Flirty Floral! My review of the Kiyonna Flirty Flounce Wrap Dress

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Today, I am reviewing the Kiyonna Flirty Flounce Wrap Dress in Navy Rose Print.  This lovely lightweight wrap dress is perfect for summer weddings, date nights, open houses and garden parties.  Gorgeous with cascading ruffles, fully adjustable fit and a pretty retro floral print make this a stand out in my wardrobe.  The Kiyonna Flirty Flounce Wrap Dress is a full wrap dress featuring 3/4 sleeves, long adjustable ties and ruffled detailing.  Made of a soft poly/spandex blend material, this dress is great for summer because it is a breathable, stretchy and lightweight material.  Wrap dresses are great for summer wear because you can get the most comfortable fit and adjust as needed, the heat makes me retain water so the tie waist allow easy loosening just in case.

  I am wearing a size 2x here, fit is just right with lots of stretch, fabric to cover me modestly and room to adjust toe fit to my body.  I generally size up in wrap dresses so I have a little more fabric to play with in the skirt area as I am sized to much larger on the bottom half of my body. The length hits my petite frame a few inches below the knees and 3/4 sleeves give nice arm coverage to protect against the sun on a hot summer day. The Flirty Flounce Wrap Dress fits just right thanks to the versatility of the wrap dress style.  I love that I can play with the fit to get it just right for me.  I love how the Flirty Flounce Wrap Dress defines my waist, enhances my curves and the flippy ruffles at the bottom give it so much movement, this dress flatters the curvy figure to perfection!

 The Flirty Flounce Wrap Dress is available in a variety of prints which gives you tons of choices to suit your personal taste.  I chose this Navy Rose Floral print, because it is very summery featuring pink roses and fleur de lis on a navy background plus I also love the vintage look of the roses on the dress.  Wrap dresses are great because they can be worn simply or dressed up as much as you like.  I am wearing a bright pink flower crown to match the pink roses on the dress, vintage blue hoop earrings that pick up on the lighter blue color in the fleur de lis on the dress, retro styled heels and carrying the cutest faceted white bead vintage purse to top it off.  I love to mix vintage with modern to create interest and because it is wonderful to give new life to old pieces!  This dress is also great to throw on for errands when you want to look put together with minimal effort.  Take your Flirty Flounce Wrap Dress, add cute accessories and ballet flats for a casual cute look that's perfect for busy summer days.  This Flirty Flounce Wrap Dress is so comfortable it feels light as a feather on making it a must have for summer weddings and occasions.  The Kiyonna Flirty Flounce Wrap Dress will keep you cool while looking scorching hot!

Terrific Tiki! My review of the Lindy Bop Misty Tiki Dress

 Hello everyone!  It's finally summer and I am giddy beyond belief!  I am so excited that the weather is finally warm and beautiful here in Michigan after the incredibly long winter we had and the nearly complete absence of spring.  I love to spend time outdoors in my garden, flitting around doing garden chores, enjoying all of the different varieties of plants that I have worked carefully to plant and grow so I can enjoy my backyard oasis.  Everything is green, flowers are blooming and it is finally the best time of year to wear pretty dresses!

Today, I am reviewing the Lindy Bop Misty Teal Tiki Print Swing Dress.  The Misty Teal Tiki Print Swing Dress is a gorgeous teal dress with a bright and whimsical tiki print; with hula girls, hibiscus flowers, tiki gods, and palm trees, this dress screams tropical.  One of my favorite eras is the 1950's, I love the styles of that time and one of the biggest crazes was Hawaii.  I remember growing up seeing some really neat pieces of Hawaiiana that my grandparents had picked up in the 50's and 60's, kitschy hula girl lamps, tiki themed pieces, shell necklaces and hibiscus shaped jewelry, everything to do with the islands was all the rage.  Tiki has always been a big part of the pinup style so I was thrilled when I saw the Misty Swing Dress in this gorgeous Hawaiian themed tiki print.  Lindy Bop has the greatest selection of vintage style clothing, they have become a leader in the retro repro fashion market and their novelty prints are one of my favorite ways to add personality to my wardrobe. 

