Friday, May 01, 2009

Amateur Book Review - Michelle Style - Maria's Summer Read Giveaway


Michelle Style: Michelle Obama, First Lady, Fashion Icon: What Mrs. O Knows about Style, Shopping, and the Perfect Shoes by Mandi Norwood.



I was sent an advance copy of Michelle Style by Mandi Norwood and couldn't be more thrilled.

This book is so different from everything else on my reading list right now. As a book reviewer I receive tons of offers, but I have to be extremely selective. Reading the entire book before writing a review for me, is crucial. Michelle Style was a really fun book and I am glad I read it.

When I received Michelle Style, I was excited to open it. I didn't know anything about Michelle Obama.

Our current first lady is an Icon of women everywhere. This is probably something that has been said about most of the women of the White House. However, this statement has never been more true than it is right now.

One day Michelle is wearing khakis and a t-shirt from Target and the next day, a designer gown. "A glamazon (she is a tall women 5'8") and working girl" who, before putting her job on hold for Barack's presidential bid, brought in over $300,000 a year. I love that a women making six figures a year, talks about $30.00 sundresses and potluck dinners. She is the type of women we would all be friends with.

Unlike Jackie O, who in 1961 said, "why are people so interested in what I wear?" Michelle, is well aware of the influence clothing can have over our image, personal and professional. Jackie O was a fashion icon, but not all women can do couture. Michelle's style is obtainable and do-able. Michelle's style speaks more about her than the designer whose clothing she has on.

What I now know about Michelle:
  • She knows what looks good on her.
  • She is athletic and has toned triceps that women would kill for.
  • Michelle and Barack are equals.
  • Michelle is inspiring and engaging.
  • My daughter (4) now knows who Michelle Obama is.
Goddess: "Who is this book about Mama?"
Me: "This is a book about Michelle Obama"
Goddess: "Barack Obama?" He is our President."
Me: "Yes Barack is our President, this is about his wife Michelle. She is the First Lady".
Goddess: "She is the First Lady?"
Me: "That's right. The President's wife is called the First Lady".
Goddess: Pointing to Michelle's picture she said, "So she goes first and Barack goes second?"
Me: "Umm...yes...no...yes...yes honey. She goes first and he goes second".

I think I have a future feminist on my hands. Her Tia will be so proud.

In A Nutshell: This is a great book and reads like a biography done by a writer at People magazine. There are a ton of great quotes, styles and how to ideas on how to dress with power, grace and style while still maintained femininity.

Women can identify with Michelle who says, "Barack puts on a suit and is ready to walk out the door. I have to get dressed, get my hair and makeup done, and brush the girls hair. He is always saying, "where are you? Where are you going?" Sounds like my house. I was always getting myself ready, then the kids, diaper bags and thinking about any other things we had to bring and my husband was always ready milling around, waiting. This is how it is in most homes.


Giveaway Details: A lucky Maria's Space reader is going to receive their very own copy of Michelle Style from my friends at Harper Collins.

How to Enter: Leave me a comment telling me which celebrity style you would copy. (If this rule is not followed you will be disqualified).

Deadline: May 15, 2009 by Midnight

Do You Want More Entries? (PLEASE NOTE: YOU DO NOT NEED TO LEAVE A COMMENT FOR EACH SEPARATE ENTRY. LEAVE ALL YOUR ENTRIES IN ONE COMMENT. I GO THROUGH EACH COMMENT AND I WILL ADD THE ADDITIONAL ONES TO MY SPREADSHEET).
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A winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified within 2 days. You will have 3 days to claim your prize or another winner will be chosen.

39 comments:

  1. I would love to have the same style (and clothes) as Jackie O - I love the Chanel look- classic, simple, and elegant.

    I subscribe

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would like to copy Audrey Hepburn's style. She had a elegant, simple but classic look about her all rolled into one.

    I subscribe by email.

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  3. kate moss mverno@roadrunner.com

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  4. I would honestly copy michelle obama's - classy and affordable are my traits when buying items

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  5. I would love to follow Reba McEntire's style. She's my age and she always looks great. BUT given my body shape and size, I'm more of a pre-weight-loss Laura Bush or Star Jones. :( Wow, that sounds sad, it's really not that bad!

    I'm having trouble thinking of a larger size celebrity with style...that's not good. Hmmmm, I did a google search, that helped. Queen Latifah, final answer.

