today’s “weekend read” is by the lovely and oh-so-talented jessie, author of cooking with jessie, and founder of conscience tees.  talk about a packed schedule!  turns out, she’s also a devout david sedaris fan, so i thought we’d get her take on his latest.

I might not be the best person to objectively review David Sedaris’ newest book of essays “When You Are Engulfed in Flames”, simply because I love David Sedaris so much that if he read me the back of a cereal box I would giggle. That being said these stories made me laugh out loud, on an airplane, which can make a person seem crazy. (As a side note, Sedaris is very self-deprecating; I met him at a book reading once and found him to be quite charming and geekishly handsome. I also thought he was very polite, complimenting me on my large white teeth.)

Sedaris’ books are compilations of short stories based on his life.  Every story is full of strange incidents, and When You Are Engulfed in Flames is no exception.  Who else but Sedaris could recount a story of a childhood babysitter, described as:  “The first thing I noticed was her hair, which was the color of margarine and fell into waves to the middle of her back. It was the sort of hair you might find on a mermaid, but completely wrong for a sixty-year-old woman who was not just heavy but fat and moved as if each step might be her last.”

His writing is something we can all relate to.  Who hasn’t had a crazy neighbor, or an obnoxious person next to them on a flight?  And while many people have tried to quit smoking, you just haven’t tried to move to Japan to do it – hilarity inevitably ensures.

The book encountered some initial controversy when Barnes and Noble filed the memoir under fiction. Sedaris had this to say:  “I’ve always been a huge exaggerator,” he said, “but when I write something, I put it on a scale. And if it’s 97% true, I think that’s true enough. I’m not going to call it fiction because 3% of it isn’t true.”

Personally I think, who cares if the truth was stretched. How many times do you read a book that makes you laugh out loud? It’s entertainment, not a history lesson! So, go out and pick up When You Are Engulfed in Flames – you will laugh out loud, maybe shed a tear, and wish you too had a pet spider you could show the sites of Paris. 

sounds like i have another book to add to my summer reading list!  thanks, jess!

(again, a great big thanks to connie at the daily obsession for giving us her take on the best summer dresses out there!)

Ahh…as the weather warms up, I just crave dresses. That means I’ll be keeping my eye out for new frocks and pulling out the credit cards so I can add them to my closet!

To start, I need to find some work-appropriate dresses. Hanii Y has this fabulous black dress embroidered with white circles, which are totally classic but fun. I adore the feminine puff sleeves, yet structured shape. I also know that I won’t be sweating bullets at a client meeting when it’s 90 degrees out, since it’s totally lightweight. Linen is also never a bad path to go down. This Thurley dress feels very organic, but the black embroidery adds sophistication. All I would need is are a pair of simple black round toe pumps to finish the look.

For the weekend, I’m all over lightweight sundresses like this one by Maeve. The bright color is cheery, but what really captured my attention was the neckline. It has a lovely pleated design over the decollete area, which I think is so fun. Another option is this fantastic silk halter dress by Vanitas of California. How can you not love the beautiful dripping blue, green and white print? Plus, you could wear this on a variety of occasions – from the annual family picnic to a friend’s engagement party.

Lastly, I have to talk about my favorite go-to store, J. Crew. I can always count on them for some great, reasonably priced pieces – and lately, they’ve been knocking it out of the park. For a easy day dress, my pick is this cherry blossom button-front dress. I’d belt it and wear it to work with a structured tote and heels. I also adore this colorblock shift; the vibrant pairing of orange and magenta is so bold and fun, making it perfect for the season. Plus, the texture and shape of the dress is a bit of a throwback to the ’60s that is flattering on most body types.

Have any other suggestions? Drop a comment and let us know!

(i’m so excited to present the lovely editor of the daily obsession as your guest writer on this fabulous friday – let’s all give her a great big virtual high five, shall we?)

Bangles are making a comeback! (Were they out? At least for me, they were…but they’re definitely back in for the season, though.) I’m seeing them everywhere – from my favorite little boutiques to big department stores. They are easy and simple to wear, but make a style statement. Here are my tips on how to choose and wear bangles, en vogue:

* Bangles are a fantastic way to inject color into your outfit. Wearing a simple black shift and heels? Slip on a vivid bangle such as this resin version by Lee Angel – and a boring outfit will immediately be brought to life!

* If you’re into no-muss, no-fuss dressing, then more than likely, you feel the same way about your jewelry. No problem! Many designers offer bangle sets such as this bold red set by Blu. You won’t have to think twice about looking fabulous.

* If you are fond of more delicate adornments, I suggest layering 2-3 tiny, thin bangles on a wrist. This is also a great way to find experiment and wear various designers altogether! Try these from Giles & Brother, ginette_ny and Poupette. If you prefer not to search for complementary bangles, you can always buy a set like these by Iosselliani. Either way, they’ll add a subtly elegant touch to your outfit.

* This is also a perfect opportunity to test out more artsy looks and venture out of your comfort zone, so take advantage. It’s just on your wrist, so you can wear something unexpected without it taking center stage. This beautiful abstract knotted bangle set by Jennifer Rose is exactly what I mean. You’ll add an instant dose of flair and style!

* Believe it or not, but you can also add pattern to an outfit with bangles as well! J. Crew offers some ideal options every season for this purpose. This
enamel bracelet is topped off with a chic zebra print; the gorgeous summer shades help make it a soft introduction of pattern.

* Along the same lines, why not add some texture or sparkle? Glam it up by choosing a bangle with embedded stones. Try this dazzling version by J. Crew. Czech crystals are combined with colored resin cabochons – this just says vintage resort to me!

Do you have any tips to add? We’d love to hear about it!