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The Best Dupes for the Versace Medusa Heels (aka the Versace Bratz Heels)

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The Versace Medusa Heel in Deep Fuxia Oro Ve

*** Disclaimer: I put this at the top of every dupe post but if you are looking for replicas, fakes, 1:1 copies this is not the page for you! This is a list of the best dupes for the Versace Medusa heels (aka the Versace Bratz heels) but do not try to be or directly replicate the Versace Medusa heels. I do not promote those types of inauthentic goods and never will. What I do promote is everyone being able to afford the look they are going for without copying a brands protected IP. For more check out this post.

Continue reading “The Best Dupes for the Versace Medusa Heels (aka the Versace Bratz Heels)” →

What You Need To Know About Sezane’s Archive Sales

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My Thanksgiving 2021 outfit featuring two Sezane archive fines- the sand Tonio sweater and the white Nissa dress.

If you love that chic Parisian style, I am sure you have come upon the brand Sezane. Sezane is a French brand that makes beautiful, classic pieces and is a bit on the pricey side. Luckily for us fashionistas that like a deal Sezane has two archive sales a year- one in the winter and one in the summer. Read on to figure out what you need to know about Sezane’s archive sales.

What products go into the archive sales?

The archives sale are the items from the same season at least a year previous. So for example this winter 2022 archive sale (which it seems will be 2022 as Sezane announced they would start in January this year on their Instagram), will have items from fall/winter 2020 and older fall/winter collections. That means that any item that came out in fall/winter 2021 will NOT be in the winter 2022 archives sale. Also all the items that came out in fall/winter 2020 will not be in the archives sale, especially the popular items that sold out their

What is the discount?

The discount varies by how old the item is. Some of the more popular, newer items are barely discounted- sometimes only $10-$15. So for example if it is the winter 2022 archive sale the items with the least discount will be the sweater from 2020. The best discounts are on the older items- sometimes as much as 50% off. But for these items the stock is often very limited. (And the sizing on the older items is very different from the new sizing…which is a whole other issue!)

When do they start?

The start time of the archives vary every year so make sure to follow me on Instagram so you know when they are starting. Sezane has said that the winter archives for 2021 will actually start in January 2022. The summer archive sale normally starts in the end of June.

How do I access the archives sale?

The archive sale can be access from the App or the website. Both will shut down a couple hours before the sale and often do not work when the sale launches. Every year the Sezane app and website cannot handle all the people trying to shop so they routinely shut down. Be prepared to be frustrated. Also I try to access the sale on both the app and the website because I never know which is going to work!

So overall here is my advice…

Shop the sale but know that a lot of the hot pieces (which is likely what you want) will NOT end up in the sale. And even if they do those hot items will go quickly, probably before the sale even officially opens to people shopping the French version of the website. So if there is something you want on the website buy it now and save yourself the sleepless nights.

Want to read my tips and tricks for shopping the Sezane archive sale? Click here!

Amina Muaddi Begum Heel Dupes

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*** Disclaimer: I put this at the top of every dupe post but if you are looking for replicas, fakes, 1:1 copies this is not the page for you! This is a list of the best Prada loafer dupes for fall but do not try to be or directly replicate the Prada loafers. I do not promote those types of inauthentic goods and never will. What I do promote is everyone being able to afford the look they are going for without copying a brands protected IP. For more check out this post.

If I could find a pair of Amina Muaddi Begum heels in my size I would buy them in a heartbeat… but sadly finding these shoes, especially this classic style, is way harder than it should be. What makes these heels so unique? First is the round sun-like buckle at the front of the shoe. Much like Manolo and their Hangisi pump, Amina Muaddi is known for this jeweled round buckle. The next unique feature of Begum heels is the unique heel shape. I love the funky shape but I also love that it makes them easier to walk in! And lastly people, especially influencers, really love the PVC version of the Begum. While not my personal favorite it is very on trend!

Normally I link the original as my first pick…but these are literally never in stock for longer than a couple minutes so lets get on with the dupes! And just for comparison the Begum heels cost $1,130.

