If anyone can appreciate good weather, it’s Michiganders. After a long winter and a wet spring, we’re all looking forward to spending time outdoors again. Thankfully, we are blessed with tons of outdoor dining options and fun patios in Metro Detroit!
Here are 10 of the restaurants with the best patios in + around Detroit:
If you’re looking for a family-friendly outdoor dining space, Blake’s has you covered. The tasting room is a full-service restaurant with lots of shareables, sandwiches, and salads. There’s tons of space to spread out and for kids to play. Enjoy a delicious hard cider including experimental flavors only available on the farm. I love the party pretzel, and my kids always leave with a donut!
With multiple locations around Metro Detroit (and beyond), Bobcat Bonnie’s strives to be “the neighborhood spot.” With an eclectic aesthetic and unique menus for both dinner and brunch, it’s one of our favorite patios to visit. Our kids like the mac and cheese and tots, with other kid-favorites on their kids menu. They have delicious cocktails to pair with your meal, and the perfect spot for a boozy brunch with friends.
Located in the heart of Ferndale at Woodward and 9 Mile, Como’s boasts “the largest outdoor patio in town.” We always get the Joshua J pizza and the antipasto salad but you really can’t go wrong with any of their deep dish. It’s a bit of a party patio, if that’s the vibe you’re looking for!
Sit canal-side and feast on unique farm-to-table menu items at Coriander. You’ll find casual, thoughtful dining located in the Jefferson-Chalmers area with beautiful views of the canal. They offer lunch and dinner service every day except Tuesday. With an emphasis on seasonal ingredients, their sandwiches and salads look especially delicious!
Fleat is a unique and casual food truck park on 9 Mile in Ferndale. Their expansive patio is both kid- and dog-friendly. If your kids aren’t in the mood for any of their rotating food trucks, they have a full kitchen menu that includes a kid menu. Their “boozery brunch” events are fun on the weekends. They often have events, including live music. They are open Wednesday through Sunday!
Mercury is a diner-style burger and milkshake joint located in Corktown with a spacious patio that is both kid-friendly and dog-friendly. Enjoy the giant mural from your covered picnic table in their fenced-in outdoor dining space. They are open every day for lunch and dinner!
Located on the nautical mile in St. Clair Shores, this casual nautical-themed restaurant has a large waterside patio with a full tiki bar and a view of the marina. Kids can pick from the “treasure chest” on the way out, a favorite for my kids! They also have a rooftop deck and an ice cream truck on-site.
See great views of Midtown from the rooftop deck at Motor City Brewing Works! They are the oldest Detroit brewery and with their delicious brick-oven pizza along with their beers, it’s no surprise. Their convenient location is close to other spots you may want to visit before or after your meal. They are open every day for lunch and dinner.
Located in Corktown, Mudgie’s Deli and Wine Shop is the perfect place to grab a sandwich and hang out in their tiki-inspired outdoor space. They have a kids menu, as well as a ton of items to peruse. They’re open Tuesday through Saturday.
If you’re looking for a fine dining experience on the water, look no further than The Waterfront in Wyandotte. Their upscale menu includes a variety of delicious options. Located right on the Detroit River, the views can’t be beat, and it’s only a short drive away from downtown!
No matter what vibe you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find it at one of these excellent restaurants in our area. What must-see patios are we missing from the list?
Detroit Mom partnered with the amazing people at Stemville to bring you this post. All opinions are our own.
Summer is finally here and we’re all excited to lean into the more relaxing parts of this time of year. For our kids, summer break means a mental vacation from school and stepping out of the structure of learning. But did you know that many kids lose the knowledge and skills they learned throughout the school year over summer break?
This is why it’s so important to keep your kids engaged with the skills they learned–like reading, science, and math–all year long. Stemville is the perfect place to beat the heat and keep your kids learning all summer. They will love everything about the fun, interactive space that will light up their imaginations and have their minds working hard, without the structure of a classroom.
Read on to learn more about Stemville, and why you should definitely make them a part of your summer break plans!
Why should kids participate in STEM activities throughout the summer?
Kids should participate in STEM activities throughout the summer because it allows them to explore concepts and solve problems in a fun and interactive manner. These activities enhance their understanding and retention of concepts they have already learned in school.
STEM activities foster curiosity and imagination by encouraging kids to ask questions and think outside the box. By participating in STEM throughout the summer, kids not only have a fun and rewarding experience, but they also develop essential skills and knowledge that will benefit them academically.
What are the benefits of kids engaging in STEM activities at different ages?
In early childhood, STEM activities can stimulate curiosity and a love for learning. It develops foundational skills like counting, sorting, and basic problem solving. Hands-on discovery also encourages exploration. For children in elementary school, STEM activities enhance critical thinking and logical reasoning abilities. They cultivate creativity and innovation through design challenges, which builds a strong foundation in STEM concepts.
