Saturday, 30 June 2012

The Rachelle Edit: Fifty Shades of Fashion

It appears the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy has taken over the world. No exaggeration. Women who scarcely even pick up a book are raiding not only the shelves in Waterstones, but apparently DIY stores for rope and neck ties... I'm still toying with the idea of whether to pick up a copy & see exactly what the hype is, yet I've heard so many times its poorly written and thankfully, I don't need any encouragement to splash out on sexy undergarments!

Friday, 29 June 2012

What to Wear: Summer Holiday | Jamaica

Holidays in Jamaica are all about sun, sea and serious relaxation. The white beaches are some of the best to be found in the Caribbean and the relaxed vibe will have you transported to another frame of mind the very second you inhale that hot balmy air.
To me, Jamaican holidays are made with couples in mind and there are a ton of beautiful romantic beach side hotels ready to cater for you and your beau in every possible way. The high-fashion-girl-holiday outfits can take a back seat here and wear exactly what your comfortable in, not forgetting those sexy numbers to make your stay that much more special.

There's nowehere like the Caribbean to top up your tan. And theres no time like when you're resembling a stick of mahogany to wear bright coral. Or gold. Or both together. Take advantage of the massive UV12 rating and bake in this coral Toni Praver Ruffled Bikini (Top £105 & Bottoms £90)  teamed with all the gold accessories you can lay your hands on. This Yves Saint Laurent Arty Ring (£180) and Kenneth Jay Lane Bracelets (£105) look amazing on bronzed arms. Who can resist these Yves Saint Laurent Wedges, especially when theyre discounted from £805 to £362?... Aviators are perfect not just for holidays, but for terrace drinks on sunny London afternoons and I swear you'll wear them for years - I've had my Ray Ban pair for about four years. The lenses on these Victoria Beckham Shades are amazing (£495).

Thursday, 28 June 2012

Table for Two: Peach Collins

One of our go-to recipes for summer evening cocktails is the incredibly sweet and simple Peach Collins. A play on the traditional Tom Collins, this drink calls for only a few ingredients and takes just seconds to prepare.
 y o u ' l l  n e e d  . . .

  • 1/4 Cup of Simple Syrup
  • 1/4 Cup of Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 Cup of Chopped Ripe Peaches
  • 1/2 Cup of Peach Flavoured Vodka
  • 1/2 Cup of Soda Water (or Lemonade if you like it super-sweet)
  • 2 x Peach Slices

Inside Her Handbag: Sophie Qureshi

Sophie Qureshi is Beauty Director at Company magazine, where she produced a section full of the latest beauty trends. Her shoots for the magazine take place all over the world, she has interviewed everyone from Kate Moss to Jennifer Lopez on their beauty secrets. 
 i n s i d e  s o p h i e ' s  h a n d b a g  . . .
Estee Lauder 'Advanced Night Repair' Synchronised Recovery ComplexThis just seems to work for my skin, and once you find something that works you stick with it! I always use it after flying to rehydrate my skin. (£45 for 50ml).
Bvlgari Jasmin NoirI like this because it's not too overpowering, perfect for wearing during the day when you don't need something heavy. The purse-size spray is so handy and doesn't create extra weight in my handbag. (£48.45).
Caudalie Beauty ElixirMy Secret weapon to fight against our office's stuffy central heating. I spritz this on as often as I remember to refresh and brighten my skin (£9.90 for 30ml).
Aveda Stress Fix ConcentrateI always keep this on my desk and roll it on my wrists when things get frantic in the office. I find it helps me keep calm and remember to take a break every now and again (£21).
Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Brownberry - I'm a huge fan of these because they give a hint of a colour but aren't too shiny or sticky like so many other glosses. (£18.50).
MAC Lip Conditiner (Tube) - This is one of my go-to lip balms, it's really hydrating and smells good too. It has a thin and feather-like consistency which I love. (£11).