1- The Sparkly Dupe
Steve Madden Vionnet
$119.95

This shoe has a very similar vibe to Begum heel. It has the sparkle and glamour that the Begum has for a way better price point. The difference between this shoe and the Amina Muaddi shoe is that the buckle is a hexagon and the heel does not have the flared bottom.

2- The PVC Dupe
Lulus Midnight Silver Holographic Pointed-Toe Heels
$44

These heels from Lulus are probably the best dupes for the Begum heels that I found, especially if you are into the PVC look. They have the flared heel and the round sun-like buckle. They do not have the slingback strap but Amina Muaddi actually makes heels like this in the Begum style without the slingback strap.

3- The Bright Dupe
ASOS DESIGN Sherlock Mid Heeled Mules in Orange
$40

The color and style of these shoes are spot on for Amina Muaddi. Yes they do not have the round sun-like buckle but they have the perfect shape, including the flared heel.

Want to see more designer shoe dupe posts? Check out my Prada loafers post, my Gucci boots post, and my Bottega Veneta lug boots post!

The Best Prada Loafer Dupes for Fall

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*** Disclaimer: I put this at the top of every dupe post but if you are looking for replicas, fakes, 1:1 copies this is not the page for you! This is a list of the best Prada loafer dupes for fall but do not try to be or directly replicate the Prada loafers. I do not promote those types of inauthentic goods and never will. What I do promote is everyone being able to afford the look they are going for without copying a brands protected IP. For more check out this post.

What makes the Prada loafer so hot this fall? It’s the chunky vibes that they gives off! Other brands have been producing loafers for years- think of the Gucci Princetown or Brixton loafers that have been around for ages or Chanel, who always steadily has at least one loafer out and about floating around. Prada’s loafers are unique in the facts that the chunky sole gives the shoe more of a street wear vibe than an office vibe. The Prada loafers allow you to embrace a trendy without being out of style in one seasons time making them a great addition to a wardrobe!

1- The Original
Prada
$975

If you can swing it the original chunky loafer from Prada is great quality and not a bad price point when you realize that Chanel loafers are in the $1,400 range. These are the ones I have an I am glad I invested in them. I ended up getting a 40.5. My normal designer shoe size is a 41/41.5 so I definitely recommend sizing down.

2- Similar But More Detail
ASOS DESIGN Macro metal detail loafers in black
$43

These dupes definitely have the right sole which conveys the sleek but chunky look. They also have the raised stitching detail which align nicely with the originals. What makes these different is they a wider metal detail on the upper part of the shoe.

3- The Mock Croc Dupe
River Island Branded Chunky Croc Loafer Shoe in Black
$70

Similar style with the chunky sole and triangle shaped details but this shoe is a mock croc and the band goes around the entire front of the shoe. The plaque is also a gold tone which differentiates it from the Prada original.

4- The Sleek Dupe
Sam Edelman Christy Loafer
$150

This loafer is a little sleeker and a little less chunky than the Prada original. But its great for someone who wants to try the chunky loafer trend but not go overboard on the chunky.

5- Similar But Less Detail
Steve Madden Kallen Black Leather
$89.98

These loafers are very similar in design to the Prada but do not have any metal detailing on them which makes them a little more understated. They also come in a pretty suede sand color.

Want to find more great designer dupes?

Chanel Deals to Snag Before the July 1st Price Increase

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Chanel is notorious for their price increases and another one is happening July 1st, 2021. The increase is very high this time at about 10%. For example the classic medium flap (the most classic and common size) will now be $7,800 (allegedly). [See the below chart for more price information.] That is a $1,000 increase after three price increases last year. Needless to say these price increases are getting insane AND they are affecting the preloved market as well. Below are some vintage Chanel deals to snag before the July 1st price increase!

As of June 24th 2021

The bags listed below are vintage classic flaps. They are lambskin (which I love and if you have not seen I have filmed a whole video about why lambskin is the best!) and have 24 karat plated gold hardware (which Chanel no longer does). The bags are not brand new and will have wear so if that bothers you going the vintage route is likely not for you- which is totally okay!

As a reminder these deals are from eBay and mainly Japanese resellers. You will be paying tax to most states/ countries and duties. In the US you pay duties on any item that is over $800.

