Holiday Gift Guides: Girls & Guys

It's that time of year again! Like me, you're probably already flustered and overwhelmed with holiday plans (or the process of making those plans). Well, I've got a few posts that will hopefully make your holidays a little easier and maybe even a little cheaper. For instance, all the gifts in my Chicks Gift Guide are under $30! The gifts for dudes are even cheaper!

Gift Guide: Chicks by fleur-d-elise featuring tote handbags

1. Bobby Pins by Kate Spade $18
I'm a sucker for cute packaging, and these bobby pins come all decked out like matches. They even have red tips!

2. TokyoMilk French Milled Soap in Waltz No. 14 $11
Now, this doesn't happen very often, but all of TokyoMilk's soaps smell gorgeous! They last forever and aren't as drying as most bar soaps. This bar smells delicate and clean and features notes of Linden, Honeyed Rose, Wisteria Petals & White Musk.

3. baggu® duck bag tote from Madewell $24
It's covered in polka dots. What other reasons do you need?

4. Face Stockholm® for J.Crew lipstick in French Martini $20
This bright, daring shade was custom-made for J.Crew. It's a great gift for the fashion-forward ladies in your life.

5. Striped Merino Hat from J.Crew $29.50
Warm, soft and on sale! It also comes in two other color combos.

Gift Guide: Dudes by fleur-d-elise featuring beanie hats

1. J.Crew Collars & Cuffs Stain Bar $7

Maybe this will encourage a certain dude in your life to do his own laundry. Other reasons to buy it: nontoxic, biodegradable, dye and allergen free. It's also not tested on animals!

2. "Fuck Yeah Menswear" by Kevin Burrows & Lawrence Schlossman $12

This book, by the creators of the blog Fuck Yeah Menswear, is fashion satire at its most hilarious. If you know a man who has any sort of interest in fashion or dressing somewhat presentable, get him this book. It's on sale for $11.62 at Amazon right now and will bring some instant crispiness to your holidays. (My husband is the archetype on page 23.)

3. Men's Camp Socks from J.Crew $17

What guy doesn't like new socks?

4. American Apparel Cuffed Acrylic Lined Beanie $20

Practical and warm and made in the US! And it comes in 24 other colors!

Friday Fashion Facts:

You may already know this, but bobby pins were named for the bobbed hairstyle that was popular in the 1920's

Have a great weekend!

♠

8 Summer Beauty Must-Haves

summer beauty by fleur-d-elise featuring a lip care

From left to right:

1. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 in Coral
Did you know your lips don't contain melanin? That said, I can't stress enough how important it is to wear lip balm with SPF! Try Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment to add a bit of color and hydration to your lips, while protecting them from the sun.

2. Clinique Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula
This long-lasting formula is pretty water resistant and can withstand rain, tears, humidity, and sweat. Perfect for any summer activity!

3. Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Sunscreen
Alba Botanica's Hawaiian line is one of my all-time favorites. All the products smell wonderful, are made from all-natural ingredients, and are reasonably priced.

4. NARS Nail Polish
I never really need an excuse to buy new nail polish, but if you're looking for one, here it is: It's summertime and you've got not only your fingernails to show off, but also your toenails. Paint 'em with a pretty color.


5. Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder
Can't cool down? Well, with this powder, you can at least fake it. It provides instant relief for red, flushed cheeks, and continues to provide redness relief all day. Plus, it's a light neutral color that works on anyone and won't clog your pores.

6. Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner
I like to put this toner in the fridge, then use it as a skin refresher on sticky-hot summer days. Swipe it on with a cotton pad. Great for sensitive or sunburned skin!

7. Kiehl's Deluxe Hand & Body Lotion in Coriander
This is one of my favorite scents. Herby yet clean, so it doesn't smell too hippy-dippy. I wear it a lot in the summer since it's pretty light and doesn't get too strong smelling when it's hot out. It's also lightweight and soaks in easily.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar
OK, so this one isn't shown, but I probably use it more than anything else! It's a great hair rinse and leaves your hair super soft, especially when rinsed with cold water. It's most important use, though, is sunburn soother! It calms and cools and the acidity stops the burning, which means it actually helps your sunburn heal faster!

current color obsession: neons & neutrals

neons + neutrals by fleur-d-elise featuring short mini skirts

UPDATE: This Polyvore set has been featured on the Polyvore Blog!!

Oh no.

Whoa. My foot is BAD. Going back to the doctor ASAP. My aunt suggested her friend, who is a refelxologist, but I think I may be past that point. I think I may need crutches and a brace. Yeah, that bad.

