Lauren Metz

This is books is for the pretty well to do girl with a massive love for Prom, whose been looking forward to it for a long time, really. It definitely has the feel of being very much like Seventeen magazine and things in that box, where the read obviously doesn't want anything but what is being suggest by all the writing in front of them, to have the preeminent night of their high school lives.

Speaking as someone who went to one and not to another of mine, I've definitely got a liberal dose of patience with the concept and distance from the media hype. I do very much love that every section is outfitted with guides for budgeting, with places to take notes, and calendars to plan for months in advance. It does feel a little bit too much like a year book when you get to the end, as I wouldn't suggest people keep their flowers and pictures in this specific book (there are better photo albums made for this purpose).

I, also, deducted a whole star because the book has a whole section about working out that hinges on spot-training. Which anyone who's done serious workout focus knows You-Can-Not-Spot-Train. It's an all body thing to your body and it will not work. So the fact this book is perpetuating that myth makes me take away it's fourth star. I really love it's telling young girls to get out and be healthy, but not that a) just to look good in one dress for one night and b) not based on inaccurate information about working out/expectations they should have on spot training.



** -- Early Review Copy for an honest review… (mer)

Lauren Metz began her professional career on staff at Seventeen Magazine, and it shows in her work.

While the author aims to write a book that makes the ultimate prom seem within the reach of any of her readers, she begins Chapter One by, revealing that, the week before she started her job at Seventeen Magazine, she attended three proms in one week. Nothing intimidating there - no - not at all. Gentle readers - do NOT try to gauge your own popularity by comparing your schedule to that of the book’s author. Attending one prom - with a date, a group, or stage if infinitely preferable than a week spent juggling 3 dresses, a garden full of flowers, and a series of dates whose names you might slip-up and confuse at an awkward moment!

Metz does offer much valuable advice that bears mention.

Prom planning goes beyond planning your date, dress and flowers. The author advocates picking up odd jobs to help with the budget. Prom can be ab expensive ordeal, and Metz suggests offering to split the cost with your parents (At one point, she suggests cleaning out the family garage and selling your parents’ stuff on Ebay. Let me add my own advice - check with your parents before you accidentally sell one of their prized possessions.) Metz wisely advises teens not to abandon any money making ventures after prom, reminding teens that college costs are right around the corner!

I cannot whole-heartedly buy into the book’s subtitle (after all, I was once a teen girl - I know it requires scores of books, magazines, websites, text messages, and good, old fashioned phone calls to multiple friends to ready ones self for an formal dance, let alone prime) I do think Metz' missive is a great place to start - IF you are a dress wearing member of the party. Apparently, if you are male, or dressing in a tux or something traditionally labeled as, “masculine," you are out of luck. Metz's book is aimed at only the most feminine of girly-girls.… (mer)