Decade by decade, the beautifully illustrated Vintage Jewellery Sourcebook traces 100 years of design history, from Lalique's Art Nouveau enamelling at the turn of the twentieth century to Christian Dior's mid-century costume pieces to 1980s high-luxe power jewellery. From 1890-1990, each decade begins with a historical introduction to the era and then offers a key looks spread showing an at-a-glance view of the important designs that defined the era. The book concludes with a shopping guide, which offers pointers on sourcing and caring for original antique pieces, and glossaries on notable designers and technical terminology.

Whereas the 1970s opened with a fashion hangover from the 1960s, with looks such as mini skirts, bell-bottom trousers and the hippie look still enduring, the decade soon took on its own sartorial identity. The most prominent trends were the peasant look, glam (influenced by glam rock) and disco, popularised by the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever. Many other individual fashion items went mainstream, none more so than platform shoes, flared trousers and the wrap dress. All of these styles and more are included in 1970s Fashion: the Definitive Sourcebook. The historicism that had started in fashion in the 1960s continued in the Seventies with Art Nouveau and Art Deco-inspired styles championed by Biba, but the Laura Ashley pastoral style was also popular. Finally, the emergence of punk fashion towards the closing years of the decade paved the way for a new aesthetic that rejected traditional gender, beauty and fashion roles and paved the way for alternative fashions since.

British actor Martin Freeman has been appearing on our screens, in the theatre and in high-profile films for the past fifteen years. In this time he has managed to garner critical acclaim for his roles as well as remaining hugely popular at all times with his audience. On account of his recurring star turn as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit trilogy, he has found himself re-cast as a globally acclaimed star. Despite his abundant talent, it's an unlikely scenario for a home loving, unassuming family. One of five children, he decided to become an actor at the age of 17. He developed his acting talent working his way through theatre and small TV parts, before landing his breakout role as Tim Canterbury in the acclaimed BBC comedy, The Office. With the success of The Office, came further breaks including roles in Love Actually, Shaun of The Dead, The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy and Sherlock. This fascinating biography tracks the career of one of Britain's best-loved actors, taking readers behind the scenes of the life and work of a supremely talented, albeit unlikely movie star.

Cross your eyes and get your thinking cap on for another bumper crop of optical illusions from Carlton. Super Optical Illusions, from the team behind Awesome Optical Illusions, uses colour, angles and ambiguity to trick the eye, then serves up fascinating explanations of what you are seeing and why you see it.

We all know — and love — ABBA. Everyone has a copy of Abba Gold (the second most popular album of all time in the UK). Publishers and booksellers have always wondered: how can we get that Abba feeling into a book? Well here's how: Abba Treasures is co-written by a colleague and friend of the band using contemporary interviews and the world's acknowledged Abba expert; it features never-before-seen photographs from private collections, and contains removable facsimiles of personal items belonging to Anna, Benny, Bjorn and Agnetha. If you wanted Abba in a book, you've got it.

This beautiful colouring book — designed especially for grown-ups — is the perfect way to kill time or distract you from tiresome chores. Inspired by mystical mandala patterns, this stylish activity book is the perfect gift for anyone looking to explore their creativity.

A new ladies version of the best-selling A Well-Dressed Gentleman's Pocket Guide, this book is an exhaustive bible to dressing well for all occasions. Whether you are presented by a black-tie dress code or concerned about what underwear to buy, this book will emphatically answer all your sartorial questions. Karen Homer, a fashion journalist for the past 15 years, offers in-depth advice on how to dress, accompanied by interesting facts about how our clothes have evolved over the years. Packed with information, the book is written in a straight-forward style with fashion tips laid out in easy-to-follow bullet points accompanied by illustrations to demonstrate techniques such as tying a scarf or show the difference between fashion details, such as different necklines and collars. Any woman who wants to avoid fashion mistakes and ensure she is impeccably and appropriately dressed for every occasion will adore this book.

A beautifully illustrated publication with a fashion-forward feel, Fashion Crochet contains 30 crochet projects for a range of accessories and clothing items inspired by up-to-the-minute catwalk trends. Utterly contemporary and stylish, the projects incorporate a wide cross-section of techniques from granny squares and knotwork to lace and hairpin crochet. As useful for the highly experienced as the absolute beginner, this inspiring and chic book is divided into chapters on accessories, such as shawls, scarves, bags, hats, jewellery and decorative items, and separates, such as dresses, skirts, tops and beachwear. Each project is accompanied by fashion photographs showing the inspiration for the piece, and offers ideas on how to wear the item. Essential tools and techniques are clearly explained — from crochet hooks, working stitches and how to measure tension to adding embellishments and finishing off — with line drawings provided for more complicated techniques.

