Colin Stetson & Sarah Neufeld

 Dress: Sam Dress in Frog Print by Rachel Antonoff (size 5x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Array, thrifted

Necklace, Bracelet, & Earring: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

Oh, shift dresses...why do you come in so many enticing patterns? I had to try this dissected frog dress...because...fun! At least 1/2 a dozen women sought me out at a concert to tell me how awesome my dress was...they just meant the print though...it is quite eye-catching. And that was the only thing I liked about this shift...but then, I suspected as much. The fabric was similar to scuba, but even thicker & heavier...& my land...it was *short* when sitting...most of the women who complimented me called it a top. The fit was way off, just like the other Rachel Antonoff dress I've worn...tight on the bottom, huge up top. Also, both of my arms could have fit into one armhole. 

The reason I don't like shift dresses...I could say it's because they aren't flattering, but eff flattering...I love a flowy swing dress. I guess I don't care for the shape they give me...I gaze at that photo below & I see a stand up arcade game. Here, I look like Frogger. 

 A lot of excess material under the arms...that is not a happy face. 

I adore this sparkly pink polish, but can never entirely capture the glitteryness. Melissa Masse sent me 4 dresses for a size 26+ blogger feature Marcy is doing...so amazingly generous...& none of them fit. None of them. I know it doesn't make any sense...but I felt bad about myself...not just bad...but like a less than person. She was so extremely sweet in her response that the feeling immediately went away...but it shook me. I took a photo of the maxi dress with the fabric I gasped over...& she told me she would make me a fit & flare dress out of it herself (the other dresses were made by one of her sample makers that doesn't do much plus size). OPI fall polishes...so pretty. I keep up my cosmetology license so I can buy my nail & hair stuff cheaply at the beauty supply stores. 

David & I after voting...no make-up yet at this point in the day. The Shitty Barn...opening, Chants...then Colin Stetson & Sarah Neufeld. 

I nearly didn't make the trip out to the barn for this show. I was supposed to go with Angie & Toby, but they were exhausted...& I listened to Colin Stetson (Arcade Fire, Bon Iver) & Sarah Neufeld (Arcade Fire) on YouTube...& quite honestly, their music hurt my ears...my whole body would relax the second they stopped playing. Why would I drive out to Spring Green by myself for that?! I don't know...there was something pulling me there. In person...they were mesmerizing...their music was like the most heartbreakingly vulnerable conversation, a lonely savage beast, a stampede of enraged elephants, a heavy metal rhino. I was enchanted. 

I filmed a little snippet of what I saw before me, but I know you must experience this in person to really hear it. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Moss, NYX Avant Pop eyeshadow palette in Art Throb, Urban Decay eyeshadow in Junkshow & Last Sin, Cranberry lipstick by Bite Beauty, & J'adore My Mani nail polish by Morgan Taylor. 

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Sean Hayes at The Frequency

 Dress: Floral Delight Dress by City Chic (size XXL/24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Array, thrifted

Earring: Babil & Bijou (no longer online)

Necklace: A Luscious Thing

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

This pretty party frock was full of gorgeous colors & a delight to wear. The flattering fit & flare shape, the tulle underskirt that added a bit of fluff, & pockets...charming. The only odd thing about this dress is that the bust was lightly padded...? I will sheepishly admit to you that I own this dress in a purple & black hydrangea print that I've never worn. I would be horrified to know how many dresses are languishing in my closet that have never gotten any attention from me. 

The only time we could fit pictures in this day between clients was at 1 in the afternoon...terrible lighting...but I like to have photos taken on the day I'm actually wearing the dress. 

Dinner with Kate, Angie, & Jason at Graze before seeing Sean Hayes. Cocktails...I had a Miami (Hayman's Old Tom Gin, Fruitlab ginger liqueur, rosemary syrup, lemon juice, Bittercube Jamaican #2 bitters)...but what did I have for dinner??? Angie & I shared cheese curds for an appetizer...but I have no photo of what I ate. How can that be? And just when Angie stated...I forgot how many pictures you two take when you're together. See, it's because if I don't take them...I forget everything. Perhaps the girlie took a photo of me with my food? Oh! I just remembered...I had Friday Fish Fry! All fried food...but not all the time. 

Sean Hayes & his band sat next to us! Jason & Kate posing with an unsuspecting Sean between them. 

Kate & Angie with their dinner. The capitol as I walked by it on my way to the venue. An early show...I was the first person to arrive (everyone else went for a walk). I have quite a bit of anxiety about sitting close...so I like to get to places when the doors open. Or I flip out. 

