I'm Mad About ...

Bon jour!

Beivushtang at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

• In honor of Bastille Day tomorrow, a little French music.
• BBB's Orla Kiely collection is here!
• Who knew wiener dogs could be so fashionable? 

Have a fantastic weekend!

I'm Mad About ...

                           Source: facebook.com via People on Pinterest

                         Source: facebook.com via People on Pinterest

• Well, it looks like I'm going to have to see People Like Us, since it features "LA as the fifth character in the movie." Knowing how I am, though, I'll catch it on Netflix in five years, after the DVD has been sitting on my kitchen counter for six months. Ha! Still, I love movies about the "real" LA (A Single Man comes to mind). Oh, and Chris Pine. Yes.
• Have you jumped on the colored jeans trend yet? I want to (mint green skinny jeans, please!) but haven't been able to find the right pair. Picky much?
• Tips on decorating for and with dogs (but I can do without the pooping pooch lamp!).
• For those times when a thumbs-up or thumbs-down just isn't enough, there's ReadrBoard. WTF? ;-)

Have a great weekend!

I'm Mad About ...

Good morning! I don't know about you, but I'm so ready for the weekend. We don't have anything special planned, but I hope to get in a bike ride and a trip to the farmers market. And as part of my Summer Cocktail Series, I plan to make a Cosmo. I've had plenty of those, so I know what it should taste like!

Last week, I made a Tom Collins. It was strong! Are they supposed to be so strong? It was good, though:

Aren't those the cutest glasses? I've had them forever but hardly get to use them since we really don't drink much.

Anyway, I came across lots of interesting, juicy stuff this week. Enjoy!

• Suffering from Mad Men withdrawal? Me too. This might help.
• Domino is now available in digital versions for the Nook, Android and iPad.
• Interesting dust-up from the pages of Lucky. Are you bothered by the idea of a magazine making up a quote? I am, but I'm also not surprised.
• Are you "Overdressed"? As much as I want to buy quality goods, I can't resist a cheap chic deal.
• Speaking of clothes, I just discovered this LA-based retailer that lets shoppers donate 5% of the purchase price to the charity of their choice. Pretty cool. And the clothes are cute!

Happy Father's Day!

I'm Mad About ...

Nice to have a long weekend—I could use an extra day to relax and take care of some projects. That's if I have time—I've been invited to a party and a barbecue! I also hope to take some time to reflect on the sacrifices Memorial Day is meant to commemorate.

Vit Lustinec, Wikipedia

Meanwhile, here are some things that caught my eye recently:

• What a great idea: keeping a gratitude journal.
• Love the simple flower arranging tips from Emily Henderson in the latest HGTV mag. I just can't seem to do anything more complicated than pop a bloom in a bud vase!
• I've been listening to this album nearly nonstop for the last few weeks.
• A very sweet story of not-so-young love.
• What do you think about the maxi-skirt trend?

A Dress to Obsess Over

Someone needs to invite me to a summer wedding or a garden party or an ice cream social so I'll have an excuse to buy this dress:

Summer wedding outfit by bethc featuring dolce & gabbana handbags

Dorothy perkin, $69
Salvatore Ferragamo patent leather pumps, $360
Dolce Gabbana dolce gabbana handbag, £860
Gabrielle Sanchez pearl jewelry, $2,550
Aspinal of London wedding glove, $99
Chanel lipstick, $32

I've been obsessing over it since I first saw it last week, and since I don't know anyone who's getting married this year and I've never been to an ice cream social in my life, I probably won't have a reason to buy it. So the next best thing: feature it in a style board.

It's super-lady-like, so I went with very feminine accessories. The shoes are a bit of a stretch for me—I don't wear yellow—but they pull the color from the dress and are ever so slightly edgy. And the hardware on the handbag keeps it from being too sweet. (This is my second choice for shoes, and probably closer to what I'd actually wear.) I have no idea what that perfume smells like, but the bottle is a showstopper. And the gloves. I just had to include gloves, even though I'd never actually wear them. They seem so appropriate.

What do you think? Too over-the-top girly or just right? What would you wear with this dress?

Fashion to Furnishings

I love a classic houndstooth check, and in an oversize print it's modern and fun.

The dress is so cute, I bought it last time I was in LA (although it looks like it's no longer available).

H&M

This room is a little crazy for me, but I love the daring mix of pattern and color:

Apartment Therapy

What pattern do you love?

