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.