My darlings, are you as excited about seeing the movie The Help as I am? Did you also read the book by Kathryn Stockett and love it? If not, you must read it, it is SO good. It shares the stories of black maids in racially segregated Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s and what it was like helping  raise the children of their white employers and the complicated relationships that ensued. As incredible as the book is, can you believe that it was turned down by over 60 publishers before finally being published? Kathryn Stockett is one persistent lady. Do you think you’d have the same persistence in the face of rejection? I’d like to think I’d let it fuel my fire, but I’m not so sure that’s true.

I’d also love to know, did you grow up with help? A maid? A nanny? Both? Or do you have help for your children now? Do/did you find the relationship to be complicated? (For the record, aside from my lovely parents, the only help I had were my own two hands – ha! – so I’m quite curious. And, in all the years of growing up, I can only remember being left with a babysitter once – oh, my poor parents.)

Do you live (or have you lived) in the south? Did/do you find there to be racial prejudice? I spent almost five years in a small town in South Carolina in the mid-to-late ’90s and can sadly attest to there still being plenty of racism and a lot of self-segregation (whites sticking with whites, blacks sticking with blacks, and not much happening in between). I wonder if anything has changed… I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts on these topics.

BussBuss Book Club, The Blog

Love is toxic? That’s not a new one (Britney told us so). What is new is that your love life really might be. Stefanie Iris Weiss takes being green to a whole new level in Eco-Sex: Go Green Between the Sheets and Make Your Love Life Sustainable. Frankly, it’s something we’ve never really thought about so it’s pretty thigh- eye-opening and jam-packed with easy-to-digest info on how we can start making a difference – in and out of the boudoir. Of course, being fashion and beauty lovers,  the beauty section was most interesting (it’s kind of horrifying when you realize what’s on the drugstore shelves and going into our bodies). And while you may not be ready to ditch your deodorant, there are small changes you can make to not only be kinder to the planet, but also kinder to your body (and, in turn, even more beautiful). We love that Weiss includes links to trusted brands (we’re always up for trying new beauty products) and we’ve discovered some new favorites too. There are even recipes for creating your own beauty products, perfect for a girls night in. Check out her website HERE and pick up a copy of Eco-Sex HERE.

BussBuss Book Club, The Blog

A top blog.  A new wallpaper line. A wildly successful graphic design career. And now a book. Watch out Oprah, Joy Deangdeelert Cho’s the new mogul on the block. Along with Meg Mateo Ilasco, Joy has written the manual on running a successful business and though she could probably write the guide entirely from personal experience, it’s chock-full of tips, advice and interviews with other successful freelancers, too. If you’ve ever contemplated going freelance full-time (and who hasn’t?), pick up Creative, Inc.: The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business.

BussBuss Book Club

Knowing that I’ll read anything with the slightest mention of Audrey Hepburn or Breakfast at Tiffany’s, my fab father-in-law tipped me off to Sam Wasson’s new book, Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman ($11) and I can’t wait to devour it. All about the making of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, it’s chockfull of juicy tidbits, like how Truman Capote wanted Marilyn Monroe to play Holly Golightly (imagine!), that any lover of Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, New York City, or the 1960s will surely love.

BussBuss Book Club Audrey Hepburn, Books

Have you been reading The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell, about Carrie Bradshaw’s teen years? I finished and loved it and wanted to share my favorite part. From the first page of Chapter 6:

I’ve had boyfriends before, and frankly, each one was a disappointment.

There was nothing horribly wrong with these boys. It was my fault. I’m kind of a snob when it comes to guys.

So far, the biggest problem with the boys I’ve dated is that they weren’t too smart. And eventually I ended up hating myself for being with them. It scared me, trying to pretend I was something I wasn’t. I could see how easily it could be done, and it made me realize that was what most of the other girls were doing as well — pretending. If you were a girl, you could start pretending in high school and go on pretending your whole life, until, I suppose, you imploded and had a nervous breakdown, which is something that’s happened to a few of the mothers around here. All of a sudden, one day something snaps and they don’t get out of bed for three years.

I found this hysterical and terribly relateable (brilliant hubby aside – thank you lawd). You too? It seems like something all girls go through and, if you’re lucky, you wake up and grow out of someday. Do you have a favorite part from The Carrie Diaries? Please share below!

BussBuss Book Club, The Blog Books, Carrie Bradshaw, SATC