Milwaukee x 2: Retique, Saffron, Nick Cave // Likewise, Retique, Laughs in Spanish, Lela's, Sorella

Dress: So Wrapped Up Maxi Dress in Black Floral by Betsey Johnson

Sandals: Fluevog, Mega Munster: Deee

Earrings: Wendy Baker

Necklace: Colleen Toland

Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

What a dream maxi...a bit of a high/low true wrap dress in a lightweight mesh fabric...lined through the body, sheer sleeves & bottom. Ends in a flounce at the hem...I wish the sleeves mimicked that...instead there are long pieces of fabric attached that you need to make into a bow...which gives that flounce effect, but they are difficult to tie & stay tied. Otherwise, this dress is perfection...black leopard background with colorful flowers. Great fit & full of sexiness. I bought this dress nearly 2 years ago in an end-of-season sale on Modcloth (same as the bat dress)...the largest size left in stock was a 6...& I took a chance it might someday fit...& it does...wraps dresses are generous that way. 

David & I found this old theatre just down the street from the restaurant we had reservations at...it was a lovely backdrop for photos. 

I got these sandals at the Fluevog Swap & Shop in Chicago for a great price...this color has been sold out for a while...& honestly, black was never on my radar. I also own them in purple, which would have gone nicely with this dress as well. 

The earrings are my only accessory I am completely pleased with...I didn't have a necklace that went as well. I need a black flower necklace with bits of color in it...this one just doesn't pop. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Jet Black; Celestial, Twilight, & Turkish Delight eyeshadow by Huda Beauty; NYX lipliner in Pumpkin; Heat lipstick from Urban Decay; & Morgan Taylor nail polish in Sunrise & the City. 

The first time I wore this dress was to go to Milwaukee with Angie. First stop, Retique...where I did not take my usual hours, just picked the best stuff. I got all 5 of the things pictured below & the short burgundy skater dress was 1/2 off $12.99. Dinner at Saffron...

David & I had been here once & I liked it more than him, so I thought I'd give it a second try. It was good, but I won't go back...there are too many excellent restaurants to settle for merely good.  My main issue with this place is they sous vide all their meat & I dislike that texture. They do serve excellent cocktails. 

On to the reason we came to Milwaukee...Nick Cave!

I've probably seen him at least a dozen times by now. He was amazing...as usual. It was a much quieter solo show with him on piano the entire time...& Colin Greenwood (Radiohead) on bass.

The second time I wore this dress was to go to Milwaukee with David. Our first stop is always Likewise...I got an Iced Autumn Sweater Latte & David got a Cherry-Coloured Funk, also cold. 

The bench said to sit, so I did...

Next stop...Retique...even though I had just been there a few days before with Angie, they are always getting in new stuff...& I had time to look more thoroughly. That first red dress was vintage...they don't typically carry anything like that. 

This is the best Goodwill I've ever been to...I wish this curated selection was more common.

The reason we were in Milwaukee, to see a play...Laughs in Spanish...which turned out to be delightfully funny & well acted. We got season tickets to 2 of the theatre companies in Milwaukee this year. 

After the play, we still had a bit of time before our dinner reservation...so we wandered into Shōō...I had never noticed their adorable shoe display of stockings to try on shoes. And then onto Lela Boutique...she has a great eye & brings in a marvelous selection of clothing. David insisted I get everything I tried on despite me telling him it wasn't necessary. I love all 3 dresses, but if I had only gotten one, it would have been the long sleeve autumnal Traffic People dress. The skirt was in their consignment section, so it was a thrift store price. On our way to dinner, we stopped & took these outfit photos. I made us reservations at a new-to-us place, Sorella. Odd Duck had mentioned them & since they aren't open on Sundays...here we went. 

It was such a lovely fall day, we asked to sit outside. We began with a Fall Collins (date-infused dry gin, Galliano, St. Germain, lemon, clove bitters) & Autunno (Mt. Gay rum, Frangelico, Poppy amaro, St. George, pear, lemon, root beer bitters). For starters, we ordered Arancini Mortadella (mortadella, peas, & crescenza cheese rice balls) & Bomba Calamari (crispy calamari with spicy Calabrian sauce). We were dubious about going to an Italian restaurant as they are often disappointing...so far...everything was marvelous. I was thrilled they had arancini as they rarely make an appearance on menus. 

