Do It: This Weekend’s Fashion, Beauty and Style Events that Are Not To Be Missed

This weekend is chock-full of fun and fashionable things to do, so if you’re itching to hit the town after you’ve stuffed yourself with turkey and all of the delicious fixings, these events will keep you busy!

Wild Lights | Friday, November 28 through Sunday November 30

From 5:30 to 9 p.m. enjoy a spectacular holiday light display at the Detroit Zoo. More than two millions LED lights will illuminate the trees, buildings and animal sculptures on a trail through the front half of the Zoo. The event will feature live entertainment, seasonal refreshments, arts and crafts, storytelling and ice carving. Advanced tickets are $8 or $10 at the gate and parking is $6 per car. For more information, visit http://www.detroitzoo.org/events/wild-lights.

The Detroit Zoo is located at 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, in Royal Oak.

Small Business Saturday | Saturday, November 29

This is definitely the biggest event of the weekend because Small Business Saturday is the new black (Friday). Small Business Saturday is happening just about everywhere, but here are a few spots that are doing something special. But before we get to all that, check out these facts on shopping local:

• Did you know that 68% of every dollar spent locally stays local, two times more than shopping online or elsewhere?
• American Express launched Small Business Saturday on November 27, 2010 to encourage U.S. consumers to use the Saturday between Black Friday and Cyber Monday to shop local.
• Supporting small business means you can help small business owners become job creators because small business are the backbone of the country and, when combined, constitute the largest employer in the nation.
• $5.7 billion was spent on small businesses in 2013.
• Small Business Saturday is popular on Twitter as 352,000 tweets were sent in support of Small Business Saturday in 2013.

Back to the events of the weekend!

Ferndale: Select Ferndale area restaurants will have brunch specials to fuel the shoppers for a day of shopping local. Pick up a SMS Passport at the Ferndale DDA or any of the participating businesses and get it punched or stamped at over dozens of businesses, and then, when you turn it in, you will be entered into a raffle for gift cards. Visit http://www.downtownferndale.com/news-events/small-biz-saturday.html to see who is participating and what kind of discounts they are offering.

Detroit: Start off your day at the Build Bazaar in the D:hive Welcome Center that will feature local vendors from Build Institute. The event will offer information about local retailers, special discounts and free shuttle service to retail stores throughout the greater downtown area. Parking will be $3 in the Z parking structure all day.

Birmingham: Support Michigan’s economy and enjoy numerous extra incentives offered by the Birmingham Principal Shopping District. Pick up your SMS Passport at participating small businesses, and for every item purchased, shoppers will receives one stamp in their passport. The customer with the most stamps will receive two round-trip airline tickets to anywhere in the Continental U.S. courtesy of Departure Travel. Turn your passport into the booth located at Astrein’s Creative Jewelers at 120 W. Maple Road by 5:30 p.m. and you will be eligible for the prize. And there are no losers, because everyone who turns in a passport will receive a free treat from a Birmingham business. Free valet for shoppers is located at Henrietta at West Maple, and Old Woodward at Hamilton Row. Shoppers may call the valet service to ensure their car is ready when they return to pick it up. If you aren’t into valet, the meters and parking structures will be free all day.

Small Business Saturday Trunk Show | Saturday, November 29

City Bird and Nest are partnering with Etsy Wholesale for Small Business Saturday with a trunk show featuring work from four local Etsy jewelry sellers: Chain Chain Chained, Courtney Fischer, The D. The Jewelry, and Rebel Nell. If you stop by between 2 and 5 p.m., you can meet the designers behind the beautiful jewelry. In addition to the Etsy jewelers, check out the other holiday 2014 merchandise, enjoy refreshments and participate in special giveaways and promotions.

City Bird and Nest are located at 460 W. Canfield, in Detroit.

West Park Winter Social | Saturday, November 29

Enjoy a tree-lighting ceremony, food trucks, live music and local vendors at the West Park Winter Social on Kercheval between Maryland and Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park. From 6 to 10 p.m., visit the heated Winter Ale & Seasonal Sampling tent that includes a diverse menu of winter ales, stouts and porters. Holiday-themed wines will also be available, handpicked by Village Wine Shop. The food trucks on site include El Guapo, The Mac Shack, Rollin Stone Wood Fired Pizza, Detroit BBQ Company, Stockyard and Beignets. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 the day of and include 10 beverage samples. More information can be found at www.westparkingwintersocial.com.

