Be Grateful

Life can be tough. 

It’s in those tough moments that you are forced to evaluate what’s important. And there is no greater reminder of what and - more importantly - who really matters than the loss of someone you love.

It’s not about the newest “it” bag or having the perfect outfit. It’s about compassion and kindness and laughter. It's about graciousness and gratefulness. It’s about love.

This week, through tears and sorrow, stress and hardships, I have seen more acts of love, cooperation, and big ole belly laughs (and when all else failed, a kitchen dance party) to honor a man that viewed the world with childlike wonder. He possessed a curiosity for everything and found amusement in anything.

To a man who was always up for a story and was in the everlasting search for the next million dollar idea, I’ll miss you dearly.

Don’t wait for a reason to appreciate the moments. Life is too damn short.

Outfit Post: Mini Escape

Sometimes you just need to get away.  Away from the city. Away from daily grind. Just away.

One of the best parts of living in the D is the ability to get in the car and escape to other parts of the Great Lakes state. Lexington is a quaint little lakeside town just over an hour from Detroit and the perfect destination for an impromptu Sunday drive.

A scoop of ice cream, a boardwalk stroll, and home in time for dinner.

My kind of escape.

tank: target

kimono: old (similar here)

cutoffs: american eagle

sandals: sam edelman 

bag: jcpenny (similar here)

necklace: found at an outdoor market in arizona (similar here)

Dîner en Blanc Detroit

As the sun set over the Eastern Market on Sunday evening, hundreds of Detroiters descended upon the previously empty Shed 2, dressed in their finest whites, carrying with them all the supplies for a formal flashmob-style dinner party. Everything from the tables and chairs to the linens and centerpieces (all in white) and of course the food and drinks were supplied by the diners for the occasion. The event was started in Paris 25 years ago, but it’s been only four years since an anonymous lover of revelry and fine dining carried on the yearly tradition in Detroit.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, a select few guests receive an invitation with the time and date of the event. Those lucky receivers invite 10 people, who in turn invite 10 others, creating a mob style soiree. The day before the actual event, a second invitation reveals the location of the pop up party.

For this year's Dîner en Blanc, I decided to skip the traditional attire and dress up a white romper with some major bling and sleek wedges. It may not have been the fanciest choice, but I was able to flutter around the shed in both style and comfort.

romper: old forever21 (similar here)

wedges: elie tahari via nordstrom rack

necklace: jcrew

Outfit Post: Heat Wave

Some days - especially the dog days of summer - just require a tiny sundress and strappy sandals. Those days have been few and far between. After a grueling polar vortex of a winter, they said (whoever "they" are) that this would be "the hottest summer on record!"

They were wrong.

Coming from the humidity of Virginia, I'm used to slightly cooler Michigan summers. But when most days barely get out of the 60s, it starts to feel a little ridiculous. Tiny shorts and itsy bikinis have barely seen the light of day. Plus, I have a closet full of adorable sundresses, like this neon number, just screaming to get out and play.

Come on, summer heat. Let them play. 

dress: moosejaw detroit

jacket: vintage (similar here)

shoes: old forever21 (similar here)

clutch: similar here

sunglasses: ray ban

bracelet: forever21 (similar here)

necklaces: similar here

ring: h&m

What to Wear: Fash Bash

Detroit knows how to party. Especially during the summer months, where there are endless events to choose from. But THE event of the year? That would be the DIA's Fash Bash.

Where art and fashion collide, the night begins with a cocktail hour on the steps of the museum, followed by a Neiman Marcus hosted runway show, and finishes the evening with a dance party under the stars. 

And this is no ordinary cocktail party. This is your chance to show your fashion forward style, taking influence from the art world. Go bold with textures. Play with structure and shapes. Stand out.

The event is sold out, but if you are one of the lucky ticket holders, you’ll no doubt be in need of some outfit ideas. And because Neiman Marcus is a sponsor of the event, I have chosen a few of my favorite looks from the department store.

Which look would you rock?

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Outfit Post: DVF Maxi

Today I'm guest blogging over at Carpe Diem Wellness about looking your best, feeling your best, and shopping on a budget. Head on over for more photos of this fabulous DVF dress (bought at a discount price!). 

dress: diane von furstenberg via havana vintage boutique

shoes: forever21 (old, similar here)

clutch: vintage (similar here)

sunglasses: ray ban

cuff: old, similar here

Outfit Post: The Uniform

As I mentioned in this post, I have a uniform. It doesn't get highlighted much on this blog because sometimes it just feels so basic and, well, "normcore."

But this is it. Skinnies, slightly oversized button down, statement shoes.

Regardless of the season, that's my uniform.

Every once in a while you'll see a variation of this on the blog, but to me it doesn't take a lot of creative juices to get this outfit flowing. Typically I take my outfit shots when I'm more done up. I'm usually going to some event and have already put some sort of effort into my hair. And seeing how infrequently I actually do my hair and makeup (confession!), I hate to waste a perfectly good hair day. So I do an outfit post.

But this outfit? This is me.

Messy hair and all.

top: gap

pants: zara

shoes: zara (similar here)

clutch: c/o cynthia vincent

sunglasses: le specs