Josh Harty & Simon Balto

 Dress: Fresh Floral Dress by City Chic (size 24/XXL) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Sandals: Born, thrifted

Earring, Necklace, & Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I am in love with this style of dress...the tea length, sweetheart neckline, & 50s silhouette. I have worn it in Climbing Floral, Purple with green, Purple with burgundy, & I own it in Red, but have not yet worn that dress. However, this is by far my absolute most adored...those colors!!! I had planned on buying it from GB the moment it arrived...but there was a pull on the front...slight, but GB prices are not as reasonable as they once were for used clothing...so I ended up purchasing it on sale at City Chic brand new for less than GB wanted for it. These dresses come with a wide belt the same color as the dress, but I don't usually wear belts. I feel extra extraordinarily feminine in this dress. Also, it makes me smile.

Gaze upon those Dr. Seussesque flowers! Kate informed me they were most likely hibiscus...& she was correct. In fact, later that week I encountered them for sale in a variety of colors at farmers' market. Too bad I have a black thumb. They are FABULOUS!

Kate & I at The Shitty Barn...a kind stranger took our photo. This day was particularly hot & humid & I had sweat dripping down my face from the moment I put make-up on. I just felt like sharing that.

Enos Farms makes delicious food, but lately we haven't been thrilled with their offerings so we've been bringing our own picnic. Nomming on yummy carrots. Also, notice how nicely my bra matches my dress as it crept out every so often. 

Both of these bands were good live...I *think* the top one is Simon Balto, which makes the bottom one Josh Harty. Josh was playing with some local musicians including the husband/wife duo from The Stellanovas, who really need to update their gig schedule on their website because I think they're amazing & want to see them perform. 

David surprised me with a new camera! Taking these photos of me was his first time using it. We went from using a Canon Rebel to a Nikon D7200. The lighting on this day/time was extremely harsh, but we managed to get decent pictures anyway. David is so sweet to me...he has zero interest in photography, but he supports me in whatever makes me happy. I am very grateful to have him in my life. Also, he doesn't read my blog often...so I can say all the nice things about him I want without embarrassing him. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Deep Purple; Kat von D eyeshadow in Vinyl, Echo, Swoon, & Anthem; Urban Decay eyeshadow in Jilted; Bite Beauty lipstick in Aubergine; & OPI nail polish in Who the Shrek Are You?

Garage Sale-ing

 Dress: Work the Angle Dress in Red by Poppy & Bloom (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Teggings: Re/Dress (summer length)

Sandals: Born

Earring: Babil & Bijou (no longer online)

Necklace: A Luscious Thing

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

Longtime followers of my blog will recognize this location as one of my favorites since the beginning. It is the former Madison Brass Works, built in the early 1900s...it has been vacant for some time, but was bought last December by a nearby community center. Quite often now there is machinery & other signs of life that lead me to believe this location may not be an option for photos much longer. And that makes me sad. I know they will fix the building up, rather than tear it down...but I prefer rust & decay to renovated spaces. Mostly, I hope they keep this glass wall. 

I adore these Poppy & Bloom Work the Angle dresses...I have worn them in several different prints, including coral abstract, cream & red geo print, geometric chevron print, & aqua geo print. This is my favorite pattern & color combo...& look how perfectly it goes with this necklace! I resisted buying it however, because it started lightly pilling the few times I wore it...it's the kind of soft cozy material that is meant to look lived in...& I'm not lacking in dresses I can wear casually. Of course...I would buy it if it showed up in the GB Shop for under $20. 

I LOVE garage sale-ing...in addition to finding finds & getting bargains...I like peeping at the parts I can see of people's houses (usually garages & yards). One of the garages I went to on this day was lined with all different kinds & colors of metal lockers. It was so neat & tidy...& fun to look at. Another woman's garage had every inch of wall space decorated...one wall was all celestial...another was covered in vintage metal bits. She was also selling quite an array of fantasy landscapes she had created on Lazy Susans that I thought would make excellent fairy gardens. 

My finds this day...gold roses shower hooks, an angel shelf, cement gargoyle, & a red bundt pan. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Gypsy Blue, Urban Decay eyeshadow in Gonzo, NYX eyeshadow palette in Brights, Head in the Clouds lipstick by MAC, & OPI nail polish in Teal the Cows Come Home. 

