Prints Charming: 21 Foolproof Ways to Mix Patterns

Aug 16, 2014

With fashion, when you think “mismatched” you probably think “faux pas,” right? Well, here at Brit + Co, we have our glasses half full and our stripes paired with our florals. Who needs rules anyway, amirite? If you too always find yourself scoping out daring style mavens who pull off those effortlessly chic, pattern-rich looks you’re so dying to re-create, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got the scoop on how you can mix plaids, stripes, polka dots and even animal print in a strategic and oh-so-chic way that will have all eyes (and lenses) on you! By the time you’re done checking out these 21 style tips they’ll be calling you Miss Mix-a-Lot.

1. Blue Crush: If you’re feeling a little nervous about taking the print plunge try meshing different textures, keeping within the same color palette. Don’t forget to flip your hair and smile for the camera! (via Refinery29)

2. Rad in Plaid: These two looks are proof that plaid is one versatile print. Pair this almost identical plaid chiffon skirt ($128) with flirty florals for a fresh look, or try plaid-on-plaid for a grunge-tastic ensemble. (via Who What Wear)

3. The Breakup: Worried about your prints clashing? Try this styling tip: break up your outfit with a chunky, solid belt. This glam, gold buckled one from MICHAEL Michael Kors ($38) should do the trick! (via Popsugar)

4. Cozy Layers: Envious of Kate Foley’s flawless layers that are no doubt keeping her toasty during cold weather months? Steal her style with this duo of tough camouflage ($29) and feminine polka dots ($121). (via Harper’s BAZAAR)

5. ’90s Twist: Channel your inner ’90s kid with an ode to daisies the next time you’re thinking of mixing prints á la curvalicious blogger, Assa. (via My Curves & Curls)

6. Now Trending: Don’t be afraid to incorporate other trends into your look, like socks with heels and round sunglasses. (via Popsugar)

7. Girlish Charm: This look screams Sunday brunch in Paris, down to her striped Mary Janes. To recreate this effortlessly chic look you only need to remember one tip: Keep things playful. Oh, and pick up this Mary Kate and Ashley-approved skirt while you’re at it ($185). (via Who What Wear)

8. Seeing Stars: Wearing anything bejeweled (hello third grade art class!) can be a huge sartorial risk, even more so when its two mates are a star emblazoned blouse ($24) and bright fringe clutch ($275). Take a risk, or three and try this high-fashion patriotic look. You might be surprised at what falls together. (via Style.com)

9. Feeling Feline: Alone, a skin tight leopard mini can be a little too risqué, but combined with a vibrant jacket it’s a-okay. We’re totally copying everything about this sexy outfit for our next date night. And kudos to this foxy lady for pulling this off during the day. Meow! (via Elle)

10. Office Talk: All work and no play makes for one terribly blasé outfit. Do like blogger extraordinaire, Blair Eadie, and leave your print-clashing worries behind with this striped Proenza Schouler sweater ($331) and totally sophisticated polka dot pencil skirt ($46). (via Atlantic-Pacific)

11. The Garden Party: Head-to-toe florals are a bold choice. Give your summer ensemble a boost with twice the amount of floral prints. The secret to achieving this look? Mix up dark and light colors and keep the rest of your accessories low-key. (via I Love Garlic Bread)

12. Getting Graphic: You can always count on black and white separates for a chic look, even when it comes to pattern play.We love how Aimee Song coupled her of-the-moment windowpane topper ($275) with this embellished diamond-print skirt and killer lace-up heels ($65). (via Gastro Chic)

13. One Piece Wonder: If you’re looking for the ultimate intro to mixing prints take it one splash at a time with a pre-mixed piece like this haute skirt from Clover Canyon ($182). (via Who What Wear)

14. Keep it Together: Pattern-centric combos don’t always have to be “quirky,” the shades of purple make this look sophisticated enough for the office and casual enough to hit the streets. (via Harper’s BAZAAR)

15. Serious Print Mixing: Now this is how you make vibrant graphic prints look sleek! Top everything off with a classic camel coat and gorgeous hair! Plus, we found the EXACT floral skirt ($138) seen on blogger Eleonora Carisi. (via Ali Express)

16. Neutral Leopard: This is expert styling at its finest, from the dose of leopard in her button-up to the subtle designs in her track-style shorts. We guess Jenna Lyons was right, leopards really are a neutral. (via Popsugar)

17. Pucker Up: We can’t help but fall head-over-heels for this smooch-print blouse and ombré checkered bottoms. Get the look with this funky ChicNova blouse ($22) that looks almost identical to the Saint Laurent version for a fraction of the cost! (via Style.com)

