The Start of 2022

Dress: Somerset Plaid Maxi Dress by Anthropologie (size 1x) via Nuuly

Cardigan: ?, thrifted

Tights: Snag

Shoes: ?, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 43-41-57

I adored this rusty amber color...it matched my hair. It felt a bit like a Little House on the Prairie dress, but I liked that. The smocked waist is always a winner for me...& there were nice deep pockets. This would have been the perfect fall dress...I don't think of cotton dresses as well suited for winter.

It was a blustery day...

When I wore this dress to work & out & about...I wore an earring, which I forgot at home the day of these photos...shown below in make-up pic. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Sabbath, Dirty Talk & Ounce eyeshadow by UD, Chicory lipliner from MAC, Kat von D lipstick in Gothica, Bronze Shimmer lipstick by MAC, & OPI nail polish in Bronzed to Perfection. 

January 2...brunch with Brian. I made the 3 of us eggs Benedict, which I discovered is called eggs Hemingway when I make it how I typically do...with smoked salmon; asparagus with hollandaise; & some crispy fried up leftover potato gratin. And of course...mimosas. Lately, every time I make hollandaise, it splits & I don't know why...so I had a bit of a meltdown & had to remake it 3 times. I was also sick with laryngitis & an odd form of strep. However, brunch was tasty...in the end. And we finished with leftover dessert. 

Dinner...leftover porchetta with cooked apples & the first time using the fireplace in the living room. The next day...leftover fish, porchetta, Mac & cheese, & Brussels. 

Yooperlites in the living room....ooooooo....aaaaaah. And Brian in the living room...enjoying a glass of wine. 

We found rugs for our living & dining rooms...I adore them...especially the purple one. Walking to Anthology...I really want to try The Botanist Social when Kate is going out again. Their cocktails sound delightful. On second thought...I may have to go with David as brunch & dinner sound pretty good too. 

At Anthology to buy pens, stickers, & other fun things. Buying Lindsay's book...we are enjoying reading it. While at Leopold's (books, coffee, & cocktails...all the good things in life), I also picked up a new biography of Sylvia Plath. More pretty Ruffoni cookware...this one is topped with a pumpkin.

 

NYE Dinner Party

Dress: Velvet Occassion Maxi Dress by ML Monique Lhuillier (size 18) via Nuuly

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Mossimo, thrifted

Earring: Kerala Rose

Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Bracelet: Vintage 

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 43-41-57

This $600 dress was pretty...but was in NYE worthy? I probably would not have chosen it had I had other choices...but it fit me, which was much better than wearing a too big on me dress out of my closet. So, not a ringing endorsement for this party outfit. Also, this brand fits small by at least 1-2 sizes. The velvet flowers on tulle fabric was gorgeous, my objection was the shapeless ruffle up top & the tie straps...had that been a v-neck & form fitting, it would have been ideal. 

My shoes are covered in sequins...which is difficult to see black on black.

This is my first wearing of this lovely pearl necklace made by Gayle. I also love any chance I get to wear this beautiful bracelet that belonged to my grandma. Decades ago, I lost it in Lake Superior & Shane found it hours later. I will never stop being amazed at that. If I believed in such things, I would have to say my grandma had a hand in it. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Alkaline; Kat von D eyeshadow in Bloodmilk, Medusa, & Prophet; Burgundy lipliner by MAC; Tannin lipstick from Bite Beauty; & OPI nail polish in Visions of Love. 

Brian & I spent NYE day last minute grocery shopping (seafood & bread, things you can't buy ahead) & preparing food for the party. Lots of yummy cheese & local salami for the charcuterie boards. All the ingredients for a new appetizer, caramelized fennel & brie dip, that I will definitely be making again. Prepping the whole roasted fish & making Mac & cheese. 

The curried deviled eggs I always make, & some new fancier ones, crab stuffed deviled eggs with caviar & tarragon on top. Me right before the party. Kate, me, & Brian in the kitchen. 

The table set up with waaaaay too many appetizers...what was I thinking?! We barely put a dent in this. We had: a variety of crackers, bread, blue tortilla chips, pita chips, smoked salmon, artichoke hearts, hummus, marmalade, jam, stuffed grape leaves, many cheeses & meats, various olives, pickled things, Brian's artichoke cheese dip, deviled eggs, caramelized fennel & brie dip, olive tapenade, different kinds of nuts, & caviar. This would have been perfect if this was all we were eating. 

elly! I am quite sure I haven't seen e since 2019...so I was extremely excited to SEE her. Our first guests in our newly set up living room. A wonderful drink that e's husband Josh made...he has been honing his craft cocktail game during the pandemic...much better than baking bread, if you ask me. This was a milk punch made with 3 different rums, chai simple syrup, milk, Madeira, cinnamon syrup, lemon juice, & allspice dram...I'm sure I'm leaving some stuff out. 

David, Kate, & Jason...awwwww...

Roasted squash that Kate brought...it had a tahini sauce to put on top. Alison Roman's Mac & cheese...sooooo good, hasselback potato gratin (I still have both of these in my freezer). 

The star of the evening...porchetta...I would make this again & again. It is a superb dinner party main as you prepare it the day before & just need to stick it in the oven day of. Kate curated all the champagne & sparkling wine for the night...so, of course it was all excellent. 

Whole roasted fish with lemongrass & ginger...Brussels sprouts with pomegranate & pecans. The toppings for Kate's mushroom Bourguignon & a bottle of Amaro that Josh & e brought. 

The other side of the table...dessert, ginger cake (that David whipped up some ginger cream for) & Meyer lemon tart with raspberries & blueberries. 

After the feast...there was SO much food...& I forgot to make the crab legs. However, this was my first time entertaining since 2019...so I was out of practice. 