    1. I commented on celebrity style
    2. I blogged at www.giveawaysonblogs.blogspot.com/2009/05/saturday0502
    3. I have you on my blogroll (www.giveawaysonblogs.blogspot.com)
    4. I faved you on technorati (I'm mom2maya)
    5. I follow you on twitter and tweeted here http://twitter.com/janetmom2maya/status/1686744745
    6. I subcribe by email
    7. I have your button at www.giveawaysonblogs.blogspot.com

    Thanks for a great giveaway!
    Janet
    mayacarpenter at verizon dot net

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to follow Jennifer Aniston's style. She always looks classy. Please include me in your giveaway.
    Thanks
    Debbie
    debdesk9(at)verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'd love to follow Gwen Stefani's style and Nico's from the 70's!
    meredycat*lycos*com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Tweet! https://twitter.com/meredycat/status/1687418077
    meredycat*lycos*com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would love to copy Kate Hudson's sporty and effortlessly gorgeous style.
    Thanks for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. None really, every woman should find their own style.

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  11. Even though she is no longer with us, the style I would follow is Katherine Hepburn. She always looked beautiful to me.

    I subscribe.

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  12. Angelina Jolie's style

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  13. Catherine Zeta Jones. She always looks beautiful and classy.

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  14. jackie o and audrey hepburn they both had a simple yet chic style so i would like to combine the two thanks for the giveaway

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  15. Valerie9:19 PM

    Oo This sounds like a fun book!
    Jennifer Aniston's style? I'm not big on following celebrities
    KawaiiNeko2008 at aol dot com

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  16. Anonymous12:10 AM

    Um...I guess I'd follow Emme Aronson, the former host of E! Fashion Emergency and famous plus sized model. She looks great in all the pictures I've seen. Her clothing line is stylish and fun.
    renee
    yeloechikee at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I dont' follow anyone's style. I like casual and I dress for me, not to look like someone else. I admire Michelle Obama for also feeling she can dress the way she wants.

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  18. Anonymous6:55 AM

    If I ever were able to afford it, I'd love to follow Gwen Stefani's style.
    I'm an e-mail subscriber.
    -Terra H.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I wish I could copy Rihanna's style. I love that edgy look she has going on now!

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  20. I always love Queen Latifah's style. She wears clothes that look good on her and are stylish even though she's not stick-thin.

    melacan at hotmail dot com

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  21. Elsie9:51 AM

    I love Cher's spirit and joy and her mental attitude is what I admire....I saw her kindness with a little girl fan once and I realized what is really important is generosity of words and actions! Finding one's clothing, hair and makeup styles is individual..... I hope to learn more about Michelle Obama, and how she thinks and lives each day with her family!

    pumpkinlady430@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Tiffani1:28 PM

    I would love to copy Rihanna's style. She really swirches it up nice.

    tifg45@excite.com

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  23. i love nicole kidmans look she is always wearing something snazzy

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  24. I love Gwen Stefani's cool, unique style! She marches to her own drummer, and I admire that.

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  25. Thank you for a great giveaway! I really like the style of Angelina Jolie. Very simply pretty. Thank you!
    tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  26. 1) Charlize Theron
    2) Subscriber
    3) Faved

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  27. I would love the chance to win,thanks.
    erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

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  28. I actually like Cameron Diaz or Drew Barrymore- a laidback style, but can glitz & glam it up when needed.

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  29. I personally don't like to copy anybody's style and prefer to keep a style of my own. However, I love the styles of past like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.
    I would love to read this book since I admire Michelle Obama greatly.

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  30. i love Drew Barrymore, so I'd copy her style.

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  31. Angela8:34 PM

    I love Pattie Boyd's style in the 60's and 70's. I like to copy her from time to time.
    pleaseundress@yahoo.com

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  32. Angela8:35 PM

    I subscribe via email!
    pleaseundress@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Melanie12:12 AM

    Kirsten Dunst, has this amazing look. She can wear basically dirty clothes and still pull it off.







    clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

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  36. I just remembered to put them all into one comment so I'm redoing it for you.

    I'd copy Jennifer Aniston's style. It's simple but she always looks good.

    I follow on twitter and tweeted: http://twitter.com/quelleheure4/status/1809598516

    I'm a subscriber!

    You're in my Technorati faves (quelleheure4)

    I have your button

    ReplyDelete
  37. I really like Natalie Portman's style. She has kind of a vintage look that I admire, plus she has fun with what she wears.

    Extra Entries:
    -I added you to my blog roll.
    -I subscribe via google reader.
    -I have your button: http://invisiblepedestrian.blogspot.com/

    wordsmoveme(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I like Halle Berry's style

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  39. I guess that I would have to say Queen Latifah. I think that she is proud of how she looks and shows it.

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