Misty features a gathered neckline with bow, adjustable straps, a fitted waist and a full gathered skirt.  Made of comfortable and breathable stretch cotton, this dress is fabulous for the hot summer months.  I am wearing the Misty Teal Tiki Print Swing Dress in UK22/US18.  This is my normal size in Lindy Bop dresses.  Fit is wonderful, the bodice clings to my curves and tapers nicely to accentuate the waistline.  The skirt is very full, it allows for a petticoat, which I am wearing here but the gathering at the waist makes the skirt float around you gracefully giving it volume even without a petticoat underneath.  The thing that I was the most excited about was the inclusion of adjustable straps.  In the past with Lindy Bop dresses, they generally did not have adjustable straps so because of my petite height, I always had to have the straps on my Lindy Bop dresses tailored to fit.  It is so fabulous to have adjustable straps so I do not have to go through the hassle of waiting for a seamstress to be able to wear my dress.  This dress also includes another big winner for me, pockets.  It is so nice to be able to tuck my phone, keys or any other small items I may need in my skirt pockets on a day trip instead of having to lug around my heavy purse!

I cannot get enough of the Lindy Bop novelty prints!  Lindy Bop novelty prints are always rich scenes full of detail and that makes me love them.  The Tiki print on this Misty Swing Dress is kitschy and so much fun.  All over the pretty teal of the dress are red and white hibiscus flowers, the backdrop features volcanic mountains, water, palm trees and the sun looking down on it all.  Hula girls dance festooned with flowers and leis in front of huge carved tiki gods.  This dress has so many colors and fun details in the print that it is a dream to accessorize.  I am always trying to add dresses to my closet that can be worn and interchanged with other items that I own so I can maximize my wardrobe with minimal effort.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Misty Teal Tiki Print Swing Dress in size UK22/US18 C/O Lindy Bop
Earrings: F-ineapple Earrings from Ceci Punch Designs
Shoes: Rockin Tiki Stiletto Heels in Red from Lucky Lous Shoes
Flower Crown and matching wristlets from Amazon
Petticoat: Dancing Days Petticoat in White from Banned
Makeup: Tarte
Lipstick: Victory Red from Besame Cosmetics
Vintage Parasol from The Intersection

 I had so much fun playing with accessories to put together the perfect ensemble with the Misty Dress.  Adding fun Hawaiian details was a must so I wore Lucky Lous Rockin Tiki Heels in Red, buttery soft leather stiletto heels which feature hand carved wooden tiki god soles, Ceci Punch "F-ineapple"  pineapple dangle earrings and a green hibiscus flower crown with matching wristlets.  The beautiful vintage hibiscus print paper parasol came from my favorite local antique shop and was the perfect finishing touch!

The Lindy Bop Misty Teal Tiki Print Swing Dress was such fun to wear outside, dancing, twirling and posing in beautiful Dow Gardens where the rhododendron and azalea blossoms provided the perfect tropical backdrop for my virtual trip to the Hawaiian Islands. My Misty Teal Tiki Print Swing Dress is sure to get a lot of wear in the summer months because it is so comfortable and eye catching.  I cannot wait to wear and accessorize it with more fun vintage flair.  Lindy Bop is the best for keeping you looking pinup perfect without breaking the bank!

Enchanting Elise! My Review of the Kiyonna Elise Flutter Dress

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I apologize for my lack of regular blogging.  I have been busy with so many things which makes it hard to stop running and sit at the computer to get a blog done.  I am quite the busybody during the summer months!  

Most importantly in my life my Mother, Roxanne was diagnosed with Breast Cancer early this year and we as a family have been helping her with whatever she requires as she battles the disease.  She underwent a bilateral mastectomy and ovary removal in March and began chemotherapy two weeks ago.  We lost my Grandfather to Cancer when I was 16 years old after several years illness so this is a terrifying and emotional journey not only for Mom but for my Sister, Stepfather and myself.  I would appreciate prayers, good vibes and whatever positivity you are able to send during this hard time.  

