The Strength to Face the Day

{via Vogue May 2008}

I realize that these images are a bit old, ancient in fashion-world years, but they've just recently inspired me a great deal, so I thought, why not?!   These women are all strong, glamourous, powerful, and fashionable, all things that I'm trying my hardest to be, and while I'm not attempting to be a superhero, I do kind of dig the theme.  It's not as if I look at this editorial and think "oh, I could wear that", but it certainly creates an idea, a feeling of power that I wish to evoke and that I truly believe fashion helps us to embody.  When I get dressed in the morning, the costume I assemble gives me power, even when I feel so low that I can't imagine facing the world.  I need that, I think we all need that.  Thanks for reading, loves, it means the world to me.

Truly yours,

Rachel

L'Oréal Paris Youth Code!

                                                                                      

Hey loves! So the other day I received an awesome surprise in the mail!  The Vogue Influencers Network sent me a L'Oréal Paris Youth Code starter kit and asked me to try it out and then let you know what I thought!  I'm going to be honest, I'm a huge skeptic of anti-aging products, thanks to my no-nonsense, dermatologist mother, but I was willing to give it a shot!  Watch the video to hear about my experience using these breakthrough products, and then let me know what you think!  Oh, and try not to make fun of my overwhelming dorkiness, I'm not quite a movie star, but I'm working on it!


Truly yours,
Rachel

Santa Abandonment Issues

{via We <3 It}

I know you all may be expecting a post dedicated to my holiday celebrations, but it seems I don't celebrate Christmas, soooooooo.......AWKWARD!

I figured that, even though I wont be celebrating little baby Jesus' b-day today, I could still talk about my obsession with twinkle lights.  We've spoken time and time again about my love affair with all things sparkly, so this really shouldn't come as a surprise.  That being said, I swear I will punch you in the face if I see you assaulting a tree with those ugly rainbow lights.   Hehe, just kidding...{kinda}.  

So now that you guys know about my undying love for twinkle lights and peppermint, do ya wanna hear a story?  Once upon a time there was a little Rachel.  Little Rachel was about 6 years old, and was seriously concerned about Santa Claus coming to her house, so she wrote the following letter.

Dear Santa,

Please do not come to my house, because I am Jewish.  Even if you do try to come, I will shut the chimney flue, and you will get stuck. 

Love, Rachel 

I was so darn cute!  

Truly yours,

Rachel

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might

Since I am part of the AMAZING Vogue Influencers Network I was invited to make my very own Kenneth Cole wish-list!  These wish-lists are so much fun, I seriously spent well over two hours putting mine together.  What's so great about a Kenneth Cole wish-list is that you can select from a huge array of awesome items, {not just Kenneth Cole}, such as a blogger's BFF {the digital SLR camera}, an original Andy Warhol, or even world peace!  You can even earn badges for adding and fulfilling wishes!  Above are a few of my dream items {I would seriously go into cardiac arrest if someone gifted me McQueen shoes from his final collection}.  You can go here to make your own wish-list, and while you're at it, go ahead and check mine out to see what else I am lusting after. 

Truly yours,

Rachel

Leather King, A Selby Film

Mitch Alfus reminds me of the fashion world's answer to Iggy Pop.  Oh, you didn't know about my serious love for Iggy Pop?  See, I'm full of surprises!  You're looking at one former vegetarian with a serious love for sumptuous, buttery leather.  I have no shame....

Truly yours,
Rachel

Sprinkles

{via UO, J. Crew, Sterling Style, Victoria's Secret}

Since my Christmas is probably going to look a little something like this, I have 0.0 reason to ponder upon a gorgeous holiday outfit {sad face}.  But, not to worry, I have been spending all of the time I would be thinking about ironically ugly holiday sweaters, planning out my cute New Years outfit!  My soiree ensemble will be built around the sequined skirt, a trend I could blame on Nanette Lepore or J. Crew, but will probably chalk up to my undying love for Bob Mackie.  The key to pulling off this look is to balance out the glitz of the skirt with a more casual top in a neutral color.  Ooooo, I can't wait to blind people with my bedazzled fit come December 31st!  

