Summer 2020 Favorites

What was shaping up to be an epic summer of concerts and parties was ruined by the COVID-19 pandemic. BUT that doesn’t mean we still can’t have fun and find creative ways to get back to basics and really soak up the summer. I’m looking to enjoy the small things, like an outdoor gathering with friends or walking up to the Dairy Queen for ice cream – maybe even a Drive-In movie! Here are a few things getting me into the summer spirit!

Palm Print Sarong ($40)

I am in love with this sarong! It’s only one size fits all so I’m hoping it works for me because it’s the cutest!

OPI V-I-Pink Passes ($10.50)

I love a hot pink polish in the summer. I think all my favorite summer pinks have been a pink variation.

Photo: OPI

Buttercup Drop Earrings ($48)

I love the colors on these earrings and they would look so cute with all my black and white summer dresses!

Lemon One Shoulder Top ($29.99)

I’ve been obsessed with lemons since our honeymoon in 2011 and I have to have this top! It is darling! They also have a cami and a flutter version too!

Coach Integration Flower Sunglasses ($87.50)

These sunglasses are so whimsical with the cute flower detail. I love a big frame too!

Polka Dot Off-The-Shoulder-Top – Sweet Pea ($38.46)

Add this cute top to the list of things TikTok made me buy. I never would have thought of this for myself but it looks really cute with white jeans.

Pineapple Pattern Toe Ring Frill Hem Casual Sandals ($29.99)

This adorable sandals came to me in a Facebook ad. I love pineapples!

Coconut Cabana Candle ($24.50)

Half of the candles I’ve picked for the summer favorites list have had some sort of coconut in them. I love the smell. This one adds some vanilla sandalwood and pineapple to the mix.

Acetate Chain Bracelet ($39.50)

I love the pop of hot pink on this bracelet. These types of bracelets are fun to wear at the beach or on a boat.

Skinny Can Coolers ($27)

Who else has been consuming lots of White Claw during quarantine? It’s made me want one of these coolers. My friend Melissa got these cute ones in at her store Posh and I’ve been eyeing them. The best part is that they are dishwasher safe unlike some of the other brands out there.

Kristin Ess Rose Gold Temporary Tint ($12)

This is THE BEST for summer! It’s a temporary tint you spray on your hair and it only lasts a day or two. It’s super fun for the weekend or brunch with the girls.

Pineapple Paradise Tiki Torch ($8.99)

I snagged two of these cuties at Target for the backyard. Keep the bugs away AND look stylish! Remember that the torch fuel is sold separately.

Scott Barnes Body Bling ($42)

If you didn’t know, Scott Barnes is the makeup artist (MUA) that works on JLO. If you want to snag her glow for yourself, you want to pickup up Scott’s Body Bling lotion. Apparently this is a great red carpet secret that I am going to take full advantage of this summer.

Let me know what things you are loving this season in the comments!

You can also check out my Summer 2019Summer 2017 Summer 2016Summer 2015Summer 2014, and Summer 2013 Favorites.

Five on Friday: Summer Dresses

I don’t know about you, but I’m a big dress person. I rarely wear jeans and never wear shorts in the summer – I prefer a sundress or maxi dress to beat the heat. Now that it’s starting to heat up here in Michigan, I thought I should pull together some cute dress options that have caught my eye.

Floral Linen-Blend Fit & Flare Midi Sundress for Women ($38)

I keep seeing this dress in a Facebook ad and I love it! I love the cut and the print! I love that it’s a little bit longer too!

Strappy Ruched Maxi Dress ($139)

I have a black maxi that I got eight years ago from Banana Republic that I just LOVE! When I saw this one I thought it could be my new favorite!

Halter Tie Dress ($24)

I like to find dresses in different colors and cuts than ones I already have (I tend to stick with a few colors and styles). I love the halter cut of this dress and think it would be versatile for vacation or to dress up.

Polka Dot Ruffle Sleeve Flare Dress ($29.99)

This is adorable! It looks black, but it’s really Industrial Navy. It would go so well with a number of shoes and accessories I already have.

