I Voted // Thrifting

Dress: Balloon Sleeve Navy Fit & Flare Dress by Jessica Howard (size 8) via Gwynnie Bee

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Fluevog, Super Fine: Honour 

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I nearly sent this back to GB without wearing it...I mean...how conservative is this dress?! Things I liked about it: pretty blue, lace bubble sleeves (I like this bubble trend), & lace around the bottom. It wasn't the best cut, but I had fun styling it. 

A reason to wear Fluevogs...I think this made the outfit a bit more fun & not so stuffy. 

I love the gold pipping...& the buckles, which I didn't really get a close-up of. 

This was my first time wearing this necklace...I was thinking about getting rid of it...I really need to purge some jewelry. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Sabbath; Heroine, Last Sin, Alchemy, & Sonic eyeshadow by UD; MAC Burgundy lipliner; Majella lipstick from Nars; & OPI nail polish in I'm Not Really A Waitress. 

Erranding...switching between channels...2 completely different songs titled, 'Call Me' being played at the same time...the first one was terrible. At the post office...it doesn't seem that long ago that that black rectangle displaying the date was counting down to the year 2000...the reason they installed it. I'm old. Trying on clothes at the Vinny's in Sun Prairie.

I found a TON of things, but most were unsuccessful...

I was sad about this terra cotta burnout velvet maxi...it was my size, but didn't come close to zipping in back. The color was outstanding on me. A bunch of nopes...

I came home with 4 dresses, including an Effie's Heart...& this cute round rattan purse. And I made my Covid test appointment...which was my final thing I needed to do before heading to Mexico for round 2 of surgery. 

Later that day...I wore this conservative patriotic outfit to work & vote. I stuck my I Voted sticker above my breasts...I was obsessed with taking photos since I was about to get a lift. Dinner...Insalata di Finocchio (Shaved Raw Fennel with Olives) & Oven-Braises Beef with Harissa. 

 

Ballet Beyond // Mint Mark

Dress: Stormi Tie-Back Dress by Damson Madder (size 10) via Nuuly

Tights: Snag

Shoes: ?, thrifted

Earring: The Embellishing Room 

Necklace & Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

Gorgeous spring colors & mixed patterns on this UK brand dress. Silky fabric, scandalously high slit, & precious bow on the back neckline...I loved everything about this dress. I liked the contrast of the billowy sleeves on an otherwise close fitting dress & the placement of the 2 different fabrics. According to the reviews, it runs a size small, & I found that to be true. 

Showing a whole lotta leg on a windy day. I can't say enough how much I adore something going on in the back of a dress...

My first wearing of these chartreuse heels I found at Goodwill. 

I adore an orange & green color combination. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Mainline, Nars Mediteranee eyeshadow palette, Electric Warrior eyeshadow by KVD, Nectar lipliner from NYX, Sugarpill Cosmetics lipstick in Nectar, UD lipstick in Bang, & OPI nail polish in Orange You Going To The Game?

I wore this frock to attend the ballet with David. A nice lady offered to take our photo on the way in...just before it started to rain. 

It was probably indecent of me to wear this out in public. The artistic director was my favorite part of the show with his fabulous shoes & extremely glittery nails. We left at intermission. It was too...interpretive? for us. We prefer a ballet with a story. 

There was a downpour of rain by this time & even though David drove Veronika up on the curb & as close to the door as possible...I still ended up looking like a drowned cat. We decided to try our luck at Mint Mark. Without reservations. It was less than an hour wait...so we stood at the bar & had cocktails. David ordered a Three Chiles, One Barrel (Limousin rye, Oloroso Sherry, Brovo chocolate liqueur, chili tamarind Demerara, house made cumin corriander bitters).

I tried And Just Like That (cranberry infused Stateline vodka, winter spiced syrup, Grand Marnier, Brovo Douglas Fir liqueur, lime, rosemary rinse). A seat finally opened up at the counter by the window...we told the hostess we'd be happy to eat there...however, then a birthday party smashed in behind us at the bar & strangers touching me, nope. She very quickly found us a spot at the chef's counter...sooo much nicer. It was Friday night...of course I ordered their fish fry...it's one of my favorites. 

