Melinda 'Me Me' Anderson

Melinda "Me Me" Anderson is the type of lady everyone wants at their parties, possibly because she knows how to throw the best ones. The event planner is way involved with the annual Bravo Bravo! event at the Detroit Opera House -- which has evolved into a must-go event for the young professional set.

She also knows how to make it work at smaller settings, like intimate cocktail parties she's thrown at the Detroit Yacht Club. "Designing events is like ephemeral architecture and theater combined," Melinda says. She's working on launching a studio this year.

Melinda is quick to support locally owned shops, restaurants and bars. "I have lived in Detroit and Oak Park (a nearby suburb) for a while and have gotten to know a lot of people in the city, and I try to keep it in the family, economically speaking," she says. "I like to support my friends that have businesses and restaurants in the city."

Melinda spends most of her free time frequenting Ferndale, Royal Oak and Detroit. Here are some of her favorite Royal Oak picks:

For food and drinks, Melinda loves one corner above all: Main Street and E. Fifth, where a trifecta of goodness can be found. There’s Belgian gastropub The Bastone, Vinoteca – “Great wine from around the world,” she says – and Café Habana for Cuban.

Other Royal Oak drinking and dining picks include Café Muse for breakfast – “Small, intimate and kind of French” – the atmosphere and milkshakes at Comet Burger and sushi at Ronin.

When it comes to art, Melinda gives a shout out to 323 East. “It’s small and funky,” she says. “They have a lot of artists and their finger on the pulse of the artistic community.”

Gayle’s Chocolates and Write Impressions are two shopping stops for quickie treats. “I can be a paper junkie,” Melinda says. “I just like all the cool little papers.” For clothes for herself, it’s “cute and affordable” Pitaya. “I find clothes that can be accessorized to create a hot look,” she says.

Melinda also accompanies her best guy friend on shopping excursions to Dolce Moda. “Jenny O is the owner and she is like the best salesperson,” she says. “Although this seems like an exclusive boutique, she isn't pushy at all -- if you try something on and don't ‘love it’ she will not suggest that you buy it….shopping there is like shopping on Melrose but for a fraction of the price.”

Melinda loves two additional things about Jenny O: her support of local musicians, artists and models and the Boombox Tuesdays party she throws weekly at Goodnite Gracie's – her cocktail of choice is the chocolate martini.

To get from place to place, Melinda suggests Night Move, a stylish and eco-friendly new shuttle service that connects Detroit, Ferndale and Royal Oak -- the three places she frequents most.