Skyetique Boutique & Beauty Bar One-Year Anniversary Party | Saturday, November 29

Celebrate the one-year anniversary of Skyetique along with West Park Winter Fest. Beginning at 7 p.m., it will be an evening of cocktails, appetizers and shopping. Skyetique Boutique & Beauty Bar is located at 15129 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe.

DG3’s Glamorous Gift Guide for Fabulous Females, Part 2

Part 2 of the DG3 Gift Guide includes a list of beautiful items that your work BFFs, girlfriends and motherly figures will love that won’t break the bank.

1. Luxe Faux Fur Tech Cases, $49, Restoration Hardware, 248.614.6984.

This iPad case is a great buy because it can double as a stylish clutch. Use it to tow your tablet around during the day and then fill it with all of your nighttime essentials when you go out on the town.

2. Pave & Pearl Studs, $38, C. Wonder, 248.649.6536.

The fashionista in your life will appreciate a pair of these gorgeous and unique pear studs.

3. Big Mouth Toys ‘Glass a Day’ Bottle Wine Glass $18, Nordstrom, metro Detroit locations.

This is the most perfect gift for either your favorite wino or for that white elephant party you go to every year.

4. Salon Gift Card

If you know where your best girl goes to get her hair done, get a gift card! We know gift cards aren’t always the most creative gift to give, but imagine the fun she’ll have getting her hair beautified and only having to tip.

5. Set of 3 Bracelet set, $38, Alex and Ani, metro Detroit locations.

Beautiful bracelets with good energy that will go with any outfit; this is a no brainer.

6. DCI Chalkboard Travel Tumbler, $13, Nordstrom, metro Detroit locations.

Great for the girl who knows exactly how she wants her coffee and drinks it often.

7. Make-Up Secrets by Jemma Kidd, $25, Urban Outfitters, metro Detroit locations.

Know a woman who is obsessed with makeup? You’ve got her covered with this useful book by makeup artist and model Jemma Kidd. 

Local Designer Series: Handmade Leather Good Line Launched in Detroit

Husband and wife duo Shane and Melissa Douglas started with a passion for handmade leather goods, which blossomed into Douglas & Co. Detroit. Their goal: to create leather products as beautiful as the people who surrounded them in the city of Detroit. Each item created by Douglas & Co. Detroit is a labor of love deeply rooted in the city as 100% of their manufacturing process takes place locally. We spoke with Shane and got the scoop on their luxe new line that launched this past Saturday.

DG3: Are all of your products sewn in-house and what has been the benefit of manufacturing your own products?

Shane Douglas: All products are sewn in our studio located in the city of Detroit by the two of us. Since we control the facets of production it enables us to design, modify and adjust our approach on the spot as needed all while maintaining consistent quality.

DG3: Is it true you work in limited editions, and if so, how do you think it will benefit the consumer?

SD: We believe in creating with intent and capturing the unique qualities that all individuals have. By having limited editions/runs we can offer a product to consumers that is as unique as they are.

DG3: Where do you find inspiration for your products?

SD: The inspiration for our products comes from the relationships we have with people of the city, and they come from practicality.

DG3: What has been your toughest hurdle to cross when it comes to launching a new line, and how did you overcome it?

SD: The most difficult hurdle to cross has been time. We have started to overcome that by applying efficiencies to our process and streamlining how we produce. 

DG3: If you could give any advice to someone starting their own line, what would you tell them?

SD: Make sure it is because you love it, and that you know how you plan to go to market. Having a good idea of who your customer is and understanding price points, margins and the financial side of business helps as well.

DG3: What fashion trend do you despise and why?

SD: Ugg Boots. You know which ones we are talking about… and that's why.

DG3: This will be interesting since we have only interviewed female designers so far, but if you could have any movie or television character’s wardrobe, whose would it be?

SD: The brothers from Boondock Saints or Brad Pitt’s in Snatch or Fight Club.

DG3: How do you take your coffee?

SD: Black, French Press.

DG3: Louis Vuitton or Mulberry?

SD: Louis Vuitton for design but not brand splash all over product. Mulberry for diversification in product aesthetics.

DG3: Hobo bag or clutch?

SD: Hobo bag

Congratulations To the First Class of the Industrial Sewing Certificate Program!

