Even the closest families have secrets ... it's when they are shared that things begin to change. The lives of three very different sisters collide in this witty new novel from bestselling author Maggie Alderson. Recently divorced Rachel is juggling her new dream job in interior design PR with the demands of two young daughters. She's full of creative ideas but -- even with a colourful childminder or two -- some days she can't make it into the office in time and in matching shoes. Her life is balanced more precariously than she cares to admit. Tessa, a talented muralist, is feeling flat. Her kids are growing up and she's feeling upstaged by her husband's new-found celebrity as the host of a reality TV fireplace restoration show. But everything turns on its head when she gets a surprise from her past. Youngest sister Natasha leads a glamorous jet-setting life -- she's one of Vogue's favourite make-up artists who regularly creates the looks for the biggest shows in Paris and Milan. Single and childless, she's been focused on her career -- but when the lie she's concealed for years threatens to come to light, the truth will make her question everything. Meanwhile their mother, Joy, a hippy vegetarian caterer, is carefully ignoring the letters that keep arriving at her door. Into the mix comes Simon, Rachel's urbane boss, hiding secrets of his own. And everything lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly happy family is about to come out ... 'Stylish and engaging ... an elegant treat' The Lady 'Maggie Alderson is a national treasure. Her writing is pithy, warm, incisive and touching, her characters extremely lovable and relatably flawed.' Lauren Sams, Cosmopolitan 'Classy, entertaining, smart ... Seriously, buy this book, pour yourself a bath and crack open the chocolate. Your Friday night is now sorted. You're welcome.' Set in Motion 'Maggie Alderson has a light touch, a well-sharpened wit and lots of heart' Better Reading 'A lovely combination of glamour, humour and poignancy.' Marian Keyes on Handbags and Gladrags 'Brimming with wit and wisdom' Courier-Mail
A wonderfully witty, entertaining debut novel in the same vein as Kathy Lette, Helen Fielding and Marian Keyes. This is a light and clever women's romp set around lovable heroine Georgiana Abbot, a magazine editor from London who comes to Sydney to work as deputy editor of a girlie magazine, after her heart is broken.
Perfume blogger Polly is in crisis. Will her husband's absence break her ... or make her? A novel of perfumes, exploring life, love, loss and forgiveness -- Maggie Alderson's new bestseller. 'Delicious and delightful in every way' Daily Mail Are you still married if you haven't seen your husband for months? Polly's life is great. Her children are away at uni, her glamorous mother -- still modelling at eighty-five -- is happily settled in a retirement village, and her perfume blog is taking off. Then her husband announces he needs some space and promptly vanishes. As Polly grapples with her bewildering situation, she clings to a few new friends to keep her going -- Shirlee, the loudmouthed yoga student; Guy, the mysterious, infuriating and hugely talented perfumer; and Edward, an old flame from university. And while she distracts herself with the heady world of luxury perfume, Polly knows she can't keep reality at bay forever. Eventually she is forced to confront some difficult truths: about her husband, herself and who she really wants to be. Praise for Maggie Alderson: 'Maggie Alderson has a light touch, a well-sharpened wit and lots of heart' Better Reading 'The Scent of You is just that: a classic Alderson which mixes everything good in life; perfume, the internet, family and Very Good Looking men, into one can't-put-down read' Vogue 'A lovely combination of glamour, humour and poignancy.' Marian Keyes on Handbags and Gladrags 'Brimming with wit and wisdom' Courier-Mail
With a witty and biting insider's take on the fashion world, the crazy circuit of the New York-London-Milan-Paris designer shows, and the most humbling of all experiences--love, Alderson delivers a poignant, funny novel of success and revenge, friendship and flirtation, passion and Prada.
A question from her outspoken friend Kiki shocks Amelia Bradlow into taking stock of her 'perfect' life. She might have the adoringhusband, The flat in Mayfair And The country cottage, but what about the things that really matter?
Have you ever wondered why even the truly stylish find it hard to do smart casual? Why all men look like James Bond in dinner jackets? Why all four-year-old girls are obsessed with pink? Why fashionable people always wear black? Why blondes have less fun? Or why some people will spend $6000 on a handbag? This book will explain all of these mysteries and many more. And even if you've never pondered any of these issues, Maggie Alderson will amuse and entertain you with her finely tuned observations about everything from global style icons to when to wear that perfect red dress, with the leopardskin shoes, of course. Australia's wittiest fashion and lifestyle commentator delivers a delightful bundle of wicked charm.
Stella Fain has a rule for men she likes: Make them wait . . . But the gorgeous Jay proves an exception to the rule when he bowls Stella off her Prada wedges at a press junket on the Cote d'Azur. He might seem to have everything going for him, but Stella is about to realise that while jetset lifestyles can be fabulous, her career as a journalist isn't something she wants to jeopardise for any man, no matter how filthy-rich or gorgeous. And then there's her father – a six-times-married prime slice of Alpha Male with a grudge against inherited wealth . . . and Jay. There's no denying money makes the world go round and diamonds are a girl's best friend, but they don't make the path to love any easier to tread – with or without the Prada wedges.
