Birthday Dinner at Estrellón & The Suitcase Junket

 Dress: Fun Office 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: Merona (size XXL, too tight), thrifted 

Teggings: Re/Dress

Socks: Sock Dreams

Shoes: Nine West, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Babil & Bijou, former etsy shop

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this ensemble to go out to dinner with David for my birthday & a few days later to work & the first Shitty Barn show of the season. I've had to continue to bundle up this spring because...brrrrrr. I realized I hadn't worn any of my fun socks all winter...& it was a good way to add some warmth & color to this outfit. I rather liked this heavy stretch pinstriped dress...it's a great cool weather dress...my only issue with it was the pockets didn't lay flat on me & bulged out on my hips. I love stripes. 

 Maybe the socks are too much? I liked it. 

Dinner with David at Estrellón the day before my birthday (they are closed on Mondays). We started out with some wine & pintxos...blood sausage & aioli, beets & goat cheese, & a jamón croqueta...followed by...pork belly & roasted potatoes. This was the first time David had gone there with me, so I was finally able to try their signature paella (Kate & I have gotten their market vegetable paella & it was incredibly delicious)...it was amazing, of course...although I have to admit...not better than the veggie. The best part were the shrimp...so we'll have to have them add those to the veggie next time & it will be perfect. 

More often than not...I skip dessert...but because it was my birthday...I got creme catalana (Spanish creme brûlée)...with whipped cream, fruit, & fennel-orange torta...while David had some drinking chocolate. Then David had the brilliant idea of combining the two in every bite...heavenly *swoon* 

My first show at The Shitty Barn for the season...The Suitcase Junket. A one-man band... Matt sings, plays the guitar, keyboard, & several homemade instruments with his worn out shoes (he has his actual baby shoe rigged up to hit a pot at his feet). His music was fabulous & I'm glad I bought his records to remember this show. Here's a video of him from Youtube... 

The Suitcase Junket is playing at a restaurant in Escanaba, Mi (an hour from my hometown) in July. Weird. I may have to plan a visit around that gig. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Waterproof eyeliner in M-10; Urban Decay eyeshadow in Liar, Factory, Blackheart, Vanity, & Freakshow, NYX lip palette in The Plums, & Visions of Love nail polish from OPI. 

Spring Sweater Dress Weather

 Dress: Sweater Dress in Ultra Violet Print by Taylor Dresses via Gwynnie Bee Try Then Buy

Teggings: Re/Dress

Boots: Steve Madden

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Longer Necklace: Babil & Bijou, former etsy shop

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

Apparently, I bought this dress back in December 2015...& never wore it. I searched through my blog...certain I'd worn it before...& it's just not there. I grabbed it out of my closet because I didn't have any GB at home & we've had a cold spring...so it's still sweater dress weather here. The color & pattern on this dress are fantastic, good length & fit...the only downside for me was the set-in waist not being an empire. 

This was the second photo shoot in a row where it started raining just as we got out there. 

Still searching for countertops for our bathroom. I remembered this recycled glass countertop being pretty...so we went to look again...there is maintenance involved...that is not going to work for us. Indian buffet is always the best.

Sadie! I met Angie & Toby at the food carts to get dinner...which we took back to their place to eat (cold & rainy). Dogs were so cute, I forgot to take pictures of my food...what did I get? A grilled cheese sandwich with hot dogs & fixings on it. It was good. But, Val! And look at adorable Molly peeking out from under the table...

Angie & I went to the Verona Library to see dog behaviorist, Patricia McConnell speak. I had missed her when she was in Madison recently & Angie had enjoyed going enough to go again. Her latest book is a memoir of her traumas & how her dog helped her face them & heal (I haven't read the book yet). She mostly spoke about her past rape, traumas, & PTSD. I think these are important issues to talk about, however, I was curious if the audience was expecting that...or for her to talk about dogs. I was expecting her to talk about dogs...but I enjoyed the reading.

More tin from Deconstruction, Inc for our living room & dining room ceiling. These Eastern Bluebells must have appealed to me since I took a photo...I think she said they like shade & spread like wildfire...sounds like something I can't kill. 

Shoes! Spotted at market. I had forgotten about them until I was looking through pictures for this post...I searched for them online & found them on sale. Now I have a pair of my very own! Oh, Google...is there anything you can't do? David & I shopping at Menards for fencing options. 

April's Sephora Play! I'm wearing that black liner in these photos...I LOVE it...it's my new favorite waterproof liner. David & I checked out this woman's shoe sale...they have it twice a year & I usually find something...

