Merchant // Dave Attell

Dress: Vivee Floral Dress by ASTR The Label (size M) via Nuuly

Sandals: Born via Poshmark

Earrings & Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Bracelet & Purse: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

This dress has a similar feel to it as this cut-out maxi, also from ASTR The Label. I was smitten with everything about this dress, with the exception of the zipper...it was impossible to get it to zip up over the seam when it was on my body (plenty of room). They apparently have an issue with zippers as the last one I got was broken. The fit was great with the smocked back. I adored the sexy cut-outs, the ruffle below the waist, & high-low ruffled hem. I loved this light breezy dress. 

This chiffon fabric was light enough that I didn't mind seeing the back of the fabric through the front...which often bothers me with high-low dresses. 

I'm pleased I found these shoes on Poshmark...I needed some chartreuse shoes. The vintage wicker purse came from a garage sale years ago. 

I could have gone with flower jewelry for this dress...but I rarely get to wear this glitzy green number from Gayle at Green Goddess...& she always throws in matching earrings. 

I wore this dress to spend the day with David. We drove to Sun Prairie to have lunch at Sal's, but on the way there I remembered they weren't open because it was Thursday & they've had shorter hours since the pandemic. So, we went to Vinny's instead...however, this dress had been so difficult to get on...I had to try clothes on over it. 

David found some great stuff too. Vinny's in Sun Prairie, Odana Rd, & Willy St. are the 3 best thrift stores in the area.

After recalling Sal's wasn't open for lunch, I made us a reservation for dinner at Merchant. But first...these outfit photos & some usies at the capitol. Merchant has marvelous cocktails. David began with a Blindman (Bardstown Fusion 8 bourbon, Six Grapes port wine, Smith & Cross rum, raspberry syrup, lime juice, Angostura bitters) & I chose Tears of A Watermelon (vodka, aperol, watermelon syrup, watermelon juice, lemon juice, soda water, saline). 

A bunch of starters to share...Cheese Curds with ranch & hot honey, French Fries with black pepper aioli, Sweet Corn Fondue (corn, Sarvecchio, & mozzarella fondue, grilled scallions, parmesan crisp served with warm potato chips), & Shrimp Ceviche (lightly poached & marinated shrimp, shaved red onion, cucumber, cilantro, served with saltines). It was all good...but I would only order the cheese curds & fries again...the ceviche was just average & should have been served with chips...or really, anything other than boring plain saltines...why?! 

We both enjoyed the chicken sandwich (Napa cabbage slaw, jalapeño crema, pickled vegetables, black pepper aioli, fresh herbs, brioche bun) so much when we were here for Restaurant Week...that we both ordered our own. The chicken sandwich won out over the duck confit. David had the Flourless Chocolate Brownie for dessert...& another cocktail, Grandma's Candy (brown butter fat-washed Dancing Goat Quirky & Humble bourbon, madeira syrup, chocolate walnut bitters)...it was a special that week...their entry into Madison Old Fashioned week...they won last year...this was a fabulous drink, but they didn't win. For my last drink I had my favorite from last time, Ladybug (strawberry-infused Gray Whale gin, strawberry syrup, lime juice). 

Their version of carrot cake is excellent, so of course I had to order it. I don't know if this is a new thing or if I've just never noticed before...but they have their 'M' on the ice cube. Bathroom selfie. 

We took a stroll through the capitol square to the comedy club. 

These lakes in the fountain that fill up with water always make me smile...of course...it also floods some of the streets...but nothing's perfect...& there is my beloved Lake Superior. Going to see Dave Attell at Comedy on State.

2 drink minimum...for our first drinks, we got our usual...for David, a chocolate martini & Mudslide ice cream drink for me. For our second cocktails, we each ordered one off the special menu (they make one up for every performer)...Road Work (layered mango strawberry sangria slushy- Sol Fuente's red & white sangria mixed with a strawberry mango slushy) & Old Porn (Butterfly Cannon Cristalino tequila, housemade watermelon juice, lime, agave, basil)...these were by far the best drinks we've ever gotten here. Dave had 3 opening acts & one was actually funny...Louis Katz (he's the bearded guy on the right)...we'd seek him out on his own. It was a fun day.