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Saturday, August 16, 2014

OLD.......UGH!

Getting older is a fact of life. But you don't realize how painful and sometimes depressing it is until you hit the age where things start to happen and you can't control them.   When I was younger, I would look at my grandmother and think, 'wow...her knees really hurt her today...she really should do more moving around so she does not get stiffer.'  But now that  I am a grandmother myself, and I am at the age where my knees are beginning to hurt, I realize how hard it is to fight everyday for my health and my youth.

Also, God plays a funny joke on us as we get older. I cannot see very far, but close up, I can see very well. Too well. As I put my make up on in the morning, I am finding little lines around my eyes and mouth that I didn't have. Were they always there but I just didn't see them? I have a double chin, sometimes a triple chin all depending on how I hold my head. Which is why in almost every photo I look like I'm checking to see if it's raining.  I now realize why some women resort to plastic surgery. Because we have a little voice in our head saying, 'wait! I'm not ready!'

My husband went to the gym and saw a group of young guys playing basketball. They welcomed him in and my husband being the fantastic basketball player that he is, hung in there, but I saw him struggling to breathe. I prayed silently for him not to have a heart attack!  By the time it got to the end of the game, I was googling the nearest hospital!  Men struggle with the aging process just like women. Maybe differently,but it's a struggle just the same.

I hope that I speak for every man and woman at the age of  50+ when I say, KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT!  Get up in the morning with purpose! You may not look the same way you did at 18 in those jeans, but now your beauty comes in a different form. It's still there, it all depends on your attitude.   Keep as active as you can. Ok...maybe basketball isn't your sport anymore, maybe you will take up hiking...maybe swimming, ....as long as you can still move. Aging gives you an opportunity to try something new.  And lets not forget, SEX is a sport! (yay!)

 So let those lines around your eyes and mouth be because you smile too much.  Look forward to new opportunities!  Your life isn't over, until you decide to give up. And as for me, .....that isn't happening!


www.rcmooreunique.com
Rose Ellen Moore
RCMoore for the Unique vintage/millinery

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

vintage style!

As most of you know, my husband, Clayton, and I own a vintage/millinery shop on 1729 W Tilghman Street, Allentown PA.  It's a quaint shop. Everything that is weird and wonderful is in here. If you wanted to get lost in time, and laugh until your stomach hurts, come on in here. Don't be afraid of the word VINTAGE.  Vintage means 'a moment in time' or a 'time period'. In here, you get lost in not only time, but HISTORY. It's a great place to educate your kids. Fashion was so engrossed in what was going on at that moment in time.

I have a sign on the door, please don't be put off by it. It reads, "This is not a thrift store. We are a Millinery/Vintage store. Our items are delicate and sometimes rare. Please respect our space. Mind your children and enjoy....all items damaged are considered sold, thank you."     The reason I put that up is because the items we have in here, we have taken  great pains to restore and to make wearable. A 1890's velvet cape with trim which is selling for $400 should not be thrown about, nor should someone's child with a lollipop come and touch it with his sticky hands.  We love to have people come in and browse about our shop and laugh and stroll down memory lane and ask me, 'did people really WEAR this?'  But everything old can be new again, with a touch of something new like a belt or some jewelry. Maybe some new boots or a scarf or a cool jacket. You would be surprised how many years of vintage clothing just go round and round. Great designers are inspired by the shoulder pads of the 40's and the sleek lines of the 20's.  The grand circle dresses of the 50's are so perfect for a pear shaped body! (like mine!)  And once you purchase something in a vintage shop, I can guarantee you that no one on the street will be wearing anything like it! You will be unique like a snowflake! And EVERYONE will want what you have.

I hope that you have the opportunity to come to our shop on Tilghman street. We love our customers and I love dressing them up like real live barbie dolls!  But most of all, I love to see women look like women. I like women to look and feel beautiful and appreciate every line and curve of their glorious bodie that they  live with every day. We have corsets for women who need alittle help, or who want to feel extra feminine.We have jewelry that supports women's causes all over the world. Most of all, we have unique things for women who want to be 'special'.  

thank you for reading today.....and remember:

RCMoore for the Unique Individual....................because NO ONE is quite like you!

Rose Ellen Moore
www.rcmooreunique.com
https://www.facebook.com/rc.moore.7


Wednesday, July 9, 2014

compassion

Compassion is something we do not see too much of in this world. We are always quick to condemn or to point a finger by never with any understanding as to 'why' a person is driven to do the things that they do.

