{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

{a guide to : glamour-ising your bathroom}

Yesterdays flick through Lonny Magazine got me rethinking bathrooms - and how it can be difficult to change a bathroom without having the funds (or permission in a rented property) to re-fit with the roll top bath you've always dreamed of, or a walk in shower the size of a small sauna?

I've a few little ideas that can be applied to the smallest, most basic or boring bathroom to allow for a far more glamorous space to apply your makeup in the morning..

 01 | re-think your shower curtain

Why have a boring, plain shower curtain? Who says you cant have a silk taffeta shower curtain? Acheive an even more glamorous look by hanging it as high as possible, you could even hang it from the ceiling..

 02 | make your bathroom more comfortable 

Treat your bathroom the same as any other room in the house, bring in a beautiful chair or table or lamp and favourite art or photography.

 03 | hang a vintage mirror

One of the easiest ways to change the look of your bathroom is to hang a statement mirror, vintage ones are always real centerpieces, consider anything ornate, gilt or oversized!

 04 | hide ugly pipes

Paint ugly pipes the same colour as your walls to make them blend in, or hide them entirely with something clever like this handmade skirt, interior designer Eddie Ross made this 'skirt' by hanging cheap, basic dishcloths and fastening to the sink with black grosgrain.

The Rachelle Edit: Nineties | The New Vintage

Twenty years later, 'optimum cultural retrospection' has passed, and the fashions of the nineties are now officially vintage. Fear not, girlies, I'm not going to start preaching you into wearing Doc Martens, skater-girl-style clothing complete with gothic makeup or hundreds of weird hair clips - believe it or not, its easier than you think to incorporate the best of the 90's into your wardrobe, you probably already are without even realising it . . .

1. Printed Dresses - Not so much Gwen Stafani in her No Doubt years, more chic tailoring and cleverly designed, flattering prints from Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF Dot Print Wrap Dress £220). Like the Supers of the nineties, I'm going crazy for throw-on print dresses. 2. Silk Trousers - Team these silk D&G printed trousers (£100) with a white  t-shirt, cropped jacket and some simple sandals and you're doing the original 90210, but better. 3. Shorts Suit - A little but clueless, a little bit Carol Smillie on daytime TV, matching pastel suits are huge this summer. I adore this Topshop version. 4. Leather Jackets - Admittedly, leather jackets didn't really go anywhere. This Moschino version is reduced in the .... sale from £399 to £199, wear it over a black bodycon dress for supermodel glamour. 5. Ankle Boots - Avoid smelling like teen spirit & pair these amazing Chloe boots with florals, rather than Dr Martens with flannel. . . 

Read on for a blast from the past; inside June 1999 Vogue UK . . .

Places to Stay: Sanctum Soho, London

Contrary to the name, there's nothing low-key or sanctuary-like about this boutique hotel in Londons party quarter. Two beautiful Georgian houses have been converted to create this luxury bolthole. You can pick a room category to suit your needs, from tiny, capsule-like Crash Pads for the shortest stopovers to a choice of suites. Some even come complete with disco lighting, dramatic mirror-mosaic tiled pillars and, resplendent in the middle of the room, a roll-top bath.

Alongside the perfect Soho location, highlights include; circular beds, the sleek rooftop garden and the gentlemans afternoon tea, which ends with Jack Daniels and cigars!

The restaurant, No 20, is a vintage-glam destination which positively shimmers with wickedness. It's the place for striking a pose with a martini at the sexy lipstick-pink bar, and then relaxing with a menu among its pink columns clad in glass rods, Altfield gold-rose wall coverings and ultra-shiny bronze gold leather banquettes. Tucked away up on the fifth floor, a drink at the cute residents’ roof bar is very much not to be missed (a roof terrace in Soho is a rare find). The sleek roof garden also comes with its own alfresco hydro spa, although those of a nervous (or more sober) disposition may wish to give the rooftop Jacuzzi, with its reputation for swimwear-less decadence, a miss. 

Doubles start from £195.00 per room per night. The hotel is close to both Tottenham Court Road and Leicester Square tube stations.  The nearest mainline station is Victoria, only 15 minutes in a taxi. London Heathrow airport is around 40 minutes in a taxi (allow a little longer in rush hour). Check is is from 3pm, with check out being a leisurely 12noon. Soho’s vibrant social life is on your doorstep, as is Theatreland. For a a little greenery and fresh air to cure a West End hangover, Hyde Park isn't far away.

Rachel x