Little did I know that during the entire meal I was a rebel trampling on important restaurant etiquette. According to The Gentry Man: A Guide for the Civilized Male—the best of GentryMagazine, articles published between 1951-1957—my manners were no better than a cowhand who picks her teeth with a chicken bone and blows her nose on the table cloth. Yee-haw!

Here are a few of my favorite rules “for the polite diner” from The Gentry Man…

#2  “Don’t just drop into a restaurant and order a meal. Go to the restaurant of your choice and make all the arrangements with the proprietor or headwaiter a day or two in advance.”

#6  “Don’t brand yourself as a rank plebeian by seasoning your food before tasting it. Many a chef’s brain child has been smothered with condiments, when it should have been showered with compliments.”

#9 “Don’t demand music with our meals. Table conversation is the only suitable accompaniment of good food. Dinner dancing is an abomination and holds no place with the bon vivant.”

I’ve always loved books like this. They’re a hoot to read and make me nostalgic for those classier, more restrictive days of pocket squares and comfy girdles.

James Cameron’s Titanic by James Cameron

The #1 New York Times bestselling official illustrated companion chronicling the production of the film, now with a new foreword by Cameron and never-before-seen images from the film and Cameron’s personal archive.

Titanic and the Making of James Cameron by Paula Parisi

 The behind-the-scenes story of the making of the film, from a Hollywood journalist who covered James Cameron for over a decade.

Wreck and Sinking of the Titanic by Everett Marshall

 A collector’s edition of the classic 1912 volume of contemporary accounts of the tragedy, with specially commissioned illustrations, vintage packaging, and photographs from The Titanic Historical Society archives.

Voyagers of the Titanic: Passengers, Sailors, Shipbuilders, Aristocrats, and the Worlds They Came From by Richard Davenport-Hines

A magnificently written new history of the people onboard and involved with the famous ship, from acclaimed writer Richard Davenport-Hynes.

How to Survive the Titanic: The Sinking of J. Bruce Ismay by Frances Wilson

A brilliantly original new investigation of the life and lost honor of the Titanic’s owner, from award-winning writer Frances Wilson, now in paperback.

Kaspar the Titanic Cat by Michael Morpurgo  and Illustrated by Michael Foreman 

A heartwarming, illustrated novel about a cat who traveled aboard the Titanic, from the award-winning author of War Horse.

Fateful by Claudia Gray 

In Fateful, New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray delivers paranormal adventure, dark suspense, and alluring romance set against the opulent backdrop of the Titanic’s first—and last—voyage.

Harry Potter Page to Screen by Bob McCabe   

Coming in at over 500 amazing pages, Harry Potter: Page to Screen opens the doors to Hogwarts castle and the wizarding world of Harry Potter to reveal the complete behind-the-scenes secrets, techniques, and over-the-top artistry that brought J.K. Rowling’s acclaimed novels to cinematic life.   

Buy Harry Potter Page to Screen or watch a video.   

How I Got This Way by Regis Philbin  

In this entertaining memoir, the irrepressible Reege—consummate talk-show host, man-about-town, loving husband, father, and yes, obsessive sports fan—looks back at his years in show business and is filled with stories of lessons learned—and elbows rubbed—with extraordinary, and often unsuspecting, teachers.  

Buy How I Got This Way or read an excerpt.  

 Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis by David Wills  

In Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis, David Wills has gathered spectacular, museum-quality work from Marilyn’s key photographers to create this dazzling portfolio of images from every period of Marilyn Monroe’s adult life, from her wedding day in 1942 till just weeks before her death two decades later, this stunning collection pays homage to her continually evolving style and extraordinary beauty.  

Buy Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis or read an excerpt.  

100 Unforgettable Dresses by Hal Rubenstein 

100 Unforgettable Dresses is filled with the stories, secrets, intrigue, and insights behind the most indelible dresses in our collective memories. This book celebrates the staying power of these gorgeous, sleek, sultry, and outrageous creations as well as the lasting impact they’ve had in fashion, popular culture, and our own lives. 

Buy 100 Unforgettable Dresses or read an excerpt. 

Dear Cary by Dyan Cannon  

With unparalleled honesty, Dyan Cannon shares the heartwarming and heartbreaking story of her magical romance and stormy marriage to screen legend Cary Grant. He was the ultimate star, defining Hollywood glamour as well as cinematic achievement. She was a bright new actress, beautiful and funny. What could possibly go wrong?  

Buy Dear Cary or read an excerpt.  

The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories by hitRECord and Joseph Gordon-Levitt  

To create The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories: Volume 1, Joseph Gordon-Levitt directed thousands of collaborators to tell tiny stories through words and art. Reminiscent of the 6-Word Memoir series, The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories: Volume 1 brings together art and voices from around the world to unite and tell stories that defy size.  

