The Final Opus

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

Tights: Catherines

Shoes: Preview International, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I'm in love with Effie's Heart dresses...they are a brand that makes XS-4X. They dipped their toe in the water by offering plus sizes to Modcloth, then GB...& now they carry some plus sizes on their site. EH dresses are a cotton jersey material that are so easy to slip on & go anywhere...they are my jeans & t-shirt...so comfy. Oh, & they nearly always have pockets, but this one is the exception. 

This is the first dress I've tried in this style...& with long sleeves! I adored wearing this dress...nice full skirt, high waist belt, & it just laid so nicely all over. It was a dream & I'll be looking to buy it once it goes in the shop or through GB resellers.

Next time I wear this dress I'll add color to it, but I wanted the arrow pattern to shine on its own first & it wasn't cold enough to add another layer. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Jet Black, Medusa & Ankh eyeshadow by Kat von D, NYX lip liner in Orange County, Toast lipstick from Bite Beauty, & OPI nail polish in Race Red. 

I wore this dress to visit my hand therapist for the first time & find out what I can do about the mild osteoarthritis I've been diagnosed with...no grey hair yet, but arthritis. Most likely it's from years of gripping ladies hands while I did their nails as it's in my left hand.

The final Opus. I was sad to learn that after 17 years, Opus Lounge was closing its doors. It was the last of my 20s haunts still around...The Barber's Closet burnt down & Cafe Montmartre went out of business. Kate & I decided it had been about 4 or 5 years since we'd last been there & that was probably the only time we had visited in the 10 years since Merchant opened. Opus cocktails stayed stuck in 1999...& Merchant offered delicious exciting craft cocktails. 

This was the first place I had champagne cocktails...they used to put a sugar cube in the bottom of the glass...I was glad to see they did away with that practice. We made a toast to Shane as I'd spent so much time here with him...drinking & laughing.

Opus was also the first place I ever had edamame. This photo on the wall & Kate reminded me that they used to put colored plastic animals in your drink...I wish they had had some for our last day to keep as a souvenir. 

Jungle Boogie

 Dress: Jungle Floral Button Front Maxi Dress by Melissa McCarthy (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Born, thrifted

Earring: Kerala Rose

Necklace: Babil & Bijou, former etsy shop

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I was disappointed this dress had two breast pockets...what are you going to put in there?! Oh, but the colors & design...that dark dreamy floral...this is a maxi you could wear all summer into fall & winter. And it grew on me as I wore it...but I sent it back because GB wanted too much for it. However, this dress is on sale right now at Melissa McCarthy's page. It's marked down to $49, plus if you buy 3 garments, another 30% off...& with 4 items, 40% off. She has some dreamy dresses that were sold out in my size, but I managed to find two dresses, a top, & a skirt for under $100. Her 4x consistently fits me. This georgette gorgeousness has no stretch & a matching draw string belt...& pockets (where pockets belong).

We did a quick photo shoot in the rain (like ~20% of our picture taking) back when I didn't think I liked this dress much. I'm excited to style it again for winter. And! A cardigan will cover up the pockets I don't like.

I found these sandals for $4 at a thrift store...even though earlier this year I bought some black Born flower sandals...they're different though, right?

My makeup with this outfit included...NYX Jet Black eyeliner, Relic & Sabbath eyeshadow from Kat von D, NYX lipstick in Alabama, & Skyfall nail polish from OPI. 

This Kat von D palette is a must...the colors are extremely rich & pigmented. I'm so happy David surprised me with it. 

One of the last outdoor farmers' markets of the year...mushrooms from our favorite mushroom couple...& a girlie.

Angie & Toby invited us over for delicious dinner & blurry Val.

All my black tights come from Catherines. October's Play! box.

Make-up! There was a NYX sale & a 20% off sale at Ulta...so I had to get some pretties...

Two Nights of Cory Chisel

 Dress: Sailboat Dress in Buttons by Effie's Heart (size 4x) via Modcloth

Cardigan: Isaac Mizrahi Live (size 3x), thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Bandolino, thrifted

Earring: The Gilded Gypsies

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Button Bracelet: Allie's Adornments

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

This outfit was an accident. I was looking for a cropped mustard cardigan &...as usual, I was in a hurry...so I grabbed this to keep warm during the Cory Chisel show at The Shitty Barn. Angie remarked that she liked them together & I did too. Currently...my clothes are all over the place...but once I get moved into my huge closet & I know where everything is (Ha!)...how will I get dressed without marvelous mistakes?!

I strongly dislike when a pattern is only on the front of a cardigan or sweater...why? But I was overjoyed to find this find for $5 at a thrift store. 

I bought this button Effie's Heart dress a few years ago during a Modcloth after the holidays sale. While I adore EH, this is not my favorite style from them...mainly because I think this one was sewn incorrectly...if you look at the left side of the mustard v...it's crooked. But otherwise, I love everything about it...especially the autumnal color combination. 

