Two Thousand Sixteen Outfit Recap

Happy holidays and cheers to the New Year!

Hour Detroit Best Dressed Party

Every year, Hour Detroit magazine celebrates the most stylish metro Detroiters with their annual Best Dressed Fashion Show party. Honoring the best dressed nominees, the event showcases not only the city's fashionable elite, but also the most anticipated fall fashions. The runway show was put on by The Somerset Collection and we saw lots of layering, amazing texture (like metallics, velvet, and fur), and some incredible holiday party looks.

And even though the weather tried to rain on our parade (with torrential downpours flooding the streets of Detroit), there was an amazing turnout of fabulously dressed guests, who didn't let a little shower stop them from bringing their style A-game. Most people stuck to the traditional cocktail attire, but there was definitely a more creative, "anything goes" vibe from many of the attendees.

For the event - which promotes the best of Detroit fashion - I wanted to be sure to wear something that was actually from Detroit (and also happened to be the colors of the Detroit Tigers). I decided to go with this mock turtleneck dress from one of my favorite local shops, The Peacock Room, but added a little edge to the otherwise sweet dress with a studded belt, sleeveless trench and booties.

Thanks to Hour Detroit for putting on a great event and highlighting some of Detroit's finest dressers! Check out the full list of all the nominees in their September issue.

dress: peacock room

vest: old ann taylor (similar ethical version here)

booties: gilt

clutch: vintage

cuff: nomad collective

NYFW Street Style

Elaine Welteroth (left), Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue

I know New York Fashion Week has come and gone - and we are now finishing up the London shows before moving on to Milan - but I needed a little time to recuperate from the whirlwind weekend in the big apple. I'll share more about my trip, including what I wore and my experience at my first fashion week runway show (thank you Detroit designer Mila of MP Fashion for the invitation!), but for now, here is a little street style eye candy from my 3 days in the city.

Even though the temperatures were incredibly hot, most people I saw tried to incorporate some fall trends into their looks. Some themes I noticed on repeat? Lots of volume (in pants, in sleeves, in everything), creative layering, interesting cut outs, and - the most refreshing trend of all - stylish flats!

My girl and fashion blogger, Nailah Ali (top left) of The Moda Intersection & Natalie Joos (bottom right)

Pandora Skyes (top left), Fashion Stylist & Leandra Medine (top right), The Man Repeller

Taylor Tomasi Hill (right), Style and Accessories Director of Marie Claire Magazine

Jane Keltner de Valle (left), Style Director of Architectural Digest & Chloe King (top right), PR Manager at Bergdorf Goodman

Rachel Wang (top right), Stylist and Fashion Director of Allure

Zanna Roberts Rassi (left), Senior Fashion Editor of Marie Claire & Shiona Turini (right), Fashion Market Director of Cosmopolitan

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!

Dîner en Blanc Detroit

It began in Paris, where most great ideas begin. It was started by one man, as a way to reconnect with lost friends, and has since spread to thousands of people all over the world. This past Sunday, Dîner en Blanc - the secret, flash mob style dinner party - descended on Detroit for it’s sixth consecutive year.

The evening is all about community, al fresco dining, and of course, a little bit of secrecy.

Dressed in white formal attire, hundreds of guests met up in the revealed location of Palmer Park, bringing with them tables, chairs, linens, centerpieces (everything from small candles to elaborate 3 feet floral arrangements), and of course all the food and libations to consume throughout the night. It's a lot of work (carrying all those tables and chairs isn't easy), but definitely worth the effort. And as in years past, it was a whimsical evening full of laughter and good company.

A special thank you to Andy Didorosi for snapping photos all night and I hope to see you all at next year's Dîner en Blanc!

dress: nha khanh

shoes: m. gemi

necklace: clyde's rebirth

ring: kendra scott

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