With the current movement for extreme and individualistic beauty, nail art is a way to make your own personal statement as well as turn your nails into the hottest fashion accessories around. In The Nail Art Sourcebook, you will find hundreds of ideas for designs using a full range of effects, all of which you can do yourself or take to a nail technician to execute professionally. The sourcebook opens with an introduction that covers the basic techniques and tools you'll need to re-create the designs, including how-to steps on adding adornments such as glitter, gemstones and foils as well as methods for stencilling, stamping and three-dimensional work. A nail art gallery of over 500 designs, organized thematically, follows, with themes that vary from graphic stripes, chevrons and dots to floral and nature motifs, as well as tribal patterns and animal prints. Not only is nail art a great way to enhance your look for a special occasion or make a fashion statement, it's a fulfilling way to explore your creative potential.

Documenting the history of this family brand and representing a summary of Miuccia Prada's key collections and pieces, including the launch of the Miu Miu line, this book showcases the brand's emphasis on understated elegance and luxury, technologically advanced fabrics and originality of design. The book follows a biographical chronology detailing the origins of the brand as a leather-goods manufacturer, then follows the life and career of Miuccia Prada, with chapters organized into collections, collaborations and themes such as art influences and the perfume and beauty lines. Beautiful photography of her finished designs, along with close-up details, portray the innovation of this influential fashion house and the woman behind it.

«This is the 25th edition of the ultimate reference book on European football. The «UEFA European Football Yearbook 2012-13» contains everything that a football fan will need to watch their favourite team or country as they battle for glory. Gloriously illustrated with dramatic action photos, artworks and maps, this exceptional volume begins with a review of UEFA competitions, at club and national levels, on adult, youth (Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21) and women's football. A detailed review of the UEFA 2012 European Championship is followed by the thought — (and argument-) provoking Top 100 Players of the Season section, with each of the 100 top stars in Europe — not just those who represent UEFA member nations — discussed with biographical and statistical information. At the core of the book is the statistical review of all 53 UEFA member nations' domestic competitions, not just league tables, but a full results service (with dates, venues and scorers for every league match), plus appearance infomation for each club in the league and main cup competition. The last section concentrates on the clubs in the top division of each nation for the upcoming season, with a map of the country and information on each of their European competition entrants. An appendix provides infomation UEFA and the Executive Committee, an events calendar for all UEFA competitions in 2012-13 and the complete FIFA World Cup 2014 UEFA qualifying competition. If you want to get into an argument about European football, «The UEFA European Football Yearbook 2012-13» is the perfect weapon to ensure you win!»

«This enthralling collection of Sherlock Holmes adventures comprises the first two volumes of short stories as they were originally gathered together in book form. Initially published in «The Strand» magazine, the first of the short stories followed the successful serialization of Conan Doyle's first two Holmes novels «A Study in Scarlet» and «The Sign of Four». «The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes» contains four of Conan Doyle's own all-time favorite Holmes mysteries, «The Adventure of the Speckled Band», «The Red-Headed League», «A Scandal in Bohemia» and «The Five Orange Pips». «The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes» has another three of Conan Doyle's favorites in «The Adventure of the Reigate Squire», «The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual» and «The Adventure of the Final Problem». It is in «The Final Problem», of course, that Dr Watson sadly reports the death of Holmes at the Reichenbach Falls near Meiringen in Switzerland. Holmes' titanic struggle with his arch enemy, Professor Moriarty, had seen them both apparently plunge over a sheer drop, although Watson never actually saw Holmes' body. This was Conan Doyle's attempt to bring an end to Holmes' adventures, but he was to be resurrected by popular demand eight years later. «The Memoirs» also includes «The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter», in which Holmes' brother, Mycroft, appears for the first time and «The Adventure of the Gloria Scott», in which Holmes describes to Watson his very first case.»

