Happy New Year from Mod B

There are so many things I want to say. So many thank you's, so many I love you's and lots of new things on the way for 2018. But this Christmas my heart took a big hit. Some people I loved very much hurt me pretty bad and I'm still reeling from the devastation. So in the spirit of a true Modern Bettie, I offer you transparency. Life is hard, really hard. But you can be harder. Cheers to you babes out there slayin life. Be brave and be beautiful.

JENNIFER

HAYLEY

ELISE

HUGE thank you to Rebecca Gohl for Hair and Makeup and Iconoclasp for the insanely gorgeous gowns.

Our next Body Positivity and Empowerment Event is January 18th! Get your ticket HERE now!

Thanks for an IG-CREDIBLE 2017

Valentine's Day Sale...

Join us Saturday, January 27th or Saturday, February 3rd for our Valentine's Day Makeover Photoshoot Event! Only $100 deposit to book your spot now!

Mad (Wo)Men in 2017

The women of AMC's Mad Men were hardly supporting roles. They stole the show with their bold, brave, and beautiful personalities. These characters represented the women who rebelled against the times. Out of an era in which women were socially forced to stay in the kitchen looking pretty, these characters busted out of the norm into a man's world and caught everyone's attention. Joan, Betty, Megan, Sally and Peggy ruled with style. But what would these badass babes look like after catching a time machine to 2017?

Betty Hofstadt, the queen of ice cold glares and A-line skirts. Her Mad Men style was a really good visual representation of her personality. Her closet was full of new and old, because she just couldn't seem to let go of her youth (both in terms of her closet and her mentality. Remember Glen, anyone?) Betty's 2017 closet would feature the same pastel colors, and similar conservative cuts, but with a little inspiration from contemporary trends like color blocking and ornate florals. We can't blame Betty for having such a classically stuck-up style. She grew up hearing she looks like Grace Kelly, after all.

Betty Francis by hayleysikorski featuring off-shoulder dresses

Chicwish off shoulder dress / Dolce Gabbana white sleeveless dress / Chi Chi off the shoulder dress, $86 / Zimmermann sheer jumpsuit, $275 / Oscar de la Renta creased pants, $1,365 / Gianvito Rossi heel pump, $710 / Talbots ankle strap shoes / Giuseppe Zanotti pink flat / Mansur Gavriel white mule / Ashley Stewart yellow clutch / Giorgio Armani shoulder handbag

Peggy Olson. The strong, creative, and driven copy writer who worked her way up from frumpy secretary to being too damn good for all those the Mad Men men. Peggy's the kind of person who thinks she doesn't have a style, someone who cares too much about her work to worry about her clothes. But even she has to realize how many motifs run through her closet. Peggy was always into layering and tie-neck blouses. Plaids, stripes, and repetitive patterns all worked their way into her conservative work clothes. And by the end of the show her style was refined, hip, and as always, professional. 2017 seems to be Peggy's fashion dream come true. We've got mustard-colored anything. We've got tie-neck blouses for days. We are in the golden time of business casual clothes. Peggy would be the best dressed creative at whatever hip office she'd work at in 2017.

Peggy Olson by hayleysikorski featuring genuine leather shoes

RED Valentino short backless dress / Isaac Mizrahi silk shirt dress / Loewe neck tie blouse / Marques Almeida white and black top / Proenza Schouler ribbed sweater, $310 / Flare trousers / Gap jumpsuit / Lacoste shorts, $77 / Rebecca Minkoff genuine leather shoes, $190 / Prada loafer / Sam Edelman pointed toe shoes, $61 / Ballet pumps / Pre-owned Vintage Pre-Owned Louis Vuitton Nomade Leather Robusto 1... / Rag bone pink cross body purse / HUGO orange leather purse, $165 / Daniel Wellington analog wrist watch, $210 / Illesteva matte glasses, $245 / Pure silk scarve

Sally Draper. Like mother like daughter, Sally just wasn't happy with her age. Always trying to act older, Sally pushed the limits of her wardrobe and actions constantly. Her youthful style tended to push towards the mature side. Like when Daddy Don almost didn't let her out of the house in her Go-Go boots. Today, Sally would have an eclectic closet with a mix of young and mature: classic shift dresses and peter pan collars, trendy skirts and platform shoes, youthful accessories, and an assortment of headbands (obviously.) 2017 Sally is bright, daring, and still just as bratty as her 1960's self.

