summer in a little blue box

I recently finished reading the most deliciously sweet book, Summer at Tiffany, by Marjorie Hart.

Synopsis (from the website)-

Do you remember the best summer of your life?

New York City, 1945. Marjorie Jacobson and her best friend, Marty Garrett, arrive fresh from the Kappa house at the University of Iowa hoping to find summer positions as shopgirls. Turned away from the top department stores, they miraculously find jobs as pages at Tiffany & Co., becoming the first women to ever work on the sales floor—a diamond-filled day job replete with Tiffany blue shirtwaist dresses from Bonwit Teller's—and the envy of all their friends.

Hart takes us back to the magical time when she and Marty rubbed elbows with the rich and famous; pinched pennies to eat at the Automat; experienced nightlife at La Martinique; and danced away their weekends with dashing midshipmen. Between being dazzled by Judy Garland's honeymoon visit to Tiffany, celebrating VJ Day in Times Square, and mingling with Café society, she fell in love, learned unforgettable lessons, made important decisions that would change her future, and created the remarkable memories she now shares with all of us.

I really loved this book. It was such a sweet story, and a quick read, but I loved every second of it. I began it at lunch one day at work, and then managed to finish it on the bus ride home that afternoon! Clearly, I was never in New York City in 1945, nor was I a Kappa, but I felt like I was, I felt there, and I felt like a part of the story. I love when books can do that to you, to make you feel as though you've stepped into the pages with the characters. I found myself smiling at every page, imaging the girls running through the streets of New York, wishing I was there with them.

I think most would agree that NYC is such a magical city. When I moved back from Krakow, I was living at my parents house and sending out resumes. Most went to NYC, some to Boston and very, very few to DC (how ironic, eh?). Like many others, I have a romanticized view of New York, and I wanted to be a part of it too. Really, has anyone not ever dreamed of living in the city that never sleeps?

Of course, 1945 was a much simpler time than today, in many respects. I found myself wishing for a shirtwaist dress in the famous Tiffany blue (can I find one??) and loving the idea of saving my nickels for lunches, but just having desert instead, hoping for a glimpse of celebrities. I was so charmed by Marjorie's story; the magic and delight of new discoveries and moments.

Read it, you'll love it.

What was the best summer of your life?