Merchant // Dave Attell

Dress: Vivee Floral Dress by ASTR The Label (size M) via Nuuly

Sandals: Born via Poshmark

Earrings & Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Bracelet & Purse: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

This dress has a similar feel to it as this cut-out maxi, also from ASTR The Label. I was smitten with everything about this dress, with the exception of the zipper...it was impossible to get it to zip up over the seam when it was on my body (plenty of room). They apparently have an issue with zippers as the last one I got was broken. The fit was great with the smocked back. I adored the sexy cut-outs, the ruffle below the waist, & high-low ruffled hem. I loved this light breezy dress. 

This chiffon fabric was light enough that I didn't mind seeing the back of the fabric through the front...which often bothers me with high-low dresses. 

I'm pleased I found these shoes on Poshmark...I needed some chartreuse shoes. The vintage wicker purse came from a garage sale years ago. 

I could have gone with flower jewelry for this dress...but I rarely get to wear this glitzy green number from Gayle at Green Goddess...& she always throws in matching earrings. 

I wore this dress to spend the day with David. We drove to Sun Prairie to have lunch at Sal's, but on the way there I remembered they weren't open because it was Thursday & they've had shorter hours since the pandemic. So, we went to Vinny's instead...however, this dress had been so difficult to get on...I had to try clothes on over it. 

David found some great stuff too. Vinny's in Sun Prairie, Odana Rd, & Willy St. are the 3 best thrift stores in the area.

After recalling Sal's wasn't open for lunch, I made us a reservation for dinner at Merchant. But first...these outfit photos & some usies at the capitol. Merchant has marvelous cocktails. David began with a Blindman (Bardstown Fusion 8 bourbon, Six Grapes port wine, Smith & Cross rum, raspberry syrup, lime juice, Angostura bitters) & I chose Tears of A Watermelon (vodka, aperol, watermelon syrup, watermelon juice, lemon juice, soda water, saline). 

A bunch of starters to share...Cheese Curds with ranch & hot honey, French Fries with black pepper aioli, Sweet Corn Fondue (corn, Sarvecchio, & mozzarella fondue, grilled scallions, parmesan crisp served with warm potato chips), & Shrimp Ceviche (lightly poached & marinated shrimp, shaved red onion, cucumber, cilantro, served with saltines). It was all good...but I would only order the cheese curds & fries again...the ceviche was just average & should have been served with chips...or really, anything other than boring plain saltines...why?! 

We both enjoyed the chicken sandwich (Napa cabbage slaw, jalapeño crema, pickled vegetables, black pepper aioli, fresh herbs, brioche bun) so much when we were here for Restaurant Week...that we both ordered our own. The chicken sandwich won out over the duck confit. David had the Flourless Chocolate Brownie for dessert...& another cocktail, Grandma's Candy (brown butter fat-washed Dancing Goat Quirky & Humble bourbon, madeira syrup, chocolate walnut bitters)...it was a special that week...their entry into Madison Old Fashioned week...they won last year...this was a fabulous drink, but they didn't win. For my last drink I had my favorite from last time, Ladybug (strawberry-infused Gray Whale gin, strawberry syrup, lime juice). 

Their version of carrot cake is excellent, so of course I had to order it. I don't know if this is a new thing or if I've just never noticed before...but they have their 'M' on the ice cube. Bathroom selfie. 

We took a stroll through the capitol square to the comedy club. 

These lakes in the fountain that fill up with water always make me smile...of course...it also floods some of the streets...but nothing's perfect...& there is my beloved Lake Superior. Going to see Dave Attell at Comedy on State.

2 drink minimum...for our first drinks, we got our usual...for David, a chocolate martini & Mudslide ice cream drink for me. For our second cocktails, we each ordered one off the special menu (they make one up for every performer)...Road Work (layered mango strawberry sangria slushy- Sol Fuente's red & white sangria mixed with a strawberry mango slushy) & Old Porn (Butterfly Cannon Cristalino tequila, housemade watermelon juice, lime, agave, basil)...these were by far the best drinks we've ever gotten here. Dave had 3 opening acts & one was actually funny...Louis Katz (he's the bearded guy on the right)...we'd seek him out on his own. It was a fun day. 