Black Chanel Classic Flaps

Beige Chanel Classic Flaps

My next blog post will be about spa and restoration services that a vintage handbag lover can use to make their bags look almost brand new. In the meantime if you want to learn about one of my favorite companies that provides these restoration services watch the video below of my experience with Leather Surgeons!

How to Shop the Sezane Archives Sale

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Sezane Romy Top (Archives Sale Spring/Summer 2020); American Eagle Curvy Mom Jeans; Vivaia Flats

If you have ever checked out my Instagram, you will know that I am obsessed with Sezane. If I could my entire closet would be just Sezane that is how much I love their pieces. But sadly the budget does not allow for a full Sezane wardrobe so that is where the Sezane Archives sale can help out! The Archives as Sezane calls them is their bi-annual sale where Sezane lists pieces from seasons past at a “gentle price”. The Winter Archive sale (that happens in late December/ Early January) is made up of pieces from past Fall/Winter collections. The Summer Archive sale (that happens in June/ July) is made up of pieces from past Spring/ Summer collections. Neither sale will have current pieces on sale. Below are my tips and tricks for how to shop the Sezane Archives sale!

Tips and Tricks

  1. Be Prepared to Shop in the Middle of the Night: The archives start at 9:30 am Parisian time. That means its 12:30 am PST. Yes you read that right the sales starts just a bit after midnight! If you want the hot pieces you need to be ready to start adding to cart exactly at 12:30 am PST. If you sleep in and try to shop in the morning most of the pieces will be gone!
  2. The Website and App Will Crash: No matter how many times Sezane hosts this sale (I personally have been shopping its since Spring/Summer 2019) both the website and app crash, even after the sale has gone live. The key to avoiding the website/app crashing on you and EMPTYING YOUR CART (yes it does that and its horrible) is to do orders that are big enough to get free shipping (over $200) but small enough that they wont get slapped with customs fees (with tax and everything under $800) and to check out fast. That means you need to check out with about 5-7 items and then do another order if you want more. You have to move fast and if you have all your information already saved in the account this helps. ALSO THE BIGGEST PRO TIP OF ALL: DO NOT DELETE ITEMS FROM YOUR CART! If you try to do that the website/app has a tendency to delete everything or almost everything from your cart.
  3. The Website and App Will Let Certain People in Early: This normally happens for the people in France according to the Sezane group I am part of. They routinely get in 10-15 minutes early and thats why when us US people finally get to log on at 12:30 am PST (if you are lucky- more like 12:45 am PST) a lot of pieces have already sold out or are in another basket. If can be frustrating but just keep hitting refresh!
  4. Watch Out- Not All Discounts Are Created Equal: Some items will only be $10-$20 off. The items with the lower discounts are often the items from the previous season. So for example items from Spring/Summer 2020 will be the least amount off in the Spring/Summer 2021 Archives sale. The older the item the more discounted it will be. I personally like to go for the items that are 40-50% off.
  5. Known Your Size in French Sizes: Sezane has the alleged equivalents to French sizes in both US sizes and UK sizes listed on their site but I find the sizing is not at all consistent with US sizes. I wear a 2 to 4 in dresses, a small in tops and a 2/26 in pants. In Sezane I can wear tops in a 36-40, dresses in a 36-40, sweaters in a S-L and pants in a 36 or 38. Those sizes are equivalent in Sezane land to a 36(4), 38(6) and 40(8). I will say though I do have to somewhat size up for length (torso, arms and legs) so that might account for a bit of the size discrepancy. A lot of these items do not have a full size run
  6. Second (and Even Third) Drops: Sezane never drops all the pieces they plan to sell during the Archives sale on the first night. Instead they do two to three drops spread a couple weeks apart. Each drop will have its own unique pieces or colorways that drop. The first two drops are normally the biggest drops with a couple more that follow. Sezane does not always announce when the other drops are happening so sometimes you just stumble upon them looking for restocks.
  7. Restocks: Because Sezane never wants us to sleep (I kid but thats how it feels if you are based in the US or on any time zone that isnt close to Parisian time), they will randomly restock certain pieces every single night starting about a week or two after the first drop of pieces in the Archive sale. This can be a great way to get a piece that you could not get because stock was low or out in your size. People do return things because Sezane does have free returns from most countries and Archives items are eligible for returns. I have picked up some of my favorite pieces this way.

