Off To Work I Go

Dress: Flutter Sleeve Leaf Print Fit & Flare Dress by London Times (size 8) via Gwynnie Bee

Shoes: Fluevog, Fairway: Trivialis

All Jewelry: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I liked the soft orange of this otherwise boring dress...great fit & length...good for work. I tried to jazz it up a bit with Fluevogs. 

I'm so bored with Gwynnie Bee...I thought I'd stick with them forever...however...yawn. They don't release more than 1 dress I like in my size per week...& there is only ~1 a month that I'm actually excited about. I stayed for Effie's Heart, Leota, & Eva Rose (which they no longer carry). I have a $15 credit I'd like to use to buy something...but after that...it's goodbye. Also, I've gained some weight...no idea how much as I don't weigh myself. I'm not feeling bad about it...I just thought I'd mention it since it's obvious. 

These shoes are too narrow for me & hurt my toes...typically I find Fluevogs extremely comfortable. I don't think they'll stretch because they're patent leather. I think I will try, & if it doesn't help...I'll have to release them into the Fluniverse. 

I probably should have just gone with gold-toned jewelry as none of these colors exactly go...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Double Life, Nars Mediteranee eyeshadow palette, Clockwork lipstick from Sugarpill Cosmetics, & Aly's Dream Polish in Sweet Orange. 

Before work & Pilates...practicing my build up to chin-ups at the gym. After finding that root beer Trifari waterfall necklace at Elkhorn...it got me thinking about this peachy pink one I used to have of my grandmas...so I found it on Etsy & bought it. After work thrifting at Goodwill...these orange chairs were amazing...I hope they got a good home. 

Trying a few things on...

What I brought home...

 

APT: The Liar // Milwaukee: Eating, Thrifting, Jinkx Monsoon

Dress: Blooming Floral Maxi Dress by Farm Rio (size M) via Nuuly

Sandals: Born

All Jewelry: Wendy Baker

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

This dress is my favorite color, the color of fun...in multiple shades. In theory...everything about this dress was perfection...& with a few tweaks, it could be. First, let me say...I felt spectacularly sexy in this gorgeous gown...with its stunning summer color palette, large blooms, multi layers & the seductive ruffled slit. Fantastic shoe showing maxi length. However, despite the elastic in the arms...I really had to squeeze my limbs in there (most reviews mention this, but I'm not sure there were any/many written when I chose this). Also, the shape hugging elastic waist was nice, but it was far too small for my 36C breasts...notice how it starts before my boobs end...it would have looked better underneath. I might rent this again in a large to see if that helps the fit...but judging from the other ladies feedback, sadly, it probably is just a design issue. This dress would be great on a small woman with tiny arms & an A cup chest.

Check out the details on the sleeve...the elastic v shape & a poof of gathering. Some reviewers wore this off the shoulder to help with the tightness of the arms & I wish I had done that. 

Although there were many shades I adored in this frock, I didn't quite have the correct shoe match. I wore this with 3 different shoes...these green ones were the right style, but the color was too dark; the yellow sandals were a good tint, but too casual; & the Fluevogs were the wrong vibe, too chunky & retro for this delicate feminine dress. 

I love these bright Francis Klein glasses...with their multiple colors & orange temples...they go with countless outfits.  

Likewise, Wendy Baker's creations go with & make everything better. 

First APT play of the season! With my two favorite people, David...

& Kate!

I made us a cumin roasted salmon salad with pistachio & cilantro sauce...with roasted veggies. 

Picnicing...with strawberries for dessert from Roots Down Farm...which were tiny & sweet...consistently the best I got all season. 

Balancing on the rocks & a walk up the hill. At the gift shop, we bought a hat to keep me dry...my new Betsey Johnson leopard rain coat is adorable...but does not have a hat. 

The Liar was hilariously silly...French farce in rhyming pentameter with fantastic acting & cotton candy colored wigs. However, 40 minutes in, they decided to cancel due to rain. Oh, well...at least the picnic & company were delightful.

Spending the day in Milwaukee with David...we began at Likewise for coffee...they use our favorite Wisconsin brand, Wonderstate...but they make it their own by creating unusual seasonal concoctions. David loves anything lemon...so he ordered a Summer Shandy (lemon-lime soda topped with espresso, housemade hops syrup, & fresh lemon) & I had The Wanderer (brown sugar latte spiked with cinnamon & vanilla{with cocktail bitters, rum extract, & candied ginger}). After our morning beverages...we headed over to Flourchild for brunch.  

We sat outside as it was a beautiful day with a great view...Milwaukee has some fantastic architecture. It was a bit loud as Harley Davidson was celebrating their 120th birthday & the city had been overtaken by motorcycles. I sipped on a Smash Spritz (tequila, passionfruit liqueur, vanilla, honey, lemon, allspice, ginger, cava) & David enjoyed a Bloody Mary. We began with Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Taquitos, as well as Crab Rangoon Spring Rolls. 

