I hope you feel very privileged because today, dear readers, I'm going to share with you a few of my favourite books. I know - I am too kind. (Sincerely though, I can't recommend them enough!) The following are books I keep re-reading, being inspired by and passing them on to my dearly beloveds...
Nylon: PrettyNylon magazine has arguably the most original approach to beauty journalism. Instead of just telling us what makeup was going down the catwalks that season, it refers to figures of pop culture as inspiration - not just your standard Audrey Hepburn either, but more quirky options such as Anna Karina and even Prince. This book compiles a comprehensive list of beauty icons from the 20's to the present, alongside cult products, ten most evocative perfumes, iconic hairstyles and illustrated makeup looks, alongside millions of inspiring beauty editorials. Written in amusing, intriguing fashion, I regularly look to this book for beauty inspiration.
The Cheap Date Guide To StyleBased of the now-defunct Cheap Date magazine, this book is rather unique and like no style book I have read before. Unlike most style books, it does not prescribe a specific formula to be considered 'stylish', instead focusing on experimenting, originality and making mistakes. It features interviews with style legends such as Anita Pallenburg, Vivienne Westwood and Chloe Sevigny. It's very student-friendly as the book focuses on CHEAP shopping such as charity shops and jumble sales, which is just as well because every time I read this book I want to go shopping.
Burlesque And The Art Of The Teese/ Fetish And The Art Of The Teese
Dita Von Teese's wonderful book is split into halves - the burlesque half is saucy in a beautiful, family friendly way and the fetish half is, well, complete with rather risque photos of the stunning Ms Teese. Perhaps put it out of sight when elderly relatives or those of a nervous disposition are visiting. This book is a mishmash of autobiography, the history of burlesque and fetish and profiles of specific figures in the glamour field, all the while heavily scattered with amazing photography. The costumes are so decadent and beautiful your jaw will drop! But my favourite part is Dita's detailed analysis of the looks of the decade, and tips on how to reproduce them yourself. Dita is surprisingly humorous and you can tell she has a huge passion for all things vintage and burlesque.
The Perks Of Being A Wall Flower
Probably my all time favourite novel, I've read this a ridiculous amount of times and passed it on to pretty much everyone I know! It is a modern retelling of the classic Catcher In The Rye - another of my favourites. Written in the form of anonymous letters, it centers around the awkward, troubled yet intelligent Charlie and his life after his only friend killed himself. But this novel, despite the serious issues, is actually full of touching, heartwarming and laugh out loud lines as the introverted youngster makes new friends and even falls in love.
The Rotters ClubI was inspired to read this after seeing the TV series aaaages ago (did anyone else see it?) and I'm glad I did! Set in Birmingham in the Thatcher era, it is a wonderful coming of age novel full of hilarious little anecdotes, such as the lovable protagonist, Ben, finding a pair of swimming trunks in a locker and seeing it as a sign from God!
The Virgin Suicides
The novel which my favourite Sophia Coppola film is based upon. Centered around the five Lisbon sisters as they begin to rebel against their parents, lose a sister, fall in love/lust and become imprisoned in their own home. A word of warning though: As the title suggests, there isn't a happy ending...
Faithfull
Ms Faithfull is one of my heroines and I took this autobiography out of the library merely to learn more about her life. I wasn't expecting such a witty, intelligent and fascinating recollection of one hell of a life. This lady has done everything from being filthy rich and bed hopping with The Rolling Stones, to being homeless and addicted to heroin.
Born Again Vintage
I WANT THIS BOOK!!!! According to my research, it teaches you how to re-work unwearable vintage items into unique, covetable items. It sounds pretty amazing.
Has anyone read any of these books; if so, what did you think? What are your all-time favourite books?
I'd like to point you in the direction of a highly lovely book that I purchased a couple of months ago, and still find myself constantly referring to. 'How To Be Adored', by Caroline Cox, ought not to be judged by its slightly self help-esque title, as it reads more like a manual for classic Hollywood era beauties. As well as preaching the virtues of being lovely to all you meet, it also features advice such as how to make your voice more appealing, how to dress for your figure (from Perfect Ballerina, i.e. Audrey Hepburn, to Mae West-style Big & Beautiful) and good old fashioned relationship.
I can't reccomend this book highly enough for anyone interested in old-school Hollywood glamour. Click here for a link to Amazon, where it costs a mere £6.75. (I wish I was being paid for this!)
