Books

Glamorous and Rock and Roll Book Recommendations

~ Carlie Sorat ~ Leave a comment

I love going to book shops. I don’t like kindle very much. Especially for certain books of mine, I like to dog ear chapters or pages that I know will help me a lot. Anyways, I went through my book collection and I wanted to share some recommendations if you who want to get into burlesque, want to read on how to create vintage, besides, pinup looks, for beginners or even if you’re not a beginner, all these books have great writing, great tips and ideas, detailed instructions on how to create the different hair and makeup looks, get some Rock and Roll tips and stories, and more.

I have already reviewed Dita Von Teese’s,” Your Beauty Mark” in a huge article review on her book as well as a huge review on the book “Audrey Style” by Pamela Clarke Keogh. Please make sure to read the reviews I did on those two books and leave your likes and comments on it and follow my site if you haven’t already. 

Thank you and here are some of my top favorite books that I recommend for you. Hope you enjoy them and even if you only check out one of the books and read it, you’ll love it and will help you on your vintage, pinup, and glamour journey.

1. “It’s All That Glitters, Portraits of Burlesque Performers in Their Homes.” You’ll love this book, it’s the most stunning and glam households book I own.

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2. “The Burlesque Handbook” by Headmistress Jo Weldon. If you want to get into the gorgeous performing sisterhood, this is the book for you. It is the perfect book for beginners and it Jo teaches all her signature tricks and has some great anecdotes. This was the first book I bought when I want to start the art of Burlesque. Even if you have been performing burlesque, you might want to still check out this book for extra stunts, tips, tricks, and more from the stunning HeadMistress Jo Weldon.

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3. “Vintage Beauty Parlor” This is a great book to help you achieve flawless hair and make up in iconic and vintage styles.

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4. “Style Me Vintage” (Step by Step Retro Look Book) This is one of the best books for beginners in vintage and pinup.

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5. For the Rock and Roll chicks who want some extra wicked tips if they want to be in the music scene, dress like they are, and a lot more, check out “Cherry Bomb.” It’s an awesome book.

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HOPE YOU CHECK OUT THESE BOOKS AND ENJOY THEM. TAKE THE STORIES AND TIPS THAT YOU LIKE AND THAT ARE USEFUL, DISREGARD THE INFORMATION THAT DOESN’T NECESSARILY PERTAIN TO YOU, AND ENJOY THESE FABULOUS READS!!!!

 XOXO CARLIE MICHELLE

Bethenny Frankel and Skinny Girl

~ Carlie Sorat ~ Leave a comment

   I don’t know if a lot of you know this about me but I’m a huge fan of the Bravo tv show, Real Housewives of New York and an even BIGGER FAN of the beautiful, talented, exceptionally intelligent business woman, BETHENNY FRANKEL. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her on the show and when she started season one of the RHONY, she was just starting out with her business. Since then, she has created the famous Skinny Girl Margarita, which I absolutely love plus a HUGE selection of other drinks, healthy snacks, foods, exercise dvds, many books (which is where I first met her) a fabulous clothing and shapewear line, her amazing charities and charity work and a lot more.      

   I first met her a few years ago when she was doing a signing at the GROVE in Hollywood for her book, “A PLACE OF YES” where I wore one of her sexy bodysuits which she immediately complimented me on and she was the absolute sweetest lady. So sweet that she signed two books for me, one for me and one for my mom who is another big fan of hers, and she personalized our books which she wasn’t really doing because there was such a huge crowd. When she did that, it made my heart melt.

   Bethenny recently launched a skinny girl jean line and I’m excited to say that today on Black Friday, I ordered my first pair from her. They are supposed to be super soft and feel like butter. She also came out with these beautiful Skinny Girl Candles for the holiday season and I’m hoping to get one.

   If you don’t Bethenny Frankel or the amazing work she has done, I definitely recommend checking out her sites, Bethenny.com, Skinnygirl.com, and Bethenny.com/BeStrong to see all the charity and beautiful work she has done and all the things she has given to people in other countries.

My Favorite Halloween/Gothic/Spooky Channels and Spooky Shows

~ Carlie Sorat ~ 1 Comment

The first two YouTube channels you need to check out, AFTER YOU CHECK OUT and SUBSCRIBE to MY CHANNEL, we’re recommeded to me by one of my best friends Jordan Giuliani. 

