Fashion: My Family Brunch OOTD

Truthfully, I’ve been overly work-oriented as of late, prioritizing my endless To-Do list over valuable time with family and friends. And so, a recent family wedding weekend was the perfect jolt to my system, reminding me how vital it is to step away from work and make time for the loved ones in your life. With the endless rush of our daily schedules, it’s so easy to lose sight of the things that matter. But honestly, what’s more important? Your email or family? (The correct answer is family .)

My mother and I made the trip up I-75 to Michigan to attend my cousin Rachel’s beautiful wedding to her boyfriend Eric. My mom’s family is rooted in the Detroit area, and it was a weekend filled with a lot of laughter, reconnecting with family and reminiscing on old times. My sister flew in from her new life in New Jersey, and together my mom, Katie and I stayed with my Grandma Rose, whose home is landmark of my childhood. It was great to be together again, flipping through old photo albums and doing each other’s hair and makeup for the wedding. She’s considering moving into a retirement home like The Lighthouse in the future. She gets quite lonely and I think she needs a little more support due to her age. I’ll always have fond memories of her house though! I’ve beefed up my beauty skills quite a bit in the last few years, and loved giving my mom and grandma a little help with their makeup.

The wedding itself was perfect, filled with lots of joy and laughter. It was a beautiful celebration of Rachel’s new life as a married woman, and we all hit the dance floor – shaking to classics like Dancing Queen by Abba, to Miss Taylor Swift’s Shake it Off.

On Sunday, we gathered together at The Village Club to conclude our family weekend with a beautiful brunch. My family has celebrated a long history of occasions there, making it a real trip down memory lane. I fondly enjoyed time with my family of today, as well as reminisced on those loved ones who were not with us – especially my dear late Great Grandmother Renie.

I’ll always remember piling into the backseat of my Grandpa’s car, in my holiday dress and tights, to drive across town to pick her up for the latest family gathering. From wedding receptions, anniversary celebrations, post-wedding brunch, Thanksgiving dinners or just because – we’ve enjoyed countless family meals there. My Grandma Renie was always the epitome of a lady, and I will always admire her strength of spirit and love of her family. She so enjoyed being with her family, and after many trips with her to The Village Club, each trip since subsequently reminds me of her loving presence.

Whilst waiting for everyone to arrive, my mom and I took a stroll around the gardens and had fun snapping a few shots of each other. It reminded us of the French gardens in Antibes, where we took a family trip many years ago. It was a gorgeous, August afternoon with roses blooming and the sun shining around us.

For my outfit, I chose a white lace skirt from New York and Company and a vibrant yellow sweater jacket from Banana Republic. I like to think of it as my personal spin on Chanel. (Aka, the poor girl’s Chanel.)

Inside, amidst mimosas, french toast and omelette bars – we all piled our plates with delectable foods that satisfied every craving. From savory breakfast treats like Bananas Foster french toast, to an assortment of fresh salads and fruit. Perhaps the best part of Sunday brunch at The Village Club, though? The overwhelmingly delicious sundae bar, with a sea of toppings – including hot fudge, caramel and the classic Gold Brick. If you’ve not heard of Gold Brick, it’s a delicious hot chocolate and pecan sauce that hardens like magic into a shell around your ice cream. I’m sorry to say, I have no idea where you can purchase this heavenly wonder for yourself, but I did find a recipe for it here. (If you do know of a retailer that sells it, please let me know!)

While I have been a vegetarian for many years now, I do always stop and admire the prime rib carving station. Back before I gave up meat, it was customary for me to joyously fill my plate with a serving, topping it off with fresh horseradish sauce. Sorry cows, forgive me…yes, I used to sin. (But, it was delicious – and probably still is to this day.)

It was the perfect end to what was definitely a perfect weekend. Making the 5 hour trip home bittersweet, and my mom and I both had a hard time saying our goodbyes. I’m so blessed to have such a lovely family. Life may pull us all in different directions, but there’s something to be said about how well we come together for each other in the end.

A big thank you to my Grandma Rose and Aunt Angela for hosting such a fabulous family weekend. As well, a big congratulations to my cousin Rachel on her wedding!

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