finally!

I've long been jealous of iPhone users and the cool, just-for-iPhone apps {I'm an Android user}. But today I'm so excited because one of my favorite lust-from-afar apps is now available for my phone's operating system.

Hello, Instagram.

I think we'll be great friends.

follow me @modernlovely

smitten kitten | rosy chains

I've been dying for a chain link bracelet for a bit, but I haven't found one I needed - until now. This one from Bauble Bar has caught my eye. It's perfect. And it's pink!

smitten kitten | it's a toss up

Confession : I am obsessed with toss pillows. Wholly and completely. It's started to become a problem in our home - just ask my husband. When he goes to sit on the couch, it's not unusual for him to move five or six just to find the couch cushion. What can I say? They make me smile.

I picked this one up at Target and it's the perfect combination for me, chevron design in the prettiest pink.

Check out more of my pillow obsession on my Pinterest.

some of my favorite {new!} things : beauty products

I've been testing lots of new and new-to-me products lately and I am loving all the results.

My new favorite dry shampoo is by Suave. Yes, Suave. It smells citriusy fresh, absorbs oil and doesn't leave any of that dreaded white powdery residue.

For those days when a power pout just won't do, my go-to lip color is Fresh's Sugar Passion tinted lip treatment. It gives just enough color and moisturizes like nobody's business.

As I mentioned here, I'm obsessed with long eyelashes, but I've been hesitant to try a growth serum to help make them longer and fuller. After some research {and thanks to a HauteLook Deal of the Day - let me know if you want an invitation to shop}, I picked up a tube of Rapid Lash and have noticeably longer {although not exactly fuller} lashes with none of the scary side effects some simliar products warn about. It's one of the more reasonably priced options - I've seen the price hovering around $30 - and can be found at most national drugstore chains.

I have sensitive, combination skin, so I make sure all the products that I apply to face are gentle and oil-free. Still, my face {especially my t-zone} is shiny shortly after my morning makeup routine. I recently acquired Boscia's No Pores No Shine T-Zone Treatment and found it works wonderfully! It helps minimize my larger pores and keeps me shine-free nearly all day.

long distance shopping

My friends and family are spread out across the country, so I can't always swing by someone's house and ask them to grab a bite to eat or do a little shopping with me. So my dear friend, Mari, and I have a way to go shopping despite living in two different cities.

Phone shopping. Meaning we take photos of our finds and get the other's opinion.

PS: Each of these was a yes. And please note, the similar nail color. Yes, we're super connected.

How do you keep close with your loved ones when they're far away?

sugar fix | miette macarons

Currently dreaming of a sweet macaron from Miette, and a sweet friend to share it with.

birthday cake all over your face

Last night, a few friends and I headed downtown to see Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and The Walkmen in concert. And it was amazing.

It was a hot ticket since it was the only time that these three acts would be performing together anywhere in the country. How lucky for Phoenix that it was here! {please forgive the fuzzy photos}

I have to say, though, I saw Bon Iver two years ago when they were still relatively unknown and promoting their debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, which was truly an experience. And although this time wasn't nearly as intimate, it was no less spectacular, and in some ways moreso with the the bigger spread of band members and flashing lights. Check out The New Times' review of the show - there's some good videos and you'll better understand this post's title.

~from 2009~

I'm currently obsessed with Justin Vernon's cover of "I Can't Make You Love Me." It never fails to give me the chills in a wonderful way.

mad for missoni

The launch of Missoni for Target was crazy! Websites crashed, stores sold out, fighting fashionistas were spotted. All I wanted were these ballet flats...and I'm happy to say my nearest store had a pair!

I also picked up a few other treasures. Mark laughed when I showed him..."You really are obsessed with chevron."

~plates, pillow, towel, makeup bags~

sugar fix | rosy red velvet

Currently dreaming of a red velvet cupcake adorned with a ruby red rose petal from Something Sweet.

smitten kitten | naughty + nice

Are you shocked that my latest obsession is a collection of shoes? I didn't think so.

In any case, I'm loving these flats and heels from Sam Edelman. They are the perfect mix of masculine and feminine in one {or a few} chic shoe.

So kick up your heels, ladies! Just not too high or you'll poke your own bum.