Our hometown, Lakeview celebrated our sesquicentennial (150th birthday) this past week and as I volunteer with our local museum, I have been involved with planning and working at some of the events during our festival.  I researched and led a guided historical tour of our local cemetery highlighting the pioneers of Lakeview, including my 5th Great Uncle, Lewis Bissell, who came to the town as it's first merchant in 1873.  I feel privileged to be active in my community, our family has been a part of Lakeview for 9 generations now.  I truly love our little town, it is a beautiful place with a rich fascinating history!

If you would like to see more from me, be sure to follow me on Instagram- @sassyscarletpinup My feed has fashion, food and lots of fun!!

Today, I am reviewing the lovely Elise Flutter Dress by Kiyonna.  I love off the shoulder styles, I cannot get enough of the romantic nature of this style so I knew that I would love Elise.  This dress is summer embodied, whimsical, fun and flirtatious.  The Elise Flutter Dress is feminine and flattering featuring a mock neck with metallic lace detail, fitted bodice, flutter sleeves that can be worn on or off shoulder and a flowing skirt.  Red has fast become my favorite color, I love the drama of the shade especially in the summer against the brilliant greens of nature.  This rich red garnet shade made me feel like a rose as I was walking in the garden.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Elise Flutter Dress in Rich Garnet Size 1X courtesy of Kiyonna
Flower Crown: Red Velvet Flower Crown from Claire's
Earrings: Bad Girl Hoops in 24K Gold from Vixen by Micheline Pitt
Lipstick: Red Velvet by Besame Cosmetics
Shoes: Black Vintage Style Heels by Madden Girl-Thrifted

 The Elise Flutter Dress is made of a stretchy poly spandex material that breathes nicely making it a comfortable dress for summer occasions.  I am wearing a size 1X here, the dress flatters me perfectly fitting tightly at the bodice and flaring out into a generous and flowing skirt.  The neck line is comfortable and the lace is pretty drawing attention to the bodice but also providing modest coverage.  The neck fits nicely without being tight and it does not gap or look awkward as some necklines like this can on a shorter frame.  Length is just past the knee, the flouncy skirt swings in such a fun way.  The sleeves can be worn on or off the shoulder, I prefer them worn off shoulder, they are fluttery and generous giving nice upper arm coverage.  Flutter is an apt name because the sleeves do flutter about my upper arms like a butterfly.

Flutter is a very apt description for this dress!!

I enjoyed a fun hometown date day with my husband wearing my Elise Flutter Dress.  I wore simple accessories that made the dress star of the show.  A lovely rose flower crown matched the garnet of my dress exactly, golden vintage style hoops to reflect the golden metallic lace accent at the neck and simple black heels complete my outfit.  We had coffee and lunch at our local coffee shop, browsed the antique/variety store then strolled though the local library's zen garden just soaking in the summer sun and enjoying each others company.  I later shed my shoes because who does not love running barefoot through warm, soft grass!?  This dress is one of my favorite frocks because I love soft whimsical dresses with romantic details.  The Kiyonna Elise Flutter Dress is a winner, worn casually or dressed up, it is perfect for all your summer fun!

Decadantly Draping!! My Kiyonna Divine Draped Maxi Dress Review

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Today I am reviewing the Kiyonna Divine Draped Maxi Dress in Emerald Bay.  I am continuing my year of taking wardrobe chances by stepping out of my pinup box.  Pinup styles of the 1940's and 1950's are my favorite to wear but I have an affinity for free flowing flower child fashion as well.  I have always loved Maxi Dresses,they always give me a pretty, hippie vibe.  The Divine Draped Maxi Dress from Kiyonna is a gorgeous style for summer festivals or a fall party.  This style features a fitted bodice with halter neck tie feature, elbow length sleeves that can be styled on or off shoulder, a gathered waist and draping hi-lo hem.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Divine Draped Maxi Dress in Emerald Bay, Size 1X, courtesy of Kiyonna
Earrings: F-ineapple Frosted Pineapple Earrings by Ceci Punch Designs.
Flower Crown: Wal-Mart.

