New Obsession: Faux Malachite Ring Bowls

If there's anything I love more than malachite, it's faux malachite. These little bowls are just as fun to make as they are beautiful. I can't stop making them, so I have more than enough to sell on Etsy! There are two variations: gold edge or copper edge. I prefer the copper. How 'bout you?

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Long Weekend: Trevor, Etc.

What a wonderful weekend! Although it wasn't as warm as I would have liked, it was still beautiful AND Trevor came home! We went out for crepes on Friday morning, bummed around Ballard all day, then had fancy pizza at Cornuto in Greenwood. I worked Saturday, but afterwards, Trevor was determined to eat oysters, so we had dinner at Ballard Annex. It was my first time there, and certainly not my last. The inside is super cool, the seafood was amazing, and the great service was just the cherry on top. And then today was Easter, so I feel like all we did was eat this weekend. 

 Instagrammy-whammy! The soaps shaped like crystals are from Prism on Ballard Avenue.

 Hangin' out with Tilly's friends, Chip, Hammy and Creampuff.

Oh, that face.

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5 Gift Ideas Under $25

Gifts for Everyone! by fleur-d-elise featuring home decor

You know what drives me nuts? When magazines and websites are like "Are you on a budget? We've got gift ideas under $100!" Excuse me, but what kind of "budget" are you guys working with? Like, maybe, I'll spend more on my mom than anyone else, but there is no way everyone in my life is getting a $95 clutch for Christmas. Lets be real, my budget is more like $20. $25 tops.

I'm lucky to have a lot of amazing people in my life that I want to buy presents for (all the time), but I've got to be realistic. Sometimes it takes a little more creativity, but you really can find nice things for less than $25. Here are a few of my picks. Cool fact: they are all either made here in Seattle or are sold by local companies!

1. Grey Pom Beanie from Zumiez $19.95. Who doesn't love a new hat? How cute would it be to buy the whole family matching hats and then force everyone to take a holiday photo together? Holiday sap at its finest.

2. Big Dipper Wax Works Candle. These candles are made from pure beeswax and are poured just miles from my house. My favorite scent is "Enlightenment" and is a combination of peppermint & bergamot oils. It's a light, happy scent. The pillars range from $13 to $33, or, at just $3.75, a votive would make a nice stocking stuffer.

3. Brush Stripe Tea Towel by Such Sweet Tierney $18. These 100% cotton tea towels are hand-printed here in Seattle. They would make the perfect hostess gift, or use it to wrap up the Holiday baked goods you bring to your favorite neighbors!

4. Theo Chocolate Holiday Bars $4. The local drug store here sometimes has these on sale for $1.99, so I stock up. Even at $4, these are an affordable and delicious way to let someone know you appreciate them.

5. Moon Phases Calendar from Moorea Seal $22. This calendar is kinda metal; kinda hippy. Perfect for all the cool people in your life. It's from one of Seattle's coolest new stores, Moorea Seal. It's like all my favorite Pinterest boards in one store.

Speaking of which, Moorea Seal has a Pin-to-Win going on. Create a wishlist pinboard and you could win a $250 to spend on awesome stuff!

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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?
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Look of the Day: Fawn & Red

Last Spring, I had the chance to style my friend, Ashley, for a shoot. This was my first time styling someone else, which was pretty exciting. Especially because she's actually a professional model! She's one of the newest faces over at Baby & Co., which is a super chic local boutique located downtown. When my schedule allows for it, I get to spend the day with her darling little boy while she goes to her modeling gigs. It's all pretty fun, especially since they're both such wonderful souls.

 In these shots, Ashley is wearing a vintage sweater by Illustrations and a pair of vintage high-waisted wool slacks by Moschery. The top is her own. Both the sweater and the slacks are part of my Autumn Fashion section on Etsy.

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Spring Giveaway: Win Sunglasses + $20!

 Hooray! Lovely, Spring weather has finally arrived here in Seattle. Today was in the 70s and tomorrow is supposed to be in the 80s! Okay, so maybe that's a bit more like Summer heat, but it's still awesome. 

