DetroitDuchess, Author at Detroit Duchess

Splurge vs. Steal: David Yurman Cable Collection X Bracelet

June 17, 2019 by DetroitDuchess Leave a Comment

I have admired David Yurman’s Cable Collection bracelets for years. The first time I saw one was probably over a decade ago on a former boss. She was/is very stylish and always had fantastic jewelry, shoes, and bags. Over the years I’ve invested in some nice pieces, but I haven’t purchased anything from David Yurman yet. I thought wearing a David Yurman “steal” would help me make a decision on whether or not I should get one for myself.

The David Yurman X Bracelet from the Cable Collection is a cool $495. So if you wore it everyday for a year, it would only cost you about $1.37 a day (this is the only time math comes in handy, haha!). In case you’re on the fence about it, I stumbled across a great steal. UNY makes a number of great dupes for popular Yurman bracelets. This one is only $19.85 so it’s easy to try out the style and see if you like it.

David Yurman X Bracelet Splurge vs. Steal

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 David Yurman 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.

Filed Under: Fashion, Splurge vs. Steal Tagged With: David Yurman, fashion, splurge vs. steal

Spring 2019 Favorites

June 3, 2019 by DetroitDuchess 4 Comments

I know spring technically began in March, but let’s be real people…this is Michigan and spring never starts on time. And thank goodness it finally came, because this girl is not meant for a forever winter. I just started breaking out the spring wardrobe AND the shoes…oh the shoes! In honor of spring finally making it to Michigan, here are some of my favorite things.

KUT from the Kloth Jacee Draped Moto Jacket ($88)

I purchased the cutest Calvin Klein pink moto jacket last year and have been wearing it nonstop this spring. It isn’t available anymore but I thought this KUT from the Kloth version is just as cute. It works great over any dress.

OPI Baby Take a Vow ($13)

I was inspired by Meghan Markle’s manicure in her first pictures with baby Archie. They haven’t announced what color she had on, but I thought this was a great match. I’m loving the nude look.

Lemon iPhone Case ($14.99)

One of my coworkers came in with the case, and I LOVE it for spring. I am a sucker for anything lemon.

Vince Camuto Kentvi Sandal ($52.48)

I feel like a broken record in this post, but I hit up the sales last year and got an adorable pair of Vince Camuto booties which are sadly unavailable now. I had them in the box for months just waiting for spring weather. Now I’ve been wearing them all the time with my spring dresses. These Kentvi Sandals from Nordstrom Rack are VERY similar to the ones I have.

Floral Lace Flare Dress ($99.50)

Hi I’m Elizabeth and I’m a dress person. You will very rarely see me wearing pants. I love how adorable this dress is!

Cubic Zirconia Flower Cocktail Ring ($39.90)

I purchased this ring on Black Friday and it has been the perfect spring addition, I’ve received lots of compliments on it already.

Supergoop! Invincible Setting Powder SPF 45 ($30)

I’m all for sun safety, but I hate making my face all goopy with a good sunscreen. This is a win-win AND you can rub a bit of the powder into your part line. I always get burnt on my scalp!

Straw Clutch ($78)

If I buy a clutch, it needs to at least fit my phone and a lipstick or gloss (I sometimes carry multiple). Some of the cute straw bags out there are weird sizes and have odd closures, but not this one. It is regular clutch size and comes in three different colors.

Waikiki Beach Coconut Candle ($14.50)

You guys know that I love my candles! This scent is the cheapest Hawaiian vacation I’ve ever heard of with tropical white coconut, saltwater breezes, sun-bleached woods.

Jo Malone Wild Bluebell Cologne ($68)

Meghan Markle shared this scent in an interview as one of her favorites in 2016 and I am hooked! It is so light and airy – perfect for everyday wear.

Metallic Pineapple Tee ($29.50)

I love all things pineapple and I could not resist this cute little t-shirt.

Greenroom Notebooks

I found these adorable notebooks at Target! They are perfect for lightening your mood.

What are your Spring favorites this year?

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

Filed Under: Beauty, Fashion Tagged With: fashion, Spring, Spring Favorites

What’s Better than Brunch?

April 26, 2019 by DetroitDuchess Leave a Comment

Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to Royal Oak Brunch Bites. All opinions expressed are my own.

For today’s Five on Friday post, I thought I would share more information about one of my favorites events, Brunch Bites! This is an annual event that happens in Royal Oak and Chicago and is the perfect time to round up your gal pals for one super brunch!

Read to the bottom for a chance to win two tickets to tomorrow’s event. Here are a five things to know about the best event of the year!

What’s on the Menu?

Red Velvet and Buttermilk Pancakes, that’s what!

Can we Brunch all Day?

Yes, there are 12 restaurants on the menu, which means you get a food and drink offering at each location.

What Should I Wear?

