Grand Rapids Symphony

Meg Willit trying to get Eloise to loosen up.

On the eve of Christmas Eve we were honored to join Meg Willit at the Grand Rapids Symphony to see Cirque de Noel and celebrate her birthday in style alongside the dashing Patrick Plank and the ever lovely Rebecca Wierda.

Years ago [see: in my more limber youth] I was a dance enthusiast dabbling in burlesque and later saucy salsa dancing during my first stint in Spain. I wasn't shy to remind our group that I could easily steal the show if I were so inclined.

Of course, a diva doesn't dress herself - a privilege I took to the next level by enlisting Patrick to dress Eloise and I for the evening. [Patrick said I was a little stiff...but nothing a trip to the bar couldn't fix]. I wore a 3.1 Phillip Lim top and pants with a Peter Nathan vest while Eloise wore a chic Trina Turk top tucked into a Tadashi skirt and 3.1 Phillip Lim belt under a Milly sweater.

[Left]: Lola [Right]: Eloise

Sure, we look amazing, but if it were my big day I would have gone in my original ensemble against Rebecca's advice - my mother's best Christmas sweater-dress finished with velvet cuffs, embroidered reindeer and sequined snowmen. Rebecca warned that not even my best pair of festive red Louboutins could excuse such a sight.

Andola Mathis and daughter Chamberlain Mathis

Waiting for the show to start with Rebecca and Meg

When Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" began, Meg and I took to the aisles for a spontaneous waltz. We had an amazing night! Now I am looking forward to New Year's Eve in Grand Rapids - the only night of the year it is socially acceptable for me to wear head-to-toe sequins...that is, until Eloise and I can hunt down tickets to see Lady Gaga in March.

Design 1 Salon Spa Fashion Event

We found friends to complement our outfits! I [left] wore a Tory Burch dress with a 3.1 Phillip Lim belt and Lola [right] wore a Tracy Reese dress

It's no secret that we love all things fashion - especially when we can share our passion with others over a few cocktails! This past Tuesday we were invited by our friends at Leigh's to attend the Design 1 Salon Spa Fashion Event at Eve in the B.O.B.

As a mother of two I was excited to find that proceeds from the event would benefit Helen Devos Children's Hospital. Such a great cause meant guilt free shopping and, hopefully, a good excuse to give my husband when I got home!

Before the show Lola insisted we post up near the bar...insisting it was the perfect place to keep an eye on the silent auction table. (She was determined to win the wine tasting party and Porsche driving school lessons).

Leigh's runway show was impressive - Lola and I were eying the same fabulous Peter Nathan coat [shown below], especially since neither of us had really dressed for the weather (ah, the sacrifices we make for fashion).

By the time Design 1 models hit the runway we had developed some serious hair envy. From shocking red curls and Rapunzelesque locks to sky-high, crystal accented bouffants we lamented that we wished we could maintain such fantastical updos.

After the show Lola and I wrestled through the crowd and I wrestled her into my car before she could speed off in the Porsche that was on display outside the B.O.B.

That hair! So jealous!

Lola's favorite look from the show

Lola's Masha Archer necklace

We met some amazing new friends at the show!

Lola and Meg Willit enjoying a drink

Some of our friends from Leigh's pictured with the lovely models! We've decided we're going to steal Patrick Plank to be our personal stylist. Now to find hair stylists that can liven up our looks and transform us into perfectly coiffed fire hazards!

Holiday Gala

On Thursday we attended the 16th Annual Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World Gala presented at Frederik Meijer Gardens.

Against Eloise's advice, I set up my Christmas tree and began blasting holiday music before we could finish our Thanksgiving leftovers. If it were up to me, my house would be bedazzled with colorful lights and gaudy ornaments year-round. To help Eloise find inspiration for her tree [that she refuses to put up until after the first week of December] we were looking forward to checking out all of the amazing Christmas trees, a few glasses of wine and globally inspired food.

Eloise [at right] pulled out her new Pamella Roland gown for the evening and Leigh's Rebecca Wierda was kind enough to let me borrow her own Pamella Roland dress...she may have a time getting it back!


[from top to bottom] Alexis Bittar and Lee Angel


I pulled out my heaviest ornaments for the occasion; Necklace by Robert Rodriguez


Eloise wearing a Lee Angel bracelet


The lovely centerpiece at our table


&The dazzling Chihuly chandelier

After a few drinks we made our way past the trees for an enchanting carriage ride around the sculpture park to the tune of festive carolers. It was the perfect time for us to forget about unfinished Christmas shopping and enjoy the snow globe weather that's here to stay.