To celebrate I'm giving away a pair of Oasap sunglasses & a $20 credit good towards anything in my Etsy shop!

This pink romper is just $22! Or maybe you'll want to spend the money on a Mother's Day present. These vintage rhinestone earrings are going for $10. Pair them with one of my handmade stationery sets, and you've got a darling little gift!

 The frames of the sunglasses are brown matte tortoiseshell. Super cool!

...And the winner is...
Corey Olomon!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

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Look of the Day: Prim Purple

I'm not sure I own any purple. Seriously! Not a single piece. I am seriously considering this dress, though. It's another fab piece from Beats & Bohos in Greenwood. The A-line skirt hits my hips just right and the scallop detailing is so cute!

 If you're not in the Seattle area, you can shop their collection on Etsy!

Vintage purple dress - thrifted floral kimono - Target flats

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True Blue: One dress, two ways

I borrowed this lovely little muslin dress from Beats & Bohos. The minute I put it on, I could see all the possibilities. The soft fabric and chunky crochet detailing make it perfect as a beach cover-up. 

The flattering boatneck also makes it a great piece to dress up for a date night.

 Dressing something up is really quite easy, just follow this formula:

Clutch + Heels + More Jewelry

If you don't usually wear jewelry, like me, than one piece will do it. If you regularly wear bling, than add one or two extra pieces. Stack your bracelets, wear longer earrings, or don a bigger necklace.

Aren't these heels cute? They're great everyday heels, but are unfortunately just barely too big on me. My heels slips out if I walk too fast. They will be up in my Etsy store soon!

Vintage muslin dress - GAP sun hat - vintage sunglasses - thrifted straw bag & cuff - Michael Green leather clutch - animal print heels

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Look of the Day: Stripes & Brocade

I'm so spoiled. This week, I got to pick out a bunch of amazing pieces from the racks at Beats & Bohos in Greenwood. I don't get to keep them, but getting to play around with styling them is such a treat! The brocade jacket is one of many treasures from the Foxy Deluxe rack at the shop and the chambray crop top is a new item. It's reversible! I will style it in another post so you can see it.

More looks coming soon!

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Hi, remember me?

Sorry I've been gone so long. I've not been myself. Uninspired and so out of it! This week has been a little better, though.

What I've been up to:

-Today I finally cleaned up my projects and can now eat at the dinner table!

-I made the mini buttermilk-orange donuts seen above

-Yesterday I ate an entire box of mac and cheese by myself

- So much NPR

Things to come:

 -Get ready for some outfits and Spring styling ideas featuring clothes from Beats & Bohos!

-My hair might be featured in a magazine soon (we'll see!)

-A giveaway!

-Hopefully more mac and cheese

Stay tuned!

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Out & About: Shop Fleur d'Elise

I have my very own pop-up shop! The lovely Omaima invited me to be the very first local fashion-y person to have a rack of my picks up at Beats & Bohos. For two weeks, my vintage finds and shop favorites will be featured on a rack of their own!

The shop is located on Greenwood Avenue, right on the corner of 72nd Street.

Hurry in, because things are going fast! I already bought that light blue dress you see underneath the sign ;)

 Next to the rack you'll find my stationery sets, calendars, and a little bio in an art deco frame. If you're not in Seattle, but are still interested in my creations and vintage clothes, you can take a peek at them here.

P.S. Have you entered my giveaway yet??

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Seattle Favorites: Phinney-Wood

Every couple of weeks, either my husband or I say something along the lines of “I never want to leave Greenwood!” We’ve been here three years now, and the Phinney Ridge-Greenwood neighborhood just keeps getting better. Here is a short list of my current favorite stops along Greenwood Avenue.

