Chrysanthemum

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

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Born

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Age Before Beauty

Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Mom, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I didn't care for the look of this dress out of the box...but once I put it on & accessorized...it came to life. The full skirt on this is really lovely & it's a bit longer than most Effie's Heart dresses. The cotton knit was perfect for this 90+° autumn day & the cut was fantastic. I especially liked the unusual color combination of lilac & navy flowers...this dress is a 10 for me & I'll be on the lookout to buy it once it's retired. Also, Chrysanthemum is a fun word to say...it's like mouth basketball. 

The wind was plastering this dress to me...so I turned around, but the light wasn't nearly as good...

This is pretty much all of my purple jewelry...I need to work on acquiring more. 

My makeup with this outfit included...Stila eyeliner in Tetra; Stila eyeshadow in Impulse, Glance, Improvise, Spontaneous, & Instinct; MAC lipstick in "O", & Next Stop...The Bikini Zone nail polish from OPI. 

The second day of my parents visit we took them to Deconstruction Inc...since we love it there. My mom left with an old wooden stepladder & an antique wooden door screen to decorate their porch...David said...*that's* where she gets it from! But my mom wasn't into stuff like that when I lived at home. Then we had lunch at Ale Asylum, a brewpub by our new house with fabulous artwork for their beers. 

Back to the house so my parents could pick up their dogs & give us some housewarming gifts. That evening my mom & I went out to Table Wine for a few glasses of wine. It was the only place I could think of that would be quiet on a Saturday night & it was perfect. 

Dramatic Diva

 Dress: Lily Patch Maxi Dress by City Chic (size XXL/24)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Born

Earring: Wendy Baker

Necklace: etsy, gift from Girls of GB gift exchange

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I felt like a dramatic diva in this City Chic gown on this windy day. This dress is perfection. It is available in several other patterns & I'm tempted to get them ALL...that is how much I adore this dress. My only regret is that I didn't nab it in leopard print before it sold out. There is a black slip attached & as this dress is a see-through chiffon...you need to wear something under it. I considered wearing  blue teggings since I had some the exact color as in the dress...but I felt it was a cleaner line to go with black to match the slip so they flowed together...& it wasn't as obvious when the slip rode up. This dress is a dream dress & every woman should own one. 

Drama in the back...drama in the front...

I'm loving these warm colors in the dress & all my Urban Decay Heat makeup.

My makeup with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Torch; UD eyeshadow in Lumbre, He Devil, Dirty Talk, & Chaser; UD lipstick in Heat; & OPI nail polish in Orange You Going to the Game?

I wore this dress to have dinner at Heritage with David & my parents when they came to visit us last month. Dinner & cocktails were marvelous, as always. David had a lamb tartare that I was shocked I liked...as well as foie gras, which I have never enjoyed in the past. The magic of Dan Fox (the chef/owner). 

My pistachio crusted grouper didn't look pretty...but it was good (not my favorite thing I've ever had there). The waiter kindly took our photo after our meal. We tried to go to Eno Vino for an after dinner drink (fabulous capitol view)...but there was a 3 hour wait. So we ended up trying a new place in our new hood...Bear & Bottle...I probably wouldn't go back there again...but their Moscow Mule was passable & it was a lovely night to sit outside. 

Cha Cha Cha

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

Leggings: Beth Ditto (size 22/24)

Sandals: Clarks

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Babil & Bijou, former etsy shop

Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

This is nearly the same style of dress as the Leota in yesterday's post...with a bit of a sleeve instead of sleeveless. I would have liked this better with a cardigan...but it was a hot day. They call this red, but it was leaning toward orange...so I paired it with both colors. Same issue as always with Leota...they run small, & even sizing up to a 5...it is tighter than it's meant to be. 

What allowed me to enjoy wearing this dress the most...Beth Ditto lip leggings...aren't they smashing? She's taking a break from clothing design, but I hope she returns to it. I have her leggings in both size 22/24 & 26/28...the smaller ones fit better. When I get my craft room set up...I need to take the legs of these in on the bottom...they are too loose, so I have to pull them up into capri length. 

While I love my eyeshadow here...it would have looked better with an orange or yellow cardigan...too much color next to all that white in the dress. 

My makeup with this outfit included...Kat von D eyeshadow in Analogue, Fran, Legend, & Swoon; Habanero lipstick by MAC, & Aloha from OPI nail polish from OPI. 

Haircut with Gen! Cha Cha moved into its new space...it's gorgeous, but I miss the bright colors of the old building. I really liked this Evo salt spray she used on my hair...sticking this here so I remember to look for it somewhere I can use my cosmetologist license discount. 

David spied this clawfoot tub while I was getting my hair cut...in my excitement of saying...yes! I love it! I forgot to hit send on the text...so I got to go with him to get it.  I have lusted over this house for years & heard it was being remodeled (a Madison restaurant owner lives there)...I was SO excited when we were invited inside to get a tour...it was even more fabulous than I imagined...pocket doors, high ceilings, & porches off many of the rooms *swoon*. 

