Tattoos............

Tattoos are a work of art. They are an outward expression of what you feel in your heart. I remember my grandfather's tattoo on his forearm. It always fascinated me. It was an optical illusion. A woman's face in a rose. If you looked at it one way it was a rose, the other way, it was her face. Whatever way you chose, it was so beautiful. I vowed to get one....so when I got older I did. TO THE DISGRACE OF MY FAMILY!

My mother tried to rub it off...she then announced that I was 'trash'. Someone in my family wrote an absolutely HORRIBLE letter about me on Myspace. At that time, that was the equivalent of Facebook....I was devastated. That 'letter' almost sent me to the ER with chest pain. My family really thought I was trash....my mother, my cousins, my aunts.......For awhile I sunk in a great depression...  They said, as I got older my tattoo would become ugly. It would sag as I would sag, and I would look disgraceful. Well...consider this blog my public FINGER to everyone  that said I was trash. To everyone that said I didn't have class....BYE FELICIA!  I love my tattoo....and I always will...I may enhance it this summer. But as I get older, I intend to live my life OUT LOUD!  Just like these mature folks are doing......

There are people that don't like tattoos...that's fine. There are people that really do.....and that's fine. But my whole point is, don't judge anyone based on what they look like, you have no idea...the BEST people are the colorful ones...

Rose Ellen Moore

www.rcmooreunique.com

610-740-3820

If I Had a Million Dollars...................

If I had a million dollars.............
what would I do with that?
Would I buy some boobs, inject my face
and have them suck out fat?

Would I have my old face lifted
put my eyebrows up so high?
Would I have my butt exploded
or have a thinner thigh?

If I had a million dollars,
I would spend it on my kids
What benefit would it be to them
If I had high eyelids?

If I had a million dollars
me and my hubby would go
off into the sunset
where there is not a flake of snow!

If I had a million dollars
it could feed people in need
that's what we should all do
and not be consumed by greed

If I had a million dollars
I would give it all away
You never know if you even
have another day

There are some people in this world
who want for more and more
They can have a million dollars
and still think like they're poor

So if I had a million dollars
I hope I still have friends
I hope the love I have
with my husband never ends

If I had a million dollars
it wouldn't change a thing
because I have more riches in my life
than just about anything


Rose Ellen Moore
4/10/2015
www.rcmooreunique.com

Mad Men Style...in Berwick PA!

I was watching Mad Men on TV the other night and I was chuckling to myself...' wow, I wore that, and that, and that................"     I remember thinking how cool I looked. I remember how I HATED the fact that my mother sewed us everything. I soooooooo wanted a 'store bought dress'.  I wish I could have taken that back. My mother was very good at what she did. We lived in a small town called Berwick PA....  Berwick was a tiny tiny town 3.2 square miles. that's it! The population in 1910 was around 5,000 people...in 1940 it ballooned to over 13,000 because of the influx of Europeans during WWII.   My family came to Berwick during that time. My mother's family from Italy, and my father's family from Hungary.  Being that our town was so small, we were lucky to have 2 department store that sold Shoes, Mens suits, women's childrens and teens clothing. But nothing was 'out of the ordinary' or 'like the magazines'. We had 1 block that was called 'downtown'....and that was it. If what you were looking for wasn't there, you were out of luck!

My mother would go to the grocery store, and purchase all the Vogue magazines. Harpers Bizarre, etc. and then, she would buy fabric at Newberry's ( a store down town) and make us dresses, just like Twiggy...hot pants, like Pam Greer. We always had the best. We just didn't know it. 

Now that I own a vintage/millinery, I see alot of the same styles I had back then. The great thing is, you can wear them now too. Classic styles are so beautiful and fashion just goes around and around. Here are a few of the things that we wore back then, and I have a version of them in my shop. Maybe the prints are alittle different, but the cuts are still the same. Hope you stop in and see us sometime!! We have the largest selection of vintage in the Lehigh Valley and a hat room where you can go deep into your fantasy world!!! 

Rose Ellen Moore

RCMoore for the Unique Millinery and Vintage Shop

1729 W Tilghman Street

Allentown PA  18104

610-740-3820

RCMoore for the Unique Individual, Because NO ONE is quite like YOU! 

WRINKLES! UGH!

This morning I was watching Good Morning America.... and among all the fun things they had on their show, there was one article that was troubling me......

