Lets talk... Tavern on the Square

My 22nd Birthday Dinner

Tavern on the Square was the destination for my birthday dinner. I have been there once before since it was the Black Rose and I fell in love with their small plates. I think 3 plates for $20 is a great deal, you get to choose from almost their whole menu. The staff there was very kind, they gave me a free birthday drink, that had mint bailey's in it and was topped with whipped cream. And I also got a free dessert, that was chocolate chip cookie, ice cream and whipped cream. 

The atmosphere is very relaxing and inviting, I wish the weather was a little warmer so we could have eaten on the front porch with the fire places. Overall the restaurant was great, I will be back again to eat their amazing small plates!

Lets talk...Grand Rapids Ballet

Who Cares? A Classic Ballet Performance

 by Heather Smith and Toni Swider

The Grand Rapids Ballet is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the electrifying classic ballet Who Cares?, a show that's not your typical ballet performance.

With jazz-influenced music by George and Ira Gershwin, the speed and energy will keep you intrigued and make you want to get up out of your seat and Pirouette with the dancers.

"The community and audiences will truly enjoy watching this wonderful ballet just as much as our dancers will enjoy dancing it," said Patricia Barker, artist director of the Grand Rapids Ballet.

The performance of Who Cares? was originally choreographed by one of the 20th century's most famous choreographers, George Balanchine. Balanchine, also known as the co-founder and balletmaster of the New York City Ballet, brings the powerful essence of Manhattan to the stage in order to energize the crowd and take them on a journey.

The accompanying music was written by brother Ira and George Gershwin. In 1931, George composed the original song "Who Cares?" while his older brother Ira Gershwin wrote the lyrics. Between the years 1924 and 1931, Ira had written lyrics to nearly all of George's vocal music.

The brothers originally created the song "Who Cares?" for their musical Of Thee I Sing, but were able to give Balanchine the groundwork to make an excellent ballet that has lasted four decades.

Hershy Kay originally performed orchestration for Who Cares? Most of Hershy's work was noteworthy for Broadway and for some of Balanchine's 125 New York City Ballet's.

The ballet has a total of 16 musical compositions by the Gershwin brothers including "I Got Rhythm," "The Man I Love," "Strike Up the Band," and "Somebody Loves Me." The New York premiere of Who Cares? may have been in 1970, but this ballet continues to get better with time.

"It's fun and exciting with those wonderful familiar tunes from George Gershwin that we all can hum a few bars," Barker said.

The ballet follows Gershwin's compositions through a press conference with a chorus of reporters, a dramatic scene between the President and First Lady and ends with a love duet. Who Cares? Is a must see and will leave you wanting more.

For more shows check out www.grballet.com

Lets talk...Flyleaf & Story of the Year

Flyleaf 

& 

Story of the Year 

By Toni Swider

Story of the Year opened for Flyleaf and the band members impressed the crowd with their acrobatics and charisma. They made the crowd feel like a part of the show. They have come into their own over the years and don’t seem to be slowing down. SOTY can still bring the party and the fans are ready to rage. They ended the night with my favorite song, "Until the Day I Die," and the crowd wishing they'd play all night.


Although there was a lot of people at the Orbit Room to see Story of the Year more people came out of the woodwork when Flyleaf took the stage. When the banner dropped the crowd went wild, chanting “Flyleaf.”


Entering after an intriguing light show, Flyleaf wasted no time getting the crowd enthralled in its lyrics. Hands to the sky and eyes closed, fans were taking every word Lacey Mosley would sing straight to their hearts. Her voice is so unique and beautiful. It can be soothing one second and tear the walls down the next with a scream that sends shivers down your spine. Never once did a voice crack or loss the beat.


Mosley knows how to perform and encapsulate the entire crowd while doing it. Flyleaf didn’t disappoint and never lost their energy. The songs touched everyone’s souls; they were heartfelt and performed to perfection. It was my first time at the Orbit Room, but it won't be my last as long as great bands keep performing in Grand Rapids.

Lets talk... Hayley's fabulous fashions

I raided Hayley's closet so that we could share her great styles and unique fashion finds. Hayley doesn't have a favorite outfit, she mix and matches her clothing all the time to make each outfit according to her mood. Her personality is outgoing, comical, energetic, easy going, sassy and fun loving and her style is similar. She says her style is loud and that it says who she is. By keeping her outfits unique she can wear what makes her feel good and different.

When it comes to shopping, Hayley finds her most unique pieces from thrift stores, goodwill, love ink warehouse, and salvation army to name a few. Right now she loves high wasted pants, subtle shoulder pads, leather, animal prints and sequins.

Hayley would wear this outfit for a presentation at school or if she had an interview for a creative kind of job. It is sassy and fun. The skirt and shoes are from Forever 21, the belt is from a thrift store and the black sheer shirt and earings are hand me downs from her cousins.

"Blazer's are one of my favorite things in the world!"

This everyday outfit she would wear to work, school or just to hang out with friends. The shirt is from Marshalls, shorts are from Forever 21 (2008), sandals are from TJ Maxx, and the earings were a gift (World Market). I love the bright colors in this outfit its perfect for spring and summer.

Michael Kors shoes that were brand new from Salvation Army! Great fashion find and Hayley's favorite shoes.

This is a great fall outfit. The shirt is from a thrift center in Jenison, the pants are a hand-me-down from her cousins and the earings and ring were her Great Grandmother's, and the hat was another great find from a thrift center. This Borsalino hat was made in Italy and retails for around $200 and Hayley paid just $2.

This outfit is more casual and comfy on days when you just want to throw something on and feel comfortable. Hayley loves the color blocking and pockets on the sweater the best. The sweater is from a thrift store, the skinny jeans are from Marshalls and the boat shoes are from Goodwill.

This is more of a fall and winter outfit for when the weather starts getting colder. The boots, sweater and headband are all from a thrift store and the skinny jeans are from Forever 21.

This fun outfit is perfect for house party and dancing. Hayley says she would wear this for a weird mood lol. The teal jeans are from Old Navy, the sequined shirt is from a thrift store and the Steve Madden heals were brand new from Goodwill.

Hayley loves this summer outfit. It's bright and fun! The shirt and butterfly ring are from Forever 21, the heals are from Burlington Coat Factory, the skinny jeans are from Express and the bracelet was a gift. I personally love love love these booties, and they are perfect for making an outfit funky and cool.

Who doesn't love a pair of leopard heels!

Hayley would wear this cute outfit out for a night on the town. The shoes are Nine West from Goodwill, and the necklace, red belt and black dress are all from thrift stores. Every girl needs a little black dress in their closet.

LOVE LOVE LOVE these heels!

This is anther everyday outfit that Hayley dresses with these amazing heels and blazer. The blazer is actually men's and it is from a thrift store, the shirt dress is from a garage sale and the heels are a great find from Forever 21.

I say we saved the best for last. I love these green skinny jeans and the vest adds a funky flare that is easy to feel good in. The green skinny jeans are from Goodwill, the black tank top is from Urban Outfitters, the gold and black vest is from a thrift store, the earings were a hand-me-down from her mom and the shoes are from Aldo.

Everyone has their favorite accessories  and here are some of Hayley's favorites.

Hayley says this is her lucky owl necklace.

These great earings were a gift and they can dress up any outfit

These earings are handmade from Florida

This is a Sorrelli necklace that has great colors to match almost every outfit

This frog ring is a fun accent to a simple outfit

These earings were a great hand-me-down from Hayley's mom

You can never have too many scarves. Hayley loves a scarf to add color to an outfit.

Thanks to Hayley for letting me raid her closet and show you some great fashions.

Cheers! <3