It is day two of our YLF Books Bonanza, and today we are spotlighting a TV series.

The House of Eliott takes us back to Roaring Twenties London, where two talented sisters are trying to establish a haute couture fashion house. The costume direction in this series is fantastic, with delightful period ensembles throughout.

Acorn Media has kindly offered to give away two complete sets of this award-winning British drama. Our thanks to Acorn for supporting YLF Books with this giveaway.

Click on through to the Competitions section to enter the giveaway. Good luck!

I highly recommend this turtle neck if you like lots of neck coverage in Autumn and Winter like I do. It’s made of a wool-nylon-vicose-polyester blend that does not itch. The elbow length sleeve is divine and the fit is tailored, but does not cling. It runs true to size and not on the larger side like most Ann Taylor merchandise. It comes in 10 great colours. 

The greatest thing about this basic item is its flexibility. It can be worn both in casual and business casual ensembles. It can be layered or worn on it’s own. It can make a colourful statement, or blend in as a quiet neutral. It can be worn both tucked and un-tucked. Wear it in an edgy way, or classic way. It can become whatever you want it to be. I’m stocking up.

While we were taking pictures for this post I was rattled by a big bee. “There’s a huge bee right next to my leg!”, I cried. “The bee thinks you’re a big flower,” Greg replied in his calm and rational voice. “Don’t worry. Just leave it alone.”

I chuckled because I couldn’t disagree. This is a hectically floral dress. 

I was shopping at Bloomingdales with our Captain of Team Dress when we saw this frock in blue. I liked the blue, but the pink colour option pulled at my heart strings. It had length, sleeves, a sleek fit, and a high-ish neckline, which is just my cup of tea. Laura said: “You have to try that on!”. I needed no convincing and the frock was mine 10 ten minutes later. Its mid tones and busy floral pattern are a departure from my usual style, but somehow the dress was love at first sight. Laura is my lucky dress charm because this is the second time I’ve been shopping with her in NYC and brought home a dress that launched me into orbit. 

This midi is dead easy to style because you just pull it on and that’s that. No accessories or indoor cover-ups required. For practical reasons, I must wear a watch, eyewear and bag. So I chose my silver watch and white specs to pick up the grey and white in the pattern, and the taupe clutch to match my hair. 

Although it’s a clashing acquired taste, I like combining red with pink. My red stacked Kate Spade pumps look great with this dress, but are “sitting shoes” that don’t go the distance.  So I wore low heeled red pumps (the Fitzwell Vincents) for a more comfortable and retro effect. Greg really liked the dress matched with red shoes, so I felt extra fab.

I wanted to keep the palette light and pretty, so my off-white leather jacket was a no-brainer to keep out the chill. I left the house with coral lipstick and Burts lip balm on my lips, which looked nice with the dress. But it was gone by the time we did the photo shoot because I’d kissed Yorkie Rosie a hundred times in the car on the way to the beach in West Seattle (where these shots were taken). I should have reapplied my lipstick, but forgot. That’s okay. Au Natural is fine with me, and making a fuss of Rosie is always a priority. 

In recognition of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we thought that my pink midi would make an appropriate backdrop for this month’s cover. Rosie shares my pink spirit by wearing one of her pink collars. It’s particularly meaningful that our Rosie was part of this photo shoot because along with her sister Jasmine, Rosie was my therapy after my Mum died of cancer 11 years ago. Never underestimate the unconditional love and support of an animal during a time of heartbreak.

Rosie and I intend to wear pink at least once every week this month to support this international health campaign that raises both awareness and funds for fighting the disease. Feel free to join me.

We are excited to kick off Books Bonanza Week here at YLF with a double giveaway. Our stars for today are two interesting titles from the Books section of YLF Books: Intimate Chanel, the new Coco Chanel biography, by Isabelle Fiemeyer, and Parisian Chic, a style guide with French flair, written by Inès de la Fressange.

Publisher Rizzoli New York was kind enough to provide both books, and we would like to warmly thank them for supporting YLF Books with this giveaway.

Head on over to the Competitions section to enter the giveaway. Good luck!