Book Style: Punch

Punch by David Wondrich is a very well researched book on the origins of Punch (capital p on purpose) and contains many wonderful, historical recipes for real Punch, not the super sweet, sherbet floating, neon colored stuff we drink at receptions these days. But the cover offered up the quintessential punch pink hue and I ran with it. And if we're drinking Punch we'd better have on a fabulous party dress. Toss in a few nautical references as thanks to the sailors who most likely brought Punch's ancestor home to England for further tinkering and perfection and we've got the outfit I wish I could rock to the next Spring wedding I get invited to.

Book Style: The Beekeeper's Apprentice

The Mister gave me The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King as a bit of a challenge for this Book Style set. It's one of my favorite books in the whole world because it is the first book in the Mary Russell series, a Sherlock Holmes pastiche. That being said, yellow is my least favorite color ever. But I have wiped the smug smile off my husband's face with this one; he just gave me a nod of approval actually. Guess it helps to know (and love) your characters so well. I wanted to maintain the tomboyish, academic look that Mary embraces throughout most of this first novel. I think I achieved that with her trademark "sturdy boots", walkable shorts, and geek-chic eyewear. The silk material of the shorts and the bling of the, oh-so-appropriate, Alexander McQueen honeybee jewelry harkens to her heiress status. Did you notice that the cozy wrap sweater also sports a honeycomb motif? And no Mary Russell outfit would ever be complete without a nod to Holmes; a 221B necklace does the trick here. Oh, I almost forgot, that delicious chocolate nail varnish is called "The Professor".