Self-esteem and self-empowerment are vital for a rewarding and fulfilling life and are often bolstered by belief systems and societal views. But what if these systems or views prevent us from truly accepting ourselves because of miseducation or taboo? Such is the case for most women and the vagina, an organ so vital to our very existence, yet shrouded in secrecy and shamefully hidden. In Maritza Breitenbach's The Cookie Book, she sets out to dispel taboo and promote female self-empowerment through her artistically beautiful and historically rich exploration of the human vagina. Fun, easy-to-read and light, The Cookie Book is a "must-read" for young adults and women of all ages just learning about or ready to take ownership of their own hidden treasure. The Cookie Book also details important rites of passage from tot to teen, pregnancy and childbirth to menopause. Inspired by her love of research and her own inability to talk about the vagina with confidence and ease, Breitenbach found women embarrassed and anxious about its appearance, aroma, general function, among others issues. Breitenbach believes when we view our vaginas as a source of pride and wonder rather than something of which to be ashamed, we empower ourselves beyond question in the most essential part of our being. The Cookie Book is filled with rare and interesting historical snippets and has over 100 color photographs and illustrations by famous painters such as Picasso, Rodin, de Goya, among others, all designed to encourage women to share information with friends and loved ones. The beautiful artwork, historical facts and cartoons promotes communication, which Breitenbach says is essential to liberating women and the vagina from taboo and bringing ownership back to every individual that has one or loves one. 10 Things You Probably Don't Know About the Vagina: 1. Female infants lubricate vaginally in the first four to six hours of life 2. The absence of a biological father through separation or divorce is known to bring on early menstruation 3. Famous painter Rodin did an illustration of the vagina titled "Sex of the Female" 4. A scent called "Vulva"--fashioned after the vagina's aroma--can be purchased from Germany and is said to drive men wild 5. Clockwork-powered vibrators were invented in 1734 and used in asylums by doctors hoping to curtail hysteria 6. Napoleon Bonaparte preferred the unwashed smell of Empress Josephine's "Black Forest" 7. What a woman eats can affect the scent of her vagina 8. Masturbation has a wide range of health benefits 9. In China a vagina with all its hair removed is known as a "white tiger" 10. The average vagina has a pH of 3.8 to 4.5, and maintaining pH is important for overall vaginal health The Cookie Book has invaluable information for every women as they journey through life--from infancy to adolescence, being a lover and a mother, to menopause and beyond. It explores the vagina's anatomy, aroma, function, the effects of puberty, sexual intercourse, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. Young adults and women of all ages (even men) can gain insight into the mystical hymen, g-spot, masturbation and the history of contraception as well as learn how to avoid, recognize and treat vaginal infections and sexually transmitted diseases. Although based on medical research, The Cookie Book is light, entertaining, fun, and accessible to all women, regardless of academic background. This is the perfect woman-to-woman, mother/daughter, father/daughter gift.

A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER A REESE WITHERSPOON x HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB PICK "Captivated me from the first chapter to the final page."—Reese Witherspoon Vivid and compelling in its portrait of one woman’s struggle for fulfillment in a society pivoting between the traditional and the modern, The Henna Artist opens a door into a world that is at once lush and fascinating, stark and cruel. Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist—and confidante—to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own… Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow—a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does. “Eloquent and moving…Joshi masterfully balances a yearning for self-discovery with the need for familial love.”—Publishers Weekly Look for The Secret Keeper of Jaipur and The Perfumist of Paris from New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshi!

A high-quality summary of Alka Joshi´s book The Henna Artist including chapter details and analysis of the main themes of the original book. About the original book: Radha, who is 13 years old at the start of the tale, is being verbally tormented by the gossipmongers in her town, who refer to her as the "Bad Luck Girl." Her parents had died lately, and her sister, Lakshmi, had run away from her marriage 13 years before. Radha enlists the aid of Lakshmi's husband, Hari, in tracking down her sole living relative. While Radha begins her hunt, Lakshmi is in high demand as a henna artist in Jaipur, the royal city. Lakshmi is a gifted healer who assists her clients with their aches and pains in addition to her henna work. She's also skilled at creating contraceptive herbs, which she sells to her buddy Samir so that his numerous mistresses may avoid becoming pregnant.

For a while now the "Young British Artists" have been soaking up the international limelight thanks to a sensibility that is at once outrageous and thoughtful. Architecture, of course, always takes a while to catch up to the other arts, but now, finally, Britain has emerged as one of the world's most fertile breeding grounds for international design talent. Catalyzed by such leading international architecture schools as the Architectural Association and the Bartlett, a new wave of architects, from home and abroad, is combining local and global styles in exciting new buildings and projects. Post-Imperial British designers are indeed synthesizing foreign cultures with Western conditions in an entirely original way. Profiling Britain's most dynamic and intriguing practices, British Built features projects by S333, Caruso St John, Alison Brooks, Foreign Office Architects (FOA), muf, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Gollifer Langston, de Rijke Marsh Morgan (dRMM), Kathryn Findlay, FAT, Adjaye Associates, Sergison Bates, Klein Dytham Architects (KDa), and Deborah Saunt David Hills Architects. British Built, the sequel to our successful SuperDutch, includes studio profiles and essays outlining the unique characteristics of the British architect working today and presenting an even younger generation of architects whose stars are only just appearing on the horizon, including atopia, softroom, dECOi, and Tonkin Liu, among many others.

Lawsonia inermis ver. alba... "henna". How much do you know about this incredible botanical? Was it sensual Mehndi body adornment or Cleopatra's favorite perfume? An aphrodisiac or a treatment for leprosy? An ancient Roman currency or a last right for the dead? This book takes a fascinating look at one of the most popular botanicals of all time. Never before has a book been devoted to henna as a whole. Drawing on botany, archeology, phytomedicine and folkloric history to define the many ambiguities and misconceptions surrounding it, thus presenting for the first time an accurate and complete history of henna. A portion of the proceeds from this book goes to charity and preservation of henna's history. - In extreme depth, henna's medicinal past is revealed. From the papyrus Ebers to the writings of Galen, discover henna's uses in all of the major Old World medicines. -Did you know henna has some of the most fragrant flowers on earth? Learn why women became addicted to them and the shocking basis for their allure. - Think you know the full story concerning henna body art? Think again. Find out how its history was manufactured in the 19th and 20th century to cover its true origins.

Detailed and timely information on accommodations, restaurants, and local attractions highlight these updated travel guides, which feature all-new covers, a two-color interior design, symbols to indicate budget options, must-see ratings, multi-day itineraries, Smart Travel Tips, helpful bulleted maps, tips on transportation, guidelines for shopping excursions, and other valuable features. Original.