Friday, January 15, 2016

Auto Prom

I'm standing in front of a car!

I think it's clear there's a problem and we haven't been talking about it. I've been neglecting/avoiding this blog. If you want to know the truth, the culprit is perfectionism. My husband frequently says, "The enemy of the good is the perfect." Or something like that. Anyway, if I don't have anything profound or hilarious to say, I don't say anything at all.

You'll find neither profundity nor hilarity here. What you'll find is pure and unadulterated fluff. Consider it a baby step. And what's a fluffier piece than OMG DRESSES!

My first Auto Prom! Such a baby!

Each year, Detroit hosts the North American International Auto Show. It used to be the Detroit Auto Show but the marketing geniuses figured that would scare people away so they changed its name. We also wanted the Japanese to come.

Just kidding. I have no idea if that's why they changed the name or not. I just know that we Detroiters find it kind of annoying so we still call it the Detroit Auto Show just to be annoying in retaliation. Just like when the concert venue Pine Knob changed its name to the DTE Energy Center. We still call it Pine Knob, so there.

Stick it to The Man!

Along with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), there is a Charity Preview which is a black tie event in which Detroiters can get all dressed up to walk around and look at cars. And also look at each other. You've got all kinds that attend the show. Automotive executives. Local news anchors. Radio personalities. Rich people. Not so rich people. Black people. White people. Hispanic people. Arab people. Asian people. Any event that happens in Detroit is pretty much going to be diverse and I find it fucking awesome.

Note to self: STAND UP STRAIGHT!

It's something I love about Detroit.

I love to watch the sea of glittering dresses. It's Vegas for one night. Sequins as far as the eye can see. Satin and taffeta. Long flowing gowns and micro-mini dresses. Lots of black but lots of gold and red and blue. Leopard print and florals. Architectural styles and bohemian clouds of fluff.

Me with the handsome Mr. MandyFish.

I love it and I'm not sorry.

Oh yeah, and the cars are pretty freaking sweet too. All shined to a near impossible glow. You want to rub your hands over the finish. You can sit in cars you could never afford. $100,000 cars. $200,000 cars. $300,000 cars. More.

It's a dream for a night. And dammit, Detroit deserves it.

So I'll get dressed tonight and I'll wear the biggest, fluffiest dress I can find. Detroit goes all out tonight. There are no rules. I'll get my hair and makeup done. I'll suck it in while my husband heroically zips me into a dress that won't let me breathe. And my daughter will say:


That's what Auto Prom is for me. All the magic that Detroit makes in one evening. Power muscle cars. Daredevil SUVs. Luxury sedans. And oh, the Germans and the Japanese too. But I'm mainly proud of my hometown.

It's a night to glitter and forget. It's a night of magic and excess. It's people watching like no where else in the world. It's irreverent, self-important, hilarious and elegant all at once.

Hanging out with celebrity blogger and best-selling author Brittany Gibbons.

God damn I love my city.

And god damn I love Auto Prom.

Hope to see you there!



  1. Oh man that looks like fun - we never get dressed up anymore and I would love to have a reason.

    You two look awesome.

  2. I can't wait to see pictures! Have a great time!

  3. Wow it's like a Bond movie. You need a tiny gun in your lipstick. Have fun (your hair looked pretty on instagram! ;)

  4. I love car shows because they're so, um, efficient. It's like reading 'Car & Driver' and 'Maxim' at the same time. Oink oink.

    But seriously, Mandy. It's time to call a realtor and put your writer's block up for sale.

    And remember: priced to move!

  5. Awesome post. Thanks
    Sincerely, Richard O.usa

  6. You are so freaking beautiful.

    I lived in Detroit for several months in the late 80's, when I was a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines (god I'm old). Loved it. It's a great city full of really fascinating people. Sucks that it gets such a bad rap :( My roommate was a lovely, funny guy who sniffed out the best gay bar ever and we spent many nights there singing and dancing. I have nothing but great memories of your city ♥

  7. It looks like a lot of fun and you two make a lovely couple. Quite beautiful in fact.

    I hope to see more posts in the new year.

  8. I had no idea you had become an auto show model! The flashbulbs must have distracted you in the Audi pic; Dirty Jesus' bow tie is crooked! He'll never make it in the high flying world of car models. Also, that celebrity blogger's cleavage frightens me. It seems like a black hole that might devour Mandyfish for all of eternity. Just sayin'.