SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

giggle fits & fashion by (me!) sandra mickanen, topps, writeousmom

and neither my sister or daughter knew..  i had a back up pair of the exact same jean, 

so, the same look, the same expression a young person might demonstrate when they watch, for the first time, a magician pull a rabbit from a hat; or cut a woman in half, and then reveal her whole again..

that was the look i saw on their faces..  my sister and daughter;

when i left the room, having visibly wet my pants from laughing so hard..

but then returned to the room, quickly..  and had a brand new, dry, pair of the exact same pants on.

   -great thing to have locked in my memory..    and i don't remember our conversation.. what it was specifically that got me to laughing uncontrollably  /but now we know, the uncontrollably, refers to my bladder..   write.

****

anyway..   that's how i've been shopping for years:  when i do find something i like, that fits well, on my body, and for the occasion..   i like to get it in a few different colors.  -in this case, with the jeans, i just like them so well, i bought 2 of the exact same..    

when i started to see jean skirts coming back in fashion..  so instantaneously, i knew i wanted to ask lesa if she could convert  -one- of my jeans into a skirt..

and i am so utterly, completely, delighted with the result!   wear them both very often..  the jeans, and the skirt..

it is my experience almost every time i go shopping..  trying things on..   love the fabric; but not the way the design looks on me..     love the design, find it flattering; don't care for the fabric..

love the fabric, but...  if i could just.. tweak this, add that..

it's only pretty recently that i've come to know lesa, and learned all she can do..     and at a reasonable price.

and price is another huge factor for me.

i.e., i had cause to be at santana row yesterday, passed a vest in a window that caught my attention..  i walked past it, then doubled back to the store to, i don't know..  try it on..

but before i tried it on; i inquired about the price

this particular, darling vest, at a boutique on santana row...     over ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS!

now,  i knew i didn't even want to try it on.  period.   -art of immediate detachment..

another reason i love the magic of macys!   i might not find the identical vest..  but i can find a darling, fashionable vest..   and it's gonna be $60.   Sixty dollars..

Macy's is also in my financial lane, so to speak..

and the other thing I LOVE about MACYS..     -in many of these high end boutiques..   they are rather, age-specific, 

one boutique might have wonderful items for 40-something year olds.. but a different boutique for baby clothes, and a different boutique, if you are shopping for a teenager..   different for males & females, sometimes too..    and different for product;  this boutique for shoes; this boutique for sunglasses..

but MACYS!  i can enter the one store, at valley fair, for example, and shop for my grandson, niece, daughter, sister, mom, aunt..   dad, brother, son, uncle,   etc.     i can shop for socks, shoes, jewelry, dresses, lamps, candles..  sunglasses

no, wait..   they do separate women, and then a different location at same mall, for mens & home.

anyway, point being:  they are my genuine and true, one-stop-shop.   casual occasion, fancy/formal occasion..  active wear..    the variety and spectrum and price points are impressive!

      i do have one...  like, one macy thing that doesnt sit write with me, you know what i mean? and it is this:   TOYS R US,  -the real, authentic, TOYS R US stores from when i, and my children, were still children..  they were MASSIVE, MAGICAL, AWESOME, AMAZING! Imagine a Costco, but all toys!  and i was saddened when they shut down..  i didn't cry over it, but i was sad..  sentimental..  grateful they existed when they did, and glad that i, and my children, had that experience..    

 but then, fast-forward, how much time, not sure, but:  Macy's brought TOYS R US back..!

that's what the articles said..   with pictures of geoffrey the giraffe..    and i was so grateful to Macy's really..

until i saw...    inside an actual macy's store..   a pathetic few square feet dedicated to childrens toys on eye-level shelves, but with a bench in the area that had geoffrey the giraffe on it, for kids to take pictures with..

and i did see, when i was standing in line at the register..  i looked over and saw, what i'm guessing was a 4 year old, sitting on the bench next to geoffrey, having his picture taken..   smiling..

but inside my heart, mind, i was like..    what a joke.  -that's not the real geoffrey.. and this is NOTHING LIKE TOYS R US..     they're lying to you kid...

and i could go on, but you get the point..    i keep looking for an analogy..  and i think, 

yes, if you compare a little train ride offered at a park, to Disneyland..

that's a fair capture of the difference between toys-r'nt-us at macys, and TOYS R US, the original,  stand alone toy store

Macy's should call their toy section by an entirely different name.

