Lamp Shade Shopping

Dress: Ruched Floral Maxi Dress from Maeve by Anthropologie (size 1x) via Nuuly

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Hobbs London, thrifted 

Earring: Wendy Baker

Necklace: former Etsy shop

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 43-41-57

Such a pretty dress...and nowhere to wear it. It ran a touch big, but otherwise was a good fit. The mesh overlay was lovely & I especially liked that there was no lining underneath the top...I thought that was much nicer than had it just been a strapless dress. Also, I'm all about the sweetheart neckline. Perfect maxi length on me even without heels. 

These shoes were a bit too casual for this dress, but it's what first caught my eye. I know I should put more thought into making outfits...but I just pick the first thing I see that works. 

The lighting on the side of this building is SO good...it makes me look radiant. However, it is not permanent...there is new construction right in front of me & it's currently wrapped in white, so it bounces light against me nicely...but eventually they will cover it up, but until then...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Sabbath; Privacy, Bing, & Bang Bang eyeshadow from UD; KAB lipliner in Charming; Cherry lipliner by MAC; Bite Beauty lipstick in Braised; & In a Gingersnap nail polish from Essie. 

Dinner...Chicken Marsala & Mushrooms served with Broccoli with Fried Shallots & Olives. AND! My boyfriend André is coming to visit me!!! AND! He surprised me by adding on an extra day *swoon*. Cleaning the victrola horn we got from Elkhorn last year...it finally has a home in our living room. Since I didn't have any events to wear this dress to...I wore it antiquing with David in Columbus, WI. 

We were on a mission to get lamp shades...& of course I kept getting distracted by everything else. There was a woman who works out of this shop that makes amazing lamp shades (Kate had her re-cover the shade on my grandma's lamp years ago) & we were hoping to design some with her...however, the owner said she told him she retired at the end of last year...but he didn't seem certain she was going to stick with that. But the place was still full of shades she had already made & we managed to find quite a few that struck our fancy. We also picked up 2 red glass globes to replace some broken ones. Do you see that fantastic metal stand with the naked woman?! That holds a fish tank! I had seen one at Elkhorn years ago & I've wanted one ever since. I could not convince David of the coolness of it though. 

Oh, how I wish we had need for this set of grape glass globes (they have 2!)...the owner showed us the lamp they would go on. So much gorgeousness in one place. I spied this Mucha shade & of course it had to come home with us. 

More shades that we "needed". And another swag light for the wreck room. I cannot wait until we have that room remodeled...we have SO many fun finds that I'm excited to see displayed. 

A simple dinner...grilled ribeye with duxelles, served with roasted butternut squash & roasted garlic..with lots of butter. Socks from England for David. I took a chance & got him a dozen pairs of wool & cashmere socks from Pantherella. His favorite socks that I used to get him are no longer made...I hope he likes these...they are a bit more subdued than the b.ella ones I've gotten him in the past. I have another week & a half until his birthday & I find out what he thinks. Adding a bit of gold Rub n' Buff to these grape wall sconces before David hangs them in the dining room. 

 

Leopard Tights

Dress: Mini Dot Black & Fuchsia Dress by Gabby Skye (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee

Cardigan: Merona (size XXL), thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Nine West, thrifted

Earring: Kerala Rose

Necklace: Green Goddess

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-70

The colors & print on this dress were lovely...black with monochromatic polka dots & blurred flowers in purples, moss green, & burnt orange. The fit & length were great, the material had no stretch, but there was elastic at the waist. Light weight dress that is not lined...probably best for spring or fall. Conservative v-neck would be a good choice for work. For once, I did not mind the high-low hem as the back of the fabric was as pretty as the front. 

I considered floral cardigans & shoes...but went with leopard print

for some pattern mixing.

I believe this was my first wearing of this bracelet...not sure why, as I don't have a ton of purple jewelry. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Psychedelic Sister, Catherine & Egypt eyeshadow from Kat von D, UD Vice liquid lipstick in Flashback, & OPI nail polish in Feel the Chemis-tree. 

