Merchant // Handel's Messiah // JD McPherson: A Rock 'n' Roll Christmas Tour

Dress: Long-Sleeve V-Neck Textured Midi Dress by Printer Johnson via Nuuly 

Tights: ?

Shoes: Fluevog, Super Fine: Cardinal 

Earrings: Kerala Rose

Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

In our dark warmly lit house, I thought this dress was black at first. It's amazing most of my outfits match as I'm picking pieces blindly. This dress was a great fit, deep-v neckline front & back, pockets, form fitting ruched waist with gold metallic textured bits sprinkled all over. Slightly big, could have sized down from a medium to a small. 

I don't love the way I styled this dress the second time...I liked it better when I went with black jewelry.

I should have went with navy or gold tights...or black if I'd stuck with black accessories. 

Immediately following a haircut...

The first time I wore this dress...I had my second & final appointment with Mar to finish up the filler leaves on my left calf. As you can see, I wore a black & leopard dress at the studio as I didn't want tattoo ink or blood to get on the white parts of this dress. 

Aren't these leave luscious?! Mar does the best leaves.

More acorns too...my left lower leg is complete. 

Back at home...I changed to go out with David...isn't he fancy? Wearing one of his new gold shirts he picked up at The Sophisticated Man. And me thinking we were both wearing black & gold outfits. 

Dinner & drinks at Merchant. To begin, Gingerbread Manhattan (Limousin rye whiskey, gingerbread Coca Cola syrup, cynar, Bittercube orange bitters) & Christmas Mai Tai (Alander spiced rum, Plantation white rum, pistachio orgeat, orange cranberry syrup, Peychaud's bitters). The Christmas decorations are tame compared to their sister restaurant next door, Lucille. David showing off his cufflinks. 

A little happy hour bar snack, French fries with black pepper aioli, followed by a Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich for David (Napa cabbage slaw, jalapeño crema, pickled vegetables, black pepper aioli, fresh herbs, brioche bun) & I had to have Friday Fish Fry (wild-caught Lake Superior whitefish, cornichon tartar sauce, marble rye bread, braised red cabbage, potato salad with giardiniera aioli & scallions). Merchant used to have a terrific fish fry before they remodeled (& got a new chef)...this was one of the worst I've ever had. We told our waiter & he removed it from our bill. Why, Merchant? Second round of cocktails...

Winter Paloma (Lunazul tequila, pomegranate, ginger honey syrup, lime juice, ginger beer) & Something in the Orange (barrel aged gin, orange cranberry syrup, citrus). Finally, we shared a Winter Squash Risotto (roasted squash, roasted brussels sprouts, Sartori parmesan, shaved brussels & fried sage salad, sherry vinaigrette, crispy pepitas). The risotto was yummy & welcome after the fish flop. After dinner...we went over to Bethel Lutheran Church for Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra's (good thing I looked at my ticket so we didn't show up at Overture) Handel's Messiah. Packed house...& there was a harpsichord on stage! 
A few dinners...the usual & this chicken sheet pan recipe we've been loving with brussels & lemon. This is my drain situation...I carried these 3 drains around for a month, then 2, & I've *still* got 1 in for over 2! months now. I never imagined. My thighs retained a lot of fluid from surgery. I just want my body back & to belong to me...I'm at the hospital once a week & carrying this bag of drains around & trying to dress without it showing...it really gets me feeling terrible about my body & I hate that. Soon. The one thing that has helped me get through this is my lymphatic massage person/friend, Courtney. I took this photo at her office. I see her once a week & she helps with the fluid draining & works to loosen my scars up. She's also been incredibly supportive emotionally & I appreciate her honesty in telling me her opinion even when it's not what I want to hear. Later that day...David & I had a meeting at Capital Ketamine for an introduction & tour, then I walked next door to get a haircut from Sigrid...& David & I went to Olbrich Gardens for these outfit photos.

That night...Stoughton Opera House with my girlie to see JD McPherson presents A Rock 'n' Roll Christmas Tour.

Christmas stage & the opening act, Joel Paterson...

