Friday, July 29, 2016

Comedy of Errors

 Dress: Knot Front Dress in Purple Diamond (size 5x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)
Leggings: Torrid
Sandals: Dansko
Earring: etXarte
Necklace: Vintage
Bracelet:
Photography: Super Boo & Me
Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64
Oh, look! Another Knot Front dress...just like the day before. It reminded me of chainlink fence...it was a great color of purple.
David & I went to American Players Theatre for the first time this year to see Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors...
I made us artichoke hummus wraps with veggie slaw, which we ate in the car instead of at a picnic table because it had been pouring rain up until a few minutes before we got there...but...it stopped for our outdoor performance. 
As usual, APT did a great job & this play was hilarious & well done (the above photo came from the Isthmus). 
My make-up with outfit included...Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Liner in Retrograde; UD eyeshadow in Beatdown, Bones, & Framed; NYX Lip Cream Palette in The Plums & Simply Vamp lipstick in Tempress; & OPI nail polish in OPI INK. 

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Concerts on the Square: The Appian Way

 Dress: Knot Front Dress in Peri Check by Lucie Lu (size 5x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)
Teggings: Re/Dress
Sandals: Dansko
Earring: etXarte
Necklace: Vintage
Bracelet: Kate
Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me
Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64
I threw this dress on to go to Concerts on the Square with the girlie after getting a pedicure & FINALLY prying the fruit dress off my body & mailing it back to GB. These colors & pattern were so not me that I had Kate take some quick snaps because I was quite sure this was going to go back without wearing it again...but Kate liked it...so I gave it another chance...with slight make-up & accessory adjustments. I adore these Lucie Ku knot front dresses...I've lost track of how many patterns I've worn...blue polka dot (that I own), navy & orange houndstooth (my fav), black with yellow dots (that I own), black bouquet, aztec acid, midnight rose (bought), night vision teal...& I know there are several more...but you get the idea. That sweetheart neckline just so flatteringly frames the chest. 
My 80s Miami Vice vibe goes delightfully with the LOVE wall. 
The first Concerts on the Square of the season (I'm *really* behind...this was June 29th) with my girlie & my new pedicure. 
We did not plan food ahead of time...but Kate brought this delicious sparkling rĂ³se. She ended up with African food from Buraka, while I decided on a baguette sandwich picnic from Fromagination with thee most amazing potato chips. This was a most lovely perfect evening with my girlie under the shade of this tree with gorgeous background music. There have been some stressful life events & this was just what I needed. 
I haven't been very good at documenting my garage sale finds...so I'm just going to stick them here since I went to several sales in this dress. This moss green bathroom cabinet was a great find with its mirrored back & curved glass sides...the whole yard sale was magnificent...a woman who had gotten there just before me had a pile going & there was this fun metal object that I had no clue what it was...so I asked & the lady running the sale said...we don't know, but it's a really great one. 
I found this amazing vintage sale in Lodi last summer when I drove Kate to hike...but since they told me they don't advertise, I hadn't gone again...until I came across their ad on Craig's List last month...I was SO excited! She told me they do 3 sales a summer & I told her THANK YOU for putting it on CL. 
After years of lusting after them...I finally got an old rusty metal plow tiller...someone had welded a stake on this one, so it was all ready to decorate the yard. I just LOVE old rusty things!
Chickens! Chickens came wandering out while I was browsing at this yard sale that was a fund raiser for this family's dog who had to have her leg amputated. There were no prices on anything...just give a donation if you felt like it. So I gave them a few dollars for our favorite game...The Game of Things...even though Kate has one & I'll never play without her. 
I picked myself up a coloring book at the dollar store...I was there in search of Lisa Frank coloring books for Kate. 
During the month of June...GB kept throwing Rimmel make-up in my boxes...I still haven't tried any of it yet. 
Savers sale...David found me 3 pairs of leggings to wear to bed, & I spied a few other things I *needed*.
My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero; Sephora eyeliner in Brown; UD eyeshadow in 1985, Fastball, & Bones; Make Up For Ever eyeshadow in Lime; Quince lipstick by Bite Beauty; UD lipstick in Crush; OPI polish in My Gecko Does Tricks with Woodstock by Colors by Llarowe on top. 

