I Love Strippers!

Image from 1943 New Orleans Strip Club

I love strippers!! A statement you probably don't hear too often from a married mother of two. I'm sure it got your attention though and now that I have your eyes I want to elaborate.

The type of stripper I am referring too isn't the "traditional" kind you might be thinking of. The type I refer to are individuals who strip down their outer walls, facade's, fronts, masks and all other socially approved protection from the truth of what lies both outside and inside.

I had a visit recently with a man who used to be our neighbour. He was always delightful, articulate and kind but this time he was different.  He has been through serious trauma as a soldier who spent time in Iraq compounded by several other personal issues. We have not seen him since 2011 and in the interim he has spent time travelling across the USA, essentially stripping.

It was uniquely refreshing spending an afternoon with a person who was stripped down, open, genuine, honest. His honesty was not just for the good things as did furnish us with wonderful stories of travel, spirit and truth but also shared the dark, real things that most of us shy away from. He has and is facing himself and working toward being the best HE can be, leaving the traditional, cookie-cutter expectations of the world behind as he travels HIS journey. We had an amazing exchange of truth, energy and love from a stripped down place. There we were, all of us, authentic and facing one another with full accountability of our choices, acceptance of our feelings and thoughts on our improvement.

This visit sparked my thinking internally about the appreciation I have for those I deem "strippers", and more importantly my motivation to become one 100% of the time. Let me preface this by saying there are very FEW people that I would give this lovely title too but I hope there will be more after this post is shared. It is indeed a difficult task to remove ones clothes in front of strangers and to stand there completely physically exposed and open to criticism, judging, stigma and negative energy as a traditional stripper.  It is equally, and I would submit exponentially more difficult to literally be stripped down and be openly and authentically facing the world. No masks, no facade's or socially acceptable phrases or expectations. Nothing, just who YOU really are living and operating in your space the way YOU want.

The truth is, we are all the same at our source and are all connected. We somehow loose sight of this fact during the haze of a fast-paced, socially acceptable life.

Take a moment today to visualize what your life would be life as a 'stripper'. You could face the world with 100% authenticity, love and positive intention. All your walls are gone, no protection from the outside but a pathway for your energy to flow and exchange with others. You could and would be living the life YOU want, on your terms, on your clock and in the manner that best serves your positive intentions and brings you back to the source, whatever that looks like for you.

 You WILL be judged but it would no longer matter.

Would you consider becoming a 'stripper' an option for your life? or is the safety of the conventional, protective space better for you?

I would love to hear your thoughts and continue the conversation in the comments.

Chick-Fil-A: The Bigots Burger

 BIGOT:  "a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially: one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance"

Recently the trashy fat food chain Chick-Fil-A has publicly proclaimed their bigotry to the world as their president and CEO Dan T. Cathy felt the need to profess his opposition to same sex marriage and his proclamation that "gay marriage violated God's plan." I would like to point out Mr. Cathy although you are entitled to your opinion of intolerance and hatred, if you really knew what God's plan was you would not be murdering and selling one of "god's" creatures (chicken) and peddling fat fried food to assist in the national epidemic of obesity and all junk food related illnesses. I can confidently say that I KNOW God's plan is NOT to segregate, hurt or judge others. Did you skip the passages of your "good book" that states - “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1-5 or "Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?" Romans: 2: 1-3

Kate Moss W Magazine

Let me be clear that I am NOT a religious person. I do not subscribe to the herd mentality. I am so sick of religious hypocrites that pick and choose from their bibles for items that apply to them on a situational basis and use it to hurt other people. This is not restricted to the Christians either; Catholics and Jehovah's Witnesses please stand up!

Kate Moss W Magazine

No matter what my personal opinion there is no denying human recorded history of the atrocities that have been committed with a religious justification. People's prejudicial opinions being one on a smaller scale. It is not my intention to make disparaging remarks about everyone who claims to be religious. I actually know a select few believers who are amazing people and for those of you that I don't know I don't hold Mr. Cathy's ignorant comments against you. I don't judge your beliefs, on the contrary I actually respect them. What I don't respect is the use of those beliefs to hurt, judge or exclude others.

I bet if someone looked a little closer at Mr. Cathy's "traditional" Christian behavior, history and marriage we would find a whole new level of hypocrisy.