18. Eclectic Stripes: The key thing to remember when mixing prints is not what matches, but rather, what pairs well together. This punchy-hued skirt ($228) and silky striped blouse ($258) come together with statement-making accessories. (via Blog Da Thassia)

19. Daytime Chic: Wondering what to wear to summer brunch or that last minute coffee date? We think something similar to her striped chambray mini dress ($58) and brilliant floral blazer would look smashing. Don’t forget the metallic gold sandals, too. (via On the Racks)

20. Next-Level Suit: Gingham prints can be tricky to pull off as they can easily resemble a farmhouse tablecloth. So, we were delighted when we spotted this street style shot of a two-piece gingham look that is, get this, paired with a tangerine-print shirt! Talk about country chic. (via Paper Heart Chronicles)

21. Raging Accessories: Your prints don’t always have to come from your clothing. Add a bright pop of print to shake things up a bit, like these playful ferocious pumps ($360). (via We Love Styles)

Now that we’ve guided you through some seriously print-tastic outfits, will you dive into the deep end of the pattern pool? Still have more style questions? Ask us in the comments below!

12 Floral Cocktails That Are Almost Too Pretty To Drink

There are few moments more uplifting than when it finally comes time for all of the gorgeous blooms of spring to start, well, blooming! Since you’re already familiar with edible flower recipes, you need to become acquainted with floral cocktails as well. Not only are they delicious, they also look stunning!

All of these pretty petaled libations would be perfect for a bridal shower or even a simple romantic picnic in the park this year. Get your bar cart stocked and your garden watered, because these flower cocktails will keep you bartending all summer long!

Prickly Pear Margaritas

Floral cocktails just look so cute, and these prickly pear margaritas are simply cuteness overload from the edible flower garnishes! (via Brit + Co)

Aviation

The Aviation is a classic floral cocktail invented in the early 19th century by a bartender in NYC. It’s a gin-based cocktail that gets its lavender hue from crème de violette! Garnish with an edible violet for a vintage cocktail that’s downright sexy. (via Honestly Yum)

Edible Flower Lemon Jello Shots

You’ve never seen Jell-O shots this elegant! If you’re throwing a DIY backyard wedding, you have to have these for the reception. Plus, making these floral cocktails would be a fun activity to get all of the bridesmaids involved! (via Sugar & Cloth)

Spring Flowers Cocktail With Lilac Syrup

This rum cocktail is infused with lilac syrup, lime and crème de violette. The mix of tropical and floral makes it an essential cocktail for your summer staycation! (via DIY in PDX)

Golden Jasmine Martini

Jasmine tea lovers will rejoice over this adorable martini. Serve it as a lovely aperitif before a flavorful Asian dinner to complement the flavors in your meal! (via Cook Eat Live Vegetarian)

Hibiscus Champagne Cocktail

Hibiscus is one of the more well-known ingredients to use in florals cocktails and cooking. They even come conveniently packaged in jars with their own syrup! All you need is your favorite champagne or prosecco to enjoy this fragrant glass of bubbly. (via Olivia’s Cuisine)

June Blush Cocktail

Rose water is a versatile ingredient that can be used in everything from skincare to cupcakes. Mixed with gin, ginger liqueur and lemon juice, it makes a beautiful floral cocktail that you could serve at high tea. DIY some sugared rose petals to add a light, lovely touch. (via Freutcake)

Lavender Bee’s Knees

This prohibition-era classic cocktail sounds like the perfect pre-bedtime cocktail. Snuggle up with this lavender and gin nightcap and a good book for the perfect evening spent relaxing. (via Honestly Yum)

Lilac Lemon Fizz

If you like a drink with bubbles, this floral cocktail is for you. It’s bright and refreshing, which is great for when the days start to get a little bit warmer. Try freezing some lilac blossoms in an ice cube tray for an extra-elegant garnish. (via The Merry Thought)

Wild Rose Petal Sangria

For this sangria, you’ll need a bottle of rosé (obviously), elderflower liqueur, and rose syrup. For maximum rosy flavor, you’ll want to steep your petals in syrup overnight. Don’t worry — it’s worth it. (via Feasting at Home)

Elderflower Strawberry Bubbles

This refreshing floral cocktail is a simple combo of elderflower syrup and strawberries, with Prosecco and club soda added on top. It can be made in bulk, so it’s a great choice for serving big spring parties. (via Look What I Made)

Zesty Mint Virgin Cocktail

You can still enjoy the fresh garden flavors of spring, even if you don’t drink (or you’re preggo). This mint and elderflower mocktail is a great way to join in the party with zero alcohol involved. If you do fancy adding a bit of booze to it, rum would be a great choice. Just sayin’. (via Kiku Corner)

Follow us on Pinterest for more easy + delicious recipe ideas!

