Coatless Caroling

Here, dear readers, is something you might not know about me. Despite the fact that, I think we can all agree, I am SUPER Jewish, I also have a great love of Christmas. The trees, the lights, the music, the way everything slows down and people are a little nicer than usual-- it may very well actually be the most wonderful time of the year.

One of the things I love is a good Christmas carol. I don't sing the ones with a lot of religious overtones because those feel a little uncomfortable to me (although I do enjoy listening to them since they are so beautiful), but enough of them are ecumenical that I get to sing along. So when I heard that Gramercy Park, one of the snottiest places in the city, opens its gates for an hour once a year for caroling, Sarah and I decided to go.

Here's what I have to say about Gramercy Park: not much. It's a park. It's not very interesting. Their trees was pretty, but I was less than impressed when the caroling ending and they basically told us to get out. Oh well.

Here's what I have to say about the caroling: It was fun! The spirit was good, the crowd mixed, and the band and choir pretty good. I liked that they gave us song sheets and encouraged us to sing along. Plus, as you can see, I was wearing no tights and no coat because even though it was Christmas Eve, it was in the 60s. So it was nice to be outside, if also disconcerting and vaguely terrifying if I thought too much about it. Instead, I focused on White Christmas, which is one of my favorites. Those Jews sure know how to write good carols.

I ended up walking home, which was a little insane because it's about five miles, but I wanted to see the store windows and it was a lovely evening. Here are some of the sights I saw along the way, including a red and green Empire State Building and windows from Macy's, Lord and Taylor, and Saks. The streets were full of tourists, Christmas spirit, and people eating ice cream. Because nothing says Christmas like ice cream, right?

That's it for the blog for 2015. Happy New Year, everyone! I hope 2016 is everything you want it to be and more. See you back here next year!

What I'm wearing: Boden skirt (very old, similar here), Downeast Basics blouse (similar here), GAP Factory cardigan (similar here), Sperry for J. Crew boat shoes (similar here)

The Magic Skirt

Look at me, pretending I know how to have my picture taken while standing in front of the many piles of recycling I never quite manage to take out...

And yes, I realize the lighting is terrible. Nothing to be done about that, sadly, while living in this apartment. Hopefully you get the idea, especially because the main point here is the shape of the skirt.

Here is the story of this skirt. There's a boutique near my parents' apartment called Purdy Girl. Their stuff is really cute (and I've seen some Stitch Fix items there), but also basically always out of my budget. But they moved a few months ago and put their whole store on sale for 50% off, so I ended up buying two skirts, including this one.

Usually when I shop, I can tell what I like or don't like right away. However, I wasn't totally sold on this one. Instead, I did that annoying thing where I made people in the store tell me if they liked it or not. I was worried it made me look hippy, but they assured me that I should get it. And now I look at it and think, how is it possible that a skirt could make my waist look so small? We all have our moments of vanity; welcome to mine.

The skirt has a really pretty blue/ black pattern with touches of silver, so I kept everything else basic black and added the moonstone pendant I got in Nepal. I wore this to synagogue, where I was complimented many times and told more than once that I looked like I was going to a holiday party. Tis the season, right? What to do you wear when you want to feel pretty?

What I'm wearing: Moon skirt via Purdy Girl (similar here), Kosher Casual top, HUE tights, Aerosoles heels (similar here), necklace from Nepal (similar here)

Thankful! Part 2

Your two favorite fashionistas are back! Rachel and Madline Rose, all dressed up for Thanksgiving.

I love Thanksgiving. It's the best holiday. It's like Yom Tov without all of the rules. The whole city quiets down, we spend time with the family, and there are mashed potatoes. What else could a person want?

Okay, that picture is not the most flattering. Even a little. But it's actually a great dress, so here it is at a weird angle, and another time I'll wear it again and we'll try again. It's a little big on me, so I took off the fabric belt and added a more structured one to make the top more blousy. It actually worked, this picture aside.

Maddie, meanwhile, was wearing her fancy dress that my mom bought her, and these fun striped tights. She looks like a pilgrim, but that was not intentional. And by the end of the night, it was covered in cranberry sauce. I think it's safe to say she's a fan of Thanksgiving now too.