Have any more questions about how to shop the Sezane Archives sale? Feel free to DM me on Instagram!

Looking for other retailers to shop at? Check out this page.

To show pieces from previous Sezane Archives sales.

Dupes for the Hermes Oran Sandals

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Looking for dupes for the Hermes Oran Sandals? Well you have come to the right blog post. If you are looking for exact replicas of the Hermes Oran sandals this post DOES NOT contain these. As I explain on my Gucci Boot Dupes Post I do not support replicas or fakes. For me a dupe is a item, in this case sandals, that are inspired by the particular fashion house but are not trying to be an exact copy of them. So these sandals DO NOT have any of the designer trademarked names or logos on them.]

Hermes Oran Sandals

Retail: $630

Hermes Oran Sandals are a very simple leather sandal with a “H” on the front. I personally love these sandals in a cognac color but they can be quiet beautiful in any color. Hermes has them online in over 40 colors. I find that they are a little short if you have a long narrow foot so I got a 41.5. I normally wear a 41 in most designer shoes.

Hermes Oran Sandal: The Reasonably Price Dupe

$16.99

hermes oran dupe

This dupe is from one of my favorite places- Target. This shoe has a very classic “H” font without completely copying the Hermes design. I find that Target makes great comfy sandals but that if worn a lot they normally only last for one season. Another con of this shoe is that at the moment Target only has this shoe in the snake print and black.

Hermes Oran Sandal: The Popular Dupe

$59.99

Hermes oran dupe

This is probably the closes sandal to the Hermes Oran Sandal and the most popular dupe- the Steven Madden Hawthorne Sandal. As you can see the sandal has the “H” front and has a very similar footbed to the original Hermes Oran sandal including the wood edging. This sandal comes in three different colors- cognac, black and white.

Hermes Oran Sandal: The Comfort Dupe

$39.99

hermes oran dupe

This sandal is very similar to the Steve Madden sandal above but this is actually the Dariella Leather Sandal. This sandal comes in 3 colors (technically four but the sand/beige color is sold out). The sandal also has the “H” front but has more padding than the traditional Hermes Oran sandal. I actually think this change is good because it likely makes the shoes more comfortable.

Interested in other designer dupes? Check out Gucci Boot Dupes here and Bottega Veneta Lug Boots here.

Buying Lux for Less: LN-CC

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On this post I focus on buying lux for less from LN-CC. LN-CC is an online retailer with a unique art-based installation store in London. The physical store includes a club, library and record shop. Its offering is a combination of independent brands and luxury designers, showcasing a curated edit from the runway and unique collections from around the world. LN-CC has also committed a significant part of its range to sustainable and ethical products. To guide this conscious retail concept, LN-CC has created sustainability standards to identify its commitment to ethical solutions.

I have purchased two different ready to wear (“RTW”) pieces from LN-CC: one Gucci sweatshirt and one Gucci cardigan. Both came quickly (even with free shipping) and well packaged in a nice eco-friendly box. I will continue to buy from LN-CC and always check them when I am pricing out a new luxury item.

Pros

  1. Pay Less Than Retail: Not everything is less than retail but a lot of stuff is- and when they have sales the deals get even better! Always make sure to know retail before you start browsing just so you can make sure that you are getting a deal. Below are my picks that are less than retail! So on LN-CC you are truly buying lux for less!
  2. Good Sales: LN-CC often has sales. I have seen sales for 10-20% off almost the entire website. I have seen Gucci, Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta be included in these sales. Plus if you sign up for their emails you get a code that gets you 10% off most things on their website. I was able to use mine on my Gucci cardigan when on most other sites Gucci is exempt.
  3. Cash Back: You can get cashback on all your purchases made on LN-CC via Rakuten. At the time of writing this blog post the cashback is 5% which can be a good amount of money on a luxury product. Plus every little bit helps!
  4. Free Shipping and Free Returns (on orders over $300): Items normally ship within two days of your order via FedEx (at least to the US). Since I have only used this site to buy luxury goods I have not had to pay for shipping.
  5. Duties and Taxes are Included in the Cost: My experience has been that I am not charged sales tax (yes even in CA!) or duties. According to LN-CC’s website they state “For deliveries to AUSTRALIA, SWITZERLAND, UNITED STATES, CANADA, CHINA, NORWAY, JAPAN and SOUTH KOREA customs duties and processing fees are included in the price of the item and ln-cc.com will not charge any additional VAT or sales tax.” [Other countries have other regulations so make sure to check LN-CC’s website here.]

