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. 

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. 

 

Mint Mark // Asheville: Moog // Royal Peasantry // 12 Bones

Dress: Edge of Silence Floral Aurora Dress by Traffic People

Tights: Snag

Boots: Fluevog, Light: Canopus

Earring: Kerala Rose

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

David & I got this dress at Lela's in Milwaukee...I just thought it was the most gorgeous colors together & that pattern is fabulous...also, it looked good on me. Great fit with the elastic waist & I adore the pleated skirt...somehow pleats feel like a fall thing to me. 

I wish I would have picked a color out of the dress other than black for my tights.

I love these boots so much...

This was the ideal necklace with this dress...

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Jet Black; Hold 'Em, Bud, Rustler, Ghost Town, & Tex eyeshadow by Urban Decay; NYX lipliner in Pumpkin; Hypnotic Rust lipstick from Make Up For Ever; & OPI nail polish in Deutsch You Want Me Baby?

I first wore this dress almost immediately after getting it, the first week in October. David took my picture & we posed for selfies.

Then we headed to Mint Mark...gotta begin with Sex Biscuits...with all that butter & honey garlic...I feel sorry for anyone who hasn't had this in their mouth. For drinks, David chose the rotating Sangrita on draft (Corralejo silver tequila, ginger, lime, orange, fennel, watermelon, Sriracha) & I got the rotating draft cocktail, which was a Lion's Den (Elijah Craig bourbon, molasses, lemon juice, coconut aquavit, orgeat). Then came BBQ Carrots (local carrot, fermented plum, barley, pepita). David's next cocktail was The G.O.A.T. (MMSB Limousin rye, Lazzaroni amaretto, charred lemon cordial, raspberry shrub, angostura bitters, lemon), while I sipped on a Landfall (Pyrat XO reserve rum, house-made peach liqueur, blackstrap molasses, honey, lime, house-made peach pit bitters). More delicious food...Fried Green Tomatoes (buttermilk, blue cheese, black garlic), Arancini (delicata squash, Austrian pumpkin spice, chèvre, sage pistachio pistu), Agnolotti (caramelized broccoli, ricotta, house made pancetta, balsamic, crispy shallot), & Sugo (butternut squash, ginger snap, feta, cinnamon). I can't recall what David ordered next, but I obviously had a Sky Rocket (Banhez mezcal, passion fruit, savory the herb, dijon, lime, lava salt). Our final savory dish was Croque Monsieur (Mint Mark ham, dijon, mornay, shoestring potatoes). For dessert we enjoyed a Pear (poached red Bartlett pear, house-made yogurt, oats, maple syrup) &...a Skillet Cookie (rye chocolate chip, brown sugar, bourbon ice cream, butterscotch)...why is this SO good?! We shared an Espresso Martini...before heading off to see The 39 Steps. We left at intermission. Even if the play had been good...the highlight of our evening was our spectacular meal at Mint Mark. The second time I wore this dress was while we were in Asheville. After coffee...we drove over to the Moog factory for a tour. We were told the company was bought out earlier in the year & they no longer offer factory tours, but instead, a tour of the equipment in the showroom (which sounded more fun to me anyway). While we waited for that to begin...we played around. This guy gave us an excellent demonstration & history lesson about Bob Moog & the company. Then we walked a few blocks to the Moog museum. We had been so lucky with the beautiful weather, but on our last full day here, it rained. The museum was fun, but not nearly as great as the factory.There was one last vintage clothing store on my list that I still wanted to go to, Posies for Lulu...it was a stunning store...so well curated, but priced accordingly...lots of dresses & coats in the $800-1200 range. It was still wonderful to be able to see these beauties in person...most of them were too tiny for me anyway.I tried on 4 more reasonably prices garments & decided on a purple striped 70s summer dress & David got some yellow shoes & a tie.More coffee on our way to Malaprop's Bookstore...which everyone seems to love. It was alright, but we weren't blown away. We didn't even know Molly Baz had a new cookbook out, but we snatched it up. Walking back to the truck, I had to dash into Anthropologie to check out their sales room...nothing...but I had to take a picture of this sequined top as I have a nearly identical one I picked up a while ago at Retique. I intended on wearing it around the house, but I haven't yet...perhaps I'll take inspiration from this & layer it over a button up shirt & add a skirt...or wear it over a dress. We passed by this store, Royal Peasantry, & the dresses in the window really caught my eye, but I was sick of shopping...luckily, something made me turn back. Oh! These layered asymmetrical faerie dresses that the owner & designer, Daniella, created took my breath away...I told her they were so beautiful they made me tear up. She's been making clothes since she was in high school (I'm guessing she's in her 40s)...for these, she takes lingerie & other second hand clothing & reimagines them, dyes them, & drapes layer upon layer in one of a kind creations. I tried on 5 dresses & couldn't decide on just one, so David told me to pick two. I chose the top right one below, my favorite...And this one, which was David's favorite...Daniella kept them to make a few changes...I am excited to wear these next summer & feel so fortunate that we happened upon this magical shop. And finally, dinner! This location of 12 Bones in the River Arts District closes at 4 (why?!) & we got there just in time (or we would have had to drive to their other location in the suburbs). This place came up in every best of restaurant AND BBQ list I found online, so we really wanted to try it. I have never heard of Cheerwine...it's a cherry flavored soda & a southern thing...I'm not sure why I didn't pour myself a sip...I guess I was too hungry to think of it. We each ordered a full rack of ribs with blueberry chipotle sauce & for my sides I chose corn pudding & Mac & cheese...oh, my goodness! We both agreed these were the best ribs we'd ever had. When can we come back?! We had a little time to kill before our movie, so we dipped into the chocolates & unpacked the clothing we'd bought the day before. Then we went to see Napoleon on opening night at Fine Arts Theatre & ate popcorn, even though they only had vegan butter. We enjoyed the movie & it's always a treat to see a movie in a theatre since we so seldom do it. Another amazing day in Asheville. We were sad to be leaving the next day.