Milwaukee: Retique // The Sophisticated Man // Odd Duck // Dial M for Murder

Dress: Dreamy Date Woven Midi Dress by Flying Tomato

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Fluevog, Operetta: Marcello 

Earrings & Necklace: Colleen Toland

Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

This is my first dress from this brand...their website has lots of pretty colorful dresses (& then I paused here for 1/2 an hour while I browsed their sale & bought 2 more). We picked this up at Minx in Asheville. 

Despite all those colors, I had a difficult time finding the right tights & shoes combo...because I'm not a muted colors person, I picked out the bright blue bits.

See? Close up, this all makes sense...

The neckline on this dress isn't my favorite & I'm not sure why. 

I wore this outfit to spend the day in Milwaukee with David. Guess where we went first? This Retique by Goodwill is just so good. Actually, what usually happens is David parks here & I go in to start looking around & he walks to Likewise to get us coffee.

The find of the day was this black 50s number...I was going to wear it for NYE, but a few weeks later I thrifted something sparkly. 

Then we walked down the street to Lela...where I tried on a red sparkly dress & green sparkly pants that match a dress I got in Asheville that David & I both love. Next, we accidentally went to someplace new...The Sophisticated Man Boutique. I had made a list of men's clothing stores to check out in Milwaukee & this was at the top of my list. We parked directly across the street from them to go to a bookstore & I recognized the name, so we went in...it was meant to be. 

There was this amazing older couple at the store...Jack & Diane...they were adorable. Diane has owned the store for 50 years & she & Jack went to school together, but reconnected later in life & they are a fabulously stylish & charming couple. David found several shirts to try on & I picked out a bunch of socks for him. And we finally made it to the bookstore. Dinner at Odd Duck.They number their cocktails rather than name them...David's first drink was #61 (Denizen dark rum, Cihuatán Jade rum, Stateline coffee liqueur, Giffard Banane du Bresil, Yemeni spiced orgeat, lemon) & I had #51 (Wheatley vodka, Lillet Blanc, Salers aperitif, cassis, lemon, sparkling wine). Then the food started rolling out. I'm always nervous at these small plate places because we have had servers bring us too many things at once & it's overwhelming...our guy here was fantastic. First up, Lamb & Potato Pierogi (roasted root vegetables, parsnip purée, mustard greens)...my goodness this was tasty...those pierogi were the best I've ever had...& I don't even think I like lamb. Berbere Braised Short Rib (ash roasted sweet potato, Da'ata, Malawah, pine nuts).Our next cocktails were #32 (Alto del Carmen Pisco Reservado, Fruitful clementine liqueur, quince nectar, lemon) & #75 (Arette reposado tequila, basil eau de vie, Rothman & Winter Orchard pear liqueur, fennel seed cordial, lime, fennel salt). More food...Filipino Style Pork Belly Lechon Kwali (peanut kare-kare, mustard greens, Sinamak chili vinegar, sesame rice crisps) & Cornmeal Crusted Crispy Oyster Mushrooms (cane vinegar mayonnaise, creole hot mustard, pickled green tomato, scallion) Cocktails, round 2:#14 (Buffalo Trace bourbon, St. George bruno americano, Cocchi di Torino vermouth, Bittercube cherry bark vanilla bitters, Luxardo cherry) &...#83 (Tanqueuray Sevilla orange gin, blood orange, rosemary, juniper berries, Rishi scarlet tea ice, Fever Tree Indian tonic water) Our final 2 savory plates: Wood-Fired Brussels Sprouts (sunflower butter, pear kimchi, everything seasoning, miso mustard) & Odd Duck Cassoulet (smoked duck ham, pork lardons, duck confit, Toulouse sausage, white bean, duck cracklin' bread crumbs). David sipped an Espresso Martini with dessert, which was...Baba al Rum Cake (spiced rum syrup, spiced pastry cream, oat & pumpkin seed granola). Dessert was just ok, but the rest of the meal was spectacular, as always. And finally...the reason we came to Milwaukee, Dial M for Murder. We got here just in time, so I didn't have time to look at the program...so we were delighted by the surprise of Marcus Truschinski (one of our favorite APT actors) as one of the leads in the play. This was an excellent version of Dial M for Murder...they made the affair between 2 women instead of the traditional man/woman. Enormous Christmas tree in the center of the building...so pictures had to happen. Our spoils from Retique...Pants & dress from Lela, & I also got this leopard coat at Retique...& immediately wore it the rest of the day. Gorgeous things from Sophisticated Man...not one, but *two* gold shirts. Another marvelous Milwaukee day. 