***

where was i?  oh, yes..   so, Magic of Macy's..    love their selection..   appreciate their prices..

and now that i also have a friend, lesa, that i can share my alteration and embellishment visions with, who can make them come true..

shopping is even more fun!

which is exactly what i'm about to do today, with my mom and daughter..

***

hallelujah! selah! & amen!

#macys #fashion  

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:56 AM 0 comments

3 major northern california milestones for (me!) sandra

 -just felt pretty cool to me, personally..  that when we recently visited santa cruz beach boardwalk..  that, if i put the pix together, i have personally 'been there did that' for 3 major northern california milestones, and i like that they are 50, 75, then 100 year milestones.

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 12:58 PM 0 comments

#vellumdays -in progress..

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:53 AM 0 comments

JOY to the World... & Merry Christmas!

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:13 AM 0 comments

i LOVE youtube! (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom

will jump in here:  my writing to date will indicate, show, i have the desire, and will take the time to individually, privately & publicly, say "thank you!" to people i am grateful to; and for..

where this does not take place, is all the people..  MANY, MANY PEOPLE, on youtube, who have helped me accomplish this or that..

from putting in (assembly very much required); the 2nd ice-maker on our new refrigerator

to un-doing the -all-the-sudden-how-did-it-even-happen? switch on our jeeps odometer; which was miles, by default..  but,  -WTH-    was suddenly, unexpectedly, kilometers, or some other totally unfamiliar measurement system when we got in to drive for an errand one day..   both us, were like, "i didn't change it..  did you change it?"    -we still don't know how it changed.. just that it did, and we wanted to put it back to miles..       to look through the instructions book, and try to match our vocabulary with theirs..  search the index...   etc.,   -forget it.   but, hop on youtube.com, speak in your native tongue..   "how do we get our odometer for our jeep back to miles?"

and, you can choose from a variety of very kind people, who will "SHOW! & tell" how to fix it.

this is also, a dream come true!  a million answered prayers.. 

the community of youtube how-to people reminds me, reminds us, of everything that is write with the world!    -now, we share here:  shortest video is usually gonna win..     we just want to solve the problem..    so, "thank you!" for cutting to the chase.  you are an enormous blessing!

and, when i recently hand-created the state flower for every state in the USA..  for our yard art; i did know i wanted to paint foil as my medium for the sculpting itself; but i had no idea, for many of the flowers, like,  how to create them; capture the look.. the shape

"thank you!" again, because i could type in,  beginner, how to create a blue bonnet..   /and, i could usually find an example, using paper, not foil, but i could get the essence of what i needed to do..

i did not take the time to write down each persons name, document which video i clicked on and learned from..

    -by the way! i accidentally came across a 'history of my youtube visits'   -so, it is documented somewhere..    but, i wanted to devote my energy to the creative project at hand, and not to writing a review or personal "thank you!" to each and every person..    let this be it!  "thank you!"

i love youtube for its democracy!  -that is, for a large part of my life, tv & paper journalist were the gatekeepers, if you will..     if it wasnt there..  it wasnt at all.   youtube gave the everyday person a platform..   gave direct access to celebrities; not celebrities' through the filter of..    not politicians 'through the filter of..."   -direct access..

and, same for singers/song writers, actors, creators of so many types..   post it; yourself.  

love it, love it, love youtube for family videos!  a place family, from geographically separated places, can go and visit at will to enjoy & re-enjoy favorite family videos..

i love it, for its cloud.   -so, even if your original home pictures/videos are destroyed; lost; damaged; they can still be accessed.

i love it  -and [prisoner of hope] will have more of our family videos, edited, transferred, format-fixed.. and uploaded to..

we do not have youtube TV..  but we hear great things about..

and,  -the baby conversation videos, pet videos..  capturing the most engaging, entertaining, precious, sweet, touching, hilarious moments in people's lives..   

again, reminds me, reminds us..  of everything that's going write in the world..   

