BOOK LIST: MARCH 2017

People often ask me where I find inspiration for projects. I usually point them in the direction of Pinterest, but I also encourage them to go to the library. Yes, the library – aka “vintage Pinterest”.

I am a naturally curious person and I love to read about almost anything. Learning about a broad scope of topics and having a wide range of references has definitely made me a stronger designer. I’ve had more serendipitous creative boosts than I can count!

Here are a few of the books I’m currently reading to: keep me feeling inspired, help me stay organized and make cooking healthy & entertaining guests feel effortless.

INSPIRATION

Elizabeth Gilbert is best known for her award-winning novel Eat, Pray, Love. In her new novel Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear she shares the “magic” behind her creative process and gives insight about the fear and doubt that often impedes people from maximizing their creative potential.

I am also reading Pharrell: Places and Spaces I’ve Been by Pharrell Williams who is the epitome of cool. He’s a modern renaissance man who works seamlessly across music, fashion, street art and design. Places and Spaces I’ve Been is an intimate documentation of all his creative projects ranging from musical collaborations to working with some of the World’s top fashion designers. His book comes in six vibrant colors which are randomly shipped to stores and sold online. I like the pink cover!

ORGANIZATION

Whenever the seasons change, I shuffle my closet around and freshen things up. The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees is very helpful as I gear up to put together my Spring wardrobe. This book is loaded with useful infographics, charts, and activities, as well as beautiful fashion photography, The Curated Closet is the ultimate practical guide to authentic and unique style with clear tips for:

• Shopping smarter and more selectively
• Making the most of your budget
• Mastering outfit formulas and color palettes
• Tweaking your wardrobe for work
•  Assessing garment fit and quality like a pro
•  Curating a closet of fewer, better pieces

EATING 

I am on a mission to slim down for summer (and in general) so I am always on the lookout for easy healthy recipes. Skinnytaste Fast and Slow: Knockout Quick-Fix and Slow Cooker Recipes by Gina Homolka has great nutritious, flavor-packed easy to make meals. I love that each of the recipes includes nutritional information so it’s super simple to integrate her recipes into other weight loss/ nutrition plans.

Everyone is buzzing about the “Whole 30 eating-thing”; so I picked that book up too. Whole 30: The 30 Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom by Melissa and Dallas Hartwig delivers an eating approach for effortless weight loss and better health—along with stunning improvements in sleep quality, energy levels, mood, and self-esteem. In addition to more than 100 recipes, the book features a step-by-step plan to break unhealthy habits, reduce cravings, improve digestion and strengthen the immune system.

ENTERTAINING

The Spring and Summer months are great for entertaining. All in Good Taste by Kate Spade is a relatable guide for hosting and entertaining. It’s not your typical collection of rigid rules. Its full of  unpretentious ideas for the modern-day hostess that are easy, festive, and authentic. The book serves up plenty of how-tos, personal essays, and anecdotes – it also tackles modern conundrums such as Instagram etiquette.

If you’ve read any of these books, tell me what you think. What’s on your reading list?