Sex and the City 2: The Stories. The Fashion. The Adventure

Well as practically the whole world is bashing the Sex and the City 2 movie (read the excellent post by Katie Chutzpah hitting out at the critics) I have decided to have a go at the book. Yesterday while feeling excited about the prospect of seeing Carrie and the gals again I got happy and ordered the book from amazon. My thought process was that I would be able to labour over the book today while remicising over the film. You see I was expecting the film to be good but it wasn't and I was also expecting the book to be good too but guess what? It wasn't either. So hello to a less than pleased Ondo Lady. 

Before I go any further let me explain the concept of the S&TC books, now I am not talking about the one written by Candace Bushnell but the brilliant ones that acompany the show and films and written by Amy Sohn. These are well crafted items which are designed to lay luxuriously on your coffee table. Hardbacked and rectangle shaped they contain wonderful images of the characters, the show and people behind the scenes. For instance Sex and the City Kiss and Tell which is based on the TV series delves into the history of the show. The foreward is by Sarah Jessica Parker who tells us about how she initially turned down the role of Carrie because she did not want to go back to TV. There are also chapters on each of the four ladies which covers their personalities and how they have evolved since the first series and there is also a summary of each episode. As well as the fashion the book looks at the apartments of the four ladies and discusses their individual styles. The men of S&TC are featured as well as city the show is set in. This one of my favourite books because not only is it pretty with it's pinlk cover it provides you with every nut and bolt that you would love to know about the show.

Sex and the City: The Movie is rather similar to the first book as it kicks off with an intro from Sarah Jessica Parker who gives us a recap on the years between the end of the series and the film. Writer and director, Michael Patrick King's intro is very interesting as he gives us his ideas and aspirations on the fllm which I found really intruiging. The next few pages goes into the logistics of turning S&TC into a film. I guess I just took it for granted how it easy it would be to make the fiilm and get all the crew and props back. Well this section goes into the technicalities they faced. Like the beginning of the first film the book gives us a summary of the show season by season and on the character's lives. However, this is where the similarities between the first book ends, the next part of the book is a pictorial narration of the film. I mean if you have not seen the first film and read this you really will not need to as everything is given away. I must admit at over 120 pages long I felt a bit cheated because I was expecting a lot more features. There are a few nice touches like a piece on the Vogue shoot, why they chose the Vivienne Westwood dress and Carrie's apartment makeover. Of course you couldn't have a S&TC book without the fashion and there is a look book which documents all the clothes. Sex and the City: The Movie is not as brilliant as the first book but is is a must have for die hard S&TC fans and as I said before the pictures are beautiful.

Which brings me to Sex and the City 2: The Stories, The Fashion, The Adventure, the first thing that stands out is that thei book is not written by Amy Sohn but by someone called Eric Cyphers who I have never heard of and also the cover is more luxurious. It has a nice pouchy feel to it which I really like. However. this stops there. I hate the colour which is a light grey and a far cry from the girly pink of the first one and dynamic black of the second one. Believe me the content is not any better either: there is the usual introduction by Sarah Jessica Parker and Michael Patrick King where they talk about filming in the Middle East. There is the summary of what the characters have been up to since the first film then there is a section on filming in Morocco but is is all really lightweight as if they wanted to skimp over it. This is followed by Q&As with the four actresses which I find boring as they are not saying anything I have not heard before. The next section is on the men of S&TC and the supporting cast. Then of course we have the fashion but instead of a couple of pages of looks we have over 100 pages of the outfits featured in the film. Each outfit has two pages dedicated to it with full credits! Talk about blatant advertising and product placement. I felt disgusted and frankly ripped off. The whole book reads like a catalogue promoting designer clothes as well as a luxury holiday in Marrakesh. Talk about style and no bleedin substance. Me no likey!! My advice is if you want a fabulous S&TC book then just stick with the first one which has quality writing, fashion and fun.

The Sex and the City books are available to buy from amazon.

Hot Reads

For those of you who don't know I work in marketing and have done for a few years now. I am sure you all know that I am very passionate about books and I think they get a pretty bad rap from society. They are not seen as cool as music and not as cultural enriching as films and to some people books are seen as downright stuffy and boring. Let's face it reading a book takes a bit more effort that watching a film and listening to an album so I can see why they are not as appealing. One of the ways to deal with this is by promotion and good old PR. The medium of PR may be a pain in the arse to some but when done properly it can be very powerful and not to mention beneficial. Therefore I am always interested when I come across new marketing campaigns to promote books especially collaborations. I love to see collaborations with books whether it is a tie in with a film, or a competition such as the Costa Book Awards and the Galaxy British Book Awards.

