Diane Von Furstenberg Designer Travel Luggage

Diane Von Furstenberg famous Fashion Designer an Icon for many many years has also made a name for herself in several other areas than just clothing. Her famous designer luggage sets are also a trade mark of her style.

Having the talent to design clothing that not only fits the trend but yet break the trend and stay around for many many years for example the wrap dress! She tends to design her products with grace and style. Her luggage sets show the same thought and style she uses that with stand the latest fad.

Leopard print will never go out of style. You can always wear leopard as long as you do not over do it. One piece will satisfy the eye. Whether it be a hat, gloves, scarf or a great bag you will never go wrong if your stay in the "tasteful" zone. I love the black and print leopard luggage sets she has done. It will never go out of style just like the wrap dress.

Happy Travel ;)

More Fall Coach Handbags In Chicago

My Daughter LOVES the new Poppy by Coach Handbags for Fall. This peachy pink one on the left was my favorite it was around the $200. price range. They also have a fab perfume line too!

This pink and purple Poppy Coach with gold accents is her favorite. Just the right size for a Tween and so fun ;)

I'm not sure these will be making around to the outlet stores they may have a similar design made but not as nice I'm sure.

Happy Shopping :)

Tween Fall Fashion Looks - Chicago

Shopping in Chicago in early fall is not only fun but exciting!

We went on a recent trip to attend the Chicago Food and Wine Festival. All the streets have been decorated for Fall. Pumpkins, Corn Stalks, Scarecrows and bails of hay and straw.

Each little planter has been decorated by someone different to you have several different looks.

My kids loved shopping at the Lego and American Girl Store. Having lunch and dinner at some wonderful restaurants.

Chloe' is wearing her Lilly Pulitzer green top, jean capri's with her pink scarf a must have for Fall. She also has her multi colored poncho and her new Hello Kitty Purse from the Hello Kitty Store.

She was very excited to find it and she also bought an adorable little Hello Kitty Wallet.

Jack just likes to pose for the camera! Such a little ham. This was his first trip with out the stroller and did a grand job at keeping up.

We love shopping and hanging out in Chicago and cannot wait to go back when all the Holiday lights are up. Yes, it will be cold but makes the Holiday Season don't you think?

Happy Fall!

(Photo's are not to be copied or duplicated with out permission at any time for any reason)

American Girl Store Downtown Chicago

We just visited Downtown Chicago this last weekend. You cannot go to Chicago if you have a little girl with out visiting the American Girl Store!

This is the new store in downtown Chicago that opened late last year.

I am impressed! It is so much nicer than the old store. Bigger, with more room to get around.

There are tons and tons of displays around the store so your little girl can see the dolls and outfits. The displays show the dolls with the outfits on that are available either on shelves under the doll or to the side for easy shopping.

The new store has a little "shopping mall" type atmosphere with crafts, hair salon, Dr. Office, shows, snack shop and the famous dinning room.

My Daughter's new find this trip was the poster display!

Chloe's at the snack shop with her new poster.

The cute little snack shop has treats for your gal and her doll in doll size. Chloe' choose the white chocolate dipped marshmallow's with pink sugar swirls, her doll "Julie" got one too!

We had such a wonderful time spending Mommy and Daughter time together. Couldn't go to a better place. It is very cute and to see all the little girls walking around downtown Chicago with their dolls in there arms.

Later that evening we went to dinner and the doll was a welcomed guest too!

Enjoy!

Night Time Window Shopping For Summer Fashion

Summer Fashion

Downtown Traverse City Michigan

Night Time Window Shopping

Nautical is always in for Summer Fashion

Blue - White - Red - Yellow

Fun Scarf's

Equestrian

Shopping At Kilwin's In Traverse City Michigan

Kilwin's in Traverse City (and Birmingham) Michigan is one of our favorite shops.

After dinner walking into town to get a special treat finishes off the day!

Beware!! The following photo's are dangerous!

Besides their World Famous Fudge they also have a large yummy selection of hand scooped

ice creams with homemade waffle cones!

Kilwin's is open year round. Happy Summer!

Leland's Old Fashion Candy Store For Kids of All Ages!

The Candy Fish

(painted with nothing but candy!)

