Buy Nearby Campaign - Detroit Guide

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Shop Local.

By shopping locally, you are not only supporting small, independent businesses, but you are also putting money back into your local economy instead of throwing it at big box retailers (who, let's face it, probably don't need anymore money). And if you live in a place like Detroit, those dollars are vital to the growth of the city.

To encourage you to visit your neighborhood retailers, I've teamed up with the Michigan Retailers Association for their Buy Nearby campaign. I'll be sharing some of my favorite places to shop local - and then you can participate in a social media contest highlighting you own favorite Michigan retailers for a chance to win a $500 discover gift card!

Check out a few of my favorite places to shop (and if you're looking for more ideas on where to shop in Detroit, shoot me a message or comment below - I've got lots more recommendations!).

Best Selection of Party Dresses: The Peacock Room
Have a garden party coming up? A black tie event? A Date night? The Peacock Room is your spot. The selection of dresses have a nod to the past - think 1950s Elizabeth Taylor and 1960s Audrey Hepburn - yet are contemporary enough for the modern woman. Owner Rachel Lutz also prides herself on the range of sizes she carries - from a 00 to 24. And if your'e just looking to glam up your LBD? The shop has an incredible array of accessories as well.

Best Shop for Gifts: Nest and City Bird (which conveniently are located next door to each other):
Whether you're headed to a birthday party or a housewarming party (or let's face it, just shopping for yourself), these next two stores have you covered. Both Nest and City Bird have a mixture of housewares, gifts, and accessories, including many Michigan-made products. It's my go-to spot when I'm in need of a quick gift or card.

Best Treasure Hunting: Eldorado General Store:
Be prepared to spend some serious time in Eldorado. Around every nook and cranny is a new treasure waiting to be discovered. Owner Erin Gavle travels all over the country sourcing the best vintage pieces to bring back to her curated shop in Detroit. In addition to the totally amazing vintage finds, she also sells a variety of items from local creators - like Goldeluxe jewelry, Wolf Moon mixers, and Detroit Rose candles. In need of a disco ball for your holiday soirée? Eldorado has you covered there too.

Best Contemporary Shopping: Detroit is the New Black:
What started as a t-shirt line popping up at Eastern Market has become so much more. Now in it's new central location in the heart of downtown, DITNB is showcasing not just tees, but unique designs by owner Rosalyn Karamoko, as well as a rotating selection of designers and artists (like party dresses by Detroit native Tracy Reese, leather goods from Douglas & Co, Hats from Will Leather Goods, and more). The industrial space also showcases the work of artists, with pieces displayed throughout the store (currently on display is Detroit artist, Leon Dickey).

To encourage all of you to shop local and "buy nearby," the Michigan Retailers Association is giving you a chance to win a gift during their Buy Nearby weekend. All you have to do is post a photo of you supporting your favorite local retailer to social media using the #ibuynearby hashtag during the weekend of October 1-2 and you could win a $500 discover gift card! And it doesn't have to be limited to your favorite boutique - feel free to choose your go-to restaurant, hair salon, bar, coffee shop, etc.

Follow along and tag your photos on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Good luck!

This post is sponsored by the Michigan Retailers Association, but all thoughts are my own. And thank you for supporting local businesses!

Designer Spotlight: Filson

As we (too) quickly approach fall, I have been daydreaming about weekend trips up north. Daytime hikes near the lake, nighttime sing-a-longs around the campfire - the smell of burning logs lingering in the crisp air. It’s my ideal all-American getaway.

And because there’s nothing better than a weekend vacation, I teamed up with the American made company, Filson to show you guys some of my essentials I pack when I head out of town, starting with this incredible leather weekender bag from their new Weatherproof Collection.

I’m a huge fan of Filson and the products they create. They are made in the USA and they believe so much in the quality of their craftsmanship, that they offer a lifetime guarantee. So while the price point can be a little steep, you are investing in a product for life. And as you all know, I’m a huge believer in quality over quantity.

For the Weatherproof Collection (that also includes a backpack, briefcase, and rolling carry-on bag), Filson worked with a century-old tannery in Pennsylvania to develop a new vegetable-tanned proprietary leather that's both highly durable and lightweight. The leather is made for boots so it can repel rain, snow, and saltwater, meaning it’s built to last even in the worst conditions.

In addition to a great weekender bag, I have a couple key pieces that always come with me, regardless of where I am going. These include reading materials (typically whatever book I’m reading plus a stack of magazines), a notebook (I’m loving my monogrammed Shinola version), a striped long sleeve tee, some beat up jeans, and a couple pieces of jewelry to dress up my look (right now I’ve been living in a statement necklace, large gold cuff, and a menswear-inspired watch). Lastly I throw in a hat to both protect me from the sun and cover up untamed hair.

If you guys are in Detroit, check out the new Filson store that opened this summer (rumor has it, the women’s line is coming this fall), otherwise you can order from their collection online. And I’d love to hear from you - what are the qualities you look for in a weekender bag? And what are some of your packing essentials?

And thanks again to Filson for allowing me to test out the new leather collection!

photography by mar manzaneres

bag: c/o filson

top: ann normandy designs

jeans: old

shoes: banana republic

hat: similar

sunglasses: the peacock room

notebook and watch: shinola

necklace: clyde's rebirth

cuff: nomad collective

Designer Spotlight: M. Gemi

Shoes have the power to transform. Whether you are in jeans and a tee or your best LBD, the right shoe can truly elevate your outfit.

