Merchant // Handel's Messiah // JD McPherson: A Rock 'n' Roll Christmas Tour

Dress: Long-Sleeve V-Neck Textured Midi Dress by Printer Johnson via Nuuly 

Tights: ?

Shoes: Fluevog, Super Fine: Cardinal 

Earrings: Kerala Rose

Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

In our dark warmly lit house, I thought this dress was black at first. It's amazing most of my outfits match as I'm picking pieces blindly. This dress was a great fit, deep-v neckline front & back, pockets, form fitting ruched waist with gold metallic textured bits sprinkled all over. Slightly big, could have sized down from a medium to a small. 

I don't love the way I styled this dress the second time...I liked it better when I went with black jewelry.

I should have went with navy or gold tights...or black if I'd stuck with black accessories. 

Immediately following a haircut...

The first time I wore this dress...I had my second & final appointment with Mar to finish up the filler leaves on my left calf. As you can see, I wore a black & leopard dress at the studio as I didn't want tattoo ink or blood to get on the white parts of this dress. 

Aren't these leave luscious?! Mar does the best leaves.

More acorns too...my left lower leg is complete. 

Back at home...I changed to go out with David...isn't he fancy? Wearing one of his new gold shirts he picked up at The Sophisticated Man. And me thinking we were both wearing black & gold outfits. 

Dinner & drinks at Merchant. To begin, Gingerbread Manhattan (Limousin rye whiskey, gingerbread Coca Cola syrup, cynar, Bittercube orange bitters) & Christmas Mai Tai (Alander spiced rum, Plantation white rum, pistachio orgeat, orange cranberry syrup, Peychaud's bitters). The Christmas decorations are tame compared to their sister restaurant next door, Lucille. David showing off his cufflinks. 

A little happy hour bar snack, French fries with black pepper aioli, followed by a Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich for David (Napa cabbage slaw, jalapeño crema, pickled vegetables, black pepper aioli, fresh herbs, brioche bun) & I had to have Friday Fish Fry (wild-caught Lake Superior whitefish, cornichon tartar sauce, marble rye bread, braised red cabbage, potato salad with giardiniera aioli & scallions). Merchant used to have a terrific fish fry before they remodeled (& got a new chef)...this was one of the worst I've ever had. We told our waiter & he removed it from our bill. Why, Merchant? Second round of cocktails...

Winter Paloma (Lunazul tequila, pomegranate, ginger honey syrup, lime juice, ginger beer) & Something in the Orange (barrel aged gin, orange cranberry syrup, citrus). Finally, we shared a Winter Squash Risotto (roasted squash, roasted brussels sprouts, Sartori parmesan, shaved brussels & fried sage salad, sherry vinaigrette, crispy pepitas). The risotto was yummy & welcome after the fish flop. After dinner...we went over to Bethel Lutheran Church for Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra's (good thing I looked at my ticket so we didn't show up at Overture) Handel's Messiah. Packed house...& there was a harpsichord on stage! 
A few dinners...the usual & this chicken sheet pan recipe we've been loving with brussels & lemon. This is my drain situation...I carried these 3 drains around for a month, then 2, & I've *still* got 1 in for over 2! months now. I never imagined. My thighs retained a lot of fluid from surgery. I just want my body back & to belong to me...I'm at the hospital once a week & carrying this bag of drains around & trying to dress without it showing...it really gets me feeling terrible about my body & I hate that. Soon. The one thing that has helped me get through this is my lymphatic massage person/friend, Courtney. I took this photo at her office. I see her once a week & she helps with the fluid draining & works to loosen my scars up. She's also been incredibly supportive emotionally & I appreciate her honesty in telling me her opinion even when it's not what I want to hear. Later that day...David & I had a meeting at Capital Ketamine for an introduction & tour, then I walked next door to get a haircut from Sigrid...& David & I went to Olbrich Gardens for these outfit photos.

That night...Stoughton Opera House with my girlie to see JD McPherson presents A Rock 'n' Roll Christmas Tour.

