{happy weekend : cream in your coffee}

Happy Saturday beautiful ladies, its been a little while since I've managed to squeeze in a little happy weekend post, things have been so crazy around here with both work and play; more birthdays than I can remember and more friends to catch up with than I have time to call..

Its my lovely little Mam (northern dialect; see 'mother'... sorry I'm not sorry) 's birthday today so we have an exciting weekend ahead, plenty of celebrations and champagne are in order but first - the boy and I have some very exciting things to sort for ourselves...

{the month : have a romantic february}

We've done it - gotten through the unmistakably most miserable month of the year, and now one more month of winter bleakness resumes before we are greeted with the promise of spring and the excitement the rest of the year has to follow...

My favourite part of February is Valentines Day, which I posted a little more about here (and expect to see quite a lot more of where that came from..).

I always feel really positive at the start of January, there have been celebrations to say farewell to 2012 and excitement that 2013 promises and of course - resolutions made. A Rachelle regular - the Lust List - made a popular return and there has been fashion inspiration aplenty...

{everyone's favourite super..}

Happy Birthday to everyone's favourite super - Kate Moss. What would mark a thirty ninth anniversary of birth better than a dozen red velvet cupcakes emblazoned with pictures of Ms Moss over the years? The ladies at ITG had the right idea.

{two thousand and thirteen}

Its happened again; blink and a whole year passes by before you know it. Two thousand and twelve was the best year of my life in many ways, and I only plan on making the year ahead even better.

I'm not keen on sticking to strict 'resolutions' as such; lose a stone, join a gym, drink more water... but, I do like to set a few little ambitions each year to look to - if I dont make it then I'll simply strive again the next year. These things arent supposed to be easy!

t r a v e l . . .

Travelling is a huge passion of mine, I feel there are so many exciting places on the planet to visit and beautiful things to see and experience. Last year I was fortunate enough to travel to three new countries with the boy and I hope to have the pleasure of doing so again in 2013; a short version of the shortlist would include; the Maldives  New York, Vegas, LA, Miami or anywhere in between (I'm craving a big slice of America around my 21st!), Italy, the Carribean, Maurituis, Dubai, Bora Bora or some other South Pacific beauty.. the list really is endless..

c o o k i n g . . .

I could certainly be described as useless in the kitchen, all of the recipes featured on Rachelle are the very simplest of recipes, but I'm going to make an effort to take the time to make dinner for the boy (who luckily for my health, is a chef) and at least one a month serve up some delicious sweet treat. I'm thinking some slutty brownies are on Januarys agenda.

{& a very happy new year}

There is an age-old saying of 'leaving on a high note', 2012 is the epitome of the phrase, things only seem to get better in life as time progresses; the last three hundred and sixty five days have been a happy whirl of love and laughter and romance and travel and simply the most wonderful things I ever could hope for.

The boy & I said goodbye to the year in style; with a stunning hotel, amazing food and definitely too much champagne but best of all - spending the last few moments of the year and the very first few simply wrapped up in each other. 

Fashion Inspiration: Haute for the Holidays

Make like these fashionable lovelies and go all out on the glamour this Christmas; fur with diamonds, backless dresses with intricate embellishment, the most fabulous of blow-drys and champagne with friends..

Even if your budget doesn't quite stretch to haute couture, both Topshop and Zara have some stunning party-pieces and equally glamorous shoes to accompany - and All Saints do the best luxe leathers and faux-fur on the highstreet.

"I love a glass of champagne..."

Who can argue with that? rachel xo

A Guide To: Building a Bar

Little is more chic than having friends over for cocktails. For some, including me, the idea of building a bar a home was somewhat intimidating, being so unsure of where to start. Recently, with the help of the boy and a load of girlfriends who love alcohol from mojitos to martinis, I've grown my collection from a trusty, dusty bottle of vodka on standby for friends popping in, to a small bar.

A Guide To: Party Planning

As I may have once (ahem) previously mentioned, my birthday falls on the 19th May. Just three days away, planning and preparation is now well under way for the evening soiree. Party planning can be exhausting and frustrating yet done properly, you're sure to have a night to remember on your hands.