How can someone CLAIM to be a good Christian when they exclude, hurt or judge their fellow human being because their life does not fit into the confining walls of their proverbial church collection plate? Do you really BELIEVE something because someone told you it was TRUTH? or you read it somewhere?

This kind of bigotry goes way past same sex marriage. Essentially Mr. Cathy is excluding ALL who do not fall into this generic, faux-religious boundaries. I think it is a fair assessment that it is "God's" plan that we all love, support and respect one another through this physical life. Why would he/she deny love to someone just because they happen to be of the same sex? based on a book written by another imperfect human?  In the wise words of my outspoken husband who happens to believe in God "God did not write religion or the bible, humans did". We are ALL imperfect, too bad we were not all HONEST. I don't claim to have any of the answers but I do KNOW that LOVE is never wrong no matter what it's form.

The moral of my story: The best thing we can do to combat the bigotry is BE OURSELVES, LOUD and PROUD! 

I usually ignore the haters (as there are a lot out there) and I let the HATE MOTIVATE, but sometimes it feels good to stand up to the bigots and bully's

I like Lady Ga Ga's lyric on the subject "I'm beautiful in my way 'Cause God makes no mistakes, I'm on the right track baby I was born this way"

It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M
Just put your paws up
'cause you were born this way, baby

My mama told me when I was young
We are all born superstars
She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on
In the glass of her boudoir

"There's nothing wrong with loving who you are"
She said, "'Cause he made you perfect, babe"
"So hold your head up girl and you'll go far,
Listen to me when I say"

I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way
Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way


Oh there ain't no other way
Baby I was born this way
Baby I was born this way
Oh there ain't no other way
Baby I was born this way
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't be a drag ‒ just be a queen [x3]
Don't be!


Give yourself prudence
And love your friends
Subway kid, rejoice your truth
In the religion of the insecure
I must be myself, respect my youth

A different lover is not a sin
Believe capital H-I-M (Hey hey hey)
I love my life I love this record and
Mi amore vole fe yah (Love needs faith)


Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Whether you're broke or evergreen
You're black, white, beige, chola descent
You're Lebanese, you're orient
Whether life's disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied, or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
'cause baby you were born this way


No matter gay, straight, or bi,
Lesbian, transgendered life,
I'm on the right track baby,
I was born to survive.
No matter black, white or beige
Chola or orient made,
I'm on the right track baby,
I was born to be brave.


I was born this way hey!
I was born this way hey!
I'm on the right track baby
I was born this way hey!
I was born this way hey!
I was born this way hey!
I'm on the right track baby
I was born this way hey!


Same DNA, but born this way.
Same DNA, but born this way.

Equality: A Human Issue

After another ridiculous constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in the state of North Carolina I feared that the United States, once again was going to take a big step backward with respect to equality. I was disgusted and reminded of the days where the schools were segregated and different races were not even permitted to share the same water fountain let alone the same bed or life. I questioned the amount our society has really evolved since then.  The injustice that prejudice has caused in this country is still being felt from the days of segregation. History is still repeating itself, just focused on another group.

My common sense has always told me NO ONE, much less the government should have the right to dictate who you should or can spend your life with. The government should not be able to distribute rights to one group and not another at their own discretion or deny rights's because they feel like it. Don't even get me started on the judgemental, hurtful and hypocritical institution of the church with respect to these issues.

I was pleased that President Obama FINALLY spoke up and declared to the world the way I somehow knew he felt. He has now publicly stated that he is indeed in FAVOR of same sex marriage. Imagine letting two people lawfully make a commitment, love each other and have the same rights as all other human beings. What a concept.

I hope to soon see equality across the board for everyone. LOVE, RESPECT and EQUALITY are 3 items our world could use a lot more of. It is not an issue for Government or Church, it is a human issue. We therefore should all be part of the dialogue on our road to positive change.

