Tour de Toit

 Last week I participated in the Tour de Troit, a 30 mile non-competitive bicycle ride around Detroit.  This is my third year doing the ride which just happened to fall on my 40th birthday.  The ride raises awareness of biking as a mode of transportation; publicizes the growing greenways network in the City of Detroit and all of Southeastern Michigan; and raises funds for greenway development in Detroit, including the Southwest Detroit Greenlink.

Although the ride is non-competitive, there tends to be an abundance of spandex toxicity; that is, folks who seem to take the ride far too seriously.  In an effort to combat said spandex toxicity my friends and I have formed Team Lounge Leopards.  We wear uniforms in my favorite shade of leopard and pipe tunes from the basket of my bike by the likes of Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.  We have also been known to carry a case of PBR in a cooler on Daddy-o's bike.  Must stay hydrated you know!

Since the ride was part of my 40th Birthday Celebration Extravaganza, I felt the need to accessorize my bike helmet more so than the usual flower clip that I normally wear.  In a rare stoke of genius, I came up with an idea so grand it would make headlines all over the state.  Behold...

AP Photo/Detroit News, Todd McInturf

Team Lounge Leopards



The beast has been spotted!

The Tour starts at the Michigan Central Station.  This was once the main passenger rail hub of Detroit.  Since the last train rolled out in 1988 the building has come to symbolize the blight that has plagued the city.  To read more about the history of this beautiful building click here.

Michigan Central Station

The tour winds it's way around the city through Corktown, the university district, the old Packard Plant, Indian Village and Belle Isle.  Some parts of the city are so run down while other areas are a shining jewel of what once was.  I often think about what the city was like in it's heyday.  How families were once so proud of the beautiful homes they worked so hard to build.  The same homes that remain abandoned burned-out shells of their former glory. 

 

Packard Plant then.

 

Packard Plant now.

 

Historic Indian Village homes.

The revival of Corktown is one of the success stories coming out of Detroit right now. This effort has been fueled by the growth of Slows Bar B Q. This block of Michigan Ave is a bustling hub which includes Astro Coffee and Sugar House. We went out for some craft cocktails at Sugar House to celebrate my big four-oh. I could drink here all day if they would let me. 



Corktown revival
 

The day was a blast and I am so fortunate to have been able to spend it with my family and friends.  I can't wait to do the tour again next year! 

'Til we meet again,
Ms. Adventure

A perfect find!

While visiting Che Bello, a new boutique here in town, I spotted what would be the perfect accessory for the man folk to sport on our upcoming Vegas trip!

My, what a handsome belt buckle!

What's that?!  A removable flask?  Brilliant!

A great little 3 oz belt buckle flask!  Who was the brilliant chap that came up with this idea? 

The flask is held securely in the belt buckle with two small magnets.  The hand of cards seems fitting given the locale of the event.  They did have some other designs as well but this was the best for us.  I thought they are so awesome and a pretty good price that I bought a couple.

The owner of the store was kind enough to special order exactly what I wanted!  Check them out on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/CheBelloBoutique

'Til we meet again,
Ms. Adventure

Super Suit

Today was the big boss lady's birthday at my work.  In honor of her special day, I wore my ultra-amazing, crime fighting, so fabulous it almost hurts, super suit. 

This suit came to me in the most unpredictable manner.  In all honesty, it really didn't come as a suit at all.

The story, soon to become legend, goes a little like this....

Two years ago on a sunny, summer afternoon, I entered a local clothing resale shop to see if they had anything that piqued my interest.  I found a cute leopard print blazer that fit like a dream.  The price was right and after all, leopard IS my favorite color--SOLD!  I brought my purchase home and into the closet it went without much thought; or wear for that fact.

Fast forward six months--I am visiting my in-laws in Minneapolis for the holidays.  My MIL and I are on the hunt for a light fixture for her foyer.  We stop in to her most favorite resale shop to have a little look-see.  We spot a fantastic light and take a few measurements.  Yep-that's the ticket, it will look great in her foyer!

But wait...What has caught my attention?  On that rack over there.  The one with the 75% off sign.  Why, it's a pair of darling leopard print capri pants. Oh and they're my size!  Ugh-but I am all caught up in the purchase of the light and I don't really feel like trying them on.  And I didn't bring any cash with me.  So I left without the pants.

I thought about those pants all the way back to Michigan.  They were only $5, so if they didn't fit well it would be no big loss.  I called my MIL and asked her to pick them up for me if they were still there the next time she stopped in.  They arrived in my mailbox about a week later.  Yes--I do have a wonderful MIL!

I tried the pants on and was pleasantly surprised by the fit.  I am severely lacking in the butt department so getting pants that fit is sometimes a challenge.  I took off my newly acquired trousers and read the tag for laundering instructions.  Hey, wait a minute, this tag looks oddly familiar.  Hmmmm.... Holy-wa!  Are you kidding me?!  I sprinted to my closet and grabbed my blazer.  A perfect match!!  Who knew?  Now that's serendipity. 

'Til we meet again,

Ms. Adventure