{two beautiful things : breakfast & romance}

"Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze."

~ Elinor Glyn.

{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. 

{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.

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

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 

Happy Weekend: Happy November

"I don't mind being burdened with being glamorous and sexual. Beauty and femininity are ageless and cant be contrived. Glamour, although the manufacturers wont like this, cannot be manufactured  Not real glamour; its based on femininity."

~ Marilyn Monroe.

Its that time again, a brand new month ahead to enjoy (be it this post is a little late..). I'm still feeling a little dark and gothic, Halloween must still be in the air - speaking of which what did we all dress up as? I didn't have the opportunity to dress anything other than my little shihtzu, who made an excellent Witch, I did sport a black lace dress with a peplum, smokey eye and dark burgundy lip in the form of my beloved Tom Ford Black Orchid Lipstick in a nod to the holiday...

Happy Weekend: Pastel Pinks & Notes from the Week

while on yesterdays subject, I thought it best to brighten the place up a little with some sugary-sweet Ladurée pastries and equally sweet shades of pink.

this week has unsurprisingly been another whirl of everything from four-hour meetings, 9am manicures to strong coffee and catch up with old friends. There have been roses, five-course meals and little nothings to try and cheer the boy & I from the inevitable post-holiday blues... Its about time I get out of my too-comfortable bed (which regrettably looks nothing like the one pictured below) and spend the rest of this sunny October Saturday with my family. Ah, bless. [beware] even more beautiful pink things below...

Hello: A Brand New Month | October

"Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

~ Roald Dahl

. . . I love watching the traditional British seasons changing, and the transition from late summer to autumn is a particular favourite. hues of  burnt orange, gold, taupe, sable and bronze act as inspiration to transport us into the later end of the year (where has 2012 gone?) as always; much more below...

Two Beautiful Things: Gold & Lilac | Happy Weekend

Good morning, happy Saturday and happy weekend! This weekend will be a busy bluster of family lunches and brunch with friends, packing, last-minute mini pampering sessions and a couple of very excited big kids (the boy and I) as we prepare for our trip to Phuket on Tuesday! What are you doing this weekend?

News: ADR for H&M

I love a designer collaboration. Luckily for us, there are a few very exciting collaborations on the card this season I cannot wait for; JW Anderson and Topshop, Margiela and H&M and of course, probably the most exiting - Anna Della Russo for H&M. The hotly anticipated accessories have been leaked and to my delight - there is a huge choice of gold, snakes, turquoise and more gold. Perfection. rachel xo

At the Office: Office Envy | Jeffers Design Group

Of course, the Jeffers Design Group headquarters in San Francisco is no ordinary office. The extensive 3,800 square foot office, once an industrial unit, is one of the chicest work spaces I've ever laid eyes on. Through his design prowess, Jeffers has taken what was once a cold space with cinderblock walls and concrete floors & transformed it into a glamorous workspace bathed in hues of orange, coral and camel. The end result is both functional and inspiring.

A Guide To: Champagne

"Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!"

~ Dom Perignon, at the moment he discovered champagne.

{a guide to:}

Champagne. A light sparkling wine made only in the champagne region of north-eastern France, is different from all other sparkling wines in the world for three major reasons:
* a wine can only be labelled as champagne if it is made in the champagne region of france

* to be called champagne, it must be made only from the pinot noir, pinot meunier, or chardonnay grapes which grow in that region
* true champagne, as opposed to other sparkling wines, gets its bubbles by undergoing the fermentation process twice: once in barrels and again in bottles.

Five Favourites: Tom Ford Beauty SS12

Tom Ford certainly knows how to make women look beautiful. Without even mentioning his expertly cut dresses in amazing fabrics, his beauty line has brought an entire new dimension to the high end of the beauty counters. SS12 brings the first seasonal beauty collection, and in the designers characteristic style - its like nothing else out this season.