{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...

{a guide to : glamour-ising your bathroom}

Yesterdays flick through Lonny Magazine got me rethinking bathrooms - and how it can be difficult to change a bathroom without having the funds (or permission in a rented property) to re-fit with the roll top bath you've always dreamed of, or a walk in shower the size of a small sauna?

I've a few little ideas that can be applied to the smallest, most basic or boring bathroom to allow for a far more glamorous space to apply your makeup in the morning..

 01 | re-think your shower curtain

Why have a boring, plain shower curtain? Who says you cant have a silk taffeta shower curtain? Acheive an even more glamorous look by hanging it as high as possible, you could even hang it from the ceiling..

 02 | make your bathroom more comfortable 

Treat your bathroom the same as any other room in the house, bring in a beautiful chair or table or lamp and favourite art or photography.

 03 | hang a vintage mirror

One of the easiest ways to change the look of your bathroom is to hang a statement mirror, vintage ones are always real centerpieces, consider anything ornate, gilt or oversized!

 04 | hide ugly pipes

Paint ugly pipes the same colour as your walls to make them blend in, or hide them entirely with something clever like this handmade skirt, interior designer Eddie Ross made this 'skirt' by hanging cheap, basic dishcloths and fastening to the sink with black grosgrain.

{currently reading...}

Spending my Sunday morning eating chocolate croissants and drinking umpteen cups of my favourite coffee, watching snow fall through the window (will it ever stop?) while getting a late-month magazine fix, its always a hard time in the week before the new glossies are released and I'm all up-to-date, from the stylish online Lonny magazine.

Now wondering how to persuade the boy that thick monochrome stripes on wood panelling are exactly what the bathroom needs.. Have a lovely Sunday, rachelle xo.

{beautiful details : smokey violet}

Loving the juxtaposition of bright spring bouquets against smoky lavender and charcoal grey marble, of course with some ornate details; chandeliers, gilded mirrors and marble . . .

{two beautiful things : winter whites & cozy nights}

So its January, its minus two outside, and bleaching down with snow. Nothing seems more appealing tonight than to curl up in front of the fire with my current read (The Perks of being a Wallflower, should you care) with only the pooch and a Thai take out for company. May even indulge in a glass of bubbles in a bubble bath, simply because I bloody can - and there has been a bottle calling my name for too long from the fridge. 

Something has to cheer up dull January nights, right? Its either that or I attempt solo sledging... 

{& 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. 

{wishing you a magical christmas..}

Apologies that posts have been somewhat absent for the last few days and weeks..  I've taken a few days off to exchange work for play (with the exception of a tweet, or instagram or two), to exchange texts and emails for conversations over glasses of champagne and candlelight, for friends and family much too much dessert; for elf & love actually and mistletoe; for nights in front of the fire with those we love the most...

Wishing all of you beautiful readers the merriest and most magical Christmas time to spend time doing what you love best, with those you love best.

Beautiful Details: Christmas Wrapping

While all of my presents are now wrapped and placed under the tree ready for the big day (five sleeps, cue child-like squeal), some of you less-organised beauties may still need to buy a few, let alone wrap a few gifts.

For a chic alternative to printed wrapping paper, why not try heavy Kraft paper? Classy and elegant looking, not to mention relatively cheap, it looks beautiful teamed with countless combinations of bows and ribbons, gold to pale lavender, stripes and glitter to white velvet...

Two Lovely Things: Golden Lights

Fear not lovelies, I am still alive and well; just crazily busy with all of Decembers festivities and fun - Christmas shopping is now just about done, tonight I'm going to wrestle with a mountain of wrapping paper and piles of presents to stuff under the Christmas tree.. I should be accompanied by a large glass of mulled wine but I'm unfortunately still sporting a heavy head after indulging in one too many gins last night with some of my favourite ladies.. Is it bed time yet? Hope you're all well and on the countdown to Christmas!.. How many times can I use that C word in one post? rachelle xo

Happy Weekend: Warm Winter Whites

As far as I'm concerned; the holiday season simply gets better and better. Parties, cocktails, Christmas shopping, mulled wine, tree decorating and snuggling up in front of the fire while sheets of snow fall outside have been highlights of this past week...

The weekend has been as perfect as this past week; Christmas shopping is all now but done, family meals and special time spent with the boy, festive coffee and more mulled wine while snuggling on the sofa watching (my future husband) Jahmene wipe the floor with the other contestants on the X Factor..

Inspired Interior: Candy-Coloured Christmas

The conventional 'Christmassy' colours can get a little boring and repetitive with greens, reds and golds year upon year - I think a fun, colourful festive period that wouldn't look out of place in Barbies dream house should be celebrated!

Okay, we're not all going to go out and paint all of our walls white and install pink feature walls with contrasting pastel hues; but draw inspiration from how a simple white space can be transformed with some statement soft furnishings and a some amazing accessories. One thing I'm going to take from this stunning space is to source the best unconventional Christmas Tree toys in the form of sugared icecream cones, pastel baubles and cupcakes.. with the real deal strategically placed on every spare surface for the festive visitors...