Lead image via Feasting at Home.

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

Ryan Gosling Supports Eva Mendes "In All The Ways," And It Makes Us Love Him Even More

There are two things I know for sure: Ken loves Barbie, and Ryan Gosling loves Eva Mendes. The couple met on the movie set for The Place Beyond the Pines in 2011, and have created such a beautiful life together! Eva's just as excited for the Christmas remix of "I'm Just Ken" as we are, and Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes' constant support of one another is making us think back on all their cutest moments.

A Full Timeline Of Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes' Relationship

Images via Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

August 2011 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Meet During The Place Beyond The Pines

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes took a chance at romance after they played a couple in 2011's The Place Beyond The Pines. Once they were linked, they were seen walking around Disneyland "like a dating couple, [walking] very closely, holding hands and their arms touching side-by-side," according to a PEOPLE eyewitness.

Image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SXSW

November + December 2011 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Spend The Holidays Together

During Thanksgiving in 2011, Eva Mendes was filming Holly Motors in Paris, so Ryan Gosling took a trip to the City of Lights so they could spend the holiday together. They also ended up going on Funny or Die's Drunk History Christmas the next month to reenact a 21+ version of The Night Before Christmas *and* spent New Year's together!

Image via Sonia Recchia/Getty Images

September 7, 2012 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Attend The Toronto International Film Festival Together

To promote The Place Beyond the Pines, Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes spent a lot of time together on the TIFF red carpet. Years later in 2019, when Kelly Clarkson pulled up the picture, Eva couldn't help but gush over Ryan — especially since they hadn't announced they were dating at the time. “Oh my God, that’s so old," she says of the photo. "That’s literally me going, ‘I’m not in love with him. What? I’m not in love.’ ‘Cause we were trying to be very professional."

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

May 2014 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Work Together On Lost River

Ryan and Eva reunited on a film set again for Lost River, which was both Ryan's directorial debut and served as a semi-autobiographical story for him. "For me, it was crucial to work in this intimate, low-budget, small way, with people I had worked with before, because I feel like in my experience that’s where everyone was at their best," Ryan tells Sunday Style (via Mangalorean). "They know what is at stake for you personally, and all the work that’s gone into getting there."

Eva also told her Instagram followers in a since-deleted postthat Lost River is the project she's most proud of. "There was one film I'm extra proud to be a part of," she said. "A dark fairy tale. A magical fantasy. To all the struggling single mothers, to all of us in cities that feel like they're burning down or flooding around us, to everyone fighting for the ones they love, this was a good one."

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

September 12, 2014 — Eva Mendes Gives Birth To Their First Child

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes welcomed Esmerelda Amada Gosling into the world in September of 2014. Eva later said that she didn't even want kids until she got together with Ryan. "I was lucky enough to work my bum off for 20 years," she tells Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa (via PEOPLE). "I never wanted babies before until I fell in love with Ryan, and it kind of worked out to where I was 40 and having my first baby. I think I was 42 for the second one, so it worked out in that way that I had a career and then I change my focus to my family."

Ryan also went on to tell GQ in 2023 that he was in a similar place before meeting Eva. "I wasn’t thinking about kids before I met her, but after I met Eva, I realized that I just didn’t want to have kids without her," he says. "And there were moments on The Place Beyond the Pines where we were pretending to be a family, and I didn’t really want it to be pretend anymore." I could cry!!

Image via Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

December 7, 2015 — Ryan Gosling Gives A Rare Interview About His Relationship

While Ryan and Eva have kept their relationship very private, he told Hello! that "I know that I'm with the person I'm supposed to be with" and that literally the only quality he looks for in a woman is "That she's Eva Mendes. There's nothing else I'm looking for." Swoon!

Image via Brad Barket/Getty Images

April 29, 2016 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Have Their Second Child

Eva Mendes gave birth to her and Ryan's second baby, a daughter named Amada Lee Gosling, in April 2016 — after keeping the pregnancy a secret until it was almost time to deliver! Amada is named after Eva's grandma.

Image via Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

January 8, 2017 — Ryan Gosling Dedicates His La La Land Golden Globe To Eva Mendes' Brother

While accepting his Golden Globe for Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Ryan Gosling made sure to let the world know just how much of a role Eva had played in the process. “I would like to try and thank one person properly, and say that while I was singing and dancing and playing piano,” he says in his speech, “my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second and trying to help her brother with his battle with cancer.”

Eva's brother, Juan Carlos Mendes, had passed away the previous April and Ryan took the opportunity to dedicate the award to him.

