Monday, August 19, 2013
Wedding: L'Auberge in Del Mar
This was at L'Auberge in Del Mar this past June. It was a beautiful Christian & Persian wedding ceremony with a wonderful couple.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
10 Reasons to Wear an Upcycled Wedding Dress
Thought you might enjoy this guest blog post by Lori over at Conscious Elegance, Ltd. Read on!
We've all heard about recycling, how we're supposed to do it. And we do what we can, sometimes a little guiltily. It's all about making a better world, right?
But have you heard of 'upcycling'? That is, taking something not so useful and giving it a new life by making it fabulous?
You can upcycle just about anything - an old lamp that turns into
a gorgeous piece when you add a lampshade or paint or glitter. Or a
pair of jeans that's gotten holes - you can add pretty patches, make
them chic and fun, and everyone will want to know where you got them.
What about wedding dresses? Can they be upcycled? Of course. And there's tons of reasons to do it:
10 REASONS TO WEAR AN UPCYCLED WEDDING DRESS:
1) First and foremost? You can save a ton of money. Cast-off or vintage dresses aren't going to cost nearly what most new wedding gowns cost (at least, the decent ones) and the upcycling can cost nothing or very little.
2) With an upcycled dress, your frock can be tailored for you and you alone. It'll fit the way you want it, even if you're tall or petite or have interesting proportions from fiddle-playing or whatever.
3) Upcycling a dress that has sentimental value means that you can wear your mother's dress (or your Aunt's or your Grandma's) and it can actually look stylish. You don't have to tell your mom that her beloved dress just isn't your style - you can make it yours!
4) Upcycling means that you can wear a gorgeous silk for *much* cheaper than buying something new. There are so many old dresses with yards and yards of silk, just sitting in closets. Find a talented friend or seamstress and all that silk can be a whole new dress. It can take on a whole new life with *you* in it!
5) Of course, upcycling a dress is a sustainable way to have a gorgeous new gown without taking up lots of new resources. No new silkworms harmed, for those who care about silkworms (and I do!). Never underestimate the Smug Factor. You can boost your green cred and preen about how your wedding dress isn't depleting the Earth. Your guests will Ooo and Ahh and your parents will be proud.
6) Vintage looks are IN and CHIC and sometimes it doesn't take much to take an old dress and tweak it jeeest a bit in the right places. Love Big Band? Mad Men? You could center an entire theme wedding around your dress and let everyone get in on the fun!
7) Upcycled wedding dresses are never 'off the rack' and are always one of a kind.
8) Vintage and older dresses can have amazing fabrics and details that you might not see these days. The materials and construction are often better quality than the new cheap made-in-China dresses of today.
9) If you're crafty, you get to make your own. If you're not, you get to give a crafty friend something really special to do. A wedding dress made just for you? Can you think of a better wedding gift?
10) It's just COOL on every level. Creative, crafty, thrifty, original, fabulous. What better way to make a statement on your Big Day?
Lori Del Genis put a thriving medical career on hold to design dresses
and she's never looked back. Now she's saving the world, one upcycled
wedding dress at a time. She lives simply and sustainably with her
spouse and spends her time creating the Perfect Custom Wedding Gown for
clients who want to look gorgeous without robbing the earth or their
pocketbook. Find her work at ConsciousElegance.com
We've all heard about recycling, how we're supposed to do it. And we do what we can, sometimes a little guiltily. It's all about making a better world, right?
But have you heard of 'upcycling'? That is, taking something not so useful and giving it a new life by making it fabulous?
What about wedding dresses? Can they be upcycled? Of course. And there's tons of reasons to do it:
10 REASONS TO WEAR AN UPCYCLED WEDDING DRESS:
1) First and foremost? You can save a ton of money. Cast-off or vintage dresses aren't going to cost nearly what most new wedding gowns cost (at least, the decent ones) and the upcycling can cost nothing or very little.
2) With an upcycled dress, your frock can be tailored for you and you alone. It'll fit the way you want it, even if you're tall or petite or have interesting proportions from fiddle-playing or whatever.
3) Upcycling a dress that has sentimental value means that you can wear your mother's dress (or your Aunt's or your Grandma's) and it can actually look stylish. You don't have to tell your mom that her beloved dress just isn't your style - you can make it yours!