Sally Draper by hayleysikorski featuring a white embroidered top

Bottega Veneta crepe dress, $1,635 / Tory Burch pattern dress / WearAll print dress / Sara Battaglia white embroidered top, $575 / Miss Selfridge short sleeve crop top, $13 / Above the knee skirt / ElleSD cocktail pants, $695 / Robert Clergerie suede clog, $205 / Steve madden bootie / Gap denim sneaker / Pointed shoes, $375 / Knapsack bag / Big Bud Press blue brooch / Celebrate Shop earring jewelry / Armitage Avenue ball drop earrings / Tri color jewelry / Witchery clear headband, $15 / Mrs President Co hair band accessory, $70

Joan Halloway. The absolute baddest bitch to ever grace our tv screens. She oozed sex appeal and sass. Even in her conservative dresses she couldn't hide her dominating aura or those voluptuous "hillsides" as Roger would say. Joan covered up in bold business wear, richly colored and with minimal accessories. She wanted to seen as more than a "whole lot of woman" in this man's world. Joan was the backbone of the office, and she scratched her way to the top, with razor sharp claws that always matched her lipstick. In 2017 Joan could be seen in wiggle dresses and a-line pants, powerful silhouettes. She'd still be rocking those bold one-piece outfits, like an off-the-shoulder jumpsuit or a solid fuchsia dress with stylized sleeves. Joan always has, and always will, dress to stand out and stand tall.

Joan Halloway by hayleysikorski featuring shoulder handbags

Michael Kors slimming dress / Finery London off the shoulder dress, $49 / Soprano bodycon dress / Marni wide leg trousers, $680 / WithChic yellow romper, $33 / Dolce Gabbana 1 piece swimsuit / Rachel Comey leather sole shoes, $275 / Breckelle's wedge heel sandals / Alice + Olivia patent leather pumps / Mansur Gavriel red heeled sandals / Eddie Borgo shoulder handbag / Delpozo genuine leather handbag / Smashbox lipstick / Topshop gel manicure kit, $11

Megan Calvet. Zou Bisou Bizoom on over to the mall, girl, because everything you love is back in style in 2017. Mad Men Megan's wardrobe was stuffed with all the top trends. She loved frills, florals, and just about anything with bell sleeves. In almost every store today we see influences from Megan's heyday. Bell bottom jeans are flooding back into stores. Sleek pantsuits are back for those, like Megan, who are brave enough to rock them. And that's right, bell sleeves are EVERYWHERE. Megan would fit right in the 2017 world of fashion, and she'd be so happy about she might just pick up a microphone. (But please don't.)

Megan Draper by hayleysikorski featuring red rompers

Rasario cropped shirt / Zimmermann long sleeve romper / Topshop red romper / Galvan off shoulder romper / Proenza Schouler pants, $605 / Victoria, Victoria Beckham tapered jeans / Playsuit romper / Marc Ellis leather sandals / Dorothy Perkins high heeled footwear, $52 / Giuseppe Zanotti black heeled sandals / BaubleBar red earrings / Humble Chic beaded jewelry / Humble Chic rhinestone necklace

How To: Write a Love Note

Let’s pretend that we’re waltzing through the ballroom of an Elizabethan manor—corsets cinched tightly across bosoms and hands clutching layers of sheer fabric. Or perhaps it’s 1916 and you’re daydreaming about your honey coming home from the front line—imagining the quickening of each breath as you hold each other. It could even be 1974, and you’ve just arrived at your Aunt Martha’s house for the whole summer, lamenting over how you won’t be seeing your sweetie for three entire months. What choice do you have but to pen word after word of careful and adoring prose for your darling?

While it may seem rather archaic in today’s technological world, the effort and intimacy that goes into a handwritten (or typed) love letter will not go unnoticed by your partner, and writing down your affections is a great way to reflect on how wonderful, sexy, and special that person is for you.      

Love notes don’t need to be Shakespearean sonnets, but they’re a nice way to come right out and say how you feel about your love. Whether you want to write a steamy description of everything you’d like to do when you get home from work tonight, a list of all the reasons you’re happy to be with someone, or a heartfelt note reminiscing about the joys you’ve experienced with your partner over the years, this guide will help you get started.