7 Easy Ways to Prevent Wrinkles....  these were taken directly from the website:

https://gma.yahoo.com/pore-fection-7-easy-ways-prevent-wrinkles-105757566--abc-news-fashion-and-beauty.html

1. Avoid drinking through a straw. 

2. Limit frequent gum chewing. 

3. Always wear your sunglasses, even when it's cloudy. 

4. Try not to stretch your skin when applying or removing makeup. 

5. Limit consumption of refined sugar. 

6. Be aware of how much you’re looking down at your mobile devices. 

7. Try not to sleep on your side. 

Are you all done laughing yet?  I have news for everyone that believes this stuff. Here it is...ready?

THERE IS NO WAY TO PREVENT WRINKLES! NONE! NADA! NO WAY!!! Ok? so here's my beauty TIP of the day.....

ENJOY your life!!! Drink through a straw!!! Lots of them!!! drink shakes! lemonade! and an occasional Margharita!  Chew GUM! I enjoy Extra! it keeps my breath minty fresh so I can talk to my customers without them falling over! :) Make sure you can SEE! Your eyes will let you know when you need sunglasses. If it's cloudy and you can't see with sunglasses...don't worry about wrinkles, worry about a car accident!  Limit sugar but don't deny yourself an occasional piece of chocolate! Look up down and side ways...that's why God gave you a neck! Sleep in the crook of your lovers arm, sleep next to your dog or cat, sleep any way you want...but sleep WELL and DREAM of good things. This list is CRAP!   

Happy Easter and don't pay attention to the media! they just want you to put more money into Botox, and plastic surgery!   Learn to love yourself....wrinkles and all.  My wrinkles are where a smile has been.....and I hope to smile all the way to my grave. 

Love to all and Happy Easter!

the dreaded HIGH SCHOOL PROM!

As an owner of a vintage clothing/millinery shop, I thought I saw it all until a mother brought her 16 year old daughter in looking for a dress, and then complained that all of my gowns were not 'SEXY ENOUGH'......  then we wonder what is wrong with this generation. We wonder why our daughters come home pregnant, we wonder why they have low self esteem...we wonder why..........


I usually try to stay neutral about certain things in life, ....politics, religion, lifestyle, etc. Everyone has the right to live their own life and live it in the way they choose. Since we are the US of A, that rule applies to everyone. However, we must examine society and society's views on us as women and our female children.

First of all, let me state, that being 'sexy' is an attitude. Not how much skin is exposed. You can exude sexuality and wear a turtleneck sweater. It's all in the look, the way you walk, the way you talk and the way you present yourself. Confidence is key and it's one thing that I encourage every woman to have. It is very hard in this day and age to have confidence and self worth when everything in this society is pointing toward, weight loss, cosmetic surgery and prefect 'everything'.  I watch women when they put on a hat. All of a sudden the back gets straighter, the look on her face changes and she sees an elegance that she didn't see before. That is the feeling that we need to have all the time. Respect for yourself is the most important thing.

The definition of sexy means, attractive, exciting and appealing. All of these things can be achieved without exposing yourself.  It doesn't even have anything to do with a man wanting you. It has to do with YOUR opinion of YOURSELF!  

We all have our off days. The days we don't feel like putting on make up, the days we just don't feel well  (today my allergies are kickin my behind)....but no matter how you feel physically, your standards for yourself can never be lowered.

So, in short, if you want a dress where you will be exposed, please don't come to see me, I don't' have short, tight and tasteless.............If you want vintage Hollywood glamour and class, stop in, we will have fun playing 'Barbie'.....and you will see an elegance in yourself that was just hiding for a minute.

Rose Ellen Moore

www.rcmooreunique.com

RCMoore for the Unique Millinery and Vintage shop

1729 W Tighlman St

Allentown PA 18104

talk, teach and inspire

       Yesterday I was in the shop alone in the afternoon. I have a big front window and that is where I keep my sewing machine and other 'good stuff' to create costumes, hats, whatever. I play old movies on the television all day. These movies inspire me, remind me how far we have come as women....

Yesterday was unusually slow, and so I sat and listened to movies and I was making a fascinator. I had already surged and shaped the sinamay and now I was twisting it to form a shape. I was frustrated and I'm sure if anyone walked in at that moment they would have heard a barrage of ()*&(&%*^%$$&$%*()()(_)$#@%@@! coming from me.  But a little crowd started to form outside my window. First 3 kids, then 5 and then more. They were all about 12-16 years old. I didn't look up, I just thought they wanted a photo with Marilyn outside. But no, they were watching what I was doing. They were probably looking at my contorted face too. But at that moment, I felt so much grace. I hoped that out of that little pod of kids, I made some kind of impression on one. Maybe that will be the one to go on to do something in millinery or fashion. I motioned for them to come in, but they were content to watch me from  outside and drink their sodas. ( I don't allow sodas in my shop)  I was blessed in that moment. To be a mentor, to be an inspiration, to be an idea, is a blessing. In this day and age, we see kids absorbed in their cell phones and we think they are not watching, but they are. They are taking it allllllllll in...and storing it in the databases of their minds. So, if you have a minute, and they are watching, take the time. Inspire a child, talk to them. You never know if YOU will be the one to make a total difference in their lives........

