Minneapolis

Dress: Theresa Dress in Trolley Print by Effie's Heart via Gwynnie Bee Shop 

Cardigan: Lane Bryant

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Preview, thrifted 

Earring: Etsy shop

Shorter Necklace: Vintage

Longer Necklace: former Etsy shop

Bracelet: former Etsy shop

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 41-39-53

I wore this dress at least 1/2 a dozen times, just like the last time I wore it, back when it fit me. It's a proper wrap dress though, so I just wrapped it around & even though there was a lot of fabric...I think it's better than most too big dresses. I love Effie's Heart. 

I always wore it with the cardigan because the armholes are too big, plus...this was back in March, so it needed a sweater. 

My hair is short enough now that I sometimes wear 2 earrings...& here, they even match.

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Gypsy Blue, Urban Decay eyeshadow in Hustle & Toasted, Chicory lipliner by MAC, Gothica lipstick from Kat von D, & OPI nail polish in Brisbane Bronze. 

I wore this dress to run errands, pick my boyfriend up at the airport, go to an ENT (because my voice had been hoarse for ~3 months), & pick up our new truck...Viktor. 

With a drawer full of conservas, David thought I might need more. My March Boxy Charm. 

Corned beef & cabbage with roasted potatoes & sweet potatoes for St. Patrick's Day. Driving to Minneapolis with Kate & Jason...in the snow. Our hotel...we were on the 13th floor. 

Our original room view...with surprise flowers that were waiting for me from André. We had to switch rooms because they only gave us 1 bed. There was a restaurant across the street from us that sparkled...walking to dinner.

Kate wanted to check out this place, Graze...a local food & libations collective with a lot of different options to choose from...plus, outdoor seating. 

I first went to Viva Taco, then picked up a side of Mac & Cheese from Soul Bowl, & grabbed some chips & guacamole from Avocadish to take back to the hotel. It was good, not great. I can see going there to hang out with friends outside with a drink & definitely some of that guac with chips. 

 

Baby Shark with Brian

Dress: Scarf Dress by Lane Bryant (size 18)

Cardigan: Laura Ashley (size 2x), thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Me Too, thrifted 

All Jewelry: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Chris, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 43-41-57

I found this dress in a box labeled 'Clothes, nearly fit'...although that wasn't exactly true. However, I found it just in time to wear it...it's too big on me, but nothing a cardigan can't fix. I remember buying this on clearance at Lane Bryant for under $10...I couldn't resist the gorgeous colors & scarf pattern. 

I am rather pleased with how well it paired with leopard. And those colors *swoon*. 

Bringing out the orange...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Bourbon; Dirty Talk, Wild Heart, & Stranded eyeshadow by UD; NYX lipliner in Pumpkin; So Chaud lipstick from MAC; & Louvre Me Louvre Me Not nail polish by OPI. 

I first wore this dress to get tattooed by the amazing Mar...they worked on giving color to my autumn leaves. Stunning. 

Then we headed over to Angie's to have dinner with her & Freddie. Val kisses! David entertained Freddie while the womenfolk made food. Coconut Squash Curry with pork & shrimp meatballs...atop roasted cauliflower & a side of roasted Brussels sprouts. And wine. It was amazingly delicious. 

I just love watching David & Freddie play...it's loud, but adorable. The Lowest Pair, live online. 

The second time I wore this dress was while I was in Munising visiting Brian. He made an organic wheat/spelt everything bagel bread that we toasted up & put soft boiled eggs on top of...which is my favorite simple breakfast. Pretty vintage lamps above Brian's dining room table. And my peeling tattoo...which looked really cool on the leaf & I wish it could have stayed that way.

I love this Michigan map that Brian's sister-in-law, Chris, has displayed when you come in the back door. Wine & nibbles at a 2 year old's birthday party. Meat roses. I meant to copy that idea on NYE, but forgot. The theme was Baby Shark. 

Chris kindly took another photo of Brian & I...we look almost the same height here (he's 3" shorter than me). 

Photo booth corner...Brian & his mom...Brian & me.

Party food, which included Brian's artichoke dip that he used to make a bunch back in the 90s...it was as tasty as I remembered. Brian & his grand niece, Hayley...he just gave her the name necklace she's wearing for a Christmas present. 

The birthday boy, Luke, Brian's grand nephew. Yooperlites from Lake Superior...these rocks glow orange & purple under a UV light...sooo pretty. Leftover Thanksgiving for dinner. 

 

The Brandyland Adventure

 Dress: Floral Mesh Embroidery Black Fit & Flare Dress by Eva Rose (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee Try Then Buy
Cardigan: Lane Bryant, thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors in Rust

Shoes: Me Too, thrifted

All Jewelry: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I fell in love with this fabulous floral frock...& immediately bought it despite the embroidery occasionally coming undone. I only wear dresses a handful of times anyway & this lovely dress can be worn in all seasons...& won't it be a pretty garden party dress in the summer? These Eva Rose dresses that GB started carrying this year are a great fit on me & super cute. This is the 3rd one I've purchased. I have not found Eva Rose available in extended plus sizes outside of GB. This dress is perfection. 

