Work & Thrifting, Again

Dress: Polka Dot Fit & Flare Dress by Lands End (size M), thrifted

Teggings: former Re/Dress

Sandals: Franco Sarto, thrifted

Necklace: The Embellishing Room

Earrings & Bracelets: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I just love polka dots...& this dress has 2 different sizes + stripes...yes! Great fit in this comfy summer stretch cotton dress...ideal for work. 

I first wore this dress back in May, then again last month. Pairing bracelets with it was too much fun as I couldn't decide...so I just wore them all. 

And these oversize earrings from Elkhorn...I'm obsessed with getting other colors now. Sometimes I don't want long dangling earrings. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero; Clinique black liquid liner; Strange, Burnout, & Darkside eyeshadow by UD; UD lipliner in 714; Russian Red lipstick by MAC; & OPI nail polish in Red Heads Ahead. 

Trying on clothes back in May at the Middleton Goodwill...martini dress!

Pants! Those will be worn this fall for sure. The teal lace dress had this note pinned to it, never worn needs to be rehomed. 

I have quite a collection of winter coats accumulating in my closet...but I needed this b&w houndstooth as I have nothing like it. And I *do* live in Wisconsin so I have many opportunities to wear coats. 

I wore this dress again last month to pick up my fixed glasses from Ulla (one of the lenses got scratched)...while I was waiting for them to pop the lens in...I wandered around Anthropologie. I could spend $1000s of $$ every time I walk in there. If money were unlimited I would have purchased that fruit skirt, mixed pattern dress (on sale, but the wrong size)...Those plaid pants (they are quite similar to the ones I got for $4 at Goodwill above, yes?) & dotty pants. I just can't pay full price there...it's too outrageous. That orange poufy dress was on clearance for $25...the small was too small, but even if it were available in a medium I don't think I'd be tempted. I had to try it on though. Eastside farmers' market...& getting dressed in thrifted workout clothes the next morning to go to the gym.

 

Back to Life // Christian Lee Hutson

Dress: Rosalia Faux Wrap Fit & Flare Dress by Leota (size M) via Gwynnie Bee

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: ?, thrifted 

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelets: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

This Leota dress is a new style for me & is cut from the same fabric as the pants I had not long ago. Cute faux wrap cut, I especially liked that the ruffles at the wrist were lined in black so you didn't just see the back of the fabric when they flounced around. A little extra poof at the shoulders. Great fit & length. 

I threw some orange into the mix so it wasn't just b&w.

I'm wearing compression leggings after surgery...so that is why the weird lines on the butt...& on the legs. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero, Meditaranee eyeshadow palette from Nars, Pumpkin lipliner by NYX, lipstick & lipliner in Bang by UD, & OPI nail polish in Race Red. 

I flew back to Madison late Monday night...this was me going to work on Tuesday. I'm wearing a sports bra & compression leggings for the swelling. 

I also wore this dress on Wednesday & ran some errands...check out that adorable eyeglasses skirt on this woman in the optical department. I got rockstar parking for my concert at Majestic...& I was pleased to see they've relaxed their bag policy. 

I walked upstairs to sit in the balcony as to not get jostled around...I was feeling fairly fragile. I had gotten tickets to see Samia...& on any other day...I would have stuck around for her...but I saw who I came for...Christian Lee Hutson. This was my second time seeing him open for another artist...I just adore his voice...it reminds me of Elliott Smith. He was fantastic & I liked that he told more stories this time & really talked to the audience. 

I was feeling pretty worn out, so I left after he played...I was sorry to have missed Samia, but I had to listen to my body. I was thrilled I was able to go at all...when I bought the tickets I thought it could go either way. Check out these fantastic vintage Gucci leopard sunglasses frames! I'm in LOVE. Every time I go to Ulta...I try out KVD foundation...I'm trying to figure out my best color combination. 

My first post-surgery lymphatic massage with Courtney...& trying on some clothes at Goodwill. My favorite go-to meal...crispy salmon & garlic with roasted Brussels sprouts with kimchi & bacon. 

