Chicago: Fluevog Swap & Shop // Beatnik // Riot Fest: Dresden Dolls & The Cure

Dress: Black Velvet Stripe Fit & Flare Dress by Connected Apparel, thrifted

Waist Cincher: Kate

Velvet Jacket: ?, thrifted

Tights: Snag

Boots: Fluevog: Balmoral Boots circa 1989-90

Earrings: Green Goddess Vintage

Necklace: Heidi Daus via Ebay 

Bracelet & Pin: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I adore this black velvet stripe fit & flare dress...it's cute, stretchy, & comfortable. The ideal length to show off boots. Nice swoop neckline in front & back. 

I found this dress thrifting & it was one of only a handful of dresses I tried on as possible contenders to see The Cure in. 

I also thrifted this velvet jacket. The velvet waist cincher was Kate's, but they've since gifted it to me & don't remember where it came from. 

I closed the jacket with a vintage black rhinestone pin, but I don't think it shows up very well in photos. 

I've had these Fluevog boots for decades. I must admit, I treated them rather poorly...back at my old house they were shoved underneath the daybed in my office collecting dog hair. The calf circumference on these is rather small & I didn't think they'd ever fit me again. I threw out the old tattered laces & replaced them with ribbon. 

I'm not sure I've ever worn this bat necklace before...maybe once. Because of the silver hue it casts...I went with this grey/black/rhinestone necklace as a dramatic bracelet...& these fabulous dangly earrings that Gayle from Green Goddess Vintage gifted me.

I wore this outfit on our last full day in Chicago last month. I hopped in Veronika & headed off to the Fluevog store for a special swap & shop...of course, I was just there to buy...& it's a good thing, because everyone else was there to sell. I tried on all the pretty used shoes first. 

I ended up with 4 pairs...2 in the Munster family. 

I nearly got these silverfish heels, but they were just a smidge too tight. 

After getting the used shoes sorted...I went on to try on everything in the store. Jack always helps me & is so patient. 

Which shoes should I bring home?

I want them all...eventually...I intended on getting the orange metallic Bebops, but after kibitzing with Jack...

I decided to get the green/pink plaid Malalas since Jack said they made fewer & had been a good seller. I don't know if you can tell here...but the buckle is a safety pin. I don't need those pink plaid shoes too, right?! They are too similar to the ones I got & unnecessary...right?

I've been in love with these since they came out...it was good to try them on in person as I discovered my typical size works fine & I don't need to size up like suggested online. My top 5 choices below. Spoiler alert...I now own 4 of them. This was a fun event...the store was well organized to give everyone a space to sell...& there was a table of treats. We had the place to ourselves for 2 hours before they opened at noon. 

Group shot!

After shoe shopping...brunch with the girlie! Leopard carpeting.

I wasn't that excited by the menu, but we picked this place because they have a marvelous patio & they were an easy walk from our hotel. Check out that spectacular pink banana outfit.

We began with cocktails...a Salted Watermelon Mojito for Kate (spirit-free aperitivo, salted watermelon, a sh*t-ton of mint) & for me, an Oaxacan Old Fashioned (Reposado tequila, mezcal, sugar, bitters, citrus oil). For breakfast, I chose Sweet Potato Hash (grilled peppers, housemade giardiniera, pumpkin seeds, poached organic egg) &...

This spectacularly beautiful Cinnamon Roll (cardamom cream cheese frosting, Israeli pistachios). Kate had a Kale Fattoush (dill vinaigrette, Persian cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes, crispy pita). 

My second drink came in this adorable dotty glass that Kate wouldn't let me steal, Saturn (Japanese gin, passionfruit, almond orgeat, falernum, lemon). Kate sipped on a Chica Morada (purple corn, pineapple, spice). We were right on the Chicago River & could watch boats go by...including some kayaks...hey! that was us the day before. This place was not just Instagram ready...it was also tasty. 

Posing for photos back at the hotel.

Back to the room where Kate changed clothes & I switched out my boots for sturdier Fluevogs that would do better in mud...& onto the L we hopped. And then we walked & walked & walked to the park where Riot Fest is held. There were a lot of signs indicating that the neighborhood wasn't thrilled to have their park taken over by hoodlums. I don't blame them...it's a large loud group. AFI was playing as we walked in...they were good. 

We sat on the blanket Kate brought for about 5 minutes. 

It was excellent people watching...leopard spots & mushrooms. We didn't have to wait long for The Dresden Dolls to hit the stage. 

It's been so long since we've seen them as a band...usually it's just Amanda solo. They were supposed to have a reunion tour, but then Covid hit...but they are back together now recording new songs & doing a smattering of live shows. They were on fire...just having so much fun. They brought Melissa Auf der Maur (Hole, Smashing Pumpkins) up on stage to play guitar, while Amanda joyfully pounded drums, & Brian sang...Beastie Boys, You Gotta Fight. Amanda was giddy with the amazement that her band got to open for The Cure & meet Robert Smith. 

After the show, we wandered around in search of food & tried to block out the horrible sound of The Mars Volta. 

The Cure!!! I've been a fan since I was 14...& this was my first time seeing them. Robert wore an Amy Winehouse t-shirt & flashed Sinead O'Connor's photo up on the screen during Pictures of You. 

He & the band sounded phenomenal. I'm so glad we braved a fest to see them. Back at the hotel...I tried on the corset Kate brought. 

 

Pedicure

Dress: Mallard Sheath Dress by Connected Apparel (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee

Cardigan: MAK (size 4x), gifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Crown by Born, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Tin Type Necklace: former Etsy shop

Long Necklace & Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 50-47-68

I typically am against sheath dresses...I just don't think they do anything for most women's figures. There's no waist, & no twirl in the skirt. However, this pattern & color palette are just so lush...I had to give it a try. I didn't dislike it, but still don't see the point of this cut. The fit & length were good, but I'm not sure how I felt about the side slit that exposed the black lining...indifferent? GORGEOUS pattern & colors though...which was my original point. 

