Ahan // Squirrel Nut Zippers // Dinner at Kate & Jason's

Dress: Ruffled V-Neck Maxi Dress by Anthropologie via Nuuly

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell, thrifted

Earring: etXarte 

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I love this turquoise & amber combination...& really, just everything about this maxi...especially all the ruffles. The plunging neckline, echoed in the back, was ideal as I was just able to wear a bra without it showing. This dress is lined, with pockets, the fit is tts, & is especially flattering with the wide elastic waist. 

I love a dress with a little something going on in the back...

David found these shoes for me at Retique...they are Jeffrey Campbell & I nearly said no because of the tan heel, but the turquoise snakeskin front was too fun to pass up...& it's a great match for this dress. 

I'm not sure I've ever worn this earring before? Maybe once? I usually wear the matching earring to this set, but I wanted something bigger & longer. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Torch & Lucky; Bud, Rustler, Ghost Town, & Hold 'Em eyeshadow by UD; MAC lipliner in Chicory; Gothica & Pumpkin lipstick from KVD; & ILNP nail polish in Amber. 

Ever since having this Farm Rio sweater dress from Nuuly...I've been obsessed with this colorful leopard print...I asked which of these dresses I should get on Facebook...what do you think? The middle was my favorite, so I got it on the after Christmas sale...then later, the sweater dress went down to $50 (from $200), so I had to get that one too...& honestly, I would have gotten the other one as well had it not been sold out in my size by the time they slashed the price further. 

I first wore this dress to have lunch at Ahan with David...it was our first time at their new (much bigger) location. Wonderful space & the food was tasty, as always. We began with Chèvre Wontons & Pork Dumplings. 

I don't recall what David had, but I ordered my usual, Praram Long Song (fried chicken, broccoli, zucchini, carrots, local mushroom blend, green beans, onions, cauliflower, scallion, cilantro, peanuts, fried garlic, with a side of peanut sauce & jasmine rice). After lunch we took these outfit photos, then I was off to pick up Angie & head to Stoughton. First stop, Vinny's. 

I always find good stuff at this location...I was especially happy with the blue circle fit & flare dress from Leota above...I had that in a few colors in my previous size. Also note the real fur skirt below. Do you have a fur skirt?

At the Stoughton Opera House for the second night in a row...this time to see Squirrel Nut Zippers: Holiday Caravan Tour. 

Boo Bradley was playing in the lounge! Brian & I used to listen to him at farmers' market on Saturdays at the top of State St. in the 90s...we thought he was cute...still is. Squirrel Nut Zippers! Angie & I saw them here last year & they blew us away with fabulousness. This show was good, but not nearly as amazing. We think it's because they were sitting a lot & seemed more formal, so the energy wasn't as high. It was still a fun show. 

What I brought home from Vinny's...

I wore this dress another day...to work & thrift afterwards at Goodwill in Middleton.

And to pick up a few things at Costco...I was very sad to see they no longer carry Fage 5% yogurt, only fat free...yuck...who eats that stuff?! And the final time I wore this dress was to run errands with David, including getting this delicious coffee at Broken Board Coffee...inside a skateboard shop. My favorite thing there (& I will cry when they replace it) is Fat Stacks (espresso with milk, saffron, cardamom, vanilla, rose, & orange). 

Later that evening...we went to Kate & Jason's for a yummy dinner (I *think* I wore this dress, but as there are no photos of me & I'm old *shrug*)...they made...roasted brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, 2 kinds of mushrooms (King Trumpet & Black King Oyster) with Gigante bean with a vinaigrette, tahini mustard sauce, & roasted pecans. And I got to sample some fancy sparkling water in flavors I hadn't tried before. We gave Kate the jacket we got them in Asheville & it was made for them.

After dinner...we listened to records & chatted...it was a lovely evening. Back at home...we had the last of our Rush Creek Reserve with toasted Cress Springs Cranberry Walnut bread. Dinner first, then a snack. 