Buy The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories, read an excerpt or watch a video.  

Manolo Blahnik and The Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker by Camilla Morton, illustrated by Manolo Blahnik  

International bestselling author Camilla Morton reimagines the classic “Elves and the Shoemaker” fairytale, blending elements of famed shoe designer Manolo Blahnik’s life story into the fabric of the immortal “Once Upon a Time” favorite, complete with original illustrations from Blahnik himself.  

Buy Manolo Blahnik and The Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker or read an excerpt.  

The History of the World According to Facebook by Wylie Overstreet  

Now, for the first time, a full-length history of the world, from its creation up through present day, as if Facebook had existed all along and Abraham Lincoln had written a status update about “taking the missus to the theater” and Ben Franklin had done the same alerting his network that he’d signed the Declaration of Independence. Filled with hundreds of real-life historical figures and thousands of not-at-all-real Facebook statuses, this is the definitive humor book for a new generation of scholars.  

Buy The History of the World According to Facebook or read an excerpt.  

The Art of The Adventures of Tintin by Weta Workshop  

Go behind the scenes and explore the movie-making magic that comes alive on screen in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film The Adventures of Tintin, shown through text, photos and illustrations from Weta Worskshop, the ground-breaking  and Academy Award-winning visual effects team.  

Buy The Art of The Adventures of Tintin or read an excerpt.  

Menagerie by Sharon Montrose  

Celebrated author and photographer Sharon Montrose presents a compendium of wild and domestic animal portraits displayed in unusual and innovative ways-the perfect gift for the legions of fans of cute animals everywhere.  

Buy Menagerie or read an excerpt.  

 The History of American Graffiti by Roger Gastman and Caleb Neelon  

Unprecedented in scope, The History of American Graffiti is the definitive story behind the most influential art form of the last one hundred years. With more than one thousand photographs from more than two hundred photographers, The History of American Graffiti captures the look and feel of a genuine American art form with exceptional clarity and detail.  

Buy The History of American Graffiti or read an excerpt.

Uniqlo flagship store to come, 5th Ave at 53rd St.

Opening on Friday, October 14, the Fifth Avenue location (at the southwest corner of 53rd St.) will be the Japanese retailer’s largest global flagship store.  Yes, Fifth Avenue has plenty of flagship stores, but Uniqlo will be a great addition to It Books’s little stretch of the avenue, saving us from Hollister/Gap/H&M fatigue.  Come the holidays, tourists will no doubt choke up the sidewalks even more, but I for one am happy to have another mid-market shop.  And it’s always nice to see an empty store front find a new store to call it “home”!

If you haven’t heard (I can’t see how you haven’t), Just Kids is Smith’s memoir of arriving in New York in 1967 and the then 20 year old’s chance encounter with Robert Mapplethorpe, another 20 year old aspiring artist. It’s her story of their love, their friendship, their art and a New York few would recognize today.

So the question goes out… who would you cast as Smith and Mapplethorpe?

Kristen Stewart (age: 21) and Robert Pattison (age: 25)

Surely these two will be at the top of studio exec’s wish list. Stewart, proved that she could rock in her transformation into Joan Jett in the film biopic The Runaways and the resemblance between the two [rumored] real-life couple to the originals is uncanny. But the fit and the two megastars’ ties to the mega-Twilight-franchise may not hit audiences (or Ms. Smith) the right way.

Frances Bean Cobain (age: 19) and Ezra Miller (age: 18)

The Princess of Grunge as the Godmother of Punk? Can Miss Cobain act? Who knows? But if she can – and would want to step up into the Hollywood world, the photos by Hedi Slimane that recently were released prove she has the look – and the balls – to play Smith. I’d cast the currently almost famous Ezra Miller as Mapplethorpe against Cobain’s Smith. He has the East Village circa 1967 thing down already – and if his performance in the upcoming We Need to Talk About Kevin is as amazing as is being predicted, this could be the massive follow-up he will be looking for.

Emma Watson (age: 21) and Nicholas Hout (age: 21)

Former Harry Potter student Emma Watson seems poised for an image-crashing turn in to catapult her out of Hogwarts. I’d pair her with fellow Brit Nicholas Hout, who came to fame years ago in About a Boy and crashed his own child-star image in the amazing British take on Gossip Girl (but dirtier and better) Skins. His follow-up to that, playing the lovelorn college boy pining for a night with professor Colin Firth in Tom Ford’s A Single Man.