Round 2 of cocktails: David with one of the drink specials involving Mezcal & chiles, & I'm sipping on an X Marks the Spot (Hamilton White Stache rum, Tattersall coconut aquivit, black sesame coconut syrup, pineapple, lime, pebble ice). We also shared a cheeseburger...why are they SO good?! This one was a bit salty & not as perfect as last time when it was so amazing, David had to order a second one. And...Terrine (Berkshire Hog, foie gras, fig, sherry, pistachio, caul fat, mustard, toast), Chicken Liver Mousse (port onion jam, toast), & Cauliflower (Bagna Couda, golden raisins, crispy cheese, fine herbs). David gave their liver mousse the highest praise...he declared it better than the one at Harvey House. Another fun evening with my love. 

 

Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra & Cocktails

Dress: Blythe Pleated Dress by ASTR The Label (size M) via Nuuly

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Fluevog, Operetta: Marcello

Mink Stole: Vintage via Grandma Lewinski

Necklace, Bracelet, & Purse: Vintage

Earrings: Kerala Rose

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I adored all the pretty colors in this dress...& its scarf-like appearance & pleats. There was no way I could wear a bra with this...so I didn't...& it zipped up tight enough that it wasn't *too* bad. The cut-out back was lovely...those details really make a dress for me. I felt pretty...which is usually my goal. This fit tts, but I could not have zipped it up on my own. 

My favorite thing about getting dressed & photographing my outfits is to seeing how the look comes together. I don't actually take a lot of time thinking about it...I go with my impulses. Also, it's dark in our house (all warm lighting), so when I pick out jewelry...I can't really tell. I am thinking about moving my jewelry into the closet where the lighting is good. 

These tights were an excellent match for the green in the dress...

And so were these Fluevogs...my first time wearing them.

I've had this mink stole from my Grandma Lewinski hanging in my closet for ~35 years & this was the first time I've worn it out. My grandma was a blonde & I feel this coloring better suited her. I don't believe I ever saw her wear this as she opted for her full length mink in cold weather. I get a lot of my aesthetic from her...mostly in decorating as I love gold & ornate things...which is how she decorated. The silk lining has her initials embroidered into it...I'll have to ask my dad her middle name. I've stored this on a hanger covered in plastic & it's in perfect shape. 

Something about wearing fur makes me feel extra fancy...all my fur is vintage, so I don't feel bad about it...these minks have been dead for a long time. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Mars, UD eyeshadow in Oud, Mediteranee eyeshadow duo by Nars, Bite Beauty lipliner in 72, NYX lipliner in Pumpkin, Nectar lipstick from Sugarpill Cosmetics, & OPI nail polish in Heart & Con-soul. 

I wore this dress to spend the evening with my adorable husband...aren't we cutie-pies?

After taking these photos at the capitol...we walked over to Merchant to have a pre-show cocktail. It was jam packed, but after hovering...we managed to snag 2 seats at the bar. I'd been dreaming about their perfect (or it is once we ask for cherries...why no cherries, Merchant?!) Old Fashioned since the last time we were here...Crème Brûleé Old Fashioned (Limousin Rye, vanilla, burnt sugar syrup, Angostura bitters, cherry bark vanilla bitters, smoked rosemary). David tried a Clover Club (Citadelle gin, raspberry, lemon juice, cherry bark vanilla bitters, egg white)...isn't he dainty...such a precious little pink drink. 

At Overture Center for Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, with a special guest from Spain playing guitar. We left at intermission. After the flamenco dancer left the stage...we were just bored.

So we walked over to Lucille, where of course they had a 45 minute wait for a table despite it being nearly 9pm. So we waited downstairs (no room at their enormous bar) where they were having a special event for Women's History Month. Photo op with bubbles!

It is amazing down there...they've wallpapered the old bank vault & made it all swanky. Of course I liked the neon boobs above the bar...everyone likes boobs!

