Squirrel Nut Zippers // Cutting Down Our Christmas Tree

Dress: The Marais Printed Tiered Maxi Dress by Anthropologie (size L) via Nuuly

Tights: We Love Colors 

Shoes: Fluevog, Power: Coal

Earrings: Heidi Daus

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: David & Me

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-45

They make these Marais dresses in such fun patterns...I'm just going to keep wearing them all. As usual...I adore it. This will be my last one in a large though...they run big so I'm going to size down.  

I have to say...I prefer these dresses when I can wear sandals...but any chance to wear Fluevogs...

I love these Coals with their precious wrapped leather soles...I regretted walking on these rocks with them...but they were completely fine. 

I miss this Etsy seller, Flora Lynn, who used to have the very best vintage Czech jewelry...both the necklace & bracelet are from her. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Delinquent, Huda Beauty eyeshadow palettes in Coral & Amethyst Obsessions, Pumpkin lipliner by NYX, Sugarpill Cosmetics lipstick in Nectar, Mimosa lipstick from Bite Beauty, & OPI nail polish in DS Luxurious. 

I first wore this dress to go to Stoughton with Angie. Our plan was to have dinner at Wendigo, but they were packed...neither of us thought to make reservations for a Thursday. I briefly considered it, but you had to call or email...so that quickly fell off my radar. We decided we weren't hungry enough to try other places, so Angie introduced me to Stoughton's Vinny's instead. With a large display of hunting gear up front, this did not appear promising. But I ended up leaving with 4 cardigans, 2 dresses, 2 shirts for David, & an Eileen Fisher alpaca coat ($700 retail). 

Then! The Opera House for Squirrel Nut Zippers...who I hadn't seen since the 90s with Shane. They've been having pre-show entertainment in the lounge which is so nice. 

Dr. Sick (fiddle player) made the whole night for me...he was talented & entertaining...not to mention incredibly sexy. This was one of the best shows I've seen all year. They were on fire & it brought back great memories. 

Their new female singer was disappointing to me though...I really loved Katharine Walen's voice & personality so much better. This woman's voice was fine, but she acted like a clown onstage & it was difficult to watch. Everyone else was fantastic. I hope I don't have to wait over 25 years to see them again. 

My Stoughton Vinny's haul...

A few weeks later...I wore this dress again to attend our realtor, Pam's, Christmas party at the tree farm...where we cut down our first tree for our, no longer new, house. 

There were trees, & doggies, & Santa. Also, homemade Christmas cookies, hot cocoa, & cider. 

Our first tree in this house! It's lovely. And this is as far as we got with it on this day. We wanted to thoroughly enjoy the decorating process. I love this tree so much. 

 

Quan Barry // Thanksgiving

Dress: Leadlights Angelou Dress by Effie's Heart (size L) via Gwynnie Bee 

Tights: Snag

Shoes: Fluevog, Truths: Alison

Shorter Hair Earring: etXarte

Other Earring: Former Etsy shop

Shorter Necklace & Bangle: Vintage

Longer Necklace: Former Etsy shop

Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo, Jason, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-45

I'm always excited when a new Effie's Heart dress is on its way to me...because I know it will be cute & comfy...have useful pockets & be a great fit. Also, I adored that the colors were such an unusual splendid display of autumn. I was unsure of the pattern at first, but when I looked up leadlights, it made sense...stained glass...I'd never heard it called that before. 

With all those colors...tights should have been easy...but I had nothing that matched. I went with mustard, even though the color it most resembled in the dress was more of an olive. 

However! I was able to wear these Fluevogs (with little skull buckles) for the first time. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Stash, Mildew eyeshadow from UD, Kat von D eyeshadow in Raw Power, Sugarpill Cosmetics eyeshadow in Fever Dream, Auburn lipliner by MAC, NYX lipstick in Cherry Skies, Lovedrunk lipstick from UD, & OPI nail polish in I'm Not Really A Waitress. 

