Love's Labour's Lost Rained Out

Dress: Juniper Maxi Dress by Free People (size XL) via Nuuly

Sandals: Chie Mihara, thrifted

Earring & Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelet & Purse: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 39-37-48

Sexy dress...loved the pattern mixing. Lots of cleavage, lots of leg. Even with heels, it was a bit too long for me, so I only wore it once. 

Open back...this whole dress was screaming for you not to wear a bra, but I made it work.

Several months back, I spied these beauties at Vinny's for ~$8...I adore Chie Mihara shoes, so even though they were 1/2 a size too small...we got them & used shoe stretchers. 

It had been ages since I wore this Wendy Baker stunner...so of course it called to me as the perfect accompaniment to 2 dresses in a row...  

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Perversion; Heart, Giving, Heartbeat, & Transparent eyeshadow by Natasha Denona; MAC lipliner in Burgundy; MAC lipstick in New York Apple; Tannin lipstick from Bite Beauty; & ILNP nail polish in Misery. 

Ballroom dance class #2...this time another couple showed up for the group class, where we learned to Jitterbug. I threw this mushroom dress on since I was afraid I'd trip on the maxi...I should have just worn it all day...but this dress seemed more Jitterbug appropriate. 

David & I both wearing Fluevogs...

Practicing the Jitterbug...

During our private session, we practiced all the dances we had already learned...Jitterbug, Fox Trot, & here we are again doing The Hustle...

Later that day...APT with Kate...

I made us a picnic of ginger/dill/orange salmon salad & Kate brought us a bottle of Eff Nat & watermelon from market.Cutie-pies...before the rain...Cutie-pies...during the rain...we got to see the first 10 minutes of what looked like a wonderful play...then they told us to take shelter for ~30 minutes to see if the thunder passed...we weren't that patient...& we were wet & cold. After 20 minutes, we decided to go home. It was still a lovely evening with my 2 favorite people. And really, the picnic is the thing. 

Della Mae // The Moors

Dress: The Marais Printed Chiffon Maxi Dress by Anthropologie (size L) via Nuuly

Sandals: Born

Earrings & Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 39-37-48

This is my favorite print of these 3 dresses I've gotten. Relaxed fitting chiffon maxi...easy to throw on & go. There is a necessary slip included...it snaps to the dress to keep it in place. Fantastic dress. 

I first wore this dress in a multi-colored floral, then again in a bold green pattern...I've liked all of them, but the colors in this one are most me. 

And of course...Wendy jewelry goes with everything...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Double Life; Fireball, Relish, & Spike eyeshadow by UD; Blissful lipliner by Becca; Bite Beauty lipliner in 72; Nectar lipstick from Sugarpill Cosmetics; MAC lipstick in New York Apple; & OPI nail polish in Paint the Tinseltown Red.  

I bought these prints from Heather Renaux a few years back with plans of tarting up some frames before hanging them up. Accomplished! 

I had fun painting, glitter-fying, foiling, patina-ing, & Rub n' Buffing all these craft store frames. I was working on this project for months. And now, no matter how many times we clean, there will be glitter everywhere. Yay! 

I found star glitter in a few varieties, which I thought went well with a lot of these night scenes. 

All of these prints are circus themed, but Heather also has a Day of the Dead mermaid series I adore...I would have a few of those in our bathroom if David liked them (Day of the Dead doesn't work for him). 

I love being surrounded by these beauties in my home office/make-up room/jewelry den (I need a compact name for this space). They make me smile. 

I first wore this dress to see Della Mae at The Stoughton Opera House. 

This all-women string band was a blast...I had never heard of them before, but I listen to everyone the Opera House books because I always discover new gems. 

A quick stop at Peck's Farm Market on the way to APT. Pictures before picnic. 

It was a sunny day, but getting chilly as the sun set.

I added a navy MAK cardigan, navy Snag tights, & some close-toed Born flats to make this outfit appropriate for the cooler day. For our most likely, last picnic of the season, I made us a salad based on Milk Street's recipe for Shrimp Kerkennaise...& added a bunch of stuff. We wood smoked veggies & shrimp on the grill & the sauce was the best version I'd ever made. While the picnic was amazing...we left the play, The Moors, after suffering through the first hour. I had really been looking forward to this dark comedy, but it just fell flat. Jim DeVita was excellent as a Mastiff. 

 

Sunday with Super Boo: Nitro Coffee & Lucille // William Elliot Whitmore with The Local Honeys

Dress: Collage Midi Dress by Geisha Designs (size XL) via Nuuly

Sandals: Born

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Jael Designs

Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 39-37-48

Of course this dress with its plentiful patterns petitioned me to give it a try. And leopard! It was a nice dress, but it ran at least a size too large. The light silky fabric was ideal for a warm autumn day. I enjoyed wearing it, but once was sufficient...& I'm not really sure why...it certainly was colorful enough...& I liked that the sleeves were different patterns. It had functional fabric covered buttons all up the front...& I'm never a fan of that. 

I got to wear one of my new Born sandals I found on Poshmark...after I Rub n' Buffed the buckles an antique gold. 

I have 5 M is for Meshel/Muffin earrings...I love them. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Double Life; Carnelian, Phlox, & Laurel eyeshadow by Natasha Denona; Becca lipliner in Blissful; New York Apple lipstick from MAC; & OPI nail polish in Paint the Tinseltown Red. 

