David Sedaris // Bob Mould // Thanksgiving in Tennessee

Dress: Leadlights Angelou Dress by Effie's Heart

Tights: Snag

Shoes:?

Earring: etXarte

Long Necklace: former Etsy shop

Short Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I adore these Effie's Heart fit & flare dresses...but I mention that every time I wear one. Perfect fit & length...with pockets. I also wore this dress last Thanksgiving.

The colors in this dress are so unusual...it's difficult to decide what to pair with it...so like last year, nothing truly matched. 

I find it interesting that both times I styled this dress I chose to wear 2 necklaces...it's not something I do often. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Stash, Toasted & Chains eyeshadow by UD, MAC lipliner in Auburn, Golshan lipstick from NARS, & OPI nail polish in I'm Not Really A Waitress. 

I wore this dress a lot back in October after my surgery...it's a nice stretchy fit & flare & was easy to throw on when I was so swollen. David & I went to see David Sedaris...he was fantastic & his outfit was outstanding, but I didn't get a good picture. A visit to Gen to get my hair cut...she used to be my regular person, but she raised her rates too high for me. It was nice seeing her again, but I'll stick with Sigrid. Her shop is right next to the Willy St. Vinny's, so...

They often have an excellent selection of vintage clothing...but the real find on this day was that full length mink coat for $25! Can you even believe that?! It's in fabulous shape & an ideal fit. Afterwards, I headed over to see Courtney for a lymphatic massage...then home to make dinner. I used to make this butternut squash risotto often, but it's probably been ~15 years...so I revisited that & added some fried chicken thighs on the side so David would have protein. 

I wore this dress again the next day...I made us pan fried salmon with crispy garlic & roasted cauliflower before heading out to Stoughton. First stop, Vinny's. 

Then over to the Opera House to see Bob Mould. 

Jason Narducy opened & while his music was fine...what I really appreciated about him was his storytelling. Bob Mould put on a great show with lots of new stuff & just enough Hüsker Dü. The entire audience was my age, give or take 3 years. 

I also wore this outfit to work & to go to the Goodwill by our house...

And then I regretted not getting that green turtleneck...so I went back again the next day. And finally...I wore this dress on Thanksgiving at my parents' house. Coffee & breakfast...French toast with blueberries from their yard. 

The view from their porch is breathtaking to me...I love sitting out there when I visit. And we watched Macy's Thanksgiving Parade! I'm guessing it's been well over 20 years since that's happened...it was fun. 

Then we did something completely different from anything you did on Thanksgiving...we shot guns in my dad's gun range. My parents have a Gator they drive down there, but David thought his truck was up to the challenge...which was terrifying & fun...my dad took video to show one of his friends. 

There were all kinds of metal things that my dad's friend Frank made...my favorite was the hostage...you tried to shoot the bad guy (red circle) without hitting the hostage (black vaguely person shaped). 

And, while there is no pictorial evidence...we were also in the room while the Packer/Lion game was on. Snacks & a glass of wine.

Then, dinner! I was supposed to make roasted Brussels sprouts with pecans & pomegranate...but the sprouts didn't make it...they were too close to the ice packs in our cooler & died. But my mom made a delicious Thanksgiving meal...with pumpkin pie...much later...because guess what? We ate too much. 

 

WI Film Fest // Surgery in Mexico

Dress: See It Through Dress by Free People (size M) via Nuuly

Sandals: Born

Earring & Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

This style of Free People maxi is similar to The Marias from Anthropologie...flowy & light...great warm weather dress that is easy to wear. These dresses want to take a walk on the beach with you. This definitely runs at least a size too large, even considering it's a relaxed fit. Drop waist with very low pockets. Great maxi length for me...I wore this with both heels & flats. 

I'm so excited it's sandal season...I mean, it comes & goes...but I have a whole new foot wardrobe to pick from. 

I found these adorable painted cork wedge heels on Poshmark last year.

Warmer weather also means more opportunities to wear Wendy flowers...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Goddess & Abyss; Egypt, Leafar, Catherine, & Kelly eye shadow from KVD; UD lipliner & lipstick in Big Bang; Flashback lipstick by UD; & OPI nail polish in Nessie Plays Hide & Sea-k. 

My favorite local band, Seasaw...I preordered their new album & I chose to get it in orange (the other color was green...difficult decision). I missed their album release party while I was in Mexico...but Kate & I are seeing them at The Shitty Barn this summer. 

I found a tube of this discontinued UD lipstick in Flashback on eBay since I used mine up. The lovely Gayle fixed this necklace that broke...& included a cute pair of earrings. Running errands...picking up some frames, prescriptions...

& getting a haircut...with Girl Scout cookies. I found these retro heels on Poshmark, but they are way too small...I'm not sure I can stretch them, but I guess I'll try. Wisconsin Film Fest opening night! It was a gorgeous weekend...sunny & high 70s. They had just put out the chairs at Memorial Union the day before...it was jam packed. 