Well Said:

"Gay people are born into and belong to every society in the world. They are all ages, all races, all faiths, they are doctors and teachers, farmers and bankers, soldiers and athletes and whether we know it, or whether we acknowledge it, they are our family, our friends, and our neighbours.  Being gay is not a western invention. It is a human reality."  ~ Hillary Clinton

Thanks

Thanksgiving (and other holidays)always makes me stop to take a life inventory; count my blessings and share my gratitude with everyone in my life. I'm left wondering why we all don't do this all year? It literally took me a few moments to tweet, update facebook status, send a group MMS and make a few calls to say "Thank You" and "I Love You". During the holiday season I really do take time to look around. I have observed that people are much more polite, courteous, thoughtful, expressive and kind. I wonder why it takes a Hallmark holiday to make us all become human again (this includes the Christmas holiday season which I guess in America officially starts tomorrow, Black Friday style!).

Today, again I am going to take this digital opportunity to say THANKS to everyone who has blessed my life; my beautiful children Kaleigh Rain and Blake, my amazing husband who loves and supports me like no other, my family and friends spread throughout North America .... The Canucks and Yanks. I am also going to make a pledge to be more aware and expressive regarding my gratitude. The best gift I was given; this amazing life I have (thanks mom). I am completely guilty of letting my fast paced life sweep me away in a sea of responsibility, work and obligation with perceived little time left for expressing my appreciation to those who are a part of my universe. This also extends to random strangers and 'the little things'. There are really no excuses not to be present, slow down and say THANKS.

Life is full of struggle, tough times, disappointments and not so amazing moments but it is the thankfulness and appreciation for the great ones that makes life a truly extraordinary experience! NONE of us navigate this life alone. So THANK YOU to all of you who have loved me, helped me, laughed and cried with me, supported me and those who continue to travel with me down my path!

Blake's Story: DOWN but not OUT

In honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month I teamed up with my friend and loving mother of 3 Tori Spelling and contributed my story to the Raise section of her eMAG EdiTORIal yesterday.

Read My Story: DOWN but not OUT HERE


Blake 2 days old - Special Care

This was my reality in the first week of Blake's life. He fought to be here and it was his courage that inspired mine.

As I look back on the last 5 months of Blakes growth I am forced to think of my own. Never has my character been so tested, my constitution so tried or my values and belief system so rocked. What I have realized is that our energy, collectively is best spent celebrating our differences and not judging them. We are ALL guilty of it (Myself included). What a boring, generic world we would live in if we were all the "same" or "similar". Where applicable apply the label of LOVE only.

The comments I have received from my family, friends and most of all virtual strangers in the last 24 hours have been overwhelming to say the least. I cried a lot yesterday while reading the public comments as I realized how many amazing, genuine, good hearted people in there are in this world, more than enough to drown out the negative, ignorant ones.

I look forward to what the future will hold with Blake and the rest of my family. A future that is unknown for all of us. We will enjoy our moments together confident in the fact that the world may knock us DOWN but they will never take us OUT! This is just the first you are hearing from me but I fully intend on becoming a LOUD voice of advocacy and information as I strive to give children with DS a voice. Sharing facts, and feelings in an intelligent and empowering way! I am PROUD of my son's extra chromosome ... Turns out thankfully MORE is MORE xo


"Every human being is intended to have a character of his own; to be what no others are, and to do what no other can do." - William Henry Channing


For more information about Down Syndrome visit the NDSS website.

Want to read more personal stories from the DS community? Many mothers reached out to me yesterday and shared their virtual spaces of LOVE!

Kellie: Enjoying the Small Things
Christine: Brody's Buddy Ride
Amy: GiGi's Playhouse
Kayla: Loving Austin
C. Smith: Results Not Typical
Amy: Mayson
R-WORD: Pledge to choose your words wisely and kindly!

Julie: Nina's Story

A Label of LOVE

We all apply labels to everything we have in this life as part of the human condition to allow our minds to make positive or negative associations usually based on pre-conceived notions or beliefs and not always facts or feelings.

The labels we apply to objects rarely have repercussions or consequences. The same is not true with people. We are ALL guilty of judging and labelling others to suit our purpose, justify our behaviours or to confirm a belief system we have. What we don't stop to think is how that effects the other person or their lives. The news has been full of terrible tales of teen's committing suicide based on being bullied and judged for who they are.

Through history humans have been so vile to one another all simply based on ignorance (in both senses of the word).

Professional dancer, Dancing with the Stars PRO, world champion and champion for EQUALITY Louis Van Amstel brought my attention to the comments of Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern (R) who said "homosexuality poses a greater threat to America than terrorist attacks". After my initial shock at her verbal expression of her internal ignorance and character I really felt sad for her and all who share her belief - sadly there are many. Those who choose to hate, bully, or waste their time and energy judging others.


