Madison Symphony Orchestra: Benjamin Grosvenor

Dress: Puff-Sleeve Lace Dress by Anthropologie (size 10) via Nuuly

Cardigan: Vintage

Tights: Sock Dreams

Shoes: Fluevog, Bellevue: Vestal 

All Jewelry & Purse: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

This dress was stunning, dramatic, & elegant...I looked like a proper lady...I should have worn a hat. This dress would have been perfection...but everyone who has rented it on Nuuly agrees...this runs a few sizes small. The 10 was soooo tight on me that I couldn't button it at the chest, so I had to wear a closed cardigan over it. Despite it being so snug on me...it was still comfortable & I felt sexy & alluring. 

The former goth in me enjoyed being encased in black lace.

My Fluevogs even have a window of black lace...

I was fearful that this necklace would be overpowering on my smaller frame...but I think it was the ideal accessory with this ensemble. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero; Golden Nugget, Sin City, & Showgirl eyeshadow by Too Faced; UD 714 lipliner; No-Tell Motel lipstick by UD; Luvbug lipstick from Sugarpill Cosmetics; & OPI nail polish in The Spy Who Loved Me. 

David & I at the capitol before heading down the street to Overture Center.

Madison Symphony Orchestra...

with guest pianist, Benjamin Grosvenor...his performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3 was definitely the highlight for us.

Also, this woman who sat in front of us in head to toe black with red roses...her dress, cardigan, purse, earrings, scarf...everything was exquisite...I let her know how fabulous I thought she was. It made my day that she had put so much effort into looking lovely. 

 

Valentine's Day Burlesque

 Dress: Lingerie from Lane Bryant (nearly 20 years old)

Top: Ross

Leggings: Torrid

Tights: We Love Colors

Boots: Dr. Martens

Earring & Bracelet: Vintage

Necklace: former etsy seller

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

For Valentine's Day I went to a burlesque show with Kate & David. They were going to have a lingerie contest, so even though I wasn't going to participate in that...this outfit seemed appropriate. I was shocked I was able to find it...I don't think I've worn this in over a decade. I used to wear it to go out & as part of a devil girl costume. 

The tongue on my right boot came out & I still can't decide if I should have it sewn back in or pull the other one out...I'm leaning toward taking it out...I like the corset look over whatever color tights I'm wearing. However, I prefer things that don't match...so I'm enjoying wearing them as is. 

David & I went to Indian buffet for lunch...I was not wearing this outfit. Typically David & I do not celebrate Valentine's Day...even though that was the day we first met via email. 14 years ago this year. 

Kate suggested we check out this Les Cougars burlesque show...they were honoring artists that died last year & it sounded fun. People at the VIP tables got champagne & we were trying to figure out how horrible it was...but we couldn't see the label. 

We love burlesque...but this show was terrible...Kate called it a valentine massacre...& she likes everything. The highlight was the woman with the umbrella...& the host of the event did a raunchy policewoman number that was hilarious. We decided we'd stick it out until intermission before making our escape. Our only disappointment was that we wouldn't see the Jereth/Bowie performance...it was a great costume. 

During a particularly harrowing rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah...David danced for us. It was the best part of the night. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Kat von D eyeshadow in Bloodmilk, Medusa, & Ankh; Red Dragon Lip Tar from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics; Russian Red lipstick by NYX, & OCC nail polish in Lustgarten. 

46th Birthday Party

 Dress: Scuba Dress in Pink Floral by Julian Taylor (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Avenue

Lace Leggings: Torrid (still available)

Shoes: Born

Necklace & Earring: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this ensemble for my birthday party, then on another day to work. I own this dress in solid red & blue...but I resisted keeping this one...mainly because it's made of scuba fabric. The pink was delicate & the coral vibrant...with touches of yellow...stunning against the black background. Fabulous fit & flare shape...basically, this dress is perfect if you like scuba...which I think just feels too thick & heavy. This brand runs big, so a size 24 is the right fit for me. I wore a pink floral cardigan over this at my party, but only because I was running behind (as usual) & just grabbed the first one I could find. These photos were taken on the day I wore this outfit to work. 

I adore these Torrid leggings!! I bought them the last time they were having a 50% off sale...& only because I needed the donut leggings...but these are the ones I fell in love with in person. I thought they were going to be a lace & floral pattern...but they are actual lace. I hope I find lots of pretty outfits to wear them with this summer. Of course I immediately poked a hole in them as I was putting them on. 

