I'm getty antsy. After a long, long wait, Redeeming the Rogue is set for release August 2nd. Please forgive me if I put the cover up again, but I thought I'd talk about one of the themes in the book:
Man Makeover!!!!
You know you want to do it (grin). Perhaps you took advantage of Father's Day earlier in the week to tactfully suggest that a little wardrobe sprucing is is order? Or politely suggested that your guy needs a more timely hairstyle via some gift certificates?
In REDEEMING THE ROGUE, Arianne Chambers is assigned the task of sprucing up a rogue who is more comfortable hanging with the thugs and crooks of London's underbelly than the drawing rooms of polite society. As Michael Rafferty is to masquerade as a British minister assigned to the legation in Washington DC, she has her work cut out for her.
First, there's the matter of his hair which is a bit long. Perfectly suitable for a rogue, I think, but not the thing for a diplomat.
Then she needs to address Rafferty's wardrobe, and make sure he has all the properly fitted clothes necessary for the various diplomatic affairs. In Victorian times there were rigid rules about whether a white waistcoat or black was appropriate for the occasion. Not so much now when just seeing a man in a suit is a bit of a rarity. (When it comes to a well-dressed guy, I immediately think of Cary Grant. Hence this photo from North-by-Northwest.)
Sometimes a man makeover requires more than sprucing up the exterior. Arianne had to make sure Rafferty's manners
shine as well. She needs to cover the proper use of the Victorian's extensive use of cutlery, and the proper way to introduce the various cultural hierarchies.Her time to do all this is limited and her pupil not exactly enthused about the makeover. All he wants to do is hunt a killer that he suspects killed the previous British minister.
The first chapter of REDEEMING THE ROGUE is available here:
http://www.donnamacmeans.com/Redeeming.html
So my question to you. If you could makeover something about your man - or yourself for that matter. What would it be? For me -I'd like to put my dh in a really nice suit instead of golf shirts and khakis. As for me, I'd like to find a haircut that is perfect for straight, straight hair and a round round face. Then I'd like to engage a trainer and a cook that would force me to lose weight (grin).
Monica Burns was so kind as to give me a copy of PLEASURE ME last week to use as a blog prize, so I'm offering that to someone leaving a comment.
66 comments:
I love it when my boyfriend wears dress clothes. It just makes him look so sophisticated and sexy. And a haircut is a must. As for myself, I would just like to be thinner and have a great haircut that is easily managed.
Don't enter me to win. I already have a copy of this book.
I like it when my husband dresses up too. But my favorite thing for him to wear is a big ol' smile! I would never try to change anything about him or me because we're who the other has fallen in love with and I like us the way we are. (Gosh that's sappy sounding, although very true! lol)
Ooh, Danielle, you've got the chook. Now there's someone DEFINITELY in need of a makeover!
Donna, no major thoughts on makeover but can I say how much I'm looking forward to reading REDEEMING THE ROGUE. It sounds absolutely delicious and you keep teasing us with these little snippets about it that just make me crazy to read it. Roll on 2nd August!
I would like to loose a bit of weight and get a fabulous haircut!
My hair is really thick and frizzy. So pretty much every day is a bad hair day :(
And if I could get a beautiful red dress to match my new shoes I think I'd feel fabulous.
A great haircut for us both would be ideal & the PERFECT fitting pair of jeans. again for us both.
No hubby but BF could use some clothes that fit, he is still putting size 36 waist into 34 waist pants and jeans....hmmmm, we know what that looks like right?
As for me, well losing about 30 lbs would be helpful to say the least. My hair could use a cut and perm too, right now I keep it pulled back, not a good look for me.
Well done Danielle have fun with him
Donna
Can I say again how much i am looking forward to reading this book I love the storyline whoo hoo.
What wouldn't I like to makeover on my hubby LOL he is one person that no matter how much you try and dress him up he still looks so casual and he could do with some height. I have tried suits nice pants shirts just doesn't work. For me I need to loose weight and get fit and the grey hair really needs to change LOL
Gotta say love that picture of Cary Grant
Have Fun
Helen
I would love to make over my husband so that he wears his jeans just a bit longer than he likes...there is just something that drives me insane when I can see socks peeking out - of course, I wear my jeans a little too long so that I am always stepping on them... As for me, I would love to dress myself more feminine - frilly shirts, bright colors - but since I normally wear sweatshirts to work, don't see much sense in having pretty clothes that just sit there and have no where to go...
Hi Donna congrats on the marvellous reviews REDEEMING THE ROGUE has been getting! I LOVE the idea of a man makeover. What fun!