"thank you!"   we love & appreciate you!   everyone who contributes to the platform; everyone contributing to the valuable content on the platform..

hallelujah! selah! & amen! 

#youtube #gratitude #love

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:11 AM 0 comments

i L.O.V.E. writing! (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom

but i want to dedicate this post, to everyone who has a gift, a passion, a love..   a talent, an energy for;

but that gift/passion/love/talent/energy does not become your livelihood.    -so recently, rob carroll, spoke on this topic at park victoria church, milpitas

  -sharing how he draws, he is inspired to draw every! day!  and how he thought he would become a famous artist.. or, rather, make his livelihood as an artist by now.

i could so quickly, deeply, understand and relate to the message he shared.   and, will start by sharing just how blessed those people are!  the ones who can earn a living doing what they love..

but this post is for the rest of us:  those who have something they love to do  -which is a huge gift, all by itself!  but it does not evolve into, or translate into 'making a living'

i will point out first, and remind.. if you look at what it takes for a small city to function in a healthy, vibrant way..   if you itemized every job that needs to get done in order to...     there is no way you can live in a healthy, thriving,  -house, or city,  where every person is doing something they love to do

a wonderful life involves a great deal of unfun, grunt work; period.   so, the expectation that everyone should 'love' their job..   doesnt scale out

    [if the only thing about your job that you love, is the paycheck..  then love your paycheck and keep doing your job.     -if the only thing is the people, and not the paycheck... etc.    -find something to love about what you do...  that's my point]. 

i will also point out, how many times, over the decades, someone has had a love, a gift, a talent.. something that yielded great joy in their lives..  and then it did become a 'business', a livelihood..   and much of the joy was sucked out, for the sake of running a successful, profitable business

the number one thing i've witnessed:  creating an original; great joy of process... followed by, mass production, cloning, copying,   -which yields financial blessings  -exclusively.   but, if it is the creative process you enjoy..    

i.e.,  i painted a pretty picture, that i turned into a greeting card.   -the creating of [coming up with an idea, the actual painting, the color, the texture, the artistic, creative, stylistic decisions along the way.. using/choosing the paper, the type/color/blend of paint, the type of paintbrush..  all of it, a wonderful experience.   -but, the... now let's copy, duplicate, print, package, store, distribute, sell...    where you are no longer creating  -just copying..    tedious & boring  

anyway, 

i've witnessed the two primary directions people go, who have a gift, a joy! but that gift/joy do not become their livelihood

1.  they stop doing what they love, with some internal feeling of 'being a failure at..'

2.  they keep doing what they love, in their leisure time..    

and, i am quite convinced, by personal experience AND observation of others over several decades:  to keep doing what you love in your leisure is the wiser decision  -for you, for your family, your loved ones, your friends..  and to glorify God's name

   -my years on the planet, living, observing, have also introduced me to people who   -they literally, don't have a passion..  a thing they love to do

they'd give anything just to have something they love to do...

     /personally, i believe God gifts every single person with a thing they love to do, but you are responsible to discover what it is by putting yourself out there, and experimenting..

****

i have, from the womb, i believe, loved writing!  i just love it!  when all i had was pen and paper; pen and paper is what i used..       -fast forward to the blogosphere..

and, here is my favorite, the most wonderful, the thing i am the most enormously grateful for, when it comes to digital writing, vs. pen and paper

  -search-!  feature

if all i had were my pads of paper...   and i've filled in, and later burned more than i've kept:  but, it would be such a daunting process to go through, page by page..  word by word... sentence by sentence.. in order to find, 

i.e.,  i want to pull up my 3rd grade report card, write now..

if it were exclusively in a cabinet; paper files only..    that could take a chunk of time..

but "thank you so very much for my extermal memory, digital online blog storage with search feature.."

i can just type 3rd grade in the search bar, and...

awesome!

so, because i love to write..  always have, always will..  i did pursue it as a livelihood.   i pursued it as my livelihood for decades!  i went to college pursuing it..    i spent enormous amounts of time, developing my craft..  -perfecting it!  studying successful authors..   schooling myself.. practicing/improving..     i wrote for fun, i wrote for my college newspaper and magazine; i wrote for our local newspaper..   i read, read, read..   i  met countless authors i loved..  i networked..  i reached out to too many agents to ever count..

my lack of turning my love, writing, into a livelihood..   it has zero to do with lack of effort; or lack of talent/craft.

i don't remember exactly when i stopped all together, even pursuing..