«'I have my eye on a suite in Baker Street...' So said Sherlock Holmes when he and Dr Watson first met. Their humble address at 221B Baker Street has since become almost as famous as the great detective himself, the incredible popularity of Sherlock Holmes' adventures never wavering over the last 120 years. Dr Watson's initial encounter with Holmes came in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes novel «A Study in Scarlet», first published in 1887. The tale involves the investigation of a grisly murder in foggy South London that casts a sinister shadow all the way across the Atlantic to the sun-scorched plains of Utah. «The Sign of Four», the second novel, was first published in 1890. This is a tale of a damsel in distress, intrigue in colonial India, stolen treasure, a baffling murder and four despicable ex-convicts. Perhaps the most famous of all Sherlock Holmes stories was the third novel, «The Hound of the Baskervilles». Featuring bizarre behavior and mysterious deaths on the Devon moors, the tale first appeared in print in 1901. In 1914, the final Sherlock Holmes novel, «The Valley of Fear», saw Holmes unraveling the mystery of a dead man's mistaken identity while facing up to his old foe, Professor Moriarty. Although many more of Holmes' cases were recorded in short stories, these were the only novels. Each is faithfully reproduced in this one epic volume, complete and unabridged, providing an ideal introduction to Sherlock Holmes for the uninitiated as well as a nostalgically familiar collection for long-established Holmes fans.»

From haute couture to ready-to-wear, this title documents the season-by-season fashions of the WWII era and the immediate post war period. It covers every aspect of female fashions from the period, from lacy evening gowns, tailored skirt-suits and luxurious fur jackets to figure-sculpting undergarments, satin negligees and glamorous swimwear.

Bruce Lee was more than just an action star; he was an icon of speed, strength and charisma — an energy that ignited and inspired people all around the world — and as famous for his mental as his physical prowess. The Treasures of Bruce Lee, published with the Bruce Lee Estate, will tell this unique star's story as never before; through painstaking research, unseen memorabilia and unpublished photographs from the family archives. Bruce Lee Treasures charts Lee's story from his birth in San Francisco back to the Far East, and explains how he became the invincible martial artist feared and famous the world over. Discover Lee's directorial, acting and choreographic genius through analysis of all of his movies. Relive iconic moments such as his yellow jump suit, two-finger press ups and, of course, the one-inch punch, and discover the secrets of their origins. A unique collectable for every fan, Treasures includes facsimiles of an Enter the Dragon film poster, a hand-drawn anatomy sketch showing key pressure points, a handwritten poem, and many other posters, handwritten notes, sketches and cards, together with tickets and invitations.

Open the doors onto a charming Victorian doll's house! Marvel at it's beautiful rooms, then use the reusable stickers to decorate the house just the way you want it. Help the family who live there furnish their rooms with fabulous tea sets, dresses, jewellery, a bird cage, a rocking horse and much more! Then turn to the back of the book where there are exciting colouring, doodling and decorating activities.

In little more than a year, Kate Middleton, aka Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, has become one of the biggest British style icons in living memory. Her elegant look has sparked copycat imitations the world over and created a huge boost in sales for the shops and designers whose clothes she favours. This essential fashion guide to Kate's style celebrates her unique, ladylike, yet youthful fashion flair — and gives Kate addicts a handy guide to getting her look. Written by lifestyle journalist and author, Caroline Jones, it reveals Kate's style secrets, her favourite designers and high-street shops, plus her beauty and grooming tricks — all in one handy book.

Johnny Depp's extraordinary journey has taken him from schoolboy misfit and bad-boy celebrity to compelling Oscar(R)-nominated actor and family man whose films have grossed over $4.7 billion worldwide. This lavish celebration of his art and life is fully updated to include Depp's most recent roles: the demon barber of Fleet Street in Sweeney Todd, his further outings as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of the most popular novelists in the English language and her work is more popular today than ever before. The wit and romance of her writing captivate television and cinema audiences worldwide, while boosting the readership of the novels themselves. In an age when attention spans are low and fast, furious action drama overwhelms television and movie audiences, the sheer romance of Jane Austen adaptations has continued to prove itself at awards ceremonies. But who was Jane Austen and what sort of world did she inhabit? Maggie Lane, a respected Austen authority and a committee member of the Jane Austen Society, takes a look at the historical and social period in which Jane Austen was writing a time when England was developing into a colonial power, while George III sank into madness and the Regency took hold. Elsewhere, the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars raged and the New World was developing.

«Has cooking become an art form? One can claim without exaggeration that the Catalan chef Ferran Adria is one of the most lauded culinary masters on the planet and his restaurant, El Bulli, was consistently rated as the best in the world. In July 2011, Adria closed El Bulli in order to revolutionize not the art of cooking but his art of cooking, with plans to open a creativity centre for chefs and launch LaBullipedia — «a Western haute cuisine Wikipedia at the service of information but also creativity». With superb photographs by Francesc Guillamet, the book evocatively pictures the experimental culinary creations of Ferran Adria, artist-chef.»