Put A Bunch of Mushrooms On It!

Dress: Mushroom Print Fit & Flare Dress by Eva Rose (size 3x) via Gwynnie Bee

Cardigan: Yours Clothing (size 26/28)

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Worthington, thrifted

Earring: The Embellishing Room

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-70

I can't remember the last time I was so excited by a dress from Gwynnie Bee...actually, I'm going to go look now because I'm curious. I looked back an entire year, & this Effie's Heart dress is the only one that comes close...but as much as I adored the print, it wasn't quirky like this one. I've never understood put a bird on it...but, put a mushroom on it...or any fruit or veggie really. Do you recognize this dress? I got it for Kate for her birthday. I didn't keep mine though. This print comes in mustard as well...which is much more me. I took a chance & went down a size in this brand & the fit was perfect. I loved everything about this dress. I've been losing weight though, & I have hundreds of unworn dresses...so I am not buying clothes right now. 

I guess I've been avoiding talking about it here because I'm not a fan of weight loss talk. I believe a person is more than a body & other people's bodies are none of our business. However, I can't really avoid it forever. I've lost just under 100 pounds. The number on the scale was really high for me, so I know it may not look like I've lost that much weight. The reason I've been losing weight is complicated...because the reason I'm fat is also complicated. We've been staying mainly at home for the past year & it's given me a lot of time to think & one day out of the blue I realized I've spent my adult life being fat as a big fuck you to my mom. I'm not going to go into that back story right now...but I was shocked. I have loved myself & my body as a fat person. I have never loved my body as a thin person (because even as a size 6, I was told & thought I was fat). I don't really think of my body as a size right now. I'm concentrating on eating foods that make me feel good & stopping when I'm full. I've never done that before. It's all new to me & the reason it's important to me at this time in my life is because it's been over a year now since I've been able to walk without a cane. I fell when we were visiting my parents in the fall of 2019 & I've been in pain ever since. In addition to that, I've had two medical issues with my legs in the last few years that have also caused me much pain & suffering & permanent scars. I would have most likely not had these issues if I hadn't been carrying around so much weight. My goal is to feel good about myself & not to be in constant pain. I've gotten two different kinds of shots to try to heal my knee...PRP & Prolotherapy. The single PRP shot helped my knee feel about 30% better. I no longer cry when walking the short distance from the house to the car. The prolotherapy was a one time series of shots & made no difference at all...so I didn't go back for more. Today, I set up appointments for a series of 3 PRP shots, each done 3 weeks apart. I am hoping that helps me feel less pain. I miss taking the dogs to the park & walking around with them. I miss going into the kitchen & making dinner. If the shots don't help enough, I'll have to get a knee replacement...which they won't do until I lose over 100 pounds more...or at least that was what the specialist I saw in 2019/2020 told me. Perhaps that is just where I need to be for insurance to cover it. I'm not sure. None of the shots I've been getting are covered by insurance. I have a friend who had a knee replacement at Mayo Clinic & she is about the size I am now & they never mentioned her weight. I think she may have paid out of pocket, so that is why I am wondering if the weight limit has more to do with insurance. Anyway, that is what is going on with me & my body right now. 

This was my first time wearing this super sparkly cardigan I bought years ago. I had to take it off to get one picture without it...it is sad covering up any of this adorable (summer) dress. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Mildew, Huda Beauty Amethyst Obsessions eyeshadow palette, Flashback liquid lipstick from UD, & OPI nail polish in Dutch 'Ya Just Love OPI? Those mushrooms though!!!

I finally did it...we did it...we cut into the first of our REAL fabric for the curtains I'm making...this fabric is going to be the Roman shades in our dining room. I successfully made a practice Roman...& it went well...too well. David & I are working together to cut out 5 of the correct size fabric pieces...because that is the trickiest bit...getting them square AND getting the pattern to be exactly centered in the middle. We stopped by work after taking these outfit pictures to pick up a heater for my office at home...I am cold all the time. It has been nearly a year since I've been inside this building to do in person therapy with our clients. While I feel lucky we are able to do teletherapy, I miss in person therapy quite a bit. I got these amazing green Fly London sandals for only $20 on eBay...never been worn. And tights from Italy. 

