Mint Mark // A Christmas Carol // Christmas

Dress: Pearl Midi Dress by Banjanan via Nuuly

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Fluevog, Enneagram: Innovative

Earring & Bracelet: Heidi Daus

Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I love a spot of sunshine on a dreary day! I also adored the unexpected color combination with the fuchsia background paired with yellow, mustard, orange, & rust...it really warmed this dress up. I would wear this dress autumn through spring. The fit was tts for me. I sized up to a large because some of the reviews said it ran small, but I shouldn't have. Everything about this dress was perfect, with the exception of the fabric behind the buttons...there wasn't enough of it & even though the dress wasn't pulling, skin showed between the top 2 buttons, so I fashion taped it. Ironing that area might have also smoothed it out & kept it in place better. I may have bought this dress had I gotten it in the correct size. 

I'm a fan of an elastic wide shirred waist as it gives such a nice shape & that it was echoed in the sleeves so I could push them up a bit & they ballooned over made me happy. 

Purple & rust Fluevogs elevated the outfit further...like Fluevogs always do.

This was my first time wearing this bracelet David got me...it also may have been the necklace's maiden voyage, but I have a terrible memory. 

I first wore this outfit to have these pictures taken. As it was only a bit after 3pm...we thought we'd easily get into Lucille for more Miracle on King Street cocktails & to eat dinner. Ha! It was standing room only & 3-4 deep all around the bar. They really do a great job marketing for the Christmas season. So, we decided to go to Mint Mark, but had some time to kill before they opened. A trip to Conscious Carnivore...where we picked up baby back ribs & a duck for holiday meals. 

4:45 arrival at Mint Mark has never let us down...the lovely hostess seats us every time & we have cocktails until the kitchen opens. David's first 2 drinks: Sangrita, on draft (Corralejo Silver tequila, ginger, lime, orange, chili, passionfruit & tarragon) & Bourbon Old Fashioned Sweet (cherry, orange, Angostura bitters, simple syrup, lemon sparkling),while mine were, the Rotating Draft Cocktail, not sure it was named (Lush Impassioned Passion Fruit & Lychee vodka, strawberry? lemon cordial {our server had a heavy accent so I couldn't tell what she said exactly}, sparkling lemon & grapefruit juices) & When Are You Moving? (MMSB Limousin rye, Laird's applejack, house-made apple lemongrass cordial, honey, lemon, five spice sugar rim). 

We always like to begin with SEX BISQUITS (cultured butter, garlic honey). This heavenly delight was followed by: Smoked Whitefish Spread (creme fraiche, horseradish, toast), Foie Gras Torchon (pain perdu, port wine blueberry preserves, ice wine verjus), & Delicata Squash (chèvre, pumpkin seed, pickled chilies, mint, sweet & spicy vinaigrette). 

And that food was followed by more food...Coconut Squash (coconut crusted acorn squash, gochujang aioli, lime), Crespelle (chive crepe, Roth Kase gruyere, caramelized onion, French onion broth), & Carbonara (bacon, egg yolk, pepper, parmesan). David ordered a Blinker (Limousin rye single barrel, raspberry shrub, grapefruit, Bittercube Jamaican #2). 

And the final savory dish, Kielbasa (fuczki {Polish sauerkraut pancakes}, empire & golden russet applesauce, crispy sunchoke, sour cream). And of course...a Skillet Cookie (rye chocolate chip, brown sugar bourbon ice cream, butterscotch) with a shared Espresso Martini, on draft (State Line vodka, Kin Kin coffee liqueur, Nardini, Giffard orgeat, espresso, Regan's orange bitters). Mint Mark is delicious every time we go, which is why it's our favorite restaurant in town...& they were just nominated for a James Beard Award...they deserve to make it to the finals, as well as WIN. Barely on time to see A Christmas Carol at Capitol Theatre in Overture. We got the date wrong! We had tickets in the front row for the next night, but they could exchange them so we could stay & see the show...which we did, but then looked at the seating chart...David's finger is where this night's tickets would have us sitting & mine is our original tickets. You know how much I like the front row...we asked to get our tickets changed back & went home. 

