Make Time For Family!

In need of some quality family time? Why not spend a beautiful day visiting the Detroit Zoo with the family! These fall days are perfect for spending time outside. A cool breeze is blowing, the sun peaks out of the clouds every once in a while, and the temperature in Metro Detroit around this time of year ranges from 60-70 degrees (give or take a couple chilly days). Why spend family time at the Metro Detroit Zoo? Aside from the fact that kids LOVE animals, the Detroit Zoo happens to be the largest family attraction in Michigan!

Image from: http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc33855.php

Don't let that last bit of interesting fact about crowds discourage you though! There is plenty of room at the Detroit Zoo because it is located on a 125 acre lot which gives you plenty of room to sprawl out. Here is a map of the zoo:

Image From: http://www.detroitzoo.org/Zoo_Map

As a child, my time at the zoo was usually spent with my older brother, cousins or friends, but ALWAYS with my mom. I can thank her for my love for and interest in animals. One of my fondest memories of the zoo as a child was walking around inside the butterfly house. This was exciting for me as a child because the butterflies would actually land on me, and any kid who goes to the zoo and has any contact with the animals always thinks it is the coolest experience ever.

For further Detroit Zoo information, please visit: http://www.detroitzoo.org/

Spend some quality time with family or friends at the Detroit Zoo - You won't regret it!

Have No Fear - IKEA Is Here!

Okay, so for the second time this week, the rain has ruined my blogging plans for the day BUT I once again am able to catch up on some homework AND it has inspired me to come up with a new and exciting place to visit in Metro Detroit.

On this rainy day, I thought I would take you on a trip to IKEA!! This home furnishings store is located in Canton - only about 15 minutes from the Metro Detroit Airport!

Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IKEA 

Although I had heard of this awesome home furnishing store many times before, last year was the first time I had ever set foot in it. Now that I've been there...I can't stop going!! From kitchen layouts, to lamps and comforters, to modern living rooms and bedrooms, IKEA has it all! If you're looking to remodel any part of your home and you're looking for a fairly inexpensive way to do it, IKEA is the way to go! Here is a bedroom layout I saw set up recently in the store that I one day hope to imitate!

Looks cozy, huh?

Well, until next time! 

I hope all of you find a way to enjoy this rainy day just as much as I am!

Rain Rain Don't Go Away!

Greetings From A Cozy Local Star Bucks!

Although many would be the first to say that today is a very crummy day, I personally think rainy days leave plenty of room for possible opportunities to have fun! Even though the plans I had for my blog today were shot when I woke up and it was pouring, I took God's blessing of rain to catch up on my enormous stack of homework at my local Star Bucks :)  While sipping on my White Chocolate Mocha, I've been pondering what I'd like to do on this rainy day if it weren't for my procrastination that has landed me doing endless amounts of reading and writing.

So for all of you who are ahead of the game and looking for something to do in Metro Detroit on this rainy day because you've finished up all of your homework, why not go shopping at Michigan's largest outlet shopping center Great Lakes Crossing??

Image from: http://www.detroit-travel-guide.com/detroit-shopping.html

Located in Auburn Hills, just off of I-75 on Baldwin Road, Great Lakes Crossing has over 25 restaurants and stores that cannot be found anywhere else in Michigan! Some of my favorites include the Disney Store Outlet, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Rainforest Cafe, and Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill! Not only does this mall have awesome restaurants and stores, but it also has a movie theater! One could definitely plan an entire day date at Great Lakes Crossing!

When I visit Great Lakes Crossing, I usually go with my mom. Our regular parking spot is just outside of Bass Pro, which happens to be our FAVORITE store at Great Lakes Crossing! I strongly suggest walking through Bass Pro as a way of entry into the mall because there are so many awesome things to look at in the store, including a huge freshwater aquarium! Bass Pro is also one of my favorite stores to go into during the Christmas holiday because they decorate the rustic-looking store so cozy! Our regular routine when we visit Great Lakes Crossing is to walk through Bass Pro, walk the entire mall, and then end up at Kerby's Koney Island for our usual chicken lemon rice soup and coney dog with fries :)

Image from: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/1918

For those of you unfamiliar with Great Lakes Crossing, this is one awesome shopping center you don't want to miss out on!

Enjoy this beautiful rainy day - it has given all of you a reason to go shopping!

Faith or no Faith...

...This place of worship will take anyone's breath away!

Kirk in the Hills, commonly known as "The Kirk," is a beautiful Gothic designed Presbyterian church built on 40 acres of magnificently landscaped grounds in Bloomfield Hills.

The rich architecture of this 1958 sanctuary is enough to attract a frequent touring crowd. Tours at the Kirk are held weekly and open to the public by way of appointment. To schedule a tour of this European-inspired edifice, click here: Tour the Kirk

My personal interest in this church is the landscape. Of the forty acres owned by the Kirk, nine acres are dedicated to beautiful flowering gardens, natural landscape, and a Columbarium. I take a personal interest in the manicured garden landscape because my aunt is hired to maintain the gardens. A simple leisurely walk through the gardens and courtyards behind the church is medication I think every work-aholic should be prescribed. 

This horticultural extravaganza always reminds me to stop and smell the flowers. 

Reppin' the D!!

Hello Blog Followers!!

My name is Gina!

For my blog theme I decided to concentrate on all the wonderful things to do in the Metro Detroit area. I chose this topic because I feel that Metro Detroit sometimes gets a bad reputation from those who are not familiar with all the awesome things to do and see in the area. I happen to travel a LOT.  I find that when I travel and meet new people, the question that always seems arise is "Where are you from?" When my response is "The Metro Detroit area" I get the expected raised eyebrows and, just because they heard the city name "Detroit," the popular question "Is it safe there?" or "Do you carry a gun with you?" So, I will take this blog time to hopefully excite and inspire those who have a misconception of the Metro Detroit Area and to get them involved with the outstanding attractions!

Hope you enjoy this wild and crazy ride through Metro Detroit!