So I was quite excited when a press release from Harper Collins hit my in-box yesterday informing me about an exciting project that they are working on with asos. Hot Reads focuses on six new titles that are aimed at sassy young and stylish women. The project is a media partnership between the two companies pushing titles like The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell, I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk, Candypop by Lauren Laverne, I Remember You by Harriet Evams, Scandalous by Tilly Bagshawe and Fortune by Megan Cole. A brand new website for Hot Reads has been created where each book will be highlighted every two weeks. Each book will have a themed page where readers will be able to find out more about the book and author. There are also various competitions and giveaways up for grabs. Hot Reads will be promoted on asos.com, the newsletter and the magazine. It is very apt that they are kicking off the campaign with The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell and with the new Sex and City film on the horizon it is only just right. Well I love asos and now I have another reason to visit their website. 


You can check out the Hot Reads website here.

The Broadroom and Prospect Park West

I am feeling very scared about the second Sex and the City film; I feel that they risked the values of the S&TC brand by making the first film two years ago. They only got away with it because of the increasing popularity of the series after it ended so by the time the movie came round everyone was dying to see Carrie and co back again. Hence the fact that Sex and the City: The Movie was a sensational hit. Now they want to ruin it all by making a sequel. Why? Well pure and utter greed. S&TC had it's moment in the sun so lets put it to rest and move on. One lady who has certainly not looked back since her S&TC days is Candace Bushnell, the lady who brought Carrie Bradshaw to life by writing the S&TC books. She has landed a gig writing a new female-led web series called the Broadroom which is a humorous look women in the workplace and will star Jennie Garth, Talia Balsam and Jennifer Espisoto. The Broadroom has two exciting brands associated with it. More magazine - a lifestyle magazine aimed at women who are 40 plus not the UK trashy More magazine - and Maybeline are collaborating as corporate sponsors. Bushnell recently signed up as a contributor for More magazine and will write in the September and October issues. Maybeline will be screening the show on it's website in conjunction with the launch of its new Color Sensational Lipcolor.

The Broadroom airs in September.

Another lady who has moved on since S&TC is Amy Sohn who penned the 'other' S&TC books which were fabulous guides to the show and the movie. If you don't own one of these then you really cannot call yourself a S&TC fan. Well Amy has a book out called Prospect Park West which is about the Brooklyn bourgeois. Set in the lush Park Slope we are introduced to four yummy mummies who are experiencing serious life crisis. Meet Melora Leigh, an acclaimed actress who is frustrated with her career and the pressures of raising her adopted toddler, so goes shoplifting. Rebecca Rose fills the void in her marriage by starting a dangerous flirtation with a handsome neighborhood celebrity. Lizzie O'Donnell, a former lesbian (or "hasbian"), is happily married to a sexy guy with an adorable baby so wonders why she is still drawn to women? Then there is supermon, Karen Bryan Shapiro whose main goal in life are her four-year-old son's well-being and snagging that perfect apartment. Four different women with one thing in common, none of them are satisfied with their lot. Interestingly enough Sarah Jessica Parker has bought the rights to the book and plans to turn it into a TV show.

Prospect Park West is available to buy in September

Nina's Top Six

Candace Bushnell's face has been plastered all over the place, in magazines and newspapers publicizing her new book, One 5th Avenue and the fact that she has been commissioned to write The Carrie Diaries. Another lady who has been having an excellent week is Nina Garcia, she of Project Runway and fashion director of Marie Claire. It seems that like others, Ms Garcia has caught the reality TV bug and will be starring in a show of her own - Running in Heels. The show will document the glossy and glam life at US Marie Claire by focusing on 15 members of staff (on different levels) with two being highlighted each week. Airing on The Style Network next March, Nina is expected to be one of the lucky 15. Not surprisingly, Running in Heels has drawn much comparison to Stylista which is set at US Elle magazine and stars fashion news director, Anne Slowey. Yes I can hear chants off rip off Devil Wears Prada everywhere but I am liking the sound of these shows especially Running with Heels. Bring it on! If this show makes it big then there is no doubt that it will break Nina as a huge star across the world. With success of her two books what is the likelihood that Nina Garcia will be turned into a brand. In celebration of her second book release and annoucement of her new show, I have compiled a list of Nina's top six.

