The Bookworm Presents - Style Me Vintage: 1940s

I was hesitant to order the latest Style Me Vintage book 1940s as I wasn’t sure that the book wouldn't just rehash the 1940's sections from the previous Style Me Vintage Hair, Clothes, Accessories and Make-up books but that was not the case.

Style Me Vintage: 1940s is the latest offering in the series by writer Liz Tregenza who is a fashion history specialist, writer, Design History (MA) graduate and museum curator. The book contains sections on make-up, hair, wartime and post war fashions, lingerie and swimwear and much more with fantastic historical information and highly informative tutorials on how to complete 1940s hair and make-up looks and tips on finding 1940s clothing and accessories and recreating 1940s day and evening looks and even military uniforms. The book covers styles from the UK, America and Europe and talks about iconic brands like Lilli Anne and Horrocks

Style Me Vintage: 1940s even gives readers information on where to research the 1940s to help you recreate an authentic 1940s look from your head right down to your toes.

Style Me Vintage: 1940's is a must have for any fan of the 40s. I can only hope this book is followed up by one about the 1950s!

Cruise Month - Cruise reading

This post contains affiliate links

Going on a cruise and being on the ocean is the perfect time to take some time out for a spot of relaxing and reading. Here are some books that will be gracing my suitcase this cruise thanks to The Book Depository.

Tales of the South Pacific:

"Tales of the South Pacific "is the iconic, Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece that inspired a Broadway classic and launched the career of James A. Michener, one of America's most beloved storytellers. This thrilling work invites the reader to enter the exotic world of the South Pacific and luxuriate in the endless ocean, the coconut palms, the waves breaking into spray against the reefs, the full moon rising behind the volcanoes. And yet here also are the men and women caught up in the heady drama of World War II: the young Marine who falls for a beautiful Tonkinese girl; the Navy nurse whose prejudices are challenged by a French aristocrat; and all the soldiers and sailors preparing for war against the seemingly peaceful backdrop of a tropical paradise.

Getting Stoned with Savages:

After two grueling years on the island of Tarawa, battling feral dogs, machete-wielding neighbors, and a lack of beer on a daily basis, Maarten Troost was in no hurry to return to the South Pacific. But as time went on, he realized he felt remarkably out of place among the trappings of twenty-first-century America. When he found himself holding down a job one that might possibly lead to a career he knew it was time for him and his wife, Sylvia, to repack their bags and set off for parts unknown. " Getting Stoned with Savages" tells the hilarious story of Troost s time on Vanuatu a rugged cluster of islands where the natives gorge themselves on kava and are still known to eat the man. Falling into one amusing misadventure after another, Troost struggles against typhoons, earthquakes, and giant centipedes and soon finds himself swept up in the laid-back, clothing-optional lifestyle of the islanders. When Sylvia gets pregnant, they decamp for slightly-more-civilized Fiji, a fallen paradise where the local chiefs can be found watching rugby in the house next door. And as they contend with new parenthood in a country rife with prostitutes and government coups, their son begins to take quite naturally to island living in complete contrast to his dad."

Pacific: 

Young Australian actress Samantha Lindsay, fresh from her success on the London stage, is thrilled when she lands the lead role in the latest Hollywood war epic to be filmed in the dramatic South Pacific islands of Vanuatu. It's the role of a lifetime. In another era, Jane Thackeray travels from her home in England to the far distant islands of the New Hebrides with her husband, a Presbyterian missionary. Ensnared in the turmoil of war in the South Pacific, Jane witnesses the devastating effect human conflict has upon an innocent race of people, and her life becomes entwined in a maelstrom of love, hate, sacrifice and revenge. On location in Vanuatu, Samantha plays a character based on the life of 'Mamma Tack', a World War II heroine who was invaluable to both the US forces and the New Hebredian natives. Uncanny parallels between history and fiction emerge and Sam begins a quest for the truth.

The Bookworm Presents - The Vintage Sweets Book

When I saw that the lovely Angel Adoree had released another book I knew that I had to snap it up so I ordered one straight away. Unfortunately there were a few issues with delivery and my copy has only just arrived but I thought I'd share it with you.

