Julie Cook

Julie Cook is a personal stylist to Neiman Marcus customers in the affluent suburbs. She's fashion-obsessed and committed to keeping her clients looking sharp. As you would expect, Julie is well dressed and ultra-social. It comes as no surprise to learn that she was a PR and media relations maven in her pre-stylist life.

After years of merely visiting she's recently relocated to Royal Oak, to be closer to the vibe she enjoys. She notes that although some dismiss Royal Oak as being a "vanilla epicenter," Julie says it's more than that. She feels it really fits her personality, "I like variety, and I feel that I can go out and have an expensive dinner here. Or keep it really low-end."

For a lunch date or brunch with a friend tiny European bistro, Cafe Muse, is Julie's top choice. She also recommends Inn Season Cafe, where the fare is vegetarian and vegan: "They have an amazing brunch." In winter, Bastone is her top pick for what she says is "the greatest potato leek soup in the world." While in summer she looks forward to dining with her friends over seafood and bloody Marys at Lily’s Seafood. For after-dinner sweets, she'll stroll over to Astoria Pastry Shop or Gayle's Chocolate.

For evening drinks with the girls she'll go to Ronin for the sushi and the chic woodsy ambiance. Afterwards, she may cross the street and head to Sky Club (above Sangria restaurant) for cocktails and dancing. For a more lowbrow evening, Julie visits Gusoline Alley. "It’s a really seedy hole-in-the-wall. I think of it as a little bit of Detroit and Royal Oak in one."

Shopping and socializing fuel Julie's fire. She chooses Paris for great vintage finds as well as purses and jewelry from more obscure designers. And Lost and Found Vintage for "really cute dresses." Pitaya is her source for affordable trendy cotton basics. She'll head over to Incognito for accessories like sunglasses. Gifts for girlfriends are often found at Written Expressions. When she craves a gift for herself she books an appointment at the Aveda Institute for "beauty on the cheap and great service." Bean and Leaf is her recommendation for good coffee. "They're the real deal."

When asked if there’s anything she would change about the Royal Oak scene, Julie says that the one thing she’d like to see is an influx of more art and art galleries. "Maybe my entrepreneurial spirit will do something with that idea. That could be my next mission."