I, meanwhile, am still feeling very thankful, even though Thanksgiving is long over. I am finished grading for the semester (yay!), have many fun things on the horizon, and (I think?) I might have a dissertation topic for real this time. Still to come, Rachel's holiday season adventures!

Also, in clothing related things to feel thankful for, Boden is having a MAJOR sale. So if you want to stock up on things up to 70% off, now's your moment.

What I'm wearing: Charter Club dress (similar here), HUE tights, Lucky Brand booties (similar here), GAP Factory cardigan (similar here)

Thankful! Part 1

A very balmy December 24th to one and all. If I can, I'll take some blog pictures later, so you can see how I am not wearing tights despite the fact that it is supposedly winter. Weird stuff, man.

So let's have a Throwback Thursday to Thanksgiving week, when it was actually at least semi cold out. My family is many Thanksgiving traditions, beginning with the night before, and extending through Sunday. These pictures were taken at our annual pizza, ice cream and beer celebration. If you ask me, beer is gross. But I do love pizza and ice cream, so it's all good.

This tradition began many moons ago. My parents live right next to where they blow up the balloons for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, which means that getting up and down their street is a giant nightmare. Because of this, leaving the house was always a challenge, so we would hole up at home and order in instead (a challenge in its own right.) This tradition no longer makes a tremendous amount of sense, as everyone but my parents now live in Manhattan but away from the parade, but we are very zealous in the protecting of our traditions, and so it lives on.

I liked this outfit because it had a lot of different elements going on (stripes, dots, zippers and buckles), but because were all in the same color scheme, they came together nicely. Also, this dress is one of my sweatpants dresses (looks like a dress, feels like sweatpants), which makes it perfect for eating lots of pizza and ice cream.

And here, just for fun, is a picture of Maddie in a turkey headband. Because she and her brothers are high on the list of things and people I am thankful for every day.

To all of my Christian readers, I hope you have a very merry Christmas. And everyone else, enjoy your movies and Chinese food.

What I'm wearing: Boden dress, GAP Factory cardigan (similar here), HUE tights, Born boots (similar here), Old Navy scarf (similar here)

The Mullet of Sweaters

Thankfully, I am a little too young to have been part of the mullet trend that unfortunately proliferated in the 80s. I think we can all agree that if the mullet never came back, it would be okay with all of us.

That being said, I have recently acquired a few shirts that I affectionately think of as mullet shirts, as they are business in the front and party in the back. They seem to be having a moment. I like them for a few reasons, which I will now list for you:
1. They're usually professional enough to wear to work, but have an element of fun and surprise, making them more interesting.
2. I have found that they often have sleeves. Don't know why, but I'm not complaining.
3. They're an excellent excuse to not have to do my hair! (Sometimes I am lazy.)
4. There's a fun bow! Hurrah!

This was the first shirt of this type that I got, way back in my May Stitch Fix. It's possible that I had pinned it to my Pintrest Board at least 15 times. But only maybe. Anyway, I love it just as much now as I did then-- a true Stitch Fix winner. This was from the first fix Alison sent me, and we have been happily together ever since. It has also proven to be a significant conversation speech, and once prompted one of my students to ask me to turn around so she could see the back before I started teaching. Perhaps not the most appropriate, but then again, parties aren't always. Mullet shirts forever!

What I'm wearing: Ezra sweater via Stitch Fix, LOFT black pants (this season's version here)

Best Wedding, Best Dress

If you read my last post, you know it's been a bit of a rough week, as I have a stomach virus that won't go away. Luckily, I also have wonderful friends and neighbors who take extra good care of me, including one who showed up at my door last night with a giant plate of rice that she made me so that I wouldn't have to eat Tradition Soup and then die of MSG poisoning.

So in Sarit's honor, and because she and Abe got married a month and a half ago, and because Throwback Thursday is apparently a thing... I (finally) bring you Sarit and Abe's wedding!

First of all: the wedding was beautiful, and more importantly, super fun and energetic and everything you would have expected from Sarit and Abe. Every detail was thought out, including one of the most rocking tisches I've ever been to. (That link is not especially progressive, and therefore only talks about the groom's tisch, but many of the weddings I go to, including this one, have a bride's tisch as well.)