Christmas stage & the opening act, Joel Paterson...

I'd seen JD McPherson at The Shitty Barn in the summer & he put on an amazing show...this one was even better. He seemed to be having more fun with his band & wasn't as awkward interacting with the audience...perhaps the intimacy of the barn was intimidating to him & the stage removes him a bit? He has a Christmas album of original songs & he played those interspersed with regular tunes. I'd go see him anytime he comes around...great energy & fun music. 

 

Mint Mark // Asheville: Moog // Royal Peasantry // 12 Bones

Dress: Edge of Silence Floral Aurora Dress by Traffic People

Tights: Snag

Boots: Fluevog, Light: Canopus

Earring: Kerala Rose

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

David & I got this dress at Lela's in Milwaukee...I just thought it was the most gorgeous colors together & that pattern is fabulous...also, it looked good on me. Great fit with the elastic waist & I adore the pleated skirt...somehow pleats feel like a fall thing to me. 

I wish I would have picked a color out of the dress other than black for my tights.

I love these boots so much...

This was the ideal necklace with this dress...

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Jet Black; Hold 'Em, Bud, Rustler, Ghost Town, & Tex eyeshadow by Urban Decay; NYX lipliner in Pumpkin; Hypnotic Rust lipstick from Make Up For Ever; & OPI nail polish in Deutsch You Want Me Baby?

I first wore this dress almost immediately after getting it, the first week in October. David took my picture & we posed for selfies.

Then we headed to Mint Mark...gotta begin with Sex Biscuits...with all that butter & honey garlic...I feel sorry for anyone who hasn't had this in their mouth. For drinks, David chose the rotating Sangrita on draft (Corralejo silver tequila, ginger, lime, orange, fennel, watermelon, Sriracha) & I got the rotating draft cocktail, which was a Lion's Den (Elijah Craig bourbon, molasses, lemon juice, coconut aquavit, orgeat). Then came BBQ Carrots (local carrot, fermented plum, barley, pepita). David's next cocktail was The G.O.A.T. (MMSB Limousin rye, Lazzaroni amaretto, charred lemon cordial, raspberry shrub, angostura bitters, lemon), while I sipped on a Landfall (Pyrat XO reserve rum, house-made peach liqueur, blackstrap molasses, honey, lime, house-made peach pit bitters). More delicious food...Fried Green Tomatoes (buttermilk, blue cheese, black garlic), Arancini (delicata squash, Austrian pumpkin spice, chèvre, sage pistachio pistu), Agnolotti (caramelized broccoli, ricotta, house made pancetta, balsamic, crispy shallot), & Sugo (butternut squash, ginger snap, feta, cinnamon). I can't recall what David ordered next, but I obviously had a Sky Rocket (Banhez mezcal, passion fruit, savory the herb, dijon, lime, lava salt). Our final savory dish was Croque Monsieur (Mint Mark ham, dijon, mornay, shoestring potatoes). For dessert we enjoyed a Pear (poached red Bartlett pear, house-made yogurt, oats, maple syrup) &...a Skillet Cookie (rye chocolate chip, brown sugar, bourbon ice cream, butterscotch)...why is this SO good?! We shared an Espresso Martini...before heading off to see The 39 Steps. We left at intermission. Even if the play had been good...the highlight of our evening was our spectacular meal at Mint Mark. The second time I wore this dress was while we were in Asheville. After coffee...we drove over to the Moog factory for a tour. We were told the company was bought out earlier in the year & they no longer offer factory tours, but instead, a tour of the equipment in the showroom (which sounded more fun to me anyway). While we waited for that to begin...we played around. This guy gave us an excellent demonstration & history lesson about Bob Moog & the company. Then we walked a few blocks to the Moog museum. We had been so lucky with the beautiful weather, but on our last full day here, it rained. The museum was fun, but not nearly as great as the factory.There was one last vintage clothing store on my list that I still wanted to go to, Posies for Lulu...it was a stunning store...so well curated, but priced accordingly...lots of dresses & coats in the $800-1200 range. It was still wonderful to be able to see these beauties in person...most of them were too tiny for me anyway.I tried on 4 more reasonably prices garments & decided on a purple striped 70s summer dress & David got some yellow shoes & a tie.More coffee on our way to Malaprop's Bookstore...which everyone seems to love. It was alright, but we weren't blown away. We didn't even know Molly Baz had a new cookbook out, but we snatched it up. Walking back to the truck, I had to dash into Anthropologie to check out their sales room...nothing...but I had to take a picture of this sequined top as I have a nearly identical one I picked up a while ago at Retique. I intended on wearing it around the house, but I haven't yet...perhaps I'll take inspiration from this & layer it over a button up shirt & add a skirt...or wear it over a dress. We passed by this store, Royal Peasantry, & the dresses in the window really caught my eye, but I was sick of shopping...luckily, something made me turn back. Oh! These layered asymmetrical faerie dresses that the owner & designer, Daniella, created took my breath away...I told her they were so beautiful they made me tear up. She's been making clothes since she was in high school (I'm guessing she's in her 40s)...for these, she takes lingerie & other second hand clothing & reimagines them, dyes them, & drapes layer upon layer in one of a kind creations. I tried on 5 dresses & couldn't decide on just one, so David told me to pick two. I chose the top right one below, my favorite...And this one, which was David's favorite...Daniella kept them to make a few changes...I am excited to wear these next summer & feel so fortunate that we happened upon this magical shop. And finally, dinner! This location of 12 Bones in the River Arts District closes at 4 (why?!) & we got there just in time (or we would have had to drive to their other location in the suburbs). This place came up in every best of restaurant AND BBQ list I found online, so we really wanted to try it. I have never heard of Cheerwine...it's a cherry flavored soda & a southern thing...I'm not sure why I didn't pour myself a sip...I guess I was too hungry to think of it. We each ordered a full rack of ribs with blueberry chipotle sauce & for my sides I chose corn pudding & Mac & cheese...oh, my goodness! We both agreed these were the best ribs we'd ever had. When can we come back?! We had a little time to kill before our movie, so we dipped into the chocolates & unpacked the clothing we'd bought the day before. Then we went to see Napoleon on opening night at Fine Arts Theatre & ate popcorn, even though they only had vegan butter. We enjoyed the movie & it's always a treat to see a movie in a theatre since we so seldom do it. Another amazing day in Asheville. We were sad to be leaving the next day. 