The Vintage Sweets Book is the third book released by Angel and includes divine illustrations from Adele Mildred including templates for boxes, puppets and many more delights. The book includes an introduction and a section on sweetie know how with great hints and tips and a sweet beginign section with basic simple to make sweets.  It also includes recipes for softball, firmball and hardball sweet as well a soft-crack and hard-crack sweets. There is also a useful resources section.

"The eagerly anticipated follow up to the hugely successful The Vintage Tea Party Book. Add a novel twist to your soiree with grown-up sweets and matching cocktails to generate an aura of nostalgic sophistication .Reinvent your favorite childhood treats with grown-up flavors like lemon and mint, strawberry and basil and cherry and almond .Angel's styling tips help you create a unique vintage atmosphere The Vintage Sweet Book takes you on a delicious journey back to your favorite childhood treats, allowing you to rediscover the magic by creating them in your very own kitchen! Angel Adoree provides a mouth-watering selection of retro sweets recipes to make with your friends and family. And don't forget to add the vintage touch: presentation suggestions throughout help you get the maximum impact when you serve up your sweets."

With Christmas on the way my Sister and I decided to test out one of the recipes from the book and try making some rum and raisin fudge:

Ingredients:
50ml (2fl oz) dark rum
100g (3½oz) raisins, roughly chopped
100g (3½oz) butter, plus extra for greasing
397g can sweetened condensed milk
125ml (4fl oz) milk
450g (1lb) demerara sugar

Method:
Put the dark rum in a bowl and add the chopped raisins. Set aside to soak.
Grease a 20cm (8in) square cake tin and line it with nonstick baking paper.
Combine the remaining ingredients in a large nonstick saucepan over a medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then remove the sugar crystals that are stuck to the inside of the pan above the bubbling solution.
Bring the mixture to the boil, then simmer gently for 10–15 minutes, stirring constantly, until it reaches 116.C (240F) – the softball stage.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the temperature of the mixture to drop to 110C (230F) before beating it. Beat with a wooden spoon for 10 minutes until the mixture is very thick and almost has the consistency and look of smooth peanut butter. This step is vital for thickening the fudge, so ensure you beat the mixture until it is very thick and stiff.
Stir in the raisins and the rum, then pour the mixture into the prepared tin and set aside for about 3 hours to cool.
When the fudge is completely cold, cut it into 24 small squares using a sharp knife.

The Bookworm Presents: This Old Thing

A couple of month back I promised a review of the book the accompanied the series This Old Thing that I reviewed here. I have finally got around to writing my review so here it is.

This Old Thing is written by Dawn O'Porter who I simply adore. The language of the book is very much Dawn's voice and includes some fabulous Dawnisms such as 'thighbrows'. Dawn's enthusiasm and love of vintage comes across very strongly.

The book is a fabulous gift for vintage lovers or those who are new to vintage as it has sections on what vintage is and what it isn't and where and how to buy vintage. It shares information on women's and men's fashion throughout the decades from the 1920's to the 1980's. There are also sections on iconic items of clothing such as the bikini, wiggle dress, flares, mini skirt, maxi dress and even the bob haircut.

The book has valuable information on the history of British clothing manufacture, designers to look out for and information on when and how to tailor your vintage (with simple sewing tasks explained) and care of vintage items written in Dawn's quirky easy to read style. There is also an interview with 'Vintage King' and collector of designer vintage William Banks-Blaney.

Whether you have seen the series or not and are new to vintage or a seasoned vintage lover you are sure to love this book!

The Bookworm presents: Style Me Vintage - Accessories

Style Me Vintage Accessories is the latest offering in the series by Naomi Thompson and Liz Tregenza. It features a range of accessories from the 1920's to 1980's including hats (and headpieces), shoes, bags, costume jewellery, sunglasses and gloves

This book is much thicker than previous titles in the series and unlike its predecessors it is not sectioned up by decade but rather by accessory type. The book details brands to look out for in each accessory and also has sections highlighting certain designers.There is also helpful sections on where to buy vintage accessories and how to look after then.

The book is filled with stunning photographs of some beautiful vintage accessories and would make a great gift for any lover of vintage.

The next book in the series, Style Me Vintage - Home will be released in March next year and I for one can't wait for this one!