One last plate to share...their signature dish, Cavatelli with 'Monday Sauce' (broken meatball, sausage & pork ragú, ricotta). This was outstanding. Our waitress told us the pasta is made by the chef's mother. Second round of cocktails, Hotel Cristina (house limoncello, vodka, soda, lemon, basil, mint) & Bada Boom (Reposado tequila, Grand Marnier, Cocchi Torino, Cocchi Americano, chipotle cacao bitters, orange peel). For my main course, I ordered one of the specials, Lasagna all Bosciaola (wild mushroom & ramp ragú, beschamel, Sarvecchio), with a side of crispy potatoes...it was all spectacularly delicious. 

David chose Veal Marsala (spinach & porcini stuffed scallopini, mushroom marsala sauce)...which came with a nostalgic side of spaghetti (all nice Italian restaurants used to do this). Dessert? Yes, please. Torta Americana (flourless chocolate & peanut cake, candied peanuts, whipped cream) & Seasonal Tiramisu (fall spiced pear, cranberry & amaretti cookie). And an espresso martini to share. 

Our extremely nice server brought us out 2 shots of their housemade limoncello to end the evening. What a fabulous experience...there isn't a thing we ordered that we wouldn't have again. Add another keeper to our Milwaukee restaurant list. 

What we brought home from Retique...green tags 1/2 off. This was a perfectly lovely day. 

 

Final Elkhorn // Los Tres Hermanos // American Rhapsody // Lucille

Dress: Elizabeth Dress in Floral Bouquet by Cherry Velvet

Sandals: Fluevog, Operetta: Renee

All Jewelry: Wendy Baker

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

Cherry Velvet dresses are the ideal summer frock...quilting cotton fit & flare with pockets. The fit & length are great. I used to have this dress in a 3x, then Kate generously gave me her medium so I am reunited with this beauty. 

I wanted to wear these Fluevog sandals one more time before hiding my feet away for the winter. 

I felt like a Cherry Velvet model in this outfit (they always have their models in Fluevogs...both Canadian companies).

Wendy Baker floral jewelry is the ideal accompaniment...

I wore this dress on a fun-filled Sunday in September. First, we drove to Elkhorn for the final antique flea market of the season. Our first find...that brass surround. 

Orange bookends, purple necklace, & milk container all came home with us. I have a bookend art project that I'm collecting these for, & we'll use that metal container for dog water outside. 

May 1970 Playboy...the year & month I was born...for $1, it had to be mine. A collection of jewelry from a vendor we like...so far, I've only worn the gold multi-chain Haskell. Three Little Birds Vintage...this woman's first show was the month before...SO happy we found her as she has wonderful things at fabulous prices. 

Grape metal brackets for our pergola. Pumpkins for our porch. 

Traditional after market lunch at Los Tres Hermanos...where we shared a mango margarita. 

And I ordered something different...mixed fajitas (David got the same). Back at home...we didn't even have time to unload the truck before we had to scurry off to the symphony...where the theme was American Rhapsody. 

Their guest pianist, Terrence Wilson, was extraordinary. Look how tired we look...up at 4:30 to be in line before 7am. 

Afterwards...cocktails outside at Lucille on a perfect fall day. One of these drinks was not my favorite, so David sent it back & had them make me something else. 

What a wonderful day...I'm always about a month behind blogging...& it's nice to relive these marvelous moments. 

Back at home...we took a nap & unpacked the truck...& immediately put this little crate to use holding our dried peppers. 

This thing was too pretty to pass up...a candle holder? We'll find a use for it. A lovely lamp that we'll get a new shade for. A swag lamp to add to our wreck room collection.

2 mirrored trays for my jewelry room (they are currently holding bracelets)...& the jewelry I found, plus some orange gloves. 

Miss May 1970...where is she now? Probably somebody's great grandma. Green wool coat...we got it for a steal when I pointed out the lining was ripped in the sleeve...it is otherwise in perfect shape. Until next year, Elkhorn! You're always a good time. 

