Best Wedding Dress Trends for Spring 2012

We can't believe 2011 is nearly over!  It's so cliche, but every wedding season seems to go faster and faster; one day it's May and in a blink we find ourselves in November.  2011 was an incredible year for Shi Shi and we're looking forward to a fantastic 2012!  Thank you to everyone who continuously contributes to making our success possible - much love to all of you!  With the start of the New Year just hours away, we thought we'd give you a trend-watching, eye candy filled post to help you with the start of your planning process - finding your dress!

After our brides find their venue and select their wedding date, it's all about the dress!  You'll need up to 6 months for the dress to arrive, so we suggest starting to dress shop at least 9 months in advance to leave room for alterations once the dress arrives.  {If you procrastinated on your dress shopping, or are planning on a tight timeline, no worries, just know you might have to pay a bit extra for rush charges in order to get the dress on time.}  

2012 is shaping up to be spectacular bridal fashion wise!  SO many delicious gowns hit the Spring 2012 runways, we thought an awesome way to kick off the New Year would be to share three of our favorite bridal dress trends with you!  So without further adieu...and in no particular order...here are the Shi Shi girls' favorites for Spring 2012.

Illusion Necklines
An illusion neckline is typically constructed of lace, tulle, or net and extends from the bodice of the dress to the collar.  Many will be adorned with beading or appliques to enhance the dress' design and define the collarbone area, while others are left plain to give just the softest sheen to the skin.  Illusion necklines are wonderful options for the bride who likes the strapless gown look, but doesn't want to fuss with pulling her dress up all night.  Here are your Shi Shi girls picks for favorite illusion neckline gowns from the Spring 2012 runways:

Alvina Valenta

Marchesa

Reem Acra

Sleeves
We are SUPER excited about the return of sleeves!  They're just so beautiful and universally flattering that even if you hadn't envisioned your dress as having sleeves, we think it's definitely worth a shot trying them on in the dressing room!  We don't care if they're short, long, cap, off the shoulder, flutter, or on a removable bolero - we love, love, love them!  {You may find the sleeves and illusion neckline trends overlap one another on many of the dresses you'll see.  The Marchesa and Reem Acra dresses above are good examples of that.}  Here are your Shi Shi girls' picks for sleeved gowns from the Spring 2012 runways:

Elie by Elie Saab for Pronovias

Jenny Packham

Reem Acra

Blush Pink 
In the past we haven't been strong proponents of color on a wedding dress {with the exception of small black accents, like a sash}, but this season is changing our mind.  Color abounded from the Spring 2012 runways and we honed in on a delightful shade of blush pink that on the right skin tone is nothing short of perfect.  From dramatic blush cascades of fabric, to dresses with such a trace hint of the shade you have to do a double take to be sure it's not white, to just a pop of pink on a sash or applique, we think you'll be seeing a lot of this stunning shade in 2012!  Here are your Shi Shi girls' picks for dresses featuring blush pink from the Spring 2012 runways:

Vera Wang

Monique Lhuillier

Rivini

Rivini

Will you be trying any of these trends for your wedding dress?  Let us know with comments to our Facebook or Twitter pages, or by pinning your favorites for us to peek at on Pinterest!  Want to search for your perfect gown?  Visit the NY Mag Fashion Shows page and scroll down to Bridal Shows 2012 where you can view each fashion house's complete collection for Spring 2012.  Happy shopping & Happy New Year everyone!

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Words of Love Day 25

Truly some of the best words of love ever written.  Merry Christmas everyone!  Health, happiness, and peace to all of you this holiday - we hope you're celebrating today with those you love.

  

Luke 2:1-20

 And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

    
 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

    
 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

    
 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, unto the City of David which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David)

    
 5 to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, who was great with child.

    
 6 And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

    
 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

    
 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

    
 9 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.

    
 10 And the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

    
 11 For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

    
 12 And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

    
 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

    
 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"

    
 15 And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

    
 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

    
 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

    
 18 And all those who heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

    
 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

    
 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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Words of Love Day 24

Well it's Christmas Eve, our favorite day of the year!  So much excitement and anticipation and visiting with family and friends - love, love, love!  It's such a very cozy day.  And what better to share with you than one of our all time favorite literary passages from "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.

"The Boy's Uncle made me Real," he said. "That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."