 

Gleam // Milwaukee: Retique, Candide, Ristorante Bartolotta

Dress: I Can Dig It Striped Midi Dress from Traffic People

Tights: Snag 

Boots: Fluevog, Light: Canopus

All Jewelry: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

I found this Traffic People dress on Poshmark for $12! It was $140 new. It's a size small & I took a chance on it because the seller said it ran big, & it does. It's also a bit of an awkward fit as the material is burlap weight, so it doesn't drape nicely...but there is gold glitter woven throughout & of course I adore that. I think I will look for a wide gold glittery belt to give it a better shape & help it lay nicer because I really love all the colors in it. 

And it goes perfectly with these Fluevog boots.

Every time I wear these I'm reminded that I want to antique gold rub 'n buff the buckles...the metal heel caps are copper...I wonder why they didn't match the buckles to those?

I found the matching necklace & bracelet years apart & the seller of the bracelet threw in similar earrings (& a ring). 

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

If you click on the photo below to make it bigger, you can see the gold glitter a bit. I first wore this dress to go to Gleam at Olbrich Gardens with my girlie. Every year they have new artists do light installations & it's always fun to walk around the place at night. 

What's behind the door?

Elephant! Dancing on the pads lights up the flowers. Disco balls! 

I've never owned a disco ball...that needs to change.

Bezzers! 

Mushrooms & spiders...oh, my!

I think this firework display at the end was my favorite...it was the one I'd most want in my front yard. 

The second time I wore this dress was to go to Milwaukee with David a few weeks after my surgery...so I'm wearing compression garments & protecting my incisions with maxi pads...very glamourous. David grabbed us coffee at Likewise, then met me at Retique. We are so predicable. Someone knit that autumnal cardigan & used leaves for the buttons. 

For some reason, David was in love with those striped pants he found me...I'm hoping they fit better once the swelling goes down in my thighs. Usually David only finds a handful of things for himself, but on this day...we found a ton of fun things for him too. 

After our fantastic thrifting expedition, we walked down the block to see a matinee performance of Candide. We'd been to the Broadway Theatre Center to see other plays, but never in this theatre...so pretty!

The room we usually see plays in is plain, but not this place. It was a very colorful musical. We really enjoyed the first half, but didn't love the ending. 

We tried another new to us place for dinner, Ristorante Bartolotta. They were doing a tour of Italy, a different city every 4 weeks...it was Firenze (Florence) during our visit. What a charming old building. We began with cocktails...for me, Scura Tempestá (Grand Marnier, ginger beer, lime, Angostura) & for David, a Metropolitan (house blackberry vodka, Triple Sec, Chambord, lime)...both excellent. 

There were 3 courses, plus dessert...each section had 5 things to pick from & as usual, David & I shared it all. For Antipasti we chose Polpette di Pollo e Ricotta alla Pommarola (Chicken-ricotta meatballs in tomato velouté. These meatballs are a signature dish of "Trattoria Cibreo," an iconic restaurant in Florence, known for its traditional Tuscan cuisine.) & Crostini Neri al Vin Santo con Salvia Fritter (rustic chicken liver & vin santo crostini with fried sage). Prima was Penne "Alla Vecchia Bettola" (pasta quills with a tomato, cream, & vodka sauce with Parmigiano-Reggiano. Alla Vecchia Bettola (Old Tavern) is a well-known trattoria, a favorite spot of true Fiorentini. Far from the tourist areas, this local restaurant serves traditional Florentine & Tuscan cuisine. Penne alla Bettola is the signature pasta of this local icon) & Pappardelle al Ragù d'Anitra (wide ribbon pasta with slow-braised duck ragù & parmigiano). That duck ragù was one of the best things that ever happened to us...when we told our server that, they let us know that we could also order risotto (not on the menu) with that on top, so that's what we got next.