Colorblock Maxi Dress ($27.99)

This dress was just fun and different – I love colorblock and this one looked more casual on top and dressier on the bottom.

Let me know which one is your favorite!

For more Five on Friday posts, click here.

Happy Seventh Blogiversary!

I haven’t celebrated my blogiversary in a while, but it just seemed right this year. Seven is my lucky number and I really wanted to commemorate this accomplishment. I haven’t always been the most consistent, but I’m so proud to have kept this little blog alive for the past seven years. Blogging is one of my favorite things to do! Most of the time, it’s a big shopping list/Pinterest board of all the things I love and aspire to, but I love when readers get fired up over a recommendation or share their tips and tricks.

Blogiversary Giveaway

I’m not going to make a lot of promises this year, BUT I will promise that this space isn’t going away anytime soon. To celebrate seven years of Detroit Duchess, I’m giving away seven things I’ve featured here on the blog over the next seven weeks (May 18-July 6) and it will end the day before my birthday – perfect timing!!! Enter the giveaway below and each week I will choose a new winner! Thank you to all of my wonderful readers – this is for you!

(May 18 – 25) Pineapple Delicate Necklace

From my recent Spring Favorites post, this adorable necklace has quickly become one of my favorite pieces. I know I will be sporting it all summer long!

(May 25 – June 1) Luke’s Diner Mug

I had a ton of fun during my Gilmore Girls rewatch this year and my Luke’s Diner Mug is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the show. You can select any color choice and get your own piece of Luke’s Diner.

(June 1 – 8) Body Love EveryDay

I am SO happy to say that because of Kelly LeVeque and her Body Love plan, I’ve lost 20 pounds! She just came out with a new book and I want you to get on this amazing plan too!

(June 8 – 15) Rose Quartz Roller

If you’re stuck at home and stepping up your skincare routine, you definitely need a facial roller! I feel super fancy whenever I use it.

(June 15 – 22) Glameselle Liquid Matte Lipstick

My beautiful friend Shannon created Glameselle and now every purchase donates money back to the Glamorous Moms Foundation. Not to mention it’s an AMAZING long-wear lipstick. Shannon has generously donated three of her favorite colors to the lucky winner – Lana, Jenna, and Shannon.

(June 22 – 29) Laneige Sleeping Lip Mask

This was one of my Winter Favorites and boy does this do the trick for chapped lips. I keep this on my nightstand for the perfect pout!

(June 29 – July 6) Palm Leaf Kimono

This kimono was on last year’s summer favorites list and I got the chance to use it on a little getaway to Florida last year with John. It’s the perfect cover up and I’m hoping I’ll be able to use it again on a vacation this year.

There are daily opportunities to enter below throughout the seven weeks! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring 2020 Favorites

It’s spring in quarantine! Definitely not what I expected for this season, but we’re making the best of it. At least there are some amazing sales going on right now to make the most of your spring shopping. Here are a few of the things I’ve been jamming on lately.

Footlogix Callus Softener ($34.95)

You’re probably going to be doing your next pedicure at home and this callus softener is a miracle product. My salon has been using it on me for almost a year and it works like no other! I won’t be missing a beat when we are able to get outside again.

Pineapple Delicate Necklace ($8.99)

Once I saw this, I couldn’t pass it up. I will wear this a million times before fall!

CND Carnation Bliss ($7)

I’m loving CND’s new English Gardens Collection. Carnation Bliss is a limited edition color, so don’t wait too long to snag it. Thank goodness I have my own UV light so I can keep my manicure up during this time!

Pineapple Colada Candle ($24.50)

I was lucky enough to have stocked up on candles before the quarantine started, so at least I can pretend to be on a tropical getaway. I am just loving all things pineapple right now.

Mermaid Ring ($29.50)

Ariel vibes right here please! This is so fun and whimsical!

Garden Crew Neck Cardigan ($17.99)

I thought this would look perfect with my green Ralph Lauren dress. It’s a great deal and I can’t wait to wear it!

Alex Evenings Embroidered Jacket Dress ($139.30)

This dress gives me Kate Middleton vibes – it’s totally something you would wear to a royal event. I love the floral jacket, it’s SO classy!

