The Thoughtful Girl’s Guide to Fashion, Communication, and Friendship

Finally!!! A practical guide for girls on the art of communicating to be understood as a person with value and dignity. Beginning with a thorough exploration and explanation of that dignity and value by asking questions for self-reflection and by telling the stories of famous (and not so famous) people. In our world which is so confused about the very basics—the value of human life, the meaning and purpose of sexuality, why beauty matters, and what exactly constitutes true freedom—this book is much needed as it shows THAT communication is ultimately about mutual respect, virtue, and friendship, and then, shows YOU how to pull it off!

So, girls: What do you need to know about listening, speaking, writing, dressing, and etiquette?

You need to know how to:

• Get closer to discovering your mission and purpose in life.
• Improve your listening and refine your speaking.
• Be a better friend.
• Understand your own “style” for connecting with others.
• Date without losing your mind.
• Avoid making snap judgments and stereotyping.
• Handle what looks like an insult (but might not be).
• Know more about the world of fashion.
• Dress in a way that says the best about you
• Choose an outfit for any occasion.
• Have fun at a party.
• Conduct yourself during a job interview.
• Discern valid sources of news and information.
• Take the stress out of writing for everyday purposes.
• Get a grip on digital communications such as texting, email, and social media.
• Understand and employ the rules of etiquette which foster respect for the value and dignity of others.

Mary Sheehan Warren currently teaches Consumer Behavior and Fashion Marketing at the Busch School of Business at the Catholic University of America. Mary has twenty-two years of experience as a social entrepreneur. She founded a Maryland-based non-profit organization dedicated to professional presence training (now called Success In Style), personally training hundreds of women from dozens of organizations across three continents to continue its mission in their respective locations. Currently, she is leading the Fashion Intelligence Project, an organization dedicated to human dignity and sustainable fashion consumption.

Upon the publication of her book, It's So You! Fitting Fashion to Your Life (Spence Publishing, 2007), Mary began her own consulting business, ISYFashion, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, working especially with businesses, professional organizations, universities, and individuals on professional development, personal branding, and general fashion education. She continues her work with ISYFashion in the Washington, DC area and lives in Springfield, Virginia with her husband, Robert, and their five children.