Party at Joe Louis Arena

You read that right...we had a party at the Joe!  Jon's work holiday party was at Joe Louis Arena this year, right on the ice!  It was one of the coolest parties that we have ever been to, although I might be partial as a life long Red Wings fan.  The party was complete with a tour of the locker room (smelly hockey gear included), sitting on the zamboni, and an appearance by Zetterberg himself.  Oh yea, and we sat in the penaly box too!  It was decorated in all black and red, as were all the guests as we were asked to wear black, white, or red.  Pretty easy right?  I mean most of us women own a LBD.  I was determined not to be so boring and predictable and went with a jumper I have had for two years and somehow never worn.  I don't want to toot my own horn here, but this is one of my best looks!  I took the bell bottoms of the pants as inspiration and went with the 1970s vibe all the way.  Shout out to my BFF who loaned me the belt (which I loved so much I went online and bought!).  Side note - aside from the overall fabulousness of the look, it was amazing to wear pants to a winter party in Michigan!

Jumpsuit - French Connection, Similar style at Nordstrom

Belt - Express on sale for $20 right now!

Heels - Nine West

Hunger Games and Sushi

Its been awhile since Jon and I have had a chance to have a date night out...but we finally managed to find a night where we had no plans and decided to get out of the house.  We went to see the new Hunger Games Catching Fire movie and then sushi at Shiro in Novi.  Both were amazing!  I read all the Hunger Games books a couple years ago and loved them.  I was so excited to hear they were making them into movies and so far the movies are very close to the books.  I highly recommend reading the books and seeing the movies!  I promise they are not just for teenagers :-)

You know me by now, I love a good occasion to get dolled up, and date night is no exception.  When I am going on a date with my hubby, I try to pick something that I know he will like.  There is totally a difference between dressing for a date and dressing for girls night out.  I definitely have a few items in my closet that Jon doesn't get, so I save those for the girls.  He, like most men, likes tight pants and low necklines.  I like a compromise so here is what I came up with!

Top - Tinley Road on Piperlime, Similar one on Amazon

Jeans - J Brand from Nordstrom

Earrings - Gold and Diamond hoops from Diane via Dad's store, 

less expensive ones at Macy's

Heels - Jessica Simpson on Zappos

Drinking with my parents...and some eating too!

Tis the season everyone!  Happy December.  I don't know about you all, but I cannot believe Christmas is only three weeks away.  I have some serious shopping to do...good thing I am such a pro at it!  To celebrate all the good things in life, we went to dinner with my parents to one of our favorite restaurants in the area, Diamond Jim Brady's in Novi.  Literally everything I have had there is amazing!  They have a very in interesting menu, with some staples like burgers and steak, but they also have these unique dishes that are so incredible.  The appetizers are almost better than the main courses.  Plus, they have great beer, wine, and my chocolate martini was so good!  If you are looking for someplace new to eat at in our area, I highly recommend giving them a try...you won't be sorry!

I recently saw a page in one of my magazines about how to accessorize like Olivia Palermo (who we all know I love!) and it gave me some great ideas.  This night I went with the broach idea.  Typically when we hear broach, we think grandma.  But they can be so modern and classic all at the same time...it just depends on the broach and how you style it.  I found this really cool cheetah broach at my mom's house when we were cleaning it out for her move.  I have also seen really fun ones at resale stores (and for only a few dollars at that).  Give it a try!

Blazer - Express

Lace Tank - Express (this version has cool leather sleeves and is 40% off)

Jeans - Gap

Heels - Michael Kors, Similar style by Fergie

Broach - Mom's closet, Very similar one on Etsy

A Birthday and Some FroYo

Last Saturday was Sue's 29th birthday (her last birthday before the baby arrives too!).  So of course we had to celebrate with dinner at one of her favorite spots, Local in Ferndale.  All the food on the menu is local, as the name suggests, so the menu changes by the seasons and is somewhat small.  But everything was so delicious.  And because it was a birthday celebration, we had to get dessert (even tho the birthday girl was full).  Gil and I have both been craving this awesome frozen yogurt place in Royal Oak called Sweet Earth. They have dairy free vanilla and chocolate, which no place ever has so I love it.  You pay by weight so you can fill your cup as full as you want, then top it with everything from fruit to nuts to candy.  SO GOOD!!!  I satisfied my craving for another couple weeks.  Happy Birthday to Sue!

Top - Armani Exchange, Similar top at Bebe

Jeans - Paige Denim, Less $$ option at Old Navy

Heels - Jessica Simpson

Earrings - Darakjians in Birmingham

Darakjians Grand Opening

I am so proud to announce that my dad's new store is officially open!  Darakjians is now open for business in downtown Birmingham, after moving from their original location in Southfield.  He has worked so hard the last few weeks to help get the store exactly the way they envisioned.  And I have to say they could not have done a better job.  I'm so proud of him!  It truly is gorgeous...all sparkle and shine as any upscale jewelry store should be!  The layout of the store is unlike any other jewelry store you have been in before.  Plus, there are some seriously amazing pieces in the cases.  And they have something for every budget.

