NYE Dinner Party

Dress: Velvet Occassion Maxi Dress by ML Monique Lhuillier (size 18) via Nuuly

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Mossimo, thrifted

Earring: Kerala Rose

Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Bracelet: Vintage 

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 43-41-57

This $600 dress was pretty...but was in NYE worthy? I probably would not have chosen it had I had other choices...but it fit me, which was much better than wearing a too big on me dress out of my closet. So, not a ringing endorsement for this party outfit. Also, this brand fits small by at least 1-2 sizes. The velvet flowers on tulle fabric was gorgeous, my objection was the shapeless ruffle up top & the tie straps...had that been a v-neck & form fitting, it would have been ideal. 

My shoes are covered in sequins...which is difficult to see black on black.

This is my first wearing of this lovely pearl necklace made by Gayle. I also love any chance I get to wear this beautiful bracelet that belonged to my grandma. Decades ago, I lost it in Lake Superior & Shane found it hours later. I will never stop being amazed at that. If I believed in such things, I would have to say my grandma had a hand in it. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Alkaline; Kat von D eyeshadow in Bloodmilk, Medusa, & Prophet; Burgundy lipliner by MAC; Tannin lipstick from Bite Beauty; & OPI nail polish in Visions of Love. 

Brian & I spent NYE day last minute grocery shopping (seafood & bread, things you can't buy ahead) & preparing food for the party. Lots of yummy cheese & local salami for the charcuterie boards. All the ingredients for a new appetizer, caramelized fennel & brie dip, that I will definitely be making again. Prepping the whole roasted fish & making Mac & cheese. 

The curried deviled eggs I always make, & some new fancier ones, crab stuffed deviled eggs with caviar & tarragon on top. Me right before the party. Kate, me, & Brian in the kitchen. 

The table set up with waaaaay too many appetizers...what was I thinking?! We barely put a dent in this. We had: a variety of crackers, bread, blue tortilla chips, pita chips, smoked salmon, artichoke hearts, hummus, marmalade, jam, stuffed grape leaves, many cheeses & meats, various olives, pickled things, Brian's artichoke cheese dip, deviled eggs, caramelized fennel & brie dip, olive tapenade, different kinds of nuts, & caviar. This would have been perfect if this was all we were eating. 

elly! I am quite sure I haven't seen e since 2019...so I was extremely excited to SEE her. Our first guests in our newly set up living room. A wonderful drink that e's husband Josh made...he has been honing his craft cocktail game during the pandemic...much better than baking bread, if you ask me. This was a milk punch made with 3 different rums, chai simple syrup, milk, Madeira, cinnamon syrup, lemon juice, & allspice dram...I'm sure I'm leaving some stuff out. 

David, Kate, & Jason...awwwww...

Roasted squash that Kate brought...it had a tahini sauce to put on top. Alison Roman's Mac & cheese...sooooo good, hasselback potato gratin (I still have both of these in my freezer). 

The star of the evening...porchetta...I would make this again & again. It is a superb dinner party main as you prepare it the day before & just need to stick it in the oven day of. Kate curated all the champagne & sparkling wine for the night...so, of course it was all excellent. 

Whole roasted fish with lemongrass & ginger...Brussels sprouts with pomegranate & pecans. The toppings for Kate's mushroom Bourguignon & a bottle of Amaro that Josh & e brought. 

The other side of the table...dessert, ginger cake (that David whipped up some ginger cream for) & Meyer lemon tart with raspberries & blueberries. 

After the feast...there was SO much food...& I forgot to make the crab legs. However, this was my first time entertaining since 2019...so I was out of practice. 

Relaxing in the living room...it was a wonderful evening & even though it was a lot of work...I like this better than going out to a fancy restaurant on NYE...it could become a yearly event. 

 

Surprise Supper at Sal's at Sunset

Dress: Museum Gala Gown by ML Monique Lhuilier (size 20) via Nuuly (use my link & we both get $20 off)

Sandals: Born

Earring: Kerala Rose

Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 45-42-59

Goddess dress...shoulders exposed...gorgeous. Another $700 dress rental from Nuuly. This is actually a dress I would buy as I felt beautiful in it...& going forward, I only want to buy dresses that make me feel that way. This brand runs a bit small, so I always need to go up a size. Otherwise, the fit was perfect. The only negative for me was the length...this dress is long. I was wearing a few inch heels here & I still had to gather it up in order to walk. I should have people for that. 

