God Is Great, Beer Is Good, People Are Crazy...

 Top: Wanderlust Wrap Cold Shoulder Top by Kiyonna (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Skirt: Enwrapture Vintage Silk Sari

Sandals: Born

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Babil & Bijou

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this ensemble for 2 days on the weekend a few weeks ago. On Saturday we went to 2 farmers' markets, a few garage sales, an estate sale, & several other errands. On Sunday this outfit accompanied me to a farmers' market that was also having a craft show. This top is fabulous!!! I would have never sent it back if it hadn't come to me quite worn out. The print is amazing...like leopard on fire! The stay put wrap top was ideal...& I adore a cold shoulder sleeve...so sexy. I'll be on the look out for this top in a 3 or 4x. Also, it was pleasing to pattern mix with any number of vintage silk sari skirts in my collection. 

Earlier in the summer, I attended my favorite garage sale of the year...on this weekend, they were having a 50% off sale. One of these treasures will be a gift for someone else...which of these things does not belong?

An estate sale...estate sales are always so sad...a person's every room filled to the brim with the stuff they left behind...this lady had some amazing possessions. I madly coveted this Limoges porcelain bowl & plate...gorgeous! But even though everything was 50% off on this day...$150 was a bit too steep for me. Isn't it lovely though??

I was smitten with these 2 lamps at another garage sale...I love upcycled items. Penzey's Spices! It's a gourmet meal for your nose...so many smells to sniff. 

There is a Pier 1 Imports next to Penzey's, so I decided to wander in. I used to be in there weekly with Shane...now it's been several years. So much pretty! Of course, since they are stocked for my favorite season, autumn. I really wanted that elephant. Elephants & pigs are my spirit animals. 

There was a craft show going on during Sunday's market...the only booth of note was the talented lady above. I can't find her card on my messy desk, but she sells at Madison Craft & Gift Shop, which I need to check out sometime soon. She paints lovely images on old window frames, as well as wine glasses, plates, & other glass objects. Stunning! The Monona market always has good bands & the gentleman playing on this day was a bit honky tonk...he got this song stuck in my head...God is great, beer is good, people are crazy...

Pictured above is my haul from the estate sale...& in the background you can glimpse a bit of a London Times maxi dress I bought from one of the girls on The Girls of GB. It was one of my unicorns that got retired & was never sent to me. It is fantastic! 

My makeup with this outfit included...Black Velvet eyeliner by Urban Decay, layered with Brown eyeliner by Sephora; Flamepoint, Poison Plum, & Love + eyeshadows from the Sugarpill Burning Heart palette; & Blood Orange by Bite Beauty, mixed with MAC Korean Candy on my lips. 

Private Lives

 Dress: Sleeveless Dress in Red Houndstooth by Taylor Dresses (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Avenue

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Fly London

Necklace: Babil & Bijou

Earring: etXarte

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this outfit to have a mani/pedi & out to Indian buffet & to see a play at American Players Theatre with Super Boo. I was so excited to wear a dress that wasn't floral!!! I adore floral, but I also like other prints & houndstooth is a classic. I loved everything about this dress with the exception of the saddlebags...isn't that what they look like?? I felt it added a country western vibe to the dress that I wasn't feeling. Lovely fabric, thin enough for warm weather...but with the added cardigan...perfect for a late summer evening. 

I bought these Fly London shoes on eBay a few months ago, but this is the first time wearing them. I am in love! Cute & comfortable.

Showing off my mani/pedi. I am wearing The Thrill of Brazil on my nails & Amore at the Grand Canal on my toes, both by OPI. I couldn't decide which one I liked better! 

Normally, I do my own nails...it was what I did for a living before becoming a therapist. But Super Boo encouraged me to treat myself...so I did. I wanted to try out 2 different places, so first I went to Aniu for a manicure with Dana. She was so much fun to talk to that I didn't take any photos. I'd been there once before for the best facial of my life. My deluxe manicure was luxurious. I could spend an entire day there being pampered. Then I was off to Elevation for a spa pedicure...the pedicure was lovely, however, my manicurist was not very friendly. The view of downtown was pretty to look at, but I will go back to Dana at Aniu for future nail needs.