Why is Stemville the hot spot to cool down this summer?
Stemville is a unique experience and should be added to your summer outings. During your visit, your child will get to explore all of the STEM stations to burn some mental energy while having a lot of fun! Parents and caretakers can sit back, relax, and enjoy Great Lakes iced coffee while being able to see their child throughout the facility.
Located in Downtown Northville, there are many great restaurants to stop at before or after your visit–and some even better ice cream spots!
Do you offer any summertime memberships or specials?
General admission is $20.00 per child.
One month of unlimited visits it is $49.99, which includes a buddy pass.
With a membership commitment to a minimum of three months, the monthly rate is discounted to $39.99.
Do you have any tips for planning a trip to Stemville?
Reservations are required for entry and often fill up quickly and in advance. We control our capacity so all guests have an enjoyable visit. There are many free parking lots and street parking available in Downtown Northville. We have a snack bar, and serve Great Lakes Coffee, so parents and kids can enjoy something to eat or drink while they visit. Stemville is shoe-free for all guests, so be sure to bring or wear socks for your visit!
Traveling with teens: will it be an opportunity to make memories, unplug, and connect? Or, will it be full of those moments with your teens that you’d rather not remember so well? Realistically, it will probably be a combo of both–because, teens . . .
We travel several times a year with our crew of three, ages 11, 14, and 16. I truly look forward to each trip. Yes, they are work to plan, to pack, and to coordinate. Yes, there are moments when I think, “Why did I take the kids with me?!?” But in the end, because I unplug so much better away from home, our kids (even the teens) tend to follow my lead.
We do things that we tend to “forget” to do at home like play board games and cards, sit and do a craft project, or just take a walk together. Yes, we have some favorite destinations (shout out to northern Michigan!), but in the end, being together and away from the constant chaos is the biggest ingredient for success.
Still approaching your next trip with that surly teen with a bit of trepidation? I get it, and I’ve been there! Here are some tried and true tips for travel with teens from me, a mom of three–and a mom of two teens and a tween!
Get to know what they are passionate about, and what motivates them.
Does your teen have a sweet tooth? Research the best candy store or ice cream parlor in the area you’re traveling to as an incentive for minimal eye rolling while you play tourist. Is one of your kids really passionate about history? Find some historical landmarks to add to the day’s agenda.
What about pop culture? We once drove an hour out of our way so that our middle child could take a picture in front of one of the Pittsburgh locations for Abby Lee Dance Company. It was totally worth it! Even the other two kids got a kick out of seeing their sib so excited!
Bonus tip: Try our favorite candy store in Charlevoix, The Taffy Barrel. While you are there, take a bunch of silly pictures with all of the cut-outs around downtown Charlevoix!
Let them sleep!
As the kids get older, I do my best to find travel accommodations where we can spread out a bit more and allow my older two to sleep in. This also gives me time to go out each morning with my husband and my youngest for early morning adventures that the teens have zero interest in.
Bonus tip: We love renting a home or condo through Airbnb or VRBO when we can, so we can spread out! To make it more affordable, we stay in an adjacent town or hop in the car to hit the beach instead of staying somewhere walkable.
“Right size” your expectations.
Make sure that your expectations for each day and each activity are realistic based on who your teen(s) are right now, NOT who you want them to be. This helps protect us from needless frustration when our vacations are not “picture-perfect,” and to appreciate the moments when things DO go well!
Bonus tip: Make sure your teens’ expectations are realistic as well. Do you expect a wait for dinner? Give them a heads up! Will the beach be crowded, so you will need to get there early? Let them know the night before that you will have to leave the house quickly in the morning.
Say “yes” as much as you can!
What if when browsing local bookstores, your teen asks for a book? A real book; you know, those things made out of paper, that don’t need wifi? SAY YES! They may even surprise you and read it! What if they ask for pop with dinner? What would happen if you said yes AND got them dessert? You may see one of those rare, yet amazing, teenager smiles.
One of our favorite finds on vacations are local toy stores. Do the kids beg for money? They sure do! And we say YES to letting them pick out a new game that we can all play that evening.
Bonus tip: Visit one of our favorite toystores on main street in downtown Frankenmuth and shop local at Toyberg!
In the end, remember to keep your expectations realistic, and pick your battles. Your teen may not share their gratitude, but they will appreciate your flexibility in allowing them to just be themselves. And on an especially trying day, instead of counting the difficult moments, pay attention to those fleeting smiles and laughs–they are usually there when we look for them!
Disclaimer: The following post outlines the writer’s personal experience with airway disorders. It is not intended to act as medical advice. As always, please consult your doctor with any questions about airway disorders.
July 10th. Airway Disorders Day. A day that was never on my family’s radar. Then, our perfect, full term baby boy was born. He latched, immediately. Nursing was a breeze compared to my first!
