{the rachelle lust list : 23rd january 2013}

For once; my lust list isnt particularly extensive this week, I've my eye on a few pieces that I know will slide seamlessly into my everyday wardrobe, and I cant help but fall in love with beautiful (and horribly expensive) lingerie in anticipation of Valentines Day - but there are significantly less extravagant bells and whistles than usual, probably why I'm a little behind schedule on a Wednesday. . . 

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

1. J Crew are make the best chic and affordable separates - fact. I adore this breton-stripe jumper, always flattering, with the cute floral print collar, £100 at Net a Porter.

2. I couldnt talk about the sexiest of underwear and not talk about Agent Provocateur. The 'Love' range has been in their permanent line for what feels like years, so you know its good. At £150 for the pair - they dont come cheap, but nothing will make you feel better in the almost nude.. This range also comes in a few different colours, with suspenders and waspies also available.

3. The Spring All Saints collection is consistently a good one.  These two dresses (Black 'Jungle' Sweater Dress £125 & Pleated Silk 'Peony' Dress £175) are so wearable, I'm desperate to get my hands on them to throw on under a leather jacket and pair of Acne ankle boots on off-duty days.

{the rachelle lust list : 14th january 2013}

The only thing good about a Monday morning is the Rachelle Lust List, no? A collection of my new favourite things - even if it is a bikini in January; of which the best thing to come of the month is the re-release of the Cadburys Creme Egg.. 

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

1. One positive aspect of endless dull winter nights is being able to socially close your blinds at 4pm (the only other benefit is being able to car-sing-and-dance without inhibitions and curious looks from passing traffic) and begin burning candles in the fashion of a large church, my favourite scent at the moment is - of course - a Diptyque number, Ambre (£40 at John Lewis) Yum. 

2. Another River Island bikini to tempt me. I'm going to order this cut-out beauty and pretend I'm not sat at my desk shivering over a cup of green tea watching snow fall through the window. 

3. After about three weeks of use, I think I'm finally qualified to say I'm suitably impressed with Mac Prep & Prime 'Skin Base' primer. I have dry skin, yet my t-zone and chin often get incredibly oily throughout the day. I need a primer to keep my makeup in place all day (who can be bothered with hourly touch ups?) but also provide a silky base to keep my dry skin nourished and behaving well. This is performing very well so far; I'm not a one-product-review kinda girl but this may require a dedicated post..

{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.

The Rachelle Lust List: 27th November 2012

It might be the fact that today is pay day, it could be that I've been denying myself any extravagant purchase for so long, or that I've been so busy focusing on Christmas shopping for all my nearest and dearest that's got me lusting after crazily luxurious with equally crazy price tags this week.. 1. The ultimate winter staple, black leather, in the form of a beautiful thin-knit jumper. I love this amazing cashmere blend by Reed Krakoff, £750. This will go so well with everything. 2. Gold jewellery is an essential of mine, I have a mild obsession with 'pretty' skulls - Alexander McQueen is the combines these two aspects better than anyone else; this beautiful bracelet, £180 (and matching ring, no 8, £120) is a prime example. 3. The prettiest bra I've possibly ever seen; okay the matching briefs and suspenders aren't entirely practical.. but this is a lust list! The Selena, by Agent Provocateur (Bra, £110. Suspenders, £110. Knickers £95. 4.  I have no words for these little bits of heaven in the form of shoe-porn. If you've read the blog for a little while, there's a high chance you've heard me rave on about these amazing Christian Louboutin Alti 160 spiked patent-leather shoes. Wow. I have similar amounts of love for the Just Pick studded patent leather and PVC heels too (no 9), but they seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth as of late.. 5. A pretty little sequinned top is perfect for this time of year, with a pair of leather leggings and a blazer this Michael Kors tee, £150 is the perfect way to add some festivity into your day wear. Is festivity a word? 'Tis now.  6. Steering off my luxurious theme, I picked up this Midi dress from River Island this weekend and cant wait to wear it; I'm somewhat a midi-virgin, dismissing the style as unflattering to a lady of just 5'4, but I think with some Zara sandals and a studded leather biker it'll be perfect for a gig the boy and I are attending tonight! 7. If you're going to be prancing about in the aforementioned Agent Provocateur undies, you'll need the supermodel-smooth pins to match. Agent Provocateur Petale Noir Body Elixir (£28) is the height of sexiness. 10. I feel a little like I'm cheating on my forever-faithful Maxfactor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara even writing about its Benefit rival, "They're Real", but I've heard too many amazing reviews to not even be tempted, £18.50.Watch this space. 11. Its almost time for a new year, and a new diary. I've fallen in love with this amazing purple snakeskin offering from Smythson; making plans has never been so chic. rachelle xo

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

Lust List - 9th July 2012

1. Every lady needs a leather dress, and this super-soft River Island offering (£120) is a dead-ringer for the drop waist Victoria by Victoria Beckham version. Since we don't appear to be in for any summer at all here in the UK, July may aswell be the perfect time to invest in leather... 2. I've heard nothing but raving reviews about the By Terry Light-Expert (£42), my makeup seems to slide and fade throughout the day & I have a feeling this little gem is just what my makeup bag is missing. 3. I've just discovered Gillian Kyle, the new Cath Kidston of organic accessories. This coral apron (£17.95) is my first of what is sure to be many purchases. 4. I've previously admitted I'm a sucker for a skull. This Topshop vest balances the right amount of print and sheerness to make this a must have for a mere £16. 5. Protein masks are soo important to restore strength to hair, I've been using this Kerastase Nutritive Masquintense (£21.15) once per week for around five weeks now - it truly is excellent. Give it a good twenty minutes while you soak in a relaxing bath, fuss free failsafe route to healthy, shiny hair. 6. You may remember my despair last week following the cruel realisation my favourite liquid eyeliner has been discontinued, I was swindled into spending an extra £14 on the Lancome Artliner (£20), and it is bloody good. Easy to apply, it stays put yet is still easy to remove its a thumbs up so far, yet I do hope it outlasts the Loreal liner averaging about 6 weeks before drying out completely... 7. When drying out from mass alcohol consumption at the weekend, I drink alot of water and cordials to restore damaged hydration levels, a new favourite discovery is the Blossom Cottage range - in particular the Morello Cherry flavour. 8. I'm yet to purchase this Topshop 'Illusion' dress (£46), but it is imminent. How amazing, please? rachel xo

What to Wear: Tropical Prints

One of my favourite looks from the catwalk this season are the tropical prints; in particular those from Dolce & Gabanna and Stella McCartney. Topshop has recreated the tropics-trend exceptionally well & whilst its only May, I have to admit to both a pair of printed cropped trousers & a skirt to pair with tanned thighs & a Club Topicana attitude...

Pretty. Pretty. Pretty. I have the skirt (which is sadly no longer available) in the same print as these Topshop shorts (£35). The combination of colours in the print makes it incredibly easy to pair with similarly coloured items everyone already has in their wardrobes. This J Crew cashmere jumper (£200) complements the coral tones. Add Zara nude wedges (£59.99) & Diane Von Furstenberg clutch (£320) to give a modern classic finish to the look.