[close] Back in 1993, the editor-turned-designer Kate Spade made a splash in the fashion world by turning out a small collection of boxy, utilitarian handbags, each elegantly accented with her name stitched in discreet, lowercase letters. As a result, the simplicity and unabashed refinement of the Spade moniker on those Lilliputian labels has come to define the very foundation on which the designer has since built a fashion empire, one that now, in addition to handbags, includes shoes, clothing, and smart home things, all of which embody the Spade formula of timeless style--a seamless merging of cheerful colors, clean shapes, and well-chosen embellishments. Not bad for a Kansas City-born girl who used to comb vintage stores for fun. Having perfected and expertly marketed her own brand of personal style (one that has famously been counterfeited throughout the world), the designer has emerged with an equally elegant trio of books whose topics Spade has become a virtual authority: Style, Occasions, and Manners.

Spade overhauls and replenishes our wardrobes in and celebrations in Occasions. With Manners, the designer steers us through the more sensitive arena of etiquette, showing us how to pull it all together with grace and style. Common conundrums like tipping, thank-you notes, and maneuvering embarrassing moments like "toothsome tidbits" (spinach between your teeth) are all succinctly addressed. But Spade picks up where Emily Post left off by dealing with more modern mysteries like "Cell Hell" and sample sales with wit and wisdom. Best of all the approach is decidedly un-preachy, which makes this new twist on the manners mix a fun read. --Christene Barberich