Seven on Sunday 0.8

As i mentioned in Friday's post.. it has been a toughie this past week.
When things could go wrong, they did. BIG time.
But starting afresh this week with hope for a much better week (it couldn't be any worse than last week.. i hope!) and a renewed look on things. Sometimes things don't go your way, but it doesn't necessarily mean its your fault or that you should take everything to heart.
I need to remain mindful and in the moment this week,rather than attempting to think of a gajillion things, 90% of what i can't change anyway.
So yes.. onwards and upwards folks.

This week i have been loving:

0.1 This reed diffuser in Winter's Wish.. so so good! I have one on my desk so when i sit and work it smells divine. Its like the very best of winter smells. Plus Donna, the owner is a mum boss/small business owner like myself. Its wonderful to support small like minded women in business don't you think? (plus she's FAB!)

0.2 I'm on the hunt for the perfect check shirt. Last year i bought and subsequently returned 3 checked shirts. I just don't feel like me in them. I look like a lumberjack, or farmer, which is neither the look i was going for.
But i am not one to give up easily,no no, i am very much still on the look out for some perfect plaid. I'm thinking, leather trousers, check shirt, black gillet and lots of long chains as a necklace. A little bit edgy is the way that i think i'd like to try a check shirt.
In my mind its black and green checked. This one looks like it could be worth a punt. But my favourite are from here at Madewell.. theres some lovely choices and the prices seem not too bad!

0.3 Still all about the stews this week! This Slimming world Italian bean stew.. YUM

0.4 This plum lipstick has been on constant lip rotation this past week. On trend, can be layered up for darker look or blotted off for a subtler shade. Nice on the lips too, not drying or glossy.

0.5 i have been on the hunt this week for the perfect black cape/poncho!! Its all i have been looking at all week, to the point where i was going poncho crazy. I knew what i wanted but do you think i could find it? Well apparently not. I found it in white and neutral but black was non existent.. or so i had began to think. Then i found this one.. on sale.. I pick it up Wednesday. I see it with navy and leather by friday ;)

0.6 Tried this hat on and didn't buy it.. now i need to go back and get it as my head misses it so bad :(

0.7 This charm has a very special place in my heart.. Neo and i have a Gingerbread man thing going on. So have put this on my christmas list.. isn't it cute!!


All pics from my Instagram
and also Facebook if you fancy chatting over there

What have you been loving this week? I would LOVE to hear!

Rxx

Bad week, 2nd Vlog & Passion4Fashion Linkup!

Firstly I apologise for the lateness of today's link up.
Its been one of those weeks.
When things could go wrong, they have.
Ever have one of those?
I have been so stressed.
The printer broke down, my computer packed in and the only person who could fix it (hubby) was working away. Missing parcels, broken goods and generally sad times.
It rained ALL WEEK LONG, so no outfit photos were taken, much to my utter dismay.
Also as mentioned above, Salvatore's been away A LOT, so no photographer, no helping hand, no husband cuddles and words of encouragement.
Its been rough.
And on top of all that, i accidentally set some Christmas presents on fire and nearly took out the whole kitchen.
Devastated.
Disastrous week all round really.
So yes.
I am feeling a little down in the dumps.
But its Friday. I have Salvatore home for the weekend, family around me and a bottle of wine in the fridge.
I think i need to re-charge my batteries and stop putting SO much stress and pressure on myself.
Its ridiculous.

But what i have for you today is VLOG number 2!
Yes. I filmed it finally. Yes i've rambled on and on (i apologise)
The editing is non existent (hence why its 18 minutes long..Feel free to skip through)

I would love for you to have a watch and any words of encouragement would be sincerely felt today.
And if you would like to follow along and watch me, hopefully, improve my vlogging skills then i would love you to follow my channel too!

I'm also now working on the Rachel The Hat Facebook page too so would love you to come chat with me there

Vlog 2

As always guys thanks so much for you constant support, it really does mean the world to me, and becomes especially poignant when my week has been so annoyingly bad.
You guys rock!

An InLinkz Link-up

Seeing Stars

For as long as i can remember i have loved stars. 

Star prints surround me. I have them on jumpers, scarves, jewellery etc. 

On the eve of my 30th birthday i was stood in my garden (waiting for a certain puppy to go pee pee) and i saw my first shooting star.

Plus i'm a complete sci-fi geek so love the idea of space and the huge question of what's out there?

We regularly watch space programmes and it fascinates me. Its something over the next year i finally hope to study more of. 

But for now something i can study? 

The fashion.

Stars are EVERYWHERE this season, much to my delight. It seems like the 'in' print and perfect for the festive season, New year and beyond. 

Happy starry days indeed!

So what's on the market?

Lets start with star jumpers

Hush has a gorgeous selection of grey and navy combinations with just a solitary star on the from. 

Simple but oh so effective. Perfect for a casual weekend outfit.

Hush Star Jumpers

 Next up my favourite and the one i purchased a few weeks ago in the grey and gold combination, but this one with the red stars is perfect for the festive season and then some!

