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?
♠

Links à la Mode: December 12

Festive Fashionista
The holiday party season is here.... what are you wearing? Better yet, what are you brining to the party? This week's roundup is all things glimmery for the holiday season. Like you just can't get enough, right? Well put on your glitter and get your glass of 'nog because you're in for a holiday treat!

Links à la Mode: December 12
 

Chic Musings: DIY: Ethnic-Style Bib Necklace
Cream & Sugar Please: How To Hair: Braid Bun
DressCode:HighFashion: High Fashion Christmas Gifts For Every Type Of Woman
Fashioned by Love: British fashion designers: Kelly Love
Fleur d'Elyse: Joyeux Neon: Make your own stylish Christmas cards
Free Ur Closet: Blog Love: Fashion Over Forty
Lara Lizard: Are you a politically correct blogger?
Les Assorties: On Christmas Sweaters
Little Too Much: Easy Holiday Party Look in just 3 pieces
Naked Fashion: Balmain Hair Review: Best Christmas Gift
On Duty Style Guide: 5 socks to wear with heels
Rose & Pine: Five Foolpoof Holiday Outfits!
Sobbing on Fifth: An All-Budget Gift Guide for Your Sister
Spy Girl: My First Curvy Girl Sketch
Style Bizarre: Shut up if you Think Fashion is not Art
Style Vanity: Know the Color of The Year 2014 & How to Rock It!
Trendy Techie: Trendy Techie Holiday Gift Guide
The Undercover Princess: A Lady's Guide To... Self-confidence
The Curvy Elle: Body Image: Fight the Fight
Two Take On Style: Debate The Trend: Pale Pink

SPONSOR: East Dane
Jimmy Choo, O'2nd
Onia, Rochas Bags, Lip Watches,
Res Denim,
Ari Dein, 
Emily Faith, Marysia, Onia

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!

♠

Good tidings!

A peek at the holiday cards I've been working on :)

And guess what!

My dad gave me a camera! It's not new or super fancy, but he got it for a good price at a garage sale and he already has a camera... not sure why he even bought this one. Lucky me! It's a Nikon and is working out really well so far!


I bought the stripped top at Zara, downtown San Francisco. It's actually the first thing I've ever bought at Zara! I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but Seattle is a Zara-free zone :(


As good as Zara's stuff looks (the designers are amazing, really) I was a little surprised at the quality. Half the the clothes I brought into the dressing room had busted zippers or were already splitting at the seams. You can't see it on the top, but the sleeve openings are actually two different sizes. I guess they spend all their production money on design and quality fabrics (wool, silk, etc.), but then skimp on assembly. Still wouldn't mind having one here in Seattle, though.



It's good to be back :)

In these photos:
United Colors of Benetton coat
Zara top
Forever21 skirt
Vintage fur stole
Vintage bracelet
Xhiliration flats

Too much J. Crew

I've been using J.Crew catalogs for a lot of my snowflakes and I think it's starting to get ingrained. I keep having this urge to wear layers of sweaters and baggy things, topped with gaudy jewelry. Sweatpants and heels keep coming to mind as well. You so crazy, J.Crew.

I wore this to my friend's birthday party. We had hors d'oeuvres and everyone brought wine, because after a while you realize it is the cheapest and quickest way to get drunk, while looking classy and grown up the whole time. Wine + Good People= Fantabulous time.



One thing I should point out: my outfit is not vegan. I think I am wearing four different kinds of animals. I just bought the cashmere (goat) hat at J.Crew for $20. Such a great color AND easily seen in the snow, just in case we have another blizzard. The rabbit fur stole has been featured before, as has the sheep's wool jumpsuit, and the leather Vince Camuto boots. Yup, that's four. Thanks Creatures, have a nice evening!

Hopefully, after all this borrowing of fur and hair (I plan to give it all back of course), I will be warm for once. The cold always finds its way under my layers.

In these photos:
Vince Camuto boots
Donna Karan jumpsuit
J.Crew hat
Forever21 skirt

CRAFT: Waxed Paper Snowflakes

I present to you, my favorite busy-work craft: paper snowflakes!!

I wax mine to help preserve them! This means they are stiffer, less likely to tear, and can either be taped to a window or hung in a tree.

To start, you will need the following:
1. Recycled or decorative paper. The thicker it is, the harder it is to fold, so I recommend notebook paper or equivalent weight. Catalog pages & origami paper work well!
2. Sharp, pointy scissors
3. A pencil
4. Some string or thread
5. Old candles
6. Old pan
7. Chopstick or other stick that is good for poking
8. Tin foil
9. Glitter, to taste


Then follow these steps:
Cut a square from your paper and fold it into a triangle 3 times. The picture shows four but that's because I fold one corner over and then the next so I get a good crease. It's still just three times.


Make sure the opening is at the top and cut the top into a rounded shape.

Draw a pattern onto one side and start cutting!


Voila!


(Next part of project is NOT KID FRIENDLY)
I really like my snowflakes and want them to be immortal, so I dip them in wax. This is obviously where the candle wax comes in. Start by melting the wax in the old pan on low heat. My stove's settings are 1 thru 10, so I usually put it on 2 or 3. Get a sheet of tin foil ready on the counter next to the stove. When the wax is completely melted, place your snowflake in the pan and push it down with your stick or pencil. Don't use something nice because it will be covered in wax.


When it is completely saturated, carefully take it out of the pan with your stick and gently shake it above the pan to remove excess wax. Now set it on the tin foil to cool. If it gets stuck, just carefully pry it off using your fingernails. You may need to change the tin foil from time to time.


After it is cool, I usually dip it a second time to make sure it's really well coated. At this point you can decide whether to add glitter or not. Fine glitter works best. Simply dip the snowflake like you did before, but sprinkle with glitter before it cools.


If you plan on hanging your snowflakes or tying them to gifts, you can add a bit of thread or ribbon. If taped to a window, the tape can be easily removed.

Happy Holidays!