Noël Coward's Private Lives was spectacular...the acting, the sets, the gorgeous 30s costuming...a wonderfully written play outside on a gorgeous night...perfection. 

The bottom 2 photos I found online as APT frowns on photo taking while actors are on stage. 

My makeup on this day included...Sugarpill Love+ eyeshadow, along with Urban Decay's Sin & Half-baked, with Nars Cruella on my lips. 

City Chic Sale

 Dress: Jacquard Fit & Flare Dress with Black Insets by London Times (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your 1st month free & help me earn GB credit)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Dansko

Chain Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Necklace: Babil & Bijou

Earring: etXarte

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this dress to work on a short day. It was not my favorite dress. Had I gotten this in cooler weather, I could have added a cardigan & I believe that would have solved the problem. It needed a belt...or something to give it shape around the waist. Color would have been nice too. This is a substantial dress...the fabric is thicker & it is lined...perfect for fall, but not a humid summer day. The pattern of this dress reminded me of crocheted vintage doilies, romantic & sweet. As always with London Times, I sized down one because they run big. 

It occurred to me that I buy clothing all the time...but if it doesn't come from a thrift store or garage sale...it gets no mention here. A bit silly, isn't it? Considering this is a fashion blog. One of the reasons is because I don't have anywhere I can hang clothing to take photos of it...but also, because I figure I will feature it here once I get around to wearing it. But that could takes ages...so I will try to remember to share when I get pretty packages in the post. 

I bought these 3 dresses a month or so ago when City Chic was having a 50% off sale items sale. City Chic has fabulous sales. If it's not at least 1/2 off...don't buy it...wait...& it will be. GB is now carrying the dress on the left, but not in my size, so I am happy I picked it up for $30. The dress on the right was only $20! If I can find a black sequined shrug, I may wear that for NYE. 

I grabbed these photos from City Chic so you could better see what they look like. 

My make-up this day included...Brown eyeliner by Sephora, Urban Decay Naked palette eyeshadows, Cruella lipstick by Nars, & Little Red Wagon by OPI on my nails. 

Squirrels in the Woods

 Dress: Caron Dress in Chipmunk Print by Effie's Heart (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Sandals: Sofft

Necklace: Wendy Baker

Earring: Babil & Bijou

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this dress to work & see Othello with Super Boo & on another day for a Labor Day cookout at Angie & Toby's house. Everyone was going crazy for this dress on The Girls of GB...& I get it...it's a cute & quirky design...however, I'm just not that into squirrels (they call it a chipmunk dress, but those are clearly frolicking squirrels). This frock is made out of the same thick cotton t-shirt knit fabric all Effie's Heart dresses are manufactured from, which made it delightfully cool during the two hot days I wore it. I adored the fit & flare style, as well as the length of this dress. What I didn't care for were all the mismatched fancy add-ons to this casual dress...there is lace framing the neckline & sleeves, which has been dyed red...but seems pink in spots as if it didn't take evenly, then there is the jersey knit attached belt at the waist, which matches the tone of the dress...& finally...red tulle peeking out the hemline. None of these reds match each other, & the lace & tulle are a bit too fanciful for this everyday knit dress. Despite all those nitpicky complaints from me, I LOVED wearing this dress, it was happy-making!! I wish GB carried more garments like this that I have no desire to own...but are fun one time wears. 

Super Boo & I drove to Spring Green after work to see Othello at American Players Theatre. We had intended on picnicing there, however, since it was so hot & humid out...we ate our dinner in the cool a/c at work. I know it does not look very appetizing in the warm lighting of our office...but I covered these blanched veggies (including some zucchini noodles) with locally made spicy thai peanut butter (mixed with soy sauce & lemon juice)...sooo good! 

