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Here I would love to share with you our travels and adventures as international mushroom consultants. MEMOIRS about husband Pieter Vedder, who was a SCIENTIFIC PIONEER in Commercial Mushroom Cultivation Education. His practical handbook is in 9 languages and is called the MUSHROOM BIBLE: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2020/08/modern-mushroom-growing-2020-harvesting.html

Friday, October 18, 2024

The Book MELANIA

 Sure, I did read during the power outage caused by. Hurricane Helene. Using my Mighty Bright clip on LED Light, I finished two historical books in Dutch. One about Joan of Arc and the next about Love and Betrayel around Lucrecia Borgia.
It was fun as it brought me back to those Old World places I've been before.
#1 Best Seller
Ordered the book MELANIA and it arrived on Friday, October 11. A very elegant black cover with only her name on the center front and on its spine. Just as our First Lady Melania is—elegant and classy. On Sunday, I started reading in it.

On Monday, October 14, I finished it...
While living and working in Italy over 1989, I've worked with lots of Yugoslavian women. Those that fled the country before the war.
Living under a Communist regime was already tough enough.

So for that, I can understand MELANIA, as she dared to venture out on her own to Milan, Italy. Not easy for leaving your family and culture behind and to start in another language—but she DID.
Her Slovenian name: Melanija Knavs super model

From there she went to Paris and was quite successful as a supermodel.

Her next, brave move, was the flight to New York City for modeling in the United States.
For Melania, the former supermodel...

And the rest is history...
For me, having studied three years of Fashion and only been on the runway to model some self created outfits and finally showing my bridal gown, there is enough admiration for Melania.
On the runway in my bridal gown—my sewing creation. This was at the end of each year at Fashion School after I'd graduated already as they had no bride for that year. My youngest cousin was my brides maid.
Showing train of my bridal gown and damsel sleeves in April, 1973

It was touching how Melania described her arrival to the New World and also her courtship with Donald.
She is 24 years younger, so I could identify with that, as my Pieter was almost 22 years my senior.

It was so to the point how she wrote—about Donald, it was as if our souls had always known each other! 
Surely can identify with that...
Guess due to the age difference, the foundation of a blissful relationship is quite different and far more intensive. I've always lived to the fullest of every day and feeling grateful for that.

Her language use is incredible and knowing that she speaks several languages! 

She further described how she got warned that Muslim countries might not shake hands with women... She went to Saudi Arabia and I got warned before going to the world's biggest Muslim country of Indonesia—so I certainly could identify with that.
But Melania got welcomed in a very special way!
That is due to her poise and elegance.

Former Press Secretary Dana Perino said it best:
MELANIA
'She lights up the room, and I think she can light up the country.' —Dana Perino
Dana Perino was the 24th White House Press Secretary and is now an American political commentator and author.

Melania Wearing Her Escada Blazer at the White House, September 2017
Escada is also my favorite couture brand because of great fit and quality.

There is a lot of envy because of her exceptional beauty, her strong family ties (a cultural thing of her region!), her Faith, her intelligence, success as an individual and her natural grace and elegance.

The media never gave Melania the credit she deserves!

Well, I do—with my humble citizen journalism...
Lots of views...

Related links:
Our Historic Christmas in Italy - END of Romania's Communist Dictator | previous post by me also about Slovenia and Melania

44 comments:

  1. Se ganó a pulso la fama y su triunfo. Es un ejemplo a seguir.
    Feliz fin de semana.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Querida Antónia,
      ¡De hecho, merece ser reconocida por su increíble logro por sí sola!
      Abrazos,
      Mariette

