Long Weekend: The Bay Area Part 1

I took so many photos, and of course I want to share them all, so I decided to split this into 2 posts. You can do and see quite a bit in 3 days!

Packing was a huge success. I managed to wear everything except the extra dress I brought. I wasn't too cold or too warm, which I think is a clue to how well you do at packing. I was certainly more successful this time than when I packed for Tahoe. The trick is pack things you love and are comfortable in, and things that mix and match easily, like basics and neutrals.

Our first stop was a street fair in Oakland. We were all starving and the crowds and low blood sugar made it kind of stressful finding breakfast. 

We finally decided on crepes and french toast at Crepevine. The street fair was a lot more fun after getting some breakfast in our bellies!

I headed straight back to Atomic Garden, a lifestyle boutique we'd passed on our way up the street. They have a wonderful collection of just about everything! Beautiful handmade kitchen utensils, vintage blankets, small batch soaps, towels, to-die-for shoes and bags, washi tape! You get the picture.

If you're visiting the Bay Area, make sure to visit Atomic Garden on College Avenue in Oakland.

Our next stop was 4th Street in Berkeley. It's one of my favorite outdoor shopping centers ever. So many good memories from when my mom lived nearby. And now I have this memory of Tilly. What a darling dope.

Taco de Lengua at Tacubaya. 

Coco Bella Chocolates alone is worth the trip into the city. They carry the most beautiful truffles and bonbons. Their beauty is only surpassed by their deliciousness! Visit their shop on Union Street for the full experience, or, if you can't make it there, they have a smaller location in the Westfield San Francisco Centre. 

Oakland bound on the BART.

My mom's friend and former professor, Lucia, had us over for a celebration dinner. Her home had a beautiful view and it was wonderful to sit and talk with a woman I've heard so much about. 

One of the most amazing sunsets I've ever seen.

More to come...

♠

Holiday Gift Guides: Everyone + Gifts under $5

I tried my best to make a gift guide for everyone, but it turned into more of a guide to hostess gifts. Once again, everything is under $20 and most of the items are from small, American businesses, so shop away! The "Stuff Under $5" list is much more suitable for all ages and genders, but isn't as small business oriented, with the exception of the Theo chocolate.

Gift Guide: Etc. by fleur-d-elise on Polyvore

1. Cardamon-Clove Royal Rose Syrup $15
This is the perfect gift for a foodie or someone who loves entertaining. Or maybe just someone who loves drinking. Either way, it's really fancy and really delicious, without costing you a fortune. Also comes in Raspberry or Lavender-Lemon.

2. Spicy Apple Tea Lights from Terrain $12
These candles are 100% beeswax, made in the USA, and smell delicious. They're a steal at $12!

3. Decorative Matches ~$3.50
You know what always goes great with candles? Fire. Bundle a decorative box of matches with those tea lights, and you've got the perfect hostess gift. I usually buy them at gift stores, but they're also available on Amazon in packs of 3 for $9.99.

4. Cupcake Royale Bacon Crack $9.50
This bacon brittle is handmade right here in Seattle and makes an extravagant ice cream topping. You can also sprinkle it on cupcakes or just eat it straight outta the fancy Weck jar.

5. Paperwhite Bulb Garden $16
Bring some sunshine to someone's post-Holiday slump. These fragrant white flowers are perfect for forcing indoors and bloom in about 3 weeks. You can buy them already potted or put together a kit at your local garden nursery.

Gift Guide: Under $5 by fleur-d-elise featuring lip treatments

1. Motif Moist Wipes in Citrus Zest & Ginger $1.99

These fun and functional moist wipes are available at Target, as well as directly from the Motif website. They also make matching hand soap in pretty scents and equally pretty packaging.

2. Theo 70% Dark Chocolate with Orange $4

This decadent bar of chocolate is sooo much better than those chocolate oranges. It costs way less and is made from organic, Fair Trade chocolate. Plus, chocolate is good for you, so buy lots. Available through the Theo website and at Whole Foods.

3. Burt's Bees Lip Balm $3 

This is my favorite lip balm. It's all-natural, has a subtle flavor, and doesn't contain any of the drying ingredients, like phenol and menthol, that can lead to "lip balm addiction".

4. LePen pens $2 each 

These are great little pens. They come in 12 smudge-proof colors and perfect for crafting or just general writing purposes. 

5. Satsumas, tangerines, mandarins and clementines 

Don't forget to put a couple of these glorious little citrus fruits in each stocking! They also make great, last-minute hostess gifts as they're usually pretty cheap this time of year. Just head over to your local grocer and pick up a pound, or maybe a whole crate!  

Hope all my American readers have a wonderful Thanksgiving! And to my foreign readership, be thankful that you don't have to deal with Black Friday.

UPDATE: I can't believe I forgot to include these! May I recommend Bergamotes de Nancy? They're very hard to find as they're only made in one place: a quiet city in the Lorraine region of France. When I was seven, my mom visited family in Nancy and brought these back for me and my sisters. I've been dreaming of them ever since. They're similar in flavor to Earl Gray tea, but happily lack the bitterness of black tea. The tin is a little pricey, so I would recommend the sachet, which is available on Amazon for $14.95

Rivet & Sway

One of my goals this year has been to work with local Seattle businesses. This city is chalk-full of stylish, talented people who make any proud Seattlite even happier to call this city home.

Rivet & Sway is one of those local businesses that makes me proud to be from Seattle. They're the total package.

The company is staffed by great people and, despite it being an online shopping experience, it doesn't feel that way! Everyone is so helpful and friendly, and the service is so personalized, that it really feels like you're a VIP at a local boutique. They even have a personal stylist who will help you find the perfect pair of frames.

At the moment, I have no need for prescription glasses, but judging by the amount of people who wear them in my family, I will probably need them soon. That's why I only felt a little silly ordering frames from Rivet & Sway. When Ritzy, Rivet & Sway's personal stylist, contacted me about writing a review I thought "Well, say what you want about fake glasses on people who don't need them, I'll at least have a nice pair of frames when my eyesight starts to go!" Plus, as you all probably know, I am not shy about wearing non-prescription lense.

The whole process is pretty simple. 

1. Choose three

If you know what works for your face or what you love, then you can just choose for yourself. If you can't decide, you can use the Personal Styling feature and Ritzy will send you some personalized recommendations based on what you like and face shape.

2. Try them at home

Once you've picked three frames, Rivet & Sway will ship them, both ways, for free! You get 3 days to try them on, ask your friends for input, etc. Ritzy is even available to give advice if you can't decide! When you've decide, you ship all the frames back.

3. Order your favorite

The last step is to order the pair you decided on. This is where you enter your Rx info and they will be ready within a week!

I'm such a sucker for great packaging and graphic design.

I'm rather partial to the Spitfire in Galapagos Green

Which style should I go for?

Check back for a pin-to-win sponsored by Rivet & Sway!