Gleam: Art in a New Light

 

 Dress: Alex Dress in Red Paisley by Igigi (size 26/28) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Croft & Barrow (size 3x), thrifted

Tights: Catherines

Shoes: Andiamo, thrifted
Purse: gift from Kate

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Babil & Bijou (no longer online)

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I had this dress on priority since the moment it showed up on Gwynnie Bee...it took several months (9!) to get to me & by the time it did, the elastic around the neckline was stretched out. It was fine to wear a few times...but I was really hoping to buy it. Paisley is my favorite print & this dress is just lovely. Empire banded waist, faux wrap, & lined. I'm going to keep my eye on Fabfatshion  to see if I can nab this dress. That pattern *swoon*...

Both the cardigan & shoes came from Savers during a 50% off sale...I have the best luck there. A good portion of my cardigan & shoe collection are found at Savers. How is the plus size thrifting in your area? I'd love to hear about it. 

Every batch of pictures has a bunch with me laughing...David always makes me laugh...I tell him to stop because I can't use those photos on my blog...which is silly...more laughing is always a good thing...even if my eyes are closed & my face is scrunched up. 

Lunch at Alchemy with David...the kitchen had fun with their Halloween menu (yes, I'm finally up to Halloween)...our normal burger was renamed, RedRum Burger. 

Glitter Elixer was having a sale while I was in Tennessee...so after following her for a while on Instagram...I finally ordered some sparkles. I'm not sure what's up with the pink...it looked more burgundy online. The only hair products I use are Alterna...one of these after my hair is dry is all I use to style my hair.

I had to go to the mall to pick up my Torrid sale order (2 pair of leggings & an adorable red/black plaid skater dress)...so I popped into Lane Bryant...they had all their clearance on sale for $6.98! So I ended up with 2 bathing suit tops & a thick cotton orange/cream polka dot skirt...all for $22. My receipt said I saved $84., but that was off the clearance price...I actually saved $190. off of regular price...craziness! David & I went to the LB on the other side of town the next day, but they don't carry swimsuits. The most exciting thing about these swim tops...built in bra!!!

Gleam was on display at Olbrich Gardens for over a month...we finally made it on the last day...I went with Kate, Jason, & Daniel. Kate was dressed up as a dragon & Jason was a fox.  

Artsy lighting makes for spooky photos. Orbs everywhere. I like orbs.

Latvian choir projected on the wall singing...

I thought the idea of the above left installation was neat...it's the underwater topography of local lakes reimagined by inverting the lake forms & presenting them as clouds.

There are a lot of eyeshadows going on here, but it's hard to see with my eyes open. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero; Sephora eyeliner in Brown; Year of the Dragon eyeshadow by Mon Ennui Cosmetics; Too Faced Eyeshadow in Caramel, Bon Bon, Butter Pecan, & Frosting; Cruella lipstick by Nars; & OPI nail polish in An Affair in Red Square. 

My 1st Trip to Nashville & The Mountains of Tennessee

This post is about my week in Tennessee visiting my parents, where I wear clothes...but it's not really about the clothes. Or fashion. My parents bought a home in Tennessee, by accident, a few years ago. They finally sold their house in Upper Michigan & are retired in Tennessee full time. I've never been to Tennessee...so this was my first trip. My mom met me in Nashville & we stayed there a few nights before going up into the mountains. 

My view flying in to Nashville...are those houseboats? We saw a lot of those in Seattle...but it's still not something I'm used to. The first thing I noticed about Nashville...there is live music everywhere...of all kinds...not just country. Our hotel was in a beautiful old bank building downtown...look at those gorgeous metal doors...

Since we hadn't made reservations for dinner...everything I wanted to go to was booked...so we ended up walking to Wildhorse Saloon. The food & drinks were terrible. I was so excited to eat BBQ...but my mixed BBQ plate with sides of mac & cheese and cheese & grits...all tasted the same...bland. The only fun part of the place was free line dancing lessons between the band's set. I didn't take part...but enjoyed watching. 

Cute doggie in a guitar case...on Broadway on our way to Robert's Western World. This place was awesome! I am not a new country music fan at all...but love traditional country & honky tonk (I wish I knew more about these genres). The band that was playing, Eileen Rose & The Silver Threads, had a standup bass...so I knew they'd be fantastic. She sang mostly classic country songs...Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette...you know...singers I've actually heard of. Look at that adorable older couple dancing...