I wore this dress over a month ago, but was only recently able to get pictures of it...so this post is out of order. Typically, we do pictures on the day I wear an outfit...but winter is trickier since it gets dark here around 4pm. 

I'm liking my hair more now that it's grown out a bit.

I don't know how I survived without this orange bracelet...I adore it...& this is the first time I've worn the matching earring.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Stash; Relic, Exodus, Revelation, & Immaculate eyeshadow from Kat von D; Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Manhunter; & OPI nail polish in Deutsch You Want Me Baby?

I wore this frock on voting day & to have cocktails with Kate at Merchant. We were trying out their fall menu, The Brandyland Adventure. But first, we got a free drink for having 'I Voted' stickers.

Contemplating what drinks to try...as usual, their concoctions were delightful & we played the game the drinks were printed on. 

Yummy food, tasty drinks, magnificent company...makes for a splendid evening. I love spending time with my girlie. 

We weren't quite up for three drinks on this night...so we split a drink for round 3...with red licorice straws. Or was it round 4 we split...because there was a free drink to start...oh, bother. Also, as long as we are admitting memory loss...neither Kate nor I remember what she's demonstrating in that photo. Wearing a headlamp to walk at night??? After driving Kate home...I drove to Angie's where David had been visiting & snuggled baby Freddy briefly. 

Frank Catalano

 Dress: Sleeveless Scuba Fit & Flare Dress by Gabby Skye (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Lane Bryant (size 22/24), thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors in Spruce Green

Shoes: xhilaration, thrifted 

Earring: former Etsy seller

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

A lovely scuba fit & flare dress from Gabby Skye. That green tapestry wallpaper print with the ombré effect was delightful. The length was spot on, but the arm holes & back were slightly too big...but that is fixed by throwing a cardigan on top. Also, there are pockets. Gabby Skye tends to run big, so this 24 fit me just right. 

This is my first time wearing these fantastic mustard shoes that I thrifted from the dearly departed Savers. 

There are bits of mustard in the dress too. And a smattering of sequins on the cardigan. I often fold under crewneck cardigans to make a v if I want more of the dress to show. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Loaded; UD eyeshadow in Wildheart, Edge, Radio, & Stranded; UD lipstick in Firebird & Big Bang; & Forever Family nail polish from Essie. 

I wore this dress to go out to dinner at Alchemy with David, Angie, & Toby...there was a 45 minute wait & since we didn't have that much time...we opted to sit outside. It was 53º...David wrapped himself in our APT blanket. That woman's coat!!!

I showed Angie the two wallpapers we'd picked out for our hallway..she prefers things quite a bit more subtle than we do, but she approved of this pairing. 

Our first time at Arts + Literature Laboratory. We wandered around looking at the art...then sat down in the third row...the front row was completely open when we walked in, but it was so close to the drums...which I am never a fan of. Angie & I had seen Frank Catalano twice at The Shitty Barn...both times with Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins)...but this was a first with upright bass & piano/keyboard...both of those guys were spectacular. And Frank Catalano was dazzling. 

Overcoats // Seasaw

 Dress: Short Sleeve Black Sea Print Wrap Dress by eShakti (size 28) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Camisole: Lane Bryant

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Born

Earring, Necklace, & Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

The colors! The print! So much beauty. This dress would have been a keeper if it had only fit properly...the fit is the same as this constellation dress. The bottom fit great in this chiffon dress, but the top didn't come close to closing...so I was forced to wear a camisole...which I know a lot of girls do anyway, but I'd prefer not to...especially in summer. I like dresses because they are a complete outfit. It was super fun for a wear, though. 

Good thing I thought of this aquatic wall for photos...it was the ideal backdrop for this dress...even if the light was off.

I never got around to taking a make-up & accessories photo as we had just moved.

I wore this under the sea frock to The Shitty Barn to see Overcoats with Seasaw. Kate got a glass of rosé...& it was so delicious...I bought us a bottle. It was the perfect outdoor picnic wine. 

 Girlie bezzers selfie toast...

One of the many weird faces I make...& Kate dancing to Overcoats...

First up...Seasaw, from Madison. Before a show at High Noon years ago, the bartender was playing their CD...I asked who it was & then we saw them play a few weeks later. I bought some vinyl from them after their set & they recognized me from Instagram!

Overcoats was visiting the barn from New York...so much energy & so many songs about crappy relationships. Both duos had an obvious close friendship vibe & electro-poppiness that made them a splendid double bill. Girl power! 

I also wore this dress to work with David, & afterwards we shopped for pans & ate pizza. Oh! And this was the first time my phone knew I was driving to our new home <3