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Tutti Frutti

 Dress: Daniel Dress in Tutti Frutti by Rachel Antonoff (size 26) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)
Teggings: Re/Dress
Sandals: Born, thrifted
Earring & Bracelet: Wendy Baker
Necklace: Vintage Miriam Haskell
Photography: Super Boo & Me
Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64
This fabric is the cutest!!! I know I'm 46...but I will never be too old to wear a fruity dress...adorable. I wore this dress 4 times...I didn't want to ever send it back despite it not being a perfect fit...because fruit! This was a well made lined dress with attention to detail...but I forgave a lot due to the fun print. The fit was awkward...too long in the torso & really a mess up top...the armholes gaped in front & were too big overall...I was constantly fiddling with the neckline as it didn't want to lay flat. Odd cutout in back didn't bother me so much as I didn't see it, but the pleats on the skirt below it gave me added ass volume that seemed excessive. The length would have looked better a few inches shorter. But...gorgeous print! Also, Rachel Antonoff is an interesting indie designer & this collaboration with GB is her first foray into plus fashion...which could explain the fit issues. I'm excited to see more from her. 
If this dress ends up in the shop for under $40...it will be mine...& I'll alter it to fit me better...ok, that will never happen...but I *would* wear it with a cardigan to cover up its flaws while enjoying this fabulous fruit salad frock. 
This City Chic colorfully striped dress was just my style...but with no stretch...too snug to bother styling. I wore it out of the house oh-so-briefly to shop Savers 50% off sale...but it hurt to sit down in. Such a shame as I adore all the colors. 
A lovely evening at the Edgewater on the lake with the girlie...mediocre fish fry & sangria. The hotel is doing a live music series on Fridays this summer...Brewgrass (sponsored by beer)...& one of our favorite Shitty Barn alumni...Charlie Parr...was playing...for free on a beautiful night. We saw him last fall & will see him again this autumn for our last Shitty show of the season. The opening band was also from Minnesota, The Dead Pigeons. They did this amazing mashup of pop songs done in Bluegrass style...it felt like the drummer & singer were going back & forth improvising...so fun. 
Girlies on the lake. 
Kate & I each bought an album to add to our collections. Charlie Parr was great...but as it wasn't as intimate a space...did not tell as many wonderful personal stories. The sunset was spectacular & the people watching was marvelous...I think we saw 4 wedding parties. The company was the BEST. 
$1 flip-flop sale at Old Navy...can you believe I didn't own any?? I needed some to get a pedicure (not pictured). Browsing my favorite magazines at Barnes & Noble. Did you know there was a David Bowie coloring book?!!
I wanted these shoes SO much...but they were both size 11 & would have fallen off my feet...even with socks. Also, I loved the pattern & color of this cardigan...but it had several small moth holes. Things sadly left behind at Savers. 
Awesome Marimba player outside of Willy Street Co-op...we sat & enjoyed him for a spell. 
Savers 50% off scores...including 2 hats that David found for me. 
My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Voodoo; Kat von D eyeshadow in Analogue, Legend, & Vinyl; NYX Lip Palette in The Plums; & My Gecko Does Tricks nail polish from OPI. 
Linking to Visible Monday over on Not Dead Yet Style