Cory Chisel & Friends

 Dress: Kate Dress in Blue Guitar Picks by Cherry Velvet (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Dansko

Earring, Necklace, & Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I love this style of dress...I've also worn it in navy button spots earlier this summer. There was so much white in this dress...I panicked & added lots of color. I nearly didn't wear it, but the whole reason I closeted it was in hopes I could wear it to a concert at The Shitty Barn. Guitar Picks! Perfect, right?! 

Pedicure! The best Groupon I've ever bought...3 pedicures for $40, this is my second. She was nicer to me this time since I tipped her well the first time. Picnic at the barn with Angie & Toby, yum.

Cory Chisel came back...twice in one year! I saw him back in May & was mesmerized. Cory & John of J-Council above...but first...Frank Catalano with Jimmy Chamberlin (of The Smashing Pumpkins). What a treat. Angie said something like...you think you're going to the Madison Orchestra & instead...there is Yo-Yo Ma. I think Frank said their current album was the #2 jazz album on the Billboard charts that week. They were amazing. 

 Cory with his wife, Adriel Denae & again with John of J-Council. 

When this special show was added, I squee-ed. I think this world tour was being sponsored by the USA network & as they payed for it...Cory donated the money he would have made to charity (I can't remember which one). They were amazing all over again, but not quite as magical as the first time. I would see Cory Chisel every time he comes to town.

My make-up with this outfit included...Make Up For Ever eyeshadow in Tangerine & Lime, NYX Shadow Palette in Brights, Bite Beauty Blood Orange lipstick, OCC Lip Tar in Electric Grandma, & In My Back Pocket nail polish by OPI. 

SaveSave

Central Park Sessions: Irish Eyes

 Dress: Swirl Keyhole Maxi Dress by Avenue (size 26/28)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Fly London

Earring: Vintage 80s

Bracelet: Vintage, garage sale find

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

Look at that pattern! And all those colors!!! I ended up wearing this lovely dress on two different days with Kate as she was quite smitten with it & extremely complimentary about how I looked in it. In fact, I will admit I did not fully fall in love with this dress until I saw it through the girlie's eyes. I thought it was too short & tight on me when I first tried it on, but now I never want to take it off! Aside from the fabulousness of the fabric...I adored the braiding detail along the neckline & the keyhole that added enough interest not to need a necklace (which would have gotten lost on this busy pattern), but was not low enough to turn into an unwanted boob window. Also, it has been AGES since I had a side slit in a dress...perhaps this means they are coming back in fashion? I rather liked that addition so my teggings could peak out a bit more...or just show off a bit of leg. 

I picked this dress out from Avenue after they generously said they would provide one for Marcy's feature on size 26+ bloggers. She had already spoken with them on our behalf & I was thrilled to get this dress. It's on clearance right now for ~$20, so you should grab it...I almost want to order another one for when this one wears out...I like it *that* much. 

I am posting this (& my previous post) out of order so that I can show off these lovely dresses that were given to me while they are still available. 

We are very fortunate here in Madison, WI to have so many opportunities to see free live music. This Irish Central Park Session opened with a local band, followed by The Nuala Kennedy Band from Ireland/Scotland & the headliners...Dervish (County Sligo, Ireland). We ate delicious African food from the Baraka truck & drank Door County cherry cider & Magic Carpet Ride (Mead with Orient spices). Dervish was particularly amazing...I always like an adorable & talkative lead singer. 

A few days later at the Saturday downtown farmers' market with the girlie. Apples!?! As much as I adore these antique apples...I'm not quite ready for it to be that time yet. Give me ALL the heirloom tomatoes. Several years ago Kate & I were at a smaller market & one of the vendors was giving away samples of their tomatoes. Before tasting heirloom tomatoes I did not think I liked tomatoes...I was SO wrong. The girlie is pained under her heavy load of amazing produce. 

After market lunch at a new Indian fusion restaurant, Om. Yum. While at the co-op, I sat & enjoyed this marvelous accordion player while reading the local weekly paper & enjoying the gorgeous 72 degree weather. Then I went home & read on the couch with the doggies (you can barely see Rye's paw). 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero, Sephora liner in Brown, UD eyeshadow in Fringe & Jilted, Kat Von D eyeshadow in Fran & Legend, Bite Beauty lipstick in Blood Orange, Nars lipstick in Cruella, & Atomic Orange nail polish by OPI. 