 The Kiyonna Divine Draped Maxi Dress is luxurious and comfortable.  The halter tie around the neck is a feminine and unique accent that adds a fun flair.  I love how this dress flows around my body, I have to admit, I was a little worried about how it would fit around my mid-section but the gathering makes it so flattering it easily hides the tummy issues I am constantly camouflaging. The soft rayon spandex blend material is lovely and flowing with a nice bit of stretch to hug your curves.

 The Emerald Bay color is a lovely deep emerald green that is perfect for summertime but it is a shade that will transition easily into your fall wardrobe.  I paired my Divine Draped Maxi Dress with frosty pineapple earrings, a pretty contrasting pink flower crown and matching pink kitten heels for a free wheeling, hippie style.  I looked and felt like a summer fairy or an art nouveau goddess floating about in this dress!  I also envision wearing it with a ballet flats and pumpkin accessories this fall.

I always worry when buying a maxi dress because at 5'3" I am quite short so most maxi dresses have to be hemmed before I can wear them.  The Divine Draped Maxi Dress is a hi-lo hem, the front of the dress hit a few inches above my ankle and the back was just short of touching the ground without heels on.  I found the length to be just right for me but if you are shorter you may need to have the dress hemmed.

The Divine Draped Maxi Dress is so comfortable and beautiful I find myself reaching for it again and again.  I cannot say enough about Kiyonna, I am blown away at the quality, fit and beauty of every style I have tried!

Summer love! Kiyonna Luring Lace Dress Review

Summertime is so much fun!  It gives me such joy being out in nature, traveling and wearing pretty dresses that aren't practical in the winter.  I have been seeing sexy strap styles all over the internet and since I have been challenging myself to get out of my fashion comfort zone I had to get in on the strappy summer action with the stunning Kiyonna Luring Lace Dress in Ruby.

Dress: Luring Lace Dress in Ruby size 1X courtesy of Kiyonna
Earrings: Kelsi Ear Jacket by Gorjana via Rocksbox
Necklace: Rayne Necklace in Ivory Pearl by Kendra Scott via Rocksbox
Ring: Hexagon Pave Ring in Moonstone by Olivia and Grace via Rocksbox
Lipstick: Red Velvet by Besame Cosmetics
Shoes: Vintage Sprigged Floral Print Wedges

The Kiyonna Luring Lace Dress is a trendy twist on the classic summer sundress.   A gorgeous off-shoulder dress with floral lace sleeves, fitted bodice, adjustable straps and flared knee length skirt.  The Luring Lace Dress is fully lined which provides modesty and structure to the garment but it is still lightweight and flows beautifully.  

The Luring Lace Dress is easily my favorite style from Kiyonna, I felt positively luscious in this dress, it strikes the perfect balance between sweet and sexy!  I rarely get into modern trends but I felt this style has a bit of vintage glamour to it as well.  I am a sucker for off-shoulder styles, I find them to be a lovely way to show a little skin while still being modest.  When I thought I couldn't love the dress more, we get to the best part, the straps.  The Luring Lace Dress has adjustable straps that can be worn can be worn in a couple different fashions to cater to your personal style.  I love the look of a v-neckline with the straps crossed in back:

Dress: Luring Lace Dress in Ruby size 1X courtesy of Kiyonna

Earrings: Jenny Bird Flagstaff Earrings in Gold/Lapis via Rocksbox

Necklace: Gorjana Vivienne Necklace via Rocksbox

Bracelet: Nakamol Pearl and Multicolored Bracelet via Rocksbox

Lipstick: Red Velvet by Besame Cosmetics

Hair: Alyx Wiltse using Beauty and Pinups Fierce Firm Hold Finishing Spray
Shoes: Vintage Sprigged Floral Print Wedges

But you can also wear them in this lovely keyhole style with the straps crossed in the front, as shown on the Kiyonna Website:

Photo: Kiyonna

The Luring Lace Dress is very flattering, hugging my curves and flaring out into a graceful knee length skirt.  I am wearing a size 1X, fit is perfect and the length hits my 5'3" frame at just below the knee.  The dress fits and flares so I suggest choosing the best fit for your bust/waist as the bottom of the garment is more free sized, I can wear a 14/16 top but need a 22/24 bottom and the fit of the 1X which is a 14/16 is form fitting and flattering on me.