I came home with these cute red Jambu sandals...& a few doilies. Then...more looking at countertop options...Rye does not approve. 

Another farmers' market with the girlie...this dress saw a lot of action. Spectacular pointy avocado green chairs & table spotted at ReStore....& more looking at countertops...so depressing...

Picking out paint is much more fun, but so many decisions. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Waterproof eyeliner in M-10 (matte black), Black Metal & Anthem eyeshadow by Kat von D, Anastasia eyeshadow in Vermeer & Primavera, Stila Liquid Lipstick in Aria, & Get Cherried Away nail polish from OPI. 

Easter Brunch 2017

 Dress: Textured Dress in Jungle Palm Print by London Times (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Lane Bryant

Teggings: Re/Dress

Shoes: Born

Earring: Wendy Baker

Necklace: Babil & Bijou, no longer online

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Jason, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

The texture on this dress was fabulous with the gigantic palm print...I felt like I could have been a guest at a Mad Men BBQ (styled differently, of course). The length & fit were marvelous...London Times runs big, so the 24 is usually just right for me. The slight cap sleeve is really my favorite...it gives just enough coverage so my bra straps don't continuously peek out. A perfect summer frock. 

I adore mixing orange & green together. Also, it rained for 15 minutes on this day...the entire time we were taking photos...then it stopped. We often take photos on our way to work, so we only have 15-20 minutes. 

Easter brunch at our house...this will be our last gathering at our old place...even though we don't have a date set yet to move into our new home, I am confident we will be down to one household before summer ends. I totally cheated & looked up my menu for last year's brunch & made all the same things. Boring, but still delicious. I think we all sat in the same spots...

The Peach Melba crepes elly & Josh brought were yummy...as were the donuts Angie & Toby picked up on their way home from Minneapolis. Look at that adorable box!

All the desserts were tasty. Olive & Kate exchanging love. 

In packing for our move...I came across some of my clothes from high school...like this vintage lace green dress Kate wore to brunch...she looks adorable in it. 

I checked out Menards vast lighting department while David ordered our refrigerator & freezer. Back to the drawing board for our bathroom countertop. We had decided on this lovely Cambria Princetown quartz...with deep purple & sparkly gold...but it hadn't worn well for David...& after a few days of thinking about it...I decided it wasn't really what I wanted either. We immediately found this Mermaid Green granite we both liked, but when they got back to us with a quote...they broke the news to us that they couldn't find anymore anywhere. Sigh.

This is one of the small drawers in the bedroom set I acquired in my last post. Erica told me she bought this from Old Lady Gatlin's estate...& here it is all written out. The set was made in 1928 & was bought in 1931 by Chas & Sally Gatling. They paid $170.00 for the bed, chest of drawers, vanity, & bench that I now own. I think that is so neat to have that information written on there. 

My make-up with this ensemble included...Urban Decay Mildew eyeliner, UD Dragon eyeshadow, Mediteranee eyeshadow by Nars, Dozen Carnations lipstick from MAC, & Go with the Lava Flow nail polish by OPI. 

Learning to Stay

 Dress: Coral & Aqua Zig Zag Print Dress by Robbie Bee (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Leggings: Torrid (size 4) (this pattern is on sale)

Shoes: ?, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

This dress was pretty & springy, however...it didn't quite work on my body. The top was tight (despite being a stretch jersey) & the set-in waist hit me at a weird spot (ok, I just don't have a waist...which is why I prefer empire cuts). The bottom chiffon fabric was ultra flowy & I like handkerchief hems in the warmer months. The colors in this dress were unusual...a mix of coral, red, pink, & aqua...it made choosing make-up & jewelry challenging, but despite all that...it was fun to wear out once. This was my first time trying this brand...I look forward to wearing more from them.

Also, it gave me an excuse to wear these sun & moon leggings from Torrid. Back in the 90s I was obsessed with sun & moon everything...I called my nail salon La Luna as an excuse to buy it all to decorate the place. I still have most of it stored away. Of course. 

Angie & I went to see Learning to Stay. I'm so glad she wanted to go as I would have skipped it otherwise. It was the premiere of an all Wisconsin play...the book was written by a local author & it was adapted for the stage by APT actor/writer, James Devita. It's a moving story about a man returning from Iraq with PTSD & reuniting with his wife. 

After play dinner at Ha Long Bay...those crispy noodles are the best. Then home to cut Super Boo's hair...Rye helped. 

Picking out colors at Hallman/Lindsay....so many gorgeous shades to choose from! Also, loading up an antique bedroom set from a former nail client...she was only the second owner, now I am the third. 