This guide is split up into three styles of notes to get you started, but most of the tips and tricks will be helpful regardless of what type of letter you’re trying to write.

Naughty and Oh So Nice

Oh baby, if you want to get him hot and bothered, details are key. Sexy love notes are a really fun way to get your partner turned on and thinking of you, and he can keep the naughty gift to read over and over.

When you’re writing any type of personal letter, you want to try to have a conversational tone—there’s no need to be formal—so reading what you’ve written out loud is an easy way to see if it sounds like normal speech or not. Starting by telling why you wanted to write a letter is a good way to begin naturally, and you can transition into the descriptions from there.

i.e. “Hey honeybun, I’m sitting at work and I can’t stop thinking about last night, so I wanted to write you a little note telling you about all my favorite parts…”

Once you get into the meat of the note, don’t be afraid to be specific about what exactly is so sexy about what your partner does, or what sexy things you want to do. Here are some example sentences:

I love the way your hands move so slowly/quickly/roughly down my inner thigh/hips/back…

I want to kiss from your jaw to your belly button and then…

Let me wrap my legs/arms around your hips/shoulders as you pull of my shirt/bra…

Something to remember is that as the author of this note, you are creating the voice behind it, and you can be as tasteful or as provocative as you’re comfortable with.

Sentence Starters:

• I love how you…

• Remember when I…

• When you do (sexy thing), it makes me feel…

• I want to/you to…

• I like it when…

Check out the word banks below for ideas of different words you can use to mix things up:

Hot Grammar Tip: Don’t forget that most adjectives can be changed into adverbs like softly, slowly, and roughly!

Steamy Tip: While you’re perfectly welcome to use bold terms like penis, cock, dick, vagina, pussy, clit, etc, you can also allude to those areas without being as blatant. For example, instead of saying, I love when your dick is in my pussy, try, I love the way you feel inside me. Or rather than, I could feel your hard cock against me, you can say, I could feel how excited you were as my hand reached between your legs. This is not to say there’s anything wrong with the first sentences, but if you don’t ever speak that way, you may not feel comfortable writing that way either.

To finish up our tips for a smokin’ love note, here’s a brief example of a few lines:

…We climbed into the backseat of my car. I was wearing that silky yellow skirt with no panties, and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough was playing softly from the radio. I remember your lips tracing the length of my neck and the way our breathing seemed to match up. It was cramped so we decided to get out of the car, and you gently laid me down on my back across the hood. Your head was haloed by the light of the moon above you, and the car creaked beneath my shoulder blades…

Overall, just remember to have fun with it—your lover is going to enjoy whatever sexy little story you come up with!

Love Lists

Love lists are my favorite type of I love you to give to my partner, and I think they’re the easiest and most fun to write. Essentially, a love list is just a list of things/reasons/memories that you love about your dearest, but it’s not quite as simple as a numbered or bullet point list (though you can always make one of those too!). Think about Harry’s speech at the end of When Harry Met Sally, and that’s pretty much exactly it.

I generally pick a theme for a love list, so here are some possible themes:

• Cute things your darling does without realizing

• Plans for lots of things you want to do together in the future

• Things that your cutie may not like about themselves that you love

• As many inside jokes as you can think of

• Your favorite memories of times that were especially funny/romantic/etc

Sometimes a love list will be embedded in a different sort of love letter, like a general note where you’re telling your honey how much you love and miss them, and you insert a list of things you miss about them, but love lists make really pleasant stand-alone notes too.

Love lists can also make fun sexy notes if you want to list some of your favorite lovemaking moments, or favorite things you do when getting it on. In general, they’re very versatile!