The knee length is a step outside the box for me.  I have always had a love/hate relationship when it comes to showing my legs but this dress looks so amazing, I'm pretty sure no one would notice my legs anyway!  The Ruby color is dramatic and lovely, I rarely wear jewel tones in the summertime but I am trying to break out of those style ruts and this shade really pops with the green summer foliage.  I wore my dress for a romantic stroll in the garden while out on date night with my husband, accessorizing it with sparkly gold and pearl jewelry from Rocksbox.   Absolutely perfect to wear for any summer activity, comfortable and fashionable, I could go on forever about how much I love this dress!  Kiyonna has the hottest styles and sizes tailored to fit real plus size bodies beautifully, this is why they are my favorite plus size retailer!

This dress strikes the perfect balance between sweet and sexy!

Sweetly Scalloped:Blueberry Hill Fashions Tulip Top Review!

Hello everyone!  It's definitely a summer scorcher today in Michigan with the heat index reaching over 100 degrees with high humidity.  A perfect day to stay inside enjoying the air conditioning and catching up on indoor things.

Today I am reviewing the Blueberry Hill Fashions Tulip Top.  I own several pieces from Blueberry Hill Fashions, I love their beautiful designs, high quality and availability in many sizes.  This fabulous Tulip Top is no exception to the rule.  It has fast become one of my favorite wardrobe staples!

Outfit Details:
Top: Tulip Top in White size 14 by Blueberry Hill Fashions
Skirt: Pinup Couture Jenny Skirt in Mary Blair Yellow Train Border Print size 3x by Pinup Girl Clothing
Earrings: Yellow and Red Teardrops by Put on the Ritz
Shoes: Athena in White by Bearpaw

Made of durable and stretchy knit material, the Blueberry Hill Fashion Tulip Top is a beautiful addition to any summer wardrobe.  Scalloped edges around the entire top are pretty and girly, the off the shoulder style is super trendy and great for keeping cool on hot summer days.  This top is super comfortable and adorable as well.  I have worn it several times now, each time I constantly get stopped and complimented on my look.  I love when people take the time to compliment one another, it gives a boost to your day and it is a great way to make someone else feel good!

Outfit Details:
Top: Tulip Top in White size 14 by Blueberry Hill Fashions
Skirt: Twirling in Tulle in Melon Marvel size 2x by Kiyonna
Jewelry: Rocksbox
Shoes: Athena in White by Bearpaw

The material has a ton of stretch so I suggest sizing down on this top, I generally wear anywhere from a 16-20 in tops depending on the measurements and I easily fit into the size 14 Tulip Top.  Stretch and a great longer length make this the perfect top for wearing with any skirt or high waisted pant.  I love the versatility of the top, I have so many different skirts in many styles and it is flattering with each one.  I like to wear it alone or sometimes pair it with a wide belt to give emphasis to the shape of my waist.  The material is stretchy but thick so it is not see through at all, white tops can have issues with this. 

I am continually impressed with Blueberry Hill Fashions, constantly coming out with innovative new designs and delivering super high quality garments; they are definitely one of the best companies to help you add beautiful and unique styles to your wardrobe.

Magnificent Michigan! Mackinac Island and our trip to the glorious Grand Hotel!

Happy Wednesday!  I hope you all had a safe and fun Fourth of July this year!  I am so excited to share today's blog post with you!  I have had plans to bring you more than just fashion here on the blog but life has a way of interrupting even the best laid plans so my travel blogs have been postponed due to Kevin's illness.  I have been just dying to share my experiences here in Michigan with you because I truly have a love affair with my home state

 Michigan is a place of diverse beauty, rich culture, incredible history and natural wonders.  There are so many magnificent places to visit.  I have lived here my entire life and travelled the state extensively but there are places I still want to visit. 

