Wild Pink // Ratboys // U.P.

Dress: Roadside Attraction Dress by ModCloth (size 26)

Cardigan: MAK

Tights: Snag

Shoes: 9 West

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 45-42-59

I bought this dress from one of the girls from Girls of GB...& then promptly never wore it...like oh, so many of my pretty dresses. So, obviously it's too big on me, but at least it finally got out of the house. Alter it or pass it on? I think I like it a lot, but don't love it. I guess the teepee with the sign above it that says, Sleep in a Wigwam makes me uncomfortable...& makes me question...would I wear this around a native person? But I do love a kitschy print & this dress is well made. 

Lots of light on me as the sun was setting. I guess I wasn't too worried about getting great pictures of this dress since it didn't fit me. 

I wore blue eyeshadow! I rarely do that. Also, this was my first time wearing both this earring & bracelet. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Torch, Nars Mediteranee eyeshadow duo, Sephora eyeshadow Chrome No 04,  Chicory lipliner by MAC, Gothica lipstick from Kat von D, & OPI nail polish in Orange You Going To The Game? 

My eyebrows & bruised eyelids nearly 1 week after replacement surgery. My last time at the gym. David doesn't want to go there once the mask ban is lifted & has bought us some home equipment, so we've been using that. It makes me sad. I liked going to the gym, I felt badass lifting weights. After the gym...I walked around Olbrich Gardens just because I could. I think I cried...I was so happy to be able to do that. 

This box of various flavors of electrolyte drink mix came to me while David was in California. He makes his own, but he so sweetly got me some I would actually like & drink. I try to drink a few of these on days we are fasting. Watermelon is my favorite. 

6 week check-up with my knee surgeon. I hit his range of motion goal of 120°! He said I was his star patient for the week. Meeting Freddie & Angie at the playground...Freddie is so fun to watch. DJ Baby Berlin...I just hardly ever watch/listen to Twitch anymore since there are actual things to do & places to go. Like...shows at The Shitty Barn. My chair is second in line. Sharon always beats me (except for once).

I saw Wild Pink with Ratboys opening...I could have gone to Stoughton Opera House where Lowest Pair was playing, but tickets to the barn went on sale before I knew that was a possibility...& you've got to take a chance on new things. Sadly, these 2 bands were clearly talented, but just not for me. I should have left when I saw the lead singer was wearing Crocs.

The next day, I wore this dress again as I drove to Upper Michigan in Veronika to visit Brian. So, here on the blog, I am ending my visit with the day I got there. It had been 2 years since I'd seen Brian...because 2020...& it was wonderful to reconnect...it was good for my soul. So many of the streets to Brian's house were closed due to construction...so I had to turn around in the high school parking lot & couldn't resist admiring my lake. Lake Superior is my calm place & what I think of when I think of home. 

After arriving at Brian's & unpacking all the food I brought...I made us dinner. We had the cumin roasted salmon with cilantro sauce that I'd made a few times this past summer as a cold salad. I am happy to report, it is equally good warm...plus, I grated some fresh ginger into the cilantro sauce which made it even better. Served with Brussels sprouts, roasted cauliflower, & white wine...delicious. After dinner we went to Brian's studio so he could cut his nephew's hair. And Keira getting belly rubs after playing.

 

Sleepy Gaucho // Visit with Brian

Dress: Floral Fit & Flare Dress by Eloquii (size 20) via GB Try Then Buy

Cardigan: ?, can't read the cursive tag (size 2x), thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Basic Editions, thrifted

All Jewelry: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 45-42-59

I first rented this dress from GB back in February 2014 & immediately regretted returning it. I found it in the GB Shop, but the largest size they had was a 20...so I bought it. Why? It was stretchy...it might have fit? So, I waited too long & now it's too big on me...but at least I got to wear it again. I still think it's gorgeous with all the pretty watercolors, but I'll be alright letting it go to a new home. 

With cooler weather, I can break out the cardigans (this was September...so one day cardigan weather, the next sandals) & wear some of my too big dresses before saying goodbye to them as the cardigans hide some of the excess fabric & provide more of a shape...or that's what I think anyway. 

