Milwaukee: Retique // The Sophisticated Man // Odd Duck // Dial M for Murder

Dress: Dreamy Date Woven Midi Dress by Flying Tomato

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Fluevog, Operetta: Marcello 

Earrings & Necklace: Colleen Toland

Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

This is my first dress from this brand...their website has lots of pretty colorful dresses (& then I paused here for 1/2 an hour while I browsed their sale & bought 2 more). We picked this up at Minx in Asheville. 

Despite all those colors, I had a difficult time finding the right tights & shoes combo...because I'm not a muted colors person, I picked out the bright blue bits.

See? Close up, this all makes sense...

The neckline on this dress isn't my favorite & I'm not sure why. 

I wore this outfit to spend the day in Milwaukee with David. Guess where we went first? This Retique by Goodwill is just so good. Actually, what usually happens is David parks here & I go in to start looking around & he walks to Likewise to get us coffee.

The find of the day was this black 50s number...I was going to wear it for NYE, but a few weeks later I thrifted something sparkly. 

Then we walked down the street to Lela...where I tried on a red sparkly dress & green sparkly pants that match a dress I got in Asheville that David & I both love. Next, we accidentally went to someplace new...The Sophisticated Man Boutique. I had made a list of men's clothing stores to check out in Milwaukee & this was at the top of my list. We parked directly across the street from them to go to a bookstore & I recognized the name, so we went in...it was meant to be. 

There was this amazing older couple at the store...Jack & Diane...they were adorable. Diane has owned the store for 50 years & she & Jack went to school together, but reconnected later in life & they are a fabulously stylish & charming couple. David found several shirts to try on & I picked out a bunch of socks for him. And we finally made it to the bookstore. Dinner at Odd Duck.They number their cocktails rather than name them...David's first drink was #61 (Denizen dark rum, Cihuatán Jade rum, Stateline coffee liqueur, Giffard Banane du Bresil, Yemeni spiced orgeat, lemon) & I had #51 (Wheatley vodka, Lillet Blanc, Salers aperitif, cassis, lemon, sparkling wine). Then the food started rolling out. I'm always nervous at these small plate places because we have had servers bring us too many things at once & it's overwhelming...our guy here was fantastic. First up, Lamb & Potato Pierogi (roasted root vegetables, parsnip purée, mustard greens)...my goodness this was tasty...those pierogi were the best I've ever had...& I don't even think I like lamb. Berbere Braised Short Rib (ash roasted sweet potato, Da'ata, Malawah, pine nuts).Our next cocktails were #32 (Alto del Carmen Pisco Reservado, Fruitful clementine liqueur, quince nectar, lemon) & #75 (Arette reposado tequila, basil eau de vie, Rothman & Winter Orchard pear liqueur, fennel seed cordial, lime, fennel salt). More food...Filipino Style Pork Belly Lechon Kwali (peanut kare-kare, mustard greens, Sinamak chili vinegar, sesame rice crisps) & Cornmeal Crusted Crispy Oyster Mushrooms (cane vinegar mayonnaise, creole hot mustard, pickled green tomato, scallion) Cocktails, round 2:#14 (Buffalo Trace bourbon, St. George bruno americano, Cocchi di Torino vermouth, Bittercube cherry bark vanilla bitters, Luxardo cherry) &...#83 (Tanqueuray Sevilla orange gin, blood orange, rosemary, juniper berries, Rishi scarlet tea ice, Fever Tree Indian tonic water) Our final 2 savory plates: Wood-Fired Brussels Sprouts (sunflower butter, pear kimchi, everything seasoning, miso mustard) & Odd Duck Cassoulet (smoked duck ham, pork lardons, duck confit, Toulouse sausage, white bean, duck cracklin' bread crumbs). David sipped an Espresso Martini with dessert, which was...Baba al Rum Cake (spiced rum syrup, spiced pastry cream, oat & pumpkin seed granola). Dessert was just ok, but the rest of the meal was spectacular, as always. And finally...the reason we came to Milwaukee, Dial M for Murder. We got here just in time, so I didn't have time to look at the program...so we were delighted by the surprise of Marcus Truschinski (one of our favorite APT actors) as one of the leads in the play. This was an excellent version of Dial M for Murder...they made the affair between 2 women instead of the traditional man/woman. Enormous Christmas tree in the center of the building...so pictures had to happen. Our spoils from Retique...Pants & dress from Lela, & I also got this leopard coat at Retique...& immediately wore it the rest of the day. Gorgeous things from Sophisticated Man...not one, but *two* gold shirts. Another marvelous Milwaukee day. 

 

Tennessee // Kentucky

Dress: Black Lavender Fit & Flare Dress by Eva Rose

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Fluevog, Go Groovy: Aubrey

Cardigan: The Limited, thrifted

All Jewelry: Colleen Toland

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

Another mushroom dress! Fruit & veggie dresses are the best. I adore these cotton fit & flares with pockets...always a great fit. And adding a cardigan to the sleeveless dress makes it colder weather cute. 

