How They Decorated: Inspiration from Great Women of the Twentieth Century

I'm on somewhat of a decorating spree at the moment, so the arrival of How They Decorated: Inspiration from Great Women of the Twentieth Century has come at the perfect time!

This book captures the individual approaches of sixteen icons of style: Lady Diana Cooper, Evangeline Bruce, Louise de Vilmorin, Sybil Connolly, Hélène Rochas, Gabrielle van Zuylen, Mona von Bismarck, Pauline de Rothschild, Babe Paley, Elsa Schiaparelli, Fleur Cowles, Pauline Trigère, Bunny Mellon, Dominique de Menil, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Lesley Blanch. Author P. Gaye Tapp analyzes each of her subjects’ refined way of living, how each embellished her residences (or left them elegantly stark), and the long-lasting effects on today’s generation of designers and connoisseurs of beauty.

The book is presented in four sections that describe the aesthetic approaches that the women took in decorating their abodes: “The Fashionably Chic”, “The Unconventional Eye”, “In the Grand Manner”, and “Legacy Style”. Each interior illustrates the crucial aspect of the woman’s definitive taste. Some worked closely with decorating legends such as John Fowler, Albert Hadley, Billy Baldwin, Syrie Maugham, and Jean-Michel Frank. Others took to the task of decorating single-handedly—like Pauline Trigère, Sybil Connolly,  and Fleur Cowles. The interiors of these trendsetting women defied their time and inspire and delight to this day. In How They Decorated, one can learn from the most notable style muses of the last century.

Thanks to Rizzoli for a review copy of this fantastic book!

Babe Paley

Mindful Beauty: How to look and feel great in every season

We all need a bit of mindfulness in this hectic holiday season. Extra Christmas shopping, food prep panic and keeping friends and family happy all takes its toll. If you need a bit of calm then I recommend checking out Estelle Lefébure's new book, Mindful Beauty.

In this book, fifty-year-old model Estelle Lefébure divulges how they really maintain their fantastic natural looks. Her positive outlook inspires, and she offers a simple, enjoyable path to well-being and looking fabulous forever. Her holistic and mindful philosophy encompasses step-by-step fitness, wellness, nutrition, and natural beauty practices for every season.

And this book isn't just relevant for the December festive season. In the springtime, invigorate dry skin with a DIY body scrub while toning-up for outdoor activities. Go green once a week with a vegetable stock detox. When summer arrives, protect skin and hair with nourishing homemade masks. A glorious Indian summer is the perfect time to think about transformations; slow down and try out her massage techniques. Once autumn settles in, focus on breathing—sip Provence-inspired infusions of sunbaked thyme to open up your airways. Each chapter offers tips for beauty, nutrition, and fitness activities as well as natural remedies and gluten-free recipes from top French chefs to guide you throughout the year. I'm looking forward to trying out the water infusions, veggie curry and sweet snowballs!

Make sure you pop a copy of Mindful Beauty into your basket whilst you're doing the Christmas shopping!

Thanks to Flammarion for sending me a copy of Mindful Beauty to check out. 

Lancel: Parisian Maison since 1876

Lancel is one of my favourite French designers so it's pretty exciting to see the release of a new book covering its history.

From its founders and innovative designs to its contemporary collections and famous collaborations, this volume marks its 140th anniversary and features original art from Martin Parr, Jean-Philippe Delhomme and Marjane Satrapi as it explores its rich history and secrets behind its continued success. 

From travel luggage to toiletry cases, Lancel combines luxury with functionality with an aim to simply life whilst making it its most beautiful.

Lancel; Parisian Maison is available now.