My Experience at Somerset Collection's CityLoft

Entrance to CityLoft

I stopped at Somerset Collection's CityLoft in midtown Detroit yesterday.  I was on my way home from the airport and didn't have much time before my hair appointment.  That didn't stop me from supporting retail in Detroit.  I purchased two bracelets (and even wore one to my hair appointment).  The collection is small and cramped but with a variety of merchandise from various stores and even hors d'oeuves and drinks.  The staff and patrons were full of energy and so was the rest of the city.  Campus Martius had live music, the square across from CityLoft was hosting an art fair, and the Fox Theater was presenting a concert.  Downtown was hopping on Thursday night.

CityLoft on Woodward Avenue

I hope that Somerset is testing the waters in Detroit and finding them to be enjoyable.  I would love to see some year round Somerset style in downtown Detroit.  If you haven't had the opportunity to visit CityLoft yet, check it out today or Saturday.  It will also be open August 16th - 18th.  

The 'dress' outside of CityLoft.  There are other paper dresses throughout downtown.

Somerset Collection's City Loft in downtown Detroit...and a Living Social discount....oh yeah!

Awhile back, I posted a link on the Detroit Expereince Facebook page to the Somerset Collection's City Loft events.  For three weekends this summer, Somerset Collection will be in downtown.  Oh yeah, that's right, our favorite fashions in our downtown Detroit.  Today, I noticed that Living Social has a $10 for $20 to spend at City Loft.  Click the link below to some get some savings through Living Social.  I will be in Detroit shopping at City Loft this weekend.  :-)

https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/408016?ref=conf-jp&rpi=72256652

Date Night: Cliff Bell's Jazz Club

If you are looking for a romantic date night or a way to impress your guests, take a step back into Detroit's glory days at Cliff Bell's Jazz Club.  Cliff Bell's originally opened in 1935 when Detroit was the place to see and be seen.  Like many of Detroit's treasures, it's doors were shuttered in 1985 during Detroit's decline and period of urban flight.  In 2005, the club reopened.  The owners respected much of the original architectural detail.  The curved wood ceilings, stage, and gorgeous bar provide an elegant and sophisticated ambience.  Combine the beautiful surroundings with live jazz and Cliff Bell's is a night to remember.  Oh...did I mention that the food is excellent as well?   

Cliff Bell's is within walking distance of the theater district, Ford Field, Comerica Park, and numerous restaurants and bars.  We actually capped off our night by walking down to Centaur for a martini.   

Family Outing: Detroit Tiger's Game

Great game today!  We took the kids to Comerica Park for a Tiger's game.  We won...yay!   It was a great game and the park offers wonderful views of downtown.  A definite must do again...even for non-sports nuts like me.

Date Night: Michael Symon's Roast

Last night, my husband and I dressed up and headed to Michael Symon's Roast.  It did not disappoint.  The atmosphere, food, and service were spectacular.  I had the lamb ragu and he had the rack of lamb while we split a side of fried brussel spouts.  Yep, that's right, deep fried brussel sprouts...delicious and fattening but we could still pretend to be eating healthy green vegetables.

The prices are what you would expect from a high-end downtown restaurant so be prepared to splurge. As a foodie, I think Roast is worth the extra money.  If you want to feel a little less guilty, make your reservation through OpenTable.com and earn some points towards $$$ off your next night out.

Roast could compete in Chicago or New York.  It is a true gem in downtown Detroit.

We walked around downtown for a little while after dinner.  The Lafayette gardens are just around the corner.  The gardens are open to the public during business hours.   We were a little late for that but peaked through the fence to check out the green space.  I don't remember the Lafayette building that once stood on the site, but I can appreciate the softening of the city that the green space provides.

Family Outing: Good Girls Go To Paris

In the spirit of exploring Detroit, we chose go to Good Girls Go To Paris for our Father's Day treat.  It is an amazing concept of wide variety savory and sweet crepes.  The kind of place that executed correctly could have lines out the door and down the block.  Unfortunately, this is not the case here.  The restaurant was dirty.  My husband and I found the two savory crepes we tried to be horrible.  The salmon was so salty that it was impossible to finish the crepe.  My husband's chicken was very unappealing.  Our kids both chose sweet crepes and they seemed better than the savory crepes.  Even so, we will not be returning!  Its too bad because it could have been an awesome treat.

We still managed to enjoy our Father's Day.  One bad meal can't spoil the entire day!

Photographing Detroit

Detroit is loved by photographers.  The decay, the revival, often side by side, provide countless opportunities for striking photographs. 

Reveal Your Detroit Opens today at the Detroit Public Library and will run through August 15th.  The photographs were taken by local Detroiters, including more than 50 Detroit-based community organizations.  I have been taking sneak peeks at a small sampling of the photo submissions online at the freep.com but can't wait to check out the exhibit.  If you make it before me, please let us know what you think.

This morning, I got up at 4am and headed to downtown to take a stab at revealing my Detroit.  I purchased a DSLR camera about a month ago.  I have always had a point-and-shoot so using the camera is a little like learning to speak for me.  With my camera, a large cup of coffee, and my newly gained knowledge from reading "Understanding Exposure", I managed to get the following pictures.  Both should have used a tripod so they aren't perfect, but hey, I had the camera in manual mode and managed to get a decent photo.  :-)

MGM Grand Detroit

Ren Cen from between Comerica Part and Ford Field

As I mentioned in my 'about me' intro when I started the blog, I was raised in a Detroit  suburb and almost never came to Detroit until about a 2 years ago.  Although, I am in Detroit a lot now, I still found being a woman alone a little intimidating.  I hope I get more confident (while remaining alert and safe) as my photography practice continues in Detroit.  I saw quite a few shots that I think could have been impressive but they either would have required me to park and walk alone for a ways or park in an area that seemed a little rough.  I was little too chicken to do it.  Rarely was there anyone on the street, but that is what made it so intimidating.  When I did see someone, I wondered why they were there.  Anyone else experience this?  How do you do it?  A photography buddy?