I am subscribed to Signature Sounds on YouTube...they have had some good concerts during this year...& I saw I had missed one where Joe Pug was the interviewer...so I watched it, unlive. Some cute sale shoes from Fluevog's end of season sale (all sale shoes are another 15% off)...I continue with my fantasy that I will someday be able to walk again...while wearing heels...& how cute are those brown plaid 90s retro shoes that I can definitely walk in?! Have you noticed I have a thing for Mary Jane style shoes? AND...the big news...David & I got our second COVID vaccine last Thursday! In 2-3 weeks we'll be much safer than we have been. I have hope that someday I will have my life back. 

Them Coulee Boys...speaking of having my life back. They started a Kickstarter to put out their new album...& my girlie, the sweetest girlie ever...has gotten me my own private concert by them! We are thinking summer of 2022...on the beach of Lake Superior...either in Marquette or Autrain. I missed out on my 50th birthday last year...so we'll celebrate it when I'm 52. It seems like a fantasy to plan something that involves travel & people...but I believe. Blue Ox did a live watch party on Friday of Them Coulee Boys set from last summer to help get out the word on their Kickstarter. John Davey playing from Marquette. And Baby Berlin playing a DJ set of fabulous music. 

Saturday...the DJ I love the most, Sonic Marchesa, was back doing Planet Earth...it has been sad with other DJs I have not enjoyed. I threw away 3! pairs of black shoes. It's a start. Some shoes I had from the 90s & two pair of preppy loafers that are SO not me. I have close to 100 pairs of black shoes...& I rarely wear black shoes any more. Sunday...Social Distance Live did an UnderCovered of Nirvana...it was spectacular. I have discovered so many new groups because of that show. I have enjoyed all of them, but this one & Amy Winehouse have been my two favorites. They have some good shows coming up, but the one I'm most looking forward to is Elliott Smith next month. 

Rainbow Girls is another band I discovered during the pandemic...& it was through them that I found Social Distance Live...when they did a show of Rainbow Girls covers. I included a photo of Caitlin Gowdey covering Nirvana because I was thrilled to see her wearing a CRAMPS t-shirt. I love music. Also on Sunday...The Glenn Crytzer Quartet played songs from 1932, Caffè Lena had a live watch party of a show Robyn Hitchcock played there in 2019, & a surprise short show by Bret Helm...that I missed, but watched as soon as I noticed. 

This is the end of outfit pictures for now...it was -14˚ out when I woke up yesterday...& since going inside is not an option for photos right now...I'm going to wait until it's back in the double digits. 
 

Passionfruit & Olive

Dress: Passionfruit Flocked Skater Dress by City Chic (size 24/XXL) 

Jacket: Avenue (size 26/28)

Tights: We Love Colors

Boots: Doc Martens via ModCloth

Necklace: Me

Earring & Bracelet: Wendy Baker 

Pin: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-70

I've got several of these City Chic velvet flocked dresses...this is my first time wearing this one. This dress fits a bit snug for this size in City Chic, but it was the perfect fit for me. The cutout in back made me happy...I need a back tattoo though, right?! This green velvet jacket was begging me to wear it...so I went with passionfruit & olive.

The hook on this jacket was missing...so I grabbed a green pin right before we headed out the door. 

It's boot season! These purple & gold brocade Docs tied with black ribbon are my favorite...stompy & girlie. 

Once upon a time...I used to make jewelry...like this necklace...I miss that. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Psychedelic Sister, Huda Beauty Amethyst Obsessions eyeshadow palette, UD eyeshadow in Mildew, Voodoo & Flashback lipstick from UD, & This Is A Slick Up nail polish by POP Nail Polish.

Bette Smith...live online for the second time in one week...amazing voice & performer. Me with one eye made up...& a bit of purple eyeliner on my lips...? I love this ghost sign they uncovered on Great Dane. Violet is always happy to see me when we come home...not that we leave the house much...on this day we left to take photos & pick up the car from our mechanic. Dogs are love. 

Something to look forward to while dressed up...a video chat with Kate to kick off her birthday weekend...she, David, & I all shared the same bottle of wine. Luckily, Kate is younger & has a better memory than I do...she remembered that we had this particular wine at a seafood restaurant in Seattle in 2012 & I adored it so much she got on a waitlist to buy it. It was delicious. Also, how fun is Walla Walla Washington to say? Later that night...there was some DJ/VJ watching on Twitch. 

