Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Author: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Why I Read This: A friend told me she was reading it for her book club. The title was interesting (what is a potato peel pie?)
Short Summary: "January 1946: Writer Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a stranger, a founding member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. And so begins a remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German Occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name."

This book is written entirely in letters and correspondence from London writer Juliet to and from the people in her life. Her editor, best friend, a romantic interest and most importantly, members of the literary society she comes to meet on the island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands.

I liked the letter format, because they were narratives of the people's lives during the present post-war time and also told of the challenges they faced during World War II. It was a very personal way to learn about some of the things that happened. For the most part it was a light-hearted read. The people seemed to have a great sense of humor about the things that had happened to them. I would recommend this to any adult or young adult to read.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Project Runway Season 6 Episode 3

Guest judge Max Azria perfectly summed up this weeks episode when he said, "If you are not a team player you cannot be a designer."

The challenge this week was to design a fun and fashionable surf wear look infused with each designer's point of view. The catch was that they had to work in teams of two to create one look. They were given a $50 budget and 15 minutes to shop.

Half way through the challenge Tim announced that each team would be given an additional $200 to create a second Avant Garde look that would compliment their surf wear. Yikes!

A few of the teams got a rocky start due to their inability to work together as a team. Qrystal and Epperson just could not get a long. They were so unprofessional and it was very embarrassing to watch.

Mitchell was supposed to be his team's leader and yet he pretty much let Ra'mon take over and do all the work. He was literally throwing their second avant garde piece together at the last minute before the runway show.

And now for the runway critique...Many of the qualifying partnerships produced some stuffing looks. Of course Team Qrystal was in the bottom 2 teams. Because they couldn't work together they basically sent out two non-cohesive looks, not to mention the fact that their bathing suit was horrific.

Team Nicolas was also in the bottom 2. Their avant garde piece was more like "avant trashy" and I can't even remember their surf wear look???

Team Johny sent a cute and flirty white skirt and asymmetrical top down the runway. Their avant garde look continued the macrame theme from their surf wear top to an interesting gown.

The winner and loser this week (surprise, surprise!) both came from team Mitchell. The judges loved the nice flowing dress in sheer beachy colors and hand dyed neoprene avant garde look created by Ra'mon with little help from Mitchel. Never before in Project Runway history has a team member of a winning design been sent home, until now! Bye bye Mitchell-you're out!

Retro Movie Review: Swing Kids

"It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing."

In the early 1990s there was a popular resurgence of swing music. Many bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, and Squirrel Nut Zippers quickly became famous and many young people learned how much of a thrill Swing dancing could be.

With such resurgence of Swing popularity, it only makes sense that Hollywood would attempt to capitalize on such a fad. You'd expect that whatever came of such theatrical effort would be shallow and corny, much like all of the wannabe Star Wars movies of the 80s… or Dirty Dancing. Instead, the movie that appeared to be cashing in on a flight of passing fancy, Swing Kids, is much, much deeper than the title implies.

In the late 1930s, Germany was undergoing some major changes as the National Socialist (better known as Nazi) party led by Adolf Hitler was tightening its grip on German society. At the same time, Jitter-bug dancing young Germans were relishing in English and American Jazz culture and were doing everything they could to embrace it in their clothing, speech, music and dancing.

Three close friends involved in this movement are Peter Müller (played by Robert Sean Leonard - House, Dead Poets Society), Thomas Berger (played by Christian Bale - Batman Begins, Empire of the Sun), and Arvid (played by Frank Whaley - Career Opportunities, Pulp Fiction). Peter and Thomas are heavily involved in the dancing scene while Arvid - sidelined because of a lame foot - is the temperamental, intellectual musician of the bunch.

One day, in a misguided attempt to bring some joy into the moody Arvid's life, Peter and Thomas attempt to steal a radio that Peter believes was wrongfully taken from a suspected "traitor" and given to a woman giving comfort to the district supervisor. The poorly conceived, attempted theft fails and Peter is left holding the radio.

In order to avoid serving time in a labor camp, Peter is giving the "choice" to join the Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth) - the Nazi youth organization that is the polar opposite of everything the Swing Kid movement stands for. Shortly after joining, Peter's self-disgust is swallowed-up by Thomas, who in a show of solidarity, joins the Hitler Jugend, or the H.J., as well.

