Visiting Brian: A Night of Music

Dress: Teal Floral Print Fit & Flare Dress (size 0x) by Smak Parlour via Gwynnie Bee

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Born

Earrings & Necklace: Wendy Baker 

Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Brian, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 40-37-53

Another adorable dress from Smak Parlour...they make cute things in fun patterns, but they are terribly cheap & I would never buy one...although, so far every dress I've gotten has been in good shape. Fabulous retro 70s print. This was a great fit...it was big on me, but that's my fault for picking the wrong size. Based on my past experience, this brand fits tts. 

I love these shoes & am so happy I got them! Unfortunately, after only a few wears...they are separating between the foot & heel...I am going to glue them in the hope that will fix it. They are SO comfortable. 

Wendy jewelry goes with everything & makes it better...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Perversion, Huda Beauty Neon eyeshadow palette, Bang lipliner & lipstick from UD, Clockwork lipstick by Sugarpill Cosmetics, & OPI nail polish in Orange You Going To The Game?

I first wore this dress to work, Wednesday farmers' market, & to get outfit photos. New Dansko sandals found on Poshmark. 

The second time I wore this dress was while visiting Brian. We got up in the morning & went to his salon so he could cut & color my hair...look at this newfangled machine! He can store my formula in it & it will magically mix it up. 

Back at Brian's house, I made some Butter Shrimp with Kimchi & roasted veggies. Then we went into Marquette to run a few errands & go to Ore Dock Brewing Co. to see Michael Waite's band, Adam Sawfox. Brian has been a fan of his for years (he used to play at farmers' market when Brian had a stall there), but I only got into him during the pandemic when he would do live shows on Facebook. 

Brian ordered an Ore Dock beer & I chose one of their Breakwater Seltzers, Strawberry Champagne, I think? It was delightfully refreshing. While waiting for the music to start, we played Blokus...there were missing pieces with every color, so we made up our own set. 

This particular weekend was Ore Dock's 10 year anniversary party. I remember coming here shortly after they opened with my parents. 

Michael Waite & Adam Sawfox. They were good, but really unorganized...it was like watching a rehearsal in their basement. We stuck around until intermission, then drove back to Munising to see the next band.

Church of Cash at Gallery Coffee...the place was packed. We had originally thought Brian's nephew was going to save us a seat, but he was worn out from work & stayed home...so we were on our own. Shortly after we walked in, someone shouted my name & gave me a hug. It turns out it was Erika, who had friended me on Facebook a few years back...but I was never sure how I knew her. She told me I'd cut her hair back when I was in cosmetology school & I'd made a big impression on her because of how I was back then & I had told her not to let anyone tell her who she was or what to do with her hair. It was really nice to chat with her & hear a bit of her story. This cover band was SO good...I would seek them out & see them again. 

With no place to sit...I thought, I might as well dance. So I did. Hilariously, at the end of the night, I got several compliments on what a good dancer I am. I'm used to lots of comments on how I look, but never my dancing. That made me smile. It's not easy to put yourself on display doing something you think you're terrible at...& then to hear nice feedback...was...nice. 

 

Fairchild // U.P. : Laughing Whitefish Falls & Lakenenland

Dress: Pink Paisley Wrap Dress by Smak Parlour (size 0x) via Gwynnie Bee 

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Fluevog, F-Trip: Bridget

Necklace & Earring: Wendy Baker

Bracelet & Purse: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Brian, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 40-37-53

Super cute & wonderful 60s pattern dress. These Smak Parlour dresses always feel a bit cheap, so I would probably never buy them, but they are great rentals. Good fit, the length was too short for me without teggings...but that is a personal preference as it comes down to just above the knees, so it wasn't scandalous. Fake wrap, snap to keep the neckline closed, & adorable tulip sleeves. 

I thought these Fluevogs & this vintage handbag I picked up years ago at a garage sale were excellent additions to this outfit. 

And of course...Wendy Baker's flowers always add just the right spark...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Viper, Huda Beauty Neon eyeshadow palette, Bang lipliner & lipstick by UD,  & OPI nail polish in Atomic Orange. 

His & her 'Vogs...

I first wore this outfit to go out to dinner at a new restaurant with David, Fairchild. The cocktails were lovely, really well balanced. David began with his favorite drink of the evening, Rhunette (vodka, rhubarb, Vietti Moscatto D'Asti, mint), while I started with an Easy Easy (heirloom Genepy, gin, cucumber, lime, ginger). 

Appetizers...Pork Rillette (raspberry, mustard, baguette), Deviled Eggs, Octopus (smoked mussel, avocado, cucumber), & La Belle Farms Foie Gras (roasted fennel sorbet, apple cider dash). David declared their foie gras the best he's ever had. I would go there every day for their perfectly cooked octopus. 

Roasted Bone Marrow (short rib marmalade, asparagus toast) & Chicken Liver Tart (Hook's 5 year cheddar, beet). David & Debbie Don't (tequila, averna, maple, lemon, grapefruit).

