My best maintained wish-list on any shopping site is my list of books on Amazon. It’s not filled with novels or biographies but tons of cookbooks, decor guides and look-books! Whenever I pick up a new book on my list, I find so many inspiring ideas. Today I wanted to share my favorites, some I’ve already purchased and others still waiting to be taken home.

The first has been the most inspirational of them all, it sparked Planning Pretty! Reading this gave me the push to start blogging. Written by the amazing Joy Cho of Oh Joy!, Blog, Inc. is perfect for anyone even slightly interested in starting a blog.

I picked up this book back in October and then met Joy at the book signing held at the Emeryville West Elm.

Ok so clearly it’s my favorite/most studied, but the next book has helped me figure out what to take to so many parties. Macarons by Annie Rigg has everything you need to know about French Macarons. It’s how I learned to make this delicate pastry and practiced countless batches. Once you have the basics mastered you can make up your own fillings!

The next selection was like finding the missing piece to understanding interior decorating. I always love to decorate, play with colors and layouts but this book pushed me to the next level. Domino: The Book of Decorating is a must-have for anyone decorating or re-decorating a home (notice it’s in my blog header image!). There are so many tips on how to create your style and find nothing but happiness with your design.

My husband surprised me with this perfect book for entertaining guests. Daniel Boulud Cocktails is a pair of books, one with cocktails for “her” and the other for “him”. I love it! The drink recipes inside are absolutely amazing, but you can definitely use them as guidelines to concoct your own creations! Bonus, tapas recipes are in the back!

Paris in Color by Nichole Robertson has sat on my wish-list for months. I first discovered it in Anthropologie during one of my wonderful museum-like window shopping experiences. The title is self-explanatory, but these images are far from predictable. A beautiful city in beautiful colors.

I could stare at 100 Years of Fashion by Cally Blackman for hours and not just because Audrey graces the cover. I don’t own it, yet, but every time I see it in a store it is gently held in my hand and pages flipped.

Decorate Workshop by Holly Becker of Decor8 is last but not least. I discovered the book after blog searching reading about the photographer Leslie Shewring on her blog A Creative Mint. I have wanted to get my hands on this book for months.

I hope this set of books inspires you to make, find or admire pretty things in your world. I’d love to hear about other texts that inspire your creativity. Share in the comments below!