P.S. I have recently joined the Vogue Influencer Network, so look out for some great product reviews and sneak peeks at lines before they hit the runway!  Yippee! 

P.P.S I am having trouble figuring out where I found the first photo of the lovely girl with the headband.  If anyone can point me in the right direction I would be so grateful! 

Truly yours,

Rachel

Public Beware

{Public Beware A/W 10}

How amazing are all of these pieces above?  I know, stare a little bit more....ok, now stop drooling lovelies, and listen up.  I present to you Public Beware, an amazing clothing brand that started up in London's East End in 2002, and since then has been one of the forerunners of street style culture.  These guys have an amazing array of tops, dresses, outerwear, and accessories, pretty much anything your heart could desire!  They are located on Brick Lane in London, but, lucky for those of us who are regrettably, "london challenged", they have a truly fantastic online shop!  It really is so nice to see a brand offering beautiful clothing for reasonable prices, because, {I'm not going to lie to you guys}, this is one fashion blogger who is on a serious budget!   

Here's the really great part.  Since I fancy myself some Jewish version of Santa Claus, {Hanukkah Hannah? I dunno}, Brick Lane is offering you dolls a 20% discount and free shipping on your purchase of £100 or more until December 17th!  Just enter the discount code "publicbeware171210" at checkout and bask in the bliss of your gorgeous savings!  Check out their online shop here!

Truly yours,

Rachel

Red Lips

(Terry Richardson for Harper's Bazaar U.S.)

Oh my goodness I love this!  I have been in SUCH a slump lately, feeling completely unmoved by the fashion world and thus, utterly unmotivated to blog.  Then, WHAM I saw this editorial from Harper's Bazaar U.S. and I'm back in the game, baby!  I mean hellllloooooo, did you see those Valentino Garavani color-block platforms?!  And I know you all are well aware of my unhealthy obsession with the perfect trench.  Add a cameo by cute, furry bambi into the mix and I am so sold!  While I'm sure that a few months from now we'll all by musing about how done we are with the sultry 1970s power-woman look,  I'm completely willing to relish in it right now.  The hair, the bright red lips, the high waisted sailor pants, they are all calling to me.  

Truly yours,

Rachel

Boys and Girls, He Did It Again: VS Angels Just Wanna Have Fun

Angels of Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2010 from Justin Wu on Vimeo.

"From London with Love" - Orla Kiely Spring/Summer 2011 from gia coppola on Vimeo.

The ever so lovely Rebecca over at The Clothes Horse posted this video yesterday, and ever since then I have been watching it on repeat!  I don't think I mentioned before that on my trip I absolutely fell in luuurrrvvveee with London, and this sweet little short brings me right back to that charming town.  Our starlet is Nathalie Love, who just happens to be the daughter of Teen Vogue editor Lisa Love {ring a bell, Hills fans?}.  How jealous are you of her effortless, mod look?  {the correct answer would be very jealous, dolls, very}.

Truly yours,

Rachel

In December, Drinking Horchata

Mmmmm I love me some of this Urban Outfitters November 2010 lookbook!  It brings to mind all of the things I love about the holiday season: cozy plaids, chunky socks, cuddly blankets, eating great food with the ones I love, **TWINKLE LIGHTS**, and floating on mattresses in the middle of the water, {eeehhhh maybe not so much}.  Who else is ready to get their winter holiday on? 

Truly yours,

Rachel

Rambling Man

 

So here is the second and final batch of photos from my amazing European adventure!  I know you all were waiting anxiously at the edge of your seats, refreshing this page over and over again in anticipation of these photos! {this is the part where you all nod your heads fervently in agreement, am I right?}.  These photos start in Granada and track our trip through Barcelona, Venice, Vernazza, Sienna, Florence, and Rome.  Vernazza is a place you all MUST go to if you ever travel to Italy.  It is a tiny harbor town in the Cinque Terre region and I swear I have never traveled anywhere so beautiful in my life.  

{seriously, if you don't go we may not be able to be friends anymore. seriously.}

I am seriously sorry for my incredible case of bloggerus slackerus, I will do my best to overcome this ailment and get my little butt back into the blogosphere!

Truly yours,

Rachel