Kate & Jason had said they didn't think we'd get a seat...but I was confident we would...it was WAY busier than I imagined...it was a Thursday...I thought we'd be fine. We were about to set up on the steps when a lone guy with an empty beer offered his table to us. I had made us a picnic...2 recipes from Smitten Kitchen Every Day...Mango Apple Ceviche with Sunflowers & Sushi Takeout Cobb Salad (tofu for them, chicken for us)...yum...our first outdoor meal of the year. In April.  

Jason joined us for dinner since he works on campus...then David, Kate, & I went to see the first movie...Luxembourg, Luxembourg. I was the first person they let in (David was taking the cooler back to the car & Kate was in the bathroom)...I never made it to the very long line...I thought the woman just liked me & my dress, but Kate said she probably assumed I had been at the pre-show reception...it often works in my favor that I like to dress up. 

Cute Anthropologie shoes that I bought with the intention of painting the tan part. I also wore this dress to fly home from my week in Mexico...I thought it would be a good choice as it was flowy. My room this time had a view, room 522...I LOVED it. 

I missed Mama Galvez meals...& the pineapple from the breakfast buffet...why is it so good?! Many girls complain about the noise from nearby clubs & suggest bringing ear plugs...I couldn't hear a thing last time...but I was facing the two clubs this round...& I found it soothing, so I'm going to request a similar room in October. 

Painting my toe nails & people watching. I spent a lot of time on the bed I wasn't sleeping in because it was next to the window in the sun. 

Not much to take photos of other than my food. David sent me photos of the trees blooming back home. Angie tagged me in this Instagram post...I still haven't tried this with my salmon. 

David's burger & sweet potato fries from Alchemy...I was full of envy...we hadn't been there since 2019. I had tickets to see Loudon Wainwright III at Stoughton Opera House...but since I couldn't be there...I streamed it...one really good thing to come out of the pandemic. I ate a whole box of Thin Mints during the show. 

Both Kate & David sent me photos of the film fest cake trailer on the last day...awwww. Our apple tree is budding. 

The swelling after surgery is outrageous...even with compression garments on. 

Dr. Galvez came to my room for my pre-op appointment...I was intending on wearing the dress in my outfit photos to go to his office...but it was a surprise...I told him...I'm not even dressed & he replied that I was wearing more than most patients. He told me his hand still hurt from doing lipo on me...he removed ~15 pounds, the most he's ever done...he said he had to take a break 1/2 way through to have a protein bar & some water. 

Hanging out on my windowsill looking gruesome. Basically I ate, read, & watched tv. I plowed through season 3 of Sex Education; American Horror Story: New York 1981; the Netflix documentary on David Bowie, Moonage Daydream, & another documentary...All the Beauty & the Bloodshed. 

I was feeling weepy & asked Kate what happy music I could listen to...they immediately replied, DISCO & they were so right! The sun also did wonders for my mood...I wish I could have walked around outside...but at least I had this. On my final night, I decided to order food from a nearby restaurant, Cabana...it had gotten good reviews & sounded delicious. 

I got WAY too much food...Chinchulines de Pulao (fried octopus), Camaron Roca (tempura shrimp with Asian dipping sauce), Quesitos de Cabana (shrimp, cheese, avocado, mayo taco), & Dolce de Leche Volcano. It came with many condiments...which is always exciting. So the first thing I did was pour some sour cream on the taco. After my first bite, I think...this is kind of sweet. I taste the white stuff on its own...vanilla ice cream to go with the dessert. It had gotten a bit melty in the box with all the hot stuff. The tempura shrimp was the best part...I didn't eat very much of the rest. Next time I'll try somewhere else. Dr. Galvez posted a photo of the bag of stuff I brought him from Wisconsin (along with a box of See's Candy someone else had gave him). A daily progress photo from David of our backyard trees. 

Check out that swelling...everything felt so tight & uncomfortable. 

My favorite nurse, Josefina, walked me out to my driver. Her English is not the best & I wished I had kept up with my high school Spanish. She kept telling me...you come back & face...she pulled down her mask & I thought she was telling me she had her face lifted...but I think she was letting me know that she thought I should come back for a facelift (or maybe both?)...I should have asked my driver...but I thought it was hilarious. My driver was a drummer named Oliver & we had a nice conversation on our drive to San Diego. My luggage got marked priority since I was flying first class. 

Front row...soooo much leg room...it was luxurious. Also, not necessary this time as I wasn't in pain like my first trip. I had declined the wheelchair service I requested...big mistake...5 minutes in I was nearly in tears...my short walks around the hotel room had not prepared me for this. While people were still boarding...they offered me warm nuts & champagne or water...& later, lunch. First class is nice, but the food is terrible...the bread & blondie were decent. 

