Introducing Miss Marilyn...

Happy Monday lovelies, I hope you had a brilliant weekend!

I hinted last week that I had been working on a project featuring the gorgeous Marilyn Rubie Green fabric & today I'm excited to share with you my DIY headboard project...

I first had a crush on the Marilyn fabric when I saw Michelle Adams' used it for her headboard and I wasn't disappointed when the fabric arrived - it is even more gorgeous close up!

I followed this DesignSponge* tutorial to make it and I'm really pleased with how it turned out. 

Deciding to keep it the square shape, it definitely makes more of a statement in the room, but a very good statement at that!

Goes nicely with the IKEA Rast hack, don't you think?

Hope your week is off to a lovely start!

Rachel xo

happy weekend & lovely links

Happy weekend lovelies! This week has been kind of crazy so I'm looking forward to relaxing, catching up on your blogs and treating myself with a bit of pampering; heaven!

Here are the lovelies that caught my eye this week…

* For anyone starting to get back into running or who hasn't run before, Jas has got some great ideas on running for beginners.

* I loved this Essential Reading list; a fabulous list of classic books that should be on everyone's bookshelf.

* This lovely and feminine apartment made me go weak at the knees; how darling is the wallpaper? 

* A fabulous round up of creative (and easy!) DIY decorating projects.

* Behind the scenes of the making of Chanel's spring/summer 2012 campaign.

Thank you for your company this week; I hope you have brilliant weekend ahead!

Rachel xo

Image credit: Clemence Posey for UK Glamour Magazine, via Dustjacket Attic

Simple, yet Chic

I love simple, yet chic classic look.

Ashley looks incredibly stylish and proves you can't go wrong with a blue collared shirt, dark jeans, Wayfarers & gold watch.

Rachel xo

Source: Vogue & Coffee

Wednesday Workspace {the perfect palette}

I spied this chic and stylish workspace belonging to Nicole and was  drawn to the sophisticated neutral palette featuring the loveliest shade of grey on the walls.

I love the idea of stacking books; not only is this a great way to store books, but they also add the perfect amount of colour against the grey. 

Also, how fun is the vintage brass pineapple? I would love to find one of these and will be keeping my eye out in case one happens to pop up on ebay or Etsy!

Take a peek at the rest of Nicole's home over at the Glitter Guide.

Happy hump day lovelies!

Rachel xo

Source: Glitter Guide

Hello 2012!

Hello lovelies, happy 2012! 

After indulging in a couple of weeks being technology free to enjoy the Summer sunshine {which has been blissful}; I'm now back and ready to start 2012 with a renewed energy that I can't wait to share with you!

For the first post of the year, I thought I would take a leaf out of Rach's book and create a vision board for 2012, illustrating what I hope to achieve for the year ahead. Also inspired by Rach, I have chosen three words to live by for the year - words that will be guiding everything I do, every decision I make and path I choose. 

Here's what I came up with...

{explore}

There are so many places I am yet to travel, but this year I have India and Nepal on my list as well as New York. My sister is going away in June for 8 months of travelling and the plan is to meet up with her a couple of times for some fun sisterly adventures together!

{create}

The most exciting thing for me in 2012 will be opening my own business. Last year I decided to start freelancing with the aim of setting up a business, so behind the scenes I have been hastily working on some exciting plans that I will be sharing very soon. It has always been a dream of mine to have my own business, so I need to make sure that 2012 is the year this happens!

Of course I have many decorating projects planned - the first of which I will be sharing next week. The pic above with the gorgeous Rubie Green Marilyn fabric is a little bit of a hint - can you guess what it might be??

{illuminate}

I'm already relatively healthy (most of the time!) but this year I want to focus more on what I am putting into my body and making my body the strongest it has been yet. I always feel amazing when I do all the right things (eat well, sleep, exercise more) so I intend to do this with gusto and reinvigorate my fitness regime, making sure I consistently challenge my body, along with fuelling it with the proper foods. I plan to share my healthy recipes with you along the way too!

