Do It: This Weekend's Style, Beauty and Fashion Events That are Not to Be Missed

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

Mamacitas and Margaritas Ladies Night Out | Thursday, May 5
Come out and celebrate Cinco de Mayo the right way by enjoying refreshments, pampering services and shopping with a selection of handpicked artists from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Twisted Tavern and Red Door Night Club. The event will be benefiting Handbags of Hope, an organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence in the Metro Detroit area. They will be there accepting donations of new and gently used handbags filled with toiletries. There will also be a raffle of artwork, jewelry, apparel and gift items, where a portion of the proceeds will go to Handbags of Hope. There will be a nominal fee for the pampering services, but admission to get into the event is free.

Twisted Tavern is located at 22901 Woodward Ave., Ferndale.


The Fashion Massacre | Friday, May 6-Sunday, May 8
The Fashion Massacre is a fashion presentation that takes place once a year in Detroit. It is built upon self-expression and individuality. The event brings focus and attention to emerging designers in the Metro Detroit area. It brings together a unique showcase of underground fashion and art that will contribute to Detroit's driving force in the fashion industry. The presentation begins Friday, May 6 and will continue to Sunday, May 8. Each presentation will go from 8-10 p.m. and takes place at a different venue each day, starting at DNR Outdoor Adventure Center. For more information on venues, head here.

DNR Outdoor Adventure Center is located at 1801 Atwater St., Detroit.


Pre-Mother's Day Shop 'Til You Drop at Tricho Salon | Friday, May 6-Saturday, May 7
Come in and shop for a wide variety of women's clothing and accessories from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday. You can shop for your mom or even shop with your mom! You'll be able to find that unique and special Mother's Day gift. This event is hosted by the boutique, Lauren Elyse. Can't make it out? You can shop online here.

Tricho Salon is located at 400 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak.


Viero Bridal Trunk Show | Saturday, May 7
Joy Abendmode Bridal Boutique will be hosting a trunk show for the Viero Bridal line. The event will last from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Make sure to call 248-876-0833 to reserve your spot.

Joy Abendmode Bridal Boutique is located at 506 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak.


Mother's Day Sale | Saturday, May 7
Come in for light refreshments and mimosas while enjoying 20% off shoes, purses and jewelry at the Clawson and Roseville Hips Boutique locations. With a $40 purchase, you can also get a free scarf of your choosing while supplies last. The boutique will not be buying anything this day.

On The Town: DGG got Launched! with the She Is Project

Launched! A Women’s Entrepreneur & Branding Summit was described at two parts business, and one part party - and that was exactly what went down on Saturday. This was a full day of interactive experiences that educated, motivated and inspired all attendees to light a fire underneath passions and ignite careers. It is also the brainchild of DGG board member Carlotta Tutt Holloway, founder of the She Is Project, and we couldn’t have been more excited to attend. It’s hard to give a rundown of the day because so much happened, but we’ll try with all of our might to recap in hopes that you get a serious case of FOMO and will make sure to attend next year’s event. 

Launched! started at noon with ongoing activities happening throughout the day, including DJ entertainment, YouTube training, 10 Second pitch training, headshots, a beauty lounge and a social lounge in the main room. The Social Lounge was set up with beautiful furniture from Sit On It Detroit, complete with a selfie stick, that was used extensively throughout the day. Another day-long activity was the Fem-Preneur Marketplace and Tasting Room that happened down the hall, and it was full of local talent.

Local entrepreneurs featured in the marketplace included Super Business Girl, Salika’s Handcrafted Jewelry, Green Bliss Environmental Home Store, Dr. Ray Natural Tees and more. It was an array of women from the age of 11 and up selling t shirts, jewelry, candles and environmentally-friendly items. A major takeaway from the market place were the young entrepreneurs in the room. Look out for the eleven-year-old entrepreneur of Dr. Ray natural Tees and twelve-year-old entrepreneur of Super Business Girl – they were very inspiring. But that’s another blog post. Stay tuned.

While the above activities were happening, mini workshops were held to educate women how to grow their money, buying safe hair products and how to master your business and personal brands. The crème de la crème of the day, however, had to be the Panel Chat, featuring five experts in the business of entrepreneurship. The experts include April Boyle, Executive Director of Build Institute and Co-Owner of Gold Cash Gold; Mia Ray, of Confessions of a Glamaholic; Carla Walker-Miller, President and CEO of Walker Miller Energy Services; Christen Rochon, media personality; and Pam Perry, PR Coach and Social Media Strategist. They gave great advice and got attendees excited about putting their passion to work.

While all of the workshops, panels and booths were stimulating, looking around to see all of the women in the room coming together to learn and connect with each other was hands down the most inspiring thing about that day. If you weren't able to attend Launched! this year, I would definitely suggest marking your calendars for next year's event, as it is something that should not be missed. Cheers, Carlotta!

A Letter From DG3’s President: Education Is at the Heart of Your Success – Whatever Type of Education that Needs To Be

By Karen Buscemi

It’s hardly profound to state the importance of education. However, people often get hung up on the type of education that’s needed to have a “successful life”. The high-school-to-college path, while certainly a fine plan, is not necessarily the right choice for all. And we all know those who’ve gone the college route without achieving desired career goals, or job satisfaction, for that matter.

 Education comes in as many flavors as Baskin-Robbins. You shouldn’t be afraid to sample many, but at the same time, if a particular one floats your boat, you shouldn’t be afraid to stick with what works for you. (And now I’m craving chocolate-chocolate chip.)

Yes, college is great. An advanced degree may be even better to get to the profession you want. But what if you tried college classes and found they weren’t for you? What if circumstances made college an impossibility for you? What if you got your degree and then found out you hadn’t learned all you needed to succeed in your industry? What if your career goals changed and now you need to learn a new industry?

Thankfully, continuing education abounds. For everyone. For some, becoming educated in a skilled trade is a wonderful solution. Skilled trades, along with their desirable apprenticeships, include manufacturing and construction, and provide a living wage, with the median income in Michigan, asof 2013, being $21 an hour. There is high demand for skilled workers, and that demand will continue to grow, as the current aging workforce retires in the next five to 10 years. Some skilled trades offer on-the-job training, and for many, educational programs are short term and provide immediate employment opportunities upon completion. Our Industrial Sewing Certificate Program is an example of a skilled trade in Michigan. With more than 300 open jobs, and again, more coming in the next five to 10 years, there is great opportunity for advancement in both position and pay. And funding is available for those who qualify through Michigan Works! Daytime education takes only six weeks, on a full-time basis, and upon completion, employment is readily available. When evening classes start at the end of March, it will take 17 weeks to be ready for employment as an industrial sewer. Pattern making and sewing machine repair classes will begin the end of spring – two sorely needed pathways that offer higher wage opportunities.

For fashion designers coming out of a four-year degree program, if your goal is to start your own fashion business, you are going to need continuing education if you want that business to succeed. As fashion schools do not teach business classes, you don’t have the knowledge to write a proper business plan, create financial projections, or determine funding sources, your supply chain, line pricing and so much more. Our Fashion Incubator, launching later this year, along with our continuing education monthly workshops, will affordably fill that knowledge gap, allowing you to thrive as a Michigan business owner, hopefully hiring others along the way.

For me, I never stop learning. From starting a nonprofit more than two years ago to launching my own for-profit business, I rely on gads of books, tons of Internet research and picking the brains of those way smarter than me. I enjoy the challenge, and it sure keeps life interesting.

Whether it's a class, book, seminar, podcast, webinar, etc., find the form of education that suits your current situation and pursue it wholeheartedly.

Never stop learning.