Turn Key

Dress: Blue Velvet Dress by Ronni Nicole by Ouida (size 8), thrifted

Tights: Sock Dreams

Shoes: Fluevog, Super Fine: Honour

Earring: etXarte

Necklace, Bracelet, & Purse: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

Another vintage velvet thrifting find...perfect in every way...great fit & length, body con sexiness & sophistication...I could wear this outfit to any event & look smashing. 

I am really into my butt lately...I should start focusing on that more when lifting weights.

These black lace tights seemed better than any other option I had...& Fluevogs always make me happy.

This was my first time wearing this necklace we found at Elkhorn last year...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Goddess, Baltimore & Babs eyeshadow by KVD, UD eyeshadow in Dragon, 714 lip liner from UD, UD lipstick in Bang & No-Tell Motel, & OPI nail polish in Art Walk in Suzi's Shoes. 

I wore this dress to spend an evening with my lovely husband, David.

I think it's wonderfully charming that he coordinates his outfits to mine. Shoe-fie of our Fluevogs. 

We tried a new place we had high hopes for...Turn Key. They also own Settle Down Tavern & Oz by Oz. This fabulous old building was most recently occupied by Pasqual's, but I still think of it as Fyfe's...Brian & I used to hang out there & eat, have cocktails, & listen to bands back in the 90s. Adorable drink menus inside of old books. 

We were a bit early for our reservations...so we sat at the bar & ordered drinks. David had a Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Aperitifo, Genepy, strawberry, lemon, seltzer, orange bitters), while I had to have the hilariously titled, Dueling Grandma Lamps (Amaro, orange wine, seltzer, ginger bitters). We were underwhelmed. In fact, David exchanged his for a Turn Key Pepper Mary (Mezcal, tomato, red pepper, spices). At our table...David sipped on a Sure, Bert Margarita (Blanco tequila, mezcal, lime, orange bell pepper, celery). 

For my second cocktail...I chose Homesick at Space Camp (gin, sherry, rhubarb, grapefruit, lemon, ginger). Because I have to try all the cheese curds...that's what we began our meal with. They call theirs Cheese Puppies & they were some of the best curds I've ever had...all the best elements of curds & hushpuppies rolled into one...with tomato powder, served with a dill ranch dipping sauce. We also ordered the Charred Carrots (chili macadamia butter, pickled cranberry, agave-lime glaze, sunflower seed dukka)...how exciting can you make carrots? Oh, they delivered...& it's something I could share with Kate. For his entree, David had Pull Tab Steak (Char Siu glaze, celery sweet & sour, fried satsumaimo, lemongrass aioli).  

It was Friday...so being a Michigan/Wisconsin girl...I had to try their fish fry...it was second only to Mint Mark. 2 Haddock filets battered & served with their mushaboom fancy fries, house tarter, tangy slaw, & a homemade biscuit. After dinner...David tried an East Wash Banana Stand (mezcal, banana, pineapple, lime, monèy? not sure what that is?). I sampled their Birdy Squirrel Old Fashioned (rye, Korbel, orange, cherry, maple)...& for an after-dinner drink, Oshkosh B'Grandy Alexander (coconut cream, brandy, cacao, cherry, amaro). 

Did David also have another drink...or is he just holding mine...I can't recall. Shuffleboard. Our verdict...fantastic food, mediocre cocktails...& as you can see...we gave them a proper shot & we wouldn't order any of them again. The next day...we went to the last indoor market of the season. We stocked up on pork from Cliff & beef from Bull's Ranch. 

Soft boiled eggs on toast...& later, dinner...Red Chicken Curry from Rambutan: Recipes from Sri Lanka by Cynthia Shanmugalingam...delicious. An after dinner stroll around the neighborhood with Violet & Rye. And check out these amazing leopard shoes I talked David into ordering. 

