DE

GUI

by
Judith Cookis Rubens

to summertime's best bets.

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for Metallics

is for Elegance

A hint of '80s glam is back this season,
only in subtler incarnations like the shiny,
iridescent glint of
metallics — showing up
everywhere from shoes
and purses to makeup.
Strappy metallic gold
and silver heels are all
the rage, especially
styles from Stuart
Weitzman, who accents
his pumps with crystals

for Retro Chic

As in Meadow Brook's annual
Concours d'Elegance — the elegant
parade of classic and vintage automobiles
happening Aug. 1. This year's fund-raiser
features 280 cars from the Golden Age (1927-
1942). Highlights include a special Rolls-
Royce display, Chrysler 300s and Giotto
Bizzarrini-designed cars. The weeklong cele-
bration kicks off July 26 and includes an auto
art exhibit and auction, classic car auction and
Saks Fifth Avenue fashion show. It all takes
place on the sprawling lawns of Meadow
Brook Hall. Admission is $25 per person or
$20 in advance. Call (248) 269-7672.

and stonework. Designers
like Kate Spade have
embraced metallic shades
for handbags. Find her
Metallic Kiki bag ($275) -
a silver calfskin with dou-
ble straps — at Neiman
Marcus. Or try
Nordstrom's signature
Metallic Faux-Crocodile
Bag, a buckled satchel in metallic washed blue ($158).
For the face, look for lipsticks that coat your pout in a
molten, metal-like sheen. Rock on!

Fashion designers are still reach-
ing back to the '50s and '60s for
inspiration. Check out the retro chic
look of full-skirted '50s-style sun-
dresses in polka dots, stripes,
checks or floral prints. Other retro
throwbacks include silk flower
appliqués, bold Pucci-inspired prints
and clutch purses. If you're more
of a '70s gal, look for Lacoste's
famous alligator logo perking up
belts, purses and polos. At
Birmingham's Miss Kate, find bold
print dresses and Chanel-inspired
tweed suits by Milly or tennis sweaters
by Tibi. Look for designer Lily
Pulitzer's splashy floral designs, prep-
py polos and new book Essentially
Lilly (HarperResource, $30), at near-
by Pink Envy.

■

for Garden Gear

is for Handbags

Summer handbags have mul-
tiple personalities, from slim and small
to big and bold. Color makes a big
statement this year, with bright citrus
tones and pastels — think peppermint
pink or canary yellow — competing.
Decoration is key: Bags sport metal
clasps, rope chains, buckles or silver
trim. For extra texture, look for
embossed leather, faux-crocodile or
wicker totes. Also fun are the plastic
"jelly" bags with fold-over flaps and
metal hardware. At Birmingham's 110
Couture, pick up Allison Burns' stylish
small leather clutch in bright blues and
pinks ($195), or her large hobo bag in
browns and oranges ($380).

Make the most of those trips to the nurs-
ery with the right garden gear. Turn to
Birmingham's Smith and Hawken for
handy tools, pots and outdoor accessories.
Smith and Hawken's garden adviser
Katherine Whiteside recommends the
Mud Clogs, functional yet fashionable
slip-ons in solid colors, plaids or fun lady-
bug prints ($46). Another must-have is
Smith and Hawken's Ultimate Toolbag, a
handy tote with 10 deep pockets for
tools, gloves, seeds and more ($29).

0

for TasteFest

is for Salsa Dancing

Latin music is all the rage
and local clubs are hosting Latin
Dance Nights and offering free salsa
dancing lessons. Here are a few
places to get your groove on in Metro
Detroit:
* Tuesdays: Troy Dance Studio,
Ballroom and Latin Dancing 9-11 p.m.,
4963 Rochester Road, Troy. $10.
* Wednesdays and Thursdays:
Sangria's Sky Club, 401 S. Lafayette,
Royal Oak. Free dance lessons at 8
p.m. followed by salsa, merengue,
bachata and Latin pop music. $5 cover.
* Fridays: HEAT night club, 2 North
Saginaw, Pontiac. Free dance classes at
8:30 p.m., followed by a Latin Dance
Party.

As in Comerica TasteFest 2004, the
July 1-4 street festival of food and
music in Detroit's New Center.
Sample dishes from more than 40
great Detroit eateries including
Sweet Georgia Brown and the Town
Pump. Or catch performances by
blues legend Buddy Guy, garage
rockers Jet and R&B favorites The
Spinners. Visit www.tastefest.com .

PLATINUM • JUNE 2004 •

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