You acting kinda shady, ain't calling me baby.

This post is the first of many of a new feature i've decided to write leading up to Christmas. You'll be relieved to know that this isn't no ordinary gift guide, as i've already practically memorised (and circled with a big fat red marker) the entire contents of the Boots catalog. I've decided to showcase the many beautiful coffee table books i have acquired over many past birthdays and Christmases, maybe as a gift idea for a lovely friend, or lets not beat around the bush, your Christmas list. They all range from beauty, fashion and style, to kick of this week i decided to start with my favourite book that resides on my overflowing bookcase.   

Chanel, Collections and Creations by Daniele Bott - (£17.50)

I first came across the beautiful Chanel, Collections and Creations written by Daniele Bott when i was searching for a gift for a close friend. This amazingly detailed coffee table book not only houses a wealth of knowledge surrounding the iconic French fashion brand but unveils the most beautiful imagery, of which is undeniably stunning, detailing the moving journey of Chanel, from Coco to Karl. After my friend received this, she then made prints of the images and framed them, hence the long over-zealous photos i had to include as in-sight..

The ever-changing design of buttons on the iconic tweed suit.

The Cameila in a range of different creations, different sizes and fabrics.

The Camelia bun!

The iconic N.o5 diamond necklace as seen on Nicole 

The house of Chanel opened its private image archives especially, showing the historical journey of the Chanel brand, from the iconic exact designs from Coco Chanel to the modern day transformation of Karl Largerfield. The book itself covers five central themes rooted to Chanel: the classic tweed suit (of which i will own several of by my seventies), the camellia, fine jewellery, fragrances and cosmetics, and finally the little black dress. I could waffle on about this grand yet sleek coffee table has to offer on each theme but i will say what i learnt from this guide, is the story behind the Camelia, the famous flower incorporated in many classic designs, still to this day. The Camelia is a simple, classic white flower favourited by Coco, for its likeness to her style: feminine yet androgynous. The flower also bares no scent, as not to interfere with any perfumes - something i find fascinating. Even still to this day Karl Largerfield always reworks the Cameilia into each of his collections, its always present yet in a completely different creation.

Any other titles devoted to Chanel i should hunt out?

Feeling this.

This post is horrendously overdue, considering my birthday was technically a few weeks back, but what the heck? I thought i'd share some of the shenanigans with you. For a fairly naff, boring age of twenty two i had a really amazing week of birthday celebrations..

I went 80's dancing with my nearest and dearest, which included lots of oversized cocktails, awful dance shapes and full on renditions of Grease and MJ's Thriller. 

 

One Shoulder Wrap Dress - Topshop (£46.00)

The birthday outfit included this lovely berry dress from Topshop, it has very grecian edge with one shoulder and draped skirt. My wonderful YSL Tribute rip off heels from River Island lasted all of five minutes, in-fact they didn't even make it down Croydon high-street, such a wimp.

Then on my actual birthday i spent the day and night in Brighton with the boyfriend, it has such an amazing atmosphere, much more chilled out than London town. Not going to lie, i was equally determined to visit none other than Sea World (yep, i did turn twenty two, not seven). Boyfriend in tow we gazed at the array of colourful fish of all shapes and sizes, crabs of which i have a severe phobia of (shudder), starfish, sea horses and forget the sharks, there are turtles there the size of small cars.

After moseying on around the lanes and bracing the windy sea air one the pier, we checked in to the beautiful little boutique hotel called the Artist Residence, which is directly opposite the old pier. Each room in the tiny hotel is decorated by a local artist, it is also extremely affordable (dirt cheap) with breakfast in tow - i really couldn't recommend it enough. 

We stayed in the Panorama room, decorated by local artist Andy Mclynn which has a amazingly detailed paintings of Brighton's sea front.

And, of course, there wouldn't be a birthday without gifts right?

Breakfast at Tiffanys Companion by Sarah Gristwood - beautiful.

Parisian Chic - A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange.

Benefit Lipglosses from my brother and Nars varnish in Night Flight from Matthew.

My lovely father who jetted off on my birthday to attend his best mate's wedding in New York, they got married on the actual Jersey Shore, no Snooki sightings apparently. He picked me up both presents from my parents and Matthew from Tiffany's. 

Return to Tiffany Pearl bracelet from my parents.

Tiffany Bead Bracelet from Matthew.

artistically displayed on shockingly bright pink new Kindle cover - unsure of the tiffany charms but i do love a dainty pearl and silver bead!

Last but not least, surprise tickets to see James Corden's new play - I'm so excited! 

Well done if you've read this far crikey! I throughly recommend staying in the Artist Residence hotel, as well as the scrummy doughnuts on the pier. And answer me this, WHY is Tiffanys a heck of a lot cheaper across the pond? In other thoughts, i've banked and saved all the birthday money/gift cards i received for the topshop and netaporter sales (yes please! - muimuimuimui)