On to the examples! My love lists usually follow a structured form where I repeat the same few words for the beginning of each sentence in the list. The following example shows how you can make a hypothetical love list about things that haven’t even happened yet:

…I can’t wait to keep learning and growing with you by my side. Let’s pick some really exciting grad schools together. Let’s save money for a trip in the next six months. Let’s keep loving each other (not hard at all). Let’s find new jobs and think about new cities to set our goals on. Let’s not forget about the creative outlets that we’re passionate about. Let’s make some huge pots of soup. Let’s go to a nice restaurant and get a little dressed up. Let’s watch some movies. Let’s go visit my parents. Let’s go to Chicago this autumn. Let’s make some art together. I love you so much. Let’s get a puppy…

Love lists can be about so many things—they can really focus on a bigger picture, or they can be very specific. They can encourage growth, or they can reminisce about times past. Here’s another example of a love list that focuses on very specific details:

…You’re simply the loveliest person I know, which makes it especially convenient that I get to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you at 3:30 in the morning when I’m sticky because I’m so hot in our sweaty apartment, and despite my attempts to inch away from your warmth, you follow me across the bed and say “hi” and make kissy noises. I love you when you try to force me to share food with you, but then you finish it anyway. I love you when you tickle me and I crumble to a heap on the floor as a means to escape. I love you when you fall asleep for three hours in the afternoon and don’t text me back, and I know you’re fine, but I still worry anyway. I love you when you’re groggy after a nap and just want to hug. I love you when I wake up first and tell you that you should get up soon, but you’re naughty and still in bed when I get out of the shower. I love you when I forget to reply to a text and you ask how I’m doing because you got a little worried even though it’s only been twenty minutes. I love you in the morning when I have soft dreams of us making love and awaken to do just that—eyes closed as our mouths find each other for sleepy kisses. I love you when you tell me I’m soft...

Love lists are the best when they’re very specific details. They can be serious, romantic, funny—anything. They’re guaranteed to make your belovèd feel extra special, and it’s always easy to think of things that you adore.

Regular Ole’ Love Letters

For a general love letter, you can really write about whatever you’d like. These can get extremely sentimental and mushy, but really, what’s the point of writing any declaration of love that isn’t sentimental and mushy?

I generally encourage writing how you feel, and not being afraid to be too sappy or over-romantic—that’s the point! If you think about your lover all the time, write, I think about you all the time. Throw in those little specific details, but don’t fixate on making them perfect. I think if you’re going for a classic love letter, you should be as over-the-top as possible. Here’s an excerpt:

…I want to be near you every hour of the day, though I’m especially fond of the early mornings when we’re barely awake and full of sleepy kisses, whispered sighs, and peaceful breathing.

There’s no one else like you and the fact that I managed to find you and that I get to keep you, well, I’m honestly the luckiest girl in the world. I hope you never tire of my cliché declarations of love, because I’m so stuffed with them that if I don’t express them periodically, I will actually burst with all the love I have for you, you incredible, wonderful, lovely boy. I feel like the more I tell you, the more I want to tell you! I love you, I love you!

Gushy? Check! Ridiculously emotional? Check! Heartfelt? Absolutely. However, you’ll notice that of the three types of love notes that we’ve covered in the guide, this one is the least specific to either the writer or the receiver of the note. If you’d like to incorporate all three styles into one letter, all the better!

And of course, if you’re looking for the entire package, spend some time writing a few love notes, and book a Mod Bettie session to really knock your lover’s socks (and the rest of their clothes) off.

Tell us your favorite writing tips!

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Calling All Ladies: November Events for Women

It goes without saying that here at Mod Bettie, we celebrate and support women from all walks of life. We're always learning from, laughing with, and growing alongside one another, so here's our list of women-centric November events around West Michigan to check out. Let's fill every month with as much girl power as we can get!

Women's Only Weekend @ South Haven

9-12 November 2017

What could possibly be more fun than a roaring 20s themed weekend just for us gals? Don't miss out on this weekend in South Haven as the town is transformed into a flapper festival! Some of the events include: speakeasy night, dueling pianos, murder mystery, Charleston dance contest, costume contest, and more! The 20s were a profound time for women--the beginning of a long battle for better rights and equality--so why not celebrate some of our revolutionary roots in style! 

Ladies Night Out @ Mount Pleasant

11 November 2017, 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Spend Saturday evening in Mount Pleasant treating yourself to some awesome deals from local shops while also contributing to The Women's Initiative and Women's Aid Services--two charities that fight abuse and provide resources for local women. There are numerous participating businesses offering discounts on massages, yoga, tea and coffee, merchandise, dining, and more! Spend a little time on yourself, all while helping to make a difference in other women's lives. 

