it by alexa chung;

i have always loved alexa chung, her oversized androgynous style, her ability to pair minimalistic makeup, messy hair and a red lip to look absolutely flawless. her specialty to look like she rolled out of bed looking flawless (despite everybody knowing that it takes a godawful long time to look like that) - and  because of my admiration for her i-don't-care-what-you-think-style, i have been so excited to get my hands on this book.

i thought the hardcover was exquisitely beautiful, but i was waiting for a day when i had enough money left over in a week to get it. but then when the paperback came out it, too, blew me away. it's got a classic penguin looking cover, in dusty pink with a beautiful self-portrait tacked all over the front. it's amazing. i don't know why i'm in love with the simplicity of this cover, but i am. i'm sure you'll be sick of hearing me say the word beautiful in this review, but it truly is beautiful. 

this book reads like a blog, like a tumblr, like a photolog of beautiful images of beautiful people with beautiful style - and if you're looking for something to inspire you, then you're looking for it. 

there's a mixture of people that inspire alexa's look, and a little life advise - it's really just a dabbling into the inner workings of an amazing woman, written from a perspective that sounds like friends having a catch up. 

it's got quick snippets of her karaoke queen life, it's got reflections on sitting in the front row of a fashion show, and it's got advice on how to deal with broken hearts. it's even got some motherly advice, which i'm sure even the most secure and ready lady needs in the real world. 

it's a really quick read - i got through it in under an hour, and that was with a whole lot of longing staring at the beautiful photos, and pondering every life choice i've ever made. if anything, i wish it had a little more writing - there were times where i wanted to know more of a story, when i wanted to know more about why she loved something the way she did, and it was just not all there.

all in all, this book was beautiful. i loved alexa's voice, i loved that it read like a diary that she was willing to share, i loved the tiny anecdotes and i really loved the great photographs. whether you're a fashion-addict, an avid photographer, or just somebody looking for a little inspiration, i'm sure you'll find it in it.

★★★★

four stars, and a rekindled style icon. 

xo

jess