Image via Dominique Charriau/Getty Images

February 12, 2020 — Eva Mendes Reveals Ryan Gosling Is A Great Cook

When an Instagram account asked what Eva and Ryan liked to cook, Eva revealed just how amazing Ryan is with food. "Ryan is an amazing chef AND baker," she says in her reply. "For reals. Incredible. No joke. I'm not sure that what I do is cooking. It's more like steaming veggies and juicing and making rice. He really cooks. I survive." Can I get Ryan Gosling to make me a meal sometime?

Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

January 1, 2022 — Ryan Gosling Shares About Their Quarantine Life

“Time, in general, is something I think about a lot now. My kids are growing up so fast I need to keep an eye on the clock in a way I never used to,” Ryan Gosling tells GQ. “I feel like I need more time to process [how much the pandemic played into that]. But [Eva and I] have two kids, so we spend a lot of our time trying to keep them entertained.”

While they enjoyed their time together, Ryan's also candid about the effect of lockdown on their children: “Our kids were at a difficult age not to be able to see other kids and interact with people, even though Eva and I did our best.”

Image via Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures.

June 2022 — Eva Mendes Embraces The Kenergy

When the world went crazy for every bit of Barbie news, so did Eva Mendes. "So. F. Funny," she says in an Instagram caption sharing the first look at Ryan Gosling's Ken. "So. F. Good. So F excited for you to see this…#Thatsmyken."

"It's a funny photo and he's trying to be funny, so it worked on all levels," she goes on to say on The Talk. "But when I saw it, when he sent it to me from work, I was like, 'Can I please have that underwear? Please, I never ask for anything'...So, anyway, I do have it. I'm wearing it right now."

Via Eva Mendes/Instagram

November 2022 — Eva Mendes Begins Dropping Hints She Married Ryan Gosling

When Eva showed off a new tattoo on her wrist in November of 2022 on Instagram, fans immediately began dissecting its meaning. The tattoo, which reads "de Gosling" (which is similar to Mrs. Gosling) could mean that Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes are actually married! She went on to tell Today in Australia (via DailyMail) that "Everyone is so welcoming here and my husband Ryan is here, and we are having the best time." 👀

Image via Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM

August 9, 2023 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Love Family Time

In the midst of crazy release schedules and commitments (not to mention the actors' strike), Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes always prioritize their family life. "When they are not working, they are all about their girls," a source tells People. "Ryan is such a fun dad. He is goofy and his girls love it." The source continues by saying the family loves to go to the beach or the desert (same TBH).

Image via Warner Bros Pictures.

December 18, 2023 — Eva Mendes Can't Wait For The "I'm Just Ken" Christmas Remix

If the original version of "I'm Just Ken" wasn't good enough, Ryan Gosling is blessing us with a Christmas remix — and Eva Mendes is just as excited as we are. "Ken not wait for this," she says in an Instagram caption.

Image via Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Warner Bros.

January 13, 2024 — Ryan Gosling Mentions His Family During His Acceptance Speech

At the 2024 Santa Barbra International Film Festival, Ryan Gosling won the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film — and he totally deserves it! With a career that includes iconic films like La La Land and Barbie, as well as The Notebook, Blade Runner 2049, and Crazy Stupid Love, all kinds of film lovers have gotten to see Ryan's work onscreen. During his acceptance speech, Ryan got choked up talking about how acting allowed him to meet "the girl of [his] dreams."

"I dreamed of one day making movies and now movies have made my life a dream," he says in his speech. "So the way I see it, there's no way I have contributed half as much to cinema as cinema's contributed to me."

Image via Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Entertainment

January 24, 2024 — Eva Mendes Celebrates Ryan Gosling's Oscar Nomination

After the Oscar nominations were announced January 23, Eva Mendes took to Instagram to celebrate Ryan Gosling's nomination for Best Supporting Actor. "So proud of my man. So much hate when he took on this role," she says alongside screenshots of the first (very negative) reviews of his casting. "So many people trying to shame him for doing it. Despite all the #Notmyken ridicule and articles written about him, he created this completely original, hilarious, heartbreaking, now iconic character and took it all the way to Oscars. So beyond proud to be this Ken’s Barbie."

Image via Caroline McCredie/Getty Image

February 22, 2014 - Eva Mendes Announces Upcoming Children's Book

Yesterday Eva Mendes shared with People that she's penned a children's book named Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries that'll debut September 17. It's all about a little girl who's always worried that her scary brain is the real monster she's afraid of at night. Through gentle reminders, Desi's mom helps her understand that being afraid is normal and teaches her how not to let scary thoughts control her.

Eva Mendes told People the books is like "a love letter to my kids and yours" because "...Learning how to train our brain to work for us and not against us is easier said than done!" Since we know racing thoughts doesn't just affect adults, we love that Eva is finding a way to share some of her parenting tips with other parents.

