Recipe: Skinny Pumpkin Bread

If I set my mind to it, I can work through a loaf of pumpkin bread in a couple of days. I'm trying hard to not polish this loaf off before my husband gets any, but just in case, I made it a tad healthier by cutting down on the sugar and replacing the oil with yogurt and apples. The result? A super moist, pumpkin bread packed with the delicious flavors and textures of Fall. Trust me, you won't miss the sugar or the fat!

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups whole wheat flours

½ cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp white sugar

½ tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or just good old cinnamon)

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 cup chopped apple

½ cup fat-free plain yogurt

2 eggs, beaten

¼ cup brandy (or water)

¼ tsp maple flavoring

¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds

¼ cup chopped walnuts

¼ cup dried cranberries

1 tsp flax or chia seeds

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF.

2. Whisk together your dry ingredients. Toss in the chopped apple and stir to coat.

3. In a separate bowl, combine the pumpkin, eggs, yogurt, maple flavoring, and brandy or water. Mix thoroughly. 

4. Add your pumpkin mix to the dry ingredients along with the nuts, seeds, and cranberries. Mix until just combined.

5. Pour into a well-buttered 9x5 loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes or until your tester stick comes out clean. Turn out onto rack to cool before slicing.

Idea: A slice of this pumpkin bread and few slices of sharp cheddar make a delicious lunch!

♠

Menswear

Like most of you, I've been researching the Fall trends lately and I'm glad to see that "menswear" is still on the trend list. Really, it's old news, it's been around for a while now, but who can blame 'em for keeping it going? Have you noticed how feminine you feel in menswear? It's like the contrast between the clothing and the wearer is so strong that instead of it hiding your femininity it just makes it more apparent.

My short hair is pushing it in the femininity department, but throw on some red lipstick and pearls and I feel the most womanly sort of powerful. I feel a sense of authority that is based on my appearance alone. I know it sounds like an authority or confidence that could be taken away with the removal of a jacket, but really it's just a seed that's been planted in your subconscious. Why do you think they call Power-suits, Power-suits? Not to get too technical and factoid-y, but psychologist have found that there is real validity to the old saying "fake it till you make it."

P.S. I'm not saying that only dressing like a man can make you feel powerful. Wear what makes you feel confident. If Uggs make you feel powerful, then I guess you can wear those.

In this outfit:

H&M Overcoat

H&M sweater

Zella leggings

Aldo bag

Forever21 glasses

Fall Wish List: Accessories

I would like to introduce you to one of my many treasures: My cheetah fur collar. I think it's completely amazing! The epitome of exotic.

I purchased it for $20 in an antique store in the capital city of Olympia, Washington. It has to be at least 30 years old, if not older. In the 1980's, it became illegal to sell or trade endangered animals and products made from those animals, and these days you still can't trade something like cheetah fur over state or international borders!

It seems that at one point, the collar was attached to a coat. It also has the name "Gail Ladage" written on the underside. I would love to know the story behind this lovely piece of fur.

This collar is just one piece of fur from my ever-growing fur collection. It's amazing what you can find at thrift stores and garage sales! I have a rabbit fur stole that I have featured in at least one post, a black rabbit ushanka, and a huge wrap-around stole made of wolf (I think).

It seems I am set when it comes to Fall accessory trends! Fur and faux fur has been predicted to be one of the many popular trends for Fall clothing and accessories. But what if you're too grossed out by real fur and not thrilled about faux fur's tendency to look cheap? Well, there are plenty more trends to follow, love, and make your own.

Fall Accessories by fleur-d-elise featuring purple sunglasses

1. You'll need a couple classic belts to go with all those midi skirts!
2. Leather gloves are very versatile! Perfect for fetish-inspired styles or classic mid-century looks. Plus, they keep your hands warm, duh!
3. We've already talked about this, need I remind you? Fur is warm and on-trend.
4. Can't get enough polka-dots! Umbrellas are perfect in this fun pattern.
5. Cat-Eye glasses: the perfect way to accessorize classic feminine looks or even add a touch femme to masculine looks, like we're seeing in Moschino's F/W 2011 line.
6. I'm not really sure if this is a trend. I just really like that cuff.

poor neglected hobbies

Oh man, it's been a WHILE. My poor blog, my poor readers (you guys have nothing else to do but read blogs, right?)

I have a whole list of excuses, but mostly they are boring and/or sad. Nobody wants to hear about how my dog has become horribly sensitive to things she eats or the disgusting results that!

You might want to hear about our "We got married!" party, but I will tell you more about that when I get more pictures. I had so many friends documenting it that I want to use at least one of each of their pictures in a special blog entitled "Look at me! I got married and I KNOW everyone wants to hear about it!" It's a very long title, but it gets the point across. I am waiting on the last of the photos to be "published" and then I will show you all how PRETTY I looked haha (some of you have already seen on Facebook).

Ok, so back to the point of this blog, I've finally had the chance to take some outfit photos and they turned out pretty well. I am getting a little sick of the background, but whatcha gonna do? I am still not gutsy enough to set up a tripod where people can see me.

