Many years ago, I bought a book that was the best friend I’d never had. “The Modern Girl’s Guide to Life” was a collection of tips, tricks, and stylishly smart collection of practical advice for busy women. Fast forward 11 years later and the book is back (on sale 9/29/15), polished and revised for a new generation of MG’s. I sat down last week with author Jane Buckingham to discuss the revised edition and perhaps gush a little.
Talking to Jane was like catching up with an old friend. After all, if you’ve ever eaten “steak au poivre” at my house, you’re actually eating Jane’s version. She’s the one who taught me to save time with the fries and to send my husband to McDonald’s to buy enough for my guests and keep them warm in a 200-degree oven. (The recipe has been renamed in the revised edition to Filet Mignon with pepper sauce.)
While my generation was being bred to be superwomen and shoot up the corporate ladder, no one bothered to teach us how to clean the ladder, fix the broken rungs, or look presentable when we reach the top. I blame my mother.
“The Modern Girl’s Guide to Life” tackles many of the real world problems facing young women. Jane has set out to share her authentic experience as an MG and to share it with future generations of MG’s. What is a 401k? How do you get a red wine stain out the carpet? What utensils do I actually NEED in my kitchen? As well as things you might not think of: How to order and drink a Scotch — start with a blend. (Jane’s favorite is MacCallan 12, mine is Glenmorangie 20.) What are the rules of football? How do you check the oil in you car? You also learn how to change a tire wearing a cream Cynthia Rowley dress. That’s bad ass, ladies.
One of my favorite chapters in MGG is “Bond, Jane Bond.” I grew up in a small town in Western NC surrounded by men who were “fix-it” types and “sports nuts.” While I learned the basics about car maintenance (checking oil, changing a tire, gapping a spark plug) I had no clue how to play poker (which my husband loves) or the rules of football. My husband usually sat around despairing about my comments surrounding the sport where I’d say “I like the team with the tight pants.” I actually learned the rules of football from the MGG and started playing fantasy football. Getting kicked out of my league by my all male teammates after soundly beating them my first season in was the proof in the pudding.
The MGG covers everything from sports to sexting, inner critics to internships, CPAs to CPR. If you have a question, Jane covers it. MG’s aren’t perfect, and this book isn’t selling perfection. It’s a field guide that teaches us how to survive our hectic modern lives and come out on the other side without mascara running down our face and our blow-out destroyed.
Reading the revised version was a trip down memory lane. There are passages that were a welcome reminder, and new ones which made me nod my head in agreement. That being said, I think the only thing I didn’t agree with Jane on was in the home section. I’ll never be a dark towel and bath mat kind of gal.
Who should read the Modern Girl’s Guide to Life:
Everyone. My Grandmother was visiting last week and I caught her thumbing through the book and nodding in agreement. Especially in the section on MG finances. Give it to all of the young women you know leaving for college or renting their first home. It’s also my go-t0 high school graduation present.
About Jane Buckingham:
Jane Buckingham is one of the country’s foremost experts on Generations X, Y and V. She is a bestselling author, speaker, and television host and appears as the Career Expert on ABC Family’s upcoming reality show, “Job or No Job.” She wrote the bestselling “Modern Girl’s Guide” book series and was host of the Style Network TV show of the same name where she inspired young women to live their best lives personally and professionally.