Comfortable shoes because you will be walking and layers…this is Michigan after all. After that, all graphic tees are welcome! I have my eye on this one currently…

What is Brunch?

This is the very official Wikipedia definition: Brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch eaten usually during the late morning to early afternoon, generally served from 10 a.m. up to 2 p.m., and regularly has some form of alcoholic drink (most usually champagne or a cocktail) served with it. The word is a portmanteau of breakfast and lunch. Brunch originated in England in the late 19th century and became popular in the United States in the 1930s. But mostly…

Where can I get Tickets?

You can buy them for $40/ticket here. Or you can win a pair from me by entering the giveaway below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Detroit Tagged With: Brunch Bites, Royal Oak

Pantone’s Color of the Year: Living Coral

April 8, 2019 by DetroitDuchess 2 Comments

I have SO much fun writing my Pantone Color of the Year posts each year. I was surprised by the choice of Living Coral this year, but the more I got into it, the more I realized it was just uplifting and actually making me happy thinking about surrounding myself with this color. In today’s world, we could all benefit from a little more joy in our lives.

All of the items below made me happy, so I hope adding them to your collection this year will bring you a little joy too!

4ocean Coral Reef Bracelet ($20)

I’ve talked about 4ocean and their amazing mission in past posts. They have a special edition Coral Reef Bracelet which is the perfect way to honor the real living coral.

The Piña Paws – Dogdana ($25)

You guys know how much I love my Sporty and Sport loves his bandanas! This was too cute and would look darling on our pup!

Kate Spade New York Women’s Bon Voyage Travel Journal ($20)

I adore traveling and this cute travel journal has a pocket for storing all your planning goodies, glue dots for attaching photos and pages with travel phrases, conversions and to-do sheets. This is perfect to plan out your travels this year.

Deny Designs Agate Cutting Board in Coral ($34.99)

I just love the design of the this board and the hubby cannot have enough cutting boards in our cupboards. This would make a darling cheese platter too!

V-Neck Flutter Sleeve Peplum Top ($69.50)

Peplum is the best for work attire! It is flowy and feminine in all the right places. I like the little sleeves attached to this too.

Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviving Lip Balm ($34)

I’m obsessed with the Dior Addict line of lip wear. I love their lipsticks, balms and glosses. They are so creamy and feel great on your lips, not sticky. In terms of lip color, I feel like coral is the perfect pop of color for a balm.

No Rain No Flowers Cooler Bag ($35)

I haven’t had a cute work lunch bag in a while (and let’s be honest, I could stand to bring my lunch to work more). This would also be adorable for a little picnic.

Swell Birds of Paradise Bottle ($35)

I love water bottles and the Swell ones are so nice. This has a slight hint of ombre to it, which makes me like it even more.

Ronni Nicole Short Sleeve Floral Lace Fit & Flare Dress ($39.88)

Who doesn’t love a fit and flare dress? This would be fantastic for work and I love the femininity of the lace.

Kendra Scott Edie Bracelet ($65)

A Kendra Scott bangle has always been on my list and I love how these are open so they can fit any wrist.

Bobbi Brown Coral Shimmer Blush ($32)

I love a shimmer blush and Bobbi Brown blushes last FOREVER!

Manduka Pro Lite Yoga Mat ($92)

I love my Manduka yoga pat, so this color in Illumination is the perfect way to brighten up your practice.

Kate Spade Sweet & Dry Stemless Wine Glasses ($25.99)

I’ve really taken to stemless wine glasses lately. I love these little novelty sets which are great for the fire pit or for when friends stop by.

Sam Edelman Hazel Pointy Toe Pump ($119.95)

Who doesn’t love a colorful pump? I’m pretty sure I’m working to get a pump in every color haha! I do have a few pairs of Same Edelman pumps that I love.

CND Vinylux in Tropix ($10.50)

This has been one of my favorites for a while and I featured it on my Spring Favorites list in 2014.

BP Circle Clutch ($28)

I could see myself carrying this little clutch all summer long. I love the little wooden ring detail!

Elan Cover-Up Maxi Dress ($68)

This is an ADORABLE cover up! I love how flowy it is and the halter look. Perfect for a day at the beach.

Rubina Beaded Tassel Earrings ($38)

These are the perfect spring/summer accent piece. I’ve been looking for a cute pair of tassel earrings and these fit the bill.

If you’ve spotted any Living Coral items let me know, I love this bright, happy color!

You can also check out my post about the 2018 color of the year, Ultra Violet, 2017 color of the year, Greenery, 2016 colors of the year, Rose Quartz & Serenity, 2015 color of the year, Marsala, and the 2014 color of the year, Radiant Orchid.