The Bookworm Present: Sh*t on My Hands - A Down and Dirty Companion to Early Parenthood

A few months back I got the super exciting news that my little sister is going to have a baby and I'm going to be an aunt. I wanted to send my sister and her partner a little gift to say congratulations and as this will be my sisters first baby I thought I'd send her a couple of parenting guides. So I picked up Sh*t on my Hands (along with The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Parenting which I also fabulously funny and informative)

I absolutely love this book not only is it laugh out loud funny and very informative but it is filled with vintage baby ads which I of course adore. The books is written by Madeleine Hamilton author of Our Girls: Aussie Pinups of the 40s and 50s which I have reviewed here) and Bunny Banyai who are both parents. Madeline and her co-author Bunny have combined their observations and experiences to bring you this gem of a book.

The book is split in to sections which include 0-6 months,  6-12 months, 12-18 months and 18-24 months so it will help you through the first couple of years of parenting. While many pious child rearing manuals may leave you feeling like the worlds worse parent, Sh*t on My Hands will give you a down and dirty real life view of parenting which will make you laugh hysterically and stop you worrying about just how many ways you have messed up your child!  

The book brings a down to earth and hysterical view on being a parent and is a must have for any new parents! 

Great Gatsby Week - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

In honour of Baz Lurman's The Great Gatsby being released in cinemas on Thursday this week is Great Gatsby week on the blog.

We're kicking off this week with the book itself. The Great Gatsby was written in 1925 by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It is considered to be his best work. The book follows characters living in the fictional town of West Egg on Long Island in the summer of 1922. The main events of the novel take place in the summer of 1922, narrated by Nick Carraway, a Yale graduate and World War I veteran from the Midwest who takes a job in New York as a bond salesman. He rents a small house on Long Island, in the (fictional) village of West Egg, next door to the lavish mansion of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who holds extravagant parties.

Nick drives across the bay to East Egg for dinner at the home of his cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and her husband, Tom, a college acquaintance of Nick's. They introduce Nick to Jordan Baker, an attractive, cynical young golfer with whom Nick begins a romantic relationship. Jordan reveals to Nick that Tom has a mistress, Myrtle Wilson, who lives in the "valley of ashes": an industrial dumping ground between West Egg and New York City. Not long after this revelation, Nick travels to New York City with Tom and Myrtle to an apartment they keep for their affair. At the apartment, a vulgar and bizarre party ends with Tom breaking Myrtle's nose after she taunts Tom about Daisy.

As the summer progresses, Nick eventually receives an invitation to one of Gatsby’s parties. Nick encounters Jordan Baker at the party, and they meet Gatsby himself, an aloof and surprisingly young man who recognizes Nick from their same division in the war. Through Jordan, Nick later learns that Gatsby knew Daisy from a romantic encounter in 1917 and is deeply in love with her. He spends many nights staring at the green light at the end of her dock, across the bay from his mansion, hoping to one day rekindle their lost romance. Gatsby’s extravagant lifestyle and wild parties are an attempt to impress Daisy in the hopes that she will one day appear again at Gatsby's doorstep. Gatsby now wants Nick to arrange a reunion between himself and Daisy. Nick invites Daisy to have tea at his house, without telling her that Gatsby will also be there. After an initially awkward reunion, Gatsby and Daisy reestablish their connection. They begin an affair and, after a short time, Tom grows increasingly suspicious of his wife's relationship with Gatsby. At a luncheon at the Buchanans' house, Gatsby stares at Daisy with such undisguised passion that Tom realizes Gatsby is in love with her. Though Tom is himself involved in an extramarital affair, he is deeply outraged by his wife's infidelity. He forces the group to drive into New York City, where he confronts Gatsby in a suite at the Plaza Hotel. Tom asserts that he and Daisy have a history that Gatsby could never understand, and he announces to his wife that Gatsby is a criminal whose fortune comes from bootlegging alcohol and other illegal activities. Daisy realizes that her allegiance is to Tom, and Tom contemptuously sends her back to East Egg with Gatsby, attempting to prove that Gatsby cannot hurt him.