This is my first time wearing this dress, but I had rented it from Gwynnie Bee during the pandemic when we weren't leaving the house. I was staying at home & already lost nearly 100 pounds...it was the first time I talked about it on this blog. 

Purple & orange are fabulous together...

These Aubrey's look like mushrooms to me...

I should have worn orange lipstick...I like wearing purple, but it just isn't flattering on my lips.

I first wore this dress on the last full day we were in Tennessee visiting my parents. We went walking around Indian Boundary, which was beautiful.

A kind stranger took our photo...& we returned the flavor.

Ruger & Remy. A holly tree in my parents' yard. Driving to Knoxville for dinner...I paged through my mom's Bon Appetit magazine & took pictures of the recipes that sounded good. I subscribe online, but I miss having a physical copy...but then I remind myself I never get around to actually looking at magazines. 

Pictures outside the restaurant, Chesapeake's. Cocktails...

And dinner...

The clam chowder was wonderful. There was both a broiled & a fried seafood platter & I got the broiled, but asked for the cod fried...because cod is boring. 

Back at my parents' house...we watched A Very Murray Christmas...David picked it...because who doesn't like Bill Murray? We had watched Love Actually the night before. This was the most bizarre holiday special ever...& full of famous people...George Clooney, Miley Cyrus, Chris Rock, Paul Shaffer, Jenny Lewis, David Johansen...how?! It is worth watching to see George Clooney peeking out from behind fake trees singing, Santa Claus Needs Some Lovin'. The next morning...I donned this dress again & we headed to Paducah...but first, we stopped at a cute local coffee place. Drive-thru liquor store in Kentucky. 

We enjoyed our dinner at Freight House so much, we had immediately made reservations to stop here on our way home...what a marvelous way to bookend our trip. We began with 2 cocktails we hadn't tried last time...for David, Freight House Express (Mr. Black coffee liqueur, Lavazza espresso, Chopin vodka, chocolate bitters) & for me, Ruby's Caboose (Stoli vodka, fresh grapefruit, dreamcicle cordial, ginger beer). And then the food started coming...we only got one repeat from last time. There were already several new things on the menu since we'd been there 10 days before. Brussels Sprouts Tart (whooped citrus ricotta, roasted garlic, dried cherries, hot honey) & our favorite dish from the first time, Pork Belly Tostada (cabbage & apple slaw, horseradish aioli, stout bbq sauce). 

We didn't have the same waiter as last time, but he stopped by to talk quite a bit & recommended the Turnip Soup (grapefruit, coriander, campari yogurt, sweet greens, almonds), which we wouldn't have picked on our own. French Onion Cabbage (charred cabbage, onion jam, grilled bread, gruyere, thyme) with added pork belly, & Loaded Butternut Squash (savory rice crispies, goat cheese, pepper jelly, cajun butter). 

For our final cocktails (we still had a long drive ahead of us), The Choke Artist (Appleton estate signature rum, cynar, green chartreuse, mint) & High Fashion (Old Grand Dad 114, Belle de Brillet, Giffard ginger, yuzu bitters, Pernod spritz), which wasn't for me & I traded for a Snake in the Grass (Teremana resposada, Lucid absinthe, naranja, carpano antica, fresh sour). I'd been eager to try their Local Catfish (braised greens, sweet potato, coconut, peanut, chili oil) since we just couldn't fit it in our stomachs last time. And finally, Shrimp & Grits (spicy pork shank, button mushrooms, New Orleans bbq sauce, pimento cheese grits). We skipped dessert this time so we'd have more room for savory. I enjoyed looking through this collection of cookbooks behind me. We're so happy we came here again...everyone remembered us & was so nice...& the food here is amazing...the perfect sweet/savory balance in every dish. Sara wasn't my favorite contestant during her time on Top Chef, but boy was I wrong. I wish we could come here every week. Driving home...this came up in my Facebook feed...this red velvet playpen is *just* what our wreck room needs...isn't it spectacular?! There's room for me, David, & the dogs. About an hour outside of Madison...it began snowing...welcome home to Wisconsin. 

 

Asheville: The Times Bar, Juked, Cúrate

Dress: Bougainvillea Daydream Dress by Effie's Heart

Cardigan: The Limited, thrifted

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Fluevog, Bellevue: Pearl Hart

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Colleen Toland

Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I loved the color combination in this dress...Effie's Heart is always so good. I had this from Gwynnie Bee a few years back...size 2x then, small now...I didn't buy it because I knew my size was still changing...& I recently found it on Poshmark.

I adore this ruffled cardigan I found thrifting...I usually prefer ones that button...but this is perfect as is & just gives me a little coverage for sleeveless dresses.

My second time wearing these Fluevog heels I found on Poshmark...it turns out cream & black are a useful color combination & I'm not going to paint them after all. 

I wasn't completely happy with my jewelry with this outfit...this time or last time...I don't have the right accessories for this dress...how?!

