Calling all love stories: True Beginnings

Introducing Miss Joanie who is going to guest post for us. I love how real Joanie is with her words and thoughts. I always feel like I know her and can imagine her stories. When she read that I was looking for "calling all love stories" while I'm away on my Honeymoon and she sent this right over. Thanx Joanie!
~
Have I mentioned that John and I met on the internet? Well, we sure did! When my marriage broke up, I was a little bit insane. I was married 23 years and we were together a total of 27 years. I didn't know how to NOT be married. Some months after the break-up, when I was finally convinced that he wasn't going to "come to his senses and come home", I started joining online dating services hoping to meet someone. I met a few guys and I'm surprised I didn't join a convent!

I was resigning myself to spending the rest of my life alone. Then one day I ended up on this site, I found this one called True Beginnings. John and I exchange info about ourselves over the course of the next couple of weeks and we learn that we have so much in common it's scary! He's 4th of 7 kids, raised Catholic in Philly, graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School in 1971. I'm 4th of 8 kids, raised Catholic in the suburbs of Philly and graduated from Cardinal O'Hara High School in 1973. He's retired military, 3 of my 4 brothers, my sister's husband and my nephew are all military, 3 of whom made careers in the Army and Marines. I have 2 girls, 1 boy; he has 2 boys, 1 girl, neither of us has grandchildren yet. The similarities just kept coming and coming.

We finally decided it was time to meet in person. So I told him where I worked as a waitress. So one Saturday, the hostess comes up and says you have a request and there he is!! John sat in my section and ordered food and asked me to go dinner and a movie with him.

Did I mention that I broke all the rules with him? First, I told him where I work. Then, I allowed him to follow me home so I can get changed. I gave him a Diet Coke and I went upstairs to take a shower!!! So we go to Red Lobster and then a movie afterwards (we saw The Night Talker with Robin Williams). Afterwards, we went back to my place and he comes in and we watched a movie (V For Vendetta). This is where I made a BIG mistake.... I should have known better to introduce my teenager to my new "friend". And it didn't help much that she caught us smooching. If I had to do it all over again, I'd have kept John out of the house for a while before introducing them. Although I have a feeling it wouldn't have made a difference.

We have a lot in common and we also have many differences. He thinks the Catholic Church should still be saying Mass in Latin, I don't agree. I was in a bowling league for years, I like to play cards, he plays Dungeons and Dragons and Chess.

So there you have it! John and I have been together since August of 2006. We had some challenges, like when he was diagnosed with cancer less than a year after we met and I told him I wasn't going to leave him. And dealing with my youngest child not liking him. I had a cervical cancer scare (I didn't have it, thank God!) before he had his cancer and he stood by me.

I'm not sure if we'll ever get married, and it's me dragging my feet. I don't want to lose my spousal support (that's what they call alimony in PA) and I get it until Dec 2014 and I earned every single penny of that money! And I also discovered I'll be eligible for my ex's social security if I don't remarry before I turn 60 (which will be 9 months after my support ends), and my ex makes a LOT more money than either of us do! My not wanting to get married really surprised me! I was DESPERATE to be married, yet when the possibility arose, I said no way!
Go figure.

Calling all love stories: from Red Vines

What a doll Red Vines for Breakfast is and what a cute name! She contacted me with lovely things to say and wanted to share her love story with us. I love learning about how people met and find their mate and on today the day of Honey and my wedding, I thought this post to be perfect! Enjoy sweeties...
~
Take it away Red Vines for Breakfast: I was 20 years old and a college junior on Spring break in Cabo San Lucas Mexico with all my girlfriends. A few of us split up for the day and some of my girlfriends met some guys from Colorado at the beach while I was spending the day walking around town. Well, one of my girlfriends was interested in one of these CO guys and we decided to meet up with them later that night for a drink. We walked into the restaurant and I was immediately drawn to one of them and chatted with him all evening. We had so much in common and I remember laughing until my stomach hurt from his infectious sense of humor. His smile lit up the room and we had so much fun together.

