Crazy Little Thing Called Love . . .

Once Upon a Time ...

. . . there were two kidz named Paul and Jen. They met in college, dated, fell in love, got engaged and got married! And as it turns out, their wedding plans were a little bit Wacky!



Never mind that they set the big date for Friday the 13th. Happily, there was no bad luck involved. In fact, Friday was sandwiched between a day that was uncomfortably hot and one that was 24 hours of a damp, cold drizzle.

Hurray! The day of the wedding turned out to be almost perfect! 



No disco balls at the Reception! This effect was caused by the tiny crystals on Jen's dress.



So what was a bit Wacky and a whole lotta fun about the much anticipated nuptials?

Baseball!   They both love baseball - particularily their home team, the St. Louis Cardinals!



Reception Guest table

One of the things these kidz have in common turned into the theme of their wedding. I was relieved that they didn't go over-the-top with baseball shaped invitations or feel driven to have a Cardinal-shaped cake, complete with red frosting.  But they definitely had fun with it!

Take a look at their day:

Pregame ...



Bridesmaid and Mom helping out Paul with some dressing details

Jen and bridesmaids had hair & makeup done in-home

Top of the First . . .

Pre-Wedding photographs taken of the Bridal Party at Kiener Plaza - Nobody got wet!

Bottom of the 3rd . . .

 Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team - I can only wonder what the fee was for this!!!

Paul remains good friends with a pal from college who is a Chicago Cubs Fan.

She was one of his Groomsmen ... Wacky!?!

Ah ... Young Love in the Special-Seating Section :D

Cardinal Jerseys - Notice the numbers #5 & #13 for May 13th

~ Guests signed these jerseys at the Reception instead of a traditional Guest Book ~

7th Inning Stretch . . .

Pre-Ceremony Family photo taken outside of The Jewel Box

Pre-Ceremony photo taken inside The Jewel Box

Bottom of the 9th . . .

Parents of the Groom at Ceremony - Could I LOOK any happier???

The Kiss

Newlyweds immediately after vows

Extra Innings . . .

The Reception took place in downtown St. Louis at this Historical Site

Best Man makes a heartfelt Roast ... errr, I mean TOAST!!!

 I loved this cake! It gave the illusion of the upper layer floating atop the flowers.

The newlyweds honeymooned in Florida - Indian Shores on the Gulf .

Lucky ducks have a friend with a father who owns a beach front condo!

And so, Paul & Jen ... may you live happily ever after,

forever enjoying that Crazy Little Thing Called Love!

A production of 'Too Cool Shoes'



Your Son Is Getting Married WHEN???





Oh well, it's only a number!


I'm pretty excited! My son, Paul, is getting married in just over a week, and that will be here before I know it!!! I adore his fiance, Jen. She's a gal after my own heart ... ducks all in a row, the model of efficiency complete with a bit of an over-the-top love of organization and lists. And you all know how I love organization and lists!

The only thing I can't quite figure out is how she and Paul picked the date. I mean Friday is getting to be a more popular day to get hitched, as the competition for the coolest venues becomes more and more fierce. In order to avoid a waiting list of a couple of years or so at the Jewel Box, they gave the thumbs up to a Friday evening wedding.



Engagement photos at Faust Park



But here's the rub ... I know it's only a number, but that number is thirteen . . . 

As in Friday the 13th.  Yes folks, I know it's hard to believe, but Friday - May13th is the day of the wedding.  The day my only child marries a young woman my husband and I are just crazy about. You heard me right - defying convention, and possibly all common sense, they signed up to tie the knot on what is considered the unluckiest day of the year!!!

That being said, gaining your sympathy isn't why I'm writing this post!

I can admit, that although I don't truly believe Friday the 13th is a scourge upon us, it makes me a little nervous. I sort of think of it as the one day of the year Murphy's Law is in full force . . . "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong"!

As Mother of the Groom, we all know I'm suppose to look fantastic. And we also know that I'm in direct competition with the Mother of the Bride ... a distict disadvantage for me due to the fact that the bride is way more important than the groom! Therefore, the M-of-the-B is in an elevated position right from the get-go.

PLEASE TAKE THIS POLL!

So let's get down to it, people! I'm going to post a photo of what the M-of-the-B is wearing and another of what I've chosen, and you won't know which is which. They are completely different - like day and night, hot and cold, boys and girls.  I'm convinced that the direction I decided to go is the one that's right for me, my own personal style . . . . . . .  well, almost convinced!

Please take a sec and vote for the outfit you think is right for me. You'll have to look past the young, tall skinny models and think of a not so young, 5'4" semi-slender woman. But I know you can do it!


And what if the vote doesn't go my way? Well, I've still got a week to re-evalute and SHOP!


Which Style for Jill?

~ Style A ~



~ Style B ~



Thank you! I'll let you know the results very soon :D



Obsession Confession . . .

Nope . . . It's NOT All About the Jewelry!!!



This Booklet was included in each doll's box along with her stand, black heels and sunglasses

I confess . . . I like to collect things.

Not everything, like hoarders do, but when I really, really like something I want to collect it. And I want to collect a whole lot of it!  That's probably why I own a pretty significant selection of preccious metals, high quality gemstones, vintage beads and hand torched lampwork from a wide assortment of talented glass artisans. While technically a business, I know that it looks suspiciously like a collection to my husband.  Nope . . . It's NOT All About the Jewelry.