The energy in the classroom at Henry Ford College M-TEC was palpable; the students were excited, the instructors looked so proud and we couldn't have been happier to spend the last hour of the first Industrial Sewing Certificate Program with everyone. The students showed off their sewing sample books and shared stories of their time in the program. They even explained how they named their sewing machines based on the “personality” of each machine.

Once each student had an opportunity to share about her time in the program and next steps for becoming employed with a cut and sew manufacturer, we had a ceremony to present the students with their certificates. Following the ceremony, we enjoyed refreshments and snacks and did a little more mixing and mingling.

Next up: The faculty at HFC M-TEC, DG3 and the manufacturing partners will meet to discuss all aspects of the pilot program and determine what should be tweaked before the next program launches January 26, 2015. The January class will be another 6-week, Monday through Friday, 180-hour program. If you think you may qualify for funding, call your local Michigan Works! office to start the process to get into the program. If you are able to pay your own way, email artushin@hfcc.edu for information on how to apply.

Two Shows in One Full Day of Fashion at the 10th Edition Walk Fashion Show

Midtown on Saturday, November 22. More than 2,000 fashionistas will be mixing and mingling at the event, which showcases models, designers and entertainers from around the country.

The doors open at 1:30 p.m. for the Emerging Designer Showcase, and shortly after, the Walk University Kid’s Showcase will start. Doors open for the second show at 7 p.m., with the Independent Designer Showcase starting at 8 p.m. The Independent Designer Showcase will feature Lyudviga Couture, Ashley Stewart, Blake Martin Productions and Chargrels Couture by Char from Project Runway.

Tickets are available at www.walkfashionshow.com or by calling 313.799.2556. The Garden Theater is located at 3929 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide

Sometimes, it’s the smallest gifts that are the most difficult to find. Stocking stuffers, while they can certainly be merry and bright, can also turn into a waste of money and effort as gift-givers search for cheap, often throwaway items to fill up loved-ones’ stockings. Give an abundance of small gifts that are fun and/or useful with our curated guide of stuffer essentials.

1. The Wine Deck Cards, $16, C. Wonder, 248.649.6536.

2. Starbucks VIA Ready Brew $8, Starbucks, metro Detroit locations.

3. Nail Color Trio $5, Forever 21, metro Detroit locations.

4. Kate Spade ‘Let’s Do Lunch’ Business Card Holder, $20, Nordstrom, metro Detroit locations.

5. Pinch Provisions Minimergency – For Her, $16, West Elm, 248.593.8200.

6. Lint Roller, $3, H&M, metro Detroit locations.

7. Burt’s Bees Essential Burt’s Bees Gift Set, $10, Macys, metro Detroit locations.

1. Marled Knit Beanie $4, Forever 21, metro Detroit locations.

2. Shinola Colored Pencils in Tin, $15, Shinola, 313.285.2390.

3. UO Custom Waterproof iPhone Pouch, $12, Urban Outfitters, metro Detroit locations.

4. Jason Markk ‘Essential’ Shoe Cleaning Kit, $16, Nordstrom, metro Detroit locations.

5. Stuff Every Man Should Know Book, $10, C. Wonder, 248.649.6536.

6. Sports Wristband, $13, H&M, metro Detroit locations.

7. Lucky You Bottle Opener, $12, West Elm, 248.593.8200.

Oh, Shop It: Detroiter Moves Back to Build Cosmetic Company

Former Detroiter Melissa Butler recently moved back from Brooklyn and brought her business with her. While working in New York City on Wall Street for the last six years, she launched her own lipstick line The Lip Bar.

"I was really inspired by the rejuvenation and rebirth of Detroit," Melissa says. "The reality is New York City didn’t need me. Detroit needs me."

The Lip Bar was created out of frustration with the options available on the market, which tends to contain toxins and other unnatural ingredients. Achieving higher environmental standards, The Lip Bar is made up of natural ingredients to make its users look fantastic and feel good.

Melissa is running The Lip Bar from her home on Detroit’s east side. Lip colors cost $20 and are sold online at the business’ website, and through Urban Outfitters, along with a few other retail locations. Melissa would like to expand her reach in retail, and is considering opening her own storefront.

For more information or to purchase a product, visit www.thelipbar.com.

