Oh how I love Autumn! Yes, I'm being a little premature here; after all August isn't over yet but even as we speak the rain is falling in sheets and it's all grey, dull, and stormy... So let's just pretend, okay? Ohhh-tay!

Pretty much everything about Autumn is up my street. The cold air, wood fires and crunchy leaves; the layers of fine shirts, thick wool and cosy coats; the thick stews, hot chocolates and pumpkin spice... Oh it's what my dreams are made of.

Here I've picked some of the lovely pieces I've been lusting after recently; I've tried to keep them quite light so they're not tooooo autumnal just yet... They're just enough to keep you cosy as the weather turns but still be quite pale and transitional. Yay.

1.  Black Poppy Floral Jacquard Mini Skirt - £19.99 - New Look

2.  Wool Blend Wrap Coat by Boutique - £195.00 - Topshop

3.  Lambswool Round Neck Jumper - £85.00 - Johnstons of Elgin

4.  Lace Trim Ankle Socks - £3.50 - Topshop

5.  MARR Leather Ankle Boots - £75.00 - Topshop

6.  Big Dial Grey Lilac and Rose Gold Watch - £80.00 - Olivia Burton

7.  Saffiano Leather Top Handle Bag - £1240.00 - Prada

8.  Embroidered Collar Blouse - £39.00 - Eastex

I didn't intend to make it an outfit build but apparently that's where it ended up! Also it seems that you can take the girl out of Topshop but you can't take the Topshop out of the girl!

What have you been loving recently? Are you looking forward to Autumn as much as I am?

Lots of love,
Rachael♡

For the last little while I've been pulling together images to refresh my portfolio; it's amazing how work you were so proud of at the time is so easily picked apart even a few months in the future. Although I haven't ventured too far back (we just pretend those really old images don't exist, cringe cring cringe), there is nothing like looking at old work to smack you in the face with a wee reminder that we are all constantly learning.

It seems to easy, the more you create = the more you improve, but sometimes it's a struggle to see this regardless of it's simplicity. Sometimes it can feel like we're producing 'better' things than others but, as cheesy as it sounds, the only competition worth measuring against is ourselves.

Look back to where you started and see your progress. Look back to even a year ago and see how much you've changed, how much you've learned, and how much you've improved.

For example, take this image of the gorgeous Kayleigh (left) from July last year which I still absolutely adore. I'd just set out focusing on light and striving to finally achieve that soft, dewy, highlighted look I've loved for years but been unable to replicate. And compare it to this very recent shoot with the gorgeous Grace (right).



I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Lots of love,
Rachael♡

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p.s. - here is a sneaky wee look at my new portfolio site https://rachaelsammon.carbonmade.com !

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* on a Tuesday