Jon and I were so excited to attend the Friends and Family Opening night this week.  Everyone we met was so nice.  The mood was total joy and excitement, as it should be.  It was great to see all the hard work in person.  Plus, being dad's daughter has its perks and I got to wear some serious bling while we were there!  If only he let me take it home...hehe.  It was a perfect occasion to get dressed up too, which you know I love!  I brought two outfits with me to the kids house and they helped me get ready.  True to form, each picked a different outfit, but Addision gave up helping so I let Pierson be the deciding vote.  Here is what we came up with!

Blazer - Armani Exchange. Similar style by BCBG on Bluefly

Skirt - Victoria Secret, Similar style at Dillards or this one at VS

Shoes - Sam Edelman, Similar style (sadly without spikes) at Dillards

Church Chic

It's already November! It will be the holiday season before we know it. That leaves me with a mix of excitement and nerves. I really need to get ahead of the Christmas shopping this year. Is it just me or does the list get longer every year? But who doesn't love the holidays? So many reasons to spend time with friends and family.

Jon and I finally had a Lions free Sunday last weekend and actually managed to get up and dressed and went to church. We don't make it as often as we would like, but every time I go, I leave feeling renewed. Last Sunday was the last in a series about love and it was such a great message.   I felt very blessed for all the love I have in my life. And it felt good to get an early start on the day. Plus sometimes it is so fun to run errands looking chic! Most of the time I am with the kids and things are not looking as hot. My hair do was an accident...I ran out of time blow drying and just threw it up really fast. I ended up loving the messy look of it and kept it all day. I love when that happens!

Top - Victoria's Secret, new colorblock version available now

Jeans - Paige Denim, on sale right now at Nordstrom (GREAT jeans btw!)

Shoes - Jessica Simpson, similar styles on Zappos like these Ralph Lauren ones

Earrings - The One. The Only. Darakjians - 

*which also happens to be my dad's (Paul Hering) new place of business, opening their brand new location in downtown Birmingham!  Let me tell you, it is amazing and fabulous, just like these awesome black inside/outside hoops Jon bought me for our anniversary! If you are in the market for some new jewelry, this is the place to go!  And my dad is the man when it comes to all things jewelry, a totally unbiased opinion :-) More pictures of jewelry to come!

A Little Birdie Told Me...

...to buy this sweater when I saw it!  Fall has officially arrived and its time to bring back the sweaters and boots for the duration.  Every year I look in my closet and hate all my sweaters.  Living in Michigan I really should own great sweaters, nice soft and comfy ones.  But I always end up with black sweater, skinny jeans and boots from November thru March.  I decided that I am going to be more creative this year with my cold weather dressing.  Starting now, with this adorable bird sweater by J.Crew I bought from a new resale shop in Novi.  I wore it again this past weekend up north wine tasting with some skinny jeans and flats...had a few too many tastings and forget to get pictures!  No worries tho, I will be wearing this many more times and will post some more casual ways to wear it.  But for this post, I wanted to be really cool and imitate Kate Bosworth and her take on animal motifs.  Not bad if I do say so myself!

Kate Bosworth Image

Sweater - J.Crew, Sold Out, Similar style with fox from ASOS

Pencil Skirt - ABS from Dillards (long time ago), Similar skirt also from ASOS

Heels - Jessica Simpson 

Date Night with Hubby

After a crazy last weekend tailgating, this weekend is shaping up to be much more low key for the Franklins.  Well, for me at least.  My husband is leaving for Europe tonight for the next few days.  So we decided to take advantage of a no plans Friday night and go on a date!  It has been awhile since we have went out to dinner by ourselves (partly because we are trying to eat at home as much as we can) and it was so much fun!  I took advantage of the "no rush" attitude and actually straightened my hair.  For those of you who don't know, that is quite the endeavor, but Jon always thinks it looks sexy so I decided to put in the effort.  Side note, I am really over due for a trim!  Thank God for my high powered straightener!

To go with my sexy straight hair, I decided on my new skinny Paige jeans with the zippers and a low cut lace blouse.  I like that the blouse is a mix of girly lace with a low v-neck.  I scored these jeans off the clearance at Nordstrom Rack.  They are so comfortable, which is sometimes tough with skinny jeans.  There really is something to be said for designer jeans, they know how to make them the best.  As a jean lover, I believe it is worth the extra money to get a pair that flatters you.  And don't be afraid to try on a lot of jeans...its the only way to find your pair!