Pre-Order Eva Mendes' Children's Book:

Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worriesby Eva Mendes

Image via Eva Mendes/Instagram

March 10, 2024 — Eva Mendes Celebrates Ryan Gosling's Oscars Performance

Eva Mendes celebrated the Oscars on March 10 with a post highlighting Ryan Gosling's performance, and his entire run as Ken! "You took Ken all the way to the Oscar’s, RG," she says on Instagram. "Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed."

We love the way this couple can have fun with each other — and highlight how much teamwork parenthood requires!

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

March 13, 2024 — Ryan Gosling Details How Eva Mendes And Their Daughters Helped Him Prepare For His Oscars Performance

Leave it to Ryan Gosling not to take credit for his amazing Oscars performance. He gushed to People about how Eva Mendes and their daughters helped him make sure his Kenergy truly shined bright. "They are such a huge part of this for me...it was my girl's interest in Barbie and disinterest in Ken that got me into this in the first place. It was beautiful to have them there at the end," he said.

As we all saw, the unmistakable Kenergy was in full force and effect during the Oscars.

Image via Eva Mendes/Instagram

March 26, 2024 — Eva Mendes Says It Was A "No Brainer" To Stay Home With Her Kids

Deciding how to maintain a work-home balance when you have kids is something every parent thinks about, and it turns out that extends to celebs, too! After starring with Ryan Gosling in The Place Beyond The Pines, Eva Mendes decided it was a "no brainer" to stay home with their family since acting can take you all over the world, which the actress revealed in a recent episode of The Today Show. “It was almost just like a non-verbal agreement that it was like, ‘Ok, he’s going to work and I’m going to work, I’m just going to work here,'” she says. She also says she's “so lucky” to “have this time with [their] children.”

“I have never experienced anything like [working with Ryan Gosling]. The way he works, his commitment to his craft, how he wants to make everything as best as it can be, and that means making his co-stars as best as they can be,” she continues. “But unfortunately — or fortunately — there is only one Ryan!"

Image via Eva Mendes/Instagram

April 1, 2024 — Eva Mendes Says Her Daughters Make Everything Better

After losing her brother in 2016, Eva Mendes says she has a "complicated relationship" with the month of April — but that her daughters make it infinitely more bearable. "[April 2] would have been my brother’s birthday," she says on Instagram. "In a couple of weeks from now is the day we lost him…but then, the end of April we got the biggest blessing of all, my little girl was born 8 years ago. I hate you April. But I love you more."

Image via Will Heath/NBC

April 13, 2024 — Ryan Gosling Hosts SNL

During his latest stint hosting SNL, Ryan Gosling did a hilarious sketch about a man who picks up a Cuban accent after getting married to a Cuban woman. Eva Mendes was all over it! "Coño! My Cuban Papi made this Cuban Mami so happy with this!!" Eva wrote on Instagram. "Years of hanging out with my Dad paid off."

Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

May 1, 2024 — Ryan Gosling Is The Ultimate Support System For Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes is not here for the mom-shamers. She told People (in honor of its 2024 Beautiful Issue) that staying home to focus on Ryan Gosling and her kids was the "easiest decision I've ever made" because she wanted to be there for their formative childhood years.

"When I was 40, it was a big deal for people when I was pregnant, and it wasn't for me," she says. "And then I was 42 and I was pregnant with my second one and people were like, 'Oh my God, you're going to be so tired. That's why people have kids in their 20s.' I was like, that's the most sorry, asinine thing I've ever heard."

"[Ryan supports me] in all the ways I need to be supported," she continues. "He's got me in all the ways."

Check back here for the latest news on Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, and don't forget to read up on Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce's Relationship and Tom Holland and Zendaya. :)

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Lead image via Sonia Recchia/Getty Images.

This post has been updated.

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You're Gonna Wanna Plant These Popular Flowers ASAP

If you’re a flower lover like ourselves, chances are you’ve been DIYing your own bouquets for years and are basically an amateur florist, am-I-right? Whether you’re a plant master or newbie gardener (or can’t keep a plant alive), growing stunning flowers can be a difficult task.

Luckily, horticulture guide Gardening Chores performed a study to analyze America’s favorite flowers à la Google searches and gave us plenty of tips on how to grow each flower successfully, so your garden will be bursting with color before you know it

Photo by Annie Spratt / Unsplash

1. Lavender

Not surprisingly, lavender is America’s favorite flower with 69,430 searches per year. Its delicate purple flowers and wonderful fragrance provides a welcome shock of color to any space and is great for pollinators. Lavender grows best in bright, dry conditions in not very fertile soil with good drainage.

