Despite its brightly-colored, popping-out cover design, "Practically Posh" by Robyn Moreno, is not for the Seventeen Magazine crowd. Nor is it for the comfortably semi-established 30-something professional. This book is ideal for the recently-diplomaed young woman in her early- to mid-twenties, breaking free of the family nest, whose only reference so far is sleepaway camp or a college dorm. And for every twenty-ish girl who breaks out on her own with dreams of living the "Sex in the City" life, only to find herself living more like "Down in the Dumps", Robyn Moreno gives useful hints for the proverbial mademoiselle with caviar dreams and chips-and-salsa pockets.
Here in the pages of "Practically Posh" are useful tips for tasteful decorating and entertaining without maxing out the Visa card. The hints are realistic and totally do-able, not Martha Stewart-ish projects that will frustrate and sit undone. There is advice for sensible dating, modern etiquette, and even job-hunting and interview strategies for the career woman who did not get her education in the social graces from cotillion and expensive private schools. And this book doesn't assume perfect innocence either; there are recipes for breakfast to serve "Mr. Big" when he sleeps over for the first time. There is even a recipe for a hangover-rescue.
The advice about vintage-shopping was useful and not condescending. It presented thrift shops and vintage-clothing outlets as well-kept secrets, rather than places to go in disguise on the "down-low". And Moreno gives useful hints on smart grocery-shopping beyond coupon-clipping, and Sam's Club. There is a beauty section with useful information on makeup and skin care, and a very good primer on often-neglected areas like basic etiquette and wine-selection.
Finally, there were sections on how to pack for a vacation, and how and where to "do good". This last section was particularly surprising because, for once, it focused on giving something back to the community and the modern move toward being "other-focused". With all that is written about kids born close to the millennium being selfish, this was an important spin.
It is advice for the life most young women will live, coming into adulthood in the new millennium. Doubtlessly, they will have to drive less, conserve more, and make different decisions than their parents, who matured in an era of wasteful consumption and a "me" mentality. "Practically Posh" is smart advice for wireless, post-Al-Gore success. "Practically Posh" is a must-read for any recently-graduated lady going out on her own.
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