Best U-Pick Flower Farm in Metro Detroit
One of my favorite late-summer activities is heading to Van Houtte Farm in Armada, Michigan, and wandering through the beautiful sunflower/wildflower farm. Sunflowers, zinnias, snapdragons, and more as far as the eye can see. There are even two morning glory teepees that are fun to watch come to life.
This year I visited Van Houtte Farm for U-Pick Flowers nearly every weekend. Some weekends I would pick all pinks, while others would be all sunflowers, a mix of flowers, or just a bright bouquet of color. If you love flowers (and who doesn’t?) If you’re in the metro Detroit area I highly recommend heading out to Van Houtte Farm and picking your gorgeous bouquet.
I have been to various flower farms around metro Detroit and hands down Van Houtte Farm is the best u-pick flower farm in metro Detroit. If you’re looking to pick sunflowers at a reasonable price, look no further than Van Houtte U-Pick Flower Farm.
2021 Broadway In Detroit Announces Public Health & Safety Protocols
Are you excited to get back to the theater? I know I am! Broadway in Detroit just announced their public health and safety protocols in a time of Covid and I know many of you are big Broadway in Detroit fans like me, so I thought I would share. P.S. Can’t wait to see you at the theater this fall!
Broadway In Detroit announced today its public health and safety protocols for attending any of its live productions when venues reopen at 100 percent capacity this fall.
Following the lead of Broadway and concert venues across the country, Broadway In Detroit theatre patrons will be required to show proof of a negative Covid test within 72 hours of the performance date or proof of full Covid-19 vaccination before they will be admitted into the venue. Additionally, all patrons will be required to wear a mask while inside the theatre regardless of one’s vaccination status.
This policy will be in effect starting October 10, 2021 and applies to all venues at which Broadway in Detroit presents shows, including the Fisher Theater, the Detroit Opera House, and Music Hall. The date was chosen specifically to allow time for any eligible unvaccinated ticket holders to reach fully vaccinated status should they choose to do so.
All ticket purchasers will receive a Broadway In Detroit Health & Safety Guide via email in the weeks prior to their performance. This guide will also be posted on the company’s website (BroadwayInDetroit.com) and available at the Fisher Theatre box office. It will have the latest information on the company’s health and safety protocols as well as information on what to expect when you arrive at the theatre.
“We are really excited to welcome audiences back to the theatre, but we cannot open our doors unless we can provide a safe and healthy environment for audiences, performers and staff,” said Al Lichtenstein, executive director for Broadway In Detroit. “The overwhelming majority of theatre patrons across the country have warmly welcomed these kind of safety protocols. We feel most of our guests will respond the same.”
In preparation for a safe reopening all Broadway in Detroit venues have upgraded HVAC systems with MERV 13 filters, increased cleaning and disinfecting protocols, added sanitizing stations through the building, and will be offering cashless options onsite, including debit/credit cards and mobile pay. Additionally, all Broadway in Detroit event staff are required to be fully vaccinated and will be masked at every performance.
Any ticket holder who does not comply with any COVID-19 protocol may be required to leave the venue without any entitlement to a refund. Guests with protocol accessibility questions may call (313) 872-1000.
More information, including what theatregoers need to know when purchasing a ticket, can be found on the “Health & Safety Info” page of the Broadway In Detroit website, or broadwayindetroit.com/knowbeforeyougo.
Broadway in Detroit, The Ambassador Theatre Group and The Broadway League, along with its partners, are closely monitoring the coronavirus situation and following the recommendations of local, state, and federal agencies to ensure safety of theatregoers, performers, and employees. We reserve the right to unilaterally change protocols according to updated public health guidance and applicable law.
30 Things to do in September
Hello September! I am so excited to see you. This summer flew by, and with temperatures feeling like the center of the sun I am thrilled for the arrival of September and all things fall. September is apple orchard season, the return of pumpkin spice, and the kickoff to sweater season. To get this month started, I am sharing 30 things to do in September. Now let’s get started thinking about crisp weather:
