I am not the kind of woman who is always on the cutting edge of fashion. People don’t often ask me where I got a certain pair of shoes or outfit. I have not watched Project Runway, so I was unfamiliar with Nina Garcia, who is a judge, and also the author of Little Black Book of Style. However, it didn’t take me more than a page or two to figure out that I liked her and her style. In the preface she says
I grew up in an unbearably hot city on the northwest tip of Columbia. I was constantly surrounded by incredibly vibrant, confident, feminine women, women who knew who they were and what image they wanted to convey to the world. They knew how to buy the right clothes for their bodies, how to edit out what did not suit them, and how to stay away from fads and maintain an aura of eternal style. It is my purpose with this book to inspire you the way these women inspired me.
Isn’t that what we all want to be? Confident? Feminine? Admired? I have always felt somewhat confident, but not because of what I wore or how I looked. Over the last few years, I keep trying to convince myself to buy quality and not quantity, and that comfort is not the chief factor in what I wear, but these are hard changes to actually implement. If I were looking at two pairs of pants and one cost $60 and one cost $24, there would be no question which one I bought. However, thanks to Nina Garcia’s assessment of “The Basics,” I now know where to start in my process of upgrading my wardrobe.
For those of you who are already fashion-conscious, you will find much to love in this book as well. The pen and ink drawings by Ruben Toledo are elegant and whimsical at the same time. The chapter called “Insider Tips and Tricks” where Nina Garcia interviews people with whom I’m unfamiliar, but those of you in the know probably are, gave me an added boost about what I “should” be doing. Those who really enjoy fashion will devour the “Fashion Cliff’s Notes, Decade by Decade.”
In a word, this book is inspiring (to see exactly how I was inspired to edit my closet, check out Tackle It Tuesday this week). I am encouraged that perhaps by making more of an effort in this small superficial area, I might uncover some undiscovered benefit as well. Reading this book did not make me feel hopelessly out of date, but rather encouraged me to change my thinking and gave me the knowledge I would need to focus on a few small areas to change. Nina Garcia promises that this book will change your life, or at least your closet, which will change your attitude, which can in fact change your life.
Are you looking for a change?
The publisher is giving away 3 books (5 books if we get at least 50 comments). If you have a Canadian or U.S. shipping address, leave a comment here. If you’d like, tell me if you are already crazy for fashion, or if you are like me–a little fashion-challenged.
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{ 116 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m all about getting fashionable. Sign me up!
I could use a book like this for my wardrobe. Please count me in.
I’d love some fashion assistance!
Mary
I am definitely fashioned challenged…would love to win this book…I need all the hints and tips I can get.
THANKS
Please count me in.
Sounds good!
My closet could use a book like this!
Count me in.
I could use it – and enjoy reading it!!!
I could definitely use the tips in this book!!
Sounds like a great book!
oh wow! i’ve been dying to read this ever since I first heard about it!
I would love to read this book. I’m challenged this area too!
I would have to say I’m in between. I’m more for comfort then anything
I’d love this book though, I heard about it & have been wanting to read!
I’m not terribly stylish but I do want to find out how to “edit out” the worst parts.
Count me in!
Count me in too! I could really use help finding clothing that don’t convey “little girl” (I wear a size 16 in children’s)
Kinda fashion-challenged here!
Sign me up! After four kids in four years, I could use some advice before I FINALLY get to go shopping! Thanks!
I’m a little fashion challenged. Partly because I live so far away from town and don’t watch to much TV and can only really shop through the internet.
I’m a fashion emergency. It’s so hard to keep up. I need help!
I’d like some fashion advice. I’m a little challenged considering my clothes range from jean shorts to jeans to tshirts only.
I am VERY fashion challenged…I needed this book while I was cleaning out my closet!
Oh – I need a little help (I should actually say A LOT of help) in this area.
Sounds like this would be very helpful for me! Great sounding book!
I need help. I feel like I’ve lost my sense of style since getting married and having a baby. I want it back, but don’t know where to start. I hope I win!
Definitely on the fashion-challenged side here!
This sounds like a great book!
I’m (hoping) I’m coming out of being fashion challenged… as in shopping at Macy’s now instead of buying old t-shirts from summer camp!
Being yet another fashion challenged mom, I could use all the extra help I can get.
I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where “fashion” is function. My style is lacking now that I’m living in the South, where it counts! Sounds like a good book.
Sounds like a good book, and I’m totally a fashion challenged Mom, count me in please this little book might do me some good!
Count me in, I love fashion, but could use help.
I love fashion; however, my closet does need tackling! I would love to have a copy of this book to help me get motivated!
Count me in. I am an addict of shows like “Project Runway” and “What not to Wear” but working out of your home tends to make one a little lazy. It would be great to get some inspiration or just a good kick
I’d love that book! I’ve been stuck in the jeans and a cute top rut since having kids!
I’m in! My closet could use a lot of help!
I am an avid watcher of Project Runway, and I love Nina Garcia. I would love to win this book!
Fashion often feels like one more thing I’m falling behind in. Send me some help!
I definitely need any help I can get in the fashion department!
… help me. please.
please enter me thanks!
please enter me. I’d love to win!
I have clothes in my closets that are many, many years old. I need this book!
I’m definitely fashioned challenged, and would even nominate myself for What Not to Wear if I could
Sounds like a fun read!
I definitely need the help!
I love Nina Garcia and Project Runway and have heard about this book! I would LOVE to win a copy!