Soooo much fabric...it was luxurious. 

I let the neckline be my necklace...that was difficult for me...you know how I love my jewelry. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Goddess, Fran eyeshadow by Kat von D, Lime Crime eyeshadow in Candles, Barry M Dazzle Dust in pink, Mood lipliner by Becca, NYX Cosmetics lipstick in Fusion Fuchsia, & I'm From The Fuchsia nail polish from Morgan Taylor.

Me & David...awwwww...the sun was setting & it was a lovely September evening.

I was planning on wearing this dress to The Shitty Barn *hahaha*...trying to take over dressed to a new level, however, it was too much effort to walk in it...so we had an impromptu dinner out instead. I started out the evening with what we've decided is currently the best cocktail in town, Divide & Concord (Concord grape & thyme syrup, Rokker Vodka, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Clockwork Orange, Lemon, Lime, Simple Syrup). David had a good, but inferior drink...The Noteworthy Peach (Noteworthy bourbon, Ardbeg 10 year scotch (very smokey!), pineapple puree, white peppercorn simple syrup, lemon). I began my meal with chicken wings...I am not a chicken wing person, but I had these to-go last year & I remember loving them, even if they didn't travel well. These wings are spectacular! They are covered in Alabama white BBQ sauce & served on a bed of kimchi. David had to have a pizza, it is Sal's after all & he loves pizza. I also had a smash burger, which was extremely over seasoned. 2 beef patties, Havarti Horseradish cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, pickles, tomato remoulade, brioche bun. We had a delightful evening out...& it was so nice to do something unexpected. Some new Wendy creations just for meeeee. I adore them. I had an appointment with Dr. Endo, who lists vasculitis as one of his specialties. Since I had a flare-up, I wanted to know what the plan was going forward...because I don't want to have to go on prednisone every time (*crosses fingers there won't be another time*). He was amazing. I wish I could see him for everything. He was knowledgable, confident, & openminded. Like you wish all doctors would be. He gave me a prescription for a topical steroid (which cleared it up in days) & told me the other options in line. I hope I never have to see him again for this, but it was a fantastic experience & I'm grateful to know he is there if I need him. The rest of these photos should have gone with my last post...the boring blue dress...but I forgot I had worn it again. I drove to Milwaukee to have eyebrow replacement surgery. They dug out hair from my head & implanted it in my brows...does that sound painful? It was. I won't know the results until at least 6 months from now. All the hair will fall out, & then (hopefully) grow back. I just want to be able to be a normal person with eyebrows when I go out without makeup on. Tattooing doesn't last for more than a few years & it's so harsh...I just want something soft & natural. The next day...I went to the co-op...I believe this is my first time in a grocery store since 2019. David flew out to see his parents on this day & my mom was visiting me for a long weekend. I was only just starting to be able to walk around on my own...so I wanted to make her something simple after picking her up from the airport. RPs cheese stuffed ravioli with pesto from Italy (it was the best thing ever) & baguette from Batch. And wine. After dinner, we played cards. 

 

Oedipus

Dress: Floral Embroidered Gown by ML Monique Lhullier (size 20) via Nuuly (they are currently offering $20 off to both of us, it's normally $10)

Sandals: Born

All Jewelry: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 45-42-59

The woman who designed this dress is known for her wedding gowns, & it shows. I felt gorgeous & elegant all day long. This $700 dress was perfection & would have been just the right length had I been able to wear even a 1 inch heel. This brand runs one size small. 

Do you have a Wacoal strapless bra? Because if not...you need one. I'm still wearing my bra from 200 pounds ago, but summer is over so I probably won't need it all winter...also, it still holds its shape which amazes me. 

I don't often have occasion to wear this spectacular vintage DeMario parure...not to mention, the necklace is heavy...but this dress was crying out for more drama. Or perhaps that's just me. I'm overdressed for an outdoor play...but what's new? 

