Encyclopedia of the Exquisite: An Anecdotal History of Elegant Delights...by Jessica Kerwin Jenkins
A delightful ode to everyday elegance that brims with tales showing how beauty can be found in the most unlikely places. Encyclopedia of the Exquisite has the potential to make our lives that much more interesting. It left me truly inspired.”
-Sarah Jessica Parker
“A beautifully researched and written book. Every story - whether on the origins of badminton or the art of Renaissance sotleties - is fascinating and inspiring. I kept turning the page, wanting to learn more.”
-Tory Burch
“A wonderful mélange of chic and amusing tidbits - this book makes me smile.”
-Michael Kors
Encyclopedia of the Exquisite is a lifestyle guide for the Francophile and the Anglomaniac, the gourmet and the style maven, the armchair traveler and the art lover. It’s an homage to the esoteric world of glamour that doesn’t require much spending but makes us feel rich. A com¬pendium of style, it merges whimsy and practicality, traipsing through the fine arts and the worlds of fashion, food, travel, home, garden, and beauty.
Each entry features several engaging anecdotes, illuminating the curious past of each enduring source of beauty. Subjects covered include the explosive history of champagne; the art of lounging on a divan; the emergence of “frillies,” the first lacy, racy lingerie; the ancient uses of sweet-smelling saffron; the wild riot incited by the appearance of London’s first top hat; Julia Child’s tip for cooking the perfect omelet; and the polarizing practice of wearing red lipstick during World War II.
Cleverly illustrated, Encyclopedia of the Exquisite is an ode to life’s plenty, from the extravagant to the eccentric. It is a cele¬bration of luxury that doesn’t necessarily require money. LOVE it !
$15 Publisher: Nan A. Talese (November 2, 2010) Amazon.com
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