Randy and MJ have a passion for fashion...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to have M.J. Rose and Randy Susan Meyers here today to talk about fashion, in honor of their recent collaboration, The Fashion Orphans. Thanks to Get Red PR, we have one copy for a lucky reader!

Photo by Doug Scofield

M.J. Rose is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of nineteen novels, as well as three nonfiction books about marketing. Her books have been published in more than thirty countries and sold over 1.5 million copies. Rose is also a founding member of International Thriller Writers, founder of the first marketing company for authors, AuthorBuzz, and the co-founder, with Liz Berry, of 1001DarkNights.com. A graduate of Syracuse University, she is a former advertising executive who lives in New York City. 

Visit M.J. online:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Randy Susan Meyers is the bestselling author of five novels, which have been translated in over twenty different countries and cited by the Massachusetts Council of the Book as “Must Read Books.” A Brooklyn-Boston mix who believes happiness requires family, friends, books, and an occasional New York bagel, she lives in Boston with her husband, where she teaches writing seminars at the Grub Street Writers' Center and at Northampton's Writer in Progress. 

Visit Randy online:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
Gabrielle Winslow and Lulu Quattro are brought together by the death of their controlling, imperious mother – and the closet full of Chanel clothes she leaves them as their sole inheritance. As the estranged, debt-ridden sisters arrive for the reading of their late mother's will, they are shocked to learn that, instead of a sizable fortune to be split among them, they are only left with their mother’s secret walk-in closet jammed with luxury designer clothes and Chanel accessories.

Contemplating the scale of their mother's self-indulgence, the sisters can't help but wonder if Lauren Weisberger had it wrong: because it seems, the devil actually wore Chanel, not Prada. But as Gabrielle and Lulu begin to explore their mother's collection, meet and fall in love with her group of warm, wonderful friends, and find inspiring messages tucked away in her treasures - it seems as though their mother is in fact advising them from beyond – they can’t help but soften their long held prejudices, and find that in learning more about who their mother was and what she truly valued, they can also rediscover themselves and maybe, just maybe, find the capacity to heal their fractured relationship as well.

"A fabulous story that dives into the complicated relationships of family, and offers a stylish escape into the world of high fashion and Chanel. Simply captivating!"
--New York Times bestseller, Jennifer Probst 

"There is grace and redemption in this celebration of sisterhood.  There is also the allure of fashion from Rue Cambon to the city that put American style on the map. Anything is possible in New York City, including forgiveness but it is the enduring love of family that you will savor when you reach the end of this beautiful novel." 
--Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of Tony's Wife

What is the oldest item of clothing you own?

Randy: A beautiful turquoise sleep/beach shirt with a rising sun that one of my best friends bought me as a gift almost forty years ago. The fabric must be a combo of cotton and iron, as I still wear it, and it's barely frayed.

M.J.: I have a cashmere sweater that was my mom's - it's at least 70 years old now.  

What is your favorite fashion trend from when you were growing up?

Randy: My fondest fashion memory is of saving enough money from babysitting to get a forest green wool V-neck sweater with matching green knee socks and a coordinated plaid skirt in shades of green and blue. Along with those came toggle-coats, pea jackets, and poor boy sweaters.

M.J.: Absolutely nothing - I hate the fashions from then :)

What is your go-to fashion magazine?

Randy: In Style

M.J.: Vogue 

Do you have a signature style?

Randy: For everyday casual: black jeans and a soft V-neck cashmere sweater (usually green or purple-red), red glasses, gemstone stud earrings, and a gold pendant. Dress up is a black dress, black knee-length boots, and a silk scarf. Summertime=white jeans and a lightweight button-down shirt

M.J.: Yes, lots of layered jewelry and all black clothes, shoes, bags. 

Which TV series has the best fashion, in your opinion?

Randy: Scandal, Call My Agent and Madame President. (I tracked down a bracelet from Madame President and bought it—from Millianna, a terrific small jewelry business.)

M.J.: The old Gossip Girl was amazing. These days Emily is Paris and the Sex and the City reboot are tons and tons of fun.

What is your favorite place to buy clothes?

Randy: I like shopping at small shops that carry niche designers (my favorite is Fire Opal, a local shop that carries my favorite brand, Porto.) Currently, my favorite jewelry designer is Ayesha Mayadas—I met her at a juried craft show. For a perfect (fancy-day) tee or button-down, I like AYR—for everyday comfort, I'm a GAP girl. For sleeping heaven, Hanro, justifying the price with cost-per-wear. Hanro lasts forever.

M.J.: ​Bergdorf Goodman in NYC.

Thanks to Randy and M.J. for chatting with us and to Get Red PR for sharing their book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends February 15th at midnight EST.

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