SaveSave

Cherry Velvet at Death of a Salesman

 Dress: Brook Dress in Tangerine Stardust by Cherry Velvet (size 4x)

Sandals: Born

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelets: Vintage Bakelite

Purse: Vintage, thrifted

Photography: Super Boo, Daniel, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I am in LOVE with this dress from Cherry Velvet! Holy buckets is it adorable...in love. Fantastic fit in every way, perfect length, & ORANGE *swoon*. It is on sale on top of a sale right now on the Cherry Velvet site through Sunday for 20% off with the code CVWS20. You *need* it. What I wrote about CV back in June still holds true..I need to take a trip to Vancouver, BC & give CV designer, Diane, a big hug...her dresses always make me feel so fearless & fetching. I know I've said it before...but I adore this company for making gorgeous dresses in 4x, all the way down to XS...thank you for making us feel #StunningAtAnySize. 

I have even more love for Cherry Velvet because when I asked if they'd give me a dress to wear for a feature on size 26+ bloggers that Marcy Cruz is doing...they said YES! This is the dress I picked out. The feature will be online in September...I'll keep you posted. 

This is my first time taking pictures by this gorgeous decaying fountain...a movement has begun to have it restored. It's a memorial to a young woman who took her life back in 1905. 

Kate, Daniel, & I went to see Death of a Salesman at American Players Theatre last Sunday afternoon. 

I made zoodles with broccoli & peanut sauce & Kate brought delicious sparkling wine & Door County cherries. 

APT did an amazing job of this play I've seen several times before...their rendition was superb. Dinner after the show at Ha Long Bay. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero, Sephora liner in Brown, Kat von D eyeshadow in Fran & Black Metal, Make Up For Ever shadow in Tangerine, MAC lipstick in Korean Candy, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Electric Grandma, & Atomic Orange nail polish by OPI. 

All The Orange Dresses Do Not Have To Live At My House...

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

Sandals: Aerosole, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage (bracelet, garage sale)

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I kept this dress for over a week because I thought I was going to buy it...I had it in floral print last summer & ended up finding that dress online for ~$15 on a discount site (Myhabit, RIP). This dress had the same issue the floral dress had...a horrible top...I have an enormous amount of fashion tape holding the neckline closed...most of the time, it came unstuck & was a mess. The problem wasn't the typical gaping or too low-cut...there was just soooo much material up top that without constant fussing...looked like a waded up sheet. Why was I considering buying it?! Pattern mixing AND orange!!! But in the end...I was happy to send it back. Also, I hated that grey stripe along the bottom. 

I need to get myself some navy sandals that I like...that was on my to do list this summer, but it never happened. 

My July Sephora Play! box...I love getting this every month. 

My other subscription box, Scent Trunk, I'm about to give up on. I think I might cancel after I receive the next one. I usually like 2 out of the 3 fragrances...but not enough to wear. My go-to scent for summer has been Angel by Thierry Mugler since 1994. I also enjoy mixing it up with various oil blends from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. 

I decided to check out Midwest Vintage Flea on my way to meet Kate for Saturday Farmers' Market...there was some cute stuff, but nothing in my size. I was hoping for interesting accessories. The Sunday Monona Market had Madison Area Ukulele Initiative playing fabulous pop hits for our produce browsing pleasure. 

I've been making zucchini noodles a few times a week...this time with pesto made from basil in our garden. Zoodles are so much better than pasta. 

I can't believe I never noticed this metal elephant in the backyard of a house I have driven by so many times. I LOVE him. 

My farmers' market haul...along with my garage sale loot (sequin fabric, Bedazzler, & grape etched glasses). Kate thought it was funny I put the purple sequins in with my veggies & wanted me to take a picture when I got home...so I did...this is for the girlie. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Deep Blue, NYX Shadow Palette in Brights, Too Faced eyeshadow in White Chocolate & Champagne Truffle, MAC lipstick in Korean Candy, Blood Orange lipstick by Bite Beauty, & OPI nail polish in ?