He called my hotel room the next day and wanted to hang out again. So for the rest of our trip, my friends and his friends continued to spend time together- on the beach, getting happy hour drinks, lunches at The Office, etc. Before leaving to return to Los Angeles, I said my goodbyes thinking I'd never see him again. I mean, he lived in Colorado and was 26 (what I thought was too old for me at the time). He did ask for my home phone number before leaving and when I returned home he called all the time! I really liked him but I didn't understand what he wanted to come of this. Soon after, he came to visit LA to interview for a job and we had our first real date. It was perfect, but I got the distinct feeling that he was interested in getting married and having kids soon (although I realize I was way off on that) and I officially decided he was too old for me and we lost touch for a while. I moved to San Francisco after graduating and he moved to Los Angeles to take the job for which he had been interviewing. I thought of him fondly from time to time, but never expected to see him again.

More time passed and I eventually moved back to LA. Five years after our initial meeting on Spring break, I ran into him at a happy hour in Venice Beach! We were both single at the time and things just progressed smoothly from there. Now we've been together for 5 years and married for 2 and things couldn't be more wonderful. Sometimes we still cannot believe that we met on Spring Break in Cabo and 10 years later we're happily married.
~
Lovelies here is my fav wedding day movie quote, "And he's this completely wonderful, wonderful, amazing man, and...well, we starting seeing each other, a lot...and, um...we fell in love. Ha! Ha! It actually happened! And, uh, we've decided to get married...which means that, I'm engaged! Ha! I'm engaged! I'm getting married!" (Father of the Bride) ~Laura

A Glamorous Love Story: Simply Luxurious

When I discovered Simply Luxurious, my mouth dropped at her eye for pictures. It's rare to find a blogger that can translate their glamorous taste into every post. I enjoy seeing her creativity in pictures on her lovely blog. So I was thrilled when she agreed to guest post on Under the Sheets~shhh while I finishing the wedding plans... Take it away SL.
~
As Laura is off creating memories that will be a part of her love story for years to come, I’d like to share another love story. A story of pursuit, passion, devotion and partnership. Every story has its own unique beginning, every couple will remember it in their own way, because it is theirs and nobody else’s. The funny thing is we can never really plan how our love story will progress and turn out; all we can do is put forth our heart, our trust and work as a team. This is my idea of a perfect love story.

. . .to be pursued, to be sought after and wanted . . .

. . . making the decision, giving into our passions and following our hearts, consequences be damned . . .

. . . allowing both paths to intertwine, letting the adventure begin . . .

. . . a partner to lean on, a partner to share life with, a very special love.

What would be your ideal love story? I’d love to hear, and if you’re living your ideal and would like to share, I’d love to listen. Have a beautiful day! And a tremendous thank you to Laura for welcoming me to guest blog on Under the Sheets . . . shhh. It has been a pleasure.

Calling all love stories: Brides of Cinema

The lovely and talented Bride Chic was kind enough to guest post for us lovelies. Have you been to her blog? She founded the The Design Project of San Francisco, a networking organization of fashion professionals collaborating their skills and talents on projects. And she's been a wonderful supporter of Under the Sheets~shhh. Take it away Amy-Jo.
~
Claudette Colbert as Ellie Andrews, Audrey Hepburn as Jo Stockton. No, they weren't real brides but the designers, writers and producers who created them certainly were. Hollywood designers and the actresses who wore their creations influenced the way we look at weddings and fashion today. All the gowns pictured here are works of art and stellar representatives of their times. What could be more 1930s than Robert Kalloch's creation for Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night? The body-hugging bias cut was still a new, even radical concept in 1934, especially for a wedding gown. During this golden era, it was not Paris anymore as much as Hollywood that decreed fashion. This simple satin gown with florals surrounding the neckline could be found today in a few designer collections. The look has become timeless. Attached to the cap head piece you'll see miles of chiffon netting, a light and airy fabric the designer chose because in this story, Colbert needs to become the runaway bride once she decides Clark Gable is the one. As she runs, the veil, long as it is, lifts and floats beautifully off the ground to produce a kind of 'bride in flight' look.

sourceThe Givenchy on Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face has become a favorite for brides of every decade. When clients bring in inspiration photos so I can get an idea of what they want in a gown, this photo is pulled out often. And sometimes it is not the exact same dress a bride wants so much as 'the look' it evokes, the epitome of pure, flawless design.