He grew, he nursed. A nurse made a silly comment about how wet and chokey his lungs sounded, and I brushed it off as, “He’s two hours old!” I never would have guessed he had airway disorders.
Then, he didn’t sleep. He choked, as soon as my let down came. Let’s not forget about the vomiting, either. Not just normal baby spit up or reflux. Full force, I can’t breathe, let’s drench the couch, choking on myself throwing up–at three weeks old.
Hospital Visits and Surgery
I altered my diet to help him, substantially, like I did with my oldest. Then, my first evening away happened–a COVID wedding for a close friend, four hours away. He was perfectly fine, until he wasn’t.
At exactly one month old–June 12, 2021–he had his first ER visit. June 14, 2021 was the start of his first admission. It took 38 more doctors’ appointments, eight more ER visits, one sleep study, and one surgery to diagnose something beyond “reactive airway disease,” when he was 14 months old.
A kind, very inexperienced but bold ENT shared that the way my son was breathing is something called stridor, partnered with wheezing and a tracheal tug, and it’s common with kids who have airway disorders.
Treatment
From there, we went through a whirlwind of tests, x-rays, second opinions, surgeries, and specialists. A handful of the airway labels we’ve experienced include Laryngomalacia, bronchomalacia, FPIES, sleep apneas, and asthma.
Most of the time, kids outgrow laryngomalacia once their cartilage becomes stronger in their airways by 18 months. In the meantime, they may need a feeding tube and/or reflux meds. The unlucky few need surgery, typically a supraglottaplasty, to fix the problems that persist.
Occasionally, apnea, choking, and airway collapse isn’t solved by a “supra” alone, and further surgery is needed. Surgeons try to avoid removing tonsils and adenoids before age four, and almost never before the age of two due to the bleeding risk. If airway disorders persist, a repeat supraglottaplasty and removal of tonsils and adenoids is one of the only options.
Now, more than a year past our first diagnosis, we have even more diagnoses. He’s had more surgeries, seizures, sleep studies, ER visits, and hospitals stays. Yet, he is the happiest, silliest, smartest little guy. At barely two years old, he can talk your ear off, throw a ball better than many adults, name way too many kinds of trucks, sing you a plethora of songs, and annoy his sister so terribly well.
Advocacy
As a mom, it’s sometimes hard to wonder why I didn’t just advocate for more information on his nurse’s comment when he was just a newborn. However, I also know that he is perfect for our family.
He taught me how to advocate for others. He taught me that a “healthy baby” is such a loaded request. He’s given me lessons in running on minimal sleep, loving myself first so I can love on my kids and partner, and that doctors actually do not know everything, and asking questions is okay, even welcomed.
Airway disorders are terrifying. And exhausting. They are rarely talked about, not researched nearly enough, and can be dangerous. However, airway disorders are also entirely possible to navigate with the right team, research, and ability to ask for help. For more information on navigating airway disorders, please consult your child’s pediatrician, pulmonologist, or ENT. You can also read more on all sorts of airway disorders at https://www.copingwithlm.org/.
Detroit Mom’s Local Love series highlights local women and the businesses they have built. We love supporting small business! Today’s Local Love Spotlight belongs to Sammi Antosz, owner of Adorn Permanent Jewelry.
To start, we asked Sammi to share some fun facts about herself! She shared that four months after meeting her partner, she decided to move states to be with him (and yes, they’re happily together with two children). She’s had a sixth sense about five of her friends’ pregnancies and/or when they were in labor. And, she does not like pickles or peanut butter!
We asked Sammi to share a little bit more about her business with us too. Get to know her and her business, Adorn Permanent Jewelry, below!
Photo by Her Brand Photo/Jamie Vandewinkle
How did you come up with the idea of your business, and how did you start?
“I’ve always had an affection for jewelry. When I saw permanent jewelry storm social media, I HAD to have it! After getting a bracelet, the idea to build my own brand found me and flooded my mind the way Elizabeth Gilbert describes it in Big Magic.
“First, I captured all my ideas by taking pen to paper. Then I went to search engines and social media to learn everything I could about permanent jewelry: what items were needed, best practices and techniques, metals 101, how welding actually works, etc. I ordered my machine, chains, and tools immediately. While waiting for those to arrive, I took time to focus on the business side–opening an LLC, creating social media accounts, and building my brand’s look!”
Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?
“Yes, and no. I say “no” because I learn best from making my own mistakes . . . and I’ve already made plenty! I’ve been able to quickly adapt and evolve my business from those learnings, which I take pride in. At the same time, this is a BUSINESS. It’s a big deal–one of the most ‘adult’ things I’ve done in my life. So while I learn best from my mistakes, I cannot let my pride get in the way and risk making an error that would have a lasting, negative impact on my business.
