Spring in Madison

 Dress: Keyhole Dress in Pastel Floral by Julian Taylor (size 24) via GB Shop

Cardigan: ?, thrifted

Tights: Catherines

Shoes: Dansko, gift from David

Earring: Wendy Baker

Necklace: A Luscious Thing

Bracelet: Romancing the Bling/Debby Anderson

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this dress late last summer, but resisted buying it...then it showed up in the GB Shop for $10, so...I own this dress in a few solid colors...it's just the most lovely fit & flare with its numerous panels that give it full flare fabulousness. 

 My only complaint about this dress is the huge pointless zipper down the back, as always...but this time around...even more annoying because this particular dress the shop sent me has a faulty zipper that doesn't stay zipped...so I would suddenly feel cold on my back & need to re-zip...I tell myself I will sew this shut...it didn't seem worth complaining about. 

I first wore this dress to Olbrich Gardens Spring Flower Show, which had a dinner party theme...I just love whimsical stuff like this. 

In my dream life (the one where I sew that zipper shut)...I would love to study these photos & recreate something like it in my yard. So, stay tuned...but don't hold your breath. 

Table waterfall...this one was my favorite...

There were so many creative spectacular tableaus...it was difficult to pick which ones to share.

I also wore this ensemble on the 1st day of the Wisconsin Film Festival (& on another film fest day)...which really signals spring has come to Madison for me. I just noticed that these dates are only for when movies were showing at The Barrymore & not the whole fest. 

We voted! And ate Indian buffet. I couldn't get both Kate & Jason's faces in this photo AND show you her adorable fox leggings.

Nick Offerman day at the film fest. I'm only vaguely aware of who he is (I never got into that show)...but the films were all great & he was hilarious during every q&a...especially as the day wore on...one of the questions posed was if he watched the film or the audiences reaction to it...he said, I'm over at Great Dane drinking beer. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Stila eyeliner in Tetra; Urban Decay eyeshadow in Misdemeanor, UV-B, Freakshow, & Midnight Cowboy; NYX lip palette in The Plums; & Unorthodox Annie nail polish from Colors by Llarowe. 

Life Is A Cabaret

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

Cardigan: Lane Bryant, thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Boots: Dr. Marten, gift from David

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: A Luscious Thing

Bracelet & Purse: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I'm madly in love with this mermaid colored dress...soooo pretty! I already own it in shades of purple...but if I happen upon this for sale in one of the GB reseller groups...I'll nab it. I wore another version of this dress last fall, but I much prefer this one in shades of the ocean. Fit & flare fabulousness with a tulle underskirt...my only issue was the length...I could have used an extra 3 or 4 inches. 

I'll eventually get around to ripping out the other tongue in my boot...that's what I tell myself anyway...

Girlie dinner & drinks at Heritage Tavern. We started out with happy hour tacos & my Evergreen & Ruby cocktail with rosemary ablaze. 

 Delicious deviled eggs & spectacular stars etched into Kate's glass.

I was pleased to see this curry fried fish on their menu...as I had had it during restaurant week & it was delectable. Mmmm, Grey Garden...a delightful documentary & a tasty drink. Some artwork on display at the Overture Center...

Cabaret...third row seats (not taken during the show). I was quite certain I had seen this play before...but I think I was mixing it up with Chicago...not the same story. It was good, our Emcee was magnificent, but our Cliff was too frat boy. Another lovely evening with my marvelous girlie. 

My make-up with this ensemble included...LSD eyeliner by Urban Decay; UD eyeshadow in Dragon, Freeze, & Last Sin; Burgundy lipstick from Bite Beauty; & This Color's Making Waves by OPI.

Tattoo | The Field Museum

Dress: Perfect Wrap Dress in Summer Plaid by Leota (size 5L) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Ashley Stewart, thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Moda Spana, thrifted

Earring & Necklace: Babil & Bijou, former etsy shop

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I rather liked the aqua & lavender colors mixed with the navy in this cute plaid dress from Leota. It was a tad short on me, but it's what I packed (without trying it on) to wear during our second day in Chicago. Leota runs a size small...I can wear their 4L, but it's bodycon on me. This is a fabulous spring dress. 

