{the rachelle lust list : 7th january 2013)

Well, its been a while. A month in fact since I last shared my lusts for the week, during which things have undergone a massive shift-focus from sparkly festive nails and Christmas pyjamas - all of a sudden we're in the depths of the dark nights of January with no Christmas, festive cocktails or NYE to think about.. all we have to look forward to is the rest of this new year. Wow. So many possibilities ahead; many within my wardrobe. I'm already compiling my new-season wish-list (yes, really) and these beauties have caught my eye this week..

s e v e n t h  o f  j a n u a r y . . .

1. During December I lost my midi-virginity and I'm craving more. The longer cut allows skin-tight dresses to be flattering, sexy and subtle. This black number is a River Island bargain at a mere £22 - I can already picture it filling a void in my day-to-day wardrobe.

2. Essie Bahama Mama was a Christmas present from my Mum and in two weeks I've found myself applying it to my digits and toes three times already! The perfect dark plum shade for my already extensive black/deep red/plum nail collection. 

3. A baby pink coat is probably not an essential, neither do I expect it to last the test of time - but there's something so Jil Sander I want it anyway. River Island, £80.

A New Month: Happy December..

"I thought that maybe we could make ginger bread houses, and eat cookie dough, and go ice skating, and even maybe hold hands!"

~ Buddy the Elf.

You know when its December when ten minutes of your morning each day is taken by scraping the ice from the windscreen of your car, each day sees you wrapped in more and more layers, your eyes are constantly on the look out for perfect Christmas presents and that perfect New Years dress, Saturdays are spent shopping for other people, Sundays wandering around Christmas markets with a coffee in one hand and glass of mulled wine in the other, there are too many parties to attend than there are nights in the calendar and of course - sharing your Hotel Chocolat Truffles for Two advent calendar with the boy...

The Rachelle Edit: The New Essentials | Sexy Knits

Knitwear has long been a cold-weather-essential in all of our wardrobes; but this season its been given a sexy lift - thin sheer wool, sequin details, flattering stripes and bejewelled accents make the traditional jumper a little more sexy.

Besides pairing simply with your underwear to lounge around the house (or garden in this editorial with the stunning Kendra Spears..), I love teaming statement knitwear with your favourite comfy 'boyfriend' jeans and nude heels, a hip-length sweater over a mini-dress in a similar hue is entirely chic, or throwing a cosy cashmere knit over one of Dolce & Gabannas silk baroque printed silk trousers or skirts makes the perfect winter day-to-night look.

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: 23rd October 2012

I'm writing this from what can be described as just about my death bed, with a horrendous case of cold. Rather than filling this weeks lust list with all manner of drugs aimed to nurse me back to health, I'll dream of the material goods that offer similar effects... 1. I'd give my right arm to snuggle up in this modern classic French Connection faux fur jacket (£350), the shape is so chic and different to all the other bulky fur numbers I own, and the nude colour is winter perfection. 2. I've been cursed with painfully skinny fingers, which some mightn't think is an issue - until you attempt to buy high-street rings. River Island are the only store I've found to cater for my measly digits, with good colour staying power. This claw is so Rachelle, and only a fiver. 3. All Saints always pull out some incredible embellished numbers in time for Christmas parties, this is my favourite to be released so far (£295), the intricate beading and subtle cut out is amazing. It does weigh about the same as I do, but who said fashion wasn't painful? 4. Shoe Porn always cheers me up, especially when its in the form of Swarovski embellished Jimmy Choo sandals (£1,295). There are no words. mentally adding to my ever-expanding christmas list... 5. Until the aforementioned beauties become mine, I'll make do with my sparkles in the form of this stunning grey-glitter Topshop nail varnish in Panther (£6.50). 6. More 'Choo porn to sate my current texture fetish, the Teazer Feather Sandals (£695) are equally as lust-worthy. These could work in SO many different ways. 7. I've tried and loved the original Crème de la Mer moisturising cream, but heard even better things about the new 'soft cream' version (£190). This is exactly what my dull, cold-ridden and red face needs. 8. Another day, another textured jumper (Topshop - £46) - I think this is another Topshop re-release from Winter 2011, I need this in my wardrobe for lazy days where I throw on all black, jazzed up with a ton of different textures. 9. Not really sure what the boy was thinking when he turned up with this Mimi Holliday by Damaris Lace Body to ease my cold, but it certainly has made me feel ten times sexier, its undoubtedly one of my favourite lingerie brands - the lace is exquisite. rachelle xo

The Rachelle Edit: Winning Style

The biggest event of the sporting calendar is all over the country; its time to get inspired to exercise those asses into shape, looking good whilst getting fit. Or, you could take a leaf from my own book & hang around in the gym bar, at least looking the part. . .

Markus Lupfer Sequin Sweater (£260) - Rag & Bone Cut Off Shorts (£120) - Jimmy Choo Glitter Sneakers (£325) - Illesteva Round Sunglasses (£180) - Jerome Dreyfuss Carlos Leather Tote (£880) - Haute Hippie Leather Shorts (£355) - Zoe Karssen Vest (£50) - Aubin & Wills Printed Cotton Sweater (£70) - Miu Miu Studded Suede Sneakers (£310) - Jil Sander Metallic Leather Clutch (£350) - Alexander Wang Aviator Sunglasses (£260) - Markus Lupfer Rosette Sequin Cotton Tee (£125) - Adidas by Stella McCartney Printed Showerproof Cape (£100).

p r e v i o u s  e d i t s  . . .

kiss-worthy accessories  |  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

What to Wear: Summer Holiday | Kenya

Holidays in Kenya offer a truly diverse experience. Soft, white sandy beaches await you as do the warm blue seas of the Indian Ocean. It's not all about relaxing here though. Kenya is a melting pot of culture, scenery, and of course, wild animals. 

Whether you plan on relaxing on the shores of the ocean, wandering through the Italian-style boutiques and markets of Malindi or spending your time on safari amongst the local wildlife, I have your wardrobe covered.

This printed Derek Lam maxi dress (£1,910) channels African style, in tan-complementing shades. Team it with Yves Saint Laurent Tributes (£565) in the same hue, some gold jewellery, I love this Alex Monroe bracelet (£140) and a contemporary Jimmy Choo clutch (£995) & you're good to go from dinner and cocktails, to trips absorbing the colourful culture (although, perhaps you should stuff some more comfortable sandals in the oversized clutch...).

What to Wear: Summer Holiday | Getting There

Welcome to the first in series of a special What to Wear feature; for fashion and shopping inspiration to help compile your own suitcase-full of holiday attire carefully selected to suit your destination from a selection of my favourite locations.

Lets start at the very beginning. A very good place to start. Getting there. Comfort and layering are key and easy to pull off without compromising on your personal style, va-va-voom and oh-la-laaa. To go beyond the beginning, and see how to pack, I've already posted a guide to help you.

Comfy cottons are my arses best friend when travelling. These Seven for All Mankind Chinos are comfortable, stylish, dark in colour to hide early-morning-wine-with-breakfast-stains (lets face it, you're not going to last all day in squeaky clean condition). Team with a simple, pretty cotton tee like this Vince Jersey and the crucial layering piece - a jacket (preferably a gorgeous suede Acne number) - to see you from cold departure, to stuffy departure lounge, to cool plane, to red hot destination. The 3.1 Philip Lim Leather Tote is big enough to hold some comfy slipper-style flats in once the Acne Sandals have seen you through the people watchers at duty-free.