“Looking back, I would have taken advantage of connecting with and accepting guidance from a business attorney and CPA sooner [rather] than later. I now honor that there are parts of my business beyond my scope and partnering with experts saves me time, money, and protects our reputation.”
Photo by Her Brand Photo/Jamie Vandewinkle
What is the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
“Fall in love with being a beginner.” -Danielle Mika, Wellness Coach
“Those seven words had a profound impact on my mindset. Falling in love with being a beginner means your mind isn’t clouded by ‘what you know.’ This allows you to try new things, discover opportunities, and be inspired by endless possibilities. That’s the magic in the newness of something.”
How do you persevere in challenging times?
“I seek support from close friends/family. In being vulnerable with my feelings, they oftentimes see or sense something that I do not. When they bring my attention to this, I’m able to see the challenge through a new lens and come up with a plan or solution to grow through it!”
What impact do you want your business to have?
“Adorn Permanent Jewelry’s goal is for our guests to leave with lasting memories by bringing a social and sentimental bonding experience to them (literally and figuratively, lol). As for the community, our goal is to collaborate with local small businesses to offer unique events that foster connection and build relationships.”
Photo by Her Brand Photo/Jamie Vandewinkle
What are the pros and cons of being a woman business owner in 2023?
“Believe it or not, the pros and cons of being a women-owned business in 2023 are actually the same thing for me: social media and content creation. I deeply appreciate having access to social media. It allows me to be expressive, flex my creative side, connect with my community, seek inspiration, and even inspire others. Apps like Canva and Unfold make creating professional content a breeze. I have access to any color or font I can dream of, pre-sized templates, can create email blasts or business cards, and even start with a blank canvas if I’m feeling extra creative.
“At the same time, social media can be overwhelming. Getting stuck in the comparison scroll, feeling the need to constantly post, and staring at your “followers” or “likes” number for a quick dopamine hit. Because so many of us have access to social media, the unfortunate reality is that there are people straight up copying and stealing other people’s business ideas. You might see someone’s logo that looks just like yours, how their bio or post captions are oddly familiar, or that they are claiming a new idea or partnership as their own right after you shared it to your page.
“To top it off, those content creating apps are used by many other businesses and oftentimes you’ll see you’re using the same templates as others, which makes it difficult to set yourself apart. At the end of the day, the beauty of the pros outweigh the cons. Continue to stay true to yourself and your brand, and you will show up authentically! Your community will sense that, and your connections will thrive.”
What knowledge would you share with someone who wants to become an entrepreneur?
“Two things come to mind: 1) Just BEGIN. You don’t need to see the whole staircase to take that first step. That gets the ball rolling and keeps the momentum going. 2) Hire out in the areas you don’t enjoy or need support. If you don’t like creating content, the content you do create will match that energy and won’t be successful. Hire a content creator so you can spend your time on doing what you enjoy.”
What do you do for personal and professional development?
“I recently swapped meditation with breathwork. It’s drastically altered my focus, awareness, [and] mood, and supports in calming my nervous system. I’ve formed a few friendships with permanent jewelry artists over the nation–we pick each other’s brains, seek support, and inspire each other daily. My previous career had a strong focus on self-development. I continue to use those tools and practices with my new business venture!”
Photo by Her Brand Photo/Jamie Vandewinkle
What’s your favorite place in Detroit or Michigan?
“Anywhere in Royal Oak! It’s the first place I moved to from living at home and quickly stole my heart.”
We hope you loved getting to know more about Sammi + Adorn Permanent Jewelry. Be sure to check out our previous Local Love Spotlight featuring Tracy + Tracy Picmann Interior Deisgn!
The days are getting longer, the temperatures are creeping up, and summer is here. Many past versions of myself would take this as a cue to go on a diet or ramp up my fitness routine in order to get my “beach body” ready for summer. As women, we are under constant pressure to be “in shape.”
It seems to get worse around summer each year and around any life event like a trip, your wedding, or right after you have a baby. You spend the better part of the year GROWING A HUMAN BEING and the day you get home from the hospital, you are expected to be actively “bouncing back.” My e-mail inbox and newsfeeds are currently being blasted with messages and posts promoting magic weight loss solutions.
I, for one, would like nothing more than to unsubscribe from that narrative.
I am several years into eating disorder recovery and healing my relationship with food and fitness. It is a life-long journey and incredibly difficult work. We hear so much these days about body positivity and rejecting diet culture. The hard truth is that there is a huge difference between thinking, “You go girl!” when you see a plus-size model in a bikini, and actually accepting or even loving YOUR current body.
Loving your body is hard, and will take a lot of growth and work. There is nothing wrong with eating in a way that makes your body feel good or having a daily movement practice that involves whatever kind of exercise you enjoy. The real problem centers on diets and exercise routines that are torturous and unsustainable, especially since recent research makes it clear that most diets just don’t work.
