Book Review: Are you a Jackie or a Marilyn?

Just finished this book by Pamela Keogh, because what modern-day girl who knows her style roots doesn't ask herself this question? Or, at least, when faced with it on the cover of the book, wonder what the answer is? Haha.

I had an inkling beforehand that I'd be more of a Jackie, and the book more or less affirmed this. I was surprised to find I had some Marilyn-y qualities as well though, as the book states early on, "You could be a Jackie or a Marilyn, or more probably a bit of both."

It's a really cute light read for any girl (and really only for girls, although of all ages!). You learn a bit about the fabulous (and sometimes not-so-fabulous) lives of both Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Marilyn Monroe, and along the way Keogh provides advice on the "Jackie" or "Marilyn" approaches to style, housekeeping, dating/sex/marriage, kids, diet, diva behaviour, and all that jazz. I didn't think it would be one of those books you can't put down, but it's so fun I couldn't stop reading until I finished. It makes you suddenly feel classier when you're done; you just want to pour a glass of champagne, put on some Duke Ellington, and throw a dinner party wearing your prettiest little black dress.

4 out of 5!

EXCERPT:
(On writing letters to your man)
"Send it to the office. Men find the combination of business-like (his typed address on the front) and personal (your note inside) particularly compelling.

And let's face it: most guys working in offices are bored out of their minds and just looking for something to break up the monotony of the day. If he gets an actual letter in the mail and realizes its from you, forget it - he can close the door, ask his assistant to hold his calls, open it carefully with a letter opener (remember those?), put his feet up on his desk and take his time reading it.

Once he has read it a few times (with his feet still up on the desk), he will fold it back up carefully, look out the window at the sky for a while and think what a lucky S.O.B. he is to have you in his life. He might then take the letter from his desk again, carefully reread it, and have a very Cary Grant moment.

Anything you can do to make a man feel like Cary Grant in this day and age is not to be underestimated."