The Rachelle Edit: Summer Shoes at Zara

I'm positive every woman with an internet connection and a link to the Zara Website or a nearby store will agree that this seasons collection has been, quite simply, on fire. My favourite investments made so far include; THAT yellow blazer (which I've since seen worn in three consecutive episodes of 'Made in Chelsea' on three consecutive girls), printed trousers and probably one too many pairs of shoes... Everyone knows that a girl can never quite have enough pairs of shoes and these eight ankle stapped, high heeled lovelies are on my to-buy radar.

From Left:

Wooden Wedges - £59.99. Contrasting Platform Sandals £59.99. Laminated Heel Sandal - £79.99. Sandals with Snakeskin Straps & Wooden Heel - £49.99. Black Leather with Wooden Platform - £49.99. Sandal with Methacrylate Heel - £69.99. Pink Sandal - £59.99. Wide Heel Sling-Back with Stones - £69.99.

Rachel x

What to Wear: To My Birthday Party

 Saturday 19th May marks a very special day to me - my birthday! With just eight days to go, I should really be more prepared for the occasion than I currently am, whilst no outfits are sorted as of yet I have my eye on three very beautiful, yet very different styles.

Tosphop dresses dont get much more exquisite than this beauty. At £225 it retails at the higher end of the Dress Up for Topshop collection but the yellow silk & tuelle certainly will set you aside from the crowd - you only get one birthday each year, why not?.. Although the bodice is backless & heavily embellished these Christian Louboutin Just Picks (£750) leather, perspex & studded shoes are arguable, yet I feel suit the dress perfectly. The Diane Von Furstenberg yellow raffia clutch (£263) is an exact colour match for the lower half of the dress and is a great alternative to silver - I cannot abide metallic clutch bags! A simple pair of diamond stud earrings (a birthday present from a special someone perhaps?...) completes the look, anything more I fear I'd start to resemble a Christmas tree.

Simple, sleek & sexy - I love this look. Miles aside from the sugar sweet yellow number, this French Connection bodycon dress (£115) is a dead ringer for a Herve Leger number, for around two grand less. Whilst some may argue the bodycon shape is a little three years ago, I find this style to be incredibly flattering - I'd far rather pour my body into this than some Mumsy 'midi' style. In the words of Coco Chanel, "Fashion fades, style stays". A firm believer in wearing what suits, not being a fashion victim! The Christian Louboutin Asteroid spiked shoes (£795) and clutch bag (£650) add further sex appeal and fit the rule - a girl must wear Louboutins on her birthday!

Yes, I managed to be one of the very lucky few who happened to be at the right place, at the right time to scoop up this Mary Katrantzou for Topshop dress (£350). I'm obsessed with the labels designs, and quite frankly - whats good enough for Poppy Delevinge at the Elle Style Awards is good enough for me! I havent yet worn this dress for an occasion (other than prancing around in my mirror) so this may be the one... Paired with some simple nude or cream heels, Kurt Geiger clutch and my hair swept back this is a very strong contender for this years winner!

Which option shall I go for?

Rachel x

The Rachelle Edit: Ten Under £100

 As always - the great British high street has done what it does best, turning catwalk inspired looks into fashion-forward and desirable pieces available to all. My favourite new pieces to hit the stores recently, from New Look to Marks & Spencer all come with a price tag of less than £100..

From Left:

New Look Jeans £16 - You can barely buy a round of drinks for £16 these days, this pastel pair of jeans are a quick & cheap way to tap into one of summers biggest trends.

Designed by Miss Selfridge Blue Shift Dress £49.99 & Pink Chiffon with Leather Bodice £90 - I adored the first Designed by Miss Selfridge collection, I dont feel the second is quite on par but these two dresses really stand out for me. The fabric quality, finishings & detail in the print is true designer standard, but for a fraction of the price. I need these dresses.

Zara Yellow Sandals £49.99 - The ideal summer shoe! I love adding bright shoes to a basic outfit to brighten the look yet still looking completley effortless.

Marks & Spencer Printed Dress £49.99 - Yes, I was shocked too. A dress like this, from Marksies? They tend to create several killer pieces each season, in my opinion this is as good as it gets. Looks so much more than a mere fifty quid..

Zara Clutch Bag with Chain Bracelet £59.99 - A great alternative to a plain evening clutch.

Missguided Blue Pleated Dress £22.99 - As pretty as pastels get!

Topshop Beaded Dip Dye Shorts £60 - Gorgeous! I have a raspberry blazer that was made for these shorts, the perfect summer occasion outfit.

Zara Floral Printed Trousers £39.99 - Even though everyone & their aged aunt are talking about these trousers, I still want them. They're talking with good reason - the print is devine & will go with just about everything I own!

What bargains have you discovered recently?

Rachel x

The Rachelle Edit: 50's Americana

 Follow suit of the Prada SS12 T-Bird Girls and be automatic. Systematic. Hyyydromatic...

The 50's inspired Cadillac girls wear mint green & bubblegum pink, but set off the girly hues with polished leather & carwash prints. Make gingham prints an daywear essential and indulge in chiffons & brocades in shimmering sorbet colours of an evening. Flounce around in a full skirt or choose to swagger in a figure-hugging pencil skirt to channel your inner Sandy D or Rizzo!