For example, the woman that left her infant in the subway. I'm sure that you all heard of this in the news.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/woman-left-baby-subway-mom-police/story?id=24465578

This woman who had a complete breakdown, left her child in the subway assuming that she would be safe. Of course, I immediately thought, 'if ANYONE ever rode the subway in NYC, that is the LAST place a child would be safe.  Obviously this woman was pushed to her limit and was not thinking clearly. If she was in a stable state of mind, she would not have left the infant alone anywhere! Sometimes desperation leads you to choose between a rock and a hard place. There is no right answer. BUT.....even though we have compassion for this individual, does that mean she is automatically forgiven and should not be punished for putting the child in harms way????

Just like the woman in Arizona who left her small children in a hot car while she was on a job interview. She did not have a sitter.....I have compassion for the woman because she was trying to better her life, she was trying to make a way for her and her children, HOWEVER, it only takes 45 minutes for a child to die in a hot car.  So what is the alternative. Should she not be punished?

Life is full of hard choices and difficult ' no win' situations. I should know, I have LIVED so many sad and sorry situations in my life.  I am a strong supporter and advocate for women. But rather than pet a woman on the head, and put her on the pity pot, we must strengthen these women and educate them. There is a penalty you must pay if you do not make a rational decision.

As women we have the weight of the world on our shoulders. Ultimately it is US that have to bear the burden of having a child, raising a child, taking care of them and making sure they are safe...while we are working to pay rent, bills and food. At the same time, always looking for a man to love us, validate us,take charge of the family, and sometimes that man that we are looking for is not there. In these times, I will say MOST of the time, those men are not there. (no disrespect to men at all , and that is for another blog) I remember back in the day I wanted to throw my hands up and say I QUIT, but then look at the faces of my 4 children and I realized that quitting was not an option! AND...if we as women, say that we cannot handle the situation, and relinquish the custody of our children, then we are condemned!!!!! We are BAD MOMMIES and should be put to death! How can a woman give up her child? as a woman that's been abused, ask a woman that has been pushed in a corner, crippled by a partner and society.

So what do we do? Yes we have compassion...but should a punishment be given, or forgiveness???? what is right? how do we fix it?   Now that's a question for a woman, because we ALWAYS try to 'fix it'.


Rose Ellen Moore
www.rcmooreunique.com

Monday, July 7, 2014

CUT IT OUT JOAN RIVERS!

I am absolutely OUTRAGED at the fact that Joan Rivers THINKS that EVERY aspect of life MUST be a joke! This woman is so out of touch that she should RETIRE!   She walked off an interview on CNN because she thought that the person was negative. Joan...hello....Joan...YOU are the negative one. You, who makes a joke about Casey Anthony's child being dead...YOU who says negative things about almost everyone and doesn't care who it hurts. Who died and made these 4 people the appointed professionals about fashion. Kelly Osbourne is full of tats and her hair is purple....maybe that isn't appealing for some people. Why isn't that a fashion no no? Giulliana Ransic is so thin she can fold herself and put herself in an envelope and mail herself anywhere she wants to go. Why isn't her breast cancer a joke?

There are many people who dress tasteless and have no class. These fashions will never be forgotten. This goes as well for WORDS. Many things Joan has said, has absolutely NO CLASS and they will never be forgotten. I know that everyone wants their fame. But I would not like to be remembered as someone who is vicious to another woman. Especially to someone who has had a breakdown, an eating disorder, some kind of health problem or is  a victim of a poor choice.

Joan you are 80 years old. Certainly life is tough. But do you have to make it tougher? Shouldn't you use humor to soften the blow? Certainly you know what it's like not to love yourself. Since you have had so many plastic surgeries, you must not have been very happy with what you were given by nature. Well maybe some of these people who have been victims of your sharp tongue prefer to leave this world authentic. Unlike you, who has had more plastic body parts than Matell toy company.