Tiger Woods....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQvEoihC4MQ

Cate Blanchett

Katy Perry

Rose Ellen Moore

www.rcmooreunique.com

A note to an ugly journalist............

This morning, as every morning, I  opened MSN news on my computer and immediately read an article about the most talented Kelly Clarkson being called a 'chunky monkey' because she gained  weight after having a baby nine months ago.

Katie Hopkins, who is a British Journalist and TV personality, attacked Kelly Clarkson by calling her a chunky monkey, and said that she ate her back up singers. please refer to the link below.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/music/celebrity/katie-hopkins-calls-kelly-clarkson-chunky-monkey-on-access-hollywood/ar-AA9thBZ

Here's the funny thing. I had to google Katie Hopkins because I didn't even know who she was, and after seeing who she was, I thought, well NO WONDER she's upset. Kelly may be chunky, but she's cute and her personality shines through. She has survived so many things in her life and has maintained a positive attitude. She is married and content with a beautiful baby that she sacrificed her figure for. Then take a look at Katie whoever she is, she is thin, no doubt but body type really doesn't matter. . She is ugly...she has an ugly heart and a wicked personality that makes her look pathetic. She has to put other people down to make herself look beautiful. I'm positive she cannot sing like Kelly Clarkson.....I'm positive she doesn't even know her.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2983328/Ultimately-Kelly-Clarkson-chunky-monkey-Katie-Hopkins-continues-attack-claims-s-no-thing-fat-shaming.html

Every day women come into my boutique and beat themselves up because they gained a few pounds, they don't look like so and so...listen......really listen to this ALL WOMEN......

LOVE YOURSELF NO MATTER WHAT YOUR BODY LOOKS LIKE RIGHT NOW....you gain weight you lose weight, you have an operation, you have a scar,you have a baby, you get depressed and eat, you move on....is it that important? does it define who you are as a woman or a person?   I have gained 35 pounds since I owned my boutique....I eat on the run, I don't have time for myself right now....right now....that's not forever. I'm sure I will lose that 35 pounds, but I'm not going to even entertain the thought that I'm ugly...I am SOOOOOO NOT UGLY!   The ugly person is the woman that points at another woman with less than encouraging words and makes her feel bad about herself. The ugly woman is the woman that looks at another 'fat' woman with disdain and disgust without compassion, understanding, or even  knowing anything about the woman that she is disgracing.

Chickens do come home to roost, Katie Hopkins, so be prepared for the karma. And thank you for showing the world who you really are. Now I know not to follow you on twitter........you are sooooooo not worth it.

 me at 160 pounds

me at 195 pounds

and still loving myself.

Rose Ellen Moore

www.rcmooreunique.com

Reality.................

As I was driving to work yesterday, Thursday, March 5, I was in the midst of a huge snow storm. My husband had driven the truck to work in Philadelphia, and I was driving a small, (very small) rented car so that I could drive 15 minutes to work.

As I was driving, I wondered who in the world was going to come to the shop today in the middle of a snowstorm. But, since all my materials for making new hats, costumes, etc was at the shop, I decided to go in to do some work and watch old movies. I had my food with me, my chai tea, and I prepared to have a relaxing day in my shop.

As I was driving, an oil truck was struggling to get up the hill. I stayed back about 3 car lengths, just in case I had to go around him. All of a sudden, I noticed his trailer starting to slide over to the right. I don't know what the driver was thinking, but then I noticed the front of his truck was turned to the left and swinging around. I think he was either attempting to turn around (in the middle of the street) or try to gain control of the trailer that was sliding down hill TOWARD ME!  I started to back up, but there were cars behind me. It was snowing badly. All of a sudden I saw the front of his truck coming straight at the side of my car. There was nowhere for me to go. I couldn't turn right, there was a snow bank and I couldn't go left, the truck was there. I couldn't back up, there were cars behind me. I started to blow the horn, I was yelling STOP! STOP! The driver of the truck was staring at me with a look of desperation.  I closed my eyes and waited for impact and thought...I'm not ready. I'm not ready to go....I'm not ready to leave my husband. He stopped about a foot from my car.

The driver got out to see if I was ok. He apologized...he was a mess and so was I. All the cars behind me backed down the hill...and I did also, enough to get out of the way and wait for the truck to move and I went up the hill around the truck.