4) Upcycling means that you can wear a gorgeous silk for *much* cheaper than buying something new. There are so many old dresses with yards and yards of silk, just sitting in closets. Find a talented friend or seamstress and all that silk can be a whole new dress. It can take on a whole new life with *you* in it!
5) Of course, upcycling a dress is a sustainable way to have a gorgeous new gown without taking up lots of new resources. No new silkworms harmed, for those who care about silkworms (and I do!). Never underestimate the Smug Factor. You can boost your green cred and preen about how your wedding dress isn't depleting the Earth. Your guests will Ooo and Ahh and your parents will be proud.
6) Vintage looks are IN and CHIC and sometimes it doesn't take much to take an old dress and tweak it jeeest a bit in the right places. Love Big Band? Mad Men? You could center an entire theme wedding around your dress and let everyone get in on the fun!
7) Upcycled wedding dresses are never 'off the rack' and are always one of a kind.
8) Vintage and older dresses can have amazing fabrics and details that you might not see these days. The materials and construction are often better quality than the new cheap made-in-China dresses of today.
9) If you're crafty, you get to make your own. If you're not, you get to give a crafty friend something really special to do. A wedding dress made just for you? Can you think of a better wedding gift?
10) It's just COOL on every level. Creative, crafty, thrifty, original, fabulous. What better way to make a statement on your Big Day?
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Watermelon... is the answer!
It’s summer, and beach time is beautiful in San Diego! Our beaches are the absolute best. It’s time to get out, get wet with a boogie board, surfboard, kayak, or try SUP (stand up paddling) for a great new experience on the water. I started last summer at the lagoon in Carlsbad, about 10 minutes from our home, and have since SUP’d on Mission Bay and the ocean as well. Kayaking on the open ocean is awesome. This weekend I'm going to paddle out at La Jolla Shores to observe the Leopard Sharks, as they are said to be non-aggressive.
Ice cold watermelon during or following a warm day at the beach is always refreshing. However, thanks to Wally Amos, the founder of Uncle Wally’s Muffin Company (you probably know of him for his famous cookies) who has written his “Watermelon Credo”. It has been a guide that has helped others, and the truths contained herein, have benefited many which I have enjoyed the privilege of coaching during our couples relationship meetings.
It is my pleasure to share this palatable and inspirational wisdom;
W~Whatever you believe creates your reality. Believe that life is a positive experience and it will be. You are a spiritual being, having a human experience!
A~Attitude is the magic word. Your greatest asset is your attitude. We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace. Be positive regardless!
T~Together everyone achieves more. There are no limits to what we can accomplish together. I am more than I am but less than we are.
E~Enthusiasm is the wellspring of life. There is no limit to what can be accomplished with passion coupled with enthusiasm.
R~Respect others as well as yourself. Self-respect will manifest itself in respect for others which literally reshapes the world.
M~Make commitments, not excuses. There is overwhelming power in the words; “yes, I will.”
E~Everyday can be lived as a day of empowerment. Laughter is the lubricant that keeps life moving.
L~Love is the answer. Whatever the question. Love is the answer. It is the greatest force in the universe! (1John 4:16; “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in Him.”
O~One day at a time. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. All of life happens in increments of one.
N~Never give up or become a victim. You're guaranteed to lose if you give up. Winston Churchill was right, never, never, never give up! It works if you work it!
Watermelon is fun and good for you! Inspirational and a wonderful reminder for us to always live life from our highest self. Do not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by events. Allow Watermelon to remind you that you are larger than events. You do have the power to create and change events by what you believe!
Ice cold watermelon during or following a warm day at the beach is always refreshing. However, thanks to Wally Amos, the founder of Uncle Wally’s Muffin Company (you probably know of him for his famous cookies) who has written his “Watermelon Credo”. It has been a guide that has helped others, and the truths contained herein, have benefited many which I have enjoyed the privilege of coaching during our couples relationship meetings.
It is my pleasure to share this palatable and inspirational wisdom;
W~Whatever you believe creates your reality. Believe that life is a positive experience and it will be. You are a spiritual being, having a human experience!
A~Attitude is the magic word. Your greatest asset is your attitude. We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace. Be positive regardless!
T~Together everyone achieves more. There are no limits to what we can accomplish together. I am more than I am but less than we are.
E~Enthusiasm is the wellspring of life. There is no limit to what can be accomplished with passion coupled with enthusiasm.