Where 2 used pair of Fluevogs had come in the mail...those red ones were less than $100 on Poshmark...the other I found on Fluemarket. I saw this stunning pearl necklace online & saved the photo because it would be fairly easy to recreate...how stunning would this look against a form fitting little black dress?! Another bargain from Poshmark...a NWT Traffic People skirt in a groovy 60s pattern. The next night, David made us spaghetti before we headed downtown to try again...

I wish they kept up these pretty sparkly lights year round, but we'll take advantage of them while they're there. Front row for A Christmas Carol...our first time seeing it. To be honest, our expectations were low since it was being put on by Children's Theatre of Madison...despite the fact they've been doing it for nearly 50 years. Why haven't we been going every time?! It was excellent. It was La Shawn Banks' 3rd or 4th time playing Scrooge & he brought that character to life. We've seen him in plays at APT & he has a great style. Fluefie from the front row (lots of fake snow on the floor). 

Christmas Day! We go overboard all year round buying ourselves & each other things...so we said, one gift. David (I'm shocked) followed the rule we set & got me a specially made copper purse from Mohop...it's wonderful. I got David some socks from Pantherella & 2 vintage tie clips. Then...I made us breakfast...egg nog French toast with cinnamon swirl bread & bacon. This was spectacular. 

I take terrible videos...but here are 2 of our Christmas tree...

Some close-ups of ornaments I especially like...I've had that devil for decades, the bat we got at APT this past summer, & I was thrilled to find 2 things I love represented in sparkling glass...a Moscow Mule & a gramophone. 

That peacock is the Old World ornament that started it all back in the 90s. It was a gift from a nail client who collected Old World...I am forever grateful to her for bringing this beauty into my life. A Madison capitol building ornament I got at Little Luxuries over 20 years ago, an after Christmas last year acquisition from Sur la Table...pig parts, a basket of strawberries, & Christmas lasagna (I used to make 3 kinds of lasagna for Christmas dinner for years & years & have friends over...it was a tradition that died with Covid). 

This Christmases dinner...roasted duck with sweet potatoes. I also wore this dress to get a lymphatic massage with Courtney, where I told her about a lump in my calf...she was worried it could be a blood clot & wouldn't work on me. So, I reluctantly took myself to urgent care where the nice receptionist told me they didn't have an ultrasound machine (sometimes it pays to blab on)...so I went to the ER. This was especially annoying as I had *just* been to see radiology the day before & I mentioned it to them...& the doctor told me I should go to urgent care & get an ultrasound if I was worried...he says with the ultrasound in his hand to look at my thighs.  Our healthcare system is so messed up. Luckily, thanks to talking, I told this story & got pushed through quicker than normal because the initial doctor I saw felt bad & told me he was sorry I got the runaround. I was really looking forward to going to Orange Tree Imports to get some sale ornaments (they aren't open the day after Christmas), but I spent the day in the hospital instead. I'm making it sound like not too big a deal...but just so you know, I cried & threw a fit about having to go to the ER. The next day...Orange Tree Imports Old World ornament shopping! These Coach duck boots David found me at Retique get worn nearly every day since it first snowed. 

David's first trip to Aldi...& my first since the 90s when I went with Brian a few times. I was looking for a special holiday sparkling water they had around Thanksgiving, Pumpkin Spice, but I waited too long. Back at home my first iridescent leopards dress arrived from Farm Rio...along with a vintage rhinestone belt I found on eBay. The colors in this dress are much more vibrant than the sweater dress version. But you already know...I found that one on a deep sale too, so I have both. 

Tennessee // Kentucky

Dress: Black Lavender Fit & Flare Dress by Eva Rose

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Fluevog, Go Groovy: Aubrey

Cardigan: The Limited, thrifted

All Jewelry: Colleen Toland

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

Another mushroom dress! Fruit & veggie dresses are the best. I adore these cotton fit & flares with pockets...always a great fit. And adding a cardigan to the sleeveless dress makes it colder weather cute. 

This is my first time wearing this dress, but I had rented it from Gwynnie Bee during the pandemic when we weren't leaving the house. I was staying at home & already lost nearly 100 pounds...it was the first time I talked about it on this blog. 

Purple & orange are fabulous together...