Secondly, the dress I wore is amazing and if it were appropriate, I would probably wear it every day. I bought it on major clearance from the Boden holiday line last year, but haven't had a chance to wear it because this is most definitely a special occasion dress. It's jacquard, which is sort of like a brocade-type fabric. It has an amazing vintage-y feel to it, which I love. It came with sleeves, which saved me all of the "what layers can be worn with this and still look normal" troubles. And it's super unusual, which I enjoy in what is often a sea of black dresses. (Yes, Jews wear blacks to weddings.)

The happy bride and groom.

Accessories for this outfit were a bit of a challenge. The shoes really needed to be navy, but I didn't want to buy new shoes for a dress I hardly ever get to wear. But then I saw these at DSW on crazy clearance for $12, and then they were the most comfortable heels I've ever put on. So here we go.

Also, there are few things stupider than a clutch. This is when it's hard to be a girl. What's the point of a purse where, if you put anything in it, it gets lumpy and looks bad? Sigh. Luckily I had a giant suitcase with me, and luckily we live in the age of flat phones, so it all worked out ok. But nonetheless, let my objection be noted.

Ahh this is so exciting!

Now look below. This is my friend Ariella. It's hard to see in the picture, but she was wearing a super awesome necklace. She's smart and fun and interesting, and she is VERY excited to make her blog debut. (Actually. Like, as soon as we took this picture, she said, I get to be on the blog!)

Sadly, I missed most of the reception because I (happily) had to go to Nepal. The first round of dancing was epic enough, though, to ensure that I smelled very terrible by the time I got to Nepal. Sorry, everyone who had to sit next to me on the airplane.

However, everyone knows that a true fashionista has an outfit change in the middle of a major event, so here was mine:

Mazel tov Sarit and Abe! Enjoy your honeymoon! Thanks for being such good friends and neighbors! And for all of the rice.

What I'm wearing (in outfit #1): Boden dress (never seen anything else like it, but similar genres and fabrics here and here), Kelly and Katie heels via DSW, clutch via Amazon

A for Effort: Stitch Fix Review December 2015

Ok, true confession time. I did not blog about my November Stitch Fix. (Gasp!)

Here's the thing. It wasn't terrible or anything. It was just nothing special. I ended up sending everything back because there was nothing that screamed out to me, "Keep me in your wardrobe!" and I am trying to be selective these days. Combine that with the fact that it arrived on the day of my last comp, when I was double slammed with jet lag and a horrible cold, and it just didn't happen. Hopefully you all will forgive me.

However, lucky for all of you/ unluckily for me, I have yet another stomach virus (I know, how can that even be possible), so there is nothing to do but lie in bed and update my blog. So now, we move on to fix #13, my December Fix.

For a review of how Stitch Fix works, click here.

As you can see, I named this post "A for Effort." Everything Alison sent me was theoretically spot on, but I only ended up keeping one thing, much to my sadness. Let's see what happened.

Nice combo of colors = a good start 

For this fix, I had asked for a few things. First, for it to be a bit more budget conscious. (My last fix contained a $98 sweater, which was just never going to happen.) Second, for some dresses, especially the gold one Sarit got. And finally, things with special details or a little bit of sparkle.

Look, two dresses!

I had a little bit of credit, which is always nice. If I had kept everything, it would have been $227 total, which doesn't feel crazy for two dresses, two sweaters, and a blouse. However, I did not keep everything. Let's see what happened.

(Apologies for the mirror selfies. I just didn't get around to having someone take my picture, which ended up being for the best, since I was very very ill only a few hours after these were taken. But you get the idea.)

Collective Concepts Helma Dress in Black-- $78

This was the dress Sarit got, that I loved. Obviously Sarit is much shorter than me, but she had gotten it in petite, so I was hoping that it would be long enough in regular. As it turns out, not so much.

You might be thinking, Hey Rachel, we can't see the bottom of the dress! To which I would say, Yes, because this is a modest fashion blog, and here was nothing modest about the length of this dress on me. Also, as you can see, it's a little tight on bottom, but also too loose on top. I must remember in the future, shift dresses are not my friend.