MAGGIE ALDERSON, novelist, philosopher of fashion and arbiter of style, brings us a new collection of her much-loved Style Notes column. Find out why men hate shopping and why women love wearing clothes men hate. Share the frustration of the search for the perfect Walkable Heeled Shoe and consider whether a size 'large' item of clothing is acceptable as a gift. Learn why it's good if your child is too embarrassed to be seen with you, and how to harness your life force through the power of yoga – and liberally applied make-up. Discover some key terms for the fashion addicted – Show Crow, Bag Hag and Fleabag – and work out where you fit on the spectrum. Warm, witty and wise, Style Notes is the ultimate insider's guide – a knowledgeable but not-too-serious take on the wonders and weirdness of the world of fashion, style and life beyond.
Home is where the heart is - but what happens to your heart when the people you love are scattered around the world? Hannah and Matt are very happy together, living in London's cool East End with their two young children. Hannah has a job she loves as a beauty editor and Matt is always just about to break through as a songwriter. But then events start to pull them apart, with Hannah certain they'd be much better off down in the English countryside with her family - and Matt's mum needing them with her, back in Sydney, 17 000 kilometres away. Hannah's mother, Marguerite, mends broken china, but can she repair her damaged marriage? And Matt's vivacious young cousin, Ali, feels lost, looking for love in a strange city. All of them have unsettling secrets and while some are better shared, others might be best left unspoken - the problem is knowing which are which. In this story of three women's search for a place to call home, Maggie Alderson crosses continents and generations to explore how we find happiness - and whether love can survive betrayal. 'Maggie Alderson just keeps getting better.' The Sun-Herald 'The riveting central trio are drawn with elegance and warmth by the reliable Alderson, whose strong streak continues with this thoughtful look at wisdom, happiness and getting older.' Madison 'Emotive but also big on laughs.' InStyle
Some of my best friends are homosexuals. I just didn't expect my husband to be one too.' A year after Antonia and Hugh move to Australia with their 4 year old son Tom, everything is going terribly well. They have a lovely house, they're very popular - and then Hugh tells Antonia he is gay and has a boyfriend ... It's only the arrival of Ant's outrageous lavender-haired uncle Percy that lifts her out of her depression and sends her off to the gym - to combat the lardy thighs her comfort eating has given her - where she meets the mysterious James, and falls head over heels in lust. Soon Ant finds she's over Hugo - but by then her problems are only just beginning ...
Was he even twenty-five? He was half my age and I was dancing with him like some moon-eyed teenager.' Loulou Landers, London's undisputed Queen of Vintage Fashion, meets a man on the eve of her dreaded forty-ninth birthday. He's kind, he's sensitive, he's divinely handsome and he carries a designer suit like George Clooney. Unfortunately, he's barely half her age, and Loulou's just not ready to 'go cougar'. Then there is Loulou's 21-year-old daughter, Theo, who won't get a job, won't move out, wears chainstore fashion, and hasn't said a civil word to her mother for years. And she is on the verge of her own spectacularly unsuitable affair. So how will Loulou cope with a daughter who's off the rails, a man who won't take no for an answer, an ageing process that won't slow down – not to mention a birthday party in a camping ground? Like she always has – with wit, grit and an exemplary sense of style. 'A supreme commentator on the vagaries of fashion.' - Sunday Age 'A humorous page-turning style.' - Sydney Morning Herald 'Alderson's books have heart.' - The Melbourne Weekly 'If you love chick lit, Maggie Alderson is your idol.' - Shesaid.com 'Alderson's sensibility and wit make for clever chick lit.' - Vogue Entertaining and Travel Visit Maggie's blog
Is it OK to wear a bikini after forty? What about peacock-blue toenail polish with bright-white hair and a faceful of slap? If you don't bother with make-up, bosom upholstery and foot facials are you letting yourself go, or just letting go? Just what are the rules for older women, and who on earth makes them? With her trademark wit and insight, much-loved novelist and journalist Maggie Alderson takes an honest look at ageing and asks the hard questions, such as who invented the 'natural-look' nipple concealer, and why? She tackles issues of gravity – the knees like fallen souffles, the ruched mummy tummy – and offers sage advice on what to do if you find yourself in a yoga class with a supermodel. She bemoans the passing of youth, but revels in the opportunities that age offers to be clearer, smarter, wiser and bossier (in the best possible way). If you've had it up to here with being told it's all downhill after forty, this is the book for you.
Evangeline the toy elephant lies under the bed all day, waiting and waiting for something to happen. If only she could be useful somewhere . . . Will her wish be granted?
Maggie Alderson is a firm believer in heaven – handbag heaven that is. Why else would finding a vintage Kelly bag seem like a blessing and resisting that Jamin Puech bag feel so hellish? In this witty and irreverent book Maggie Alderson guides you through not only the perils of shopping but also everyday life, explaining among other things why even the smallest clothing purchase is a major life decision, and why Buddha was right when he said 'the root of all suffering is desire' . . . especially when it comes to Ricky Martin. Open up Alderson's bag of goodies to find out about fashion, beauty myths, her theory of shopping relativity, hair, and cockroaches (ahem). No subject is off limits and no bag remains unturned.
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