SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

Public "Thank You!" to Ginger L Stache from (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom

GingerLStache.com

hallelujah & amen!

REAL * LIFE * STYLES: 7/17/2025 Santana Row, San Jose, California #fashion

that's my plan.. show you what i'm wearing.. take 3 to 5 pix of people where i am; on any given day..

having so much fun! all JOY!

#fashion

amen & amen.

BEEN LAID OFF, FIRED or LET GO? my dad's loving & pragmatic advice... and, #fashion

if you watch this circa 1996 youtube video.. you will see i definitely went shopping, and i can guess, i went to stoneridge mall in pleasanton [nordstrom (former employee) closed a while ago; the mall's days are numbered... ]

highest chance: magic of macy's.. on credit. the goal: to look nice, to look professional for my very 1st of 10 toastmaster speeches..

i think the outfit.. flowy vanilla colored pants, navy w/vanilla trim top.. the detail of cute buttons on the sleeves and on the top.. the over-sized collar.. i did feel good in it..

but it does have to be seen in the context of its time; fashion has a shelf life and expiration dates..

anyway.. my speech includes my 'laid off' story.. and unlike the layoffs i read about in the news.. almost everyday.. lots in the tech industry.. all those government employees..

unlike the ones i read about today.. i received no severance.. had nothing in savings.. was living,

if not cash advance to cash advance.. pay check to pay check..

and if you don't have the time or inclination to watch the 5 minute video, i will cut to the chase on my dad's loving and pragmatic advice to me during my 'laid off' crisis

it is perfect for everyone, of any age, in any industry or circumstance i would say, and it goes like this:

paraphrase

you are not the first person to ever be laid off, and you are not the last. take yourself out for a nice steak dinner

and tomorrow...

start looking for a job.

*****

what was my very next job? can't remember... but i did find one. "Thank You Dad! Love You!"

wait, wait, wait... i do remember my very next job! fun story actually, because..

when i gave that speech about losing my job.. one of my pleasanton toastmaster peers who was listening/evaluating my speech, sue, -susan.. suzanne.. she took me aside after the meeting and mentioned the company she was working for.. they were hiring salespeople..

that connection resulted in me becoming an office supplies & furniture salesperson! and i'll stop there, but.. my office supplies/furniture sales position resulted in my next marriage... wild looking back, it really is..

pix: surprised me w/roses on my bday @ alden lane nursery

****

hallelujah & amen.

Magic of Macy's... "Thank You!" GFFS ... and, "idea!" from (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom #fashion

the INC dress i found/purchased that same day, before meeting the two of you. i love it! comfortable & flattering.. got thumbs up from my husband too.. several pieces in my closet w/that fabric! that fabric.. maybe #1 in my topps 3 favorites..

then met you two, and..

honestly, honestly.. love! -already had the hat, sunglasses, shoes, long sleeve mesh top.. added the darling and fun denim vest ( "thank you jenn"), and the ultra comfortable, stylish shorts ("thank you rhonda!" )

i could go on and on about POCKET PLACEMENT.. the short of it is this: it is glorious when the pockets are placed so that you can just, in a relaxed and comfortable manner, slip your hands in.. rest them there.. -natural movement.. fashion ergonomics... not have to awkwardly bend your wrist and twist your elbow, and lift-scrunch your shoulders.. say amen if you know what i mean..

it can absolutely be a determining factor for me -can i naturally place my hands in the pockets.. whether it be shorts, jeans, skirt, jacket/coat.. WOW when pockets are write!

darn it! cute jeans, pretty coat..

unfortunate pocket placement.

BUT LOOKIE HERE: PERFECT POCKET PLACEMENT! so.. rhonda, those shorts you suggested for me.. LOVE! i could handle if the waist was 1" smaller, and the length was 1" longer. -but i will get a lot of use out of these shorts!

and rhonda, guess what..

i'm going to namedrop here: esperanza. xoxo

salon magician extraordinaire!

and jenn.. positively love the denim vest! unique cut/design, comfortable..

but share here how my 1st question to you was, "what do you wear under it?"

and you said, "nothing." with the most sincere smile..

now i knew write away, that i would be wearing something underneath..

but, my daughter.. she could rock the vest as a top..

turns out it is something i have in common with so many of my beautiful mom friends..

