and would make a beautiful gift for yourself or anyone who admires the female form.  Check out the official Howard Schatz WITH child page on Facebook some time soon or head to Amazon.

ISBN:978-0982379936

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New York Times best selling author Brenda Novak is running a fantastic promo for all you lovely readers out there.  Buy a  copy of her latest (and last book of 2010), Killer Heat between 9/28 and 10/5/2010.  Send in your receipt and receive a FREE Three Custom Color lip-gloss valued at $21.50 in the shade of Killer Heat.

This is the third book in the Department 6 series and on sale today!  Have you read the first two books in the series? White Heat and Body Heat?  I received a free pot of gloss and book so stay tuned for my review!

Find out more information straight from the author’s website…  ww.BrendaNovak.com

You can buy the book anywhere they are sold but remember to keep that receipt!  Offer good only while supplies last – no exceptions on proof of book purchase dates.

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I’m proud to be a LHOP supporter and fan, we need more shows like that on tv if you ask me!  I’ve watched the show almost my entire life, I can’t even imagine all the many ways it’s impacted me.  Every episode is a gem and has some great lessons.  If you have a problem, ANY problem, I can surely recommend a Little House episode that may help you – just ask!

Although I don’t normally read memoirs from such young people, I’m happy to make the exception for Prairie Tale.   Now at the tippity top of my long to-do list!  If it’s on yours too feel free to email me with your thoughts and rest assured I will post about it in a few weeks so I don’t give away too much!! 

The picture (above) is at a Borders book signing in NY June 9, 2009 — had I known, I’d have been there!

http://steepingbeauty.com

You’ve undoubtedly committed yourself to at least one resolution at this point.  2009 is the year of NO more excuses!  Learn all the different ways YOU can be green in the new year with Tasmin Blanchard’s book, Green Is The New Black. 

I must warn you that you may be compelled to own an angora bunny or buy less and better quality clothing.  There are so many things we can do and that may not always be the cheapest but it is for sure the best.

The section involving beauty is small but chocked full of good information.  There are even several recipes for diy beauty products.  I went through a stage circa 1991/92 where I made many beauty things.  My skin reaped the many benefits of making items from scratch if not every day, at least once in a while!

For all of you ladies who’d like to keep your skin looking good naturally without the homemade options, check out Green Is The New Black’s well deserved honorable beauty mentions: Burt’s Bees, Liz Earle, Lavera, Jane Iredale and Aveda.

How to Change the World with Style in ways you’ve never even thought of.  Green is the New Black @ Amazon

http://steepingbeauty.com

A guide to the pieces every stylish woman must own…

That blurb somes it all up, 100 pieces that will keep you in style possibly forever. I LOVE this book and I’m dreaming about the day I can actually shop (come on January!).  I’d like to share with you my first five purchases, inspired by this book…

• Wellington boots, I KNOW I’ll get plenty of use here in Maine
• Spanx, I currently only have ASSETS from Target
• Stubbs & Wootton Euro/Dollar slippers which I must admit I thought were horrible at first but after lusting after them for a few weeks I finally want in a bad way.
• A new Hermes scarf in red, my old Hermes scarf is so used it’s not even funny, sure I have plenty of others but there’s nothing like Hermes!
• AND and investment bag, hopefully a Longchamp in mocha brown

So there you have my little list, the only thing I totally don’t get in the book is #87 for Turquoise jewelry.  Perhaps I’m sensitive to it but Turquoise doesn’t strike me as a classic item in a good way.  Opals on the other hand would have been so much classier a pick in my opinion.  There are many more items that I do want to own, Nina Garcia’s list is the definitive one for all women.  In times of financial insecurity at least you know your money is going to work for you season after season.

The 100 by Nina Garcia, Illustrations by Ruben Toledo

http://steepingbeauty.com

Does anyone else mark their calendars?! if not use your BlackBerry, Blackboard whatever you have to don’t miss out.  Felicia Sullivan, Author, Foodie and Rockstar, is on the road promoting her stirring memoir, The Sky Isn’t Visible from Here.

All YOU need to do is be in the right place at the right time! 

Felicia Sullivan Book Tour Schedule:

Wednesday, April 30—NEW YORK, NY—Guerilla Lit, BAR on A – 170 Avenue A @ 11th Street, 7:30 pm

Wednesday, May 7—SAN FRANCISCO, CA–Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, 7:00 pm

Friday, May 9—LOS ANGELES, CA–Booksoup, 8818 W Sunset Blvd., 7:00 pm

Saturday, May 10–PASADENA, CA– Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., 4:00 pm

Sunday, June 8—BROOKLYN, NY—Sunday Salon @ Stainbar, 766 Grand Street., 7:00 pm

You’re feeling the urgent need to buy the book buy now, so don’t procrastinate, buy the book!

