The Real People Fashion Parade @ Santana Row -sandra mickanen imagining.. #fashion
my imagination does not need a long runway to take flight. case in point.. i was youtube watching the fendi, 2026 spring/summer fashion show which took place in milan
which took place indoors; which included many different models, but all models similar in height, weight, close in age; all with that signature, traditional way of walking the course of the runway
***
instantaneously my imagination premiers, on its unique to me inner mysterious movie screen:
a fashion parade at santana row in san jose. outdoors on a glorious december day. no cars on santana row for the duration of 'the real people fashion parade'
that is reserved for the parade..
the sidewalks are filled with people, the VIP tables outside restaurants on santana row reserved long in advance... as are the window views from inside restaurants.. families sitting along the curbs.. people staying in the apartments, hotels on santana row: out on their patios..
the real people in the fashion parade are just that; real people, who really shopped/purchased items from boutiques/stores on santana row; who love what they bought, feel they look great in it..
by default this includes many different people, ages, sizes, styles.. customers and employees...
every store gets represented in the parade.. banner (babes), precede each group of a dozen people, announcing the name of the store.. and brands represented..
everyone walks their own walk...
there is opportunity for clothes, mens, womens, childrens..
for accessories..
there has to be live music accompanying the real people fashion parade..
and they already do a spectacular job with landscaping, flowers, plants... to make it beautiful.
-top security is a must. can't have or enjoy anything if everyone is not safe.
but, yes..
i can see this! vividly.. and it accomplishes what you would hope it would accomplish..
lots of people traffic; a draw to the area (which would also feed into valley fair...)
which! can do the same thing, but indoors...
it increases awareness and sales.. it allows people to see styles, designs, colors on real people
it opens hearts, minds, ideas... it inspires!
*****
back in the day.. decades ago.. i might have seen this movie in my imagination and went knocking on doors at santana row trying to make it happen..
- magtimeframes.. saw it; collaborated; made it happen.. getting art on the walls at amelias..
-diapers to diapers.. saw it; collaborated; turned into a photography, poetry exhibit; fundraiser
-movers n shakers.. heard one song (fly..) collaborated, turned into a dance class
-sandyland comics.. got 1 vision.. collaborated, made 20 plus comic strips..
-the heart seen.. ricky picky... kissin the chocolate blues.. good neighbors holiday boutique.. eat, write & exercise..
long list.. the common denominator, is.. ONE vision, ONE song, ONE idea.. sometimes vivid; sometimes vague.. but i had to act on the inspiration.. and God seem to always place family, friends who would help support.. million "Thank You's!"
but, as it is not back in the day, it is 2025.. i'll just share the idea, and should anyone reading this be so inspired.. well, please place us on the invitation list.
our creative fulfillment comes from yard art now; hosting celebrations with family & friends.. participating as guests with family & friends, walks, hikes, bike rides, supporting our grandchildren at their activities.. enjoying retirement.. and as Christians, we also say, 'enjoying the life Jesus died for us to have'
hallelujah & amen!
#fashion
#reallifestyles
Grinchmas Bliss Nov/ December 2025 yard art by (sexy! & topps!) & (jerry heinrichs!) #bliss
so, our skeleton bliss yard art has been shape-shifted into grinch. as always, a great joy to play in the yard.. be outdoors, enjoy the sunshine, visit with passersby..
and, LOVE the cindy lou who and max art our artist friend jerry heinrichs contributed.. i mean,
so professional, gorgeous and high, high charm factor. "Thank You!!"
and, rather than write a poem, i, instead, designed a page, that had germane pictures and actual words from dr suess's original classic, the grinch who stole Christmas. [there are many nuanced incarnations]
*****
and, fun by day, -and, "Thank You!" to my (sexy) husband, lit up at night.
****
all of it, a "Thank You!" prayer..
hallelujah & amen
#bliss
cancer is physical & spiritual warfare -writeousmom, sandra mickanen sharing..
of course it's shocking; we don't plan for these battles..
long ago i began a 4 point prayer:
1. you are not alone. God is with you; in you.. [God is LOVE];
2. gratitude for ALL healthcare providers.. receptionist, insurance, to aides, to nurses, doctors, surgeons.. innovators of medicines, tools, machines... long list..