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Words of Love Day 23

We have never come across this passage and found it incredibly moving.  The beauty of ordinary moments perfectly told in "The Last Good Time" by Robert Bausch.

"There was a lovely time, long ago, too private to tell anyone, or too ordinary. It had nothing to do with anything, really: it was almost embarrassingly humble. One December night, unable to sleep, he had glanced out the bedroom window to discover that it had snowed. He woke his wife and made her come to the window, and the surprise of it delighted her as it had delighted him.

They dressed and bundled the baby up and took a walk, and watched the dawn arrive, and when they returned to the house, he took the day off. They played with the baby, cooked dinner, and baked bread. They listened to the baby playing in his playpen, and they talked idly about anything that came into their minds, and that evening, late, they lay whispering to each other about what a beautiful day it had been.

He thought about all this on his way down to the grocery store. The memory of it came through him like a breath, and then he was savoring it, basking in its warmth. And he thought that this is what love really meant: this very ordinary memory. That love was easy and plentiful as grass, and as still, as calm somehow."

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Words of Love Day 22

You may know Robert Fulghum from his first book "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten".  In his 5th book, "From Beginning to End - The Rituals of Our Lives" you'll find this awesome passage simply titled "Union"; we think it's the perfect way to start your married life!

"You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks — all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” — those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” — and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed — well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another  — acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this is my husband, this is my wife."

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Words of Love Day 21

From the classic novel "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte:

I have for the first time found what I can truly love – I have found you. You are my sympathy – my better self—my good angel—I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my center and spring of life, wraps my existence about you—and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one.

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Words of Love Day 20

We only have 5 days left in our countdown and are excited to share 5 days of beautiful passages from literature with you.  To kick off our home stretch, here's a passage from

"A Gift From The Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

When you love someone, you do not love them all the time, in exactly the same way, from moment to moment. It is an impossibility. It is even a lie to pretend to. And yet this is exactly what most of us demand. We have so little faith in the ebb and flow of life, of love, of relationships. We leap at the flow of the tide and resist in terror its ebb. We are afraid it will never return. We insist on permanency, on duration, on continuity; when the only continuity possible, in life as in love, is in growth, in fluidity - in freedom, in the sense that the dancers are free, barely touching as they pass, but partners in the same pattern.

The only real security is not in owning or possessing, not in demanding or expecting, not in hoping, even. Security in a relationship lies neither in looking back to what was in nostalgia, nor forward to what it might be in dread or anticipation, but living in the present relationship and accepting it as it is now. Relationships must be like islands, one must accept them for what they are here and now, within their limits - islands, surrounded and interrupted by the sea, and continually visited and abandoned by the tides.

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Words of Love Day 19

Good advice that's not always easy to heed, but totally necessary for a successful marriage. {At least in our opinion.} 


"Foundations of Marriage" by Regina Hill 


Love, trust, and forgiveness are the foundations of marriage. In marriage, many days will bring happiness, while other days may be sad. But together, two hearts can overcome everything...In marriage, all of the moments won't be exciting or romantic, and sometimes worries and anxiety will be overwhelming. But together, two hearts that accept will find comfort together. Recollections of past joys, pains, and shared feelings will be the glue that holds everything together during even the worst and most insecure moments. Reaching out to each other as a friend, and becoming the confidant and companion that the other one needs, is the true magic and beauty of any two people together. It's inspiring in each other a dream or a feeling, and having faith in each other and not giving up... even when all the odds say to quit. It's allowing each other to be vulnerable, to be himself or herself, even when the opinions or thoughts aren't in total agreement or exactly what you'd like them to be. It's getting involved and showing interest in each other, really listening and being available, the way any best friend should be. Exactly three things need to be remembered in a marriage if it is to be a mutual bond of sharing, caring, and loving throughout life: love, trust, and forgiveness.

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Words of Love Day 18

"To My Dear and Loving Husband" 

If ever two were one, then surely we.

If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.

If ever wife was happy in a man,

Compare with me, ye women, if you can.

I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold,

Or all the riches that the East doth hold.

My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,

Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.

Thy love is such I can in no way repay;

The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.

Then while we live, in love lets so persevere,

That when we live no more, we may live ever.

-Anne Bradstreet

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Words of Love Day 17

A classic.