The fun portion of my Snag order arrived...leopard tights in both purple & red...plus rainbow stripped fishnets & plum argyle print. Glenn Crytzer playing songs from 1929.

My monthly Boxy Charm...I keep thinking I should cancel again because I get SO much skin care that I don't want...but then this month was totally worth it for the Bali Balm in sweet orange & coconut. I'm not sure I'd spend over $30 for lip balm...but it's a lovely luxury vegan option. However, bergamot & grapefruit and sandalwood & ginger both sound amazing. More Fluevogs. Don't judge me...they were on sale & I can't stop buying things to make me happy. And yes, I know *things* don't make you happy...but during the pandemic, they help. These shoes represent a happy life in the future where I can leave the house & go places AND not have knee pain so I am able to wear heels. It will happen. A farmers' market meal...cheddar bacon brats with roasted kale...nice & crisp. 

Planet Earth, David Bowie Birthday edition. There was an adorable video of Bowie & Annie Lennox rehearsing Under Pressure for a Freddie Mercury tribute concert & George Michael was watching from offstage & he knew all the words. 

 

Merry Christmas

Dress: Saratoga Dress in Giverny Print by Effie's Heart (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Circus by Sam Edelman via eBay 

Earring: etXarte

Necklace, Pin, & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-70

I was thrilled to have this red Effie's Heart dress at home to wear for Christmas. And also happy that there appear to be more & more EH cold weather dresses available. I mean, I know I can add a cardigan to sleeveless dresses, but it seems silly to do so when the print & colors are so obviously meant for warmer temperatures. This dress was a fabulous fit & length...with pockets & a twirly skirt. This was my first time wearing a Saratoga Dress & it had a feature I haven't seen on an EH dress, the sleeves had ~6" cuffs that were tighter than the rest of the sleeve, but not that noticeable in photos. 

The neckline on this dress was extremely shallow...I prefer a bit more plunge...but this would be a great work dress for that reason. 

I decided to add this vintage Christmas Tree pin to my cameo necklace chain. My grandma gave this to me when I was very young & I don't often wear it because I forget about it during the appropriate time of year. Perhaps next year, assuming we are leaving the house again, I'll put it on my coat for the month of December. Can I be that organized? 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Perversion; Kat von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper; Alchemy, Sonic, & Last Sin eyeshadow by UD; Auburn lip pencil from MAC; NYX lipstick in Alabama; & Lost on Lombard nail polish by OPI.

A sweet note on our salmon from Anna, the meat lady at the co-op. Michael Waite singing holiday songs with his family. Advent Calendar day #22...I remember loving this one. 

The final 2 days of the calendar...a larger perfume with a matching case. Of course...I never made smelling notes on any of the fragrances I sprayed on me all month long...I'll have to do it all over again. It was lovely wearing fragrance every day at home & trying new things. David & I thoroughly enjoyed Jinkx & Dela's Holiday Special...enough that it will join our collection of shows we watch in December. This year we also viewed A Christmas Carol (1938), Jack Frost (1st & only time), & Remember the Night (1940, 1st time, it will go into rotation). A surprise Christmas Eve performance by Glenn Crytzer of wonderful Christmas songs...including many originals. It was great because they were drinking boozy eggnog & were much funnier than usual. 

Kate sent me these 3 photos from her TimeHop on Christmas...15 years ago...David is so young. 8 years ago...the wine she picked out for our Christmas celebration. 

From my TimeHop...8 years ago, Sadie was a new dog! And our Polish Feast...I made golabki (stuffed cabbage rolls) & Angie & I made pierogis...potato cheddar & potato with homemade sauerkraut. So delicious. And 6 years ago...the girlie & I in matching dresses. 

I video chatted with Kate shortly after poking myself in the eye with eyeliner...it seems to be a special talent I have on holidays. It took that eye over a week until it stopped hurting & I could see out of it again. Brian called me while the girlie & I were talking & so I hung up to video chat with him, but he had a horrible connection, so it was cut short. Then...time for our Christmas dinner from Heritage Tavern. Sparkling wine from Michigan & deviled eggs to begin. 