   -NINE YEARS of reading and responding to leonard's blog  '21st century, 84 charing cross road!

got me nowhere..

my own blog..    got me nowhere..

i was all along personally, internally, CONVINCED, my autobiography, my memoir, belonged on the book store shelves write next to Dr Maya Angelou, Elizabeth Gilbert, Jeannette Walls, Anne Lamott...   

    /and have thoroughly read; seen speak, and have autographed/personally inscribed books by each author i just mentioned..

do you know, as i write this, december, 2024..  i cannot remember the last time i read a book; fell in love with the author; went to see them speak..   goal: picture and personally inscribed book for my collection

it was such a large part of my life for 2 or 3 decades;   -today. not at all really.

what has remained:  my joy! my love of writing!   i've never stopped for 2 reasons

1.  this blog; the blogosphere exists for me to write on/in..

2.  i love it

remember what i wrote a hundred years ago; it's true:

    we come to earth with instructions:

what we love to do, instructs us on what we are here to do;  and 

what suffering we endure; instructs us on who we are here to help.

****

if you have not yet discovered what you love to do..    it is a most worthy pursuit!

if you have discovered what you love to do..  and sometimes it is more than one thing!

    -keep doing it!

JOY! is God's gift to you...  you say "thank you!" by discovering..  and actually 'enjoying'

JOHN 15:11    These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full..

         /doesn't mention anything about,  profiting from/making a living at...

close with, 

encouragement:  keep doing what you love!   -for the exclusive reason, that you've been gifted to love it!   it will enrich the quality of your life!   when you are happy, enriched..   this is a boost to your immune system, it gives energy..   it naturally results in a positive energy and disposition that is contagious...

in spiritual warfare..   it is the obvious answer:  God wants you to experience JOY.    -the enemy wants to steal your joy and have you feel like a failure..   

JOHN 10:10

and, essence captured in that sweet sunday school song..  

"this little light of mine....     don't let satan blow it out, no! i'm gonna let it shine!" 

Glorify God's name..!     hallelujah! selah! amen!

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 12:01 PM 0 comments

I LOVE MUSIC! (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom

but i remember, i remember well! actually, thinking...  i don't want a radio dj to choose what songs i listen to when..    

so, platforms, like spotify and others..  where you choose your own songs..   dream come true.

it is very true about music in general, that the methods for listening, receiving, purchasing; how we access and get exposure to..     this has changed, evolved exponentially

but the importance of music in our lives,  to individuals.. to teens! especially, but to everyone; this is a constant.

   /don't you love when i use math terms, but its true..   method & access=variable; importance=constant.  -for all of humanity; for all of time.  different types.. same appreciation

the value!..

let's call it musical wisdom..  i've learned, from experience,  how to use music in my life to accomplish goals..   this music to get the house clean; that music for romance; this music to accompany a cultural dinner; that music to put my heart and mind at east; this music/lyric to capture the times; that music/lyric to validate my experience; this music to lift/inspire..  that music to dance the night away..

i use/choose music in my life very similar, i would say, to how soundtracks work for movies.

  i'm going to stay on topic and digress simultaneously..    our grandson, in a car seat..  the driving still to do; plenty..  and he was crying hard..   i put on you are my sunshine by christina perri, and you would have thought... i mean,  it worked like a toggle-crying-off switch. -so touching, it brought a tear or two..

precious.   and i put on some luther vandross..  when we were home; slow danced together...  and next thing you know..    i glanced down at his sweet, precious face..  i had danced him to sleep..    and, so touching again..  brought a tear or two..

powerful stuff; love & music; music & love..

like, sewing, mentioned in my recent post about my wedding dress..  [no talent/tools for sewing, but an imagination and ideas to request to someone who does]

i don't have the talent/tools.. but it is still an idea..  a dream..  a wish, a prayer:

that someone who does, and who can:  mix these two songs; merge them, fuse them:

what a wonderful world, by louis armstrong & wonderful world, by james morrison..