1. Take a trip to the cider mill for apple cider and donuts.
2. Campgrounds and quieter and cooler, why not book weekend camping trip?
3. Pick sunflowers at a flower farm.
4. It’s National Wildlife Day, spend the day out hiking and enjoying the wildlife you come across.
5. Bust out those vampy fall nail polish colors. I am loving army green, mustard and gray this season.
6. Book a cabin getaway for a change of scenery, bonus points if you book it so you can enjoy fall colors.
7. Check out all the new fall movies that have hit the Hallmark Channel.
8. Get creative and make a fall charcuterie board.
9. It’s the perfect time to make a big pot of soup.
10. Take advantage of cooler evenings and have a bonfire with s’mores of course.
11. Head to an apple orchard for apple picking fun.
12. Visit a local produce stand.
13. It’s National Peanut Day today! Celebrate by indulging in a peanut butter treat.
14. Make a sweet treat that includes pumpkin.
15. Have a fall picnic. Bonus points if it includes a thermos of soup, cozy blankets and charcuterie.
16. Grab some tortilla chips and whip up some homemade guacamole or head to your favorite Mexican restaurant to celebrate National Guacamole Day.
17. Build a scarecrow.
18. Buy a cozy sweater or pair of boots.
19.Crochet or knit yourself a hat or scarf for cooler temperatures.
20. Did you know today is National Fried Rice Day? Well now you do! I’ll be grabbing some pineapple fried rice from my favorite Thai restaurant.
21. Anyone else a fan of chai tea lattes? If you are today is National Chai Day and the perfect excuse to head to a local coffee shop and grab one.
22. Happy first day of fall! Make a bucket list of everything you want to do this fall.
23. Go for a fall color drive.
24. Head to the pumpkin patch and pick pumpkins.
25. Light fall scented candles. I am loving ones that smell like a cider donut.
26. Make caramel apples.
27. Adventure through a corn maze.
28. Go for a hay ride.
29. Make a big pot of your favorite chili.
30. September ends the month with National Hot Mulled Cider Day and let me tell you, I am here for it! I’ll be heading to Yates Cider Mill for a hot cider and plain donut today. Yum!
Best Hiking Shoe 2021: Merrell Moab 2
I’ve tried a lot of hiking boots over the years, so it’s a bold state for me to say that the Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof Women’s hiking boots are my favorite that I’ve ever owned. When I say that Merrell takes comfort to the next level with the Moab 2 I am not joking—these hiking shoes are like walking on clouds.
Merrell Moab 2 fit and feel
First I should share a little about the shape of my feet. My forefoot and ankle are average, and I have a relatively high arch. I wear a size 7, however for comfort and room for heavier socks I went up half a size in the Merrell Moab 2 to a 7.5.
Traditionally I go for the heavier hiking boot. In my mind it would give my ankle more support and make me feel comfortable on trail. That being said the hiking boot that I love is actually a hiking shoe, it checks all my boxes of must while getting rid of the clunky boot.
What I love about the Merrell Moab 2 hiking shoe is that my heel almost feels glued to the insole and the supportive footbed offers the most comfortable climb. I love the addition of Vibram® traction—this is definitely really important to me when it comes to hiking shoes/hiking boots. I’ve logged over 75 miles in the Merrell Moab 2 already this summer, and still haven’t had a single blister (knock on wood).
Is the Merrell Moab 2 hiking shoe lightweight?
One thing that has always driven me crazy is how heavy most hiking boots are. I went to switch to hiking shoes, and some were still so heavy. You can imagine my excitement when I discovered that the Merrell Moab 2s are a lightweight hiking shoe, so you won’t expend any extra energy lugging your own two feet around.
Sometimes when hiking shoes are made lightweight it comes with the price of comfort being removed from the equation, and that is not the case at all here. The Merrell Moab 2s are so comfortable, I tell my friends that they feel like I am walking on clouds.
Merrell Moab 2 hiking shoe performance
Despite being lightweight, the Merrell Moab 2s are a super solid hiking shoe. So far, I’ve crossed streams, tackled hikes with vertical gain, crushed a 12 mile day hike, walked on slippery rocks just to name a few ways I have put my Merrell Moab 2 hiking shoes through the wringer—and let me just say, I am incredibly impressed.
Let’s take a minute to talk about grip, the outsole of the Moab 2 features a Vibram® TC5+ sole that helps provide a ton of traction. These shoes have helped me feel confident with whatever the trail throws at me.
Merrell Moab 2 is budget-friendly
The Merrell Moab 2 Hiking shoes are a great budget-friendly option. They come in both normal and wide versions, making them popular for women who have wider feet. These also come in a non-waterproof version.