When Nick, Jordan, and Tom drive through the valley of ashes, however, they discover that Gatsby’s car has struck and killed Myrtle, Tom’s lover. They rush back to Long Island, where Nick learns from Gatsby that Daisy was driving the car at the time of the accident, but that Gatsby intends to take the blame. The next day, Tom tells Myrtle’s husband, George, that Gatsby was the driver of the car. George, who has leapt to the conclusion that the driver of the car that killed Myrtle must have been her lover, tracks Gatsby to his mansion and fatally shoots both Gatsby and himself. Nick stages what turns out to be a very small funeral for Gatsby, ends his relationship with Jordan, and moves back to the Midwest to escape the disgust he feels for the people surrounding Gatsby's life and for the moral decay and emptiness of the wealthy of the East Coast.

Fitzgerald was inspired to write the book after attending a host of parties at Long Island mansions. The book is a social comment on the times, creating a portrait of the Jazz Age that warns of the dangers of the American dream with its themes of decadence, idealism, resistance to change, social upheaval, and excess.

First published by Scribner's in April 1925, The Great Gatsby received mixed reviews and sold poorly; in its first year, the book only sold 20,000 copies. Fitzgerald died in 1940, believing himself to be a failure and his work forgotten. His work, spearheaded by The Great Gatsby, experienced a revival during World War II, and the novel became a part of high school curriculum in the following decades. The book has remained popular since, leading to numerous stage and film adaptions. The Great Gatsby is widely considered to be a literary classic and a contender for the title "Great American Novel". The book is consistently ranked among the greatest works of American literature and of all-time.

The Bookworm Presents: Audrey Hepburn - A Life in Pictures

Audrey Hepburn a Life in Pictures is a  lavishly illustrated book which celebrates Audrey's popularity as an enduring icon, providing a unique insight into her career, personality and trademark style that still fascinate and captivates today.

The book begins with a foreword by fashion designer and long time friend of Audrey, Hubert de Givenchy. It goes on to a concise yet detailed biography of Audrey's Life which is accompanied by over 160 photographs, many reproduced for the first time and taken by some of the world's top photographers. 

Famous quotes on and from Audrey Hepburn complement the impressive iconographic research, which includes numerous family pictures as well as information from private collections, press agencies and newspapers. From her enchanting appearances on the big screen to her charity work for UNICEF and fascinating family life, this book is a highly individual portrait of a much-loved movie and fashion legend.

This book is a must for all Audrey Fans!

The Bookworm Presents: Audrey Hepburn - The Paramount Years by Tony Nourmand

Audrey Hepburn's exquisite style and grace is much documented - her debut Roman Holiday in 1953 redefined perceived notions of Hollywood glamour and ushered in an age of sophistication and elegance. Hepburn's legacy on screen and in fashion is undisputed her image attaining that rare feat in cinema of becoming as synonymous with her fame as her films.

Audrey Hepburn - The Paramount Years collects together for the first time those memorable billboard images which established her iconic status. Featuring the golden period of Hepburn's film career, this sumptuous book included never-seen-before post artwork for Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Paris when it Sizzles along with magazine covers from the period, lobby cards, stunning costume designs and rare behind the scene stills for her Paramount films. 

The book is split into chapter covering the movies mentioned above. Each contains an array of amazing photos and art work including movie posters and costume designs for the films. 

There is also a foreword by Professor Sir Christopher Frayling, an introduction by the author himself and chapters including: 

Collecting Audrey: What Price Fame? by Sarah Hodgson which discuses the popularity and prices paid for Audrey memorabilia over the years including personal letters and family items. Audrey Hepburn: Movie S

Star and Fashion Icon by Andreas Timmer which discuses Audrey unlikely image as a style icon, her love of fashion and her relationship with Givency.

Audrey Style: Her Enduring Magic Lives On by June Marsh which discuses Audrey's always impeccable style which is still much copied today.

This book is simply enchanting and is a must for any Audrey fan. My only gripe with it is that it does not cover all the movies that Audrey made with Paramount. Audrey signed a 7 picture contract with Paramount but there is no mention of War and Peace and I cannot find a seventh film that Audrey did with paramount! 