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Tip Top Tavern

 Dress: Sweetheart Dress in Rose Quartz by Leota (size 4L) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)
Teggings: Re/Dress
Sandals: Dansko
Earring: etXarte
Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage
Photography: Super Boo & Me
Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64
This is the 3rd Leota Sweetheart dress I've had from GB...I wore it in a neon 80s print & pink python...this is my favorite...because ORANGE, the color of fun! & pink look lovely together...like a sunset (which is close to what it was doing when these photos were taken). I decided to play up the pink because I'm usually all about the orange...so predictable. These sweetheart dresses are fantastic, I just wish they were ~3 inches longer. 
Angie & I had tickets to The Shitty Barn to see Seasaw with Paleface. About 45 minutes into the drive (Spring Green is an hour away), she says...I almost texted you to see if you wanted to go to dinner instead...& I was like...I nearly asked you if you were sure you wanted to go. So we turned around & took a little trip to The Shoe Box (a gigantic shoe store...we left with nothing), then back to Madison for dinner at Tip Top Tavern. I'd never been there & I like trying new places. Tin ceiling love. Their house Old-Fashioned, Rakish...made with bourbon, bitters, & ginger beer...yum! The food was good...but I'd stick with Alchemy for a burger...I'd try them again for brunch...especially on a lovely day when we could sit on their outside patio & visit with this adorable elephant. 
June's Scent Trunk offerings. Blood Sweat Tears was my favorite...it takes me to a man's study in Victorian England...comforting. I would also wear Fleur d'Aspiration on a hot summer day. As delightful as it sounds...Blood Orange Chocolat did not work for me...chocolate scents always smell plastic on my skin. 
David thought the wall gave me Rupaul Drag Race hair...I wouldn't mind having hair that looked like fire...
My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero, Sephora eyeliner in Brown, several pink & orange shadows from NYX eyeshadow palette in Brights, Quince lipstick by Bite Beauty, & OPI nail polish in You're A Pisa Work. 

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Best Indian Buffet in Madison

 Dress: Flared Dress in Blue Floral by London Times (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)
Teggings: Re/Dress
Sandals: Born
Necklace: A Luscious Thing
Earring: Wendy Baker
Photography: Super Boo & Me
Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64
The pretty purples & blues on the black background really pop! I had planned on wearing this for Angie & Toby's wedding...but the scuba fabric was too hot, plus this dress came to me damaged...so I wore it the day after. Fabulous fit & flare that could be worn year round. I'd have fun pattern mixing cardigans with this in the cooler months. The light was terrible this day, but I like to take my photos the day I wear the outfit...so...honesty over perfect pictures. 
David, Kate, & I got Angie & Toby a Harmony Valley Fruit Share CSA for their wedding...& since the first one was the day they tied the knot...I picked it up to deliver to them. Look at all that amazing fruit! David & I used to get both the fruit & veggie CSA from Harmony Valley, but as I go to market every week...I'd rather buy what I want...I felt guilty throwing away all those sunchokes & tomatillos we didn't use. Fruit!!!
Holy buckets, this Indian buffet was delicious! Amber, next to Willy Co-op West. Angie & Toby had day after wedding brunch here & it was amazing. Everything was fresher & more flavorful. It seems like all the other Indian restaurants in town share the same chef...& they are tasty...but this is now my favorite. So, if anyone wants to go to lunch with me...
Play! from Sephora continues to delight me each month with their brilliant selections of beauty products to play with...I love trying new things.
In looking up the etsy shop link for this necklace, I discovered the creator has gone in a new direction & fell in love with this violet & moss garden collar
My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Deep Purple; Kat von D eyeshadow in Synth, Hyperballad, Fran, & Legend; NYX lip palette in The Plums; Bite Beauty lipstick in Aubergine; & OPI nail polish in The "It" Color with Llarowe polish in Woodstock on top. 