Snow! So early. Poor Veronika...she's just not made for Wisconsin winters. I first wore this dress to work & then to attend a talk by Quan Barry at UW with David. Ms. Barry wrote the play, The Mytilenean Debate, that we liked so much last year at Forward. She read a lot of her poetry & from books she's written...we were not as enamored of those. I wore these gold boots because I had to do some walking in the snow...& my Fluevogs are too precious for that. The last time I wore them was 8 years ago when I met a pig at Heartland Farm Sanctuary. How do I know? They still had straw stuck to the bottom that I had to clean off. 

I have had this art project in mind for the basement stairway forever...& we finally got around to hanging the pictures that didn't have a place anywhere else. A little art gallery. That Madonna is an oil painting from Peru. 

Kalpudding (Swedish meatloaf with caramelized cabbage)...soooo comforting & delicious. I made 3 dishes so I could freeze some for later. Picking up our fresh turkey at Meat People. Cooking for Thanksgiving...first up, cornbread. 

I am so so so sad I missed out on Betsey Johnson's everything bagel purse...I didn't want to regret this one too...Love Potion & Poison. 

I forgot to have David take close-ups of my Fluevogs...poor indoor substitute. I need to gold Rub 'n Buff those skull buckles. Making stuffing with the cornbread I made & baguette. German Chocolate Pie for David. Purple Viking potatoes getting ready to steam. 

We had a wee Thanksgiving celebration at home with Kate & Jason, who of course brought the Michigan bubbles. To begin...we had cranberry/jalapeño relish (to put on crackers with cream cheese), Hooks 5 year cheddar, goat cheddar crackers, & curry squash soup served in adorable pumpkin bowls. 

I never got a picture of David's glorious turkey...it turned out marvelously (as did the gravy) & was resting on a table in front of the fireplace. 

We found this silly turkey hat years ago at Savers...& sometimes David remembers to wear it for photos. 

I also made roasted sweet potatoes with Penzeys Pumpkin Spice, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pecans & Pomegranate Seeds, & Mashed Potatoes. David made cranberry sauce & defrosted the Mac & Cheese he had made for my birthday. Kate & Jason made something with mushrooms & I can't remember what else since it's not on my plate & I have a terrible memory. After dinner stroll around the neighborhood in my slippers. 

Playing Tiny Epic Galaxies...a bit too serious for me. I prefer games where you get to be silly & laugh. And finally...pie! David was in love with this riff on a German Chocolate Cake...it was pretty tasty even though chocolate pies aren't my thing. I prefer citrus or fruit...key lime, apple, blueberry, cherry...

 

Wasted: Blind Red Varietal Wine Tasting // Zoe Keating

Dress: Corset Maxi Dress by Hutch (size 12) via Nuuly

Cardigan: Time & Tru (size M), thrifted 

Boots: Doc Martens

Earrings: Vintage Czech 

Necklace & Bracelet: Heidi Daus 

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-45

This dress was just delightful...an autumnal acorn pattern mixed with leopard...it couldn't have been more me. I have no idea what size I am when they use numbers, plus most reviewers agree this runs a size or two big. So I should have gotten the 8 or 10. Great maxi length...I'm always thrilled when I can choose to wear flats or heels.

I think this leopard cardigan was not only an adorable addition to this dress...but it covered up the too big-ness & I was able to tuck it in around the neckline, which covered up my faja & sports bra I've been wearing since surgery. 

I could have went with leopard shoes, but I don't break out my Docs often enough...& it's the season for it. I clearly need acorn earrings to go with my Heidi Daus acorn necklace & bracelet. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Bourbon; Big Sky, Accelerate, Stranded, & Blaze eyeshadow from UD; NYX lipliner in Pumpkin; Heat lipstick by UD; Toast lipstick from Bite Beauty; & OPI nail polish in Deutsch You Want Me Baby?

I wore this one fun Saturday. First, David & I attended Wasted: Blind Red Varietal Wine Tasting. Usually we all bring a bottle of wine, but on this day, they were picked for us. David guessed the most right...I'm not even sure how. We brought a wheel of Rush Creek Reserve cheese to share. And there was bean/chorizo stew, broccoli salad, & lots of nibbles to accompany the wine. 

We chose to sit on the same place on the couch as last time we were here...waaaaay back in 2019. It seems not that long ago, yet so much has changed. 

Wasted is such a lovely fun group of people...

