The Interns: Fashionistas (The Interns) by Chloe Walsh

“… She had on a sailor-striped Armani Exchange sundress with a navy cardigan, an outfit that looked familiar. …”

Paris has Agnes B. Spain has Balenciaga. Japan has Issey Miyake. And New York…well, New York City has Isabel Dupre and Couture Magazine. Couture is a what’s-what on fashion - from upcoming designers to retiring models, and everything in between. It is the place that anyone who loves fashion wants to immerse themselves in; and Isabel Dupre, as the Editor in Chief of the mag, is the Queen Bee. When she decides to bring in interns to work in the hallowed halls of the exclusive Couture offices, it’s every man (or, rather, woman) for themselves. And only four girls will have the opportunity of a lifetime to show the world what they’ve got.

Recent high school grad Aynsley Rothwell needs this internship like a hole in the head. As a Park Avenue Princess, the most Aynsley needs to know about fashion is what’s in, what’s out, where the sample sales are, and whether to pay with her Black AmEx or platinum credit card. Actually rolling out of bed and going to an office each day - even one as glamorous as Couture’s - is definitely not at the top of her to-do list. But, as the daughter of one of Isabel Dupre’s close personal friends, Aynsley has no choice. After all, it’s either intern at Couture; or spend the summer holed up in a boring palace in Italy, being tormented by an Italian tutor. Couture it is.

Fast-talking Philly native, Nadine Van Buren, may be short; but what she lacks in stature, she makes up for in personality. As the ace reporter and editor for her school newspaper, as well as a photographer with an itch to shoot Couture covers; Nadine knows that she’ll fit right in at Couture. Her larger than life personality, and tres trendy and creative fashion sense will only make her more appealing to the typical Couture staff members. But her ability to party hardy, and keep her head clear, even after a night of craziness will make her the apple of Aynsley’s eye. Hopefully Nadine makes sure to remember why she originally came to the Big Apple, and doesn’t get carried away by a Chanel-toting bad influence sporting jet black hair, and model good looks.

Columbus, Ohio is anything but the fashion capital of the world. Callie Ryan knows that better than anyone else. In fact, the budding fashion designer, who doubles as a high school student, can’t imagine ever reaching her dreams if she doesn’t get out of Columbus soon. Which is why she accepted this coveted internship. Sure, her designs may be a little out of this world, and mall-like for Couture; but the experience she’ll gain under the guidance of Isabel Dupre is exactly what she wants. Too bad she made the mistake of starting off on the wrong foot with her fellow interns by telling a few little white lies. Little white lies that are sure to come back to haunt her sooner rather than later.

No one really knows what to think of Ava Barton. The mousey girl is too sweet-talking and innocent to fit into the fashion world, but she’s determined to display her writing chops, and prove how serious she is about Couture. Too bad she doesn’t necessarily know as much about fashion as her fellow interns. Or so it seems. Maybe if people paid a little more attention to what Ava was like on the inside, as opposed to focusing on her outer appearance, they would be able to see the potential she harbors. And get a sneak peek at how she’ll be able to knock everyone off their feet.

I have seen countless comparisons to GOSSIP GIRL; but, while the backdrop of New York City is prevalent in both GOSSIP GIRL and THE INTERNS, and the characters love shopping, clothes, and partying, that is where the similarities end. Personally, I’m more inclined to compare Chloe Walsh’s THE INTERNS to the spectacular, yet very underrated FLIRT series by Nicole Clarke, which also boasted a cast of characters interning at a fashion magazine for the summer. That said, THE INTERNS is still in a league of its own. Walsh has penned a tale rich in wonderful characters, an inside look at the goings-on at a fashion magazine, and drama galore. Aynsley is a GOSSIP GIRL-esque type of character, right down to her brimming trust fund. She has a mean streak, but you can’t help but love how devilish she is. Nadine is a fun party girl, but sometimes she seems a little out of control - even if her wardrobe still looks impeccable. Callie comes off as very shady. The fact that she lies from the get-go, and always seems to be sneaking around and smirking about mishaps honestly makes the reader think that she’s capable of any type of conniving. And Ava…well, Ava seems like Miss Goody Two-Shoes from page one, but you adore her anyway. The fact that you know that there’s a party girl just dying to break out makes her even more exciting. Utterly unforgettable!

The Lucky Shopping Manual: Building and Improving Your Wardrobe Piece by Piece by Andrea Linett and Kim France

“… Carla Mancini Gunmetal Asp Cartier Autumn Cashmere Catherine Malandrino A/X Armani Exchange Celine Earl Jean ï.. …”

This book is an excellent primer for those such as myself who may be slightly clueless on the fashion front. For me, it’s a bargain alternative to a personal shopper (I wish!).

The book has loads of pictures that offer plenty of ideas for new outfits and spark your creativity. I like this book as it is not pretentious or condescending. The authors offer advice for styles that will bridge seasons and outlast fads.

