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. 

A Dazzle of Zebras

You'll be ready to run with a dazzle of zebras in this zany outfit. A black cashmere sweater with a bell hem is paired with a hot pink wool mini skirt from John Lewis. The outfit gets funky with zebra print tights and black patent leather platform Mary Janes from Giuseppe Zanotti. Add some bling with the necklace from Etsy that has hot pink, zebra print, and turquoise beads.

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.

Ring in the New Year

What better time of year to dress up than New Year's Eve? You can bring in the new year with style in this outfit that pairs a gold Dupioni silk belted jacket with petal hemline from Eskaton Studios with a provocative eggplant velvet skirt from Ipseity. Dance the night away in sparkly slingbacks, and be the belle of the ball in a stunning Van Cleef & Arpels amethyst-and-diamond necklace.

Happy Holidays!

Dressing for the holidays doesn't mean you have to wear a green-and-red ensemble, or worse, a hideous Grandma-sweater festooned with ribbons,sparkles, and appliqués.

You can get your holiday on Victorian style with a stunning outfit like this one, with a burgundy jacket from Mechanical Bunny and a black pencil skirt with kick-pleat flare from Veronica Varlow (and let's keep those fishnet stockings, shall we?). Accessorize with a black-and-burgundy Pandora slingback and a stunning steampunk necklace from Etsy.

Winter Glam

A retro ski sweater matched with a pink wool skirt will keep you warm when the winter winds blow. Add some glam to the comfort with tuxedo-spat-inspired boots from EllE. A chunky necklace from Etsy in onyx and turquoise, with just a hint of pink, adds a touch of color pop.

Leaves of Grass

This summery outfit pairs a white skirt embellished with a flower design at the hem with a green silk blouse with waterfall collar by Paul Smith.

With a Jimmy Choo "Eliza" patten sandals with a green stiletto heel

And this necklace (from Etsy)

Sunshine On A Cloudy Day

Just because the weather is overcast and dreary doesn't mean your clothes have to be! This hemp/cotton blend Dijon tee brings out the subtle golden-yellow pattern in the retro wool skirt, and a Merino wool cardigan with flared waist and bell sleeves adds a dainty touch to the outfit.

Let the sun shine with these suede knee-high boots



With this necklace (from Etsy)

Poppies In October

In the poem "Poppies in October," Sylvia Plath expresses wonder at discovering poppies on a frost-heavy autumn morning. This outfit captures that same feeling with a ruched green blouse by Betty Jackson and a ruffled brown denim skirt with a splash of poppy red provided by the shoes.

With Miz Mooz "Tania" red slingback

And a delicate necklace with a poppy-like flower (from Etsy)

Poppies in October by Sylvia Plath

Conservatively Curvy

This combo is conservative enough for office wear, but it's still fun with the ultra-feminine cut of the pieces and the splash of purple. The jacket is from Viyella and the darted pencil skirt is Labour of Love.

With a conservative-yet-funky grey shoe from Kathryn Kerrigan

And a lovely matchy matchy necklace (from Etsy)

Prada Gets Hippy

This boho-chic outfit features a vibrant blue Arlanna blouse from Coast and an artistically wild Kaleidoscope skirt from Viyella.

With cork wedge sandals by Prada

And this very granola necklace (from Etsy)

Putting On The Glitz

This outfit is all about glitz and glam, with an elaborately embellished skirt from Adam + Eve and a Prussian blue top with fluid cowl neck, graceful bell sleeves, and a textured satiny sash (from ModCloth).  There's a subtle medieval air to this outfit, as well.

With Christian Louboutin "Eugenie" suede blue pumps

And this stunning choker (from Etsy)