Princess Tea Party @ Henderson Castle Inn, Kalamazoo

12 November 2017, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Though we may all have a princess inside us, this event is for the little ones! Your little princess and her friends will have the most perfect make-believe afternoon pretending to be princesses in the historic and extravagant Henderson Castle Inn. The afternoon will include photo opportunities with the princesses, storytelling, ballroom dancing, and a guided tour of the castle. Wait, are grown-ups allowed on this adventure?

Business MasterMind! @ Schuler Books & Music, Grand Rapids

14 November 2017, 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Hosted by Unstoppable Women GR, this event is the perfect networking brunch for all our girl bosses out there! This mastermind session is all about growing your business. Rivka Kawano (social media marketing specialist) is hosting the event, and she'll be taking everyone through introductions and discussion topics. What a great opportunity to meet other professionals in a casual setting, and get real work done for your business! 

Boxwood Wreath Class @ W. K. Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners

16 November 2017, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

This event isn't specifically exclusive for women only, but it sounds like a peaceful crafting activity to get us in the holiday spirit! In this class, you'll be instructed by landscape expert, Sherri Snyder on the art of wreath-making with boxwood evergreen fronds. The wreath will last from Thanksgiving all the way through to Christmas. Just add a red bow and you're good to go!

A Drag Queen Christmas @ DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids

19 November 2017, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

You won't want to miss out on this performance! This holiday extravaganza is starring Sasha Velour, Shea Coulee, Aja, Latrice Royale, Farrah Moan, Chi Chi DeVayne & Eureka O'Hara. It's an evening of songs and marvelous drag performance, and all ages are welcome. Plus, with the purchase of VIP tickets, you'll have the opportunity for a meet and greet with the queens, plus an official tour poster and other goodies. Don't skip The Naughty Tour this year!

Women Warriors: Portraits by Hung Liu @ Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

1 - 26 November 2017, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Until the end of the month, you can see this empowering exhibit at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Woman Warriors: Portraits by Hung Liu, is a collection of twenty mixed-media, painted, and photographic works centered around female strength in the face of persecution. Liu’s work focuses on Chinese women throughout history--from concubines, to warriors, to survivors of the Cultural Revolution, like herself.

Let us know if we missed any!

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DIY: Pressed-Leaf Greeting Cards

Living in Michigan means we pay a lot of attention to our foliage—specifically around the time of year that we associate with pumpkins, sweaters, doughnuts, cider, spooky stories, and all that jazz. Yes, we’re talking autumn (or as those of us who like to make fun of people when they trip call it, fall).

The surest sign that fall is coming must be leaves! We’ve got our yellows, our oranges, our reds, browns, and even a few purples here and there. The smattering of colors we see across a stretch of woodland this time of year is genuinely breathtaking, and since I was a little girl, I’ve always been fond of collecting the most beautiful specimens for pressing, saving, and crafting with.

When one has a large collection of pressed leaves, one must decide what to do with them. I love them most of all when I can showcase them, so I generally opt for framed collages, scrapbook pages, and—my personal favorite—greeting cards, which is what this blog is about.

Now when you begin a leaf-pressing project, don’t forget that the pressing process takes a week or so. Once pressed, the leaves pretty much stay in that form indefinitely (I have a shoebox full of pressed leaves and flowers that are probably around ten years old).

You’ll want to start with a thick, hardcover book. Growing up, I always used my mother's copies of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare and The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Demonology (fitting for October, don't you think?). I wouldn’t recommend using a book that’s incredibly special because shoving leaves between the pages can damage the book over time causing staining, wrinkly pages, and spine separation. I like to try to put at least an inch of space between each leaf as I fill a book in, and be sure the leaves don’t have any moisture from outside on them.

The leaves you press should be freshly collected—once they start to dry out and wrinkle, they won’t fully flatten as easily. I usually give my leaves a week at minimum, but you can check on them after a few days and see how flat and crisp they’re looking. Once the leaves have been fully pressed, you’re ready to start crafting!

Greeting Card Supplies:

-       Cardstock

-       Patterned/Scrapbooking Paper

-       Liquid Multipurpose Glue

-       Scissors

-       Colored Pencils/Markers (optional) 

Start with a long rectangle of cardstock and fold it in half to make the card base. Because the cardstock is much thicker than regular paper, I usually use an object, often the long part of a pen or the handle of my scissors, to smooth down the crease where the card is folded several times pushing down hard against the table.  