      Delete
  2. I'm glad you enjoyed it. She is a very pretty and elegant lady.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Terry,
      Sure enjoyed reading it as it transferred me back to the Old World and I can only admire Melania.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  3. I agree that she has not been given the credit she deserves. I didn't realize she had a book out. I will get it from the library. My husband is 15 years my senior so I know true love doesn't know age. XO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Ellen,
      No, she never got any credit and that has been so rude. A successful business woman and a natural beauty.
      Indeed, true love has no borders in age.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  4. PS: Me again- beautiful wedding dress and you were a beautiful bride.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Ellen,
      Thank you and at the time I was proud for having done that myself...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  5. Melania is one of the loveliest first ladies we've ever had. I only pray she'll be our first lady again come November! It's a disgrace the way she (not to mention her husband) are treated by the media.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Melissa,
      You are so right about that and indeed it is a disgrace how the media ignored her.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  6. Olá, Mariette!
    Parabéns pela excelente postagem, na qual você fala de livros, um deles sobre a Joana d'Arc, outro sobre a Lucrecia Borgia e, o terceiro sobre uma mulher das mais importantes dos nossos dias,
    Melania. Também gostei quando você fala de suas atividades, na Indústria da Moda.
    Parabéns pela bela postagem.
    Grande abraço.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Caro Pedro,
      Obrigado! Esses livros históricos sempre chamaram minha atenção. São lições valiosas para a humanidade.
      Na verdade, meu último livro lido foi sobre a senhora mais importante de nossos tempos.
      Sim, encontramos um terreno comum na indústria da moda.
      Abraços,
      Mariette

      Delete
  7. That would be an interesting book to read. She is a beauty, and I've always liked her fashion. That is so special that you sewed your own Bridal gown, Mariette. That is sewing creation, indeed. I'm glad you enjoyed the book.

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Sheri,
      Would be an interesting book to read—it certainly IS and not for nothing it made it to #1 right away.
      Melania indeed is a beautiful super model and very elegant, she always appears classy.
      Being that dainty and only a size four, it was not special that at the end of my formal fashion study I created my own bridal gown.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  8. Mariette...OMgoodness what a wonderful post and learning about your fashion background. Your wedding dress is stunning. ABSOLUTELY...I have sewn most of my life too. I made all of my daughter's clothes when she was between 2 and 5 years old and she and I collaborated on making Barbie outfits. She had a design in mind I created it.
    I watched a very interesting interview with Melina just before she went on her book tour.
    She is an incredible woman inside and out
    Hugs cecilia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Cecilia,
      Thank you and yes, the fashion background has come in handy all my life. No doubt did you produce many cute outfits for your daughter and even dressing her Barbie.
      Indeed Melania is an incredible woman inside and out!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  9. What a beautiful wedding dress you created!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm so looking forward to reading this book, Mariette, and I'm so glad you featured it here on your post today. I loved the photo of you in the bridal gown you designed - you're so gifted! Melania, I believe, is the most elegant First Lady ever in the White House, and I pray it's God's will that she will be so once again. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Martha Jane,
      It was such a pleasant read and it brought me back to the Old World many times.
      Also reliving the immigration to the USA and then obtaining a Green Card and ultimately my American Citizenship. At least Melania knows all about that struggle and she also knows about different languages and cultures.
      She no doubt is the most classy and elegant First Lady ever and as Dana Perino wrote so perfectly:' She lights up the room, and I think she can light up the country.' —Dana Perino
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  11. Replies
    1. Dearest Jo-Anne,
      Doubt it that down under you have not known our former First Lady...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
    2. I know of her but nothing about her, the book might be an interesting read

      Delete
    3. Dearest Jo-Anne,
      Her book is just published, early October and already a number 1.
      It is very interesting, especially for me about an area from which I trained refugees (from a communist era) and also due to my fashion study quite interesting as it speaks more to me. Further her immigration to the USA and her obtaining the Green Card and Citizenship.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  12. Hello! I ordered the book and am anxiously waiting for it to arrive! I admire her greatly and am excited to learn more about her. Your dress is lovely! What a beautiful bride and model you were and are!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Billie Jo,
      Well, I'd pre–ordered it and that's why I had it that early.
      Melania certainly is one to be admired and she deserves some mention.
      Thank you for the compliment and it was fun to show my bridal gown on the runway.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  13. Well, I'm glad you had something worthwhile to do when the lights went out, and glad that you are safe, of course. I think you did very well for yourself in making your own wedding dress.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Wendy,
      Yes, the reading kept me calm as I enjoy it so much. Hoping that I will live long enough to finish all my historic books...
      Thanks for the compliment and I sure was pleased with the end results. Still have it and it fits.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  14. I love how you tied in your own experiences with fashion, travel, and culture—it made your thoughts on Melania feel so personal. Your bridal gown story is such a sweet memory!
    I agree with you about Melania—her grace and strength don’t get enough credit. It’s inspiring to see how she’s navigated so many challenges.

