Sleepy Gaucho // Visit with Brian

Dress: Floral Fit & Flare Dress by Eloquii (size 20) via GB Try Then Buy

Cardigan: ?, can't read the cursive tag (size 2x), thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Basic Editions, thrifted

All Jewelry: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 45-42-59

I first rented this dress from GB back in February 2014 & immediately regretted returning it. I found it in the GB Shop, but the largest size they had was a 20...so I bought it. Why? It was stretchy...it might have fit? So, I waited too long & now it's too big on me...but at least I got to wear it again. I still think it's gorgeous with all the pretty watercolors, but I'll be alright letting it go to a new home. 

With cooler weather, I can break out the cardigans (this was September...so one day cardigan weather, the next sandals) & wear some of my too big dresses before saying goodbye to them as the cardigans hide some of the excess fabric & provide more of a shape...or that's what I think anyway. 

I nearly went with orange tights...but I hardly ever have occasion to wear magenta...& I wear orange all the time. The first time I wore this a woman asked me if I painted my shoes to match my dress...I just got lucky at the thrift store. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Electric Empire; Ten, Candles, Libra, & Lime Crime eyeshadow by Lime Crime; NYX lipliner in Orange County; NYX lipstick in 507; So Chaud lipstick from MAC; & OPI nail polish in Orange You Going To The Game?

DJ Baby Berlin DJ-ing on Twitch on 2 different nights & DJ Shok. My gout was finally better enough that I dared to try driving around the neighborhood. It was really emotional for me as this was my first time behind the wheel since my knee surgery. A bit of freedom. 

Music on Twitch & a surprise live from New Zealand, Amanda Palmer. And the reason for me attempting to drive...I drove myself to The Shitty Barn to see a show. I was still walking with a cane, but I was able to get around enough to be out in the world. 

I didn't walk around much & ate my food sitting inside instead of standing outside. Red curry tofu & blackberries from the co-op. The first band, Graham Hunt, was LOUD...my only ear protection wearing show of the season. The main band, Sleepy Gaucho...they were good (sorry to the band member I cropped out of the photo here), but mostly I enjoyed how happy they seemed to be playing & the guy on bass really threw himself into the performance. 

The second time I wore this dress was on my last full day of visiting Brian in the U.P. I was going to make us salmon salad in cucumbers, but I didn't bring mayo...because *everyone* has mayo, right?! Miracle Whip *blech* So I had a meltdown, then Brian suggested we make some...of course! So he did & it was delicious. Then we ate it in front of the tv while he & his mom watched the Packer game. So confusing. 

Later, we went to Brian's salon where we spent 5 hours cutting & dyeing my hair...how lucky am I to have such a patient & talented friend?! I need those sunglasses in my life!

We went with 4 shades of copper & a royal purple. Brian painted each section on & wrapped it...so time consuming. I LOVE the hair color SO much! I don't love the haircut (too short on my short side & not enough spikey bits around my face), which I felt really bad telling Brian since he worked so hard. BUT...the hair color is marvelous. It's fun to have multicolor hair since I typically do it myself with just one shade. 

After finishing my hair, we went back to Brian's where I made us dinner...pan fried pork chops with honey nut squash, baked apples, & roasted garlic. We ate at midnight. But it was delicious. Brian had never had honey nut before & as he claimed them his new favorite squash...I sent him a box. The U.P. is stunning, but you can't find anything out of the ordinary up there. Also on this day, Brian's nephew made me tear up because he was so kind to me...sometimes that still can take me off guard. We had a wonderful visit...our first since Labor Day weekend 2019 (stupid pandemic). There will be other days of my visit coming up since this is now out of order. Then, very sadly, I drove home the next day.

 

Zig Zag

Dress: Ruffle Detail Fit & Flare Midi Dress in Fall Print by Eloquii (size 26) via Gwynnie Bee

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Worthingon, thrifted

Earring & Necklace: Vintage Heidi Daus via eBay 

Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 50-47-68

Gwynnie Bee has been adding a lot of Eloquii lately & I'm always sucked in by the colors & patterns...but why do they all have neck ties?! I hate them. I prefer to wear necklaces & it always ends up looking sloppy no matter how jaunty I try to tie the strings. Great fit & gorgeous colors on this midi dress...but my favorite part was the slimmer fit ruffled sleeve ends. 

I've had these purple shoes for several years & never wore them...all of a sudden, I find myself thinking they are the perfect shoe for an outfit. Weird.

This is my first time wearing these bracelets that I bought on Etsy in 2018.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Psychedelic Sister; Azalea, Agate, & Day Spring eyeshadow by Natasha Denona; Sugarpill Cosmetics lip color in Locket; & Copper Pot nail polish from Sinful Colors. 

One of my Fluvicorns...Half Truth Tanyas in purple (I also covet them in green)...found on the Flummunity on FB...brand new *swoon*. Michael Waite & friends.DJ Baby Berlin spinning 90s alternative happy hour. 

Music to surf the internet to. My first visit to see my primary doctor in over a year. And Tracey dressed up on St. Patrick's Day painting a green china cabinet. 

Listening to DJ/VJ Ant on Twitch. Making the first Roman shade...eeeeek. And Them Coulee Boys playing online live in memory of their friend Max Graham. 

 

New Fluevogs, Old Fluevogs

Dress: Orange & Navy Plaid Fit & Flare Dress by Eloquii (size 28)

Cardigan: Croft & Barrow (size 2x), thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Bandolino, thrifted 

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-70

I'm not sure I've ever paired my favorite color, orange...the color of fun, with navy before? It's spectacular. I popped the tags off this Eloquii dress & wore it out in the world briefly. The fabric is so incredibly soft & cuddly...like wearing flannel sheets. The fit on this dress was spot on, with a nicely flared skirt & deep pockets. Does anyone use the zippers on the back of dresses? 

