Farmers' Market // Elkhorn Antique Flea // Driving to the U.P.

Dress: Geometric Print Smocked Waist Fit & Flare Dress by London Times (size XL) via Gwynnie Bee

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Dansko

All Jewelry: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

 Stats: 5'7" 40-37-53

Great fitting bright fun dress...I always adore a smocked waist because of how it conforms to your body & highlights its shape. I liked the various shades of pink with the seafoam green & small bits of black, yellow, & white...too pink for me to own, so it's a perfect rental dress. 

After just a few photos, the camera battery died...I hadn't been keeping an eye on it, so totally my fault. We had to do iPhone shots, so only the first picture is with our Nikon. You can see what a difference a professional camera makes. 

Trying to bring out all the colors with bracelets...

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Love Drug, Lime Crime eyeshadow palette, Mood lipliner from Becca, Santorini lipstick by Ofra, Big Bang lipstick by UD, & Morgan Taylor nail polish in I'm From The Fuchsia. 

I first wore this dress to work & the Wednesday farmers' market, where I bought myself a bouquet of flowers...

I also wore it again to Saturday market with Kate...& went to several Asian grocery stores looking for the brand of red curry paste we like so I could make a big batch of Thai Spicy Peanut Sauce. 

I roasted some veggies for dinner to have with the sauce...then we froze the rest for future use. I wore this dress a third time to go to Elkhorn Antique Flea Market with David. That red claw thing is a cranberry picker, which we didn't buy...I just thought it was neat. 

Gorgeous barware & 2 big heavy metal tables...one for David's shop & the other for a coffee table in the Wreck Room. 

This took maximum effort to get in the truck & I'm not quite sure how David managed this on his own. A pretty hanging lamp for the Wreck Room. This Disney school bus was my lunch box when I was in kindergarten. 

Another hanging lamp for the basement & a filing cabinet for my craft room. After much walking around...lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Elkhorn...with a pitcher of mango margarita to share. 

Yum!

Viktor parked outside full of our finds. Back at home...we got this huge trough for planting herbs in the front yard & another metal sink for flowers. 

Organizer for David's shop, glass grape dish for the dining room, pickle jar from a movie theatre, & yet another hanging lamp for the basement...I've always loved these oil rain lamps...my grandma had one in her basement. We found one several years back, but it is missing the bottom decorative piece...now we have a complete one. 

Some frames for framing art, a book for David's dad, & another photo of the green hanging light. We didn't find as much stuff as usual on this trip...& it was the first time we got no jewelry or purses for me. Oh, well...there's one more. 

The final time I wore this dress was to drive to the U.P. to visit Brian. After getting gas at Costco, I realized I forgot to bring water...like they don't sell water up there? Traditional welcome to Munising meal made by Brian's lovely mom...pasties! Served with coleslaw & some chocolate peanut butter bars. Perfect. 

 

Nude Lips

Dress: Abstract Print Midi Dress by Robbie Bee (size 1x) via Gwynnie Bee

Teggings: Re/Dress

Sandals: Born

Earring: Wendy Baker

Necklace: Colleen Toland

Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 40-37-53

I'm not sure what I was thinking with this boring dress...I think it was the pleats that got me? I would say it runs tts...this one was big on me because it didn't come in a smaller size. It's fine, just not my thing. 

This was my first time wearing these Born sandals I found on Poshmark...I like them...a nice true bright red. 

I could use a matching red Colleen Toland earring. The most interesting thing about this outfit is me going outside my comfort zone with my make-up...nude lips! And a classic smoky eye with black liner. I couldn't bring myself to do nude nails...I already did a version of that. 

My make-up with outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Perversion; Harlow, Lash Line, & Crease eyeshadow by Natasha Denona; Dirty Little Secret Cosmetics lipliner in Pale Pink; Yucca & Chai lipstick from Bite Beauty; & OPI nail polish in Red Heads Ahead. 

I wore this dress to work once & took photos of it on that day. New Fluevogs from Poshmark & my August Boxy Charm. 

 

The Psychedelic Furs // Frank Catalano // Mint Mark // Hamilton

Dress: Tilda Wrap Dress by Free People (size XL) via Nuuly

Tank Top: Denise Cruz (size L), thrifted

Sandals: Born

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Green Goddess Vintage

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 40-37-53

Gorgeous dress in a different colorway than the one I previously wore & loved. I *think* I am more smitten with the burgundy/peach version, but...it's SO close...I mean, I adore the warm brown & black of this one too. I felt stunning in both of them. The only thing I would change is...I wish it were a true wrap. 

I found this pretty black lace tank at Goodwill...or Vinny's. I'm all stocked up now on tanks that fit me because these 2 maxis required them. 

I bought this darling necklace from Gayle at Green Goddess because of the copper metal with black beads, but it has never been quite the right necklace...until now. Also, I forgot to take photos of the make-up I wore with this.  

I first wore this outfit to see The Psychedelic Furs (second time) with X opening. X was full of energy & fun to see live. 

Richard Butler came out on stage looking fab, as always...but he's beginning to resemble Barry Manilow. He & the rest of the band put on a great show & his voice is as wonderful as ever. 

I wore this a second time to go to The Shitty Barn to see Frank Catalano. This was his 3rd time at the barn & I've been to all 3 shows. This was his first time without Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins drummer). 

The barn at Twilight. I bought some vinyl from Frank & he is just such a nice midwestern boy...so friendly. 