3. specific physical healing: in this case, utter removal & destruction of cancer in the breast
4. trust God; enter his rest [take care of your responsibilities, but cast your cares..]
****
spiritually~warfare~speaking: from a Christian perspective:
God desires you be healthy, happy, whole, peaceful, faith-filled, strong, courageous, encouraged, hopeful, confident, thankful, prayerful, tender-hearted, -awake to your blessings; and impervious to spiritual attacks of the enemy even as you walk through this health challenge. (God wants you victorious, powerful and free)
the enemy wants you ill, broken, discouraged, doubtful, disturbed, disquieted, chronically worried, weak, fearful, insecure, angry, with a distant, unbelieving and hardened heart.. (aka, strongholds/bondage)
in the good fight of faith; you must indeed fight..
JOHN 10:10 the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; God came that you might have LIFE! and have it to the full
2 Corinthians 10:4: For the weapons of our warfare are not [*exclusively] physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds.
physical/FLESH WAR: the cancer cells vs. chemo, radiation, surgery
INNER person/SPIRITUAL WAR: fear vs. FAITH & the power of LOVE
-winning glorifies God's name. LOVE conquers all.
God is on your side! as are all of us who LOVE you! marinate, marinate, marinate in all things and places and people, all books and movies and activities you LOVE...
selah! hallelujah! & amen..
* exclusively, my personal editing add in..
A very romantic and happy anniversary it was! ~the micks
"Thank You!" family & friends.. grateful to be remembered! Touched by your cards, texts, phone calls..
love you! xoxo
In Jesus name, hallelujah & amen!
USPS VICTIMIZED AGAIN
November 13, 2025
We know Mayor Matt Mahan is working tirelessly with the
ambitious goal of ‘ending the era of encampments’
Let us please add to that ambitious and noble goal:
ENDING
THE ERA OF FEARLESS, EMBOLDENED CRIMINALS.
On Monday, November 10th, 2025
Our mailman Keith shared his mail truck had been
VANDALIZED, LOCK BROKEN/REMOVED, MAIL STOLEN -just around the corner from our home.
on PIEDMONT AVENUE (heavy with
car traffic)
IN
BROAD DAYLIGHT -despite people traffic
and homes with cameras.
WHEN
ARE CAMERAS GOING TO PAY OFF? -they are
everywhere, but how often are they
RESULTING IN ‘CAUGHT & CONSEQUENCES’ -arrests and convictions
AN ENTIRE USPS MAILBOX was stolen right in front of the post
office itself! We now go inside the
building itself to send any mail. There
was a time this crime was unheard of! We
need to return to that time.
This
growing number of criminals, undeterred by daylight, witnesses, cameras;
Who steal
with obviously zero threat concerns
THAT
HAS GOT TO CHANGE.
In the short term, we need to make a very public display of
any/all criminals who are caught.
PUBLIC SAFETY AS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY is the only way
any city can thrive.
And for this reason, we close with repeating our choice for
next California Governor:
Chad Bianco
Robert & Sandra Mickanen
Berryessa Neighborhood, San Jose, California
cc: The White House
cause for recall indeed... dear lancome.. from (me & my mom)
different stores, different products; similar experience..
all my other lancome products still good and wonderful though.. toner, foundations..
selah! -who do we contact, specifically...
an extra special, very blessed & gorgeous day #vellumdays
all of it, our "Thank You!" prayer
LOVE! LOVE! my 1st free people purchase (me!) sandra mickanen #fashion
-a blend of old & new:
NEW: BLACK N WHITE STRIPED BLOUSE & under top
my first free people brand purchase for myself (have purchased as gifts for daughter(s).. -it had been picked up, moved, and was on a random rack inside the store; captured my attention.. love the style, the cut (longer in back) detail, color, -and then! when i tried it on.. my skin loves this fabric! love the look + wildly comfortable.. -was a had-to-have-it experience, but knew i'd want a splash of a contrasting fabric/color to peek out in the neckline..
smile because, free people brand is more expensive than some of the others.. i've always light-heartedly joked with my daughter(s), because they are already fans of free people
as long as you, yourself, don't go into debt to free other people...
anyway, i love it.. and found, what felt to me, like the perfect compliment to wear under.. BCBG brand.
