Fall Trend: Blanket Capes

When my cloak count got to 4 (and my closet started to explode) I decided it was time to part with a couple things. It's a hard life I live.

The red one is just stunning, so I won't be disappointed if it doesn't sell. It's lightweight wool, so it's comfortable and easy to wear.

This pink & grey cape is an absolute favorite. I'm just too short for it. It's very thick and I get kinda lost. The colors, though!

Both are available in my Etsy shop.

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Look of the Day: on repeat

The velvet skirt appears, yet again! Autumn is usually the only time I get to wear it, so I've been wearing it a lot. It's just so much tawny velvet, doesn't seem appropriate in any other season.

 Not to jump subjects too drastically, but... ELECTION DAY IS TOMORROW. Thank the Heavens, we've made it through!! Please, please, please don't let it be "too close to call". At least, even if it is, the ads will stop. Hopefully. Here in Washington, our gubernatorial race is neck-in-neck, so even if the presidential race ends with a clear winner, we might still have to suffer through months of recounts and hearings. It happened in 2008 and it definitely could happen again.

How is your election season? Coming to a sweet, sweet end, I hope.

 A gentle reminder: I'm running a great giveaway, especially if you're need of some stylish new glasses. It's a pin-to-win, so it's a lot of fun, too! GO ENTER!

GAP denim jacket - H&M striped shirt - United Colors of Benetton scarf - Coach bag - vintage skirt - Forever21 sunglasses

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Look of the Day: Pattern Mixing

Fall is in full force. The leaves here are finally changing and I saw it rain, like really rain, for the first time in months. Strangely enough, the sun is back. It confuses my Seattleite brain, but I love it regardless. I've been walking my dog, which is amazing, considering the ordeal I've been through with my feet. I can do so much more now, and it makes me incredibly happy. I can be on my feet for a couple hours before they start bothering me!

Needless to say, I've been packing in activities while the weather is nice. I went for a long walk all over the Madrona neighborhood with my friend Ashley and her darling little boy. I've also been baking (I ate about a dozen pumpkin-pear muffins), painting & crafting, and have started experimenting with homemade fragrance oils. I have sage, coriander, black tea, and coffee steeping in jars of oil. They're all lined up on the window sill. It takes a week for them to fully steep, so I'm not sure if they're going to turn out. Fingers crossed!

I've also been experimenting with my nails. I'm obsessed with gold accents right now, so naturally, a gold-tipped manicure was in order. I found a really easy way to do it with the help of this nail tutorial.

What have you been up to? I hope you're enjoying Autumn as much as I am :)

P.S. Don't forget to enter my Vivilli Fashion Giveaway!

Forever21 dress - PINK leopard print cardigan - Vintage Coach - MIA flats - American Apparel beret - Thrifted leather belt

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Look of the Day: floral peplum + denim

I took these photos a while ago and wasn't totally happy with them, so they've been in the "draft pile". The peplum top and harem pants just seemed like too much.

Well, I've changed my mind again. I kinda like the outfit. Maybe it's just the denim jacket, though. It's my favorite thing to wear right now.

GAP denim jacket - American Apparel harem pants - Forever21 Peplum (similar) - Vintage Coach bag - thrifted leather belt (similar) - MIA Limited Edition Audrey flats - tortoise shell bracelet (similar)
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Color Trends: Fall/Winter 2012

A couple weeks ago the Wall Street Journal had an article in the Off Duty section titled "There Will Be Oxblood." It was their tepid review of NYFW. One thing they pointed out was the prevalence of the color known as oxblood. It's a deep red, and reminds me more of ketchup than oxblood (I'm more familiar with the former).

After pouring through the photos of LFW, I noted some color trends for Fall/Winter 2012. Here is my prediction:

F/W 2012 by fleur-d-elise on polyvore.com

Orla Kiely

Mulberry

Maria Grachvogel

Mary Katrantzou

Acne

Don't forget the Mac and Cheese! This yellow reminds me of the powdered cheese in those little pouches. It's day-glow delicious! (Seriously though, I love it!)

Bora Aksu

Moschino Cheap and Chic

cinnamon and sheer

This is one of my favorite outfits. I try not to wear it too often because 1. I want to keep the skirt in good condition (I got married in it!) and 2. I am not in middle school anymore and have learned to not wear the same outfit everyday.


I think the colors, contrast, and textures are perfectly balanced. Plus, it also features my favorite hat and top.



The newest addition to the outfit are these lovely leaf earrings from Felicee.com. They are punched from metal and add delicate glitz without being gaudy. The size helps with this and, despite my short hair, aren't too long. I'm not sure what kind of metal they are, but my sensitive ears haven't reacted to them yet. Good sign!


In this look:
Vintage hat
J.Crew cotton cardigan
Chico Design top
American Apparel sheer maxi skirt
Vintage Coach purse
Felicee earrings

polka dot capacity

You know how sometimes you're like "I really like ______, I should buy more of it," and then eventually you realize you have rain boots, an ipad case, three skirts, two umbrellas,a sweatshirt, and a pair of pants in _______? Well, this is what has happened with me and polka dots. I was totally convinced I needed more polka dots in my life (I blame Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney), until I realized I was at polka dot capacity. If it rains I will either have to go without an umbrella or without rain boots,for fear of looking crazy. I will be the polka dot version of Crazy Cat Lady or Crazy Purple Lady.

However, I would not give up my newest polka dot item for the World.

Ta-da!! Polka dot pants!

Out of all the great stuff I ordered from Felicee, these were what I was looking forward to the most! I was not disappointed. They fit great, despite my "generous" calves, and the fabric is oh-so-soft. And like everything else on Felicee, they're super affordable and cost me just under $22.


Something else I noticed, they actually do the opposite of what I thought they would do and provide a bit of camouflage for my rounder parts, haha.

They are the perfect addition to my wardrobe. Neutral color, classic pattern, and a ton of fun!

Buy them here

In these photos:

H&M coat

Thrifted oxford shirt

Felicee polka dot trousers

American Apparel leather pouch

Colors/Patterns: Fall 2011

colors/patterns by fleur-d-elise featuring Pieces

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you are here reading my blog by choice, not because you couldn't find that article about cage fighting and have opted to read this instead. What I'm getting at is that if you're reading this, you probably care about fashion and so have observed at least a little of what's going in colors and patterns this season.

Polka dots are a big one (I've already blogged about this, sheesh)! They're cute, fun, and classic. Plus, anyone can wear them! Try combining a neutral polka dot with one of this season bright colors, such as orange or magenta.

I am not a fan of jade, nor am I fan of snake skin, but together they just work! Take the above Zara bag for instance. The combo is just meant to be. Go for a natural looking snake skin (real or fake), since unnaturally colored prints look tacky after a while.

Two of my favorite trends this Fall: leopard and burgundy! It can be tricky wearing an entire garment in leopard print, but don't be shy! Try a skirt or accessorize with the print. Belts and scarves are a good option. Burgundy, in all of it's regal splendor, looks great with the browns and camels found in leopard print.