All The Cool Things
***This is a rolling entry!!! Check for new items!
My birthday is coming up! I haven’t blogged in a while and I definitely have things to say - I’ve been on a few trips since the last time I wrote! Last Wednesday I was supposed to be leaving for #EUROTRIP2020 but unfortunately due to COVID-19 that trip was cancelled. ANYWAY, I’m writing today because my mom wasn’t sure what to get me for my birthday so I thought I’d make a list of things I think are awesome. You should know i just drank an entire bottle of wine.. which leads me to the first thing..
leelanau wine cellars !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VISIT THEIR WEBSITE and you won’t be sorry. They make my favorite Michigan wine, Great Lakes Red. Actually, who am I kidding?! They make all of my favorite wine. They finally posted a 20% off coupon so I ordered a case.. including mostly Great Lakes Red but also Winter White Berry Chill and Winter White Cherry Chill. Both delicious. I love every wine of theirs I’ve ever tasted but anything sweet is a safe bet for me. Did you guys know that (at least in 2011 or so when I took a college course about the history of Michigan) that Michigan is the 4th largest producer of grapes in the United States?! I miss my Michigan wine. I miss it very much.
Do you know what else I like? ANYTHING FROM MICHIGAN. It’s literally the best state. Come at me bro.
1.) Smitten Designs I don’t really understand what this shop is about.. they sell clothing and other random stuff but I first fell in love with the facebook page “Smitten in the Mitten” because eben though I thought the name was weird they sold lockets with little acrylic Michigans inside. My momma bought me one a few years ago for my birthday.. it’s still my favorite necklace.. (aside from this Alex & Ani create your own necklace I have with Lu & B’s initials and a paw). Anyway, any jewelry featuring Michigan is definitely something I’m interested in. I want some Michigan studs! JC Penney (surprisingly) had some but they wanted you to monogram them and I wasn’t really interested in that so I never ordered them.
2.) BONS. There’s no mistaking what this company is about. They are a group of badass women that make bons. Bons bons bons. I follow them on instagram.. I had a bon ONE TIME when my coworker Jess Bies brought some to work. It was delicious. It was life changing. It was a bon. Buy me all the bons. I mean their merch is cool and their chocolate is delicious.. what more could you want?! I can’t even decide on a flavor.. they have a bon of the month club (or something like that). BEST IDEA EVER.
3.) BUNDLED MI. Guys I have no babies.. but if I did I’d want this Michigan baby blanket and teething ring.. ugh! But they also make cool Michigan stuff for adults. Care packages from home <3. Also women owned and they employ people with special needs to pack the bundles! How great is that?! Do you know what else they have for FALL (my favorite season)?!?!?! CIDER MILL DONUTS. If there’s anything about Michigan I miss (other than the craft wine, cider, and beer.. and my family..) IT’S THE ORCHARDS. AND THE CIDER MILLS. AND THE CIDER AND DONUTS.
4.) HEADBANDZZZZ. The Sassy Olive is so cool. I follow them on IG also and the owner, Landria, is such a free spirit and does whatever she wants. I love their Michigan “sassies”. They are currently painting a mural! Why is northern Michigan the coolest?!
5.) So this one isn’t Michigan based but I found out about it at a craft fair in Farmington Hills. Chocolate Shop Wine. It’s like 14$ a bottle but I’ve been buying it through these people at St. Chappelle’s because they often have penny shipping and it ends up costing less than 10$/bottle.. can’t beat it! The problem with wine delivery is that I have to be home, which I never am.. Regardless, the chocolate wine isn’t for everyone (Erica ;)).. but if you like sweets I definitely recommend it.
Here’s just a shout out while I’m talking about Michigan.. there are these two really attractive twin brothers, one of whom has taken over the family farm in Chelsea, Michigan and transformed it into a sanctuary for abused/neglected/abandoned/etc farm animals called BARN SANCTUARY. So you know, a hat or a t-shirt (size M because one day I will be fit again) would benefit me and support them. They had a show on animal planet last season called “SAVED BY THE BARN.” Look it up.. You won’t be sorry. While you’re at it go sign the petition for them to be renewed for a season two..
