Party: Mathilde's 4th Birthday

 Four seems to be the age when birthdays really start clicking for kids. They understand what's going on a little better and they get excited and less overwhelmed. This year, Mathilde asked for a French birthday, but we think she meant she wanted everyone to speak in French. Or something. She didn't seem too disappointed when no one spoke in French, save a few words. I helped with the decorations and baking. My mom & sisters did a ton of cooking.

The party turned out more balloon themed. She had about a dozen regular balloons and then we accidentally over-bought Mylar balloons (it's hard to resist when you're at the $ store). She ended up with 10 of those.

DIY Idea: Making pretty banners for cakes and table decorations is relatively easy. Use a pencil and just keep sketching until you get the shape you want. Also use the pencil when writing so you can go back and correct any letters you don't like. Then trace over the letters with a nice pen.

I found this awesome matte, neon wrapping paper in the Target After-Christmas sale. I kinda wish I'd bought two rolls.

DIY Idea: Save the little cello envelopes that cards and stickers come in and reuse them to add another dimension to gifts. They turn the card into the centerpiece of the gift, or use a tiny one for the tag. The addition of glitter makes them even more festive.

Emmett, terrified, and Tilly in two of her birthday presents.

My sister Maddie made Tilly a chocolate & vanilla cake with strawberry frosting. She made a strawberry sauce and then mixed it with cream cheese and powdered sugar. It was completely delicious. 

Aside from a few nonsensical outbursts of "I hate my birthday!" when she was frustrated with her zipper,Tilly was the sweetest birthday girl. She thanked each person that gave her a gift or a card and at the end of the night said "Thank you everyone!" 

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Look of the Day: Off-Shoulder Floral

 I wish it was warm enough to wear this. I'm so tired of winter already, and it's not even February! I shouldn't complain as we've had a very mild Winter so far, but it's still chilly and I hate the amount of effort that goes into layering. I prefer simple dressing.

I'm very much looking forward to wearing more off-the-shoulder pieces, like this floral dress. It shows off my favorite features while hiding the parts of my arms that drive me nuts.

Thank you, to my camera, for cooperating and taking some lovely photos.

Vintage floral dress - vintage wooden sandals

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Look of the Day: French Blue

Ok, I think I've gotten to the point where I need some help with my photos. It's time to take a class. This winter light is just too harsh for me to deal with. These turned out ok, but, try as I may, post processing has not made them look natural or anywhere close to as good as I'd like them to look.

I took photo through middle school and high school, but it was for old fashioned cameras (digital cameras still took floppy disks). What I do remember from class seems hard to apply to my digital SLR, even though it should translate just the same. I get by on luck, is what I'm trying to say.

How did you learn about lighting and photo editing?

This skirt is from a fantastic set a got at Value Village after Thanksgiving. It came with a matching belt and blouse (not shown). Unfortunately, one of it's previous owners wore it with a blue jacket or cardigan that was not colorfast and so the blouse has some blue stains on the arms. I've decided to keep it and sell the skirt and belt. You can buy the pair on my Etsy shop! You can also buy the striped bateau top I've paired it with!

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Refresh: Must-Haves

refresh: 2014 by fleur-d-elise featuring West Elm

January is always the month I feel most like doing a little "Spring cleaning" and life organizing. It's one of the best times to do it, since crummy weather tends to keep me trapped indoors. Out with the old and in with the new, or at least I rearrange things so they feel new and fresh. Here are a few of my favorite items for refreshing your daily routine:

1. Spots Matchboxes - $12 for a set of 6

Lighting a candle is a great way to chase away the Winter blues. Stylish, patterned matchboxes make the ritual all the more aesthetically rewarding. 

2. Elum Big Stack Note Bar - $24

This notepad may be giant, but it's far from cumbersome. It'll be the anchor of your desk and the neon pink is capable of brightening up an entire room.

3. L'Occitane Cèdre & Orange Eau de Toilette - $75

This smells almost exactly like a certain Hermès perfume I love, but costs much less. It's woodsy and warm without being sweet. Sophisticated and subtle.

4. Agate Jewelry Box - $49

A jewelry box should be treated like a piece of furniture. It should add to a room, not clutter it. This striking box is made by pressing an agate pattern into glass. I love the malachite green, as much as ever, and have made 2014 the year to add more of it to my life.

5. Speedy Stamp Kit - $13.50

It's always a great time to pick up a new hobby. I've decided to start making my own stamps and it turns out it's way easier than I thought! They don't have to be complicated or perfect, and are a fantastic way to add personal touches to stationery, tote bags, even linens! Pinterest is full of tutorials and design ideas.

6. Beyoncé - $16

If you're short on funds and/or time then maybe some new music is what you need. This CD is flawless and I may be just a little obsessed. Spend an evening watching the DVD that comes with it, then make sure to load the CD onto your iPod. Queen Bey is the perfect workout partner!

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Look of the Day: Oasap Coat & Vintage Heels

 I've been thinking about this plaid coat from Oasap for 2 months and finally decided it was meant to be mine. There's nothing better than a coat with texture and pattern neutral enough to wear every day. It's bold, but not outlandish and the moto-style asymmetrical zipper makes it oh so cool. My favorite way to wear it is with this neon pink turtleneck from J.Crew, but I can only wear the same outfit so many times before people start noticing. Neon pink is hard to miss.

 If you're a regular reader, then you can probably guess that I only wore these shoes for the photoshoot. I love them, and if I had normal feet I would be keeping them. Instead, they're up for grabs on my Etsy shop! These beige suede heels are minimalist perfection.

Top Shop stocking cap - Oasap plaid coat - BDG pants - vintage suede heels - vintage sweatshirt