 

Banditos with Joseph Huber // Tattoo // Brian Visit // Barbie at the Drive-In

Dress: Medallion Tile Print Dress by Hutch (size M) via Nuuly

Sandals: Klub Nico for Anthropologie

Earring: etXarte

Necklaces & Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I was smitten with this easy to throw on flowy feminine frock. The background was navy with a mustard, brown, & peach pattern, lined in navy. The fit was great, but I could have used a bit more fabric in the chest area as the smocked waist started a tad too soon. There was a tie at the neckline that I tucked in because I thought it looked better...why hide the cleavage? Wonderful summer dress that I wore quite a bit. 

Do you see how the waist starts just a touch too soon? I would have liked another inch of fabric. There were a lot of complaints about the sleeves falling down, but they worked great for me...although the times I wore a bra, it usually showed. 

I am so happy I got these sandals off Poshmark...I would not typically buy such neutral shoes, but I loved the heel & butterfly pattern...so I thought I could paint them...but they go with so much, I don't have to. 

When in doubt...wear 2 necklaces. This was my first wearing of the shorter necklace that we got at the last Midwest Vintage Flea. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Double Life, Nars Mediteranee eyeshadow palette, Monroe eyeshadow from Natasha Denona, Sugarpill lipstick in Clockwork & Nectar, Aly's Dream Polish in Sweet Orange, & OPI nail polish in Orange You Going To The Game?

I first donned this dress to go to The Shitty Barn with my girlie to see Banditos with Joseph Huber opening. This was the show Jason most wanted to see, but he was traveling for work...Kate questioned if we should still go since she mostly was going for him...but after I listened again...I said, YES! I was super busy with work & didn't have time to make anything...so Kate made this delicious meal...Taste The Rainbow Salad with Citrus Tahini Dressing...& I just brought lettuce, cucumber, & avocado. 

This salad was SO yummy! And we had equally tasty blueberries & cherries for dessert. I just love fresh local produce. Girlie with a heart shaped cherry, awwww. Despite Kate's cute rain gear, I don't think it actually ever rained on us. 

Joesph Huber & his band are from Milwaukee & had such great energy...& Banditos (from Nashville via Alabama) were spectacular as well...

We spent the night dancing in our chairs & came home with vinyl...a fantastic night at the barn. 

I wore this dress on another day to buy myself flowers from the market...& to my tattoo appointment with Bear...

Where they added some gorgeous warm shades to my merhorse...isn't she beautiful? 

I wore this dress a THIRD time on Brian's second day in Madison...we strolled around the square during market...& I'm not sure what made us buy some of these cookies...I've seen them around, but never even considered it...however, when Brian is around...cookies for breakfast, why not?! They were spectacular...chocolate chip cookie with a brownie swirl & sea salt on top...Wonder Cookie indeed. 

After market, we dashed home to fridge the produce...then decided to wander around Olbrich Gardens. There is always this eternal question, what are we doing next? It's a lot of pressure. I do loads of stuff, but am not so good at entertaining someone during the day. What does one do?! 

We did something completely new to both of us...we hopped on the tram that takes you on a tour around the gardens. It was fun & I learned something. There is a swirly path through part of Olbrich, that I've always liked, & it turns out it is supposed to represent a serpent...which ends just over the bridge to the Thai Pavilion. The serpent is significant in Thai culture, so it leads you there...& at the very end...there are eyes, nose, & mouth...I took a picture below, but I'm at the top of the head, looking down at the nose...I will have to take one where I'm staring at it...face to face. 

I love elephants.

This pavilion was a gift to UW Madison from the Thai government in 2001...it is only one of 4 Thai Salas that exist outside of Thailand. The gold leaf needs to be restored every couple of years, but otherwise, it has held up beautifully.

A tram like the one we were on passed us by as we were peering through the kaleidoscope.

The view from atop their newest building was our final stop at Olbrich before heading home...where Super Boo surprised us with little pumpkin terrines of breakfast. Then, we sampled the blueberries I had gotten from 3 different vendors...there was a rather significant difference & the clear winner were the tiny ones in the middle...they were perfectly sweet tart & had the strongest blueberry flavor. After this, an outfit change occurred...so the rest of Saturday will be on the next post...so exciting...it's a cliffhanger. 

The final time I wore this dress was on a different Saturday to market with the girlie...

When I got home...David & I inspected our apple trees & picked some to eat. There is something magical about picking fruit & immediately consuming it. I made us a dinner of pan fried salmon & heaps of roasted veggies to sustain us for a night at the...

Drive-in!!! I saw that Barbie was playing on its second weekend of being out. After hearing *everyone* talk about it, I was curious to see what the buzz was about...so I tentatively asked David & Kate if they were interested. 

We got there just before they opened the doors at 7...because like everywhere else...I need to be in the front row. It turns out...the first few rows weren't immediately popular. But! Getting there early allowed us to play on the playground & visit. 