One thing's for sure: 2012 going to be a fun ride, one that I plan on savouring every moment of! Are you ready?!

Rachel xo

2011 Favourites {top 10 glossy covers}

Last but not least of the 2011 Favourites are the top 10 glossy covers of the year. What makes an amazing glossy cover? It has to be bold, a little bit risqué, and of course, able to tell a compelling story.

Here are my top picks...

{one} Kate Moss: Vogue Nippon, January 2011

{two} Lady Gaga: US Vogue, March 2011

{three} Rihanna, US Vogue, April 2011

{four} Gwen Stefani, UK Elle, April 2011

{five} Giselle Bundchen: French Vogue, April 2011

{six} Alexa Chung: US Vogue, June 2011

{seven} Kate Moss: French Vogue, May 2011

{eight} Mila Kunis & Justin Timberlake; US Elle, August 2011

{nine} The Supers: UK Harper's Bazaar, December 2011

{ten} Isabel Lucas: Australian Vogue; December 2011

I think my favourite has to be the December issue of Australian Vogue with Isabel Lucas on the cover; not only does Isabel look serenely beautiful, this set against the minimalist shot and combined with the textured play on Vogue, makes for a striking effect.

Which was your favourite cover?

I hope you enjoyed the round up of the best of 2011! I'm now off to celebrate the start of 2012, which is set to be an extraordinary year, I just know it. 

Thank you so much for stopping by my little blog this year; I am enormously grateful for your support. I have some exciting things planned for the blog next year and and can't wait to share the next chapter with you!

 Have an amazing start to 2012!

Rachel xo

2011 Favourites {top 10 rooms}

It goes without saying that 2011 has been a year full of fabulous rooms. Throughout the year I have found myself to be continually inspired by the talented designers who create such amazing spaces; too many to narrow down to 10 really, but here were the standouts...

{one} Dining room; Lonny: Celerie Kemble

{two} Dressing room; Lonny

{three} Dining; Nuevo Estilo

{four} Kitchen; Lonny

{five} Office nook; Design Sponge: Naomi Stein

{six} Kitchen; Rue: Nicole Cohen

{seven} Living area; Lonny: Michael & Robert Leleux

{eight} Living area; Adore Home: Lucy Fenton

{nine} Eclectic modern living room

{ten} Dressing room; Ashley Stark

Which was your favourite?

2011 Favourites {top 10 street style looks}

I'm easily inspired by street style fashion these days. With so many style blogs around capturing the looks that people are wearing every day, I love seeing people's unique sense of style and their fabulous outfit creations.

Here are my top picks...

{one} Ashley Olsen

{two} Christine; Fash n Chips

{three} Giovanna Battaglia

{four} Hanneli

{five} Parisian inspired chic

{six} Karmen Pedaru

{seven} Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

{eight} Anh; 9 to 5 Chic

{nine} Karmen Pedaru

{ten} Miranda Kerr

Do you have a favourite look?

I everyone is enjoying their holidays and getting excited about the New Year that is just around the corner!

Next up: Top 10 rooms

Rachel xo

2011 Favourites {top 10 workspaces}

I had so much fun putting together the top picks of the Wednesday Workspace series. With so many gorgeous workspaces featuring throughout the year it was tough narrowing it down to the top 10, but here are the best of the fabulous bunch...

{Hilary from Who What Wear: workspace complete with Smythson note book and iPad with Moleskin cover & Hilary's inspiration wall}

{Ellie Somerville, Lonny: Small Space Style}

{Emily Schuman: Pretty Pink complete with Confetti System}

{Lonny HQ's glamorous revamp}

{Lonny: Black & White}

{Kelly Framel from The Glamourai & her fabulous studio / guest room}

{Jenna Lyons in her JCrew office} 

{Erika of Small Shop Studio created a gorgeous gallery wall}

{Claudia: Peep My Style; a wonderful new blog discovery this year!}

{Feminine chic workspace}

Which was your favourite?

See you soon for the Top 10 Street style looks!

Rachel xo