Mint Mark // Al Franken // Birthday Dinner Party

Dress: Keyhole Halter Maxi Dress by Maeve (size 1x) via Nuuly

Shoes: Fluevog, Bellevues: Mary Fields 

Earring: etXarte

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 41-39-53

Gorgeous Goddess Gown in flowy chiffon fabric with a groovy Pucci inspired print. I loved nearly everything about this dress...the halter neckline, the cutout back, the perfect maxi length...but it fit large on top & I had to pin the sides together under the arms, otherwise it winged out...would a smaller size fix that issue? Unsure, as it is mentioned more than once in the reviews. 

I would probably wear different shoes if I got this dress again...but they were the best heel option I had. 

I love an open back...if only I didn't need to wear a bra. My favorite Fluevog family for comfortable & pretty heels, Bellevues...

I wish this hadn't had a seam down the middle of the halter...weird choice. I could have gone with a long necklace, but opted not to wear any. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Loaded; Jasper, Azalea, & Awakening eyeshadow from Natasha Denona; NYX lipliner in Pumpkin; Clockwork & Teacher's Pet lipstick from Sugarpill Cosmetics; OPI nail polish in A Woman's Prague-ative; & Sexy Plunge nail polish by Essie. 

I first wore this outfit to have dinner with David at Mint Mark (his first time). We began the evening with cocktails, of course. David had an El Diablo (Milagro Resposado tequila, Crème de Cassis, ginger, lime, seltzer). I chose to have The Tim Curry (Milagro Reposado, lemongrass curry cordial, lime, orange coconut)...this is cocktail perfection. 

The first offerings of delicious food...Olive Fig Spread (Gordal olive, walnut, balsamic, rosemary, fig, focaccia) & Pierogis (smoked potato, white cheddar, onion confit, crème fraiche), my favorite dish of the night...although every one but the last was a close contender for that.

Round 2, Golden Hour (sesame oil-washed Elijah Craig bourbon, Giffard banana du Bresil, Meyer lemon, honey, lime, saline) for me & for David, Sangrita (Corralejo Blanco tequila, ginger, lime, orange, chili, seasonal fruit juice [on tap]). More tasty food...Terrine (pork, pistachio, raisin, sherry, foie gras, port-onion mustarda), David's winner for plate of the evening. And, it was Friday after all, Fish Fry...the best I've ever eaten. 

David's last drink was a repeat of his first, but he is pictured here with mine, a special nitro infused cocktail that was on tap that we never got the name of that included: housemade walnut nocino, rye whiskey, some kind of rum, & other things I don't recall...it was delightful. Our final course was the only mildly disappointing one of the night, pimento cheese, it was merely good...it should have been brought out first. Overall, an outstanding meal. I hadn't been there for years, since the only other time I had eaten there was with Kate & it was just alright. After dinner...pictures taken in the rain, then down the street to see Al Franken at The Barrymore. 

Cuties in line...Al required vaccines & masks at his show. 

While I don't regret going, I wouldn't see Al Franken again, this was David's second time & I think he's said everything he has to say. The next day was my birthday dinner party. I requested all the pasta...& definitely seafood. David found squid at a local Asian market. Kate wearing a stunning velvet jumpsuit...Jason, who is copying my coping a feel. 

Girlies...& a reach around...I said, once you've touched a boob, you always can, right? And Kate replied, that's not how consent works. I know. Someday I will learn to make a decent face for photos. 

I think elly took this? The only picture of David from the night...he worked so hard in the kitchen...all day long. 

All girlie hug extravaganza...the first time the 4 of us have been together in years...2019, probably. Josh, e's husband, makes the best cocktails. The first was spectacular...I can't remember the name, but it had layers & bubbles with rum in them that popped (like bubble tea)!

The carb feast begins! Garlic bread, focaccia, & baguette from Batch...Mac & cheese & bubbles from Kate's cellar.  

Linguine with clams & roasted tomatoes/garlic, Angel hair pasta prima Boo, & fettuccine with squid, fennel, herbs, & lemon. 

But wait, there's more! Carb overload. Fettuccine Alfredo, with optional lobster tails to put in it (vegetarians). Kate pours the second bottle of bubbles (& my favorite). And the final pasta, cheese stuffed ravioli with pesto. 

Josh brought a selection of Amaro. And because he used them...I rediscovered we have these adorable etched grape glasses I picked up at a garage sale years ago. I never get good pictures of anyone but Kate, because no-one else likes to pose for me...so candids it is. 

Cute couple being cute...

Angie made Amanda Hesser's Almond Cake that I requested...& she didn't overcook hers like I did with my last two. It was fantastic...with berries & vanilla whipped cream. Kate & Jason brought chocolates from Gail Ambrosius.

David made a tasty port & apple sorbet, & Josh concocted another cocktail creation...a Pain Killer. 

Kate ending the evening dancing in her gorgeous velvet jumpsuit. I made a special birthday playlist. It was a delightful birthday dinner.