I wore it on a different day to do some bathroom fixture shopping & other decision making with David (the day these photos were taken)...the only difference was I wore knee high black boots in Chicago...but the laces broke, so I couldn't wear them until I found new ones. 

Last fall I had a version of this dress in more of a picnic gingham...but despite them not having any colors in common, I wore the same cardigan & shoes. And chose the same location for photos. 

Coffee bar at the hotel...& the gorgeous elevator doors. Then on to The Field Museum for the Tattoo exhibit. 

These Two Algerian women were mesmerizing. The older woman is Fang-Od Odday, who is 100 years old & one of the last master tattooists of the Kalinga people of the Philippines. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibit...there was so much to look at. They even have a live tattoo shop set up, but it was not open on this day. I bought a parasol...my wish is that I am able to use it this summer before ruining it. I am hoping if everything has a place in our new house...I will be able to better take care of my things. Perhaps?

Kate found this fantastic Korean vegan restaurant...Amitabul, for lunch on our way out of town. We started out sharing a delightful seaweed salad...both of our lunches were delicious, but I preferred what the girlie ordered...Maha Pyoao? What was it??? I want to have it noted here so I can get it next time. Kate will remember...she is younger than me. On the drive home we listened exclusively to the music from Hedwig & the Angry Inch...both Broadway albums & the movie soundtrack...thanks, Apple Music. 

A few days later...David & I shopping around for bathroom fixtures & making so. many. decisions. At this point I am quite sure that building a house from scratch must surely be easier than completely remodeling one. We both liked this mirrored medicine cabinet...David making faces at me as I snap a bunch of photos for reference (he can make it for us). 

That sink!!! is dreamy! If we hadn't already bought a vintage sink...I would need this in our bathroom. Look how lovely it looks with our Princetown countertop...that we have since rejected. After living with a sample for several months...David decided it wasn't wearing well...then I became obsessed with the idea of a mermaid bathroom...green, green/blue, gold. Looking at pipe at Home Depot for our closet. 

And...picking out the perfect shade of red for the bedroom. And picking out colors for the fascia, soffit, gutters, windows. Another idea that's been left behind...I was checking out the garage floor kits because I was hoping to glitter coat the floor in our closet. The March Sephora Play! box...Glow Your Own Way. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Deep Blue; Urban Decay eyeshadow in Heroine, Freeze, Last Sin, & Undone; Rose Gold blush by NYX; Aubergine lipstick by Bite Beauty; & OPI nail polish in Give Me Space. 

Hedwig & The Angry Inch in Chicago

 Dress: Thistle Bohemian Border Scoop Neck Fit & Flare Dress by Melissa Masse (size 4x), gifted

Cardigan: Talbots, thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Boots: Steve Madden

Shoes: Moda Spana, thrifted

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage (both outfits)

Earrings: etXarte (both outfits)

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

The lovely Melissa Masse sent me this dress to wear in Marcy's Size 22+ Style Lookbook last year. She actually made it just for me...how sweet is that?! I adore her fit & flare dresses...I own ~six different patterns...but that doesn't stop me from wanting more. The fit & length are perfect for me...& this color combination is particularly swoon worthy. Melissa Masse makes many of her garments up to size 3x (she did offer size 4x, but only through GB)...I cherish designers like her that offer both straight & plus sizes. 

The photos with the cardigan were taken a few weeks ago when I wore this outfit to work (accessorized the same way I wore it to Chicago)...I am also including some pictures that we took just for the lookbook late last summer. 

I wore this dress to work last year, but it hadn't been anywhere fun with me until last month when I wore it to Chicago to see a play with Kate. 

What a difference light makes! I thought the cardigan picture light was good...but I am bathed in golden light in the summer photos (just before sunset)...

