Magnus Revival Dinner

 Dress: Vineyard Inspired Shift Dress by Triste (size 5x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month for free/$10 & help me earn an extra garment for a month)

Cardigan: Avenue

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Dansko

Necklace: Me

Earring: etXarte

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me (Canon Rebel & iPhone)

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

 

I wore this ensemble to go out to dinner with Super Boo. The colors in this shift dress were marvelous, but it was still a shift dress & I find nothing flattering in that shape for my body. But, orange & green! I normally wear a 4x in the GB house brands, but prefer to size up for this style. This was short & needed the teggings. Do you see I am wearing ORANGE teggings?! I have been boo-hooing over the lack of orange teggings for years, begging them to pleeeeeasssse make them in orange. Re/Dress told me they used to have orange, but they didn't sell well. I was sad. Then I cleaned the bedroom & found these on the floor by the wall next to my dresser. I was shocked. I do not recall purchasing these. They were just laying there for years collecting dog hair...but now they will be enjoyed all summer long! I am in love!

From when it opened in the 90s, until it closed in 2010, Magnus was my favorite Madison restaurant. There was something about its South American fusion cuisine that was so unlike anything I'd ever tasted before...& certainly nothing like what I cooked at home. Super Boo & I would go there for dinner more than any other place...Kate & I would most often spend NYE there dining in our pretty frocks. In fact, here we were on the final night of Magnus...December 31, 2010, with one of the owners, Chris.

For 3 nights only, Nostrano revived Magnus during Madison Area Chefs Network (MACN) Mashup week. Various restaurants combined menus, traded kitchens, & had fun with food. The couple that owns Nostrano met & fell in love in the kitchen of Magnus, & they, along with 2 other former Magnus chefs, re-created some of the favorite dishes.

The biggest surprise was that Chris & the other owners were there hosting...just the way it used to be. Nostalgia. 

 Dinner & drinks menus.

The wall next to our table...I madly adore old windows...what a lovely display. They also have the most marvelous wine bottle lighting by the bar.

Oh, heavenly food! Magnus meals always begin with freshly baked bread & chimichurri...even more delightful than I remembered. Super Boo chose ceviche & I had ahi for the first course. Stunning. What I had most been looking forward to was Xinxim, which had been a starter at Magnus, but was a main course on this night. I could have eaten a gallon of this luscious coconut broth. I am not ashamed to say I licked my plate (with my finger, I'm not a complete savage). Super Boo had the elk. 

The surprise of the evening was brought to us just before dessert...a shot glass of their famous key lime pie...my most cherished Magnus dessert. The evening was magical, just the way it used to be...& those flavors lingered in my mouth for the rest of the evening.

Madison Turkeys

 Dress: Houndstooth Fit & Flare by Triste (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month for free/$10 & help me earn an extra garment for a month)

Socks: Sock Dreams

Shoes: Dansko, thrifted

Necklace: Babil & Bijou

Earring: etXarte

Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Photography: Kate & Me (iPhone)

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this rainbow houndstooth dress to spend a Saturday with Kate. I am in LOVE with this dress...so many awesome colors...& houndstooth! This is the first GB housebrand fit & flare with a v-neck, which I prefer...yay! I felt this style fit a little tighter than other fit & flares I've had from this brand. I am still waiting for them to release longer lengths. If this were a few inches longer, I would have bought it. 

This yellow wall is my new favorite place to take photos. It's like sunshine. 

 The girlie, also in GB, Mynt 1792. 

Kate & I bought delicious veggies at farmers' market, where there was a fun band playing. Then we had lunch at Pel'meni...yummy potato cheese dumplings! And after lunch wine tasting at Square. 

Turkeys!! Madison has been taken over by wild turkeys...they are all over the city. There is a quartet of males that live on Atwood Ave., 3 of them are in the photo with me above (the 4th had been injured & was limping). Kate couldn't resist the chocolate turkeys from Gail Ambrosius. 

 Isn't this fabric amazing?!

Lemons & Limes

 Dress: Chevron Fit & Flare Dress by Taylor Dresses (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free/$10 & help me earn an extra garment for a month)

Lime Cardigan: Lands' End

Lemon Cardigan: Talbots via Savers

Tights: Catherines

Socks: Sock Dreams

Black Shoes: Dansko via garage sale

Yellow Shoes: Enzo Angiolini via Savers

Green Bubble Necklace & Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Green Earring: etXarte

Lemon Necklace: Vintage

Earring: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo & Me (Canon Rebel & iPhone)

This is the third time I've gotten this dress from GB. I wore it the first time with purple accents & the second time with orange. Obviously, I like it...but not quite enough to buy. Too much white & the heavy fabric would only be wearable in cooler months. In my mind I have some orange & pink chevron knee high socks from Sock Dreams, which is why I decided to get this dress one last time. However, I think I must have imagined these socks as I can't find them anywhere...& my sock draw is one of the few organized spots in our house. So, citrus cardigans instead!

I found this cute lemon cardigan for $5 at Savers...I couldn't believe my luck! I don't think its ever been worn. I adore citrus...now I need to find a cardigan full of oranges...that would make me SO happy! I also found the yellow shoes at Savers...they aren't my favorite, but until I find some yellow shoes that spark joy, I'll keep them around. 

 The day of the lime cardigan was an incredibly windy day! 

I went to a 50% off winter clothing sale at Savers in one of these outfits...I don't recall which one now. I only found 2 cardigans for myself...but I spotted the most adorable red cashmere cherry cardigan for Kate! 

 Limes! I also have a dress in this pattern. Love. 

Please note: My vintage Miriam Haskell necklace has lemons on it, click on the picture to enlarge. 

