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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Lucky Style Advisor

For two days only, you can get a special gift when you join the Lucky STYLE Advisor site.  The site aims to makeover your look in 30 days with daily tips to boost and invigorate your wardrobe via video clips.

Today is day 1 and the focus is on 5 different looks with a white shirt.  All the looks are very nice so you’ll get information you can use for FREE.  As a bonus, for two days, Lucky is offering a free printable coupon to take to an AVEDA store near you for some freebies… they refer to it as the “Aveda Stimulus Package”.

www.luckystyleadvisor.com/yourlook

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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!

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…coupon in the April 17, 2009 of All You Magazine.  The cover boasts of $51 in free coupons, some gems, some garbola but THIS is worth the price of the magazine ($2.49).  The $2 off a Jane cosmetic also deserves an honorable mention.

Hustle, this won’t last forever.

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Living in Maine, aka the headquarters for the ’crunchy granola’ woman, I see those women who are so committed to organic living they don’t care about any particular fashion.  Glam granola girls by contrast are ultra-stylish while still demanding premium quality skincare and personal products.  If only haute couture would go organic!

Learn more about the author, Wendy Roy on her website: www.glamgranola.com 

Be Glamorous. Be Pampered.  Be Well.

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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

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The Vanities is a gorgeous storybook set in a magical city in a faraway land.  The story will remind you of Cinderella with a twist! and that you’re more than your hairdo.  The images are created by extraordinary collages by Terence Lawlor, best known for creating collages for fashion ads for 15 years.   

Learn more about his work @ www.thevanities.com Don’t miss the chance to look inside the book.

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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

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Not exactly a beauty book but so much fun and informative!  I had to make sure you knew about it. Robyn Moreno’s, Practically Posh,  delivers tips and tricks with style most ladies can attain.  Not for the snooty pants among us, this is a book for the real life women who want to know how to live well.

If I could pick one word to describe the theme of this book it would be maximization, you can get so much from so little, even a little paycheck!   I love to be inspired and get new ideas, see great pictures, it’s my own little private vision quest. 

http://steepingbeauty.com