I have met many amazing people and had opportunities come into my life because I started pursuing my dreams of being a pinup model and blogger.  I feel like pinup has given me a huge "family" of women from all over the globe and it has taken me on many adventures I never planned or even dreamed were possible!  I have found an amazing group of uplifting and friendly women.  Audrey and I became friends through our mutual love of Pinup Girl Clothing and soon because we are lucky enough to both be Michigan girls, she invited us to come visit her on Mackinac Island where she works at the incomparable Grand Hotel. 

 The Grand Hotel is THE destination on Mackinac Island, it is the best hotel in Michigan and one of the most renowned hotels in the world.  The Grand Hotel opened in 1887, boasting the original architecture updated with modern amenities, it is a place of fabulous vintage beauty and rich surroundings.  Mackinac Island is one of my favorite places in Michigan because it truly is a step back in time.  No cars are allowed on the island, so the streets are populated with a mixture of people walking, riding bicycles or riding in horse drawn carriages.  History around every corner, the smells of Mackinac Island Fudge perfuming the air, quaint shops offering all types of treasures for sale, glorious natural landscape and the friendliness of its residents make Mackinac Island an easy place to fall in love with.  I cannot resist the charm of the island, its always been one of my favorite Michigan destinations and is a place everyone should make a point to visit!

We arrived in Mackinac City, checked our luggage and boarded the Huron, a ferry boat from the Arnold Ferry Line at 2 pm headed for the island.

The Mighty Mac

Fabulous views of the Mackinac Bridge and the surrounding lands are breathtaking.  There is no way to describe how vast the Great Lakes are but riding the ferry to Mackinac Island, you get an idea of the size of these inland seas, it takes a little over 40 minutes to reach the island across the blue waters of Lake Michigan.

Mackinac Bridge

 When we reached the Island we were greeted by an employee from The Grand Hotel, he kindly arranged a horse drawn taxi for us and within a few minutes we were riding in style through the charming streets of Mackinac Island.  The island was bursting with blooming flowers and people buzzing about enjoying the sights.  Traffic on the island is a bit different than what we are used to in our everyday life but I find the absence of cars refreshing!

  We had been to Mackinac Island in 1999 for our first wedding anniversary and had taken a carriage tour around the island that drove us past the Grand Hotel but that did not prepare me for the magnificence of actually being a guest at the hotel!

The carriage took us to the lobby where we were greeted by the friendly Front Desk staff and I finally got to meet Audrey in person as we checked into our room.  We then proceeded upstairs to the Parlor, this is the main gathering place in the Grand Hotel.  Twinkling music played by a live harpist, antique furnishings, friendly people and posh surroundings, it felt like stepping into a fairy tale kingdom.

For our arrival at the Grand Hotel  I wore:
Top and Skirt: Peasant Top in Black and Italian Landscape Jenny Skirt by Pinup Girl Clothing
Bracelet: Lauren Hope Arista in Crystal via Rocksbox
Earrings: Mystic Drops in Ivory by Ceci Punch Designs
Brooch: Mini Frida by Baccurelli
Shoes: Athena Sandals in White by Bearpaw
Lipstick: Besame Cosmetics Victory Red

The Parlor

The Parlor door leads outside to the massive porch of the Grand Hotel which is the longest porch in the world.  The porch is glorious, enormous white columns support the roof overhead, rocking chairs are perched everywhere to allow guests to sit and soak up the amazing views of the Grand Hotel gardens, Lake Michigan and the Mackinac Bridge.

Chess anyone?

The World's Longest Porch!

A horse and carriage sculpture decorates the lawn.

 Thousands of Red Geraniums are planted in boxes bordering the entire length of the porch.  The Red Geranium is the official flower of the Grand Hotel, it is integrated into the gardens, the decor and even geranium scented toiletries.

After a bit of time wandering around in awe of the beauty of the hotel, we made our way up to our room.  This was something I was really looking forward to because the Grand Hotel has 390 guest rooms and no two are decorated the same.  I love that each room is unique and I absolutely could not wait to see what the theme of our room would be.  We were in The Garden Suite.

