Birthday Bakelite Bracelet

Dress: Ruffle Detail Ria Midi Dress by Hutch (size 3x) via Gwynnie Bee

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Chinese Laundry, thrifted

All Jewelry: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 50-47-68

Since the pandemic started, Gwynnie Bee has stopped having first fit models. The problem with that is you don't learn anything about a dress before closeting it...this is a sweater dress...there was NO mention of that in their description (they have since added that the dress is heavier than it looks). The navy & beige leopard print was cute, but the fabric was so heavy that the ruffles in the skirt droop & made the entire outfit look sloppy. The fit was great, but the length was awkward. 

I wore this dress to work to see one client (in person!) & get photos...then immediately sent it back. I did not feel cute in this disaster of a dress. 

I believe this is my first time wearing this matching necklace & bracelet. They came to me in a silver tone, but I applied an antique gold rub n buff to the metal. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in LSD; Natasha Denona eyeshadow in Harlow, Lash Line, & Satin Skin; 714 lipliner from UD; Santa Sangre lipstick by Kat von D; & OPI nail polish in A Kiss on the Chic. 

I bought myself this stunning Brad Elfrink bracelet for my birthday. He carves them himself out of vintage Bakelite & if you don't see his post in the first few minutes...it's SOLD. I love it SO much. 

 

50+1 Birthday

Dress: Adair Velvet-Trimmed Midi Dress by Anthropologie (size 24) via Nuuly (use my link & we each get $20 off)

Teggings: Re/Dress, RIP

Sandals: Concept by Born, thrifted 

Earring: Wendy Baker

Necklace: bel monili

Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, Jason, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 50-47-68

The Birthday Dress! My first Anthropologie outfit...they've been making plus sizes for a while now, but every time I see something I adore...I also think, that's really expensive. So, I am thrilled I can rent them through Nuuly. I mean, I don't wear dresses more than twice typically anyway...it's really the ideal service for me. Also, if I wanted to buy this dress from them, it's $73, 63% off full price. I LOVED this dress...so flowy, bohemian, & gorgeous colors...great fit & length. All the different patterns were outlined in burgundy velvet...it was perfect for me & I felt pretty on my birthday...which is essential, right?! 

Even though it was over 80° on my May 1st birthday...I was comfortable in this thin summer dress & I appreciated the long sleeves for sun protection. 

I believe this is my first time wearing this sunny yellow necklace & perhaps some of the bracelets too. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Alkaline, Buttercupcake & Flamepoint eyeshadows by Sugarpill Cosmetics, Mediteranee eyeshadow duo by Nars, NYX Suede lipliner in Orange County, Orange Fizz lip stain from Bite Beauty, MAC lipstick in Dozen Carnations, & OPI nail polish in Orange You Going To The Game? 

Birthday Eve...bopping along to the tunes on Twitch.

The first hug in over 14 months! Jason & David both documented it with LOTS of photos...but Jason took a video right at the end at the perfect time...for those of you who don't know, Kate had a breast reduction last fall...
 

All the happiness & smiles for getting to hug my girlie...the best birthday present EVER. We had a small gathering in our backyard...just us, Kate & Jason, and Angie & Toby. David spent so much time setting up the backyard & arranging all our Elkhorn Flea Market finds & my garage sale treasures to make a colorful fun gathering area around the fire pit. 

I am at the end of laughing here because it was SUPER windy out (they issued a warning NOT to have any fires)...& Kate's dress blew up over her head. She doesn't wear anything underneath her dresses. Our first bottle of bubbles matched my dress! Kate picked out several fabulous bottles for us to drink throughout the evening. Rye is such a social dog when we have friends over...he stayed by us all night. Violet was off wandering the yard. 

David had a hose at the ready in case anything or anyone started to smolder. David put all our metal arbors together to form a longer walkway through the yard...Kate & Rye took a dramatic stroll through. David making a variety of mushrooms with bell peppers.  