 

The Lil Smokies & Town Mountain // Buffalo Nichols // Mexico Surgery Round 3

Dress: Chloe Dress in Evening Butterflies by Cherry Velvet

Sandals: Fluevog, Mega Munster: Deee

Earrings & Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Earring: Kerala Rose

Bracelet: Vintage

Purse: Mohop

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

Another lovely Cherry Velvet dress that I have in my size thanks to my bezzer. The last time I wore this dress in my previous size was to go to The Shitty Barn with Kate back in 2014. Great fit & length. I adore CV dresses.

How cute is this dress & sandal combination?!

I love these shoes, but hate the way my toes hang over the edge.

I'm not sure purple is a good color for me, but I like it.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Viper; Purple Dust, Digital, Warning, Cyber Punk, & Euphoric eyeshadow from UD; UD lipstick in Flashback; Spiced Plum lipstick by Bite Beauty; & OPI nail polish in Leonardo's Model Color. 

I first wore this dress to spend the day with David...we checked out the trunk sale at the Vinny's in Waunakee. Since this sale has nicer brands, the prices are usually higher, but there were several dresses over $100 which is unreasonable for clothing that is donated. That salmon burnout velvet slip dress was gorgeous. 

David kept adding ridiculously high heels to our cart...while I adored those glittery leopard shoes, I just can't walk in stilettos very well. Cute boots though! Those black & gold Jeffrey Campbell's were pretty, but overpriced or I would have gotten them. 

A few of these items were not part of the trunk sale. 