BELT: new also, however, took away from look of the blouse.. so opted not to wear it.. did wear it on our recent date day.. and also, wore it over my BLASTERS sport team t-shirt and received a couple compliments.. i do LOVE this belt, and know i'll get a lot of use out of it.. -michael kors
OLD: the long black skirt, the boots.. i've had for years
EARRINGS -purchased some time ago in butte montana.. many people think the design is an oil drill rig; but it is actually a headframe, a symbol of butte's copper mining heydays..
SUPER MOM SOCKS: -can't see them, of course.. under my boots. however, i've had these socks.. for... a loooong time. very special. was gifted to me by my daughter, taryn, on a special mother/daughter shopping day in walnut creek. came in a pack of 3 different fun 'super mom' designs w/that theme packaging. attached to wonderful memories..
*****
and i LOVE that my husband will look first at what i'll be wearing, and choose something from his closet to compliment my look..
we light-heartedly say to each other, "cutest couple"
****
and turns out, the day ahead for us on this given day.. EXTRA, EXTRA SPECIAL, and! EXTRA, EXTRA BEAUTIFUL TOO
****
all of it is "THANK YOU!" PRAYER..
hallelujah & amen
#fashion
#magicofmacys
#freepeople
#dateday sexy & topps #fashion #santanarow -sandra mickanen sharing..
predator: badlands review by robert mickanen, a long time and big fan of the predator series.
great action, great graphics, loved it.. but you don't need to make the predator a hero. the predator is a villain. a creature.
-wouldn't make the creature from the black lagoon a hero.. werewolf or mummy heroes -they're creatures.
so grateful to live near santana row, and for how beautiful they decorate the whole area for the holidays.. all of it, our "Thank You!" prayer, all of it, tithing to places we love
hallelujah & amen
#fashion november 5th, 2025 -sandra mickanen sharing..
delighted to put away spring/summer clothes and pull out fall/winter.. everything i wore on nov 5th (save the decorated hose) has been in my closet for -several- years.. now
what i love & what i would (will) change:
i LOVE all the colors.. the browns/silvery~grays, blacks..
originally, was going to wear my silver cropped hoodie under the tan jacket, but chose my calvin klein blouse instead; specifically because those light, beautiful, pretty neckline, loose folded layers would look so nice peeking out from the jacket...
LOVE, like crazy LOVE, my hand knitted/crocheted (?) gray-ish scarf.. i love it for the warmth, the colors, for how it loops through to stay tucked on.. for how that bow area rests in the center.. but, mostly love it for its SIZE! i just want a little warmth, a little splash of color, a little fabric..
not a fan (currently) of scarves that take up your entire bodice area.. that wrap several times..
-just a hint of extra fabric and color.. i credited ruth from our former good neighbors holiday boutique days for making it; but learned it wasnt her.. not sure who it was; but someone from GNHB days.. and
"i still love & wear it! so THANK YOU!" -try to find others like it in retail stores with zero luck..
but if anyone reads this who can... wouldn't that be awesome. i'd love it in different colors; fabrics..
****
as you can see, i switched out my favorite purse.. tucked away the light blue one for next spring/summer and brought out the dark red one.. LOVE this purse! #magicofmacys -saw how they have it in tan and black now... perhaps a future purchase..
****
LOVE my skirt.. warm, thick, fabric with fringe.. have had it.. decades not just years.. but, i'd like the same one longer in length; if i had my druthers..
and the boots.. forever in my closet; they are, i know, outdated; but i havent had time.. and have had several unsuccessful attempts trying on boots.. no luck yet. i do like the texture, extra design elements, heel height.. maybe taller in length
****
but overall..
loving pulling things from closet and putting together something that speaks to my personal aesthetic value.. PLUS! i did a little shopping and excited to wear some new, very current pieces too.
