The Sills at The Anna Lee

 Dress: Heirloom Rose Garden Dress by MM2 (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link & get your first month free & help me earn an extra garment for a month)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Born

Necklace: Gift from Suz via The Girls of GB jewelry swap

Bracelet: Vintage

Earring: etXarte

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

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this fabulously flowery frock to work & see my favorite local band with Kate. This was the first dress in a long time that I was eager to get from GB...look at that gorgeous happy print! I was planning on purchasing it as soon as the box was delivered. Sadly, the fabric on this is...strange. It was thicker than I expected, so it really is just a spring dress, I would not wear this over 70°. Also, it has a strange feel to it...like a textured 70s shower curtain, which felt unpleasant against my skin. However, it was fun to wear once & I felt like a spring princess all day long. 

Kate is always adorable, but she looked *extra* adorable in this Hell Bunny dress that she immediately bought from GB. I am full of envy that Hell Bunny does not come in my size, as they make some precious dresses. The Anna Lee, which is actually just someone's house that occasionally has bands play. The lady of the house asked if she could take our picture, so of course we requested she take some with my phone too. We look like we are up to something here.

The Sills & sparking wine, perfection. Kate was a twirly girlie during the break between sets. Right before the last song, Kate was wishing they would play The Garden Song...& like magic, they played it! 

I am in love with all the brightness of the colors in my dress & make-up...& isn't that necklace a perfect match?!

 Flowers everywhere...

Film Fest & Food

 Dress: Deep V-Neck Maxi Dress (aka The Wizard Dress) by tbagslosangeles (size 3x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month for free & help me earn an extra garment for a month)

Sandals: Dansko

Necklace/Bracelet/Earring: Vintage 

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

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this dress to the film fest, out to lunch with Super Boo, & out to dinner. I first got this dress from GB back in November 2013. I wish I would have bought it then, I liked the pattern/color placement better, warmer around my face. I purchased this one though, because it is just so much fun. So, obviously I adore this dress. The fit is fantastic & the fabric feels marvelous on. I transform into a goddess in tbags maxis. 

Kate in Anna Scholz inside the stunning Capitol Theatre where we saw our first film of the day. After the documentary, Super Boo & I had Indian buffet for lunch, yum!

Olive holding on to Super Boo's hat while he takes pictures of me, she's so patient (they were taking a walk).  3 GB girlies outside Tex Tubb's Taco Palace. I had to have 2 margaritas after our final film (& worst movie of the festival) of the day, White God. It won an award at Cannes, has 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, & is a New York Times Critic's Pick. I hated it, & not just because of the dog fighting or animal abuse. I believe if dogs were free, they would frolic & play...enjoy life & not waste their time getting even with the people that wronged them. The acting, including the dogs, was marvelous. 

 Fish tacos & sweet potato fries. 

I don't usually go for matchy matchy, but I adore this set of vintage jewels, last worn here for Christmas. 

Unexpected Sweater Dress

 Dress: Cable-Knit Sweater Dress in Forest Green by Lima (size 5x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free/$10 & help me earn an extra garment for a month)

Tights: We Love Colors

Socks: Sock Dreams

Boots: Fluevog

Earring: ebay

Pin & Bracelet: Vintage

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

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this sweater dress to work & to see 2 movies alone at Wisconsin Film Fest. This dress came to me unexpectedly from GB...that happens from time to time...a garment shows up that isn't in my at home section. I initially thought it was hideous & was planning on sending it back without wearing it...but then there was a cold snap & it seemed a shame to not at least try to see what I could do with it. I rather like the results of pairing it with earthy ambers & oranges. It felt cozy & comforting, as well as being a fabulous length. It was slightly itchy, but not too bad...what bothered me more was that the holes were big enough to see through in places. I received several compliments from strangers, including the checkout girl at Whole Foods who told me my look was "pure class." 

I rarely go to movies solo, so it was unusual to see two in one day by myself, although it is a common sight at the film fest. Going places alone that are considered social activities (movies, concerts, restaurants) did not used to be an option for me. I have a lot of social anxiety that is lessened when I am with someone close to me. Going out alone no longer bothers me so much...I enjoy people watching & eavesdropping on conversations. It also helps to have a device to look at. 

I have a collection of pins, but seldom wear them. They used to see a lot of use in the 80s/early 90s when I wore button up shirts with a pin attached on the top button. 

 I loved how these socks tied all the colors together. 

Wisconsin Film Fest, Day 1

 Top: Rosa Top in Rue Noir 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: Lane Bryant

Sandals: Dansko

Necklace: Babil & Bijou

Earring: The Gilded Gypsies

Bracelet: Kate made

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

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this ensemble to the 1st & 3rd days of The Wisconsin Film Festival. Holy buckets, I adore this outfit! I am in love with the way the patterns go together & the fabric was nearly identical...they were made for each other. On its own, I am not fond of the pattern on the top, but it is a fantastic fit & a great length. The pop of color in the top is more of a deep coral than red, which is what I originally thought it was. 

Mmmmm, Gail Ambrosius chocolate. Also, the girlie got an adorable summer haircut! I snapped this on the 1st day of the film fest outside her work when I dropped her tickets off. 

My I-stink-at-selfies selfie...standing in line for our first movie while Super Boo parked the car. Uncle John was our first *and* best film of the festival. Both of the writers (one was also the director) & the star of the movie, John Ashton, were in attendance & spoke about the film and did a Q & A afterwards. It was filmed just outside of Madison in Lodi, WI. It was SO good. 