On my way to Stoughton...I stopped at the Thursday Troy Gardens market...walking on a farm in these heels was not the best choice. 

Vinny's in Stoughton. My favorite dress was the wrap with coral flowers & polka dots...

But there was some weird white stuff on the bust that didn't look like it would come out...I wish I had taken it to the bathroom & tried.

There were definitely some cute skirts that day...leopard tiered maxi, gold shiny silk, peacock colors...

First concert of the season at the Opera House...

Two Runner opening...I liked them a lot...

Next up, The Lil Smokies...which looked SO familiar that I must have seen them open for another band. 

Town Mountain were also good, but my least favorite of the night...it's probably because they had to ruin the all string theme by adding drums. What I brought home from my Stoughton thrifting. 

Our Vinny's Waunakee haul...

The second time I wore this dress, Kate & I ate outside for the last time this year at Turn Key. David & I had been there, but this was the girlie's first time. They began the evening with an Astronaut Spritz (Ish N/A Sparkling Aperitivo, grapefruit), while I chose an Into The Cider Verse (gin, pear liqueur, orange wine, spiced cider, rosemary, lemon, lime, orange bitters)...it was the best cocktail I'd ever had there. 

We shared a plate of Charred Carrots (chili macadamia butter, pickled cranberry, agave-lime glaze, sunflower seed Dukka). I ordered Tagliatelle (house pasta, sugar snap peas, basil, Coppa ham, spinach, Mobay cheese, egg yolk, parmesan) & Kate had Gnocchi (house gnocchi, massaman curry, carrot, oyster mushroom, macadamia, radish, scallion). While my dish was good, the girlie's was better. 

We got done with dinner early enough that we went back to my house for raspberries, a cardigan, & doggie petting. Then, on to High Noon for Buffalo Nichols...he had brand new vinyl for sale!

Christoper Gold opened...we've seen him both solo & with his band. He always has his son come out & do a song with him on the harmonica...it's cute. Kate took a photo of me taking a picture of Christopher Gold. 

We were surprised that Buffalo Nichols got himself a band...he's usually just on his own. 

We stood right up front & we got to dance...it was delightful. Back at home...a new Book Book came for my new iPhone. And the final time I wore this dress...flying to San Diego...look how dead Madison airport is...it's fantastic. 

The fact that I can fit in the plane seat comfortably & buckle the seatbelt will never get old. AND...put the tray table down...working on my blog. What is this supposed to be...at the Denver airport?! It looks like 2 Sumo wrestlers. 

Flying over the mountains...& landing in San Diego. Some art in the airport...waiting for my driver to take me across the border. 

After doing blood work, I settled into my hospital room with some food. I worked on my blog a bit more & started planning our trip to Asheville. 

Dr. Galvez came by to chat & mark me up for my surgery the next day...he's so nice. I thought I'd be getting an outer thigh lift, but he wanted to do a second inner lift first. Photos before my 1st lift & second lift & after on the operating table. I only wish my thighs looked like that. I'm going to need a 3rd surgery on them. I have lipadema, so I've got an abnormal amount of diseased fat up there. I'll never have normal sized thighs, but I hope they can at least be better...it was already a huge improvement after the first round. 

Out of the hospital & settled into the hotel. I unpacked everything into the drawers & closet...the last 2 times I'd had 2 king size beds & just kept my suitcases open on one...but only one bed in this room. Just like last October...I was in Mexico during Flummunity Fest. I watched some of the live stream, including this interview with John & George Clinton. 

I had asked for a room with a view & sun...I ended up on the 2nd floor...not as good as the 6th, but having that warmth stream in all day makes such a huge difference. I sat in the window & did my nails & painted my toes. 

I started watching Project Runway, then decided David might like it too...I loved this skirt. I ended up watching The Great British Sewing Bee instead. David is building a platform for our washer & dryer & he sent me progress pics. 

They have the best fresh pineapple at the hotel's breakfast buffet. I looked forward to it every day...& always got enough to last until the next morning.