Songwriters Round

Dress: Pink & Green Plaid Dress from Hutch (size 1x) via Gwynnie Bee

Cardigan: thrifted & altered 

Earring & Bracelet: Vintage

Necklace: former Etsy shop

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Chinese Laundry, thrifted 

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 43-41-57

A green plaid dress...yes, please. There was a bit of texture/sheen to this fabric. The length was great, but this dress ran a bit big. There were weirdly placed pockets 1/2 way down the skirt, but it did not keep me from adoring this dress. 

Also, check out this cardigan I altered from my last post. I LOVE it & it was just what this dress needed to give it a shape. 

This was the first necklace I ever bought from Jen at Age Before Beauty...oh, how I miss her vintage jewelry creations. And she had the most marvelous packaging. I remember I opened this necklace in a parking garage back when I was going to UW (2006-7?)...there were layers of old fabric, lace, hat pins, wallpaper...it was every bit as wonderful as the treasure inside. Green used to be my favorite color...so I have a TON of green jewelry & I rarely wear it. In fact, this is the first time I've ever worn this necklace. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Lancôme eyeliner in Moss; Trick, Mugshot, & Mildew eyeshadow from Urban Decay; NYX lipliner in Pumpkin; Toast lipstick by Bite Beauty; & Dragon nail polish from a-england. 

A little vintage toothpick holder to use for mouthwash in the bathroom (everything must be beautiful). Searching for artichokes. The co-op didn't have any...nor did the other 3 grocery stores I called. Festival Foods to the rescue...they were nice ones too. More Snag tights...they just keep making limited editions...& I keep ordering. 

I got rid of nearly all of my cookbooks the last time we had a garage sale & this rack I used to keep them on has been living in the backyard by the fire pit. I've been enjoying cooking again so much, that it occurred to me I could load this back up with books from the library & explore all kinds of new worlds...this was just the beginning...I have ~70 books at home right now. This sesame crusted salmon with ginger sauce was delightful...served with equally delicious roasted artichokes with anchovy mayo. After dinner...I drove to Spring Green to see Soren from Them Coulee Boys play in a songwriters round at Slowpoke Cabaret. They make an outstanding Aviation there. 

This was another magical night of music for me. I got there close to starting time & sat right down at a table up front...I was sad how poorly attended this was & I intend on going every month if I'm able...each one features three artists from the Driftless area. Not only was Soren spectacular...I was introduced to two other amazing singers, so now I have new groups to follow. Also participating: Andrew Hughs of The Lake Effect & Nici Peper from all the beautiful things. Setting up the dining room. 

 

Nice Boots

Dress: Tie Front Flutter Sleeve Watercolor Dots Dress by London Times (size 1x) via Gwynnie Bee

Cardigan: Charter Club, thrifted 

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Merona, thrifted 

All Jewelry: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 43-41-57

Conservative work dress with a cute shape...& of course, polka dots are always happy making. I look like an Easter egg...not a bad thing. The fit & length were good on this dress...I especially liked the tie at the neckline & the 40s silhouette it gave around the bust & waist...& the flutter sleeves. This is a great year round dress. 

Better with the cardigan off.

Mostly accessorizing with yellow...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Perversion; Pineapple, Lemonade, & Donut eyeshadow from Violet Voss; NYX Fuchsia lipliner; Aria lipstick by Stila; Bite Beauty lipstick in Cranberry & Strawberry Froze; & OPI nail polish in 7th & Flower. 

While unpacking, I came across this lovely note I've kept that someone rolled up & hid for me to find after a wine tasting at our house. Dinner...braised country-style pork ribs with Chipotle served with roasted delicata squash, roasted garlic, & butter. New boots from Fluevog...they are the most gorgeous & impractical shoes I own. Nice boots. Some super sale dresses from Svaha...I'm not really geeky enough for that site, but...

Pretty snowed on butterflies. New Yotam Ottolenghi recipe, mackerel with pistachios & cardamom, served with cauliflower adobo. Kate & Jason came to visit...I can't recall if she was borrowing or returning our stick blender. Turning this silver vase gold...I love rub n' buff. 

My sexiest Fluevogs...they are shedding black from the stitching. I need to attempt to fix them. More food...I've been cooking a LOT & only share some of my meals here. For more, follow my Instagram, becomingmeshel. This was beef bourguignon, which I made for the first time, served with roasted Brussels sprouts with roasted garlic & balsamic vinegar. Some make-up I bought on sale from Sephora right before the new year, then hid away in my closet. 