This is one of our favorite farmers' market winter meals...pork chops with roasted sweet potatoes & baked apples. Carsie Blanton playing her 11th rent party for the boys in her band last Saturday...she was taking requests with donations & I asked her to play So Ferocious & wish Kate a happy birthday...& she did! It was adorable. During the last hour of the show I drove over to Kate's to drop off some masks. I left the house AND saw my girlie & didn't take a picture...?! 

Saturday night on Twitch...I've had to find some other shows to listen to since my favorite, Planet Earth, has had a guest DJ that doesn't have the same taste in new wave music as I do.

The Lowest Pair playing live...dueling banjos. Palmer said, we're opening for Charlie Parr, but he doesn't know that...as soon as they were done...Char Parr played his last Sunday show in residency from First Avenue. Michael Waite playing from the UP. 

Some lovely new earrings from Teri at EtXarte... 

The birthday girlie on her birthday! Dropping off some skincare for her to try & this amazing mushroom dress by Eva Rose. It was the perfect birthday dress for Kate. 

 

Dogs & Cats

Dress: Mix Print Wrap Maxi Dress with Fluted Sleeves by ASOS Curve (size 26 US)

Tights: We Love Colors

Boots: Doc Martens

Earring: Wendy Baker

Necklace: bel monili

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-70

I bought this dress a few years ago & finally broke it out...built in pattern mixing. I've gotta say...I'd rather do it myself, but this was a fun combo. There was no stretch to this true wrap dress...the fit was fine...but I prefer wraps to be a stretch fabric for a better fit...this was a bit boxy. The flared sleeves & back cut-out added a bit of drama. 

This was my first time wearing these orange Docs I got last year...it had snowed, so I wanted to be sure I could tromp through it if need be. 

This pattern placement made me feel like I was wearing an apron...or an artist's smock. 

This was my first time wearing this bright happy necklace. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Torch, UD eyeshadow in Dirty Talk & Ounce, NYX lipliner in Orange County, Dozen Carnations lipstick by MAC, Pumpkin lipstick by Kat von D, & OPI nail polish in It's a Piazza Cake & Midnight in Moscow. 

After photos...we dropped off a 6 pack of wine to the girlie from her cellar in our basement. While we were out...we also picked up some furry leopard shoes I found on Marketplace. Years & years ago...I bought a bunch of nail stamping plates...& immediately did nothing with them. I thought it would be fun to try them out with a leopard print design on my nails...it was cute...but can you believe that I've got hundreds of bottles of polish & no black?! 

Mr. Charlie Parr playing another fabulous live set from First Avenue. Matt DJ-ing Retrodustrial from the 90s. Ms. Bette Smith playing live for Paste Magazine...she is marvelous...what a voice. Amanda Palmer chatting from New Zealand. Michael Waite playing live from the U.P. Steve Earle playing for Paste Magazine...songs from his new album of covers of his son's tunes...& he played the song he wrote for his son...heartbreaking. DJ ellafine playing darkwave/synthpop.David & I have been unpacking more boxes in the basement & we came across these doggy Christmas sweaters Angie helped me make for Oscar & Olive for doggy daycare ugly sweater day...we tried them on Rye & Violet, then threw them away...because they don't really fit right & dogs hated them...but, adorable. David went out for our weekly co-op pickup last week...& the car was driving rough...so off to our mechanic it went...luckily, it was an easy fix. We planned on getting a new car last year, but then...last year happened & we didn't go anywhere, so it seemed pointless. BUT...this year will be different, right?! The Infamous Stringdusters playing online. A few bands live from Caffe Lena...Stretching the Truth & Mark Emanatian Duo. And another fantastic trio on Green Note...I was especially enamored of Bandini, an Italian artist out of London who plays Gypsy Pop/Jazz-ish music. And...then there's this gem that popped up on my TimeHop this week...not sure how old I was when I made this, but my drawing has not improved...or my opinion on cats. 

