SistaStrings // Klassik

Skirt: Book Club Skirt by Eva Rose (size 2x) via Gwynnie Bee

T-Shirt: Lane Bryant, custom printed by The Shitty Barn

Teggings: Re/Dress, RIP

Shoes: Converse

Earring: former Etsy shop

Necklace & Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 45-42-59

How adorable is this skirt?! In love. I mean, aside from being books, which is awesome...the colors are just great. It came to me brand new, nice stiff cotton with no stretch & pockets. I was inspired to create a casual outfit around it which is not something I really do. 2 weeks after knee surgery, I had tickets to see a concert alone at The Shitty Barn...so I put this together with that in mind. 

Back in 2019, I asked the lovely barn people if they would print a shirt for me if I brought them one...& then never wore it...because I don't often wear t-shirts & then 2020 happened. I tried to make this size 26/28 wearable by tying it up...but *shrug* at least I got to wear it finally. I really like this green & I'll have to see if I can alter it to be more presentable. 

I found these peach Converse at TJ Maxx 3-4 years back while looking for citrus covered Converse that many of the stores were carrying at the time...their first wearing. I loved Converse high tops in high school, but the low tops appeal more to me now. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay Electric Empire eyeliner, Mediteranee eyeshadow duo by Nars, NYX lipliner in Orange County, Habanero lipstick from MAC, & OPI nail polish in Living On the Bula-vard!

Whenever I'm feeling anxious...I have 2 places I go to in my head to calm me down. Lake Superior will always be my happy place...but The Shitty Barn is a close second. 

I first wore this outfit on Labor Day when Kate & Jason came over to visit me for the first time since my surgery. David made us fresh coho salmon flown in from Alaska roasted in the oven with garlic, cumin, smoked paprika...served with a relish of plum tomatoes, shallots, kalamata olives, capers, oregano, lemon juice...with romanesco broccoli & purple cauliflower...yum. A break from seafood...ribeye steak with sweet potatoes the next day. 

2 weeks since my knee replacement...visiting the surgeon to get the staples out on Tuesday, ouch. Healing is going well! Shrimp salad with avocado, cilantro, & evoo/lime dressing...raspberries. 

And then everything went downhill...the day I had the staples out, my right foot started hurting, but my PT person said it was probably everything settling in after surgery & it would work itself out. By Thursday when I saw her, it was swollen & incredibly tender...she recommended going to urgent care. At urgent care...they tested me for stuff & things...all of which looked fine. They suggested I go to the ER for further testing. In the end...after an entire day of poking & prodding...they decided I had ligamentitis & gave me a boot to wear. This didn't feel right to either of us, but home we went. And...I had to miss my Shitty Barn concert because I couldn't walk & it was too late to get there on time anyway. 

Pan fried scallops with roasted zucchini & a mayo/garlic/horseradish dipping sauce. My first time in a Cabela's...there was taxidermy everywhere! We were on the hunt for hiking shoes...something with good ankle support that my PT person had been suggesting. Amanda live from New Zealand.

After finding nothing at Cabela's...we drove to Black Earth to shop at The Shoe Box, at Angie's suggestion. Did you know the pandemic has created a hiking shoe/boot shortage? I still managed to find some pretty purple shoes that fit the bill...& look like something that would match every hiking outfit Kate owns. By Monday, the pain had gotten worse & transferred to my other foot as well. David managed to get me an emergency appointment with our podiatrist the next day. David had asked urgent care & the ER to test me for gout, but they both told him it wasn't presenting as gout. After our podiatrist tested me for a few other scary sounding things...David asked him about gout...he shrugged & said...sure, get that test done on the way out. Guess what I have? A uric acid level of 9.5...gout. I've never had gout before. But wait, there's more...back in 2018, I had a terrible case of Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis...it was incredibly painful & disgusting & left me with scars all over my lower legs, ankles, & feet. It took quite a while to diagnose & I was on a super high dose of prednisone for several months. So, while sitting in the chair at the podiatrist's office...I noticed a vasculitis sore on the top of my left foot. At that point...I was ready to give up. Why was my body attacking me? I've been trying so hard to take care of myself & I worried I waited too long. 

At The Shitty Barn with Kate & Jason...I finally get to wear my outfit I put together for the barn! This would not have been possible without all the help of Kate & Jason. They were awesome! I had to use my walker to walk & there was no way I could have set up a chair by myself. They even brought extra chairs so we could sit & picnic. AND...they brought delicious kelp noodles with peanut sauce & tofu. I brought some red curry tofu & raspberries. 

We were there to see SistaStrings...who Kate & I saw back in August. I was not excited about the opener, Klassik, because I'm not typically a fan of rap. 

