Visiting Brian: Sunflowers // U.P. State Fair // Tracey's // Gallery Coffee Co

Dress: Sunflower Strapless Midi Dress by Anthropologie (size L) via Nuuly

Sandals: Born (both pairs)

Cardigan: Jessica Howard (size M), thrifted

Purse: Thomas Leather, Art Fair on the Square

Necklace: bel monili 

Earring: Wendy Baker

Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Brian, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 40-37-53

I adore sunflowers! The fabric on this was quite substantial, almost like a lightweight denim. I was glad I listened to the reviews that it ran large & sized down...I could have even gone down 2 sizes as the top was especially roomy. Fun dress with pockets, great fit & flare shape. And being covered in smiles made me & everyone around me...happy all day. This dress got a ton of compliments. 

I mostly wore a cardigan over this dress...held together with a little flower pin I found at Elkhorn. I had so many choices of sandals to wear...I couldn't decide...so I wore 2 for this photoshoot. 

I know my Art Fair on the Square purse is carved with Black-eyed Susan, but I still thought it was a lovely match. 

These were the shoes I thought looked best with this outfit...

I was rather pleased with this necklace selection...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Bourbon; Punk, Double Life, Breakaway, Blaze, & Ignite eyeshadow from UD; Sugarpill Cosmetics eyeshadow in Buttercupcake; MAC lipliner in Chicory; Heat lipstick by UD; Kat von D lipstick in Gothica; & OPI nail polish in Talk of the Town Brown. 

I first wore this dress to get my final pedicure of the season...where I went with the same metallic burnt orange I always go with...but this Vinylux in Candlelight...oh, my...I have a lot of yellow polish, but not a mustard...must find, as it is my favorite shade. Oh, look! A purse in my favorite shade! Portland Leather contacted me through my Instagram & asked if they could send me the purse of my choice in exchange for 2 posts. I typically ignore those requests as I'm quite picky, but their purses looked nice...& how adorable is this round bag?! It's their large circle crossbody bag in sunflower. I LOVE it! I use it all the time as it matches nearly everything I wear. I want it in lavender...& I would absolutely collect any they put out in other fun colors (orange, please!). Thanks, Portland Leather! 

I wore this outfit all day long on my first full day visiting Brian in the U.P. I had seen friends up there post about Hall Farms 20 acre sunflower field in Rock & I needed to go. We just squeaked in on the final days before they all hung their heads for the season. It had been 5 years since I was last surrounded by sunflowers...too long. 

This is by far the best sunflower field I've ever been to...it's FREE, the paths are nice, there are 2 observation decks so you can get the best views, & there are adorable photo-ops. 

Gorgeous...surrounded by happy smiling faces on a sunny day.

And as it was a Friday morning, not too many people. I bought a few postcards & gave them a donation on our way out. They had bouquets of sunflowers for sale, but they would not have survived all day in the hot car. What a lovely peaceful time we had. 

On to our next adventure of the day...the U.P. State Fair. When I drove through Escanaba the day before, I noticed it was all set up...neither Brian nor I had been in decades...so we went! Tickets to ride! 

First up, the Tilt-A-Whirl...it was on this rather tame ride that I realized I wasn't feeling so great. The richness of the pasties the night before were not sitting so well...I have an iron stomach, so I was surprised. So, the rides were not as fun as I was imagining. 

But we still managed to have a good time. Brian could not convince me to go completely upside-down though. He had to ride this one solo...Top Gun. Then, a big mess of jambalaya.

A nice view of Lake Michigan...I think they could have made a lot of money if they put a table in the center of this & served us wine as we took in the scenery. Up next, & last, that ride with the yellow seats.

I decided to take my sandals off for this one so they didn't fall off. And that ended our fair experience. 

Back in Munising...we had reservations at Tracey's...where we sat outside to enjoy the lovely weather & view of Lake Superior. Brian had a Dirty Sue (Gypsy vodka, Cinzano extra dry vermouth, blue cheese olives, premium olive juice) & I began with a Blueberry Maple New Fashioned (Iron Fish maple bourbon, craft liqueur, Rock River maple). 

We ordered a bunch of small plates to share...Truffled Pasta Alfredo (Menominee County cream, forest mushrooms, shaved Parmesan, cracked black pepper), Smoked Whitefish Agnolotti (maple swede cream, fennel, pistachio, pecorino romano), & Dockside Calamari (crispy squid rings, cherry peppers, sweet chili aioli). All delicious. Munising is a small town & this restaurant would be at home in Madison. They use local ingredients & their menu changes with the seasons...just not something that is common up there...so it's really special. 

Seared Steak Tataki (peanut chili crunch, orange, fresh herbs), Crispy Brussels Sprouts Salad (Grano, blue cheese, cherries, sunflower seeds, shallot, maple), & Crispy Cream American Potatoes (double fried fingerlings, melted leeks, white cheddar sauce). 

And finally (perhaps one dish too many), Ahi Tuna Poke (served true Kauai style, shoyu & sesame, spicy mayo). And I had to finish with a Michigan Mule (Ciroc apple, cranberry, lime, Gosling ginger beer). A truly delightful meal with the best company. After dinner...we drove the car back to Brian's house & walked down to Gallery Coffee Company to see the bands that were playing. 

What an absolutely gorgeous space. I got some special drink of the night with a huge sprig of rosemary. So many cool old radios. 

We tried to enjoy the band, but they were just loud & not very good...but we were definitely going to come back the next night for the Johnny Cash tribute band. Home to chocolate peanut butter bars & Kyra. What a fun filled day! Poor Brian...I dragged him all over the place...I think he enjoyed it though. I hope.