SHOP LOCAL: Closet NV

After being open for only one year, Closet NV was voted as the Best Consignment Shop of 2011 by Hour Magazine. The Eco-Chic consignment store is filled with designers such as Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Prada, and Valentino. They specialize in the resale of pre-owned designer clothing,shoes, handbags, and accessories.

How does it work?

Women can bring their pristine pre-owned designer items to Closet NV, which is then evaluated by the employees for a price. The consigner then will receive 45 percent of the selling price! You then go to the store, pick up your check, or even get a store credit to find some other designer clothing!

The consignment contract lasts 60 days, any of the items that are not sold need to be picked up by the consigner before the end of the contract or else the product is owned by the store. This is a great way for women to trade designer clothes and stay eco-friendly!

Closet NV:

The Boardwalk
6889 Orchard Lake Road
West Bloomfield, Michigan 48322

248-626-9996

SHOP LOCAL: Leyton’s

Tucked away in a mini-mall on Coolidge Highway is a hidden fashion gem. Leyton’s of Oak Park is a fashion-forward boutique that offers trendy and affordable pieces. This fashion hot spot is a one-stop shopping experience – styling you from head-to-toe in apparel, shoes, handbags, jewelry, hats, belts, scarves, etc. For the woman on the go, this is certainly music to her ears. Another stellar aspect of this boutique is the wide variety of styles they offer – from classic to edgy and casual to formal – allowing you to effortlessly mix and match to your liking.

photo 1

photo 2 photo 3

With summer fastidiously approaching, I’m on the hunt for the perfect summer essentials – shorts, maxi dress, romper, high-low dress, bold patterns, black and white. Luckily, Leyton’s fulfilled all my aforementioned style needs and then some! With that said, I’ve styled my favorite looks and trends suitable for every occasion: casual chic, weekend chic and date night chic.

CASUAL CHIC

 Shorts are the ultimate summer style staple. They are perfect for a day at the beach or just strolling around the city. In choosing a pair, opt for floral and/or pastels to brighten up your wardrobe. The level of casualness is determined on what accessories you style it with – a clutch will dress it up a notch.

photo 2

From L-to-R:

 (L) Skull shirt – $20.90, Floral Shorts – $15.90, Basket Weave Envelope Tote – $50.90, Brocade Flats – $24.90

(R) Tank Top – $10.90, Shorts – $15.90, Mixed Fashion Magazine Photos Clutch – $32.90

WEEKEND CHIC

Bright, bold colors and patterns are beautifully displayed in a maxi dress or a playsuit. Either option is ideal for an afternoon at the art museum, lunch with the ladies, or shopping and a daytime stroll in the park. They are also fantastic transition pieces for day-to-night (suitable for dinner and a cocktail).

photo 2

From L-to-R:

(L) Color-Block Maxi Dress – $23.90, Necklace – $14.99, Studded Tote – $43.90, Brocade Flats – $24.90

(R) Romper – $23.90, Scarf – $7.90, Over-Sized Envelope Clutch – $32.90, Brocade Flats – $24.90

DATE NIGHT CHIC

Black and white is all the rage for this season and what better way to display it than a night out on the town? Whether you wear it to a “T” following suit to the color palette or add a splash of color to the B&W chroma scheme, you will definitely turn heads in either one of these outfits!

photo 1From L-to-R:

(L) Double Slit Maxi Skirt – $16.90, Fake Leather Top – $29.90, Necklace – $14.99, Bracelet – $14.99, Black Heels with Gold Studs – $46.90, Black Fringe Clutch – $84.00

(R) High-Low Dress – $23.90, Necklace – $14.99, Cutie Necklace – $2.99, Turquoise Clutch – $28.90, Bracelet – $14.99

980851_10151636057144153_1133996925_o

As an added bonus for shopping at Leyton’s, make sure you enter their Instagram “Strike a Pose” photo contest in order to win a gift certificate to the store. To enter the contest, you need to: follow @shopleytons on Instagram, post a photo of yourself sporting your Leyton’s purchase and hashtag #Leytons to your photo. Contest ends June 19th, which means you have a couple of days left to enter. Quite frankly, it’s the perfect excuse to come check out this super chic store!

Leyton’s / 23101 Coolidge Highway / Oak Park, MI / 48237 / (248) 546-6260 

xosusan1

SHOP LOCAL: Lexi Drew

Lexi Drew in downtown Birmingham is a store that celebrates style and fashion with funky pieces for every playful fashionista. The store has everything thing from floral crop tops and cut offs to beautiful sequin cocktail dresses that are fitting for the risk takers in fashion. Black and white was a current hot summer trend in the store… from jumpsuits to skirts!  The store also has a wide assortment of amazing Detroit graphic tees that are perfect for summertime.