source
Above is one of the purest, most traditional wedding designs out there (the other is princess Grace's--also by a Hollywood designer, Helen Rose). I'm glad I finally found this image of Julie Andrews in Dorothy Jeakins shantung wedding gown. It's from one of the most beautiful movies ever made, The Sound of Music. Raised in an abbey by cloistered nuns, when Maria marries Captain Von Trapp she marches down the aisle alone. This really touched me when I first saw this movie as a kid. So much so that when my own day came to meet my intended and take my vows, I too walked alone and gave myself away.

source

The gown Elizabeth Taylor is wearing was standard for its time. Post war, the world celebrated lifts on fabric restrictions by using vast amounts of it in skirts. Bridal gowns were the ultimate show-off the hourglass shape vehicle. The MGM release of Father of the Bride coincided with Taylor's own real, life nuptials with hotel heir, Nicky Hilton. Both her own and fictional wedding gown was designed by Helen Rose.

Below right is Carrie Bradshaw's Ivory silk taffeta confection. It's actually one of the finale pieces from Vivienne Westwood's 2007 "Wake Up Cave Girl" Collection. Hand picked by Sex in the City stylist, Patricia Field, personally, I was surprised Sara Jessica didn't rate a custom designed gown for her role in the film. I mean heck! Check out Audrey Hepburn. Didn't she have that one-of-a-kind-designed-to-fit-her-character Givenchy tulle wedding dress? The suit on the left would have been my choice . . . but . . .ultimately it was Carrie's as well.
source source

source

Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson in Bridal Wars, 2009

There are so many 'must see' movies for brides who want to gather ideas. Some are golden oldies, others like Sex in the City are still less than a year old. All are romantic, all are incredibly inspiring . . . . Most below are out on video or disc/DVD. Watch your favorite and listen to the commentary if there is one--you'll learn so much.

Here are some of my favorites--not necessarily the movie so much as the designs . . .It Happened One Night (1934)Father of the Bride (1950) Father of the Bride (remake 1991) Panama Hattie (1942) Design for Living (1933) The Sound of Music (1965) The Graduate (1967) Penelope (1966)Sex and the City (2008)

All you need is love & blogging friends!

A couple of months ago, I asked some of my blogger friends to guest post. That way I can take a mini blogging break during our wedding and honeymoon. And I loved getting the support and seeing the creative posts that were sent. Some of the guest posts are about love stories, brides in cinema, romance in pictures, how couples met and the differences between new and old love.

I am excited to share with you some lovely new bloggers so you can see their blogs. Each have been there for Under the Sheets~shhh throughout the year.

So as I sign off for a couple of weeks, just know I will have a ton of new posts to share with you and hopefully some lovely wedding pictures.

Be sure to let me know which guest blogger is your favorite and who you felt connected to.

And on our wedding, I hope to be surrounded like these cake toppers with our family and friends. I am excited to feel the love, care and support.

Have a wonderful couple of weeks sweeties and I hope you feel entertained by some new and talented bloggers. Signing off for now~engaged, but married in less than a week. Boy is there still a lot to do...

Inspirational Wedding Weekend Quotes

I promise to try and live in the moment this week if you enjoy some of my favorite inspirational wedding weekend quotes?

Oh please let me know which one is your favorite. Mine is bolded and I can't wait to hear about yours sweetie! Have a great weekend...
~
There is nothing half so sweet in life
As love's young dream.
- Thomas Moore

When you meet someone who can cook and do housework--don't hesitate a minute--marry him.
- Unknown

Grace and remembrance be to you both.
- William Shakespeare

Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same.
- Emily Bronte

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. ~Mignon McLaughlin

Walk down girlie picture lane

My family and friends are starting to call to check in on me as our weddings are next week lovelies...gulp. Forgive me as I have romance and girlie pics on my mind. Planning a wedding has been such an interesting experience and my father made me giggle the other day when he said," Geez there's a lot of details to take care of. Now I understand why people get wedding planners."
But now I'm feeling these girlie pics that are very warm, fuzzy and romantic. Indulge me as we scroll through a few...

So pretty, just so pretty...I really want some cotton candy now. Don't you?

Lovely, feminine and beautifully shot. And she seems so peaceful even though there was probably an entire camera crew on the beach.



Why does hunched over shoulders always remind me to sit back and adjust my posture? Does this ever happen to you?

Love collection: How Deep is Your Love...And 20 more songs that touch the heart : piano, vocal & guitar arrangements with full lyrics and guitar chord boxes.



I am in love with this picture and the romantic feel of it.

