The Last Supper

This night was not nearly as epic as the title might lead you to believe, but it was a last dinner of sorts.  It was our last dinner out with Gil and Sue before their baby boy arrives...which is any day now!  Thus far our friendship has been childless and we are about to enter new territory here with their baby coming.  So we thought it only right to have one last night out!  (At least for awhile.)  We also decided we should go somewhere nicer, before we end up in the Olive Garden crowd :-)

Getting dressed for dinner was also a rare occurrence for me...I actually wore the first thing I put on!  That almost never happens to me, but I really liked what I came up with on my first try.  I love when the look in my head and the actual look are the same.  I, like many of you cold weather people, am so bored with my wardrobe.  I am dying for some fun spring inspired clothing.  So, instead of buying new clothes that I don't need, I tried playing with proportions to change it up.  I usually wear this polka dot silk blouse tucked in, but it changed it up completely by leaving it to hang long.  Plus, I went with the black and white trend, which is big right now.  Bonus, I was really comfortable and you could totally eat a lot in this :-)

Blazer - Armani Exchange, Similar style by Zara

Top - Victorias Secret, Similar top on Bluefly

Jeans - Guess

Shoes - Michael Kors (plus hand painted toes) - Similar style on Shoes.com

Jewelry from Darakjians (serioulsy...go see my dad at the new store in Birmingham...its beautiful!)

Bargain Hunting at its Best

Hello my fashion followers! Sorry for the long delay in posts...I had a computer malfunction :-) But never fear, I have a new blog post for you all! I know you have been waiting with baited breath.

I call this blog entry my bargain hunting genius at work! It's one of my better skills in life, which probably stems from my love of shopping.  I am never deterred or scared off by an unorganized clearance rack or a resale store with too many options to sort thru.  It's the thrill of the hunt that makes the find so victorious.  And this outfit is one of my best finds in recent history.  The top is from a resale store in Novi called 'Clothing Mentor.' And the skirt was on clearance at Target for only $7! I knew right away when I found the skirt how I was going to wear it.  One of my favorite things in life is when an outfit in my head actually comes out how I planned when I put it on.  Often times, it's more of a disaster that leads to lots of trying on before I settle on something.  This one was so easy!

Sweater - Ann Taylor Loft via resale shop, Similar style at Macy's
Skirt - Target
Boots - Crown Vintage from DSW, similar pair

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