Audrey Hepburn Week: Books

There are a whole host of books about Audrey and I will be reviewing a couple this week. I had hoped to order some more from the list below to read and review but time and money prevented me from doing so. No matter. Here is a list of just some of the vast tittles about Audrey:

An Elegant Spirit:  A son remembers by Sean Hepburn Ferrer

is a biography of Audrey's life written by her son Sean. I have yet to read it but it is definitely on my to buy list.

Fifth Avenue, 5a.m. by Sam Wasson

is a book about the creation of the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's. From the creation of the novella by Truman Capote, to the rise of Audrey Hepburn's star and her casting to play the role of Holly Golightly. I reviewed the book a few month back. You can find the review here.

Just Being Audrey by Margaret Cardillo 

is a beautiful book aimed at children and one that will definitely be gracing our future daughter's bookshelf. The book is a simplistic story of Audrey's life with stunning illustrations by Julia Denos.

Audrey Hepburn: The Paramount Years by Tony Nourmand

is a stunning collection of original poster artwork and classic photography from the golden period of Audrey Hepburn's career. I will be reviewing the book later today.

What Would Audrey Do? by Pamela Clarke Keogh

The author of the bestselling Audrey Style brings a charming dose of Audrey Hepburn into our everyday lives, with wisdom on relationships, fashion, home, travel and other opportunities for sophisticated living. Audrey Hepburn epitomises generosity, glamour and beauty.

Audrey Style by Pamela Clark Keogh

Audrey Hepburn was one of the most admired and emulated women of the twentieth century, and has become a timeless style icon. But her beauty was more than skin deep and for the first time, this style biography reveals the details made up her appeal

Audrey Hepburn: A Life in Pictures by YB Editions

From her captivating debut in Roman Holiday in 1953, Audrey Hepburn redefined notions of Hollywood elegance and sophistication. This lavishly illustrated book celebrates Audrey's popularity as an enduring icon, providing a unique insight into her career, personality and trademark style that still fascinate and captivates today.

How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World by Jordan Christy

Christy shows women how in this guide to glamorous style, professional success and true love...the classy way.

How to be Lovely by Melissa Hellstern

Writer Melissa Hellstern has spent five years collecting some of the late icon's most remarkable words in this beautifully designed and produced book filled with rare photos, behind-the-scenes stories and insights from the friends who knew Hepburn well.

Audrey Hepburn by Bob Willoughby

In his distinguished career as a Hollywood photographer, the author took iconic photos of Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Fonda, but remains unequivocal about his favorite subject: Audrey Kathleen Ruston, best known as Audrey Hepburn. This title features his photographs that seek out the many facets of Hepburn's beauty and elegance.

Audrey Hepburn: Fair Lady of the Screen by Ian Woodward

A biography of Audrey Hepburn. In addition to her illustrious film career, this book sheds light on the charity work she did for UNICEF, her personal fight against cancer, and the way in which she dedicated the last years of her life to bringing help and hope to the starving children of the world.

So Audrey: 59 Ways to Put a Little Hepburn in Your Step by Cindy De La Hoz

Legendary superstar, trend setter, and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn remains the epitome of style, charm, and humility in the face of enviable beauty for women of all ages. Filled with fashion and lifestyle tips inspired by Audrey, paired with photos, this book imparts 59 little ways to put some Hepburn in your step.

Audrey Hepburn by Barry Paris

This personal account of Hollywood's most gracious star includes insights of family and friends who have never before spoken to a Hepburn biographer, and includes never-before-published photos, creating a in-depth portrait of the actress, from her childhood in Nazi-occupied Europe, through her legendary career, and into her United Nations ambassadorship.

Audrey Hepburn: International Cover Girl by Scott Brisell

Collects more than 500 international magazine covers featuring Audrey Hepburn published over the course of her life and career - many featuring photographs of the star. This book contains a biographical text that accompanies the images, offering fresh insights and context on her on- and off-screen life and tracing the evolution of her image.

Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn by Donald Spoto

Born in Brussels in 1929, Audrey Hepburn was the daughter of a British father and a Dutch Baroness. After a few West End musicals and minor film parts, she was spotted by the author, Colette, to star in a stage version of her novel, "Gigi". And then Audrey's career took off. This book captures the spirit of an elusive, and vulnerable woman.

