Introducing New DMB Contributor Lauren, a Dearborn Mom

Hello!  I’m Lauren.  I’m a new mom navigating through this whole motherhood thing with the help of Pinterest and my own mama’s advice.  Although, along the way, I’ve learned that trusting my natural instincts is usually the right choice.  I have a spunky two-year-old boy (Jackson), and Baby #2 (a girl!) is expected to arrive any day now.  I’m also mama to my fur baby Charlie, a four-year-old Pug, and wife to my husband Ben.  

I grew up in Allen Park, and after high school, I moved to Chicago where I attended Columbia College.  After 5 years of city living, my husband and I decided to return to Michigan to start our family.  After much consideration, we decided to buy a house in Dearborn.  We feel so at home in Dearborn – it has the suburban feel we both grew up with, with the historic and cultural appeal that we became accustomed to in Chicago.  I am currently a stay-at-home mom, but one day I hope to have a career in fashion.  I received a B.A. in Fashion Business from Columbia College, and am now in the process of obtaining a Master’s in Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising at EMU.  In addition to my full-time job taking care of my family, and my part-time job as a graduate student, I also teach a weekly class at the Dearborn Early Learning Center, called ‘My Baby and Me’.

Did I mention how much I love Dearborn?  I’m always discovering new restaurants or neighborhoods that make me fall in love all over again.  Here are a few of my favorite spots around my city:

Ford Field Park
I’m a firm believer that you don’t have to spend money to have fun and this park proves it.  We love to have family picnics at Ford Field.  There are numerous playscapes for kids of all ages, plenty of picnic tables, and even a large hill perfect for sledding in the winter.  My toddler’s favorite part?  The ducks!  The Rouge River runs through this park, turning into a pond at one point.  There are usually a lot of ducks that we love to watch and feed after we picnic.  

Greenfield Village
For anyone from the area, when asked about attractions in the Detroit-area, Greenfield Village is a no-brainer.  I feel so fortunate to have this American treasure in my city.  If you are within a 20 mile radius, I highly suggest purchasing a membership to The Henry Ford (this includes both Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum).  With our family membership, we can access the village free of charge.  We usually pack a wagon and cooler with our own food to save money.  One of the newer amenities at Greenfield Village is the Children’s Playground.  My son’s excitement for this unique park make the yearly membership fees worth it for the playground in itself.  

Brera Pizza and Salad Co.
By far my favorite place to eat in Dearborn is Brera Pizza and Salad Co.  They serve healthy non-GMO pizza, pasta, salads, and wraps.  It’s a casual dining experience, which is perfect for families like ours with young kids.  My favorite thing on the menu is the Smoked Mac & Cheese; it’s been a craving of mine throughout this pregnancy.  I can’t get enough of Brera!  I can’t wait for the weather to warm up so I can try out their outdoor patio seating.  

Goodwill
I’m a self-proclaimed professional thrifter.  That being said, this is probably my favorite thrift store ever.  I’ve been to thrift stores in some very affluent areas, and I’ll tell you this location has the best selection of luxury items, hands down.  From Melissa and Doug puzzles for my son, to Tory Burch sweaters for me, I rarely leave the Dearborn Goodwill empty-handed.  The best part of this store is that it doesn’t feel like a thrift store.  It’s clean and well-organized – feeling more like a small department store than a resale shop.

I love my city and am a proud Detroit mom all around.  I can’t wait to share more of my favorites on my journey as a contributor at DMB!