Equality, Acceptance and Tolerance of ANYONE who is different for their skin color, sexuality, life choices, size, or perceived disability is ESSENTIAL to our evolution as a human race. Although fiercely promoted as a gay/lesbian issue I really believe EQUALITY to be a HUMAN issue. Louis shares my belief of EQUALITY for ALL and I had a chance to ask Louis a few questions regarding his feeling on the issue recently;

LISA: Why are you so passionate about this cause?

LOUIS: I was bullied for being fat, gay and short which I learned to deal with growing up, but I'll never forget the feeling. It's humiliating and makes you feel so lonely. I don't wish anyone to have to go through those feelings, that's why I will do anything in my power to not only advocate against bullying, but also find ways what we can do about it together.

LISA: What bothered you the most about the recent comments from Sally Kerns?

LOUIS: At first a laughed, because I thought it was a joke. When I realized she was very serious about her statement "Homosexuals are more dangerous than terrorists" it got me so riled up I couldn't let it go. I felt humiliated and I relived the same feeling again as when I was bullied as a kid. So many people have worked hard to get where they're at in life, for some person, like Sally Kern, to dare to make that statement is devastating and uncalled for.

LISA: What inspired you to write to her? Did she reply to your letter?

LOUIS: Even though I'm not a father, suddenly I felt the need to stand up for all the kids that are being bullied today and have no voice. Writing Sally Kern was the right thing to do. Sally Kern has not replied to letter to her on twitter, but I'm sending it officially to her office. I'm doing my research right now to get it through the right channels!

LISA: What can people do to help get involved and stop the HATE and bullying?

LOUIS: Let your opinion be heard, but do it in a way you're not trying to change people's mind. Sharing your opinion is enough. If you fight fire with fire it only fuels the opposition. When we all start living life excepting each other's differences we wouldn't have the HATE issue, nor the bullying. Can you imagine a world where we would all be the same? Same skin color, same hair color, same religion, same personalities????? It's the diversity in all the above that makes the world go round.

LISA: Can you talk about how you use dance to build self esteem.

LOUIS: For years I used dance as therapy. Thank goodness for dance, because for a long time it was my way to express without ever having to say one word about my feelings. Feelings of loneliness, humiliation, embarrassment etc. On the outside I looked happy, but on the inside I was pretty much numb. It was the combination of my artistic expression through movement and winning dance competitions that gave me the power to deal with my self esteem. I turned into a rebel. My true self esteem started growing when I started learning to say 'NO' if it didn't feel right for me! I started realizing following my gut feeling, which was giving me such a good feeling about myself versus my insecure mind. I also saw how the outside world was respecting me for it. To be true to yourself is really hard work and it never ends, building self esteem through dance is just so much more fun!....and cheaper...(LAUGHS)

Louis is a tireless supporter of anti-bullying and NOH8 campaigns as well as supporting people with developmental/intellectual disabilities. He has a heart even larger than his many talents. He is currently self esteem building via dance fitness with his new movement called LA BLAST! (soon to be available on DVD). Read his Blog HERE


Louis, Myself & my husband David attending a Charity luncheon/Fashion Show for KAINOS - an organization that provides housing, education and vocational training to individuals with developmental disabilities. An AMAZING organization really helping people!

This is an issue that we are all responsible to discuss, live our lives by example and teach our children and those around us tolerance. Hating back and acting out in negativity only perpetuates the problem. We should explore and talk about these issues in an intelligent and educated way. Life should be a celebration of DIFFERENCES and what makes each of us unique. It is only then can we all reach our full potentials as human beings and begin to evolve in peace; LOVE being the only label.

EdiTORIal: Women UNITE

There is no stopping the creative multi-tasking MOMpreneur that is TORI SPELLING. I completely identify with Tori as we both are hard working mothers who are passionate, creative and always forward thinking. Further to this it is our ultimate goal to bring women together while empowering and inspiring them.

I have always believed that women should be allies and not competitors. Tori has created a digital space to bring women together via her new on-line community: EdiTORIal. The website is laid out in the form of a digi-mag but also includes a forum for women to share information, tips, tricks, stories and experiences.