Summer in the Past
In past summers, I might try on hundreds of swimsuits trying to find the magical unicorn bikini that would cover the parts I didn’t like and accentuate the few parts I did like. I would sign up for a new trainer or buy a membership for expensive new fitness classes. The Myfitnesspal app would reappear on my phone, and I would dust off my food scale.
Weeks into the new routine, I might lose a couple pounds, but it would be at a huge cost. There would be nights I skipped out on events because I knew the food wouldn’t be compliant with my diet. My budget would be extended to afford the new food, supplements, and classes. And worst of all, my mental health would suffer because in the end, I still wouldn’t like what I saw in the mirror and made myself miserable in pursuit of an impossible goal.
It is widely reported that diets just don’t work long term. If they did, we would do one diet once in our life and never have to do it again. I refuse to allow diet culture and fat phobia to continue to drain my money, energy, time, and joy!
Summer in the Future
What if we did something different this summer? Let’s add up all the time, energy, and money we might usually spend on changing our bodies and instead spend it on actively loving and pampering the bodies we have!
Out with:
aspirational clothing
books on diets
diet apps
fitness classes I don’t enjoy
juice cleanses
meal delivery services
plastic surgery
shapewear
In With:
clothes that are comfortable and make me feel confident
enjoying the warm weather
fitness classes I enjoy
focusing less on my physical appearance and more on spending time with the people I love
food that makes me feel good–physically and mentally
long walks
yoga and meditation
I was put on this earth to do more than weigh food on a tiny scale and do burpees. You were too. We don’t need to bounce back, because our bodies can go to the beach just the way they are. This summer, join me in reinvesting our energy, time, and money towards creating the best life we can!
DISCLAIMER: The following post outlines the writer’s personal experience with this topic. It is not intended to act as legal advice. As always, please consult your legal team with any questions about how to prepare legal items.
Time continues to tick, regardless of how we feel about it, and something that will benefit our families at the end of our time is lessening the burden of dealing with all the “stuff” we’ve accumulated year after year.
Getting your affairs in order is not always viewed as the most exciting task. Especially here, in the United States, where it seems as if talking about and preparing for your death is taboo and tends to be pushed aside for a later time.
What if you could learn some tips to prepare for your death ahead of time? Follow these steps below and you’ll be well on your way to getting your affairs in order in preparation for your death one day.
Complete the “legal” to-do items.
To start, assure that beneficiaries are set up on all bank accounts (you should inform the beneficiaries of this information as well). Then, choose a durable power of attorney. This person will be able to make legal decisions on your behalf. You should also choose a power of attorney for healthcare. This person will be able to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.
Next, complete a living will. Doing this will give you the freedom of writing down exactly what you desire (like, for example, anything pertaining to medical decisions). A living will takes effect while you are still living. You should also create a last will and testament. This will describe your wishes for your property and your minor children, if applicable.
Lastly, obtain a life insurance policy if you don’t already have one. Make sure to inform your heirs of the policy, and where the information is located.
Keep account information for your home in order.
Make sure to write down all of your accounts (banking, utility, investment institutions, emails, social media, etc.) and all the passwords someone might need to obtain access. For any accounts with bills due, be clear about when and how bills need to be paid. Keep information together that pertains to all of your current credit cards, debit cards, log-in usernames/passwords, HSA information (if applicable), and car titles.
You should also complete a Transfer on Death (TOD) deed of your home. This will allow you to transfer ownership of your home to a designee. You’ll need to file the TOD with your county and inform the person you are transferring ownership to upon your death. They will need to provide your death certificate and their ID to the local clerk’s office. This will avoid probate, and will save thousands of dollars.
Plan for what will happen next.
Have you heard of a funeral planning declaration? This will give you a say in the disposition of your body, services that you desire, and memorial and merchandise information. Planning this ahead of time will take a huge burden off of your family. Start by discussing your wishes with those closest to you; inform people of your wishes and the reasoning behind them. If everyone is on the same page, this will prevent confusion once you are gone.
You can purchase a binder for this and clearly label it. Then, inform a trusted source where to locate it upon your death. Consider keeping it in a firesafe with all of the above information included in it. You’ll want to clearly label all of the contents to avoid confusion.
Start “death cleaning” at any age.
Lastly, go through all of your items and either toss them, donate them, or label them. If you have items that you cherish, but know that they won’t be sentimental to others, put them in a box. The box can be labeled “Throw Away” and one day your family can go through the items without the burden of keeping trinkets that aren’t meaningful to them. Labeling the box gives them permission to get rid of the items if they desire.
Don’t let the above steps overwhelm you. Invest in taking the time to complete one step at a time. The sooner you start, the better you’ll feel. Your home will become more organized, and the peace you’ll feel once everything is accomplished will be worth it–not only for you, but your family as well.
