Chicago: Fluevog Swap & Shop // Beatnik // Riot Fest: Dresden Dolls & The Cure

Dress: Black Velvet Stripe Fit & Flare Dress by Connected Apparel, thrifted

Waist Cincher: Kate

Velvet Jacket: ?, thrifted

Tights: Snag

Boots: Fluevog: Balmoral Boots circa 1989-90

Earrings: Green Goddess Vintage

Necklace: Heidi Daus via Ebay 

Bracelet & Pin: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I adore this black velvet stripe fit & flare dress...it's cute, stretchy, & comfortable. The ideal length to show off boots. Nice swoop neckline in front & back. 

I found this dress thrifting & it was one of only a handful of dresses I tried on as possible contenders to see The Cure in. 

I also thrifted this velvet jacket. The velvet waist cincher was Kate's, but they've since gifted it to me & don't remember where it came from. 

I closed the jacket with a vintage black rhinestone pin, but I don't think it shows up very well in photos. 

I've had these Fluevog boots for decades. I must admit, I treated them rather poorly...back at my old house they were shoved underneath the daybed in my office collecting dog hair. The calf circumference on these is rather small & I didn't think they'd ever fit me again. I threw out the old tattered laces & replaced them with ribbon. 

I'm not sure I've ever worn this bat necklace before...maybe once. Because of the silver hue it casts...I went with this grey/black/rhinestone necklace as a dramatic bracelet...& these fabulous dangly earrings that Gayle from Green Goddess Vintage gifted me.

I wore this outfit on our last full day in Chicago last month. I hopped in Veronika & headed off to the Fluevog store for a special swap & shop...of course, I was just there to buy...& it's a good thing, because everyone else was there to sell. I tried on all the pretty used shoes first. 

I ended up with 4 pairs...2 in the Munster family. 

I nearly got these silverfish heels, but they were just a smidge too tight. 

After getting the used shoes sorted...I went on to try on everything in the store. Jack always helps me & is so patient. 

Which shoes should I bring home?

I want them all...eventually...I intended on getting the orange metallic Bebops, but after kibitzing with Jack...

I decided to get the green/pink plaid Malalas since Jack said they made fewer & had been a good seller. I don't know if you can tell here...but the buckle is a safety pin. I don't need those pink plaid shoes too, right?! They are too similar to the ones I got & unnecessary...right?

I've been in love with these since they came out...it was good to try them on in person as I discovered my typical size works fine & I don't need to size up like suggested online. My top 5 choices below. Spoiler alert...I now own 4 of them. This was a fun event...the store was well organized to give everyone a space to sell...& there was a table of treats. We had the place to ourselves for 2 hours before they opened at noon. 

Group shot!

After shoe shopping...brunch with the girlie! Leopard carpeting.

I wasn't that excited by the menu, but we picked this place because they have a marvelous patio & they were an easy walk from our hotel. Check out that spectacular pink banana outfit.

We began with cocktails...a Salted Watermelon Mojito for Kate (spirit-free aperitivo, salted watermelon, a sh*t-ton of mint) & for me, an Oaxacan Old Fashioned (Reposado tequila, mezcal, sugar, bitters, citrus oil). For breakfast, I chose Sweet Potato Hash (grilled peppers, housemade giardiniera, pumpkin seeds, poached organic egg) &...

This spectacularly beautiful Cinnamon Roll (cardamom cream cheese frosting, Israeli pistachios). Kate had a Kale Fattoush (dill vinaigrette, Persian cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes, crispy pita). 

My second drink came in this adorable dotty glass that Kate wouldn't let me steal, Saturn (Japanese gin, passionfruit, almond orgeat, falernum, lemon). Kate sipped on a Chica Morada (purple corn, pineapple, spice). We were right on the Chicago River & could watch boats go by...including some kayaks...hey! that was us the day before. This place was not just Instagram ready...it was also tasty. 

Posing for photos back at the hotel.