As for the size of the card, it’s really up to you. I usually just use whatever paper I have lying around, so my sizes always vary. My personal favorite for the base of the card is not actually cardstock, but watercolor paper—it offers nice texture to the card.

Once you have your card base, cut out rectangles of patterned paper to put on the front of the card—one or two layered offers a bit of depth. I usually eyeball the squares and cut them by hand—they don’t need to be perfect in my opinion.  Glue them on by smearing the entire back of each piece with glue and smoothing it onto the card base.

Once you have your patterned paper on the card, just start playing! Try different leaf combinations and arrangements until you find what looks nice. Sometimes I’ll do a few of the same type of leaf together, sometimes I’ll go for different color combinations, and sometimes I’ll just do one leaf if I’ve really got a showstopper.

Cover the backs of the leaves with glue, and place them on one at a time. Once they’re in place, you can write a little greeting on the front if you like, or you can just wait and write on the inside.

To finish up, take your card, place a piece of paper towel over the top to catch any glue oozes, and stack a few books on top of the card to press it flat overnight. And voilà, you’ve got handmade, seasonal greeting cards!

What’s your favorite fall-inspired craft?

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10 Romantic Films to Watch Every Autumn

Two of the things I love most in this world are the month of October and, well, love. When it comes to love and autumn, I would be hard-pressed to find a better way to indulge than by settling down for a few of my favorite lovey-dovey movies each year once the leaves begin to change. If you’re in dire need of some films to get you in the mood for pumpkins, cozy sweaters, scenic walks, and of course finding the love of your life, check out the ones on this list!

1. Love Story (1970)

dir. Arthur Hiller

Love Story is the classic tale of handsome, pretentious, rich guy falls for sassy, smart, working-class girl, with a tragic twist, of course. The film takes place during the Fall Semester at Harvard University where our two lovers, Jenny and Oliver, meet and fall in love. Love Story is recognized as the 9th most romantic film by the American Film Institute, and though I recall watching it as a young girl and thinking it was five hours long, it clocks in at just under an hour and forty minutes. If you’re looking for a classic to really bring out the nostalia of fall, this is your film.

Paramount Pictures

2. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

dir. Rob Reiner

I won’t pretend that I’m unbiased when it comes to this film. It’s my second favorite of all time, and everyone should see it. Starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, When Harry Met Sally is the epitome of what a rom-com is supposed to be. It has romance, it has comedy, and it feels whole and real. The film primarily toys with the question, “can men and women ever really be just friends?” Set in NYC during the fall and winter months, the film boasts some gorgeous scenery, and the soundtrack by Harry Connick Jr. is warming to the ear.   

Columbia Pictures

3. You’ve Got Mail (1998)

dir. Nora Ephron

Nora Ephron, who wrote the screenplay for When Harry Met Sally, favored a number of ingredients for her films. She loved New York—specifically in the autumn—she loved strong female leads, and she loved for Meg Ryan to play those leads. You’ve Got Mail was made nearly a decade after When Harry Met Sally, but it still has many of those stylistic elements that Ephron is known for—witty banter, love interests that seem to detest each other, and nostalgia. Staring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, You’ve Got Mail is a cute tale about how love always seems to crop up where it’s least expected.

Warner Bros.

4. Runaway Bride (1999)

dir. Gary Marshall

This sweet 90s classic is definitely underrated, and if you’re looking for a feel-good comedy that’s certain to have a happy ending (no matter how many escapes-on-horseback it takes to get there), this is the one. The story follows a young woman (Julia Roberts) who has trouble following through on her numerous engagements, and the handsome reporter (Richard Gere) who winds up falling for her. The small town where the story takes place lends itself beautifully to a bit of fall scenery, and the chemistry between Gere and Roberts is always irresistble. 

Paramount Pictures

5. Autumn in New York (2000)

dir. Joan Chen

I’ll clarify from the beginning that this film isn’t the best, but would a list of autumn romance films really be complete without it? I don’t think so. The film follows the relationship of a 40-something man (Richard Gere) and a 20-something woman (Winona Ryder) as they traipse around New York and around their own feelings. If you’re in the mood for a dramatic, tragic, winding tale of love where the actors don’t have great chemistry, give this a shot. At best, there are some lovely scenes of NYC in the fall.

