{the rachelle edit : valentines day treats}

If you're of a less sentimental disposition, or don't like valentines day, then you'll most likely be sick of me bleating on about it; here and here. And here now, too. Fear not, I'm not about to launch into a deceleration of love for my boy, neither will I bore you with details of our last valentines days (although I probably would like it..) but, prepare a comprehensive gift guide to help you buy lovely gifts for your other half, drop heavy hints at what you would like them to buy you - or to treat yourself if you don't have a sweetheart to buy you nice things...

1. Nothing says 'I love you' like a beautiful pair of Louboutins you've been lusting after for what feels like an eternity, right? If you find a nice boy to supply said shoes, leave any of  his siblings details in the comment box below.. 2. Just when you think Smythson notebooks cant get any sweeter, they pull out the Valentines day "I love you because...". Awwww. 3. Charbonnel et Walker champagne truffles, a stunning bouquet of flowers and a bottle of your favourite champagne all put a spring in my step! 

{the rachelle edit: organise my year}

I always have been, and probably always will be, an organisation freak. I like lists, lots of lists, plans and a detailed agenda - a diary is of utmost importance in my Mulberry. iPhone calendars, reminders, to do lists, voice notes and schedulers come and go, but when a new year rolls around nothing sates my organisation appetite like a fancy, preferably snakeskin, organiser. So by the fourth of January and I still don't have one, I start to panic.

t h i s  y e a r s  s h o r t l i s t . . .

Smythson has been the place to go when it comes to stationery for the last 125 years, apparently. Missing 100 of those years due to not yet being born yet, I wouldn't know but presume the statement is true - seeing as three of four in this selection (1,2 & 4) are made by Smythson. Far left is the perfect desk diary, the 2013 Fashion Diary. Printed calf leather, featherlight pale blue pages with gold embossing  day-to-page, an address book and more note space than even I could fill - this doesn't come cheap at £200 and wouldn't squeeze in my bag.. but it would look perfect on my desk.

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

At the Office: Desktop Delights

Love it or hate it, we all spend a huge majority of our lives at our desks, surely we should be making all of the time spent there as enjoyable as possible? A stylish desk, filled with things to inspire and help you through your working day is essential. I think a monochrome colour palette is the best place to start - its simple, chic and clean. You can add accents of a bright colour pop as your mood and the seasons change quickly, and relatively cheaply.

A quick look through any fashionistas desk will reveal just as much as what she carries in her bag; these are the day-to-day gospel products which can are consistently reliable. The iPhone (complete with a chic Marc by Marc Jacobs shell £30) used to coordinate the days schedule and tasks to uploading your latest instagram picture. A beautiful bunch of flowers, a statement-making and well-placed lamp  (like this £60 one from Zara Home) and Jo Malone (a favourite is the Pine & Eucaluptus £45) diffuser all help make the place a little more pleasant to whittle away the hours. A Diptyuque candle always helps to relax the atmosphere and soothe square-computer eyes. 

The Rachelle Lust List: 20th November 2012

1. Laura Mercier bath and body products are in my eyes, second to none. The Ambre Vanilla Honey bath creme and body scrub are a combination made in heaven to transform tired winter skin to LBD ready while you relax in a bath that literally smells like heaven (£25 each). 2. I love this gift concept from Harvey Nichols, the 'Twos Company' hamper includes a bottle of brut rosé champagne and two Riedel Champagne Flutes £40. 3. Believe it or not, its the end of November and I'm still yet to fall in love with this years ultimate winter coat. I've been heavily reliant on a fur-lined Parka I found last year in Zara and on more mild days, simply running around in amazing little jackets I've collected over the years but, I think I've found a winner here from none other than New Look! For £50, its got lovely faux leather detailing, a laid-back boyfriend feel and Stella McCartney-esque cut to the neckline. 4. If you've an excitingly high bank balance and need somewhere luxurious to store all of your jewels, look no further than this stunning Smythson croc-effect leather jewellery box.. there are no words! (£2,215). 5. I've fallen in love with the Essie nail varnish formula and colour range, the most recent hue thats got me is the soft nudey/beigey shade of Jazz. This will be mine, soon. Probably the next time I pass Boots to be honest... 6. Sunglasses this good, should be worn all year round. An expertly-shaped cat-eye are the perfect size to suit any face shape - Linda Farrow Luxe do sunnies SO well (£350). 7. NARS eyeshadows are incredibly popular, with good reason. Long lasting and highly pigmented; they're some of the best - the beautiful Douceurs de Paris palette (£37) has the perfect collection of shades to compliment your peepers through any occasion. 8. Possibly the most hyped nude lipstick ever to be released ever, Tom Ford Lip Colour in Blush Nude has me drooling all the way to the counter in search of my go-to winter nude lip. Yes, there is one. rachelle xo

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

Lust List - 6th August 2012

1. Same old story, a new season rolls around, Zara releases some bloody amazing shoes. Got my heart set on these Pointed Court Shoes with Straps (£49.99) & these Ankle-Strap Wedges (£69.99). 2. The highly anticipated new Victoria by Victoria Beckham has finally hit Net a Porter, this satin skater-style dress (£710) has a space in my wardrobe waiting for it... 3. I've been using Nails Inc a&e nail treatment (£12) for around a month as a base coat each time I paint my nails or when I havent the time to do a full manicure, I'll quickly throw this on. As a result, I can honestly say my nails havent been as strong so collectively as long, or moisturised and smooth in years. Amazing. 4. I get a little too excited when the new years Smythson range hits stores. Good job they arrive in August, it'll take until January to save up for this £180 croc-effect beauty. 5. As a rule, I'm not a t-shirt girl, but I'll happily make an exception for this Mary Katrantzou jersey (£255). 6. I love a pretty teddy to lounge around the house in, this Topshop strappy-lovely (£20)  is as comfortable as it is pretty. 7. I fell in love with the black version of this Christian Louboutin Marquise clutch (£875) when I first spied it in Harrods about a year ago, yet the new nude version has just fallen under my radar. The soft colour   takes an edge off the spikes, I love the idea of jumping straight to the front of the Saturday night bar que waving this beauty/weapon around... 8. No high street store does embellishment quite like All Saints. I need these sparkly shorts (£120) in my life, the jet black version are so understated. 9. Parisian patisser Pierre Hermes macaroons are available in cute London landmarks boxes for the duration of the Olympics, £33 for 16. rachel xo