Drinks in-between...David ordered an Aria D'Alpeggio (Montanaro Liquore di Camomilla Grappa, Island Orchard Brut Apple Cider, lemon simple syrup, fresh lemon) & I chose an Italian Old Fashion (Vecchia Romagna brandy, Fernet-Branca, Luxardo cherry, orange). Secondi: Peposo alla Fornacina dell'Impruneta (Beef shin slowly braised in Sangiovese with garlic & black peppercorns with roasted apple...there was a very long story about this dish). 

Seppioline e Gamberi in Zimino (pink shrimp & baby cuttlefish braised in tomato, garlic, white wine, & chard with grilled bread). And finally, Dolci: Classico tiramisu' del Ristorante Bartolotta del 1993 (our signature version of this classic dessert of layered mascarpone mousse, Savoiardi cookies, espresso, cacao) & Budino di Mou Salato (chilled sea salt caramel pudding with dark chocolate ganache)...& a Caffé Corretto to top it all off (Illy normale espresso, Expré liquor, Fernet-Branca). What a delightful meal...that's 2 times now that we've had excellent Italian food in Milwaukee. We mentioned that to our server & apparently the owner/chef at Sorella started out at this restaurant. 

Our Retique haul...5 of my items were green tagged, which was the 50% off color of the week. 2 pairs of leopard shoes...both of which David picked out for me. Look at that mound of clothing (mostly shirts) David got!

 

Workin' & Thriftin'

Dress: Flutter Sleeve Floral Fit & Flare Dress by Taylor Dresses (size 8) via Gwynnie Bee

Sandals: Born via Poshmark

Earring & Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelets: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

Colors completely out of my color palette...& a fabulously unusual combination with the dark olive green thrown in with the turquoise, lilac, & white. Great length, adored the 2 layered flutter sleeves & high side slit. Lined in lilac. Pretty summer dress, my only complaint is...again...the smocked waist starts too far up...am I just getting the wrong size? This seems to be happening a lot this summer. 

The slit looks innocent enough above...but I wore this on 2 windy days & it was quite revealing. 

I find these floral wedges with flowers printed on the cork appealing...the cork doesn't hold up as well as I'd like...but I'm still considering picking these up in coral. 

This *might* be my first time wearing both the earring & necklace from Ms. Wendy...or second...either way, they are too cute to just sit at home, but they don't often match what I'm wearing. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Abyss & Deep End, Twilight & Amethyst eyeshadow by Huda Beauty, UD eyeshadow in Mildew, Flashback lipstick from UD, & OPI nail polish in Next Stop...The Bikini Zone & Purple with a Purpose. 

Dogs playing in the backyard on the morning Brian left to drive back to the UP...we were sipping coffee...then headed over to the local Sunday market. Where there was music & food...& I wore my pajamas & not this dress. 

I got some rather tasty tamales from El Sabor de Puebla, one chicken, one pork...I'd definitely get the pork ones again...& 2 for $5...ridiculous deal. Brian got a grilled lamb skewer with a side of bean fritters at Les Delices De Awa...which I think both of us found not nearly as flavorful as they smelled. And I brought myself home some sunflowers. 

After Brian left, David & I decided to tackle the rearranging of our spices. It was slightly overwhelming...but look at the organization...

All of this represents 7 hours of work by both me & David. We had SO many spices that were all over the place. We used our new kitchen island to store chili & spicy blends, curries, blends with no salt, blends with salt, baking blends, & other cooking stuff. Our original pull out spice drawers house single origin spices from A-Z. And our cabinet left of the stove holds all our oils, vinegars, & a few salt & peppers. It is so easy to find things now! Organization...who knew?! We took a break in the middle of all this to eat the rainbow trout I bought at market, with some roasted veggies & berries. 

I wore this dress to work twice the following week...also, to get a lymphatic massage from Courtney & thrift. 

I came home to these Chie Mihara olive & mustard oxfords that I found on eBay for $30...this continues to blow my mind...I wish second hand Fluevogs came this cheap. The Goodwill in Middleton had loads of LuLaRoe leggings...it was difficult to narrow it down..but these were the color & pattern combinations that most called to me...I am especially enamored with those veggies.