“Lavender provides many benefits to the area in which it is grown and can thrive both outdoors and indoors with proper care. From its widely acknowledged pleasant fragrance to its beautiful violet flowers, it provides a welcoming space for pollinators, and acts as an excellent repellant of nuisance garden insects, such as mosquitoes and ticks,” says Amer Noyes, a horticultural expert at Gardening Chores.

Photo by Aryan Ram / Unsplash

2. Sunflower

The common sunflower’s towering height, bright yellow outer petals and its large, sun-following flower head make it a magnet for pollinators, both big and small.

“The common sunflower is an annual flower, meaning that it dies after one growing season, which is the period from germination to seed production,” Gardening Chores shared. “It grows best in full sun or partial shade, in average fertile soil with good drainage.”

Photo by james jeon / Unsplash

3. Rose

Synonymous with romance and passion, it appears America’s love extends to roses as well with 41,030 searches per year.

“There are more than 300 naturally occurring rose species and tens of thousands of cultivated varieties,” Gardening Chores commented. “Generally, roses come in three types: climbing, groundcover, and shrub. The sheer variety of species can seem overwhelming, but it means there is likely to be a variety to suit whatever space one might have. In general, roses have large, vibrant flowers that range in color from whites to yellows and reds, and they produce a pleasant scent that enhances the space they are in.”

“Roses generally grow best in full sun, with soil of medium moisture and a pH ranging from neutral to slightly acidic,” Gardening Chores continued. “However, specific types of roses can tolerate conditions outside of this range.”

Photo by Michelle / Unsplash

4. Peony

The vibrant peonies (Which, fun fact, has 33 unique species!) are large and range in color from the typical pink to reds, purples, yellows and whites.

These fragrant flowers “are a type of perennial plant that bloom briefly in late spring and early summer. Perennial plants are categorized as those that continue to grow over more than two years,” said Gardening Chores. “Peonies grow best in full sunlight or partially shaded areas that receive a lot of afternoon sun in the summer. They are also quite particular about the soil they grow in, preferring loose, well-draining, fertile, rich soil.”

Photo by Connor Moyle / Unsplash

5. Hydrangea

Famous for their large blooms in striking colors, Hydrangeas “are reliable bloomers that don’t require much maintenance to provide beautiful color to [any] space from spring through to fall,” Gardening Chores shared. “One fascinating characteristic of hydrangeas is that their blooms can change color depending on the pH of the soil they are growing in, with more acidic soil producing blue flowers and more alkaline soil producing pink flowers.”

Gardening Chores continued, “hydrangeas grow best in full sun, although areas with afternoon shade will be preferred in hotter climates. They also prefer rich soil that is well-drained and moist. Remember that hydrangeas grow quickly, and can grow to be very large, with some having a spread of up to ten feet, so make sure to plant them in a space that can accommodate this.”

Photo by Michael S / Unsplash

6. Dahlia

The daisy-adjacent dahlia is the national flower of Mexico with more than 57,000 varieties and 27,090 searches per year. Their blooms provide amazing bursts of color in many shapes and sizes from mid-summer into fall, with a wide range of colors.

With 8 general categories of dahlias (decorative dahlias, pompon and ball dahlias, cactus and semi-cactus dahlias, anemone and collarette dahlias, mignon dahlias, single dahlias, peony and orchid shaped dahlias and waterlily dahlias), this wide selection allows plenty of flexibility in incorporating dahlias into your home and/or garden.

According to Gardening Chores, “dahlias generally prefer full sun, with some varieties tolerating partial shade in warmer climates. They also tend to prefer well-drained soil. If you live in a colder climate, you can still grow dahlias despite them not being cold hardy. Once the blossom is over, cut down your dahlias to the ground, uproot the tubers, and dry them. You can then store them in a cool, but not cold, dry place to be able to plant them again next spring.”

Photo by Kwang Mathurosemontri / Unsplash

7. Tulip

Tulips provide a rainbow of springtime blooms, generally growing best in full sun conditions with “fertile, well-drained, evenly humid loam, chalk, or sand-based soil with the soil pH ranging from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline,” said Gardening Chores.

“Tulips require plenty of attention to return year after year. Once the bloom is spent, deadhead the tulip so that it diverts most of its energy to the bulb, allowing it to remain healthy for the next year,” Gardening Chores continued. “After all the leaves have dried, gently remove the bulb from the soil using your hands or a small fork, then dry the bulb in the sun. Once dried, store the bulb in a cool, dark, dry, and ventilated place for re-planting around the middle of October for the following spring.”

Photo by Rob Pumphrey / Unsplash

8. Sweet Pea

Sweet peas are annual climbing (and frequently poisonous) plants known for their bright flowers, ranging from their original wild purple to various shades of blue, pink, purple, and white, often in pastel colors.