 The Garden Suite

Entry

Entry

Bathroom 

Bedroom

Sitting area

Table on the balcony

The Garden Suite is decorated in shades of green and yellow with magnificent antique furniture, flowers everywhere and yellow roses being the main theme decorating the furnishings and linens.  Audrey was so sweet, sending a card, a bottle of wine and Michigan chocolate cherries to our room as a surprise gift for our anniversary. 

What a sweet surprise!

 We settled our things in and headed downstairs to meet Audrey who took us on a VIP tour of the Grand Hotel.  The decor is amazing, so many different themes, each accented by bright lovely patterned carpeting, whimsical printed linens, antique furnishings and beautiful floral touches.

The Art Gallery

Kitchens

Dining Room

Dining

Dining

After our tour we went back to our room to get dressed for dinner.  The Grand Hotel has a dress code for evenings, after 6:30 pm gentlemen must be in a suit or sport coat, necktie and dress slacks; ladies in dresses, skirts with blouses or a pantsuit.  I feel the dress code really completes the illusion of stepping back in time, it is refreshing to see everyone dressed in such lovely attire.

For Dinner I wore:
Dress: Jenny Dress in Black Cherry Border Print by Pinup Girl Clothing
Petticoat: Jennifer in Red by Malco Modes
Earrings: Mystic Drops in Ivory by Ceci Punch Designs
Bracelet: Lauren Hope Arista Bracelet in Crystal via Rocksbox
Lipstick: Besame Cosmetics Cherry Red
Vintage Clutch and Shawl

We met Audrey in the Cupola Bar for drinks and visiting before dinner.  The Cupola Bar is located in the center tippy-top of the Grand Hotel. Decorated in shades of blue with a sparkling chandelier in the center, it is a two story lounge perfect for relaxing and taking in the panoramic views of the Michigan landscape.  We enjoyed visiting for an hour and got so absorbed in our conversation that we had an oops moment and completely forgot to get a photo together!  After drinks, we went downstairs to the main dining room for our 7 pm dinner reservation.

What a view!

Dinner at the Grand Hotel is a culinary dream!  Five courses, each course gives you your choice from a variety of delicious gourmet selections.  Dining at the Grand Hotel reminded me of what it would have felt like dining on board the Titanic, which is not surprising since the movie Somewhere in Time was filmed at the Grand Hotel and set in the same Edwardian time period.  The Dining Room is massive and lavishly decorated with seating for 1300 guests!  I will admit I have never dined on such amazing food.  We were seated at a table for two overlooking the porch with its glorious view of Lake Michigan.

It is a tough choice!

Our Dinner view

Enjoying Sparkling Raspberry Juice and Appetizers

  Dinner began with Appetizers, followed by Soup, Salad, the Main Entree and Dessert. 

Appetizer: Roasted Chicken Egg Roll, Green Tomato Jam, Daikon, Red Miso Remoulade 

Appetizer: Jumbo Shrimp, Jicama Orange and Horseradish Cocktail Sauce

Soup: Wild Mushroom and Chestnut Bisque with Tarragon Creme Fraiche

Salad: Mixed Greens, Carrots, Cucumber, Goat Cheese, Hazelnuts and Buttermilk Lemon Dressing

Main Course: Roasted Prime Rib of Beef with Garlic Au Jus, Baked Potato and Root Vegetables

Main Course: Five Spice Seared Magret Duck Breast with Polenta Cake, Duck Leg Confit and Plum-Soy Sauce

Our Dessert was a surprise, the dessert plate was lavishly decorated with chocolate with Happy Anniversary written on the plate.  These are the type of special touches that make the Grand Hotel stand out!

Coffee and Dessert!

Dessert: White Chocolate Cheesecake with Strawberry Creme Fraiche and Almond Crumble

Happy 18th Anniversary, Kevin!

After dinner, we were greeted by an amazing sight, the sunset over the Straits of Mackinac.  The vision brought me to tears as the sky was lit in coral, blue, purple and pink.  The light touched the Mackinac Bridge setting it aflame over the calm waters of Lake Michigan.  Such a glorious sight, photos cannot do it justice and words cannot describe the magnificence of nature!  

