Hometown Tourist

I've lived in Detroit for the last ten years, but I spent the first two-thirds of my life in a suburb of DC (Reston, VA represent!). Growing up so close to the city, I was always asked if I spent my weekends going to museums and touring all the amenities DC has to offer. But unless it was for a school project or a friend came into town to visit, I rarely took advantage of living so close to the city. I guess the fact that DC was always readily available meant it was never a priority.

But as an adult, one of my favorite things to do when I go back is to explore all the spots I didn't fully appreciate while I was living there. All the places I felt dragged to as a kid - the museums, the monuments, even the mall - I'm now able to enjoy in a way I never could as a kid.

Maybe that comes with growing up. Or maybe absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Either way, I'm excited to keep exploring.

dress: borrowed from my mom (similar)

coat: thrifted (similar)

belt: loft (similar)

boots: j.crew (similar)

bag: clare v. via willys detroit

watch: shinola

scarf: nordstrom (similar)

Willys Detroit

When we were kids, every year for our birthdays my dad would take me and my siblings to Toys R Us. For our present, we were allowed to pick out one item from the store. My brother and sister would rush down the aisles and immediately pick out their toys and the whole thing was over in 30 seconds. They were impulsive and knew what they wanted. When it came time for my birthday, I would slowly walk up and down every single aisle, pondering over the merits of this toy versus that toy - unable to commit until I had analyzed the value of every toy in the store. It was infuriating to my dad (and eventually resulted in him putting a time limit on the whole process).

But to me, the process of the search brought me as much joy as the toy itself.

So I took my time, basking in the wondrous joy of each item.

For me, shopping at Willys Detroit is no different.

Earlier this month, Willys (sister store of Shinola) invited me to collaborate with them for their first (of many, I hope) Style Slam event. Stylists and fashion bloggers from around the country were brought in to sip cocktails and play dress up with their merch. Tough job, right?

Part of the collaboration involved shopping for a look to showcase on the blog. I immediately reverted back to my 7 year old self. I walked all over the store, picking up and touching every piece in the store. Noticing each intricate detail. Trying on everything (including several of the menswear pieces) in order to find that perfect item.

After several separate trips to the store, I finally decided on this Clare V. tote (the very first item I noticed) and this alpaca Steven Alan coat (the last item I tried on before leaving the store).

And like when I was younger, the joy of browsing and daydreaming about every single piece in the store brought me as much joy as my final selection.

Well, almost as much joy.

coat: steven alan c/o willys detroit
top: loft
pants: blank denim
boots: nordstrom rack
bag: clare v. c/o willys detroit
watch: shinola

Want to get your hands on your own pieces from Willys? Check out their holiday sample sale, where select pieces are up to 80% off. And thanks again to Willys and Shinola for inviting me to spend days playing dress up in your store. And for not eventually putting a time limit on my indecisive decision making skills.

And also thank to Remy Roman for prancing around Detroit in the 50 mph hour winds and freezing rain to capture my Willys finds.

Outfit Post: A Coveted Celebration

Last week, after attending the media preview of the new Willys Detroit store, I called my sister.

Not to brag about the fact that I’m now being invited to media preview events at super cool stores in Detroit (which I also did), but to squeal (like a little girl) that the store is not only carrying LA designer Clare Vivier, but it is also carrying the exact leopard print calf hair clutch that I’ve pinned, poached, hukk’d, and basically tracked in every imaginable way for years. Followed by more squealing.

She immediately said, “so, you’re going to buy it, right?”

Buy it?? No way.

I came up with every excuse possible.

I’m on a budget. It’s too expensive. I don’t need another bag. I have too much leopard print (as if that’s possible). I should sleep on it.

But I was in denial.

Even though I couldn’t admit it out loud, I knew that clutch was coming home with me. And my sister knew it too, calling me out for picking out an outfit that perfectly complimented a bag I didn’t yet own. Funny how that happens.

And sure enough, my sister was right. With the encouragement of the lovely staff at Willys (and two complimentary Drought Juice cocktails later), that bag was mine.

In spite of having an incredible ability to be practical, I have an even more incredible ability to justify just about anything.

I’ve wanted this bag forever. It goes with anything (leopard is obviously a neutral). It matches my outfit (fate, right?). I get to buy it locally. It supports Detroit retail.

But the biggest reason I could justify the bag?

A clean scan.

Because after 2 cancer diagnosis in 1 year, you just don’t need to justify celebrating with the perfect little leopard print clutch that I've forever loved.

So even though I’m on a budget and it’s too expensive and I don’t need another bag and I have too much leopard print and I should sleep on it, none of that matters when it comes to love and celebrating.

Or so I'm justifying.

dress: h&m

vest: tj maxx (similar here)

shoes: c/o cynthia vincent

clutch: clare v. via willys detroit

Willys Detroit

There’s a new retail shop in town and it is good. Really good.

Thanks to Shinola’s sister store - Willys Detroit - shopping in Detroit just got a whole lot better. Consisting of clothing, accessories, home goods, and apothecary items, the multi-brand shop houses four anchor brands - Filson, Steven Alan, Clare V., and Mollusk - as well as features a series of rotating American made items from brands across the country.

Like the retail space, the craftsmanship of the items are beautiful in their simplicity. From buttery leather totes to perfectly worn t-shirts, I’d imagine most of the pieces will look just as good (if not better) after years of wear. While the store offers a variety of price points, the majority of the items are luxury pieces worthy of the investment.

I've already started a mental wish list (basically the entire store) and may or may not have already pulled the trigger on one amazing piece (which will be styled in my next post). I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Willys to the neighborhood, but I have serious concerns about how this store is going to effect my household budget…

Check out the new kid on the block Mon-Fri: 10am-7pm, Saturdays: 10am-6pm, and Sundays: 11am-5pm.

 

Have you had the chance to check out Willys Detroit? What's your take on the shop?