Four of the five writer, (left to right): Marion Phillips, Rosemary Gensler, Nancy Sims and Ellyn Horn Zarek
Make a sharp right turn and get lost in the pages of the novel Detours by five authors. Yes, five–Rosemary Gensler, Phyllis Hoffman, Marion Phillips, Nancy Sims and Ellyn Horn Zarek,
The authors call themselves The Inkslingers as they weaved a story of sisterhood and bonding. Their real-life experience of meeting at a writing workshop became the setting for their book. The five authors collaborated over coffee, jellybeans and other delectable treats.
The women recently spoke at the Mandel JCC in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. This unique collaboration was a labor of love. The authors reminded the audience that the word labor is inside collaboration.
I just returned from Savannah, and I was enthralled with the city. The cultural and historical sites are plentiful. The town squares with the beautiful trees and all the flora and fauna are breathtaking.
Satchel was established in 2006 by Elizabeth Seeger. It’s a hybrid store because it’s part studio and part retail. You can actually watch the leather being cut (see above). What’s great about the handbag is the customization from the color to the leather to the lining to size of the strap.
Next on the shopping trip was the Savannah Bee Company. There is an array of specialty honey from orange blossom to lavender and so much more. I purchased whipped honey with chocolate. (Yes, chocolate!) The Savannah Bee Company made the 2021 list of Oprah’s Favorite Things.
With all the shopping, the perfect caffeine boost is at Savannah Coffee Roasters. It’s a lovely, casual place to dine as well.
Before I went to Savannah, I read Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan. This historical fiction book about a shipwreck was interesting. I learned the saying “Keeping up with the Joneses” is from Savannah. I went to Jones Street where the homes were beautiful. In the book’s acknowledgements the author mentions the bookstore E. Shaver. So, I went there and was greeted by the booksellers and the cats that live there.
Several years ago I read the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, a non-fiction book about a murder which was made into a movie.
Fashion, food and philanthropy collided at a wonderful event to benefit autism in Jupiter, Florida. Fashion designer Julian Chang presented his fashions, Eloquence Jewelry provided the gems and the restaurant 1000 North served the food, thanks to event host Sherrye Sammons Fenton (below) and Legends Radio emcee Mike McGann.
Miami is the inspiration for fashion designer Julian Chang (below). “We are all about colors and happy prints,” said Chang.
In addition to the vibrant prints, some of the collection contained black and white graphics, as seen in the example below.
The pop-up jewels on sale were from Eloquence Fine Jewelry & Gifts (below).
More than 100 guests attended the sold-out event. Here are two attendees, Lorraine Bolton (left) and Cindy Pollack, who supported the philanthropic happening.
A portion of the trunk show sales from the event supported the Els for Autism Foundation. The Els for Autism Foundation is international with an in-person facility in Jupiter, Florida.
Julian Chang summed up the afternoon perfectly while describing his fashions. “People want to feel happy.”
This handbag has a story that began a few decades ago. My Mom, who died in 1990, was a shopper. She would buy and return as a pastime. Her favorite store was Hudson’s, and if you are from Motown, and of a certain age, you remember it well. (Hudson’s later became Dayton-Hudson’s, Marshall Fields and now Macy’s.)
Although she did not buy this purse at Hudson’s, she bought it at Northland, a mall that no longer exists. She showed it to me, and said it was a Gucci purse. I really didn’t want it at that time, so she said she would put it away for me. When she passed away, I rediscovered it and kept it.
My daughter enjoys designer handbags, and I told her about the Gucci purse. I really built it up, saying it was a vintage handbag that’s probably valuable. She was excited, and the last time she visited, I pulled it out. She looked at it, and started laughing. “Mom look at the G’s–they’re not G’s, they’re E’s.”
So, I have a fake Gucci. My mom was bamboozled. It’s probably one of the first dupes. I’m really not sure what to do with it. Any ideas?
Aretha may have her Pink Cadillac, but my friend has the finest, red Corvette. It’s candy-apple red, and it’s just as delicious as that juiciest fruit. The interior is a rich, caramel color. Being from Detroit, cars are just a part of my psyche.
When I worked in Detroit as a journalist, I had the opportunity to write about cars. I interviewed the late Kenneth Neumann of Neumann Smith & Associates, an architectural firm. He designed the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which opened in 1994.
Yes, we are leaving a post-Covid world and venturing outside. But, I must admit that I have enjoyed my Zoom experiences with best-selling authors.
I have had the opportunity to listen to President Bill Clinton, James Patterson, Jennifer Weiner, Jodi Picoult, Walter Mosley, Kristen Hannah, Dan Abrams and more.
Better yet, most of the talks have been free. I was able to access many authors through the Streicker Center and my local JCC. In fact, here is the recording of President Clinton and James Patterson talking about their new book The President’s Daughter, where the President’s daughter is kidnapped. (It’s fiction!) Click here to view their dynamic talk with moderator Walter Mosley.
Fun, Fashion, Frivolity: An insider guide to Metro Detroit and beyond
Retail maven and fashion icon Linda Dresner closed her Motown store recently. Linda was a “Stylemaker,” when I was editor of Style magazine (now defunct). As I wrote several years ago, she exudes a quiet elegance just like her posh stores. She previously had a retail establishment in New York, which closed in 2008.
Linda has a passion for making women look beautiful. Her store in Birmingham, Mich., was minimalistic in black and white and like her clothing, it never seemed dated. As she stated in a New York Times article, she just didn’t feel comfortable renewing her lease at her age.
Many fashion designers owe Linda’s fashionable eye to their successful beginnings. She was the first retailer to highlight Jil Sander, Claude Montana, Commes des Garcons and Yohi Yamamoto in the Detroit area.
Her store closing is a loss to all fashionistas, but let’s look forward to the next fashion icon retailer. If you know of anybody, please let us know.
Have you noticed brooches and pins are back? The New York Times just ran an article in the Style Section titled, “The Brooch is Back, Baby,” If you watched Bridgerton, you saw the Duke wearing a pin, and if you watched the inauguration, Lady Gaga wore a huge dove brooch.
Photo: Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press
So I dug out my pins (above) that I have not wore in a decade, and I hope to wear them soon. They add pizzazz to an outfit.
Yes, there are friends with benefits. Now you can shop with benefits by shopping for a worthy cause and supporting small women-owned businesses.
Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Greater Palm Beaches (JWF) works to advance the status of all women and girls locally and nationally through strategic grantmaking, advocacy and education and leadership development programs to create social change.
JWF partnered with some stylish businesses who will donate 20 percent of all sales now through March 14, 2021 with the promo code JWF21.SHOP NOW.
From elegant purses to jewelry, to handknit children’s sweaters to flavorful coffee and spices, there is something for everyone on your shopping list. Here are the names of the partner vendors: Daniella Ortiz, The Elegant Hostess, Chik Monk, M.R. Marti Rosenburgh, Accessories for U, Name Frame and More, Skinnytees, Finn+Me, Flavour de La Baye, Voyage Boutique International, Lema J, Jolie Altman, Seacret and JWF branded products.
Designs by Jolie Altman
Purses by Daniella Ortiz
Canine accessories by Finn + Me
Again, here is the link for shopping and the link for our spectacular virtual event March 10.
He’s young. He’s fashionable. He was raised in Motown. And he even has musician, Paul Banks, modeling his latest creations. Meet fashion designer, Carter Altman, a recent New York University graduate. His label is Carter Young. He was recently featured on Vogue’s website — http://www.vogue.com
View some of his latest designs here. To shop Carter Young, click here.
Photo: Roeg Cohen
(Full disclosure: I know the family, and they are all talented!)
Motown Savvy 