5 simple reminders for choosing happiness

1. Never let one bad day make you feel like you have a bad life.
2. Do small things with huge amounts of love. 
3. Don’t waste your time being upset about something you can’t change.  Start again right now and do it better this time.
4. The best thing that you can do in life is follow your intuition.  Take risks.  Don’t just make the safe and easy choices because you’re afraid of what might happen.  If you do, nothing will ever happen.
5. Life is like a rainbow, you need both the sun and the rain to make its colors appear.


Here's to a happy Wednesday!


Rachel xo


1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8  // reminders

Taking the leap

Hi lovelies! Hope you enjoyed the weekend. I went apartment hunting on Saturday; found the perfect apartment and was lucky enough to get it! You may remember my little apartment wish list and I'm thrilled to say that it ticks all of the boxes. I absolutely cannot wait to get started decorating and setting up my new home. As an added bonus it's in an incredible location, right in the middle of Potts Point + within walking distance to pretty much everything. There is an fresh food market right across the road every weekend that has delicious food; organic fruit/veg + flowers. Yes, I'm going to love it!


To put this in perspective, for what seems like the longest time (even though its only been 5 months) I have felt my life has been on hold until I work out "what I'm going to do". But, after reading a post Annie wrote last week, I realised that I was spending too much time worrying about the future, so much so that I forgot what was in front of me and how good it could be, and how much I haven't been listening to my heart. So with that I've decided to take my own advice and take a leap, a leap into the unknown. I have no solid plans, just lots of ideas and an open heart + mind. 


The whole thing is moving fast - I'm signing the lease on Friday + will be moving in Saturday...So things may be quiet around here this week whilst I pack + get everything organised, but I will pop in when I can!


Until then, have a fabulous week ahead,


Rachel xo

Image via

3 lovely things...

Hi lovelies! I just wanted to share a few lovely things that have brought a smile to my face lately...

Jules has become one of my favourite style bloggers recently; I'm always inspired by her colourful, comfortable + super chic outfits. I'm loving these coral jeans paired with this lovely blue blazer...

A dreamy Hermes Kelly bag...

This shot just makes me happy, thats all. + I love the glasses.

The past couple of months have been a bit nuts (to put it lightly) on the work front but I'm thrilled to let you know that the site I have been pouring my heart + soul into is finally here. For all my friends in Oz (or for anyone visiting soon!) I'd love you to check www.mydoorstep.com - the definitive going-out guide to what's on in your city.


Tomorrow night the Doorstep team are going out to celebrate a little and I can't wait to have a cocktail or two with the fab bunch of people who helped make this site awesome!


I hope to be back to normal blogging soon, so thank you all for being patient with me!


Hope you're having a fabulous Thursday,


Rachel xo


Images 1 | 2 | 3

Wednesday Workspace {modern, vintage}

When I spied the workspace of Zoe Johns I was instantly smitten with the stunning vintage desk + gold detailed mirror. The cozy corner has an incredibly calming feel to it; perhaps it has something to do with the lovely shade of blue used for the walls or the muted tones of the artwork. 

I do love the minimalist approach used to decorating the space - surprisingly it feels like less is more, don't you think?

Fall in love with the rest of Zoe's home here.

Happy hump day lovelies,

Rachel xo

Image via: Design*Sponge

Currently Coveting {hints of neon}

If you have been witnessing whole neon trend lately and wondering how on earth you are going to pull it off, don't worry you are not alone!  Whilst I have been admiring the trend from afar, I've not yet felt I could embrace it fully. But lately I've been starting to think that I could *maybe* dip my toe in the water so to speak and introduce some hints of neon to my outfits...


Here are a few looks that have inspired me....

How do you add just a hint? Start small with accessories - a clutch, a belt or even a pair of shoes. These Anne Taylor flats are a good place to start. Then if you're feeling more adventurous, go bolder with a bag or satchel. Most of all: have fun!