 

Restaurant Week // The Heavy Heavy with The Thing

Dress: Midsummer Midi Dress by ASTR The Label (size L) via Nuuly

Sandals: Born

Earrings: Wendy Baker

Necklace & Bracelet : Colleen Toland

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I adored the explosion of vivid warm colored florals on this midi...great fitting light summer dress...reviews state it runs small, so I went up a size & that was correct. There was a fitted area with an underwire for your breasts & it seems like a Goldilocks situation...had my boobs been any bigger or smaller, the fit would have been off...they barely fit. The straps are adjustable, elastic in back, & there is a zipper on the side. Innocent with all the layers & ruffles, yet sultry with the thigh high slit. 

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE not having to wear a bra?! It's amazing. I still wear one if it's not going to show because it does give a nicer look...but there are so many cute summer dresses, like this one, that I am free to wear with nothing underneath. 

Flowers on my feet...

It may have been a mistake to introduce so many other colors with my jewelry when I could have went with mostly orange & pink...but this is what I chose to wear...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Mildew, Neon eyeshadow palette from Huda Beauty, Bang lipliner & lipstick by UD, Sugarpill Cosmetics lipstick in Clockwork, & OPI nail polish in Orange You Going To The Game?

I wore this frock to partake in Restaurant Week with David...1st up, reservations at Heritage Tavern. A new cocktail had appeared since last we were here...Insert Beatles Song (gin, Boomsma Cloosterbitter, thyme infused dry vermouth, pineapple & strawberry cordial, rhubarb bitters, lemon & lime)...delightful. It was a 3 course meal & we shared everything. First course: Summer Sweet Corn Chowder (pickled summer peppers potato, grilled scallion) & Duck Confit Toast & Petite Salad (duck confit, smoked ricotta, salted candied pecans, radish, market greens, cardamom-chili vinaigrette). 

After placing our order for duck confit, we had immediately changed our mind, but our server forgot to take note...so we got to try it anyway...plus, what we ordered, Head Cheese & Escargot (creamed grits, tomato concasse, lemon zest, fine herbs, jus tranché). All 3 of these starters were delicious. Main course: Mustard Seed & Juniper Crusted Berkshire Pork Loin (heirloom bean, pork broth, mustard greens, bacon lardon, broccolini, escarole) &... 

Coup du Jour (market beef, braised beef short rib, foraged mushrooms, potato bone, turnip, wilted spinach, bordelaise, blue cheese espuma). Second round of drinks: Rios Mios (Pitu cachaca, Smith & Cross rum, Finocchietto, strawberry purée, honey syrup, lime) & Doc's Orders (Death's Door gin, Saler's gentian, carrot tarragon syrup, lemon tonic water, celery bitters, dukkah carrot rim). Dessert: Caramel Pecan Profiterole (Amish maple ice cream, salted caramel) & Dark Chocolate Cake (vanilla bean anglaise, summer berries, cocoa nib crumble). My favorites were: Duck Confit Toast, Pork Loin, & Caramel Profiterole. Overall, a decent meal...we like to go to Heritage for restaurant week because they rarely make changes to their daily menu & it's wonderful to try something new. 

After dinner, we meandered over to Merchant to see if they could fit us in so we could continue our tradition of eating at these two places back to back for restaurant week. A 40 minute wait...perfect...we took outfit photos at the capitol & walked around the square. It was a splendid summer evening, so we opted to sit outside. Merchant has the best craft cocktails in town...David ordered a Blindman (Bardstown Fusion 8 bourbon, Six Grapes port wine, Smith & Cross rum, raspberry syrup, lime juice, angostura bitters), while I chose Ladybug (strawberry-infused Gray Whale gin, strawberry syrup, lime juice). Another 3 course meal that we shared. Starters: Roasted Beet Salad (crème fraîche, pickled shallot, citrus gel, hazelnuts, tarragon) &...