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The first YouTube channel recommendation is, “Lair of Voltaire.” He does amazing DIY gothic projects for his lair and for the last two months he’s been checking out stores like Target, JoAnn’s, etc., which has inspired me a lot with his ideas. 

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The second YouTube channel Jordan recommended to me is called, “Maven of the Eventide,” where she reviews many, many, many vampire books, except maybe “Twilight.” Hahaha. Even if you’re not into Vampires, the way Maven speaks is very dramatic and funny. She puts on a Bela Legosa accent when she introduces her self and it’s so funny. I love her. 

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The last YouTube channel that I ran into is Ms. Sara Monster! I am obsessed with her. She is so gorgeous and does beauty tips for rock and roll/ goth girls like the perfect black lipstick, how she quickly does her makeup and hair before she goes to work, and reviews products and a lot more. I met her through YouTube and are becoming friends through Instagram. She’s a sweetheart and definitely recommend her. 

 

SHOWS:

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“Curious Creations by Christine McConnell” You can watch Christine on Netflix and can see previews of her on her YouTube channel. She makes the coolest spooky inspired food, from starters to mains, to dessert. I’ve been inspired in making some of her delicious delicacies. 

 

BLOGS:

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I follow and love many blogs but my favorite spooky DIY blog is “Me and Annabel Lee.” She makes a lot of amazing DIY pieces plus she has a fantastic store that I might be buying from her soon. She also helped me a lot when I became part of the Samhain Society which I’m very grateful for!

Sunday Morning Coffee Chat, “Kindle Vs. Bookstores

~ Carlie Sorat ~ 1 Comment

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Good Morning Everyone! This morning I’m enjoying my caramel macchiato in one of my yellow sugar skull mugs that my mommy bought me in a set years ago. She always knows what her daughter likes. Today’s topic I want to briefly talk about is KINDLE VS. ACTUAL BOOKS AND BOOK STORES!

I get a rush when I walk into a bookstore. In my most recent trip to San Francisco, I saw a lot of my little book shops that I would frequent all the time such as the famous, “CITY LIGHTS” bookstore which was one of the most famous beatnik places to go and is still amazing. I also saw another one of my book shops, “BOOKSMITH,” which was awesome. Where I live now, there aren’t too many small book shops around and I need to find some more but I do love Barnes and Noble! There is always something that gives me comfort to when I walk in there, even if I’m not necessarily looking to purchase anything. Barnes and Nobles sell Kindles there which I know a lot of people like and enjoy but I do not own one.

 Don’t get me wrong, I have NOTHING against KINDLES or people owning them. In fact, three of my books that I illustrated for with author and friend Robert Ropars are available on Amazon Kindle which is very cool. Our novels by the way are on there if you are interested which I’ll post below. Oh and the published me on these three novels because I had used my maiden name at the time. Now my recent works are all Carlie Sorat.

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I really do get a rush for going into book shops and also looking through my own book collection. I have my style and vintage books of course, horror novels, like “Lost Souls” by Poppy Z. Brite, who I’ve met, first edition copies of “Alice in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass” my HUGE FULL “CREMASTER CYCLE” book from artist Matthew Barney, and a lot more.

I understand why people like Kindle so much because it can be cheaper when purchasing an online novel, easier to take when traveling, and you don’t need a large book shelf, but I still love my paper backs and hard covers, and my coffee table books, etc. Even when I’m traveling, I like to throw a book into my bag.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? I’D LOVE TO HEAR PEOPLE’S OPINIONS AND COMMENTS SO FEEL FREE TO LEAVE THEM BELOW AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME ON ANOTHER EDITION OF SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE CHAT!

Sunday/Thursday Morning Coffee Chat, “Giving Zero F*cks”

~ Carlie Sorat ~ 2 Comments

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I know I was supposed to post this topic this past Sunday but for personal reasons I couldn’t, so I’m making it up this morning with my cold Frappachino bottle and talking about “giving zero fucks.” 

I chose this topic because when I was younger, I definitely cared about what certain people and friends thought of me. By the time I reached my early 20’s I started caring less and less what anyone thought of me or if they disagreed with my opinions. I could’ve cared less. Unless it was my hubby’s opinion, haha. Wink wink!

   During those college years, I started realizing that after highschool, it’s not a popularity contest and no one gives a fuck how cool you were in highschool! 