 Collection John Lewis Stars Sweater

Shall we move on to blouses/shirts.
The thing i love a bout a great blouse, and i've mentioned this before, but the potential is great. You can dress them up or down, out for coffee or for drinks. Love me a good blouse.
Especially this one..

Equipment Star Silk Shirt

The sublime starry beauty is divine. I bought it last month and wore it all over Halloween and bonfire night for some starry action. But have also worn it to the hairdressers and out for lunch.
Paired with some leather trousers and heels you've got a gorgeous evening look, or with some NB trainers, a parka and boyfriend jeans and its perfect weekend wear.
Now it's not the cheapest, but i assure you, its stunning and feels wonderful on, doesn't crease and is really comfy and just the nicest to wear.

More blouses
Starry action from Great Plains

I have the navy and its beautiful, it has some little cut outs to the wrist and back, really really pretty.

Marks and Spencer No Peep Star shirt

Classic black and white, excellent price point and would look gorgeous layered under a crew neck grey jumper.

And seeing as the Festive season is fast approaching with all those Christmas doo's its only fair we take a quick look at some dress potentials

French Connection Million Stars Dress

 Now French Connection has come up trumps in my books. These two beauties are starry perfection. The above dress is fun and flirty, would look gorgeous worn to parties regardless of the season, but also the perfect little number for Christmas day too (if you like to get dressed up on Christmas day that is, i know some who spend it in pj's)
And the below maxi dress is ticking all the right boxes for the winter maxi dress dress. I'd pair this with a black biker jacket and some black boots to work a black and blue contrast. Dark smoky eye and a glitter clutch. Love!
(French connection has 20% off with Grazia at the moment. Code is (very appropriately) PARTY20

French Connection Night Sky Maxi Dress

 Bit of a wild card, a little starry jumpsuit from Marks and Spencer. I didn't like this when i first picked it for the post, but actually? I think it's rather fun. In the depths of winter when the sheer thought of getting those milk bottle legs out makes me shudder to the core, then this could be a girls saviour. I like the idea of adding a faux fur coat with this for some full on fabulousness. Not so versatile a piece but great for a night out.

Matching the great plains blouse, they also have the sweet sweet Starry Tea Dress. 

 But if you're looking for causal (and you are one of those people who like to stay in pjs all christmas day) then there star treats a plenty for that too.

Hush comes up trumps again with these gorgeous pjs and gold star tshirt

 Marksy's again with some casual starry tee's, perfect for Boxing day when you're still so full you can't move further than the kitchen to get more food (just me?).

Grey Tee 

Gold Star Tee

And of course obligatory pj's. I recently picked up 2 different pairs of starry pj's from Primark and i love them, how long they'll last? Who knows, but for now they're cosy and comfy.

John Lewis has a few lovely luxe pj's, especially with #manonthemon Christmas advert (have you seen it??? Oh they've done it again, its a cracker, 'scuse the pun. Tears rolled down my face.. i swear they get me every year!!!)

 To the moon and back pj set

Shooting star pj bottoms

And this isn't even scratching the surface. We also have accessories to play with too, which is hall be covering off soon as the're the fun bit!

So do you love a starry motif? Do you like scattering of stars or just one solitary star on your clothing?
Let me know if you've seen anything star like too so i can have a gander!

A Break from Jeans with some Great Trousers (& #Passion4fashion Linkup!)

Last week i had a craving for trousers. Sometimes i find myself living in jeans all week that i suddenly get the urge to break out of the usual leg attire and wear some trousers.
Its just nice for a change.
I have a couple of stipulations for trousers. One is comfy (no crotch riders thank you) and second they have to be a nice fabric that's not clingy. These are the softest fabric, they move freely with you (no wedgies in sight you'd be pleased to know, or slightly disgusted at the thought of me mentioning wedgies.. sorry, i have a mind like a child) and sit perfectly on the waist.
Quite simply, they are divine.

A little bit of check in a monochrome colour scheme is a perfect addition to my wardrobe. I knew i wanted to pair them with my plum merino sweater from Gap, but i love the styling of them on the website too (here). I'm now on the look out for a grey turtle neck slouchy jumper (This Boden one is gorgeous) to copy the look completely. Then when it gets colder, i can swap my loafers for some black ankle boots (and sockies) and a thick coat and there we have an instant outfit update.
Not even mentioning the other possibilities of black and white, red for Christmas and a chambray shirt.

You get the point..
These trousers are a wonderful alternative to jeans.

Do you like to wear trousers or are you a jeans girl through and through?

Quick mention to my new lovely Rebecca Minkoff bag that i had been dreaming of..
Divine isn't it? And the perfect shade for the season too!

Shop the Look
Trousers
jumper
Shoes
Bag
Necklace

FACEBOOK UPDATE:

Just wanted to mention that i have re started my RTH Facebook page. I'm really enjoying it as a social platform for Yosa so have re visited it for the blog too.
I would love to chat with you over there too, so come like the page here and we can have a natter!

An InLinkz Link-up