 

Girlie Time // Thrifting // Mermaid Tattoo

Sweater: ?, thrifted

Pants: Judy Wide Leg Culotte Pant by Leota (size L) via Gwynnie Bee

Socks: Sock Dreams

Shoes: Fluevog, Swordfish: Sinead 

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelets & Purse: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I didn't love these pants at first...but they grew on me. SO comfortable & easy to wear. Great weight & texture to the fabric...nice wide leg culotte with capacious pockets. I felt these ran tts...I purposely ordered a large for my ample thighs & while it was a good fit there, they were loose in the waist...but that's just a me problem. These are nice & stretchy & would have no issues accommodating a big butt & hips in whatever size you typically wear.

What really made these pants a winner for me was how I styled them. Apparently, I've been collecting these fuzzy sweaters at thrift stores...mostly to wear around the house/to bed. This striped one was ideal as I love mixing patterns...& I nearly wore red & black striped socks, with the stripes going up & down...until I spied these zigzag beauties. My ass looks pretty good in pants...

I believe this was my first time wearing these shoes...they never looked quite right with any dresses I attempted to pair them with & obviously they prefer pants. I need to paint those skull buckles gold. 

Black & white with a smattering of red...such a classic color combination. My face/foundation looks better here, doesn't it?

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero, F.A.R.A.H liquid eyeliner, Huda Beauty Ruby Obsessions eyeshadow palette, UD lipliner in 714, No-Tell Motel lipstick by UD, & OPI nail polish in Red Heads Ahead. 

I first wore this outfit to work & run errands. A brief trip to Ulta...I don't recall what for. I tried on some KVD Good Apple foundation...I mixed 2 colors that seemed like they might work for me (& is what I'm wearing in these photos). This was a nice full coverage in a lighter, more neutral tone...I can't seem to find the right shade...that color matching system at Sephora doesn't work for me & puts me in a too dark too warm shade. A few meals I cooked...my standard go-to...pan fried salmon with crispy garlic, dill, & lemon...served with roasted Brussels sprouts mixed with bacon & kimchi. Parmesan Chicken from Smitten Kitchen...& an artichoke, eggplant, tomato dish that I didn't bother saving the recipe for since it was a lot of work & was only good, not great. 

The day after St. Patty's Day...David made the most amazing corned beef hash with our leftovers...served with over easy eggs. Girlie time! Kate invited me over to play with their bitters collection. And I brought records.

After trying many combinations in fizzy water...the 4 below were my favorites (of the ones we don't already have).

This salad was fantastic, Sesame Asparagus & Carrot Chop from Smitten Kitchen, & I can't wait to eat it outside at APT this summer. During my trip to Ulta...I discovered NYX no longer makes my favorite Pumpkin lip liner...so I stocked up on eBay...& also grabbed a few Viper eyeliners that Urban Decay discontinued. And of course...since I wore these pants a ton...they went thrifting with me. A lot. My first trip to the Verona Goodwill. 

And this is why I can't really wear pants...unless they are wide leg & at least a size too large...my thigh situation is ridiculous. I've always been pear-shaped, but my legs were proportionate to the rest of my body before I gained weight. Now, I carry so much weight in my thighs...a lot of it is loose skin too that hangs when I stand. I'm getting my first round of thigh surgery next week to address my inner thighs. 

Trying on dresses at the Vinny's in Verona. That black silk disco looking number was my favorite. I nearly got the red maxi since it was made by Hutch, but decided it was too boring. 

What I came home with...

Pansies at Costco...I adore pansies. A trip to Michaels...when we get our wreck room remodeled...I want to do a wall of fake flowers as a backdrop for photos...I am extremely excited for this project...& for all the ideas I have for down there. Some day. 

This was my trip to Goodwill in Middleton after my visit with Kate. This suit was on a mannequin, which I immediately undressed. Do I need a pink suit? Facebook says YES (this photo got many likes & comments).

That orange dress is Kate Spade...& that sexy long black Banana Republic skirt is so soft. A trip to see Courtney for a lymphatic massage. 

I showed David the photo I took of the bitters I enjoyed at Kate's...& then the first shipment came in the mail. That Kate Spade dress was originally $358...I paid $25. 

My finds at Goodwill...& these colorful leopard wedge sandals from Poshmark that you will definitely see on my feet this summer. 

Mermaid tail coloring time with Bear...look at this chartreuse they came up with...I'm in love. 

First color session, complete...stunning. I wonder what color her hair will be...I'm thinking reds & oranges...but perhaps I should stick with the cool sea colors. 

Red Clover is just down the street from Vinny's, so I walked over. The best thing I got that day was that orange vintage blouse with the white & navy collar...not sure why I didn't take a photo of me trying it on. 

