it’s very rare i get to read a book front to back, actually it’s rare i get to read a book entirely at all. there never seems to be the time and usually thoughts turn into post-its, then i get distracted by a potential blog post idea, an email or a phone call. i’m thinking this is a good new years resolution- more books read front to back!

well this wasn’t the case this past week. on my flight back home from nyc i decided to use this undistracted time and get lost in a book. the book of choice was grace: A memoir. an autobiography on grace coddington, who has been the creative director at vogue since 1988.

i did a sunday book club post on this very book  a few months ago. more of a preview. the focus was on her illustrations featured in the book. little sketches she has made over the years telling little truths and providing fun insights into the world of fashion.

in contrast this post, on the very same book, is a celebration of a wonderful life. for me an absolute joy because of my immense love of fashion, creativity, personalities, and of course vogue! stories about photographers like bruce weber, designers like calvin klein (who knew grace worked at calvin for a period of time), peers like liz tilberis and bosses like anna wintour. simple, humble, fun and for me nostalgic.

i personally love the stories of the photo shoots with arthur elgort, madonna, steven meisel, kate moss and annie leibovitz. i could go on and on, and don’t think soon as i got home i didn’t go to my library and revisit the beautiful images and photo spreads that were written about.

as i was thinking about how to tell this story once again about grace: the memoir, i came across photographs of grace’s 70th birthday party last year at one of my favorite restaurants in nyc, indochine. literally almost every person talked about in the book is at the celebration. how wonderful!

if you are looking for the perfect gift to give or receive, this book is a must! a sunday book club favorite and the catalyst for my 2013 new years resolution- more books front to back! enjoy!