That night...we went to see a special showing of The Castle of Cagliostro, a 70s anime movie that David had fond memories of.

Aisle of Knobs

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

Cardigan: Tapemeasure/Woman (size 3x), thrifted

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Aerosole, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this dress to work & run errands. The colors & pattern were a bit like fall leaves...perfect for the season. The faux wrap neckline, length, & lightweight fabric were lovely...as was the navy, orange, & fuchsia mix. Leota runs small, so I always end up in their 5L & honestly, if there were one size larger...I'd feel more comfortable in that as the 5 usually clings more than I'd like. 

The clingy butt makes it ride up higher in back.

These are the only navy sandals I own...I have other shades of blue, but I need to be on the lookout for navy sandals for next year...note to myself. 

My makeup with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Deep Blue, NYX Avant Pop eyeshadow palette in Art Throb, NYX Ultimate eyeshadow palette in Brights, NYX lipstick in NYX, NYX Liquid Suede in Orange County, & Orange You Going To The Game? nail polish from OPI. 

This is my second trip to Hobby Lobby...did I write about my first? I can't remember...anyway...why is this store so fabulous?! I've avoided it because of their Jesus politics...but they have an entire aisle of knobs!!! And so many other amazing things. I was here on this day to purchase a gallon of Elmer's Glue...I've tried every kind of crackle product made...& after much trial & error...decided plain glue does the best job. 

Pericles, Prince of Tyre

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

Cardigan: Tapemeasure/Woman (size 3x), thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Life Stride, thrifted

Earring: eBay

Necklace: A Luscious Thing

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I was excited to get this pretty blue mixed print dress from Kiyonna...sadly, it seemed to have a flaw in the way the hem was sewn (on the middle left of where the wrap is split) & the dress did not lay as nice as the other wraps I've gotten from Kiyonna. If you zoom in on the model on the GB site...her dress does the same thing. Otherwise, it was a nice dress...stunning print, great length...I see this being most useful as a work dress. 

Since the dress was various shades of blue...I decided to go with that & create a blue monochrome outfit...

 I couldn't quite get the top of this dress to lay down nicely...

My makeup with this outfit included...LSD eyeliner by Urban Decay; UD eyeshadow in Freeze, Bobby Dazzle, Truth, & Last Sin; Bite Beauty lipstick in Burgundy, & I Sea You Wear OPI nail polish from OPI. 

Some vintage lucite & bakelite bracelets from eBay. 

Dinner at Freddy Valentine's in Spring Green before APT...it is housed in an old bank building that was built in 1915 (where my outfit photos were taken). My Moscow Mule was good...& my fish fry was delicious. 

Then David, Angie, & I went on to see Pericles, Prince of Tyre...which APT did a fantastic job with...making it funnier than it was meant to be. 

Ethnic Dancing Troupe

 Dress: Soweto Sea Breeze Fit & Flare Dress from Plenty by Tracy Reese (size 28) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Croft & Barrow (size 2x), thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Torrid

Earring & Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

This dress looked so bright & striking online, but in person...the colors were faded & it looked (& felt) like a worn out kitchen rug. The top was too big on me, but the bottom was just right. It had generously sized pockets & the length & flare were superb. I just didn't enjoy wearing this dress...the fabric was heavy & rough...& I felt like a part of an ethnic dancing troupe. 

I wore this dress at home to make dinner for Kate, to shop the 50% off sale at Savers, & to work for an hour...I nearly didn't get photos of this dress, but I knew it would look cute in pictures...& it does. 

I adore this primary colors combination...I'll have to do it again. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Abyss, NYX Ultimate palette in Brights, Kat von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Santa Sangre (on lids & lips), & I Sea You Wear OPI nail polish. 

Farmers' market dinner & Michigan sparkling wine with my best girlie...

Savers 50% off sale finds...

Catching Dreams

 Dress: Phoebe Dress in Feather Print 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: Born

Earring & Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me 

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

Another beauty from Cherry Velvet...all those fun bright colors! However, this dress did not fit me well...it was tight on the bottom & too big up top...the worst part was the straps would not stay on my shoulders if I moved at all...way too long. This was my first Phoebe dress & I wouldn't try it again. It's gotten mixed reviews on GB with 3 out of 5 stars. 

I've had my eye on this wall for some time now, but I finally remembered to use it when the light was good here...pretty blocks of color. 

The best thing about a dress with lots of colors is you can choose to bring out your favorites with accessories...

My make-up with this outfit included...Abyss eyeliner by Urban Decay, UD Slowburn eyeshadow, NYX Ultimate palette in Brights, Habanero lipstick from MAC, & Conga-Line Coral nail polish by OPI. 

Discontinued nail polish from eBay...

August's Sephora Play! box. 

Picking out grout for the bathroom tile & choosing which part of the labradorite slab we want for our countertop & shower bench. I am madly in love with this stone. 

Farmers' market, wine tasting, & lunch with the girlie. We went to Banzo in hopes they would have our favorite sweet potato falafel from their recently closed sister restarant (Shuk)...& they did!