There were two greens in the dress & my cardigan & tights matched each of them rather well. I didn't want any other patterns competing with the dress...although there is the snakeskin print of the shoes, which I'm quite sure I've never worn before. 

I've also never worn this gentleman tin type necklace before. I keep things for years...decades...& eventually there is a time for them. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Junkie, Too Faced eyeshadow in Sin City & Golden Nugget, Burgundy lipliner by MAC, Homegirl lipstick from Kat von D, & OPI nail polish in Hollywood & Wine. 

We put a pillow on the kitchen floor so David could sit comfortably while I cut his hair, but Rye beat him to it. Is this pillow for meee? Cuddling doggies on the fainting couch in my office. I am trying a new subscription service, Nuuly. They have a completely different selection of offerings than GB does...a lot of Anthropologie with fantastic prints. Of course, they have a much better selection in smaller sizes, but they've got enough dresses to keep me interested at least through the summer. You get 6 garments at a time for a month & you get to pick which 6 items come to you. Here's my referral code if you'd like to check it out. I'm excited about it! 

Lady DJs on Twitch. Normal life?! I got a pedicure! That hasn't happened since 2019. It was luxurious. I tried a new person at Elevation, Jenny, & she was fantastic. Afterwards, I headed to the courthouse to file the paperwork to change my name to the way I've spelled it since 6th grade (Meshel). Shane & I got all the paperwork back in Marquette in 1988, but I didn't go through with it because it was ~$100 & that seemed like a lot to me when I was a mere 18. Shane ended up changing his last name though. 

DJ Sonic Marchesa playing David Bowie & Prince for my Friday night listening pleasure. And a bit of 80s New Wave over on DJ Ant's channel. 

 

AFP Live in New Zealand

Dress: Burgundy Embossed Fit & Flare Dress by Connected Apparel (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee

Leggings: LuLaRoe (size TC2) via eBay 

Shoes: Clarks, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace with ribbon: Etsy, gift from Kate 

Long Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-70

This boring, cheaply made dress was good for one wear...I mean, I just sit at home doing teletherapy. I adored the color & texture of this dress...the fit was alright, too big in the shoulders though. My least favorite part was the lining peeking out along the neckline...at least it was a matching color. 

What I liked most about this outfit were the leggings & matching shoes...which no one saw on my video calls. 

This year has really aged me...you could say it was turning 50, but I think all the fun I usually have keeps me young. I expect to reverse age in 2021 with the return of fun. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Alkaline; Alchemy, Bondage, & Last Sin eyeshadow by UD; Estēe Lauder lipliner in Mahogany; NYX lipstick in Temptress & Knock Out; & Midnight in Moscow nail polish from OPI. 

First, I collect all the M's before moving on to the other letters in my name...I think this one is the winner. Milton performing with a member of Carsie's band & the premiere of APT's Nat Turner in Jerusalem. 

Amanda Palmer! I had so many emotions go through me while watching this show live from New Zealand...where people are allowed to go about their normal lives, touching other people without fear. I cried from happiness, hope, remembrance...as well as being full of envy. I miss this. 

Look...people all together in one room. I love AFP & am grateful for this concert existing...it gives me hope & something to look forward to. 

 

Wasted on Arts & Literature

 Dress: Bell Sleeve Floral Dress by Connected Apparel (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Leggings: Torrid (size 4x)

Boots: Steve Madden

Earring, Necklace, & Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I normally avoid shapeless shift dresses...but the colors in this one made me gasp...the alluring autumn shades with touches of gold metallic were marvelous. And I do love a bell sleeve. Had this been a fit & flare or a wrap dress...I would have made it mine. 

This dress was a tad too short to wear with just tights, so leggings to the rescue. 

Oh, hydrangeas...I adore you. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Mildew, UD eyeshadow in Wanderlust & Stranded, Huda Beauty Coral Obsession palette, MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Coral Plated, & Deutsch You Want Me Baby? nail polish from OPI. 

I wore this outfit to attend the monthly Wasted wine group with Kate & David. The theme on this day was Arts & Literature....so we brought bottles of wine to match what we chose to share. Also, food...I made a citrus roasted beet kale salad with fennel that was delicious. 

It was a rather large group, ~25, so the couple hosting had to relocate to her parent's house for extra room. 

 My two favorite people <3

Sharing poetry, blurbs from books, music, photos from vacations, bits of film & TV...but no interpretive dance. I recited the first three lines of Sylvia Plath's Mad Girl's Love Song, the first two are tattooed on my right calf. 

I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;

I lift my lids and all is born again.

(I think I made you up inside my head.)

I played a piece of music by Zoe Keating in the background & to top off my crazy mad theme...a bottle of 2017 Channing Daughters Sylvanus Pet-Nat.

Red Red Wine ukulele sing-a-long & tasty food...my salad was scrumptious & Kate made some cashew curry dip that I couldn't stop eating. 

Kate read Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird by Wallace Stevens...the first line of the poem mentions snowy mountains & the grapes of her wine are grown in mountains that get snow...also, her shirt had mountains on it (which she forgot to mention), so when she was done...I said, & there are mountains on your shirt. Kate very proudly said, "I brought my mountains with me" & I laughed like a 12 year old. 

David ended the evening by reciting Sonnet XXX (Love is Not All) by Edna St. Vincent Millay...& he moved several people to tears. He served his Pedro Ximénez (a dessert wine) with vanilla gelato & a piece of his favorite 100% chocolate...it was divine. 

 Most of the bottles from whence we sipped...