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Friday, July 29, 2011

Lest we forget

The Bill of Rights of the US Constitution

1st Amendment: The freedom of speech, religion, press, the right to peaceful assembly and to petition the government.

2nd Amendment: The right to keep and bear arms and to have a well regulated militia.

3rd Amendment: No peacetime quartering of soldiers without consent.

4th Amendment: The right of a man's house as his castle to include all papers and effects against unreasonable search and seizure.

5th Amendment: A person can not be tried for a capital crime unless tried before a grand jury. It includes the double jeapardy clause which states a person may not be a witness against him/herself. Private property may not be taken for public use without just compensation. A person may not be deprived of life liberty or property without due processs of law.

6th Amendment: The right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the state with assistance of council.

7th Amendment: The value of an item over $20.00 in dispute gives a person the right to a trial by jury.

8th Amendment: Excessive bail is not required and may be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

9th Amendment: A persons rights may not be used to deny or disparage another person's rights retained by the people.

10th Amendment: Powers not delegated by the constitution and not prohibited by the states are reserved to the states or to the people.

The issue of the 14th Amendment use to answer the debt debate could be used if the debt incurred was
used to defend our nation.
I agree categorically.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Happy Birthday Daddy



It is my father's 81st birthday today.
We ate at one of his favorite restaurants for lunch. I asked if they would sing to him and got a quizzical look from the cashier helping us. It was worth a try. I had just purchased a brand new roll of film and it would have been a great picture to capture. Lucky for him, the restaurant staff did not oblige my request.
I don't understand much of what his generation has seen change in this world. His generation has experienced the most change. They have gone from recovering from the Great Depression to the age of computers and the Digital Age. What a ride.
My father is a simple man by many accounts on the surface but he is from another time~a dimension of time when men do not idly chat. The men of his age are the strong silent type. My household was a patriarchial in every respect. Friends who know me well refer to my parents as the real "Edith and Archie Bunker". No lie.
My father was raised in Brooklyn, NY, drafted into the US Army and fought in the Korean War. I am told he considered marrying a Korean girl that he met overseas and my grandmother screamed, cried and then fainted. He was a nice jewish boy from Brooklyn, after all.
He met my mother outside a dance hall in Brooklyn, once back in the states. (He and his buddies could not afford the price of admission)
The story gets a little vague here. I ask how he popped the question and my mother and him just giggle. It is a secret between them that no one knows for sure.
My father has raised 2 daughters who he took to baseball games, bought us hot dogs and cotton candy and just wanted to share an all American past-time with. I feel bad now remembering how we complained that the seats were "this or that" or that it was too hot or cold.  We spent most of the game out of our seats walking around or going to the ladies room, unaware how much it meant to him.
Every Summer he would take his vacation time and gladly spend every day with his family, traveling from Canada all the way to Florida. He always shared everything with us. I am sure there were times he might have wanted to do a "guy" thing. He was a family man through and through. My childhood was happy because we knew he cared for us and my mother. It was where he wanted to be.
I hope I have made him proud. I hope that he can look at me and smile, say to himself , "That's my daughter. She is what I wished for."
I know I got the better deal ;)
I love you Daddy.
Happy and healthy birthday.
All my love,
Ilene

Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Vision



The vision that you glorify in your mind
The ideal that you enthrone in your heart
This you will build your life by
This you will become.

What do you think?
Make it good.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Voluptuous Women of Italian Vogue


It was refreshing to see "not your average" body types in a high profile magazine such as Italian Vogue.
A slightly different perspective on sexy.
Beauty is not defined by waist size.
It's about confidence.
Bravo!
Bellissima!

(Caution: Not for young viewers)

Belle Vere Vogue Italia

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Runway Looks Fall/Winter 2011


LV Spring 2012 Menswear showed big bold plaids, neutrals and nudes, trench coats and suits with skinny ankle length pants.

Calvin is the epitome of American sportswear.
Prada featured patterns in geometric prints. Color was everywhere!
Missoni's ombred pastels are delicious.
DSquared (one of my personal favorites) showed "True Grit" inspired clothing..I adore this.
Emporio Armani was one of the very few designers doing all-in-black.
Donna Karan pleased with icy-cool neutrals that are drapey and feminine in chiffon and jersey.
Donna Karan Runway Show
Love Philosophy's 60's freshness and colors. A "Babydoll" feel.












Chanel went "Wow", with Byzantine era jewels and fabrics.