Indian buffet...why is it always so good...curry & cardamom & ginger...so many lovely spices. I liked this woman's pants...they look pirate-y...I would like a plus size version, please. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Gypsy Blue; Synth eyeshadow by Kat von D; Urban Decay eyeshadow in Fast-Ball, Arctic, Bones, & Harlot; Dozen Carnations lipstick from MAC; Quince lipstick from Bite Beauty; & OPI nail polish in Romantically Involved. 

Hump! Film Fest 2017

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

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes:

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Age Before Beauty

Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I'm madly in love with these foxy Foxfire dresses from Kiyonna. I was sad to send this one back, but confident I could buy it later at a better price...& then it showed up in the Shop...so now it's mine. I also own this dress in black (not yet worn) & olive. I am desperately seeking to buy it in burgundy. I feel sexy in this dress. What better thing to wear to a porn film fest?

Why is it so difficult to find purple shoes? I was extremely excited to find these brand new shoes on eBay. This is only my second time wearing them...but when you need purple shoes, nothing else will do & these are spot on with the color of this dress. 

Dinner before Hump! I branched out at Alchemy & tried their fish tacos. They were just okay. Then...a short walk to Hump! at The Barrymore. Last year, Dan Savage was here to introduce his festival, which was fun. The great thing about the shorts in this are that they feature bodies of all sizes & many forms of sexual expression. However, some of them are challenging to watch. I still have not been able to eat toast with butter since this evening. 

 We've got a lineup...I'm not used to being part of a group of seven.

My make-up with this outfit included...Stila eyeliner in Tetra; Too Faced eyeshadow in Black Forest Truffle, Candied Violet, Champagne Truffle, Gilded Ganache, Crème Brûlée, & Marzipan; Urban Decay eyeshadow in Freakshow; Beso lipstick by Stila; & CND Vinylux nail polish in Wildfire. 

My Life As A Zucchini

 Dress: Lace Up Dress in Navy Paisley by Alice & You (size 28) via Gwynnie Bee Shop

Cardigan: Talbots, thrifted

Leggings: Torrid

Shoes: Boden, thrifted

Earring: Vintage 80s

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I had this dress from GB last year & liked it well enough to buy it when it showed up in the GB Shop for $11...my only complaint about it is a bit too much gray for my liking...but, paisley. Great fit & length. 

I've had these gray & black striped leggings from Torrid for over a decade & this is my first time wearing them. The cardigan I thrifted a few years ago & this was also its first outing with me...I decided to throw it on to wear once before I donated it...but it turns out I adore it. Both Kate & our waitress agreed I should keep it. 

These photos were taken outside a pretty old church in Milwaukee.

I wore this ensemble for the last day of film fest. My favorite movies this year were: Lost in Paris, Bugs (documentary), My Life As A Zucchini, & Frantz. Pizza before our final film...including Nutella pizza for dessert, which three of us shared...my curiosity is now satisfied & I won't have to have it again. 

On another day...burgers at Alchemy with David & sweet potato fries. Some pretty art in the bathroom at the co-op. And the final indoor farmers' market of the season with the girlie. 

 Savers 50% off sale...

Super Boo & I traveled to Milwaukee for the day because Wednesday is 20% off everything at ReStore...look at this fabulous olive velvety love-seat we scored! We also came home with a coffee table for our rec room, several light fixtures, & a few doors. Then on to I.M. Salvage to pick up some doors we bought the last time we were in town...that place is a trip...it would be the perfect location for a movie shoot-out...vast, dark, & so many places to hide. They have row upon row of old toilets & tank covers...& I finally discovered the source of the creepy hellos that echo through the place...way up high...there is a parrot. A guard parrot. Also, they are holding our doors hostage in a room that only the owner has the key to & despite us leaving for a few hours & coming back...the doors remained there. 

WasteCap is a new to us salvage shop...expensive, but so many treasures. All those bits of wrought iron *swoon*...& that cherub fountain. We loaded up on doors there...8, I think...those were totally reasonable. 

The friendly adorable woman working there suggested we try Oscar's for lunch...she recommended the Aloha burger...how did she know?! Pineapple & avocado is my new favorite accompaniment on my burger. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Abyss eyeliner by Urban Decay, NYX eyeshadow palette in The Brights, Modern Renaissance eyeshadow palette by Anastasia Beverly Hills, Blood Orange lipstick by Bite Beauty, MAC lipstick in Dozen Carnations, & OPI nail polish in Do You Sea What I Sea?