I nearly went with orange tights...but I hardly ever have occasion to wear magenta...& I wear orange all the time. The first time I wore this a woman asked me if I painted my shoes to match my dress...I just got lucky at the thrift store. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Electric Empire; Ten, Candles, Libra, & Lime Crime eyeshadow by Lime Crime; NYX lipliner in Orange County; NYX lipstick in 507; So Chaud lipstick from MAC; & OPI nail polish in Orange You Going To The Game?

DJ Baby Berlin DJ-ing on Twitch on 2 different nights & DJ Shok. My gout was finally better enough that I dared to try driving around the neighborhood. It was really emotional for me as this was my first time behind the wheel since my knee surgery. A bit of freedom. 

Music on Twitch & a surprise live from New Zealand, Amanda Palmer. And the reason for me attempting to drive...I drove myself to The Shitty Barn to see a show. I was still walking with a cane, but I was able to get around enough to be out in the world. 

I didn't walk around much & ate my food sitting inside instead of standing outside. Red curry tofu & blackberries from the co-op. The first band, Graham Hunt, was LOUD...my only ear protection wearing show of the season. The main band, Sleepy Gaucho...they were good (sorry to the band member I cropped out of the photo here), but mostly I enjoyed how happy they seemed to be playing & the guy on bass really threw himself into the performance. 

The second time I wore this dress was on my last full day of visiting Brian in the U.P. I was going to make us salmon salad in cucumbers, but I didn't bring mayo...because *everyone* has mayo, right?! Miracle Whip *blech* So I had a meltdown, then Brian suggested we make some...of course! So he did & it was delicious. Then we ate it in front of the tv while he & his mom watched the Packer game. So confusing. 

Later, we went to Brian's salon where we spent 5 hours cutting & dyeing my hair...how lucky am I to have such a patient & talented friend?! I need those sunglasses in my life!

We went with 4 shades of copper & a royal purple. Brian painted each section on & wrapped it...so time consuming. I LOVE the hair color SO much! I don't love the haircut (too short on my short side & not enough spikey bits around my face), which I felt really bad telling Brian since he worked so hard. BUT...the hair color is marvelous. It's fun to have multicolor hair since I typically do it myself with just one shade. 

After finishing my hair, we went back to Brian's where I made us dinner...pan fried pork chops with honey nut squash, baked apples, & roasted garlic. We ate at midnight. But it was delicious. Brian had never had honey nut before & as he claimed them his new favorite squash...I sent him a box. The U.P. is stunning, but you can't find anything out of the ordinary up there. Also on this day, Brian's nephew made me tear up because he was so kind to me...sometimes that still can take me off guard. We had a wonderful visit...our first since Labor Day weekend 2019 (stupid pandemic). There will be other days of my visit coming up since this is now out of order. Then, very sadly, I drove home the next day.

 

Cymbeline

Dress: Floral Wrap Maxi Dress by Hutch (size 2x) via Nuuly (use my link & we both get $10 off)

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 45-42-59

Another gorgeous goddess dress from Nuuly...in a color I wouldn't normally consider a flattering one for me...powder blue with dramatic black flower outlines. Perfection. 

A little peak of my flattering footwear...one boot from the ER & a hiking shoe on the other foot. I was in so much pain on this day. Still undiagnosed with gout (this was Saturday & I'd find out on Tuesday) & getting worse. But I was determined to be pretty dammit. 

I love any reason to wear this marvelous Miriam Haskell necklace David got me one year for Christmas. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Perversion, Golden Nugget & Sin City eyeshadow by Too Faced, UD eyeshadow in Arctic, 714 lipliner by UD, Kat von D lipstick in Santa Sangre, & OPI nail polish in All I Want For Christmas (Is OPI). 

A close-up of the necklace...it has a water feature...that round bit to the right is filled with floating gold flecks & sparkling stones. It is even more fabulous in person.

APT picnic time with David & Angie...cumin roasted salmon with cilantro sauce on mixed greens with an avocado/tomato salad. Eins Zwei Dry to drink & both Fern & toddler picked raspberries for dessert. 