Filed Under: Beauty, Fashion Tagged With: beauty, color of the year, fashion, Living Coral, Pantone, Pantone Color of the Year

One Little Word: Accomplish

December 31, 2018 by DetroitDuchess Leave a Comment

I was recently introduced to Ali Edwards’ One Little Word program and decided that I wanted to try it for 2019. Her video below helps to explain the concept.

For 2019, I decided to choose the word “accomplish” to help lead me through the next 365 days. I have always had lots of goals and things that I want to do. I make big plans but sometimes I don’t always have the follow through on some of the bigger ideas. This led me to select “accomplish” as my word to help me focus on finishing everything I start this year. I can’t wait to share more details on how I’m accomplishing all my goals in 2019.

To keep this word close to me this year, I ordered a Reminder Thin Cuff Bracelet from Dogeared that says “Accomplish Magnificent Things.”

To keep momentum on “accomplish” I found a few quotes and images to focus on. This first one sort of summed up why I chose the word.

What’s your word of the year? How will you incorporate it into your life? I would love to hear more ideas from you in the comments if you’ve done this in previous years.

For more Be the Best You posts, click here.

Filed Under: Be the Best You Tagged With: Accomplish, One Little Word

Just Brush It!

December 18, 2018 by DetroitDuchess Leave a Comment

Over the last few weeks I’ve been obsessed with YouTube MUA videos (that’s short for makeup artists which I just learned). Who knew there was so much drama in the MUA community?! I have watched way more videos about it than I care to admit haha! There is a common thread in all of these videos – a very specific set of makeup brushes. Each of the artists seems to have their favorite version but it left me wondering which set to get for myself.

After watching so many makeup videos I am embarrassed at how sad my brush collection is. I probably have about 3 brushes that are nice enough to even share online. This prompted me to try and figure out what set I should invest in for myself. Some of the lines I’ve been looking at have a variety of sets but the others just sell them as individual brushes and you can build your own set with all of your favorites. Here is a list of must-have brushes to start your collection:

Foundation Brush
Concealer Brush
Powder Brush
Blush Brush
Shadow Brushes
- Flat
- Fluffy
- Dome
Small Angled Liner Brush
Lip Brush
Liquid Liner Brush
Brow Brush

I’ve narrowed it down to five brands that I want to start building my collection with:

Smashbox

Smashbox Cosmetics is the OG in cosmetics started by the great-grandsons of Max Factor. I already have their Buildable Foundation Brush which isn’t too bad at $32.

Bobbi Brown

As I’ve mentioned before, I am a huge fan of Michelle Money and her Youtube show the MMandL Show. This was where I was first introduced to Bobbi Brown’s brushes. I have the Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush ($31).

MAC

MAC is probably the beginner brush set for a good portion of the MUAs online. A good portion started out working at MAC so it makes sense. I have brush 217 – the Synthetic Blending Brush.

Sigma

I haven’t used any Sigma brushes, but this is one of the brands the MUAs rave about. Sigma was created in 2009 by a molecular bacteriologist and civil engineer. I need a better brow brush and I hear that E75 Angled Brow Brush is great and you can’t beat the $17 price point.

Morphe

Morphe was created in 2008 and is billed as the company started by MUAs and influencers. They do a ton of collaborations with prominent influencers. Their Bling Set ($49) would be a great way to start your collection.

What are your favorite makeup brushes?

For more beauty posts, click here.

Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: beauty, Bobbi Brown, MAC Cosmetics, Makeup brushes, Morphe, Sigma, Smashbox

Don’t You Step on My Blue Suede Shoes

December 17, 2018 by DetroitDuchess Leave a Comment

During my Black Friday shopping extravaganza this year, I splurged on a pair of blue suede Steve Madden Adella Pumps. But what does one wear with blue suede shoes? Enter Pinterest to help me figure it out.

In today’s Pinspired post, I stumbled upon a fun look that I couldn’t help but recreate.

Macy’s had a beautiful I.N.C. Cotton Ponte-Knit Coat on sale for $112.13 which is perfect for this recreation.

I would pair this with another Black Friday purchase, the Luxespun Wrap-Front T-Shirt Top ($49.50).

I could also add these SUGARFIX by BaubleBar Tassel Drop Earrings with Beaded Studs ($12.99) to tie the outfit together.

How would you style my blue suede shoes?

For more Pinspired looks, click here.

Filed Under: Fashion, Pinspired Tagged With: Blue suede shoes, fashion, pinspired

Catch JLO’s Second Act on December 19

December 12, 2018 by DetroitDuchess 5 Comments

Disclosure: I received complimentary passes to the screening in exchange for this post. Scroll down for your chance to win tickets to the screening.

What would you do if you were stuck in a low-paying job and due to a mistake, were offered a chance at a big career? Would you tell the truth and stay put or would you take the risk and see where it leads? In Jennifer Lopez’s new movie, Second Act, she tries her hand at the opportunity of a lifetime.

