{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..

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.

A Guide To: Your Best-Ever Red Lip

Its impossible to sport a red lip and not feel festive; with upcoming Christmas parties, dinner invitations and some very merry days - a simple slick of lippy works wonderfully.

If we're doing things properly, and by the book, we should start with a quick exfoliation with a lip scrub (or simply gently brush your lips with your toothbrush, apply your favourite lip balm and allow to sink in nicely before applying your lipstick.

I've rounded up some of the best red lipsticks before, but my all time favourite and fail-safe combination is a careful lining of the lips with Mac Lip Pencil in Cherry. Take a lip-brush and fill in your lips, following the shape you created with your pencil with the Mac Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo, a highly pigmented and glamorous red that really will suit all skin tones. I love a matte red lip, but should you want to add a little gloss, Mac Pro Longwear Lipglass in Driven by Love complements Ruby Woo perfectly.

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...

A New Month: Happy December..

"I thought that maybe we could make ginger bread houses, and eat cookie dough, and go ice skating, and even maybe hold hands!"

~ Buddy the Elf.

You know when its December when ten minutes of your morning each day is taken by scraping the ice from the windscreen of your car, each day sees you wrapped in more and more layers, your eyes are constantly on the look out for perfect Christmas presents and that perfect New Years dress, Saturdays are spent shopping for other people, Sundays wandering around Christmas markets with a coffee in one hand and glass of mulled wine in the other, there are too many parties to attend than there are nights in the calendar and of course - sharing your Hotel Chocolat Truffles for Two advent calendar with the boy...

Lately: Via Instagram | Feeling Festive

This time of year is my very favourite; and its best spent snuggled up on the sofa with the Christmas gift guide from Vogue, watching the best Christmas film ever, Arthur Christmas and taking pit-stops from Christmas shopping trips with Starbucks Toffee Nut Lattes...

Little treats from the boy; macarons to brighten up a morning at the desk with an essential super-strength coffee and a hand-picked selection of my favourite Charbonnel et Walker champagne truffles.. Thoughtful gifts are the best gifts.