Relaxing in the living room...it was a wonderful evening & even though it was a lot of work...I like this better than going out to a fancy restaurant on NYE...it could become a yearly event. 

 

We Have A Dining Room...And Living Room!

Dress: Galaxy Dots Ruffle Sleeve Dress by London Times (size 16) via Gwynnie Bee

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Circus by Sam Edelman

Earring: Kerala Rose

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7"43-41-57

A bit of a boring & too big on me dress...but the colors were spectacular & it was a good work dress & cooking dress. Also, I'm a sucker for polka dots. Even if this dress had been a size down, I'm not a fan of that blousen waist...but the sleeve ruffles were super cute. 

And it gave me an excuse to wear these shoes.

I should have put more thought into my accessories & not gone with pearls. 

My December Boxy Charm, new enameled cast-iron cookware in pretty colors, & dinner...you can follow my food/health blog @becomingmeshel on Instagram if you'd like to know more. 

More food...& finding & painting a Hot Wheels version of Veronika for David. 

Grocery shopping at the co-op, & picking up a porchetta at Meat People...when I found out how much it was, I decided to save it for NYE...& I'm SO glad I did as it was enough to feed at least 10 people. While at the co-op, they had just put out the last of the Rush Creek Reserve (a special cheese only made once a year & not so easy to find)...it's creamy & rich like butter. I immediately made up a little charcuterie platter for me & David...with my new favorite crackers.  

I love cooking. Finishing the Rush Creek Reserve...I wish I would have bought more. 

5 days before NYE...this was the state of our dining & living rooms. We moved the sewing station downstairs & made room for a table to eat at instead...in the dining room...shocking, right?!

The two purses David got me for Christmas, the replacement necklace Colleen Toland sent me for the wrong all black necklace, & the gorgeous Colleen Toland earrings David gave me.

A visit to my clinic since I hadn't been able to talk for nearly 2 weeks...laryngitis & some weird form of strep. Did you know ALL the good bakeries in Madison close for at least the week between Christmas & New Year...I had to get inferior bread. Yooperlites!!! Brian came to visit for NYE...& brought a bit of Lake Superior with him to give to me...I LOVE them. The day before NYE...making a ginger cake & a fantastic dinner .

Our first meal at our dining room table...me, David, & Brian. One Stone, the wine we discovered the last time I was visiting Brian. Making hasselback potato gratin & prepping the porchetta. Brian came to visit me!!! 

 

Finished Tattoo & Christmas

Dress: Retro Floral Banded Perfect Wrap Dress by Leota (size 1x) via Gwynnie Bee

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Worthington, thrifted 

Purple Floral Jewelry: Colleen Toland

Bracelet: Vintage 

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 43-41-57

I wore this dress quite a bit, so I must have really liked it. I do adore purple with my red hair, however, there was a lot of white going on. Another great fitting Leota dress...they always get it right. I was especially fond of the contrasting black & white stripe trim against the retro flowers. There was a snap at the neckline, the first I've ever seen in one of their dresses, & it was nice not to have to pin it closed like I typically do with this brand. 

I could have worn darker purple tights, but I wanted these vintage shoes to pop. Note the black & white striped bracelet I'm wearing to go with the trim. I'm rather proud I thought of that & it's my one non-purple accessory. 

Sometimes it's fun to go monochrome...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Delinquent, UD eyeshadow in Cyber Punk & Euphoric, True Colors Shimmering Powder, Grape lipliner from MAC, Flashback lipstick by UD, & POP nail polish in Street Slick. 

David made us this pretty wood cutting board that fits in the sink...we'd been using an ugly white plastic one & he knows how I like things to be pretty. I first wore this dress to giige for my appointment with Mar to finish my oak leaves & acorn tattoo. 

Mar tattooing...& the gorgeous finished result...

I love it!!! Picking out fish for dinner. 

A simple meal of pan cooked salmon & roasted Brussels sprouts. Video chatting with the girlie...she's not leaving the house much since the Covid numbers have been going up again & I miss her. I had my first consultation with a plastic surgeon here in Madison to discuss the state of my neck. I've lost over 5" there & I've got saggy skin that really bothers me & makes me feel old.

I had instructions from Andre to go to Anthropologie & call him. But he was tricky...& told me to go to Lush instead (they are near each other)...where he had a Christmas present waiting for me...awwww. I love having nice smelling things to use in the shower & I thought it was really sweet of him to surprise me like that. So, of course, since I was already parked right there...I had to browse Anthropologie. There were many gorgeous things & they were having a good sale on quite a bit of it...but I left with nothing but pictures. Christmas morning with the Smartins...it was fun watching Freddie open his presents. 

And of course, David & Freddie together are always a delight. For Christmas, I got David a day at a performance driving school of his choice...but in order to have something to wrap...I bought a matchbox car & painted it to look like Veronika. 

We brought our presents over to unwrap & we wore our pajamas. David had gotten me these adorable cupcake ones years ago, but they didn't fit...cupcakes are like fancy muffins & I'm The Muffin Queen. David gave me a bunch of stuff, including the large version of the small purse I bought at Art Fair last summer & a mirror for my purse that is surrounded by a light ring. He also got me many pairs of Colleen Toland earrings & a deep green Italian leather purse.  

Then...there was brunch. I made ginger scones, Meyer lemon curd, vanilla whipped cream, & cheesy hasselback potato gratin...& brought mimosa ingredients. Angie made stollen, quiche, & had smoked salmon bagel fixings. I just love brunch...it's basically the only time I eat breakfast. 

Later in the afternoon, after we took photos of this outfit...I had an unplanned walk around the park with Kate while the sun set. 

Yay! Time with the girlie.