Elle magazine
This is where Nina got her break, her job is to oversee editors and work closely with designers and stylists. During her 13 years at Elle Nina created the front-of-book Trends, Shops and Accessories page and was responsible for covering all the major shows. However, she and Elle parted ways earlier this year allegedly on bad terms.

Project Runway
This award winning show is in its sixth year and features up and coming designers competing for a sponsorship and a spot at New York Fashion Week. Over the years Nina has gained a reputation of having something of an acid tongue which has caused her to be feared by fashionistas.

The Little Black Book of Style
A bible for all fashion lovers, this book gives you lots of tips on you how to create your own style. Dressing to suit your shape, not following trends, investing in key pieces and having fun with fashion are just a few. This book was published last year and was a huge hit.

Marie Claire
After her omission from Elle, Nina was appointed fashion director of this popular magazine. Elle's loss was Marie Claire's gain as Nina's new stable took over as partner of Project Runway. Whether this was planned or pure coincidence, no one knows but it seems to be a perfect fit.

The One Hundred
This book is an exhaustive list of all the 'must have' things that every self respecting fashionista should own. Clothes, shoes, jewellery, make up, accessories.. it is all here for you to devour. Like Nina's first book The One Hundred contains gorgeous illustrations.

Running in Heels
The show that follows the life and careers of staff on Marie Claire showing the dramas, pressures and responsibilities that they face. It will show what it is like to be a working woman in a cut throat industry like women's magazines.

Getting Carried Away

The Sex and the City film is now out on DVD so here we go again with all the hype. I finally got the film the second time round but still left feeling a tad bit disappointed. The film had it all; love, friendship, clothes, shoes and New York but I couldn't help feeling how cool it would have been if Sex and the City: The Movie had taken us back a few years so we could see Carrie when she first came to NYC and met her ladies in crime. Funny to hear that the children's division of Harper Collins are planning to release a series of books about Carrie in her teenage years. The books will show a young Ms Bradshaw growing up in her native home town and feature her visits to the big apple. S&TC book author, Candace Bushnell has been enlisted to write the books and with a working title of The Carrie Years, it looks like it will be hit with teens as well as their Mothers. However as a good mate of mine stated, it is all a bit much and anyone would think that Carrie Bradshaw was a real life character. So it leads me to ask the question of whether we are truly getting carried away with the immortal S&TC.

Lipstick Jungle Fever

Candace Bushnell must be patting herself on the back. Not only has she just turned 50 but her book turned TV series, Lipstick Jungle has made the cut in the US by being commissioned for a second series and to top that off it has also been picked up in the UK. The show that has been billed as the grown up Sex and the City features three women who are high players in New York. For a complete lowdown on the show read my previous blog here. The promotional campaign for Lipstick Jungle will be the biggest yet, for the launch. Living TV have gone all out in making sure that all and sundry are aware of Lipstick Jungle. Living TV in conjunction with Coffee Republic will be introducing Lipstick lattes - vanilla flavoured coffees and Lipstick cupcakes - with a kiss shaped icing to celebrate the show. There will also be Lipstick Jungle branding on coffee cup sleeves, screen savers, tables and posters in the cafes. As well as advertorials in Heat magazine there will be cover wraps in London free sheets papers such as London Lite and London Paper. Another exciting element to the marketing mix will be branded Oyster cards with dinky mirrors so Lipstick Junglers can check out their looks en route to work. You have been warned, you are entering Lipstick Jungle Fever.

Check out The Times' feature on Candace Bushnell here.

Lipstick Jungle

So at last Lipstick Jungle, the lovely, Candace Bushnell's new baby gets its airtime. This new show, which is touted as the new Sex and the City is about three chums who happen to be the biggest players in New York. There is Wendy Healy played by Brooke Shields, a top movie exec who is the bread winner of the family, Nico Reily played by Kim Raver a glam magazine editor who embarks on an affair with a younger guy and Victory Ford played by Lindsay Price, a fashion designer who is trying to pick up the pieces after damming reviews of her latest collection. Now I am sure you all know the details about Lipstick Jungle and Cashmere Mafia, the rival show but in case you need reminding then may I suggest you click here to read my previous blog.