Metro Goldwyn Mayer

6. The Lake House (2006)

dir. Alejandro Agresti

We all have those movies that we love because we saw them when we were young and impressionable, and when we watch them later in life, they may seem a little cheesy or exaggerated. The Lake House is a perfect example of one of those films (for me). The concept is muddled; two people live in the same house at different points in time, and they write letters to each other through the house’s mailbox while maintaining their existence within their own present. The result is a somewhat confusing, nostalgic, winding love story, but the mood of the film is perfect for a rainy fall afternoon. Plus, who can pass up Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves?

Warner Bros.

7. Juno (2007)

dir. Jason Reitman

While Juno takes place across several seasons, it has a pleasantly reflective autumn segment, and the coming-of-age themes of the film offer the perfect wistfulness for end-of-the-year viewing. If you aren’t familiar, Juno is a story of teen pregnancy, budding love, parental relationships, and adult romantic relationships, all tied together with a fantastic cast. The film made numerous top ten lists by critics the year it was released, and it won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. If you haven’t seen it, you definitely should, and if you have, you definitely should again. 

Fox Searchlight

8. (500) Days of Summer (2009)

dir. Marc Webb

Here’s a film that, despite the title, does not take place exclusively in summer. This quirky, not-a-love-story love story has all of the requirements for our list: nostalgic, romantic, set partially during autumn, etc. Staring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, the nonlinear narrative structure of the movie has drawn comparisons to classics the likes of Annie Hall and High Fidelity, and critics were quick to praise the film. The year it was released, I watched it at least once a week, and it makes a perfect annual fall film (though to be fair, you could watch it any time of year and it would seem appropriate).

Fox Searchlight

9. Submarine (2010)

dir. Richard Ayoade

This is our only film on the list that does not take place in the United States. Considering that we so dramatically associate fall with American foliage and traditions, many of the films that feel so utterly autumn to us are American. This film though, is a lovely little breakaway from that. Submarine is set in Wales in the 80s. It’s a slightly eccentric and artistic coming of age film about an unpopular fifteen-year-old boy who has an infatuation with a girl in his class. The film is full of overcast skies, winter jackets, and wind-swept hair. I would place this as the most experimental movie on the list, but it genuinely has beautiful images and music.

The Weinstein Company

10. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

dir. David O. Russell

First, consider the cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Julia Styles, and others. Following the story of a man with bipolar disorder as he tries to win back his ex wife and meets someone new along the way, the film has both intensely funny and seriously heartbreaking plot points. Jennifer Lawrence won an Academy Award for her role, and the general tension mixed with humor that the movie exudes is excellent. And we mustn’t forget that the film boasts some really nice fall features—leaves, football, sweaters (or garbage bags over sweaters), and so on. 

The Weinstein Company

What are some of your favorite fall romances?

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Don't forget to follow Mod Bettie on Instagram!

Happy Birthday Mod Bettie Vet Alex!

As a recent culinary graduate, it's normally a chef coat and pants for this Bettie.

But not at Mod B...

Thank you Jennifer Bartlett for the FAB hair and makeup and Hayley Sikorski for the FUN behind the scenes video!

If Looks Could Kill...

The ladies of Clue had some serious style.

Miss Scarlet wouldn't be caught dead in anything matte. Ms. White's closet was as dark and mysterious as the deaths of her ex-husbands. And Mrs. Peacock didn't have a fashion filter. These ladies would fit right in Mod Bettie's wardrobe. But a lot has changed since they discovered it was Professor Plum in the ballroom with the candlestick... (Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the rope?) What would the ladies of Clue look like today? After all, fashion may change, but style is forever.

Miss Scarlet by hayleysikorski featuring nars cosmetics

Cocktail dress / Fever Fish red off the shoulder dress, $26 / Christian Louboutin heel pump / Vintage style jewellery / Long satin glove / Nars cosmetic, $31 / RGB shiny nail polish / John Lewis 10 Denier Handbag Tights, Pack of 3 , Black, $6.46

Miss Scarlet's style is bold and fierce. Reds and blacks emphasize her temper and attitude. Nothing but the most elegant jewels, gloves, and murder weapon for Miss Scarlett. Here is a vintage to contemporary evolution of Miss Scarlet's style. The neckline may have changed, but her red-hot taste hasn't.