I'd seen JD McPherson at The Shitty Barn in the summer & he put on an amazing show...this one was even better. He seemed to be having more fun with his band & wasn't as awkward interacting with the audience...perhaps the intimacy of the barn was intimidating to him & the stage removes him a bit? He has a Christmas album of original songs & he played those interspersed with regular tunes. I'd go see him anytime he comes around...great energy & fun music. 

 

David Sedaris // Bob Mould // Thanksgiving in Tennessee

Dress: Leadlights Angelou Dress by Effie's Heart

Tights: Snag

Shoes:?

Earring: etXarte

Long Necklace: former Etsy shop

Short Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I adore these Effie's Heart fit & flare dresses...but I mention that every time I wear one. Perfect fit & length...with pockets. I also wore this dress last Thanksgiving.

The colors in this dress are so unusual...it's difficult to decide what to pair with it...so like last year, nothing truly matched. 

I find it interesting that both times I styled this dress I chose to wear 2 necklaces...it's not something I do often. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Stash, Toasted & Chains eyeshadow by UD, MAC lipliner in Auburn, Golshan lipstick from NARS, & OPI nail polish in I'm Not Really A Waitress. 

I wore this dress a lot back in October after my surgery...it's a nice stretchy fit & flare & was easy to throw on when I was so swollen. David & I went to see David Sedaris...he was fantastic & his outfit was outstanding, but I didn't get a good picture. A visit to Gen to get my hair cut...she used to be my regular person, but she raised her rates too high for me. It was nice seeing her again, but I'll stick with Sigrid. Her shop is right next to the Willy St. Vinny's, so...

They often have an excellent selection of vintage clothing...but the real find on this day was that full length mink coat for $25! Can you even believe that?! It's in fabulous shape & an ideal fit. Afterwards, I headed over to see Courtney for a lymphatic massage...then home to make dinner. I used to make this butternut squash risotto often, but it's probably been ~15 years...so I revisited that & added some fried chicken thighs on the side so David would have protein. 

I wore this dress again the next day...I made us pan fried salmon with crispy garlic & roasted cauliflower before heading out to Stoughton. First stop, Vinny's. 

Then over to the Opera House to see Bob Mould. 

Jason Narducy opened & while his music was fine...what I really appreciated about him was his storytelling. Bob Mould put on a great show with lots of new stuff & just enough Hüsker Dü. The entire audience was my age, give or take 3 years. 

I also wore this outfit to work & to go to the Goodwill by our house...

And then I regretted not getting that green turtleneck...so I went back again the next day. And finally...I wore this dress on Thanksgiving at my parents' house. Coffee & breakfast...French toast with blueberries from their yard. 

The view from their porch is breathtaking to me...I love sitting out there when I visit. And we watched Macy's Thanksgiving Parade! I'm guessing it's been well over 20 years since that's happened...it was fun. 

Then we did something completely different from anything you did on Thanksgiving...we shot guns in my dad's gun range. My parents have a Gator they drive down there, but David thought his truck was up to the challenge...which was terrifying & fun...my dad took video to show one of his friends. 

There were all kinds of metal things that my dad's friend Frank made...my favorite was the hostage...you tried to shoot the bad guy (red circle) without hitting the hostage (black vaguely person shaped). 

And, while there is no pictorial evidence...we were also in the room while the Packer/Lion game was on. Snacks & a glass of wine.

Then, dinner! I was supposed to make roasted Brussels sprouts with pecans & pomegranate...but the sprouts didn't make it...they were too close to the ice packs in our cooler & died. But my mom made a delicious Thanksgiving meal...with pumpkin pie...much later...because guess what? We ate too much. 

 

Asheville: Shopping // Biltmore Estate // A Madison Symphony Christmas

Dress: Wrapped in Velvet Maxi Dress by Hutch via Nuuly

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Fluevog, Baroques: Ruebens

Earrings & Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I adored this spectacular chartreuse velvet wrap dress with its sexy leg cutout...perfect to show off these orange & gold glitter tights. I ordered a size up from my usual because I had this dress in purple & the top covers very little...I had to pin this, but I was still busting out...the fit everywhere else was great. 