      ... and i think to myself...

                    ...and i know its a wonderful world but i can't feel it write now...

****

and on this topic:  fan of the voice..   and also recently watched voices of fire..

i want to give a shout-out here..   in a different but similar way, that poets can give a voice to the voiceless..

i want to give love & validation and appreciation to singers/songwriters/musicians who are not, also

   -public performers.   the talented, gifted, introverts.  God created you, gifted YOU! 

of course, i respect that when the goal is creating a choir that will travel and perform, you, of course need to select  -performers-

but, i want to remind, that when i'm cleaning the house and listening to music for energy; i'm doing just that LISTENING..  i'm not  -watching- a performance..   

when we are shopping, and music is piped in overhead..   we are LISTENING..  not -watching- a performance..

when we are watching a movie..  we are LISTENING to the soundtrack; not  -watching-  the people who made the music

when i am driving my jeep, my eyes are on the road..   i am LISTENING to music

i do not, personally, need or care about whether the person singing a song, or playing an instrument, can ham it up on the stage; it is not at all a requirement or necessity. 

the majority of music in my life is LISTENED to, not watched..

that said, i love a live concert!  and just finished watching MOTOWN Christmas  -a T.V. Christmas special..  of course, i love/value how the performers dress up, dance, look AND sing amazing on a stage for a tv VIEWING audience..

i just am inspired to make the point:  amazing, impactful music does not REQUIRE the gifted musician also be a tv 'personality' so to speak    [i did not show my grandson a music video, i just let him listen to.. you are my sunshine]

for me, music is about listening/experiencing first and foremost;  i do like when there is just a pix of the artist, a still shot, and not a video..   i don't care for or like watching music videos

just let me listen...   feel...

closing here with my 2025 personal anthem song:   power of love, by luther vandross

and re-mentioning my favorite Christmas song, as we are only 4 days away from celebrating the birth of Jesus..     Oh Holy Night, by Christina Aguilera 

and speaking of the birth of Jesus..

pretty funny skit on Nate Bargatze's Nashville Christmas TV Special...  "encore!"

hallelujah! selah! & amen!  

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:29 AM 0 comments

Wedding Reception... Mr & Mrs Mickanen family & friends

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 7:29 PM 0 comments

It's Official~Official. Our blessed, fun, wonderful wedding - 1month ago today! mr. & mrs mickanen

and start with a "thank you!" to my (our) daughter for creating, designing, ordering our wedding 'you're invited' invitations; and then a second round of 'excited you can join us' closer to the actual date, to people who rsvp'd yes.  we both positively love the artistic, stylistic choices and decisions you made..   the font choices, the wording, the placement..    as we are both artists too;  we appreciate what goes into...     LOVE! "Thank You!"     -framed treasured keepsake now...

*****

we are so grateful we had our wedding ceremony at  -our- church; park victoria church in milpitas.  -where, years ago, Robert taught youth Bible study; where they attended as a family, when his kids were young..    and the "HELP!" we received from Sharon...  enormously grateful (especially attaching those corsages and boutonnieres!, but so much more..); And David & Pahm & Simone..   our musicians + lighting + big screen/slideshow, "Thank You!"   -helping our vision manifest!

We had 3 songs at our Wedding Ceremony:  AS, by Stevie Wonder, which accompanied our slide-show.  Our slide-show, -only pix from the last 7 years, since we met; and with effort to include every guest at our wedding in at least 1 picture..        We have thousands of pix!  and grateful for each pix and the memory that goes with it..  but, wow to what it takes to edit!   

so, "thank you!" here to our daughter, Kassandra, who pretty much made the slide-show even possible.. we are not tech savvy, as you know..      You made it exactly what we wanted it to be!  And.. excellent professional photos!  gift of additional professional photos by a friend & peer, daniela harrington!  so grateful!   