Back to the room where Kate changed clothes & I switched out my boots for sturdier Fluevogs that would do better in mud...& onto the L we hopped. And then we walked & walked & walked to the park where Riot Fest is held. There were a lot of signs indicating that the neighborhood wasn't thrilled to have their park taken over by hoodlums. I don't blame them...it's a large loud group. AFI was playing as we walked in...they were good. 

We sat on the blanket Kate brought for about 5 minutes. 

It was excellent people watching...leopard spots & mushrooms. We didn't have to wait long for The Dresden Dolls to hit the stage. 

It's been so long since we've seen them as a band...usually it's just Amanda solo. They were supposed to have a reunion tour, but then Covid hit...but they are back together now recording new songs & doing a smattering of live shows. They were on fire...just having so much fun. They brought Melissa Auf der Maur (Hole, Smashing Pumpkins) up on stage to play guitar, while Amanda joyfully pounded drums, & Brian sang...Beastie Boys, You Gotta Fight. Amanda was giddy with the amazement that her band got to open for The Cure & meet Robert Smith. 

After the show, we wandered around in search of food & tried to block out the horrible sound of The Mars Volta. 

The Cure!!! I've been a fan since I was 14...& this was my first time seeing them. Robert wore an Amy Winehouse t-shirt & flashed Sinead O'Connor's photo up on the screen during Pictures of You. 

He & the band sounded phenomenal. I'm so glad we braved a fest to see them. Back at the hotel...I tried on the corset Kate brought. 

 

Genevieve Heyward // Sunflower Tattoo Complete

Jumpsuit: Deep V Wide Leg Jumpsuit by Farm Rio (size L) via Nuuly

Socks: Sock Dreams

Shoes: Fluevog, Go Groovy: Aubrey

All Jewelry & Purse: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

My second ever jumpsuit! All this color & pattern! I'm glad I got a large, because my thighs needed it (still lots of swelling from surgery), but it meant it was baggy on top. Low cut, but not scandalous, so it was great to wear out...& for work I added a black cardigan that I buttoned a few buttons on so less skin showed. Pockets, wrinkles easily, long...I had to wear heels with this. I felt super cute, sexy, & confident in this outfit.

Lots of the reviews on Nuuly mentioned they felt like this looked like a clown suit. I lost track of the compliments I received...it's all in your attitude. 

The pants were long even with heels. 

And I had the perfect shoes & purse to complete this look. 

I didn't really have a second choice necklace, so I'm thrilled we found this at Elkhorn last year. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Perversion, Stila liquid liner, Huda Beaty Neon eyeshadow palette, Bang lipliner & lipstick from UD, & ILNP nail polish in Pumpkin. 

I first wore this jumpsuit to make dinner, Sheet-Pan Roast Chicken & Mustard-Glazed Cabbage...delicious....then I was off to a concert. I'd never heard of her, but she sounded like someone I'd like...Genevieve Heyward at The Slowpoke Lounge in Spring Green. A dish of Slopolks at the bar. My usual Aviation. Merch, but no vinyl. The heels of my Fluevogs were glowing. Genevieve has a great voice & wonderful original songs...but just before the break, she did a cover of Landslide for her mom. I love that song. She's the daughter of Pat MacDonald of Timbuk 3...who, while they were going to school in Madison, were a one hit wonder with The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades. 

She had just found this amazing shimmery jumpsuit at a thrift store in the last town they were in...it was fabulous & looked like it was made for her. Great evening. 

I found my dream boots on Fluemarket...they are from the same family as my wedding shoes. Sadly, some of the stitching has come apart on one...so they will need to visit the cobbler before I can wear them. Otherwise, they are perfect & amazing. 

I also wore this jumpsuit to work...before going to get my sunflower tattoo finished (I arrived a bit early & spent 15 minutes at the Vinny's across the street). Bear & I hadn't expected this to be our last session on these flowers...but after checking in with themselves...they decided to go the extra time. Stunning! It was my idea to do the purple (they were thinking green)...in various shades. Next up...deep sea siren/mermaid on the back of this leg...coming next month.In looking for Christmas stuff...we found a box of clothes that never fit me...so I washed it all & am slowly wearing it...like this cute Target teen XL Halloween T that I wore to bed & the gym. I also wore this outfit to get a lymphatic massage from Courtney & drop some things off with the girlie. Vintage belt from eBay. 

