Emily Post Inspired by Twitter

I've been wanting to post about this for awhile now. Sarah inspired me today via Twitter. She posted this:

I call Emily Post's Etiquette by Peggy Post, the blue book. It is wrapped in a beautiful blue cover with a simple design on the front. I love this book and refer to it often. I have the 16th Edition, but now there is a 17th Edition .

I have also been known to give it as a gift. It makes an awesome bridal shower gift. Seriously. It's the right price point and will be used throughout a marriage.

Here are some of the topics covered in it:

• Correspondence-the appearance of personal letters (how to address them, when to send them, who to send them to).
• Job Interviews-questions and interviewer might ask you, your attire, meeting and greeting.
• Everyday Manners-going through doors, umbrellas, and chewing gum.
• The New Baby-baby showers, thank-yous, gifts, and religious ceremonies.
• Gifts for Special Occasions-anniversaries, business gifts, clients, and teachers.

But do you really want to know the main reason I give it as a bridal shower gift? A few years ago, some friends were getting married. They announced their engagement and we got an invitation to the engagement party. What disturbed me was the paperwork inside the invitation. There was more than one card stuck in there, with their bridal registry on it. I gasped. I called my friends. We discussed. You never enclose bridal registry information into an engagement party invite. Technically, per proper etiquette you are not supposed to include registry information in any type of wedding invitation.

So what did I bring to that engagement party? A card.

I've had some other issues with greedy friends and family, hence the gift idea. I always give Emily Post when I have no clue what to give the person, and/or the person needs deserves it.

Seriously, a great reference! You need it!

Historic Photos of Orange County, A Review

I was contacted by Turner Publishing in December to review a book called "Historic Photos of Orange County". I jumped at the chance to review it. I love books.

I have lived in Orange County since I was 11 years old. I was looking forward to see photos of the origins and beginnings of this County, I live in.

I received the book, which is a 10" by 10" coffee table size. It has a beautiful shiny laminated cover on it. The photos inside are all black and white.

The book is split into four chapters ranging from the 1870's to the late 1960's. There is a huge range of places that they covered in Orange County, from north county to the beaches.

If you live in Orange County, California, or have ever lived in Orange County; this book is a must have. It has you dwelling on the past. It's amazing to see some of the places that I go to everyday, fifty to sixty years ago. It is simply beautiful.

Here is a description of the book from their website:

Perpetual sunshine, palm trees, miles of unbroken beaches, yachts, cliff-top mansions, millionaires—these are the images of Orange County that come to mind for many people, and there is much truth in this depiction, for Orange County is a place of boundless natural wonders that attracts more than 25 million tourists a year. However, the full story of Orange County is far more complex. It’s a story of Juañeno Indians, conquistadors, Franciscan padres, rancheros, wildcatters, artists, and filmmakers. Historic Photos of Orange County offers some 200 images drawn from the county’s fascinating past, from the mission ruins of San Juan Capistrano, to the turn-of-the-century celery fields of Westminster, to the eye-popping fantasia of a young Disneyland.

By East Coast standards, Orange County is a relative baby—just over a century old—and tiny compared to most California counties; but its population is second only to neighboring Los Angeles County and growing every day. This volume captures the story of Orange County’s evolution from a sleepy backwater suburb of Los Angeles to an international tourist destination.

This would also be an awesome gift; ranging from house warming parties to birthdays.

It's retail price is $39.99.

You can find it on the publisher's site, and also on Amazon.

Turner Publishing also has other Historic Photos from several other places, like Austin, TX, Las Vegas, NV, and The White House.

Rhett Butler's People

I am a huge, huge fan of Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I've read the book over ten times. I first read the book in sixth grade. I think that's when my love of reading truly started.

But lately, I've been reading alot of chick lit type books. I try and stay away from the crime dramas, due to my job. I really get sick of crime, sometimes....

But, I was sooo giddy when I saw that there was a new authorized sequel to GWTW coming out. Rhett's Butler's People came out on Tuesday. The book begins twelve years before the Gone with the Wind timeframe.

I reserved the book online Friday night, and picked it up last night. I rarely read hardback books, so this was a moment for me. I decided to take my lunch at Panera Bread, and hide in a booth.

As I was hiding in my booth, I couldn't help but listen to a conversation going on next to me. I admit it, I'm a truly nosey person by nature. Well it appeared that these people were on a blind date. They were in the early 50's. The woman would say, "Oh I love red wine", and then the man would say, "Oh I don't drink nor do I eat red meat". It was hysterical. I felt bad for this woman. She was all done up, make-up, hair, and all. The guy was a total geek. She had this look on her face like she wanted to run away.

I think I got to page two in the book. I will save it for a later day. I'm going to try and relax more this week. It's the week of my 32nd Birthday and I want to enjoy it a little.