Fashion Forward: '70s Spring

Now that spring is here, I thought it was time for a fashion post. I really like this outfit—it's a little retro without feeling costumy. And maxidresses are comfortable and easy to wear but still dressy. Although I'm sure the hat would just blow right off!

'70s for Spring by bethc featuring a red maxi dress

Hale Bob red maxi dress, £215
Mystique flat sandals, €189
Fossil handbag, $198
Oscar de la Renta clip earrings, $290
Phase Eight floppy hat, £24
Jo Malone London White Lilac and Rhubarb Cologne, $110

All in the (Smythe) Family

Did you know that the fabulous Tommy Smythe has a sister, Christie, and that she's also a designer? Not of interiors but clothing.

I think I've mentioned before how much I love this kitchen Tommy designed:

House & Home

Now, how gorgeous is this jacket from the Smythe spring collection:

Smythe

Talent is definitely in their genes (and their jeans!).

Fashion to Furnishings

I came across this stunning image recently and haven't been able to stop thinking about it. It's from the New York home of Vogue's Hamish Bowles, and it's divine. Since he specializes in both fashion and interiors, I thought it might be fun to pair the space with equally lovely apparel.

They're both pink, sparkly and textured—elegant but not too serious:

What do you think? Are these shoes the fashion equivalent of that room?

I'm Mad About...

I realize this is turning into a dog blog. I didn't intend that, but dogs (and cats) have kind of taken over my life during the past year.

Our visitor is settling in and adapting very well, but it's a lot of work just getting her outside to take care of business! She's sweet as can be, though, and very determined and inspiring:

Here are some other (mostly non-dog-related) things that caught my eye this week:

• Cute gloves to show your love.
• Jason Wu for Target drops Sunday. I predict a cat fight over these bags!
• Too good to be true? I hope not!
• Loving the new look (or looks—take your pick!) over at Making it Lovely.

Color Me: Green With Envy

The color of nature, green is calming and versatile. It can be fresh and clean or deep and exotic.

Clockwise from upper left: Chuck Taylor All Star, American Athletics; Real Living via Table Tonic; Sultan canisters, Z Gallerie; Peas Pass the Salt and Pepper Shakers, ModCloth; Apartment Therapy; Café capri, J.Crew; Vintage Pendant, Jayson Home; Pressley earring, Honeybee Collection; Windy City dress, ModCloth.

What's your favorite shade?

Color Me: Outrageously Orange

It took some time for my love of orange to develop. I used to think it was too bold, too garish. Then I discovered how good it looks on me, and a love affair began.

There's a lot to love about orange, whether you prefer a soft peach or a bright neon shade. And it pairs exquisitely with my favorite color, blue.

Clockwise from upper left: Climbing Vines curtain, Anthropologie; bedroom, via Pinterest; ceramic garden stool, Inside Avenue;
Hermes Jypsiere bag, via Polyvore; Heritage ballet flat, Lands' End Canvas; sunroom, New England Home; Townie,
Electra Bicycle Co.; flowers, Style Me Pretty; Essie nail polish, Fables in Fashion.

Color Me: Moody Blue

The color blue is associated with sadness, depression, pain. I don't know how it got such a bad rap, as I find it to be such a happy, peaceful hue. In fact, it's my favorite color.

There's a shade of blue for everyone, from warm turquoise to cool slate. And because it goes with just about every other color—orange, yellow, red, brown, green, pink, black, gray, you name it—it's practically a neutral!

Clockwise from upper left: bedroom, Seventh House on the Left; Butter London nail polish in Blagger; Le Creuset cookware;
hydrangea cupcakes, Glorious Treats; Rainy-day bow ballet flats, J.Crew; Everett Kantha chair, West Elm;
Tea and Toast butter dish, Anthropologie; dress, Trashy Diva, via Pinterest

So what's your favorite color?

LA (Shopping) Story

Even though we're less than two hours from Los Angeles, we don't get down there very often, mainly because of the dogs. I hate leaving them alone all day, and it's a lot of trouble to board them. But we happened to have a dog-sitter Saturday, so we took advantage of it and went for a drive.

The destination: the Westfield Century City. I had never been there, but it has some stores I've been wanting to check out in person and some I hadn't been to in a long time. Plus I love that part of town.

First stop: H&M. The only H&M store I'd been to was in London, and I was dying to visit one closer to home. And I wasn't disappointed—it was full of affordable goodies.

