Things I Wish My Mother Had Told Me: A Guide to Living with Impeccable Grace & Style

Admittedly, the Brits live a little differently than I do, but then, it may have more to do with big city living. The American Southwest is a long way from New York, Los Angeles, London or Paris. However, the lady obviously has class, and is not completely over the top when it comes to spending money. Where she does spend big - it tends to make sense. Like a fabulous jacket ($$$$) paired with slacks from Target. Ms. van der Post comments that cotton sheets with higher than 250 thread count sheets is just boastful, but large bath towels and good soap are necessary for a nice home. Expensive furniture is not necessary; it is the little touches that make a place a comfortable home - good linens, flowers, objects, etc. Interesting insight on clothes - shoes, shoes, shoes. She'll recommend L'Oreal in the same paragraph as Creme de la Mer. For jewelry, one should either buy costly, high-end pieces or inexpensive costume jewelry, but nothing in-between. The book is an easy, fun read, full of non-preachy decent advice. Sort of like having your favorite classy great-aunt sharing all her secrets. Well worth the $$, if you are looking for advice on understated elegance for the non-aristocrat. I wish she had a companion volume on Etiquette, Grace and Manners for the New Millennium. -Placitas, NM

Advice from an elegant and wise lady on everything: clothes and style, make-up, marriage, children. Stuff I wish my mother had told me!