We went to Shük for lunch & the sweet owner gave me free dessert & an Izze because David told her it was my birthday. Also, remember the lovely lady from The Girls of GB that offered me her dress that I loved but came to me in poor condition from GB? She oh-so-generously sent along an Igigi dress as well...how nice is that?!

We had planned on having 80s karaoke for my birthday...but I wasn't feeling it...it was a cool rainy day & I just wanted to cuddle up in bed with Super Boo & the doggies. But, bubbles had to happen! We started out the evening with Champagne...& a cute well-behaved doggy that matched Kate's dress...& pig cutting boards! Angie had brought me back a pig cutting board from a prison gift shop out east last summer & Kate gave me this one on this day. I love pigs...they are my third favorite animal (after dogs & elephants). 

How adorable are Kate & Jason?? I need to make a video some time because you just would not believe how adorable they are...

The bubbles continue...& fun with carrots. The girlies dress is from Cherry Velvet....tigers, rrrrarrrrr. I wanted one in burgundy, but they were sold out of my size. 

Kate & David strike a pose & bursting bubbles. Kate traditionally makes me a chocolate orange carrot cake...but this year they came in cupcake form...which I actually liked better....YUM! And Angie made lemon poppyseed cake with whipped cream & the most delicious homemade plum ginger jam. I did not fully appreciate it on this night...but a few days later when I put it on toast I swooned from the perfection of it. 

If it weren't for this picture...I would have forgotten we played Game of Things. Angie is barely in this shot...& Toby never made it into any photos. I have to fill my blog with pictures of Kate so she'll read it ;)

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero, UD eyeshadow in Flame, Sugarpill eyeshadow in Buttercupcake, Too Faced eyeshadow in Sprinkles, a mixture of lipsticks...Bite Beauty in Cranberry & Blood Orange and OCC in Trollop, & Woodstock by Colors by Llarowe on my nails. 

Happy New Year!

 Dress: Luna Lace Dress in Green by Kiyonna (size 4x)

Sparkly Socks: Sock Dreams

Boots: Dr. Martens, gift from S. Boo

Necklace, Bracelet, & Earring: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this lovely lace frock to celebrate NYE. This dress is fabulous, but I'm afraid I am not doing it justice here...it was cold, but I should have asked Kate to look me over...all the ruching that should be at the waist is tucked up under my boobs & my bra straps are falling off my shoulders...but as this is probably how I looked all night...it's honest. This marvelous forest green lace was stunning with my red hair...I don't wear green nearly often enough. The dress was also lined in green, except for the nude lining on top that would have done an excellent job of hiding my bra straps had they actually been on my shoulders ;) The scalloped lace on the hem & arms made me happy...I love little details like that. The 3/4 sleeves & just below the knee length were just right. This dress was a complete delight to wear & I am still in shock over the amazing deal I got on it...$40! during Kiyonna's Black Friday sale. 

I didn't get close-ups of the boots on this day, but below is from the last time I wore them..they have gorgeous beading & ribbon...my fancy Docs. While I was putting them on...the tongue ripped out of one...but I liked how the sparkly socks showed through the laces, so I'm trying to decide if I should rip the other tongue out or get it sewn back in. 

Laughing girlies...pretty girlies. Kate is full of sequins & looking adorable...I LOVE her peacock fascinator & purse SO much...she got them to match last year's NYE outfit...but they looked divine with this dress as well. 

We had intended to stay in this NYE & make food ourselves...but made last minute reservations at Estrellon, which we had not dined at yet...although I did go to the preview dinner. It was delightful & so much better than the preview had suggested. I love tapas & small plates & sharing...you get to try so many different flavors. I started off with a Manchego & Jamón filled Croqueta, which had been a tasty bite at the preview...as it had ham in it, it was the one thing we didn't share. Then came our Pintxos...Charred Beets (Manchego, pine nuts, lemon) & Smoked Sockeye Salmon (greek yogurt, caviar, truffle honey). We had an excellent view of the open kitchen, but the cute girlie was the best view in the place. 

On to the small plates...Pulpo a la Gallega (grilled octopus, potatoes, hot pimenton) & Fried Green Tomatoes (Maryland crab salad, rémoulade). I wasn't that excited by the thought of fried green tomatoes...but it was perhaps my favorite dish of the evening. And not just because of the crab. Roasted Carrots (cotija cheese, pickled onions, mole).

Tied for best thing I put in my mouth...Rainbow Trout Grenobloise (delicata squash, ground cherries, cider, brown butter). Snug Haven Spinach (sherry-balsamic glaze, sea salt). And to finish the meal...Grilled Sea Scallops (black truffle cheddar mashed potatoes, Keepsake apples, celery). This Spanish Wisconsin fusion food was delicious. My only complaint was that they seemed to have the same 4 songs on repeat. 

