My First Mosaic

 Dress: Handkerchief Hem Tank Dress by tbagslosangeles (size 3x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Avenue

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Dansko, gift from Super Boo

Necklace: Christine Wallace, gift from Kate

Earring: etXarte

Bracelet: Babil & Bijou

Photography: Super Boo & Me (Canon Rebel & iPhone)

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this fabulous dress to work & then on another day to farmers' market & to take a mosaic class. This is the second time I've had this dress...& the second time I've let it go. It was only $50 this time, which is a bargain for a tbags dress. Silly me. I am not normally a fan of red, white, & blue together...but this print is spectacular...it reminds me of a stamp from an exotic land. The fit is fabulous & the arm holes actually cover my bra. The first time I had this dress was last fall...at the same time as the maxi in the same fabric. 

Angie signed up for a beginning mosaic class at The Vinery & when she asked if anyone else was interested...I jumped...I had wanted to mosaic things for a while...& I knew I would never get around to it on my own. Angie ended up being sick this day, so Toby took her place. It was fun to watch his creative process as he started completely over a few times. I usually get a general idea in my head & see where it takes me...but I stick with it, even when I probably shouldn't. 

The guy that taught the class was incredibly nice & it was by far the most delightful class I'd ever taken at The Vinery. Kate & I usually take classes involving hot glass...which I have finally decided is just not my thing. 

Look, I finished it! That would have never happened had I done this on my own at home. I went back a few days after the class to grout it, as the other option was to bring grout home...but again, it would have most likely sat around incomplete for years. I adore my colorful sugar skull mosaic! And it was soooo easy & fun!

My make-up that day included...Love + shadow from Sugarpill, Blue Velvet shadow by Anastasia, Deep Blue liner from NYX, & Head in the Clouds MAC lipstick. 

Harmonious Wail

 Top: Peplum Top in Mod Circles by Eloquii (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)
Skirt: Enwrapture Vintage Silk Sari
Cardigan: Avenue
Sandals: Clark
Earring: Babil & Bijou
Photography: Super Boo & Me (Canon Rebel & iPhone)
Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this ensemble to go to The Shitty Barn with Angie to see Mal-O-Dua & Harmonious Wail. This top was a disaster...it came to me pilled & stained. I wore it to this concert because it was a chilly night & I was mostly covered with a wrap to keep warm. I would have liked this top had it been in decent shape. I loved the colors & pattern mixing, so much fun! I had to take it a step further & pair it with one of my vintage silk sari skirts...there is no such thing as too many patterns...right?

Angie suggested we stop at a restaurant she'd heard good things about that was on our way, Bay 5 Diner. The cheese curds. *cue angels singing* I consider myself a cheese curd connoisseur & I have to say...these are the best cheese curds I've ever had. The garlic aioli didn't hurt either. Also, Wednesday night is BBQ night...Angie & I both had the brisket & it was delicious. Sadly, in looking up their Facebook page to link here, I discovered they may be closing this month unexpectedly due to their landlord not renewing their lease. I must have these cheese curds again! 

It was a chilly night at the barn, but the music was fabulous. I was a bit disappointed that Mal-O-Dua has gone from being gypsy swing, to vintage Hawaiian, but was pleased they did a bit of both. 

I cannot believe that this was my first time seeing the Madison based band, Harmonious Wail...although when I mentioned it to Kate...she was pretty sure we'd seen them play outside on the square. She is probably right. It is sad getting old & senile. 

My make-up that day included MAC Korean Candy lipstick & Flamepoint & Love+ shadows from Sugarpill's Burning Heart palette. 

Orange Kaleidoscope

 Dress: Orange Kaleidoscope Fit & Flare by Melissa Masse (3x)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Barefoot Freedom

Necklace: Babil & Bijou

Earring: etXarte

Photography: Super Boo & Me (Canon Rebel & iPhone)

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this outfit to go to the dentist & to work...not a very exciting day. I had no GB at home...so I had to wear my own clothing. I bought this dress last fall & this is my first time wearing it. Suz, from The Girls of GB, lives in LA & is able to go into the Melissa Masse store *swoon* & try on clothes. In chatting with the designer herself, she was able to get us a group rate on this style of dress...which we call the magic dress...because it looks fabulous on so many different body shapes & sizes. I love this dress soooo much...3 shades of orange! I choose to ignore the grey...you barely notice it, right? 