Checked into Hotel Allegro with takeout from Pierogi Heaven for lunch...then a short walk to Oriental Theatre for Hedwig & the Angry Inch! This was my birthday present from Kate since she was going to be off hiking the Appalachian Trail on my actual birthday. Hedwig is one of my favorite movies, but we've only seen it as a play done by a small theatre group in Madison...not very well. 

The play was spectacular...I LOVED our Hedwig (& our seats...thank you, girlie!). I always have such a marvelous time in Chicago with Kate. 

The Oriental Theatre always takes my breath away with its beauty...& the cast after the show. Free Prosecco in the lobby of our hotel...

Someplace new for dinner...River Roast. It was the skewered fried fish that sold me...& delicious roasted veggies. After escorting me back to the hotel...Kate took a walk...she snapped this photo of the restaurant we just ate at all lit up for St. Patrick's Day...or perhaps it's always green? 

I wanted to do completely different jewelry with this dress the second time I wore it...I don't have a favorite...I like both. Good thing I have a lot of jewelry.

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Deep Blue, Kat von D eyeshadow in Anthem & Legend, Dragon & Heroine eyeshadow by Urban Decay, Bite Beauty lipstick in Aubergine, & Get Cherried Away nail polish from OPI.

Wisconsin Film Festival Tickets

 Dress: Whimsy Wrap Dress in Black by Kiyonna (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Leggings: Torrid (size 4)

Cardigan: Croft & Barrow, thrifted

Boots: Steve Madden

Purse: Gift from Kate

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

These Kiyonna Whimsy Wrap Dresses are the best...I own several. However, after so many years of wearing so much black...the goth years...this seemed like a lot of black to me since I wear so much color now.  The last Whimsy dress I wore was nearly a year ago in Evergreen. 

I enjoyed pairing this black dress with a red leopard cardigan & leggings covered in red roses.

We stopped by our new house & I spied six deer out in the backyard...

Wisconsin Film Fest planning with the girlie...& yummy food that she made us...& wine. It took several hours, but we watched all the trailers we could find for the movies we were interested in. Then we tried to fit them into our film fest schedule. 

We decided to try something new this year...after farmers' market...we waited in line to buy tickets instead of suffering through the agonizing online experience. We got there about 10:20? & were something like 12th in line. Tickets went on sale at noon. At 12:15 Angie texted me that her tickets were bought (it typically takes ~45 minutes...the website freezes up, it throws you off, it deletes movies...I have an anxiety attack). At 1:30...we were still standing in line...they started writing the sold out movies on a board. At 1:40 I was finally able to start purchasing tickets. I'll go back to buying them online next year & will never complain again. 

Kate & I had planned on tea & doughnuts for lunch at Matcha, but they closed at 2 (& guess what we were still doing at 2?), so we tried another Madison Area Chef Network event for Chef Week...the sandwich contest at Gotham Bagels. I devoured the Gilbert Altschul & it was amazing. Why don't I have a photo of Kate? So sad. During Chef Week...local chefs get together & do mash-ups or switch restaurants...it's fun. 

Look what came in the post!!! A few months back I told you about a service a fellow blogger, Janeane from Designing From My Closet...had started...a thrift box service! For $100 she will go thrifting for you & pick out some unique pieces that match your style. She totally got me...I love it all...especially that leopard & paisley bell sleeved top...how fabulous is that?! 

I got these dresses on a massive sale at Scarlett & Jo...they were all $15...except for the blue velvet, which was $24. This was my first experience with them & I am quite pleased with the dresses. I've been admiring S&J clothing on UK bloggers for years, so I am happy I finally took a chance. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeshadow in Strange, Dust, Trick, Factory, & Blackheart; Kat von D eyeshadow in Rewind; Year of the Dragon eyeshadow from Mon Ennui Cosmetics; NYX lip palette in The Reds; & Lustgarten nail polish from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.