1. Claire Vivier pouchette // 2. Cambridge Satchel Co. // 3. Miu Miu belt // 4.  Asos clutch // 5.  Anne Taylor flats

Have you been experimenting with neon lately?


Rachel xo




Image credits: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 

Thoughts for a new week :: Explore. Dream. Discover.

This is one of my favourite quotes of all time + reading it again recently made me think twice about how easy it is to push your dreams to the side and get caught up with the everyday.


Don't let time pass you by: write that book you have mapped out in your head; start that business you've been dreaming about; take that overseas trip you keep putting off. 


Don't wait for the right moment - it will never arrive. Take a leap of faith.


Hope your week is off to a fabulous start my dears,


Rachel xo




Image // Quote.

Happy weekend + lovely links

Happy weekend friends! This week has been a busy one so now I'm looking forward to catching my breath + catching up on things. I may also indulge in a little retail therapy, having my eye on this navy wool blazer + these fun pointy flats.


:: Here are this week's lovely picks...


+ Anna Spiro launched her lovely new wallpaper range for Porter's Paints. My favourite is the pretty Rosey Posey Trellis in pink ginger.


+ Sarah Wilson's, the I Quit Sugar Cookbook looks to be full of delish tasting, healthy recipes - this one looks especially good.


+ The three simple currencies of investing in your dreams.


+ I have a serious crush on all of the pieces in Garance Dore's collaboration with Reed Krakoff  - simply stunning.


+ Jessica's gold chevron dining room wall turned out looking fabulous.




:: And in case you missed it :: 


+ Thoughts for a new week: the happiest people


+ The chic + lovely workspace of Kelley Carter.



Have a wonderful weekend friends!




Rachel xo




Image via

Wednesday Workspace

I loved the ultra feminine and chic office of Real Simple market editor, Kelley Carter, featured in this month's Lonny. The pink neon desk adds such an element of fun + I adore the fabric covered inspiration board. The light pouring in the window would make this space such a joy to work in!

See the rest of Kelley's gorgeous home here.

Happy hump day friends!

Rachel xo

Image credit: Lonny

Thoughts for a new week :: the happiest people

I have been working rather than blogging and believe me I would much prefer to be doing the latter. I have missed you all and am sorry to be MIA.


I hope you're week is off to a wonderful start lovelies,


Rachel xo


Image \\ Quote

Happy weekend + lovely links

Happy weekend lovelies! After an exhausting work-week I'm looking forward to taking some much needed time to relax and recharge. Two of my favourite ways  to unwind are taking Charlie on a long walk and baking {for my mum} - both of which are on the agenda! 


What are your plans?


Here are this weeks lovely picks...


+ I loved these 101 lessons life teaches. My favourite was this one: Age wrinkles the body.  Quitting on your dreams wrinkles the soul.
+ Louise from Loo, Boos + Shoes has just launched her hand-blended range of facial oils - L'Apothecary. The bottles are hard to resist being so charming + lovely! {thank you for the introduction Sophie!}
+ I'm swooning over the incredible homes featured in this month's Lonny.
+ Abby Larson's feature on The Everygirl was incredibly inspiring + her office is to-die-for.


...And in case you missed it...


+ Thoughts for a new week: be confident.
+ Best dressed at the Met Gala Awards.
+ The perfect cup of tea.
+ Clutch love.
+ I was also honoured to guest post over at Erika's blog sharing 3 different ways of styling black + white.


Have a wonderful weekend!


Rachel xo




Images: 1 | 2

Clutch love + a guest post!

A clutch not only makes a stylish statement, but has practicalities too - why be weighed down by a shoulder strap when you can carry all of your essentials in such a chic, minimalist way?

{The classic clutch}

{The over-sized clutch}

{The mini-clutch}

I'm also thrilled to be guest posting over at Erika's fabulous blog today, sharing 3 different ways to style my favourite palette: black + white. Do pop on over at take a peek!

Only one more day until the weekend!