I was so worried that I wouldn't find much to wear with these blaze orange teggings, but they are a great summer shade. Good thing Super Boo got me these lovely orange sandals! Without those 2 things, I would have been forced to wear navy...not nearly as fun of a look. 

I adore my penny-farthing necklace...that vintage guy with the top hat is precious. 

Tom Brosseau & John Davey

 Dress: Textural Dots Twirl Dress by Nic + Zoe (size 3x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Lands' End

Teggings: Re/Dress

Socks: Sock Dreams

Boots: Doc Marten

Necklace: Wendy Baker

Earring: etXarte

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Kate & Me (iPhone)

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this ensemble to travel to Spring Green with the girlie to see our first concert of the season at The Shitty Barn. This dress could have been fabulous, I loved the idea of it. But. First of all, there was so much gray(I hate gray even more than white), then there was the gigantic armholes, finally, ugly exposed zip on the back. Also, this brand runs at least one size too big, the 3x is always a great fit for me. Despite not loving the dress...I LOVED the outfit I made out of it...so much leopard print! 

The adorable girlie...

This was our first full meal at the barn...we've only gotten bits & pieces in the past. It was delicious.

Above, Chris, one of the owners/organizers, welcoming us & introducing the performers. 

We'd seen John Davey open up for Count This Penny the previous season, so we knew we had to catch him again. Tom Brosseau brought along his friend, Andru Bemis, who tours the country by hopping trains & spends his travel time knitting his own socks. Just that little bit makes you want to know more, doesn't it? We bought albums & CDs from all 3 of them. 

It was windy at the barn & I think my hair blew up on the side like that & just stayed put. I adore these leopard Lafont glasses that Super Boo bought me over a decade ago. 

My make-up for the day included Phresh & Orange You Fancy shadows from the Anastasia Artist Palette, MAC Korean Candy lipstick, & Orange You Going to the Game by OPI on my nails. 

I had a different earring on, but when I checked the mail...this fabulous M made by Teri had been delivered...there is something about leopard print that cries out for an enormous monogram earring. 

Blaze Orange & Navy

 Dress: Leaf Printed Fit & Flare Scuba Dress by Taylor Dresses (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Karen Kane

Teggings: Re/Dress

Shoes: Boden, thrifted

Necklace: Babil & Bijou

Earring: etXarte

Bracelet: Age Before Beauty

Photography: Super Boo & Me (Canon Rebel & iPhone)

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this outfit to work & to get my hair cut. I was not overly excited by this dress...but when I paired it with my new BRIGHT orange teggings & these adorable Boden flats I found at a neighbors garage sale last year...I was in love. I also rediscovered this Karen Kane cardigan in my closet that I forgot I bought through try then buy from GB. The scuba fabric on this felt nice & it fit great everywhere with the exception of enormous armholes. This dress has pockets, which I don't understand the appeal of. Fabulous fun for a one time wear. 

Waiting for my haircut...

I made the most delicious spring meal...ramps, morels, & asparagus were plentiful at market...so I made risotto...it was heavenly! 

The palm print on this fit & flare was calling out for this seashell necklace...

My make-up that day included Blue Velvet shadow from the Anastasia Artist Palette & Half Baked from Urban Decay's Naked 3, Deep Blue liner by NYX, & Blood Orange lipstick from Bite Beauty. 

VBO

Top: Magenta Floral Wrap Top by Kiyonna (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Skirt: Lane Bryant

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Born, thrifted

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Earring: etXarte

Photography: Super Boo & Me (Canon Rebel & iPhone)

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this outfit to work. I adore these Kiyonna wrap tops & when the opportunity came to get a brand new one for $20, I should have jumped at it. The reason I didn't was...I couldn't find a skirt other than black that this went with...boring. None of my sari wrap skirts were quite right & magenta is not the most flattering color on me anyway. But the top, LOVE. If I could have this top in a dozen solid colors...I would would wear them all the time. This is basically the perfect top. 

