This week’s Book Club Choice is Ask Again Yes by Mary Beth Keane.
The triumphant New York Times Best Seller * The Tonight Show Summer Reads Pick *
Named one of the best books of the year by People, Vogue, Parade, NPR, and Elle
“This is one beautiful book. I was wowed by Keane’s writing and narrative skill – and by what she knows about trouble.” (Stephen King)
How much can a family forgive?
Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope, rookie NYPD cops, are neighbors in the suburbs. What happens behind closed doors in both houses – the loneliness of Francis’s wife, Lena, and the instability of Brian’s wife, Anne, sets the stage for the explosive events to come.
In Mary Beth Keane’s extraordinary novel, a lifelong friendship and love blossoms between Kate Gleeson and Peter Stanhope, born six months apart. One shocking night their loyalties are divided, and their bond will be tested again and again over the next 30 years. Heartbreaking and redemptive, Ask Again, Yes is a gorgeous and generous portrait of the daily intimacies of marriage and the power of forgiveness. – Amazon.com
For more information or to purchase this book, click HERE!
The Beauty of Divine Beings Dancing
The gong resounds, the curtain opens, and a heavenly scene is right before your eyes. Fairies emerge from a sea of billowing clouds. Mongolians ride on horseback across grasslands as vast as the sky. Classic stories of love and loss, of humor and heroic deeds, come to life. You will be amazed by how vibrant, exciting, and profound classical Chinese culture can be.
Shen Yun will be performing the last shows in this area next weekend at The Palace Theater in Stamford on April 27th-30th. Use code NS25 when purchasing tickets HERE for no ticketing fees.
Today’s Fashionable Friend Friday is fashion stylist Tina Broccole of Wardrobe Envy. Tina is a Greenwich CT based Wardrobe Stylist and radio personality who shares her take on style, trends, and curating the perfect closet. I recently had the best time on her podcast, The Fashion Department with Tina. I really wanted to get ask her some questions for you. So I sat down with her and we talked about everything fashion. Her podcast is a must-listen too. Click HERE to subscribe!
How do you determine a client’s personal style?
I sit down with each client and get to know their personality, lifestyle, needs, and wants. That combined with their body type and proportions shapes their style.
Where would you search for clothes?
Boutiques, showrooms, department stores, retail chains, and online retailers
How would you source rare items?
I would utilize international websites as well as vintage stores/sites
What would you do if a client insisted on purchasing an ill-fitting item?
Advise against it and offer other options but at the end of the day its the clients choice to wear what they feel best in
Which current trends would you incorporate into your clothing selections?
If I’m pulling for a client it’s not about trends, we try to focus on building a capsule collection with quality closet staples first and then layering in a few fun pieces according to their wish list.
Are there any designers that are your go-to?
Mostly designers with classic tailored pieces, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Dior, Carolina Herrera
Tell us about the podcast.
The podcast is called The Fashion Department, My guests range from designers, to stylists, to influencers, to local shop owners. Together we discuss all the facets of the fashion industry including trends, street style, sustainability and the business of fashion
How do you find guests?
All of my guests are people that contribute to the fashion world in some way and have a clear understanding and appreciation for all aspects of the industry.
What’s one item that everyone should have in their closet?
A classic coat
What is one item that everyone should get rid of in their closet?
Anything that doesn’t make you feel fabulous
You have to try this amazing pie. I promise you that you will not stop eating it. It is going to become a new family favorite..
Adapted from thesaltycooker
Ingredients
8oz bag of pretzels, crushed up
4 tbsp butter, melted
16oz cream cheese
1 package instant chocolate pudding
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 cup creamy peanut butter
8oz whipped topping
In a 7×10 baking dish, crush up the pretzels and spread them in the bottom.
Pour the melted butter on top and lightly press down.
In a mixing bowl add the cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter, and milk.
Mix until smooth.
Pour on top of the pretzel crust.
Make the chocolate pudding, according to the directions but reduce the milk by 1/2 cup.
Pour on top of the cream cheese mixture. Top with whipped topping. Enjoy!
Recipe note: gluten-free pretzels stay crunchier longer. After a day or so the pretzels will start to soften.
When you shop in a boutique clothing store, the emphasis should be on quality versus quantity. That also includes your customer service experience. After all, shopping in a boutique is a large step up from shopping in a big box store. So, it’s not just about fashion. It’s also about the passion employees have for their jobs and how they support the customer.
If you’re a woman who enjoys shopping, you already know that your shopping habits are distinctly different from your boyfriend’s or husband’s.
Blame it on evolution.
Men are different from women when it comes to shopping.
That’s because women are the gatherers – they collect items to assess and analyze. They fill up their shopping carts – separating items as they go along. They also expect more from store employees when making selections.
Men, on the other hand, are hunters – they go after one item and buy it. While they naturally expect to be treated with courtesy, their expectations are still not the same.
Because of a woman’s tendency to survey items carefully, they often require more information. Therefore, they frequently need more details.
After all, no one wants to fall into a habit of compulsive buying – something that may happen if you’re not sure about your purchase but still feel compelled to buy it.
Great customer service is marked by several factors. When you receive personalized support and can easily find what you’re seeking, you may feel you’ve reached nirvana as a shopper. A knowledgeable employee who is friendly and helpful can make your shopping experience heavenly.
Any assistance that is rendered promotes a more positive atmosphere. Indeed, politeness and courteousness can go a long way in making shoppers feel more confident and informed.
Factors that Prevent Shoppers from Returning to a Store
According to eMarketer, shoppers do not revisit stores where employees were rude, the store is disorganized, or an employee could not answer their questions. If they feel alienated during their shopping experience, they also won’t return for a visit.
An Exceptional Online Shopping Experience
When you boutique shop online, it’s important to shop at a well-organized and managed website. That means you should be able to find what you’re seeking according to:
- Price
- Material
- Size
- Color
You should also be able to shop under categories, such as “New Arrivals,” “Clothing,” “Dresses,” “Accessories,” and “Sale” items. These categories should be easily accessed from the home page.
Final Thoughts
Shopping is something that is both personal and a treat. That is why boutique shopping is trending nowadays. Be true to yourself when you shop. Make sure the service you receive is not only personalized, but also carefree.
The Granola Bar is one of my family’s favorite restaurants EVER. We all have our favorite things on the menu and it is a must-visit at least a couple of times a month. But now the Rye location is serving dinner and it is awesome. About a year ago the Rye restaurant had a chic makeover. The result is def a cool cosmopolitan Miami vibe. I just love it. They expanded the menu to include craft cocktails and created a fabulous dinner menu that “may or may not be shared”. Check out the updated menu HERE or better yet, click to make a reservation HERE.