It can be so tough caring for your children and your parents at the same time. Stacy shares what it’s like being part of “the sandwich generation”.
Welcome to the Detroit Mom Book Club! To be a part of our discussions, join our Facebook group. For all things book-related, check out our Bookstagram page, Detroit Moms on the Same Page.
Book of the Month: Bring Your Baggage and Don’t Pack Light by Helen Ellis
Synopsis
When Helen Ellis and her lifelong friends arrive for a reunion on the Redneck Riviera they unpack more than their suitcases: stories of husbands and kids, lost parents, and lost jobs; powdered onion dip and photographs you have to hold by the edges; dirty jokes and sunscreen with SPF higher than they hair-sprayed their bangs senior year; and a bad mammogram. It’s a diagnosis that scares them, but could never break their bond. Because women pushing fifty won’t be pushed around.
In these twelve gloriously comic and moving essays, Helen Ellis dishes on married middle-age sex, sobs with a theater full of women as a psychic exorcises their sorrows, gets twenty shots of stomach bile to the neck to get rid of her double chin, and gathers up the courage to ask, Are you there, Menopause? It’s Me, Helen.
Book Club Reading Discussion Schedule
The dates listed below are the days we will be posting discussion questions in the Facebook group. On those dates, we will be talking about the pages listed.
Monday, July 10: Pages 1-47
Monday, July 17: Pages 51-89
Monday, July 24: Pages 93-124
Monday, July 31: Pages 127-end
We hope you enjoy Bring Your Baggage and Don’t Pack Lightand get to discuss with us in our book club this month!
Detroit Mom’s Local Love series highlights local women and the businesses they have built. We love supporting small business! Today’s Local Love Spotlight belongs to Tracy Picmann, owner of Tracy Picmann Interior Design.
We asked Tracy to share some fun facts about herself with us. Besides helping people design homes they love, she is also a nurse practitioner in internal medicine. She works part-time and loves helping patients improve their health. In a six month period, she launched her business AND changed nurse practitioner jobs after being in the same position for seven years previously. She LOVES making French macarons. It took her the better part of a year, when she was pregnant with her first son, to perfect the art of macaron making. And, her family is OBSESSED with Disney! Her kids are under age five and they both have already been to Disney World more than once. She loves talking Disney with anyone and everyone!
We asked Tracy to share a little bit more about her business with us, too. Get to know Tracy and her business, Tracy Picmann Interior Design, below!
Photo by Melissa Douglas Co.
How did you come up with the idea of your business, and how did you start?
“I NEVER planned on having my own business. My history with home design is sort of funny. I never cared about anything home design until the second I became a home owner. I was in grad school, so we were on a tight budget. But, I wanted to make improvements to our first house. With the help of a LOT of HGTV and Joanna Gaines, we DIY’d our way through that first house. [We] sold with a very nice profit. Our second home was a spec home, which I got to customize some things on, [and] we also sold that home for a nice profit. Our current home I designed from the ground up!
“Close friends used to tell me I should be doing home design on the side, but I always felt I wouldn’t like designing for other people. When one of those friends walked in our current house for the first time, he looked at me and said, ‘Tracy, why are you not doing this as a side hustle?’ A friend from high school who lives in another state had started an interior design business. I always admired her following her passion, with no formal training in design.
“Since I am also in the healthcare field, which requires formal training and board exams to practice, I felt overwhelmed with impostor syndrome to start something solely out of passion with no formal training. My friend recommended I start designing for friends and family and see how I liked it. Days after she recommended this, a friend from years back messaged me out of the blue to tell me she loved my design style and to see if I was willing to design her nursery. I designed for her and a couple other friends and I was HOOKED!
“I started my business by googling . . . A LOT! I [had] a few business mentor sessions with a friend and she gave me some great advice to get started. I set a date to have my website finished (which I made myself) and when that day came, I hit publish, announced on my socials I was starting a business, and thankfully, days later, I had my first three clients!”
Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?
“I don’t have anything specifically that I would have done differently at the start but to launch I told myself, ‘Done, is better than perfect, and my website can change and evolve into what it needs to be.’ With each client, I learn how to better improve my process and add more information to my contract, to best set expectations. So always reminding myself businesses evolve over time is crucial!”
What is the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
“The best business advice I have received was at the start. My friend and business mentor told me to be careful who I shared my plans with. When you start something new, the people who love you the most can sometimes be the least supportive. This often happens because they love you and don’t want you to fail. But, it can derail your plans if someone you love seems to doubt your passion and goals.”
Photo by The Daley Lens
Have you faced adversity in business due to being a woman? How did you navigate that?
“Thankfully, so far, I have not faced adversity in my home design business due to being a woman, but, while building our current home, I had plenty of men try to mansplain things to me. This is our third home. I was NOT accepting being mansplained to and typically, they realized this quickly.