"Sonnet 43"

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints!---I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!---and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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Words of Love Day 16

We can't believe we have only 9 days left on our countdown!  (This also means we need to get a move on with our last minute Christmas preparations!)  Rainer Maria Rilke is a favorite of us Shi Shi girls, and his series of "Letters to a Young Poet", published after his death, provides a particularly interesting window into his beliefs on a range of subjects from loneliness, to career choices, to marriage.  It's a passage on marriage we've selected to share with you.  Love, love, love!


“The point of marriage is not to create a quick commonality by tearing down all boundaries; on the contrary, a good marriage is one in which each partner appoints the other to be the guardian of his solitude, and thus they show each other the greatest possible trust. A merging of two people is an impossibility, and where it seems to exist, it is a hemming-in, a mutual consent that robs one party or both parties of their fullest freedom and development. But once the realization is accepted that even between the closest people infinite distances exist, a marvelous living side-by-side can grow up for them, if they succeed in loving the expanse between them, which gives them the possibility of always seeing each other as a whole and before an immense sky.” - Rainer Maria Rilke 

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Words of Love Day 15

Sappy and short from "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks today.  

{collective sigh}

“And when her lips met mine, I knew that I could live to be a hundred and visit every country in the world, but nothing would ever compare to that single moment when I first kissed the girl of my dreams and knew that my love would last forever.”

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Words of Love Day 14

So, so lovely.  The perfect wedding ceremony reading.

"Love"

I love you
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.

I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.
I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;
I love you

For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can’t help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find.

I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple.
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.

I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good.
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.
You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.


- Roy Croft

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Words of Love Day 13

We found this passage from Captain Corelli's Mandolin so true and moving, we had to share it with you.  It's a wonderful passage from the novel by Louis Bernieres and perfect for a short ceremony reading.

"Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have 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 eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two."

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Words of Love Day 12

This poem paints the perfect moment.  Short & sweet for your Monday.

"November"

What is eternal of you
I saw in both your eyes.

You were among the apple branches;
the sun shone, and it was November.

Sun and apples and laughter
and love we gathered, you and I.

And the birds were singing.

- F.S. Flint

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Words of Love Day 11

As promised, here's the second dinner blessing we read that we fell in love with - we hope you love it too!

Wedding Prayer - Adapted.  Robert Lois Stevenson (1850-1894)

Lord, behold our family and friends here assembled
We thank you for this place in which we celebrate
For the love that unites us
For the peace accorded to this day
For the hope with which we dream
For the health, the work, the food,
And the bright skies that make our life delightful
For our friends and family in all parts of the earth
Amen.

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Words of Love Day 10

The blessing before dinner is always a touching moment during wedding receptions; all of the guests with heads bowed wishing love and happiness to the newly married bride & groom.  We've heard some beautiful prayers in the past, but we know coming up with a dinner blessing that also wishes the couple well isn't always the easiest thing to do.  For those who would like a little help on the prayer front, we're going to feature two dinner blessings, one today and one tomorrow, that we found to be fantastic.  

Celebration - by Rev. Carl Thitchner 2003

We celebrate the love that brought you to this day.  With love that deepens through many years, may they know its meaning and its mystery – how we become truly one in sharing ourselves with one another, and yet, remain truly two in our own uniqueness.  May your house be a place of happiness for all who enter it, a place where the old and young are renewed in each other’s company, a place for growing, a place for music, a place for laughter.  And when shadows and darkness fall within its rooms, may it still be a place of hope and strength for all who enter it, especially for those who may be entrusted in your care.  May no person be alien to your compassion.  May your larger family be the family of all humankind.  And may those who are nearest to you and dearest to you constantly be enriched by the beauty and the energy of your love for each other, Amen. 

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Words of Love Day 9

As promised yesterday, today's feature is the abridged version suggested for use during wedding ceremonies of Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go".  This one reads in just under 2 minutes, so if you love the book but need a shorter passage, well here you go.

"Oh, the Places You’ll Go" 
by Dr. Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the couple who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care.
About some you will say, “We don’t choose to go there.”
With your heads full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down, any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.
It’s opener there
in the wide open air,
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.
OH! THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!
You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to great heights!
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have all the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang, and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly you’ll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don’t.
Because sometimes, you won’t.
You’ll get mixed up of course,
as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
with so many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with great care and great tact
and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
KIDS, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So, be your name Buxbaum or Dowrie or Bass
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
you’re off to great places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So … get on your way!

