Viva Espana

This time last week I was on holiday in sunny Spain with my girlies. I was lucky enough to win free accommodation near Marbella (I know right? Nothing like that EVER happens to me! I have never even won bath bubbles in a charity raffle lol). It was so lovely to get away from the gloom and doom of rainy London and all the worries of work. Though I still had my trusty revision for my upcoming exams with me by the pool, I only managed to get through two chapters. Most of our time was spent eating.. umm.. drinking, enjoying Marbella, Granada, Malaga and Cordoba, as well as lazing on the beach.. oh and did I mention eating? ;)

As we rented a car we had a lot of freedom to explore, and one of the first places we were keen to visit was the Alhambra in Granada.

 

I studied Spanish at school and had visited the Alhambra before while on an exchange, but the gardens were so much more beautiful than I remembered!

Suffering through some sunburn after an 11am to 6.30pm stint on the beach and an 'eventful' pedallo ride we somehow still made it out on the town for a lovely meal of mussels, paella, sangria, cocktails and even salsa dancing!

 On our last day we visited the Mesquita in Cordoba.

I had such a lovely and relaxing time in Spain and really can't wait to go back. I absolutely love the culture, the food and the language and this trip has really inspired me to polish up my Spanish. This weekend I will definitely be ordering some Spanish movies to watch!

Of course no vacation post from me would be complete without an akward jumping shot lol!

Have a good weekend my lovelies! Besos xxx

Good Times/Bad Times

1) The No.1 spot in this week's update has to go to my wonderful dad, Dave.  He was discharged from hospital yesterday after having two stents inserted into one of the arteries in his heart.  He has been told to rest but my mum will definitely have to keep an eye on him because he finds it difficult to sit still! I'm so relieved that he's over the worst of it, I have been sick with worry over the past week.  We all feel very lucky to have him in our lives.

2) I tried to hide my secret and guilty love of trashy reality shows from Chris for a long time when we first got together.  When he spotted a Sky + series link on The Hills, he would comment "what's that doing on there???"...I would be all like "pfffft, I don't know, it must have been recorded by mistake!".  But finally I had to admit to him that although I know these shows are ridiculously staged and super cheesy...I just can't help but watch them.  It's like car crash tv and I just can't look away.  The new show on my radar is one I've heard about that starts on Sunday night called 'The Only Way is Essex' which is supposed to be like a UK version of The Hills:


By the looks of the show's trailer, I would assume that all the 'characters' in the new show will be stereotypical Essex cliches and not representative of what Essex folk are REALLY like!  BUT they need to create entertainment I guess so the fake tan, bling, drama queens and pretty boys are the order of the day.  I'm looking forward to seeing if this is going to be as annoyingly addictive as the likes of Jersey Shore and The Hills. 

Also, the new series of America's Next Top Model starts on Monday...let the makeovers, bitch fights and catwalk falls commence!

3) I am in LOVE with these sheepskin trim boots from New Look.  They will be perfect to go with skinny jeans and black leggings during the winter! I actually prefer winter fashion because there's more opportunity to layer stuff up and wear more things at once.  They're only £34.99 so I'm gonna pick me up a pair next week.  You gotta love the highstreet!

4) My fourth happy moment this week was seeing this video of Miscka the talking husky...she has a YouTube channel all of her own.  Watching this type of thing just makes me want a dog even more! I guarantee this will make you smile/laugh if you are a dog lover...

1) While everyone is out enjoying themselves tonight, I will be grouting our newly tiled kitchen floor...exciting! It took me 40 mins to do a 2ft squared area, so it could take me all night to finish it! Chris laid all the tiles a couple of days ago but he has developed a bad back (old man jokes weren't taken well) so I stupidly offered to finish the job!  I may regret that act of kindness...

2) You really know you have entered into the Autumn months when you get a horrible cold.  I woke up yesterday and it felt like I had swallowed a dozen razorblades! My throat is all swollen and is generally killing me! I am lemsipping it up at the moment in the hope that the cold will disappear before tomorrow night...the 80's themed fancy dress party! Don't worry, I will post pics of me looking silly in my Jem costume! I can't wait to let my hair down after the stressful week I've had.  We'll be playing musical jems such as the following...

Work It Out: Installment Vingt-Trois

In one of my earlier posts I featured a navy Juicy Couture cardigan and was surprised by how many of you lovelies commented on it. Since Juicy Couture isn't a huge brand in the UK, and isn't very easily accessible, I think a lot of people are not aware of their extensive clothes range, other than the infamous 'velour' tracksuits ;). I therefore wanted to show you some formal pieces I have from Juicy.

Suit: Juicy Couture. Shirt: Gap. My public transport ballet flats ;): Faith.

I purchased this suit a very long time ago when I was visiting New York. I think I was about 18-19, so I wanted something smart to wear for internships, but still age appropriate and fun. 

The shape of the jacket is classic and flattering, while the shorter pleated skirt adds a younger twist. I still absolutely love this suit, though I do sometimes feel like a schoolgirl in uniform while wearing it. I probably only have a few years left to wear it.. and get away with it (especially as my Birthday is approaching very soon.. the 28th!!).

P.S. - I wish my school uniform looked like this.. we had loooooong, thick, navy wool skirts, pinstripe shirts and v neck jumpers - more Hoggwarts than Cruel Intentions ;).

What do you guys think of this modern take on a classic suit? Cute or preppy uniform? Are you surprised that Juicy make suits?
xxx

Longer Collar Blazers.... The Look We Like NOW!!



Isabel Marant Fulber leather-trimmed wool blazer $962

 
3.1 Philip Lim contrast collar $950

I know both of the blazers are at slightly pricier side.... I haven't found a "deal" yet. But maybe you will! ^^

(Left) She looks so chic and so HAPPY...haha.. (Vogue Mag.)

Mine: Kay Park last year. 

We will show you more of "THE LOOK WE LIKE NOW" in the future. 

Keep you up-to-date!

xoxo Rachel

NOT All Camel w/ Marni Shearling Jacket!!

Today I tried double eyeliners.... upper eyeliner and lower eyeliner and then I extended the line way pass my real eye.... more seductive!! Yes? No?

I use pearly highlight pen in lower eye.  
Then I only do the black eyeliner from the very end which looks like two WINGs/feathers there. 



I purposely use liquid eyeliner at top and pencil eyeliner at bottom which will ease out might-be-too-dramatic-look for my daily life. ^^ 






Marni 2010 PF (style.com)

Then I combine the above TWO looks.......

Marni houndstooth compatible cropped jacket which allows you wear it upside down two ways. Then you can have shearling collar and shearling "tail" look all the time. ^^ (Not inside out reversible.)

....this look w/ shorter cut

My ODJ. 

1. Top: 

RL camel turtleneck

Marni shearling coat

2. Bottom:

HM high-waisted pants

3. Accessory:

Elfi Altendorfer pink butterfly agate necklace

J Crew pink sequin satin belt

Chanel 08' gray jumbo classic

4. Shoes:

Chrisitan Louboutin Bianca in Burgundy 

You can also fold over sleeves to reveal more shearling... how luxury!! ^^
....This is upside down w/ longer cut ...

PS... couple days ago at Cathy's house!!



There... shearling tail~~~ ^^

Ah, weekend again, hope you have a good plan for your family and friends!!

xoxo Rachel