Then...asparagus...cooked to perfection. I'm not sure how David did it since that pan must get way hotter on the fire than it does on our stove. Lobster tails...my favorite! Cutie Kate in the mushroom dress I got her for her birthday...eating mushrooms & sipping bubbles. 

Shrimp! There were also scallops, but I must have forgotten to take a picture. ALL the seafood. I probably should have lived by an ocean. David roasting some tomatoes over the fire, talking to Toby...& Kate playing around with the solar lantern she got me. Kate & Jason, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. 

Dusk...& the candles are lit...David bought a bunch of colorful candles & it just made me so happy. And finally, it got dark enough for the lantern to turn on...it casts pretty shadows & when I look out our bedroom window at night...it is the only thing lit up in our backyard.

Surrounded by candles. And friends. And dogs. It was a completely wonderful chill birthday with delicious food & lovely bubbles.  

Listening to some New Wave later that night. The next day...David made us an omelet with leftover shrimp, mushrooms, & bell peppers...but what made it spectacular was the euchilada sauce (but perhaps it's called guasacaca, in looking at the menu?) Angie brought us from La Tagurara. Which I only realized when looking it up just now...is next door to my medical clinic...they've been telling me for YEARS how amazing it is. This sauce is awesomely garlicy avocado-y...I just love condiments...I'm going to try making it. Sunday...the return of UnderCovered, with NIN...& Glynn Crytzer & the boys playing songs from 1942. 

More delightful deliciousness left over from my birthday...lobster tails & asparagus...& Angie made me more of the almond cookies that she brought for Easter...OMG...they make the best ever strawberry shortcake. Ending my birthday weekend with DJ Shok...who played some electro swing music from his band Red Light District that I completely fell in love with.

Leopard Butterfly

Dress: Verona Highlight Maxi Dress by Bl-nk (size 3x) via Nuuly (use my link to get $20 off your 1st month)

Teggings: Re/Dress, RIP

Shoes: Fly London via eBay

Earring: Kerala Rose

Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 50-47-68

This was the dress that got me to join Nuuly...I mean...how ME is this gorgeous leopard gown?! In person...it's not as spectacular as I was hoping for...it's more of a cool beige that doesn't look fabulous with my skin tone. However, I still adore all the bright splashes of color amongst the leopard spots & I enjoyed wearing it...I felt like a colorful leopard butterfly. The fit would have been good, but my right upper arm is 4 inches larger than my other arm, so it was incredibly tight, which threw off the way the dress lay up top. The length & flow of the dress were lovely. Out of the 6 dresses I got in my first box, this is the only one with fit issues. I'm going to stick with Nuuly, at least for the summer. After that, they may run out of options for me in my size...we'll see. 

Gotta pump up the orange & show off my pedicure. 

I did splotches of various colors of eyeshadow to mimic the dress. If there were places to go, I may have also tried to draw some leopard prints above my eyeliner wings. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Perversion, Kat von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper, Sparkling Cherry Limeade eyeshadow palette by Violet Voss, Orange County lip liner & lipstick from NYX, MAC lipstick in Dozen Carnations, & OPI nail polish in Santa Monica Beach Peach. 

Scrolling though Instagram & The Lowest Pair just happened to be doing a little live practice...they have actual in person shows booked...I hope I can see live music soon. DJs on Twitch, I will miss that. 

Which dress for my birthday? More music via DJs on Twitch. 

I've got a Val on my lap! I've missed her. The return of Thursday dinners at Angie's...Freddie is still unsure of the strangers in his house. David made Walleye with asparagus & we drank a bottle of slightly too sweet wine. 

DJ Baby Berlin, Synthetic Thursdays. And my preorder limited edition tights from Snag...a straggler showed up the next day...but new colors of tights...just in time for the end of tight season. 

 

Girlies Touching!