I found the “build your wardrobe” and “in the fitting room” sections useful as well. This book does not go into vivid detail about body types nor is it the be all/end all. You could combine Lucky Shopping Manual with Pocket Stylist or The Science of Sexy and be completely educated.

The Pocket Stylist: Behind-the-Scenes Expertise from a Fashion Pro on Creating Your Own Look by Kendall Farr

“… Levi’s Red Tab Boot Cut: Has a contoured waist. A/X Armani Exchange: Bootcuts. Polo Jeans Co.: Bootcuts and flares. …”

This terrific book changed the way I think about clothing fit, and what I should be wearing and buying. It’s the most useful fashion/clothing book I own, and probably a good purchase for many women. The ideas are timeless, but still immediately applicable for a variety of women, budgets, sizes, and style preferences. I highly recommend it. I had come to Amazon just to buy the Lucky shopping guide, and bought this in addition to the Lucky book because of all the positive reviews — I’m so glad I did, because this is the book I like better of the two!

Bad Girlz 4 Life by Shannon Holmes

“… He had on a baby blue Armani Exchange button-up shirt, a dark blue New York Yankees baseball cap, …”

Tonya Morris is not the same naive girl she used to be. She has decided to get a new hustle that doesn’t involve sex, mayheim, and stripping. She finds herself doing braids at a salon as a way of honest employment. Yet it seems like her past followers her even there. While working there she meets a wonderful friend, Na’eema.

Together the two ladies act as a dynamic duo and start their own hustle together. They go from private stripping parties to party promoters over night. A chance encounter at one of their events puts Tonya face to face with her past once again. Q Phelps is there in the flesh. The only man that she has loved is present and looking even better than their last encounter.

Tonya life starts to head in a positive direction after destiny brought her and Q back together. She finds herself falling deeper in love with him, but Q’s sister, crazy baby mama, and a past broken heart stand in her way. Tonya does what she knows best and fights for hers.

Shannon Holmes did a great job with this sequel. He revisits the wounds that drove Tonya to the streets at such a tender age. This novel makes you want to fight, cry, and smile. A couple of surprises are thrown at you that you’d never expect. It answers all your inquiries from the first novel and leaves you satisified. Mr Holmes you have done a great job on this one. I can’t wait for Bmore Careful II.

The Quickie by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

“… under my favorite Armani Exchange black suit. The skirt had a side slit in it …”

Patterson has done it again! A terrific book that is unpredictable and has quite a few story lines going all through the book but not to the confusing point. Lauren Stillwell has a great job, a terrific marriage, and many of life’s luxuries and she enjoys all of them. Lauren decides one day that she was going to surprise husband Paul at his office and both go out for a fantastic meal. As Lauren approached Paul’s office building in Manhattan, she spied Paul leaving the office building with a young blond woman. Whoa!! She followed them in her car to a hotel and watched them go in. “This is not good” is what came to Laurens mind. There must be some explanation so Lauren gave Paul the benefit of a doubt when he arrived home that night until Paul told her he had lunch at his desk.

They both entered a taxi to go to the airport, each to go to fly to a different city and, Lauren hoped, give her a chance to think things out. Well, Lauren thought things out very fast and arranged a date with an old friend instead of leaving New York. She was going to get even with Paul. Old friend and former fellow cop, Scott, came to the house as arranged for their rendezvous and to Lauren her revenge. They each got cold feet and Scott took off with Lauren following him, eventually catching him as he was getting on his motorcycle to take off for parts unknown. Lauren wanted so desperately to get that revenge that she climbed on and went with Scott to his house where they had groping and fantastic sex in every part of the house.

It seems Paul also did not go out of town as planned. He was following Lauren and Scott, taking in the entire scene. Paul had every intention of giving Scott a real life lesson by killing him but while approaching Scott, Paul’s cell phone went off and alerted Scott that someone was there and this turned into a bitter battle after which Lauren saw Paul throw Scott into his truck and take off with him. She did not know if Scott was alive or not but figured that Paul was taking Scott to the hospital.

Lauren was a Detective First Grade on the Bronx Homicide Task Force. How was she going to explain what occurred? She rushed to various hospitals searching for Scott to see the injuries herself while at the same time thinking how she would cover this up and proceed as if nothing had happened to her life! While searching the hospitals, she discovered a huge presence of police at a nearby park. As she approached the area her co-workers asked her why she wasn’t at the conference she had supposedly gone to. She explained that away fast and jumped into the crime scene where a dead body, turning out to be Scott, had been found wrapped and dumped in the park pond.

Lauren and Paul’s life had taken a sharp turn but neither would discuss what they knew the other had done or the attack on Scott. This made some things better in their lives and also opened up some crevices that they both fell into. Life went on but certainly not normal in any sense of the word. They both acted well with each other and no one that they knew of suspected anything wrong with their lives together but they each knew they were living a ticking time bomb.

As usual with Patterson’s books, he has a way to keep the reader deeply involved in the story as though they were actually there playing the parts. Did you try to kill your spouse??

Tags: Armani, armani exchanges, Giorgio Armani