Ms. White by hayleysikorski featuring flat pumps

Chicnova Fashion black and white short dress / Cameo Rose short sleeve skater dress, $12 / Fishnet tight, $1.94 / Princess fiona costume / Kurt Geiger black high heel pumps / SPURR flat pumps, $9.08 / Freshwater cultured pearl necklace / Blue Nile cord jewelry / Oasis suede glove, $13 / Mac cosmetics lipstick / NARS Cosmetics nail polish, $19 / Nerida Fraiman Sophie

Ms. White's look is anything but bright. In the board game, Ms. White was the maid, and totally rocked that uniform. But in the movie she traded in her feather duster for a birdcage veil and satin-lined fur coat that we NEED in our closet. Even with such an extreme evolution, Ms. White maintained her mysterious-yet-classy style.

Mrs. Peacock by hayleysikorski featuring Pier 1 Imports

Floral dress / Notte by Marchesa blue cocktail dress / Sergio Rossi slip on shoes / Kate Spade low heel pumps / Fascinator headband, $30 / Vintage eyeglass / Pier 1 Imports home decor

Mrs. Peacock, our spirit animal. Feathers, lace, and fur, the dream team! Mrs. Peacock's style demands to be seen, and won't let you look away! Her style evolution went from conservative eccentric to contemporary quirk. Keep the lace, ditch the poofy silhouette. Less fabric means less to fuss with when you're hiding in the secret passageway.

We laughed, we cried, we ate cake.

When Latesha Lipscomb came to me with the idea for this event I couldn't have imagined it would turn out so perfect. POSH Innovative Event Management brought it to a whole new level. I could have sat with these women all night and didn't want the conversation to end! Latesha DOMINATED the panel discussion with her quick wit and dynamic personality and Mod Bettie Studio was picture perfect in the evening light. Thank you, THANK YOU to all those that poured their heart and souls out and trusted us with their (sometimes) breaking hearts. Your bravery shined through and I haven't stopped thinking about each and every one of you.  

Thank you, THANK YOU Hayley Sikorsi for the

AMAZING images from the night!

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“THANK YOU”

Grand Rapids first Body Positivity & Empowerment Event!

Hey ladies! Elise here, I want to say a HUGE thank you for all the support and excitement surrounding this event. The outpouring of comments and messages has me all like, "Why the heck didn't we do this sooner!?" Mod Bettie's mission has and always will be,

“...to empower women by creating a safe and supportive environment for female self-expression.”

And that's exactly what we're doing. Offering a safe space to share your failures and successes, your goals and your game plan. My journey to self acceptance and self love has been a long and messy one but it brought me here, to this place where I can use my tools show women they are confident, beautiful and brave.

LET THEM EAT CAKE

 promises to be a convening of fierce and fabulous #bopobabes across West Michigan. Cupcakes, cocktails and much conversation around adopting a more forgiving and affirmative attitude toward our bodies. Let's help each other better understand how to build self esteem through improving ones self-image.

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 Won't you join us?! We will have a ton of surprises and sweet treats to eat and not a single soul will be judging you!

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LET THEM EAT CAKE!

Thursday, June 8th 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Tickets will sell out so snag them below NOW!

Powered by Eventbrite

We have some amazing local leading ladies that will share their stories on how self-love can improve your overall health and well being!

THE PANEL

Click on their photo and check out their websites.

Lydia

Creative Team Lead at Meijer and Founder of the Grand Rapids Feminist Film Festival and The Bandit Zine

Jenna

Owner of Amore Trattoria

Sha

Owner of Fashion Assassins Plustique

Latesha

Owner of I Got Face- Cosmetic Concierge

Paloma

Owner of Pure Vanity Salon

Krystle

Owner of Tailor Made Bridal

Tiffany

Owner of Tiffany Eden Design

Elise

Owner and Photographer at Mod Bettie Portrait Boutique

Elizabeth

Owner of Posh Petals

Sara

Owner of Shefit Apparel