 

Purple Velvet Fluted Dress

Dress: Purple Velvet Fluted Dress by Torrid (size 5x)

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Old Navy, thrifted

Earring: Kerala Rose

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

2 Purple Necklaces: Green Goddess Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-70

All dressed up & nowhere to go...velvet version. I'm really only getting dressed to get my pictures taken...it keeps me sane with this bit of normality. So, why not pull out some fancy dresses as if I had plans...remember those?! Place to go...sigh. Also, how elegant does purple velvet fluted dress sound??

This dress was a bit big on top, so it didn't lay as nicely as it should have...I adored the trapeze flare on the bottom though...as well as the cutout in back. Torrid is calling this dress purple...it definitely skewed a pinky purple to me. This was my first time wearing these rose gold glitter flats I picked up at Savers. 

This was also my first time wearing this set of merlot necklaces...with one hanging down the back...had I been actually wearing this outfit out...I would have secured that one so it stayed in place better. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Love Drug, Pat McGrath eyeshadow in Gold Standard & Electron, Locket & Keepsake liquid lip color by Sugarpill Cosmetics, & OPI nail polish in Queen of West Web-erly. 

My final sewing step...hand sewing the rings on the back of the blinds. Farmers' market beef roast with a mushroom & shallot sauce & roasted sweet potatoes...& a lovely pairing of wine from Kate's cellar. 

New to me, DJ/VJ Ant, on Twitch...& a rather sad version of my usually beloved Planet Earth. Glenn Crytzer & his boys playing the songs of 1931. 

 

Olive & Orange

Dress: Contrast Stitching Olive Dress by Hutch (size 3x) via Gwynnie Bee

Cardigan: Isaac Mizrahi Live! (size 3x) via eBay

Tights: We Love Colors 

Shoes: Yoki via eBay 

Earring & Bracelet: Vintage

Necklace: Vintage Heidi Daus via eBay

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-70

I love olive...a lot...it's my favorite shade of green & the only reason I took a chance on this plain dress from GB. I was also unsure about all those pleats...I know they have a name? Inverted box pleats?? Because if the dress had been too tight on me, they would not have laid correctly...but it was perfect. Fantastic amount of twirl, pockets, & a great fit.

This was the windiest & coldest day I've experienced in a long time...it was brutal. But this orange & green color combo made me smile...these are my two favorite colors...why don't I wear them together more often?!

This was my first time wearing this cardigan, earring, & necklace...perhaps even the bracelet? 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Mildew, Nars eyeshadow palette in Mediteranee, Pumpkin lipliner by NYX, Apricot lipstick from Bite Beauty, MAC Retro Matte liquid lipcolour in Coral Plated, & Red Hot Holiday nail polish by OPI. 

I love working in this room with all the windows...watching it snow. Roman blinds...I think I've figured them out. We are going to change the bottoms to the one pictured because the tassels we bought look better spaced out more...they are too crowded on our current design.

Dan Rodriguez playing from a beach house in Florida loaned to him by a friend. An online order picked up at Joann's...they have that down...so easy. I wanted a red tomato pin cushion though...there are no blue tomatoes! I've been getting us 5 pounds of spinach a week from farmers' market because overwintered spinach is delicious...but we (me) are getting tired of it the same few ways...so I suggested to David that he make us a spinach, shiitake, shallot, cheddar omelet...& it was delightful! He cooked the ingredients down to get all the water out & infused so much flavor...perfectly seasoned with Sunny Paris Seasoning from Penzeys...simple, but tasty. 

Wednesday was the highlight of last week for me...I started crying when Lady Gaga began singing The National Anthem...continuing for the next hour & on & off the rest of the day. So much emotion. I would have preferred a Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren presidency...but I'm putting a lot of hope into Joe & Kamala. I'm not sure I've ever watched an inauguration before...certainly not as much of it as I did this year...but I wanted to see our first female VP sworn in. 

The star of the day, Amanda Gorman & her poem, The Hill We Climb. 

The Resonant Rouges playing live on Facebook...banjo & accordion...while I enjoy a glass of wine. 

David traded in the jewelry he got me for our anniversary that I already had...for this lovely set in peach, pink, & green. Our pickup from the Co-op this week included...salmon & kale...I can't get enough crispy kale chips lately. And Seasaw playing in a blinged out basement...those girls are always so sparkly.