Dress: Floral Embroidered Green Dress by eShakti (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Born

Earring & Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Necklace: Colleen Toland

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 50-47-68

Olive is my absolute favorite shade of green...so I adored this dress with the pretty embroidery. The fabric was a heavy t-shirt cotton/spandex & was incredibly comfortable. The fit & length were great, & of course, being eShakti, there were spacious pockets. My favorite part was that they continued the flowers through the back of the dress...I hate when things are only done in the front, don't you? 

A mustardy yellow & orange to continue the warm palette. 

I dyed my hair! The first time since October...this feels more me. This is my first time wearing this necklace (I think?)...I've got a matching bracelet & earrings, but I didn't feel like being matchy-matchy. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner & eyeshadow in Mildew, Nars Mediteranee eyeshadow duo, Orange County lipliner by NYX, Dozen Carnations lipstick from MAC, & OPI nail polish in Orange You Going To The Game?

The girlie & I in the same car...touching! O! M! G! It's been over a year. We even did some car talking.

Kate & I went to both the Westside Market & Dane County Farmers' Market...not much available this time of year, but it was a gorgeous day to be outside. Later that day...Carsie Blanton & her band played their last rent party. She said they'll still do a live stream once a month, but as some live gigs are coming back, she's not going to call it that any longer. 

A spontaneous invite to dinner from Angie...plans with more than one person in a day?! Dinner & wine...with a side of adorable Freddie & naughty doggies! And the lovely company of Angie & Toby. 

Ramps! Had to get them from the co-op since Harmony Valley is not going to market right now. David immediately made an omelet with them (& shiitake), delicious. New to me fun shoes...pink & orange Fluevogs found on the Flummunity. And to finish my Saturday night...new wave tunes. 

 

Pedicure

Dress: Mallard Sheath Dress by Connected Apparel (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee

Cardigan: MAK (size 4x), gifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Crown by Born, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Tin Type Necklace: former Etsy shop

Long Necklace & Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 50-47-68

I typically am against sheath dresses...I just don't think they do anything for most women's figures. There's no waist, & no twirl in the skirt. However, this pattern & color palette are just so lush...I had to give it a try. I didn't dislike it, but still don't see the point of this cut. The fit & length were good, but I'm not sure how I felt about the side slit that exposed the black lining...indifferent? GORGEOUS pattern & colors though...which was my original point. 

There were two greens in the dress & my cardigan & tights matched each of them rather well. I didn't want any other patterns competing with the dress...although there is the snakeskin print of the shoes, which I'm quite sure I've never worn before. 

I've also never worn this gentleman tin type necklace before. I keep things for years...decades...& eventually there is a time for them. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Junkie, Too Faced eyeshadow in Sin City & Golden Nugget, Burgundy lipliner by MAC, Homegirl lipstick from Kat von D, & OPI nail polish in Hollywood & Wine. 

We put a pillow on the kitchen floor so David could sit comfortably while I cut his hair, but Rye beat him to it. Is this pillow for meee? Cuddling doggies on the fainting couch in my office. I am trying a new subscription service, Nuuly. They have a completely different selection of offerings than GB does...a lot of Anthropologie with fantastic prints. Of course, they have a much better selection in smaller sizes, but they've got enough dresses to keep me interested at least through the summer. You get 6 garments at a time for a month & you get to pick which 6 items come to you. Here's my referral code if you'd like to check it out. I'm excited about it! 

Lady DJs on Twitch. Normal life?! I got a pedicure! That hasn't happened since 2019. It was luxurious. I tried a new person at Elevation, Jenny, & she was fantastic. Afterwards, I headed to the courthouse to file the paperwork to change my name to the way I've spelled it since 6th grade (Meshel). Shane & I got all the paperwork back in Marquette in 1988, but I didn't go through with it because it was ~$100 & that seemed like a lot to me when I was a mere 18. Shane ended up changing his last name though. 

DJ Sonic Marchesa playing David Bowie & Prince for my Friday night listening pleasure. And a bit of 80s New Wave over on DJ Ant's channel.