Kate wearing Jason's hat...I don't know that I've ever seen her in a baseball cap before. Still cute. We saw Sean Hayes last year at The Shitty Barn & were excited to see him again. He was amazing. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Abyss, UD eyeshadow in Junkshow & Last Sin, Kat von D eyeshadow in Dark Wave, Bite Beauty lipstick in Winterberry & Cranberry, & This Color's Making Waves nail polish by OPI.

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Josh Harty & Simon Balto

 Dress: Fresh Floral Dress by City Chic (size 24/XXL) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Sandals: Born, thrifted

Earring, Necklace, & Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I am in love with this style of dress...the tea length, sweetheart neckline, & 50s silhouette. I have worn it in Climbing Floral, Purple with green, Purple with burgundy, & I own it in Red, but have not yet worn that dress. However, this is by far my absolute most adored...those colors!!! I had planned on buying it from GB the moment it arrived...but there was a pull on the front...slight, but GB prices are not as reasonable as they once were for used clothing...so I ended up purchasing it on sale at City Chic brand new for less than GB wanted for it. These dresses come with a wide belt the same color as the dress, but I don't usually wear belts. I feel extra extraordinarily feminine in this dress. Also, it makes me smile.

Gaze upon those Dr. Seussesque flowers! Kate informed me they were most likely hibiscus...& she was correct. In fact, later that week I encountered them for sale in a variety of colors at farmers' market. Too bad I have a black thumb. They are FABULOUS!

Kate & I at The Shitty Barn...a kind stranger took our photo. This day was particularly hot & humid & I had sweat dripping down my face from the moment I put make-up on. I just felt like sharing that.

Enos Farms makes delicious food, but lately we haven't been thrilled with their offerings so we've been bringing our own picnic. Nomming on yummy carrots. Also, notice how nicely my bra matches my dress as it crept out every so often. 

Both of these bands were good live...I *think* the top one is Simon Balto, which makes the bottom one Josh Harty. Josh was playing with some local musicians including the husband/wife duo from The Stellanovas, who really need to update their gig schedule on their website because I think they're amazing & want to see them perform. 

David surprised me with a new camera! Taking these photos of me was his first time using it. We went from using a Canon Rebel to a Nikon D7200. The lighting on this day/time was extremely harsh, but we managed to get decent pictures anyway. David is so sweet to me...he has zero interest in photography, but he supports me in whatever makes me happy. I am very grateful to have him in my life. Also, he doesn't read my blog often...so I can say all the nice things about him I want without embarrassing him. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Deep Purple; Kat von D eyeshadow in Vinyl, Echo, Swoon, & Anthem; Urban Decay eyeshadow in Jilted; Bite Beauty lipstick in Aubergine; & OPI nail polish in Who the Shrek Are You?

Garage Sale-ing

 Dress: Work the Angle Dress in Red by Poppy & Bloom (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Teggings: Re/Dress (summer length)

Sandals: Born

Earring: Babil & Bijou (no longer online)

Necklace: A Luscious Thing

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

Longtime followers of my blog will recognize this location as one of my favorites since the beginning. It is the former Madison Brass Works, built in the early 1900s...it has been vacant for some time, but was bought last December by a nearby community center. Quite often now there is machinery & other signs of life that lead me to believe this location may not be an option for photos much longer. And that makes me sad. I know they will fix the building up, rather than tear it down...but I prefer rust & decay to renovated spaces. Mostly, I hope they keep this glass wall. 

I adore these Poppy & Bloom Work the Angle dresses...I have worn them in several different prints, including coral abstract, cream & red geo print, geometric chevron print, & aqua geo print. This is my favorite pattern & color combo...& look how perfectly it goes with this necklace! I resisted buying it however, because it started lightly pilling the few times I wore it...it's the kind of soft cozy material that is meant to look lived in...& I'm not lacking in dresses I can wear casually. Of course...I would buy it if it showed up in the GB Shop for under $20. 

I LOVE garage sale-ing...in addition to finding finds & getting bargains...I like peeping at the parts I can see of people's houses (usually garages & yards). One of the garages I went to on this day was lined with all different kinds & colors of metal lockers. It was so neat & tidy...& fun to look at. Another woman's garage had every inch of wall space decorated...one wall was all celestial...another was covered in vintage metal bits. She was also selling quite an array of fantasy landscapes she had created on Lazy Susans that I thought would make excellent fairy gardens. 

