My Happy List { № 6 } : Pamper Time

Tensions are running high, tempers are fraying and my mental state isn't as it should be after the crazy few weeks I've had at work (and a night out on a school night last night..); in approximately one hour I'll commence my night-in with a pot of my current favourite tea blend, a fresh Diptyque candle and a ton of lovely treatments to restore my hungover, dehydrated and cold-weather-beaten skin into something hopefully slightly more attractive: hair-masks, manicures and pedicures, exfoliating scrubs and a rich slathering of body butter - sometimes a little DIY TLC is all you need to pull yourself around... 

I'll get around to popping up a post on my favourite products for these lovely little nights in but not today, I'm too busy rushing through a mountain of work so I can get started! What are your fail-safe pampering rituals? rachelle xo

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

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

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 

My Happy List { № 4 } : Finding the Perfect Cup of Tea

A delicate, pretty cup with floral patterns or quirky prints (always with a matching saucer) filled anything from my favourite Ladurée teas; china tea scented with violet and orange blossom or their signature blend scented with vanilla, rose, orange blossom and cinnamon  to the supermarket-available Clipper green, herbal and fruit teas - an afternoon cup of tea at the desk, on the sofa or while catching up with friends is another daily micro-pleasure of mine. Even better when served with macaroons, but that's another post for another day...

Whats your favourite tea? rachelle xo

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

the first coffee  |  morning cuddles  |  a thick stack of magazines  |  a good manicure 

My Happy List { № 3 } : A Good Manicure

one fail-safe, quick, easy and cheap way to give both your mood and appearance a quick lift is to indulge a little 'me time' with a manicure. You don't need to spend £30 in the salon having freakish false talons applied (eurgh, pet hate of mine..), just set aside either ten minutes to throw on a coat or two of colour and a top coat; or really treat yourself to a hand massage, show those cuticles some attention and get creative with one of my favourites - a glitter ombre manicure or the effective ring-finger-mani.

Either way, I'm sure every female feels more glamorous, polished and pulled-together when she has beautifully cared for, glossy nails. rachelle xo

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

the first coffee  |  morning cuddles  |  a thick stack of magazines 

My Happy List { № 3 } : A Thick Stack of Magazines

Whenever I get the afternoon, evening, or even an early hour on weekend mornings, I always reach for a huge pile of thick, glossy fashion and glamour-filled magazines. Not only are they inspiring for both my wardrobe & blog, I completely lose myself in the shiny pages pouring over new season pieces and interesting articles. Must-reads; Vogue, ELLE, Harpers Baazar, W, Muse, Nylon, Love and anything else I stumble upon.. I've tried getting a weekly fix from the likes of Grazia and Look but always feel cheated and unsated... What are your favourite magazines? rachel xo

My Happy List { № 2 } : Morning Cuddles

. . . there are few greater pleasures in life than snuggling up on a weekend morning with the boy, the pooch and your first cup of coffee. Just lying there, nowhere to be, nothing to do but relax and enjoy eachothers company in the morning sunlight from the comfort of crisp white sheets. Perfection. rachel xo

My Happy List { № 1 } : The First Coffee

. . . The other week, stressed out beyond comprehension & working sixty hours per week, I realised how important it is to appreciate the things in life that make you happy - no matter how big or small they may be. Mini-pleasures. The first cup of coffee of the morning; a hot, strong, steaming cup served from a beautiful French press into a (always) white mug is always a glorious start to the day, no matter what else you have planned. Inexpensive glamour, the small luxuries in life allow you to live it up for a matter of pence. rachel xo