The topic range is all encompassing and put together is a reflection of a full life; the life Tori herself is passionate about.

STYLE (Fashion & Beauty)
DWELL (Home: Decorating, Styling)
EAT (Food, Recipes & Tips)
ENTERTAIN (Party & Event Planning)
CRAFT (Ideas & DIY Projects)
RAISE (Parenting)
LOVE (Relationships)
LAUNCH (Promoting businesses & products)

There is something in the EdiTORIal community for everyone.

To her fabulous resume of mother, author, jewelry designer, reality show star, wedding planner, shop owner, business woman, children's clothing designer, and Style Maven; she can now add Digital magazine publisher/writer and champion of women!

I had the opportunity ot talk to Tori about her new venture EdiTORIal:

LISAG: Can you explain to my readers: what is EdiTORIal?

TORI: EdiTORIal is a online community where women can come together and bond. Together we will discuss how to elevate your life. I believe life is art and you should live and create accordingly. We discuss everything from crafting to fashion to relationships.

LISAG: What inspired Editorial?

TORI: My love for life and people inspired EdiTORIal. I loved talking to women over twitter. They all inspired me. So I decided to build a online community where women could come together to discuss the daily topics that interested them.


LISAG: Who is the Editorial reader?

TORI: The EdiTORIal reader is someone who loves life and wants to continually grow and create in all areas of their lives.


LISAG: Do you have a favourite section? or feature?

TORI: I created all the sections on EdiTORIal because they were all areas of life that I was passionate about. Although being pregnant EAT is resonating with me right now.


LISAG: How can my readers join or RSVP to the digital party?

TORI: Its simple to join EdiTORIal. Just go to the website and sign up! Come hang with us!

LISAG: When can we expect to go "Home Sweet Hollywood" again with you & Dean?

TORI: HSH will be returning this fall!

LISAG: If you could give all the Style Maven mamma's 1 Maternity Style Tip what would it be? What is your "must have" maternity piece?

TORI: Belts! Since we've lost our waist I like to create a new waist! I wear my belts right under boobland to create an empire waist. It gives us some shape and looks flattering. So I've been collecting lots of stretchy vintage belts!You can create an empire waist with a belt on dress,top, and tee too! So chic!



Evolution Vintage's pick for a Vintage stretch belt to Style Maternity-Chic:


SHOP: http://www.evolution-vintage.com/

Join the ediTORIal community and RSVP to the digital party here: http://www.torispelling.com/

Follow Tori on Twitter: www.twitter.com/torianddean

Share the site with the ladies in your life! Supporting each other is essential to our successful evolution, ediTORIal being a new and fabulous resource!

Gratitude

Gratitude. An emotion often felt but not expressed often enough in words and even less in gesture or action. I have just celebrated one of the most joyous and suffered one of the most traumatic moments in my life. The birth of my son Blake. I had a very fast and traumatic natural delivery which left my new born son blue, virtually lifeless and fighting to breath in the NICU. What was anticipated by me to be one of the happiest days of my life ended up being one of the most stressful and horrifying quite frankly.

Now that the initial shock has worn off, oxygen tubes removed and Blake has been safely delivered to his new home I have had time to reflect on my personal gratitude, blessings and gifts.

My gratitude extends beyond the delivering midwife, nurses at French Hospital and those in the special care nursery who cared for Blake 24/7 (literally). My eternal gratitude goes to my chosen family of Central Coast Sisters who unselfishly sprung into action to help me start picking up the pieces and ensuring that structure that surrounded me stayed strong. I did not have the strength from my little mini-alcatraz a.k.a. hospital bed to express my gratitude, until now.

THANK YOU - for the visits, lunches, laughs, gifts and TIME. For cleaning my home, doing my laundry and grocery shopping. For the food in the freezer, flowers and hugs. The Half Black/Half passion, no sugar. For the available ear to listen, the shoulder to cry and the warm arms I needed to hold me when my husbands were too exhausted. For the positive energy, prayer and vibes sent to me every moment of every day. For all this and more I am sincerely GRATEFUL.

I raise my glass to the following special ladies in my life



who each in their own fabulous ways have helped me through this time and enriched my life in general.