We couldn't decide on one pizza, so we each picked our own. For David: Daddy's Pizza (red sauce, ezzo pepperoni, house sausage, aged mozz, cherry peppers, red onion, stracciatella, basil); mine was: Risky Biscuit (house sausage gravy, fontina, scrambled eggs, cheese curds, chives...& I added some caramelized onions). YUM. Stuffed...& off to our favorite thrift store, Retique. I did not find nearly as many things to try on as I usually do...but that was a good thing. I'm being more selective on what I say yes to. 

This upscale Goodwill curates such a lovely selection of nicer clothing...at the same thrift store prices...& they always pick a tag color of the week to discount 50%. 

On to Lela's...where they still had a pair of the flower pants I'd been thinking about since we were last there in spring. Pics of that & the 2 other things I got at the end of this post. They always expose me to new brands I've never heard of. The flower pants are by Traffic People & I've since gotten some of their clothing for super cheap on Poshmark. And...one of the women working there told me she liked my Fluevogs...I'm always impressed when someone recognizes what they are. We decided we were going to chance getting to Pabst Mansion for their 3 o'clock tour. We made it just in time...but they were sold out. 

Kate & I came here once for Halloween over 20 years ago...it's a stunning house. We'll have to plan a visit next time we're in Milwaukee. We wandered around the grounds.

And took photos on the front porch.

A guide was showing a tour out & he let us peek inside for a minute. We still had some time to kill before our 5 o'clock dinner reservation...so we went to one of the antique shops we like. I'm slightly obsessed with finding a 1990 David Bowie Sound + Vision tour t-shirt. I saw that tour & I'd love to have a shirt...but they typically sell for ~$250...& I just can't bring myself to pay that much. This all started because my lymphatic massage person, Courtney, was wearing one a few months back. She collects, as well as sells, vintage concert shirts. 

Fluevogs on my feet...& other things that caught my eye. There was absolutely nothing there we needed...although I did leave with a pair of clip-on costume jewelry earrings from the 50s. 

Our first time at Odd Duck (although Kate thinks we may have gone there together...they moved, so obviously nothing looked familiar to me). Milwaukee is full of delicious restaurants & I wanted to try somewhere new for dinner since lunch had been at an already known place. 

We started out with cocktails...a #96 for David- Capel pisco, Fruitful papaya liqueur, rhubarb nectar, fresh lemon; & for me, #51-Wheatley vodka, Lillet Blanc, lemon, Salers aperitif, prickly pear, sparkling wine. We built a Charcuterie Board, including: fennel & citrus roasted olives, chili crisp deviled eggs, Marikeke (raw milk young gouda from WI), chicken liver mousse, smoked duck ham, pork pâté, peach jam, red grapes, bread & butter pickles, Marcona almonds, whole grain mustard, & sourdough bread. It was good, but the only thing we regretted ordering all night...simply because we filled up on things we could have had at home. 

Drink #26 for David- Quintana Mexican white rum, Tamerlo tamarind liqueur, Greenbar hibiscus liqueur, Agua de Jamaica, lime, CO2; & I tried a #27- Citadelle gin, elderflower liqueur, sage cordial, grapefruit juice, lemon. Wood-Fired Broccoli (Agilo e Olio, Calabrian chili purée, SarVecchio, roasted pine nuts, oregano, lemon)...what a gorgeous color combination. 

Next up...Seared Sea Scallops (sweet corn succotash, potato cabbage pancake, pickled peppers, sweet corn velouté), Duck Confit Flautas (foie gras guacamole, cream, radish, pickled local peppers, Queso Oaxaca, farm lettuce), & Seared Pork Belly (charred peach jam, chrysanthemum greens, rice cake noodles). Cocktail #46 Tapatio tequila blanco, Can de la Calle fortified agave wine, Apologue celery root liqueur, fresh cucumber juice).

#56- strawberry infused C. Comoz vermouth, aperol, Fair State citra & mosaic hop water, sparkling rosé). For dessert, we ordered Kahlúa Creme Brûlée with orange ginger duck cookies & Sweet Corn Buttermilk Ice Cream with basil blueberry sauce & cardamom waffle. I couldn't resist the Campfire Old Fashioned (graham cracker infused Irish whiskey, Shenk's whiskey, chocolate bitters, toasted marshmallow). 

David loves an Espresso Martini to finish a meal. We were delighted with every bite of this dinner...we declared it our new favorite Milwaukee restaurant...& of course I want to keep trying new places...but I'd love to go back while we still have an abundance of produce growing in Wisconsin. Parking downtown & a short walk to our venue...

Pabst Theater...exquisite...I just love ornate old theaters. 

This person had glittery hair & I was full of envy. I think we were in the 6th row, center...the best seats we could get without being VIP (which we did for Sasha Velour, then didn't take advantage of...we just don't want to meet anyone). 

