{the rachelle lust list : 29th january 2013}

After last weeks somewhat sparse Lust List, I'm back in full force this week, with a list of wants as long as my boyfriends 6'4" frame. . . 

t h e  t w en t y n i n t h  o f  j a n u a r y . . .

1. Rosé champagne is one of the things that makes me happiest in life, it may be a little OTT but my inner-super-girly-girl loves this Piper-Heidsieck (£44.95 at Selfridges) bottle.

2. A leather-sleeved jacket of some description has become somewhat of a wardrobe essential these days, All Saints have nailed the look with this draped cardigan, which will be so versatile as the weather (hopefully) warms up a little, £228.

3. Another beauty from the spring All Saints collection is this little slip dress, if you don't have one I highly recommend this - you wont stop using it as a base to layer upon come any season, £60.

4. Blame the rosé champagne but this lipstick pink Topshop blazer has me all flustered, if you've read my blog for a while you'll know I adore a statement jacket to add some much needed life to a basic ensemble (see black leather trousers and an Alexander Wang T jersey.. ahem, my daily uniform..) - I really need this jacket in my life - the fabric and cut look so much more expensive than the £40 price tag.

Lust List - 3rd September 2012

1. I love a good contrasting sleeve, and cannot stop thinking about this Donna Karan cardi with leather sleeves, shame about the £1,395 price tag... There's a great Zara coat alternative (of which I annoyingly cant find a link to online) which I'll surely be picking up one in the not too distant future... 2. The Mulberry Del Rey has been in stores a while now, but today the catwalk Croc skin version hits stores, I LOVE. Trust me, its sooo much better in person. 3. The much-anticipated Rosie Huntington-Whiteley for M&S underwear range landed in stores last Thursday, I love the vintage inspired range. I picked up this pale grey set, which is beautiful and so different to anything I have. Super sexy in a super subtle way. I'm wearing it now, including the suspenders (ooooh), but I'll stop there before we change the blog theme completely... 4. Jo Malone London's latest fragrance, Blackberry & Bay, hits stores this month. I've been wearing the fresh and fruity cologne for a few weeks and I really love it. 5. I need this Temperley for Filofax organiser in my life. I'm an organisation lunatic, and this beauty takes stationery-chic to the next level! 6. Simple, classic, flattering - this £28 bargain from Topshop is fastly taking place as a very important bone in my wardrobe. 7. There are no words I can use to describe the perfection that are these Isabel Marant Lazio Wedge Boots (£730). No one makes casual boots like Marant. Get on my feet. 8. I personally think Topshop do some of the best high street knitwear, I love these Knitted Clean Rib Jumpers (£48) in the pastel shades, particularly this amazing 'Wedgewood' blue. rachel xo

What to Wear: Boyfriend Jeans

Its no secret that I'm not a huge denim wearer. I have two faithful pairs I rely on for those 'I don't know what to wear days'. But, the trans-seasonal factor of a good boyfriend jean cannot be dismissed, ladies. I've put my style-knowledge to the test and put together three 'casual' boyfriend jeans looks together with, of course, the glamorous Rachelle-reader edge.

A glamorous shaggy fur gilet (Michael Kors £820) is far more my style than a pair of jeans, but who says they cant work together? This Current/Elliot pair (£215) pass the ankle length (rule numero uno: show at least three inches of ankle to keep the look sexy) and are slim enough to wear with this baggy Acne tee (£70)  without looking drowned. I could never wear jeans without heels, especially boyfriend jeans, because simply - well, I'd feel like a boy. These burgundy Versus suede pumps (£345) teamed with the highly sought after new Mulberry tassel studded leather satchel (£995) add another dimension to the outfit.

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.

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.

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.

Lately: Via Instagram | My Birthday

I was lucky enough to have the most fabulous birthday weekend! Alongside my favourite perfume, caramel cupcakes, 'the worlds best "Chase" vodka', and a handful of make up products I'd my eye on for a while I was completley spoilt with a new laptop and a Mulberry Daria purse!

My Mum made me a chocolate & cream cake (which tastes alot better than the instagram picture makes it look!), my friend made me a four layer raspberry sponge cake alongside those ten cupcakes & chocolates - I'm sure to be piling on the pounds as I work my way through that lot! For the party the boy & I made Strawberry Mojotos and good 'ol cosmopolitans for the arrival of our guests in unfortunatley rather garish green jugs as some unbeknown monster (ahem, my Aunt) borrowed the decent glassware... 

I had an amazing weekend & feel truly blessed with all of my friends & family, thank you to everyone for th birthday wishes.

Rachel x

What to Wear: Sheer Delights

Although it has been making an appearance for seasons now, the catwalks have never been as dominated by sheer pieces as at the SS12 shows. One part provocative, one part ultra sophisticated - I adore sheer garments.

I find one of the easiest ways to tap into the sheer look, is with semi-sheer top. This pussy-bowed beauty from French Connection (£57) is ideal. I love to toughen up a soft, pretty look (sheer AND bows?!) with an edgy look - any skinny leather or leather effect trousers contrast so well against the white chiffon, I love these Helmut Lang rinsed leather skinny trousers (£400). The shoes, the shoes, the shoes. Oscar De La Renta Marlene Leather Pumps (£615) don't come cheap, but from the pointed toes to the monochome colouring, are perfect for this look. I'm fortunate enough to have my very own Mulberry Taylor Satchel and one of my favourite ways to wear it is with shiny leather, the brushed leather contrasts so beautifully.

What to Wear: Peplum Jackets

One of my favourite trends to emerge from the SS12 shows is without doubt, the peplum skirt. So feminine, the shape it gives the figure is sublime. Whilst we've all seen peplum skirts and dresses before, I feel the new trouser and jacket styles are incredibly fresh & current.

I've put together a few outfits combining both high-end with high-street, the main point of interest being the peplum jacket. Typically Rachelle style; I tend to pair peplum jackets or tops with slim trousers & fierce high heels to balance out the silhouette - too wide trousers would leave even the skinniest of size 6's looking like Roy Chubby Brown...

Tibi Striped Peplum Jacket Available at Net a Porter - £440. Black Topshop Leigh Skinny Jeans - £38. Zara Basic Sandal - £29.99. Mulberry Alexa Satchel in Black £750.

Acne Turner Raw Cotton Blend Peplum Jacket - £500. New Look Grey Skinny Jeans - £16. Kain White Cashmere & Cotton Blend Vest - £70. Givenchy Buckled Sandals - £660 - Available at Matches. Alexander Wang Iris Black Leather Bag - £695.

Preen Contrast Wool Twill Jacket - £1,170. Debenhams Neon Yellow Vest - £16. Stella McCartney Wool Twill Trousers with Ankle Zips - £395. Aldo Black Faux Leather Clutch Bag - £36. Bottega Veneta Black Suede & PVC Sandals - £445.

How would you wear a peplum jacket?

Rachel x