I got the blues

…Only not really.

I had a piece of song lyrics stuck in my head, as I set out to write this post. I THOUGHT it was “Mama, I got the blues,” but I could have been mistaken. LOOKS like it was from Bon Jovi’s “Love for Sale.” Just added it to my How’s My Hair? playlist. Fun stuff.

(Incidentally, while I don’t know how relevant the reference is to ANYONE these days, the “How’s My Hair?” thing is a throwback to a repeat gag from a comedy show we used to watch when I was growing up. I want to say the star was Gary something or other, and the show was named for him. But Google isn’t helping.)

Been wearing a lot of blue lately. Recycled a look two days in a row, but with a jacket on day two and different shoes. But I have been having a TON of fun with my duochrome makeup, pairing the shadows with the lip colors.

Although I guess it is fair to say I was in an AWFUL mood for a fair amount of yesterday, mostly because I was feeling tired and burned out. So, I dolled up more than usual, to try and motivate myself to get up and out. But a friend stopped in to see me, and that helped enormously.

Then, I was cranky for a bit when I got back home. Watched more Wednesday, and edited Mystery Train, into the wee hours. Somehow, I was arrogant enough to think I could get through the WHOLE manuscript before bed. HA! It’s over 200 pages. Yeah, that didn’t happen. I am, however, making good progress. And taking notes for more global changes after a first pass through the whole thing.

So… blue look, day one:

That was the way I styled the look for work. With my striped shoes, which are kinda brownish or beige and white/cream.

Little dark and out of focus, but I wore those bracelets both days, albeit in a slightly different arrangement today. Two strands of skulls. One faux-turquoise, the other black and white. And I had worn the teal-ish dreamcatcher earrings my friend Neva made.

I felt very hippie/boho.

Star from The Lost Boys probably would have approved of the jewelry.

I had to talk myself into layering the necklaces like I did, but I think I’m pretty happy with how they combine. My first thought was that maybe it was too funky of a look for work. But what the heck? It was fun.

Day two:

TODAY, I had the day off, and by sheer coincidence, a former coworker of mine from TWO different jobs (I had no idea he worked at the second one until I had started), was playing at a nearby bar and grill. I decided, hey, I haven’t seen him in YEARS! Could be fun to say hello, and see what he sounds like onstage, in person. I think I’d watched a video clip at some point, but that was it.

I’m so glad I dolled up twice. BECAUSE I got compliments from TWO female members of the waitstaff. Which reminded me of that whole thing I saw online somewhere, about how women get dressed up “for her,” meaning for any “her,” for each other, because it’s other women who will really appreciate the effort.

One of them complimented my jacket, then my makeup, and said I looked “so pretty!”

Our server, after we settled up, said she really liked the look I had today, how it all matched.

And I had a delightful walleye po’ boy, with sweet potato fries.

And dude recognized me while he was onstage, but he had sunglasses on, dark ones, so I wasn’t sure if he was talking to me, or someone else.

But on a break, he came over, and offered me a hug. We caught up a little and reminisced. He had asked if it was coincidence that I just happened to be there, and I said no, I saw your post about it, and thought I’d come check it out and say hello.

It’s so amazing to see people who knew you when you were young. That first job we shared, I’m pretty sure he wasn’t working there in the beginning. But I started at only 18 or 19 years old. So, it’s been a hot minute!

Then, someone ELSE came up to the table and said he also hadn’t wanted to interrupt dinner, and introduced himself, and started to say where I had known him from, but I answered before he had the chance, because I’d made the connection. He said he’d recognized me, too! Guy from the other job Mike and I had shared.

My mom is so funny. She later told my dad that I had “all kinds of men grabbing (me).” Literally one side-hug. And he’s MARRIED and has a family. Jeez mom. And my dad asked, “And no one grabbed you?” She told him no, and he said my mom and I ought to go back to get our money back.

But it was so great to be remembered, and acknowledged.

Apart from that, another former coworker who I’m friends with on Instagram, recently told me my look was “giving Robert Smith,” lead singer of The Cure. DAMN was I happy with that! I do enjoy poofing out my hair. All leave-in conditioner, and water. No product. It’s still “in recovery.” My poor hair.

After we wrapped up at the bar and grill (my mom didn’t want to stay for the rest of the set, but it was kinda loud for her, and not really her kinda music… Sublime and such), I asked if she wanted to check out the AMAZING soap sale at Bath and Body Works. Lowest price of the season, and today was the last day.

Foaming hand soaps $2.95.

My PLAN going in was to just buy one soap, since I am a little low on them, and it’s a great deal. But at the same time, I am trying to be a bit more frugal, saving up to spoil kiddo with adventures and restaurant food, in October.

THEN they tell me Halloween is half off.

I asked if that included the Halloween Wallflower plugs. EVERYTHING on the Halloween tables was included. And that Wallflower plug I had wanted started out full price at like $40, which I had been very hesitant to spend, even if I really really wanted it. But for $20? Not too shabby!

So:

That’s the soap I picked out, since I didn’t have that fragrance yet in body wash or body mist, and thought it smelled nice when I sprayed one of the samplers. (I also earned a free body care item today and didn’t spend that, so I may go back for body wash or body mist of this one… if I wait ’til after payday, I could do one of each and just get one free).

AND… after a LOT of deliberation over the past several weeks since I had first seen all the Halloween Wallflower plugs and was SO TORN over which one I would get, I picked out this one:

I took the pic in the dark so you could see all the shapes it projects. But I think it’s supposed to be a little Halloween candy shop. Now, I suppose, I will need one for Christmas/Yule/Winter. Even if I think that may have been when my Emily in Paris one originally released. I got it late in the season, on clearance.

We’ll see.

Yes, maybe I should have denied myself the Wallflower plug. But… LOOK AT HOW COOL IT IS!

Then, after a thorough debriefing about our adventures with my dad, and having given Happy the cat his proper share of adoration, I came home. And here we are.

Turns out today is Black Cat Appreciation Day.

I’m glad I got to see him, on his special day.

I didn’t see all the alerts about the date until after I got home, however, so I didn’t take any pics of him, today. BUT, here is the pic of him I shared on Facebook, from back when he lived with me. He’s such a pretty boy. So, yeah. There’s my day/weekend. Probably gonna stream some Wednesday, and do some editing. Snuggle your kitties, if you got ’em!