Eloise loved these Filipino star lanterns



The Mexico inspired tree was my personal favorite - the small pinatas made it look like a Lisa Frank explosion!


The Canada tree was covered in charming little owls


I was tempted to wear this mask from the Brazil tree after a couple more trips to the open bar, but Eloise cautioned me that it didn't quite go with my outfit.


After dinner we ran into Rebecca and some new friends.


A huge thank you to the gala co-chairs Pamella DeVos, Meg Willit and Starr Meijer for inviting us to the gala!

Black Friday!!!

Chatting with Marti Reamon at Leigh's on Black Friday!

I was looking forward to a Thanksgiving holiday away from the stress of work, but corralling my husband and two children to help in the kitchen (without disaster or injury) proved quite a task. My husband wrestled with trussing the turkey, my 7-year-old daughter decorated our sweet potato casserole with a bag of marshmallows and I assisted my 4-year-old son, the resident potato masher.

Lola arrived to dinner fashionably late with a tall dark and handsome…cake from Nantucket Baking Company and a visiting Spanish beau of the same description.

After everyone was lulled into food comas, I was able to wind down with a glass of wine while I perused a flood of Black Friday inserts from the Press. Lola rang to convince me that Leigh’s would be our first stop on our shop till we drop date.

Sure to be dressed for the occasion, we set out to brave the hordes of eager, early shoppers Friday morning wearing layered ensembles that were perfect for enduring our shopping marathon.

Lola and I both wore cozy cashmere sweaters.

I kept warm with a wool Milly jacket while Lola bundled up in her self-proclaimed “Wookie Fashionista” fur coat by Peter Nathan over A Woman leather pants. Not willing to sacrifice fashion for comfort, Lola stepped out in stilettos while I slipped on a cozy pair of Cole Haan shearling boots. To keep us going on our holiday shopping mission, Lola stuffed her 3.1 Phillip Lim bag full of energy bars and ad inserts so we could take advantage of the best deals in town!

Aside from my wonderful family and good health I am thankful for Lola, bottles of cabernet sauvignon and dark chocolate, cashmere throws and sweaters, continuing holiday traditions and another winter wonderland in the beautiful city of Grand Rapids. What are you thankful for this holiday season?

An Evening at Reserve

Yesterday we stepped out to Reserve to catch up over a few glasses of wine. With over 100 wines by the glass and more than 200 bottles to choose from, we knew it would be the perfect place for our first night out in Grand Rapids.

Eloise reached for the Smoked Fish Trio complemented by a glass of Josmeyer, 'Le Dragon', Riesling 2006. I opted for the Manila Clams and braved a Blind Flight wine flight - white, of course.

Read on for more photos!

Meet the Girls!

I would like to introduce you to our mannequins - Lola & Eloise.  These are such fun bios that Diane (our intern) wrote for them! 

Lola & Eloise have been best friends since childhood and absolutely inseparable.  They are both fashionistas, but with their own distinct style.  We hope you enjoy this initial meeting and continue to follow their fashionable lives to learn more about them!

The Mannequins of Leigh's

Another blog for Leigh's? Yes....and you will love this blog!  I have had an idea that I have wanted to implement since last spring, but have just not had the time to bring it to fruition.  My idea was to have two mannequins who would be seen around town at various venues and events in fabulous Leigh's fashion.  These two mannequins would be named, have bios and be BFFs (best friends forever). I thought, the community might have fun with it, "Where are so and so going to be this week?"  It also would be a great opportunity to give exposure to events, places and other retailers in our beautiful city of Grand Rapids.  But, back to the time thing - where would I or any one of my team members find the time to do this...and do it well?
In late August, I had an "ah-ha" moment - wouldn't this be a great marketing internship for a college student?  I posted on our Leigh's Facebook page that I was looking for an intern....and then I waited....it would have to be just the right person....someone who understood fashion and who could really run with this idea.  Then "whaaallaaa" Diane Teall, a senior at GVSU, majoring in health communication with a minor in advertising and public relations, contacts me.  I interviewed her (definitely a fashion girl) and told her about my grand idea - she loved it!!!

 
So here we are.  Diane started mid-October.  She developed our idea and put together a PowerPoint presentation for our Leigh's management team.  In the presentation, she named our mannequins, developed personal and style bios for each of them, suggested where they could "be seen" and how we would communicate their adventures.  Thus, we have this new blog and we are also adding an additional Facebook page for you to enjoy.
So...do you want to know their names?   Lola & Eloise (totally Diane's idea - love it!)  Diane is handling all of their appearances (because they are very social and active in the community).  You'll see their bios tomorrow - which you will get a kick out of!
I think we are all going to have a lot of fun with this! Stay tuned!