Coffee and Collars

Though the sun is starting to pop out and spring is almost sprung we are still fighting these fierce Michigan temps! So, as per usual, Lola and I decided to meet up for our weekly coffee session (which usually involves more gossiping than coffee, oops!) and this week we chose to go to Jam N' Bean. As I walked in, I was shocked to see Lola wearing the EXACT same button up as myself! I mean, I know we are best friends but this was a crazy coincidence.

We sat down with our delicious coffee (which is only 5 cents if you drink it in house with their mugs!) and discussed how we pulled our white button-up outfits together. As a mom, I always keep a nice crisp collared shirt in my closet as it's a fabulous way to layer. Just because you're a soccer mom doesn't mean you have to look like one! I paired my Foxcroft shirting with a 6 by Six vest and a Tribal floral jegging.

I asked Lola how she pulled her outfit together and she said she was so inspired by my layering that she decided to give it a try herself, and might I say we both nailed it! Lola decided to pair her Foxcroft blouse with a Rachel Zoe sweatshirt dress and Soft Joie jacket. She topped it off by transitioning her Theia evening earrings into day with her causal cute ensemble.

After our fashion discussion, we started to get a little hungry so we indulged in some of their delicious food. They have bagels, sandwiches, and much more, along with some delicious soups. And of course we had to have some more of the home ground coffee!

We had a splendid morning enjoying coffee, treats and many laughs about our matching tops. I think someone once said you become like the person you're with the most...sorry Lola but I won't be switching out my flats for heels any time soon!



Let's Get Our Art On!

It’s that time of year again, yes, it is Artprize time! Of course Eloise and I had to go check it out immediately since we already were hearing so much about it before the event even started. We broke out the leather, our edgy looks, and artistic flare and fit right in!

 

 

Since it was Artprize we had to look our best! I wore an Elliot Lauren Shirt paired with a Tribal Novelty Leather Jacket and a Vivante scarf with Tribal leggings. Eloise looked chic in her My Tribe leather pants, a Vince sweater and a fabulous Tribal Jacket. It ended up being a pretty gloomy, windy day so our jackets were very convenient! Nevertheless, the weather didn’t keep us from walking around and seeing all the very cool art pieces displayed throughout downtown Grand Rapids.

 

 

Our favorite part of the day was seeing the installation piece in The Grand River. It was so neat to see how the artist set everything up in the water and displayed it the way that they did! We felt a little inspired and decided to take a little video for you all to check out below!



 

We had an absolute blast seeing all these amazing art pieces and picking out our favorites this year. Eloise is excited to take the family to Artprize but we needed to have a little date with each other before she went with the kids. This is such a hard event to only go to once because when you think you saw it all, you discover more pieces! I can’t wait to maybe go check it out a couple more times!

Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery

As warm as it's been, Lola and I could not help but visit the popular talked about apple haus; Robinette's. It has such a variety of things to offer and is family friendly. This worked out great for my two, adorable I might add, children. We decided to go early in the evening so we could wear some more of our fall pieces, compliments of Leigh's! 

amazing fall weather

Little to my surprise, well anyone's for that matter, Lola lingered toward the winery before we could even begin our hayride and corn maze expedition. The children took a special liking to Robinette's new jumping pillow. It's like a giant inflatable blob used as a trampoline. It's also said to be a great way of exercising. If Lola and I weren't feeling so sore after the hayride we might have thought about joining in on the fun.

Instead, we thought it would be better to satisfy our taste buds with freshly made, warm, cinnamon sugar donuts and apple cider in the apple haus. We spent some time in and out of the gift shops and couldn't help but leave with some fun new things. Good thing we still have time before Halloween to carve our large pumpkins we picked out. I also thought it might be fun to try making homemade caramel apples. We decided we love fall food as much as fall clothing!

kids enjoying the play area in front of the Apple Haus

On our visit, Lola chose to wear a long sleeve Michael Stars shirt, with a Tribal black vest and very comfortable, black high rise skinny flares by J.Brand. I comfortably wore Christopher Blue brown corduroys, with a fun shirt from Aldo Martins and cotton, oatmeal blazer by Donna Degnan. We couldn't stop talking about what a great time we had at Robinette's! The girls below loved us, of course; they were so precious we've decided to spend some extra time with them. You'll never guess where they're from. I suppose you will just have to wait and see where we're spotted next!



two beautiful young women who loved our sense of style





Seva Yoga

Lola (Right) and I

      To my surprise Lola has been sustaining her healthful lifestyle choices (and relationship with new boy toy) of regular yoga practice and limited alcohol consumption. When I told her I wouldn't believe it until I saw it, she invited me to join her for a class at her favorite studio, Seva Yoga, in Gaslight Village.
   

We matched the paintings!

      On Friday I met her and her Yogi boyfriend at 8 AM for my first ever vinyasa yoga class. Kudos to Lola for sticking with it!  Yoga is not easy and she made sure to let me know.  Her smart comments about my lack of flexibility revealed her not-so-secret vindication.  But at least I looked cute when I was falling out of tree pose onto my butt. I had on my green Solo Moda jacket, Tribal pants, and Michael Stars tank. Lola wore a Tribal ensemble purchased at Leigh's of course.

      Although it was a challenge I enjoyed the experience.  I am definitely going to incorporate some yoga stretches into my training for the 25K 5/3rd Riverbank Run.  Which gives me an idea- I think I'll turn the tables and invite Lola to go for a light 9 mile warm up with me one of these days.

      I also found out that Seva Yoga is stopping by our favorite place! They will be at Leigh's this week for Beauty and Wellness Week.  Michele our instructor will be discussing topics such as aromatherapy and detox as well as teaching gentle yoga and restorative yoga sessions.  Hope to see you there!

Spa Week at Leigh's

As soon as I received my mailer from Leigh's announcing their Spa Week I set up an appointment for Lola and I.  The timing was perfect- after braving Snowpocalypse 2011 and with v-day right around the corner we could both use some serious pampering!

Lola (Left) and I

Lola showed up to our date in an unusually subdued olive green Elliott Lauren sweat suit and Tribal tee shirt which she accessorized with BCBG Max Azria flats and a Simon Sebbag necklace.  When I asked what was up with the earthy ensemble I learned that Lola had recently taken a holistic approach to fighting the winter blues...by trading cosmos for 8 AM hot yoga classes!?!?  I was a picture of fashion and function in my orange Tribal jacket and tee shirt, black Tribal pants, and a sporty lime green ToyWatch.

Healthful snacks!

Getting everything set up for our paraffin treatment.

Our visit to Leigh's was in keeping with Lola's new focus on self improvement.  We enjoyed rejuvenating paraffin treatments and facials using products from Natura Bisse, Laura Mercier, Trish McEvoy, and Fresh, as well as tips on how to update makeup for spring using the newest from Yves Saint Laurent and LeClerc.  Leigh's cosmetic team is amazing!

After our facials we decided to do some shopping.  Lola used her lifestyle change as an excuse to purchase yet another set of Elliott Lauren workout clothes and I picked up a flirty Valentino Red top to wear on my Valentine's Day date with my husband.  When the subject of the lovers' holiday day came up I learned that Lola would be going out with a fellow yogi- 8 AM all makes sense now! Facials, shopping, and the latest update on Lola's love life made for a fantastic Gal-entines Day at Leigh's!