2014: A Year in Review

What a year. There were many happy moments; moments full of pride, excitement and contentment, but it was also full of struggle. Everything was rather overshadowed by the death of my one-and-only-Frida, and health problems never make anything easy. I'm looking forward to 2015, though. I have lots of goals and am excited for the chance to do it all over again. It's the next round. Practice makes perfect, as they say.

My Goals for 2015:

Get my apartment into shape!

Finally have some letterpress plates made!

Walk my dog more often.

And now for some of my favorite shots from the blog...

We said goodbye to Frida, in February.

I wore lots of white & blue.

 On May Day, we added Otto to our home.

A trip to New York and a photoshoot for Redbook finished off my 29th year in the most magical way! And I got to meet Maria!

I went all out for my 30th Birthday. I still can't get over this invitation I made myself, haha

 More blue and white!

 September took me to the ocean.

 Fall brought rain and a tour of the Filson headquarters.

And here we are. Back at December. As I write this, the little tree still sits atop my credenza. I will probably take it down tomorrow. Bye, bye little tree. Bye, bye 2014.

Hello, 2015!

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Joyeux Noel: Fleur d'Elise at Home

My husband and I have lived in our apartment for nearly five years now, and you know what? We've never had a tree! Every year I say I'm going to get one, but we never host our families for the holiday, so in the end I usually go without. Also, I just can't bring myself to buy a little tree I'm just going to throw in the garbage come January 1st. It seems like a waste of money and a waste of tree. So this year I set out to buy a fake tree and found the perfect one! 

As much as I wanted a silver or white one, this tree was the best choice, because it will still be sensible when I'm over my kooky Christmas colors phase (it's a phase, right?). It looks so lovely atop our new mid-century credenza (Say it outloud. It makes you feel fancy). This is honestly the prettiest, tidiest corner in our apartment.

I'm having a lot of fun with the colors and concept for my gift wrap this year. I wasn't sure it would all work together, but so far I really like it. Silver looks so good with neons and greens!

 LEFT: The little bear ornament is just hanging out till he's ready to go to a new home. If you'd like to own him, he's still available on my Etsy! RIGHT: I'm happy I'm finally getting my insect collection displayed where I can enjoy it! The butterflies were a gift from my dad. I believe he bought them in Covent Garden. They're pretty old. The beetle below them is a Pine Sawyer. It's the biggest beetle on the west coast and the only one I've ever seen. I found her outside Petco in Gig Harbor (I grew up there). I tried to keep her as a pet, but she died :(

 LEFT: One of my gem stone art prints and the most expensive beetle I've ever purchased. He's a jewel scarab. RIGHT: I'm so happy I finally get to use my ornaments! 

Do you decorate for the holidays? What's your favorite tradition?

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Look of the Day & a Giveaway!

Hi everyone! What a crazy month it's been. I've had some health issues, so I've been resting a lot. Finally getting back into the normal swing of things, and am making sense of a much-needed diet change. Obviously, the blog has been neglected. I'm back, though. I swear!

What I'm wearing:

Long sleeve shirt & track pants from Target, thrifted wool jacket, vintage Coach bag, vintage flats, vintage coral necklace, and a  necklace from some little store at the Olympia Mall.

Anyway, a month ago, I signed up on BrandBacker  to review an eye shadow palette from Paula Dorf. While I've heard of the brand, I don't think I've ever tried it, so I jumped at the chance! They sent me this gorgeous set of sun-drenched colors called Aztec City. I love the blue, but have never been able to pull off this shade, so it goes untouched. Maybe I'll get brave and try it tomorrow. I've tried all the other colors, though! The white and soft mauve are perfect for brightening the inner corner of your lid. The baked clay shade is great for shading the whole lid, and the dark brown is ideal for lining and creating a warm, smokey eye. 

The only disappointment is that they're a little powdery, even when I use my good shadow brush. My fix is to not apply my under-eye make-up till after I've done my shadow. If I apply it before I just end up wiping away all my concealer when I'm cleaning up loose powder.

I finished off the look with concealer, brown liquid liner, mascara, and brow tint.

Now for the giveaway part!

 One lucky reader will win this Paul Dorf mascara and a little holiday surprise from Fleur d'Elise! The mascara is a rich teal color that compliments any eye color! It's also water resistant and safe for contact lense wearers.