Let's talk about VBO, visible belly outline. I'm not really into bodycon...I've posted a few photos here, but was not comfortable enough in the dresses to wear them out & about. They make me feel too exposed as they cling to every bit of my body. I don't mind dresses that hug parts of me, just not all of me at once. I nearly switched this skirt out for one with a more flowing silhouette...but this was the one I had chosen in my head to go with this top...as it has a flounce at the bottom just like the top. So I wore it. I wore it because I'm not afraid of my belly, don't wear any shapewear, & I just wanted to. That's really the best reason of all to wear something...because you want to. Why am I bothering to mention it here? Because I think I'm pretty comfortable with my fat body, & it bothered me that I considered not wearing this skirt to work. What gave me pause was that I was worried our clients would feel uncomfortable. But then I thought about it...it's really important to me to help set our clients free to be themselves...& I can't really do that if I'm not being myself. So I am putting this here so you will know that even someone who has pretty good body acceptance still sometimes has doubts. If you need some VBO inspiration, check out Fuck Yeah VBO.

My make-up that day included Tropical Green liner by NYX, lime & tangerine shadows by Make Up Forever, as well as Freak & Trash shadows from Urban Decay's Electric palette, & MAC lipstick in Korean Candy. 

This necklace & bracelet are two of my favorite vintage pieces that aren't by Miriam Haskell. They are both Czech. I found the necklace decades ago at an antique show in the mall I worked at at the time & the bracelet I stumbled upon on eBay in the early 00s. 

Time to Plant All The Things!

 Dress: Anna Karenina Malta Skater Dress by Spruce & Sage (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Born

Necklace: Babil & Bijou

Earring: Wendy Baker

Bracelet: Vintage

 Photography: Super Boo & Me (Canon Rebel & iPhone)

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this outfit on a Saturday to go to garage sales, farmers' market, & to plant all the things. Look at the colors in this dress! Marvelous. Perfect for an autumn day, but also appropriate for a mild spring day. The fit of this 90s vibe skater dress was good, however, it was entirely too short...several ladies at farmers' market complimented me on my pretty shirt...thank goodness for teggings. This would be a fun dress in cooler months as there are so many different cardigan/sock/shoe combinations that would go fabulously with these lovely colors. 

On my way to farmers' market, I spied 2 garage sale signs. The first was full of shoes...nice shoes. Sadly, as this was her 3rd weekend in a row of having it, she was sold out of all the size 9.5 I would have liked...but she had quite a few size 11's, so I texted Angie some pictures & picked up a pair of Keens for her. Also, I got on her mailing list for her fall sale. 

The other garage sale had some fab lawn art...I love that sort of thing...but not for sale...so I took some photos for inspiration. 

I decided to share more photos here than normal since I took so many on this day. It reminds me of the old Live Journal days when we'd all occasionally post our weekend in pictures...or this group I used to belong to on there...A Day in My Life, I miss that group...people from all over the world would share with us a day in photos...it was fascinating to me. Perhaps I'll do that here once a month. 

Kate was busy helping a friend move...so I did more people watching at market than usual since I was alone. I loved this woman's skirt! In addition to buying produce & other edibles...I bought all our herbs & flowers on this day, since Mother's Day weekend is supposedly the safe time to plant in Madison. 

After market, the co-op for salmon...where I spied this elephant bag...isn't it the cutest?! I adore elephants. 

Garage Sale finds...I couldn't pass up that blingy rhinestone leopard bracelet. 

BLT wraps for lunch. I get on this kick every spring when the tomatoes first appear. 

There's a Sadie in our herb garden (we were dog sitting for Angie & Toby)!  Foreshadowing what was to come? Since I was too upset to take photos, I will tell you now that these herbs had to be replaced. Twice. We normally take down that decorative fence for the winter...but we didn't this year...so Oscar was used to jumping in there & thought it looked like a nice cool place to dig a hole & chill. Yes, that tiny fence is usually enough of a difference that he leaves it alone...he's adorable...but not so bright. Poor Oscar, he didn't know. After the second time, Angie lent us a wire cage to Oscar-proof the little herbies. 

Flowers! In vintage sinks, wagons, & desks. 

My make-up that day included MAC's Korean Candy lipstick & Nars Mediteranee eyeshadow duo.