Look of the Day: Black Floral Off-Shoulder Dress

As much as I love this dress, it's a little big for me, so it's up for grabs in my Etsy shop. How cute would it be for a summer wedding?

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6 Un-boring Coats for Fall

Summer is almost over and, as always, I'm a little bummed. The colder months can seem so monotonous. The picnics are over, the warm weather is gone, and everyone gets back to the grind. Your wardrobe doesn't have to be that way, though, and you shouldn't ever feel like you're having to cover up your outfit just to stay warm. Your coat should be a part of the look! If you're tired of your cold weather outerwear, it's time to freshen things up. Here are six great pieces that will keep you both warm and chic.

1. Sleek & Minimalist

Photo: Elizabeth Lippman for New York Times

A collarless coat looks crisp and grown-up when paired with a preppy oxford. Think how much simpler wrapping a scarf will be as well! This wool coat from H&M is a steal at $79.95

2. Fall Colored

Photo: Candice Lake

On those dark days when you're just tired of the dreary weather, or your dreary outerwear, brighten up your outfit with a coat in orange, burgundy, or even mustard yellow. Try this orange blazer.

3. Oversized & Textured

Photo: Stockholm Street Style

Probably my favorite look for Fall is the oversized coat, especially in marled textures. It's subtly ridiculous and looks so good with other black and white patterns! The one shown above is available at Oasap.

4. Quirky & Detailed

Photos: Candice Lake and Vanessa Jackman

If your outerwear boredom hasn't been solved, then experiment with crazy patterns and interesting details. A motojacket with contrasting sleeves might be the fix, or try one in banana print from Top Shop. If the banana pattern is a little too wild, go for something more abstract in black and white. It will be easier to coordinate. Zara has a gorgeous jaquard print coat for $119.

5. Relaxed in a cinch

Photo: Happy, Honey & Lark

If you live in a climate similar to Seattle's, you probably won't need a heavy coat till November or so. Until then, a curve-accentuating anorak will do just fine. This one has the cutest little polka dots both inside and out! It's only $53 at Romwomen!

6. Cape Flattery

I've been wanting a cape for years. I had trouble finding the right fit, though. They always make me look huge or like I'm drowning (I'm not exactly that tall). One trick is to find the right length, or you can try a cape, like this sleek little number from Oasap, that has long lines and angles. Coupled with the gathered waist, these features mean you won't lose your shape.

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Look of the Day: Fall Preview

A couple months ago, Redbook contacted me again and invited me to be part of their September issue. I was lucky enough to make it into the article about pattern mixing for Fall. It was a challenge as a lot of the obvious mixes had already been taken care of. Stripes & polka dots woulda been a cinch for me, but I was given the challenge of combining herringbone with animal print. I didn't think I owned any herringbone, but it turns out this herringbone plaid cape counts! 

I found the cape at an amazing estate sale in the earlier part of this year. It was like I was walking through my own estate sale in the future. There were piles as tall as me; all clothes. Tons of stripes, polka dots, and classic pieces, like this cape. I joked with my husband that it's what will happen if he dies before me. I will have nothing to do but spend his money.

The blouse is from another estate sale that I went to in West Seattle. I think it's quite possibly my favorite piece I've bought this year. I wear it so much and I love how unexpected the color looks with most other colors. It will be perfect for Fall, too. I have yet to compile my wish list for Autumn, but I'm starting to get some ideas. I know I'll be wearing this cape a lot! What are you looking forward to wearing?

Friday Fashion Fact:
Herringbone is the pattern and tweed is the cloth. That means my cape is a tweed herringbone plaid O_o

Vintage handmade cape (similar) - Vintage Dior blouse (similar) - Forever 21 skirt (similar) - Maison Martin Margiela for H&M wedges - thrifted Coach 

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Thoughts in Overalls: Insults & Comebacks

Saturday must have been International Rude Day. I woke up to a rude comment on Facebook AND a rude Tweet. The Facebook comment started with a compliment, but then quickly digressed into insults, lazily excused with an "I have to be honest"clause. The commenter said that "bigger people" would look like taxis if they wore a yellow blazer like mine. I was at first insulted, then felt bad for being insulted when I realized it wasn't directed at me. I gave it some thought, then responded with "Bigger people can wear what they want." Just minutes later, I opened up Twitter to find a tweet from some tactless girl expressing her feelings about my look that was featured on Your Next Dress. I don't think she even knew that it was tweeted to me as well as the website. So much rudeness and all before 11am!

To address the first comment, which I think is more important, I must first admit some things. I, like most people in America, have an automatic negative response to being called fat. I wish I didn't. I'm working to change my perceptions of my own body and the word fat. Through middle school, high school, and till about the age of 22, I was "overweight". Then, suddenly, the weight started coming off. The only explanation I have for it is that I was exploring the world and changing my outlook. I think those changes were enough to change my activity level as well as my eating habits. 

I was very happy in high school, so I don't want you to think I was completely miserable being overweight, because I was far from it. I did, however, feel like people couldn't see the real me. And I hated not being able to wear all the clothes that were in style. 

In the ten years that have passed since I graduated high school, I've made some huge changes and feel pretty lucky in life. Most people didn't recognize me at my reunion! I did however fall into my old pattern of only talking with my group of friends all night, but that usually happens at reunions, right? My husband did the networking and I was my typical wallflower self. It works out.

This Facebook comment has got me thinking, though. I still carry around a lot of the insecurities that come with being fat in a skinny-obsessed world.  But I've had a breakthrough. One that I think shows progress in changing my body image. I realized the insult wasn't being called fat. The insult was being compared to an inanimate object. No matter what your size, color, or gender you're a human being and you deserve respect and kindness.