“Depending on the climate in which they are planted, sweet peas can survive from November in mild winter climates, to very late winter and early spring when the ground is dry enough to work in climates where frosts occur regularly,” said Gardening Chores. “Sweet peas can also be grown indoors to begin with, then moved outside as the weather permits. Their buds prefer full sun, and their roots prefer shade, which can be provided by planting low-growing annuals in front of them. They prefer well-fertilized, moist, well-drained soil with an alkaline pH.”

Photo by Farrinni / Unsplash

9. Poppy

Poppies come in a wide variety of colors and usually bloom from spring into early summer in temperate zones. With 17,360 searches per year, poppies “generally prefer full sun, with fertile and organically rich, well-drained, medium humid to dry loam, chalk, clay, or sand-based soil, with a soil pH that is mildly acidic to mildly alkaline,” shared Gardening Chores.

Photo by Elin Gann / Unsplash

10. Clematis

America’s tenth most popular flower is the clematis, which has 300 natural species with countless varieties and 16,180 searches per year.

According to Gardening Chores, “clematises are a species of climbing plants often split into three groups: early bloomers, repeated bloomers, and late bloomers. Group one clematises produce flowers on old wood and blossom in spring. Group two starts blooming in late spring to early summer on new and old wood, continuing throughout summer, sometimes into fall. Group three only produces flowers on new wood and starts blooming later in summer, usually lasting into fall.”

“In general, clematises prefer full sun or partial shade, with soil that is well drained and medium humid loam, clay, chalk, or sand-based soil with a pH from neutral to mildly alkaline,” commented Gardening Chores.

So there you have it, B+C gardeners! Excuse us while we go tend to our seedlings.

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Header image courtesy of Eugenia Clara / Unsplash.

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A "Verity" Movie Is Officially On Its Way

Thanks to Challengers and The Watchers, I can already tell 2024 is going to be a year of shocking movies (and shockingly good movies), and that trend is going to continue thanks to Verity & Colleen Hoover. While It Ends With Us might be the most popular Colleen Hoover book, Verity is arguably the craziest, and The Hollywood Reporter just confirmed that a movie is officially in development! While we wait for more news, browse the Colleen Hoover merch you can wear to opening night ;).

Is there a movie about the book Verity?

Image via Amazon

Yes, a movie based on Colleen Hoover's Verity is officially on the way! The movie's in development at Amazon MGM Studios (the studio behind Florence Pugh's A Good Person and Zendaya's Challengers). Hillary Seitz is currently writing the script for the film, and Eat the Cat's Nick Antosca and Alex Hedlund are producing.

What is Verity about?

Image via Vlada Karpovich/Pexels

In Verity by Colleen Hoover, Lowen Ashleigh is a writer struggling to make ends meet. That is, until she's offered the job of a lifetime by Jeremy, husband to the ultimate it-girl author, Verity Crawford. The thriller writer is no longer able to finish the remaining books in her series, and Jeremy wants Lowen to pick up where she left off. While Lowen is over the moon to step in (both into the job and their huge family estate), a secret manuscript and family secrets lead Lowen to realize Verity's hiding a lot more than she's letting on. B+C editor Haley Sprankle says this is one of the craziest books she's ever read, and I know this is definitely going to be one of the craziest movies we've seen!

Who's in the Verity cast?

Image via Mike Coppola/Jon Kopaloff/Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Since the movie is just now in development, we don't have an official Verity cast list yet. But considering It Ends With Us is starring beloved actors like Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Jenny Slate, I'm confident the cast of Verity will feature some incredible names.

Popular fancasts for Verity include You's Victoria Pedretti or The White Lotus' Alexandra Diddario as Lowen, Rosamund Pike or Margot Robbie as Verity, and Shia LaBeouf or Theo James as Jeremy. Without a doubt, the cast of Verity needs to be warm and welcoming at first glance, but also have an unexpected edge that reveals itself as we move through the story.

One Reddit user points out that the characters need to offer "just toxicity but also feigned innocence," and each of these actors do exactly that, which makes them incredible picks for the movie. If Blake wasn't already in It Ends With Us, I know she'd do a great job because she proved her thriller acting chops in A Simple Favor!

When did Verity come out?

Image via Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TIME

Colleen Hoover self-published Verity in 2018, and in 2021, the book was acquired by Grand Central Publishing. It sold more than one million copies in 2023, and has more than 340 thousand Amazon ratings and over two million Goodreads ratings. Talk about a hit!

What movie is similar to the book Verity?

Image via Lionsgate

If you love thriller books like Verity, then I'd recommend checking out other relationship-centric thrillers like Gone Girl, Rebecca, and A Simple Favor. For period drama fans, I cannot recommend Will Poulter and Lucy Boynton's Why Didn't They Ask Evans enough!