“Being a nurse practitioner for the last seven years and a registered nurse for five years before that, I have experienced my fair share of adversity in healthcare due to being a woman. As a floor nurse, I developed a thick skin and boundaries. If a patient comments on my appearance, I now have no problem asking the patient what my appearance has to do with their healthcare.
“Within myself I have dealt with impostor syndrome A LOT, which I have combatted with podcasts or reading clients’ kind words, to build me up!”
How do you persevere in challenging times?
“Every time I am wrapping up current projects, I start to panic that no one will ever hire me again. Usually as I start to think about this, I get a new inquiry. Occasionally I do have lulls as projects are on hold for a mix of reasons. I take that time to focus on back-end business, content creation, and networking. In our area, I have met AMAZING female business owners that have quickly become good friends. I can trust [them] for endless support and encouragement.”
What impact do you want your business to have?
“I enjoy all my clients, but moms/families with young kids are my favorite! I love the challenge of designing kid-friendly spaces. Kid-friendly to me can also just mean not spending too much on items that will be getting a lot of use, and guiding clients on where to splurge and where to save. I want to impact families in LOVING their home and taking the stress and time out of home design. I also hope my story and me being multi-passionate can help others to feel inspired to follow their passions. My mentor always stresses [that] the world would be a better place if we were all passionate about what we do every day!”
Photo by The Daley Lens
What are the pros and cons of being a woman business owner in 2023?
“The pro for me is setting my own schedule and being able to be flexible; sometimes I work through the kids’ nap/quiet time or evenings and rarely, but occasionally, on weekends. I am thankful to have my nurse practitioner job as my core salary and then design work [as] a great addition for us to vacation, design my own home, etc. Another pro for me is the reality that I CAN be a business owner without my husband or another male as a co-signer. I was born in 1987. It was only in 1988 that women were allowed to take out business loans without a male co-signer. Being able to exercise freedoms women didn’t have not that long ago, feels good!
“Lastly, a huge pro for me has been new friendships! I am lucky that I live where I grew up, and many friends have returned to the area. I never felt isolated as a mom because we have long-term friends nearby who also have kids. So, it has been a HUGE bonus to meet other female entrepreneurs, whether they are moms or not, and we have the same challenges and stressors. Fellow female business owners are some of the coolest women I have ever met!
“[A] con of being a female business owner, or even just a working mom in 2023, is that this country is NOT set up to support or encourage women to work outside the home. My boys only go to daycare three days a week and it costs us over $20k a year. It is insane!”
What knowledge would you share with someone who wants to become an entrepreneur?
“You can do anything if you resource the right people and if you have a passion for what you are doing. Some friends have asked me what they should do for a side hustle. I respond with, ‘I didn’t seek a side hustle, my passion for home design led me to this point.'”
What do you do for personal and professional development?
“Podcasts are the #1 reason I was able to combat impostor syndrome and launch my business. For every thought [of] ‘I can do this,’ I had ten thoughts of, ‘I can’t do this or shouldn’t do this.’ I’d search for guests who told their stories of success and failure. Hearing other women’s stories reminds me we all start somewhere! I [also] did some business coaching sessions. And, networking has been a huge game changer for me to have a group of ambitious women who all support each other!”
Photo by The Daley Lens
What mantra or quote do you live by?
“‘Done is better than perfect’–not when it comes to my home designs, but when it comes to the back end of my business. I would have spent forever (seriously FOREVER) making the perfect website. Instead, I just launched what I felt was a pretty good website, designed by myself. [I] reminded myself I can always update it–it is not burned in stone! Many of us are perfectionists, and some things just need to be done to move forward!”
What’s your favorite place in Detroit or Michigan?
“My favorite place in Michigan is Burt Lake. I grew up going up there. In 2010 my parents built their dream lake house on Burt. My husband and I had a two-year engagement while it was being built and then got married in the backyard. I have great memories dirt biking, four-wheeling, wakeboarding, and waterskiing. [I] cannot wait to continue to build my boys’ memories at the lake.”
We hope you loved getting to know more about Tracy + Tracy Picmann Interior Design. Be sure to check out our previous Local Love Spotlight featuring Kristin and Andreea + Stemville!
We all know tent camping requires sleeping bags, camping chairs, and bug spray. But tent camping with kids requires much more than the unquestionable necessities. As a new-to-camping mom of two young boys, I’ve been on the search for must-haves that keep young kids, and moms, happy and occupied on outdoor adventures.
With the help of members of the Facebook group 1000 Hours Outside Michigan, I’ve compiled a list of items you cannot go without on your next tent camping trip with kids!
Construction Cones
One 1000 Hours Outside Michigan member uses Dollar Store construction cones to set boundaries, either around the campfire while cooking, or around the perimeter of their campsite to help kids respect the space of nearby campers. This is a great idea to instill safety and respect.