Have you heard all the hubub about midi skirts? I've read so many articles (Vogue, Wall Street Journal, etc.) about buying them for Fall, that I must say I am very relieved that I bought so many last Spring! I am all set! I have this lovely velvet one that I've had for years and years, then a full one in black cotton, an A-line in black velvet, a striped jersey knit, and a figure-hugging style in dark green velvet. Hmm, that's a lot of velvet...
If you are midi-less, I recommend heading over to Forever21 where they have a few really cute full skirts. All of them have a 1950's feel, which, my darlings, is a trend that is just not dying out!

This look is kind of my nod to Chloe's past few seasons. Somebody really loves this burnt umber color. It's so striking and unexpected, who can blame them?

This outfit:
J.Crew chambray shirt
Vintage velvet skirt
Vintage Coach bag
Vintage leather belt and wooden bracelet

Fall Wish List: Bright colors

There is no reason Fall should be limited to dark, neutral colors reminiscent of forest mould. That's why this Autumn, at the top of my wish list, are bright colors. I have 3, maybe 4 reasons, for putting color in such a lofty position.

#1
They're perfecting cheering up any gray Seattle morning and, if you think about it, will make the transition from Summer to Fall that much easier.
Which brings us to...

#2
You already have all the brightest pieces in circulation, don't you? Yes you do, because they're always popular during the Summer! Now just layer them up and you're set for cool weather!

#3
I haven't gotten enough of the color blocking trend. I want to do more! It's so fun, so bold, and so graphically pleasing. You look like a chic piece of modern art in color blocked clothing.

#4
Oh yes, I already mentioned it. Brights are perfect for cheering up a gloomy Fall day!

If you're really itching for some new pieces for your wardrobe or you just can't seem to get the Popsicle stains out of that one yellow top, then I highly recommend checking out J.Crew's Fall 2011 line. Color is everywhere! They took out all the stops and have done some daring, yet ingenious styling. Just look at this red and fuchsia combo!!

I'm buying those trousers as soon as they go on sale! Check out the rest of the lookbook at Refinery29

Just kidding!

Just as I'm about to give up and start planning for Fall, Summer pulls a fast one and the temp reaches 83 degrees. Not to get into weather too much, but we always know when things are warming up or cooling down in Seattle. This Summer has been completely unpredictable, though! It'll be 56 one day and 78 the next!



I styled a couple outfits the other day, in anticipation of Fall (and because it was cool) and I'm seeing a lot of stripes in my future. They are with me in the present, as well. My love affair with stripes smolders on!



In these photos:
American Apparel Harem pants
Thrifted top
Vintage velvet blazer
Vintage Coach
Forever21 glasses

Grumpy-pants

So I finally have stuff to post and it's been like a bazillion years, but does my internet want to cooperate? NOOOO SIR! Also, I am sooo grumpy, but it is because I'm stressed. My poor boyfriend. He came home last night and I just whined about money and then started crying because I hated my legs more than usual. Then I would just get mad when he would try to comfort me, because deep down I knew I was being ridiculous! Pity Parties really only have one guest, and that guest is yourself.

BUT I am a little bit more cheerful, because I finally had a chance to take pictures! I actually took pictures two days in a row! I will probably post again tonight, after I have dinner with my Dear Ashley. Going to one of my favorite places: Rosebud on Capitol Hill. Capitol Hill is probably Center Of The Universe #2. London is Center Of The Universe #1

About the outfit. I've been wearing this new tweed jacket like 3+ times a week. It fits so perfectly!! Found the shorts at a swap meet in Houston. They came with a jacket, but I decided it was too big, so I swapped it on Chictopia.com. Now I have to ship it to Japan :(

Pantsuit!!!

I found it in a dream. A Goodwill dream. It was $15.

Anyway! The pluses: it's 100% wool, vintage; has pockets, stirrups and a Donna Karan label. The subtracty-signs: it's 100% wool, has a hole in the back I didn't notice, and the stirrups might rip off. I apologize for the lighting, but the suit is actually brown, not black. It was sunny today, but not sunny enough to provide proper lighting, so I lost all the details in my photos.

On the subject of pantsuits, THANK GOD Cycle 14 of America's Next Top Model is over and along with it (cross your fingers) Tyra's pantsuit craze. Who ever does visual concept and styling for the show should not let Tyra do her own styling. Actually, I imagine Tyra is in charge of all of that but someone really should have sat her down and said "Look Hun, I know you are like a supermodel and all but isn't one pantsuit enough? Ok, you can choose two, but only two!" And they were the weirdest, most unflattering pantsuits.

I promise I will stop at two pantsuits, and if I happen to find another, even MORE amazing one, I will get rid of one of my other pantsuits. As cool as they are right now, pantsuits are quite quirky. One season they may seem awesome, and the next a bit of a joke. But get the right fit and Oh! how sleek! As quick and easy as a dress (insta-outfit) but warm enough for Fall and Winter. Yay, pantsuits.

In other news, I can't stop reading The Oatmeal. It's comics by a guy from Seattle and it's hee-larr-ee-us.

As much as I love the photo collage up-top, it was mostly posted for vanity's sake (I have a fashion blog, you have to be vane to some degree). The main problem I have with it though is that it doesn't technically have a full-length shot in it. I fretted all night and composed in my sleep and promised my dog, Frida, that I would remedy everything in the morning. Here's the photo.

In these photos:
Donna Karen pantsuit
H&M scarf (last year's model)
Madden Girl pumps
vintage belt
Earrings by me