I actually have a tattoo, my first word one, that says, “This is Life, not Heaven,  you don’t have to be Perfect!,” which is what I live by.  As long as my family and loved ones are happy, I’m happy!

My biggest advice to especially younger people or to anyone is to not care what anyone thinks about you.  Here’s a good book that I just got and already love that I recommend checking out.

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   Hope this little advice helps!!!! Lots of love!!!!!

Story Book Cosmetics , Wizardry and Witch Craft Eye Shadow Palette

~ Carlie Sorat ~ Leave a comment

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“Once upon a time, there were three sisters who never stopped believing in Fairy Tales… and they all lived happily every after!”

I’ve been practicing witchcraft and spirituality since I was about twelve and when I first heard about this new makeup brand, I knew I had to have it. It took awhile for me to get it because it sold out right away but were able to get the witchy brushes right away. Last night I received my palette finally and had to do a a part one and two makeup tutorial today.  

The eye shadow colors are named, BROOMSTICK, SORCERER, CLOAK, POTIONS, PROPHECY, SALEM, MERLIN, BEWITCHED, CAULDRON, SPELLBOOK, CHARMS, AND  JINX.

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I hope you enjoy! Also to be sure to check out their website: https://storybookcosmetics.com/

That’s So Audrey

~ Carlie Sorat ~ 3 Comments

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On my coffee table, I have some beautiful coffee table art and style books including a book of David LaChapelle’s photography and my Dita Von Teese book. I recently added a book to my table called, “So Audrey,” which of course is a tiny book about the breathtaking actress, style icon, and humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn. As far as old Hollywood starlets are concerned, Audrey Hepburn is my all time favorite actress and style icon. As you might know already from my previous blog posts, women like Bettie Page and Dita Von Teese are inspirational icons but Audrey is the very top of my list.

This new book on Audrey is simply lovely. Besides showing beautiful photos of my starlet, this book also gives fashion and life tips to put a little Audrey in your life. Not only are there little tips and anecdotes in this book from Ms. Hepburn, but there are also quotes from the actress and advice, such as her work with children and others with her humanitarian work which shows how kind and amazing Audrey was. Knowing all this about her is very inspirational to me and hopefully others. I’ve known a lot about Audrey Hepburn and her work since I was little but I always enjoy learning something new about her.

If you don’t know much about Audrey Hepburn, I recommend any book or biography about her but “So Audrey,” is unique and is a wonderful read.

Here are a few photos and excerpts from the book to show as a little preview.

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Make your Mark with Dita Von Teese

~ Carlie Sorat ~ Leave a comment

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   Everyone who knows me knows I absolutely love Dita Von Teese. She was, and still  is such a big influence  and inspiration in my life, especially when I first started burlesque dancing and performing.  I love everything about her, from her look and style, to the way she performs, to her glamorous personality. I had the pleasure of meeting her a few years ago at “Strip Strip Hooray,” in Hollywood and she is so sweet. Her insides absolutely match her outside beauty.

I have all of Dita’s books and just finished reading her latest one, ” Your Beauty Mark, the Ultimate Guide to Eccentric Glamour,” and it’s an absolutely fabulous book. 

There are so many things I love about this book, but I think the thing I love the most about this read, is that it is not just a style/beauty guide book or a “how to” book. Dita covers every aspect of her life and mixes her wonderful tutorials and information with wonderful anecdotes such as her life growing up and how she first discovered the ladies of Old Hollywood and how much they inspired her to develop her own spectacular lifestyle.  The book also contains stories of all the wonderful people she has met and worked with in her career and life which was really fun to read.

The tutorials in “Your Beauty Mark,” are very descriptive and are very detailed and easy to follow which is not always the case in beauty guides. She covers everything from how to do her makeup looks from foundation to finish,  to creating her different hair styles, and fabulous fashion tips.

Completely separate  from the beauty tutorials, Dita also provides stretches and exercise to help you stay fit and tips on having a healthy lifestyle, all of which are very helpful.

I really could go on and on about “Your Beauty Mark” and how much I enjoyed it but it would take too long. If you are looking for the perfect guide on how to be your best glamorous self, or just want to read about Dita Von Teese, or even just to go through and see a beautiful  variety of photos of her, this is the book for you. Whatever reason you have , “Your Beauty Mark,” is a definite MUST HAVE and I highly recommend it.