Books

Showcasing female style icons throughout the century, Fashionista by Simone Werle looks at the style and tastes of the best dressed celebrities, actresses, musicians and models.

Bringing together trendsetters from across the globe and the decades, the book provides eyecatching images along with introductions to each of the icons. Check out the classic styles of Audrey Hepburn and Sofia Coppola, the London looks of Twiggy and Kate Moss, modern chic from Agnes Deyn or Sex & The City character Carrie Bradshaw, punky fashion from Vivienne Westwood and Amy Winehouse, or quirky cutting-edge looks from Madonna and Bjork.

A truly inspirational collection, this is a fashionable must have read for the bookcase of any self-respecting fashionista.

You can pick up a copy of the book now from Prestel.

Nicki Trench's latest pattern book Super-Cute Crochet will teach you how to make over 35 adorable amigurumi animals and friends.

Neat and efficient, the great thing about this book is that it keeps the basic techniques to a minimum, which will please any professional crocheter and leaves even more space for adorable patterns. Crochet Vince the rhinestone spider, Dimitri the donkey, Camilla the pretty pony, Andy the alien, hatching eggs, Freddie the seal and Kimmie the koala bear.

With so many adorable plushies to choose from and easy to follow patterns, it's time to pick up your hook and craft a menagerie of exotic animals, woodland creatures, sea-life and insects.

You can pick up a copy of the book from CICO Books now, or enter our Super-Cute Crochet contest for a chance of winning the book and notecards.

Nothing can beat a homemade toy and with Susan B. Anderson's book, Itty-Bitty Toys you will learn how to make dozens of adorable and unique plushies, dolls, puppets and more.

Using a variety of crafts such as knitting, sewing, felting and crochet, the book provides step-by-step instructions for creating a wide range of toys including cute animals, plushie play toys, lovely dolls and hand puppets. The book also includes five reversible toy tutorials, giving you two toys in one. Make some knitted nesting boxes, a mama duck with ducklings pull toy, felted bouncing balls, a curly snake and a cat to mouse reversible hand puppet.

With so many creative toy ideas there's something to put a smile on every child's face and probably most grown-ups too.

Check out a sample project from the book Panda & Zebra Hand Puppets. You can pick up a copy of the book now from Artisan Books. Photographs by Liz Banfield.

Cosy and kitsch, Perfect English Cottage by Ros Byam Shaw is filled with photographs of idyllic and inspirational cottages located across England.

Covering every room of the house, the book looks at the use of colour, quirky or classic decoration and interesting storage solutions. Each home gives an insight in to the lives and tastes of the individual owners and provides tips and ideas that you can interpret into your own home.

If you're hoping to decorate your own cottage or create some country chic in a city home, this wonderful collection will give you the motivation and inspiration for creating your own perfect English cottage.

You can pick up a copy of the book from Ryland Peters & Small now.

If you're a lover of all things sparkly and divine, Cartier & America is an elegant book showcasing 100 years of designs by the world famous jewellers.

Since the House of Cartier first opened its Manhattan doors in 1910, the glitterati and celebrities alike have adorned themselves with the jewellers brooches, tiaras, rings, necklaces, diamonds and more. Providing a detailed history along with hundreds of eye-catching images, the books looks at Cartier through the decades, from their art deco styles to pre & postwar fashions.

Detailled and stunning, this book is sure to catch the eye of anyone who enjoys the finer things in life.

You can pick up a copy of the book now from Prestel.

Filled with embroidery and cross-stitch basics, A Rainbow Of Stitches offers exactly that, with over 1000 different motifs and 80 projects ideas.

The books starts by teaching you all the techniques you need to execute the perfect cross-stitch and embroidery stitches. Once you've mastered the basics, choose from one of the thousand plus designs and get to work on a project. Embroider Pretty In Pink Slippers, stitch Fresh Green Throw Pillows, Dutch Blue Napkins, red Sweetheart Pillowcases and simple white Embellished Bottle Vases.

Organised by colour of the rainbow, create a gorgeous selection of stitched accessories for your home and wardrobe.

You can pick up a copy of the book now from Random House.