Gunn’s Golden Rules: A Book Review

Gunn’s Golden Rules, the book by the man himself, offers tips, anecdotes, and motivation “for making it work.” The “it” begin life, of course.  Do you love Tim Gunn? Of course you do! Do you love to read? Of course you—well, you should. Do you like funny stories! Yeah, you get the picture: you’re gonna love this book!

Gunn’s Golden Rules reads like pretty much what you’d expect from the consummate gentleman who is offering advice for a successful, full life. His tips are more or less practical, and they cover areas from relationships to finances and work life. But c’mon. We’re not reading for his advice, are we? We’re reading for:

1. His stories!

Sure, we get the details about how Anna Wintour is an elitist wang, but there are others! A fashion dude who is fed grapes and fanned while waiting for a function! A famous designer who get drunk and embarrasses herself in a diner in NYC!

And aside from celebrities, we hear about others he’s worked with or met at events, which are equally interesting. One tells the story of a ridiculously wealthy young girl who is so unbelievably and shockingly pretentious that she actually utters “Let them eat cake!” in response to Gunn asking about war refugees.

Oh, and the time he accidentally forwards a scathing email to the recipient of that insult! And OHMYGOD the claims he makes about his father and J. Edgar Hoover! I can’t stop myself! There’s so many good stories! (OKAY, I’ll stop myself.)

2. His opinions!

Because I see Gunn as such a sweet guy, I always wondered how he’d handle hot-button issues or things of that nature. As it turns out, he’s really quite honest. He’s gentle, but he’s blunt. Take for example when he’s talking about working as a stylist for overweight women:

If a very overweight woman asks me to dress her body, I will say “You can’t remain 450 pounds. Forget about picking the best clothes for your size; we can always help you look your prettiest, but it’s just not healthy to weigh that much.”

There were even moments I found myself surprised by his stance on things (he doesn’t like the whole “no presents please” bit on invitations, and he’s leans toward conservative on the breast feeding issue.) But, again, despite this, his thoughts and words depict a really amazing, honorable man.

3. His mother!

Gunn claims that his mother is a dead-ringer for Queen Elizabeth. This gives great visual help for picturing such stories as when he met his mother for lunch, they get into an argument, and Gunn ends up choking–like not breathing–on his food. His mother, put out by the quarrel, is ignorant to his plight and yammers on. It’s only when he’s able to dislodge his food onto his mother’s lap that she looks at him, disgusted that he’s spit on her. His reply:

“Spit my food on you? I almost died! Right here! In front of you! I thought I was going to die, and you’re embarrassed?” I yelled back. “Wouldn’t  you have been more embarrassed by a corpse?”

You guys? HILARIOUS.

4. His down to earth philosophies! (Is that even a thing!? I made it up!)

He claims he isn’t wealthy, which might be a sign of his detachment from reality (which he actually acknowledges at times), but even if he IS, the man acts as if he is not. He’s practical, not showy or privileged.  Many times, he proclaims that the world owes you (himself included) nothing.  If he wants to buy an expensive item, he finds something cheaper and donates the difference to charity (or something along those lines). He talks to his grumpy doorman, who has never returned the gesture. He grocery shops in jeans! (I know, right? I wish this thing had pictures.) He cooks his own meals! (Okay, maybe not as impressive, but still.)

Anyway, I guess the bottom line is that if you love Tim, of COURSE you’re gonna love his book. It’s a quick read (even though he still demonstrates his ridiculous vocabulary) and, quite frankly, warms the cockles of my dark and moley heart.

Buy Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making it Work at Amazon for $14.95.

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Featured image via Scott McDermott for Time Magazine

How to keep your boobs and/or bra straps from showing

I was on the phone with my mom recently while I was shopping and mentioned to her that I was looking to pick up fashion tape.

“What’s that?” she asked.  I teased her a little, but wasn’t really surprised.  Fashion tape isn’t something I learned about from my mother, who prefers barefeet to pretty shoes.

That same day, I was in a well known lingerie store and asked the sales woman if they had any fashion or lingerie tape on hand.

“Is that the stuff that holds your boobs together?” she asked.

I had no idea how few women were familiar with (or consequently use, I imagine) fashion tape.

Ladies, allow me to introduce all of you to the magic of not having your bra strap hanging out.  And never again uploading pictures from your daughter’s birthday party only to find that you are flashing the camera in 90% of the photos.  Some varieties even claim to be able to hold a hem, but I’ve never tried that myself.

Fashion tape, also known as lingerie tape or flash tape, is basically double-sided tape.  Except this tape is strong enough to hold garments in place and delicate enough to stick to your body or garments without causing any damage.

Here’s how it works: you stick a piece of the tape to your bra strap, for example.  You then remove the backing from the other side of the tape, and press your shirt to the tape, ensuring that it stays just so until you remove the tape.  No more sliding, slipping or gaping!

Fashion tape can come in pre-cut strips, but I prefer it in a tape dispenser similar to what you buy your scotch tape in.  This lets me get exactly as much as I need and no more.

Finding fashion tape in a store can be tricky.  I bought my most recent roll from the lingerie department at Macy’s.  Check the lingerie section, near where they have those odd strapless water bras and such (you know what I’m talking about, or you will when you see it).

Online, try:

• Mini Flash Tape Dispenser – $7.99 from HerRoom
• Commando Double Stick Tape Matchbooks (pre-cut kind) – $10 from BareNecessities
• Gal Pal Everything Tape – $6.50 from Drugstore.com
• Fashion Forms Dress & Lingerie Tape with Dispenser $3 + shipping via Macy’s on Amazon (this is what I have, and I love it)

Fashion Tape Gift Idea: Get Outta Town Diva Kit – $34.99

Includes fashion tape, lint removers and other fashion-fixes to take on the road with you.