My make-up with this outfit included...Kat von D eyeliner in Trooper; Golden Nugget, Sin City, & The Strip eyeshadow from Too Faced; UD lipliner in 714; Luvbug lipstick by Sugarpill Cosmetics; & Tell Me About It Stud nail polish from OPI. 

The girlie & me outside at APT on a lovely fall day (this was back in September, I'm behind). 

I was still dealing with gout pain here (spoiler alert: it's better now) & needed to be pushed in a wheelchair. I cut off his butt, but David was twerking...he always makes me laugh. 

Kate really enjoys opening bubbles & that will never fail to amuse me & cause me to take 100 pictures of the process. 

It's a good thing I have an Instagram to document all my food, or I would not have remembered what we ate for our picnic. Can you imagine? David made us curried roasted salmon on a bed of mixed greens with a side of yogurt/cucumber sauce with lemon. It was good, not great. I found the recipe & David made it since I wasn't able to walk...but he hates recipes & left out the lime because he only glanced at the ingredients...which when we added it at home, greatly improved the dish.  We also had curried red tofu from the co-op & a delightful bottle of Eff Nat from Kate. 

Picnic pose...

I got to take this fancy Imodium that Kate had left over from Thailand (I was on antibiotics). Mmmmm, Fern raspberries. Seated for the play with my 2 favorite people. I was really looking forward to seeing Oedipus, but they managed to make it disappointing. How do you make a play about a man killing his father & marrying his mother boring?! The costumes were fantastic, as was the acting. 

 

An Iliad // David Huckfelt

Dress: Tapestry Pleated Maxi Dress by ML Monique Lhuillier (size 20) via Nuuly (use my link & we both save $10)

Shoes: Sam Edelman

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: former Etsy shop (gift from Kate)

Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 47-45-65 

I felt like a Goddess in this $600 dress...even though there was no way not to have my bra showing in the front through the slit. That was my only complaint...it was otherwise *perfect*. It was oversized, but that was by design (I also should have gotten an 18). The model was wearing it without the belt, but I felt I needed the belt to give some shape & draw up a bit of length. The small straps & the open back just felt sexy to me. There is something about shoulders & backs being exposed that feels so sultry. And of course I LOVED all the different patterns. 

Years & years ago...Kate & I were at the downtown Saturday market & I spied a girl wearing these shoes...it took a while, but I finally tracked them down & bought a pair of my own. Then promptly never wore them. They were ideal for this dress. 

Look at my pretty shoes! Also, my horrible legs from vasculitis & cellulitis & why I want them covered with tattoos. 

I first wore this dress to see a play with David at APT, An Iliad. Then weeks later, to see a show at The Shitty Barn. We took these photos at the barn before the play. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Alkaline; UD Naked Cherry palette, MAC lipliner in Burgundy, NYX Liquid Suede lipstick in Pure Society, & Forever Family nail polish by Essie. 

A picnic to go with our play...salmon with whole lemon dressing (an Alison Roman recipe) on a bed of butter lettuce, with garlic, evoo, fresh tarragon, thyme, oregano (all herbs grown ourselves), cucumber, radishes, & avocado. Champagne from Kate & raspberries from Fern.

The play was excellent...although apparently, we'd seen it before (according to Kate, which was then confirmed). The second time I wore the dress (because how could I not wear it again?!)...David & I met with the artist that is going to cover Veronika in flames (what you typically see on cars) & fire (like pictured below). He won't have time to do it until this winter, but he's going to get us a rendering before then. We all really liked each others ideas, so I think it's going to be spectacular...& he told me he could give me pops of glitter throughout! 

After our creative meeting...I drove off to Milwaukee to have a consultation to get an eyebrow replacement. I hope it works out, I'm ridiculously excited to have actual eyebrows. I made an appointment for the end of September. 

From Milwaukee...I drove to Spring Green to see David Huckfelt at the barn. 

Michael Rossetto opened (& was also in David's band)...he played banjo in an entirely un-banjo like way. His songs were inspired by trips to the small village in Italy where his parents were from. I was worried this wouldn't be a magical show because David's band, The Pines, are so amazing...but he's put together another wonderful combination of musicians, including Jeremy Ylvisaker, who plays guitar for Andrew Bird. These guys clearly really like each other & were thrilled to be playing in front of an audience. I love it when music moves me to tears.