Do It: This Weekend’s Fashion, Beauty and Style Events that Are Not To Be Missed

Image from Campus Martius

This weekend is chock-full of fun and fashionable things to do, so if you’re itching to hit the town, these events will keep you busy!

afterHour | Thursday, November 20

Mix and mingle with Hour Detroit’s A-List at Lakes in Troy. Enjoy specials like $3 Michigan beers, $4 Michigan liquor and $5 glasses of wine with discounted happy hour food items available during the event from 6 to 8 p.m.

Lakes is located at 5500 Crooks Road, in Troy. For more information, call 248.646.7900, visit www.hourdetroit.com or www.lakestroy.com.

Weavers & Fiber Artists Sale | Thursday, November 20 and Friday November 21

Once a year the Weavers Guild of Kalamazoo hosts the Weavers & Fiber Artists Sale, so if you are going to be on the west side of the state this weekend, this is something to check out. A wide variety of items such as table linens, towels, blankets, apparel and accessories will be on display and ready for a new home. You can even find Christmas-inspired items to add to the décor of your home. For more information, visit www.weaversguildofkalamazoo.org.

The sale will take place at Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds at 2900 Lake St., in Kalamazoo.

Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony | Friday, November 21

Get into the holiday spirit and check out the Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony. The event goes from 5 p.m. to midnight with the tree lighting taking place at approximately 7:45 p.m. American Idol runner up Jena Irene will be there along with a few other local stars. Food, drinks and live music will be available under the big tent in Campus Martius and don’t forget to visit the DTE Energy tent for free hot chocolate and the Ikea tent for free cinnamon rolls. Cap off the night with a carriage ride on Monroe for $10.

Campus Martius is located right in the heart of Downtown Detroit. 

Silver Bells in the City | Friday, November 21

If you won’t be in the metro Detroit area for the Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony, go to the 30th Annual Silver Bells in the City in Michigan’s capitol. Enjoy a parade and then go to the sparkling steps of the State Capitol as you watch the State Christmas tree light up in Lansing. Following the tree lighting ceremony are fireworks that will cascade over the Capitol Dome.

The event will take place at Capitol Avenue and Michigan Avenue, in Lansing.

Launch Preview Party at Nora | Saturday, November 22

Douglas & Co. Detroit is a new small handmade leather manufacturing company, and they are having a party to celebrate the launch of their products and website. Come to Nora from 4 to 7:30 p.m. to shop the new products and enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres while doing it. For more information about Douglas & Co. Detroit before the website is up, call 586.943.2000.

Nora is located at 4240 Cass Ave., in Detroit.

Walk Fashion Show Detroit | Saturday, November 22

The Walk Fashion Show Detroit 10th will be packed with a full evening of fashion. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m., featuring 10 independent designers, including Char from Project Runway. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite and they range in price from $25 to $100.

The Garden Theater is located 3929 Woodward Ave., in Midtown Detroit.

Holiday Magic Parade | Sunday, November 23

Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with the Holiday Magic Parade in Downtown Royal Oak. The Santa Scamper Fun Run starts at 1:30 p.m. followed by the parade at 2 p.m., which goes down Washington from Lincoln to Fourth Street. Once the parade is over, warm your body and soul with a visit with Santa at Stagecrafters from 3 to 5 p.m. Donate new, unwrapped toys for the Boys & Girls Club of Oakland and Macomb County’s Holiday Basket Program. On top of all of this fun, kids eat free on Sundays from November 23 to December 28 so stop by Downtown Royal Oak’s best restaurants for lunch.

Oh, Shop It: Handmade Leather Goods Line Launches in Detroit

Shane and Melissa Douglas have launched a handmade leather goods manufacturing business, Douglas & Co. Detroit. To celebrate, Douglas & Co. Detroit will host a preview party from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 22 at Nora Modern, and the event is open to the public.

“The establishment of Douglas & Co. Detroit is a dream come true for us, and we are thrilled to bring high-quality leather products to the marketplace for people to enjoy,” Melissa said. 

Douglas & Co. Detroit specializes in producing premium products such as its Tuck & Sew bag, Executive Holders and Designer Clutch – all handmade leather goods that will be available locally and online. Small gift items are also available, including keychain holders and coasters. The designs are original and developed by Shane, a leatherworker who values quality, simplicity and versatility.

“We allow our inspiration to lead us to behind the scenes of each product, which is really more than a product – it’s a process,” Shane said. “Since we work in small production, we are constantly creating with intent.” 