I wore this dress on a Sunday in mid-September to spend some time wandering with David...we walked around the capital square...& I spied this new restaurant. We had planned on getting nitro coffee at both Wonder State & Collectivo...to compare. Sadly, despite the posted hours stating they were open (& someone was inside), the door was locked. So Collectivo it was. This was David's first nitro coffee. 

Strolling one more loop around the capital...I love these bits at the corner fountains...it has both my home cities, as well as my lake represented. 

We contemplated walking to Sal's on Livingston...but thought we'd start at Lucille first...then make our way there. We tried something new...Roasted Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps (Pritzlaff Farms pork belly with hazelnut mole, salsa, roja, fried plantain, pickled vegetables, tajin, Bibb lettuce)...YUM. Cocktails outside on a beautiful afternoon...I had a Le Freak (Servero tequila, pistachio orgeat, lychee, blueberry, lemon, rose water) & David tried a Brick House (Probitas white blended rum, Aelred melon liqueur, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, lemon bitters). Shortly after this was served...Staying Alive came on (& I just realized the disco theme with Le Freak & Brick House) & I got up & David immediately followed me & we danced the entire song...at first practicing The Hustle we had just learned, then improvising & free form feeling the music. 

The best pizza we've ever had at Lucille...Pizza el Pastor (Aji basil cream, mozzarella, roasted mojo pork, adobo sauce, blistered tomatillo pineapple salsa, fresh cilantro). Round 2 drink, my favorite, El Diablo (Milagro Reposada, raspberry syrup, lime, ginger beer). 

I could not take enough photos of this Detroit steel pan pizza...I loved it so much. Unfortunately, the first pizza they brought us had a bit of raw dough...so they remade it entirely & brought us some complimentary cheese curds while we waited. At this point, we were like...we are not making it to Sal's, this is enough food. Taking sneaky pics of this woman's dress that I liked. David's second drink was Once Upon A Time in Mexico (Melagro silver, Banhez mezcal, Laird's apple brandy, pineapple, Serrano, Angostura bitters, simple syrup). Another delightful day with David. 

That night...I went to Bur Oak to see William Elliott Whitmore again (I'd seen him earlier this year at the barn). The Local Honeys opened & they were fabulous. 

Will put on another amazing show (& I have tickets to see him a third time at Stoughton Opera House). I liked his show at the barn slightly better...only because he had 1/2 the barn up & dancing. It was a lovely night of music, I only wish the guys around me wouldn't have sung nearly every word. 

I bought the 2 vinyl The Local Honeys had. The next day...I went to my first ever Pilates class...I adored it. It was my first time taking an "exercise" class that I wasn't looking at the clock every 5 minutes wondering when it would be over. Great instructor, & totally free at my gym...Mondays & Wednesdays at 10. After class...I went to Woodman's to stock up on the Polar Ice seasonal flavors I liked. 

 

Our First Ballroom Dancing Lesson // The Rivals

Dress: Robyn Wrap Dress by Hutch (size XL) via Nuuly

Shoes: Fluevog, Bellevues: Mary Field 

Earring: etXarte

Necklace, Bracelet, & Purse: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 39-37-48

I was completely smitten with this magnificent maxi...the colors! The wavy stripe pattern! The light chiffon! The true wrap style with balloon sleeves & flounce high/low hem...good fit & length. This is one to own...it could be worn anywhere...if you like to be overdressed like me. I wouldn't wear it to Pilates...but outside of that...

It was mid-afternoon when we took these photos...we went to a few different locations in Spring Green...but the light was just harsh & overcast...too bad because I would have liked better photos of this beauty. 

Any chance to wear Fluevogs.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Viper, Huda Beauty eyeshadows (Coral Obsessions & Desert Dusk palettes), Clockwork lipstick from Sugarpill Cosmetics, MAC lipstick in Habanero, OPI nail polish in Paint the Tinseltown Red. 

The day I wore this dress...I first threw on something more casual (Effie's Heart cotton dress) to peruse farmers' market. Tory Miller said hi to me (local chef & owner of one of the best restaurants in Madison). I had to think about...why did that make me smile? And what I came up with was...I love when people share their creativity, art, & beauty with me/us...it shows me who they are & they are bravely being vulnerable. That's part of the reason music & live performances often bring me to tears. I see you. Thank you.

David & I took our very first Ballroom Dancing lesson on this day...sooooo much fun! First we had a group lesson, followed by a private lesson...but we were the only people that showed up to group...so both private lessons...the only difference was the group class theme was Fox Trot, so that was already set. Us Fox Trotting...

Then Kristina, our instructor, picked The Hustle for us because we wanted something basic. 

Us live & in action...do The Hustle!

Then, in the afternoon...we headed to Spring Green...where we took these photos in terrible light...then popped on over to APT to picnic. I made us an, as always, amazing salad...dill/ginger/orange/salmon with a variety of toppings & champagne that we weren't supposed to drink (I didn't know that) from Kate's cellar in our bomb shelter. We got rained on...but the food & champagne were both so delightful...we stayed put & got a little wet...then we were rewarded with a beautiful, but subtle, rainbow & sunset as the sky turned a brilliant red & purple...& the rest of the night was perfect to sit outside & enjoy a play. The Rivals was hilarious & we adore closing nights.What a completely lovely day with my love.