Kate & I went out for dinner between breaks in our movies on the 3rd day, Saturday. Spring herby girlie cocktails at Graze- Saged by the Bell (Bulliet Rye, Aperol, vanilla, sage, & ginger beer) & Orange You Glad (Rishi orange blossom tea, Ketel One, Cocchi Americano, Combier orange liqueur, & white wine) Also, delicious cheese curds...the ones here have a bit thicker vodka batter. We are serious about our cheese curds in Wisconsin & it is often debated which restaurant has the best ones...in my opinion, Graze is in the top 3. 

Kate & I shared the Rhode Island Skate Wing (fried potatoes, shallot confit, spinach, lemon, olives, sundried tomatoes, capers, aged balsamic) & Gnocchi (seared Oaxacan queso, cherry tomatoes, green beans, mushrooms, wild watercress, lemon zest)...both were incredible. 

One more drink, Fresh Prince of Bergamot (Death's Door Gin, Graze bergamot syrup, & lemon). After dinner, Kate had to run off to her next film, so I had an enjoyable 1/2 an hour before Super Boo came to fetch me for our next film to sit on the square on a lovely evening & people watch. There were young girls in pretty prom dresses & a group of 10-12 people on a pedal-powered trolley singing Hungry Like The Wolf.

 I need a typewriter key or pen nib earring...or better yet...both!

Easter Brunch

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

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Born

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Earring: etXarte

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

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this outfit for Easter Brunch at our house. It wasn't really fancy enough for Easter, but it was comfortable & I was cooking. While the GB house brands fit me fine in a 4x, I am usually more comfortable when I size up. I wish the colors in this dress had been brighter, & as always, I wish GB would release their dresses in tall versions, this is entirely too short to be worn without teggings. I thought the pattern was fabulously fun, & of course I liked the orange & green. 

Kate brought sparkling wine to drink & we had gotten some Cava at Costco to make mimosas, because brunch is all about the mimosas. So much food! The girlie bought these chocolate bunnies & 3 peanut butter eggs after farmers' market the day before, & we completely forgot to put them on the table...

We started off with bagels & lox and a lovely braided ginger sweet bread Angie created. I made 2 new egg dishes, Asparagus & 2 Cheese Quiche with Hash Brown Crust & Spinach Quiche. Super Boo made ham on the grill. There was also asparagus & hollandaise and roasted potatoes with garlic & rosemary. 

Kate made fruit salad with ginger lime sauce. And elly & Josh brought an adorable Easter egg cake. 

The cinnamon roll is just a cream cheese frosting vehicle.

Easter basket earring...

Good Friday Fish Fry

 Dress: Truda in purple floral by Igigi (size 26/28)

Cardigan: Lane Bryant, thrifted 

Tights: We Love Colors

Socks: Sock Dreams

Boots: Doc Marten

Necklace: Age Before Beauty

Earring: etXarte

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

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this ensemble to work, out for an early lunch with Super Boo, & to fish fry. I bought this dress over a year ago, but as with so many things that hang in my closet, it has never been worn...I am too busy with Gwynnie Bee garments...but I had no GB at home. I am fairly consistently a 26/28 in Igigi, but every once in a while that size is too tight on me...as with this dress. I chose to wear it on this day, Good Friday, because it looked like spring & Easter. 

Cheese curds with garlic aioli at The Old Fashioned, yum! We got there so early they were still serving breakfast, so we nibbled on these while we waited for lunch. I had a rueben with house made chips. 

That night we spontaneously went to church fish fry with Angie...it was delicious! Also, the last one of the season at St. Peter's. So sad. I was too hungry to take a photo of the food...but this is the kitchen on the way out. Truffles at Gail Ambrosius the next day after farmers' market with the girlie. 

I can never quite capture the color of these boots...they are deep purple patent leather. 

With the exception of the boots & the necklace...this is the first time I'm wearing everything in this outfit. 

Breakfast Club, 30th Anniversary

 Dress: Tangerine Prism Dress by MM2 (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)

Tights: Catherines

Shoes: Tredair

Necklace: Babil & Bijou

Earring: etXarte

Bracelet: Cindy Forrester

Photography: Kate, Jason, & Me (iPhone)

Stats: 55-50-64

I wore this adorable frock to have dinner, drinks, & see a movie with the girlie. I immediately purchased this dress...how could I not? Orange! I'm so predictable. I am in love with everything about this dress with the exception of the waist placement...I wish it were an empire waist, or at least a bit higher. MM2 is a collaboration between Melissa Masse & Jaclyn McCabe, & this dress is a similar cut to Melissa Masse's "Magic Dress". The slinky fabric is lovely to touch & the pattern is fantastically fun. I also appreciated that the edges of the neckline & sleeves were finished with solid black...I thought it framed the dress nicely. 

I was planning on wearing boring black shoes with this outfit until Super Boo brought me these shoes from the 90s. I never would have picked them myself & I ended up loving them with this dress. 

 The cuteness that is Kate...in Leota via GB. 

Jason stopped by to cuddle with Kate, so we have girlies x 2 in 1 photo! Blurry, but adorable...Jason & Kate...

Merchant had just released their spring cocktail menu the day before...so there were all kinds of new libations to imbibe. We managed to try 5 of them. Along with homemade pasta & a beet spinach salad. My first drink was Total Eclipse of the Tart....

But I couldn't totally eclipse the tart, she's too pretty! Key Lime pie for dessert. My favorite drink of the evening was the Phyllis Diller- St. George Dry Rye Gin, housemade cucumber oleo citrate, Bittercube Jamaican #2 Bitters, & dill tincture. 

Then, the event of the evening...seeing The Breakfast Club in the theater for the 30th anniversary showing. I saw The Breakfast Club when it was first released with Shane. This, along with Pretty in Pink were my 2 favorite movies from my high school years. It was still just as wonderful 30 years later.