Roasted Broccoli (chimichurri marinated broccoli, harissa-tomato sauce, whipped tahini, feta, smoked almonds). Entree: Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich (cabbage slaw, jalapeno crema, pickled vegetables, black pepper aioli, fresh herbs, brioche bun) & Crispy Duck Leg (frisée, bacon lardon, herb aiolo brioche croutons). Second cocktails: Red Banana Daiquiri (Ron Colón red banana oleo rum, Combier de Banane liqueur, Plantation Barbados 5 year rum, Demerara syrup, pineapple, Peychaud's, angostura) &...

Peach Merchant Old Fashioned (Blade & Bow bourbon, Old Grand Dad bourbon, peach syrup, peach bitters). Dessert: Passion Fruit Tart (passionfruit curd, strawberry, coconut creme & toasted coconut) & Carrot Cake (pecans, dried currants, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom & orange blossom cream cheese frosting). This was a better meal than Heritage...I would be thrilled to eat it all over again & not change a thing. Actually, most of this stuff is probably still on their standard menu & I should try to make it there before the seasons change. My favorites were: beet salad, hard tie between the two entrees, & while carrot cake is my most cherished dessert (& theirs was a good one), that passionfruit tart was spectacular. 

A stroll back to Veronika...I love that they plant a vegetable garden on the square...little bitty squashes. It was a thoroughly enchanted evening with my love.

The second time I wore this dress was to The Shitty Barn to see Heavy Heavy with The Thing with Kate & Jason. I made us a coconutty red curry salmon salad & they brought farmers' market fruit. YUM. 

False advertising...Jason can no longer be hangry...it should be reversible. 

A little walk around the barn...

Oh! Vinyl! Yay! Front row, just like I like. 

The Thing (Brooklyn, NY) were steeped in an early 80s vibe...they looked like all the college kids that used to work for my parents back then. Fun band!

Break...The Heavy Heavy (Brighton, UK) were also fabulous...& we got to dance! It was a marvelous night & the singer signed the record I bought. 

APT: Picnic & Once Upon A Bridge

Dress: Brandy Cut Out Maxi Dress by ASTR The Label (size M) via Nuuly

Sandals: Chie Mihara via Poshmark

Earrings & Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Necklace: bel monili

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I was SO excited to wear this dress...it's beautiful with all my favorite colors...orange, yellow, & green. I suspected I'd have to buy it. Sadly, even though I was the first person to receive this, the zipper was broken before I even got it on. I was already prepared to wear this maxi...make-up done...so David pinned me up. I felt like the Goddess of summer with the ties up the front, revealing top, & light flowy skirt that prettily fluttered around me. The fit was perfection with the smocking in back, elastic at the waist, & adjustable ties. I considered contacting Nuuly to see if I could buy it at a discount & fix the zipper, but I was afraid they'd think I broke it for that reason. I'll rent this again. LOVE. 

It is SO freeing not to have to wear a bra...& obviously, you just couldn't with this dress.

These glasses make me so happy...I'm so glad David surprised me with them.

My first wearing of these Chie Mihara sandals I found on Poshmark for $40...it just amazes me I can find these shoes so cheap. I wonder why they don't have the following that Fluevog does? 

Look! It's a different pose...

I'm not sure if I've ever worn this necklace before...it was waiting for this frock.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Mildew, Candles & Lime Crime eyeshadow by Lime Crime, Nars Mediteranee eyeshadow palette, Sugarpill Cosmetics lipstick in Clockwork & Nectar, & OPI nail polish in Orange You Going to the Game?

I'm too sexy for my dress...sad broken zipper. 

Cuties at American Players Theatre. 

I was determined to wear these sandals...even though I had to walk through gravel & netting over grass seed to get to these tables. Beauty before practicality. 

It was a lovely day for a picnic...& I made us something new, Creamy Coconutty Shrimp Salad (with a few tweaks...I added fresh ginger, red curry paste, & crunchy veggies) atop roasted zoodles. This is definitely going into regular picnic rotation. 

All the fruit from farmers' market...

Once Upon A Bridge...