I think because my dh has to wear business suits at work, he wears ultra casual stuff when he's not there. I'd like to dress him in a really beautiful casual suit with no tie and a pristine white shirt open at the neck. Maybe Armani? I'm thinking of the men in Spooks who always look suave but hot, tough and deadly. Mmm.... Richard and Rupert... Sorry, where was I?
I can identify--I'd love to get a haircut that suits fine hair with a bit of a kink in it and a cow-lick AND a round face. I think your hair looks great, btw!
Such a fun post! And Donna your book sounds wonderful, I'm definitely adding it to my wishlist.
Let's see now...I'm with you, I have straight, straight, straight blonde hair and unfortunately no matter how much weight I lose, my cheeks are forever plump. But, I am a hairstylist, so I've learned that A-Line Bobs work best for me. It hides my chubby cheeks and give some style to my limp hair.
As for my hubby, same thing! He's all about the Yankee tees and shorts :( I do love it when he gets all dressed up...
I'd like to develop a sense of humor. I just don't get or like practical jokes.
Who doesn't love a dressed up man? ;) I love seeing my boyfriend in a suit but unfortunately he only wears one rarely. I wouldn't really want to change anything. Everything is fine as it is.
I'll get back to you on the makeover bit after I stop drooling over the picture of my very sexy Hugh! *sigh*
Ok, I'm back. I have no problem with the way my dh dresses, but he doesn't have many occasions to dress up these days and he looks mighty fine in a suit. ;-)
As for me, dropping some weight and getting a sassy new haircut would be fun.
Speaking of fun, I can't wait to read REDEEMING THE ROGUE, Donna.
Danielle - Congrats on grabbing the rooster! He's a dapper bird, though prefers his birthday suit (of feathers).
I agree. You know, as a CPA, I have to go to a number of training classes annually to maintain my license. While there are a number of men, only the speakers wear a suit any more - and they look so much better. If men understood the power of a suit, they'd wear them all the time. (Of course, they probably feel the same way about women and a corset. LOL)
Lolarific - Awww - that's sweet. I've been married for close to forty years now, and while I love him - from time to time - a change in appearance is nice. At the moment, he's probably hoping I'll do a makeover for me as I tend to avoid makeup and styling my impossibly straight hair to stay home and write. Next week, we'll be in NYC for the convention which means I'll actually have to do look decent every day. He may go into shock! LOL
Anna - Thanks, you're sweet. Wish I'd gotten some ARCs to use as blog prizes, but my publisher doesn't do that anymore. I'm anxious for the August 2nd release as well.
Hey Jo's daughter! I'm right there with you, though my hair is so impossibly straight that it's difficult to do anything with it without a ton of moose and a lot of hairspray. Even that doesn't last terribly long - then I'm left with a sticky blob on my head. (grin)
I'm the one more in need of a makeover at the moment, rather than my husband. But that situation can change from year to year.
Marybelle - Oh a perfect pair of jeans! Good answer! I'd love to have a pair that reshape the butt and make you look like you've lost ten pounds (or twenty). I think I'd wear those every day!
I tried on a pair that advertised that they made you look a size smaller - but I discovered I had to go up a size for them to fit LOL!
Hey Dianna - It's always such a pleasure to see you here on the blog - hair pulled back or not. (grin).
My dh went through that denial a couple of years ago, but his doctor told him that if he lost weight, he could stop taking certain medicines. So he's been doing it and now he's looking good. No more bulge over the belt.
I could lose 30 lbs as well and a really good haircut would be great. I suspect I need to find a new hairdresser, but I've been with the same one for so long - it would be hard to change.
Hi Helen - That Cary Grant sure had style, didn't he? The charisma just came through the screen.
Height is a tough one, LOL. Vertical lines can only do so much, and men can't really wear the platform heel shoes that we can. I have a similar dilemma with my dh's hair - it's gone, or at least, disappearing rapidly.
Thanks for the kind words on Rogue. I'm so anxious for this one to hit the shelves. Seems like it's been forever since I turned it in.
Dtchycat - Good one for the jeans. I wear mine long too - perfect for the boots I never wear LOL. So the bottoms are all frayed. I figure it's a retro 70s look (haha) better than the never-touch-the-floor perfect hem.
Working out of the house as I do, I rarely get dressed up as well. Guess I suffer the same problem as my hero LOL. Maybe I'll shake things up and get spiffy just for the dh. He won't know what hit him.
Yay, Donna, this book is going to be fantabulous! Congrats on the August release and a lovely cover!
I agree with Danielle (btw, congrats on getting the rooster!), there's something incredibly sexy about a man in formal clothing.
I think Dr. Big and I could both use a makeover that includes losing about 20 pounds each! Better hit the treadmill again since I don't see a fairy godmother hovering about.
