THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOKS: "A GOOD BOOK HAS NO ENDING." - R.D. CUMMING

A collection of GS&E's chosen most beautiful books....

NICK BANTOCK'S "GRIFFIN & SABINE"

Nick Bantock's beautifully written correspondence around the balance between "love and fear, male and female, body and mind, and world and image." This story is told through a trilogy of books with removable letters and postcards between the two main characters. You truly feel like you are reading other people's love letters, watching what happens between them unfold and going through the emotions with them. These books never leave my thoughts or heart.


SLIM AARON'S "A PLACE IN THE SUN"

Slim Aaron's was the celebrity photographer of the "golden age" - his photos are almost impossible today. The photos are lit so beautifully and the moments captured are so idyllic. Capturing beautiful people in the 60's and 70's, tons of trends and magic were photographed. His "A Place in the Sun" as well as "Once Upon A Time" really capture golden, gorgeous and trend-setting days in such luminous light. And his photos live happily ever after....


JOAN DIDION'S "THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING"

This Joan Didion book is brutally honest, deeply sad and truly a beautiful masterpiece. It really shows you how to live each day with the ones you love and know it could end and change at any moment. Nothing is bigger than death. Anything can be overcome when you put your perspective into her history. It made me very sad but it also taught me a close lesson that everyday, every moment is important to love, be kind, take the time to appreciate where you are and who you love. Don't take a thing in your life for granted.


LEE RADZIWILL'S "HAPPY TIMES"

Lee Radziwill's beautiful book is part notebook and part photo album of her happiest time with sister Jacqueline Kennedy in the 60's. The photos are insanely amazing. In the back of the book are pages from their beautifully co-written and illustrated book "One Special Summer." It is like having a telescope peak into the childhood thoughts of two very intriguing and fascinating women.


NORTON JUSTER'S "THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH"

THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH has been an obsession of mine since I was in fourth grade. I still think it is beyond it's time and really special for a child or even an adult to discover. Milo is so bored. One day, he receives an unusual package - a make believe toll-booth. He is transported to the Lands Beyond - an amazing world of imagination. Nothing is boring ever again. It still makes me happy seeing it glowing back at me in my bookshelf.


F. SCOTT FITZGERALD'S "THE GREAT GATSBY"

THE GREAT GATSBY is all the things I love....a beautiful and sad love story...in a time I find interesting and inspiring...beautiful visuals in every area...a haunting story of triumph and tragedy. One of the only books whose movie was made even better with Mia Farrow and Robert Redford. The costumes are so beautiful I could cry!


ALEXANDRE DUMAS' "CAMILLE"

The beautiful book "CAMILLE" is such a lovely reminder that money doesn't buy everything or equate happiness. Happiness could come rich or poor, beautiful or ugly, happy or sad...


LEWIS CARROLL'S "ALICE AU PAYS DES MERVEILLES"

The gorgeous French version book of Alice In Wonderland...
"Eh bien, vois-tu, un chien gronde lorsqu'il est en colere, et remue la queue lorsqui"il est content. Or, moi."


GORDON KERR'S "GONERS"

I have given GONERS out to so many people because I learned so much from it. First, it is always interesting to hear about notable people's final days and hours. But in this book, I learned that Alexander the Great loved to party after fighting, that Charles Dickens had lunch, smoked a cigar and wrote the day he had a stroke out of nowhere, that Marie Antoinette apologized to her executioner for stepping on his toes before her head was chopped off and that Elvis sat down at his piano and sang "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" the night he was to die which became the last song he ever sang. This book is hauntingly amazing.


DONALD H. WOLFE'S "THE LAST DAYS OF MARILYN MONROE"

A sad and in-depth account of her final days. Many details not widely known. I could not stop reading this book.

"Love is eternal...until it ends" ................


JEAN STEIN'S "EDIE"

I find any book on Edie Sedgwick to be beautiful but this book is written with many voices, including her family and close friends. As the book says, "all glitter and flash on the outside, all hollow and desperate within."


"You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you've lost a friend." - Paul Sweeney

All these friends are nestled safe in my home.

XOXOX
GS&E

GS&E'S OBSESSIONS THIS WEEK: "KNOW THAT NO DAY IS THE SAME AS ANOTHER, AND THAT EACH MORNING CONTAINS IT'S OWN PARTICULAR MIRACLE"

The best thing about life is that every day, every minute...brings a chance to find and see beauty. This is what I live for. Here are my current obsessions from the past week....