 

Girlie Time // Thrifting // Mermaid Tattoo

Sweater: ?, thrifted

Pants: Judy Wide Leg Culotte Pant by Leota (size L) via Gwynnie Bee

Socks: Sock Dreams

Shoes: Fluevog, Swordfish: Sinead 

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelets & Purse: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I didn't love these pants at first...but they grew on me. SO comfortable & easy to wear. Great weight & texture to the fabric...nice wide leg culotte with capacious pockets. I felt these ran tts...I purposely ordered a large for my ample thighs & while it was a good fit there, they were loose in the waist...but that's just a me problem. These are nice & stretchy & would have no issues accommodating a big butt & hips in whatever size you typically wear.

What really made these pants a winner for me was how I styled them. Apparently, I've been collecting these fuzzy sweaters at thrift stores...mostly to wear around the house/to bed. This striped one was ideal as I love mixing patterns...& I nearly wore red & black striped socks, with the stripes going up & down...until I spied these zigzag beauties. My ass looks pretty good in pants...

I believe this was my first time wearing these shoes...they never looked quite right with any dresses I attempted to pair them with & obviously they prefer pants. I need to paint those skull buckles gold. 

Black & white with a smattering of red...such a classic color combination. My face/foundation looks better here, doesn't it?

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero, F.A.R.A.H liquid eyeliner, Huda Beauty Ruby Obsessions eyeshadow palette, UD lipliner in 714, No-Tell Motel lipstick by UD, & OPI nail polish in Red Heads Ahead. 

I first wore this outfit to work & run errands. A brief trip to Ulta...I don't recall what for. I tried on some KVD Good Apple foundation...I mixed 2 colors that seemed like they might work for me (& is what I'm wearing in these photos). This was a nice full coverage in a lighter, more neutral tone...I can't seem to find the right shade...that color matching system at Sephora doesn't work for me & puts me in a too dark too warm shade. A few meals I cooked...my standard go-to...pan fried salmon with crispy garlic, dill, & lemon...served with roasted Brussels sprouts mixed with bacon & kimchi. Parmesan Chicken from Smitten Kitchen...& an artichoke, eggplant, tomato dish that I didn't bother saving the recipe for since it was a lot of work & was only good, not great. 

The day after St. Patty's Day...David made the most amazing corned beef hash with our leftovers...served with over easy eggs. Girlie time! Kate invited me over to play with their bitters collection. And I brought records.

After trying many combinations in fizzy water...the 4 below were my favorites (of the ones we don't already have).

This salad was fantastic, Sesame Asparagus & Carrot Chop from Smitten Kitchen, & I can't wait to eat it outside at APT this summer. During my trip to Ulta...I discovered NYX no longer makes my favorite Pumpkin lip liner...so I stocked up on eBay...& also grabbed a few Viper eyeliners that Urban Decay discontinued. And of course...since I wore these pants a ton...they went thrifting with me. A lot. My first trip to the Verona Goodwill. 

And this is why I can't really wear pants...unless they are wide leg & at least a size too large...my thigh situation is ridiculous. I've always been pear-shaped, but my legs were proportionate to the rest of my body before I gained weight. Now, I carry so much weight in my thighs...a lot of it is loose skin too that hangs when I stand. I'm getting my first round of thigh surgery next week to address my inner thighs. 

Trying on dresses at the Vinny's in Verona. That black silk disco looking number was my favorite. I nearly got the red maxi since it was made by Hutch, but decided it was too boring. 

What I came home with...

Pansies at Costco...I adore pansies. A trip to Michaels...when we get our wreck room remodeled...I want to do a wall of fake flowers as a backdrop for photos...I am extremely excited for this project...& for all the ideas I have for down there. Some day. 

This was my trip to Goodwill in Middleton after my visit with Kate. This suit was on a mannequin, which I immediately undressed. Do I need a pink suit? Facebook says YES (this photo got many likes & comments).

That orange dress is Kate Spade...& that sexy long black Banana Republic skirt is so soft. A trip to see Courtney for a lymphatic massage. 

I showed David the photo I took of the bitters I enjoyed at Kate's...& then the first shipment came in the mail. That Kate Spade dress was originally $358...I paid $25. 

My finds at Goodwill...& these colorful leopard wedge sandals from Poshmark that you will definitely see on my feet this summer. 

Mermaid tail coloring time with Bear...look at this chartreuse they came up with...I'm in love. 

