Paris based Australian illustrator, Kerrie Hess has worked for Chanel, Louboutin, McQueen, Vogue, and many others and has written this wonderfully illustrated book which gives readers tips on living the luxe life for less. 'Do you suffer with the affliction of Gucci taste on a Gap budget?' Kerrie asks in the introduction.......
'There is nothing at all chic about wearing the latest Prada pencil skirt whilst drowning in debt. ....Cunning stylists and designers have always known that you don't need to spend a fortune to look chic. You just need to know where and when to look, what to spurge on and when to go completely cheap and cheerful' says Kerrie. She then shows us all how to be chic without spending a fortune with her 101 tips on fashion, beauty, travel, home........ There's even advice on chic flower arranging and how to prolong the life of cut flowers!!
Throughout the book, top designers including Lulu Guiness and Sass & Bide define “chic”. Here are just a couple of my favourite definitions/quotes:
'Things that are chic are often expensive but to be chic is a combination of sophistication, elegance and fashion that can never be achieved with money alone.' Jemma Kidd
'Being chic precedes fashion;it's 20 percent about what you wear and 30 percent how you put it all together. The other 50 percent - that's your attitude when wearing it' Alison Chow (Co-founder Coco Ribbon Boutique, London)
It's worth buying the book for the gorgeous illustrations alone. (I would love to be able to do sketches like these ... so beautifully stylish)
This is certainly one of those books that I will dip into again particularly for the useful addresses around the world -chic hotels, designer outlets, cupcake shops .......oh and there was a reminder about the best hot chocolate in Paris - Café Angelina - I love it and must return soon!
miss b recommends:
- visiting Kerrie's Blog
- finding more of Kerrie's wonderful work on her Website
- buying your copy of Shoe String Chic from Amazon - your first step to being chic for less!
fabulous blog post :) very lovely. definitely following your blog! hopefully you can follow mine too :)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Nancy
http://nancytang0403.blogspot.com
Thank you for highlighting Kerrie's book. I am going to look it up. I love the two quotes you listed at the end of your post. So true. I am working on a story about Hermès and their fabulous silk scarves (and handbags,) and I checked out the scarves Kerrie introduces on her blog. They look amazing too! Have a wonderful weekend. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
ReplyDeleteYou blog is so awesome!! follow you now))
ReplyDeleteCan you follow me too?))
http://myfiercefashion.blogspot.com/
Hi Véronique - Thank you for your comment - I'm looking forward to your Hermès post!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd love that book ~ the illustrations are gorgeous, it sounds a little bit like 'How to walk in high heels' which I love x
ReplyDeleteSounds really interesting that book
ReplyDelete***
www.theprincesslittlebox.blogspot.com
Thanks for your lovely comment. The book seems really interesting ;)
ReplyDeletexx
http://puskiscloset.blogspot.com
I was just about to say the illustrations alone are beautiful! Thanks for sharing this and what wonderful advice it gives. Hope you're having an amazing weekend! :D
ReplyDeletehttp://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/
really nice blog!!! Keep blogging :D
ReplyDeleteWould you like follow each other??? Waiting for ressponse in my blog http://julia-mylifeandthoughts.blogspot.com/
Kisses!!!!
Great post, I will have to check these sites. Lovely blog, if you want visit my blog and let me know if you want to follow and I will follow back.
ReplyDeleteHi my dear!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the comment on my blog and for following my blog!!! Thanks....thanks....thanks....thanks!!!
Now I am also following you!!! :)
I hope you continue visiting me....I have just published some photos of Anna dello Russo and I,togheter.... Amazing!!!!
http://thechicetoile.blogspot.com/
XOXOXO
beautiful illustration
ReplyDelete♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
kiss
Erika
My Free Choice
Thank you, Francesca (The Chic Etoile) for following my blog!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful book. Loving the quotes you have lifted to illustrate your post. Very wise. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteGucci taste on a Gap budget... That pretty much sums up my life! Thanks for recommending this book, I'll have to pic up a copy :)
ReplyDeletexox,
Cee
http://cocoandvera.blogspot.com
The book seems to be really interesting! Great post. Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm following you, dear. I'd be flattered if you could follow me too :)
poseposhpost.blogspot.com
Pose Posh Post
Thank you Cee and Sidney for following!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment in my blog ! I didn´t know about that illustrator, that books sounds intersting, I´ll check it out!. Would you like to follow each other?
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Qatar!
http://ladiesandthecityfashion.blogspot.com
sounds fabulous! i love books like this
ReplyDeleteraspberrykitsch.blogspot.com
xx
The second and last illustrations are my favorite of the bunch! This book sounds amazing!
ReplyDeletefashionthroughtravel.blogspot.com
THANK YOU FOR COMMENT, THERE IS A NEW POST
ReplyDelete♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
kiss
Erika
My Free Choice
I never heard about that book but sound interesting! it can be a nice present for Xmas ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo
I need to pick up this book! Sounds right up my alley! Thanks for the introduction!
ReplyDeletexx
Erin @ http://www.trufflesnruffles.com/
Beautiful illustrations!!!
ReplyDeleteI invite you to visit...
http://fashionroomlounge.blogspot.com
A chic kiss
wow!! great post and pics!! thanks also for your lovely comment in my blog.. I hadn't noticed it, sorry.. Following you now, of course! ;)
ReplyDeletelooks quite interesting! and it's so true that elegance is irrelevant to money. Nina Garcia in her book (can't remember the title now), even says that women on a budget tend to be more stylish because they have to be more selective regarding their purchases, while wealthier women don't really have the chance to develop such skills.
ReplyDeleteThank you M for your comment. I think the book you mean is The Little Black Book of Style which I reviewed here on 4th October!
ReplyDeletemm..ook..can you see me now,right?
ReplyDeleteHi City Girl - Thank you so much for following my blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and recommending this book, it's beautiful! Thank you for your comment on my blog too ;)
ReplyDeletexx
That's lovely. I think I would quite like to add this to my Christmas list.
ReplyDeletewww.styleonthecouch.com
I'll have to check this out! Thanks for the recommendation :)
ReplyDeleteXO
www.pearlsandpaws.blogspot.com
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing! xo style, she wrote
ReplyDeleteToday I discovered your blog! I really love it! I'm following you!
ReplyDeleteHope you do the same!
Kisses!
http://madewithlovebycarla.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for following Carla - so pleased you love my blog! I'll take a look at yours!
ReplyDeletegreat book, nice post, follow each other pls?
ReplyDeletehttp://aprettylife13.blogspot.com/
Thanks Aurelia for following!
ReplyDeleteI love these illustrations! Just discovered your blog today and I am your newest follower! Hope you will pop over for a return visit~Angie
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for following, Angie - I shall certainly be visiting you soon!
Deletethis books looks a winner - i love fashion illustrations! this might make a good gift as well - great pick.
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