Three ways to enter!

1. Tweet!

2. Pin & Comment!

3. Share on Instagram!
(Open to US residents only. Ends Dec 15th)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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5 Gift Ideas Under $25

Gifts for Everyone! by fleur-d-elise featuring home decor

You know what drives me nuts? When magazines and websites are like "Are you on a budget? We've got gift ideas under $100!" Excuse me, but what kind of "budget" are you guys working with? Like, maybe, I'll spend more on my mom than anyone else, but there is no way everyone in my life is getting a $95 clutch for Christmas. Lets be real, my budget is more like $20. $25 tops.

I'm lucky to have a lot of amazing people in my life that I want to buy presents for (all the time), but I've got to be realistic. Sometimes it takes a little more creativity, but you really can find nice things for less than $25. Here are a few of my picks. Cool fact: they are all either made here in Seattle or are sold by local companies!

1. Grey Pom Beanie from Zumiez $19.95. Who doesn't love a new hat? How cute would it be to buy the whole family matching hats and then force everyone to take a holiday photo together? Holiday sap at its finest.

2. Big Dipper Wax Works Candle. These candles are made from pure beeswax and are poured just miles from my house. My favorite scent is "Enlightenment" and is a combination of peppermint & bergamot oils. It's a light, happy scent. The pillars range from $13 to $33, or, at just $3.75, a votive would make a nice stocking stuffer.

3. Brush Stripe Tea Towel by Such Sweet Tierney $18. These 100% cotton tea towels are hand-printed here in Seattle. They would make the perfect hostess gift, or use it to wrap up the Holiday baked goods you bring to your favorite neighbors!

4. Theo Chocolate Holiday Bars $4. The local drug store here sometimes has these on sale for $1.99, so I stock up. Even at $4, these are an affordable and delicious way to let someone know you appreciate them.

5. Moon Phases Calendar from Moorea Seal $22. This calendar is kinda metal; kinda hippy. Perfect for all the cool people in your life. It's from one of Seattle's coolest new stores, Moorea Seal. It's like all my favorite Pinterest boards in one store.

Speaking of which, Moorea Seal has a Pin-to-Win going on. Create a wishlist pinboard and you could win a $250 to spend on awesome stuff!

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Look of the Day: Green & More Glasses

Heeey guyz. This week has been rough. Well, last week, too. I'm having a pretty hard time (health-wise), and I'm still not sure if it's something serious. Probably not, but, little fact, I'm a huuuuge hypochondriac, which is why I'm having such a hard time. I've been trying to distract myself with work and blogging, especially since I've been neglecting the outfit posts. So here's the second one of the week! It's that Oasap blouse again. I just love it! The green sweater is also care of Oasap, but I'm not crazy about the fit. Seams that hit at the mid arm are never flattering on me. I keep hoping, though! On the plus side, the sweater is really soft and a fabulous color!

That's all for now.

Hope you're all doing well xxxx

Blouse & crop sweater c/o Oasap - Old Navy cinched pants - vintage Michael Green - Tocca Tourmaline necklace (similar) - vintage sunglasses - Watch c/o Timex

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Look of the Day: Plaid Coat & Oasap Blouse

Every season, there are certain pieces I can't stop wearing. This coat is one of them, and this eyeglass patterned blouse from my sponsor, Oasap, is the newest piece. (Not shown: a thrifted Blumarine men's sweater I took off only for these photos. I live in it)

 There's something so graphically pleasing about eyeglass frames.

I just had my haircut refreshed at the Toni&Guy academy here in Seattle (yeah, I get my cut & color done at a school!). The lovely lady who cut my hair, Anita, is quite talented. Of course she's graduating next month! Luckily, she has a blog (So She Did) so I can at least keep in touch, even if I won't be able to afford to get my haircuts from her anymore. She's gonna go someplace fancy and expensive, I just know it.

Oasap eyeglasses blouse - vintage Ralph Lauren coat - Chloe flats - Watch c/o Timex

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The Tiniest Party Animals

I've been busy, busy, busy! I feel like the blog has taken a back seat, but Etsy is going so well I can barely keep up! Last month, I made all of these little ornaments and have finally gotten around to listing them all on Etsy.