First color session, complete...stunning. I wonder what color her hair will be...I'm thinking reds & oranges...but perhaps I should stick with the cool sea colors. 

Red Clover is just down the street from Vinny's, so I walked over. The best thing I got that day was that orange vintage blouse with the white & navy collar...not sure why I didn't take a photo of me trying it on. 

 

Drive-By Truckers // Kate Park // Fire Tattoo

Dress: Macha Mushroom Midi Dress by Louche (size M) via Nuuly

Socks: Sock Dreams

Shoes: Fluevog, Unity: Aimee

Earring: etXarte

Necklaces: Green Goddess Vintage

Bracelet & Belt: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

Despite this dress being too big on me...I wore it a bunch...I mean, mushrooms! It's a nice heavy corduroy fabric with pockets in a cute prairie style. I loved it & received endless compliments...it turns out, everyone loves a mushroom frock. 

I am still working on building a belt collection...as much as I adore this vintage metal belt...I would have preferred something tighter that gave this outfit more of a shape. 

I rather liked this sock/shoe combination I came up with...

I also had the right jewelry...it's not obvious here, but...my brown polka dot bracelet had ever so slightly pink dots that matched the ones in the dress. I have some mushroom jewelry favorited on Etsy...I really should have at least one piece. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Bourbon, Half-Baked & Hustle eyeshadow by UD, Nutmeg lipliner from NYX, UD lipliner in Roach, Gothica lipstick from Kat von D, Bite Beauty lipstick in Nori, & OPI nail polish in Tulsa Tootsie Roll-a. 

I first wore this outfit to make dinner (Cinnamon & Chile-Rubbed Braised Beef Brisket, served with Spiced Sweet Potato Roasted Fries)...then head over to The Barrymore to see Drive-By Truckers.

They had an actually decent Moscow Mule (canned & made in Madison by Plainspoke) AND real butter on their popcorn...yay! And merch...lots of vinyl...I picked up 4. Clearly, I can't get enough of how sexy I am...sitting in the front row. 

Margo Cilker opened the show...she was good, but I didn't like her as much as I wanted to...which is too bad because she's playing at The Shitty Barn this summer. Then...Drive-By Truckers...who were fabulous, but I wish I would have brought my fancy earplugs. 

Pilates in my Constantly Varied Gear deep sea leggings that I found at Goodwill for a few dollars. I also wore this outfit to work, thrifting, & bellydance class. 

I was especially excited by the cassette tape LuLaRoe dress...it will be perfect to wear to The Sylvee in the summer (they have a wall mural made of tapes). 

I found this vintage 80s paisley E.D. Michaels dress for $5...I would have worn that in middle school. More thrift store try-ons...I really wanted that orange silk Banana Republic dress, but it was a size 2...I had to at least try. Leopard summer robe. If you pay attention to my blog...you might recognize those shoes...they are too small on me, but after seeing them just sitting there unloved for 1/2 a dozen visits...I bought them. They are currently in my closet being stretched...we'll see.

And finally...I wore this dress last Sunday to meet Kate at a park by her house...where we walked & played. 

Swinging on swings...digging in the sand...tetter-tottering.

I like spending time with my girlie! Afterwards...I bopped into Goodwill where all I got was this burgundy velvet Betsey Johnson swing dress. Then...I came home & prepped dinner before heading over to Red Clover for a tattoo appointment. 

Which is near Vinny's, so I tried on a few things...I was sad that vintage dress/jacket was too big on me...it was sparkly...I did get the wool jacket though. Fire! 

Mar added color to my old fire tattoo that they applied white to the last time I was in...now it is brighter & looks like it belongs with my fire woman. It was the most painful of any tattoo I have gotten...it's been 4 days & it *still* hurts. Mar said cover-up tattoos are often more painful...this is a cover-up on a cover-up, plus 2 sessions in 3 weeks of added ink. Ouch! They also very kindly added a few lines that scarring took away from my devil girl tattoo & touched up my blueberries & a bit of leaf outline. Then I came home & made dinner I had prepped...Oven Braised Beef with Harissa & a Shaved Fennel with Olives Salad.