Cons

  1. Limited Stock: Even when an item is new to the website they still do not always have a complete size run. So sometimes you get lucky and they have your size and others time you are out of luck.
  2. Limited to No Restocking: I have asked to be notified when certain sizes or items come back in stock but so far nothing I have been interested in has restocked. I would recommend checking the restocks page but I notice they restock a lot less than say Nordstroms or Neimans.

BHB Picks

  • Bottega Veneta Lug Boots– $1,010 (Retail is $1,100 plus tax so for me retail is $1,201.75) [Savings of $191.75; Plus don’t forget to get your 5% cash back!]
https://rstyle.me/+HAIzXHsO_-8A5NaGdZTQ1w
  • Balenciaga Logo Cardigan in Biege– $1,390 (Retail is $1,390 plus tax for a total of $1,518.58)[You are all probably thinking wait this is retail but its not if you use you 10% off code that you get when you sign up for the emails. With the 10% back and no extra taxes you save $267.58; Plus don’t forget your 5% cash back!]
to show a good purchase from LN-CC
  • Gucci Marmont Card Case Wallet– $390 (Retail is $490 plus tax for a total of $539)[You are saving $149; Plus don’t forget about your 5% case back]
Good purchase from LN-CC

Interested in other online lux retailer reviews? Check out this page!

Valentine’s Gift Ideas for Her with eBay!

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I don’t know about you but when it comes to presents I can be a little (read a lot) picky. My husband knows this so he often “consults” me on what I might potentially like. To make sure it’s still somewhat of a surprise I normally give him some helpful hints in the form of emails with links, post-it notes, and showing him pictures on my phone. So this Valentine’s day he is getting another helpful hint and a little help from eBay! 

As you all know I love eBay and buy a variety of different items from them. I have bought designer bags, collectible items and kitchen supplies from eBay. You also probably know that I have a tendency to like expensive things but that I also like deals. Because of this eBay is one of the first places I turn to and this Valentine’s Day is no exception. This year eBay is having a 15% off sale on all their certified refurbished items! Use code “PERFECTVDAY15” to get 15% off select certified refurbished item (which includes all the items listed below). This coupon can be used twice and for a max amount of $100 off. This deal does expire 2/7 so make sure you snatch up everything you were eyeing before then. 

Below are some of the things on my Valentine’s day list this year plus some items I think you should buy if you do not already have them! 

1- Apple 15″ MacBook Pro Retina Core i7 2.8GHz 16GB RAM 1TB SSD MJLU2LL/A (2015)– $1,399 plus 15% off with code “PERFECTVDAY15” 

After using only PCs for years, my husband upgraded last year to a MacBook Pro and loves it. The MacBook Pro is a classic from Apple and is great for both work and personal use. I find that the MacBook Pro is especially good for editing as it has such a high resolution.  

** If you are looking for a cheaper, but still as amazing, option I recommend the Apple MacBook Air 13″ 1.8GHz Dual Core i5 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD. This is the MacBook I use and have had for 5 years. It works great, is very light and comes in at a lower price point. It is $569 and then use code “PERFECTVDAY15” for 15% off. (Who would have ever thought you could get a Mac for such a reasonable price?) 

2- iRobot Roomba 960 Vacuum Cleaning Robot – Manufacturer Certified Refurbished– $349.99 plus 15% off with code “PERFECTVDAY15” 

This is number one on my list this Valentine’s Day. And I know a lot of you are thinking well this is not very romantic but it actually is. If I don’t have to clean the floor every day (two fur babies that shed cause this!) then that leaves me more time to spend with my husband! So see romantic…and practical, so naturally a necessity. Plus you control it with your phone so it’s easy too! 

