10 Day Staycation Begins // Amara // Thrifting // Tattoo

Dress: Little Seashell Maxi Dress by Spell via Nuuly

Tights: Snag

Shoes: ?, thrifted

Purse: Portland Leather

Earring: Wendy Baker

Necklace: The Embellishing Room

Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

This pretty dress was flowy, light, & easy to wear. In addition to seashells, pumpkins, & flowers...there is a border all around of mermaids on the bottom. I was confused by the pumpkins as they didn't seem to go with the water theme of this dress, but I like pumpkins & they definitely went with the warm orange & yellow fabric. There is a slip, but it is very short. My only complaint about this dress was it came to me super worn out & faded with a few tiny holes...I mostly wore this for errands & in dimly lit places as it wasn't nice enough for anything else. Too bad, I'm guessing this dress was spectacular earlier in its life. 

This dress would have been more at home with sandals...but this was December, albeit, a warm one. 

I found these shoes thrifting years ago at Savers. I stuck several pads on the heel, but even then, these shoes were huge on me. Another item for the donation bag. I will miss them. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Mildew eyeliner & eyeshadow by Urban Decay, KVD eyeshadow in Analogue & Legend, NYX lipliner in Pumpkin, Hypnotic Rust lipstick from Make Up For Ever, & OPI nail polish in A Woman's Prague-ative. 

I first wore this dress for a short day at work...the last day of work before we took 12 days off. We were ridiculously excited for a Staycation. I thrifted this coat for $15 & found $20 in the pocket. I finished work before David, so I ran some errands...Vinny's on the west side...I probably should have bought that bright Zuri dress, but I don't care for their tent like loose fit & can a white woman really wear those prints? But it was a $150 dress for $10...I could have experimented? 

Picking up pecans at Trader Joes. Yay! Reunited with Super Boo! We had late dinner reservations at a new to us restaurant, Amara. But first, selfies/usies in a little holiday decorated hut built for that purpose.

Walking by Anthropologie on our way to the restaurant...I had to try on some sale dresses. That black one was a size small, & the green was the same style in an extra small...both were huge...who would these look good on?! Arriving at Amara...they are owned by the same people as Lucille & Merchant. It's kind of puzzling why we'd never been here...but it's on the west side of town, so really only makes sense after work. 

Bad first impression, they were out of the ingredients to make their cocktail special that I ordered, Felix Felicis (State Line London dry gin, cream sherry, orange juice, ginger syrup, Peychaud's bitters)...& our waitress wouldn't tell us which ingredient it was...weird. Cream sherry? I mean, they are steps away from a grocery store, so what's up? Anyway, I had to go with a Pomegranate Holiday Smash (vodka, pomegranate & orange syrup, lemon juice, smoked cinnamon, mint, sugar rim) & David chose Christmas Punch (Tuscan red wine, Grand Marnier, gin, apple, cinnamon, rosemary). Both drinks were delightful. First up for food...Fried Baby Mozzarella (breaded & fried ciliegine, smoked chili & tomato sauce) & Angry Shrimp Spiedini (chili & garlic shrimp, marinated artichokes, salsa verde). 

Cocktail #2: for David, Italian Paloma (tequila, homemade pompelmocello, lime, blood orange soda), while I had a Honeycrisp & Cherry Mule (vodka, honeycrisp & tart cherry shrub, ginger beer). More food to share...Lasagna Fritto (fried lasagna skewers, Italian sausage, mozzarella, smoked chili & tomato sauce) & Calamari (lightly fried squid, peppercorn blend, pickled long hots, giardiniera aioli). This is now my favorite calamari in town. 

Third round of drinks: David chose a Cranberry Old Fashioned (bourbon, cranberry orange Demerara, Angostura bitters) & I picked Golden Twist (State Line London dry gin, Cynar, cinnamon syrup, cocoa bitters, absinthe). Finally, mains...for me, Porchetta (Heritage Farms pork shoulder wrapped in crispy skin pork belly, braised leeks, buttermilk cream, brussels sprouts salad, apple mostarda, chive oil) & David had Paccheri (shredded beef cheek ragu, tomato grodolce, breadcrumbs, SarVecchio). So. Much. Rich. Food. That brussels salad with mine was nice & vinegary, so it was essential with the fatty pork...& delicious. We thoroughly enjoyed this meal & immediately bought a bunch of gift certificates at Costco for when we come back...$75 for $100. We had already bought one to use on this dinner to see if we liked it. We liked it. 

Small haul from Vinny's...including 3 paisley silk ties for David. I am constantly at the hospital...once a week for an appointment with Interventional Radiology...so they can check my drains & put new ones in. I went to the beauty supply to get some things...I keep my license up just for this reason...1/2 price. 

Dinner...Cabbage & Kielbasa with Rye Croutons. A trip to Costco...they had this amazing set of zodiac sign glass bottles filled with brandy...it was like something out of the 70s. And...another trip to the hospital...like I said, I wore this dress mostly for errands.

On my way home, I made the excellent decision to stop at Vinny's on Willy St...just look at all that sparkle *swoon*...they had racks of it for NYE. 

I tried on other things too, including that vintage plaid wool skirt. 

My find of the day was the black sequin Betsey Johnson dress below. Oh! And a vintage burgundy trench coat. David made a beef roast for dinner & I roasted some potatoes. 

And...the final time I wore this dress was to get a lymphatic massage with Courtney...then a tattoo with Mar, but Mar texted me they had car issues & were running 30 minutes late...so I bopped into Vinny's again where they were having 50% off all of the remaining NYE items...what?! 

Poor Mar, I was 20 minutes late for our appointment...but, shiny! 

Mar freehanded paisley patterns in all the blank spots on my right calf...my lower legs are completely filled & finished...now what?! Rose gold glitter heels & other fancy things. I wonder if they do this every year & I miss it completely...must stalk Vinny's next year...as if I don't already. 

