This will probably be no news to my fashion blogger friends out there, but the famous Eric Daman had a book published back in 2009, called “You know You want it”. He is a costume designer for Gossip Girl, probably the most popular show on CW, maybe on TV in general.

I have randomly discovered his book during my last visit to the library, and I can tell you one thing – this is New York!

The way the book is written, the way the pictures and the drawings are done – that is so me! And probably you, if you are reading this blog!

From the foreword by Leighton Meester, to the word play in every chapter, and to the whole idea that most women are wearing wrong bra sizes their whole life (this book is a must read just for that reason alone!), this book is drenched in the spirit of NYC through and through. And if you love that city as much as I do, you will follow my advice and read this book.

Forget Lauren Conrad and her Style, or all the Harper’s Bazaar and Elle I’ve recommended before – this is a number one read if you are building your first stylish wardrobe. If you are on your way to putting together a closet full of outfits that reflect your personality and add an intriguing twist to it, take notes, underline, post-it on post-its!

My favorite quotes from the book:

“24K Carrot, Saucy Apple, Sexy Stringbean, Perfect Pear” – this is what the author calls the 4 most common body types! Doesn’t that make you love your type so much more?

“Odds are your signature piece won’t be something that you go and find so much as something that has found you” – so true, a lot of times your perfect necklace or scarf will be simply sitting at a store, or a flea market, or maybe even in your mom’s closet, until one day, when it’s time, you discover it, and it, in return, discovers you!

“Be cruel to be kind” – and he is referring to cleaning and organizing your closet here, enough said! (KAT! hint hint )

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening” – and even though this one is not the original Eric quote, but a Chanel one, it’s always important to remind yourselves of that. Sometimes all it takes is just opening your eyes. My friend Kat, mentioned above, who is a hair stylist at the Rizzieri salon in NJ, goes to the ocean every chance she gets, I am pretty sure she doesn’t go tanning, but to draw the inspiration from it!

And for all of you out there dying to peek inside this amazing book, here are my fav pages!

      Have fun with the book!

Xo,

ZhenyAH!