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Inspired Interior: Sarah Davison

I'm obsessed with these pictures I've found of this apartment designed by Sarah Davison. The neutral sofa and Harry Bertoia diamond chair mixed with ethnic pieces like the ikat pillows and Moroccan chandelier keep the neutral space looking young and fresh. The elecletic mix of old and new compliments the architexture but makes it feel incredibly current. Renters - take note, this is how you decorate with white walls.

Spotlight On: Richard Nicholl for Topshop | Tie the Knot

 
In April, the very exciting news that Richard Nicholl & Topshop were to collaborate for both of the fashion giants first step into bridal attire, aptly named 'Tie the Knot'. Pictures were released on the 29th May and I am so excited to see the arrival of the dresses, expected throughout the last few days of June.
It seems even the single ladies are obsessed with this collection and I certainly don't think these designs are limited to the church altar. Whilst they would make a beautiful contemporary wedding dress, they can also work for countless formal summer occasions.

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

Five Favourites: Summer Nails

I'm well aware I've broken my 'five' favourites rule. Again. Its too hard for a beauty junkie/obsessive/addict to choose between beauty products, its like selecting a favourite child. Typically, I shy from wearing bright colours on my fingernails. I find dark shades; plums, blacks, verrrrrry dark reds or neutral taupes and pinks tend to look far more classic and sophisticated than a bright colour on the talons. My toes, however, are the opposite. Dark colours give me diseased-looking tootsies, whereas a bright flash of varnish through open-toed sandals are so chic. My favourite toe-nail varnishes;
Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture in Corail Colisee (£18). Butter London Cantaloupe Nail Polish in Trout Pout (£14). Essie Nail Polish in Mint Candy Apple (£9.50). Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Caress (£14). Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture in Rose Futuriste (£18). Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Lament (£14).

 b a c k s t a g e  s e c r e t s  . . .
Treat your feet like a model treats theirs - as their face. Cleanse them at least once a day, applying moisturiser straight afterwards and just before bed. Exfoliate them once a week, and use a deep conditioning lotion or butter at least once week to keep them Celine-sandal ready.

Rachel x

Monday, 25 June 2012

Give Away: Marlies Dekkers | and the winner is . . .

For most, Mondays don't tend to be massive in the means of celebrations. Not this week, my lovelies. Two weeks and many, many entries later the entries have been counted; the winners selected randomly from random.org and I am delighted to announce my three beautiful winners as . . . 

Lust List - 25th June 2012

I parted with a mere £5 for this Models Own nail varnish after seeing it on the beautiful Charlottes nails and the inner magpie in me fell in love. So sparkly & pretty - if you follow me on twitter you'll have already heard me declaring my infatuation. When scouring the internet for the perfect shades for the What to Wear: Summer Holiday | Miami feature I stumbles across these amazing Valentino shades. Not cheap at £175, but the shape is too perfect. I adored the floral Dolce & Gabanna jeans released earlier this year & these Zara TRF version are amazing value at £29.99. This Jil Sander leather tote has been massively reduced in the Net a Porter sale from £1370 to £685, a little bird tells me they're selling out quick, so act fast! I bought this Topshop lace back peplum top (£28) last weekend to wear for drinks that evening, and received SO many compliments. The shape is so sexy and feminine, and I'm a sucker for anything with a lace back. Perfection. I've been dabbling around in a few new bronzers, but always find myself coming back to Laguna by NARS (£25). Another old favourite I'll always come back to, is MAC frosted lipstick in Angel (£13.50), my favourite pink shade - especially in the summer months on a bronzed face. Zara has done it again - made me fall for yet another pair of shoes (£59.99). My bank balance is really beginning to suffer...

What have you been loving/lusting after this week?