It was an eye opening experience for me. In a split second our life can change drastically. We can become a cripple, or dead in the blink of an eye. My whole day, I thought.....I almost wasn't here. I almost didn't get to unlock this door. If he would have hit me, I would not be able to make this hat today. All day yesterday I was grateful.....I was grateful for placing one sequin on one dress. For tying a belt, or zipping a dress.

Later that night when my husband came home, the kiss he gave me was so appreciated. It tasted so good. All of a sudden I noticed his soft lips, his beard stubble, his beautiful eyebrows...the shape of his nose. I was so grateful. Maybe this was what I needed. My chai tea smells better, I appreciate my full body, my big ass, and my age. I am happy for every wrinkle on my face. It is still here to smile, and to welcome one more day........................................

Be grateful................................................

Rose Ellen A Moore

RCMoore for the Unique Millinery and Vintage

www.rcmooreunique.com

double standards, nakedness and big women..............

I couldn't wait to come into work today and jot down a few of my thoughts, however ANGRY they may be.

In the last few days we have lost our beloved 'Spock' from Star Trek. Leonard Nimoy was not only a gifted actor but he was a very special person. His quote was, "Here's to the big girls, the small girls and the girls in between. "......How very beautiful. He was a man that wanted to promote positive body image. Do you know how much this must have meant to the women who were in the photos? I wish I could interview them to see how their day went. I bet this one photo shoot changed their whole lives and how they feel about themselves.

What is wrong with America? we get our head stuck up our own butt simply because of nudity. It's a human body.....it's not engaged in a sexual act, it's not anything, it's just a body. Europe does not have this issue. But we do. We have such a double standard here. In NYC there are hundreds of strip clubs. These women dance totally nude, but show a piece of nude art in Time Square, and the hierarchy will tell you to put a dress on it.

The be headings  of innocent men and the burning of one was put on national TV and the internet. We watch children starve, people bludgeon each other, and yet, when someone poses in the nude, the same nude body that inspired Michelangelo,  and Picasso, is now deemed as 'dirty' or  'inappropriate'....

I will continute to support curvy women, not so curvy women, in between women, women with one breast, one arm, one leg, no arms, no legs, no hair, .....everybody!!!!  we must treat ourselves and our bodies with respect.  We should celebrate being alive and healthy.

Facebook, can kiss MY BIG ROUND BEAUTIFUL A$$!!!!!!   (too bad I can't post it on facebook)

PS   thank you Leonard Nimoy!


Rose Ellen Moore

Peter Paul Rubens 

Lucien Freud

Picasso

Degas

I'm so over the Oscars and who wore what................

I really enjoyed the Oscars.....there were some wonderful moments that I will never forget....

Glory from Selma being one of them.   Lady Gaga's tribute to Julie Andrews....  Graham Moore that won an Oscar and told everyone he tried to kill himself because he was different at 16 years old. I enjoyed watching the fashions. But I really hate the judgments and the make wrongs. These are artists....I say that time and time again. These are people who create masterpieces for us to watch many many years from now. Music, theater, costume design, animation, ....all has to do with art. I agree that some people chose the wrong color, (for my taste) and I agree that some people did not do their hair right (for my taste) , however, to make someone wrong, to belittle someone, is bullying. Plain and simple. 

Giuliana Rancic and Kelly Osborne are not my opinion of experts. These 2 'fashion experts'  need to go sit down. (and please shut up!) These 2 people are trying to carry on the torch of Joan Rivers who, at the beginning of her career was funny, but as she got older, she was mean spirited and cruel. I never enjoyed the 'Fashion Police'.... Who dubbed these people goddesses of fashion?This stupid show was  about making fun of someone's weight, and  discussing whether a red shoe would have looked better than the black one the person was wearing. Why can't people wear what they want? Why can't people enjoy their lives without someone making you wrong for it.  Everybody has a different taste and style.  Not everyone has the desire to look 'like everyone else'. I know that first hand. If I had to wear ANY of the gowns that I saw at the Oscars, I would have been unhappy. I love COLOR and lots of it! and I'm a big girl, so I look like a giant peacock, and I LOVE IT! what would Joan Rivers have said about me?  I don't care, because her opinion, and Giuliana's and Kelly's do not matter to me. They are flies that feed off garbage, and they contribute NOTHING to the good of society. They make people feel bad about themselves.  So, I'm making myself the fashion police. I'm arresting them, for assaults on peoples' self confidence, and for stealing peoples' joy.......

Everyone has an opinion, and we in this great country are allowed to have it. And we are also free to wear the things that make us happy, and creative and fun. God Bless America.....

Rose Ellen A Moore

RCMoore for the Unique millinery and vintage shop

www.rcmooreunique.com