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. 

10 Day Staycation Begins // Amara // Thrifting // Tattoo

Dress: Little Seashell Maxi Dress by Spell via Nuuly

Tights: Snag

Shoes: ?, thrifted

Purse: Portland Leather

Earring: Wendy Baker

Necklace: The Embellishing Room

Bracelet: Vintage

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

This pretty dress was flowy, light, & easy to wear. In addition to seashells, pumpkins, & flowers...there is a border all around of mermaids on the bottom. I was confused by the pumpkins as they didn't seem to go with the water theme of this dress, but I like pumpkins & they definitely went with the warm orange & yellow fabric. There is a slip, but it is very short. My only complaint about this dress was it came to me super worn out & faded with a few tiny holes...I mostly wore this for errands & in dimly lit places as it wasn't nice enough for anything else. Too bad, I'm guessing this dress was spectacular earlier in its life. 

This dress would have been more at home with sandals...but this was December, albeit, a warm one. 

I found these shoes thrifting years ago at Savers. I stuck several pads on the heel, but even then, these shoes were huge on me. Another item for the donation bag. I will miss them. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Mildew eyeliner & eyeshadow by Urban Decay, KVD eyeshadow in Analogue & Legend, NYX lipliner in Pumpkin, Hypnotic Rust lipstick from Make Up For Ever, & OPI nail polish in A Woman's Prague-ative. 

I first wore this dress for a short day at work...the last day of work before we took 12 days off. We were ridiculously excited for a Staycation. I thrifted this coat for $15 & found $20 in the pocket. I finished work before David, so I ran some errands...Vinny's on the west side...I probably should have bought that bright Zuri dress, but I don't care for their tent like loose fit & can a white woman really wear those prints? But it was a $150 dress for $10...I could have experimented? 

Picking up pecans at Trader Joes. Yay! Reunited with Super Boo! We had late dinner reservations at a new to us restaurant, Amara. But first, selfies/usies in a little holiday decorated hut built for that purpose.

Walking by Anthropologie on our way to the restaurant...I had to try on some sale dresses. That black one was a size small, & the green was the same style in an extra small...both were huge...who would these look good on?! Arriving at Amara...they are owned by the same people as Lucille & Merchant. It's kind of puzzling why we'd never been here...but it's on the west side of town, so really only makes sense after work. 

Bad first impression, they were out of the ingredients to make their cocktail special that I ordered, Felix Felicis (State Line London dry gin, cream sherry, orange juice, ginger syrup, Peychaud's bitters)...& our waitress wouldn't tell us which ingredient it was...weird. Cream sherry? I mean, they are steps away from a grocery store, so what's up? Anyway, I had to go with a Pomegranate Holiday Smash (vodka, pomegranate & orange syrup, lemon juice, smoked cinnamon, mint, sugar rim) & David chose Christmas Punch (Tuscan red wine, Grand Marnier, gin, apple, cinnamon, rosemary). Both drinks were delightful. First up for food...Fried Baby Mozzarella (breaded & fried ciliegine, smoked chili & tomato sauce) & Angry Shrimp Spiedini (chili & garlic shrimp, marinated artichokes, salsa verde). 

Cocktail #2: for David, Italian Paloma (tequila, homemade pompelmocello, lime, blood orange soda), while I had a Honeycrisp & Cherry Mule (vodka, honeycrisp & tart cherry shrub, ginger beer). More food to share...Lasagna Fritto (fried lasagna skewers, Italian sausage, mozzarella, smoked chili & tomato sauce) & Calamari (lightly fried squid, peppercorn blend, pickled long hots, giardiniera aioli). This is now my favorite calamari in town. 

Third round of drinks: David chose a Cranberry Old Fashioned (bourbon, cranberry orange Demerara, Angostura bitters) & I picked Golden Twist (State Line London dry gin, Cynar, cinnamon syrup, cocoa bitters, absinthe). Finally, mains...for me, Porchetta (Heritage Farms pork shoulder wrapped in crispy skin pork belly, braised leeks, buttermilk cream, brussels sprouts salad, apple mostarda, chive oil) & David had Paccheri (shredded beef cheek ragu, tomato grodolce, breadcrumbs, SarVecchio). So. Much. Rich. Food. That brussels salad with mine was nice & vinegary, so it was essential with the fatty pork...& delicious. We thoroughly enjoyed this meal & immediately bought a bunch of gift certificates at Costco for when we come back...$75 for $100. We had already bought one to use on this dinner to see if we liked it. We liked it. 

Small haul from Vinny's...including 3 paisley silk ties for David. I am constantly at the hospital...once a week for an appointment with Interventional Radiology...so they can check my drains & put new ones in. I went to the beauty supply to get some things...I keep my license up just for this reason...1/2 price. 

Dinner...Cabbage & Kielbasa with Rye Croutons. A trip to Costco...they had this amazing set of zodiac sign glass bottles filled with brandy...it was like something out of the 70s. And...another trip to the hospital...like I said, I wore this dress mostly for errands.

On my way home, I made the excellent decision to stop at Vinny's on Willy St...just look at all that sparkle *swoon*...they had racks of it for NYE. 

I tried on other things too, including that vintage plaid wool skirt. 

My find of the day was the black sequin Betsey Johnson dress below. Oh! And a vintage burgundy trench coat. David made a beef roast for dinner & I roasted some potatoes. 

And...the final time I wore this dress was to get a lymphatic massage with Courtney...then a tattoo with Mar, but Mar texted me they had car issues & were running 30 minutes late...so I bopped into Vinny's again where they were having 50% off all of the remaining NYE items...what?! 

Poor Mar, I was 20 minutes late for our appointment...but, shiny! 