3-KitchenAid Tilt Back Head Stand Mixer 325 Watt 5 Quart Ice Rk150ic Ice Blue– $359.87 plus 15% off with code “PERFECTVDAY15”

You should buy this. If you are a chef, baker or someone who doesn’t cook at all but wants to get into it, you should get this mixer. This mixer can be used for so many things and works so much better than a little hand mixer. I do not have the tilt back head model but my best friend does and both styles are easy to use. I would pick this one because it’s on sale and I love the color but I did link some more colors below. 

Some other pretty colors if ice blue is not your thing: 

4- Aroma 8C Digital Cool-Touch Rice Cooker and Food Steamer-Certified Refurbished– $24.99 plus 15% off with code “PERFECTVDAY15”

When we first got the rice cooker as a wedding present I was thinking to myself do we really make rice that much? And am I going to use this that often? The answer to both those questions is yes. I use this rice cooker all the time because not only does it cook rice perfectly it also steams veggies in the steaming rack that comes with it. All that leaves is the protein for you to cook! Easy peasy way to make a healthy and easy dinner! 

5-KitchenAid Exact-Slice Food Processor Attachment RKSM1FPA All Stand Mixers– $109.99 plus 15% off with code “PERFECTVDAY15”

If you read my entry for number three you know I love my KitchenAid Stand Mixer. It might be the best gift I have ever received (shhhh don’t tell my husband that) and as such I love buying attachments for it. At first I envisioned the mixer just being used for desserts but quickly came to realize that with the attachments you can make a variety of things. And since I do not have a food processor and desperately want to make homemade pasta sauce from scratch this would be perfect.

6- Wolfgang Puck 2.1-Pint 2 Cooling Chip Ice Cream Maker – Certified Refurbished– $139.99 plus 15% off with code “PERFECTVDAY15”

I think this is a close second behind the Roomba on my Valentine’s Day present list. I love ice cream and would love to whip up my own flavors. Could you imagine a cookies n’ creme and cookie dough blend?! I mean we are all making homemade bread during quarantine so why not add homemade ice cream to the list! 

7- Cuisinart GR-55FR Electric Grill Griddler Nonstick Combo, Brushed Stainless– $67.99 plus 15% off with code “PERFECTVDAY15”

Living in an apartment that has no amenities, I miss having the grill to cook on. At our old apartment, it was a nice way to give our routine meals a little bit of extra flavoring. While we do not have the outdoor space for a true grill, this indoor grill would work great as a substitute and would fit in our small apartment kitchen.

8- Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, Certified Refurbished– $279.99 plus 15% off with code “PERFECTVDAY15”

In the Bay Area we have been on some form of stay-at-home order since March 2020 and being around my husband, the cat, and the dog can be a little wearing. So having a pair of noise cancelling headphones to listen to my music or YouTube videos would be amazing. Plus these are actually refurbished and sold by Bose. 

9- JBL JBLCHARGE4BLKAM-Z Charge 4 Bluetooth Speaker Black – Certified Refurbished– $95.99 plus 15% off with code “PERFECTVDAY15”

I love my JBL speaker and would highly recommend it to anyone that likes music. It syncs seamlessly with your phone and if you buy more than one you can sync them together to provide music throughout your home. This also would make a great gift for any person in your life- husbands, dads, moms, siblings, friends, etc. 

10- Jabra Elite 65t Titanium Black True Wireless Earbuds (Certified Refurbished)– $39.99 plus 15% off with code “PERFECTVDAY15”

If the Bose headphones are too big for you (which I totally understand they can get heavy) these Jabra wireless earbuds might be a better pick. I love my wireless earbuds and find they are perfect for Zoom calls. Plus these are also refurbished and sold by the brand Jabra. 

If the titanium color is not for you there is also the active version in gold and copper. 

* Thank you to eBay for sponsoring this post.