We spent one night in Paducah, Kentucky in the most charming Airbnb...so colorful & creative. We got up in the morning & headed to Etcetera for coffee...we got a Sea Salt & Caramel Mocha & a Créme Brûlée Breve...really great. Paducah is a cute little town & since we are so in love with freight house, I know we'll be back to explore more. 

Driving to Asheville, NC...there was a fire in the mountains that was really slowing traffic down...there were firefighters spraying it...I'd never seen that before. We settled into our Airbnb in the River Arts District & headed over to a host recommended restaurant nearby...All Souls Pizza. It appealed to us because they grind their own flour & use all local ingredients...it was good, but very basic...we nearly ordered 2, but glad we split this one. I liked this German Shepard painting from the 70s in the bathroom. 

After dinner...we headed over to The Times Bar...super cute...there weren't any seats left inside though, but luckily it was nice enough to enjoy one of their outside tables. 

Extremely creative cocktail menu...we like different, but there were a few drinks that we weren't brave enough to try. David ordered The Floor is Guava (guava, lime, ginger, underberg, rum, orange flower water) & I got a Spelljammer (blackberry-lemon granita, allspice dram, italicus bergamot, creme de mure, cava)...this came with granita in the middle of the glass & a spoon to mix it in or eat it with...this drink was delightful.Round 2...David got an Espresso Martini which came with 2 macaroons...I have tried & tried to like macaroons & just find them uninteresting...but not these...these were amazing. I chose a Half Nelson (bourbon, zucca, maraschino, sherry, angostura, lavender & orange bitters), but did not care for it...so David took it back to the bartender & traded it for another of my first drink. We had just enough time to take a stroll over to the theatre for a reading of Juked. I wasn't sure what to expect with this, but it was the only theatre going on while we were there, so we took a chance, also, it was $10. Two theatre companies in Asheville partnered up to give emerging black playwrights a chance at getting their work developed & performed. Their description of this play by Mildred Inez Lewis: Juked is a retelling of Sophocles' tragedy Electra. This version is set in 1950s Asheville, & the "kingdom" is a chain of drink houses (private homes offering illegal alcohol) owned by the well-off African-American Memnon family. Juked examines the relationship between Electra, her mother, & her sister, & asks what happens after tragedy- how do we recover? It was amazing...we got to talk to the playwright after & she was lovely (she complimented our style). They are going to put the play on in February of 2025 & I'd really like to come back to see it fully realized. I also want to bring it to the attention of APT because it would be perfect for them to perform in their indoor space.After the play, we wandered over to Cúrate. This Spanish tapas restaurant was at the top of our list of places to try...but reservations were booked several weeks out, so our plan was to show up at opening one night. We inquired at the front desk if this was going to be the best way for us to dine there...& they told us no. So, David asked...what about now? It was 9:30 & near closing...they said yes!I was totally unprepared for this & underdressed (for me) since I wore an outfit I could comfortably drive in for hours. We got the best table in the house...in an alcove in front of the window with no tables around us. We ordered food before drinks so we could get it all in before the kitchen closed. First up, Croquetas de Jamón (traditional creamy Iberico ham fritters) & Berenjenas con Miel (fried eggplant drizzled in honey from honey + the hive, rosemary). Against our better judgement, we ordered both of their sangria's (mine is just SO good, nothing compares favorably). La Sueca Sangria Roja (fresh & fruity blend of garnacha & Tempranillo macerated with citrus, stone, & red fruits) for David & Cava Sangria (Perelada cava, cognac, gin, triple sec, & fruit) for me. It was good, not great. But the food was outstanding.Next to the table, Vieiras (seared scallops served with charred leeks & confit potatoes), Pulpo a la Gallega (warm Galician-style octopus with sea salt, olive oil, Spanish paprika, & Yukon gold potato puree), & Rossejat (thin noodles prepared paella-style, squid in its ink, shellfish stock, aioli & salsa verde- the essence of the ocean). That squid pasta was divine...we'd never had anything like it. And our final plates, Carrilleras con Mongetes (braised Iberian pork cheeks, heirloom white beans, pork glace) & Almejas 'a la Catalana' (clammer Dave's SC clams, cabbage, salchichón, white wine broth of tomato, Nora pepper, nuts with toasted baguette)...so much food...but we wanted to try it all. Second round of cocktails,  Hombro Frio (tequila, mezcal, china china, lime juice, pumpkin syrup, peychaud's bitters) & Medianoche en Valencia (Torres 15 yr amaro nonino, curaçao, Pedro Ximénez, mole & orange bitters). And as if we weren't already stuffed, dessert...Espuma de Chocolate (warm chocolate mousse, candied hazelnuts, Pedro Ximenez cherry sorbet). I'm so happy we got to dine at Cúrate...it wasn't as good as freight house, but it was completely different than anything we have in Madison. A wonderful 1st day in Asheville. Back at home...just in time for snow & to go to our realtor's Christmas party to cut down our tree...

This was a really good Santa...he kept giving us hugs, but not in a creepy way. Ho ho ho.