we all,

and may i say here, i am not bragging or exaggerating, just sharing the truth:

we all, like, have, -the most gorgeous daughters!! [and most attractive, handsome sons!].

and so often, i see outfits that are similar.. that could be similar..

younger daughter version

mom/grandma version..

where the changes are mostly, lengths, fits, layers..

i.e., this cropped hoodie for the younger ones.. same hoodie with longer length for the seasoned..

this silver, pinstriped, fitted, cropped hoodie is one of my favorite, favorite things in my closet.

i hate that it's cropped. NEVER wear it by itself exactly because it is cropped (longer wasnt offered) my daughter, our daughters.. they wear and look great in cropped tops and hoodies! high school to college to young professional..

but even with waist high jeans.. -not for me.

i only, exclusively wear it UNDER [remember my imaginary under/over, longer/shorter boutique];

i exclusively wear it UNDER the jacket in the picture.. /jacket has unfortunate pocket placement, but.. love everything else about it,

anyway, -because i only wear my favorite silver fitted hoodie under that specific jacket.. i purchased -after market- so to speak,

new, fun, pull strings. removed the originals, and maneuvered in a more creative color/texture/design to coordinate with the jacket. L.O.V.E.

in fact, with my daughters help.. i purchased several new, sparkling, fun pull strings; removed originals and replaced with fun new.. #fashion

which brings me to my idea! of the mother/daughter fashion show! -similar items.. but,

the young, gorgeous daughter look... where there is in general, just ... less... less length on skirts, cropped tops.. less layers.. sleeveless.. backless.. etc.

but then, maybe similar textiles, with -more... more under, more over.. longer..

sleeveless version (daughter) 3/4 mesh sleeve version.. (mom/grandma)

backless version w/cute cut & straps.. (daughter)

full back coverage... (mom/grandma)

as i've mentioned... my imagination is always...

love, gratitude, blessings

#macys

#fashion

#mother/daughterfashions

Just B Wear -fashion for writers.. from (me!) 2014 archives #fashion

ive been saying/writing "entering the world of fashion in 2025" like its my first time, as if i'm a novice or something, when, as you can see, i have a long history having fun with fashions..

and see those pajama bottom animal print pants... CH's to a very, part scary, part entertaining memory..

love.

hallelujah & amen.

#encore! from (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom

Iconics LIVE @ Mr Mojitos in San Jose! (micks! & wilsons!) and #fashion

our yard art has helped us meet so many people we would otherwise never meet.. some time ago, a passerby stopped to talk with us out front.. during the conversation -who knows how- but my husband and i mentioned loving live music..

the passerby then, -shares that he is in a band! we learn his name is tom... he lives walking distance away from us.. he's a drummer for the iconics... and he said we could find their calendar of events on facebook, but..

we don't have facebook. -we asked if he would bring a schedule by.. and "Thank You!" very much, because not only did we get to see the iconics live.. a new-to-us band..

but at a venue that we probably would never have visited without the iconics playing there..

and we love your band! and we love the venue! and we loved meeting your family too!

win/win/win...

but since 2025 is all about fashion for me.. shall we:

look at my beautiful friend 'awesome elva!' green tank, beautiful accessories, glamourous hat!

and i was comfortable hitting the dance floor in my floral mesh amazon top.. white large cuff steve madden jeans (macys); and my dansko's.. (nordstroms)

but the really fun fashion talk took place in the womens restroom..

it was while i was actually in my own stall with the door closed but my ears open..

i overheard these ladies.. how do you get your top to stay off your shoulders.. mine always slips back up..

and i was like, through the door... don't go anywhere.. i want in on this conversation... wait for me.

-and they did... and we talked about macys, nordstrom, calvin klein.. /one of the ladies worked for...

and i shared my recent swimsuit rant.. and one lady was about to travel and loved the other ladies outfit.. wish i could wear something like that to...

and she said, i'm the type that would just give this to you... do you want it for your trip?

and, one lady shared about being a breast cancer survivor.. -round of hugs.

and we just chatted up a fashion storm without ever leaving the restroom..

and they seemed really curious about my courage tattoo what does it mean? i've never seen anyone have a tattoo on their face!

and ultimately, we all exchanged some high fives.. trust me here: no one makes it to their 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and beyond without courage. just showing up and knowing how, and being willing to still have fun is deserving of immediate and mutual respect.

and i may never see any one of these beautiful women again.. but we connected via fashion.. and they let me take their picture.. -see how different each outfit is.. each look. each hairstyle.. each sandal..

one of the blessings of getting older is that -along the way- you experiment, experiment.. and find what YOU like on YOU.. you get your very own style & vibe going on in collaboration with what's available to choose from.