I really enjoyed this walk down girlie picture lane. Was it as good for you as it was for me? Have a great day...

Our love story: Today we got hitched at City Hall!

Today we got legally hitched! OK by California, but we went this morning to City Hall and got our marriage license. It felt like we were in a scene in a movie and with two weeks to go to our BIG DAY all of our hard work, love and care will soon all come together.

Our San Francisco City Hall experience began at 8:00am where we met our Best Man who was our witness and photographer. Honey and I were both excited and happy. I really felt like a tourist in our own city. The SF City Hall is so magnificent and beautiful and I was snapping pics away.

While we were all waiting in line to fill out the necessary paperwork, I noticed a beautiful Asian woman standing with her family carrying a bouquet of red roses. What stood out to me was how flustered she looked and frantically on her cell phone. I told Honey that I thought her Groom hadn’t arrived yet.

Honey, our Best Man and I walked over to a bench to fill out our paperwork. And suddenly out of the corner of my eye, a man was running down the very long hallway of City Hall. I nudged Honey, “See that’s the Groom.” And then they embraced and got married.

What an experience! We took our paperwork into the clerk’s office and with our Best Man we swore that all of the information was correct. Holding both of our right hands up, we took the first step to our married life.

It was only fitting that the San Francisco fog rolled in. And in the middle of May, I was wearing a scarf. After we got our license the three of us went to breakfast at a Vietnamese restaurant.

Today I feel very lucky to be marrying Honey and seem to be beaming from ear to ear. Life surprises me so many times. I never thought I would see my wedding day; marriage was always for everyone else. And as I move into the next chapter, I thank you for coming along for the ride lovelies!

Inspirational Weekend Quote

The creativity of this inspirational weekend quote just jumped out at me. Our every day lives with how we see fairy tales seemed to seamlessly work together. But how do you explain to a little girl that life is more like this picture?

Special stolen moments while living an ordinary life?

The princesses in my fairy tales never had a difficult day. And yet we still look for and want the fairy tale?

My inspiration comes from striving for ultimate happiness with the understanding that life doesn't always work out that way.

But that's OK with me. I can take the good with the bad to appreciate my stolen moments. Have you ever imagined yourself staring back in a situation? It's a wonderful way of getting out of yourself and just seeing the situation for what it truly is.

Today as your walking through your normal day, take a moment to see the fairy tale vs. your ordinary life? Tell me sweetie, would you give this inspirational quote as advice to someone in your life?

Best of Under the Sheets~shhh posts!

So I adore writing to you, my lovelies as I enjoy seeing my thoughts turned into posts. And this is why I wanted to share with you some of my fav posts that shows off the vast range of blog topics. If you haven't read these posts yet, click and catch up. And I'd love to read your thoughts. Have a wonderful day!
~
How do I become a Pinup girl?

So my secret is finally out...can you help me fulfill my life long dream of becoming a Pinup girl? Where do I sign up and pose like one of these lovely vixen ladies? There's always been something so strong and sexy about Pinup girl's poses. And I love these modern day pics with a twist...get ready to let me know which Pinup girl is your fav sweetie...

We all scream for ice cream

Why do children have habits...like watching certain TV shows and eating the same ice cream over and over. Last week my co-workers reminded me of my habits. We were talking about the cartoons we used to watch as kids. My fav was Jem and the Holograms and I would race home to catch a new episode. Yes, Jem was truly outrageous...


What will be my something blue?

Do you know where the tradition of something borrowed and something blue on your wedding day came from? Does every bride try and continue this tradition? And so I've been wondering what my something blue could be. Can it be a handkerchief that I hold or a blue balloon nearby by or can I get away with just having blue eyes?


Can I ever compete with a foodie?

I wish I were a foodie. See I can finally admit it and I even feel a little jealous when I'm sitting a restaurant with foodies. It's like they know the secret to dreaming about food. Talk about it even when they are eating a meal. Foodies must have a secret code that I don't know about it. I honestly don't think about my next meal until I'm hungry and please keep this a secret, but I've even skipped some meals. Shocker!


Girlie boutique Napa inspiration!

I wish I could escape into girlie boutique inspiration today. Don't you sweetie? A place where only flowers, pink and comfy beds exist. And as I recover from a lovely weekend away with my girlfriends in Napa (Tra Vigne is still the best restaurant), I am reminded that sisterhood is some of my glue that keeps me together. Love ya ladies...