 

Valentine Craftacular // William Elliott Whitmore

Dress: Ruched Tiered Dress by Anthropologie (size M) via Nuuly

Tights: Snag

Boots: Fluevog, Enneagram: Spontaneous 

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelets: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I really adore this style of dress...I last had it in orange, which I obviously was smitten with & wish I owned. I got a medium instead of a large this time & I could have gone with a small as well. I like the cutout in back that allows for a bra while still being sexy. Nice plunge in front without being indecent...flutter sleeves, alluring leg slit...the better to show off a colored stocking. 

I just love the classic combination of black, white, & red. I would have worn my Wendy Baker red bubble necklace with this...but it's with her for alterations right now. I miss my Wendy creations. 

I buy a lot of Fluevogs...but I never know which ones are going to get worn the most...these are definitely one of those pairs...my favorite thing about them are the laces on the side...& they are so shiny! Black shoes that aren't boring. I have a gap in my Fluevog collection though...I need some in black & white.

Winged liner is getting more difficult to pull off as I age & develop wrinkles...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Perversion, Farah liquid liner in Black Velvet, Huda Beauty eyeshadow palette in Ruby Obsessions, UD lipliner in 714, No-Tell Motel lipstick from UD, & Color Club nail polish in ?

I have several tubs of clothing from high school...but for some reason...we only knew where one was...so I unpacked & washed it. Look at this Madonna tour t-shirt from 1990! We saw her in Chicago. And apparently, no sale is ever final at The Limited. 

I first wore this dress to the Valentine Craftacular at Garver Feed Mill...it was fun to see what people are making & get compliments on my outfit. 

Nightmare Before Christmas hot pads (did not come home with me)...I was really drawn to this artist's watercolor paintings...I wish he'd had some of his Madison ones on offer as blank cards...instead I bought some cards with the Great Lakes for me & foxes for Kate. 

Glitter Workshop had a craft your own Valentine station set up...so I did. 

Afterwards...I met David at Vinny's on Willy St. (he'd been at an acupuncture appointment down the block)...

Vinny's finds & Craftacular purchases...I bought a card a woman had made out of a vintage valentine & couldn't resist this elephant pin. 

I wore this dress on another day to have a tattoo consult with Mar for the fire woman tattoo I wanted based on this Louis Icart painting of a smoke woman, Illusion...I fell in love with Mar's version of her immediately. It's wonderful how different Mar & Bear are...Mar draws on me during our consult, Bear takes notes & does her designing on a tablet. 

And another trip to Vinny's since I was right there...I undressed this mannequin & tried to try on this heavy beaded vintage top...but the zipper wouldn't budge in back, so I couldn't get it over my head. It was only $7, but I don't need any more projects. I would have grabbed that orange dress, but it was too pilled...the rest, I got.

I've been collecting cashmere & wool sweaters...they are just so soft & green is a good color for me. I also couldn't resist this blue velvet & beaded/sequined Free People swing dress. Later that day...I went back to the Willy Street neighborhood to have dinner at Ha Long Bay. I haven't been there since 2019 & it's a place I like more than David & since he was in California visiting his parents...that's where I went. I began with Crab Rangoon...

Then had my favorite, HT1, Hù Tiéu Xào with shrimp...it's the large crispy fried rice noodles that I enjoy...and...it just wasn't as good as I remembered. I think my taste buds have changed since 4 years ago. Now I can stop craving it. After eating...I drove to Stoughton for a show...but first, Vinny's. I have a thrifting problem. I had to have this burgundy velvet coat & green velvet Anthropologie dress. 

I left this purple maxi there though...it was a bit too boring & I'm trying to be more selective...but now I'm wondering if I regret it...I guess if I have to think about it too much...I don't need it. Finally, on to the Opera House to see William Elliott Whitmore. 

I have been greatly enjoying all the bands they've been booking to play in the lounge before the show...I try to get there early enough to catch at least 30 minutes of bonus music...which means speedy trips through Vinny's. Selfie-ing in the front row. I last saw William Elliott Whitmore at Bur Oak last autumn, & before that at The Shitty Barn in the summer. This is relevant because...

After playing one of my favorite songs of his...he pointed at me & said...hi, how are you doing...great to see you! I guess I always sit in the front row & he recognized me...I told him it was great to see him too. 

My 2 Vinny's store finds...including shirts for David.