Adieu Audrey: Memories of Audrey Hepburn by Klaus-Jurgen Sembach

She was living evidence that fairy tales are real and that angles can come down to earth. It was Colette who discovered the too tall and too thin girl with expressive eyes, then a complete unknown, and made her the lead in the 1951 Broadway production of Gigi. Her film triumphs were all the more astonishing since she didn't match the usual Hollywood cliches. Petite, almost androgynous, and with a disarming naturalness, she had a worldwide impact on fashion and beauty trends and was enthusiastically welcomed as an alternative to the sex bombs and pin-up girls of the 50s. This book, with an essay by Klaus-Jurgen Sembach, is dedicated to Audrey Hepburn who died in 1993. It includes the best film stills, portraits, and private photographs by well-known and by unknown photographers from all over the world who have provided us with an immortal image of Hollywood's most endearing star.

The Bookworm Presents: Fifth Avenue, 5am

As promised a few weeks ago here is my review of Fifth Avenue, 5am. The book follows the creation of the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's from the creation of the book by Truman Capote to the rise of Audrey Hepburn's star and her casting to play the role of Holly Golightly. New York Socialite, call girl and kook.

I have adored the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's ever since I first saw it many years ago but at the time I failed to realise just how groundbreaking it was to have a sexually liberated woman on screen who is not portrayed as a bad girl and doesn't suffer some awful consequence of her promiscuity. The book give a fascinating insight into how such issue that arose making the film were resolved and a good deal more background information about the making of the movie.

In fact there were so many issues in creating this masterpiece of a movie that I'm surprised it got made at all but made it was and I for one am delighted it was.

I adored Fifth Avenue, 5am. It is a compelling read, so much so in fact that I simply could not put it down and read it in one sitting!

Top 10 Christmas Books

Carrying on with the top ten of Christmas today I will focus on books:

1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens:
This morality tale is a Christmas classic and a favourite of young and old alike. A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge an old selfish skinflint who does not honor the spirit of Christmas or share his wealth. Scrooge is visited by three ghosts who convince him to change his ways.

2. Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore:
This endearing Christmas poem about a visit by St Nick is another Christmas classic that just had to make the list!

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
The Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, hates Who-ville’s holiday celebrations, and plans to steal all the presents to prevent Christmas from coming. To his amazement, Christmas comes anyway, and the Grinch discovers the true meaning of the holiday.

4. The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen
This wonderful story is an ageless chronicle of a young girl struggling to stay warm on New Year’s Eve using the very matches she is suppose to be selling to earn money for her family. With each strike of a match the little girl sees wonderful things in the flames which warm both her heart and soul.

5. The Nutcracker by Ralph Manheim
Adapted from Tchaikovsky's enchanting ballet the book tells the story of Clara a young girl who receives a nutcracker for Christmas present the comes to life an transports her to the world of sweets.

6. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C S Lewis
Four evacuees travel through the wardobe into the land of Narnia where it is always winter but never Christmas the seek out Aslan the true king of Narnia to defeat the White Queen who was placed the spell.

7. The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg

As a kid I adored The Jolly Postman books and this Christmas edition is no different!

8. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
This beautiful book is one the whole family can enjoy!

9. The Autobiography of Santa by Jeff Guinn
Tells the real story of the man in the red suit

10. Letters from Father Christmas by J R R Tolkien
From the author of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings come this collections of letters that he wrote to his children from Santa

Of course there are many other magical Christmas books. Why not share your favourites over on my Facebook page

The Bookworm Presents: Our Girls: Aussie Pinups of the 40s and 50s

While browsing in the shop at the Australian War Memorial I came across Our Girls: Aussie Pinups of the 40's and 50's. I'd seen a lot of posts about the book around its launch in Melbourne back in 2009 and watched the fabulous documentary Paper Dolls: Pinup Girls of WWII so I grabbed a copy for myself.

Our Girls is written by Madeleine Hamilton who spent four years tracking down swimsuit and glamour models from the 40s and 50s to share their stories. This delightful little book has gorgeous pictures of the girls with snippets of their experiences pinup modeling and gives an overview of how public opinions towards pinups changed. Pinups went from being praised for their moral boasting work during the war years to being seen as something seedy at the end of the 50's and then disappeared into obscurity with the rise of the feminist movement who saw pinups as oppressive and demeaning to women.