This was the best production of Othello we'd ever seen. Also, the boots were spectacular. I nabbed the 2 photos of the play in action online. 

Holiday cookout at Angie & Toby's place...Oscar & Penelope playing! Watching dogs play is the BEST. This soda was delightful, especially the Rhu-berry. Delicious food...everything made on the grill is better. Later, there was homemade ice-cream. All 5 boys got seriously into playing with Legos. 

If you enlarge this photo...you can better see the evil mosquito that was biting me & causing me to make this alluring face. 

I thought the squirrels called for a woodland photoshoot... 

My make-up included...NYX Deep Blue eyeliner; Mon Ennui Year of the Dragon eyeshadow; Urban Decay Sonic, Bobby Dazzle, & Last Sin eyeshadows; a mixture of UD F-Bomb & Nars Cruella lipsticks; & OPI's Little Red Wagon on my nails. 

Lazy Days of Summer

 Dress: Fit & Flare Dress in Coral Bliss by Lands' End (size 3x) via Gwynnie Bee Shop

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: ?, thrifted

Necklace & Earring: Made by Me

Swimsuit: Beach Belle, gift from SB

Swimsuit Cover-Up: Enwrapture Vintage Silk Sari

Hat: Kohl's

Photography: Brian, Neil, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

These 2 outfits are pretty much what I wore the rest of Brian's visit.  I normally don't bother photographing my lazy laying around looks...but I've been wanting to do a swimsuit post anyway. A real swimsuit post...one where I'm not wearing make-up or high heels...who goes to the pool looking like that? Not me. This Lands' End dress is so easy to throw on...I've worn it about a dozen times this summer. Their dresses are well made & it's nice to wear a breathable cotton dress on hot days. Also, a great fit & color. This swimsuit was a gift from Super Boo at least a year ago. The fit is perfect, I just wish I could find a swimsuit with good boob support. 

There were no photos of me without my mouth open. About 80% of pictures of me either have my mouth open or my tongue hanging out...sometimes both. 

Saturday evening...fire! Toby took an ax to some large logs from our spider infested garage. We made grilled cheese & hot dogs over the flames...why does that make everything taste SO much better?? Kate's completed Ginger Dragon tattoo. Brian roasting a delicious homemade marshmallow that Angie brought (she also made graham crackers that were amazing). The real hit of the evening is not pictured...everyone trying out Super Boo's massage chair. Toby kept saying he could get out at any time...but he was in there for an hour. Also, Angie & Toby got engaged!! 

I made brunch for Brian on Sunday...we drooled over everything at Batch before picking out some delectable morsels. We also dined on eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, asparagus with hollandaise, crispy roasted potatoes with garlic & rosemary, raspberries, & fresh squeezed orange juice. That night I brought take-out from Lao Laan Xang over to Neil's & we watched movies on Netflix...a fairly terrible movie that Neil picked, Kaboom & a much better film (that I picked), Beginners. On Monday Neil played violin & cello for us while the dinner I made us was cooking... Slow Roasted Salmon with Fennel & Citrus, green beans, & baked potato. I make this salmon recipe nearly every week because we love it so much. However, you need to sauté the fennel in a pan first before cooking it in the oven...otherwise, crispy fennel. After dinner...another Netflix movie that I really wanted to love, Blue Is The Warmest Color. 

Tuesday & Wednesday...more food (grilled cheese with spinach & tomatoes, cupcakes, & Chinese takeout) & Netflix (The One I Love, don't bother). But mostly...the pool! Had we known how spectacular it was...we would have done nothing else for a week. It was luxurious...Brian & I had the place to ourselves all day...then Neil & Rachel would come down after work with wine. It was perfect. Brian, Me, Rachel, & Neil in the hot tub. I could live in water. 