I know that as a thick woman, even though someone made fun of me, and I laughed, deep down there is that longing to be like the long lean blonde woman. The one that society wants you to be. The one that doesn't have a big round butt, the kind that has large perky boobs, and the kind that has long silken blonde hair like golden threads. I longed to look like my Barbie doll when I was little, but instead got a thick, curvaceous body with black frizzly like hair. When I was bullied in school, it was just another nail in my confidence coffin. Even though, now at 52, I don't want to be anyone but myself, it still hurts when people are mean. and YOU Joan Rivers, are mean. You are a bully. You need to stop. Madeline Albright wrote, 'there is a special place in hell for women who do not help other women'.    Why don't you use your sharp tongue to EDUCATE, and EMPOWER, rather than BULLY and BATTER.?  But then again, maybe you wouldn't get the ratings, and I guess to you, RATINGS and MONEY are worth more than PRINCIPLE and PRIDE.

I may be nothing to you...and I may not have your money. But I never want to be you. I want to help my sisters, I love my business and I hope and pray that before you leave this earth you try to correct all the damage you have inflicted on actors, artists and musicians. These people are ecclectic and beautiful. They are different. Why are YOU making the rules. No one asked you. So, please go away. Don't go away mad, just go away.

Rose Ellen Moore
www.rcmooreunique.com

http://tvline.com/2014/07/05/joan-rivers-walks-out-cnn-interview/


Monday, June 30, 2014

Enjoy your summer, but don't get drunk~!

 MSN actually put out a list of the 8 things you should not do when you're drunk. Yes, people...someone actually made a list of the things that you should NOT do when you're drunk. I don't know how educated this person was, but they must have been scraping for news today. The first rule should be, don't get drunk, because nothing done is excess turns out to be a positive experience.....and so ......heeeeeeeeere we go!

Ok..here is the first one. Do NOT take acetomenophin. Why? Because it could cause liver damage, even if you take it alone,..... and so can alcohol...therefore it creates a "cluster-f&^%$#" of toxins that could do very bad things to your liver.

Here's the next one...are you ready for this stupidity? Don't drive a boat!  Now that's rocket science. I can't even drive a boat straight if I drank water! This list just gets better.....

Do not GAMBLE!  Chances are, you will lose your money. Guess what? If you're sober, your odds of winning are just as slim.

Here's one that I really didn't know. If you are drunk, and you go in a hot tub, you MAY suffer from dehydration. Your body can not regulate it's body temp and therefore can go into convulsions, you may vomit, and even die! That one was a shocker for me.

Do not go swimming! This would be wise...if you are drunk stay away from water. There is a risk of drowning!


Here's another one that is beyond me. Do Not TAKE SHOTS! Because if you are already drunk, why would you drink MORE?!?! Taking shots makes your blood sugar spike which can cause black outs.

Do Not swallow any kind of sleeping pill or relaxant. You may put yourself in a coma...permanently!

Do not have a Heart-to-heart....next thing you know, that person is spilling the beans to everyone in town

http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/men/the-8-worst-things-you-do-when-youre-wasted

These things actually made news today on MSN.com (see the link above ) and I cannot believe that some of them were even posted. How about THIS newsflash....THE WORST THING YOU COULD DO TO YOUR BODY IS TO GET DRUNK! You may get 'buzzed'...you may feel 'tipsy' and that is a sign to STOP! Why would you continue to put yourself in a compromising situation?    The first thing on your list of 'do nots' should be DO NOT take more than 3 drinks. If you do, have a good and trusted friend take you home immediately, because you have now put yourself at risk. Gambling, driving a boat, going in a hot tub...those things are not even CLOSE to what is the most dangerous. Because YOU (a woman) now has to walk home, or walk to a cab, which puts you at risk, you must unlock your apartment door, and you have no idea who is watching you....this is a stupid list of frivolous things. First Rule....DON"T GET DRUNK...drink, but have control. Once you give up control, ANYTHING that you do, will be the wrong thing! I hope that whoever wrote this article understands this. Lets start the summer off treating ourselves well, having self respect. Party! YES! Party party party!!!!! but everything must have a limit or there may be regrets later.

Happy 4th of July!!!! from Rose Ellen and Clayton Moore

www.rcmooreunique.com

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Here's to the stuff that REALLY matters.....

As I was reading the morning news on MSN today I came across an article that was so inspiring. I was so happy to see two young actors finally 'get it'. In the wake of Kim and Kanye's wedding, which I am happy for, but ok, lets talk about something else, shall we?  I'm tired of hearing about why or why not with Obama, Congress, the economy, The Duggers, Kate plus 8 and every other reality show.  I'm hungry for a piece of news, but not that news. I am left with an empty feeling and sadness.