I was sorry I had to leave early to go to a concert. Kate & I used to see Zoe Keating quite often back before she tragically lost her husband to cancer...she used to tour more. I think the biggest reason is she is now raising their son on her own, plus pandemic. 

Watching Zoe perform is magical...& I always enjoy seeing her fun stocking choice. 

 

Act A Lady

Dress: The Marais Printed Tiered Maxi Dress by Anthropologie (size L) via Nuuly

Tights: Snag

Shoes: JJ's, vintage thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Bracelet: Vintage 

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-45

I've lost count of how many of these Marais dresses I've worn...sooo many different patterns. I know the fit is super loose & not "flattering"...but I like them. Obviously. This teal & rust combination looked fabulous with my hair. Great maxi length. 

While I had a ton of jewelry options for this dress...these are the only shoes that I thought worked at all. 

The only time it snowed all day was during the 15 minutes we were taking these photos. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Torch & Lucky; Bud & Tex eyeshadow from UD; Natasha Denona eyeshadow in Azelea, Jasper, & Agate; MAC lipliner in Chicory; Gothica lipstick by Kat von D; & OPI nail polish in A Woman's Prague-ative.  

I wore this dress to see a play with David...but first, dinner at home...pan fried salmon with lots of crispy garlic, served with roasted Brussels sprouts & kimchi. This play sounded so iffy, that I didn't even ask David if he wanted to go...I purchased tickets & hoped for the best. Act A Lady was hilarious...a wonderfully written play...with marvelous acting.

Some well dressed woman in the Flummunity posted a photo of her Fluevogs in some adorable orange fishnets...& when asked where she got her hosiery...shared that she buys cheap packs of fishnets on Amazon...so I immediately purchased some. 

At my doctor's office getting my cellulitis diagnosed. I made the most delicious Coconut Poached Green Curry Salmon...David declared it a 5 star dish & one of the best things I've ever made. Farmers' market the weekend before Thanksgiving...sooo many pretty vegetables. Fancy probiotics David got me for taking with my antibiotic. 

 

Feeding Beatrice: A Gothic Tale

Dress: Gwyneth Maxi Dress by Raga (size L) via Nuuly

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Fluevog, Bellevues: Lottie Deno

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: former Etsy shop

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 38-32-45

Beautiful dress...a bit too tight on me though. I could understand the hip/belly area, but it was also pulling on the chest...which is unusual for me as I'm not big up top. I would give this maxi another try once my swelling goes down. 

This area is protected from too much wind...so there were still autumn leaves on the vines...so pretty.

These Fluevogs were a lovely accompaniment to this dress...& I believe this is my first time wearing them. 

I don't have much burgundy jewelry...but luckily what I do have is stunning. Kate got me this necklace years ago & I love it so much.

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Mildew; Sonic, Lucky, & Mildew eyeshadow from UD; MAC lipliner in Burgundy; Dubonnet Amplified lipstick by MAC; & Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics nail polish in Black Metal Dahlia. 

Look what came in the mail! All the way from Latvia. I'd had this Lisner set on my favorites list on Etsy years ago...then it sold & I was devastated...so I kept it on my list to remind me to search for it & it finally came up again! There was a much cheaper one available, but it had the matching pin instead of the bracelet & I wanted the bracelet. Since this dress was so tight, it was a one & done...I wore it to see Feeding Beatrice with David.

I was really looking forward to this Forward production...I mean, a gothic tale?! Great set...

Fabulous acting, but the plot was a bit silly & could have been much shorter. It was still a fun night out with my love. The next day...I was going to have my first lymphatic massage since getting them in Mexico. I was so excited to have found this woman in Middleton. Then, naked on the table, she noticed a spot underneath my left breast that concerned her & she asked me to get it checked out by my doctor...& reschedule my appointment. I got in with my primary the next day & she looked at that & other areas of my incisions that worried me. She told me they all looked to be healing normally. But then...I mentioned that my left arm had started hurting the day before...but I was sure it was just irritated from my compression sleeves. She immediately said, no...that's the beginning of cellulitis. She prescribed me antibiotics even though she was confident that my body would fight it off...I didn't want to take the chance it would get worse. SO glad I saw my doctor...also, made an appointment for a few days later so she could see how it was looking & have her nurse take out the few stitches I had.