I’m in the process of writing an adaption of Left to Tell, a NY Times bestseller about the true story of Immaculee Ilibagiza, a woman who survived the Rwandan genocide in 1994. She was in her early 20s when the genocide began, and all but one of her brothers was killed.
I recommend you buy this book….NOW. I read it over the course of two days, and just couldn’t put it down. I was ecstatic when I was given the rights to the property (meaning given permission to write the movie) and there is a production company out here in LA currently developing a film. The CEO of the company is alumni from my film school, and I’m hoping I can show him my script.
In addition to being A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, she’s drop dead gorgeous, no?
Catholic Underground is this weekend. There won’t be a December CU so I suggest you come and get your kicks on Saturday or else you’ll have to wait until January.
Fr. Augustino and Br. David are flying out from the Bronx friary to MC and will be giving a talk at 6:30 pm, though the regular party starts at 8 pm. The Thirsting will be our entertainment for the night. I’ve never heard of them, but I’m hoping that I will like them and subsequently add them to the list of music I would like to use in Pilgrims.
I’m really really excited about meeting Fr. Augustino for the first time. Fr. Stan was the first CFR I ever met when he came and performed at my high school once upon a decade ago. I think Fr. Stan would leave an impression on just about anyone, so I checked out the community’s website, which has an e-letter of spiritual thoughts and advice posted every week.
I am not embarrassed to say this—I’ve been reading the CFR e-letter off and on for years, and since Fr. Augustino writes for the e-letter often I guess you could say I’m kind of a fan…in addition to being a CFR groupie.
Catholic Underground, Nov. 15
St. Victor’s Church
8634 HOLLOWAY DR.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069
If you need some more CFR goodness in your life, watch this short documentary on them. It must have been made a while ago as some of the friars are still being called “Brother” but have been introduced to me as ordained priests:
In the last few weeks I’ve grown a renewed interest in a few fashion items:
1. Headwear
I’ve been wearing a lot of headbands and beanies lately, and not because of a bad hair day! Check out some of the beautiful lace headbands fromGarlands of Grace.
2. Ankle length skirts
I will admit that I can’t stand skirts. I only own 2 or 3 of them. I love dresses, but there’s something about skirts I can’t tolerate. Floor-length skirts however, have become one of my new looks. I’ve actually been wearing some of my summer maxi dresses with tops over them. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments so the look must work. Check out some of the skirts from Marabo.
3. Heels
I’m making it a point to wear heels more often. Not only do they correct my posture :), but they are feminine, and femininity is something we should always be after.
Is there anything you’ve been wearing more of lately?
It seems religion wasn’t the only thing on some people’s minds at the 2008 World Youth Day. While over two hundred thousand people walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
Brisbane pilgrim Joe Frassetto dropped on bended knee and proposed to partner Samantha Ovett who accepted amid cheering onlookers.
The Catholic Leader reports that Joe made his proposal in the midst of a crowd of 200,000 pilgrims on their way to Randwick for the Papal Mass.
Within a smaller group of Sunnybank parishioners and local students, accompanied by Oxenford parish priest Fr Adrian Sharp, Joe said he “thought of proposing every day” of the couple’s two year courtship, describing the actual moment as “perfect”.
Chorused by cheering and clapping from onlookers, the proposal was accepted and Fr Sharp agreed to celebrate the impending nuptials.
Himself overcome with emotion Fr Sharp said committing to the vocation of marriage is symbolic of what World Youth Day “was calling forth” in its pilgrims.
“We all need to take the same leap of faith, believing that we have been filled with power by the Holy Spirit so that we can be the Lord’s witnesses in the world,” Fr Sharp said.
The Sunnybank couple were distant acquaintances in their teens with Sam two years older than Joe who, despite the age difference, admitted to a “high school crush”.
Years later, their paths once again crossed.
Early in their courtship Samantha expressed a desire to become Catholic and was baptised at Our Lady of Lourdes, Sunnybank, in November last year journeying on the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults).
Samantha said her future husband, an industrial design student, was “supportive but not pushy” about the decision.
Saying “no one else existed” during the proposal, the 26 year old only remembered the presence of tens thousands of others after the crowd vocalised their excitement.
“Once everyone started yelling I thought, ‘Yes, there’s lots of people around’ … initially it was like no body else existed.”
