The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking

March 15, 2011

Simple instructions for how to make the household apron fit the frame of your life.

Proving that you don't need fancy equipment or a doctorate degree in home economics to be a successful homemaker, Payne gives easy-to-follow advice. This eclectic, if sometimes dry, guide is a starting point for anyone struggling as a homemaker. The author shows how home décor can be both practical and economical when you rediscover the versatility of common household items, such as mason jars and clothespins. Cleaning does not have to be stressful, costly or dangerous when you are armed with confidence, knowledge and basic products like vinegar, baking soda and salt. Dining in is as exciting as going to a fancy restaurant when you are not afraid to undertake new endeavors such as canning, baking and entertaining. Payne discusses how she was able to feed eight guests a three-course meal for $70. She provides essential household survival lists such as a basic tool kit, which she hopes will encourage "creative problem solving, helping you to conjure up your inner Girl or Boy Scout." The author expands outside of the confines of the house and into the garden with tips that can be useful even if you don't have the space or patience to cultivate. With a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt—"You must do the thing you think you cannot do"—Payne effectively summarizes her own approach to homemaking.

Useful dos and don'ts for the domestically disabled.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

March 15, 2011

Payne presents a disappointing companion to her excellent blog of the same name (hipgirlshome.com). While the book boasts superb visual style and organization, it lacks the blog's friendly, spontaneous tone and clear how-to instructions. These are unfortunately replaced with trite advice and the stilted feel of an attempt at simultaneous authority and h ipness. A handy "Resources" section at the end of each chapter is this book's most notable redeeming feature. Since one of Payne's greatest strengths is her connection to the ecohip blogger scene, the web resources are especially outstanding. However, the quality and depth of these sections are inconsistent, and they frequently omit important resources discussed in the chapters. VERDICT This book is directed at a very specific audience--ecochic, crafty, tech-savvy young adults living in urban shoe boxes. Its shelf appeal and the blog's name recognition may make it initially popular with those readers, but their needs will be ultimately better met by a good variety of housekeeping and ecolifestyle manuals, e.g., Erin Bried's How To Sew a Button.--Audrey Barbakoff, Milwaukee P.L.

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