Vertical Vertigo

Stripes have fun on this dress from Sportmax.

 

Balance all those lines with some simple circular jewelry.

And this "Lizze" pump from Lola Ramona ties it all together - stripes on the heel and circles on the bow.

Summer Festival

Start with a pink leopard-print patent leather pump from Jimmy Choo.

 Add a retro white-and-black polka dot dress.

Front View - Back View

Accessorize with a chunky necklace that brings together the colour scheme and adds some lime green pop. (I had to crop the pic of the necklace because the original had a truly hideous charm attached to it.)

She Ain't No Angel

This black and brown animal print jacket and corresponding lariat-style necklace get a pop of colour with a blue Dolce & Gabanna silk dress that continues the animal print theme. Lace-up black boots complete the outfit with vampy flair.

You and Uncle Sam

This ensemble has echos of the 40's - the era of wartime romances and women's liberation. A cherry-red tulip-style skirt is paired with a black military jacket. The black-and-red theme continues with statement making spectator pumps and a cherry Bakelite necklace. (Never heard of Bakelite? Amazing stuff! Read about it here.)

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. 

In The Mood For Love

A little vamp, a little poetry, and an ensemble of red....all the essential components of an outfit to wear when celebrating Cupid.

This outfit features a red silk cami with fitted waist and lace embellishments, black Gwenivere jeggings by  7 for mankind, and red snakeskin boots by Christian Louboutin. The "Pocket Full of Roses" steampunk necklace crowns the ensemble with romance.

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.

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.

Wild Winter

An orange ruffled blouse from The Limited gives pizazz to basic black trousers and an indigo blue cardigan from Monterey Bay. And the whole outfit gets vamped with leopard-print boots from Christian Louboutin and snazzy leopard-print earrings from Etsy. Who says winter can't be a little wild?

Want to see the same sweater gone casual? Check out this post. 

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)

Like Bees To Honey

I adore this dress from Unique Vintage! It's so retro-chic with a houndstooth pattern, empire waist, and Peter Pan collar.

With houndstooth-and-yellow pumps from oh...Deer!

And a bumblebee bracelet from Etsy and a bracelet with black Swarovski crystals by Alyssa Smith.