Lexi Drew:

215 West Maple
Birmingham, MI 48009
Downtown Birmingham

(248) 220-1731

Other locations:

Partridge Creek

17420 Hall Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48038

(586) 416-1430

SHOP LOCAL: Tender

Tender, located in downtown Birmingham, is an out of this world high fashion boutique that would make any fashionista fall in love. The store has incredibly talented buyers who go all around the globe to provide women with the best and most unique fashion. Their high-end merchandise includes hard-to-find hidden gems with fashions that also grace the pages of Vogue. Designers such as Lanvin, Nina Ricci, Isabel Marant, and Peter Pilotto hang from the beautiful store just waiting to be tried on. This boutique has items that no one else has and ones that you can’t find in the state of Michigan. The boutique gives you an ultimate shopping experience that you will never forget! From fun, flirty and fabulous dresses to metallic snakeskin handbags, you can find all of the latest fashion trends at Tender.

Currently Tender is on sale 30% off their entire store!

SHOP LOCAL: Francesca’s

New to the neighborhood, Francesca’s is a store for those looking for great pieces at a very affordable price. The store has many of the spring trends available including black and white, floral, and tribal.

Walking into the store you automatically get excited because of the colorful racks of clothes at a price you can’t beat. Maxi dresses was a must at the store and were a favorite of the employees! Francesca’s is full of many pieces that are easily transformed from day to night outfits making them functional and practical for the everyday girl. The store also has amazing costume jewelry that puts the perfect finishing touches to any outfit.

Francesca’s:

115 S. Old Woodward Birmingham, MI 48009

248-593-1912

Team-Up Thursday: Battle of the Stripes

Team-Up Thursday: Battle of the Stripes

Bb dakota
shopruche.com

Betty barclay
$155 – johnlewis.com

Bardot striped top
$38 – bardot.com.au

River island
$38 – riverisland.com

Marc by marc jacob
mytheresa.com

Acne skirt
farfetch.com

Moyna
shopbop.com

Kate spade crossbody
bloomingdales.com

Lulu guinness
luluguinness.com

Kelly wearstler
kellywearstler.com

Warehouse zebra print scarve
$34 – warehouse.co.uk

Vero moda
$28 – houseoffraser.co.uk

xosusan1

SHOP LOCAL: Complex

Complex in downtown Birmingham is an amazing place to get a different kind of shopping experience. There are many retailers under one roof who give their clientele anything from men’s shoes to women’s clothing. Complex has the hottest trends and unique items that you can’t find anywhere else!

Inside Complex…

GARMENT SOCIETY: 

One of the pop up shops found in the store is the Garment Society. Here you can find fun and flirty dresses, sophisticated blazers, and cool tees that are perfect for summer. The store is filled with fun vibrant colors and floral prints that will make a statement wherever you go!

MAPLE: 

Maple is a menswear shop that provides all the best new trends for all you stylish and dapper fellas.  The #COOLGUY shops at Maple! Their collection of shoes is like nothing I have ever seen!  From unique woven oxfords to suave swim loafers,  you can’t go wrong. The store also has many graphic tees that are great for layering under their patterned button downs.

ROCOCO

Found downstairs, the store contains very affordable and chic women’s clothing. Floral and tribal prints seamed to be a theme in the stores summer collection.  Affordable sundresses and chiffon tops were filled throughout the store to complete your summer wardrobe.

Complex:

168 W. Maple Road

Birmingham, MI 48009

What To Wear Wednesday: Fringe-worthy

Summer’s just around the bend and accompanying it will be quintessential care-free, bohemian days and Boho-chic style. In a nutshell, Boho-chic is all about being effortlessly cool in a vintage, casual style. Welcome the free-spirited season with a touch of fringe for a classic approach to Boho-chic style.
Fringe-worthy

Beat the Heat: Styling Tips to Keep You Cool This Summer!

It’s time to pack up the cashmere sweaters and bring out the chiffon dresses. Beating the heat while still looking chic can be tough to do. While we would all love to walk around in luxurious cover-ups… We have real life to think about. Here are a few styling tips to help you keep cool while still looking  like a fashionista!

Tip 1: Wear Silk Blazers

Look polished and professional while still feeling great. Silk blazers are the perfect alternative to suffocating suits that are still work appropriate.

           Silk Blazers
Black Unique blazer
$500 – topshop.com
Blue Topshop
$240 – topshop.com

White Roberto Cavalli Twill jacket
$2,425 – net-a-porter.com

Tip 2: Chiffon Everything!

Chiffon is a beautiful fabric that will make any girl feel like a lady. It is beautiful, flowy, light, and perfect for those hot summer nights!

Chiffon
Alice Olivia Clara Draped Dress
$440 – harveynichols.com
Isabel Marant Loria Embroidered Top
$630 – matchesfashion.com

Giambattista Valli Floral Skirt
$2,795 – net-a-porter.com

Tip 3: Sundresses for Every Occasion!

Whether going to work, running errands, or meeting up with friends at night, there is a perfect sundress for any occasion while still staying cool.

Sundress

Sundress

Aqua Spot Jacquard Dress
$57 – dorothyperkins.com

Jaeger Striped Flared Hem Dress
$385 – johnlewis.com