{the rachelle edit : summer workwear}

In the summer, workwear transforms into the simplest of task of the day - throw on a sleek shift dress, accessorised with a classic handbag and sophisticated heels before upping the glamour accordingly with cat-eye sunglasses and statement jewellery.

Temperatures may only be heating up slowly (but surely) and I'm already ditching heavy blazers and tights for something that screams summer in New York City. Even if I am just in England. Does it detract from the glamour if I admit that rain has begun hammering at my office window since starting this post?...

g e t  t h e  l o o k . . .

Gucci leather dress | Charlotte Olympia Heeled Pumps | Vintage Hermes Kelly Bag |Vintage Cat-Eye Sunglasses

My Happy List { № 5 } : Wearing Heels

"When a woman buys a pair of shoes, she never looks at the shoe.She stands up and looks in the mirror, she looks at the breast, the ass, from the front, from the side, blah blah blah. If she likes herself, then she considers the shoe." - Christian Louboutin.

Show me a girl who doesn't love a sky-high, sexy, womanly shoe? I'm scarcely seen wearing anything else. Ever. Wearing high heels make you stand so that your legs look slimmer, your stomach is flatter, and your femininity is unstoppable. It does wonders for your stride and simply just makes everything look better. In my eyes - the higher the heel, the better you feel! First port of call for new shooz is always; Christian Louboutin, Nicholas Kirkwood, Charlotte Olympia and of course Jimmy Choo (I could go on, trust me..) and Kurt Geiger, Topshop, River Island, Zara and Office always deliver when looking to spend a little less! What are your favourite shoes? rachelle xo

r a c h e l l e ' s h a p p y l i s t . . .

finding the perfect cup of tea  |  the first coffee  |  morning cuddles  |  a thick stack of magazines  |  a good manicure 

The Rachelle Lust List: 5th November 2012

1. After we've had Halloween, the boys birthday and bonfire night out of the way; its a green light for me to go Christmas crazy. I love the run up from now until the 25th December, the boy knows me too well and bought me this super-sweet Smythson Christmas Organiser, dying over it. 2. The boy & I went to see The Killers perform last night, wow. Their Day & Age tour was our first date; it was amazing to go back and relive the magic of Brandon Flowers, the beautiful, perfect little man. Give their new album, Battleborn, a listen, its seriously good. 3. Christmas jumpers have always held a special place in my heart, who could resist when Preen makes them look so good?! (£595). 4. I picked up this cute skater dress from Topshop (£40) to wear to the gig, but -1 degree temperatures in Newcastle made me think twice, but I'm definetley keeping this little rock-chic number and already planning this weekend around it... 5. Another Topshop winner, these shoes (£62) are soo Charlotte Olympia, but around £800 cheaper. Score. 6 & 7. Like every girl on the planet, I'm going crazy over the new season Chanel nail varnishes, in particular Vertigo, which is 100% me, and Frenzy which is just the most perfect milky, flattering nude. I dont know how Chanel always do it, but they do! (£18 each). 8. This time of year is made for snuggly, cosy, maybe slightly sexy nights in and this Eberjey lace-trimmed teddy (£68) is perfect for said occasion. 9. Quirky jewellery storage that looks as good on the dresser as it is useful is always a winner, this ASOS Stag Jewellery Holder (£20) is perfect for the job, and would make an excellent gift for that friend who has everything. 10. The inner 6-year-old-girl/magpie within me is going crazy for these Miu Miu Glitter Leather Chelsea Boots (£495), styled with dressed down skinnies or jersey skirts.. neeed. 11. I read the beautiful Kayleighs review of the YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick (£23.50) in the most amazing pink, 'Rose Caresse' and need it in my life. The rose pink is the shade missing from my lipstick collection, this will probably be getting picked up on my lunch hour... rachelle xo

What to Wear: Fantasy Fashion Week

You'd have to be living under a rock (or, in Thailand with very limited internet access... ahem) to not know the international fashion shows are upon us, showing each fashion houses new season collection. When browsing through American fashion blog, Refinery 29, I spied the fashion editors 'fantasy fashion week' outfits, and for the first time, may have slightly regretted the time frame chosen for a holiday... I want to go to NYFW!

"I'm currently big into bold prints and this skirt-and-glitz combo is high-impact without being too over the top. I'm not usually a sparkles girl but hey, it's Fashion Week." Bottega Veneta Grosgrain-trimmed Silk-Blend Chiffon Blouse at Net-A-Porter , House of Lavane Vintage Diamante Necklace at House Of Lavande,Givenchy Patchwork Skirt at Kirna Zabet, Charlotte Olympia Masquerade Heels from Footcandy, Edie Parker Jean clutch at Rosear.

What to Wear: Fit & Flare Dresses

I've previously declared my love for Victoria Beckham (perhaps more than once...), as far as I'm concerned - everything she touches, turns to gold. For example, flared dressed. Obsessed, would be an understatement, for my infatuation with this new dress-shape, the best of course produced by Mrs B herself.

Taking the tonal palette to the next level, I'm clinging onto this fresh neutral look for to see me through to the end of summer. The beautiful dress needs no further desciption, the Victoria by Victoria Beckham is a snip at  her main-line prices, but still hurts the bank balance at £740.Go matchy-matchy in Alexander McQueen pale-pink pumps (£440) and an oversized Mulberry Alexa (£925) and, why not, matching nails by Essie in the nude hue, Mademoiselle. Gold jewellery is always a must have, I wear this Michael Kors watch (£250) & Alexander McQueen bracelet just about every single day.