Frames! I bought a bunch of frames I wasn't crazy about at Michael's, then checked out Hobby Lobby & found much better ones (& had to return the first batch). I have a bunch of prints I bought a few years back from Heather Renaux with a circus theme for my office & I want to finally get them in frames. 

A selfie for my boyfriend...& me trying on the Wendy Baker bubble necklace I wanted to wear with this dress so I could show her how big it is on me & how I wish it fit. I'm going to pack them all up to send off to her to shorten...as soon as I stop procrastinating. 

And finally...I decided to tackle taking in a cardigan. I'm tired of tying all of them at the waist to get a better fit...& this one was completely hopeless...just too long & sloppy. And voila...a cropped cardigan in my size to match the next day's dress. 

 

Every Day Is Like Sunday

Dress: Boysenberry Floral Print Black Stripe Midi Dress by Taylor Dresses (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Fluevog Bellevues: Laura Evans

Earring: etXarte

Purple Necklaces: Green Goddess Vintage Jewelry

Grey Polka Dot Necklace, Grape Necklace, & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 50-47-68

I was smitten with the dark colors in this dress...I even liked the grey bits! Lovely dress for a moody day. Good fit & length. The lace at the waist doesn't have any stretch & it came to me with several stitches popped from stress. This dress is lined & extremely heavy. 

I bought these Fluevogs with the intent of painting the grey part, but since I haven't done that yet...they immediately leapt to mind when I saw this dress...perfect, yes? 

This was my first time wearing this grey & black polka dotted vintage necklace...I hardly ever wear grey.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Perversion, Sin City & Golden Nugget eyeshadow by Too Faced, MAC lipliner in Currant, Homegirl lipstick by Kat von D, & OPI nail polish in Black Cherry Chutney. 

The shoes...should I keep them grey? Hmmm....

I wore this outfit to LEAVE THE HOUSE to get a mammogram...it's been 11 years since my last one. All clear. I wore the other pair of grey shoes I own to walk around in. Davina & The Vagabonds performing live on stage at The Dakota in Minneapolis. 

John Davey playing in my hometown, Marquette. DJs on Twitch playing the soundtrack of my evenings. 

Carsie Blanton, Pat, & Joe doing their monthly rent party. New Wave Saturday night. 

Social Distance Live UnderCovered doing Non English songs. Glenn Crytzer Quartet playing songs of 1938. Sunday night DJ chicks. 

Michael Waite. Working on the Roman shades for the dining room...sewing the lining. 

DJs playing music. And Rye's bed fell off the fainting couch in my office...& he went with it. 

 

Zig Zag

Dress: Ruffle Detail Fit & Flare Midi Dress in Fall Print by Eloquii (size 26) via Gwynnie Bee

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Worthingon, thrifted

Earring & Necklace: Vintage Heidi Daus via eBay 

Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 50-47-68

Gwynnie Bee has been adding a lot of Eloquii lately & I'm always sucked in by the colors & patterns...but why do they all have neck ties?! I hate them. I prefer to wear necklaces & it always ends up looking sloppy no matter how jaunty I try to tie the strings. Great fit & gorgeous colors on this midi dress...but my favorite part was the slimmer fit ruffled sleeve ends. 

I've had these purple shoes for several years & never wore them...all of a sudden, I find myself thinking they are the perfect shoe for an outfit. Weird.

This is my first time wearing these bracelets that I bought on Etsy in 2018.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Psychedelic Sister; Azalea, Agate, & Day Spring eyeshadow by Natasha Denona; Sugarpill Cosmetics lip color in Locket; & Copper Pot nail polish from Sinful Colors. 

One of my Fluvicorns...Half Truth Tanyas in purple (I also covet them in green)...found on the Flummunity on FB...brand new *swoon*. Michael Waite & friends.DJ Baby Berlin spinning 90s alternative happy hour. 

Music to surf the internet to. My first visit to see my primary doctor in over a year. And Tracey dressed up on St. Patrick's Day painting a green china cabinet. 

Listening to DJ/VJ Ant on Twitch. Making the first Roman shade...eeeeek. And Them Coulee Boys playing online live in memory of their friend Max Graham. 