Why don't we talk about things that matter? Things that we CAN do something about? Today in the news was a photograph taken by the papparazzi of Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield. Instead of smiling for the cameras, or punching one of them, they simply 'tried something new'. They put their CHARITIES first. They put the needs of others before themselves. Wow..that's a wild thought.

http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/emma-stone-andrew-garfield-redirect-paparazzi-attention-to-charities-with-signs-over-their-faces-1820842.story

their sign read:

"www.youthmentoring.orgwww.autismspeaks.org, (and don't forget) www.wwo.org,www.gildasclubnyc.org," it reads. "Here's to the stuff that matters. Have a great day!"


Here's to the stuff that really matters!   Get it?  

Gilda's club was named for Gilda Radner, whom I not only LOVED but imitated way back in the late 70's. She brought me out of my shell in high school and helped me discover who I was. She was gone too soon due to ovarian cancer. This 'club' is a place that people come to , to 'live with' cancer. This place offers emotional social support as a supplement to medical care. What a great organization.

 Please click on the website above to become a member or supporter.


"The Mission of Youth Mentoring Connection (YMC) is to awaken at-risk youth to their power, unique gifts and purpose by matching them with caring adult mentors and placing that “match” within a structured group dynamic that provides the resources youth need to reach productive, conscious adulthood." 

  How badly we need a program like this in every city in America! This organization was founded in 2001...just think what could happen if we get more educated adults involved in this!

Please click on the above link to find out how you can help!

autism speaks is a  great organization that shows how you can get involved in finding a way to screen your child,  to get support if you have an autistic child, to get resources for information, to organize a walk ....there are tool kits, blogs, and so many informative things on this website. 

Click on the above link to find out how you can help, or get this information to someone who needs help. 

This is what social media is all about. I could post another selfie with a crazy wig, I could promote my business which I intend to do later, but right now Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield challenged me silently. I watched them inspire me to do the right thing. So now I'm passing it to you. 

 Here's to the stuff that REALLY matters....  I hope you pass it on

Have a great day!

Rose Ellen Moore
www.rcmooreunique.com









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Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Moonstruck

This morning as I was preparing for work, I came across one of my most favorite movies on TV...Moonstruck.  I was so happy to start my day feeling alittle nostalgic about my family and so close to my roots.

I was born in Berwick PA. A very small town where 'out of the norm' is not accepted. Where being different means that you have a mental problem. When I grew up there about 85% of the whole place was Italian/Catholic. I grew up happy and surrounded by many family members. I never had a loss for friends. My cousins and extended family were my friends.

Because of life and choices that I have made (with no regrets, I may add) , I am estranged from my family. When I see a movie like Moonstruck it gives me that sense of nostalgia....it gives me some warmth, it reminds me where I came from. Even though my family is far from me physically as well as mentally, I still feel a sense of gratitude. I would not be the strong person that I am, had I not come from good stock. I do not hate them, but rather, I honor them for creating in me a purpose, a strong will and a backbone.

I moved here to the Allentown/Bethlehem area about 8 years ago. I was full of tears, hate, anger, and so much negativity. In that 8 years time, I manifested my own family. My husband and I have a 'mom and dad' who are 85 years old and Jewish. We have brothers and sisters, Mary and Tony who are Irish, Monica and Adrian who are latino, Sean Hassett who is latino, Danniella from Hava Java who is international, Meg, who is Italian, so many others who are African, Dominican, Greek, Syrian, Egyptian and Lebanese. I can't even begin to name them all. And for the first time while I watched Moonstruck, I did not feel a sense of loss. I felt a sense of restoration. The people who raised me brought me to a point in my life, and then it was up to me and life to bring bring me to the next point. Every thing that happens and every person in your life helps to create you and to mold you into the being that you are.

At the end of Moonstruck the family makes a toast....'alla famiglia'...'to the family!'   yes...to all my family here, I salute you, I applaude you, I thank you, and most of all..........I love you....

Te amo...

Rose Ellen Moore
www.rcmooreunique.com




Friday, June 13, 2014

what have you done lately?

Today I read an article on Ruby Dee. She met Tyler Perry when he opened his studios. Tyler wrote about meeting her, saying..."I wish young people knew the price that these people have paid for us"....  He meant the older generation. They paved the way for so many things. For adversity...acceptance...human rights....they lifted us to live better and to evolve into the progressive race we are today. We owe an insurmountable debt to brave men and women who put themselves in harms way for equal rights, for humanity, for their culture or their gender. We can say that we remember soldiers on veterans day...or activists on Martin Luther King day...but what are we doing to follow in the footsteps of these people who have paved a very hard road?