My Urban Decay order...Roach eyeliner, a back-up of Retrograde eyeliner, a fill your own palette, & Fireball eyeshadow. The rest was free...another fill your own palette (with a free eyeshadow), Velvet eyeliner, mascara, & lipstick. 

The Ivory Room

 Top: Aubrey Blouse in Poppy Delight by Igigi (size 26/28) via Gwynnie Bee Try then Buy (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Skirt: Enwrapture Vintage Sari Skirt

Sandals: Born

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Brian & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this ensemble to have lunch with Brian, Neil, & Michael...then to go out in the evening with Brian. The next morning I also wore this to farmers' market (with no make-up). I hated this top...until I tried it on & wore it all day. Then I bought it. I don't have anything like this in my closet...a button up blouse, so when GB had a 35% off on at home items sale & it was only $30...I made it mine. I received several compliments from strangers who all thought it was a dress. The fabric is very light & sheer, but I wore an orange creamsicle color bra & it was barely visible...for work I might add a camisole. The beautiful rich colors will make a fantastic transition piece into fall with a cardigan. 

Brian took these pictures of me across the street from Neil's apartment when I picked him up. It was going to rain any minute, so I thought it might be my only photo opportunity. 

We met Neil & Michael at Maharaja for Indian buffet...full of yum! I guess I could have asked them to pose for a picture instead of catching them while they were eating, oops. At this point I thought we were all going to go out to a fancy dinner on Sunday night, so I planned to take nicer photos then...but that never happened. I met Michael when I was 18, the same night I met my boyfriend of 10 years, Chad...at a high school friend's (also named Michael) apartment on our way to a Halloween party. Michael told Michael & Chad that Shane & I were mean & hated everyone, so they wouldn't want to meet us. We think he was just afraid we might like them better. Michael told me all kinds of things that have slipped my elderly mind...how could I have forgotten that I saw The B-52's & Psychedelic Furs with Shane, Michael, Chad, & Kate?!! And that Chad & Kate were upset because we were late getting to Milwaukee & missed part of The Furs set? I *did* remember seeing Culture Club, Howard Jones, & The Human League in Chicago...but forgot that Shane's boyfriend Jeff went with us & that Brian & I drove separately & got lost. It stinks having a swiss cheese brain. 

That night, Brian & I checked out The Ivory Room for dueling pianos. We got there early to nab a good table & pitcher of sangria. I took the shot above before the place filled up (look, there's Brian!). For $20, you could get your friend on stage for them to sing a birthday song to. Later in the night it was a girl's 21st & they played a song I requested...I like big butts & I cannot lie...the girl was so embarrassed when he instructed her how to dance on stage & then told her to do a butt drop...when she wouldn't, he said...do it, they'll go crazy...it's okay if you flash everyone your vagina on your 21st birthday. Poor girl. She did it. 

It was an odd mix of all ages...but the only annoying group were these 4 middle aged women who still dressed & acted like they were college cheerleaders. Is there a name for that? They were dancing around, getting on stage, doing shots. Brian kept saying...I know that woman...I think she was a Real Housewife of Orange County...turns out, she was. The Ivory Room was fun & I would do it again with a group of people. In many ways it was better than karaoke because you could just sing along in your seat. However, my first request, Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie (or any Bowie song)...was not a big hit with the crowd. The guy ended up playing Space Oddity & immediately said...if you pay me, I'll stop playing this song...& someone did. On the other hand, that same piano player told Brian he requested his favorite song...Elton John's Your Song. 

Farmers' market in the rain with Brian & the girlie. 

After market we went to Square to pick up some wine Kate bought & to drink some leftover tasting wine from the previous night. Then bagel sandwiches from Gotham...who have a humungous Sopranos poster signed by James Gandolfini. 

My make-up this day included...NYX Pretty Violet eyeliner, MAC Coppering & UD Thrash eyeshadows, Bite Beauty Apricot lipstick, & My Gecko Does Tricks by OPI on my nails.