 

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. 

 

Tattoo // The Del McCoury Band // Freight House

Dress: The Somerset Maxi Dress: Velvet Edition by Anthropologie via Nuuly

Shoes: Fluevog, Super Fine: Cardinal

Purse, Necklaces, & Bracelet: Vintage

Earring: etXarte

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

The Somerset dress is always easy to wear whatever fabric it comes in...fitted at the waist with tiers & pockets...I adore getting these dresses from Nuuly...I only own 3 because the neckline is not my favorite...if it was a standard v-neck...I'd probably buy them all. The gold velvet is stunning...it reminds me of my wedding dress. This is definitely in the top 3 of the number of compliments I received...people loved this dress on me.

This autumnal background couldn't have been more perfect for this look.

Perhaps I should have worn gold glittery stockings with this...but we took these pictures immediately after my tattoo appointment, & I didn't bring any. I need more gold shoes.

We found 3 different amber necklaces from the same vendor at the very first Midwest Vintage Flea that we went to...here are 2 of them...I think they look lovely together. I believe this is my first time wearing the longer one. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Sephora eyeliner in Matte Black, Golden Nugget & Showgirl eyeshadow by Too Faced, MAC lipliner in Chicory, Bronze Shimmer lipstick from MAC, & A England nail polish in Holy Grail. 

What?! A chance to see *inside* the building we use most often for pictures?!! Yes! I started out this day getting a lymphatic massage with Courtney & dashing into Stalzy's to get a loaf of their rye bread for dinner later. Then...a freehand tattoo appointment with Mar to fill in the gaps on my left lower leg with falling leaves. They got all the leaves placed & some of them colored. 

Less blank areas...

A car wash on my way home to make dinner, Cabbage & Kielbasa with Rye Croutons...before heading to Stoughton...

To see The Del McCoury Band with Kate & Jason. In the lounge before the show, members of Soggy Prairie played a set. 

I think I've seen The McCoury Brothers play, but this was my first time seeing Del...they were fantastic & full of strings.

The next morning, we accidentally? planned? met up at the last outdoor market of the year. Bill, our spinach guy, gave me his hand warmers after I declined them 5 or 6 times...isn't that sooo nice?!

Kate bought me this alligator scarf years ago...he helped keep me warm. David & I bought about 50 pounds of apples from various farmers. Back at home...we finally separated our alliums from our squash & potatoes. I knew they shouldn't be stored together, but I didn't realize what a huge difference it would make. My potatoes used to last maybe 3 days before sprouting, turning green, & going soft...some of these potatoes are still in the drawer & looking great over a month in. Breakfast! And the cheapest most fabulous thing I planned for our trip to Asheville...a reading of an amazing play.

Later that day...we ventured inside the warehouse that we used for these outfit photos. The guy that rents this part sells antiques...mostly midcentury modern. I LOVED this liquor cabinet...note that that top bit recesses back as you open the door. If our wreck room was done...I would have lobbied hard for this piece...but we are already storing too many things. 

A reproduction Penny-Farthing...lime & pink swivel couch...It was fun to look around & finally see inside this fabulous warehouse. 

He had real candles burning on the steps...I was a bit afraid I might start my dress on fire. The window I'm standing by is the same window I'm standing in front of in these outfit photos. 

Back at home...we made a meal of roasted potatoes & ribeye. I changed shoes to go to the organ concert with David. Ken Cowen played the Overture's concert organ...it was great. They do an organ series every year & I've only gone to one other & this is David's first time. 

The final time I wore this dress was to travel to Paducah, Kentucky...it was roughly half way to Asheville, so I booked us an Airbnb & made reservations at Sara Bradley's (Top Chef season 16 & 20) restaurant, freight house. We started out with cocktails, for me, a French Kiss (Mirabeau rose gin, genepy des ales, Peychauds bitters, absinthe spritz, lemon) & David chose a Lord Baelish (Jim Beam bourbon, balsamic, basil, ginger beer). 

Sara's menu had everything I adore in a restaurant...an ever changing creative menu based on what's in season.

Spot Sara (she's talking to another table behind David & then with the bartender)...she delivered some food to us & chatted for a minute...I didn't want to bother her with taking her picture...so I just took candids. Our waiter, John, was outstanding...he paced things just right & was a delight to talk with. Our first food...Pumpkin Bisque (coconut, ginger, sesame, curried yogurt) & Deviled Eggs (caramelized onion). 

Pork Rinds (with honey thyme aioli), Baby Back Ribs (pecan pork, brown butter streusel, chocolate buttermilk), & Pork Belly Tostada (cabbage & apple slaw, horseradish aioli, stout bbq sauce). 

Round 2 of drinks: David had an Owen's Island (Rittenhouse rye, Carpano Antica, Luxardo cherry, orange oil) & I picked a Snake in the Grass (Teremana Reposado, Lucid absinthe, naranja, Carpano Antica, fresh sour). But wait! There's more...Bacon Fat Cornbread (we were so sure we'd love it, we ordered 2...it was the only disappointing thing all evening), Roasted Cauliflower...as seen on Instagram (radicchio, dates, curry spices, pomegranate molasses, smoked cashews)...we'd added grilled shrimp & they forgot to bring it, so Sara delivered it herself. And finally...dessert...we shared a Chocolate Fudge Cake (flourless chocolate cake, orange butter cream, cranberry mulled wine glaze) & a Sweet Pea Cake...as seen on Top Chef (buttermilk pudding, lemon curd, pistachios). This dinner was full of wonder & joy...Sara is a master of combining sweet & savory in every dish & we couldn't get enough. We so thoroughly enjoyed it, we immediately made another reservation for the night we were driving back home.