Fashion Takes on Tourism and East town Eateries

Today Lola and I set off on our Tourism Campaign. Our intern, Lindsay, is going to be bringing us to really cool hospitality and tourism destinations around Michigan. We thought what better way to start a trip than to start local and eat some yummy food at the same time. Lola was in the mood for hot dogs, so we decided to start our adventures in East Town at the best hot dog place in town, Yesterdog! We always loved the vintage old school vibe in there.

 

To fit with the feel of East Town, Lola and I both chose to wear casual but still trendy. Lola wore a blue Elliot Lauren sweater that she paired with a Luisa Rab vest and Ted Baker Puma Crossbody, this all went well with her black 10 Crosby Derek Lam legging. The outfit she wore was brought together with the Kenneth Jay Lane gun-metal flat lobster clasp necklace. She definitely rocked the animal prints and edgy look she had been going for! Made it hard for the working men at Yesterdog to look away!

I on the other hand, kept it more low-key than a fur vest with leather leggings. Keep it classy is my motto. You all know that I love nude color schemes; just keeps things so simple, and yet classy and at times, a bit elegant. I wore an Elie Tahari blouse over little rock colored Emma 2368 style DL 1961 leggings, paring this with a copper gypsy cheetah Echo scarf and a vintage colored Tribal Jacket.

 

 

Yesterdog is just awesome. They specialize in their hot dogs; in fact, all they sell are hot dogs with any topping and condiment you could want. Everything there is really old school, with the wood floors and marble table tops. There are really interesting vintage Coca-Cola signs on all the walls and even had a toilet that flushed with a chain hanging from a box, like a real W.C. toilet. Times sure have changed since those were used!

 

No wonder this place gets so busy! The workers there know what they are doing and can give great, quick service. Many people come from all over Grand Rapids to eat these amazing hot dogs in such a cool restaurant. The booths and walls are covered with people signatures and names of people that have been there long before. They have since prohibited the signing of the walls, so Lola and I didn’t get a chance to write our name on the walls but it was still cool to see all the names written. this was definitely a worth-while first stop! Anyone in the area should really take some time and come in for a great experience and even better hot dogs!

 

 

 

 

There's No Place Like Home

Last night Eloise and I were able to attend the "There's No Place Like Home" fashion show fundraiser benefiting Liz's House and Bridge Street Place. It was the 25th anniversary of the event and Leigh's was a sponsor so we HAD to be there! It was such a fabulous night! It took place at the Goei Center in Grand Rapids. It was a furniture factory turned urban chic venue. I was loving it!

Eloise and I felt like celebrities because we were asked to pose with guests for pictures along side a handsome gentleman named Fitz (he was from Fitzgerald's). This is definitely going to be my big break, Eloise and I looked fabulous!

As you can see Eloise was being a bit of a diva and blocked my fabulous dress (little does she know, she may have gotten the spotlight but I got Fitz's number. Score!) We both wore Rachel Roy dresses with Alexis Bittar jewelry. After posing for some pictures, Eloise and I decided to go backstage and mingle with some of the models! They were all so great! I snapped some pictures of them lining up before I headed back out front for the show.

Eloise and I had so much fun at the event. The only thing better than fashion, is fashion for a cause!

 

 

Artsy Adventure

Spring has sprung and Lola and I were ready for an afternoon on the town! We always make it a goal to be more cultured and hip, so we decided to spend our afternoon at the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts (or more known as the UICA). It is an awesome gallery downtown Grand Rapids. It features art from locals as well as international art. It certainly has a little something for everyone! The pictures below are from a current exhibition called "Mercurial Silence" by Caroline Gore showing how grief and loss manifest in society.

For our day out I decided to rock some spring pastels with an eggshell Jackett Jacket, an Echo scarf with a splash of pink, and a little wrist party with Zenzii and Blessings in Disguise bracelets. The whole outfit was pulled together with a Vince top and Vince boyfriend pant (Lola was sure to let me know, though she may not want a boyfriend she definitely wants the pants!)

Lola wanted to break out her summer attire, so she wore a Rachel Zoe python print dress, with a Kenneth Jay Lane necklace and Zenzii cuff. It was the perfect blend of edgy and fun to lure the artsy men in. I think Lola spent more time looking at them than the art!

It was such a cool experience seeing art made by people right here in GR. The exhibitions are always changing and Lola and I can't wait to go back!