Christine - That's because you've only ever seen me with all the moose and hair spray - Oh and teasing for lift - LOL.
Hmmm...love the Spooks description. Lately my dh has been getting some sports jackets that work really well with jeans. He's even bought these shirts that don't have a top button - they're made to be open at the top (for that peek of skin).
I think for a makeover I'd like to turn the clock back for the both of us and drop maybe twenty years. Wouldn't that be nice (grin).
Thanks for the RTR Love!
Laurie G -
So much of that depends on the joke. Some practical jokes are just downright mean so the fault is not with you. I bet you have an excellent sense of humor.
ClaudiaGC - I wonder what it is about a suit that makes a man look so good. Do you think it might be a suggestion that a suit makes them look powerful and in control? I know a suit has a big impact of me, but I'm not sure why.
It's the inner man that's important, though. I'm glad you wouldn't change yours. (grin).
Great post, Donna! I would definitely go for the elegant suit thing. In fact, I bought my hubby-to-be a navy blue Brooks Brothers suit for him to wear at our wedding. He looked great--but hated wearing it. At least I've got pictures!
Now I'd love it if we could both have a personal trainer to lose weight and get fit.
Barbara - We need to talk! What exactly is an A line Bob? I understand A-line dress...is it similar?
My husband is from Cleveland, OH and therefore a Cleveland Indians fan. He's gotten so frustrated in the last few years that they start off hot and then fade, that he swears he's changing his team to the Yankees. I got him a NY Yankees baseball cap for Father's Day as a joke gift. Have to see if he actually wears it (grin).
Hey Donna! This is a wonderfully fun post!
Danielle, you have the chook for the day...rascal that he is. What's in store for the Golden Rooster at YOUR house today?
Grins.
Gannon - And I can't wait for you to read it - LOL!
I bet your dh looks good in his birthday suit as well (grin). They either need to get dressed nice or not at all.
I need to drop some pounds as well, but I doubt I'm going to be doing it in NYC. The food is just too good there to pass up. Then we come home to the feast that accompanies July 4th (all holidays are celebrated with a feast in my house) and another big dinner on the 8th. Looks like the weight loss isn't happening in July LOL.
Awwww, Lolarific, I feel the same way. :>
Like Donna, I'd love to engage a cook and a personal trainer, but that's not to change either one of us - we both WANT to eat more healthfully and work out - but it would make us "make the time" for doing that very thing. Grins.
Christine said: I'm thinking of the men in Spooks who always look suave but hot, tough and deadly. Mmm.... Richard and Rupert... Sorry, where was I?
Wow, you lost me for a minute there too....ahem.
Grins.
This is a lovely look, isn't it? My DH will wear this kind of thing and pull it off well, but he doesn't do it often. That would be kinda fun, I guess, to get "that look" a few more times this year. Heehee.
Jo - Hey! You find that fairy Godmother and send her my way! I'm right there with the needed weight loss. The doctors all say the weight loss is necessary to be healthy - but then, when are we so miserable trying to accomplish it? Seems like something good for you should make you happy and I'm not finding that to be so.
Laurie G - I'm not sure that it's any kind of "failing" to not get or like practical jokes.
I'm not fond of them either, and "getting" them implies a fondness, so...
Away with them, I say!
Hey Rose - Good to see you here! (Love that pic of you BTW). I think that if guys knew the impact a good suit has on us - they'd wear them more often. Know what - the next time my dh wears a good suit, I'll make a big deal of getting him out of it - and then let him know why (otherwise he might think I don't like the suit - grin) Maybe that will help.
Looking forward to you guest blogging here next month. Everyone - watch out for Something in the Coffee.
Hey Jeanne!
My fitbit died - did I tell you? I need to order another, but that's my current excuse for not losing weight - oh and it's been consistently thunderstorming here just at the time for my outdoor water aerobics class. In the last two weeks, we've managed to get in one class (that's out of four) and next week I'll be in NYC. What's a girl to do?
Most of the time, my man dresses better than me. *LOL* I'm the one in need of the pygmalian makeover here. And it would start with the trainer and cook--I need to drop an ungodly number of pounds. Oh, and I'd do that veneers on my teeth so they all look frighteningly white and straight and true. The hair, yes, and of course a makeover with the makeup. And I'd need a sexy red dress. That is the key to a perfect makeover, I think. A woman in a sexy red dress means business.
I'm so looking forward to REDEEMING THE ROGUE. :) Keep posting that picture!! :)
since im single i guess its on me....lets see well i would like to lose some weight. if not that then i would like to find the perfect pair of jeans. since have the time there either too big and get all baggy in the bum and and in the thighs.
