{i'm not dead.. yet}

Well, its certainly been a few weeks, or perhaps even months too long  lovelies. After a few too many exciting and time consuming but incredibly fun adventures I'm back at the desk - which unfortunately for me looks very little like this pastel affair. I am, however; wearing a ton of jewellery as per, opting for a similar pale pastel hue on my talons and have a large cup of strong coffee by my side, nursing myself to some kind of caffinated delusion I'm recovering better than I actually am from a crazy weekend on a farm in Somerset, also known as Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts - but more on that later. Sleep first. More sleep. The boy and I haven't made it past 10pm in the last two days..  I am (slowly but surely) back in business, so expect to see a fair bit more from me in the very near future! 

rachelle xo
♥

{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

{the rachelle edit: organise my year}

I always have been, and probably always will be, an organisation freak. I like lists, lots of lists, plans and a detailed agenda - a diary is of utmost importance in my Mulberry. iPhone calendars, reminders, to do lists, voice notes and schedulers come and go, but when a new year rolls around nothing sates my organisation appetite like a fancy, preferably snakeskin, organiser. So by the fourth of January and I still don't have one, I start to panic.

t h i s  y e a r s  s h o r t l i s t . . .

Smythson has been the place to go when it comes to stationery for the last 125 years, apparently. Missing 100 of those years due to not yet being born yet, I wouldn't know but presume the statement is true - seeing as three of four in this selection (1,2 & 4) are made by Smythson. Far left is the perfect desk diary, the 2013 Fashion Diary. Printed calf leather, featherlight pale blue pages with gold embossing  day-to-page, an address book and more note space than even I could fill - this doesn't come cheap at £200 and wouldn't squeeze in my bag.. but it would look perfect on my desk.

At the Office: Desktop Delights

Love it or hate it, we all spend a huge majority of our lives at our desks, surely we should be making all of the time spent there as enjoyable as possible? A stylish desk, filled with things to inspire and help you through your working day is essential. I think a monochrome colour palette is the best place to start - its simple, chic and clean. You can add accents of a bright colour pop as your mood and the seasons change quickly, and relatively cheaply.

A quick look through any fashionistas desk will reveal just as much as what she carries in her bag; these are the day-to-day gospel products which can are consistently reliable. The iPhone (complete with a chic Marc by Marc Jacobs shell £30) used to coordinate the days schedule and tasks to uploading your latest instagram picture. A beautiful bunch of flowers, a statement-making and well-placed lamp  (like this £60 one from Zara Home) and Jo Malone (a favourite is the Pine & Eucaluptus £45) diffuser all help make the place a little more pleasant to whittle away the hours. A Diptyuque candle always helps to relax the atmosphere and soothe square-computer eyes. 

The Rachelle Edit: Autumn Workwear

I'll be the first to admit, even I can find myself easily falling into a trap of comfortable, warm but not particularly fashionable work wear during the colder months. One morning (this morning) I looked at myself in the mirror in despair; clad in black wide leg trousers, a black cashmere vest and blazer. With a burgundy lip, I looked half Mac-girl and half goth. And not in a good way. A quick change into a not-so-well planned outfit has actually been a triumph; high waisted shorts, a white blouse and printed coat teamed with heeled brogues and a clutch big enough to carry my daily essentials. Had I been allowed the luxury of time (and this amazing Roland Mouret coat) this is how I would have looked. Take note. Roland Mouret Printed Coat available at Net a Porter - reduced to £465, Opening Ceremony Silk Shirt £135, Tweed Shorts from an amazing Sweedish fashion site, Romwe £25, Alexander McQueen Stingray Skull Clutch £515 at Harvey Nicholls. Do you ever need some serious fashion inspiration at the turn of seasons? rachelle xo

p r e v i o u s  e d i t s  . . .

gothic glamour  |  the army jacket  |  fall 2012 - all saints  |  new in - valentino  |  winning style  |  kiss-worthy accessories  |  jil sander fall 2012  |  nineties: the new vintage  |  fifty shades of fashion  |  resort 2013: proenza schouler vs valentino  |  resort 2013: chloe vs erdem  |  summer sorbet  |  laid-back sundays  |  summer shoes at zara  |  zadig & voltaire  |  ibiza: sunlounger to superclub

At Home With: Emily Schuman

The beautiful Emily Schuman, of Cupcakes and Cashmere is a huge inspiration not only to me, but thousands of bloggers worldwide. Her site, like most, started as a way to express creativity while working in a rather bland job and has grown (admittedly through a slow process) from 2008 to Emily releasing her first book, Cupcakes and Cashmere: A Guide for Defining Your Style, Reinventing Your Space, and Entertaining with Ease, this year. The Everygirl were given exclusive access to the LA home Emily shares with her husband to find out how shes evolved from Vogue fashion intern, to creating her own empire...

At the Office: With the Kardashian Sisters

. . . whether you love them or loathe them, its pretty difficult to keep away from the Kardashian clan. I'm not a die-hard fan, but appreciate lazy evenings watching their mindless reality show (and if the boy is in the dog house, he really hates being forced to sit through it..). You must admit, they have done bloody well to create a whole lot of something, from a whole lot of nothing...

The people behind these chic desks aside, you must see these beautiful office spaces designed by Atlanta and Los Angeles-based designer Brian Patrick Flynn for Kris Jenner's marketing company, Jenner Communications.

At the Office: Skirt PR

For glamour and paramount public relations services, many top-tier clients are turning to Skirt PR, one of Chicago’s most elite agencies. Adrienne Eckert Petersen founded the esteemed firm when she was just 25 years old.

After jetting off to New York for her first post-grad job at Siren PR, Adrienne took her next step, or, shall we say, leap: She launched Skirt PR, the product of a very specific vision and a strong dedication to service. Her full-service agency caters to the world of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. She brought on an amazing team of women (and one lucky man!) that share her passion for networking, innovative ideas, and, of course, style. Now, the office is bustling with personality, not to mention pink hues and plenty of fresh roses.

At Home With: L'Wren Scott in Paris

L’Wren Scott opens the doors to the City of Light aerie she shares with Mick Jagger—a space she designed to her own exacting tastes.

Where does L’Wren nest? Somewhere high up and sequestered, with a view over treetops—when she’s in Paris, that is. This turn-of-the-century Left Bank apartment is just one of the homes the American fashion designer L’Wren Scott has put together for life with her rock-’n’-roll legend partner, Mick Jagger. And the serene, delicately airy atmosphere is about as far from glitzy rock-star louche as could be imagined.

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.

At The Office: Office Envy | Aerin Lauder

Last Spring, Aerin Lauder announced the creation of her new home furnishing and fashion line, AERIN. Junior Lauder, who is currently the creative executive and taste maker at her grandparents business hopes to bring the family flair for colourful designs by the means of tableware, fabric, housewares, and jewellery. Much of which will be inspired by pieces owned and collected by Aerin's grandmother, Estée Lauder.  Though the collection is not set to launch until this Autumn, if they are inspired by the Aerin headquaters – its bound to be something to get very excited about!