I will be honest and admit that Lipstick Jungle has the advantage as I have read the book and taken a liking to all the characters. My first impression of Cashmere Mafia was not good but seven shows in I have found myself warming to the show and the characters. Ok the dialogue is a bit lame and the jokes few and far between in but Cashmere Mafia does a good job of portraying the way powerful women behave in the boardroom. Lipstick Jungle, on the other hand fares better in the way the friendship of the three women is developed. Unlike the Cashmere quartet, you can really believe that the Lipstick trio are best mates who have known each other for a long time. The way they bicker, reprimand each other, joke together and console each other; very often all over a three course meal, makes you want to buy this friendship. Also the jokes are a lot better and the one-liners are simply sensational. My only quibble is the casting; from what I read in the book Wendy is very tomboyish in contrast to her feminine husband, which is a far cry from the very glamorous Brooke Shields. I also would have had Nico down as a ravishing brunette as opposed to the waspy Kim Raver and Lindsay Price's wardrobe is so so wrong considering the character she plays. Come on, she is supposed to be a fashion designer not a reject from a pantomime. It will be interesting to see which show comes out tops. NBC are really going for it though, they have even produced a real version of Bonfire magazine, the publication that Nico Reily edits. Cool huh? It seems to be a growing trend, FX Networks did the same with Dirt; the TV series staring Courtney Cox in which she plays an Editor of a tabloid magazine .

Cashmere Mafia

Cries of a rip off of Sex and the City were heard when the much anticipated pilot of Cashmere Mafia come to the small screen on Wednesday. The latest series by S&TC creator, Darren Star was due to air last year but a certain writer's strike put a halt to that. The plot is a no brainer, four high flying women who meet while doing their MBA's form a deep and loyal friendship.
Mia Mason played by Lucy Liu is a go getter who will do anything to win and when she is pitted against her fiance in her publishing firm, she puts out all the stops to win. Zoe Burden played by Frances O'Connor, lives an unorthodox life where she goes out to earn the bacon in her investment banking role while her sexy hubby stays at home and looks after their kids. Unfortunately, life is not so blissful with Juliet Harper who is played by Miranda Otto. She may be the big honcho of a massive hotel chain with a fantastic home but this is marred by her cheating husband and rebellious daughter. Then there is Caitlin Dowd, played by Bonnie Somerville, a marketing exec who is muddling through life and discovering her sexuality on the way.

My first impressions of Cashmere Mafia was how similar it is to Lipstick Jungle (TV series based on a book by Candace Bushnell - read my previous blog about it here) in terms of the look of the programme. However as we move on into the show the similarities stop. While all the characters in Lipstick Jungle were well developed and very distinctive, the Cashmere set come across as very contrived. Mia is forgettable, Juliet is disappointing as the down trodden wife but Caitlin takes the biscuit. She goes from being in a relationship, single and a lesbian in all of 30 minutes. A record if you ask me and downright ridiculous. This character reeks of tokenism and it is so obvious that she has just been thrown in as the 'lesbian.' The only shining light is Zoe and her husband whose charm and humour rescues this show from being a total dismal affair. I love the scene at her daughter's ballet show, she was so cute. However, I hated the bit where Juliet prances into her awards ceremony in her red dress with her posse behind her. Is this a TV series or an R&B video?

Another grip I have is that these women spend so much time discussing their woes over breakfast, lunch and dinner that it is a wonder that they get any work done at all. Oh and what is with the Blackberries going off every second? That is so unreal, if any corporate professional behaved like that she would be out on her cute ass.

Lipstick Jungle

Another programme that I am looking forward to seeing is Lipstick Jungle. This is yet another book adaptation which is written by Candace Bushnell, she who bought us Sex and the City - a programme that needs no introduction. Lipstick Jungle, like S&TC is set in NYC and chronicles the lives of a group of successful women who are friends but unlike S&TC the characters in this show are slightly older and hell of a lot more richer and instead of looking for Mr Big, they frankly are Mr Big. There is thriving fashion designer, Victory Ford, high powered movie exec, Wendy Healy and sassy magazine editor, Nico O'Neilly. These women are placed 8, 12, and 17 on The New York Post's list of "New York's 50 Most Powerful Women. I will admit that I have not been a fan of Bushnell's writing in the past, I thought the Sex and the City book was very poor and she only got lucky because of Darren Star's midas touch in producing the show. However she really redeems herself with this book and it really is a riveting read. Plus I love all the characters which is always a big bonus. The show is set to broadcast in the US in the new year and hopefully it should be picked up over here. Also do you remember when I was going on about Dallas and how it should be repeated? Well someone must have been reading this because the series is being show on UKTV Gold everyday at 5.00pm and if you miss it you can catch the omnibus on Saturday and Sunday mornings. I knew there was a God.