The Botanist Social

Dress: Ruched Slip Dress by Anthropologie (size 16) via Nuuly

Shawl: Target

Tights & Fishnets: Snag

Shoes: Fluevog, Poser: Shiloh 

Purse: Vintage

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 41-39-53

Gorgeous dress in a stunning color...I wore this same dress in black a few months back...as a former goth, I adore black...but this warm burnt orange is my color. I love all the ruching, layers, & shark bite hem. This dress is fabulous & it's one I would purchase if I had a consistent size. 

This shark bite hem is my favorite...it feels witchy...perhaps I should take to calling it a witchy hem. Best $11 clearance item ever bought at Target...this shawl goes with everything. 

My first time wearing this beautiful necklace from Gayle at Green Goddess Vintage...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Roach & Lucky; Celestial, Nefertiti, & Blood Moon eyeshadow by Huda Beauty; NYX lipliner in Pumpkin; Gothica lipstick from Kat von D; Jeffree Star lipstick in Pumpkin Pie; & OPI lipstick in A Woman's Prague-ative. 

This was my first time wearing these fantastically elegant Shiloh's (which I am regretting not also getting in the floral print)...& I'm rather happy how the fishnet sharkies add a bit more black to the outfit. 

My outfit matches our kitchen. Me & the girlie outside Overture before seeing The Mytilenean Debate...David & I got to see it both on opening & closing night. 

Kate's view of us from the balcony...she tried to get our attention, but I never did see her up there. Teenage art in the lobby. After the play...David & I walked across the street to take photos & then dinner at a new to us restaurant, The Botanist Social....sooooo fantastically decorated. 

Couple selfie...

This was so pretty...it makes me want to do a bit of this in our wreck room...

We began the evening with cocktails, of course. David chose Death on a G5 (gin, lemon, crème de cassis, bitters) & I had Proprietary Knowledge (vodka, blackberry, lemon, lime, rosemary, Campari, soda water). My cocktail was fantastic, but then we ordered food...

We shared these 4 plates of mediocre to inedible food...Seafood Mac & Cheese (lobster, crab, shrimp, seafood béchamel, gruyere, fontina, & herb crust), Pappardelle (Niman Ranch lamb ragú, mirepoix, mint oil, & Parmesan), Lamb Chops (Aussie lamb grilled, chocolate ravioli, aged cheddar, ricotta, & port reduction), & Short Ribs (smoked whipped potato, root vegetables, mushrooms, & bordelaise). Those chocolate ravioli were tasteless cardboard. 

The food was a disaster, but 2 of our drinks were good. Our second round was a Time is Up for David (whiskey, thyme & ginger syrup, lemon, bitters) & I had a French 69 (gin, lemon, bubbly rosé). Our verdict...we'd order both the herb cocktails again before or after a show at The Overture Center, but would absolutely not ever eat food there again. We don't regret taking a chance & trying a new place...but we were so disappointed, we headed over to Lucille, where we knew we'd enjoy ourselves. David had a new cocktail, Stardust Battle (starfruit, pineapple, lemon, Zacapa rum, Eldorado 3 year rum, Corazon bitters...served on fire)...

I tried the Prickly Sour (prickly pear, blood orange, El Buho mezcal, Altos tequila, lemon juice, creme sherry, Luxardo Orgeat). And then came our old stand-by dishes...pork shoulder nachos & a steel pan pizza. David's last cocktail was Once Upon a Time in Mexico (Espolon tequila, Banhez mezcal, Laird's apple brandy, pineapple & Serrano syrup, lime & pineapple juices, pink Himalayan saline, Angostura bitters float) & I ended the evening with a Goombay Tower Takedown (guava, kiwi, brandy, lemon & pineapple juice, absinthe mist, Chamoy & Tajin rum). 

 

Gibson Brothers

Dress: Pleated Maxi Dress by Let Me Be (size 1x) via Nuuly

Shoes: Fluevog, Bellevues: Pearl Hart

Tights: Snag

All Jewelry: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 41-39-53

The color of this dress...stunning...something was off though & it's not anything I can explain...it added 30-40 pounds & I'm not sure why. The fit was great. Sexy plunging neckline, matching belt, balloon sleeves, flowy fabric, fun pattern, & pleating details...it was all marvelous. Just the right maxi dress length for me...I could have worn flats or these 3 inch heels. 

