My Side Work

Just recently, I decided to turn one of my hobbies into a somewhat "professional" side job. In this decision (read: talking myself into it and getting over the fear of it), I felt that it was something to make a little money and, more importantly, a way to hone my skill. I specialize in pencil (graphite) portraits. I find myself fascinated by drawing the little details. I LOVE drawing ears, and I LOVE how the eyes really breathe life into the portrait. So, I've been a little busy. Surprisingly so. And, for the most part, it's all been word of mouth. I do a portrait for one person, then someone sees that portrait and contacts me. It's been pretty steady :)

Look at that messy mirror :/ It was a hot day and I felt that I was having a unusually good hair day. I HAD to document it.

I found my way back....

Whoops! I didn't intend to have such a pause.... We just got back from a rather busy (for us) weekend. We attended my friends' wedding reception, and decided to take the entire weekend off to enjoy and relax.

Thursday was our 1 year anniversary of when we started "officially" dating, and I believe it's the day we made it "Facebook Official."  (slight cringe on my part because saying that makes me feel like I'm back in middle school, or that to announce it on Facebook somehow makes it more real....)

Anyway.....since we are getting married soon, we chose not to do any gift exchange. But, the Man surprised me with taking me to restaurant with one of my *favorite* foods: SUSHI!

We sat at the Habatchi. And he put on a little show for 2. I will admit that he did seem rather....jaded? by the job, but we enjoyed it, regardless.

In turn with his little surprise, I also surprised him with a little something

I found a little notebook, originally for writing music, for us to write little love notes back and forth to each other. I wrote him a little message and since it was our anniversary, I wrote out 52 reasons I love him.

On Friday, it was off to my parents' house, a 2 hour drive for us. It's mostly a country drive and the weather was perfect. It made us long to go on a road trip again.

I had my hair in curlers and tied it all up with a scarf.

He never just lets me take a picture of him, he has to make that face!

*gratuitous selfie*

Our little dancing skeleton

Once at my parents', we all piled in the car and headed to my work for Fish Fry. In Wisconsin, it's expected for restaurants to have a Friday Night Fish Fry. It's a tradition. It's delicious.

The MUST drink: Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet

I think my mom knew her picture was being taken....

We went back home and played the dice game 10,000. The Man came from behind and won the first game....I didn't win any....

Then it was off to the wedding reception, which was in a different town 40 miles away.

 

We found the perfect place to stay:

ugh....no make up....

An apple and zip ties...curious...

 And of course, we immediately bought beer.

Then it was off to the reception, that was at a police station...even curiouser...

Out in the parking lot trying to smoke a cigar with the boys...you can see how well it went...

Ok, I'll just pose, like a turd.

I had to do an impromptu speech. I was told I did well. I also had to sing a karaoke song. I was told I did well, I don't believe them....

The dress I wore for the reception is from Trashy Diva. I picked it up on our road trip this summer. I can't recall the name for the print, but it is a 1940's cut.

Oops, I forgot I'm almost 30.....

....and I shouldn't be delusional enough to think that I can still drink like I'm 21.  This hangover business is BUNK! BUNK I SAY! I was innocently looking to have a relaxed good time with the Man and now I am punished with a 2 day hangover! All because I'm getting older....boo.

Dry rolled my hair last night, so this is what I was sporting while knocking back the gin & tonics.

My 1990 Sturgis t-shirt that he hates and I love

Anyway, we tried to be productive today. Run to the bank, look for a tux/suit, get food into our bellies. Here's a pathetic OOTD and shot of my hair:

We're getting married in Vegas in 8 or so months and beginning to look for our attire. There's a place in town, Mike Bjorn's, that has vintage and all around wacky suits, jackets and tuxes, so we figured to head there first.

Lots of taxidermy :/. And suits if you were to be in a do-wop band. All very stage-worthy, but not wedding material. (pun intended)

I need to go back to bed.

I Jinxed It

Well....everyone can rest easy and know that I am, in fact, the one to blame for the heatwave. I wrote a couple of days early, exclaiming that it's been a mild summer and now the weather gods have punished us all.....sorry.

Now, I know that according to this map, it looks as though Wisconsin is only in the 90's (hahaha...only). HOWEVER, when we add humidity to the equation, the whole thing is turned on it's head! Today's "feels like" forecast was 103! ANNDDD humid!!!

Sooo....with all that said, we were rather sluggish. We cruised around in the convertible, attempting to beat the heat, stopped at St. Vincent de Paul's where the Man had a successful shopping trip and then headed to Tenuta's to grab some paninis and tomato salad. Hot, humid weather calls for no-muss, no-fuss outfits.

I swear, one of these days I'll get pictures that are in focus....I'm cursed.

 The top is a mens' small work shirt that has be worn in to perfection. It's nice and airy and light and oh-so-cozy. The bottoms are stretchy leggings from ages ago that I don't know how I feel about walking around in public. They are VERY form fitting, but the Man likes 'em, so I'm learning to like them. The shoes, of course, have to be the unpractical element. Wooden wedges that make me feel like a fancy housewife who has nothing better to do than smoke cigarettes while reading Cosmo.

Hair and make up-wise, I pulled my hair back into a sloppy french twist and then rolled my fringe. Up and off my face, nice and easy. No eyeliner, no bronzer, just a little blush, mascara and bright pink lipstick to distract and pull the whole thing together.

Top: Men's Wedgefield, thrifted

Capris: Label long gone, Forever 21

Sandals: Nine West, thrifted

Non Events

It's been a lazy summer...and I don't know how I feel about that. It's what summers are for, right? To lay back and put your feet up. Yet, I can't help feeling like I should be more productive. We do have many projects on our plate, of which I'll get to another day.

In the meantime, here's a pitiful OOTD:

Last minute, the Man and I decided to go out for drinks and enjoy the warm night. It being so last minute, I decided I didn't want to do my hair, and just pinned up my fringe. I did get a compliment on my hair....though not the kind I was looking for. I was told it was very "beachy," but, I'll take it.

Top: Light Blue Seersucker Blouse, made by me ('40's repro pattern)

Pants: Gap Jean Capris purchased years ago

Shoes: Mia wedges purchased at Goodwill

Purse: Vintage, from Mom. Tag reads "Made in Hong Kong"