~
Oh that was fun and let me know which post was your favorite or favorite picture? I loved the Pinup girl post and loved getting your comments.

Monday retro editorial pics

With another rainy San Francisco Monday, I felt like I needed a little color. And I love these retro editorial pics to cheer me up. Sweetie, I still haven't figure out how I can pose like these lovely models throughout the day, but I promise to try if you do?

Is she looking for more pink balloons or being careful not to pop them with her fabulous shoes?

Love these editorial shots by Amanda Elkins a L.A. photographer. Amanda has a fresh way of capturing her subjects and I love her use of light. Great job Amanda!

Stunning...just stunning. All of the blues work together with the drama of her draped dress. How many people do you think it took to help her get dressed?





This ballet-esque bride shows off her elegance, grace and unique style while posing on the ground.

I am very into balloons today! Ah rain, rain go away and come again another day in June please!

This picture is so beautiful and I found some of these editorial pics from a wonderful blog called {a glamorous little side project}. If you haven't been over to her blog yet check her out. She has an incredible eye for lovely photography and is my new blog crush. Tell me sweetie what do you do to cheer yourself up when its pouring outside?

Inspirational Weekend Quote

Doesn't this inspirational weekend quote remind you to think about the most powerful moments in your life? Like when your breath was knocked right out of you?

It did for me!

Sometimes the breathless moments in my life have been negative and other times positive.

I can vividly remember being told the wonderful news that my step-mother was pregnant and it took my breath away. I can also still feel the moment I was told my Uncle had stage IV lung cancer.

Life twists and turns, but its moments of change that I live for.

Feeling the breath away from my body reminds me to appreciate every day. What can we do to remind ourselves of this inspirational weekend quote? Have a wonderful weekend sweetie!

Blogging advice; Eat breathe and live it

It's been almost two years, that I secretly started writing this blog. Under the Sheets~shhh was my secret and I thought I would never share it with anyone. I am so glad I was able to let go, feel confidant in my words and share. And so many wonderful things have happened because of it. Then one day I was given the best blog advice ever! "Your blog will become successful only when you start to eat breathe and live it!" This became my blogging words to live by.

* Photo courtesy of Jimmy Backius

How does working on your side project of writing consume you?

Do I like giving myself homework? Well no, but I love the feeling of creativity that this blog gives me. I actually feel like something is missing if my posts aren't done. And whenever I see a scenario that makes me say out loud, "that would make a great post" I know I am truly done for.

I wonder what's happened to me? Suddenly I see life in colorful words. For example I was talking to my brother in Toronto and he told me about an amazing restaurant they just had dinner at called O.Noir. "Dining in the Dark, when you eat food in the dark, your remaining senses are heightened to savor the smell and taste of food." And my first response to him was, "What an amazing concept. How should I write about it?"

I guess only bloggers can understand how my life and my art has combined so seamlessly that I am starting to lose the line.

And where did I go to learn my new blogging craft. I would read a lot of articles about social media, read other blogs that I admired and Honey would send me posts by Seth Godin.

My blogging advice I'd like to pass to you is to network as much as you can. Develop relationships with other blogs so you and your community will continue to grow. Well at least that's what happened to me lovelies!

* Photo courtesy of James Nader

If you had a friend who just starting out blogging, what advice would you give to them? Have a great day sweetie!

Picture my softer side of life

Today I am feeling calm and soft, but how do you describe the softer side of life? How do you explain the feeling where you want to snuggle into a blanket and never want to leave? And the rain outside is a great excuse for staying inside and cozy. I enjoyed finding these soft pictures to share with you... Enjoy lovelies!

I love how this woman's shoulders are hunched and the soft light captures her happy mood.

Get out, is this a high heeled purple bathtub? How much calmer can a gal get...




Oh I wish I owned a Hammock to be able to hang out in the afternoon light. This picture invites me to take a nap while swinging back and forth.





I love this example of Shabby Chic Style. Interested in decorating your home in this style then check out this great link.



This picture is so lovely, soft and warm that I want to change out of what I am wearing right now and "copy" her outfit.

This post makes me happy to show my thoughts about the softer side of life. Ah the bliss! What are some of the ways you connect? And I can't wait to hear which picture was your favorite sweetie?