http://www.highcountrygardens.com

Plants for the Waterwise Garden and Beyond

High Country Gardens is a website specializing in plants for the waterwise garden. Waterwise gardening involves landscaping with xeric (non-thirsty) perennials and other plants that require very little water once they are established. These plants are good for gardening in New Mexico, Arizona and California. They are often called drought-tolerant, even though they do require some water occasionally.

Since awareness of environmentally friendly practices is increasing, a website like High Country Gardens is a useful tool when planning the low-water garden. They offer extensive choices of xeriscape perennials, cacti and succulents, low water lawns, native plants, seeds and more. They also offer pre-planned gardens with samplers and combos to get you started on the planting journey.

High Country Gardens has a free catalog, ezine and very informative articles. One such article lists the basic principles for starting a xeriscape garden. They are:

1. Planning and Design
2. Use native grasses for turf areas whenever possible
3. Use plants matched to regional conditions
4. Create a healthy, living soil
5. Use mulches
6. Irrigate efficiently
7. Harvest rain water run-off
8. Maintain your landscape and garden properly

Who would have thought that a whole garden could be planned from the comfort of your own home? Not only planned but ordered online, plants delivered in pristine condition to your door, with instructions for their care and feeding. High Country Gardens provides this service and continues to do some good for our ailing environment.

For a more in-depth look at the basic principles of waterwise gardening, and for an exciting array of information on native plants, xeriscape principles and ideas, visit the website at www.highcountrygardens.com.

Reviewed by Library Staff Member - Cynthia Aaron

The fashion designer and model have always had a unique relationship. The model has been an integral part of the creative process for most designers. So much so, that the father of Haute Couture, Charles Worth went so far as to marry one of his models, Marie Vernet. Over the years the relationship has been refined by the popularity and power of the supermodels such as: Amber Valetta, Kate Moss, Christie Brinkley, Patti Hanson, Jerry Hall and most recently, Giselle Bundchen. The Model As Muse covers the history of fashion as it applies to the annals of history. For instance, Christian Dior's “New Look” was instrumental in helping France rebound from the devastation wrought by the Nazis during WWII.

Model As Muse is a photographic reference compiled by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to commemorate their ongoing exhibition which celebrated the famous Costume Institute Gala. This was made possible in large part to the efforts of Marc Jacobs who provided a statement for the book.

This book is sumptuously illustrated with some of the most iconic high fashion photography of the ages, such as the Richard Avendon photo of a Dior-clad Dovima with the elephants from the Cirque d'hiver. Also featured is an exquisite photo of Linda Evangelista for Dolce & Gabanna applying lipstick. All of the world's greatest fashion photographers are represented from Meisel to Penn. This book spans the generations with glamour and style.

Reviewed by Library Staff Member - Monika Earle