Small Business Saturday is a nationally celebrated event originally created by American Express to encourage us all to support our neighbors the day after Black Friday – and of course, all year round.

American Express got in on the Detroit lovin’ this year by having Detroit local businesses as the star of the 2014 campaign. It’s pretty sweet:

Needless to say, I wanted to get out there and do my part. I started the day off right with a hearty brunch from Grand Trunk Pub. Okay, I’ll admit, I had a mimosa…and a bloody mary. After your first one, they’re all a dollar! Who could resist? Anyway, we all tried something different and not surprisingly, every dish was scrumptious. Metropole sandwich, don’t mind if I do.

YUM

Then we scampered on over to the gem that is the Guardian Building to pick up our #shopsmall passport from Pure Detroit. Your passport is not only your guide to the shops you should check out, but offers a discount of 10 percent to 25 percent at every shop in the book. When you make a purchase at a location, you’re a proud owner of a stamp.

The creator of the passport, Pure Detroit, is home to every Detroit-centric gift you could possibly imagine from food baskets filled with all your local favorites, to books, to purses made out of seatbelts (don’t take my word for it, go see how awesome these are for yourself).

We then ventured from downtown to Midtown where quite of few shops in the passport are located. First up was Nora, a modern design based shop for housewares like dishes, bath products, and textiles; relentlessly chic.

Next door to Nora is a step back in time to a mod-inspired specialty shop called Hugh. Decidedly masculine in feel, but nonetheless appealing to those interested in browsing fabulous bar accessories, glassware, post-modern furniture and the like. It has a great atmosphere.

Also in the Cass Corridor are two quaint sister-shops City Bird and Nest. While City Bird is home to Great Lakes, Michigan and Detroit inspired gifts and apparel, it also houses work from local artists and an enviable collection of greeting cards. I literally thought while shopping, “I’ll never go to Hallmark again.” Nest, in the storefront over, is home to all sorts of eclectic pieces like air plants, an owl lamp, or “Tame Your Mane” beard oil. Without a doubt, there is a gift patiently waiting at Nest to be the talk of someone’s family holiday party.

The final two shops I visited could have very well been my entire bank account’s undoing: The Peacock Room and Frida, a set of sister shops located in the bottom of the gorgeous Park Shelton on Woodward. The Peacock Room is a decadent collection of new + vintage clothing and unbelievable accessories. Not the mention the antique furniture and one-of-a-kind bobbles. I LOVED it in there.

Frida is The Peacock Room’s more casual little sister where I spent most of my money…I couldn’t resist picking up a thing or two for myself there as well.  Aptly named after Frida Kahlo because Frida used to live in the building (how awesome), this boutique is full of the trendiest everyday pieces. No need to try to find an Urban Outfitters in Detroit – Frida does the trick.

The entire day was busy, exhausting and fulfilling. The amount of people and traffic in all of the shops was encouraging – everyone out this past Saturday believes in Detroit and wants in on the action. Guess what? My sources at Pure Detroit say you can use your passport through January. Score.