 

Tattoo // Brian Visits Madison: Kayaking // Seasaw // Ahan // The Tillers

Dress: Somerset Maxi Dress by Anthropologie (size M) via Nuuly

Sandals: Born via Poshmark

Necklace & Earrings: Colleen Toland

Bracelets: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

These Somerset dresses are always a hit...great fit & shape...excellent maxi length, useful pockets, & a hook to keep the neckline closed. This came to me with the tag still on, so the cotton was crisp. I love a print on a black background & especially liked all the greens...which stood out more to me than the flowers. This is an ideal spring through autumn dress...you could wear this casual maxi anywhere & look cute. 

I often use bangles to highlight all my favorite colors in the dress...which is why you don't see any white or pink...

There is a lot of fabric to this dress...& little ruffles to make layers. 

I wore this outfit with both black flower heels, as well as olive floral flats.

I was tempted to go all black with my jewelry...but decided on green instead...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Mildew; Mildew, Golden, & Honey eyeshadow from UD; UD lipliner in 714; No-Tell Motel lipstick by UD; & Colors by Llarowe nail polish in The Mighty Red Baron. 

I first wore this dress to have a lymphatic massage with the lovely Courtney, then on to Red Clover where Bear finished up my merhorse tattoo...isn't she gorgeous?! 

So much beauty that I never get to see...

Red Clover has a new space...it's not as warm & comforting as their previous spot (old building with wood floors & lots of natural light), but it gives them a lot more room. My near daily carwash photo that I send to David. It's our thing. And then off to Troy Gardens for Thursday market...I love having them in our neighborhood. This was back in August, so I had a ton of bruising from surgery. 

I also wore this dress on Brian's last full day in Madison back in September. But first! Early morning kayaking...my very first time! I've been wanting to try it for the last few years, but can never find the time. Kate & Jason have a foldable kayak that they had to prepare for the water...Jason used that...the rest of us rented boats.

Labor Day weekend had temps in the 90s, so we went early to beat the heat. I love water so much! How have I not done this before?! It's my new favorite thing. 

After paddling around on Lake Mendota...Brian & I stopped at the Northside Sunday market for flowers...& he collected some veggies to bring home. I'm wearing this Coolibar dress that I thrifted...it's got UPF 50+ sun protection in the fabric. 

After market, we got ready for the day & headed down to the capitol to see Seasaw. They were playing Taste of Madison...but we ignored the below average food & just went for these girls & their marvelous music. I LOVE that they have a band now. We bopped along to their tunes & enjoyed people watching. 

Since I had dragged poor Brian along for thrifting the day before...we did something he wanted...shopping at Marshalls. Check out this amazing shuffleboard outfit...I had to get it. 

I also picked up these pants & this green clearance dress. This orange frock was a gorgeous color, but too plain. And even though $40 was a bargain, I'm used to thrift store prices. Speaking of...I forgot to take a photo of these Born sandals from Vinny's the day before. I took a video of me dancing in the fitting room...it's important to be silly & have fun.

Dinner time! Did I starve Brian all day?! I don't recall. Oh! He had pizza from Sal's that he brought home the night before. Oh, good. Ahan from our front row seat at Bur Oak. 

This was my last meal here...Ahan moved into a larger spot, which is good for them...but I will miss the combination of fabulous food with my marvelous music. Bur Oak seems to have partnered with Beef Butter BBQ...which is another local place, but I don't like their food...plus, you have to order ahead & I'm not a planner. Brian & I devoured some Chèvre Wontons & Summer Rolls (which taste like a walk through farmers' market). I got my usual, Praram Long Song (fried chicken with all the in season veggies) & Brian ordered Red Curry Udon...those noodles are outstanding. 

Brandy Old-Fashioned for me & a Whiskey Old-Fashioned for Brian...he had them add something though...Frangelico? It was tasty.  There was a guy at this show that had also been at Cafe Carpe on Friday...he was surprised this was our first time seeing this band. 

I'd never heard of this band before, The Tillers...they were only on my radar because I was making a list of things to do while Brian was visiting. They have a quote from JD Wilkes (of the Shack Shakers) on the front page of their website..."Like no other group I've ever heard of, The Tillers are able to break your heart with an intangible, timeless pain. Combined they harmonize like the Celestial Monochorde of old, awakening once again the ancient muses to strum the heartstrings of man..." These guys were on fire...I will definitely see them every time they come around. Look at all those strings!!! 

After the show...we headed downtown to continue enjoying the beautiful evening with a nightcap from Lucille. I miss Brian!