They're painted by hand, then they're decked out with tissue paper tassels I cut and roll by hand. Baker's twine makes them perfect for hanging in the tree to topping a gift.

This little giraffe was the first ornament I sold on Etsy. It went to someone very fancy (I can't say who).

 This long-necked dino is still looking for a home.

The silver bear is one of my favorites, and the dino to the right comes as part of a 4 piece set!

You can also order an animal menagerie! If you're dying for a giraffe or elephant, just message me and I'll make it happen!

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2014 Holiday Wishlist

2014 Wishlist by fleur-d-elise featuring fruity floral perfumes

They're here again... the holidaazzze! Halloween is over, which means I can really get going without everyone shaking their head. I freaking love Christmas. Thanks to my Etsy shop, I actually had an excuse to get started early this year. I've been making Christmas ornaments and Christmas cards since September!

Anyway, my wishlist is steadily growing, but I've decided to limit myself to 5, okay maybe 6, top picks. Don't want to sound too 'gimme gimme', right?

1. Yes Please by Amy Poehler. I'll probably just go buy this for myself. I really love books by funny ladies. It's my favorite genre.

2. Black Arrowhead Clutch from Such Sweet Tierney. This clutch, and everything else on the site, is made right here in Seattle. By my former boss, actually. Pretty awesome, right? I've been drooling over her stuff ever since she abandoned us at Paper Source to pursue her dream.

3. Madewell Malachite Studs. I really love malachite.

4. Birthstone Notecards. Have I ever told you how much I love rocks and gems and stuff? Yeah, that obsession is still going strong. This pick also feeds my paper obsession.

5. Pom Pom Beanie from White Lodge Knitwear. This hat is so cute it's stupid.

6. Ineke Deluxe Sample Collection. I got a sample of Ineke's Edged in Gold from a small shop in Fremont a couple years ago and just ran out. I think I want a whole bottle (it's so complex, so "opulent"), but I may get this set so I can try the other scents in the collection, too!

What's on your wishlist?
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Totally Late: Halloween

Happy Belated Halloween! This year I had the day off. I got to take my niece, Mathilde, trick-or-treating for the first time ever! She was a princess, obviously. Her mom made her felt crown! We had lunch together, then went up to Queen Anne to wade through the sea of costumes. She wanted to quit early, but we soon discovered it was because she thought she couldn't eat any candy till we were done. Silly kid.

I wish you could see the dogs! Otto was nothing but obnoxious and Coco was Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon. My mom made the costume!

Thank you to Dan and Stacia of Sparkfly Photography for setting up a photo booth! To see the rest of the costumes, click here! My favorites are the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe.

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Out & About: Filson SS15 Preview

 You guys... Filson invited me to preview their 2015 spring line. This may not be a big deal to you, but as a Seattlite, this is a huge deal for me! And even more so for my husband. He had a bit of a tantrum when I told him about it, because he thought he wasn't invited. He's lucky I included him as my "plus one" after that. I gave him a break, though, because I pitch fits about 1000 times more often than he does.

It's hard to choose between the Women's Explorer jacket I'm wearing in the first picture and this red plaid Seattle Cruiser. They both fit sooo well. Like, for once, I don't look like I'm drowning in coat. Right now, since it's getting chilly, I'd go for the red one, but I know the Explorer would be perfect for spring. It has a thin coat of soy wax, which is the old fashioned way of making something waterproof. It actually makes more sense than plastic raincoats. It's easier to repair if you get a rip and it doesn't feel all clammy. If you're in the market for a raincoat, definitely look into getting some waxed cotton!

The men's spring line.

Right: Men's Fashion Archetype from Fuck Yeah Menswear. Left: My husband, who owns all the shit to the right (except no Aldens. Yet.) He fit right in at Filson.

 On our tour, we also got to see an amazing collection of vintage Filson products. All well-used and much-loved. Most were sent in for repairs that couldn't be done, so the Filson archives became their final resting place.

This is more of a pile, and less of a fort made of Filsons (see my favorite tumblr ever)

What a treat, right? Amy and Travis, our guides, were completely awesome and so much fun to talk with. They love the brand as much as we do and treated us so well. The cherry on top was getting to take home this Market Tote in Red Plaid. If you'd like to learn more about the company's 117 year history in the Northwest, you can read up on it here!

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