My jar of yummy Elizabeth Hurley oat bars is a beauty obsession each and every week....It is worth the hassle of international shipping....

White roses by the bed....

Sparkling rock candy necklaces.....who can really tell they are not couture????

The Eloise Suite at The Plaza Hotel in NYC....my heart will burst if I try and describe it!

Kate Spade's Beastie Boys-inspired bangles.....No Sleep Til Brooklyn.....

It'Sugar's gorgeous mascot and her licorice ringlets....

Obsessed with Michelle Pfeiffer's 1992 Rolling Stone cover...can you believe this was 19 years ago???

Still in love with Chanel's "Khaki" polish..........

If you don't know what Stracciatella ice cream is...look it up and buy an ice cream maker!!

Enamored with Windsor Smith's interior design concepts......

Anthropologie's genius thread spool candle....

Pink lipstick tube of chocolate is the perfect GS&E accessory....

Totally obsessed with the Cecil B. DeMille estate's pool....

A perfect little bouquet growing from the ground.....

"Just living is not enough - said the butterfly fairy - one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."

XOXOX

SHANNA MOAKLER: YOU HAVE TO SAVOR LIFE WHEN YOU CAN - MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

"It is too pretty a day to be so unhappy."- Memoirs of a Geisha

There are some special women in this world who are hard to come by...women who want the best for other women...who support and help guide other people to a a shining place and whose sunshine helps them get there. It comes from a place of selflessness, self-security, kindness and a genuine, pure heart. One such woman is SHANNA MOAKLER. She is a perfect example that your actions, thoughts and the way you carry yourself reflect on your actual being. Shanna was born in Rhode Island and began modeling at fifteen. There was no question this was a born beauty queen child, even if she denies this! Named Miss New York USA, Shanna went on to, very deservedly, win the crown of Miss USA in 1995. This title brought the entertainment business running towards her gorgeous face and she worked steadily the next few years, including in a series regular role on "Pacific Blue." Named Playboy's Playmate of the Month December 2001, she continued to get noticed for her beautiful face and that equally beautiful personality. She went on to win roles on "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Entourage" and was a contestant on the third season of "Dancing With The Stars" in 2006. She also had several film roles where she flourished as an actress. At this point, executives were realizing she wasn't just great being a character, she was amazing as Shanna, and this started her high demand in the hosting world. She sparkled as the host of "Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants" and most recently wrapped this month, the first season of the highly addictive E! show "Bridalplasty," where she brought dignity and compassion to the house of would-be brides and a voice-on-their-shoulder friend in the operating room. Being passionate about charity, Shanna also recently competed on the hit show "Minute To Win It" in their "Last Beauty Standing" episode and ended up winning $100,000 for her charity. As if this all isn't enough, she is a dedicated mother of three beautiful children. She takes endless trips to Disneyland, acquiesces to each pet request she gets, makes beautiful, elaborate birthday parties for each of them and truly puts them before anything in her life. This goodness is why her eyes shine and emit such beauty. There is a lot of heart in her in so many capacities and it shows.

Here is an EXCLUSIVE GS&E beauty Q&A with the deeply beautiful SHANNA MOAKLER:

WHAT INSPIRES YOU THAT YOU FIND BEAUTIFUL?

I find women in general to be inspiring. I love when strong, confident women are out taking risks and expressing themselves in all their glory. It radiates a beauty and I love trying to re-create certain women's style and making it my own.

WHERE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN?

The most beautiful place I have ever been is on my father's dock in Rhode Island when the sun is rising. It's so calm and you can see the reflection of the houses on the water like a mirror. It's just as beautiful when the snow falls in the winter.

WHAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU HAVE EVER READ?

I loved "Memoirs of a Geisha," it was a true Cinderella story and I could really envision the clothing and hair and make-up. I loved the romance and I could barely put it down.

WHAT IS YOUR CAN'T-LIVE-WITHOUT MAKEUP ITEM?

This is hard. It's a toss-up between mascara or lip gloss! I think I am going to take the mascara! You can just make your eyes pop!

WHAT IS A BEAUTY SECRET OF YOURS?