Top - Banana Republic, Similar top Pim + Larkin on Piperlime

Jeans - Paige Denim, Similar pair for less at Gap

Heels - Jessica Simpson on shoes.com

Earrings - Zara, Found some on ebay...so hard to find these!

Girls Dinner

Now before I get busted on a new skirt, I bought this a couple months ago before the whole "no shopping" thing took effect.  I scored this beauty for such a great deal at Nordstrom Rack too.  I love the print on this skirt and how easy it is to wear.  The possibilities are endless!

For our girls dinner out (celebrating Marci's birthday!) I decided to go the dressier route with gold accessories and some heels.  The skirt naturally hits at my hips so I hiked it up a bit and belted it at my waist instead for some more shape.  If I was wearing this more casually, I would let it sit on my hips and wear some cute flats instead of heels.

Top - Lush from Nordstrom, Similar top at JCPenny by Allen B.

Skirt - Trouve from Nordstrom, Similar skirt at JCPenny by Joe Fresh

Belt - from a dress in my closet, Similar belt at Macy's by Ralph Lauren

Shoes - Aldo (so old they are from my bachelorette party 5 years ago!) 

I like these Marc Fisher pumps from Macy's even better than mine!

Shopping My OWN Closet

You may all want to sit down for this one...I have decided that I have too many clothes that I never wear.  I know...kind of out of character for me to say such nonsense...but alas its true.  I was standing in my closet  last weekend after we got back from Florida and thought how many of my tank tops I never wear.  I have dresses that I still have yet to find an occasion to wear.  I absolutely love shopping and cannot imagine my life without it, but I decided I may be able to recreate my hobby in my very own closet.  It is epic you know!  So my new goal (for now) is to try shopping some new looks from my own closet.

This past Sunday was family dinner, and I used it as my first chance to try out my new life philosophy. I bought this blue silk tank top on ebay almost 3 years ago and I think I have worn it twice.  Cobalt blue is a big trend right now for fall.  My next idea with this top is to pair it with my blue floral pants for a fun monochromatic look...stay tuned!  Side note...if you don't own a pair of slingback platform pumps like these, you should.  I have worn these so much that I need to get the heels fixed.  They literally go with everything!

(Close up of my Godmother necklace that I wear all the time.  Missing my niece so much already!)

Top - BEBE, Similar top at Macy's by Tommy Girl 

Shorts - Loft, Really cool pair at Macy's from the MADE Fashion Week Collection

Shoes - Guess, Similar style at Lord and Taylor in silver

Same pumps as mine in nude at Macy's on sale for $52!  Great deal!

Tube Tops get Fancy

One of my favorite people, my homie Laura, was home for a week this summer recently.  We always have so much fun when we get together, and this time was no different!  A summer night bbq and dinner in Royal Oak were our visits this time.  As usual, I took the chance to dress up a little :-)  Now normally, I am not a fan of tube tops.  They feel a bit too young for me at this stage in life.  But this yellow top from The Limited is not the typical tube top.  Its silk and has some boning and ruffles in the front so its structured.  It is the kind of top that works great with jeans or skirts, dressed up or casual.  And I found it on the clearance rack, so bonus!  And it was the perfect occasion to wear my new bracelet from my Dad and Diane!  (It was a thank you gift for watching the dog...poor Jon did most of the work and only got some fancy ketchup!)

Top - The Limited, Very cute option with floral print at Sears

Jeans - J Brand from Nordstrom

Wedges - Jessica Simpson, Similar style by Steve Madden at Macy's

Bracelet - Similar styles on Etsy

Healthy Spin on Lunchables

Hello friends!  Summer is in full swing now...its almost August!  I don't know about you all, but its been one crazy busy summer so far.  The kids have been in one camp or class after another and its kept us on the go a lot of the days.  Many of those days, we had lunch in the car or at the park in between camps.  I know I would get bored with a sandwich everyday, so I try to mix things up for them too.  But, with one picky eater, its really challenging sometimes!  They both always ask me for lunchables when we go to the grocery store..but those things are SO bad for you.  I'm not even sure if the lunch meat or cheese in those is real...and it is definitely full of preservatives and chemicals they don't need to be eating.  And I am always the bad guy who says no.

So...I came up with a new version that is healthy and still fun for the kids.  I bought all the ingredients separate and then made them their own lunchables.  I started with some crackers, usually Kashi Original 7-Grain.  They have some really good gluten free options too if you prefer.  The twins love salami so I get the Applegate Organics Uncured Salami.  They are perfect because they are small enough to fit on the crackers! Cheese is the easy part, just get whatever kind your kids like best.  I buy the Horizon Organic Cheddar slices and just break them into smaller squares.  And voila...homemade, healthy, organic lunchables!  Happy lunching!!!

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