These Aubrey's look like mushrooms to me...

I should have worn orange lipstick...I like wearing purple, but it just isn't flattering on my lips.

I first wore this dress on the last full day we were in Tennessee visiting my parents. We went walking around Indian Boundary, which was beautiful.

A kind stranger took our photo...& we returned the flavor.

Ruger & Remy. A holly tree in my parents' yard. Driving to Knoxville for dinner...I paged through my mom's Bon Appetit magazine & took pictures of the recipes that sounded good. I subscribe online, but I miss having a physical copy...but then I remind myself I never get around to actually looking at magazines. 

Pictures outside the restaurant, Chesapeake's. Cocktails...

And dinner...

The clam chowder was wonderful. There was both a broiled & a fried seafood platter & I got the broiled, but asked for the cod fried...because cod is boring. 

Back at my parents' house...we watched A Very Murray Christmas...David picked it...because who doesn't like Bill Murray? We had watched Love Actually the night before. This was the most bizarre holiday special ever...& full of famous people...George Clooney, Miley Cyrus, Chris Rock, Paul Shaffer, Jenny Lewis, David Johansen...how?! It is worth watching to see George Clooney peeking out from behind fake trees singing, Santa Claus Needs Some Lovin'. The next morning...I donned this dress again & we headed to Paducah...but first, we stopped at a cute local coffee place. Drive-thru liquor store in Kentucky. 

We enjoyed our dinner at Freight House so much, we had immediately made reservations to stop here on our way home...what a marvelous way to bookend our trip. We began with 2 cocktails we hadn't tried last time...for David, Freight House Express (Mr. Black coffee liqueur, Lavazza espresso, Chopin vodka, chocolate bitters) & for me, Ruby's Caboose (Stoli vodka, fresh grapefruit, dreamcicle cordial, ginger beer). And then the food started coming...we only got one repeat from last time. There were already several new things on the menu since we'd been there 10 days before. Brussels Sprouts Tart (whooped citrus ricotta, roasted garlic, dried cherries, hot honey) & our favorite dish from the first time, Pork Belly Tostada (cabbage & apple slaw, horseradish aioli, stout bbq sauce). 

We didn't have the same waiter as last time, but he stopped by to talk quite a bit & recommended the Turnip Soup (grapefruit, coriander, campari yogurt, sweet greens, almonds), which we wouldn't have picked on our own. French Onion Cabbage (charred cabbage, onion jam, grilled bread, gruyere, thyme) with added pork belly, & Loaded Butternut Squash (savory rice crispies, goat cheese, pepper jelly, cajun butter). 

For our final cocktails (we still had a long drive ahead of us), The Choke Artist (Appleton estate signature rum, cynar, green chartreuse, mint) & High Fashion (Old Grand Dad 114, Belle de Brillet, Giffard ginger, yuzu bitters, Pernod spritz), which wasn't for me & I traded for a Snake in the Grass (Teremana resposada, Lucid absinthe, naranja, carpano antica, fresh sour). I'd been eager to try their Local Catfish (braised greens, sweet potato, coconut, peanut, chili oil) since we just couldn't fit it in our stomachs last time. And finally, Shrimp & Grits (spicy pork shank, button mushrooms, New Orleans bbq sauce, pimento cheese grits). We skipped dessert this time so we'd have more room for savory. I enjoyed looking through this collection of cookbooks behind me. We're so happy we came here again...everyone remembered us & was so nice...& the food here is amazing...the perfect sweet/savory balance in every dish. Sara wasn't my favorite contestant during her time on Top Chef, but boy was I wrong. I wish we could come here every week. Driving home...this came up in my Facebook feed...this red velvet playpen is *just* what our wreck room needs...isn't it spectacular?! There's room for me, David, & the dogs. About an hour outside of Madison...it began snowing...welcome home to Wisconsin. 

 

Asheville: Shopping // Winter Lights

Dress: The Somerset Maxi Dress: Velvet Edition by Anthropologie

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Fluevog, Enneagram: Inovative 

Necklace & Earrings: Heidi Daus via Ebay

Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

This velvet maxi was a stunner in purple & orange...these Somerset dresses are just so easy to wear...I was the first person to get it, so I bought it. 