The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here @ Amazon

The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here @ Barnes & Noble

The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here @ Booksense

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Gorgeously Green is a beauty book to encourage you to make one simple change, that’s all it takes to make a difference!  If you make two it’s even better.  Sophie Uliano gives you 8 steps to work towards an earth-friendly life.  Personally, I want to have a sustainable life with style, I’ve always paired denim with diamonds, it’s so much more interesting than being totally glam all the time.  Sophie admits that she was much more concerned about her compact than she ever was in compost but she’s learned that she can do both and be gorgeous and green at the same time!

Rest Assured Beauty-full Readers

I used to think it was all about wearing hemp and eating organic tofu.  I thought I would have to turn into one of those zealous do-gooders with unshaven armpits.  Trust me, this is not what the Gorgeously Green program is about.  Far from it.  We are going to be busting out in bright and wonderful colors.  We’re going to be painting our nails and our lips and wearing the latest, hippest fashions.  (p. 7)

I must admit this thought crossed my mind, I have a girlfriend who calls some of the women in our community “crunchy granola” because they are so health-full and natural that they reject the beauty-full.  There is something in this book for every woman, if you’re looking for DIY beauty recipes, or all natural ways to bring up baby all from a woman who is living it. 

There are also Gorgeously Green recipes for cookies and stew with the promise of more on the website (you’ll need the super secret password provided in the book to get to those). 

Gorgeously Green Available NOW @ Overstock for $10.95

Mentioned in Gorgeously Green is Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” a MUST see DVD if you haven’t already.

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I got my copy of SEPHORA yesterday and I have got to tell you it is an amazing resource for all beauty chasers.  Wether you’re a makeup junkie, a skincare lover or just like to know what’s in the stuff you’re putting on your face, you’ll find valuable info presented in a compelling format.

I haven’t loved a beauty book like this since Cindy Crawford’s Basic Face back in 199x.  I carried it around with me and flipped back and forth, my husband was completely annoyed but oh well.  If I went, so did the book, I had an especially long commute from Tokyo to the burbs and Japanese women on the train looked over my shoulder and sometimes even asked me about it.

Basic Face was a how to apply makeup guide without mention of specific products which was fab since I had little access to designer brands back then!  SEPHORA takes it a step further by recommending specific products to get the effects shown.  I’ll be referencing SEPHORA in posts to come for a very long time.  I’m especially crazy about the quotes, beauty company founders, and secret ingredients sections of the book. 

It also takes into account different preferences and conditions you may be facing, no ‘one XX fits all’ mentality here.  SEPHORA is full of visuals that will stop you in your tracks but at the same time chock full of insider secrets and tips.  The back cover proclaims “It will make you want to be as beautiful as beautiful as you can be – and Sephora makes it easy!”  You know what?! I do, I do, I do!

You won’t have to wait much longer, SEPHORA will be released in a few days.  Pre-Order available through Amazon

http://steepingbeauty.com

One thing all my extended family, friends and acquaintances have in common is a desire to be beautiful.  No matter what women have a desire to be perceived as pretty, of course the standards differ greatly around the world and so does the method.

Shalini is a world traveler and makeup artist.  She brings to us in book format all the international beauty secrets she could pack.  I’ll be spilling the contents little by little, and have some upcoming product reviews to share on her fab Global Goddess Line.

Be sure to Mark Your Calendars!  Shalini Vadhera will be appearing on HSN

                 Thursday, February 14th, 2008 – 7:00 a.m. & 8:00 p.m. EST
                 Friday, February 15th, 2008 – 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. EST
                 Saturday, February 16th, 2008 – 8:00 a.m. EST

Global Goddess products offers “rich colors and delicate crème textures, but the products are universally appealing on any complexion including the tough mid-range skin tone such as South Asian, Latina, Middle Eastern and mixed ethnicities.”

http://steepingbeauty.com

How to Eat Like a Hot Chick

 Whenever I see a gorgeous woman I wonder, how do they eat?  What are they doing that I’m not, that’s where this book comes in handy, How to Eat Like a Hot Chick is no secret, motivation is the key and keeping your inner hotness revved up and ready to work for you is the key to being hot.   When I was skinny, I knew that I could indulge often in things I loved, it just meant I had to eat something low/no calorie to balance out my calories. Why do you want to look hot, for yourself or others? did you know that anyone can and probably is hot, it just needs to be unleashed!

Interestingly enough the book talks about casual sex but then seems traditional things like using a knife and fork for your lunch, pointing out that you can’t look HOT “while stuffing a 12 inch hoagie in your mouth.”  Those Hot Chicks tell it like it is!  That’s why I take my sandwiches to go, no need to look less than hot in public if you don’t have to!

 They also believe as I do in the power of *feeling* your inner hotness.  The Secret had that effect on me and now I not only think positive, I FEEL positive and that has encouraged me in countless ways recently.   This book had me roaring with laughter, it is hilarious and will get you thinking about the food choices you make everyday.  There is a moderate amount of cursing, so it’s not right for everybody but would make a great gift to the right lady.

Look for this book right after you make your New Year’s Resolution, How to Eat Like a Hot Chick will be available everywhere January 2008! 

http://steepingbeauty.com