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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