Facials! I make sure I take the time out to do them, not only to treat myself but to heal my skin as well....

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER?

LORAC's TANtalizer!

www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P210300

Shanna is that friend we all wish for. Supermodel-gorgeously inspiring, deep-heartedly sweet, amazingly supportive of other people succeeding and a beautiful role model as a doting mother.

She is always smiling, always positive. She holds a secret to her beauty.

"She dances, she sings, she entertains you. Whatever you want. The rest is shadows, the rest is secret."

- Memoirs of a Geisha

We should just be happy we get the glimpses of Shanna Moakler that we do.

XOXOX

DANIELLA CLARKE: "IT'S NOT THAT I'M REBELLING, IT'S THAT I'M TRYING TO FIND ANOTHER WAY" - EDIE SEDGWICK

"I kept thinking about girls like Edie Sedgwick and Patti Hansen who could fall asleep wearing diamonds and a full face of makeup and still wake up looking chic." - Daniella Clarke's inspiration

Some women are just born with style, with an eye and with something you can not learn at FIDM. These women can take a piece of drab fabric and turn it into a flattering, beautiful piece of wearable clothing, just as a magician can turn a party balloon into a poodle. One of these rare designers is a gorgeous woman named DANIELLA CLARKE. Born in Israel and lived there until she was ten, Daniella then bounced between South Africa and the US for years. In love with the feeling of the 60's and 70's, Daniella started to cut and restructure her own jeans to fit her own perfect body as a teen. She started by cutting the waist bands off her jeans which later made her the innovator of low rise sexy jeans which continues to be a denim craze today. She launched Frankie B. Jeans in 1999 and has expanded the denim line to tops, bottoms, dresses, eye wear, swimwear and active wear and today it is available worldwide. Daniella has a rock-hippie chic running through her veins and she taps into it everyday in life and in her designs. She knows what is cool before you do. She knows what will fit and feel well before you do. She knows what will change the norm before the industry does. She is a visionary of feminine, chic, confident, yet laid-back style. Isn't that what we all want in our everyday wardrobe? A way to be sexy, yet comfy...edgy but classic. She holds the magic thread.
Married to rock guitarist Gilby Clarke and mother to her brand's namesake Frankie, Daniella has been awarded the MAFI Fashion Innovator Award as well as the Media Award from Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization for her support and dedication to charity.

Here, the beautiful DANIELLA CLARKE answers our beauty questions and gives us a peek into her forward-thinking, fabulous fashion mind:


WHAT INSPIRES YOU THAT YOU FIND BEAUTIFUL?

My daughter Frankie is always a big source of my inspiration and is the most beautiful girl in my life. Another huge source of inspiration for me is music and travel!

WHERE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN?

The most beautiful place I've been to is without a doubt Venice, Italy. The minute I arrived there, the first thought I had was that everyone should see Venice at least once in their lifetime. It's so magnificent!

WHAT IS SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL THAT YOU ARE OBSESSING OVER AT THE MOMENT?

I really want this Lanvin straw Fedora so I can wear it to Coachella in April.
http://www.barneys.com/straw=fedora/501088961,default,pd.html

WHAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU HAVE EVER READ?

I really loved reading "Tuesdays with Maury" by Mitch Albom. Such a beautiful story about a friendship.

WHAT IS A CAN'T-LIVE-WITHOUT BEAUTY PRODUCT OF YOURS?

I could never live without Lancome black liquid eyeliner! No way!!!


WHAT IS A BEAUTY SECRET OF YOURS?

I love to use Phillip B. hair oil to make my hair look healthy and shiny.

Daniella creates unique, stylish and flattering designs for women and gives the world hope that business, home and personal creativity can all exist in a perfect little heart shaped denim bottom.

"That's all there is to it. So the magic is working." - Edie Sedgwick

XOXOX

GS&E'S TOP 15 CHARACTERS OF ALL TIME: "WE ARE SHAPED AND FASHIONED BY WHAT WE LOVE" -VON GOETHE

A beloved character from a film or book will stay with you forever. Here are GS&E's top 15 characters that will always make our heart swoon....

#15

Susan Sarandon as "Janet Weiss" in THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW:

"If only we were amongst friends...or sane persons!"

"Well, I don't like men with too many muscles."