Seated! David with his Saturn (Death's Door gin, Chinola passion fruit liqueur, Lucky Falernum, lime juice, orgeat), while I had to finally try a Porn Star Martini (vanilla infused Tito's vodka, passion fruit, lime juice, sparkling wine). And of course we got our favorite pork shoulder nachos. It was a lovely evening & I am always grateful we have the same taste & can leave events that aren't working for us to do something more fun.

 

Charlie Parr // Wasted in Italy

Dress: Kailani Midi Dress by Cleobella (size M) via Nuuly

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Sam Edelman

Purse: Access Boutique

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

Yellow is the color of happiness & mustard is my favorite shade. I decided to do a monochromatic outfit since I had the ideal tights & shoes. I adored this dress with its subtle stripes...I always wonder what I was thinking when I go for a solid color dress...but this one, with all the pretty details, was too good to pass up. In addition to the monochrome stripes, there is also all the layers, the texture, the excellent ruched waistband, lovely sweetheart neckline, & bubble sleeves. This dress has a lining & pockets. The only negative about this dress is it's cotton & came to me needing an ironing (which I never got around to).

I nearly forgot about these shoes. Since they're silk, I keep them in their box...out of sight, out of mind. Not only was the color perfect for this dress...it was the right style. 

The entire reason I have these shoes is because years ago (I could look up the post, but that would take too long)...Kate & I were at the market on the square & a young woman was wearing these...I took a picture & searched online until I found them. I mean, I could have just asked her who made them...but that's the life of an introvert. 

My nails always perfectly co-ordinate with my outfit...but I rarely document it...however, David commented on them, so we took photos. 

I'm going to argue that my lips, bracelet, & some of my nails match my hair rather than the mustard of the dress...therefore, they belong.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Torch & Starfire; NYX lipliner in Pumpkin; MAC lipliner in Chicory; Gothica lipstick from KVD; Nectar lipstick by Sugarpill Cosmetics; OPI nail polish in Ochre the Moon & Dazzling Dew Drops; ILNP nail polish in Amber.I first wore this frock to see Char Parr at Stoughton Opera House (ever since David called him that at The Shitty Barn, that is how I think of him). Ced Bae'tche played in the lounge beforehand.

Charlie Parr was excellent, as usual...but I think this was my favorite ever show of his (I've seen him a lot) because of all the awkward stories he told. It's too long to write it all out, but I especially liked his story about his wife sitting him down to say they were getting divorced & then him waiting until she went to bed to sneak up to the attic. The next morning while he was making coffee, she asked him what he was still doing there...he replied, I don't have anywhere to go. He lived in the attic with his ex-wife for 8 years. I'm guessing she had to sell the house to finally get rid of him. 

There was a charming crescent moon in the sky on my way home...but of course pictures don't do it justice. Why am I driving & snapping photos anyway?! Pictures of a meal I made that ended up being amazingly delicious...& easy...Insalata di Arance, from the Via Carota cookbook...served with Mushroom, Sausage, & Peppers from Cooking with Mushrooms...which turned out to be a gem of a book.

From that same cookbook...this delightful recipe for Mushroom Olive Caper Tapenade (I changed it to make it more me). SO good...I made it for wine tasting. 

Wasted in Italy...which is my favorite place I've ever been. I would like to spend a few weeks there...some day. Every once in a while...David has cooler shoes than me...Fluevogs, of course. 

I always have so much fun at these wine gatherings...everyone is so nice...it's a really great group of people.

There were 3 bottles we especially liked, including the one David picked out for us to bring. We didn't want to bother Kate with having to decide since she's currently not drinking for health reasons...I told her that & she said she would have picked something even nicer. Lindsay made Pork Bolognese, which was tasty. 

Taking notes on the wine...we don't just drink for the fun of it. Or perhaps we do...but still, there are tasting notes. I like how we don't get credit for the wine...Lindsay put it down as being from Kate's Cellar...but it *is* in our bomb shelter. 

Some tasty chocolate was passed around. And I enjoyed looking through this Palestinian cookbook, which is now on my library list. I ate too much...& definitely drank too much...but it was a marvelous time. And when we returned home...this vintage mushroom dress I found on Poshmark was waiting for me.