Next stop...Tootsies...we showed up between bands & it was jam packed with people. After waiting nearly an hour, the band started playing & they weren't very good...so we worked our way to the door. You know how you can usually gently push your way through a crowd? That wasn't happening here because there was no room to spare...one smart lady said to me...I'm going to hug you & we'll turn around together & switch places...magically, this moved us along. So Tootsies didn't make a great impression on me, but it's all about the band...so I'm sure it's a fabulous place...just not in our brief time there. 

The following day we walked out the side door of our hotel into Printer's Alley to have lunch at Skull's Rainbow Room. I had wanted to have dinner there the evening before because they have nightly burlesque shows with a live band...which is totally my thing. I was sad that we were not able to attend a show...so that is first on my list for my next visit. 

If you click on the photo below to make it bigger...you can see the original checkerboard stage...with a wooden catwalk for the performers to wander on. Elvis & Johnny Cash performed on that stage! While renovating several years ago, they found the original food menu behind the stage, patching a hole in the wall...it was restored & hangs on the wall. The original owner, Skull, was murdered here in 1998 during a robbery...this place has a fascinating history. The lobster bisque here is amazing. I also had a french dip sandwich which was quite tasty. 

Next up, Discover Nashville bus tour...we considered taking a trolley tour that went all over the city & you could hop on & off throughout the day...but this tour included admission to the Ryman Auditorium & the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. Our driver was fun & she drove us by all the major sights & briefly filled us in. The Ryman was a spectacular bit of yesteryear...the short holographic film of its history was great. Look at that adorable hat...I want one! The Ryman was home to The Grand Ole Opry for 31 years & is host to all kinds of entertainment events now. I'd love to see a band here. I bought a Ryman Auditorium "The Soul of Nashville" Hatch Show print & a few magnets in the gift shop. 

The Parthenon...it houses a museum inside...but we just stopped here briefly...I would use this as a backdrop for my photos all the time if I lived here.

Musica statue, taken from the bus in the Music Row area. 

I will admit...I was not particularly excited about the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum...but it was fantastic. There was a special exhibit entitled Dylan, Cash, & the Nashville Cats...which highlighted both their careers, Dylan's recording in Nashville, Cash's TV show, & their friendship...which I had no idea existed.

That's Elvis' 1960 Cadillac above...it has a record player & a gold-plated TV in the back seat. 

To be continued...there are SO many photos to go through...I'm working on it. 

Lipstix & Chill

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

Cardigan: Avenue

Tights: Catherines

Shoes: Dexflex, thrifted

Earring: The Gilded Gypsies 

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I absolutely adore the shape of this dress...madly in love. When I first saw it, I thought...boooorrrrring. I packed it in my suitcase to wear in Nashville because it seemed like a good travel dress. These pictures are after that trip (which I'll write up over the weekend). I considered buying this dress as I was the first to wear it...however, all that beige is just too much neutral for me. This is made out of the typical heavy t-shirt cotton Effie's Heart always uses...& it was sooooooo comfortable. I ended up wearing it twice during my trip to Tennessee, on the plane home, to work, & run errands. I was sad to see it go, so...

I made a pattern out of it on parchment paper...it's such a simple design to copy...I'm going to attempt to make myself a dress with the pattern. Wish me luck! 

We were trying to beat the setting sun on this day...so I forgot to take off my cardigan. The back of the top of the dress is solid black. 

  October's Sephora Play.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero, Sephora eyeliner in Brown, Kat von D eyeshadow in Harpsichord & Analogue, Too Faced eyeshadow in Bon Bon & Butter Pecan, Mimosa & Apricot lipstick from Bite Beauty, Nars blush in Luster, & OPI nail polish in Red Hot Holiday. 

Pretty in Pink...Isn't She...

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

Cardigan: ?, thrifted

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Array, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

This dress has a great weight to it that makes it wearable all year round. Here I am still wearing sandals back in October...we've had such a marvelous autumn. Completely lovely dress with a great square neckline that would be conservative enough for work, but also fun at a party. Such pretty colors...with unexpected bursts of my favorite color...orange! 

I didn't realize how sloppy this cardigan looked until I saw these photos. I have 2 of these...thanks to thrifting...I think I'll try cropping one of them & tapering the sleeves to see if it helps. 

I like it better without the sweater...

A terribly blustery day...most of our pictures turned out like this...

Wine tasting in the 'hood at Table Wine with David & the girlie.

I love their wine flavors & aromas chalk board.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero; Sephora eyeliner in Brown; Kat von D eyeshadow in Love, Swoon, Rewind, & Anthem; NYX Lip Palette in The Plums; UD lipstick in Menace; & You're A Pisa Work nail polish by OPI.