{the rachelle edit : summer workwear}

In the summer, workwear transforms into the simplest of task of the day - throw on a sleek shift dress, accessorised with a classic handbag and sophisticated heels before upping the glamour accordingly with cat-eye sunglasses and statement jewellery.

Temperatures may only be heating up slowly (but surely) and I'm already ditching heavy blazers and tights for something that screams summer in New York City. Even if I am just in England. Does it detract from the glamour if I admit that rain has begun hammering at my office window since starting this post?...

g e t  t h e  l o o k . . .

Gucci leather dress | Charlotte Olympia Heeled Pumps | Vintage Hermes Kelly Bag |Vintage Cat-Eye Sunglasses

{happy weekend: beating the january blues}

The best way to avoid the January blues, is to simply not think about it. The mild 11 degree temperature outside make this far easier than having to plod around in sensible shoes and scrape ice from your car at 7am, as has it prevented me from becoming a pyjama-clad recluse in bed or tucked up on the sofa from 6pm onwards - I've actually been braving a pair of sandals to go out to dinner and a few other fun things with my ladies after office hours.

After just three working days I'm so ready for the weekend; plenty of time may well be spent pyjama-clad relaxing with the boy and cooking slutty brownies (yes, so far I am sticking to my New Years Resolutions..) but plenty of time will also be spent browsing the shops, lunching and catching up with friends.

Beauty Icon: Blake Lively

Blake Lively, is bloody gorgeous. Born with quite clearly perfect genes, she shared some of her beauty secrets behind the scenes for her new million dollar campaign for the newest fragrance from fashion house Gucci - Premiere. 

What's your go-to beauty or hair look for events? "It depends. I was at a premiere in Los Angeles recently in a Zuhair Murad gown, and I could have gone two ways - a smoky eye and lighter lip with a very slicked-back, straight, long ponytail, or a Rita Hayworth look with the red, longer nails and little cat eyes. So I went for the latter because that to me was a fun, special moment. But the next day at the premiere in New York I had this beautiful Gucci mellow yellow gown, and with that I thought you could go Grecian or A Midsummer Night's Dream. So, to make it different from the night before, I thought: 'I want a high pony or I want a braid'. And I had a necklace that I was considering wearing, so I thought: 'let's wrap it around the braid because it will make it more interesting." So you decide upon the looks yourself? "I'm always designing what the hair and make-up will look like and I style myself, including the shoes, jewellery, accessories - all of it. But then I'm lucky to be in the hands of some of the most talented people who will say: 'so that's your idea, now let me actualise it in a way that's more beautiful'. Maybe it's that old classic Hollywood look, maybe it's messy Kate Moss hair or a slicked-back J-Lo ponytail. So there's no go-to, it's 'who do you want to be tonight?"

What to Wear: Fit & Flare Dresses

I've previously declared my love for Victoria Beckham (perhaps more than once...), as far as I'm concerned - everything she touches, turns to gold. For example, flared dressed. Obsessed, would be an understatement, for my infatuation with this new dress-shape, the best of course produced by Mrs B herself.

Taking the tonal palette to the next level, I'm clinging onto this fresh neutral look for to see me through to the end of summer. The beautiful dress needs no further desciption, the Victoria by Victoria Beckham is a snip at  her main-line prices, but still hurts the bank balance at £740.Go matchy-matchy in Alexander McQueen pale-pink pumps (£440) and an oversized Mulberry Alexa (£925) and, why not, matching nails by Essie in the nude hue, Mademoiselle. Gold jewellery is always a must have, I wear this Michael Kors watch (£250) & Alexander McQueen bracelet just about every single day.

Lust List - 16th July 2012

1. Thanks to the August edition of Harpers Bazaar, I got a full sized 75ml sample of Neom Organics Complete Bliss Moroccan Blush Rose Hand Cream (£20). Wow. Beautifully moisturising, 83% organic and possibly my new favourite scent in the world, this has me craving more Neom products. 2. Charlotte Olympia has done it again with the pre-fall collection, expect further obsession to arrive onsite in the near future. I'm a firm believer in the 'why wear one ring when you can stack four?' philosophy. 3. These Pandora rings are top of my stacking list, from £40. 4. Half Baked Cakes = genius. If you aren't the most able cook, fool your friends by sticking one of these ready made beauties into the oven for £5, decorate it and greet the impressed girls with the waft of fresh baking. Mmmm. 5. As a gin lover, Bulldog (£22 at Waitrose) is definitely worth a try - even if it may just be for the beefy bottle alone... 6. Who doesnt love picnics? This beautiful hamper is picnic ready, and you can even personalise it with  names & dates (£139.99 at ToxicFox). 7. I've tried the Garnier Sunkissed Summer Body Milk in Dark (£3.55) two or three times over the last week & it is perfect for my current tanning needs. Expect a full review in the very near future. 8. Hiya, the new Hervé Léger shape. How amazing? This horrifically expensive (£2,175) beauty needs to be on my back for a summer wedding. Obsessed. 9. I'm a huge fan of Gucci by Gucci fragrance, its been my go-to daytime staple for about two years. I cant wait to try the new Gucci Première which blends notes of leather, wood and orange blossoms, it  arrives in Harrods towards the end of July (£64). rachel xo