All posts by Beth Dotolo

martha stewart pets

Uncategorized, vintage hello splendor
Hello, lovelies!  Kelly here with another post for your modern pet.  Today, we’re talking Martha!

I first came across the (new) Martha Stewart Pets line via her show.  Since it’s from Martha, I knew it would be fabulous so I headed to PetSmart to check it out.  The line combines cuteness, affordability and durability; all things I look for in pet products.  I went home with the 3 piece bowl set in blue as well as the eggplant crochet squeaky toy (Tucker’s absolute favorite right now.)  I was not sure the toy would hold up since it’s crochet, but it’s taken quite the beating and is still all one piece.  On my next trip I plan on picking up some of the grooming items as well a leather leash, harness + collar.  Check out the entire Tucker-approved line here.  It’s so very Martha, and that’s a good thing.

xo,
Kelly
Fabulous K

DC sounds good to me…

Uncategorized, vintage hello splendor
So, this new Real Housewives season in DC got me thinking about what a great place Washington DC is to travel to. I don’t think it typically rises to the top of the list when dreaming about your next get away but let me prove my point why this place is a no brainer for a great trip.

  1. FREE…. Let’s face it we all love free during these recession chic times, and this town in full of it. Ok, well kind of, thanks to our hard earned tax dollars at work Washington is an open door when it comes to museums, botanical gardens, public land marks, and the list goes on and on.  
  2. Great people watching. This place is a true melting pot from people across the globe. From fanny packs to three piece suits you will never grow tired of the crowd in DC.
  3.  Wonderful Hotels. This town is full to the brim with great places to stay for every budget. I will never forget the first time my parents took me to Washington for Christmas and we stayed in a spectacular suite at the Mayflower hotel, the place is full of history.
  4. History and lots of it. Literally around every corner there is a piece of American history that can awe and inspire and even make you feel a little patriotic.
  5. Georgetown. Why ? Because there is no place like it. The old brick buildings with rows and rows of amazing shops and restaurants, not to mention the Ritz Carlton that transformed a historic incinerator into the coolest hotel in the city complete with 130 foot high smokestack still in tack. Georgetown is old but eternally youthful due to the influx of university students and young policy makers making this the place to see and be seen.
Happy Trails,
The Cashmere Cowboy

Martha?… No, Marfa.

Uncategorized, vintage hello splendor
Hello Splendorites, I just got back from my first trip to Marfa, Texas and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Allow me to share all the incredible sights with you on these very unique and uncommon southwest towns.

T or C, NM

The trip began with the long but music and talk radio filled (thanks to Sirius XM) journey to Truth or Consequences, NM. This town is a quirky little town that dates back to the late 1800’s as a hot springs town. Today it is a refuge for many amazing artists and musicians. 

Stay: Sierra Grande Lodge & Spa – 1920’s Natural Hot springs hotel lovingly restored by NYC natives
Eat: Little Sprout Market  – Great lunch and Juice bar 
See: Fernando Mercado – Amazing artist who will invite you into his studio to drewl over is incredible art

On to Marfa…
Here is where the trip gets interesting… We pack up and start towards Marfa passing through the lovely border town of El Paso, Tx. We get approximately 10 miles out side of town when the car abruptly shows me on the display that the tire is rapidly losing tire pressure…. An hour later and making a new friend named Jose from roadside assistance we make our way back to El Paso for a tire. The travel gods spoke and we were unable to get the “special” tire we needed that day leaving us to brave this town for an evening. We survived and made it to Marfa the next day. Here is what made this place a must see….

Prada installation
Stay: Hotel Paisano – 1930’s Hacienda Style hotel famous for accommodating the cast of the movie Giant while on location. Stay in the original rooms that Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, or James Dean stayed in. You wont be disappointed. 
Eat: Cochineal – inviting and minimal with the best meal we had on the trip – order everything
The Get Go  – small but very well appointed market, the Dean and Deluca of West Texas

the get go
2d Marfa
See: 2D Gallery – If you are looking for a special piece of artwork go see Dennis at 2d. I really could have gone home with every item in the gallery
chinati foundation
Chinati Foundation – Donald Judd’s vision to create a home and living studio for installations of large scale contemporary artwork. A must see!
arber & sons
Arber and Sons – Some of the nicest people we met while on our trip, they invited us in their studio on their off day to show us their collaboration between Arber & Son Editions and visiting artists-in-residence at the Chinati Foundation in Marfa. This studio space is filled to the brim with some of the most incredible limited edition lithographs you will ever find. Stop in to see all the wonderful things Robert and Valerie are doing with this innovative project.


