“Southern Charm” by Tinsley Mortimer Book Review and Sweepstakes

I love reading. I use to spend all my free time reading . . . that was until I became a blogger. For the last three years, I have been so caught up in blogging and brand building that whenever, I can sit down with a book; it is one that is business/blog/brand focused. So, when I was approached by the people of Simon & Schuster about writing a review for the book, “Southern Charm,” I thought this might be a great chance to get some fun reading in. Okay, let me be completely honest, I still hesitated because, I really wanted to stay focused on . . . well . . . my dreams. Then, I read this:

“Minty Davenport has always dreamed of skyscrapers, yellow cabs, and a life like Eloise’s in New York City. So upon graduation from college, she bids adieu to Charleston and makes a beeline for the Big Apple.”

How perfect (I thought), a young woman chasing her dreams and in the fashion and publishing capital of the world, New York City. I may not be young however, whether 16 or 60, we women should all follow our dreams. Not to mention, it takes place in the fashion and publishing capital of the world, New York City.

“Southern Charm,” was written by Tinsley Mortimer. Tinsley has served as a “Beauty Ambassador” for Christian Dior and helped to create a lip gloss called ‘Tinsley Pink’ for the brand. She designs a line of handbags for the Japanese company Samantha Thavasa and a clothing line, Riccimie, available exclusively in Japan. She has starred in the reality television show High Society, and has appeared on Dr. Phil, America’s Next Top Model, Extra, Access Hollywood, E!, E True Hollywood Story “Society Girls,” Bravo’s The Fashion Show and Gossip Girl.

I began reading the book and discovered Minty Davenport is a girl of privilege and I have to admit, I thought to myself, “Ugh, not a book on the rich and the – it’s not what you know but who you know lifestyle.” Then, I put my jealousy in check because . . .

“As Minty navigates the ironclad customs of New York society, a blossoming love life, and a job working for a ruthless and powerful publicist, she finds that the rules a southern belle lives by—being nice to everyone, accentuating her femininity, and minding her manners—don’t necessarily guarantee success in Manhattan.”

I realized that we all experience bumps on our paths to our dreams. It is more about how we overcome them than what we have.

What I liked about the book:

Fashion: I am talking about designer fashion and . . . riddle me this my lovely readers . . . who doesn’t like read words of fashion? Chanel, Brian Atwood, Diane Von Furstenberg . . . see how fun was it to read those three words?

Events: Maybe it is my desire to attend all the hottest events or the event planner in me, actually, a bit of both, but I did enjoy reading the behind the scene scoops the most.

Love and all its Dilemma AKA Men Can be Jerks Sometimes: All I will say is the whole Facebook scenario . . . made me laugh out loud because I understood it (all too well). I also found myself, as I continued the book saying, “Don’t! You will regret it” and “I told you so.”

Great reminders from this book:

Lesson 101 – Intuition: Sometimes, we tend to ignore it, push it aside, and tell it we don’t believe it. Always listen to your intuition whether it is in love, fashion, or goals.

Always Follow Your Dreams

Exciting News

Now some awesome news: there is a sweepstakes to win – an autographed copy of “Southern Charm,”, a Samantha Thavasa handbag designed by Tinsley, Dior beauty products, Stella & Dot jewelry, and Pretty Polly tights. To enter: