Blue, Black, Orange, & Yellow

 Dress: Fit & Flare Dress in Black & Blue by London Times (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Lane Bryant

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Naturalizer, thrifted

Necklace: Wendy Baker

Earring: The Gilded Gypsies

Bracelets: Vintage, thrifted

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this ensemble to farmers' market & on another day to work. I LOVE these colors together!! It was extremely difficult not to buy this dress...it was ~$30...BUT...I don't need any more clothes. The fit & length were great, with the exception of a bit of gaping at the bust/armhole intersection, but a cardigan covers up that lone flaw. This dress is thick enough that it wouldn't be comfortable to wear in summer, but all other seasons are go. The textured fabric is a touch I love on solid colors & of course...the fit & flare is my favorite shape. Oh, how I wish the red & black version of this dress had come in my size. That one I would have kept. I adored the cheerleader vibe of this dress. 

Winter farmers' market bounty...that Cranberry Walnut bread is my new favorite...I would have never even bought it if they weren't out of French Walnut one week. I don't even like cranberries. 

After market...I dropped the girlie off in the Arboretum so she could hike...

See why I don't need any more clothes? Because I can't stop buying things! But...sale. It's all the fault of The Girls of GB...who can't stop sharing links to good deals. From Modcloth...I had to have that adorable poinsettia dress for next Christmas, a chartreuse cropped cardigan, a rust Charter School cardigan (my first, I've been wanting to try one), & an Effie's Heart button dress. 

From City Chic...a paisley summer maxi, a blue & black peplum top, & a chiffon jacket. Ok, so I didn't really *need* any of this...but these 2 orders came to ~$80 total...that's practically thrift store prices for cute new clothes. Justified. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero, UD eyeshadow in Gonzo, Kat von D eyeshadow in Analogue & Legend, Bite Beauty lipsticks in Mimosa & Blood Orange, & Atomic Orange nail polish by OPI. 

Summer Dress in Winter

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

Cardigan: Avenue

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Moda Spana, thrifted

Necklace: Wendy Baker

Earring & Bracelet: Babil & Bijou

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this outfit to work, get a bang trim, & grocery shopping. I had this dress back in the summer & wore it twice because I loved it SO much. I should have bought it for $50 on Amazon when I had the chance as by the time it got back to me 6 months later...it was not as vibrant. This is a great year round dress as I think the scuba fabric transitions nicely to cooler months & there are endless combinations of color to pull out of the pattern for cardigans, tights, & shoes. I wish I had worn it one more time before sending it back. 

Time for a bang trim! It's been 4 months since I've had a haircut...however, I am enjoying the length over the winter.

Grocery shopping at the co-op. Not as satisfying as farmers' market, but nearly as friendly. I love vegetables...some of that rainbow chard came home with me. 

I have decided to do something new this year...each month I will pick out a cookbook & make meals from it. January's cookbook is Jerusalem. I actually made about a dozen recipes from it last April, but I never got around to posting about it. There will be a photo & recipe blog post about it this time for sure...once or twice a month.

My make-up with this outfit included...Voodoo eyeliner by Urban Decay, UD eyeshadow in Sin, Sugarpill eyeshadow in Love + & Poison Plum, Apricot lipstick by Bite Beauty, & OPI nail polish in Apple of My Eye. 

Music & Coloring

 Dress: Elysees Dress in Bicycle Print by Effie's Heart (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Tights: Catherines

Shoes: Nine West, thrifted

Necklace: Babil & Bijou

Earring: etXarte

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this whimsical dress to see a band with Kate & on another day to a coloring party. Made of the typical heavy t-shirt material Effie's Heart makes a lot of their dresses out of, with pockets...this was a fabulous fit & length on me...super casual...this is my version of wearing jeans. I liked it a lot better than the chipmunk dress...my biggest complaint is the awkwardly off-centered keyhole...it wasn't quite off to the side enough & I kept finding myself trying to make it centered. Also, the grey bicycles were too drab for me...although I loved the way the burgundy tights & lips added a bit of color...& I was excited to be able to wear the grey shoes I picked up for $4 at Savers. Grey is not my color, however, these reminded me of army green Nine West shoes I had back in the 80s...so I had to have them. Fun dress to wear a few times...unless you are a penny farthing rider..then this dress is a must own. 

Kate & I went to Mother Fools to see Blair Clark perform some songs from his latest EP with Leah Brooke (both formerly of The Sills)...they were opening for Blood & Dust from the Bay area...but we really came to see them. Jason joined us & everyone drank tea but me. 

The following day David & I went to a coloring party. A colleague's partner had just published a coloring book & they were celebrating. I LOVE coloring...& David doesn't care for it...however, we learned something interesting on this day...

I need to color either a picture or shapes with a pattern. The pages from JoAnne's book were abstract doodles...sometimes while I was coloring between the lines, I would find myself following a never ending maze. David seemed to enjoy the dream labyrinth, but I wished there was a definite beginning & end. So he most certainly enjoyed coloring on this day more than I did. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Deep Blue; Urban Decay eyeshadows in Heroine, Bondage, Sonic, & Last Sin; & Bite Beauty lipstick in Tannin. 

Happy New Year!

 Dress: Luna Lace Dress in Green by Kiyonna (size 4x)

Sparkly Socks: Sock Dreams

Boots: Dr. Martens, gift from S. Boo

Necklace, Bracelet, & Earring: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this lovely lace frock to celebrate NYE. This dress is fabulous, but I'm afraid I am not doing it justice here...it was cold, but I should have asked Kate to look me over...all the ruching that should be at the waist is tucked up under my boobs & my bra straps are falling off my shoulders...but as this is probably how I looked all night...it's honest. This marvelous forest green lace was stunning with my red hair...I don't wear green nearly often enough. The dress was also lined in green, except for the nude lining on top that would have done an excellent job of hiding my bra straps had they actually been on my shoulders ;) The scalloped lace on the hem & arms made me happy...I love little details like that. The 3/4 sleeves & just below the knee length were just right. This dress was a complete delight to wear & I am still in shock over the amazing deal I got on it...$40! during Kiyonna's Black Friday sale. 

I didn't get close-ups of the boots on this day, but below is from the last time I wore them..they have gorgeous beading & ribbon...my fancy Docs. While I was putting them on...the tongue ripped out of one...but I liked how the sparkly socks showed through the laces, so I'm trying to decide if I should rip the other tongue out or get it sewn back in. 

Laughing girlies...pretty girlies. Kate is full of sequins & looking adorable...I LOVE her peacock fascinator & purse SO much...she got them to match last year's NYE outfit...but they looked divine with this dress as well. 

We had intended to stay in this NYE & make food ourselves...but made last minute reservations at Estrellon, which we had not dined at yet...although I did go to the preview dinner. It was delightful & so much better than the preview had suggested. I love tapas & small plates & sharing...you get to try so many different flavors. I started off with a Manchego & Jamón filled Croqueta, which had been a tasty bite at the preview...as it had ham in it, it was the one thing we didn't share. Then came our Pintxos...Charred Beets (Manchego, pine nuts, lemon) & Smoked Sockeye Salmon (greek yogurt, caviar, truffle honey). We had an excellent view of the open kitchen, but the cute girlie was the best view in the place. 

On to the small plates...Pulpo a la Gallega (grilled octopus, potatoes, hot pimenton) & Fried Green Tomatoes (Maryland crab salad, rémoulade). I wasn't that excited by the thought of fried green tomatoes...but it was perhaps my favorite dish of the evening. And not just because of the crab. Roasted Carrots (cotija cheese, pickled onions, mole).

Tied for best thing I put in my mouth...Rainbow Trout Grenobloise (delicata squash, ground cherries, cider, brown butter). Snug Haven Spinach (sherry-balsamic glaze, sea salt). And to finish the meal...Grilled Sea Scallops (black truffle cheddar mashed potatoes, Keepsake apples, celery). This Spanish Wisconsin fusion food was delicious. My only complaint was that they seemed to have the same 4 songs on repeat. 