I would like to say "So I've been spending more time resting and sitting" but actually it's not that different from the usual :/ I guess I will just busy myself with some more Polyvore Sets. Such a wonderful time sucker. I am also going to make some cards, though, and fold laundry. Sooo exciting.

May I suggest checking out this blog ? It's the Blackbird Blog! Blackbird is one of my favorite boutiques in Seattle, and I know I've mentioned them at least once. Funny enough, I just noticed their latest post is thanking all the bloggers, websites, sandwich board painters, etc. who have featured their products!

Here is my latest Polyvore set! I think it's SO CUTE.

Dogwood by catiebeatty featuring hair clips accessories

Robin's Egg & Goldenrod

Goldenrod & Robin's Egg by catiebeatty featuring a pleated skirt

The weather has been awful and I am feeling lazy... and this is what happens. I spend way too much time on Polyvore. Aren't these colors lovely together? I love that each piece is equally beautiful; they don't depend on each other to stand out.

Cowgirl

My boyfriend might go as far as to say he wishes everybody would dress as awesome as him, but then the other day he was whining about how all the stuff he likes (Filson, Barbour, Red Wing, etc.) is popular right now! It's that common human dilemma; you wish everyone was just like you, but then get freaked out when you meet a "copy-cat".

Anyway, I rag on my boyfriend a lot, but he loves ragging on other people (mostly in joking), so I feel it balances him out. He really is my best friend and yesterday he told me that he would give me money even if I spent it on "dumb stuff," because he knew I would blog about that dumb stuff and blogging makes me happy. I cried. I love him a lot and hope I make him as happy as he makes me.

His biggest wish is for me to dress just like him, so I've done my own take on "Cowgirl." Maybe he will buy me the Proenza AND the Pendleton cuz he loves me soo much.

Cowgirlish by catiebeatty featuring a leather tote bag

Merino Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater
25 GBP - uniqlo.co.uk
Merino wool sweater »

Flannel Check Shirt
15 GBP - uniqlo.co.uk
Flannel tops »

Cotton chambray bomber jacket
$236 - theoutnet.com
Cotton jacket »

High-waisted bootcut jeans
$105 - theoutnet.com
High rise jeans »

High Waist Straight Leg Jean by 7 For All Mankind
94 GBP - my-wardrobe.com
Dark wash jeans »

Acne Pistol Leather boots
$650 - net-a-porter.com
High heel boots »

Kai Cowboy Boots
140 GBP - julesb.co.uk
Cowboy shoes »

Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium leather satchel
$1,595 - net-a-porter.com
Leather tote bag »

Pendleton Overnighter
$198 - urbanoutfitters.com
Wallets »

Roberto Cavalli Swarovski crystal brass feather earrings
$565 - net-a-porter.com
Butterfly jewelry »

Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses
184 GBP - sunglasses-shop.co.uk
Aviator shades »

Chocolate circle keeper belt
6 GBP - dorothyperkins.com
Dorothy Perkins belts »

I usually let the clothes speak for themselves, but I have a new goal: work on my writing! I'm going to work on explaining the goals of my outfits and describe the importance of the key pieces. That's what bloggers do, right? Well, that's what I'm going to do.

I was inspired by the "Western Prep" feature in the October 2010 issue of Elle magazine (page 190) and the Saddleback Leather Co. bags that my boyfriend is so crazy about. Polyvore didn't have any good pictures of Saddleback bags, but this Proenza Schouler bag has a very similar style, plus it's Proenza Schouler!! The Pendleton Overnighter is wool and leather. It's a shame they don't make them in the U.S. anymore, but the quality is still amazing for the price.

There are certain key elements when dressing Western. Most are obvious: boots, hat, pearl-snaps on plaid, etc. Leather is important as well, but when looking closer, a lot of cowboy boots are made of a myriad of skins: horse, snake, pig, to name a few. Neither of the boots I've included in this collection are from traditional Western wear clothiers, but they are both leather. Let's face it, it's very obvious when boots have man-made uppers, so to pull off this look real leather is critical.

Other common fabrics are also classic fabrics: wool, chambray, and plaid. These are all warm and durable, which is why they were favored, and still favored, by ranchers and other manual laborers.

For more hints of cowgirl, opt for high-waisted jeans. Whether bootcut or skinny, a high-waist means you can tuck in your shirt, which is an important feature. Have you ever tried to work in low-waisted jeans? They're obnoxious! You have to stop and pull them up every 5 minutes! Plus, it's going to be constant plumber-butt when you're riding across the plains. Cowboys and cowgirls always look tidy, even when shoveling out stalls, so tuck in that shirt and put on a belt!

Anyway, those are my tips. If I think of anymore I will add them!