We ducked into an alley, which turned into a courtyard between a few restaurants...we liked the rusty metal.

My shoes are dusty from walking all over Asheville on this day...but shoes are meant to be worn. 

Fluvie...

I'm never sure which orientation to wear these earrings...is that half circle of amber rhinestones supposed to be facing away (here) or toward my face?

David outside our Airbnb...ready for the day! He became a tie wearer on vacation...we've been picking up vintage ones here & there & fun ones at thrift stores...I like it! My bracelets that we got at Marquee the day before. And off to the heart of The River Arts District to look at art. 

House of Kismet...we wandered in here by chance...it was nestled among art galleries. Vintage treasures! And not just for women, 1/2 the store was devoted to men...I was so happy...David always gets left out. As usual with vintage clothing, most of it was too tiny, but I loved seeing all the colors & patterns. I got the 2 bracelets below, amber & purple. 

Cute, but too big, coats...

David got this dapper vintage Italian striped jacket.

There was so much to look at...I swept through the store 3 times to make sure I didn't miss anything.

I used to wear hats in high school...but I just don't have the hair for it now. Sidewalk art on our walk to get coffee before heading downtown. First stop, Hip Replacements...I had 4 or 5 clothing stores on my list of places I wanted to check out & this was one of them. I was impressed they carried up to size 20...I mean, that wouldn't have fit me at my fattest, but it's still good to see. 

Some familiar brands...Effie's Heart, Karina, & Unique Vintage.

Green leopard coat?! They were out of mediums, but I think the small fit alright. The back of the store had vintage finds & again...there was an entire men's section.

Trying on Effie's Heart...I also got a Karina dress.

A short walk to Honeypot (which was on my list, but it's sister store, House of Kismet, wasn't...the salespeople there had really talked up this store saying how much better it was...but HofK was definitely our favorite of the two). Again, 1/2 the store was dedicated to men...such a lovely surprise. 

David got that orange hat. I had the salesgirl undress this mannequin because according to their measurements, this would fit me...but the 32" waist turned out to be 28". 

Walking by...these paisley pants made me gasp...could they be Traffic People?! Yes! What an amazing find this store turned out to be. They reminded me very much of Lela Boutique in Milwaukee. Incredibly friendly & helpful. I was so tired of trying things on, we just bought stuff...they told me I could return it if anything didn't work out. 

I can't remember the name of this nearby store, but they had a monumental collection of Irregular Choice shoes...of which I don't own even one pair of, but always admire. Dinner! We went to Mellow Mushroom on the recommendation of one of the salespeople at Minx. 

We each chose a different margarita from their menu (I had a campfire peach). Our pizza choices were Maui Wowie (pesto based with mozzarella, ham, pineapple, jerk chicken, banana peppers, & applewood smoked bacon) & Holy Shiitake (roasted shiitake, button, & portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions, mozzarella & MontAmore cheese on an olive oil & garlic base. Finished with fresh chives, shaved Parmesan, a garlic aioli swirl & black truffle oil.). Everything was good, but they are no Sal's. 

Later that night…we drove to The North Carolina Arboretum for Winter Lights. It was their 10th year of this light exhibit which is their biggest fund raiser of the year & was super well attended, which is especially impressive considering this runs from mid-November until NYE. 

We didn’t have incredibly high expectations, but I still enjoyed myself…I like pretty lights. Mushrooms!

And jellyfish. They had these fabulously fantastic plastic chairs that can survive any weather & made cute seating around the fire pits (which weren’t lit because of a no-burn ban at the time… I’m guessing it was too dry?).

Lots of photo ops. And live musicians…I particularly enjoyed this electric violinist. 

You could also get hot cocoa, beer, & s'mores. I'm glad we went, but it's not the sort of thing I need to go to a second time. 

Back at our Airbnb...unpacking the loot. Trying on things from Minx just in case there was something that didn't fit...pardon my drain bulges. 

David is amassing quite the collection of ties...we are going to share the scarf...& I got this 80s belt that looks suspiciously like one I had in high school. I was so pleased there was so much in the shops for David...he bought some really funky things. 

My haul from Minx & Hip Replacements...what a fun day!