****
yeah fall fashions!
#fashion
#magicofmacys
#reallifestyles
the life story of the clothes in your closet.. -sandra mickanen reporting.. #fashion
a sense of beauty - a documentary film by oscar de la renta
mesmerized by this documentary! and would love to learn even more about what goes into the fashions we see on the streets, in stores and on runways.
but to be sure - i had no idea how far reaching.. how many different creatives were involved.. how much collaboration; how many minds, hands.. machines; tools.. how many different businesses, across how many different countries, cities..
remarkable.
but hope and vote here for a part II. to learn/see:
quantities produced from given runway prototypes;
distribution/cost;
all the way to consumer making purchase;
and wearing in a real world situation/occasion..
the full, complete story; life span; conception to real world application of a few select textile pieces..
how many are made.. how is cut off determined? what happens with ones that dont sell.. process for making more of the same..
how difficult to recreate a specific outfit from years past..
****
also watched, very ralph.. enjoyed/learned.. inspiring... entrepreneurial spirit exemplified!
****
my heart, fashion-passion is less runway; and more street...
clothes that flatter the wearer no matter skin color/tone; age, height, weight, size, shape..
clothes appropriate to the occasion they are being worn..
clothes appropriate to the season.. to the climate
big on comfort..
when i watched the creatives use mannequins; and models (both always standing)
i do note a caveat for all fashion designers
-careful to also check, not just fabric/look/design aesthetics; but
well, i've had occasions trying on clothes in dressing rooms, also -always/exclusively standing
standing, looking in the mirror.. this covers look & fit fine,
but,
in the real world wear.. you sit, cross your legs, dance, use the restroom.. lift your arms.. bend..
lean over.. reach.. lift a child.. use stairs, get in and out of vehicles of different heights..
and i LOVE all clothes i can look good/feel good and move freely in..
one of my current FAV's is a spring/summer dkny dress -and what i wouldnt give for a fall/winter season, long sleeve version... the fabric is unbelievably comfortable; allows me to move freely in all settings; washes and travels well.. "THANK YOU!" "THANK YOU!" "THANK YOU!"
and will close /clothes.. with this wish/dream/hope/prayer..
currently, there are great styles available in fall/winter with long sleeves..
and what happens in spring/summer -sleeves disappear!
i get it, for sure,
but, i see so many instances and opportunities for fall/winter STYLES/LOOKS..
to be -repeated..
but using LIGHT WEIGHT AIRY fabrics..
and vice versa,
so many spring/summer STYLES..
where you can keep the style in fall/winter but use thick, warm fabrics..
****
all for now,
hallelujah & amen..
#fashion
VERY BRIEF REVISIT ON: the origin of everyday thoughts -sandra mickanen reporting
as i've already covered the topic, just jumping to:
where/how did these three thoughts originate?
i know, for one: i was watching devory darkins youtube show; i have a great deal of respect for this young man [husband, father, veteran...]
and i agree with much of what he has to say; however, we do part ways, on a grand canyon scale, when it comes to 'living wages'
and i've already covered it, so.. still know we can do much better; close that gap between highest paid/lowest paid employee when everyone is contributing to the success of..
it is gross to me.. highest paid, working for same company, has generational wealth, while the lowest paid contributor, can't put food on the table or send a kid to college or afford to do something fun for the family on a vacation they have over-earned..
and i still believe -we haven't found our best 'ism' yet.. capitalism may be better than communism, or socialism, or marxism
but we are far from 'done.' capitalism is far from perfect; it has its strengths and weaknesses; pros and cons -we need to continue with the strengths; address weaknesses; correct course on the cons..
part of the criteria has to be: the most people thrive.
/mention here how our current government shut down is shining a bright light on just how many people are living on welfare.. -too many!!