This book gives a fascinating insight to the rise and fall of the aussie pinup with fabulous first hand accounts from the girls themselves. I would recommend it to any fan of the pinup!

Our Girls: Aussie Pinups of the 40's and 50's is available through Arcade Publications 

The Bookworm Presents: Style Me Vintage Tea Parties

If you hadn't already figured out I love a tea party especially a vintage styled one so when I saw the new book in the Style Me Vintage series - tea parties I just had to order a copy. Style Me Vintage Tea Parties is written by Betty Blythe (or Lulu Gwynne) of Betty Blythe Vintage Tea Rooms in west London.

The book contains a useful section on 'How to organise a successful party' with a 'party planning essential checklist and many other helpful pointers. The parties are then split into categories namely Victorian tea party,  Edwardian Breakfast, 1920's Speakeasy, 1930's Cocktail party, 1940's Picnic and 1950's Street Party each with its own menu and recipes including some fabulous cocktail recipes. There are helpful hints on dress, decorations and entertainment in each section even down to music to play. Essentially everything you need to host a fabulous tea party.

The Bookworm Presents: The Vintage Tea Party Year

I absolutely adored Angel Adoree's first book the Vintage Tea Party so when I saw she was releasing a second book I just had to grab myself a copy.

For those of you that don't already know Angel runs the Vintage Patisserie who will host a fabulous vintage tea party for you for any occasion!

The Vintage Tea Party Year takes you through 12 months of parties from New Year right through until Christmas with amazing recipes, craft projects and vintage hair styles for each occasion. The book is beautifully illustrated by Adele Mildred and the stunning photography of each delicate dish makes your mouth water just looking at it!

If you loved the first book then this one is a must have!

The Bookworm Presents: How to Keep Well in Wartime and 101 Things to do in Wartime

 Way back in Christmas 2010 my little Sister got me these books. I promised a review would follow but then forgot to write it so I am doing it now as part of my blog catch up.

How to Keep Well in Wartime was first printed in 1943 by the Ministry of Health to set out 'simple safeguards, the common sense rules and the good habits which we can make part and parcel of our everyday lives'. The book taught people to be regular in their living habits, ensure they got enough sleep and other gems of information to keep well in wartime. The book contains some information that is as relevant today as it was in the war and other snippets which are a little more humorous such as the section on 'sex problems"

101 Things to Do in Wartime was published in 1940 and provided 101 ideas for ways to stay entertained during the long dull evenings of the blackout. It contains sections on games and puzzles to play. Items to make, wartime reading, knitting and other crafts and cooking and producing food, DIY jobs for around the home to safeguard it in wartime and helpful first aid.

Another Tea Party Book

I was searching on Amazon for The Vintage Tea Party Book when this popped up! The latest offering int he 'Style Me Vintage' series will be published on 4th October and this time its 'Tea Parties'. Anyone who knows me knows I love a good tea party so I immediately ordered my copy of Style Me Vintage: Tea Parties and I will be sure to review it when I receive my copy in October! 

The Bookworm Presents: The Vintage Tea Party

I've heard a lot about The Vintage Tea Party Book all over the blogosphere ever since its publication way back in August last year so I was so excited to finally get my hands on a copy of my own!

The Vintage Tea Party is written by owner of The Vintage Patisserie Angel Adoree and covers every aspect of holding a vintage tea party from finding an ideal location to sending invitations, sourcing props and creating a great kitchen atmosphere. The remainder of the book is split in to 3 sections with delicious recipes for tea parties for Brunch, Afternoon and Evenings.  And the last 'Style' section contains vital information on how to look your best for you party including sections on 'The Science of Style', 'How to pick the perfect vintage dress' and a hair and make up section with step by step guides to recreate vintage looks. There's also a section for the boys on 'Male Grooming'.

The book is gorgeously presented and stunningly illustrated by Adele Mildred and the photographed goodies look absolutely delicious. I've yet to try any of the recipes but I will be sure to post the results when I do.

Angela's second book Vintage Tea Party Year is out on 1st October. I have my copy pre-ordered and will be sure to review it as soon as it arrives.