Monday, July 11, 2016

Angie & Toby Get Married

 Dress: Elizabeth Dress in Floral Bouquet by Cherry Velvet (size 3x) via GB Shop
Teggings: Re/Dress
Sandals: Born
Earring, Necklace, & Bracelet: Wendy Baker
Photography: Super Boo & Me (except the ones noted Gwyn, In The Woods Studio)
Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64
I've worn this dress 2 other times, the first time to see The Pines & The Sills and the second time to The Shitty Barn for Spirit Family Reunion. When it showed up in the GB Shop...I finally bought it. I had a different outfit planned for the wedding, but it was a hot 90° day...so I wanted to wear cotton. I was underdressed (by my standards) for a wedding...but comfortable. This post is linked to Visible Monday over on Not Dead Yet Style.
Kate is wearing a Hell Bunny dress & looking fetching. 
Silly faces are a must. 
Gwyn captured these two adorable shots of me & David while Kate was taking our photo...I love them. 
elly!!! I couldn't believe she posed for photos...I typically get a lot of middle finger pictures of her. So cute!
elly & Josh...note the Darth Vader belt buckle...
I love pictures of people laughing...
Kate & Daniel...
Angie & Toby, taken by Gwyn. 
 Josh & elly had the best shoes at the wedding...
 The wedding program fans in use.
Kazoo Wedding March, vows, & the wishing tree...my wish for Angie & Toby was a long happy life...with lots of naughty doggies. 
Angie & Toby officiated their own wedding. Married! Photo by Gwyn. After the I-Dos & a moment of silence...people got up to speak. David broke the ice with a few touching words, followed by a lovely piece Angie had found & asked him to read (probably because he is such an animated reader)...the text of which is at the very end of this post. 
You may kiss the Kate. The girlie with her beaus, Jason & Daniel. 
Antique washing machine made a lovely ice bucket for cava. Our table had all the best people, including Jane! These tacos were delicious...my mouth is watering thinking of them. 
Taco bar...followed by strawberry shortcake bar (with my unevenly cooked biscuits). These two things alone would have made this the best wedding ever. However, the entire day was an extraordinarily enchanted event. Angie & Toby were glowing with happiness and the wedding reflected who they are. Toby's mom & stepdad have a lovely piece of property that was the ideal backdrop for their day and everything was beautiful...not because they hired just the right people (although the taco bar couple were fabulous...the former owners of Sunprint Cafe), but because they planned it & made it their own...and family & friends jumped in to help at the last minute. Angie said the wedding would not have come together without her sister Clarie & her boyfriend, Sutton (pictured above in the photo of Angie & Toby holding hands, to their left...in the front row), spending the whole day setting up. It was a day celebrating their love, surrounded by love...just like it should be. 
The girlie got to do one of her favorite things multiple times...uncork sparkling wine bottles. This particular time was my favorite because as Toby's grandma walked by she said to us...you girls should get a man to do that. 
 Fire! Round 2, the wedding edition: burning wishing tree. 
First (& only?) dance. There were two turntables & the guests were the DJs. It amused me when Toby's uncle chose The Ramones: Rocket to Russia later in the evening...he looked more like a country guy. 
My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Loaded, NYX eyeshadow palette in The Brights, Make Up Forever eyeshadow in Tangerine, Korean Candy lipstick by MAC, Bite Beauty lipstick in Blood Orange, & OPI nail polish in Orange You Going to the Game?
David's wedding speech...more or less...he made a few corrections by hand at the wedding & gave that copy to Angie.


I’m old enough now to know that you meet only a few people in your life whom you really know you can count on, people who get it, people whose character you not only admire but trust unreservedly. I have the great good fortune to have all of that, and more, in Angie.
Toby and Angie, each of them separately and both of them together, show us something you so seldom see: They engage in the big world of life in their own, genuine ways. They do not hide from life, they do not shield themselves from each other or from love the way so many of us do. They choose the difficult path, to struggle and learn and grow, yet with their sense of play and good humor, and they help others so well do the same. If you asked them why, they might ask why you would ever want to do anything less. What a wonderful couple.
I’d like to read you something now, by the poet and tenth-generation New Yorker Taylor Mali. It’s called:
How Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog
First of all, it’s a big responsibility,
especially in a city like New York.
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:
when you’re walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love
ain’t no one going to mess with you.
Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable.
Who knows what love could do in its own defense?
On cold winter nights, love is warm.
It lies between you and lives and breathes
and makes funny noises.
Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs.
It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.
Love doesn’t like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.
Is love good all the time? No! No!
Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.
Love makes messes.
Love leaves you little surprises here and there.
Love needs lots of cleaning up after.
Sometimes you just want to get love fixed.
Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper
and swat love on the nose,
not so much to cause pain,
just to let love know Don’t you ever do that again!
Sometimes love just wants to go out for a nice long walk.
Because love loves exercise. It will run you around the block
and leave you panting, breathless. Pull you in different directions at once, 
or wind itself around and around you
until you’re all wound up and you cannot move.
But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.
Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again, and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.