Sugar and spice = very nice

Channeling Chanel

Animal print with bite



smitten kitten | pinterest-ing inspiration

I'm a very visual person. I need to see something in person or on paper in order for it to make sense to me. And this fact has been made abundantly clear lately as Mark and I have been {ill-advisedly} looking for homes. {I say ill-advised because our wedding day is coming up and who really wants to add the stress of purchasing your first home together one week before you become Mr. and Mrs.? Oh, yeah. I guess we do.} He sees all the potential of a home; I need an architect to sketch something out. {And thankfully, one our dearest friends, David, is a visionary architect.}

Anyway, I have found the perfect thing to help me visualize and compile things I love - and I'm obsessed. It's called Pinterest. Have you heard of it before? It's a fun tool that can help you collect all that inspires you - whether you're looking for ideas to plan a party {or a wedding}, cool things to do with your hair, outfits to swoon over, interior design and more - onto virtual inspiration boards.

It literally will steal hours from your life, but you won't care - I promise. You will be looking at all sorts of lovely things.

One of my latest pins - my dream laundry room.

Follow me at pinterest.com/bethglick

smitten kitten | the beauty department

It's been a while since I've found something worthy of a smitten kitten post, but when Lauren Conrad, one of my favorite fashionistas, and her hair and makeup gurus launched The Beauty Department a few months ago and I became an instant fan. They dish out loads of useful information, inspiration and instructional videos designed to help you master the perfect ballerina bun or cat eye {two of my favorites, and although I've been doing both of these looks for some time, I picked up a tip or two that really helped}.

~via~





a deal on date {or any} night

Have I ever mentioned that I'm obsessed with getting a great deal? If I haven't disclosed this bit of information outright, I'll say it now. I love finding something I want/need/never knew I needed until this very moment for a steal.

Suffice it to say, I'm also obsessed with websites like Groupon, Haute Look and Gilt Groupe. You can buy great stuff, experiences, getaways {I recently picked up rooms at a boutique hotel for a song} at insansely discounted prices.

Today, another website that is growing in popularity - Living Social - is offering a $10 worth of food and beverages at one of Mark's and my favorites : Fuego Taco {remember our recent date night?}.

a little something extra : both Groupon and Living Social have apps for your smart phone. They make it dangerously easy to purchase mindlessly. Just a little word of caution.

eight glasses a day

Making sure you get eight glasses {that's eight 8-ounce glasses, please} is important. Water is necessary for your organs and makes your skin lovely. It's important to be nice and hydrated for workouts. And it's especially important if you live in the desert in the summer.

They say it's a dry heat, and that's so true - it's like an oven here. But that dry heat sucks all the moisture from the air, and your skin. Not to mention, your body is trying to cool itself down by utilizing its natural air conditioning, aka sweating. Which means more water that is lost and needs to be replaced.

When I was little, I didn't like the taste - or lack thereof - of water. As an adult, I know how imperative it is to be properly hydrated and have learned to love the taste of water; but sometimes it's boring. Sure, you could add lemon or cucumber, but there are times you want a burst of flavor.

That's where MiO comes in. It's a new water enhancer from Kraft. Think Crystal Light meets liquid. You take your bottle of plain water, flip the top of your MiO flavor, squeeze a bit in and enjoy!

~via~

I'm addicted.

sugar fix | cake pops!

Currently dreaming of red velvet cake pops from Amy's bridal shower

pretty peonies

I love picking up flowers during my weekly trip to Trader Joe's. It's a little indulgence that makes me so happy; they have a great selection at reasonable prices.

My favorite flowers by far are peonies. They are big, beautiful and smell so sweet. They're only available for a short time and I was so excited when I grabbed a five-stem pack of bright pink peonies for only $7.

sugar fix | death by chocolate

Currently dreaming of the most amazing way to go

lovesong

The Cure's "Lovesong" is one of my all-time favorite songs, and thanks to Adele, I've fallen in love with it all over again. As most of my friends can attest, if I'm obsessed with a song, I'll play ad nauseum.

This song is no exception.

jordan catalano has a great lean...

So I've been obsessed with watching old shows on Netflix, shows like "Arrested Development," "Pushing Daisies," assorted old British comedies...but my favorite so far is "My So-Called Life."

When the show first aired back in 1994, I was 13 and in eighth grade and I loved everything about it - Angela's red hair, Rickie's guyliner, the awkwardness of it all. But mostly I loved Jordan Catalano. He may actually qualify as my first celebrity crush {and did you notice that he was never referred to as simply Jordan? He's always Jordan Catalano}.

Looking back on it now, it brings back all those middle school / early high school memories. And it also reminds me of how far technology has come. They didn't have cell phones {or even pagers!} and it definitely wasn't filmed in HD.

What was your favorite old TV show?

sugar fix | a box of cupcakes

Currently dreaming of Sprinkles red velvet cupcakes.