Antiques Roadshow kicked off their 2013 season with a taping in Detroit on Saturday, June 1. Although I was not at the taping, I was fortunate to be invited to a behind-the-scenes preview at the Townsend Hotel a few days before the show hosted by U.S. Trust. U.S. Trust thanked my friend, Lois Shaevsky who is on the Board of Trustees at Detroit Public Television for her community work at the luncheon. More than 50 people were treated to a lecture “The State of Jewelry Today” discussing the trends, values and styles. The keynote speaker was Kate Waterhouse (shown, left), a PBS Antiques Roadshow Appraiser and Director of Jewelry, Heritage Auctions. Carolyn Ashleigh (shown, right) is a Heritage consultant in Birmingham. So what’s trending now in the jewelry? According to Waterhouse, watch collections are very popular among the young twenty and thirty-somethings. But the best takeaway was that jewelry rarely loses its intrinsic value. She showed a strand of natural pearls that went up for auction in 2004 and sold for $21,500. A similar pieces sold for $218,00 in 2011. Each guest received the book “The Collector’s Handbook,” by James Halperin, Gregory J. Rohan and with Mark Pendergast. I can’t wait to see the value of some Motown treasures on the upcoming Antiques Roadshow from Detroit!
Antiques Roadshow Visits Motown
2 JunHandmade Clothing for Bundles of Joy
27 May
Treat your new bundle of joy to some hand made clothing created by Jessica Brandt. Jessica (shown in photo) has created a collection of hand made clothing, bibs, blankets, burp cloths, dresses, shorts and other baby accessories. She even makes sheets and takes custom orders! You can find these adorable one-of-a kind items on Etsy. Her company is called Little Bundlez, and she sews all of her items in her home workshop in metro Detroit. As a mother of a toddler and one on the way, she chooses cozy fabrics and delightful prints.
Visit her site on Etsy or e-mail her at jessica.bbrandt@yahoo.com
I asked Jessica which baby blog and site she prefers, and she suggested prudentbaby.com
I’m enjoying the Martha Stewart site for tips from clothing to food to decor.
Bring a Lunch, Play a Bunch
24 May
Bring a Lunch, Play a Bunch is the name of the Playworks Detroit healthy living campaign. Playworks provides physical activity in Detroit area schools. This non-profit fundraises to place a recess coach in the school for the entire year. To get in the game, donate your lunch money. Whether it’s for one day or one week, children will benefit. Donors will receive a lunch bag with tips for healthy eating. The campaign runs until May 31st. At Campus Martius on June 4th, Playworks and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing will host lunch and recess for Detroit kids. To register, go to http://www.playworks.org/make-recess-count/play/detroit/2013-bring-lunch-play-bunch-campaign
Or call, 313-879-4934.
In the Pink
20 May
Detroit’s Comerica Park was decked out in pink as participants gathered for 22nd Annual Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure, which raises funds for breast cancer research.
More than 30,000 people participated in the event. Live music entertained the walkers and runners, while crowds cheered along the way. The Susan B. Komen Foundation is the largest breast cancer charity in the country.
If you did not participate in the Race for the Cure, last week there is an opportunity to join the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Event. The West Bloomfield event will start 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8 at West Bloomfield High School. TV personality Lila Lazarus will welcome crowd. Funds raised at Relay for Life support all types of cancer.
Super Fast, Super Healthy Appetizers
14 May
Beaumont Health System sponsored the cooking demonstration at the recent Michigan International Women’s Show, held at the Suburban Collection Showplace, where Chef Ed Gillis presented four healthy appetizers, easy to prepare. The International Women’s Show, part of Southern Shows, is in many cities in the United States.
The four appetizers Chef Ed Gillis prepared are: wonton chips, bean cilantro hummus, caprese crostini and kale chips. He delighted the crowd with these super fast, super healthy appetizers. Preparation time for each appetizer is 15 minutes. I’ve included the yummy recipes.
Wonton Chips
Ingredients: Olive oil, 12 wonton wrappers, 1/4-1/2 t coarsely ground black pepper, 1/4 t coarse salt
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Using a sharp knife cut wonton wrappers diagonally to form 24 triangles. Arrange the triangles in a s single layer on prepared baking sheet. Lightly coat the tops of the wonton triangles with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with pepper and salt. Bake about 8 minutes of until golden. Cool completely on a wire rack. Serves 3.
Kale Chips
Ingredients: 1 bunch fresh kale (about 20 leaves), 1 T sesame seeds (pre-toasted if desired), 1/2 t sea salt, 2 T olive oil (put in small spray bottle)
Directions: Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Rinse bunch of kale, pat dry or put in salad spinner. Pull whole kale leaves off of stalk and trim stems if desired. Lay leaves on baking pan, mist leaves lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle sesame seeds and light dusting of sea salt onto leaves. Bake at 300 degrees for 8-10 minutes, until leaves are dried, but not brown. Eat by themselves or use as a soup or salad garnish. Serves 1.
Caprese Crostini
Ingredients: 4 large ripe tomatoes (diced in 1/4″ cubes), 1 pound fresh mozzarella, (diced in 1/4″ cubes), 1/3 c fresh basil leaves chopped, 3 T extra virgin olive oil, fine sea salt to taste, freshly ground black pepper to taste, 1/2 clove garlic chopped (optional), 1 t balsamic vinegar (optional), sliced baguette, ciabatta or multi-grain bread 1/4″ thick.
Directions: Slice bread into bite size portion, toast lightly in 350 degrees oven. Dice tomatoes and cheese into small cubes. Toss together with chopped basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. Spoon onto toasted bread slices. Eat warm or cold. Alternate preparations: Slice tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil. Bake in 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Or delete cheese use toasted pita chips or any large crouton, toss all ingredients together, spoon onto toasts and eat. Serves 6.
Bean Cilantro Hummus
Ingredients: One 15-ounce can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed, 1 clove of garlic, 1 t lime zest, 1T lime juice, 1/3 c olive oil, 1 T tahini, salt and pepper to taste.
Directions: Combine beans, cilantro, lime zest, lime juice and garlic in food processor and blend until pureed. With processor on, steam olive oil until desire consistency is reached. Blend 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Makes 1 cup.
Detroit Designer: Dominic Pangborn
4 May
Dominic Pangborn designs are dynamic, bold and original. Wear a scarf or a necktie, and you will be stopped on the street with compliments from strangers — even in New York. I know because I have a few scarves. Dominic is a talented and passionate Detroit designer with an international flair. The swirl of colors or geometric patterns are dazzling. You’ll find his designs at the Detroit Metro Airport and now in the Michigan Design Center in Troy, which is open to the public. In his latest interview on Fox2, he says he will expand his accessories and home products. His personal journey as a Korean adoptee is just as fascinating as his artistry.
An Eye For Style
29 Apr
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.
Helping Others Dress for Success
17 Apr
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
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
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!