Make My Own Deodorant? Check.

 Top: Kloey Top in Cerise Curve by Igigi (size 26/28) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month for free/$10 & help me earn an extra garment for a month

Skirt: Skater Skirt in Burgundy by Lucie Lu (size 5x) via GB's Try Then Buy program ($15)

Socks: Sock Dreams

Shoes: Dansko

Necklace: Babil & Bijou

Earring: Age Before Beauty

Photography: Super Boo & Me (Canon Rebel & iPhone)

I wore this burgundy & orange outfit to a doctor's appointment, work, & to make deodorant. I adored the colors in this Igigi empire waist top! I also liked the fit. The pattern was great from a distance, but up close all those blobs that read as lines from far away were too modern? impressionistic? for me. You might also notice the "line" at the bottom of my boobs curves down in a sad face making my breasts appear saggy. I might have bought this top if not for that. The skirt I bought last year from GB & have worn with a floral top & with a black sweater. 

My friend Angie has been making her own deodorant successfully, so I wanted to give it a try. I used the same recipe she's been using. I stored it in that sealable container in the middle & used some of my BPAL oils to make it smell pretty. Sadly, my body heat made this really goopy while I was mixing it, so I kept adding more baking soda until it seemed perfect...however, once it set...it was harder than I would have liked. Also, to be honest...I'm afraid to use it. I will though...when I'm spending time with someone daring enough to stick their nose in my pits to confirm it is doing its job.

I wish this lipstick had photographed better...it is a sparkly orange OCC Lip Tar called Manhunter. 

Isn't this penny-farthing necklace the cutest thing?!

Pi(e) Day Wedding Celebration

 Dress: Poppy Print Cosette Dress by Lady Voluptuous (size 26/28)

Petticoat: Meghan Petticoat by Malco Modes (size XL)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Shoes: Born

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Earring: etXarte

Photography: Super Boo & Me (Canon Rebel & iPhone)

I wore this amazing ORANGE poppy print 50s inspired frock to e's wedding celebration this past Saturday. I am blogging out of order so I can show you this dress while they still have them in stock (my size is currently sold out). I have been following Georgina from Fuller Figure Fuller Bust for a while now, so when she posted on Instagram that she had designed these adorable dresses...I had to check them out. And, orange! I died. My favorite color, the color of fun!

First of all, the fabric is lovely...a heavy cotton sateen with a slight stretch. The colors are exquisitely vibrant...& the bold pattern is the ideal size...no tiny flowers here. The fit from the waist down is excellent, however, I am pear shaped (55-50-64) & not as well endowed as most girls my size...so the top is not as fitted as I'd like.  I am considering having it altered rather than send it all the way back to London, especially since I'm not sure the next size down wouldn't be too tight at the waist. The size chart stated this dress  measured 58-52-free, so I would say it's accurate (& generous) & you should trust it. This gorgeous dress is well constructed & I loved wearing it with Anne's petticoat that Kate bought from our garage sale last year...& now belongs to me.

elly & Josh got married in a small ceremony at the library in January...on pi day, we celebrated with them at a brewery. Pie! Key Lime was my favorite...but I only tried 2 as I was full of deviled eggs & beer. elly & Josh like Star Wars. 

It is always a joyous occasion when your friend finds someone that they want to spend the rest of their life with...but seeing elly happy is extra special to me. I worry that fabulous people won't find love because they are too introverted (me & all my friends) to share their fabulousness...but she found the right guy who appreciates her amazing elly-ness. 

Awwwww, love. Me & Super Boo, Jason & Kate, and Toby & Angie. 

And they all lived happily ever after. The End.

Story Slam: Worst Job

Dress: Neon Check Dress by City Chic (size XXL) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month for free (or $10, they keep changing the offer) & help me earn an extra garment for a month)

Cardigan: Willow Bay (Savers)

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Born

Necklace: Vintage (garage sale find)

Earring: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me (Canon Rebel & iPhone)

I wore this incredibly fun outfit to attend Story Slam with Kate. I LOVED this dress!!! It was my first scuba fabric AND my first City Chic! LOVE. I was a bit wary of the XXL (size 24) fitting my size 26/28 (55-50-64) body, but the fit was perfect, as was the length (I'm 5'7"). The fabric was thick & heavy, but in a good way...it felt nice & was well made. The plaid & pops of orange made me happy. 

I kind of adore this photo of me losing my balance, I don't know why. Kate wearing jeans! They were from GB & too big. But look how pleasantly bright we are!

Kate brought us lovely wine to drink & cheese & crackers to nibble on. Story Slam has outgrown its old venue, so this was the first time at the new place...the best part is since the community center doesn't sell food or beverage...we could bring our own. 

This guy told the first & best story of the evening (you can listen to it over on the Madison Story Slam Podcast {the guy that runs the story slam tells a short story first}). 

Purple & Orange! Sadly, this fabulous orange necklace's paint began cracking & peeling...orange bits kept falling off me all night. 

Black & Pink

 Dress: Magic Dress by Melissa Masse (size 3x) via The Girls of GB sale post

Cardigan: Lane Bryant via Savers

Leggings: Roamans

Socks: Sock Dreams

Shoes: Dansko via garage sale

Necklace: Vintage

Earring: etXarte

Photography: Super Boo (Canon Rebel)

I wore this dress to work & on a different day to run errands & have lunch with Super Boo. This is what we in The Girls of GB group like to call The Magic Dress, as in it is flattering on everybody. It's a great little fit & flare in a fun pattern. This will be cute in the summer with pink teggings & black sandals. 

I popped the color in the first photo so you could see my socks. I don't know why my pictures show up so dark on blogger, they look fine on Instagram. Pink!