This is my first time wearing these Fluevogs that I found on Fluemarket...I've been searching for this colorway...the shiny mustard is marvelous & I have several shoes in the Bellevue family, which is a favorite of mine...I adore those curvy heels. 

I look beautiful in orange, my favorite color. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Torch & Lucky; Carnelian, Phlox, Awakening, & Agate eyeshadow by Natasha Denona; NYX lipliner in Pumpkin; UD lipstick in Heat; New York Apple lipstick from MAC; & OPI nail polish in Paint the Tinseltown Red. 

Close up of my Fluevogs & sparkly orange tights from Snag. 

After getting dolled up for these photos & a concert later, I made us dinner...Roasted Salmon with with Miso Cauliflower & Ginger-Scallion Vinaigrette (delicious)...with broccoli that was good, but not enough to make again. Then I was off to Stoughton to see the Gibson Brothers. Fabulous...all the strings & no drums. 

It was raining/sleeting...don't I look pretty? The next day...David & I decided to tackle organizing our cupboards a bit better...

Then I took a break to watch/listen to Carsie...who got a new PUPPY!

I made us another yummy dinner...& we decided to eat in our dining room...then retire to the living room where we were still contemplating our latest rug. 

More organization! Vinyl I bought at the show...if an artist I see live has any vinyl for sale, I buy it.

 

You Have Been Exposed to COVID

Dress: Time Meadow Dress (on GB site, however, on the EH site this is the Sarah Dress in Nature Print) via Gwynnie Bee (size 1x)

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Chinese Laundry, thrifted 

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 41-39-53

Another adorable comfortable dress from Effie's Heart (I got distracted while making this post, as I always do by something, in looking up what EH calls this dress...I found it on their site & bought it). I thought the background was navy, but it's actually black...so that is why I'm wearing navy tights & eyeliner...but there *is* blue in the dress. This dress is perfection & I love everything about it...wrap dresses always fit so nicely. 

My only issue with wrap dresses is...where to tie them...this one got tied in back...which always makes me feel like I have a tail. It ruins the line...the best is when I'm wearing a cardigan & it covers it up. 

This is my first time wearing this earring & I'm quite sure it's the first time wearing this necklace too despite having it for years...color always wins out, but sometimes it's not needed. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Sabbath; Heroine, Reign, & Last Sin eyeshadow from UD; Sephora lipliner in Deep Ruby; Gash lipstick by UD; MAC lipstick in New York Apple; & OPI nail polish in Friar, Friar, Pants On Fire! 

I wore this dress to work & on the final day of André's visit. We enjoyed our breakfast at Original Pancake House so much, that we went again the next day...I ordered less food this time...corned beef hash with a side of buttermilk pancakes. After eating, we went to a few places for André to pick up food made in Wisconsin to bring home (for cheese & meat: Brennans & Fromagination, & Gail Ambrosius for chocolate).

We also went into Bad Dog Frida...look at those tiny tiny dog socks! Then, I dropped André off at the airport...it was lovely having a longer visit with him & we won't see each other again until Memorial Weekend. I went shopping at the co-op...mainly to pick up some Rao's Marinara sauce to add to my cabbage rolls for dinner...much better. I got a notice that night on my phone that I'd been exposed to COVID...eeek! I tested immediately & again the next few days...but I remained negative. David brought us back his coffee grinder from California...grinding beans fresh really makes a difference...or I'm just more of a coffee snob than I used to be. 

 

The Mustard Museum

Dress: Colorblock Rib Knit Dress by Hutch (size 1x) via Nuuly (it's $20 off if you join now instead of the typical $10)

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Fluevog, Bellevues: Mary Fields 

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: former Etsy shop

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 41-39-53

The colors on this were so unexpected...& weird? together...that I nearly didn't select this dress from Nuuly...but I always love this brand, a sweater dress is a good winter item, & I adore unusual color combinations. The vertical stripes on the bottom & the color blocking up top were well done. The fit & length were spot on...while I love a to the floor maxi, this just above ankle length allows the shoes to shine a bit more.