2.  Down the aisle, by Patti Labelle & the Bluebells..      -Simone sang this..  and she knocked it out of the park!   -most grateful..    Pahm on piano... tremendous!  WOW really, to Pahm, David, & Simone. We are fans!  The musicianship we get to enjoy at Sunday services! on a variety of instruments..  the energy! the talent!  Pahm rocks as a drummer too!  David on guitar!  -honored you performed at our wedding.

3.  We Are Family, by Sister Sledge.  The perfect song, piped in overhead, to accompany ALL of our GUESTS, as they moved their way from their seats to the church stage for one of my husband Robert's famous and fun "group pix!"

*****

  Pastor Michael Denton!  -Friend of Roberts from earlier days at Park Victoria Church   -We cannot count the compliments we received..  how Pastor Michael Denton officiated our ceremony/vows with that magical and engaging blend of scripture, humor, and friendship history, personal connection..   and great pleasure to meet his beautiful wife, and portion of his gorgeous children..   love & "thank you!"

*****

 

never can "thank you!" to God enough for our family!

Robert & i asked our grown adult children, and grandsons to be 'our wedding party.'  Our love resulted in a blended family that gifted us, combined, with 3 awesome daughters, 2 awesome sons, 3 awesome grandsons (but 1 an infant and too young to ring-bear). Everyone said "Yes!" and we are enormously grateful..  We recognize that a Tuesday wedding..  and with your professions, travels, families..   but everyone made it happen!  so deeply love & "thank you!"  

and, for a wedding for a couple in their 50's/60's..   all the big, formal stuff...  not so much; and bachelor/bachelorette parties.. absolutely not. we have no interest. but we were able to have a 'girls day'  -me, wanting to thank and appreciate and spend time with my daughters..    my daughter taryn, maid of honor, rose & kassandra, bridesmaids.  the fun stuff:  manicures/pedicures; hair; lunch together..   and, i just love, for some reason, how 'i have one of each for my bridesmaids... a brunette, a blond and a red-head'   -fun.  and arent they gorgeous!   -my request as the bride, 'a fall color dress that you pick out, that you like on yourself'  and we treated.  L.O.V.E. their choices!

  

  i loved, loved, loved getting to have this special and fun time with the 3 of you! love you! "thank you!"  

and didn't our sons look extra handsome and so attractive!  and didn't our grandsons look adorably gorgeous!      delighted in seeing everyone all dressed up.   'you clean up nice!'  as the saying goes..

****

speaking of..   didn't our parents looks fantastic!

so grateful for their love & support!

  

and, extra "thank you!" Jesus for the answered prayer, that my Dad, having so recently been in the hospital;  and extra "thank you!" Chris,     -he was there to give me away...   father of the bride...    and, fun fact..  he is going to be father of the bride 2 more times, with both of my sisters getting married in the coming year(s).

*****

let's start talkin' wedding decor, shall we:    -not by request, but from her own, creative, talented, generous heart and spirit, my amazing and dear fashion-model friend [and scientist!], she created this L.O.V.E. display.   SO BEAUTIFUL! each letter masterfully collaged, and vase hand-embellished..  AND! not only did she display it at park victoria church for our ceremony; she even RELOCATED IT! to el torito for our reception!  this added so much artistic elegance and beauty to our wedding day...  plus she gifted us the colorful balloon bouquet!  love & "thank you!" 

*****

our wedding became a very solid reason for me to just get to create stuff!  [legitimate excuse!]

our background at park victoria church was going to be 4 wooden pallets:  2, 8ftx4ft & 2, 6ftx4ft.

and i did some brief online research, and WOW to how beautiful and inspiring so many of the different ways people use these to create on for special occasions..  amazing!   but again, with so many choices, process of elimination becomes crucial..

i also had to factor in: we'd display it ourselves, the evening before.  -transportation..

we both wanted it to be quick n' easy..  not have too much to work with, organize, place, secure, etc.

easy up; easy take-down..

and i did want the decorations to be reflective of us, as a couple..

so, i did some math  (yes.. that's write.. me, math..); and i realized if i decorated 6 3ft x 3ft canvases..  this would fill in the space fairly equally; and meet the easy up/easy take down criteria

plus!   "empty canvases!"  yahooooo

all mixed media; all created outdoors in our backyard on beautiful sun-shiny days..