My second cocktail, Army Navy (gin, lemon, orgeat, angostura). Market salad that came with our main course, Blue Valley Gardens Duck for 2 (asparagus, preserved lemon, harissa, ramp pesto, & fingerling potatoes). I adored Fairchild's use of local, what's in season, ingredients & therefore, the constantly changing menu. The biggest letdown was the duck. It was treated with love, but the dish seemed confused (we both agreed the harissa did not belong), as does the menu in general. I'd go back with Kate & give them another try though. 

Another Rhunette for Super Boo & my final drink of the evening, Old Fashioned (Marie Duff au armagnac, angostura, Luxardo cherry). 

After dinner, we picked up a new bottle of olive oil at Vom Foss, took Veronika through the car wash, picked up a rack for our Wolf oven, then took these outfit photos. 

Me & Veronika...she's so pretty.

Veronika makes David happy...

I also wore this dress while on vacation in the U.P. I made us Sunday brunch...what started as a smoked salmon cream cheese omelet...turned into scrambled eggs, rosemary garlic roasted potatoes, & asparagus. After eating...Brian & I set out for Laughing Whitefish Falls. 

We walked into the beautiful mosquito infested woods...notice the mosquito on my face in our selfie.

But we were rewarded with natural beauty. 

I love the sound of rushing waterfalls...

After climbing up to the top of the waterfall, we decided to descend the stairs all the way to the bottom...how far could it be?! We walked on & on...but we got to enjoy an entirely different view. 

And we were further rewarded by this adorable place on the drive home...Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream from Madison in the middle of nowhere. We ate our ice cream in a rocking chair inside an antique corn keeper (I need one). 

3 scoops each, why not?

Brian & I decided to visit Lakenenland...it's been around ~20 years & neither of us had been. 

Outdoor art...

It was totally fun & interactive! I especially loved this swinging teeter totter. 

So much to look at...

It rained on us ever so slightly...but we just happened to be by a cabin we could duck into for a few minutes. 

We were walking around here for quite a while...these pictures are just a small fraction of what is there. 

My best friend in grade/middle school was Rayme Lakenen...I'm sure the guy who created all this, Tom, is somehow related to her. 

Back at the cabin...Brian cooked us a delicious dinner. And I remembered to take a photo of my U.P. tattoo in Lake Superior. 

Kate & I swapped dresses (no pictures). There was boob flashing, wine, sangria, & game playing...Tiny Epic Galaxies. It was a lovely last day. 

 

Chicago: The Art Institute of Chicago // Food // Wandering

Dress: Black Floral Contrast Trim Dress by Smak Parlour (size 0x) via Gwynnie Bee

Cardigan: Jessica Howard (size M), thrifted

Tights: ?

Shoes: Fluevog, Go Groovy: Aubrey 

Necklace & Earring: Wendy Baker

Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 41-39-53

I adore these cutesy schoolgirl dresses from Smak Parlour...I just wish this one had black trim instead of white...I tried to cover it up as much as possible. Good fit & about the shortest length I feel comfortable wearing. The fabric is a bit cheap feeling, but it was a great one & done...& fun to style. 

I mostly wore this with the cardigan, but wanted to show the dress on its own. 

It's difficult to see here, but these tights have black stripes. This was my first time wearing these Aubrey's I bought over a year ago. Go Groovy shoes were definitely called for with this print. 

As was winged eyeliner...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Perversion, Stila liquid liner in Intense Black, Huda Beauty Neon eyeshadow palette, Bang lipliner & lipstick from UD, Clockwork lipstick by Sugarpill Cosmetics, & OPI nail polish in A Woman's Prague-ative. 

A wee bit of shopping at Ulta, the beauty supply, & Sephora.

I did not wear this dress on this day...I wore the Leota Rose dress, but forgot to include this on that post. I traveled down to Chicago again to visit my boyfriend, André, at a pipe show. We had breakfast at The Original Pancake House before heading into the city to go to The Art Institute of Chicago. Miniatures have always fascinated me...so these perfectly decorated period rooms are always a favorite. 

This Chagall takes my breath away every time...I sat on the bench for a while & just took it in. 

Selfie in the dress I was wearing...

More art that caught my eye...

André & his Ferris Bueller's Day Off moment.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec...

Eyeballs & breasts on platters...

After the museum, André wanted some Chicago deep dish pizza...you would think I would have a favorite place...but we've always defaulted to Giordano's. We decided to try Lou Malnati's because it got great reviews. Giordano's is better...I'm going to make it my mission to find a truly great Chicago pizza...if you have any suggestions? The next day, André had pipe stuff to do...so I drove into Chicago to wander. First stop...tacos at Antique Taco...the best food I had that weekend. 

Back to Fluevog & a few thrift stores in the area. I really liked the color & pattern on this dress, but the fit was too baggy. Also, this was the day I actually wore the outfit in this post. 

Back at the hotel...I went to the pipe dinner with André. I was supposed to stay until Monday, but I ended up leaving on Saturday. There was too much waiting around for me with nothing to do. It turns out even though pipe shows are full of sexy men in beards...they are not that interesting to me.