i carry your heart

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

~e.e. cummings 

A sweetly romantic ensemble - a cream coloured blouse with ruffled bib (from ModCloth), a black and cream tweed skirt (from John Lewis), both embellished with black rick rack trim. and a basic black pump from Chinese Laundry. A tailored fuschia cashmere cardigan sweater adds a pop of colour, and amber-and-rose chandelier antiqued earrings complete the look.

Of Wildfell Hall

This outfit brings to mind Helen Graham, the protagonist of Anne Brontë's novel "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall," who is solid and practical but also believes in fairytale romance.

A conventional grey and brown  jigsaw herringbone skirt from John Lewis and a practical shoe in the same colour scheme is offset by the ultra-feminine aqua blouse with bow from Miss Selfridge. A fitted curry velvet jacket is both sensible and whimsical. And pinned to that jacket is a brooch that bears what could possibly be the silhouette of Helen Graham, with dangling poetic charms. 

Gallant in Green

**gallant  - smartly or boldly stylish** 

That's what you'll be in this elegant outfit with a boiled wool emerald green skirt from John Lewis and a LeSaint flowing layered grey tunic cinched at the waist with a rose-adorned belt. A green-and-burgundy beaded necklace from Etsy and basic black ankle boots from Naughty Monkey complete the outfit.

Time for Tea

This crazy skirt from John Lewis features teapots in dark grey, turquoise, pink, and chartreuse on a grey-white background. Combine that with a sheer chartreuse belted blouse and retro grey heels, both from ModCloth, and a bumblegum pink beaded necklace from Etsy, and you're ready for tea and crumpets.

The Misty Moors of Scotland

There's just something about this outfit that brings to mind a drafty stone cottage, fox hunters on a misty morn, bagpipes, and hot toddies. 

A riding skirt from John Lewis in brown-blue-green plaid is paired with a mocha sweater with scalloped neckline from Modcloth. Add some unexpected delight with heather blue boots from Chloe. The necklace (from Etsy) with browns, blues and greens pulls the outfit together, and also adds a pop of contrast with burgundy and pink.