FOOTWEAR
So… because of COVID-19 there have been some healthcare related coupons I’ve been able to take advantage of. In the tikes vs. rothys debate.. sorry tieks fans, but I choose rothys!
ROTHYS are so comfortable. I’m a point girl, size 8.5 for those that need to know. I purchased my discount pair in the color “flame” and I have to say.. I wore them ALL day in a commuter/walking city with zero issues. They obviously don’t have the support a tennis shoe would offer but they were VERY soft and flexible. I’d caution anyone venturing to try a different style.. I considered getting the honeycomb black flats because they were sold out of the regular black and the reviews dictated that the honeycomb pattern was not as soft/comfortable as the original. Everyone loves a versatile flat (POINT) in any array of colors.. black, blue, literally any solid color or big cat animal print (no camp for me please).
The tieks irritated the back of my heel although I will say they win at presentation. A fun box, a fun flower, a sweet handwritten note… plus a bag to keep the shoes in! But they’re rounded flats and leather so not really my style.
BROOKS gifted my some shoes for being a healthcare worker and I;ve gotta say, they have the right amount of cushion and support. I much prefer to run in my Nike Frees but my current weight and issues with my plantar fascia don’t allow me to do that. From what I’ve seen Brooks makes the most fun and functional running shoes.. from patterns of road maps to the luck of the irish they definitely win my vote. I’m a size 8 if anyone needs to know.
HOKA is what was recommended by my doctor, the Arahi to be specific. At 130$ and no sign of coupons or discounts I’m not sure how much I can say I love them, especially since I feel like they definitely force me to walk on the outside of my foot.. but I’ve gotten compliments on my shoes so I guess they’re okay.
NIKE. So you guys have heard of Nike, I’m sure. Kind of annoying because the shoes change from style to style and while for the most part I’m an 8 sometimes I’m an 8.5. Great thing is that all Nike+ members (it’s free) get free shipping. Nike were the first shoes I ever ran in and they took my through my one and currently my only marathon. I can’t be mad about that. Plus I enjoy some of the gold and rose gold shoes or shoe accents that they have! They are definitely a favorite and a go to brand.
FABLETICS. I have to say, I’ve been buying gear recently since none of my old workout clothes fit me and Fabletics has some nice options for high intensity sports bras without cumbersome straps and zippers, my favorite is the Trinity High Impact Sports Bra. The only one I currently have is in “lipstick red.” I will say it’s quite annoying that they are often sold out of popular styles but they do promote inclusivity and have different sized models on the website (you can click photos for options and see models that look like you!). I also enjoy the 7/8 pant styles with pockets!
OTHER THINGS
FIGS. So Figs have been throwing up ads in my face on alllll the soc meds (shoutout to EZ) platforms and let me tell you, it worked. I wahargers.s tired of wearing leggings to work every day and annoyed that they didn’t have pockets. Traditional scrub pants are too long on me and often drag on the ground. Personally I’m very into skinny jeans and letting your shoes show. I like ankle pants and all the things. The Figs jogger style (“Zamora”) really appealed to me as a short person, especially since they have petite (short) sizes! I will say that I’m not a fan of the new sizing system that started in July.. I bought 2-4 pair before the sizing changed and they fit PERFECTLY. Now with the new system they are just a tiny bit too tight (I’m size XL PETITE in the Zamora jogger pant) and I refuse to size up. Guess I just have more motivation to lose lose lose!!!
ALEX AND ANI. You just can’t beat them. They have BOSTON bangles, MICHIGAN bangles, FRIENDS BANGLES, HARRY POTTER bangles.. literally all of my favorite things. I have deathly hallows earrings, old fashioned key earrings, an arrowhead bangle, a shamrock bangle, and a create your own necklace I made with my pups’ initials and a paw. Anything FRIENDS related or anything Harry Potter related would be an wonderful gift (for me). The jewelry I have from them has held up over time.. I wear the necklace literally every day and never take it off.
AMAZON
Amazon truly has a plethora of items..
These Gear Ties are AMAZING and really help with the organization of all of the cords for my electronics/chargers. You can never have too many!!!