#14

Sarah Jessica Parker as "Carrie Bradshaw" in SEX AND THE CITY:

"As we dance along this road called life, occasionally a girl will find herself a little lost. And when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda, woulda, shoulda. Buckle up and just keep going."

"When real people fall down in life, they get right back up and keep walking."

#13

Vivien Leigh as "Scarlett O'Hara" in GONE WITH THE WIND:

"Tomorrow I'll think of some way...after all, tomorrow is another day."

"If you think I'll marry you for the bonnet, I won't."

"Marriage, fun? Fiddle dee-dee. Fun for men, you mean."

#12

Charmian Carr as "Leisl Von Trapp" in THE SOUND OF MUSIC:

"I'd like to stay and taste my first champagne. Yes?"

"I am sixteen going on seventeen, innocent as a rose. Bachelor dandies, drinkers of brandies, what do I know of those?"

#11

Merle Oberon as "Cathy" in WUTHERING HEIGHTS:

"If you can't see that's a castle, you will never be a prince, Heathcliff."

"Forgive me, Heathcliff. make the world stop right here. Make everything stop and stand still and never move again. Make the moors never change, and you and I never change,"

#10

Madeline in Ludwig Bemelman's MADELINE:

"They left the house at half past nine...in two straight lines in rain or shine...the smallest one was Madeline."

#9

Judy Garland as "Esther Smith" in MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS:

"Personally I think I have too much bloom. Maybe that's the trouble with me."

"The day was bright, the air was sweet. The smell of honeysuckle charmed me off my feet."

"It's our last dance in St. Louis. I feel like I'm going to cry."

#8

Natalie Wood as "Carol Sanders" in BOB & CAROL & TED & ALICE:

"My darling, you did NOT cheat - you TOLD me about it. If you hadn't told me about it, THAT would be cheating."

#7

Gwyneth Paltrow as "Estella" in GREAT EXPECTATIONS:

"She'll only break your heart, it's a fact.And even though I warn you, even though I guarantee you that the girl will only hurt you terribly, you'll still pursue her. Ain't love grand?"

"Do you know what this is? It's my heart and it's broken."

"Let's say there was a little girl and from the time she could understand she was taught to fear...let's say she was taught to fear daylight. She was taught that it was her enemy, that it would hurt her. And then one sunny day, you ask her to go outside and play and she won't. You can't be angry at her, can you?"

#6

Sienna Miller as "Edie Sedgwick" in FACTORY GIRL:

"She only leaves good wishes behind"

"I went to a party once and there was a palm reader there and when she looked at my hand, she just froze. And I said to her, "I know. My lifeline is broken. I won't live past thirty."

"To me, New York was Jackson Pollock sipping Vodka and dripping paint onto a raw canvas."

#5

Ann-Margret as "Kim MacAfee" in BYE BYE BIRDIE:

"How wonderful to know, the things a woman knows, how marvelous to wait, for a date...in simply beautiful clothes."

"Life is a ball, if only you know it...and it's all just waiting for you. You're alive...so come on and show it...we've got a lot of living to do."

#4

Audrey Hepburn as "Holly Golightly" in BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S:

"If I could find a real life place that'd make me feel like Tiffany's - then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name."

"Anyone who ever gave you confidence - you owe them a lot."

"The blues are because you're getting fat or maybe it's been raining too long...you're just sad, that's all.
The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly, you are afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?"

#3

Eloise in ELOISE AT THE PLAZA:

"Getting bored is not allowed. Sometimes I comb my hair with a fork."

"Oh my lord I am absolutely so busy I don't know how I can possibly get everything done. Then I have to hop around for a while."

"I have a turtle. His name is Skipperdee. He eats raisins and wears sneakers."

"Toe shoes make very good ears. Sometimes I wear them to lunch."

#2

Alice in ALICE IN WONDERLAND:

"I give myself very good advice, but I very seldom follow it."

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't."

"Better read it first, for if one drinks much from a bottle marked "Poison" - it's almost certain to disagree with one, sooner or later."

#1

Grace Kelly as "Tracy Lord" in HIGH SOCIETY:

"Help me off the pedestal."

"Isn't it a fine day? Is everybody fine? That's fine."

"I can't dance when anyone frowns at me."

"There are fairies at the bottom of my garden all ringing little bells."


Voila!

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill

XOXOX