Big Game Hunter

As soon as I saw this necklace, I was thinking "Africa. Safari." and picturing something with a traditional "big game hunter" style (minus the silly hat). And from the display pictures, I knew that the necklace looked great against a grey background, and not so good directly on skin.

I found exactly the shirt I was looking for on ShopRuche - the traditional safari/big game look in grey. And with the shirt buttoned up, the necklace can lie directly against the fabric. A blousy white jacket softens the overall look.

For the bottom part of the outfit, I decided I wanted something yellow, simply because yellow works great with both grey and turquoise. I couldn't find a skirt I liked though. A narrow cut skirt, which continued the straight lines of the blouse, was too dressy, but a more casual skirt, with a fuller cut, looked unbalanced. And I didn't like how how a skirt was impacting the safari theme. So, as much as I dislike coloured pants, I decided on these slim-cut yellow crop pants.

And for shoes? At first, I thought about a shoe that would add some colour flair, but with the yellow pants, it made the overall look very bottom-heavy with colour. So instead I went with just a basic grey wedge sandal .

And to complete the outfit? A bracelet with the same stone as the necklace - turquoise magnesite - with a pop of yellow magnesite also. (In a perfect world, the bracelet would carry the same triangle motif as the necklace, though.)

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.

Completely Condimental

Combine grey-and-mustard Glen plaid trousers (from Nottinghall) with a ketchup-y red cowl neck cami (from Nordstrom), and you have a completely condimental outfit. The real beauty, though, is the very trendy ModCloth drapey grey cardigan. A copper and silver necklace from Etsy and grey ankle boots from Dorothy Parker are all that is needed to complete the ensemble.

Pink Cadillac

In this outfit, men's vintage wool pants get vamped with a black lace trimmed cami (from Coast) and a men's cut jacket in shocking pink (from Planet).

With Gabriella Rocha patent leather pumps

And this black rose choker (from Etsy)

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)

Sunset Romance

Sentimental, romantic, and dreamy. This dress by Betty Jackson conjures fantasies of dining at an elegant restaurant, sipping wine on the deck, watching the sun set over the water.

With silver sandals by Chinese Laundry

And this ultra-feminine rose quartz necklace (from Etsy)

Winter Wonder

I love the classic Pendelton plaid wool skirt. And when you pair it with a crushed velvet jacket it creates a bit of unexpected glamour. I was delighted to find this photo of a J. Crew Eden jacket, because the colors of the layers pull the whole look together.



And these retro boots are perfection. (found on EBay)

Glamour At The Office

Pair a retro ruffled gold blouse from Sears with a trendy purple jacket by Anne Klein and grey trousers from Nordstrom and you have a stunning and unique office look.




And Salvatore Ferragamo Clara purple pumps