Review 2015 No. 2 | Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life by Justine Picardie

http://www.dressful.com/6922/coco-chanel-the-legend-and-the-life

Picardie's biography of the infamous fashion designer Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel starts well. The opening chapter takes us to the heart of Chanel - on a literary tour of Chanel's private Paris apartment. As the story of Chanel's life and lies (for instance she frequently claimed to be younger than she was), and her ambition to rid herself of her poverty-stricken upbringing, is told. The style is somewhat sycophantic, and the tale and times of Chanel's life tapers off towards the end of the book, mirroring the designer's demise. The result was that, despite interesting anecdotes on her relationships with Misia Sert, Churchill, and other celebs of the time, which went off on extended tangents for many pages, this book became a chore to finish. I'm sorry I can't be more positive. Maybe my mood reflects Chanel's own disappointment with her life, one in which she cut herself free from the Aubazine convent to dedicate her life to fashion, only to simultaneously shatter any permanent familial or romantic connections. 

Daydreams and Dinner Dates | Photo Vlog

Where are the days in January going? It seems only yesterday that New Year and Hogmanay wound their way round again, so here's a flashback to some of my Yuletide feasting and frivolities...

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Review: Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella

If you've been keeping up with the blog then you'll know that I'm currently storming my way through the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella (alias). I have reached the final and sixth in the series, 'Mini Shopaholic', but today's review is of the fourth novel 'Shopaholic and Baby'. 

Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood), through a plethora of lucky turns of event, has it all; a hunk of a husband who also happens to be a high-flying businessman, a loving family and now she's pregnant! You'd think she'd manage to get through one day without one of her white lies or mishaps. But no, no sooner is she telling her husband that she's pregnant than the compulsive liar (it's true, I swear) is having a breakdown over the celebrity obstetrician that she's having deliver her baby. 

There's the usual fantasies about designer outfits and holidays, as well as more twists and turns than a crooked house, but strangely enough I'm actually getting into the series and finding some charm in the crazy life of the protagonist. Where else can this story go? It's anyone's guess.

Carpe Diem xx