My finds this day...gold roses shower hooks, an angel shelf, cement gargoyle, & a red bundt pan. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Gypsy Blue, Urban Decay eyeshadow in Gonzo, NYX eyeshadow palette in Brights, Head in the Clouds lipstick by MAC, & OPI nail polish in Teal the Cows Come Home. 

Cory Chisel & Friends

 Dress: Kate Dress in Blue Guitar Picks by Cherry Velvet (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Dansko

Earring, Necklace, & Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I love this style of dress...I've also worn it in navy button spots earlier this summer. There was so much white in this dress...I panicked & added lots of color. I nearly didn't wear it, but the whole reason I closeted it was in hopes I could wear it to a concert at The Shitty Barn. Guitar Picks! Perfect, right?! 

Pedicure! The best Groupon I've ever bought...3 pedicures for $40, this is my second. She was nicer to me this time since I tipped her well the first time. Picnic at the barn with Angie & Toby, yum.

Cory Chisel came back...twice in one year! I saw him back in May & was mesmerized. Cory & John of J-Council above...but first...Frank Catalano with Jimmy Chamberlin (of The Smashing Pumpkins). What a treat. Angie said something like...you think you're going to the Madison Orchestra & instead...there is Yo-Yo Ma. I think Frank said their current album was the #2 jazz album on the Billboard charts that week. They were amazing. 

 Cory with his wife, Adriel Denae & again with John of J-Council. 

When this special show was added, I squee-ed. I think this world tour was being sponsored by the USA network & as they payed for it...Cory donated the money he would have made to charity (I can't remember which one). They were amazing all over again, but not quite as magical as the first time. I would see Cory Chisel every time he comes to town.

My make-up with this outfit included...Make Up For Ever eyeshadow in Tangerine & Lime, NYX Shadow Palette in Brights, Bite Beauty Blood Orange lipstick, OCC Lip Tar in Electric Grandma, & In My Back Pocket nail polish by OPI. 

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Central Park Sessions: Irish Eyes

 Dress: Swirl Keyhole Maxi Dress by Avenue (size 26/28)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Fly London

Earring: Vintage 80s

Bracelet: Vintage, garage sale find

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

Look at that pattern! And all those colors!!! I ended up wearing this lovely dress on two different days with Kate as she was quite smitten with it & extremely complimentary about how I looked in it. In fact, I will admit I did not fully fall in love with this dress until I saw it through the girlie's eyes. I thought it was too short & tight on me when I first tried it on, but now I never want to take it off! Aside from the fabulousness of the fabric...I adored the braiding detail along the neckline & the keyhole that added enough interest not to need a necklace (which would have gotten lost on this busy pattern), but was not low enough to turn into an unwanted boob window. Also, it has been AGES since I had a side slit in a dress...perhaps this means they are coming back in fashion? I rather liked that addition so my teggings could peak out a bit more...or just show off a bit of leg. 

I picked this dress out from Avenue after they generously said they would provide one for Marcy's feature on size 26+ bloggers. She had already spoken with them on our behalf & I was thrilled to get this dress. It's on clearance right now for ~$20, so you should grab it...I almost want to order another one for when this one wears out...I like it *that* much. 

I am posting this (& my previous post) out of order so that I can show off these lovely dresses that were given to me while they are still available. 

We are very fortunate here in Madison, WI to have so many opportunities to see free live music. This Irish Central Park Session opened with a local band, followed by The Nuala Kennedy Band from Ireland/Scotland & the headliners...Dervish (County Sligo, Ireland). We ate delicious African food from the Baraka truck & drank Door County cherry cider & Magic Carpet Ride (Mead with Orient spices). Dervish was particularly amazing...I always like an adorable & talkative lead singer. 

A few days later at the Saturday downtown farmers' market with the girlie. Apples!?! As much as I adore these antique apples...I'm not quite ready for it to be that time yet. Give me ALL the heirloom tomatoes. Several years ago Kate & I were at a smaller market & one of the vendors was giving away samples of their tomatoes. Before tasting heirloom tomatoes I did not think I liked tomatoes...I was SO wrong. The girlie is pained under her heavy load of amazing produce. 

After market lunch at a new Indian fusion restaurant, Om. Yum. While at the co-op, I sat & enjoyed this marvelous accordion player while reading the local weekly paper & enjoying the gorgeous 72 degree weather. Then I went home & read on the couch with the doggies (you can barely see Rye's paw). 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero, Sephora liner in Brown, UD eyeshadow in Fringe & Jilted, Kat Von D eyeshadow in Fran & Legend, Bite Beauty lipstick in Blood Orange, Nars lipstick in Cruella, & Atomic Orange nail polish by OPI. 

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