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Words of Love Day 8

Dr. Seuss is WAY up there on our list of favorite authors and this book is at the very top of our list of favorites of his.  "Oh, the Places You'll Go" is a fantastic story about life - all the good stuff, the bad stuff, and what it means to be resilient in spite of all of that.  Kind of sounds like a little like marriage doesn't it?  We love it SO much, that we are dedicating both Day 8 and Day 9 to it.  Today, we'll feature the book in it's entirety (it reads in about 5 minutes) and tomorrow we'll feature the shortened version we've seen used in wedding ceremonies before.  We hope you love, love, love both!

"Oh, the Places You’ll Go!"
by Dr. Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.

And you may not find any you’ll want to go down. In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town. It’s opener there in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.

Oh! The Places You’ll Go!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.

You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch.

You’ll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. And the chances are, then, that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And if you go in, should you turn left or right…or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind? Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.

The Waiting Place…for people just waiting.

Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.

No! That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all. Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be, with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don’t. Because, sometimes, they won’t.

I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely games too. Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.

And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants. There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.

But on you will go though the weather be foul. On you will go though your enemies prowl. On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. On and on you will hike. And I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are.

You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

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Words of Love Day 7

Short and sweet today from Mother Theresa - who knows love better than her?

"Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting." - Mother Theresa

Words of Love Day 6

"When Harry Met Sally" is as timeless as romantic comedies come and this tidbit from the final scenes is just a teeny tiny portion of why:

"I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." - Harry Burns (played by Billy Crystal) 


And, if you'd like to see the original delivery and full scene, just watch here...

Words of Love Day 5

Not as commonly used as Corinthians (and we think just a little more lovely), the Song of Solomon is a wonderful choice for use as a reading during Christian or Jewish ceremonies.

Song of Solomon 2:10-13;8:6-7

My beloved speaks and says to me:

"Arise, my love, my fair one,

and come away;

for now the winter is past,

the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth;

the time of singing has come,

and the voice of the turtledove

is heard in our land.

The fig tree puts forth its figs,

and the vines are in blossom;

they give forth fragrance.

Arise, my love, my fair one,

and come away.

Set me as a seal upon your heart,

as a seal upon your arm;

for love is strong as death,

passion fierce as the grave.

Its flashes are flashes of fire,

a raging flame.

Many waters cannot quench love,

neither can floods drown it.

If one offered for love

all the wealth of his house,

it would be utterly scorned.

Words of Love Day 4

We love this song!  We love it as a recessional, as a reception entrance, and now as a reading.  It's such a beautiful message of possibility and all things new - it's an oldie (1992) but a goodie.  Ten thousand maniacs can't be wrong, right?

"These Are Days" 10,000 Maniacs, Our Time In Eden (Elektra, 1992)

These are days you’ll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You’ll know it’s true
That you – you are blessed and lucky
It’s true – that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you

These are days you’ll remember
When May is rushing over you
With desire to be part of the miracles
You see in every hour
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you are touched
By something that will grow and bloom in you

These are days –
These are the days you might fill
With laughter until you break
These days you might feel
A shaft of light
Make its way across your face
And when you do
You’ll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning
You’ll know how it was meant to be
Hear the signs and know they’re speaking
To you, to you

Words of Love Day 3

The first time this poem came into my life was during a college poetry class.  As unoriginal as my stumbling upon it was, it spoke to me in a very profound way.  Just as in the way when rain falls it comes down and touches everything, so does love, and no where have I seen that more beautifully illustrated than in the last line of this poem "nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands".  

Somewhere I have never travelled, gladly beyond

"somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond

any experience,your eyes have their silence:

in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,

or which i cannot touch because they are too near

your slightest look easily will unclose me

though i have closed myself as fingers,

you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens

(touching skillfully, mysteriously) her first rose

or if your wish be to close me, I and

my life will shut very beautifully, suddenly,

as when the heart of this flower imagines

the snow carefully everywhere descending;

nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals

the power of your intense fragility: whose texture

compels me with the color of its countries,

rendering death and forever with each breathing

(I do not know what it is about you that closes

and opens; only something in me understands

the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)

nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands"

- E.E. Cummings