    Hugs and blessings, dearest Mariette

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Veronica,
      My personal experiences were like a 'very modest' parallel to Melania's and therefore her book resonated with me.
      Most people form an opinion based on nothing and certainly no facts.
      Like you yourself, speaking several languages helps to see things clearly!
      At least some people do admire Melania for her grace and strength.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  15. The two of you share so much elegance and intelligence. I'm in awe of you both, as well as your intelligent spousal choices, and hope Melania becomes First Lady of the United States again. Best wishes, my dear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Darla,
      Thank you and my share is just minimal!
      It was very special reading her book as so many things resonate with my personal life.
      Melania is the best choice of the United States' First Lady!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
    2. You don't give yourself enough credit. ~nods~ This hopeless slob would learn so much from you. ~grin~ Hugs, my dear.

      Delete
    3. Thank you dearest Darla but I'd rather remain modest! 💞

      Delete
  16. Beautiful all the way 'round! You shed insights into Melania many folks have not taken the time to learn. I did not realize you were a fashion designer, but I'm not surprised as you are always perfectly dressed, providing designer's names ... The wedding gown is stupendous. I hope life finds you engaged and feeling well. You are a special woman, Mariette.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Helen,
      Knowing her region as we lived that close to it and I trained women from her area. Personally, Pieter and I learned about the hardships under Communism as seen from our friends and on visits. Also her family ties are very special as it is a cultural thing, as is religion. So much in common, except that I was just a tiny speck in the fashion world.
      Thank you for your compliment!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  17. Ti ho perso,iscriviti al mio blog.Grazie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cara Olga,
      Non c'è assolutamente alcun obbligo per leggere i blog e/o i post degli altri.
      I tuoi non sono contenuti originali, ovvero scritti DA te. È facile da usare il materiale raschiato...
      Poiché la mia vita è estremamente dolorosa e sono limitato in ciò che posso realizzare, stabilisco delle priorità.
      Tutti coloro che commentano i miei post, ricevono una risposta personale e non una con una o due parole, ma una reazione.
      Non mi piacciono le sciocchezze di nessun tipo...
      Né reagisco ai numerosi giorni dell'anno imposti dai media.
      Mi piace rimanere un pensatore libero e un pensatore critico invece di essere dettato!
      Abbracci,
      Mariette

      Delete
  18. Dear Mariette - yes, it's me and I'm sad that I've been missing from blogland for so long! I still have no time to post right now however just wanted to leave a brief comment. Today and tomorrow I have the tree guys here again to remove a giant oak which is rotting and hangs over the house. Sadly it has to come down before it falls down! The recent storms which hit us, and you, have really scared us - such devastation from wind and rain.
    Enjoyed this post and am with you in regard to Melania - have always thought her an amazing woman in so many ways. I will definitely purchase her book. Want her back as first lady as she inspires so many. Like her and you, I too know what it took to bring us legally to live in the USA......and of course with my late mother being a Royal dressmaker, sewing and fashion have always been so important to me too.
    Mariette, I hope you are managing OK and feeling better - Bob and I talk of you often and remember dear Pieter - you made a wonderful couple and enjoyed life so much.
    Here, this year has been really tough for us since May when Bob was taken ill and hospitalized. Since then he's gone through a lot including major surgery and now has just started chemotherapy this week. All has been rather exhausting for us both and we haven't been able to travel at all.
    So we fight cancer yet again and will not give up. I hope to make time to post on my blog soon, meanwhile just want you to know we are still around and think of you often.
    Happy Autumn days - take care.
    Hugs, Mary & Bob

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Mary and Bob,
      There is absolutely NO reason for any apology—you two have enough on your plate!
      Indeed, you can relate to this book even more so with your Mother having been a Royal dressmaker!
      Sending you both hugs and prayers.
      Mariette

      Delete
  19. Dearest Mariette; So sorry that I haven't visited your page, Dear my friend. I was a bit physically out of shape but getting better now p;) I will be back to your page commenting after getting better later. Let me say that happy you are back to your page, & hoping that you are feeling OK; Lot's of LOVE; Miyako

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Miyako,
      Thank your for your visit and nobody is obliged to comment!
      As for being back to my page—I've not been absent...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete

Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...

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MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS © 2009. All rights reserved - Text and images may not be copied for distribution or sale.

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