Every once in a while I like to pick up a non-fiction lifestyle-y book from my collection and have a good old read of it. I love books like this that you can dip in and out of and it dawned on me as I was reading Cupcakes and Cashmere that this is certain one of those books.
The reason for this may be that this book is wrote by the lovely Emily Schuman of Cupcakes & Cashmere so it is kind of a blog within a book! The book is split up into 4 parts - spring, summer, fall and winter, which works out really well for dipping into each season. Then in each section Emily covers style, interiors, beauty and food .
So here is a little summary of what to expect from each section of the book and what I think of each! You can find Cupcakes and Cashmere on Amazon here for £9.09.
Beauty
As this is a beauty blog after all I thought I would talk about the beauty parts of the book first. Sadly these were my least favourite... but that's maybe because I read so much about beauty that it wasn't anything fresh or that I didn't know already. I did however discover how to properly blow dry my hair which is something! Each season in the book Emily lists her 5 beauty must-haves for any budget which I liked as it gives a kind of overview of which products are good for that specific season... such as pretty pastel nail polishes, a light pink lipstick, floral fragrances and a deep conditioner for Spring.
Nothing that amazing to read but I'm glad some beauty was included in the book!
As this is a beauty blog after all I thought I would talk about the beauty parts of the book first. Sadly these were my least favourite... but that's maybe because I read so much about beauty that it wasn't anything fresh or that I didn't know already. I did however discover how to properly blow dry my hair which is something! Each season in the book Emily lists her 5 beauty must-haves for any budget which I liked as it gives a kind of overview of which products are good for that specific season... such as pretty pastel nail polishes, a light pink lipstick, floral fragrances and a deep conditioner for Spring.
Nothing that amazing to read but I'm glad some beauty was included in the book!
Style
Style is definitely Emily's strong point but not mine! So the style sections are definitely something I took notice of the most. In particular the closet checklist for each season which is a run down of 15 staple items that you should have in your wardrobe - this really helped me this winter and I'm sure will help me again for Spring when I'm sorting out clothing and decided which new items to buy. Other style sections in the Spring part of the book include - navigating flea markets, soles for spring, layering jewelry and a dress for multiple occasions.
The style sections definitely seem more practical and even if you don't share Emily's style is can be applied to most people still.
Interiors
The 'at home' sections of the book are again Emily's foray I feel and even though split into seasonal sections can be read any time of the year. I already have quite a few interior design books but I love the American way of interior design so loved sections such as organising a bookshelf and a few of Emily's DIY ideas such as the sparkly garland above. There is also a nice section of staying organised and spring cleaning in the spring section of the book that I will be referencing to once the weather starts improving.
Lovely photography in these sections and quite a bit to read.
Food
I'm one of those people with a bazillion cookbooks who never cooks anything from them! My reason for this is there just not basic enough... yes, I love the wonderful photography and the idea of detailed dishes but I just can't be doing with a huge list of ingredients and a length prep time. So I was pleased to see Emily's recipes were more basics than anything else that I am going to attempt at some point. Recipes include - basic vinaigrette, mint julep cocktail, sugar cookies, very berry pie, summer pasta with tomatoes, basil and brie, chocolate chip cookies and homemade pizza dough.
Will be definitely trying out the homemade pizza dough and berry pie come summertime!
An all round nice book to dip in and out of each season and try something new in that section, whether it's a recipe, an interior idea or something style/beauty related. With lovely photography through out.
Worth buying as a gift or if you like lifestyle blogs/books.
Fee xo.
I'm one of those people with a bazillion cookbooks who never cooks anything from them! My reason for this is there just not basic enough... yes, I love the wonderful photography and the idea of detailed dishes but I just can't be doing with a huge list of ingredients and a length prep time. So I was pleased to see Emily's recipes were more basics than anything else that I am going to attempt at some point. Recipes include - basic vinaigrette, mint julep cocktail, sugar cookies, very berry pie, summer pasta with tomatoes, basil and brie, chocolate chip cookies and homemade pizza dough.
Will be definitely trying out the homemade pizza dough and berry pie come summertime!
An all round nice book to dip in and out of each season and try something new in that section, whether it's a recipe, an interior idea or something style/beauty related. With lovely photography through out.
Worth buying as a gift or if you like lifestyle blogs/books.
Fee xo.