Womens Naturalizer Anna Floral Classic Pumps ($98.99)

I’m sad that Payless is out of business because they usually had the cutest Easter shoes. While not as inexpensive, these are adorable for spring and I bet they are comfortable too!

Kate Spade Precious Pansy Wrap Ring ($88)

This is just darling, I love it!

Jenna Kator Petoskey Backpack ($119)

I watch my niece a lot these days and it is hard to lug around a purse while chasing after a toddler. This bag is dreamy and would be perfect for my weekends with Skyler.

Graphic Muscle Tank Top for Women ($15)

This is the perfect addition to my workout wardrobe and will be great for walking the dog.

Vince Camuto Laguna Belted Sleeveless Fit & Flare Dress ($82.80)

I love the coloring and cut of this dress. It’s perfect for the next event as soon as we get out of quarantine!

Palm Leaf Statement Hair Clip ($40)

This would be so cute on our first post-quarantine vacay or in the casual updo I have going around the house.

What are you enjoying in quarantine right now?

I still love my previous lists which you can view here: Spring 2019, Spring 2017Spring 2016Spring 2015 and Spring 2014.

Bachelorette 16 – Clare Crawley

I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am for the next Bachelorette, Clare Crawley. As a long-time fan of the show, Clare was one of my favorites from Juan Pablo’s season and I am thrilled to see her as the Bachelorette. As a 37 year old woman myself, I love that I will get to root for someone in my age group this time.

Clare looked stunning during the Good Morning America announcement wearing an Alexandre Vauthier microcrystal one shoulder dress ($2,319). This Sequin One Shoulder Midi Dress from Boohoo is only $16 and a great look for less.

You can see a little more of Clare’s interview below.

I am THRILLED not only for Clare’s season, but also for her fashion! She’s always looked fabulous and I can’t wait to see what the show’s stylist, Cary Fetman, styles her in this season. Are you excited for Clare?

For more Bachelorette posts, click here.

The Meghan Markle Ring Stack

Disclosure: I received sample products from Nakturnal in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

You know how much I LOVE the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle! I’ve been following her since her Suits days and think she’s a gem. She has mastered the art of the dainty gold ring stack and it’s inspired me to recreate my own ring stack look.

Meghan even wrote her own blog post about creating the perfect ring stack on her former blog, The Tig. She interviewed Rony Vardi of Catbird Jewelry for tips on how to achieve the look. These included:

  • Start with your most precious piece
  • Mix and match metals
  • Incorporate texture
  • Try the first knuckle ring
  • Don’t forget your pinky or thumb
  • End with the kitten mitten (this is a hand bracelet to top things off)

To create my own ring stack, I needed to find some cute, dainty gold rings. Since I was looking to incorporate some texture and my own personal style, I chose the Infinity Heart Ring ($80) from Aurate to frame all the other rings around.

Dainty Gold Ring, Aurate Infinity Heart Ring

I thought this one was perfect because it’s great by itself or I could layer other rings above or below it.

Dainty Gold Ring, Aurate Infinity Heart Ring

The second ring I wanted to add to my stack is Meghan’s favorite Catbird Threadbare Ring ($44). I would add this one to my pointer finger like she does.

For my middle finger, I’m really loving this stone ring from Loft ($29.50). And I could probably stack a few things under or over it once I get going.

I had a really hard time finding a nice thumb ring, but did have some luck on Etsy. This one from Rossana Jewelry Design ($28) is adjustable which would be great for figuring out sizing and comfortability for a thumb ring.

I also found a few ring sets from Bauble Bar to layer and mix and match. This set of 5 ($58) has some great options to fill in any extra spaces. If you look at some of Meghan’s photos, you can see she is not afraid to stack them high. I could also get these in a much smaller size and wear them as midi rings on different fingers.

I also liked this set of five rings from Ann Taylor ($49.50). These can be worn individually or in one stack like the picture.

Are you an expert ring stacker? I would love to hear your tips and tricks for how to achieve the perfect combination.

For more fashion posts, click here.