We took these photos outside our favorite Asheville coffee shop, Ultra...even though it was noon & not the best light of the day. 

I love these Ruebens so much...I only wore these part of the day, then switched to nearly flats since we were walking around a lot. 

It is so nice that Gayle from Green Goddess always sends me matching earrings to the necklaces I buy.

First stop of the day...Marquee. I woke up that morning & David was buying us Fluevogs from their sale...he had picked several that were not on my radar or quite me...& I told him we could delete some of those & go back & get me this red coat instead. I had not stopped thinking about it...so it became mine. We also got this witchy fur & snake dress for a Halloween costume, burgundy jacket for Kate, & red/black plaid harem pants. I love this 3 women collective...they do some really wonderful things. 

Another second visit...to Minx to exchange a bralette that was too small...& they found more things for me to try on. We gave the sale section another once over...a dress I really liked in a size large didn't fit, but this cut-out dress in XS was perfect...oh, women's sizing. 

We had gotten the orange velvet skirt the day before...so I had to get the matching jacket. Those women there were so nice. Next stop, Lost & Found...some cute quirky dresses...& fabulously fun shirts for David. 

On to Union (it was recommended for men's clothes)...it was alright...I think David got one shirt. We had walked quite aways from the truck...so David left me at a pet store & came back to fetch me...they had lots of adorable things for dogs...including this artichoke & a full Thanksgiving dinner. Flufie!

David wore a tie every day we were on vacation...so snazzy. The rest of our day was spent at Biltmore Estate. The gardens were first...the conservatory was gorgeous...

So stunning...the outside gardens were predictably barren, but in looking at photographs...a month earlier would have been perfect...spring looks like the worst though, as the whole grounds are covered in tulips. 

I found one lone rose that was still clinging to its stem. A nice lady offered to take our photo (that happened any time we tried to take a selfie in Asheville).

We wandered around for about an hour...then headed off to check out the restaurant options. The fanciest one was The Bistro & of course it was fully booked online...but when I went inside to talk to them, they could get us in in 2 hours. 

It was across from the winery, so we went next door to do a complimentary tasting...which took the entire 2 hours (it was an extremely long line), perfect. Our favorite was The Hunt, which we only tried because our pourer suggested it. We ended up buying 2 cases. 

Time for dinner at this highly rated restaurant that sources its produce & meat directly from the estate...sounded right up our alley. We began with Crispy Calamari (house made chow chow, herbed aioli), Brandade de Morue (whipped garlic potatoes with salt cod, parmesan cheese, olive, baguette), & Savory Beignets (winter squash, mushroom duxelle, Cervelle de Canut farmer's cheese spread). It was all edible...that is the best I can say about it. The cocktails were terrible. For our mains we got Duck Breast (sunchoke puree, charred leeks, pickled mustard seed, smoked maple red onions) & Beef Bourguignon (mushroom, pearl onions, pork belly, garlic mashed potatoes). I'm not sure who these 1,000s of people that gave this place 5 stars are...they must normally eat at Olive Garden? It was the worst meal we ate on our whole trip. 

Biltmore! I've wanted to tour this mansion for decades. I can't remember how I first learned about it...but I think it was in high school because some magazine did a fashion shoot there...I wish I had a better memory. 

There are so many stunning details of this house...I especially adored the gargoyle's hanging overhead & the lights on either side of the front door. 

It's even better inside! The place was decorated for Christmas & there was constant live music...a children's choir was singing when we arrived. The first room with doors we went into was the billiards room. Every ceiling in this house was different & spectacular. 

And there are several secret doors in various rooms...do you see the one below? It's cracked open behind one of the chairs. 

The next room was the banquet hall...I suppose so the male guests could retire next door after dinner to drink whiskey & play pool. I wonder where the women went? Triple fireplace! There was another secret door in this room for servants to appear & disappear with platters of food. 