The store is filled with everything from jumbo lollipops, old fashioned rock candy, locally made fresh fudge, every kind of jelly bean ever made to candy corns and Carmel corn.

Lunch at Martha's

Working up an appetite we stopped at Martha's Cafe in Sutton's Bay for lunch.

Martha's has a wonderful menu everything from breakfast to dinner European style. Eggs several ways with quirky names like "The Rooster", soups, sandwiches, salad's and more.

I had the Turkey Reuben Panini, my Mother In Law had a wonderful Tarragon Chicken Salad over mixed baby greens with a fresh baked scone like roll. She ordered the 1/2 size which my guess is from it's size that the full order would easily feed two people. My Son had a cup of the Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup and my Husband had the Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella Panini. Everything is made fresh daily. We were all very pleased and satisfied with our meal.

They have a wonderful little wine bar and cocktails for cocktail hour.

You know the place is good when the smell is wonderful when you walk in the door :)

Happy Summer!

Shopping At Anchor Cottage Sutton's Bay Michigan

One of our favorite shops in Sutton's Bay, we all love it!  They have everything from Rugs to Baby gifts.  My Mother In Law bought a beautiful Nantucket style basket filled with ivy, purple lavender and ribbons.

The shop is filled from top to bottom and their displays are so adorable it makes you want to redo every room in your home.

We loved these nesting baskets great for hauling clothes back and forth to the cottage or the beach, magazines, picnics as well as other uses.

Northern Michigan Vacation

Driving along the lakes around Northern Michigan you will notice all the address signs the owners have made and posted at the end of the driveways for friends and relatives to find their way.  Some are very simple and others get very creative.

Most of the driveways are long and wind through the Michigan pine trees all the way down to the cottage nestled along the lake shore.

At last your destination!

Unload the car and get settled in for some piece and quiet. 

Shopping in down town Traverse City, The Cherry Festival, watching the sunset and making somore's over the campfire ;)

Oh yes, and this trip we are heading off to wine country for some wonderful local made cheese and great wines.

Summer Vacation on Lake Leelanau, Michigan

Lake Leelanau, Michigan 2009

The first vacation for the summer is always exciting as we arrive at the lake.

The first thing you want to do is run down to the dock and stand over the water taking in all the fresh air and beautiful views you don't seem to find at home.  Sleeping with the windows open listening to the water splash along the shoreline seems to lull you off to a much needed good nights sleep so you can dream about the first quaint little shop you will hit first thing in the morning during your shopping trip ;)

Then you wake up early!!  For what ever reason, can't sleep in too excited.  Make the coffee, the pot is taking too long!  Sit on the edge of the porch over looking the water in the slight morning breeze listening to the birds and the wind chimes.

Could life get any better?

Happy Summer!

Michigan's Fishtown Preservation Society

Fishtown is a collection of weathered fishing shanties, smokehouses, overhanging docks, fish tugs and charter boats along the Leland River in Leland, Michigan. Once the heart of a commercial fishing village, the structures and docks are real places where people can walk through, see and feel a connection to Lake Michigan’s fishing heritage. For the past half-century it has been enjoyed and appreciated by thousands of visitors and regional residents who find the shanties, fish tugs and docks that make up the property a living legacy of our maritime culture. 

Loaded with all sorts of cute shops everything from one that has hand dipped ice cream (including the real Blue Moon), resort wear, Crocs, windsocks & flags, Michigan pottery, smoked fish, old fashioned candy store named "The Dam Candy Store" sitting right next to the dam, restaraunts and tons of wonderful art.

To read more from the Fishtown Preservation Society go here:

Fishtown Preservation Society - Leland, Michigan

Happy Summer!

Off To Traverse City and Leland Michigan For Vacation!!

Soon we will be running all over the Great Lakes of Michigan and their wonderful wine country!  

I can't wait!  Waking up to coffee on the deck over looking the beautiful lake Leelanau.  I promise to take lots of photo's in all the quaint art and clothing shops.  We can't wait to get our hands on some Sisson's fresh baked bread and their wonderful dips.  Fish town has the worlds best smoke whitefish dip..... it's making me hungry thinking about it :)

Golf is in the plan, winery tours, Black Star Farms cheese... yummo!  Oh yes and The Fourth Of July Fireworks on the beach.  

Life can't get any better :)

Happy Summer!