Swell: A Girl's Guide to the Good Life

by Cynthia Rowley, Ilene Rosenzweig

Written for girls who want to live the good life, Swell's definition of such a person is a bon vivant, but not a snob. The Swell is witty, wily and very smooth, an original 21st century fox and all in all she's the girl we all want to be.

Genres: Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Self Help, Reference, Humor, Fashion, How To

144 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Cynthia Rowley is a Illinois native who is best known as a fashion designer.

Reviews

[Crystal]

This book is just plain fun!

Not only is it fun to read, but it's also written mostly just for fun. It's not actually a step by step guild book. Sure there are a few great ideas and suggestions, (The first time I read this was years ago and the pokers tips came in unexpectedly handy the first time I played), but don't take the book to seriously or literally. I think this should be read the way you read a cookbook or a magazine, sure you use a recipe or piece of advice here or there, but for the most part you're just getting lost in fun ideas.

[Elizabeth Gilliam]

I really liked the book when I first bought and read it 2000 because I hoped it would make me more extroverted it didn't . I have just finished rereading it and have greatly realized I'm way too introverted to do most of this because it involves talking to people.

[Trista Spencer]

fun and quirky.... riddled with misogynistic views and somewhat dangerous ideologies

[Robyn]

I picked this up in either 2001 or 2002, and I actually really quite liked it. I have never had the lifestyle that this book is meant to help you achieve, but I also never really wanted it full-time. There's plenty of things that can be taken from this book and added to a normal life to spice it up, change things around, give a little shake, without trying to be somebody that you're not.

As a small example, this book contains instructions and rules for playing craps. Not in a casino, but Guys and Dolls style up against a wall craps. Until I read them, I thought that any time somebody rolled a 7 or an 11 in craps it was something to cheer for. Nope! For the hell of it I started carrying dice and a pack of playing cards in my purse, and I actually ended up playing craps with friends in random places from time to time, and I continue to keep the cards on me always because a quick card game is convenient a lot more often than you would expect.

There's fashion advice, ways of making a very basic outfit your own, and really that's a good description of what the whole book can be, if people don't get caught up on the idea of a glamorous "Swell Girl" lifestyle. Take some basics and use the tips included to make them your own. Take your baseline life and add a few tweaks to make it a little more YOU. People who take this book too seriously or use it as a bible or a constant guide are the people who are still trying to figure out why they don't have cosmos with their three best girlfriends over brunch in high heels every week.

[Emily]

Cute book. I grabbed it from the library looking for tips on approaching hostessing with a more carefree attitude. Living in DC has it's many social pressures and it often feels like in order to have people over you have to have a spotless house, multi course gourmet meals and intellectual nuggets of wisdom to bestow upon your guests. I like the idea of winging it and wanted to see how it was done.

I skimmed the rest of the book as hostessing is only one chapter but the authors approach style, games, work, etc, all with the same light hearted, charming yet practical attitude. It's sweet and fizzy and totally enjoyable. At least until it's not. Even skimming, by the end I felt like the whole attitude was maybe a bit too la-di-da and not really grounded.

[Andree Lachapelle]

A great reference to have on hand, this book gives quirky tips and advice on how to be fabulous on the fly. A must-have for girls who want to be ready for anything, on a moment's notice!

[With Butterflies]

I am a girlie girl and this book is aimed at (gawd help me) my demographic. I *hated* it. It just seems like double talking nonsense. Honestly, I couldn't even read past the first few pages. I skimmed the rest of the book and found it to be pretty worthless.

[Blanca]

This is not to be taken seriously, but it does make stylish suggestions with humor, sass and excellent illustrations.

[Hilary]

Read this forever ago - but loved it!

[cj]

entertaining and humourous, but unrealistic for anyone not born into money. lots and lots of money.

[Lindsey]

Kind of silly.

[Liesl]

I used to want to be this kind of girl, but I am hoping I grow out of it more every day.

[Ashley M]

Kind of outdated for 2008, but cute at the time. I used to dream about having the kind of parties she describes!

[Erica]

I read this book about 10 years ago, but I LOVE it--changed my life in a way...I should get it at the library and read again soon...hope I like it as much.

[Kristal]

Swell is the place where spirit and style meet.

[Kathy]

I liked this book it was very uplifting and fun to read

[Elizabeth]

Pulled it off the library shelf wondering how dated it would seem. The answer: very much, but in a charming way. Not a cell phone in sight. And remember when cigar smoking was cool?

[Cyn]

Okay, but a little long winded and sort of assumes a level of financial stability and lifestyle that not everyone has.
I've read better"guide" books.

[✨ Anna ✨ | ReadAllNight]

Can't remember if I read about this or it was a gift. It's cute and fun. Nice to have something different in a mostly serious collection.

[Michelle Winters]

Given to me at a time when I needed to be reminded what a Swell Girl I actualy was!