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.)

Queen of the Jungle

This burnt sienna cashmere sweater is paired with a basic black denim pencil skirt. The outfit goes to the jungle wearing these shoes - burnt sienna with leopard print accent. A necklace with leopard print and turquoise beads both ties the outfit together and adds an extra pop of colour.

Somewhere It's Spring

This amazing chartreuse-turquoise-yellow flowered jacket makes a bold statement all on its own. Dress it up with a turquoise blouse and flared white skirt, or take it casual with a denim trouser and a timeless white v-neck T (both from Banana Republic). Take your pick of shoes - either a yellow flat with a turquoise swirl design, or a white flat with a peek of turquoise at the toe. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.