I begged both David & Kate to get me a plaid Songbag for the holidays...but neither of them listened to me. They both thought...Meshel doesn't really want that. And you know what? They were right. How do they know me better than I know myself?! While it's an awesome bag, I probably wouldn't get much use out of it...but this wondrous vintage-y record handbag...how adorable is that?? Kate found this much more me-like purse on etsy...I adore it!!! Inside there was a peacock pendant that I forgot to take a picture of. NYE gifts are the best. 

After dinner David & I went over to Kate's place for champagne, nibbles, & wee doggie fun. Kate's boyfriend Jason is fostering this little furball, Zero...he has so much energy...he will make someone a wonderful companion. He was barking at us, so David offered up his belly to Zero & all was well. The girlie took a video of us playing with the wee dog, but it won't let me imbed it here right now, so go to YouTube if you want to see the cute. 

The champagne...it was exquisite...bubbles are so lusciously delightful. I like bubbles. Kate shows off her impressive Star Wars pop-up book.

Pictures could not capture all my sparkle...although the lips come through a bit. 

I found this stunning DeMario vintage parure on eBay back in the 90s...it is a work of art. 

I wore all the make-up with this outfit. 

The first meal of 2016...Eggs Benedict & Mimosas. Smoked salmon for me, ham for Super Boo. Happy New Year!!

Rasputina with Eliza Rickman

 Dress: Tiers of Joy Dress in Orchid by Kiyonna (size 4x) via Facebook resale group

Teggings: Re/Dress

Boots: Fluevog
Earring: etXarte
Pin: Vintage
Bracelet: Wendy Baker
Photography: Kate & Me
Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I put this outfit on to go to Milwaukee with Kate to see Rasputina. I had this dress last fall from GB & also wore it to see some bands. I would have purchased it then if it hadn't come to me with several small holes in the sleeves. This is the perfect little black dress to throw on to go out at night to listen to live music. I wore it with black tights & metallic heels last time...this time I goth-ed it up a bit with Fluevog boots, which matched the 90s babydoll vibe this lace dress has. The only flaw in this frock is that it needs a pin to keep the surplice neckline closed. I may have to sew in a snap so I can wear a necklace next time. 

A few months ago I learned that GB sells their stock to liquidators, who in turn sell it dirt cheap. I paid $25 shipped for this lovely lace Kiyonna dress via one of the resale groups on Facebook. While this has been a great discovery, at first it seemed too good to be true. Some members of The Girls of GB noticed there were 2 women selling GB garments for low prices...much of which had never even shown up in the GB Shop. One of the women was using my photo to sell a dress...one thing lead to another & before too long several of us were calling these ladies out as thieves (to be fair, one of them lied at first & claimed to work at GB, as well as also using her dead grandmother's FB account to sell clothing) & reported them to GB. After much back & forth with a higher up at GB, in which she seemed to truly believe these women were stealing the clothing...she stated that she found out they were legitimately purchasing them through a liquidator in Ohio that GB sells stock to. Stock that is in great shape. It's a puzzle why they would do this...but now you know. There are bargains to be had & I've yet to buy anything from these women that wasn't in excellent condition. 

Pretty Kate in a Taylor Dresses dress from GB. Kate quote of the day: "From now on you need to call me Red Snapper."

Before the show we dined at an Italian restaurant down the street from the venue, The Pasta Tree. It seemed promising. The best part were the drinks...the girlie enjoyed her wine & I savored this Summer Bellini made with strawberry rhubarb syrup, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, & Prosecco. I may need to recreate this for Easter brunch next year. 

Eliza Rickman was a delightful opening act with a quirky musical style & a wonderful voice. She mentioned working & touring with Jason Webley, who has worked & toured with Amanda Palmer...the Six Degrees of AFP. 

Rasputina! I've always adored seeing them live, however, the last time we saw them in Milwaukee...I left disappointed. Not this time. Melora & her band were fantastically enchanting. I prefer to sit in the very front...so I can never quite fit everyone in one shot. After the show I bought Eliza Rickman's CD, while Kate purchased Rasputina's new disc...we both had to have a limited edition Wish You Were Here single that Melora had found some extras of hiding out at her house. 

My make-up this evening included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero; Cherry Cordial, Creme Brûlée, & Marzipan eyeshadows from the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette; UD Stargazer eyeshadow; Nars lipstick in Cruella with Stargazer shadow dabbed on top; & OPI's An Affair in Red Square on my nails.