When I made the decision to quit fast fashion, I wasn’t worried about where I would shop for clothes - turns out there are a lot of responsibly made options. What I was worried about? Where I would buy my shoes. And not just any shoes - there are a ton of brands making ethically-made pairs - but modern, sexy, “look at me” statement shoes. The kind of shoe that can transform your basic jeans and t-shirt combination. The kind of shoe I seek out to wear (like these gladiator stunners).

And then I discovered M. Gemi.

Handcrafted by small family run factories in Italy, these ethically made shoes are luxury at a (more) affordable price. By shipping directly from the factory to your front door, you get the same quality as other high end, Italian crafted brands, but at a fraction of the cost. New styles are released in limited quantities each week, keeping the inventory fresh, but because of the small batch approach, once a style sells out, it’s gone for good.

In terms of quality, aesthetic, and company values, the brand really is unparalleled.

dress: old bcbg

sandals: m. gemi

clutch: clare v. 

Designer Spotlight: Ann Normandy Designs

When I first decided to shift the tone of The Closet Confessional, I was pretty nervous (read about that shift here). Nervous about a lot of perceptions, but ultimately, I was worried about losing connection. Which in hindsight is pretty ridiculous. Because acknowledging and sharing on a deeper level tends to lead to a deeper connection. Sure, there would be people that would disengage. But the people that stayed would stay for something I authentically believed in.

And in the 6 weeks since I shifted this blog, I have connected not only with my readers, but with other creatives with similar beliefs. One of those creatives is designer Kim Collins of Ann Normandy Designs.

Kim reached out to me the day I announced my departure from fast fashion (thank you universe!) and we immediately connected ands started brainstorming collaborations. Ann Normandy Designs is a 9 piece collection, handmade with reclaimed handwoven french linen. The one-of-a-kind pieces are made from antique fabric that was literally started from seed. Talk about slow fashion.

For this post, I borrowed two of her pieces - the white sleeveless shift dress and the short sleeved dress in this incredible indigo color (one of the only non-white items she creates). Both dresses have pockets (total bonus) and are extremely versatile. Either dress could easily go from the beach (pair it with sandals and a straw tote) to dinner with friends (swap out your sandals and tote for heels and a clutch). The versatility and quality of her designs are what make the collection worthy of the investment and pieces that will literally last a lifetime.

According to her website, “After worldwide research of antique and new textiles, Ann Normandy has selected the finest fabrics, small-batch dyed, to ensure that each piece meets our standard of ageless beauty. Constructed with time-honored techniques in the United States. Steeped in a tradition of design and artisan craft, an Ann Normandy garment will be treasured for years to come.”

In short, her designs are meant to last.

Because of the antiquity and rarity of the fabrics used, the price point for her handmade collection is not for everyone. Kim acknowledges this and created a solution by selling her patterns. If you can’t afford the price point but you like the collection and like the design, you can order the pattern and create your own designer piece. And if you can’t sew, Kim encourages you to hire a local seamstress to create the garment for you.

Kim doesn’t just support sustainable fashion with her collection, but supports her local industry as well. And in order to experience that first hand, I’ll be working with Kim to go through the process of creating a garment from scratch, teaming up with Ann Normandy designs and the Detroit Garment Group’s sewing program, Detroit Sewn. So stay tuned for a behind the scenes look of that expereince.

And in the meantime, learn more about Ann Normandy Designs here!

“The grace of her silhouette, an elegant neckline, the clothing a woman chooses should celebrate her unique features not compete for attention.” -Ann Normandy Designs

dresses (both): ann normandy designs

belt: ann taylor loft

bag: fashionABLE

earrings: silpada

sunglasses: pitaya

hat: old, similar

cuff: torchlight jewelry

photography by remy roman

Styleshack Holiday Look Book

By now, you probably know I am a huge fan of Detroit and a huge fan of shopping locally within the city. So when girlboss, Rachel Schostak of local shopping site, Styleshack asked me to participate in their holiday look book, I couldn't say yes fast enough. Especially once I realized it involved spending the day before the shoot shopping and styling the looks from the areas best shops (Tender, Guys N Gals, SHE, and Detroit is the New Black, just to name a few). 

The feature was an aspirational "Day in the Life" series - if my life involved pouncing around the city in Valentino booties and Marni outfits instead of my usual jeans and striped tees. It's not everyday I get to play dress up in so many incredible clothes and accessories, pretending to lead a glamorous, designer filled life. 

I better be careful - a girl could get used to that. 

Thanks again Styleshack for having me as part of your holiday campaign and be sure to check out the full feature (as well as where to buy all these incredible pieces) here. 

Boho Chic at Great Lakes Coffee

Eco Chic at Citizen Yoga and 7 Greens

Sporty Chic at Garden Bowl

Professional Chic at the Bizdom Lobby

Trendy Chic at Library Street Collective

Romantic Chic at the Detroit Institute of Arts

Glam Madame at Wright and Co.

Photos by Mar Mnz.

Z Lot Alley

Here are more photos from my day around the city with the Grand Rapids boutique, Lee & Birch and photographer, Leigh Ann Cobb!

Check out more photos from our day of fun here.

Outfit details via Lee & Birch:

Dex Long Sweater Cardi

Bella Dahl Coral Hipster Shirt

AG Jeans Beau Boyfriend Jeans

Hobo Bag

Nakamol Necklace