Inside the barn...

Klassik...wow, did this guy win me over...I ended up buying his vinyl (& not just because it was purple). He made me tear up...what's the point of music if it doesn't make you feel? And SistaStrings (actual sisters) were fabulous. 

They ended the night doing a song all together.

 

Veronika Rendering

Dress: Multi Floral Black Maxi Dress by London Times (size 2x) via Gwynnie Bee

Teggings: Re/Dress, RIP

Sandals: Born

Earring: Wendy Baker

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 46-43-60

My first pictures after my surgery...& first outfit that wasn't pajamas. I was still taking pain meds here & it shows. I adored the colors in this dress...pastels mixed with bolds & copper...unexpected combinations always get me. Great fit, with a high/low hem ending in a ruffle, pockets, & a matching detachable fabric belt. 

Punching up the green...I think this is my first wearing of these Born sandals I found on eBay earlier in the year. They came to me unworn, but the sole was detaching a bit & when I let the seller know, she refunded me the entire price. So, I glued them...& free sandals. 

This may be my first wearing of this necklace in the history of the blog...it was another one of those pieces I picked up used in the 80s.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Mars; Kat von D eyeshadow in Harpsichord, Fran, Legend, & Misfit; Chicory lipliner from MAC; Gothica lipstick by Kat von D; & OPI nail polish in Green-wich Village. 

Oh, ahi tuna...you look sooooo good...rare is the way I prefer it & David served it on a bed of mixed veggies. Salmon with crispy skin, dill, garlic, & a variety of veg...continuing on my seafood diet to heal my knee. DJs doing their thing on Twitch. 

Walking to PT...my PT lady is great...super pushy, but also encouraging. After PT, David popped into the beauty supply for me to pick up some things...& we parked next to a Challenger in the Plum Crazy shade I fell in love with. David was chatting with the chicks when a woman came out of the back room & he asked her...is that your plum crazy Challenger out there? He just knew. My after surgery stockings in sexy white (I'm wearing a matching white sports bra) while doing my PT on the ball. 

David picked out all the new OPI colors he thought I might like...& he was right...but was also wrong that I don't need another red...I always need another red as they are all SO different. Listening to Shok play great tunes. And back to PT...immediately followed by...

A trip to visit the fabulous car painter, Brian...who *totally* gets us. Do you know how rare that is?! He drew up this rendering & we are in LOVE with his asymmetrical flames & fire...also, he picked out the perfect purple for us...he painted it on a card, but I forgot to take a photo. I am ridiculously excited for him to get started so we can see it finished *swoon*. But to be honest, I'm not looking forward to the attention it will get...Veronika already gets plenty of smiles. 

Totally spoiled...while on one hand, I'm tired of watching music online now that I can go in person again...however, I could watch Carsie & The Lowest Pair at least once a week...so to see both of them...I was happy. Carsie followed this performance with a Patreon only Zoom meeting afterwards. 

Shrimp salad with cilantro, avocado, & lime/evoo/garlic dressing...we have this at least 2x a week & we never get tired of it. Mmmmm....raspberry season is the best. Female DJs on Twitch. 

Why, yes...I am sitting on the potty trying on a sports bra David bought me in a fabulous yellow with a pocket in front. I've been loving the sports bras he bought me, so he went a bit crazy...even though I told him I had enough. David likes to go overboard & I love that about him. Also, I liked the way my back looked here...I can actually tell I've been lifting weights. All Fern raspberries all the time. I can't get enough. Whole roasted tilapia stuffed with garlic & herbs from our garden, lemon, roasted zucchini with mayo/garlic/horseradish dipping sauce. 

DJs providing my soundtrack on Twitch. Attempting to clean out the drawers in the bedroom that hold my night & gym clothes. I'm not attached to these things the way I am the garments in my closet...not sure when I'll be emotionally up to clearing that out. 

Thanks for all the music.

 

Knee Replacement Surgery

Dress: Geo Print Black Peri Dress by Donna Morgan (size 16) via Gwynnie Bee 

Leggings: LuLaRoe via eBay (size TC2)

Sandals: ?, thrifted 

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 46-43-60

This dress pattern is a bit...modern? for me...but I loved all the colors. I've been closeting both 18s & 16s on GB & forgot to put the 16 on hold...but I got lucky & it was a great fit. So, I'd say this dress runs a tad big...but it's also just a relaxed fit. There is a drawstring waist, but it's decoration only & does not cinch it tighter. The neckline was too high for me, but I liked the elastic at the ends of the sleeves (easy to push up) & the keyhole in back. 