Erik said no to this dress (that's kind of a big deal, 'cause he almost never says no):

But these pretty frocks went home with me:

On the way to Madewell, we took a detour into Teavana, and I fell in love with two very different tea sets. This one in classic white with a bit of simple flourish:

And this, in all its gilded glory:

I love the idea of afternoon tea (must be the Anglophile in me), and I'm sure I'd make use of either of those sets. If only...

After a brief (and underwhelming) stop at Zara, I made it to Madewell:

My 'Project Runway' Challenge

Fall made a brief appearance here a couple weeks ago, but just as I was getting ready to put my shorts and sundresses away, we were hit with a heat wave. This schizophrenic weather makes it hard to decide what to wear from one day to the next.

So to get a new perspective, I gave myself a little challenge. While watching Project Runway last week, I decided to create a look based on that episode's inspiration, Governors Island. My initial idea was to start with a sculptural gown, based on the artwork on the island.

But then I spotted this dress, and that was it. Graphic and steely, it evokes the city as seen from the island. Purple and gray is one of my favorite color combinations, so I chose a plum boot, and the studded clutch is just big enough to hold the essentials. Of course, the woman sporting this ensemble is enjoying an after-work cosmo.

PR Challenge by bethc featuring long sleeve dresses

Happy dressing!

I'm Mad About...

I'm looking forward to a fun girls' weekend. And to kick it off, here are some things that caught my eye this week. Enjoy!

• If you love West Elm as much as I do, you'll love the retailer's new blog, Front & Main.
• I really need to add some brightly colored shoes to my wardrobe.
• I love this little idea.

It's in the Jeans

I finally found a pair of jeans leggings (which I refuse to call jeggings) that are comfortable, aren't binding at the knees and look pretty flattering. And best of all they were only 37 bucks.

I plan to wear them mainly with boots, but lately I've seen some really cute outfits with skinny jeans and pointy-toe pumps. So I dreamed up an outfit with items I already own that looks something like this:

Casual fall outfit by bethc featuring a brown leather tote

I could actually try on the pieces, but it's so much more fun to do it this way. What are you dreaming about wearing these days?

I'm Mad About...

I'll be indulging in some delicious treats at the annual Greek food festival this weekend. I look forward to this all year long, although I hear there will be no feta fries this year—tragedy!

Lands' End Canvas draped shawl-collar cardigan

• I got the Lands' End Canvas catalog the other day, and I want everything in it! Seriously. Beautiful and timeless. I'm so ready for fall to arrive now. (And if that didn't do it for me, this certainly did.)
• Zara launched online shopping in the U.S. this week! Yes!
• Another reason to love Anthropologie (as if I needed one): It's holding Sit Stay Love pet adoption and supply drives at stores around the country this month. Check it out!
• In other animal news, Sept. 17-25 is Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week. I'm full up, but if you have room in your home and your heart, consider bringing home a critter with special needs.

All About Autumn

Summer somehow managed to slip right past me this year. It's technically not over for a few more weeks, but with school starting and Labor Day right around the corner, for all intents and purposes, it's over. And I never got to enjoy it.

It was one thing after another this spring/summer: job, animals, health scares, and now a late summer heat-wave.

I hate to sound like I'm complaining. I mean, despite what Giles and Smooch may think, the new dog is a wonderful addition to the family. And the kittens were so much fun (and so destructive, but that's another story).

But it didn't leave me with much time or disposable income for fun this summer (although I did get to visit my friend in Oakland). So all of that is to say that I'm just not ready for fall.

In an effort to get myself in the mood for the upcoming change of seasons (despite 100-plus temps), I've put together a few reminders of why I love the cooler days of autumn (sweaters! pumpkin pie!).

Clockwise from top left: Eiffel Tower, Pinterest; coat, H&M; Ever-Present Satchel, Anthropologie;
Mad Men Collection bracelet-sleeve jacket, Banana Republic; tea cup, Pinterest; Marc by Marc Jacobs boot, Lucky magazine; pumpkin pie, Pinterest; Pour La Victoire suede Chaney wedge, Lucky

What do you love about fall?

I'm Mad About...

Via fōnuts

• I'd heard about fōnuts and I'm happy to year they taste as good as they look!
• Dream video team: The Muppets and OK Go.
• This almost has me wishing fall would arrive already (but really, I'm still clinging to summer).