To address the second rude comment. The girl said "Hell no!" in response to the question "What do you think of Catie Beatty's dress?" Bitch please, I've been in 4 magazines, a book and featured on loads of websites. Your tactless remark only made me realize just how awesome I am.

Vintage silk blouse - thrifted GAP overalls - Forever21 sunglasses - Madewell flats

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Look of the Day: Overflowing Florals

As much as I love this look and the way it turned out, I can't help but do a lot of internal whining when I look at the pictures.  Long story short, this look was put together for a magazine (it may or may not get printed), which is exciting, but there were hitches and problems that made the whole process really frustrating. My camera was like "Oh you need these photos today? I don't really feel like focusing..." I think the pattern on the dress confused the auto-focus. Also, I accidently paid $12.99 for a Dress Barn dress. A used Dress Barn dress :( That'll teach me to look more closely at the tags when I'm at Value Village. See, the whining in my head is just as unpleasant when it's on paper.

In better thrift shopping news, I keep finding great deals on overall shorts. GAP used to have the monopoly on overall shorts, but now I do. If you would like to add a pair to your summer wardrobe, I am selling some for a reasonable price on Etsy. Actually, mine really are the most reasonably priced. I saw a pair of  Levi's overalls and the asking price was, get this, $150!! I can barely even imagine selling a vintage Coach bag for that much.

Don't stare at these blurry florals for too long. You'll stress your eyes.

That is all.

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Look of the Day: Spring Patterns

This past weekend, Seattle was blessed with sunny, fair weather. It felt like Spring, despite the chilly breeze. I tried to dress like the wind didn't exist and ended up freezing by the evening on both Friday and Saturday. It's hard not to get overly exited by sun in March. Thank goodness Spring is only a week away!

I took these photos out back, but the very bright photos were shot on the roof again. It was too sunny up there so it was hard to get good shots where my face wasn't all squished up and grumpy-looking. The reflective coating on the roof makes it very warm, as well as bright, so it always feels like summer up there! I'm still experimenting, but I think the roof is going to be a good place to shoot photos on darker days.

My mom made this amazing bracelet for me last year. The beetle is an old clasp of some sort, which she attached to a piece of velvet. I love bugs, especially beetles, so I'm pretty crazy about this bracelet!

Too bright.

I'm so glad I bought this blazer. A blazer is one of those items that every closet needs. It goes with almost everything; even this colorful, pattern-saturated outfit!

H&M striped shirt (similar)- H&M blazer - thrifted skirt (similar)- H&M purse (similar)- handmade bracelet - Banana Republic sling-backs (similar) - Rivet & Sway Spitfire frames

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Frida the Mini Corgi

Okay, so she's not really a mini corgi, but she's the closest thing to it! She's half corgi, half chihuahua. She has the short legs, a cropped tail and huge ears, just like a corgi, though! The only chihuahua traits she got were the buggy eyes, which have been making me laugh for almost 10 years.

She was really excited to be outside, off a leash, and spent most of the time scampering around trying to figure out how to get off the roof. I had a hard time getting a photo that wasn't blurred by motion.

 I had quite a spate of thrifting luck last month. One of my amazing finds was this vintage Burberry trench coat that fits like a glove. I'm usually swimming in vintage coats, but I knew it was Thrifting Destiny the minute I laid eyes on it. It even has slightly shorter sleeves, which I prefer in a coat. My husband makes fun of me, but honestly, a cropped sleeve is so much more flattering! 

The coat is missing the liner, but that just means I'll reserve it for the milder seasons.

As you may know, pattern mixing is "in" and, well, it just makes for fun outfits. A good point to remember is "When in doubt, color coordinate!" This can make any outfit look more pulled together.

Frida is known for her bewildered/worried expressions. 

Vintage Burberry Coat - H&M striped shirt - PINK cardigan (similar) - H&M mini skirt (similar)- H&M scarf (similar) - Etienne Aigner boots (similar)

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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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GIVEAWAY: $30 Vivilli.com voucher

 I started my week with a fun new blazer from the generous people over at Vivilli.com. I always need more texture and pattern in my wardrobe, so when they offered me this tropical print blazer I snapped it up! It will add character to any Fall outfit.

Floral blazer c/o Vivilli.com - Forever21 blouse - thrifted skirt - Forever21 belt - H&M pouch

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Now it's time for the giveaway details!

What? Another giveaway? Yep, that's right! This time around, the amazing people over at Vivilli.com sponsoring! One lucky reader will win $30 worth of Vivilli goods. The best part is the winner gets to choose! If you need some ideas, I've found a few wonderful pieces that are around $30 or less!

 Heart-print blouse $31

Princess Bust Skirt in black $30

Gold Plate Bracelet $9.99

Here's how to enter:

1. Like VivilliFashion and Fleur d'Elise on Facebook (required)

2. Follow VivilliFashion on Twitter (required)

3. Tweet a message about the giveaway and leave your Twitter handle in a comment below

Message example: @VivilliFashion giveaway is awesome, u should check it out www.fleur-d-elise.net

The more steps you complete the more chances you have to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Look of the Day: Cats & Dogs

 Finally jumping on the peplum bandwagon. It's not that I hated the trend, it's just that I hadn't found the right one yet. This spotted one from H&M is The One. It fits like a glove and cost $16! What more could you want?

And how about this amazing Coach portfolio?? I found it at Crossroads Trading Company in the U District. Technically, I didn't pay a cent for it! I just used my store trade-in credit and half-heartedly planned on giving it to my husband, but I love it too much. Now it's just a point of contention between us, haha

Thrifted GAP denim jacket (similar) - H&M Peplum top (similar) - Forever21 skirt (similar) - Thrifted cat-eye sunglasses - Classic Coach leather portfolio - Cooperative wedges - Forever21 bracelets - Vintage cocktail ring (similar)

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