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!

♠

Holiday Gift Guide: Guys

gifts for guys by fleur-d-elise on polyvore.com

I always struggle with what to get for the men in my life. Mostly it's just because guy stuff is kinda boring, so I am even more prone to buying something I like as opposed to something the man I'm buying for likes. "Enjoy your bubble bath set! Lemon Verbena is kind of a manly scent, isn't it?" It's either that, or they end up with the same thing every year (I always have to stop myself from buying my dad barbecue sauce every year).

I have this inkling that some of you might have the same problems, so I've come up with a short list of tried-and-true guy pleasers (my husband owns all of these things).

1. Tanner Lanyard
Made in the US from English bridle leather and tanned with natural vegetable dyes, this lanyard is perfect for keeping wallets and keys close to the body. It looks pretty tough, too. Available from Blackbird Ballard.

2. Filson Travel Kit
So $90 this isn't exactly a steal, but it sure is nice. These waxed-canvas bags are made in Seattle by a company with a long and interesting history. All their products are durable, high-quality, and super cool (at least according to the men I know). Check out the Blackbird website to learn more about the company and their products!

3. Stanley Thermos
Nothing says "tough and manly" like a Stanley Thermos! They come in quite a few colors now, are still made of high-quality stainless steel, and are great for keeping coffee piping hot.

4. LUSH Soak and Float Solid Shampoo and Tint
Cade Oil gives this solid shampoo its distinct campfire scent. My husband's favorite scent (and flavor) is smoke, so he was pretty thrilled when I found this shampoo bar. Every once in a while he gets very worried that they discontinue this scent and swears he's going to go buy 10 of them just in case. This one bar has lasted him for so long though, that I'm pretty sure 10 would last him the rest of his life. The bar is $10.95 and the tin was free with purchase. Make sure you get the tin or you will think your bathroom is on fire!