Follow us on TikTok and YouTube for the latest entertainment updates, and check back here for new info on Verity & Colleen Hoover's other books!

Lead image via Amazon.

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Your Perfect Pair Of New Balance Sneakers, Based On Your Vibes

Personal style is personal for a reason. Whatever you wear is a complete reflection of who you are, and this is especially true for what shoes you slip into every day. Everyone’s got their go-to sandals, but sneakers are an entirely different game, I tell ya.

If your fave footwear brand is New Balance and you just so happen to be in the market for some squeaky-clean sneaks, I’ve basically done all the research for you to help you find your perfect pair. This list of the most popular New Balance sneakers details not only each style’s practicality, but their personality, too.

Ahead, find your perfect New Balance sneakers – based on your vibes!

New Balance 9060: The ‘Fit Flexer

If you just can’t resist dressing to the nines every single day, the New Balance 9060s will fit right into your fashionista flair.

These “proudly futuristic” New Balance sneakers deliver on Y2K aesthetics beyond compare. The wider base is reminiscent of Nike Shox – very tech-y and otherworldly. The upper part is made from mesh and suede, supplying a super elevated vibe.

The white and cream white coloration is so easy to pair with most every ‘fit. They’ll match with cargo pants, vintage jeans, or even mini skirts and denim shorts.

Reviewers of the New Balance 9060 are glad they invested in this $150 shoe because it's so versatile.

One reviewer toted the 9060’s for fitting into “all aspects” of their lifestyle. Another said that the arch supports “unreal,” so though they’re more fashion-forward than other New Balance kicks, they’re still uber-comfortable for a range of activities.

New Balance 990: The Thrift Shopper

The New Balance 990s are straight-up dad sneakers to the core, so if you gravitate towards the thrift store (or all things vintage-y), you’ll find that they go swimmingly with most outfits and will stand up to long thrift trips.

While they were originally manufactured for running (and they still are), the 990s scream streetwear to me. They appear more elevated than your average athletic running shoe, thanks to the smooth pigskin and fine mesh.

The inside is fitted with a bouncy FuelCell midsole cushioning, and the shoe is available in 4 different widths. The range!

The New Balance 990s are very similar to the New Balance 993s, which is less performance-based.

New Balance 574 Core: The Weekend Warrior

Whether you're hitting the club or the farmer’s market on the weekends, you want to be comfortable (I mean, who doesn't?). The New Balance 574 Cores are made for the weekend warriors.

New Balance describes this signature shoe as “uncomplicated, rugged, durable, and comfortable.”

Though the 574s are pretty basic, they’re earned themselves icon status. You’re sure to see at least one pair when you go out.

The outer layer is made from suede and mesh materials dotted with 100% recycled polyester details.

New Balance 550: The Sneakerhead

These New Balance sneakers aren’t just black and white. They’re “sea salt” with “gray matter” and “magnet.” So yeah, if you consider yourself overly particular about your sneakers, the New Balance 550s are the shoe for you.

These were revived from the late 80’s and early 90’s then re-released full-time in 2021, and they’ve been a modern fan-favorite ever since.

The flatter soles on these sneaks mean they’re not as practical for running or walking long distances, but since they have a history with basketball, you might be able to rock ‘em on the court. More than anything, they definitely give basketball vibes, which is perfect for any streetwear ensemble.

The mixed materials and chunky approach to the classic New Balance logo give these an unmistakable air.

According to New Balance, these best fit people with an average arch height. The thick sole and cushy ankle padding work the hardest to support your feet, rather than an arched insole.

New Balance 530: The Gym-Goer

The New Balance 530s are giving Erewhon baddie. They’re giving I drink smoothies for breakfast. They’re giving I live and breathe pilates.

The stark white colorway of these sneakers reminds me of the clean girl aesthetic, and they’re so pretty, you may have a hard time getting them dirty.

Though very stylish on the outside, it’s what’s on the inside that counts with the New Balance 530s. They’re fitted with an ample midsole section that cushions and compresses your step.

New Balance Fresh Foam: The 10K Steps A Day-er

For the more athletic among us (hello, hot girl walks!), the New Balance Fresh Foam sneakers are the way to go. They’re designed especially for walking and running, so you can count on them to be comfy.

They have an extra-soft cushioning for a cozy step, and every aspect of the footbed is intended to stabilize the foot.

This shoe especially supports walkers or runners with the tendency to step heel first, a bonus co-signed by the American Podiatric Medical Association – this pair received their Seal of Acceptance.

The upper part of the shoe is made of mesh, so it’s highly breathable, even on hot days. They’re great for high arches, too!

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Images via New Balance.

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