Lots of climbing structures...but no swings. I want swings. David ordered us some scary drive-in food. 

This old projector was HUGE...over 6 feet long, at least. The pretty sun setting. Cutie pies. Chili cheese dog. 

Oh! Finally time to start the movie...we got The Star-Spangled Banner & a Bugs Bunny cartoon first. Then, onto Barbie. After that, Kate & Jason went home...but we stayed to watch Austin Powers while munching on popcorn & pizza. Fun! 

 

Easter // Film Fest // Traveling to Mexico

Dress: Golden Hour Maxi Dress by Free People (size S) via Nuuly

Sandals: Born

Earrings: Kerala Rose

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I can't believe my first reaction to this in person was...oh, it's kind of boring. Wrong! This creamsicle dress was a dream to wear...this peachy color looked amazing on me, the fit was spectacular with the smocked waist, & I adored the drama of the poof sleeves. This cotton dress is ideal for summer...& it was impossible not to feel beautiful wearing it. There are useful pockets & this maxi was the perfect length on me to wear flats with. Sexy neckline...flouncy feminine frock. 

I don't need to buy every dress I look good in. Right?

This necklace is competing a bit with the neckline...I should have chosen something that tapered into the v. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Lucky & Torch, Mediteranee eyeshadow duo from Nars, Sugarpill Cosmetics lipstick in Clockwork, & OPI nail polish in Clubbing Til Sunrise. 

I first wore this dress for Easter brunch: mushroom edition at our house...Kate & Jason came over & I managed to make a mini-feast & not go as over the top as I tend to do. 

Kate was way more on point for this theme than I was...she wore a mushroom dress (we could have twinned), brought a lion's mane elixir & shiitake truffles. 

After eating, we played a new game, Ransom Notes (that we bought because Facebook kept advertising it to me)...I won. 

After Kate & Jason left...we took the doggies on a walk in the neighborhood on a lovely spring day.

We had tickets to see Sasha Velour in Chicago...so I planned a weekend around that...& made reservations for us to stay at Palmer House...which is a stunning old hotel that I've wanted to stay at forever. I also wore this ensemble for the second day of the Wisconsin Film Fest (out of order since Easter came first). David & I had lunch at Great Dane. My favorite film of this day was Leila's Brothers. 

They began with a whole cake...& each day a slice was missing. Kate & I saw a movie together, Blue Jean, & hung out a bit afterwards...where I killed my first mosquito of the year. 

The final time I wore this dress was to travel to Mexico. I flew Madison to Denver to San Diego. I brought along Anaïs Mitchell's Working on a Song to read...she goes through each song in the play & all the changes it went through on its way to Broadway. 

I also went through photos, deleting & editing them for this blog. I always pick a window seat...I love looking out at where we are & all the pretty cloud formations. 

Once I landed in San Diego...I collected my luggage & went outside to meet my driver, who took me to Mexico. I was there for my second round of plastic surgery with BC Plastics. After going through tests & check-in...I settled into my hospital room & ate some food. 

After dinner...Dr. Galvez visited me to talk & mark me up for my surgery the next morning. I was getting a thigh lift (part 1 of 2) & a breast lift (I had about a half cup of fat transferred into each boob from my thighs). That cross is where my nipple was being moved to! I could have had a lift when I was here the first time, but I thought I wanted implants...& have since changed my mind...I didn't want anything foreign in me & I think they look fake. David sent me this picture of what it looked like in Madison...snow in the spring after being in the 70s for film fest weekend. 

My thighs before & after. Inner thighs this time, outer next. Dr. Galvaz removed ~15 pounds of fat & skin...look what a mess my poor thighs were...they stopped moving 30 seconds after the rest of me & I had to wear leggings 2 sizes too big for my waist to the gym. 

The surgery went great & I'm so happy with the results. The pain was & has been minimal. The care & meals at the hospital were wonderful...I really liked this Good Morning tea they served. I did have a terrible experience that I didn't talk about anywhere else on social media...I brought (too much) cash with me to tip all the marvelous people in Mexico...which I locked in the safe in my room (the same as last time) during surgery. The next day when I was packing to go to the hotel, I opened the safe & discovered someone had taken a lot of money from me. I had it divided into 2 bags & they were noticeably lighter...so I counted it...also, money had been moved so it was more evenly distributed. I think the worst part of this is they thought I wouldn't notice. It's just money, right? At least my wedding ring was still there. However, it made me feel violated at a time when I was already feeling vulnerable. Michelle, from BC Plastics, came to my room & that was comforting. I don't blame them, but I was at that hospital because that is where they chose to work out of & it made me feel helpless. I tried very hard not to let this one thief rob me of the experience of doing something positive for my body...but it was difficult.