The Book Review: 10/12 October Edition 

#Girlboss

by Sophia Amoruso

Where do I start with this book? Maybe a disclaimer since the most recent news on Sophia Amoruso doesn't bode well with the great review I originally wanted to give this book. Since Amoruso declared bankruptcy a couple weeks back I have been contemplating writing this review at all, since the whole book advocates savy spending, and the rise of the Nasty Gal empire that all started from selling a stolen book on Ebay. The book should be classed as a motivational yet down to earth guide on how to make money responsibly, I was shocked by the bankruptcy news especially since reading the book made you perceive Amoruso as highly intelligible and a business minded woman. In all honesty I wouldn't be surprised if this 'bankcruptcy' was more of a smart money aware move like just like 50 cent had done a couple months back. Not to mention the looming netflix documentary thats set for release in 2017 - you know the age old saying; bad publicity is good publicity,

Where have your January goals landed you so far?

One of my goals for this year was to read a book (or more - ha very optimistic) a month. I also said that they would have to be something different to the normal fashion books I usually read. One of the goals I have achieved (HURRAH!) - I've managed to finish the book I started on the 1st of January, BUT it was a fashion book! (boohoo!). However, the reason I let this one book pass, (I know there shouldn't be any excuses) was because it was a memoirs book. To be exact Grace Coddington's Memoirs. This book has been sitting on my shelf for the better part of two years now, if not longer and my aim was to get through it bit by bit. As it happens it turned out to be a book I just couldn't put down. Some of you will already know who she is, and if you do, then this book is super fascinating. For those of you who don't, its someone you just have to get to know by reading her book. Ill be the first to admit that I only started recognising her ever since she GRACED (haha! get it?!) our screens for the September Issue documentary. I was intrigued by her influence and passion for her job and how this connected to avid Vogue readers like me. I had no idea that she had so much authority over the main photo diary spread in each months installment of Vogue and this book pretty much covers every one of her favourite memories (and not so favourite) shooting with some of the top fashion photographers around, Peter Lindbergh, Mario Testino, Steven Meisel - you name it she's shot with them. I guess for me it was an insiders view of a job that was very much tailored to her but for every one else looking in a job that only she could do because of her eye for clothing and curating. I totally got lost in the pages for hours on end, when I really should have been sleeping but I think it was totally worth it! Definitely worth a read and if not for the reading then for the cute illustrations by Grace that are dotted through out the book.

Now, there was an endless list of goals that I wanted to achieve, daily, monthly and for the whole year, they all had different time frames on them - but its always good to look over the goals list regularly to get you in line for the next few days or months ahead! - you never know where they may land you!

Christmas Presents

So since I'm officially in work mode (and not sit around in my pjs watching movies all day mode) I have actually made the time to make sure I use all the presents I received. I would say I'm easy to buy for, it either revolves around shoes, clothes, books and if thats difficult to pick from then money. This year my family and boyfriend did exceedingly well! I often get asked for a list before christmas as does my sister of things I want. Now, there is a difference between want and need, I often just ask for the things I need, you know?! the usual items perfumes, socks, night gowns, slippers etc and then there is the 'want' list. On this list is a carefully thought out bunch of stuff that I've either been wanting for a long time or certainly pining over, but at the same time if I didn't get them I wouldn't be too upset either (does that make sense :S). I received the creme de la creme off the 'want' list; it was only the Manolo Blahnik Fleeting Gestures and Obsessions coffee table book!!!!!!! Ive spent most of my time over the last week or so flicking through the book in complete awe! (note to self - next goal; buy a pair of vintage Manolo Blahniks!) I was so excited to have received this as a present, mainly because even though it was at the top of list I didn't think in a million years I would actually get it A) it's expensive - especially for a coffee table book and B) ITS A BOOK! Crikey!... thats expensive! haha! So inevitably I have been taking great care of it and and looking through it whenever I glance over at it on my desk! My boyfriend however went way off track, presenting me with a voucher (which he had designed) for a pair of shoes...but not just any shoes....

Understandably I was totally excited and have since been searching net-a-porter for a pair of shoes I just can't take my thoughts off of! So stay tuned for what I eventually decide on picking!

I hope you all had a lovely break but for now its back to the grind! Have a fantastic first week back to work, I hope those daily routines have been helping you to find a more productive day and hopefully week ahead!

Kiren

x

Shoe: Contemporary Footwear 

by Inspiring Designers 

Olivier Dupon

I LOVE a good coffee table book, I mean who doesn't? This book ticks all the boxes, it covers 32 designers that are currently working world wide and the pages are full with sketches, swatches, illustrations and samples of the very shoes that have graced our phone screens (at some point) scrolling through Instagram. I could flick through the pages for hours, the descriptions compliment the pages perfectly; there is just the right amount of text - these books are all about the imagery and why the hell not when they feature such beautiful shoes. Personally, this book has been an eye opener and has certainly inspired me with design and if you're not a designer this book is perfect for guess what? a coffee table (ha!) so you can sit and adore shoes to your hearts content. The book is available on Amazon at £43.20 - perfect for a christmas gift or a stocking filler.

Manolo Blahnik

Fleeting Gestures and Obsessions

Just the name of the book sounds like something you could desire without realising you wanted it in the first place. This highly anticipated book is set to be published by Rizzoli on the 8th of September 2015 featuring more than 40 years of life work by the coveted designer himself - Manolo Blahnik. This coffee table book (a rather expensive one starting at £85.50 for a hardback cover) documents drawing inspiration from the worlds of architecture, art, film, literature and some never-before-seen photography of his designs. Containing 250 designs from his archives this could serve as more a present or dare I say it an early christmas present purchase? (I know I shouldn't be thinking about christmas yet) but I know it will certainly be on my birthday present list!

Release date: September 8th 2015

Price: £85.50 (hardback cover)