What a View!

We enjoyed a leisurely hour strolling the porch and around the gardens.  I really enjoyed the huge variety of flowers blooming in every inch of the grounds!  Everyone we met was friendly and relaxed, the environment is simply intoxicating.  We also stopped in the Ballroom to listen to the Grand Hotel Orchestra play while guests dance the night away.  It was a lovely and rewarding day, we were both feeling happy and ready to relax when we finally returned to our room.

18 years together!

The stately Grand Hotel

Lilacs perfumed the air

The Fountain

What a glorious night!

In the morning, we woke up early, dressed and headed down to the Dining Room to have Breakfast.  We were once again seated at a table for two overlooking the porch.  The Breakfast menu is just as lavish as the Dinner menu with a wealth of delicious foods that make choosing just one thing very hard.  

Kevin had: Sparkling Wild Berry Juice.   Poached Eggs with Wagyu Corned Beef Hash and Root Vegetables.  Lake Superior Walleye with Asparagus, Capers and Lemongrass Cream.

I had: Sparkling Wild Berry Juice, Sunny Side Up Egg, Wagyu Corned Beef Hash and Root Vegetables

Caramel-Apple Cheesecake Stuffed Crepes with Turkey Sausage

We enjoyed trying some new breakfast foods and left our breakfast with tons of energy to explore the Grand Hotel grounds and Mackinac Island.

What I wore Saturday:
Top: Tulip Top in White by Blueberry Hill Fashions
Skirt: Twirling in Tulle Skirt in Melon Marvel by Kiyonna
Necklace: Loren Hope Sunset Statement Necklace via Rocksbox
Earrings: Sophie Harper Double Bar Drop Earrings via Rocksbox
Shoes: Athena Sandal in White by Bearpaw

Margaret's Garden Flower Shop!

After breakfast, we enjoyed a bit of swimming in the Esther Williams Pool and took our time strolling the grounds.

Filmed at The Grand Hotel!

The greenhouse

  I really enjoyed the meditation garden/labyrinth, tucked into the woods off the lawn overlooking the pool, it is a peaceful place to enjoy some quiet solitude on a busy day.  

Walking the labyrinth

It was bittersweet checking out of our lovely room and leaving the Grand Hotel.  I felt like royalty every second that we were there, the staff was friendly, the surroundings are lavishly beautiful, there are an amazing variety of activities to enjoy and every detail has been provided to ensure guests comfort.  The entire experience was positively enchanting, we both felt it was the best anniversary trip ever and cannot wait to return!

After checking out, we walked down the hill to downtown Mackinac Island for some shopping and fun. Having been to the island before we were not really worried about doing too much site seeing, we really wanted to just to wander around at our own pace until it was time to catch the ferry back to Mackinac City.  We browsed some of the shops, enjoying the interesting selection of souvenirs and hand crafted gifts.  Walking around town I really enjoy the history that is a huge part of the island.  Fort Mackinac sits overlooking the downtown area and historic markers or plaques as you walk the streets tell you the story of Mackinac Island. The residents homes are all kept beautifully with lovely manicured gardens boasting huge blooms and colors exploding all around!  

The decadent smells of the Mackinac Island Fudge being made lured us into Joann's Fudge.  Joann's Fudge was voted America's Number 1 Fudge Shop by the Daily Meal and it is no surprise.  Hand made with fresh heavy cream, butter and pure ground cocoa beans; Joann's fudge is slow cooked in copper kettles, poured on cooled marble tables and hand paddled into loaves.  With a huge variety of flavors, Joann's has something for everyone along with other varieties of sweets such as ice cream, peanut brittle and saltwater taffy.  We watched the fudge being made, tried a few kinds and picked up a few different flavors of fudge, salt water taffy and peanut brittle so we could take a little taste of Mackinac Island home with us.

Our trip to The Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island was fabulous.  I really cannot wait to plan another trip with the whole family because once you have been to the island it enchants you and you want to go back again and again.