I would love for my husband to grow his hair longer. He likes it short and gets anxious to cut it when it reaches his collar. I love it when it gets to this length. Perfect for me to run my fingers through.
As for me, I would love to find an easier way to loose weight.
rjofus(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm looking forward to Redeeming the Rogue! I would give myself a makeover...I need to loose weight so I would need a trainer and a cook...and then a new wardrobe that would have more color and less black.....and maybe highlights in my hair:)
Oh, bummer on the fitbit dying, Donna! I wondered when the weekly "Status" thing w/ you me and Tawny showed n/a for you. I KNEW that wasn't right! Hahaha!
Gals, if you ever want a motivator, this FitBit thing Donna turned me onto is is. www.FitBit.com it's a pedometer, but it's got this online component - it's great.
here endeth the advertisement. SNORK!!!
I would like to see my husband wear some color. He's color blind and limits himself to just white or gray t-shirts. Even if I buy him some color he refuses to wear them. Doesn't want to chance a mismatch.
Me, I'd love to have a new haircut. I went with one of thoes short wedges this summer and I'm not real happy with it.
Ms. Hellion - You know I saw a lady the other day in a retail position whose teeth were so white - you knew she'd done something unnatural to them LOL. It was sort of like that FRIENDS episode where Ross's teeth glowed in the dark from having let the whitener on too long. I guess sometimes you can do too much of a good thing.
A personal trainer and a cook - well - my daughter fills the position as cook, but she has as much of a sweet tooth as I do - worse even! Hahah - I guess that's too much of a good thing as well.
lindsey - I wonder if the person exists - outside of a model - that doesn't want to lose weight. Seems like that's on all of our lists. A good pair of jeans is like a Godsend - especially for someone like me who doesn't like to iron. I'd live year round in jeans if I could - so they should be the good ones, don't you think?
ChrisS - I just wish my guy would grow hair!!! LOL
I hear you on the longer hair though. There's something about a slightly longer length that's very manly. When the guy hits my husband's age, though. There's this tendency to let the back hair grow to compensate for the lack of hair on the top of the head. Then you get that straggly old man pony tail. Not attractive. Fortunately, my guy keeps his hair trimmed, but I do sometimes mourn his loss of hair.
Maria - I hear you on the black wardrobe. It may be slimming, but it can be depressing too. I like color and I'm loving that teal/aquamarine seems to be the big color this season. I'm stocking up as teal makes my blue eyes pop. However, I'm heading to NYC next week for the RWA convention. Do they wear any other color than black there? And all the women look like well dressed sticks! I'm afraid I'm going to stand out in the crowd - and not in a positive way (grin). Hope you enjoy RTR. I'm loving the reviews it's getting.
Jenn3128 - Oh I feel for your colorless guy! He made be perfectly matched in his B&W, but he doesn't realize that the rest of us really need color in our lives - and on our guys. I wonder if a system can be set up with tags or shelves or something so he knows what things go with what. I'd be tempted to call a fashion consultant or write in to a talk show/magazine to see if they can offer some good suggestions. I hope he realizes that always dressing in "the uniform" is probably as detrimental as miss-matching his colors.
And, of course, when you do persuade him to wear some color - you're going to have to reward him big-time. But that's not a hardship (grin).
My husband has always been particular when it comes to clothes so no problem there but unfortunately he has gained way too much weight. you would think someone that likes to dress nice would not like having a pot belly!!! Besides, it's not healthy (sigh).
Hi Donna and congrats on the new book! DH used to hate wearing dress clothes until we went on our first cruise. Dress clothes now means cruise time.
Oh, I love a Pygmalion story. I agree a man in a suit is just, yum. I especially like to watch the husband when gets all dressed up and shoots the cuff of his sleeves; it’s such a manly gesture. As for my personal makeover if I could just have a personal dresser and hair stylist everything would be fine.
I would definitely like a haircut that is wash and wear but looks fabulous.
E-X-E-R-C-I-S-E!
We are both diabetics, exercise would
help us be more fit, help us with loss
of weight,and help keep our blood sugar
down!
Pat Cochran
catslady - but it's so common, that potbelly. It's so much harder to lose than gain...man I wish it was the other way around!
Paulette -
I remember when we went on our first (only) cruise, we met this young couple. The man was furious that he and wife weren't allowed to eat in the fancy dining room because his shirt didn't have a collar on it. He thought he was dressed appropriately with a Tshirt that didn't have an obscene saying on it! LOL I like the dress time equals cruise time. Wishing you many more opportunites to do so.
