Hey there! So a while back I did a little post on three of my favourite fiction books, and today I thought I'd do a similar post on three of my favourite coffee table books! I'm a sucker for books like these, I often get stuck in Urban Outfitters looking at all the potential books I could have lying around my room for flicking through when in need of inspiration or a little pick-me-up. I just love pretty, interesting and aesthetically pleasing little books for my spaces!
First up is Alexa Chung's 'It'. I LOVE this book, firstly because it is impeccably well designed, secondly because it is hilarious. The sarcy quotes and satirical comments on society are humorous and strangely accurate, but not only does Alexa make a witty author, but she writes about real style icons and inspirations of her own. Considering anyone who buys Alexa Chung's book probably takes inspiration from her, knowing who inspires your inspiration is pretty cool. The pictures are fun, quirky and relevant, the text is laid out in different ways making it enjoyable and easy to read/flick through, and all-in-all, its a great coffee table book!
This quote in particular had me giggling! As someone who constantly seems to get my hair cut shorter and shorter every time, this longing for 'great standard girl hair' comes up every so often. Then of course I just think well what the heck life is too short to be standard. (Short pun totally not intended).
My second book is one I found in a newsagents just in Soho London. I often pop into this newsagents as it doesn't just have regular magazines such as my beloved Vogue, but has many indie and international ones that aren't readily available in the UK often such as Kinfolk, Cereal and many others to do with everything from fashion to travel to food. This book is a little city guide by the travel magazine Cereal. Most of the other city guides require subscription, but their London one is sold as a sample of sorts. I for one really like it as it has a very lovely photo series at the beginning and a couple of short essays about London by various people who live here. The rest of the book is suggested hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and shops that all look amazing! The book has a totally cool style and all the places they have picked will be right up anyone's street if you're similar to me.
I have already started bookmarking specific places in the book. I'd love to visit them all but I'm bookmarking the ones I want to go to ASAP so I remember every time I'm up in London to try and tick one of them off!
Lastly I have my 'Shopping for Vintage' book by Funmi Odulate. This was actually a present from my Nan in one of her many lovely attempts to buy me things that I appreciate (success woo!). The book has a little rundown of the general style inspirations from the 1920s to the 1980s, complete with watercolour illustrations and famous designers of the decades throughout time. Not only does the book to this for clothing, but also again for handbags and jewellery. The beautiful designs and tips are then followed by pages and pages of listings for vintage shops all over the world, so that wherever you are you'll always know where to pick up the best vintage deal. Although I'm not a hard-core vintage shopper, this book would be IDEAL for someone who is dedicated enough to reading and applying all the tips and suggestions when going on a proper vintage shopping spree. I on the other hand like to browse casually and if ever I see something I'll pick it up, but I'm not all that bothered. Saying that, the book made it into my favourite coffee book list as I do love fashion, and I love to see the style evolution over time, which this book encapsulates perfectly.
What are your favourite coffee books?
P H O E B E. G R A C E //
