The Bombshell Manual of Style

The Bombshell Manual of Style

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3.91 of 5 stars 3.91  ·  rating details  ·  317 ratings  ·  38 reviews
In this glittering beauty and lifestyle guide packed with pearls of wisdom, Laren Stover has compiled everything a woman needs to know to live the Bombshell life: from how to dress and make an entrance to what to eat and where to shop. It tells readers what makes a Bombshell tick; road-tested outfits for 25 occasions; must-have Bombshell sleepwear, handbags, and fragrances...more
Hardcover, 208 pages
Published May 16th 2001 by Hyperion
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Heather Rudulph
Jun 21, 2007 Heather Rudulph rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: All women with an inner bombshell
Laren Stover perfectly captures what it is to be a bombshell. I saw myself in this book and it made me feel fabulous! I pick it up every time I need a boost of bombshell confidence.
Nicole
For those who turn on TCM only to bask in the glow of classic actors and actresses. Entertaining insights, and worth picking up for the illustrations alone.
Myridian
I'm giving this book three stars solely on the merit of the illustrations. I remember checking this book out from the library years ago and falling in love with Toledo's exuberant women; and I love them just as much now. The text is another matter completely. I can't decide is Stover is celebrating bombshells or making fun of them. Maybe it's a little bit of both.

This book is basically a list of, "bombshells like this; bombshells don't like this. Bombshells do this; bombshells don't do this," b...more
Tess
Apr 25, 2007 Tess rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Someone who needs some fluff
This book definately isn't cerebral, but it's enjoyable and fluffy. Full of tips and stories on being a bombshell, from the clothing, to the boyfriends, to the makeup. Like I said, nothing deep, but enjoyable and silly to read.
Annie
I am not a feminine woman, so I originally bought this book to laugh at the ludicrous things I was expecting to read. But it was entertaining and enlightening. There are quotes from different bombshells, and sections on nearly every part of a bombshell's life. The best part about this book however is that while they tell you what a bombshell is, they apply no pressure for you to change your life all around to become one. They are simply trying to let you know why Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, Ki...more
Pamela
I bought this book for my bombshell little sister, but I kept it. :) While I think I enjoyed The Bohemian Manifesto more because I could relate to it, The Bombshell Manual of Style is still up there with my favorite books. I do think that every woman can relate with aspects of ths book. I feel that this should be a must read on every woman's reading list. While reading this I thought: "ugh, I want to be a bombshell!" Haha. :D
The illustrations are beautiful. The book is fun to read and each page...more
Jillian
Cute book, but really, I can't live in granny panties like Marilyn Monroe.
Ana
I read this book ages ago but so much of it has stuck with me. Its filled with beautiful illustrations by Ruben Toledo and anecdotes about the habits of classic beauties, I loved this book. I was particularly taken with the section about classic perfumes that has inspired my own hunt for the perfect fragrance. I also remember the tip not to carry your purse on your shoulder because its bad for your back. If you love style and classic good (girly) looks this is a great resource for finding your i...more
Kate
A nice collection of classic Hollywood glamour, but a little too dramatic for a girl looking for real protocol. I may be a brunette, but I've never had a tantrum as the book would have you believe. Sometimes it feels as though the author could not decided what type of book they were trying to write, mingling the ultra luxurious with the the bottom barrel; JCPenny underwear next to La Perla? For the genre this book falls into, there are better books out there.
Rita
This book was very entertaining and made me want to know these women better. This author does a great job at inspiring readers to do further research into areas people may have not known they were interested in yet. I would also suggest reading her book Bohemian Manifesto.
Julia
This is a fun little book on how to be a fabulous, larger than life, bombshell. By bombshell they mean someone who is confident in herself, and her style, regardless of what fashion dictates. I really adored this book and the illustrations are incredibly charming.
Jennifer
May 03, 2009 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who loves classic style
This book is fun and quirky for those women who wish to show of their inner bombshell through their actions and their style. The little illustrations show off the books fun side through a somewhat serious look through how to live.
Kelsie Ravenkroft
As a lover of retro fashion and old movies, I adored this book! Despite the fact that the title/concept is a bit of a joke, the book actually has some valuable commentary on life as a woman mixed in with the silly bits.
Bridget
I love this book. It is an inspiration on how to be a old school woman in this modern day world. And to add to the wonder of this marvelous read is the wonderful illustrations. I so wish I could get a few for my home.
Colleen
Given to me by a friend who knows me well. I loved, loved, loved this book, and read it again every few years. As an aging bombshell, I loose touch with unreality sometimes and this brings it back!
Elyse
Tongue-in-cheek look at how an ordinary woman can become a va-va-va voom beauty . For instance, "A bombshell never dresses carelessly and always wears marabou mules around the house."
Lilia
This was a delightful, bubbly read after a much more serious, sobering book ("Eating Animals"). Fun and fluffy and totally a "chick" book, especially if you're a girlie-girl.
Brittany
I love this book, it's an instant confidence/mood booster with adorable illustrations. I'd definitely recommend it for any female who just enjoys the fun of being girly.
mac
It was a bit silly and not terribly specific about many of the "bombshell" ideas. A cute read and a few clever ideas...
Jennifer
Cute bed-time reading.
Key L.
Accurate.
Lauren
Fun, wouldn't really recommend it.
Eli
Someone had a lot of fun watching old movies to put this book together!
Kelley A.
I like to drape myself over furniture and drink champagne at inappropriate times. Sleep nude and wear bright red lipstick. Make an entrance as opposed to just enter. And leave 'em wanting more. If you do too, pick this up. It just helps to know we aren't alone.
Marion
I'm not really sure how I came to flip through this book. But it's possibly the worst thing ever published. Not that any of you would ever be tempted to pick it up, but you also might consider avoiding people who know people who like this book!
Elizabeth
I recently reread this book, and while it did not strike me the same way it did when I was 16, I still have fantasies about being a bombshell, however, the open toed shoes are very impractical for this climate.
Jennifer
This book just made me laugh! It was so much fun to read, and the illustrations were absolutely charming!

I highly recommend it to anyone searching for their own inner bombshell. ;)
Noel
Another book that I just adored. It really feed my inner bombshell and made me want to dose myself in Chanel Number 5, fluff my hair, and cover myself with satin and maribou feathers.
Kate
Feb 15, 2008 Kate rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: women who want to be girlie but fear that means compromising their strength.
This book changed my wardrobe, my attitude and my outlook on style. I read it once a year just to remind myself of bombshellism.
Angela
It is just plain fun and funny...but only for those who are or are at least interested in being a bombshell. LOL!
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28484
A classically trained artist with literary DNA, Laren Stover writes fiction and nonfiction.
Laren's first style book The Bombshell Manual of Style (Hyperion), illustrated by Ruben Toledo, was pivotal in exploding Bombshell consciousness into a popular genre of its own when it was published in 2001. Laren has deconstructed the incandescence of Bohemians in Bohemian Manifesto, A Field Guide to Living...more
More about Laren Stover...
Bohemian Manifesto: A Field Guide to Living on the Edge Pluto, Animal Lover

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