Pinspired: Athleisure

Now that I’ve started my own business, I’ve had a few days here and there where I don’t have any meetings and am not at school teaching so I end up getting my work done at home. As someone who was used to dressing professionally for an office environment, I don’t have a lot of casual at home wear. I don’t like working in my pajamas, so I’m working on expanding my athleisure wardrobe. I found a few ideas on Pinterest to get me started.

I’m starting with leggings – the Zella brand leggings from Nordstrom are my favorite. I love these Zella Studio Lite High Waist Pocket 7/8 Leggings ($65).

In terms of tops, I like tunics that are comfy and long enough to cover your butt. The idea is to be presentable enough that you can run out to the store or hop on a video chat and look like you put some effort into your appearance. Here are a few different styles that I like:

Cozy Off the Shoulder Tunic Top ($19.99)

Stitchy Poncho ($24)

Chevron Stitch V-Neck Sweater ($23.99)

Open Knit Sweater ($39)

I also wanted to share a few shoe options to make this athleisure look really pop.

Michael Kors Felix Slip-On Glitter Sneakers ($108.75)

Sofft Basima ($120)

Michael Kors Keaton Slip-On Logo Sneakers ($74.25)

What are your favorite athleisure looks?

For more Pinspired posts, click here.

Bachelor 24 – Week 3

It’s Week 3 and Demi is randomly back for an impromptu pillow fight with the ladies. But first, Victoria P. gets the one-on-one date and she wears a cool green suede moto jacket from BlankNYC ($198).

Demi shows up for a pillow fighting date and is wearing the Reese Two-Tone Bodysuit ($74) from JoJo Fletcher’s line, Fletch.

Kelly Flanagan might be my favorite contestant on this season. She’s just so cool and authentic. I liked her lavender L’Acadamie The Pearl Dress ($57). This is almost sold out so I found a similar dress if you have to have it. Venus Cold Shoulder Belted Dress ($26.99).

At the rose ceremony, Hannah Ann looked great in her Herve Leger Black Multi-Strap Bandage Dress (sold out). If you like the look, you can get this Split One Shoulder Sheath Dress ($47.94).

Kelly Flanagan knows how to work a red dress. I loved this look from the rose ceremony. I found this Paulina Red Bodycon Midi Dress ($58) so you can recreate it. She accessorized with the Madison McKinley Smith Necklace ($40).

What were your favorite looks from this week? For more Bachelor fashion posts, click here.

Bachelor 24 – Week 2

We pick up this week exactly where we left off with the fallout from Hannah Brown’s visit. It seems like she is finally gone for good this season, but I’m not sure where that leaves him with the other women. During the first rose ceremony it was obvious Peter was a smitten kitten with Madison, I liked her Jay Godfrey Whitney Dress, but it was sold out. I found a similar style in this Trina Turk Picture Perfect Dress ($168).

There was lots of drama with Kelsey and her champagne (I’m planning a whole separate post for Champagnegate), but she did look fabulous in her Black Halo Lena Color Blocked Jumpsuit ($390). Lulu’s Power of Love White Strapless Jumpsuit ($61) is similar.

Now, the fashion show was interesting, but most of the looks showcased weren’t really my style, you can find them on Revolve if you’re interested. During the cocktail party, I liked Kelsey’s faux leather dress. I am loving her style so far this season. I found a similar Hit List Leather Dress ($34.99) if you liked this look too.

What were your favorite looks from this episode?

For more Bachelor posts, click here.

Splurge vs. Steal: Birks Iconic Stackable Diamond Snowflake Ring

Today I have another fantastic excuse to talk about Meghan Markle! Meghan first debuted her Birks Snowflake ring on her trip to Scotland last August. The piece is from Canadian jeweler Maison Birks. Meghan is a fan of a number of Birks pieces. This ring is currently available for $4,995 on the Birks website – definitely out of my price range.

Suzy L. Golden has a great steal in her Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Floral Eternity Band for only $61.64!

Do you have a splurge that you want me to find a steal for? Let me know in the comments. Or let me know if you find another steal for Meghan’s Birks pieces. If you end up trying out the steal, I would love to hear what you think (and send me your pictures).

For more Splurge vs. Steal posts, click here.

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