Jinkx put on a good show...she can really sing, but it wasn't as spectacular as we were hoping for. The band was loud & the sound was poor...we couldn't hear any of the words she was singing...we were talking about that on the way back to the car & the woman behind us said she agreed. 

This Cadillac convertible was sooooo long. One of the 1/2 price items we found at Retique was a briefcase David liked...at home, we discovered it was vintage Coach...$30. 

The other amazing deal were these leopard shoes by Rupert Sanderson...which would have been ~$700 new...$35. $6.50 for the pink Gabby Skye dress. David also found a pair of pants & some shorts. 

What I brought home from Lela's...an orange Effie's Heart dress with oranges on it, a red camisole, & the flower pants I tried on back in May. 

 

Easter // Film Fest // Traveling to Mexico

Dress: Golden Hour Maxi Dress by Free People (size S) via Nuuly

Sandals: Born

Earrings: Kerala Rose

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I can't believe my first reaction to this in person was...oh, it's kind of boring. Wrong! This creamsicle dress was a dream to wear...this peachy color looked amazing on me, the fit was spectacular with the smocked waist, & I adored the drama of the poof sleeves. This cotton dress is ideal for summer...& it was impossible not to feel beautiful wearing it. There are useful pockets & this maxi was the perfect length on me to wear flats with. Sexy neckline...flouncy feminine frock. 

I don't need to buy every dress I look good in. Right?

This necklace is competing a bit with the neckline...I should have chosen something that tapered into the v. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Lucky & Torch, Mediteranee eyeshadow duo from Nars, Sugarpill Cosmetics lipstick in Clockwork, & OPI nail polish in Clubbing Til Sunrise. 

I first wore this dress for Easter brunch: mushroom edition at our house...Kate & Jason came over & I managed to make a mini-feast & not go as over the top as I tend to do. 

Kate was way more on point for this theme than I was...she wore a mushroom dress (we could have twinned), brought a lion's mane elixir & shiitake truffles. 

After eating, we played a new game, Ransom Notes (that we bought because Facebook kept advertising it to me)...I won. 

After Kate & Jason left...we took the doggies on a walk in the neighborhood on a lovely spring day.

We had tickets to see Sasha Velour in Chicago...so I planned a weekend around that...& made reservations for us to stay at Palmer House...which is a stunning old hotel that I've wanted to stay at forever. I also wore this ensemble for the second day of the Wisconsin Film Fest (out of order since Easter came first). David & I had lunch at Great Dane. My favorite film of this day was Leila's Brothers. 

They began with a whole cake...& each day a slice was missing. Kate & I saw a movie together, Blue Jean, & hung out a bit afterwards...where I killed my first mosquito of the year. 

The final time I wore this dress was to travel to Mexico. I flew Madison to Denver to San Diego. I brought along Anaïs Mitchell's Working on a Song to read...she goes through each song in the play & all the changes it went through on its way to Broadway. 

I also went through photos, deleting & editing them for this blog. I always pick a window seat...I love looking out at where we are & all the pretty cloud formations. 

Once I landed in San Diego...I collected my luggage & went outside to meet my driver, who took me to Mexico. I was there for my second round of plastic surgery with BC Plastics. After going through tests & check-in...I settled into my hospital room & ate some food. 

After dinner...Dr. Galvez visited me to talk & mark me up for my surgery the next morning. I was getting a thigh lift (part 1 of 2) & a breast lift (I had about a half cup of fat transferred into each boob from my thighs). That cross is where my nipple was being moved to! I could have had a lift when I was here the first time, but I thought I wanted implants...& have since changed my mind...I didn't want anything foreign in me & I think they look fake. David sent me this picture of what it looked like in Madison...snow in the spring after being in the 70s for film fest weekend. 

My thighs before & after. Inner thighs this time, outer next. Dr. Galvaz removed ~15 pounds of fat & skin...look what a mess my poor thighs were...they stopped moving 30 seconds after the rest of me & I had to wear leggings 2 sizes too big for my waist to the gym. 

The surgery went great & I'm so happy with the results. The pain was & has been minimal. The care & meals at the hospital were wonderful...I really liked this Good Morning tea they served. I did have a terrible experience that I didn't talk about anywhere else on social media...I brought (too much) cash with me to tip all the marvelous people in Mexico...which I locked in the safe in my room (the same as last time) during surgery. The next day when I was packing to go to the hotel, I opened the safe & discovered someone had taken a lot of money from me. I had it divided into 2 bags & they were noticeably lighter...so I counted it...also, money had been moved so it was more evenly distributed. I think the worst part of this is they thought I wouldn't notice. It's just money, right? At least my wedding ring was still there. However, it made me feel violated at a time when I was already feeling vulnerable. Michelle, from BC Plastics, came to my room & that was comforting. I don't blame them, but I was at that hospital because that is where they chose to work out of & it made me feel helpless. I tried very hard not to let this one thief rob me of the experience of doing something positive for my body...but it was difficult.