Jennifer Damiano (age: 20) and Eddie Redmayne (age: 29)

Perhaps the modern day Smith and Mapplethorpe might be found forty blocks north of The Village and on Broadway. Jennifer Damiano got amazing attention for her originating role in Spring Awakening. Followed by her Tony-nominated role in Next to Normal. Currently she’s starring in Spider Man. So she should be looking for a new job soon. The Mapplethorpe to Damiano’s Smith? Eddie Redmayne, the Tony award-winning star of Red and the upcoming film My Week with Marilyn.

So who do you think should be cast as Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe in Just Kids?

Mind you these movies were written and produced in Swedish, but when I heard that they were bringing it to America to re-make, I didn’t know if I should rejoice or be scared out of my mind.

The 2011 Girl with the Dragon Tattoo teaser trailer…was nothing less than epic. Can’t get over the Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” reproduced by Trent Reznor (NIN) and Karen O (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’s).  I am still nervous about Rooney Mara portraying the damaged Lisbeth Salander and I hope Daniel Craig can do Mikael Blomkvist justice as well. Very happy to see Christopher Plummer in the cast list though. The teaser trailer gives me hope for the movies and I am very excited and a little impatient for December to roll around.

If you have not already looked into this trilogy via movie or books (the books are ALWAYS better), you need to. I’m being very serious…you really need to step away from the computer or better yet hit up amazon that way you never have to leave your seat, and purchase the books.

Fair warning, these are very dark and twisted books with heavy rape, violence, and language; but we are all big kids here right?

You will enjoy it all the same because Lisbeth is just so badass.

As a child born in the late 80′s and raised in the 90′s I feel it is my duty, nay, my honor to share with you the joy that Nickelodeon gave to me in my childhood years (dramatic much?). This week Teen Nick launched “90′s Are All That” promoting the late night 90′s shows that are now back at Nickelodeon. These shows include: All That, Kenan & Kel, Clarissa Explains It All, and Doug (a personal favorite).

It is rumored that the executives over at Nick are open to suggestions for other 90′s favorites to be added to the late night list. Personally, I wouldn’t mind Rugrats, CatDog, Hey Arnold!, The Secret World of Alex Mack, or my favorite, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, to be added to the line-up.

Did I stay up late last night giggling like the child I was over the epic shorts from All That?
You bet your bottom dollar I did!

If you are like myself, and many other kids of the 90′s, then what are some of your favorite shows from way back when?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

[Summary Source]

Now that Lionsgate has announced the movie to be released March 23, 2012 it has sent the fans into a frenzy and thirsting for more. Jennifer Lawrence, who recently played Raven/Mystique on the big screens X-Men: First Class, has been announced as the beloved heroine, Katniss Everdeen, for the Hunger Games movie. Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth have also been added to the casting list as the fans favorites Peeta (Hutcherson) and Gale (Hemsworth).

Lawrence has my vote!

As we await the 200+ days until the movie arrives, check out the Official Hunger Games movie website to grab their HOT poster widget and movie countdown.

Things are going to start heating up really quick.

The history of tattoos goes back thousands of years. Though how this artistic trend came about is hazy, the evolution of the tattoo is sometimes extreme. So to honor the crazy, the awesome, and the just-plain-idiotic (you can decide for yourself) enjoy this collection of “fan”actical tattoos.

*face palm*

Want more tattoos? Check out “The Word Made Flesh: Literary Tattoos from Bookworms Worldwide”.

1. Gas Buddy: We all know that one of the most painful things to pay for this summer is filling up your gas tank.  With gas prices constantly changing, this app will show you the cheapest place to find gas wherever you are. (Network/Wi-Fi needed)

2. Mixology™ Drink Recipes: Even if you’re not a bartender, this app gives you access to thousands of drink mixes to impress your friends.  It allows you to search in several ways, depending on what you want to make, and gives enough options to be sure to please everyone you’re entertaining!

3. Urbanspoon: Finding a restaurant (especially while on vacation) can be somewhat of a hassle, trying to please everyone and find somewhere you don’t go every week.  This app can help!  Urbanspoon allows you to do an open search of restaurants in your area or a specific search where you can dictate price, neighborhood, and type of food you want to eat. (Network/Wi-Fi needed)

4. Lose it!: Has this been the summer you were going to lose weight… but it hasn’t happened yet?  This app can help you get on track. It allows you to set personal goals and food choices.  Each day, record your food intake and the amount of exercise you do to stay within your previously set goals, and start to lose the weight you want.

5. Fandango Movies: Tickets and Times: With the amount of movies that are coming out this summer, download this app to make sure you never miss one. This app shows the times of the movies you want to see at a theater near you… plus allows you to purchase tickets in advance! (Network/Wi-Fi needed)

Anything that comes up this summer, remember… there’s an app to help!