And check out the shoes...these Fluevogs were a perfect match for the dress, as were the tights. I'd rent this dress again just for the shoes. The second time I wore this outfit, I had to wear some burgundy Clarks because it had snowed out & Fluevogs are not practical in bad weather. Blah. 

Most often, jewelry with color wins out...but since I didn't have a good match on any of the colors in the dress...I chose this heart locket for the way the shape complimented the v-neckline. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in 1999; Bang Bang, Turn On, Bing, Devilish, & Ambitious eyeshadow by UD; Bite Beauty lip liner in 30; Keepsake & Locket lipstick from Sugarpill Cosmetics; & OPI nail polish in Queen of West Web-erly. 

New necklaces from Gayle at Green Goddess Vintage Jewelry...she always throws in matching earrings...so sweet & thoughtful.

I think I got this short poem from Kate? A velvet nightdress from Anthropologie. And making pierogi...sauerkraut shiitake & potato with Hooks 5 year cheddar. 

Breakfast on a snowy morning with my boyfriend at Original House of Pancakes was yummy...I hadn't been there in years. I had waaaay too much food...a spinach omelette with mushroom sauce, 3 buttermilk pancakes, hash browns with cheese, coffee, & fresh squeezed orange juice. 

After breakfast...we headed over to The National Mustard Museum...where André promptly won himself a mustard by tossing rings. 

He also bought some from the only mustard vending machine in the world. It was actually a really fun quirky museum. After we were done looking through it...we sampled all the mustards we desired on pretzels with the nice lady who was working there. Then we visited Chris Farley at Resurrection Cemetery. And sweet André shoveled my driveway when we got home. I made us ribeye steak for dinner with sides of roasted cauliflower & miso butter onions. 

 

Vinyl & Blue Moon

Dress: Faye Maxi Dress by Rue Stiic (size XXL) via Nuuly

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Franco Sarto, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 41-39-53

This was one of those dresses I tried on & immediately thought...there is no way I'm wearing this...I wasn't loving the mermaid silhouette on my body & the neckline was bra showingly low. After walking around for a bit with it on though, I decided...why not? And ended up really liking it a lot. I tend to gravitate toward fit & flare dresses & it was good to go outside my comfort zone. This was my first dress from this Australian brand & it was well made & the fabric felt good against my skin. There was a hook at the neckline to keep it closed, & with a plunging black bra...it hardly peeked out. The waist & sleeve ends were smocked & there was a pointless zipper on the side that bunched out a bit. I wore a 2-inch heel & it was a perfect length...it was a bit longer in back & would have dragged on the ground without a small heel. 

That flared mermaid bit on the bottom turned out to be my favorite part of this dress...the dots appeared to cascade there & I liked that effect. 

Black & white dotty shoes (a Savers find) with this dress made me happy.

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Jet Black; Sin City, Showgirl, & Pink Pearl eyeshadow from Too Faced; Urban Decay lipliner in Ozone; Licorice lipstick by Urban Decay; Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Luxe; & OPI nail polish in Every Month Is Oktoberfest. 

I first wore this dress to hang out with Kate at her place, eat Miko Poke, & listen to records. We were on a 70s roll for a bit...I had no idea how amazing this Stevie Wonder vinyl was...I need it.

For our last spin...Kate put on Dolly & took us into the 80s...with chocolate. 

The second time I wore this outfit was while André was visiting. We drove to Milwaukee so he could watch Manchester City play in a bar with other fans. First, breakfast. It was alright. I had a mimosa while André cheered on his team. 

For dinner...I cooked up a Polish feast...I had made & froze the pierogis & golabki earlier in the week. It was good, but there was not enough tomato sauce for the cabbage rolls. Dessert...Blue Moon ice cream which is (I think) a midwestern thing...it tastes like the milk left over after eating Fruity Pebbles. Unless you have fond memories of it as a kid, you probably won't enjoy it as an adult.