1. Flourish Collection

7406 Greenwood Avenue North

Whether you're a stationery addict like I am, or just looking for a nice greeting card, you have to pop into this little shop on the east side of Greenwood Avenue. The owner is friendly and helpful and the bright, tidy shop is a pleasant break from Greenwood’s countless coffee shops. With products in everyone’s price range, you’re sure to find something among the hand selected gifts and paper notions, all so pleasantly arranged on vintage tables

2. Ludlow Home

7315 Greenwood Avenue North

Kitty-corner from Flourish is Ludlow Home, a furnishing shop full of Seattle aesthetic. If you’ve just moved to the neighborhood, Ludlow is the perfect place to find those finishing touches for your new home. Owner Rick Rochon has created the perfect collection of mid-century furniture and vintage Americana and filled in any cracks with delicious small batch preserves and elegant house warming gifts. Even if you don’t have a big budget, Ludlow is worth a visit!

3. Greenwood TrueValue Hardware

7201 Greenwood Avenue North

A neighborhood staple since 1948, they carry everything from screws and power tools, to canning jars and potting soil. The staff is always friendly and capable of answering any home improvement questions you might have. Why waste time wandering up and down massive aisles when you can come and see your neighbors at Greenwood Hardware?

4. Bluebird Microcreamery & Brewery

7400 Greenwood Avenue North

Last summer, I was perfectly happy with my PB&J ice cream from this small-batch ice cream maker, but now that they’ve added beer to their list of treats, I may never leave! Everything, even the beer, is made in-house. If a down-to-earth staff, an unfussy menu, and local ingredients aren’t enough to get you in, then how about a beer float? Try the Caffé Vita Porter with a scoop of Theo Chocolate Chunk!

5. Yanni’s Greek Cuisine

7419 Greenwood Avenue North

For 30 years, Yanni’s has been serving up so much more than gyros. I’ve been going to this family owned and run restaurant for years and am excited about the recent menu update thanks to Gordon Ramsay! Without owner Peter Avgoustiou’s talent for cooking traditional Greek fare, this menu update wouldn’t even matter. This family-owned and run restaurant really is a neighborhood institution! Give the Chicken Krasati a try and don’t miss the Kalamari Piatela.

This article originally appeared in Renter Resources on Apartments.com

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Adventures in West Seattle

So after my amazing facial on Saturday, I decided to explore West Seattle a little bit. I've been out there maybe a handful of times. It seems too far away. I live in North Seattle, pretty much in the same neighborhood my dad grew up in, so family, my job, are all right here. Needless to say, the paths I travel don't vary all that often.  Up Aurora to my Dad's; down Aurora to my nanny job; up 85th to the grocery store; down 80th to my in-laws; you know what I'm talking about. Even when you live in the city, you get set in your ways. 

That makes driving out to West Seattle like driving to a foreign country. I kept having reactions kind of like the ones I have in England; "Oh look, they have Cupcake Royale, just like back home!" and starting sentences with "I'm not from here..." 

One of my all-time favorite past times is exploring cities, so I was completely content wandering up and down California Ave. I was feeling pretty confident, too, so I introduced myself, as a blogger, to Linda, the owner of Clementine's Shoes. She was very friendly, and unlike another shop owner I encountered, totally open to me taking a couple shots for the blog. If I hadn't bought like 5 pairs of shoes this week (all used), I would have totally bought these adorable persimmon flatforms by FS/NY. Luckily, they're new in for Spring, so they might be there for a little while.

Bakery Nouveau came highly recommended by both Djaouida, my esthetician, and Linda at Clementine's, so I had to stop in for lunch. I had a veggie sandwich, and, like always, fell victim to the siren scent of the Pain au Chocolat. It was pretty good. Maybe a little on the sweet side, and not as good as Le Panier's, but still delicious. Maybe I should start a blog where I just review Pains au Chocolat. I would probably have to stop fashion blogging, though, due to the inevitable weight gain.

Turns out they have estate sales over in West Seattle, too, so I made the trek down the hill a few blocks from California Ave. to peruse the goods. Surprisingly, I had my third day in a row of thrifting luck and found some great things, all for under $20! I bought 3 pairs of vintage sandals, some neat old red bordered labels, assorted vintage papers, a hat, a cardigan, and a silk Dior blouse with a Peter Pan collar. Quite the haul! I should also mention that the person the things originally belonged to had more kitten-heeled sandals than anyone should ever have. She had 5 different version of one pair... which I bought 2 of. I'm planning on selling them, though!

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