Kat - That's such a cool gesture - especially it the guy is wearing cuff links. None of my dh's shirts have the cufflink holes, but I wish they did. They look so dignified on a man, I think.
Maureen - I have wash and wear hair but the fabulous part always eludes me (grin) - but that's what I want as well. That and a face that doesn't require makeup. Heck, I want the whole package!
Okay Pat - So what's stopping you? Maybe you need to exercise in a group - I do. My husband keeps suggesting I exercise to a tape in the basement. Bah Humbug on that! He likes it, but I'm too sociable to exercise alone. So I do water aerobics (when it isn't storming - Geez Louise- the last three classes have been cancelled due to storms), zumba - love it, and regular aerobics. I get plently of exercise - it's the dieting part that's killing me!
Danielle, congrats on the rooster!
Donna, I am so looking forward to this book! I know it will be terrific.
I would make the dh over by weeding his wardrobe. He doesn't always choose the best combinations. I would make myself over by getting with a trainer and working back up to a reasonable level of fitness and strength. It's just too easy to get out of those habits.
Nancy -
You, as well, are responsible for the boom in this book (grin). Hope you like what I did with your suggestions.
Both the husband and I need to weed through our wardrobes if only to make some space in that closet! Sometimes it's hard, though, to get rid of something because of the memories attached. Sometimes it's hard to get rid of clothes that are too small because I hope I'll fit into it again soon. Likewise I tend to hang on to the stuff that's too big because - well you know, I may be back to that size in no time. Just can't win (grin).
Donna, Redeeming the Rogue sounds fabulous. Im smiling just at the thought of the premise. No wonder you're pleased about it's approaching release.
Hm, making over my man? Just getting him in to the shops to spend some cash on himself would be good. He spruces up very nicely but spending money on nice casual gear is always a trial.
Thanks for the pics, by the way. Very nice!
Donna wrote: Sometimes it's hard to get rid of clothes that are too small because I hope I'll fit into it again soon.
Oh, I know this too well. It's why I have no closet space. I really have to just bite the bullet and make room. Half the stuff is outmoded anyway. :-/
And I'm confident I'll like the boom in this book. :-)
Hi there, well I have read most of the comments and I agree with most of you, definitely a wardrobe makeover for me because it never fails, one Summer I am one size and the following Summer I go down a few sizes, so I could never get the correct size in outfits and of course have fifty million things that don't fit, either too big or too small, and when I need to go out casual or formal, I am left stuck in the mud! As for my partner in crime, well what would I like for him to change, I am going to something drastic ok, don't hate me girls! I have been going through a rough time lately and I am not "feeling him" as they say, LOL. I am going to say, I would change HIM, for another, A complete MAN MAKEOVER! Just someone else who will give me the time of day, we have been so distant that I feel like we are college roommates instead of a couple.
Hi Annie - My husband is the same way about spending money for clothes for himself (for golf? Well that's another matter.) I guess that's why the retail floorspace for women is like three time the size for men (grin). They also tend not to get the concept of "out of style." What do you mean I can't wear this nehru jacket - it still fits!
Nancy - It's one of the nice things about the boy going to college. You can now "borrow' his closet space (grin).
Lisette - That doesn't sound good. Someone asked a couple who had been married a long time about the key to a long-lasting marriage. The answer was - we never fell out of love at the same time. Notice it wasn't - we never fell out of love - because I think that happens in every marriage temporarily...until the other spouse does something, or looks a special way, and your heart flips and you're back in love again.
I hope this is a termporary thing for you. But if it's not, best to deal with it first before searching out that new man. That's a true Man Makeover for sure!
Good Luck, Lisette. Sending hugs your way!
Donna,
My first thought was "YES I'd make over my man!" but then I stopped and thought no I wouldn't. Sure his fashion sense is sometimes still in the 1960's and "dressing up" isn't in his vocabulary but after 41 years of him putting up with me I think I'll leave him just the way he is!
Who truly would want to make a man someone he really isn't especially since he does wash the kitchen floor and clean the bathroom occasionally.
So if he happens to read this I want to tell him to stay just the way he is and thank him for loving me thru pregnancies where I gained have of my own weight and he still told me I looked beautiful.
A man that told his friends when our boys were toddlers that he wasn't babysitting but only being a father doesn't need to dress up to be appealing. A man who after all these years still works to make his community a better place to live should be admired not judged.
So even though at times I ask him "Are you really leaving the house wearing that?" I wouldn't change one thing about him.
If you don't believe me go back and re-read - "He puts up with me" and reflect on the many things he has never said about wanting me to be anything but the person I am!
Jeanne M - What a wonderful tribute to your husband. You should tell him to check out the blog and your comment. SOunds like you married a keeper.
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