Friends
Sharing the experience with our friends is what makes tent camping most enjoyable for our family. Since jumping into tent camping, we have not gone a trip without a group of our peers. The kids have other kids to play with to keep them busy, and us adults have extra hands to help when needed.
Preparing for boredom when camping with kids is a must. Preparing simple and engaging activities ahead of time to whip out when the kids get bored is just as important as meal prep.
“I’m Bored” Jar
As a Tinkergarten leader, I’ve learned kids need to be guided into play. I transformed the idea of Tinkergarten’s “Play Breaks Jar” into an “I’m Bored” Jar. Prior to camping (or even summer vacation), write play ideas on strips of paper, and put them in a jar. Have your kids pull a strip from the jar when they say, “I’m bored!” or simply need a push to play.
Some of my favorite ideas to list include building a stick fort, making a new friend, making a collection of green things, and meditating for 10 minutes.
Laundry Bag or Basket
I have found this makes unpacking easier after camping with kids. We use one bag for dirty clothes and towels, so when we get home it can immediately be dumped in the wash without having to sort through it.
Layers of Clothes
You never know what kind of weather you’re really going to have in Michigan. Instead of packing pajamas, we sleep in tomorrow’s clothes and layer up before bed. In the morning as temperatures rise, the kids can take off layers on their own until they get down to their clothes for the day.
Meals + Snacks That Are Already Prepped
This is practically required for tent camping with kids. Without the luxury of a camper kitchen, having snacks and meal basics prepared ahead of time is a must-have. I like to prep a crazy amount of pancakes, baked goods, and fruits and veggies ahead of time to make snacking easy. Then, I have larger meals prepped in containers that can be quickly warmed by campfire.
Some of our favorites are chili, ground meat/lentils for tacos, and of course hot dogs!
Musical Instruments
What’s a campfire without campfire songs? Toy musical instruments like harmonicas, maracas, tambourines, and even whistles are a must-have for tent camping with kids. I also use them when the kids are hangry and I’m preparing food. I ask them to show me how they feel in music. These are also a great tool to create memories around the campfire!
A private area just for kids, this child-size play tent was under $50 and has come camping with us for three seasons. It comfortably fits six kids and all their play-time needs.
Play Tent
One of the first things I packed on our very first camping trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes was a play tent. It was an immediate hit with the kids and is the very first item I set up each trip. The kids don’t sleep in it, but it is the highlight of their camping experience and the center of their play. Allowing them a space of their own gives them ownership of their camping adventure.
Rainy-Day Bag
Even if you aren’t expecting rain, having a rainy-day bag of new toys, games, coloring books, DIY 3-D bubble makers, chalk, and even watercolor paint can be a life saver. Like the “I’m Bored” Jar, you can whip out the rainy-day bag to help keep them engaged in outdoor adventure. I like to have each of my kids pack a small backpack of toys and books, and I pack a special one of my own with new-to-them games and trinkets for the trip.
My go-to runner rug and laundry bag, essentials for camping with kids. Makes it easy to keep our tent tidy and laundry when we return home a simple chore.
Rug or Door Mat
My first year camping with kids, I had trouble navigating how to keep the remnants of earth out of the tent. Last year I decided to bring an old runner rug to line the entry way of the tent. This was a game changer and easy to implement as it felt like a reminder of home: shoes off! Shoes are placed on the outer edges so less dirt ends up in the tent. I also found it easier to dress the kids in slip on shoes while on-site.
Handwashing station and dishwashing station. Potable water at campsites may be unappealing, but is safe to use for washing hands and dishes. This inexpensive water jug with spout has a bar of soap inside a pantyhose hanging from it. Super easy and convenient for kids to use.
Other essentials we feel you can’t go without:
Changing tent: also good to use with the portable potty for privacy in the campsite.
Clothesline to hang wet clothes and towels: this is also good for hanging kitchen utensils to keep the animals away. Simply place them in a basket that can be strung up by the clothesline.
Coffee: however you make it, it will be a priority.
Duct tape: came in handy when our play tent and a pair of shoes both ripped!
Hand washing station: I like to place a bar of soap in the foot of a pair of panty hose to hang from a water jug. You can hang the water jug from a tree or set it up on a crate for easy access.
Portable potty
Small dust pan and broom.
Jumping in is easier when you have the advice of friends and seasoned campers. Check out local community groups online, and don’t forget your friends and these tent camping must-haves on your next outdoor adventure!
*updated 11/14/2024
It's time to bundle up the kids and set out in search of the Detroit area's best holiday lights! There's something magical about...
Then, he didn’t sleep. He choked, as soon as my let down came. Let’s not forget about the vomiting, either. Not just normal baby spit up or reflux. Full force, I can’t breathe, let’s drench the couch, choking on myself throwing up–at three weeks old.