Waterproof: Waterproof and Non-waterproof available
Weight: 1 lbs 12 oz.
MSRP: $125
Merrell Moab 2 waterproof features:
• M Select™ DRY seals out water and lets moisture escape so you stay dry when you’re on the move
• Performance suede leather and mesh upper
• Bellows, closed-cell foam tongue keeps moisture and debris out
• Protective rubber toe cap
• Breathable mesh lining
• Merrell M Select™ FIT.ECO+ blended EVA contoured footbed with added zonal arch and heel support
• Molded nylon arch shank
• Merrell air cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability
• EVA midsole for stability and comfort
• Vibram® TC5+ sole
• 5mm lug depth
• Weight: 1lb 12oz / 800G
5 Tips To Help Find Your Dream Property
Property hunting can be fun, stress filled, and disappointment all wrapped together in one big ball of emotions. It’s definitely not all the glitz and glam that you see on HGTV. Budgets aren’t endless, and if you’re not working with all the right people you may end up with something you didn’t want in the first place.
Lets say you want to open an outdoor mall. You don’t just go out and say this is where I want it and these people are who is doing everything (unless you’ve been doing it awhile). Instead you want to find a real estate developer to go and scout properties for you. You want them to find a property in an area that would like an upscale outdoor mall, you want to make sure that you’ll have stores that want to go into that area and that people will come. Then you need to get design and all the logistics figured out. Could you do that on your own? I don’t think so.
I previously worked in a real estate office and while one side of it was residential the other was commercial development and that by far was my favorite. I learned the ins and outs of real estate development and the importance of a real estate developer that actually has experience and cares. And isn’t lazy! A lazy real estate developer is a money waster and who wants to waste money? From sky scrapers and subdivisions to strip malls and more I experienced the best and the worst of real estate development and now I am giving you five tips for finding your dream property. I also let you know qualities you should look for in a real estate developer.
5 Tips for Finding Your Dream Property
Know what you want
If you don’t know what you want, then how can someone find something that is right for you? The answer is simple, they can’t. While some properties can be developed and any kind of business can go into them. Some need more thought. For instance, if the goal is to have a coffee shop like Starbucks be one of the renters in the building, but you don’t have drive through space how do you expect they to go into that location? You need the right people to make the plans, scout out the area and ultimately get the property sold. Finding a real estate developer like Damon Becnel is quintessential to the completion of the project.
What is real estate development?
Real estate development or property development is a business process for a range of activities. These activities include but are not limited to renovation, re-lease of existing building, the purchase of raw land and the sale of developed land. Real estate developers are hired to coordinate all of the activities. They basically convert the ideas on paper to real property.
What does a real estate developer do?
Real estate developers buy property or partner with landowners to develop a plan for what to build or rebuild on that specific property. Real estate developers will bring in investors and predict how much money the new homes or businesses will bring in. The real estate developers also manage the construction and are ultimately the ones that sell the project once it’s complete (or in some cases before it is complete).
5 characteristics of a great real estate developer
Like anything else, there are specific characteristics you should look for in a real estate developer. Here are five that are definitely important:
1. Education. Some of the most successful developers especially of investment properties attend college and study the foundations of developing real estate properties.
2. People skills. Does your real estate developer have good people skills? If the answer is no, you know they’re not for you. Having people skills is essential to not only the personal success of a real estate developer, but the success of the property as a whole.
3. Problem solving skills. This one is a no brainer. In real estate development things can change in a flash. The project might be going great and then bam problem, or maybe the deadline gets moved up. A good real estate developer stays calm and problem solves to reach a resolution.
4. Creativity. Anyone can create a cookie cutter of something else. Not everyone has a creative mindset to think out of the box and come up with something new. Plus you need to visualize what not only the inside looks like, but the outside as well.
5. Spot potential. While I may look at a lot and think wow this is disgusting and such a mess nothing will ever go here. A real estate developer will look at the potential of that piece of property and figure out if it will work for an upcoming project or a new development in general. I think this is the coolest part of the job, them being able to see something and know that it has all the potential in the world.
6. Tough decisions. Do they have the confidence to make tough decisions. All projects are not black and white. There is gray area and frankly every other color of the rainbow area. They have to be willing to say no, speak up when they don’t like something and just make the decisions that may not be the popular ones.
Fashion meets Food 