Fine craftsmanship and high-quality materials is the focus for Douglas & Co. Detroit, preferring to make products in limited editions, and since each product series is limited in quantity, the products are more distinctive. Each item includes a certificate of authenticity signifying its series number, quantity in that run and the maker.

The brand and website will launch Saturday, November 22 so keep an eye out for www.douglasandcodetroit.com, and visit the product launch at Nora Modern from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at 4240 Cass Ave., in Detroit.

Industry Spotlight: Fashion Business Consultant Shares How to Grow a Fashion Business

When it comes to the fashion and creative worlds, Andrea Rosenfeld has done it all. She’s a fine artist, maker, designer, educator and consultant, and has worked in various areas of the industry. With her bountiful knowledge, we couldn’t wait to pick her brain on the business of fashion.

Tell us about yourself and your history in the creative industries.

Firstly, I’d like to thank DG3 for this opportunity to discuss how I support our creative community.  I admire your mission and am thrilled to be working with all of you!

After studying fine art at the University of Michigan School of Art & Design, undergrad, on a whim, I transferred to the Fashion Institute of Technology in NY and into fashion design. I graduated in 1986 and while working with a large, dress company as an assistant designer for their urban collection, I noticed people working on computers in a back room, asked their purpose and was told, “merchandising.” Remember, this was the ‘80s and computers weren’t prevalent, so I was intrigued. In fact, while in fashion school, we did everything by hand. Everything.

I researched “merchandising” and realized that I HAD to learn it if I was going to begin my own label. I dove in and the next thing I knew I was the Assistant Merchandiser for Perry Ellis Portfolio Menswear!  I moved from illustrating clothing, designing fabric and sourcing findings to designing spreadsheets and detailed formulas to track materials and create costs.  I was in heaven.  I didn’t realize how much I truly ENJOYED the organized, left brain business end of a creative business.  After being there for a few years, a colleague referred me to a newer designer, Isaac Mizrahi, and I became his director of merchandising and operations. There were five of us when I started and we did everything necessary, including sweep the floors. My role was to maintain internal order and communication between the different departments as well as oversee our computer hardware and software orders and installs, specific to the fashion industry and our particular company needs. It was an incredible way to view almost every aspect of this innovative, growing design company and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity.

I got married while working for Isaac and a few years later left the fashion world to raise my family and continue with my fine art development. Once my children were old enough that I could find the time to commit more heavily to my art, my work was accepted into galleries, museums and private collections. Then as an experimental artist, I moved onto jewelry design, off-loom weaving, beading, silver soldering and gem setting. I attended small to large wholesale shows in NY, PA and NV, and Henri Bendel and Bloomingdales were the first retailers to offer me trunk shows, however I preferred galleries as my jewelry is geared more towards the art market. In addition to managing and growing my art business while raising my children as a newly, single mother, I began consulting other creative business owners to help them learn from not only my merchandising and operations background but from my OWN failures and successes, as a small, creative business owner.

Now that I’m back home in Michigan, I want to be involved in something bigger than myself, than selling my art. I desire to add my own style of value to the redevelopment of Detroit and support my creative community.

What exactly do you do now as a business specialist and consultant?

Through Detroit Art & Business Institute, it’s my absolute goal to uplift my client’s self-esteem and increase the value of artists and entrepreneurs using Mind Your Art Business relationship and business building education and consulting. I combine basic life coaching with best business practices and help my clients “grow from the inside out.”

Building a new or existing business, especially a creative business, can be extremely daunting if you don’t have targeted education and committed guidance. Add the fact that it’s YOUR business, which is quite personal, and that every one of us makes daily choices based upon emotion, and you get a number of entrepreneurs too fearful to take steps forward or constantly making the wrong choices. Some jump in emotion-first, wasting time and money because they’ve never been taught strategic steps to become profitable. They alienate potential customers from lack of healthy relationship education or they are taken advantage of because they chase dollars instead of honoring themselves, their relationships and their integrity. 

Through my private, targeted one-on-one consulting and group workshops, I teach entrepreneurs how to identify with and connect to their passion, their “why” and their mission, which is the backbone of a strong company. From there we detail “who they are” in business and what type of business they want to grow, based upon how they live their personal lives. I ask them to “see” themselves honestly and I request vulnerability from my students and clients. 