 

Midwest Gypsy Swing

Dress: Poseidon Blue Perfect Wrap Dress by Leota (size 4L) via Gwynnie Bee

Cardigan: Isaac Mizrahi Live (size 3x)

Tights: Snag

Shoes: JJ's, vintage thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Flower Necklace: JaelDesigns

Long Necklaces: Green Goddess

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-70

Another lovely perfect wrap dress from Leota...the autumnal hues of the flowers were just gorgeous against this bright sapphire blue. Leota is always spot on for fit, with the exception of having to pin the neckline closed, not for modesty, but to prevent my bra from peeking out. 

Of course, I wanted to play up the mustard, so I went with that for accessories. 

We have had many days of below 0 temperatures...but on this day, it was up to 9! So, picture day it was. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Mildew; Carnelian, Azalea, & Agate eyeshadow by Natasha Denona; Gothica lipstick from Kat von D; & OPI nail polish in At Your Quebec & Call. 

I've been trying to throw some shoes out, specifically black shoes...because I have so many. These Fluevogs were a favorite for a long time & I nearly tossed them because they looked terrible...but I decided to try to revive them first...not so bad! I oiled them, glued the strap back on, & painted the buckles an antique gold. These shoes are from the Time family, but I can't seem to find the name of them. 

Oh, look! I bought a new pair of black shoes. I couldn't resist the low sale price or that adorable lace window. And Keith from the Portland store is my new favorite...look at those kick ass Barbie shoes he packed up for me...& the hearts on the box really made me smile. David's birthday was last week & we got takeout from Sal's...it was the most disappointing meal we've ever had there. His burger was overcooked, as well as over seasoned & they forgot to give me my Caesar salad. The manager was incredibly nice & refunded our entire meal. It is one of our favorite restaurants & I know everyone has a bad day once in a while...I just wish it hadn't been on my Boo's birthday. 

DJ Baby Berlin spinning great music on her birthday. Tracey making a dresser pretty...she has since painted it bright red. Michael Waite playing some Brazilian guitar music. 

We are continuing to cut into our fabric for the dining room Roman shades...it has been easier to get a straight line from the back since there are some lines there. We now have all 5 fabric pieces cut out & are tackling the difficult task of getting the design to fall exactly in the middle of the shade. My favorite boots to wear in the snow...these Fluevogs have been with me a long time. These also had a spa day & I meant to post a before & after pic...but you just get before. 

Canned salmon with bones! Oh, how I've missed you...the salmon at Costco is boneless...the bones reminded me of Kate. When we first met she would make Kraft Mac & cheese & add peas & canned salmon & I'd never had it before. I just added a bit of full fat yogurt to this for a quick lunch. Another marvelous set from Baby Berlin. And my February Boxy Charm...the brushes are spectacular! The clear handles are filled with water & pink sequin hearts that float around. They make me ridiculously happy. 

This past weekend was Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest, hosted by Harmonious Wail here in Madison, online. Many fabulous groups played both days...I watched them all. Them Coulee Boys playing a new online concert to promote their Kickstarter...such great energy.

My new favorite lunch...Vitruvian Farms mixed micro greens, with a can of sardines in olive oil & Parmesan crisps in everything. So easy. So tasty. Sometimes I use canned mackerel instead. More bands from the Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest. 

Check out these glorious olive tights I ordered off Etsy from Ireland...the entirety of Sylvia Plath's Mad Girl's Love Song is printed on the lower legs...this is one side. I have the first sentence tattooed on my right leg. More gypsy swing. 

And to finish out the fest...my favorite group from the last fest, Bruskers Guitar Duo...from Italy. DJ Baby Berlin playing songs from the 80s & 90s. VJ Ant playing New Wave 80s music. 

Social Distance Live UnderCovered was doing Dolly Parton songs on Sunday...so many good covers. I especially enjoyed 5 Cent Coffee...& Schlee & John Courage's rendition of Islands in the Stream was spectacular. 

Glenn Crytzer & the boys playing songs from 1933. And a surprise online live from Mary Lou Lord. Valentine's Day calls for some bubbles. David & I don't really celebrate VD, however, it is the anniversary of our first email exchange...18 years ago. 

David made himself steak & lobster tails for me, yum! Sean Hayes playing online after taking ~4 months off. Davina & The Vagabonds playing a live show at The Hook & Ladder for Valentine's Day. 

UnderCovered was back again that night playing duets from previous shows...here is 5 Cent Coffee again...doing a Tom Waits song. DJ Baby Berlin & DJ Starr Noir doing anti-VD shows.