In Second Act, Jennifer Lopez stars as Maya, a 40-year-old woman struggling with frustrations from unfulfilled dreams. Until, that is, she gets the chance to prove to Madison Avenue that street smarts are as valuable as book smarts, and that it is never too late for a second act. The movie also stars Leah Remini, Vanessa Hudgens, Treat Williams and Milo Ventimiglia.

To get us into the 2019 go-getter spirit a little early, I’m offering up 50 pairs of tickets to the advance screening of Second Act (PG-13) on Wednesday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the MJR Grand Digital Cinema 16 in Troy, MI. You can enter via this link. There is no purchase necessary.

It’s so interesting that this is the film JLO chose to make next as she is having a second act in her career (not that she ever stopped). She is just on fire lately! Her Giambattista Valli gown at the premiere was amazing! If you want to see more, People Magazine did a nice round up of all of her look’s from the promo tour here.

https://twitter.com/JLo/status/1073107859293044737

What do you think of JLO’s second act? I would love to see you at the screening on Wednesday but if you can’t attend the screening, you can catch it in theaters on Friday, December 21.

For more movie posts, click here.

Filed Under: Movies Tagged With: Giambattista Valli, Jennifer Lopez, Leah Remini, Milo Ventimiglia, Movie, Second Act, Treat Williams, Vanessa Hudgens

Pull a Pound with 4ocean

October 22, 2018 by DetroitDuchess Leave a Comment

Lately I’ve found myself more interested in supporting products that are doing good in the world. I decided that I want to seek out more products that are helping causes or sustainable. One of our most vital resources, the ocean, has a huge collection of plastic floating around. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is 600,000 square miles equivalent to twice the size of Texas.

According to 4ocean, an estimated 16 billion pounds of plastic enter the ocean each year. This trash can have a devastating effect on marine life not to mention the damage that degrading plastic will do to the environment in the long term. 4ocean ounders Alex an Andrew created a piece of jewelry that helps clean up trash from the ocean. This video explains how they have turned saving the ocean into a business.

I was so moved by their mission. Every bracelet they sell pulls a pound of trash from the ocean! One full pound! For just $20 you can help remove a pound of trash from the ocean and get a cute bracelet. They have pulled nearly 2 million pounds of trash from the ocean in less than two years and they also employee 150 employees. They’ve worked to clean coastlines in 27 countries already.

Every month 4ocean highlights a special cause and creates a limited edition bracelet for it. I ordered the two pack including the signature bracelet and the limited edition polar bear bracelet. For the polar bear bracelet, 4ocean partnered with Polar Bears International and Carbonfund.org to help protect polar bears and conserve the sea ice they depend on for survival. Other causes they’ve contributed to include whales, manatees, sharks, sea turtles, and the coral reef.

4ocean also has a monthly subscription allowing you to get the limited bracelet for just $20 each month. By the end of the year you will have helped pull 12 pounds of trash from the ocean! I think these would make excellent gifts or stocking stuffers.

What color/cause bracelets are your favorites?

Find more fashion posts here.

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: 4ocean, fashion

Five on Friday: Kendra Scott comes to Michigan

October 12, 2018 by DetroitDuchess Leave a Comment

For this week’s Five on Friday, I wanted to share five reasons to get pumped about Michigan’s first Kendra Scott boutique at Twelve Oaks Mall. I was running through the mall a few weeks ago to pick up some Olaplex at Sephora and was surprised to see a brand new Kendra Scott boutique! Imagine my excitement! They took it up a notch by handing me a glass of champagne as soon as I stepped foot in the store.

Here are a few things you should know about shopping at the new boutique:

1. Kendra Gives Back

If you have a cause that you are passionate about supporting, you can work with Kendra Scott to host a fundraising event. They will provide the treats and you can invite all of your friends to shop. Kendra Scott will donate 20% of the proceeds to your cause.

2. Kendra offers 50% off on your birthday

During your birthday month, Kendra Scott offers a 50% discount off of one item. All you have to do is show your ID. The clerk told me that I should also have my husband shop for me during his birthday month to take advantage of the discount twice! What a great idea! I have my eye on this Harlow Statement Necklace In Blush Pearl that retails at $225.

3. Customize your own look with Kendra’s Color Bar

You can create your own look right in the store! I made these awesome Danielle Earrings with the gold filigree.

4. Elisa Necklace

Kendra’s favorite piece of all time is the Elisa Necklace. I like this iridescent drusy version.

5. $500

Kendra started her business with just $500. She opened her first business, Hat Box, at 19 years old. You can read more about her in this Forbes article.

What are your favorite Kendra Scott pieces?

You can find all my previous Five on Friday posts here.

Filed Under: Fashion, Five on Friday Tagged With: fashion, Five on Friday, Kendra Scott

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