Best Books of 2020

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Every year I keep a list of books I read- and I read a lot. I read everything from thrillers to biographies, romances to young adult- I read it all. This year I read 119 books! I was hoping to make it a round 120 but work got in the way. I also realized this year that I normally get a lot of reading done on the plane but with my European adventures ending in the end of February that seriously cut into my uninterrupted reading time. My goal for 2021 is to read at least 100 books. Ideally I would love to read over 119 books but I know this year is going to be busy so I am not sure that is realistic. The books below are my top picks in a variety of genres. They are in no specific order- I recommend you read them all! [Plus there were so many books I broke up the list into two blog posts. This is the first post.]

1- The Queens of Animation: The Untold Story of the Women Who Transformed the World of Disney and Made Cinematic History
By Nathalia Holt
Genre: Nonfiction

If you are a Disney fan or an animation buff you will love this book. The book follows the women pioneers behind many of the classic Disney animated films. These women were often forgotten in Disney folklore so I love that Holt emphasizes their lives and work accomplishments.

2- The Testaments: A Novel (The Handmaid’s Tale)
By Margaret Atwood
Genre: Dystopian Fiction

I love a good dystopian novel and this book by Atwood continues on the world she built in the Handmaid’s Tale. This book is about the fall of the dystopian and non-functional Gilead from the point of view of some of the women who run the regime and also some of the young women born into the system. [Note that this is a sequel to the Handmaid’s Tale but can be read as a standalone book as well. Personally I would recommend that you read the Handmaid’s Tale first.]

3- Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive 
By Stephanie Land
Genre: Autobiography

Stephanie Land tells her story of an unplanned pregnancy and how hard it is as a single working mother to survive. She tells her story of hard work as a housekeeper and how, even with government assistance, survival is difficult for her and her daughter. It was also on Obama’s summer reading list!

4- The Kiss Quotient
By Helen Hoang
Genre: Romance

A very cute romance about a women name Stella, who has Asperger’s and next to no experience with anything romantic. To get more romantic experience she hires escort Michael Phan. Such a fun, easy read and I cannot wait for Helen Hoang’s new book to come out.

5- Finding Dorothy
By Elizabeth Letts
Genre: Historical Fiction

“This richly imagined novel tells the story behind The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the book that inspired the iconic film, through the eyes of author L. Frank Baum’s intrepid wife, Maud.” I literally could not summarize this book better. If you love Old Hollywood or The Wonderful Wizard of Oz you will love this book.

6- In the Name of Gucci
By Patricia Gucci
Genre: Autobiography

Written by Patricia Gucci, the secret love child of Aldo Gucci’s, the book tells the love story between her dad and her mom as well as surrounding the rise and fall of the late Aldo Gucci, the man responsible for making the legendary fashion label the powerhouse it is today. Great read for any luxury lover.

7- The Secrets We Kept
By Lara Prescott
Genre: Historical Fiction; Thriller

“At the height of the Cold War, Irina, a young Russian-American secretary, is plucked from the CIA typing pool and given the assignment of a lifetime. Her mission: to help smuggle Doctor Zhivago into the USSR, where it is banned, and enable Boris Pasternak’s magnum opus to make its way into print around the world… The Secrets We Kept combines a legendary literary love story—the decades-long affair between Pasternak and his mistress and muse, Olga Ivinskaya, who inspired Zhivago’s heroine, Lara—with a narrative about two women empowered to lead lives of extraordinary intrigue and risk.”

8- Compton Cowboys: The New Generation of Cowboys in America’s Urban Heartland
By Walter Thompson
Genre: Non-Fiction

A compelling story about The Company Cowboys, an organization of African-American men and women who keep up the proud tradition of black cowboys. Living in LA for 7 years I had no idea that there was any sort of horse culture in Compton. A very well written book by a rising New York Times reporter.

9- The Mastermind: A True Story of Murder, Empire, and a New Kind of Crime Lord
By Evan Ratliff
Genre: Non-Fiction

“The incredible true story of the decade-long quest to bring down Paul Le Roux—the creator of a frighteningly powerful Internet-enabled cartel who merged the ruthlessness of a drug lord with the technological savvy of a Silicon Valley entrepreneur.”

10- Open Book
By Jessica Simpson
Genre: Autobiography

An autobiography by Jessica Simpson, where she reveals inner monologue and most intimate struggles. She talks about becoming a star, including messing up her Mickey Mouse Club tryout, and her marriage and ultimate divorce to Nick Lachey.