The mountains are so beautiful from above. In Denver...I definitely got wheelchair service...so grateful as it was a really long walk that included a train. Dinner & the clouds at sunset. 

It's the (blurry) capitol! And Super Boo! I'm home! And what's this?! David was wheeling me around while we waited for the luggage & we spotted this pay phone. Back at home...David surprised me by putting my painting of Lake Superior in the antique frame we found that I had spruced up...a perfect homecoming. 

 

Fluevogs // Sundara

Dress: Dolman Sleeve V-Neck Print Velvet Mini Dress by London Times (size M) via Gwynnie Bee

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Boden

All Jewelry: Colleen Toland

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

Look at these vibrant colors pop! I do love a velvet dress...the length & skirt swing on this one were fabulous. The top was huge...the description stated dolman sleeves, but I think it just looks sloppy from the waist up. Perhaps I needed to size down, but I think even then it would have been ill-fitting. But...pretty, velvet, & easy to throw on. 

I need more orange shoes in my life...but these blue suede shoes were adequate. I think this was my first time wearing them, found on Poshmark.

Matchy matchy jewelry set...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Sabbath; Hell Ride, Wildheart, Baja, & Stranded eyeshadow by UD; Becca lipliner in Mood; Urban Decay lipstick in Big Bang; Pomegranate lipstick from Bite Beauty; & Morgan Taylor nail polish in I'm From The Fuchsia.

I wore this dress to work, bellydance class, & to run errands. I made dinner...Venison with Sauce Grand Veneur, served with roasted Brussels sprouts. 

There was a Fluevog sale...I bought...a few pairs. And caught Amanda Palmer live on Instagram. 

These purple boots are not new, but I realized I hadn't tried them on since buying them during quarantine...SEXY! We get a monthly subscription box from Burlap & Barrel...it is fantastic. 

Boots, coffee, & Pilates.

I got a hair cut! Always an exciting day & my hair person, Sigrid, is so fun to talk to. And then Veronica came on while I was driving Veronika. 

The final time I wore this dress was on David's birthday during a little snowstorm. We drove to a nearby spa for the day, Sundara. 

I've been wanting to go here for ~20 years...so excited to finally experience it.

They sold so many cute exercise/lounging outfits...velvet & sparkles. We got a little tour of the place before our day of luxury began.

Time to put my clothes in a locker & spend the day in my swimsuit.

And they gave me a plushy robe & flip-flops. After we changed...we experienced the Purifying Bath Ritual (in the room with the hot tub & cold plunge pool above), which included these 5 steps: rainfall shower & Sundara sandstone body exfoliation, spray with body mist before heading into the steam room with aromas of rose & sandalwood, cooling rainfall shower, essential oil-infused hot tub with ice chilled eucalyptus towels for your face, until finally you plunge your body into the cold pool...repeat as you like. 

David's Detoxifying Thermal Mud Treatment started 30 minutes before my first service...so I enjoyed some tea, granola, a banana, & time in both the indoor & outdoor hot tubs until it was time for my Signature Body Polish & Massage. I've never had a massage before...how bizarre is that?! This service included both Himalayan sea salt exfoliation & relaxing shea butter massage. Before & after...my hair just got wilder throughout the day. Afterwards, David & I met back up in the bath ritual room & also spent some time outside in the hot tub...it was all so beautiful with the snow falling on us. There were fires scattered about the outdoor areas...& I tried all the pools. Upstairs there is an exercise room...they also offer a variety of classes, including yoga & cooking demonstrations. Lunch! David had already grabbed a bite, but we enjoyed more food together. The best thing I ordered was this Ahi Tuna Sandwich with house made potato chips & a zingy ginger beer. Then it was pedicure time, followed by lounging in another pool area. I wandered into another room & discovered coloring books...So I found a place to sit & lose myself in pretty colors for a bit. Back to the Purifying Bath Ritual & some lounging in the relaxation area. Waiting for our final service of the day...facials. David had a River Stone Facial (his first ever facial). I had chosen a HydraFacial...which turned out to be extremely different from the facials I'm used to...most of it was done with this machine. The results were great, but it wasn't as relaxing as having someones fingers massage everything into your skin. We could have spent some more time in the bath ritual or outdoor spaces, but we were thoroughly relaxed, pampered, & ready to head out. All that leisure & body manipulation had us ravenous...but we were in The Dells, a total tourist trap, which is filled with endless chain restaurants (& a great super club, Ishnala, which was closed for the season & look at my hair...I wasn't fit to go anywhere nice). We decided to go to Pizzeria Uno...because David loves pizza & also, it was the first place we'd ever shared a meal together. David took a closeup of my face so I could see how clean my pores were. It was a marvelous day spent with my love...it felt like *my* birthday.