 

Riley Downing // Nikki & The Phantom Callers // Davina

Dress: Striped Flare Dress from Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese (size XL) via Nuuly

Sandas: Born

Jewelry & Purse: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Jason, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 40-37-53

Another spectacular dress from Tracy Reese...all the colors & stripes. Similar to the last dress...I also didn't need to wear a bra as the back corset tying held me in place. This gorgeous summer dress is made of linen & cotton...so I needed to iron it before each wearing...but when a dress is this pretty, I don't mind. There is a petticoat-like underskirt that gives it a flared shape. Another dress with endless compliments. 

This yellow purse is going on many outings this summer...

This vintage set wasn't exactly right...but close enough that I went with it. I found the bracelet & earrings at Elkhorn, & the near matching necklace a few years later on Etsy. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Electric Empire; Candles, RSVP, & Ten eyeshadow from Lime Crime; Bang lipliner by UD; Sugarpill Cosmetics lipstick in Clockwork; MAC lipstick in Habanero; The "It" Color nail polish by OPI, with Essie Aim To Misbehave on top. 

I first wore this dress to make & enjoy dinner with David...Roasted Salmon with Whole Lemon Dressing atop market veggie salad. Later that day, I drove to Spring Green to see a show at The Shitty Barn. A guy came up to me & asked if I enjoyed the play at APT the night before...he was one of the guys who'd been playing in the band we enjoyed during our picnic. That is how I learned we'd been listening to 4H (all the guy's names start with H)...I let him know how happy it made us to have live music. He also asked if my favorite color was orange as he observed that David & I were wearing matching outfits. 

A gorgeous day to see Riley Downing, with Nikki & The Phantom Callers opening. Enos Farms used to come to the shows & make tacos...I really miss their sunflower tacos...I know that sounds weird, but I liked those better than any of the meat varieties. Last year, Wander Provisions took over. I finally decided to give them a try...I ordered a Curried Chicken Pita & a chocolate chip cookie. The pita was excellent & they looked so pretty...but it was the mildest blandest curry I've ever had. The cookie was decent. It's great they are still able to offer local food at the barn & the people at Wander Provisions couldn't be nicer...but the flavor just wasn't there for me. 

Less Honkin! More Tonkin! Nikki & The Phantom Callers opening...

One of the things I love about live music are the stories the bands tell. Riley told us he didn't know his opening band at all...until he didn't have a band to play with him at Chicago's American Music Festival...then it occurred to him that he had this opening band at the barn immediately before, so he watched a few videos, thought they were good, & contacted them. He said he thought they were a local Wisconsin band until he heard Nikki's heavy southern accent. They met up & now they are friends & are touring together...they open for him & play as his backup band. I love that story. It was a wonderful night of music. 

I also wore this outfit to go to Stoughton to meet Kate & Jason at The Catfish Music Festival. First, I made us lunch...zoodles with homemade pesto & heirloom tomatoes, served with roasted asparagus & Brussels sprouts. Then David & I took a walk at nearby Cherokee Marsh...it was a lovely day. 

We used to have a book...60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Madison...I used it to find walks we could go on with the dogs. We bought the updated version & have been trying to go on walks in the book a few times a week. Now that I have hair in my eyebrows, I go through a LOT more eyebrow pencil...I think the coarseness of going over the hair wears the pencil down quicker? 

Kate & Me...still hopeful we'd get to dance to Davina & The Vagabonds outside...

Hi, Davina...she's so nice...& pretty...

Jason captured us hugging...awww. Stoughton Opera House called off the fest because even though it was no longer raining, they were worried about water on the stage & the safety of the band. Luckily, they fixed it in time for Charlie Parr on July 4th...but no Davina dancing for us. Kate=full of cute with this umbrella I got her years ago. Back at home, I made us BLT romaine wraps with heirloom tomatoes...definitely a favorite quick meal during tomato season.