I was in too much pain to put a mask on...I just couldn't handle one more thing. I can feel how much it hurt as I look at this photo. I'm better now, but the gout is still not completely gone. This play was worth the effort it took for me to get to it...Cymbeline was their best play of the season & I adored the all female casting. 

A video visit with the girlie the next day. DJs on Twitch...check out the chick playing 78s on 2 gramophones...bad ass. 

 

Veronika Rendering

Dress: Multi Floral Black Maxi Dress by London Times (size 2x) via Gwynnie Bee

Teggings: Re/Dress, RIP

Sandals: Born

Earring: Wendy Baker

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 46-43-60

My first pictures after my surgery...& first outfit that wasn't pajamas. I was still taking pain meds here & it shows. I adored the colors in this dress...pastels mixed with bolds & copper...unexpected combinations always get me. Great fit, with a high/low hem ending in a ruffle, pockets, & a matching detachable fabric belt. 

Punching up the green...I think this is my first wearing of these Born sandals I found on eBay earlier in the year. They came to me unworn, but the sole was detaching a bit & when I let the seller know, she refunded me the entire price. So, I glued them...& free sandals. 

This may be my first wearing of this necklace in the history of the blog...it was another one of those pieces I picked up used in the 80s.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Mars; Kat von D eyeshadow in Harpsichord, Fran, Legend, & Misfit; Chicory lipliner from MAC; Gothica lipstick by Kat von D; & OPI nail polish in Green-wich Village. 

Oh, ahi tuna...you look sooooo good...rare is the way I prefer it & David served it on a bed of mixed veggies. Salmon with crispy skin, dill, garlic, & a variety of veg...continuing on my seafood diet to heal my knee. DJs doing their thing on Twitch. 

Walking to PT...my PT lady is great...super pushy, but also encouraging. After PT, David popped into the beauty supply for me to pick up some things...& we parked next to a Challenger in the Plum Crazy shade I fell in love with. David was chatting with the chicks when a woman came out of the back room & he asked her...is that your plum crazy Challenger out there? He just knew. My after surgery stockings in sexy white (I'm wearing a matching white sports bra) while doing my PT on the ball. 

David picked out all the new OPI colors he thought I might like...& he was right...but was also wrong that I don't need another red...I always need another red as they are all SO different. Listening to Shok play great tunes. And back to PT...immediately followed by...

A trip to visit the fabulous car painter, Brian...who *totally* gets us. Do you know how rare that is?! He drew up this rendering & we are in LOVE with his asymmetrical flames & fire...also, he picked out the perfect purple for us...he painted it on a card, but I forgot to take a photo. I am ridiculously excited for him to get started so we can see it finished *swoon*. But to be honest, I'm not looking forward to the attention it will get...Veronika already gets plenty of smiles. 

Totally spoiled...while on one hand, I'm tired of watching music online now that I can go in person again...however, I could watch Carsie & The Lowest Pair at least once a week...so to see both of them...I was happy. Carsie followed this performance with a Patreon only Zoom meeting afterwards. 

Shrimp salad with cilantro, avocado, & lime/evoo/garlic dressing...we have this at least 2x a week & we never get tired of it. Mmmmm....raspberry season is the best. Female DJs on Twitch. 

Why, yes...I am sitting on the potty trying on a sports bra David bought me in a fabulous yellow with a pocket in front. I've been loving the sports bras he bought me, so he went a bit crazy...even though I told him I had enough. David likes to go overboard & I love that about him. Also, I liked the way my back looked here...I can actually tell I've been lifting weights. All Fern raspberries all the time. I can't get enough. Whole roasted tilapia stuffed with garlic & herbs from our garden, lemon, roasted zucchini with mayo/garlic/horseradish dipping sauce. 

DJs providing my soundtrack on Twitch. Attempting to clean out the drawers in the bedroom that hold my night & gym clothes. I'm not attached to these things the way I am the garments in my closet...not sure when I'll be emotionally up to clearing that out. 

Thanks for all the music.