disclaimer: not my bag. this beauty was in the clearance section, though!

HM double breasted navy coat | Prada specs | Amiclubwear laceup pumps | Old Navy culottes | Calvin Klein Shea saffiano satchel

Sometime last month, the husband and I got to attend and check out the annual Neiman Marcus Consolidation Sale, where one can expect really crazy markdowns on their high-end designer goods. Neiman Marcus Troy is one of only 7 branches nationwide that gets to hold this hotly anticipated sale, marking down big ticket items like Victoria Beckham, Tom Ford and Balmain up to 70% off, so I made sure to really highlight the event in my calendar!

What made the evening extra special was that it was co-presented by our friends from the Detroit Garment Group, and proceeds of the event would benefit their continuing efforts at strengthening the local garment industry. I got to check out really amazing steals (headed straight for the shoe department!), and also got to see what's new and in stock with some of my favorite luxury brands, because you know, a girl can dream all day. :)

Overall, we had a grand time. Kudos to NM Troy X DGG for throwing such a great event!

First Class Committee, created by fashion designer Terrance Jones, has launched a music‐influenced men’s clothing and lifestyle brand made in Detroit, and is debuting its first men’s winter collection to the public. This is the first collection First Class Committee has released since moving from Austin, TX to Detroit, MI.

I think I pretty much checked off some items from "fall must-have" listicles with this outfit that I wore to have lunch with a girlfriend. A peacoat (which I've had for years now, btw) ? Check. Something knitted? Check check! How about two things everyone seems to be loving this year - a suede button-down skirt and lace-up flats? Check, check and check! 

#NYFW is absolutely in full swing, and we're already getting our fill of the upcoming summer trends for next year. I definitely love what I've been seeing from the shows, and a lot of my favorites didn't disappoint. I should try to showcase some of my favorites here!

As mentioned a couple of posts ago, I had the opportunity to celebrate NYFW right here at home with some of the most fabulous fashionistas in Detroit, and today (and in the next upcoming days), I have the honor to feature these amazing ladies right here on the blog. It's so fun having them here, I figure I should probably do this a little bit more often (give other bloggers a lot of love, I mean!). 

To kickstart the series, I would love for y'all to get to know Detroit's premiere plus-size blogger and my dear friend and collaborator, Leah V of Beauty and the Muse. Leah is one of the first bloggers I dutifully followed when I got here in Metro Detroit, and I'm honored to be able to call her my friend. She is as real as real can get, with fantastic style to boot. She owns her body and she owns her style. Girl is always killing it!

Read after the jump to find out more about this fierce fashionista!

This apparently applies to dudes who strike a "nice balance between a beer gut and working out". Also, a dadbod is a guy who is "not incredibly chiseled, but at the same time, is not unhealthy." For a visual example, see Chris Pratt early Parks and Recreation days, and of course, Leonardo DiCaprio. Just like the college sophomore who coined this term, and I believe, majority of ladies our there, I am 100% all for the appreciation of the Dadbod. My husband is a young and healthy Dadbod, and I always reassure him that he's never looked better, haha. 

But what of us moms whose bodies have forever changed post-partum? The term "mombod" eventually happened as well, and the interwebs were flooded with gorgeous, glorious bodies of women showing off their tiger stripes, baby bellies, and just how their bodies have changed since delivering their precious ones. I, of course, let out a huge solo whoop -- I just love how times are quickly changing and people are more accepting and less body-shaming! I looked at old photos of myself, being all skinny and everything, and while I probably could never restore a few "elements" back (a stomach without tiger stripes!) , I did pop out a living, breathing human, and that is the greatest feat anyone could ever say they've accomplished. My baby is seven months going in now, and it still never ceases to amaze me how he evolved from a union of cells to how he is now... and yes, my body was responsible for that nurturing. So yay, mommies!

So here I am, in an outfit post lauding my new body. I'm still several  pounds over my pre-baby weight, but it's not the end of the world. Own the changes, live it, and love it.