"Thank You Fun Fashionable Ladies!"

we had such a wonderful evening... so much fun.

****

will just close by sharing how my husband and i, -we got a laugh out of identifying the different seasons of our life..

in our individual youths.. we danced from 9pm to 2am.. and still went to work ~~the next,~~ -that day.

when we met, in our 50's, at barones in pleasanton, music under the stars: 5pm-10pm..

now, 60-ish.. at mr mojitos in san jose.. 6pm-9pm...

and we are fulfilled. "cheers! & amen!" #vellumdays

two favorite words: champagne & party! thesip.com #vellumdays

did you say champagne? and party...

RSVP YES!

& extra special because it was valerie's birthday.. her and karl hosted a magnificent dinner, with inspiration from their membership with thesip.com

the founders are friends of their daughters.. and inspiring to learn about these best friend, slash, entrepreneurs..

there should be an award for those whose livelihoods combine work & pleasure.. "cheers!" that

***

but yes, altogether lovely.. valerie's charcuterie, fresh fish, spinach, salad.. the wonderful variety of bubbly.. some beautiful wines.. a lemon dump cake dessert.. everyone loved everything! and a wonderful friendship visit in their beautiful home around the dinner table, and then outdoors as the evening continued in their beautiful backyard..

blessed evening.. great memory! fun friends..

hallelujah & amen..

#vellumdays

speaking of fashion & the Magic of Macys.. meet my new GFFS (jenn! & rhonda!)

Public "Thank You's!" to Magic of Macy's, Jenn & Rhonda!

My new GFFS = God Fairy Fashion Sisters.

i was just shy of leaving with a few items i loved, and spotted a woman in front of me on the escalator.

love your skirt.. i said with a smile.

and i know sooner got the compliment out, than she was grabbing me by the hand and walking me to the section of the store that carried that very skirt! on sale! and she didn't stop until she found my size!

you have to have it.. she told me. regular $70, on sale for $20... i didn't get it myself until it was on sale.. and shared how many compliments she got earlier in the day.. how she had already helped 4 other women before me find and purchase it.

cannot ask for better customer service than that! loved her write away.. and she grabbed a couple other fun pieces for me to try on, and we chit-chatted about her outfit.. darling person, inside/outside, head to "look at those shoes!"

/ended up purchasing a pair of those too, in a different color.

anyway, she introduced me to her peer, the beautiful personal stylist, rhonda.. who brought me to the 'fancy' dressing room, brought me some water... hung up some wonderful selections for me to try..

macy's has really bumped up the service! and found exceptional sales, customer service stylists too.

gotta say, jenn & rhonda set me up perfect! with sizes, styles i love, and -within my budget..

we connected through conversations on a 'friendship' level, not just customer/salesperson..

i shared how i am entering in the world of fashion... becoming more fashion-conscious.. paying more attention, etc... student learning...

and of course! love sharing i'm a 2nd generation Magic of Macy's shopper.. how 80% of everything from my clothes, to my shoes, to my make-up, to my jewelry is from Macy's.. and love sharing how my dad used to be a buyer for Macy's.. and after he retired.. Santa for Macy's..

and who better to share all that information with! -so, by the time i did head back home, i had a pair of shorts (non-denim), cute vests, the black skirt, shoes, a dress to wear for my sister's upcoming dinner rehearsal and a dress for her wedding [my husband's look color coordinating with mine]. and 2 new GFFS..