Sunglasses, Sundresses, and Sandals...OH MY!

It wouldn't be spring without a new wardrobe. So Eloise and I headed out today to our favorite store Leigh's! As always we were greeted by smiling faces and lots of spring styles. We couldn't help noticing the fun décor in the store and were told that the Pre-Spring Break Party is tomorrow!

 

The Pre-Spring Break Party is one of our favorite events! It is a day of tax-free shopping and everyone gets to draw for Leigh's gift card to use in store during the party! Just for the party there will be special trunk shows going on: Pamella by Pamella Roland, Lauren Craft jewelry, NYDJ denim, Prada eyewear, Cole Haan footwear, Lafayette 148, and PONO jewelry!

 

Of course, Eloise and I couldn't help but try some things on before our return for the party tomorrow. Shopping two days in a row?! We've died and gone to fashion heaven. I decided to try on an AMS Pure dress that was absolutely adorable and incredibly comfortable. Leigh's intern Katie gave me the great idea to pair it with a J Brand jean jacket and some of the PONO jewelry from the trunk show.

Eloise decided to try on a 10 Crosby by Derek Lam dress and paired it with a PONO necklace too. Comfortable and cute, she was owning it!

I must say we looked like we were ready for some fun and sun!

We happened to run into some of our friends while we were there! They were so excited (though you may not be able to tell by their faces!) for the spring break party as well. They struck a pose by some of the spring décor!

We are ecstatic for the Pre-Spring Break Party tomorrow and hope to see all of you getting your spring fever fix there as well!

 





 

Doughnut Delight

Eloise and I decided to start our Monday off right with a sweet treat. And let me tell you there is no propaganda being dished out by Propaganda Doughnuts, they are as delicious as they claim!

 

It's located in the cutest little brick building, the perfect atmosphere to lounge and get our weekly gossip in! The second we walked in the door we were welcomed by the scent of sweet delicious doughnuts. Usually I set all of my calories aside for wine, but sometimes a girl has to live on the edge!

 

Eloise and I both decided to go casual cute for our morning out. I choose to wear a Sachin & Babi top with J Brand jeans. Eloise decided to wear a Comfy top with olive DL1961 denim. 

 

Propaganda had such unique doughnut choices: red velvet with vanilla bean frosting, candied blood orange with honey, and maple bacon brown sugar. Of course, they also have what they like to call “the usual suspects” known to the common doughnut buyer as powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar and plain.

 

We decided we had to indulge in a doughnut…or two!! I went with maple bacon brown sugar and Eloise decided to go with the blood orange with honey. Don’t they look scrumptious?!

 

Every day they post the menu of what is on special that day, and they are always mixing things up! There is something for everyone at Propaganda Doughnuts and we can’t wait to go back and try something new!

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!



Wine Warm Up

You know what they say "the solution to any problem is...wine." Well actually I'm not sure if anyone has ever said that, but Eloise and I certainly believe it's true. So as a solution to these polar vortex temperatures, we decided to indulge in a wine and cheese filled girls' day. We had heard some talk around town about a cute shop called The Cheese Lady Grand Rapids and knew we had to check it out for ourselves. It does consist of two of our favorite things. Plus what better way to warm up than with some wine and cheese!

When we arrived we knew we were in for a great time. The women working were so kind, offering us delectable samples the second we walked in the door! We went straight to the cheese counter where we saw a board filled with various cheeses. Over 100 cheeses to be exact! Eloise decided to do some tasting of cheeses that make great sandwiches for the kids (she settled on one called Prairie Cheddar..YUM) but you know what I had my eye on...the wine wall of course.

With all of the treacherous weather lately, Eloise and I decided to channel our inner spring fever with some new spring clothes. I wore a Paper White blouse, with a Minnie Rose maxi skirt and topped it off with a Jakett jacket. I felt like the outfit needed a little edge and went with a chunky necklace to take my outfit to the next level.

Eloise was sassy and sophisticated as per usual and decided to wear a Bailey 44 dress along with a Weill necklace and tied in some Sisco and Berluti bracelets to pull the whole outfit together.

We were lucky enough to have them set up a pairing just for us. The perfect pairing for the perfect pair of best friends!

 

We can't wait to bring all of our friends to The Cheese Lady for some more delicious sampling and to show them all of the awesome Michigan made products! Cheers to a great girls' day and great food!