Archive | April, 2013

An Eye For Style

29 Apr

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Jewelry designers Cathy Schwartz (right) and Beth Banker recently held a trunk show at Tender in downtown Birmingham. The two business partners and friends met several years ago in New York when Banker noticed that Schwartz had a fabulous handbag. “She has an eye for style,” said Banker. The two combined their talents and created CatherineBeth Jewelry. Banker and Schwartz both describe their collection as “edgy and sophisticated.” The collection incorporates precious and semi- precious jewels, metal, brass, wood and leather. Vintage pieces add to the eclectic look.  They sell their line at private sales and boutiques. Just recently Schwartz moved back home to Birmingham. “I’m happy to be home; it’s a great place to raise children,” said Schwartz.

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Helping Others Dress for Success

17 Apr

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Clean out your closet on Saturday, April 20 through Saturday April 27 and stop by Destination Style Boutique in Southfield, or Lolly Ella and Be Free Apparel, both in West Bloomfield. These three local, fashion-forward stores have teamed up to support women in need and are hosting a clothing drive for Career Dress.

Career Dress, a volunteer program of Lighthouse of Oakland County has assisted more than 3,200 women since it began in 2003. While you are helping others, check out the great merchandise. The fun dresses are Destination Style Boutique, while the sporty stuff is from Be Free Apparel. The jewelry is from Lolly Ella.

Motor City Missionary

14 Apr

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Motor City Missionary is the title of today’s lead story in the business section of the New York Times. It’s about Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans. Gilbert is investing his money and his spirit in the our city. He is buying up property and encouraging businesses to move downtown. He just purchased the Greektown Casino-Hotel. Today’s Huffington Post, Detroit also references this story.

Sure, the story mentions Detroit’s woes — our emergency city manager, Kwame, blight, etc., but the gist is a story about Gilbert and his vision.

Last month I visited Washington, D.C., and to my dismay there were two photography exhibits about Detroit featuring decaying buildings. Although the photography, by Camilio Jose Vergara and Andrew Moore, was technically superb, the exhibits were pessimistic.

Thanks to people like Dan Gilbert, our city is moving forward, and soon there will be positive photography exhibits about Detroit.

Photo credit: Fabrizo Constantini for the New York Times

Bravo Bella Piatti

9 Apr

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Bella Piatti, located directly across the street from the Townsend Hotel in downtown Birmingham, serves lucious Italian fare. The salad (above) with oranges, red onions, arugula and goat cheese (not shown) was tasty, as well as the whitefish encrusted with potatoes and truffles over lentils. The ambiance is beautiful with murals, vintage-inspired  chandeliers and even a mesh curtain (top, left) in the center of the restaurant for a private group. It’s worth a visit!

Dynamic Detroit Decor

5 Apr

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The spring 2013 issue of Detroit Home magazine features this year’s design awards.

It’s a treasure trove of information. The categories are expansive — from custom cabinets to railings to the use of antiques. You will find exteriors, interiors and even organized garages. In addition to showcasing the most talented people in the city, I particularly enjoyed reading about a new designer. Detroit Home honored Anne Strickland (above) with the “Rising Star” award. This creative 28-year-old is a  Cranbrook and Michigan State grad and the owner of Port Manufacturing & Design. She designs furniture as well as interiors. Not only are her designs divine, but she has a personal flair exuded in her blog — http://www.portmfg.com/category/blog/

 

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