I’ve claimed Lansing as my home since checking into the dorms at MSU in 2004 and so much has changed in the last 12 years. Lots of new developments along Michigan Avenue, Reo Town, Old Town and other little pockets and neighborhoods.
One of my clients, Michigan Retailers Association, has launched a year-round shop local in Michigan campaign called Buy Nearby and naturally, I want to support this effort and dedicate a post to share my favorite places in Lansing.
I find myself spending the most time in Old Town since I gravitate to the shops and it’s also where I live. Read below for a breakdown of the local retailers including boutiques, salons, and restaurants I love and visit the most!
Favorite Salons & Spas
Laurel Salon: Located in Okemos, it’s such a gorgeous space and I’ve followed my favorite esthetician there and so glad it introduced me to such a beautiful, serene salon. Camilla has been waxing and now tinting my brows since my early 20’s–even when I lived in Chicago briefly, I’d come back to Lansing and have her fix the brows. Her room at Laurel has a giant window facing all things nature. This salon has a lot of great talent and experience, plus the salon is light and bright with a laidback luxe vibe. What I love about the salon is the focus on what’s good for your body–inside and out.
Favorite Shops & Boutiques
Retail Therapy: Retail Therapy is my most favorite place to shop in Lansing. I worked with Retail Therapy a couple years ago for a blog opportunity and I’ve been hooked ever since. Celeste, the owner, is everything I want to be when I grow up. She’s the most stylish woman on this planet with the biggest heart. She inspires me professionally and of course, her taste and aesthetic is bold and refined–also inspiring. She picks out such cool pieces that are mostly designed and produced in the U.S. with a small set of labels out of Europe that are impeccably made.
Favorite Restaurants
The Creole: This New Orleans inspired bar and restaurant packs a punch to each dish and cocktail offered. I’ve experienced this place for breakfast, lunch and dinner–and it’s just a great place no matter what time of day, but this is definitely my favorite brunch spot. French press coffee, grapefruit mimosas and the best quiche–it’s a great way to start a weekend.Strange Matter: The best coffee shop in town hands down. Think hand brewed coffees, syrups made in-house and delicious treats (like donuts!) I’m not much of a coffee connoisseur, but I can taste when that shit is real good, plus they are priced well. Can’t. Beat. That. I love any of the sweet drinks like the iced nolas and cinnamon honey lattes.
Thai Village: A place my co-workers crave daily and love to grab lunch downtown and a place I love to order delivery from during the weeknights. The spicy fried rice varieties blow my mind. Because I’m trying to eat much healthier, I order delivery not often and I can divide this order into plenty of meals!
Fitness Faves
FLEXcity Fitness: I’ve been a dedicated FLEXcitizen for just over two years now and this place has really helped me become physically fit, but transforming the way I look at health, fitness and eating right. When I think about what I love most in Lansing and what I would miss/couldn’t live without if I left, it’s this studio and the instructors (especially owners Jenny and Trista!)
This is just a very short list of my favorites, but learn more about what’s going in different areas of town by visiting the Old Town Commercial Association, Downtown Lansing Inc. and Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau. Also be sure to participate in the Buy Nearby photo contest on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Just use the hashtag #ibuynearby during the first weekend in October and you could win a $500 Discovery gift card!
Marielle Temkin says
Love this wrapup! I've never really thought of the Lansing area as a shopping/dining/beauty destination, but now I think I need to take a daytrip up from Royal Oak soon!
Olivia DiTomaso says
Love the bold print.
Liv
http://www.livforstyle.net
immagine consulenza consigli stile milano says
Awesome outfit and style.
The mood of the pictures is great!
I appreciate it so much. (I can say it as a professional Image Consultant ( Consulente d'immagine ) active in Milano, Varese e Roma.
The mood is great and the pictures so good.
I love it.
Thanks for sharing
Consulenza d'immagine
cheers
robertdecosta86@gmail.com says
Hi there,
You look at the good beautician trainer. So you can go to The Lashe. Here you learn With step-by-step instruction and extreme close-ups, Leslie shows you how to prepare your clients, select lashes, set up your workstation, apply individual Eyelash extensions , and remove extensions. Also you can see more: eyelash extensions training
You are most welcome
Rose Daina
Alice Taylor says
Its really good information, i like your blog post. Thanks for sharing
defend your nuts 2 | happy wheels 3 | cat mario | bloons tower defense
Frank says
I could not resist commenting. Well written! http://yahoo.net