DRESS FOR MY SISTER'S WEDDING!! let's hop, skip, jump to my favorite, favorite, dress designer

adrianna papell! -remember i am writer first and foremost.. and so, what happened is that, i grabbed dozens of dresses.. DOZENS.. and i load up my arms, and then just spend an hour in the dressing room..

when i grab the dresses to try on, it is based on a fabric, a style, a color, a look.. curious what this or that will look like on me, vs. on the hanger..

anyway.. i really do not pay attention to the label itself unless i like how it actually fits.

over and over, process of elimination.. many no's..

but it seemed like every time i did like a dress, did like its fit & feel and look.. i would then glance at the label, and be like,

adrianna papell again! until, sometime i didn't even have to guess.. i knew..

this is going to be adrianna papell.. and sure enough! so naturally, i wanted to write her a letter..

and that's when i came to understand how mislead and disappointed all those women felt, back in the day, who wrote their hearts out to betty crocker.. sang her praises, asked her questions.. handwriting long letters..

later learning: there is no actual betty crocker. it's just a brand name.

-k, -same.

there is no actual adrianna papell. -closest i could come is the CCO of.. Jaynee Berkman.

anyway, anyway.. i will be wearing an adrianna papell dress to my sister's wedding. it will be outdoors, and maybe in the high 80's.. i fell deeply in love with the fabric first & foremost.. and then the cut, style, length, feel... & look once i tried it on.

on to the joy of accessorizing...

but, for the casual.. putting this $15 floral amazon find, together with the $20 on sale cute black skirt jenn is wearing in collage above.. layer w/cute vest.. & new shoes.. looking forward to it!

TBC.

interview with the darling and beautiful fashions-on-the-street videographer: DV (double vanilla!)

me: what are you doing here? shouldn't you be in the streets of New York, Milan, Paris.. Miami?

dv: "hi stunning woman.. (giggle), heard you are entering the world of fashion this year.. thought i'd come see what you are wearing on a random monday afternoon... let's start with your glasses.. where did you get those?"

me: dollar store.

dv: and the necklace?

me: oh! gift from my husband our 1st Christmas together.. wear it everyday..

dv: it's very pretty, and your top..

me: fanatics.. got matching ones, husband/wife. we're big football fans..

dv: that's amazing.. your shorts?

me: not sure... but they were jeans and i just turned them into shorts recently with some kitchen scissors..

dv: ok.. and what about those.. shoes?

me: oh yes, these are solfish.. great mall in milpitas.. some swim shop..

and the socks were a gift from my sister..

dv: and what about that bag? is that new season?

me: vintage cost-co.. you can find them year round..

dv: and what about that anklet..

me: mother/daughter shopping trip in texas...

dv: and, what is your favorite piece you are wearing today? if you had to choose one..

me: ... of course, my necklace...

dv: and can you tell me what inspires your fashions; how you pull a look together..

me: my fashion is very place/activity inspired.. and climate.. today, for example, i'm home, indoors, and will be deep cleaning bathrooms, so the comfortable clothes and water shoes are very helpful!

dv: thank you for the interview

me: i just started watching your videos.. you are darling! kind.. with a great eye, fashion industry knowledge and perfect personality for what you are doing! would love for you to meet my friend and neighbor, fancy nancy.. you could do an entire hour of just her fashions on any given day, in any given month.. you'd LOVE everything.. she is so gifted at layering! & accessorizing!

dv: thank you.. keep me posted on your experiences in fashion too..

me: "Thank You!" i'm all about MoM.. Magic of Macy's....

*****

doublevanilla.com

#fashion

amen & amen

****

Double Vanilla

Tue, Jul 15, 8:01 PM (12 hours ago)

to me

Aw thank you

DV

On Tue, Jul 15, 2025 at 12:08 PM Sandra Mickanen <writeousmom.com@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi DV, My name is Sandra Mickanen. I live in San Jose, California. I am just now.. age 59, entering into the 'world of fashion'

just posted my imaginary interview with you, and hope:
1) it brings you joy/makes you laugh
2) you visit fancy nancy link within the post. even with all you see.. she will still delightfully surprise & impress and & inspire you! -promise.

easy to see you are absolutely doing what you were put on earth to do! fulfilling a destiny.. beautiful to witness the passion/knowledge you have for the industry, and the kind heart with which you interview people.

keep up the great work! ~being you.

Blessings, Sandra Mickanen, literary & mixed media artist

Call for couple-line dance Choreographers -from (me!) robert mickanen's wifey, topps, writeousmom

follow along, k

-at our recent visit to solis winery w/friends -dancing to live music by the wonderful dustflower band out of morgan hill area..

one of the dances that brought several people to the dance floor was the popular line dance: the cupid shuffle

and when you learn them; and can remember them, and most importantly, follow along,

these are wonderful fun, community dances.. LOVE 'EM. and they get a great response.