This trip should be on your bucket list, not the easiest place travel to but if you are like me you will fall in love and begin planning your next trip back before you even leave. 


-GWJ 
Cashmere Cowboy

molly mutt

Uncategorized, vintage hello splendor
Hello, lovelies! I’m so excited to bring you my very first Hello, Splendor contributor post on all things pets! 
Now, first things first…I’m Kelly, the blogger behind Fabulous K & the designer behind Fabulous K Creative.  I have a sweet little Border Terrier named Tucker, whom I rescued from a local animal shelter about a year and a half ago. He’s a pretty cool pup, which means I buy pretty cool things for him. It should be mentioned my pet posts will not be about clothes for dogs, or any animals for that matter. It’s just not my thing. (Don’t get me wrong…it can be adorable…just not on my dog.) Instead, I’ll be blogging about brands that make your pet’s life better but in a fun modern way. That brings me to my first find: Molly Mutt.
I’ve been a fan of Molly Mutt for quite some time. They’re a fabulous pet bed company that also happen to be eco friendly, which I adore. Instead of having a bed full of who knows what, they sell dog duvets that you stuff with your own old item (blankets, pillows, clothes) into one of their “stuff sacks”.  Insert the sack into the duvet and you’ve got an instant pet bed.  I have 2 Molly Mutt beds for Tucker, which he loves. My absolute favorite thing about them is they are 100% machiene washable; a must if you ask me. Not only that, but they look great as well.
Be sure to check out the whole selection of Molly Mutt products on their site, including their cat beds & new Molly Mutt clean line (which I’m dying to try!) You & your little four-legged friends will not be disappointed.

xo,
Kelly
Fabulous K

That’s What He Said: Grilling 101

Uncategorized, vintage hello splendor

As a Pre-Father’s Day gift, the lovely Dotolo Wives of Dallas signed their men up for a day of Steak! One of many classes offered by William Sonoma.
We learned from pick to prep, to pairing and sharing… this was a class well worth taking… and yes, it was FREE!
What did I walk away with?
The DRY RUB is a blend of spices used to add flavor. It doesn’t tenderize, but instead chars to intensify the flavors and texture.
This technique is easy and will turn you into a Top Chef instantly.  I found this recipe for a Coffee Chili Rub thanks to Bobby Flay.  I went to Central Market, gathered all the ingredients needed for less than $5, thanks to their bulk spice section, and was patting myself on the back after taking the first bite.
So do yourself a favor if you’re a fan of the grill and fire up this recipe on your next steak of choice.
You’ll be happy you did!

What do you grill??

I got it on… your favorite T.

Uncategorized, vintage hello splendor
People always talk about the finer things in life being a full bodied glass of red wine, a classy car, or high dollar meal at a fancy restaurant.  Me… I like a good T!
It takes a little bit of effort, but a great find turns into a fine fit. 
It can’t be any old shirt.  It has to pass a few tests.
A. Is it comfy and soft?
B. Does it fit well?  No windbreakers please.
C. Does it reflect your personal style?  
I’m pretty lucky because my wife has great taste and always finds me something cool and unique. Here are some of her finds:

1. Yellow Bird Project: Sport your favorite indie band’s designs and a portion of the proceeds goes to the band’s charity of choice.
2. Nonfiction Tees – Carbon Cycle T-Shirt: Go green and make a statement with a shirt designed to express the concept of the carbon footprint.
3. Bee Things – Bee Tee Bird Tee: This limited edition tee is designed by an amazing design duo out of Dallas, Texas.
4. Bruxe Design – Chairs Tee: Tout your favorite mid-century modern chair designers in style.

I don’t know how Evan Dando of the Lemonheads wrote the amazing song “Favorite T“, seing how I have several and can’t pick just one, but I’m sure glad he wrote it.

What’s your Favorite T?