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

Happy Birthday Harper!

Google her to find 13.5million hits, she has several blogs dedicated to her style, she's turned down modelling contracts left, right and centre - and she's only just turned one today. Harper Beckham, often named 'the cutest celebrity baby of all time' and creator of the term 'tot couture' has made quite an impression on the world within her first twelve months.

Harpers favourite labels extend from Bonpoint, Burberry, Stella McCartney & Hermes - Mum Victoria often twitpics today's look to match her own, while Dad David has bemoaned Harpers designer wardrobe as ridiculous! I'm in love with the entire Beckham family; the cutest, best dressed & most well turned out kiddies to emerge from superstar parents. *note to self, babies are real not just fashion accessories, babies are real not just fashion accessories...

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

Lust List - 2nd July 2012

1. Myself, as a long-term Bombay Sapphire gin drinker, has turned to the dark side. Vodka. Grey Goose in particular. Too easy to drink (as seen on Saturday evening...) I'm desperate to try the new Cherry Noir flavour. 2. Yves Saint Laurent have added a new ring to their collection to lust over (£180). My favourite ever liquid liner has dissapeared off the face of the earth. Since running out last week, I've bought three other L'Oreal versions - all of which I hate. If someone can find this the Carbon Gloss liner in stock somewhere, please do share! 3. Mor candles are amazing. I adore pretty teacups. This cute Mor offering is the best of both worlds; once you've used all the marshmallow scented candle, you have a beautiful teacup to enjoy. (£50.50). 4. The new Indian-inspired Chanel beauty collection launched on the 27th June, I'm desperate to pick up this golden powder highlighter and nail varnish. 5. I've had my eye on this scarf-print Zara shirt for a while now, and it did drop from my radar after several unsuccessful attempts to locate it at my local store - yet its appeared in the sale and for £29.99, I had to have it. 6. The lippie I've been reaching for most this week is Mac Speak Louder (£13.50). A cremesheen finish, the blue-toned pink is amazingly pigmented and creates a perfect, long-lasting fuchsia lip. 7. I've heard amazing things about Tom Ford Jasmin Rogue Eau De Parfum, yet its quite the investment, starting from £132...

What are you ladies lusting after this week? rachel xo

Five Favourites: Summer Nails

I'm well aware I've broken my 'five' favourites rule. Again. Its too hard for a beauty junkie/obsessive/addict to choose between beauty products, its like selecting a favourite child. Typically, I shy from wearing bright colours on my fingernails. I find dark shades; plums, blacks, verrrrrry dark reds or neutral taupes and pinks tend to look far more classic and sophisticated than a bright colour on the talons. My toes, however, are the opposite. Dark colours give me diseased-looking tootsies, whereas a bright flash of varnish through open-toed sandals are so chic. My favourite toe-nail varnishes;

Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture in Corail Colisee (£18). Butter London Cantaloupe Nail Polish in Trout Pout (£14). Essie Nail Polish in Mint Candy Apple (£9.50). Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Caress (£14). Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture in Rose Futuriste (£18). Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Lament (£14).

 b a c k s t a g e  s e c r e t s  . . .

Treat your feet like a model treats theirs - as their face. Cleanse them at least once a day, applying moisturiser straight afterwards and just before bed. Exfoliate them once a week, and use a deep conditioning lotion or butter at least once week to keep them Celine-sandal ready.

Rachel x

Lust List - 18th June 2012

I cannot wait for these Iver summer sandals to arrive from Nelly. A steal at just £40, they will fill the gaping 'wooden heeled cream leather strap sky-high platforms' hole in my shoe wardrobe. I am 100% Diptyque obsessed, this Violette scented candle has been burning all week (£38). After my post last week, I cannot stop thinking about Ladurée  - the epitome of delectable. Try their new cream-filled puffs. Fancy a game of tennis on the beach? Only with these Chanel racquets, darling (£1,330). Whatever adventures you get up to this week, don't leave without these Butter London refreshing foot wipes (£13). For their 75th anniversary, Ray Ban have revamped the famous aviator shades. Neeeeed. (£178). The new addition to the liquid highlighter range from Benefit, I cant wait to try Sun Beam (£18.50) to see if it lives up to its older sister High Beam. Win a set of these Marlies Dekkers Underwear simply by being a Rachelle reader, hurry - there's only one week left to enter! Tom Ford does what Tom Ford does best - perfection. The coral lipstick is the perfect summer shade.

What are you ladies lusting after this week?

Rachel x

Happy Weekend: Happy Birthday to Me

"Happy Birthday to Me, Happy Birthday to Me..." The day has finally arrived & I've been one million percent spoiled by my amazing friends, family and of course - the boy.

I'm off to drink too much champagne, shop til I quite literally drop & get dressed up for a night on the razz, a perfect start to what will hopefully be a perfect new decade.. I'm now officially a twenty-something, eeek!

Have a beautiful weekend whatever you have planned,

Rachel x

Lately: Via Instagram...

My weekend in reality was spent in a nurofen-fuelled haze, drinking green tea, reading magazines, receiving beautiful flowers from a caring boyfriend & my favourite Charbonnel et Walker pink champagne truffles (which I still cant stomach at present, evil!) in attempt to cure me from an sickness bug that appeared overnight, yet ruined my entire Sunday.