Mar freehanded paisley patterns in all the blank spots on my right calf...my lower legs are completely filled & finished...now what?! Rose gold glitter heels & other fancy things. I wonder if they do this every year & I miss it completely...must stalk Vinny's next year...as if I don't already. 

 

The Lil Smokies & Town Mountain // Buffalo Nichols // Mexico Surgery Round 3

Dress: Chloe Dress in Evening Butterflies by Cherry Velvet

Sandals: Fluevog, Mega Munster: Deee

Earrings & Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Earring: Kerala Rose

Bracelet: Vintage

Purse: Mohop

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-42

Another lovely Cherry Velvet dress that I have in my size thanks to my bezzer. The last time I wore this dress in my previous size was to go to The Shitty Barn with Kate back in 2014. Great fit & length. I adore CV dresses.

How cute is this dress & sandal combination?!

I love these shoes, but hate the way my toes hang over the edge.

I'm not sure purple is a good color for me, but I like it.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Viper; Purple Dust, Digital, Warning, Cyber Punk, & Euphoric eyeshadow from UD; UD lipstick in Flashback; Spiced Plum lipstick by Bite Beauty; & OPI nail polish in Leonardo's Model Color. 

I first wore this dress to spend the day with David...we checked out the trunk sale at the Vinny's in Waunakee. Since this sale has nicer brands, the prices are usually higher, but there were several dresses over $100 which is unreasonable for clothing that is donated. That salmon burnout velvet slip dress was gorgeous. 

David kept adding ridiculously high heels to our cart...while I adored those glittery leopard shoes, I just can't walk in stilettos very well. Cute boots though! Those black & gold Jeffrey Campbell's were pretty, but overpriced or I would have gotten them. 

A few of these items were not part of the trunk sale. 

On my way to Stoughton...I stopped at the Thursday Troy Gardens market...walking on a farm in these heels was not the best choice. 

Vinny's in Stoughton. My favorite dress was the wrap with coral flowers & polka dots...

But there was some weird white stuff on the bust that didn't look like it would come out...I wish I had taken it to the bathroom & tried.

There were definitely some cute skirts that day...leopard tiered maxi, gold shiny silk, peacock colors...

First concert of the season at the Opera House...

Two Runner opening...I liked them a lot...

Next up, The Lil Smokies...which looked SO familiar that I must have seen them open for another band. 

Town Mountain were also good, but my least favorite of the night...it's probably because they had to ruin the all string theme by adding drums. What I brought home from my Stoughton thrifting. 

Our Vinny's Waunakee haul...

The second time I wore this dress, Kate & I ate outside for the last time this year at Turn Key. David & I had been there, but this was the girlie's first time. They began the evening with an Astronaut Spritz (Ish N/A Sparkling Aperitivo, grapefruit), while I chose an Into The Cider Verse (gin, pear liqueur, orange wine, spiced cider, rosemary, lemon, lime, orange bitters)...it was the best cocktail I'd ever had there. 

We shared a plate of Charred Carrots (chili macadamia butter, pickled cranberry, agave-lime glaze, sunflower seed Dukka). I ordered Tagliatelle (house pasta, sugar snap peas, basil, Coppa ham, spinach, Mobay cheese, egg yolk, parmesan) & Kate had Gnocchi (house gnocchi, massaman curry, carrot, oyster mushroom, macadamia, radish, scallion). While my dish was good, the girlie's was better. 

We got done with dinner early enough that we went back to my house for raspberries, a cardigan, & doggie petting. Then, on to High Noon for Buffalo Nichols...he had brand new vinyl for sale!

Christoper Gold opened...we've seen him both solo & with his band. He always has his son come out & do a song with him on the harmonica...it's cute. Kate took a photo of me taking a picture of Christopher Gold. 

We were surprised that Buffalo Nichols got himself a band...he's usually just on his own. 

We stood right up front & we got to dance...it was delightful. Back at home...a new Book Book came for my new iPhone. And the final time I wore this dress...flying to San Diego...look how dead Madison airport is...it's fantastic. 

The fact that I can fit in the plane seat comfortably & buckle the seatbelt will never get old. AND...put the tray table down...working on my blog. What is this supposed to be...at the Denver airport?! It looks like 2 Sumo wrestlers. 

Flying over the mountains...& landing in San Diego. Some art in the airport...waiting for my driver to take me across the border. 

After doing blood work, I settled into my hospital room with some food. I worked on my blog a bit more & started planning our trip to Asheville. 

Dr. Galvez came by to chat & mark me up for my surgery the next day...he's so nice. I thought I'd be getting an outer thigh lift, but he wanted to do a second inner lift first. Photos before my 1st lift & second lift & after on the operating table. I only wish my thighs looked like that. I'm going to need a 3rd surgery on them. I have lipadema, so I've got an abnormal amount of diseased fat up there. I'll never have normal sized thighs, but I hope they can at least be better...it was already a huge improvement after the first round. 

Out of the hospital & settled into the hotel. I unpacked everything into the drawers & closet...the last 2 times I'd had 2 king size beds & just kept my suitcases open on one...but only one bed in this room. Just like last October...I was in Mexico during Flummunity Fest. I watched some of the live stream, including this interview with John & George Clinton. 

I had asked for a room with a view & sun...I ended up on the 2nd floor...not as good as the 6th, but having that warmth stream in all day makes such a huge difference. I sat in the window & did my nails & painted my toes. 

I started watching Project Runway, then decided David might like it too...I loved this skirt. I ended up watching The Great British Sewing Bee instead. David is building a platform for our washer & dryer & he sent me progress pics. 

They have the best fresh pineapple at the hotel's breakfast buffet. I looked forward to it every day...& always got enough to last until the next morning.