Quickly Peter and Thomas are indoctrinated in the philosophies of the Third Reich and their loyalties to their family and friends are tested. Arvid, who is not only excluded from the H.J. because of his handicap but also because of his undeviating commitment to the accepting and free culture of the Swing Kids, becomes the catalyst that tests what Peter and Thomas really believe about themselves, their friends, and their family, and what they would be willing to do or sacrifice for them.

Swing Kids is a movie that I believe was hurt in the box office by two things. One is the impression that it was just feeding a fad, and the other is the name. While "Swing Youth" is the actual name the Swing movement of the time had, I believe the title, Swing Kids, gives the movie a juvenile feel while the subject matter is anything but.

This movie deals with serious themes; such as how important it is to know who you are and what you stand for. Peter and Thomas joined the H.J. more on a whim than anything else. Little did they know how completely brainwashed they could become if they didn't already have a strong foundation they could cling to. Without knowing what he stood for, Peter becomes a tool used by both parts of the struggle between good and evil in Nazi Germany. Only when it's nearly too late does he realize which side of the struggle he wants to be on.

Swing Kids is a must-see movie that reminds us how easy it is to be taken in by ideologies that on the surface appear to be virtuous, but underneath reveal philosophies that make the uninitiated recoil… reminds us to make sure we know what we are committing ourselves to before we throw in our lot with anyone or anything - no matter how harmless it may seem.

Project Runway Season 6 Episode 2

This weeks challenge was especially interesting to me. The designers were asked to create an elegant look for Rebecca Romijn, who just happened to be pregnant with twins. They were given $100 and two days to create the look. As a recently pregnant woman, I was intrigued to see what they would come up with.

Highlights included the winner, Shirin Askari, who created a beautiful burgundy dress with a flattering wool jacket. It looked comfortable and chic.

Logan Neitzel designed an over sized sweater with black walking shorts which I would have totally worn while preggo. It seemed very cozy and modest, which I go for.

Louise Black's gown was a little too like a nightie for my taste but the judges really seemed to like it. She did include a lot of well-thought out features, like an adjustable slip underneath and pleats on the bust for expansion. Smart thinkin!

Althea Harper's gown was very long and made of a nice comfy jersey, which I liked, but the bust line was way to revealing for a pregnant woman.

Flops this episode included Mitchell (again!). His casual concept was good but the execution was horrible. Judge Heidi Klum said it looked like she sewed the shorts herself, and she doesn't sew!

Malvin's totally bizarre chicken egg outfit was way too over the top and enough to get him auffed. He should have listened to Tim Gunn's advice when he said "Don't be safe—without being cookoo".

I have to say I agree with the judges choices this time again. Can't wait for next week!

Project Runway Season 6 Episode 1

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I have been counting down the days to the new season of Project Runway. I've been a huge fan since the first season, but was especially anxious this year because it was filmed at my Alma Matter, The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.

The first challenge did not disappoint. Each of the contestants were asked to design a Hollywood Red Carpet look that reflected their personal point of view. They were given a budget of $200.

Mentor and show co-host Tim Gunn seemed to be his same fabulous self, clad in his signature black suit dishing out constructive criticism to the designers.

Drama in the work room began with FIDM Alumn Johnny Sakalis (I'm trying not to be partial to my fellow alumni but one can't help remembering that last year's winner was a FIDM grad...Not to mention many finalists in seasons past) who begins to have some self doubt issues. I don't think he had anything to worry about because he sent a beautiful and innovative gown out onto the runway.

Designer Mitchell Hall completed (or rather, didn't complete) an indecent, sheer dress due to some technical difficulties. Frankly, I was very embarrassed for his poor model. He barely squeeked through to the next round, having been in the bottom three. I think the judges, including guest Lindsey Lohan, were curious to see what he could produce in the future so they decided not to give him the boot.

Although I had really high hopes for self-employed designer Qristyl Frazier because she claims to design for real women with real curves (i.e. myself) her gown was an 80's prom dress gone wrong in my opinion.

At first appearance I thought Malvin Vien would be one to watch, since designers with the weirdest hair-do's always seem to be incredibly talented. Unfortunately I thought his look was a little too casual for a Red Carpet Runway event.

Ari Fish, who seemed to be from another planet, had an interesting concept but it was so far out of the box that nobody really got it. Unfortunately she was "out" and the first to go home.

The winner, Christopher Straub, a self-taught designer from Minnasota created a beautiful gown that was discribed by judge Michael Kors as "edgy and cute". I agreed with him and thought he was diserving of immunity for the next challenge. Too bad I had to wait a whole week to see the next episode!