My final time wearing this outfit was to go out to dinner with David at Mint Mark, followed by my seeing Hamilton. It was a glorious day outside & our dinner was spontaneous...we showed up at just the right time to be seated without reservations or a wait (5 o'clock on a Thursday). Our first 2 cocktails were some of their rotating drafts...for David, Sangrita, which is currently mango, Thai chili, green coriander...sooo good. I had a Walnut Rum Punch (Plantation dark rum, Grand Marnier, homemade coconut strawberry shrub, lime juice, house made noceto). The artistry of craft cocktails astounds me...& Mint Mark always gets it right. 

You know I can't say no to deviled eggs (miso, creme friache, smoked trout roe, crispy shallot)...these would fit in nicely on Heritage Tavern's assorted egg platter...high praise. I need to up my deviled egg game at home. Pizzette (Juliette tomato, garlic, mozzarella, basil)...really perfect little pizza...that dough was delightful. And the surprise hit of the evening that I ordered just because I was in the mood for a cheeseburger (cheddar, caramelized onions, fancy sauce, pickles, fries)...best version of a smash burger that I've ever tasted. We (David) may have ordered a second one. 

Cavatelli (sweet corn, fermented blueberry, ricotta salata)...this was one of my favorite dishes & the only one David didn't care for...more for meeeeee. It tasted like late summer. Beef Tartare (top round, dark cherry sofrito, pickled onion, horseradish, house made chips). We love tartare, but this one lacked punch...it needed some acid & crunch. It was fine, just not exciting. David holding an Island in the Sun (Hamilton Neisson Agricole, Plantation OFTD, Brovo chocolate liqueur, strawberry shrub, orgeat, lime, house-made coffee bitters, pebble ice)...this was everything David loves in a drink, however, he did not love it. 

Next up for me, Rise & Rind (watermelon infused Roku gin, Tattersall creme de fleur, mint, lime, pink peppercorn). This was my favorite cocktail of the night. David with Spruced Up & Currant (Sovero Blanco tequila, bitter spruce tip & hop liqueur, black currant, lime, lemon). We typically don't do dessert...but we couldn't pass up tasting their version of Basque Cake (blueberry, whipped creme fraiche)...not as good as Estrelleon's was, but a great version nonetheless. 

My final cocktail, Koala Tail (El Buho mezcal, Tattersall bitter orange, eucalyptus syrup, lemon). I've had this one before...it's a good sipping drink. David ordered another Spruced Up & Currant...you can guess what his favorite drink was. This was a lovely relaxing meal. 

After dinner, David dropped me off at The Overture Center & made me squeal with laughter as he screeched off in Veronika, causing diners on the street to make disapproving noises. CocoVaa had a little pop-up in the lobby...& I'd been meaning to taste their chocolate's for years. I bought a box of Caramel Sassy Cows & a box of summer bonbons. 

Front row center, just where I like to be...& the advantage of only needing one ticket. I had no leg room as I was pressed up against the orchestra pit, but I didn't mind. 

I was on the verge of tears & outright crying during the majority of Hamilton...& that is what I adore about live performances, especially when I get to sit in the front row. And...I had the perfect view of the musicians & the conductor. 

I broke out the caramels at intermission...yum. I would definitely make the trip to her shop to choose my own box & to see all her offerings. The two flavors that stood out to me were lemon & rhubarb with something. I love that her chocolate fillings change with the seasons. 

 

Purple Polka Dots

Dress: Lavander Polka Dot Brittany Dress by Leota (size XL) via Gwynnie Bee

Teggings: Re/Dress

Shoes: 9 West, thrifted 

Earring & Necklace: Wendy Baker

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 40-37-53

Great fit & length on this dress...& I adore polka dots...it was just too pastel for me. The fabric on this was thinner & clinger than most Leota dresses. I liked how the waist was banded & the gathers under the breasts...although looking at this on the GB site just now...the waist was supposed to be ruched...mine did not naturally lay that way...so I guess I was supposed to do that? Oops. 

I do enjoy purple & yellow together...so that is what I did. I didn't put a lot of thought into the styling as I didn't love the dress & just wore it to work a few times. 

Another fabulous Wendy creation...I adore these bubble necklaces, but they are too big on me & are in the hands of Wendy right now being sized down & adding a bit on the back that allows it to be clasped at different lengths. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Purple Blaze, Huda Beauty Amethyst Obsessions eyeshadow palette, Grape lipliner by MAC, UD lipstick in Mad & Flashback, & OPI nail polish in Next Stop...The Bikini Zone. 

Do I need new shoes? The answer is always yes...a woman can never have too many shoes. But they should fit & the majority of them should be comfortable. I couldn't resist these red leopard heels on Poshmark...I'd had my eye on them for a while, but the seller rejected my offer...then a few months later offered them to me for what I wanted to pay. I get the best deals on there...& I also sell & am willing to say yes to reasonable bids...I'm just trying to get rid of stuff. Golabki (stuffed cabbage rolls) I made back in March...emptying the freezer. Check out my eyelashes...I have NEVER had such luscious lashes in my life. A few months ago (on the recommendation of my hairdresser), I started using Grande Lash MD. To be honest, I wasn't super optimistic that it would work for me...but it did! Luckily, they sell it at the beauty supply & I've kept my license active, so I can buy it at 1/2 price...but it is worth every penny they ask for. Milkweed on our walk to work...Kate ID-ed it for me. I thought it looked like prickly pickles.
More new shoes from Poshmark...some Fluevogs & much needed navy shoes. More shoe stretching to make these Fluevogs fit. I love them so much, but have never been able to wear them. And a few bags David picked up for me at his weekly trip to Vinny's. I'd use the blue one for the beach...although I'm not sure that will happen again this year. The colors & 70s pattern on that other purse, very me.