1. w/cross, of course! to capture our faith: Christianity.    

2.  bicycle theme, because it is one of our favorite things to do as a couple; bike, sight-see & picnic  

3.  'everlasting'  which represents our love for one another and God..  'walking in eternity together  

4.  football theme, because that is large part of our personal joy.. NFL fans..  and fellowship..  parties... 5&6, i used two canvases to create one heart...      

                  loved working on each one; very pleased with result.

****

also, our choice for a wedding favor:  tambourines!  we had tambourines handed out by our grandsons to each guest prior to sitting down for our ceremony.  this was quite specifically so they could tap on their tambourines; make some joyful noise, sing along to AS by Stevie Wonder, while watching our brief slide-show to begin our ceremony.   Remember how everything is an empty canvas for me..

naturally i had to decorate!  and used canva to customize, personalize, design, and then vinyl sticker paper to create this:

with some select lyrics, and a thank you to our guests with wedding date/info on the back.   -great joy to create and pleased with result.

ALSO..    turns out we would need name place cards for seating at el torito  -and this was also a great joy for me to create and design.  no two exactly alike...  love the vinyl sticker paper!  placed it on magnets, set them in the cutest little heart shape holders..     delighted!   -p.s. also used canva to create a seating chart to give to the  (exceptional!) manager, Dee, to clearly show what name(s) at what tables..  worked out great!

 

and, the canvases, the tambourines, the name cards..   it is a joy for me to do myself...

what i can't do, is SEW.

i do have a creative imagination when it comes to what i'd like to see, clothes-wise, done to improve, embellish, convert, a given top, pants, skirt, etc.

but i have zero gifting or tools/resources for sewing...     that is why i am extra, extra, grateful for LESA!   -originally introduced to me via my mother-in-law, and now a friend..  with a wonderful talent!

love the question:  what does a 58 year old bride wear for her wedding?    love the answer:  whatever she wants!

again, process of elimination..   saving the formal, white for younger generation, first time weddings..

my criteria, while shopping was this:  something comfortable.  i want to be able to walk around, hug people, sit down, stand up, hold my grandson...   i knew i wanted floor length, personal taste...  i knew i wanted, off-the-shoulder/personal taste...   i did not at first know i wanted something

light-weight!  until i tried on several different dresses, and some of them weighed so much with the beading, fabric..

so,  light-weight became a criteria..     something flattering...    something sparkly...

and the dress i ultimately chose..  it met so many, but not every single one of my criteria..

i really loved the layers!  light-weight layers..   

so, easily...  because i know lesa..

so easily, i could look in the mirror and see...  if we add some sparkle... if we add some flowers around the neck line...  if we add some sleeves..

and so, love & "thank you!" here to lesa for helping make my wedding dress dreams come true!  i found a sparkly fabric to lay-over, just the front side of the dress...   each layer; and it matched, like perfectly!  and i just selected a few different color fabric flowers to add along the neckline, in addition to the few already on the dress..

she used the sparkly fabric to also make some sleeves..       very pleased with the result!   i was so comfortable..  but the dress still felt and looked wedding-ish to me..   -special.

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FLOWERS!  fresh flowers..   no secret how much i LOVE...     we went minimalist here, and our only flowers were the bouquets for maid-of-honor; bridesmaides; bride   -corsages/boutonnieres for our parents.. and my best aunt ever

 

each bouquet was its own kind of beautiful!  such pretty fall colors..    blessed to have our wedding, reception and florist, all in milpitas:  marleigh's floral design..   love & "thank you!"

****

RECEPTION: El Torito, Milpitas:  -also can't thank the manager Dee, or her staff and team enough for the incredible above and beyond service!  attention to detail..   wonderful logistics...  added touches, that all combined, helped make our reception a great experience for our family & friends      love & "thank you!"

5 star! all the way

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 6:09 PM 0 comments