Actually, each workshop or session, while focusing on different aspects of best business practices, even one’s specific to fashion, design, retail, fine art, etc., is tethered to mindfulness and asks the client to connect to their integrity and truth. That may sound wishy-washy, but it’s incredibly brave to expose yourself to yourself and bravery is necessary while growing a small business. My type of coaching isn’t for every business owner, but I finding many, many clients who are looking for balance while grasping the various detailed and sometimes exhaustive aspects of a creative venture.

​

For someone in the fine arts and fashion industries looking to start a business, what's the one thing they should dedicate of their time?

Figuring out what they want to produce as well as WHO they want to produce it for. I see many artists/designers following too many different artistic paths, creating for the sake of creation or because it “feels” right or they “love leather.” They put no thought into their ideal client, how much their client is willing to pay for their art products and if they can make a profit from producing such products at the target prices. Please don’t mistake my request to plan and research as a comment against artistic integrity and creating from one’s soul, but there has to be a strong relationship between one’s passion and a clear business strategy. You’ll probably sell your art because you will hopefully find clients that see the value of your work, but you may not attain the financial goals you’ve set if you live in your studio producing without due diligence while also getting out to meet your potential clients and learning the marketplace.

If you could give people in the arts three rules to follow when it comes to starting a business of their own, what would they be?

1. Know yourself well: how you work, how you are in relationships, your brilliance and deficits.

2. Educate yourself in business strategies and how best to work with retailers/galleries through books, group courses or a private consultant/mentor.

3. Get out of your studio and network, building a strong support system, and if any relationship feels wrong, walk away. (I threw in an extra rule for good measure).

You conduct business workshops and mentoring programs and your 30-minute workshop is very affordable. What can people expect from this "sprint" if they want to test it out before they commit to a longer consultation? How do people schedule time with you?

To help as many people as I can, I created a variety of consulting programs for different needs and budgets, but I must say that ANY coach/consultant /mentor will agree that they offer the most value to a client by REALLY knowing them, their passion, objectives and how they work best. So although I offer a Sprint, 30-minute consulting session I don’t recommend that for anyone who needs a lot of assistance. I find that my Sprint sessions are mainly used by 4- or 8-week program clients who have a small-medium question/challenge that needs one-on-one attention. 

My more budget-friendly, educational option is my MYAB On Demand, MP4 audio/visual workshops. Currently, I’m offering Fairs & Festivals: Step-by-Step Success for $19.95 to get people ready for the next summer sales season. Artists think they have time, but applications for local and national festivals are being taken as early as January (and jewelry spaces fill up first)! 

My sessions and programmes are listed on my website, but clients can’t just click to order/schedule. That’s too “cold” and to me, coaching means connecting. Plus, I prefer communication and building strong relationships, so I prefer to talk to potential clients, either through e-mail or in person (during local networking events or at my Meetups) then send them a WELCOME packet to learn more.  

What's the best advice you have ever received and also, the worst advice you have received?

Best Advice: We are all on different roads so don’t envy anyone who may be further along than you. Appreciate and learn from the experiences/challenges you encounter on your own path.

Worst Advice: Take any opportunity put in front of you so long as it makes you make money.

What's your favorite article of clothing in your closet, where did you get it and why is it your favorite?

Everything that’s black or every single jean I own… Ha! Well, since we’re into fall, I have to say that when I’m not in jeans my go-to article is my BCBG black paneled, stretch legging with a zipper at the ankle. I’ve gotten my money’s worth and then some. Although I’m not a fan of wearing leggings every day (or yoga pants for that matter) I like the design and the cut, plus they are thick so they provide a buffer for our incredibly cold Midwest winters. The monotone yet textured fabric design brings the eye to the leg instead of the crotch area like plain, thin leggings tend to do. I can wear them dressy or grungy as they work well with stack heels or “combat” boots.

How do you take your coffee?

I’m a wimp: 2% milk or cream and sugar. Lots of sugar.

Books or e-readers?

BOOKS! I live in my local library and borrow from friends. I enjoy the feel of actively turning pages, underlining important passages, writing notes on the margins and dog-earring pages. (Um, in my OWN books, not borrowed ones.)

Flats or heels?

HEELS! Except during the day when I’m alone and working or RUNNING around - then I wear my Converse high tops or warmer combat or snow boots.