I don't think I've worn this cardigan before? At first I thought, oh, sequins are too blingy for this plaid flannel dress...but then I remembered that I like everything to be special & I chose it anyway. 

This is also my first wearing of this lovely carnelian necklace from Gayle...she has such a good eye for putting things together in her vintage inspired jewelry. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Deep Blue; Jasper, Agate, & Azalea eyeshadow by Natasha Denona; Pumpkin Pie liquid lipstick by Jeffree Star, & OPI nail polish in Rising Star. 

Another evening full of the music of my youth...Planet Earth...I was especially excited to hear Specimen...I bought that extended single when it came out because the band looked so spectacularly goth (which I don't think was even a term back then?)...

Glenn Crytzer & his boys playing the songs of 1928. Another wonderful wine from Kate's cellar...I nursed this one glass for over 2 hours while watching Charlie Parr play live...I really enjoyed & savored it. It was like being at a real concert, but with much better wine. Matt DJ-ing some David Bowie songs ahead of Bowie's birthday. 

New Fluevogs from their sale...David didn't want to buy these for me for Christmas because he didn't like them...I LOVE them...red & copper...I know the floral pattern is a bit soft & dainty...but I think these will look amazing with any number of Effie's Heart dresses with their beige backgrounds. And an old pair of Fluevog Swordfish Sinead shoes found for a steal on the Fluemarket...they are in great used condition...I'm going to gold up that skull buckle & they'll be perfect. They are crying out for pants though...hmmm...perhaps a midi length sweeping skirt? 

On the last day of 2020 I bought both Kate & I a copy of Them Coulee Boys vinyl...because it was supposed to come with a certificate of completion of 2020...but it did not. We both wanted the record anyway. Michael Waite plays songs online from my hometown. The first part of my Snag order arrived...not sure why they sent it in 4 shipments...red fishnets, pink tights, & some black sharkie fishnets with super large holes for layering over colored tights. Also, after the terrorists stormed the capitol...we watched as these idiots protested the votes of the people of Pennsylvania. Disgraceful. 

 

The Muffin Queen's Actual Closet

Dress: Opposing Stripes Fit & Flare Dress by Eloquii (size 28)

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Express

All Jewelry: Vintage Sobral via eBay 

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-70

I adore the opposing stripes in this colorful Eloquii dress...I just wish all of their dresses didn't have a tie at the neck...I prefer to wear a necklace. Great fit & length...& just enough twirl in the skirt. I took the colors I liked best & added them into other elements...green eyeliner, orange eyeshadow & tights, red shoes...& the stripe-y jewelry has all the hues. 

I bought these shoes for a few dollars at Gordmans years ago as I was walking through there on my way to Torrid. So cute! 

In addition to quitting blush...I also got bored with wearing a bunch of eyeshadow colors at once & have been paring it down to something a bit more subtle. I think it makes my heavy lidded eyes stand out more. What do you think? 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Mainline, Nars eyeshadow in Mediteranee, Pumpkin Pie Velour Liquid Lipstick by Jeffree Star, Korean Candy lipstick from MAC, & CND Vinylux nail polish in Vermillion. 

Advent Calendar, Day 18. SO much spinach...this time of year the overwintered spinach from market is incredibly hearty & sweet...we alternate between having salads & sautéing it...here it is served with farmers bologna on our new Fiesta plate in Poppy. 

Another special delivery from Flora...her Czech jewelry is so lovely. She very sweetly sent along this matching ring & earrings to the bracelet I bought. I've had my eye on this for a while since I have a pendant/pin that exactly matches the center piece. If you make this photo larger, you can see that the chain on the back is held by 2 lion heads...such attention to detail makes me swoon. The other multi colored bracelet is too gorgeous for words...pictures do not do it justice & I must have stared at it for an hour after I unwrapped it. 

Online entertainment...the only thing we have in 2020. DJ, then a documentary about Joy Division, followed by some tribute songs by Dead Souls, with special guest...Unwoman. And 2 DJ sets.

Girlie DJs are the best. The Lowest Pair performing from Washington State. 

The Muffin Queen's actual closet. I had posted my Fluevog boots from the 90s on the Flummunity & I was asked to share more of my closet...so I took photos. It's not exactly clean, but this is as good as it gets. 

It's very exciting to have a place for everything. David very cleverly came up with this idea of using slide out tie racks for my tights & teggings. 

Antique wooden crates that have been poly-ed hold my rolled up sweaters. The top row of dresses are all the dresses I've never worn & have been working my way through lately. 

All the shoes & nail polishes have a home. The mirror still needs to be hung on the wall now that I've covered it in colorful foil & glitter. 

The week of Christmas, David & I decided to start unpacking boxes...we got through about 40. Lots of stuff went through the dishwasher & into the china cabinets in our dining room. It was like Christmas every day!

Advent calendar & live music online. 

My favorite Saturday night DJ event, Planet Earth.

Glenn Crytzer Quartet. Save The Senate Festival...so many good musicians...

Amanda Palmer's performance was by far the most adorable...she started out playing inside...then stopped to wonder if we could hear the birds...then decided to walk outside through the window to share the beauty of New Zealand with us. Sista Strings playing live for Cafe Carpe. 

Mmmmm...citrus & vetiver on day 20. Some of our emptying of boxes on the kitchen counter...I ended up washing a lot of things by hand that were too delicate for the machine. 

We got this Fluevog shoe polish for some black marks on a pair of 'Vogs, but that didn't work out...however, it performed magic on these Born shoes of mine (before & after shot) & some of David's orange shoes as well. Jake'O playing on his birthday & on the 21st day of advent...warm & spicy cologne.