My favourite pasta dish ala Zizzi, Penne Vodka. Amazing. Home made strawberry daiquiris that my pooch was desperate to get his paws into...

I'm new to instagram, follow me: rachrachelle

Who should I follow? What's your username?

Rachel x 

Happy Weekend: Pearls, Kittens & Cara Delevinge

Hello Beauties.. The short four day working week is over, its the time has come again to crack open the prosecco, relax and get that well deserved extra beauty sleep!

My weekend will be spent birthday party planning, new laptop shopping, lunch with old work colleagues and cocktails with new friends.

What have you planned for this beautiful May weekend? I leave you to Nick Knights first ever Instagram photo shoot with the stunning Cara Delevinge...

Rachel x

Happy Weekend: May Day

Happy May Day... There is only one thing better than the weekend, a three day weekend! This extended break from the insanity of 9 to 8's, pilates classes and the associated pain in muscles you forget exist has encouraged a laid back weekend of family meals, luxuriously late lie-ins, shopping trips and a night on the razz with the better half.. An excellent night with a mix of French 75's, Apple & Pear Martinis to treble Bombay Sapphire & lemonades to a trip to the golden arches on the way home.. Always Classy!

The rest of today is to be spent mostly in bed complaining of a champagne hangover, with a trip to Waitrose & Zara for a new pair of troos I've been eyeing up for the last few weeks...

How have you spent your bank holidays?

Rachel x

Spotlight On: The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge

During a holiday to Kenya with a group of friends, Prince William took his opportunity to propose to his girlriend of seven years, Kate Middleton. On the 29th March 2011, with the world watching, they wed.

Its hard to believe, with every detail still fresh in our minds (from the exquisite English & French chantilly lace gown to the stunning eight-tiered wedding cake), that a year has passed and the couple are now celebrating their first anniversary.

"When i first met Kate I knew there was something very special about her. I knew that there was a good possibility that I wanted to explore there. We ended up being friends for a while and that was just sort of a good foundation. Becuase I do generally believe now that being friends with eachother is a massive advantage. And it just went from there!"

A friendship which had spanned almost a decade, has formed the basis for the marriage of arguably, the most famous couple in the world. I must admit, I have fallen massively for the newly weds and adore the new face of the Royal Family.

Rachel x

Two Beautiful Things: Monday Morning Coffee

Is there any better way to start the working week than with a large French press full of hot, strong coffee? My breakfast, however, was more of a rushed bowl of Special K rather than my favourite home made cranberry granola...

After the luxurious quiteness and rest of the weekend my blackberry is already buzzing with phonecalls, meeting arrangements, emails - yet this morning its accompanied by the (literally) buzzing security alarm in my office which has given up the ghost over the weekend and is sounding every two minutes. I await the alarm contractor with a pounding headache.

Have a better Monday than me, and a great week...

Rachel x

Happy Weekend...

... This weekend is to be spent the way all weekends should be! After just three days back at work I've managed to secure a bonus Saturday off. After a leisurely lie in enjoying a breakfast of coffee, fresh juice and pancakes in bed prepared by the boyfriend I look forward to; a long walk along to the beach with the pooch, a relaxed Saturday night snug on the sofa with mindless prime-time TV & Sunday brunch with the girls.

What have you sall arranged for this weekend? Enjoy the time off & breathe in those final magical little moments before the start of a new week...

Rachel x

What to Wear: A Rainy Weekend

The April showers are in full force, ruining our well stocked new summer wardrobes! While we in the UK hoped to be adorning playsuits and light blazers by the last weekend of the month, in reality we're shrugging our winter jackets back on and destroying many an umbrella in gale force winds!

This weekend calls for us to take note from the off-duty models & seek refuge from the weather, whether that comes in the from of a utility style parka jacket to keep you dry on an Oxford Street shopping spree, a good old fashioned Barbour perfect for those Sunday afternoon dog walks or a glamorous fur coat for Saturday night cocktails.

Jil Sander Green Parka available in a selection of colours £470 available at Net a Porter. Alexander Wang T White T-Shirt £75. Miu Miu Washed Leather Nappa Skirt £995. Acne Pisa Suede Ankle Boots £480 available at Liberty. Vintage Chanel Bag from a selection at Resurrection Vintage. American Apparel Red Umbrella £45.

Topshop White Lace Peplum Top £28. J Brand Waxed Skinny Jeans £275. Chloe Studded Leather Ankle Boots £790 available at Net a Porter. Liberty for Barbour Quilted Cotton Jacket £290 available at Liberty. Purple Aspinal of London Umbrella £150.

 Joseph Colour Block Mohair Jumper £215. L'Agence Shearling Jacket £1,150 available at Net a Porter. Helmut Lang Black Leather Trousers £550 available at My Wardrobe. Christian Louboutin Black Pigalle Pumps £375. Alexander McQueen Chain Strap Handbag £770. Black Ruffle Trim Umbrella £15 available at Debenhams.

Rachel x