Rachel x

Sunday, 24 June 2012

The Rachelle Edit: Resort 2013 | Proenza Schouler vs Valentino

Another two of my favourite collections to emerge from the Resort 2013 shoots came from Proenza Schouler and Valentino. Each keeping to their houses typical style; strong colours and shapes from Proenza, and romantic dresses finished with pretty pastels and plenty of lace from Valentino.

Saturday, 23 June 2012

Happy Weekend: Monochrome Details

 What more perfect & leisurely start to the weekend could I ask for than to spend Saturday morning in bed with a French press full of hot, strong coffee and some croissants; selecting my favourite inspiring images I've collected over the past week to share with you in Happy Weekend posts.

Shoe Porn: Lanvin SS12

Lanvin has always been about the dress. Yet, this season, Elbaz tackled separates in the form of beautiful, powerful tops and bottoms - not to mention shoes. The shoes.
The slits and cut-out features of the dresses were mirrored and complemented in the cut-out proportions of the shoes. Fierce heels, sexy platforms and slingbacks create the perfect evening heel.

Friday, 22 June 2012

What to Wear: Summer Holiday | Miami

The most fashionable destination in Florida - Miami. The white sandy beaches, all-nighter-nightlife, cool rooftop pool bars and amazing restaurants make the ideal summer holiday destination.

Pink & red is definitely a "yes", in my book - especially in Miami. The retro style Zimmerman Svannah one-piece swimsuit (£250) is the perfect mix of the two hues for these unreal Christian Louboutin wedges (£545). Too good for the pool? Trust me, with the pool bars in Miami, you wont be swimming. Cover up with a sheer Diane von Furstenberg silk blouse (£122.50) and hide those hungover peepers with even-more-retro Miu Miu glitter cat-eye sunglasses (£225). The only thing left to consider is a slick of Nars sheer lipstick in Roman Holiday (£17.50).


Thursday, 21 June 2012

Backstage Beauty: Diane von Furstenberg SS12

A few pops of colour in the form of statement lips were obvious at the likes of Prabal Gurung & Jason Wu, yet besides the usual suspects, there has undoubtedly been a more muted makeup trend for spring - the tonal palette. The process requires the complementary and contrasting neutral shades with both cool and warm undertones - demonstrated perfectly at Diane von Furstenberg.
Makeup artist, James Kaliardos smudged about ten different shades of MAC's versatile Cream Colour Base  (£14.50) on a plastic plate/mixing tray to create custom blend pigments to suit each models skin tone. Inspired by "modern Africa", Kaliardos sculpted cheeks & with colours slightly darker than each girls complexion and added dimension to eyes by building in a lighter centre and inner corner area. 

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

Take Me Away: Bangkok

Bangkok, the cultural & commercial centre of Thailand, is a fascinating mix of the traditionally old and thoroughly modern. A mixture of ancient traditions and glorious temples are juxtaposed with heavy traffic, honking horns and the constant stream of people walking, talking and cooking on the pavements the city has a magical and highly charged atmosphere.
There's much more to the city than traffic and street-food, see the sights from a long-tailed boat on the Chao Phraya River or dine alfresco on the 60th floor of a five star hotel and admire the panorama from above.
 w h e r e  t o   s t a y . . .

In a country where attention to detail is everything, it pays to make the most of luxurious Thai design, the incredible hospitality and beautiful surroundings. Orchids, Oversized vases, Flickering tea lights and stylish 
exotic hardwood furniture are just a few of the little touches that make all the difference in Bangkok’s hotels. 
The Banyan Tree in Silom Sathorn is a luxe sanctuary of peace. All the rooms are beautifully decorated with sumptuous silks and teak wood, the service is immaculate and the rooftop pool has a jaw-dropping skyline view. Upgrade to a club-room and you get the benefit of plenty of great freebies and are treated like absolute royalty.
Right next door, you’ll find the slinky Sukhothai , where more luxury awaits. The hotel blends East and West, tradition and modernity perfectly – from its pristine interiors to the beautiful Jim Thompson silks and the calming water features of the gardens.