Oh, how I wish I could have seen what a dinner party at this table looked like...I imagine just like in The Gilded Age (I love that show...& it's more than just costumes). 

The choir had been replaced by a man playing piano.

The breakfast room, which in many ways I preferred to the dining room. 

I can't remember what this unfinished room was, but it had so many objects I coveted, all gold. 

The large cherub candleholders, the smaller cherub candelabra, that mirror, & the desk set…ink well & elephant clock. 

 Another great ceiling & a harpsichord in the music room. 

We passed by many fireplaces in the tapestry room(not pictured), as well as these portraits of George & Edith Vanderbilt...on the way to my favorite room. 

The library *swoon*…

I can’t even imagine having a house with something so splendid in it…I teared up just standing in this room. 

Oh how I wished I was allowed to wander & read among the beauty. 

Another secret passage…this one allowed guests to access the library from their rooms.  

This is the most stunning library ladder I've ever seen.

Up the stairs to the second floor...

More music greeted us...a harp player. 

So many ornate gold things...I was constantly delighted...

George Vanderbilt's bedroom...

Too masculine for me...

This sitting room between the Vanderbilt's bedrooms was a place they could visit, read, or play games. And then there was Mrs. Vanderbilt's oval bedroom...gold leaf walls with lilac accents. She had a walk-in closet, but we were not allowed to see it. 

The fabric was a dark purple & gold...this room was lovely & lush.

There were many books throughout the rooms & hallways. A victrola & piano in this enormous guest sitting room.

A guard told us the underarm hair of the woman in this portrait was recently restored...it had been painted over after shaving became the preferred style. 

A few of the guest bedrooms.

My second favorite room in the house was the Louis XV Room...Both Mrs. Vanderbilt & later her daughter, chose to give birth & convalesce here in this gorgeous burgundy & gold room.

A peek inside the elevator. Going down to the basement. The Halloween room...

Guests painted these images on the walls at a party in the 20s...look at all the fun things people came up with to do before phones took over our lives. The bowling alley. 

There were many private dressing rooms in the basement to change in & out of clothing to swim or exercise. 

One of the several pantries to store food, a servant's bedroom, & the kitchen. 

The kitchen was massive & divided into different areas...& had a huge table for the servants to eat at.

A dumbwaiter, a walk-in refrigerator, a room to arrange bouquets of flowers, & the laundry room. 

Rolling racks warmed with heating elements to dry the sheets & linens on...& the final rooms...the smoking room & the gun room (currently closed, but it's where guests would go to pick out a gun for the hunt). The men enjoyed cigars, pipes, & brandy in this room & the door by the Christmas tree leads to the billiard room so they could go back & forth. This portrait of the Vanderbilt's daughter, Cornelia, bid us goodbye. She's wearing a green dress & has red hair...one of the guards had told me earlier that I reminded him of this painting. I'm flattered. This is my dream house & I'd like to go back in the daylight in the summer or fall. It was truly incredible to get a small glimpse into what life was like for the wealthy at the turn of the century. 

A week or so later...back in Madison...I wore this dress a second time...to get a cart full of sparkling water...& to go to A Madison Symphony Christmas with David.

What a delightful Christmas concert...we are going to go every year from now on. I appreciated this soprano's dresses. And at the end...everyone on stage donned a Santa hat or some holiday cap.
The woman taking our picture asked if she could use us on their social media for fashion at the symphony. Of course! 

We payed an unplanned visit to Lucille for Miracle on King Street. Every year they go all out with decorating & a special drink menu with cute glasses...sadly, neither of us got the T Rex cocktail. David picked an Elfing Around #2 (cognac, mulled wine reduction, champagne, lemon, aromatic bitters, absinthe). While I had a...

Christmapolitan (vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, rosemary, absinthe mist). Our second round was a Carol Barrel (Irish whiskey, banana liqueur, Jamaican navy strength rum, Guinness punch, lime, aromatic & chocolate bitters, nutmeg) & a Snowball Old-Fashioned (rye whiskey, gingerbread, aromatic & wormwood bitters, orange essence). It was a wonderful night of holiday celebration.