From Left:

Agent Provocateur Silk Scarf - £175. Prada Cotton Bodysuit - Made to Order. Selection of Prada SS12 shoes from £695 to £1300. Boy. By Band of Outsiders Gingham Print Shirt - £164. Elizabeth & James Cat Eye Sunglasses - £125. Mac Viva Glam Niki Minaj Lipstick - £13.50. Marni Brogued Handbag - £630. Zara Sandals - £49.99. Miu Miu Applique Handbag - £995. Prada Continental Wallet - £580.

How would you channel you inner 50's pin up?

Rachel x

What to Wear: Peplum Jackets

One of my favourite trends to emerge from the SS12 shows is without doubt, the peplum skirt. So feminine, the shape it gives the figure is sublime. Whilst we've all seen peplum skirts and dresses before, I feel the new trouser and jacket styles are incredibly fresh & current.

I've put together a few outfits combining both high-end with high-street, the main point of interest being the peplum jacket. Typically Rachelle style; I tend to pair peplum jackets or tops with slim trousers & fierce high heels to balance out the silhouette - too wide trousers would leave even the skinniest of size 6's looking like Roy Chubby Brown...

Tibi Striped Peplum Jacket Available at Net a Porter - £440. Black Topshop Leigh Skinny Jeans - £38. Zara Basic Sandal - £29.99. Mulberry Alexa Satchel in Black £750.

Acne Turner Raw Cotton Blend Peplum Jacket - £500. New Look Grey Skinny Jeans - £16. Kain White Cashmere & Cotton Blend Vest - £70. Givenchy Buckled Sandals - £660 - Available at Matches. Alexander Wang Iris Black Leather Bag - £695.

Preen Contrast Wool Twill Jacket - £1,170. Debenhams Neon Yellow Vest - £16. Stella McCartney Wool Twill Trousers with Ankle Zips - £395. Aldo Black Faux Leather Clutch Bag - £36. Bottega Veneta Black Suede & PVC Sandals - £445.

How would you wear a peplum jacket?

Rachel x

In Stores This Week: 01/05/2012

I love the pastel trend as much as the next lady, however its lovely to see a variety of colours in clothing stores that arent just sugary-sweet-sorbets! I've selected my favourite eight garments new in stores this week available to buy, and wear, now.

From Left -

Zara Sandals £29.99 - Perfection in an incredibly cheap summer shoe. Ideal for giving summer dresses that edge.

Charlotte Olympia Love Dolly Twill & Calf Hair Pumps £620 Available at Net a Porter - I'm not a lover of white or cream shoes, more of a nude girl, yet I have at least six dresses I can name in my wardrobe that NEED these shoes.

Topshop Yellow Scuba Dress £46 - More neon in the flesh than pastel, the racer back shape is incredibly flattering.

Miss Selfridge Aztec Embellished Cut Out Dress £80 - Bargain of the week! Beautiful cut, pattern, colour.. What isnt to love? Cant see this one hanging around long, act fast!

Vera Wang Stretch Chiffon Maxi £1300 - Splurge of the week! Intricate print, a peplum skirt and terribly sexy front slit, if you have anywhere special to be this week, this is the dress to be there in.

Topshop Cream Box Fringe Bag £30 - I'm always on the hunt for an evening alternative to a clutch, this fits the bill perfectly, the fringes add the extra 'wow'!

Topshop Cream Biker Jacket £80 - I love the draped, collar-less front, ideal colour to lighten up transeasonal items.

Zara Floral Printed Skinny Jeans £29.99 - An pretty exact replica of those D&G beauties, just £300 lighter! Love!

Whats on your wishlists this week?

Rachel x

What to Wear: A Rainy Weekend

The April showers are in full force, ruining our well stocked new summer wardrobes! While we in the UK hoped to be adorning playsuits and light blazers by the last weekend of the month, in reality we're shrugging our winter jackets back on and destroying many an umbrella in gale force winds!

This weekend calls for us to take note from the off-duty models & seek refuge from the weather, whether that comes in the from of a utility style parka jacket to keep you dry on an Oxford Street shopping spree, a good old fashioned Barbour perfect for those Sunday afternoon dog walks or a glamorous fur coat for Saturday night cocktails.

Jil Sander Green Parka available in a selection of colours £470 available at Net a Porter. Alexander Wang T White T-Shirt £75. Miu Miu Washed Leather Nappa Skirt £995. Acne Pisa Suede Ankle Boots £480 available at Liberty. Vintage Chanel Bag from a selection at Resurrection Vintage. American Apparel Red Umbrella £45.

Topshop White Lace Peplum Top £28. J Brand Waxed Skinny Jeans £275. Chloe Studded Leather Ankle Boots £790 available at Net a Porter. Liberty for Barbour Quilted Cotton Jacket £290 available at Liberty. Purple Aspinal of London Umbrella £150.

 Joseph Colour Block Mohair Jumper £215. L'Agence Shearling Jacket £1,150 available at Net a Porter. Helmut Lang Black Leather Trousers £550 available at My Wardrobe. Christian Louboutin Black Pigalle Pumps £375. Alexander McQueen Chain Strap Handbag £770. Black Ruffle Trim Umbrella £15 available at Debenhams.

Rachel x