R~Respect others as well as yourself. Self-respect will manifest itself in respect for others which literally reshapes the world.
M~Make commitments, not excuses. There is overwhelming power in the words; “yes, I will.”
E~Everyday can be lived as a day of empowerment. Laughter is the lubricant that keeps life moving.
L~Love is the answer. Whatever the question. Love is the answer. It is the greatest force in the universe! (1John 4:16; “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in Him.”
O~One day at a time. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. All of life happens in increments of one.
N~Never give up or become a victim. You're guaranteed to lose if you give up. Winston Churchill was right, never, never, never give up! It works if you work it!
Watermelon is fun and good for you! Inspirational and a wonderful reminder for us to always live life from our highest self. Do not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by events. Allow Watermelon to remind you that you are larger than events. You do have the power to create and change events by what you believe!
Friday, July 19, 2013
Wedding at Orfila Winery in Escondido, CA
Thanks to Britany & Kevin for the photo! Their wedding was at the Orfila Winery in Escondido, CA.
"We just wanted again to thank you for being part of our special day with us."
"We just wanted again to thank you for being part of our special day with us."
Monday, July 8, 2013
Communication in Marriage
Of course, just as in other areas, men and women are very different when it comes to communication. One of the essential differences that must be understood is the encryption that is necessary when speaking to the opposite sex. Let me explain...
Men and women hear through their deepest needs and inner natures. For example, a woman's deepest need is security. She needs to know that her husband is sensitive to her and that he is sacrificially committed to her on every level. When she is secure, her heart is free to live and love.
A man's deepest need is honor. He needs to know that his wife esteems and respects him. Everything his spouse does or says passes through the "honor filter" and dramatically affects his outlook on life and attitudes concerning their relationship.
When we understand our deepest needs and those of our spouse we must also realize that our communication must match our spouse's nature in order to be successful. Another way to say it is this: When we are communicating in a manner that violates our spouse's inner nature and deepest needs, it will create hurt, frustration and conflict.
When a man communicates with a woman, regardless of what is being said on any given subject, every word must be spoken with "security encryption." In attitude, tone, body language and every other way successful communication to women always conveys this message: "I love you and am totally committed to our relationship. I will sacrifice to meet your needs. You are on my heart and are my first priority." Unsuccessful communication is sent without this encryption and that is why it fails.
When a woman communicates with a man she must also equip every word she says with "honor encryption." Everything she says to him must convey this message: "I respect and honor you. You are a good man and I believe in you. I am your greatest supporter and biggest fan. I am proud of you and will stand by your side forever." Anything spoken without this encryption will violate his deepest need and inner nature and therefore fail to influence him as desired.
We must understand that when we are communicating with someone of the opposite sex they are made much different from us. Every word we say is encoded with an attitude that our spouse can intuitively pick up on. If you have been struggling in the area of communication, maybe you are having encryption problems.
Blessings
Monday, July 1, 2013
Testimonial
Thanks Anna for the wonderful review!
"Reverend Powers has a great sense of humor and will do anything you ask as an officiant, including wearing a costume. We asked him to wear a monk's robe to go with our Renaissance wedding, and not only agreed, he already HAD one! He worked the ceremony I had written with excellence. I agree that he's San Diego's favorite wedding officiant."
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Maritime Museum in San Diego
Have you ever thought about getting married on the water? Weddings with the San Diego Maritime Museum are beautiful ceremonies you'll cherish forever.
I have enjoyed so many wonderful weddings as the Resident Chaplain for the San Diego Maritime Museum, and welcome you to check out the website for more details on creating a memorable day aboard one of these historic vessels!
The lovely 1898 Berkeley ferryboat, gracing San Diego Bay with her turn-of-the-century charm and ambiance is available for weddings and receptions. She has two open-air decks, offering your choice of downtown skyline or sunset views of the harbor. Her Ladies' deck and dance floor are also crowned with Victorian styled stained glass windows, softly backlit after dark. The ferryboat is an excellent site for both weddings and receptions, offering a full array of services from your ceremony to your bon voyage.
Our own majestic Star of India is without question the most unique wedding location in Southern California, if not the world. She is the oldest active sailing ship in the world. Built in 1863, she has circled the globe 21 times with her soaring masts and spars that support her white billowing sails. Your wedding ceremony will be celebrated in timeless elegance and unparalleled beauty.
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