****

AND so,

i almost always clean to music.. and today i was drinkin' my morning coffee out of my 'wifey' mug; gift from our wedding,

and the 'wifey' song came on; wifey by next.

positively LOVE this song.. sweet lyrics, excellent dance beat..

*****

that got me to thinkin' how cool it would be if NEXT would do as bryson bernard (aka cupid) did for the cupid shuffle..

create/choreograph an easy-to-follow along dance -for couples!- to do together

to the song WIFEY!

****

my imagination is always..

and so, i can see it.. clearly.. when different bands, at different venues, cover the 'wifey' song,

rather than attract individuals to do a line dance..

it attracts 'couples' of all ages, -a special song/dance set aside for couples, where the singles yield the floor..

****

don't have time, or i would do it myself.. /shesayswithasmile..

****

in any case "Thank You!" NEXT, for a great! romantic, upbeat, love affirming, super cool song that is irresistibly danceable

***

helps with energy for cleaning too... which p.s., how fun is this.. there is a song on my playlist too, called...

Classic by MKTO.. great dance song! and in it.. in the lyrics they say, ".... girl, you're topps!"

and it makes me smile so big..

***

hallelujah & amen.

****

#Behold! God is always doing new things..

hallelujah & amen

Laughing at Monsters (me!) sandra mickanen, topps, writeousmom

i do see plenty of skits in my imagination; mini sit-coms..

and my ability to see the one i did while watching this episode of the munsters..

i can finally laugh

****

the way this episode unfolds, lily starts 'sneaking around'

-grandpa makes herman extra suspicious.. and they plan to start spying on lily.

the entire storyline is based around the fear of infidelity.. herman suspecting lily is 'cheating on him'

****

and now that's a very real concern and pain for too many people.. isn't it.

turns out in this episode lily is only sneaking off to secretly work to help with the family's finances because she was lead to believe herman was broke.. but he didn't want to admit it.

****

what got me laughing, is that.. when i remembered..

well,

when i thought about how awful that entire experience is! in real life, when you think the person you love and trust is cheating on you..

and then i flashed back to my very real life; very real 1st husband.. and the very real way i was 'sneaking around'

and how -if he was suspicious.. if he thought.. the worst! that i was hiding behind his back, and when he left for work,

i left for.... some other man's house and bed.

****

if he ever thought or suspected that, i do not know. we never talked about it.

***

but when he did pretend he forgot his keys, and walked back in our apartment unexpectedly..

and he 'caught me'

it was not with another man.

it was with a bag of hostess cupcakes.

*****

and that is very funny to me write now.... like, hilarious! funny..

****

i was always sneaking off to that hostess discount bakery store... every chance i got.

****

Jesus! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.. that is so funny 40 years later isn't it.

**** yes, per the packaging; let's file this under snack classics. love it.

hallelujah & amen.

#hostess

SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

Friday, July 18, 2025

Public "Thank You!" to Ginger L Stache from (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom

REAL * LIFE * STYLES: 7/17/2025 Santana Row, San Jose, California #fashion

BEEN LAID OFF, FIRED or LET GO? my dad's loving & pragmatic advice... and, #fashion

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Magic of Macy's... "Thank You!" GFFS ... and, "idea!" from (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom #fashion

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Just B Wear -fashion for writers.. from (me!) 2014 archives #fashion

#encore! from (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Iconics LIVE @ Mr Mojitos in San Jose! (micks! & wilsons!) and #fashion

two favorite words: champagne & party! thesip.com #vellumdays

speaking of fashion & the Magic of Macys.. meet my new GFFS (jenn! & rhonda!)

interview with the darling and beautiful fashions-on-the-street videographer: DV (double vanilla!)

Double Vanilla

Monday, July 14, 2025

Call for couple-line dance Choreographers -from (me!) robert mickanen's wifey, topps, writeousmom

Sunday, July 13, 2025

#Behold! God is always doing new things..

Friday, July 11, 2025

Laughing at Monsters (me!) sandra mickanen, topps, writeousmom

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