****
as for the where/why on the other thoughts i jotted down on post its..
not so certain: digital space is not infinite; physical space is...
my interpretation is that i've 'received' it.. and it is a topic i'm called to write about, -sometime.
****
same for the other: to write about 'tipping' and the 'impact' of $100
i.e., -as long as tipping is based on a % -wow! i can tip [tithe] big at our favorite local donut shop...
but for a relatively expensive special occasion dinner...
and isnt that interesting.. less you spend, more generous your tip can be [donut shop]; the more you spend; the more you're expected to spend on a tip.. [fancy restaurant]
i enjoy the opportunities to be a big tipper... tithe to local places we love
****
also,
fun thinking about $100.... how the very wealthy wouldn't even notice if $100 went missing...
that same $100 given to a single mom near Christmas time so she can get a gift for her child..
IMPACT! -enormous..
******
more later..
*****
but to clear my mind and write about fashion, i must close with this thought:
all these 'no king' protests, against trump.. but, if he were a king, or a dictator, and not a usa president..
the democrats would not be able to keep the government shut down ongoing.. a dictator dictates; and would not allow..
*****
more later
hallelujah & amen
"i did it!" -by faith; and not by sight -sandra mickanen
do want to briefly share, that last month, we
-we, as in my husband, who did all the driving..
we drove over 1500 miles.. which included A LOT of freeway driving.
i was in the front passenger side for all of it; beloved family in the back seats/car seat
but,
it is still true, i cannot look out the front windshield on a freeway.. without my brain/body reacting as if fatality is coming in under 3 seconds..
i experiment now and then; but have learned i just can't override that auto-reaction
however,
if i don't look out the front windshield
if i close my eyes, or keep my attention on making art, or playing word games on my phone, or organizing pictures on my phone..
if i tuck my whole body down in the seat, so that, with my eyes open, i don't have access to the view out of the front windshield,
applying this method allowed me to do, to participate in all the traveling we did; which allowed me to participate in all the family activities, -which has resulted in a ton of wonderful memories..
****
so, when i quote the scripture, about living by faith and not by sight..
but, isn't it odd.. it is exclusive to freeway driving
i can still drive off freeway fine; as a driver or a passenger..
****
do you think, that i think, i should spend any time, energy, effort trying to 'conquer' this issue i cannot override in my brain? -force myself to look out the windshield while on a freeway in hopes i become desensitized at some point...
i do not.
i found another way... by faith; and not by sight.
"Thank You Jesus!" hallelujah & amen
come on already! -sandra mickanen in progress
fine.
but if it's not afore, or atone, or adobe, or amole... or alone.. or above..
AHOLE?
i mean,
*****
oooohh!! good one.
can't happen soon enough -the micks
BiancoForGovernor.com
* of personal note: when i lived in pleasanton, ca.. a primarily republican city, in a democratic state..
i felt like the lone independent; with democratic leanings... and they need my perspective...
now living in san jose, a primarily democratic city within a (currently) democratic state; -formerly independent; now with republican leanings; less alone.. part of a swell...
and they need our perspective
****
my current political views and stances, however, are much more direct-life-experience informed..
****
and contributing to the swell; helping create it.. the current governor. he may single-handedly change california from blue to red.
****
selah! & amen
dont forget to thank robert mickanen! laughs (me!) sandra mickanen
so many fans, across all sports, share this experience..
my husband, -every time he paid attention to the game; the blue jays would do great..
when he left the room to attend to something else.. the dodgers would do great..
"i'm going to stop watching so they can win." (our son & daughter near L.A. are long time fans)
and he really did take a nap. fell asleep.. i could hear him snoring while i watched..
****
he also says, in the previous game.. the 18 innings one.. best thing he could have done was fall asleep in the 16th.
for the whole series; if he watched, dodgers lost; when he didn't they won.
so there you have it dodgers.. -you're welcome. /shesayswithasmile...
* and the most entertaining thing is this: it cannot be proven. can't prove that if he was watching they would have lost or vice versa. selah!
hallelujah & amen
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
.png)
.png)
