Dear Macy’s Wedding Registry,


Thank you for your recent congratulations on my engagement. I appreciate that you were very prompt in helping me to get started with a registry; however, I will not be engaging in a wedding registry with your organization. This is an intentional decision, please read why:

Last year I was honored to have been a part of my sister’s wedding in La Jolla, California. For her wedding, my sister went through the local Macy’s store to order the menswear of nine groomsmen, one of whom was a larger gentleman. Macy’s was actually not her first choice for this, but the first choice could not accommodate all the sizes that were needed for the groomsmen. Luckily, the sales person at Macy’s came to the rescue and ensured they would be able to accommodate the full size range that was needed. The salesman helped my sister with her order and recommended matching suits, ties, and collared shirts that were available in the range of sizes needed by the nine groomsmen. This order took place five months before the wedding.

Two months before the wedding date, however, my sister was informed that one of the groomsmen’s suits would not be shipped as the size was not available in that particular suit. Being in direct conflict of the statements made during the initial order, this was alarming. The size range was an issue that my sister made clear three months prior with Macy’s staff and attempted to proactively resolve.

Running out of time and looking for a solution, my sister struggled to connect with any store representatives – no phone calls were returned, no emails were responded to, and my sister still had one groomsman without a suit. She ended up physically going in to the store to track down a person and a solution to the problem. The Macy’s representative responded rudely to her complaints saying “Well maybe you should just be happy with what you got.” No discount or convenience pricing was offered and no apologies were made for the misleading information that was presented during the initial order. The store representatives were defensive when questioned about details and refused to provide any contact information for upper management or regional representatives. After much discussion, the sales person finally offered my sister one alternate option – an olive green suit for the one groomsmen, while the rest would be in brown suits. Because of time constraints, this was the only option and my sister had to take it.

I wish I could say this was the only problem we met – a similar situation occurred with the recommended collared shirt. In this case, my sister ordered a size 20 neck, and only when it was delivered in a size 18 neck did my sister learn that it was never available in the ordered size. This was seven days before the wedding. When my sister called to ask about the mix-up or the lack of communication, the representative claimed that ‘we just figured he could make it work’.

And on the day of the wedding, while prepping for pictures; it became clear that the ties my sister had ordered (nine ties – all in a solid color teal) arrived in various patterns and colors; none of which were seen, never mind approved, by my sister. The groomsmen ended up not wearing any ties during the wedding.

At this writing, my sister has yet to have her complaints responded to nor has any type of apology been made. The local Macy’s representatives are currently claiming that my sister has no reason to be upset, because ‘the groomsmen were dressed.’

I understand that a customer’s experience varies from store to store, and that the menswear department is vastly different from the wedding registry department. However, I cannot in good conscious commit myself to spending any money with the Macy’s organization moving forward and I cannot risk having a similar experience during my wedding. Sadly, it is an unforgettable experience and it is one we get to relive each time we see wedding pictures.

So thank you again for the congratulations on my engagement, but I will not be using Macy’s for any aspect of my wedding. I will also be encouraging others to do the same. I hope you understand.

Please unsubscribe me from your email list.

Sincerely,

Brittany Laverty

'Daydreamer' by Mariel Martin & Keone Madrid

Type: Dance/Choreography

Daydreamer - Mariel Martin & Keone Madrid

Choreographing great hip-hop is difficult in and of itself, never mind hip-hop that tells a story, appeals to non-dancers, uses soft and slow music, highlights innocence, neglects showstopping 'tricks' and lacks the usual fast hip-hop energy. Mari and Keone managed to do that and some with 'Daydreamer' (music by Adele), creating a piece that touches the audience and keeps them coming back for more. Fluidity of movement, smooth transitions, and intricate choreography performed in an effortless fashion - all of which are reasons the choreography transcends predictability, enhances the story of the piece and manages to keep the audience interested throughout. Furthermore, the innocence of the story is a breath of fresh air in an often sex-driven hip-hop scene.

Dance is as much about the performing artists as it is about the choreographers. The tone, feelings and motions within a piece are largely affected by the life and style of a choreographer, this case being of no exception. Choreographers Mari and Keone are located in San Diego, CA, both very involved with YG Entertainment (a Korean Pop Culture Organization), Movement Lifestyle and Choreo Cookies. Fun fact: they are also a couple. The Korean pop culture values dance as an art and a movement, which is obvious in the overall effect of 'Daydreamer'. While some might see this piece as a variant from traditional 'in-your-face' type hip-hop, others may see this piece as a reflection of the artistry involved with hip-hop movement. The soft (and powerful) touch of the 'Daydreamer' is largely a reflection of the Korean pop culture as well as the chemistry between the two choreographers.

For more information about the choreographers and their organizations, please see:

About Mari & Keone
Movement Lifestyle

Lasting Reaction: Innocent and Brilliant

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

Type: Documentary

An honest and heartfelt snapshot of Joan Rivers, beyond her media portrayal. A Piece of Work concentrates little on the background of Joan Rivers and instead focuses on her current mentality in life and in her career, which we learn are one in the same. The upbringing of Joan Rivers is very much neglected as A Piece of Work discusses only briefly one aspect of her childhood - the roots of her acting inspiration. Still briefly, the documentary grazes over Rivers' early career and early family life as a wife and mother. Married only a few days following the initial meeting of her husband, Joan discusses their business relationship as the only relationship she had with her husband, a theme that presents itself in all of her relationships. In portraying her career, it becomes clear that Rivers' presence as an outspoken female comedian was only a result of (1) her lack of opportunities as an actress and (2) her gripping need to be in the entertainment business through any means possible. The alternate comedic route that Rivers' career took early on presented an ongoing theme in Joan's life - a constant pursuit of acceptance as an actress, not a comedian - a pursuit which viewers can assume will never end.

A Piece of Work shows Rivers as a work-a-holic; driven by a compelling need to feel acceptance, love and financial security. Her career is her life and her business relationships are her only relationships, with exception to her daughter. One of the more saddening moments in the documentary is when Joan must end a business relationship that she has maintained for decades. In reflection of losing this figure in her life, Joan relents on losing the only person in her life to whom she can say 'remember when'. This moment is one of many that reveal the immense insecurity, both socially and physically, that Joan Rivers inherently feels and the intensified insecurity that comes as a direct result of an opinionated media. As most view Rivers in the way she presents herself, a strong and confident woman who is unaffected by opinions, the deep insecurity Rivers reveals to cameras leaves viewers with an unexpected sadness and empathy. While A Piece of Work may have been intended to provoke a sense of respect for the hard working and persistent qualities of Rivers; it instead brings a sense of hope that one day Rivers will find peace in her life, appreciate her accomplishments and find love.

Lasting Reaction: Unexpected and Eye-opening