These nuts were amazing! There is something so moreish about spiced nuts...& these had candied bacon as well...there were pecans, almonds, pumpkin seeds, & dried cranberries. Eating & drinking only required one eye, lucky for me. Roasted beet & pickled pear salad. David & I came across these dried orange slices while we were unpacking...we'd picked them together at David's grandma's house one Christmas. I dried them intending to make jewelry out of them, but David wants us to use them during the holidays as decoration...I was thinking perhaps a small garland for the fireplace mantle? 

David did a magnificent job reheating & cooking all the elements Heritage provided. The horseradish potato gratin was my favorite part of the entire meal...I mean, potatoes are delicious. The ginger molasses cake was also phenomenal. 

David & I exchanged John Fluevog shoes for Christmas presents this year...his Iggy's are my favorite...that spectacular color combination...blue, red, & burgundy. 

Planet Earth playing all my New Wave favorites. 

Glenn Crytzer Quartet playing songs from 1927...& Michael Waite, live from the U.P. 

 

Thrifting in Milwaukee

 Dress: Twist Front Floral Fit & Flare Dress by London Times (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Charter Club, thrifted 

Tights: We Love Colors in Turquoise 

Shoes: Loft, thrifted

Earring & Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

The colors & patterns in this dress reminded me of the blue/green algae blooms that show up in the lakes around here in summer...much more appropriate for a dress than in water. This dress was a great fit all over...I wouldn't change a thing about it, although, the long sleeves prevent this from being a year round dress.

Photos taken outside Razed & Found.

I was excited to finally find the right outfit to wear this beauty of a necklace that Ms. Wendy made last summer...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Junkie; Guilt Trip, Radio, Big Sky, & Stranded eyeshadow from UD; NYX lip palette in The Plums; & This Color's Making Waves nail polish by OPI. 

My alternate jewelry picks...I pluck things out of my collection that I think might work, then I ask David's opinion. 

I *think* I wore this dress to make salmon at Angie's for dinner...with this lovely wine I got from Square...I need to put a photo of it here so I remember to buy more. David & Freddy...the cutest couple ever. 

I also wore this outfit to check out some of our favorite thrift stores in Milwaukee with Super Boo. We came home with a (hopefully not too) large light fixture for his office & a fantastic yellow table for the rec room. 

I am in love with these gigantic metal windows at Razed & Found...I take a photo of them every time we are there...but this is my favorite display...in front of metal doors (or metal roofs?). 

And...finally, a farmers' market salad I made...with spinach, sprouts, roasted beets, bacon, & hard boiled eggs. 

Wasted in Germany

 Dress: Black & Purple Floral Surplice Dress by Chetta B (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: ?, thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors in Amethyst 

Shoes: Gap, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Age Before Beauty

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

So many scrumptious shades of purple in this dress...I had to keep reminding myself that I don't need any more dresses. Great length & fit...the ruched waist was a nice touch. I did have to pin the neckline closed so my bra didn't hang out...but otherwise, lovely. 

All the purple...

Goal for 2019: Get more purple jewelry.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Voodoo; Anastasia eyeshadow in Dreamer, Rose Gold, Celestial, & Drama; Luxe Lip Tar by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics; & OPI nail polish in Peace & Love & OPI. 

I first wore this dress to go to our wine group, Wasted...the theme was Germany (& Switzerland).  

 Fun with Fondue...

Some things that came in the mail...I happened to look on the Kat von D site...& her Fetish palette was 1/2 off! I couldn't pass that up. Also, David got a bunch of new underwear...& this adorable fat guy on the packaging made me laugh. I am not an Ugg person...but David sweetly bought me these in hopes I would be able to put them on comfortably because they are so fuzzy...but there was no way I could get my foot in there without painful friction against my still sensitive sores from the vasculitis I've been dealing with for the last six months. So I was an Ugg owner for a day. 

Farmer John's Smoked Gouda pizza from Sal's is our favorite...so we brought a few over to Angie's to hang with her & the baby. And dogs. Val's nose poking out of the pooch cooch.