{take me away : the caribbean islands}

By the time you read this, I'll probably be en-route to our romantic Caribbean break the boy and I have been planning for a little while - the product of what's kept me going through a particularly shit few weeks. I'll be mostly lying under the hot sun all loub-ed up with coconut oil drinking endless mojitos and gin & tonics. See you in a few weeks - and try not to miss me too much, rachelle xo

{a new month : march}

March is always an amazing month for me, not only is it the real start of spring but the 7th marks the  anniversary of the mine and the boys first date, six months to the date we met! Somehow four years have rolled by since that first magical night at The Killers concert (yes, it really was magical..) and we always try to take a romantic little trip away for the occasion...

Last year we headed to the stunning Paris, and this year - on the sixth - we jet to Barcelona to lose our mutual virginity of the Spanish capital, any things to do/places to eat/things to see/where to drink excreta would be very helpful...

{a glamorous mix : for a not so glamorous week}

This 'bad blogger' business is only getting worse, nine posts throughout the entire of February is definitley disappointing  I can excuse myself for the last week which has been almost entirely written off due to a viral infection which has today been diagnosed as glandular fever.. lucky me!

The last week has been spent primarily in bed, on the sofa or in the doctors surgery - with a little shopping (hiya, nice new bath-time lovelies and Topshop purchases) with a little Nando's trip thrown in to try and sweat out out a fever. Glamorous, I know.

{two beautiful things : breakfast & romance}

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

~ Elinor Glyn.

{a glamorous mix : a little romance}

Good Afternoon beauties; I'm indeed alive and well, just a little dazed and behind schedule with a pile of fun and exciting things that've been happening lately...

From London Fashion Week coverage entwined with too many pancakes and a lovely, romantic Valentines day and weekend, an incredibly entertaining and extensively filled Daily Mail app (how much crazy news can happen in a week?!) and a spur-of-the-moment haircut leaving me with a fringe you could certainly say I'm not too keen on (and trying to find ways to disguise the Farrah Fawcett qualities of it.. on tonight's agenda, manicure-monday and a session with a barrel of heated rollers..) you guys have taken somewhat of a back seat. I'm a bad blogger, and I promise that I'll try to do a little better..

Whats been happening in your worlds? By the way; I've been trying a few very exciting new beauty products out as of late so keep your peepers peeled for the unveiling of some exciting things.. rachelle xo

{the rachelle edit : valentines day treats}

If you're of a less sentimental disposition, or don't like valentines day, then you'll most likely be sick of me bleating on about it; here and here. And here now, too. Fear not, I'm not about to launch into a deceleration of love for my boy, neither will I bore you with details of our last valentines days (although I probably would like it..) but, prepare a comprehensive gift guide to help you buy lovely gifts for your other half, drop heavy hints at what you would like them to buy you - or to treat yourself if you don't have a sweetheart to buy you nice things...

1. Nothing says 'I love you' like a beautiful pair of Louboutins you've been lusting after for what feels like an eternity, right? If you find a nice boy to supply said shoes, leave any of  his siblings details in the comment box below.. 2. Just when you think Smythson notebooks cant get any sweeter, they pull out the Valentines day "I love you because...". Awwww. 3. Charbonnel et Walker champagne truffles, a stunning bouquet of flowers and a bottle of your favourite champagne all put a spring in my step! 

{the month : have a romantic february}

We've done it - gotten through the unmistakably most miserable month of the year, and now one more month of winter bleakness resumes before we are greeted with the promise of spring and the excitement the rest of the year has to follow...

My favourite part of February is Valentines Day, which I posted a little more about here (and expect to see quite a lot more of where that came from..).

I always feel really positive at the start of January, there have been celebrations to say farewell to 2012 and excitement that 2013 promises and of course - resolutions made. A Rachelle regular - the Lust List - made a popular return and there has been fashion inspiration aplenty...

{the rachelle lust list : 29th january 2013}

After last weeks somewhat sparse Lust List, I'm back in full force this week, with a list of wants as long as my boyfriends 6'4" frame. . . 

t h e  t w en t y n i n t h  o f  j a n u a r y . . .

1. Rosé champagne is one of the things that makes me happiest in life, it may be a little OTT but my inner-super-girly-girl loves this Piper-Heidsieck (£44.95 at Selfridges) bottle.

2. A leather-sleeved jacket of some description has become somewhat of a wardrobe essential these days, All Saints have nailed the look with this draped cardigan, which will be so versatile as the weather (hopefully) warms up a little, £228.

3. Another beauty from the spring All Saints collection is this little slip dress, if you don't have one I highly recommend this - you wont stop using it as a base to layer upon come any season, £60.

4. Blame the rosé champagne but this lipstick pink Topshop blazer has me all flustered, if you've read my blog for a while you'll know I adore a statement jacket to add some much needed life to a basic ensemble (see black leather trousers and an Alexander Wang T jersey.. ahem, my daily uniform..) - I really need this jacket in my life - the fabric and cut look so much more expensive than the £40 price tag.

{everyone's favourite super..}

Happy Birthday to everyone's favourite super - Kate Moss. What would mark a thirty ninth anniversary of birth better than a dozen red velvet cupcakes emblazoned with pictures of Ms Moss over the years? The ladies at ITG had the right idea.

{the rachelle edit : winter pastels}

Pastel hues are too irresistible to limit to spring and summer months; thick chunky knits and ankle grazing chinos make a refreshing change from typical pale chiffon dresses and of course, allow for year round wear.

I'm obsessed with this stunning Acne cable knit jumper (£100 at My Wardrobe), throw it over a crisp white shirt (Joseph do great basics, this sleeveless shirt is only £59 in the Coggles sale). These Topshop chinos are as warm as they are stylish - I adore the contrast between the peachy coral bottom half and aqua jumper, broken up with the clean white shirt. Accessories should probably be kept to a minimum, but a nude bag will do the trick (or if you're incredibly stylish and have a well stocked Proenza PS1 wardrobe, this coral bag will gain you extra fashion points) and the same goes for shoes - heels of course - a pointed toe nude pump would complete the outfit perfectly, or dress up the look a little with metallic Rebecca Minkoff platforms. 

{happy weekend : ponytails & unmade beds}

More than a little excited for this weekend; although the pleasantly mild weather I mentioned last week has been predicted to be replaced with an intense 'cold snap' as the weatherman likes to call it - the boy has the weekend off too and we'll be spending the majority of it entwined in duvets and blankets, with perhaps a spot of shopping, lunch, too much wine?

{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.