Thank you Maggie (Hair Stylist extraordinaire) for making a house call, reviving my locks, bringing dinner, clothes for Blake and so much support and LOVE! xo I now feel like a human being again ... one with fabulous hair ;) xo



A shout out to my digital support team! Thank you for all the lovely messages, texts, BBM's, Tweets and Facebook messages during the dark days and beyond. Even though we were geographically separated your love and support was felt each day; JESSIE, CHELSA, CINDY, LAURA, NICOLE, KERRY, My cousins/brothers: CHRIS & COLIN, JO JO, KRISTEN, MARIE, .. and my Facebook and Twitter Family. I can honestly say that your wishes, prayers and positive energy helped and reached us.


To My Sister Lori; My gratitude can never really be expressed in words for your grand gesture of love to our family. Jumping on a plane and flying 2,700 miles at first word that Blake's situation was less than ideal is amazing! You left your busy life that is full of responsibly to your job(s), kids and derby team to come and help with Kaleigh, tend to my household, make me laugh and cheer me. Most of all unselfishly lending your ear and heart to my feelings and struggle. I will be eternally thankful for both your actions and words during this time.



To my Mother; I can never properly articulate my gratitude for all your help during this time and over my entire life. You have always been there for me and I am FOREVER thankful to you and your generous heart and soul. You have been an amazing mother to me and Lori and an even more amazing grandmother (Nanny) to Kaleigh and Blake. I love you.




Special Thanks to TORI and KIMORA who have taken the time to inquire about Blake, provide words of support and encouragement and illustrate through words and action what amazing women they are.





HAVE YOU THANKED THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE WHO HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE? BIG OR SMALL?

Start a gratitude journal today. Each day write at least one thing you are grateful for. At the end of the year you will have at least 365 reasons to celebrate your life and the people in it!

Lisa
OXO

There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude. ~Robert Brault

Let LOVE Rule

LOVE like everything else in our diverse world comes in many different forms, in various scenarios and under atypical circumstances.

The news broke yesterday that Playboy founder Hugh Hefner is engaged to Crystal Harris. The BIG deal appears to be the issue of age (Hef is 84 and Crystal is 24). The news made me smile and genuinely happy for them, ageism is the last thing I thought of. I was saddened however to see that the news was "trending" on twitter but many of the tweets were negative. The terms "cradle robber", "grave robber" and "gold digger" were being thrown around as hundreds of tweeps made a feeble attempt at comedy. This public display of negativity and judgement really got me thinking. As a society have we become so jaded, pessimistic and negative that we cannot accept the fact that the pair simply LOVE each other? they as consenting adults have chosen to spend their lives together? and make a commitment to one another? If we put aside all the labels such as age, status and wealth I feel there is LOVE there, regardless of its origin.

"A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams" John Barrymore






I applaud anyone who has the courage to live an unconventional life, create their life the way they envision and live on their own terms. So, BRAVO Mr. Hefner for not only creating your own vision and dreams but living your life in the way YOU want to no matter what. I must confess however I am happy to see you drop the barrage of tacky "girlfriends" and spend your time and energy on just one special one. I must be clear however, I LOVED the original 3 GND and they are not the "tacky" girls I am referring to at all. XO Imagine how boring our lives would be if we were all society's version of cookie cutter, homogenized, generic versions of human beings. I love that there are extremes in life and in love.



We are all entitled to our opinions (thankfully) in this free world but I guess my idealistic and human self would love not to see everyones reactions immediately default to the negative. Let's make "love" and "happiness" the trending topic on twitter for a change.

There is such awful, tragic and depressing items in the news, why as a society do we try to turn even the most beautiful one, such as a marriage into a joke, or have a rude comment that one feels the need to share with the world via twitter or any other form? Lenny Kravitz said it best "Let LOVE rule" and we will all be better off as a society. Let's try to evolve our humanity shall we instead of being terrible negative examples of the human races devolution.

Good Luck to you and Crystal. May you enjoy each moment together.






"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident." St. Augustine (from the film: Captain Corelli's Mandolin)

**Fashion Note: CRYSTAL Evolution Vintage would be HAPPY to provide you with Vintage Aurora Borealis crystal necklace & bracelet for your BIG day! or a fabulous Vintage clutch (that can be your "something old" or borrowed)













www.evolution-vintage.com