I am crazy for fashion! I try to keep up within budget limits, but I try to at least have a couple fashion-forward pieces in my closet
I could use a change!
My children say I’m really outdated. Help!
I’m definately fashion challenged and I’m ready for some help!
As a mom of 2 toddlers I feel like I’m completely unaware of the current fashion. It’s not like when I worked outside the home and saw real people every day. In fact, unless Sesame Street starts offering tips on how to dress, I’m going to have to read this book for some hints.
Please, please, please let there be a chapter on shoes…I could buy a pair every day. Karla
I could definitely use some fashion help. My sister threatens to sign me up for “What Not to Wear,” although I don’t think I’m THAT bad.
I could use this book for sure!
Nurse=Scrubs. Mommy to two preschoolers=frumpy. Go anywhere=I don’t have a thing to wear. This sounds like the ideal book for me. Thanks for hosting!
Okay I’ll break the 50, would love to win this one.
I told my friends that my closet screams “MOM OF 3 BOYS.” and at what point did I lose my sense of style. Please help me out by at least putting me in the drawing.
I love books like this. I really need them too!
I definately could use this book!! haha Please enter me Thanks!!
Need help out of mommy fashion!!
I could use that book for sure. No time for mommy
Sounds like a great book! I love fashion, but who couldn’t use some help!
Please enter me!
I LOVE fashion, but could always use a little encouragement.
This sounds great!
I could really use some help. I grew up with 4 brothers and I live in a house with 3 boys. I usually just gauf at fashion magazines because they just don’t look like real ideas I can use. I would love some style inspiration/advise.
I have to admit that I’m a little fashion challenged right now. Lately I’ve been sticking with sweats. I could really use this book.
Bring it on!!!
Fashion challenged in a big way!!! I NEED this book, I think!
I am incredibly fashion challenged and need all the help I can get! I’ve heard this book is great and would love a chance to find out.
i have twins leaving for college in the fall and i would love to have a gook like this for next year! become prepared is what i need!
I lost my fashion style after getting married & having a baby. It’s all about comfort now and watching how I spend the money. HELP!
I need some major fashion help!
Fun! Thanks for entering me!
I’m definitely fashion-challenged. Although I will admit to being drawn into Project Runway recently. I got a chance to watch all of the old seasons about a month ago and couldn’t tear myself away.
I definitely fall into the fashion-challenged category. I could certainly use a copy of this book.
I would love to win this book and I definitely need it!
I’m a bit fashion challenged & hope this book will help point me in the right direction!
Ooooh, me.
I’m definitely fashion challenged – if it doesn’t go with blue jeans, I don’t wear it. I’d love to find out a bit more about how to choose clothes well.
Susan is doing better, but still needs help. Sign her up.
Dad
Count me in please. I really need this! ;v)
I’m fashion-challenged, with an 8 year old “fashionistic” daughter. I think this book would be very useful in the coming years.
Hugs,
Melinda
I am quite fashion challenged. I look forward to reading this book.
Looks great. I definitely need to weed out my closet this week, too!
Count me in, I’m fashion challenged.
LOL I could definitely use this book. I adore Nina and Project Runway.
Enter me please and thank you! Good luck to all!
who couldn’t use a change!
After having 2 kiddies and being a SAHM, I need some ideas to get back in the groove!
Count me in! I need all the help I can get.
I want it!
Oh yes, I would love a copy of this book!
Hate to admit it, a little fashion challenged. Just had a baby and need a little help!
I’m very fashion challenged. Please help. Maybe I’ll win the book. I need it.
Sher
I’d love a new book to read!
Sounds like a fun read with some great tips! Sign me up!
Count me in!!
I am definitely interested. Please add me in!
I would love to win this book and I definitely need it!
I would love this book!! My closet NEEDS a makeover!
I could SO use this book. In the last 3.5 years of parenting, I feel like every item I own has been stained or stretched or no longer fits or is in some other way just barely wearable (not to mention unstylish). A book to show me where to invest in some good clothes would be so helpful.
Love the idea of this book! Everyone could use a little help with the closet.
I am a bit challenged. I had a job for years that they wanted you to dress basic. No longer in that job and definitely out of the loop.
Oh, boy — could I use this!!!! Please! I really really really need the help!
I could definitely use help in this area.
My wardrobe needs all the help it can get !:)
I am sure I could learn MANY things from this book.
Fashion Police be on alert…
Lisa
I am definitely fashion challenged. The only reason my wardrobe is decent is because my much more hip sister gives me all of her cast-offs. But I’m not complaining one bit!
please count me in
I’m a fashionista…or something like that! : )
yes please, enter me. Thanks
Yep, more than a little fashion challenged.
My daughter would definetly say I need that book! I am afraid she is a fashion maven. I am better but could still use the help!
This book sounds great! I would love to learn from this book!
Is this contest still open? I checked around, but I am not sure.
I am crazy about fashion, but I can’t say I am a fashionable person.
I don’t know if the contest is still open, either, but I would love this book. I used to be quite fashionable, but three kids later has pushed it to the back of my mind. I hope I am not deemed hopeless, yet!!!
Thanks,
Jenn
I need help.
I’m not making my way back to my slimmer, more fashionable clothes very quickly…so I need “right now!” help!
I love fashion tips and learning secrets of the trade. Put my name in the hat!
I didn’t see a winner yet…so if I am still able I would love to get in on the action….i am definately challenged in the fashion department!