I’m still waiting on Christa Taylor’s winter line, but Down East Basics, Layers Clothing, aaaaand Shabby Apple have all gotten their holiday lines in. Hip hip hooray…
Down East Basics
Layers Clothing
Shabby Apple
Oh, and apparently Shabby Apple is carrying shoes now.
Since these are winter lines, this of course means that all of the fall wear is on sale.
Now is the time when I pull out the “little black dress.” I have a number of them in different styles and fabrics for every occasion from birthday parties and film festivals to last minute professional functions.
I think 3 is a good number to have, and not because of the trinity. Check out some finds on the internet:
I went shoe shopping over the weekend and bought two pairs of Steve Maddens, my brand of choice for heels and boots. I bought some black suede boots and some brown Mary-Jane-esque heels with a really cute button detail from DSW.
Now that it is finally getting cold, it is time for us girls to adapt. This week will be dedicated to fall fashion steals and deals.
Next time around I will try to write more posts related to chastity and marriage as a vocation, as well as more posts for actual Catholic wedding planning. Suggestions are welcome.
Essentially all of the links in the bridal category will take you to sites with modest bridesmaids dresses, but here are some more for viewing pleasure:
Jessica May Bridal specializes in making custom attire for the entire bridal party, men included.
The website of David’s Bridal has an application that can help you coordinate the outfits of the party.
As far as bridesmaids dresses go, two of my favorite designers are Siri and Simple Silhouettes. The gowns are chic and come in a variety of vibrant colors.
I absolutely cannot leave out Pronovias in my ten best list—Pronovias is pretty much my favorite bridal brand….ever. I wrote earlier that if you need modest bridal wear you should head to either Utah or Spain, the former because of the predominant Mormon population, the latter for the predominant Catholic population.
It is an untested theory of mine that many bridal designers from Spanish (& Portuguese) speaking countries design styles slightly more romantic than American designers. This is also true of other ethnic designers, as I have seen some beautiful designs with African and Asian influences. There is something romantic about modesty, and I think the Pronovias brand has captured this.
They may be too conservative for some, but I like Eternity’s gowns. They’re very simple with just enough embellishments to do the job. The current line has a very nice selection of more fitted sheath styles for a “sexy modest” look.
Monique’s gowns range from being moderately expensive to very expensive, but her pieces are so romantic and beautiful I can’t not mention them.
Depending on the size of your bust, many of her gowns would need to be slightly built up to cover your cleavage (something that is relatively simple and inexpensive to do.)
Like I wrote earlier, the wonderful thing about Jasmine Bridal is that they have a service that will customize practically any of their gowns. You can change the necklines, sleeve types, etc.
Like Abella Bridal, I think Pamela’s Gowns are very fashion forward, yet still very modest. The spring 2009 line has all of the current trends including a tiered gown.
If you’re having a winter wedding, I would highly suggest you check out Justin Alexander’s line of bridal gowns.
In addition to the usual satin, taffeta, and satin, Justin Alexander has a few gowns with velvet and rhinestone details perfect for a wedding within the Christmas season.
The line has a number of sleeve and jacket options, so a gown like this could be made appropriate for a mass.
This particular gown comes with a number of detachable options including sleeves, a jacket, and a lace overlay.
I wish all designers would create options like these…
Remember the TV shows Punky Brewster and Sabrina the Teenage Witch?
Actress and boutique owner Soleil Moon renewed her vows last weekend after ten years of marriage to her husband Jason Goldberg. The couple has two daughters, Poet, 3 years old, and Jagger, 7 months. Soleil owns an eco-friendly children’s boutique called The Little Seed in LA.
If you’ve dreamt about that beautiful classic church wedding, chances are one of Kathleen’s gowns is exactly like the one you dreamt of yourself in.
The gowns in Kathleen’s line are made largely of lace details on satin or lace on taffeta for that classic and romantic look. These gowns are definitely timeless, so if that’s the look you’re going for, head on over to Kathleen’s Bridal.
I try to research as many apparel resources for this site as I can.
Be advised that while most of the links in my "Modest Apparel" category are from designers who specifically design modest apparel, some of the websites include only a select amount of modest choices. Modest dress is dependent on styling. If it isn't modest, make it modest.
One asterisk (*) next to a link means it is a plus size site. Two asterisks (**) indicate that the site sells both plus size and average size apparel.
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Actors Will Smith & Jada Pinkett-Smith