What are you doing as a woman or a man to lift up your gender? Are you setting an example? Are you spending enough time with your male or female children to teach them about respect for themselves and others? Are u helping other people's' children when they  have no one? How are you helping your culture of people? Have you supported your comrades when they needed it? And have you done so without putting down another culture of people? What have you as a woman done to help or support your sisters? We need to leave a legacy just like Ruby Dee...we need to leave a message to whoever is here long after we are gone. If we Don't ....then what have we truly lived for?

When someone dies we usually pray for them. We pray for their soul to rest and for them to live in a glorious afterlife. Some of us believe that people look down upon us forever. Well...would they be proud of how we have carried on? Instead of all the prayers...why don't we show them that the greatest tribute that we can pay to a person is to continue their greatest work? Let's take care of each other...let's help each other...let's pave the way for our children's children. If we don't. ..then what is our purpose....or the question would be....do we even have one?


Rose Ellen Moore
Www.rcmooreunique.com




Wednesday, June 11, 2014

One life...I'm gonna LIVE IT UP!


This is a sign that I saw on facebook this morning!  And it's so true. Even for people who believe in reincarnation, or whatever your religious or spiritual belief is. I ask myself in the morning, if this was my last day, what would I say, would I do anything differently, how would people remember me?  So, I was curious as to what famous people said for their last words. 

Roger Ebert, famous movie critic wrote, "see you at the movies."...


Bob Hope's wife asked him where he wanted to be buried, and he responded, "surprise me."

Glenn Miller who was on a plane bound for Paris to entertain troops in WWII said, "Where the hell are the parachutes?"

Groucho Marx said, "put in my coffin, a deck of cards, a 7 iron and a pretty blonde"

John Wayne's wife asked if he knew who she was, and he said, "of course I know who you are, you're my girl, I love you."

So today I thought of my famous last words, I hope I say something funny, something people will remember, but I hope they remember that I really lived my life, in fun and laughter with alot of love.  I hope you have the opportunity to do the same. 

Rose Ellen Moore
www.rcmooreunique.com


Friday, May 30, 2014

I am ashamed of my people..................

Last night my husband was watching a sports channel with Bryant Gumbel who was discussing the world cup games in Brazil and also RACISM in Europe. I was so disheartened when I heard this discussion and I came to a realization that even in the year 2014 we have gotten NOWHERE and that all of the fighting for human rights and for equality is in vain.  How do we fix stupid? How do we correct all of the fighting over the color of a person's skin? How do we evolve into a people that is above all of this petty bigotry? Will this ever go away?

I was appalled to read an article in The Daily Beast telling of Cecile Kyenge and her painful ordeal of trying to lead a country that is drowing in the past. This woman is educated, an opthamologist in Modena, Italy. She  came from the Congo when she was 18 and adopted Italy as her country. Not only has she given back as serving the Italian people through medicine but now she wants to give back to the entire country by educating them about racism and immigration.

Europe as well as the United States must get their heads out of the.....................sand. (And maybe a piece of their anatomy as well) We must embrace every person who has something to contribute to the country and use it as advancement, rather than being imprisoned in ignnorance. I hope and pray that the Italian people overcome their stupidness and cowardice. Fear has these people stuck.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/07/29/the-shameful-ordeal-of-cecile-kyenge-italy-s-first-black-minister.html
( please copy and paste that link in your browser)


Just last week, in my shop, a man came into my shop and said hello to me, and then turned to my husband and said..."Mabooga booga.... how do you say 'hello' in your native tongue."   My husband turned to him and said in his beautiful Trinidadian accent..."hello".... Just his simple response, so calm and collected, made the man look like a fool.  

I am ashamed of my people...Italian people?  no....white people? ....no...  I'm ashamed of this human race of people. I am ashamed that we have learned NOTHING...and I am angry. On this day...2 days after our beloved Maya Angelou passed, I MUST SPEAK OUT. I cannot go through my life like it does not matter. It matters..,.not only to ME but to US as a whole. A world divided will never be able to survive.


Rose Ellen Moore
www.rcmooreunique.com