I'm just gonna keep going for the loud pattern mixing...because, why not? This was the last outfit I wore before getting my knee replaced the next day. So, this *could* have been my last outfit ever. But it wasn't. 

This was my first time wearing these earrings...I consider them ~once a month, but other ones always win out. This might? be the first time wearing this necklace in the history of the blog...I've had it since I bought it at a garage sale in the 80s. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Electric Empire; Blaze, Radio, & Wanderlust eyeshadow from UD; NXY lipliner in Orange County; Bang lipstick by UD; & OPI nail polish in Green on the Runway. 

Prepping me for knee replacement surgery (my first ever surgery), after waking up, & sitting in a recliner in my room after walking the hallway & up & down stairs. They told me if I did those things, I wouldn't have to spend the night. They lied. I'm glad I spent the night...also, my first ever night in the hospital...so many firsts. 

After finding out I'd be spending the night...David went home to make us food. The nurses were confused as to why I didn't just order off the menu, but I wanted good nutritious food immediately after surgery (& always). So while I sat in my hospital room...I watched Michael Waite & many friends play live from the U.P. And look at the amazing sunset out my window. 

David is magical...it's a 45 minute drive from our house to Sauk, but this salmon was the best he's ever made. He warmed bricks in the oven & placed them in the cooler to keep everything hot...it was exactly medium rare, the skin was crispy, the veggies just right, & it was all the perfect temperature...how does he do it?! All the pain meds overnight had me feeling a bit queasy, so I caved & ordered a bacon cheddar omelet from the kitchen in the morning. My first look at my incision. Yikes! And my first meal at home...another expertly cooked fish dish from David...Ahi tuna on a bed of mixed veg. I requested all seafood for the first few weeks for healing. 

Surprise beautiful flowers sent to me by my parents. Whole mackerel cooked en papillote stuffed with a mix of fresh herbs from our garden, lemon, & a variety of sautéed veggies: cauliflower, shiitake, sweet & hot peppers, white wine, & evoo. In bed. DJ on Twitch. 

My first day of PT. Drinking all the bone broth David had made me a few weeks before...doing my best to heal. I walked down to the basement for the first time to watch tv & eat a meal...scallops with roasted zucchini with a garlic/mayo/horseradish dipping sauce...& the last apple off our tree. 

Kate & Jason came to visit! But the girlie still would not get close to me for fear of making me sick. 

More DJs playing tunes. And my favorite, salmon. Overall, the knee surgery was not that bad...it was painful at times, but not the worst I've ever experienced. And for once, I listened to everyone & did my PT twice a day...& that was the most painful part, so I understand why some people don't do it...but I cried & kept going.        

 

Seasaw

Dress: Floral Mini Dress from Maeve by Anthropology (size 18) via Nuuly (use my link & we both get $10 off)

Leggings: LuLaRoe via eBay (size TC2)

Sandals: Born

Earring: The Embellishing Room

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 46-43-60

Adorable kitchy flowers & leopards & zebras, oh my, dress. Perfect summer casual cotton colorful dress...& bonus...Kate really liked it. Great fit, length was a bit on the short side...but I got to wear loudly floral leggings, so, win. This dress was lined, had pockets, no stretch, with a nice cinched waist. 

Kate thought the leggings were a bit much, then changed her mind...but also, this was the last time I'd be seeing her before my knee replacement surgery & she probably didn't want to say anything mean to me that would weigh on her conscience if I died. But, I didn't die. And I stand by the legging choice...it makes me smile.

I think this is only the second, maybe third time I'm wearing this purple elephant necklace...it went with the wild animal theme & all the colors. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Viper, Guilt Trip eyeshadow by UD, Mediteranee eyeshadow duo from Nars, Bite Beauty lipliner in 72, Nectar lipstick by Sugarpill Cosmetics, & OPI nail polish in Orange You Going To The Game?

I spied a pretty butterfly on our flowers while going into the house. Steak stir-fry made with a bunch of different peppers David got from his friend's garden. Girlie & a beer...outside on a gorgeous night. 

The Sylvee had a series of outdoor concerts behind their venue this summer & we'd been looking forward to seeing SeaSaw for months. The last time we saw them was on a boat in August 2019...so, far too long. 

DJ Boyfriend opened & it was fun listening to music I would never seek out. The people & dog watching were both excellent. And it was fabulous to finally get to see SeaSaw again. And I got to go to two concerts in a row with my sweet bezzer, Kate (it likes to correct that word to buzzer, which always makes me laugh). 

Davina playing live from her home in Minneapolis. And my favorite new DJ on Twitch, Juliette Angeli...playing classic jazz & swing.