The inspiration for Barbie was a German doll called Bild Lilli, based on the comic-strip character Lilli.



On to my Obsession: I LOVE VINTAGE BARBIE!

To me, it's not about the doll ... it's about the CLOTHES & ACCESSORIES. This outfit is made of silk taffeta!



I love the way the vintage Barbie booklets resembled haute couture designer sketches


. . . and up until about five years ago, I was pretty much obsessed with collecting said doll, along with her miniature haute couture wardrobe manufactured by Mattel between 1959 and 1972. I no longer actively collect, but after ten years of doing so, I have quite a hifalutin collection, if I do say so myself. I hope you'll enjoy a few examples seen below.



Just as she came off the toy store shelf in 1961 - Mint condition with orginal box

Now it's only my opinion, but I'm pretty darn sure that Barbie was the first Super Model! What's my proof? When launched in 1959, she was marketed as a "Teen-age Fashion Model". Now she's a lot more famous (and wholesome) than Janice Dickinson, and I'll put her up against even Cindy Crawford's longevity any day. Case Closed.

 



One of the most sought after vintage outfits includes a politically incorrect, REAL fur stole



Items that are unused and in original condition are called NRFB - Never Removed From Box



The first bubblecut hairstyle was released in 1961

When launched in 1959, Barbie wore a black and white zebra striped swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail, and was available as either a blonde or brunette. A mint example still in its original condition with box can sell for $10,000.        ... BTW, I don't own one !!!



1960 Ponytail wearing "Busy Morning"



This doll is considered Rare with her near-white Patinum hair and amazing white lips!



I must let it be known that I Do Not Love Pink. I don't even LIKE it all that much.

The real reason for my obsession was the wardrobe. That spectacular, haute couture-inspired ever changing reflection of American fashion. Tiny zippers that really worked, fabrics like silk, satin, linen, taffeta and even chiffon. Didn't exactly make much sense for a child's toy . . .



This gown is made from satin and chiffon ... for a CHILD'S toy! What were they thinking???

Equally amazing were the accessories. The miniature cats eye glasses with working hinges have always impressed me the most, but Barbie's jewelry was nothing to sneeze at - pearl studs and gold hoop earrings, a pearl choker, pearl pendant on the tiniest chain I've ever seen, and a gold charm bracelet.



Barbie really knew how to dress back in the day! Nowadays ... not so much.



Barbie is a fashion icon with the most detailed wardrobe ever made for a doll. 



Don't forget, Barbie was billed as a teenage fashion model. Notice the short, bob hairstyle of 1965-66



1966 Barbie with a longer bob hairstyle and high-color makeup is highly coveted!

Anyhow, it's something I adore, and just wanted to share a bit with you ...



Barbie's Iconic Cats-eye Sunglasses



NOBODY LIKES A TEASE . . .

Unless It's a Brain Teaser!!!

Do not try to figure this out!

No matter how smart you are,

No matter how long you think about it,

Or how many dictionaries you consult . . .

There is no way you're gonna get it!  But here you go - 

What common nine letter word is still a word when each of the nine letters is removed one-by-one?

Each time you remove a letter, it still remains a word. From nine letters, all the way down to a single remaining letter!

So take a few minutes to try and come up with a nine letter word that fits the bill, then scroll down for the answer. Or just go ahead and scroll down - because it's just never gonna happen . . .



The word is   * startling *

 

 

Now take away the letter in red, and you're left with the new word . . .

 

startling = starting

 

starting = staring

 

staring = string

 

string = sting

 

sting = sing

 

sing = sin

 

sin = in

 

in = i

 

 

Pretty cool, huh?

 



RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS ...

Wikipedia defines a Random Act of Kindness as a selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual - either spontaneous or planned.



Visit GaleazGlass on Etsy - Kelly creates beautiful Stained Glass Art

I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks to Kelly, of GaleazGlass who created such a beautiful & inspired treasury this past Monday with the loss of my mother in mind and to celebrate the bond between mothers and daughters. I find her gesture perfectly amazing and tremendously kind!

And I want to express my most sincere appreciation for every comment and click that all of YOU contributed towards its success. Please know that the personal convos that I've received mean so very much to me. This is a great team full of great women!

(✿◠‿◠) Please accept my thanks ...
 
 
 comments disabled, but will resume next week :D 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Gone From My Sight



My Mother, Helen  ~ left side     At only 5'0", she was too petite to reach my cheek ;D



To those of you who have been supporting me these last several weeks while my mother has been in Hospice, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You know me well, and therefore understand that it's not easy for me to talk about this. And so I write instead.

I have kept silent to all but a few, not because I don't value you, but because I'm not comfortable when others are uncomfortable. So difficult to know what to say or what to do! Accordingly, I have disabled comments. She is gone now, and I've chosen this particular photo, because a wedding is a special day between mothers and daughters, filled with all the hopes and dreams a mother has for her child! Her only child.

Gone From My Sight

I'm standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

I hear someone say, "She is gone!"  Gone where? Gone from my site, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull as she was when she left my side, and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me; not her. And just at that moment when I hear it said once again, "There, she is gone!", there are other voices ready to take up the glad shout,

"Here she comes!"

And that is dying ...