I begged both David & Kate to get me a plaid Songbag for the holidays...but neither of them listened to me. They both thought...Meshel doesn't really want that. And you know what? They were right. How do they know me better than I know myself?! While it's an awesome bag, I probably wouldn't get much use out of it...but this wondrous vintage-y record handbag...how adorable is that?? Kate found this much more me-like purse on etsy...I adore it!!! Inside there was a peacock pendant that I forgot to take a picture of. NYE gifts are the best. 

After dinner David & I went over to Kate's place for champagne, nibbles, & wee doggie fun. Kate's boyfriend Jason is fostering this little furball, Zero...he has so much energy...he will make someone a wonderful companion. He was barking at us, so David offered up his belly to Zero & all was well. The girlie took a video of us playing with the wee dog, but it won't let me imbed it here right now, so go to YouTube if you want to see the cute. 

The champagne...it was exquisite...bubbles are so lusciously delightful. I like bubbles. Kate shows off her impressive Star Wars pop-up book.

Pictures could not capture all my sparkle...although the lips come through a bit. 

I found this stunning DeMario vintage parure on eBay back in the 90s...it is a work of art. 

I wore all the make-up with this outfit. 

The first meal of 2016...Eggs Benedict & Mimosas. Smoked salmon for me, ham for Super Boo. Happy New Year!!

Chevron & Plaid

 Dress: Chevron Sweater Dress in Black & Teal by London Times (size 3x) via Gwynnie Bee Try Then Buy (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Leggings: Torrid

Boots: John Fluevog, vintage 90s

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Babil & Bijou

Long Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this outfit to work & run errands. This was a great fit & flare sweater dress...just the right length, heavy knit...but soft & cuddly. My only issue with this dress is...why aren't the sleeves a bit longer? It's warm enough not to need a cardigan, but almost has to have one because who wants so much arm showing when it's freezing outside?! I had this at home during a 50% off sale...so for $20...I *had* to have it simply because look at how PERFECT the color match is with my plaid Torrid leggings!! Plus, I'm a sucker for chevron. 

I am in love with this bookend art installation at our downtown library. In case you hadn't noticed. 

My make-up this day included...Gypsy Blue eyeliner by NYX; Urban Decay eyeshadow in Fringe, Creep, & Toasted; Nars lipstick in Cruella; & OPI nail polish in Amazon Amazoff. 

I'm linking this to Visible Monday over on Not Dead Yet Style. 

Happy Holidays

 Dress: Green Velvet Wrap Dress by Igigi (size 26/28)

Socks: Sock Dreams

Shoes: Andiamo, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this outfit Christmas Day in California. I've had this Igigi wrap dress for...a decade?? The last time I wore it was in December 2013. The emerald color is incredibly lovely, but does not photograph well. In fact, I recreated this outfit just yesterday to have these pictures taken with this adorable mural because the ones we took on Christmas turned out terribly...for which I am secretly pleased because...how cute is this wall?! 

The last time I organized my sock drawer, I rediscovered these fabulous sparkly glittery gold over-the-knee socks...they stay up great on their own, but had this dress been any shorter, I could have held them up over my knees with garters. It was cold, so it didn't occur to me to get a close up...so I cropped in so you could perhaps better see how marvelous they are...

Christmas tree with presents all around at David's grandma's house.   Fuzzy bunny sockies!!! I love wearing these to bed, so David gets me new ones every year. David's mom gathered photos from her siblings & their families to make an album for her mom...she was really touched. Kissy Christmas selfie.

New dresses! Super Boo got me 6 dresses for Christmas...that is one of the things I love about him...he knows I love Igigi & Kiyonna dresses...so instead of deciding I have more than enough dresses already (I do)...he gets me more because he knows it will make me happy. 

 Red hair with green is such a striking combination...

My Christmas make-up included...Girl Cosmetics brown with gold glitter eyeliner (this company no longer exists, it was a present from Kate back in 1999!), Mon Ennui Cosmetics eyeshadow in Druid, Urban Decay eyeshadow in Halfbaked, UD lipstick in F-Bomb, & China Glaze glittery polish in Ruby Pumps.