My favorite time of year...everything is so pretty.

My makeup with this ensemble included...NYX Faux Blacks eyeliner in Oxblood; Kat von D eyeshadow in Legend, Fran, Rewind, & Lemmy; Tannin lipstick from Bite Beauty; & OPI nail polish in Skyfall. 

I wore this dress to see Cory Chisel with Angie & Toby, the first night. Amazing. Always. Cory noticed Toby knitting & wanted the creature he was working on...but he wasn't done with it just yet. 

So when I went back the next night to see them for the second show (I wore the blue dress with birds)...I gave them the finished product...which Toby had wrapped up with a sweet note that they just loved & he suggested that Cory & his son could call him Ralph, if they liked. Cory & his wife, Adriel, were so genuinely adorably excited...Cory signed my poster with his name & had Ralph sign as well...

October Gallery Night

Dress: Floral Stripe Print Mixed Media Dress in Black & Navy by eShakti (size 28) 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: Born, thrifted

Earring & Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I'm thrilled that GB is carrying some eShakti dresses, however...I haven't had much luck with the fit of any that I've tried (it's hit & miss when I've ordered from them too). This dress was a disaster on top...too big, with an ill-placed snap that looked awkward when fastened, but showed & broke up the neckline when left undone. I also did not care for the top being black with no black in the skirt. I got several compliments while wearing this, but did not feel pretty. The cardigan helped pull the look together for me. Cardigans always help. 

The top of this was knit & the skirt was a satin-y fabric with a lining & pockets. 

I'm quite pleased with this sandal find...I adore Born shoes & can't get enough flower sandals & blue was a color I didn't have...$5 at a Savers 50% off sale. 

My makeup with this outfit included...Sunrise Blue eyeliner by NYX, NYX Ultimate eyeshadow palette in Brights, Stila liquid lipstick in Aria, & Blue My Mind nail polish from OPI. 

I was looking for some fall-like jewelry on etsy & came across this lovely leaves set (with only one earring...it was made to be mine!). 

David surprised me with this fabulous Kat von D Saint & Sinner eyeshadow palette...it is delightful!

And some makeup I picked up when NYX was on sale at Ulta. I really wanted the Fire palette, but it was sold out every time I looked. 

I wore this dress to wander around town for gallery night with Kate...it was just before Halloween so there were some fun themed things...Kate with the batty bats...

Adopt a hedgehog in a deviled egg plate, so cute. Our final stop of the night was at Chocolaterian for a band & a bite of chocolate. We were confused as to why they were using bunny molds this time of year...one contained peanut butter & the other, chocolate. 

The next day...farmers' market with Kate...then Savers shopping & Indian buffet with David...

My Savers sale scores...

Girlies at Heritage Tavern

Dress: Sleeveless Empire Mixed Media Dress in Blue Bird Print by eShakti (size 30) via Gwynnie Bee #borrownbuy

Cardigan: ?, thrifted

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Clarks

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelets: Vintage Bakelite & Lucite

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I was excited to try this cute 50s vibe blue bird dress from eShakti...in my excitement...I bought it. In my defense...I was the first person to wear it & it was a good price. However, the dress wasn't a great fit on me...the top was too big & the center where the fabrics met was too tight. On the plus side...the blue is pretty & vibrant, I like the way the birds get smaller toward the waist, the skirt is wonderfully full, & the length is great for me...a few inches below the knee. The solid blue top is a knit fabric & the skirt is cotton with embroidered blue birds. 

I much prefer this dress with a cardigan over it, but I wore it both ways on different days. 

I have tried & tried to get a winking photo & they always look ridiculous...this one was by accident...when I do it on purpose...I wrinkle my nose & sneer (at the time I think I'm making a sexy face & am always surprised at how terrible I look). 

My makeup with this outfit included...Kat von D Tattoo liner in Trooper, NYX Jet Black eyeliner, NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette in Warm Neutrals & Brights, Kat von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Santa Sangre, & Little Red Wagon nail polish by OPI. 

The first time I wore this dress was to go out for dinner & cocktails with the girlie at Heritage Tavern. All of the pictures I took that night on my iPhone were erased by our local Apple store...I promise you...this is the last time you'll have to hear about that catastrophe. Luckily, when I was about to post some pictures on Facebook...Kate said, I hate your stupid collages (or something to that effect) & she took my phone & posted 12! photos (the only reason I have any)...so in honor of her...I am not posting a collage...

Unexpected girlie color coordination. 

 Girlies with cocktails.

Heritage Tavern has the best deviled eggs on the planet...

And they added a new one to their rotation...everything bagel & lox...

What's that?! More girlies with cocktails...

Back before the time change when we still had light...

What did I order? I don't remember without my picture of the menu. Some kind of yummy gnocchi...

Happy girlie...what I remember most of all of this night is how delightfully joyful Kate was...