Book Review: Hot Glue Gun Mess by Mr. Kate (Kate Albrecht)

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge,from William Morrow, via Edelweiss, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it

Synopsis:

hugely popular lifestyle blogger, YouTube star, and designer Mr. Kate (Kate Albrecht) offers a stunning collection of step-by-step personal style and home projects—woven in with quirkily hilarious stories and anecdotes.

Do you dream of finding ways to infuse do-it-yourself projects into every aspect of your life and have fun doing it? From the quirky personality behind the Mr. Kate brand comes a not-so-average DIY lifestyle book that will make your dreams of creating unique how-to projects become reality.

Filled with 50 unique and approachable projects, along with hysterical, unfiltered stories from Mr. Kate’s crazy life, A Hot Glue Gun Mess will show how life can inspire art. Growing up with a high-powered Hollywood father and an oddball, down-to-earth mother, Kate Albrecht had a childhood that was anything but normal. From how her first period influenced her to become an artist to how her friendship with a high-priced hooker encouraged DIY beauty products, Mr. Kate’s stories are weird, wonderful, personal, inspiring, and downright hilarious.

Her love of self-expression inspired Mr. Kate to create her own DIY life and a social media platform to connect with young women everywhere. Her projects involve style, home design, and beauty, including DIY nail art techniques, upcycled projects for your old jeans , and watercolor curtains. You don’t have to be a seamstress, metal smith, or expert at anything to enjoy these projects, all of which are doable in under two hours and require a minimal number of supplies. Now you, too, can become a DIY diva!

Check out the Trailer:

Review:

Confession time- I have never read Kate's blog, but I have seen some of her YouTube videos and products, so I was interested in reading her book. It really is split 50/50 into a memoir and crafting book. Each chapter starts with the memory/episode (usually good for at least 2 snorts and a LOT of laughter-Kate holds NOTHING back- the episode on father's marriage to a schoolmate of her was hilarious) and ends with a craft, that ties into the story just told. the crafts are laid out pretty straightforward, and are for beginner to immediate crafters. Coeds and twenty somethings will probably be the core group who can really enjoy the book, as the crafts may be new to them, can help them with their first apartments and looking good on a budget. With back-to-school on the horizon, you might want to consider gifting a copy of this book with a 'tool box' of crafting supplies, as part of their departure gifts!

About the Author:

Kate Albrecht . AKA Mr. Kate, grew up in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County, surrounded by the silicon implants and inflated egos of Hollywood. Sheltered by her Waldorf education from Kindergarten through High School, a schooling system based on the philosophy of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner which emphasizes education through the nurturing of one's creativity, and wonder over grades and college preparation, Albrecht discovered the tools to look at life through a more creative lens. 

Recently named a Creative Innovator by Conde Nast, Albrecht is now the pint-size, curly-haired visionary behind the quirky and inspirational lifestyle brand Mr. Kate. Albrecht founded the company, with the slogan of "Why Not?" and the goal of inspiring others to discover their own unique sense of self and style. What started as a simple blog, YouTube channel and Etsy store has grown into an international brand with a global audience in the millions including a successful e-commerce platform with product lines designed by Kate herself, and worn by celebrities such as Beyonce, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Kylie Jenner, appearances on major television and print outlets including The Today Show, Access Hollywood, W-Magazine, Lucky, and Glamour, and brand and licensing deals with Fortune 500 companies such as Target, Pepsi and Macy's all looking to tap into Mr. Kate's creativity and influence. Albrecht lives in Los Angeles with her husband and business partner Joey Zehr and their two fur babies.