The Rachelle Edit: Kiss-Worthy Accessories

Fashion has a never-ending love affair with a sexy red lip - perfectly chic in so many occasions. Designers, in particular fashion houses like Marc Jacobs, Lulu Guinness & Charlotte Olympia have been emblazoning a big red kiss on everything from trousers to tee's, phone-covers to pumps.

Lulu Guinness Red Nappa Leather Handbag (£395) - Charlotte Olympia Bisoux Suede & Calf Hair Loafers (£485) - Charlotte Olympia Kiss Me Dolores Shoes (£675) - Lulu Guinness Red Reptile Snakeskin Clutch (£275) - Marc by Marc Jacobs iPhone Case (£27) - Lulu Guinness Red Lips Birdcage Umbrella (£28) - Charlotte Olympia Big Kiss Bag, as previously seen here.

p r e v i o u s  e d i t s  . . .

jil sander fall 2012  |  nineties: the new vintage  |  fifty shades of fashion  |  resort 2013: proenza schouler vs valentino  |  resort 2013: chloe vs erdem  |  summer sorbet  |  laid-back sundays  |  summer shoes at zara  |  zadig & voltaire  |  ibiza: sunlounger to superclub

rachel xo

Lust List - 16th July 2012

1. Thanks to the August edition of Harpers Bazaar, I got a full sized 75ml sample of Neom Organics Complete Bliss Moroccan Blush Rose Hand Cream (£20). Wow. Beautifully moisturising, 83% organic and possibly my new favourite scent in the world, this has me craving more Neom products. 2. Charlotte Olympia has done it again with the pre-fall collection, expect further obsession to arrive onsite in the near future. I'm a firm believer in the 'why wear one ring when you can stack four?' philosophy. 3. These Pandora rings are top of my stacking list, from £40. 4. Half Baked Cakes = genius. If you aren't the most able cook, fool your friends by sticking one of these ready made beauties into the oven for £5, decorate it and greet the impressed girls with the waft of fresh baking. Mmmm. 5. As a gin lover, Bulldog (£22 at Waitrose) is definitely worth a try - even if it may just be for the beefy bottle alone... 6. Who doesnt love picnics? This beautiful hamper is picnic ready, and you can even personalise it with  names & dates (£139.99 at ToxicFox). 7. I've tried the Garnier Sunkissed Summer Body Milk in Dark (£3.55) two or three times over the last week & it is perfect for my current tanning needs. Expect a full review in the very near future. 8. Hiya, the new Hervé Léger shape. How amazing? This horrifically expensive (£2,175) beauty needs to be on my back for a summer wedding. Obsessed. 9. I'm a huge fan of Gucci by Gucci fragrance, its been my go-to daytime staple for about two years. I cant wait to try the new Gucci Première which blends notes of leather, wood and orange blossoms, it  arrives in Harrods towards the end of July (£64). rachel xo

What to Wear: Quirky Handbags

The 'mini trend' - see; clear plastic accessories, underwater prints, fetish and the like - all great in theory and on the pages of Vogue, are often too 'trendy' to incorporate in everyday life and become a real trend of the season. One mini-trend I'm finding myself seriously buying into are these quirky, printed small bags. Easier to wear than the fashionistas at Paris Couture Week (see the Prada number above) would like you to think, I've picked three favourites with simple outfits to flatter.

This 3.1 Philip Lim tote (£645) is one of the more bold bags knocking around designer stores this season, and without doubt the most novel item on my radar! I love the bag teamed with a simple, black outfit, I'm obsessed with this Burberry Prorsum Cut-Out Cashmere jumper (£895), teamed with a leather skirt like this McQ Alexander McQueen Circle Skirt (£645) you have instant effortless chic. The Valentino Studded ankle boots (£670) are just too perfect with this skirt to leave out, and a simple Mulberry Gold Plated cuff (£200) finishes the outfit.

In Stores This Week: 01/05/2012

I love the pastel trend as much as the next lady, however its lovely to see a variety of colours in clothing stores that arent just sugary-sweet-sorbets! I've selected my favourite eight garments new in stores this week available to buy, and wear, now.

From Left -

Zara Sandals £29.99 - Perfection in an incredibly cheap summer shoe. Ideal for giving summer dresses that edge.

Charlotte Olympia Love Dolly Twill & Calf Hair Pumps £620 Available at Net a Porter - I'm not a lover of white or cream shoes, more of a nude girl, yet I have at least six dresses I can name in my wardrobe that NEED these shoes.

Topshop Yellow Scuba Dress £46 - More neon in the flesh than pastel, the racer back shape is incredibly flattering.

Miss Selfridge Aztec Embellished Cut Out Dress £80 - Bargain of the week! Beautiful cut, pattern, colour.. What isnt to love? Cant see this one hanging around long, act fast!

Vera Wang Stretch Chiffon Maxi £1300 - Splurge of the week! Intricate print, a peplum skirt and terribly sexy front slit, if you have anywhere special to be this week, this is the dress to be there in.

Topshop Cream Box Fringe Bag £30 - I'm always on the hunt for an evening alternative to a clutch, this fits the bill perfectly, the fringes add the extra 'wow'!

Topshop Cream Biker Jacket £80 - I love the draped, collar-less front, ideal colour to lighten up transeasonal items.

Zara Floral Printed Skinny Jeans £29.99 - An pretty exact replica of those D&G beauties, just £300 lighter! Love!

Whats on your wishlists this week?

Rachel x