Rachel xo

Sources: 1 | 2 | 3

The perfect cup of tea

Hi lovelies! This past week my sister and I have been busy preparing a high tea to spoil our Mum on Mother's Day this Sunday. We haven't thrown a proper high tea before so planning the menu has been fun. We have so far planned to bake this, these + these - yum!


Because I'm not a big tea drinker myself, I need to master the art of making the perfect cup of tea, so I plan on following these simple instructions...

How are you planning to spoil your Mum on Sunday?


Rachel xo






Sources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Best dressed :: 2012 Met Gala Awards

High drama hair and make-up, along with colour blocking and lots of neon, marked the trend at last night's Met Gala Awards. 


There were a few misses of the evening, notably Leighton Meester (the hair and make up was all wrong) and Dakota Fanning (her dress was not flattering at all); but overall I was thoroughly impressed by the risks that people took, especially Christina Ricci, who wore Thakoon - what an incredible dress!


I've narrowed down to my top 10 favourite looks of the evening...

{Carey Mulligan in Prada}

{Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren}

{Mary-Kate Olsen in The Row}

{Hanneli in Calvin Klein}

{Rihanna in Tom Ford}

{Solange Knowles in Rachel Roy}

{Kate Boswoth in Prada}

{Ivanka Trump in Peter Pilotto}

{Christina Ricci in Thakoon}

{Gisele Bundchen in Givenchy}

{Chloe Sevigny in Miu Miu}

Who wore your favourite look of the night?


Rachel xo




Image source: The Huffington Post

Thoughts for a new week :: Be confident

I wanted to start the week off with some positivity + found these thoughts on confidence too good not to share.


It sounds so simple, but it's true: by believing in yourself and having faith in your abilities, you allow yourself to shine.


Happy Monday lovelies!


Rachel xo


Image credit // Quote credit

happy weekend + MBFW street style favourites

Happy weekend friends! This past week the MBFW took place in Sydney, and as always, the street style looks are the best bit, so I thought I'd share a few favourite looks with you.


Do you have anything planned for the weekend? I'm starting my hunt for the perfect bachelorette apartment, which is going to be a challenge given the rental shortage here, but I'm hopeful I will find something! My wish list for the apartment is not that long...but I do want to find an art-deco studio with polished floorboards, white walls + lots of light. Oh and a big closet would be nice!


:: Here are a this week's lovelies...


+ This piece on following your heart & embracing the unknown really struck a chord with me.


+ The May/June issue of Rue is out.


+ Loved this piece on 10 ways people choose happiness.


+ This eatery Joan's on 3rd in LA looks incredible & has been captured beautifully by Laure Joliet.


:: And in case you missed it... 


+ Lovely gold details.


+ Welcome, May.


+ Life lately through the instagram lens.


Have a beautiful weekend lovelies!


Rachel xo




Image credits: Lee Oliveira

Life through the Instagram lens

Hi lovelies! Sorry for the lack of posting lately, things have been slightly hectic on the work front which has left me with not much time for anything else this week. I hope you're week hasn't been as crazy as mine!


I thought I'd share a few pics of life lately though my instagram lens...

+ On my reading list: Vogue + Zoe Foster's The Younger Man (a very fun read!)

+ A few recent make up favourites: Clinique gradient blush in Black Honey; Nars Silk Road + Taiga eyeshadows; Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner in Ivy Shimmer ink.

+ It's getting colder here; on the weekend I wore boots for the first time this year!

+ I picked these beautiful Calla Lillies from the garden - aren't they incredible?

+ Homemade baba ganoush, celery, carrots + olives made a healthy appetizer for my Dad's birthday.

+ Such a fun idea for my brother's wedding save-the-date - it's a magnet on the other side!

Happy Thursday friends!

Rachel xo

Welcome, May

As we welcome the month of May, I am reminded that another month has passed and that there has never been a better time for me to dream big + move confidently in the direction of living the life I imagine. 


Don't let your dreams pass you by.


Wishing you a wonderful start to May!


Rachel xo




Credits: 1 | 2