Nothing like something that makes you look lumpy and shapeless at the same time. Don't I look thrilled?
Status: Returned

Collective Concepts Katelynn Polka Dot Dress in Black-- $88

Again, you can feel the ecstasy. This is one of those pull over dresses that has no real shape other than the elastic waist. I have never found one of these dresses that looks good on my body, as it always swallows my top half. Add to the fact that the fabric was a super lightweight and cheap feeling polyester, and there was no way I was keeping it for $88 even if I had liked the shape. I do love me some polka dots, but that's the extent of positive feedback I have for this.

Also, when did dresses that are longer in front and back and shorter on the sides become a thing? So many mysteries, so little time... to put this dress back in the box and return it.
Status: Returned

Papermoon Alvar Bead Detail Top in Olive-- $54

Here's the thing, guys. Olive is just not my color. Shirts that are see through are not my style. And beads that are gold versions of the little silver balls I used to use to decorate my cupcakes are not something I need in my wardrobe.

Alison sent this because I asked for sparkle. I had had something more shimmery/ sequin-y in mind, but that's on me for not being more specific. It actually mostly fit me very nicely, but that's sort of the only positive thing I could say about it. Again, good concept. failed execution.

Status: Returned

41Hawthorn Lizzy Colorblock Striped Sweater in Grey-- $68

The fact that they called this grey was confusing to me, as it is clearly actually navy. This was the item I was most on the fence about. It was SO soft. I love stripes and I love color blocking. It fit me very nicely, in my humble opinion.

However, I did ultimately send it back. There were two strikes against it. First, the navy-- I own a ton of navy already. Also, I don't like wearing navy with dark jeans, and I don't wear it with black, which makes knowing what I should wear it with confusing. Second, it was the sort of fabric I could imagine starting to pill right away. Don't get me wrong, I have my fair share of pilly sweaters and I wear them all the time. But that, combined with the color and the price, forced me to exercise my self-control and return it. I might still ask for it in another color, though. We shall see.
Status: Returned

Mak Coffman Button Up Cardigan in Red-- $48

Fear not my friends! The final item was something I loved! As you all know, if you have been reading along, I love a good cardigan and wear them multiple times a week. Also, at first glance, yes, just a plain red cardigan. As it turns out, though, I have almost no red in my wardrobe. And then, when you look closer...

It has this very pretty crochet detail on the arms and the neckline that make it a little more interesting. It's pretty lightweight, so I would say I don't expect to wear it much before spring, but it's like 60 degrees every day here now, so maybe when I finally take off my pajamas, it will have its debut. As you can see in that awkward selfie above, I am pleased. Yay! Also, with my $25 of credit, it was $23. Happy Rachel.
Status: Kept!

So thus ends my December Stitch Fix. Even though I only kept one thing, I continue to have lots of fun, and also to feel like Alison gets what I like, even when I don't keep everything. Coming up in he January fix: clothes for work, as I'm going to be a professor! (True story!)

Want to get in on the fun? Sign up for your first fix here. And wait, if you use the code HOLIDAYTREAT, you can get your first fix without any styling fee-- risk free!

Sweater (Dress) Weather

Look, I have a kitchen!

 Here are two facts about this dress. #1: It is stupid, as it is a sweater dress with elbow-length sleeves. #2: I love it so I don't care that it is stupid.

I see this dress as sort of miraculous. Most sweater dresses cling and bunch in ways that I find not the most flattering. In contrast, this is probably one of the most flattering things I own. It fits like it was made for me, and the stripes make me look taller than I am. The fabric is structured but not stiff. Also, it is SUPER comfortable, on account of being a sweater dress. Also also, it is totally my colors, with the turquoise and the navy. WINNING.

The only problem with it is that the window for wearing it is fairly small. I think it looks silly with anything other than boots, on account of being made out of sweater, but once it gets cold, the sleeves become a problem. However, we are having a freakishly warm winter so far (El Nino? Man made climate change?) so I can still wear it even though we are deep into December. Perhaps I will wear it this Shabbat, even.

In other news, I realized that I basically pose the same way for every blog picture. So this is me trying to mix it up. I think we can all agree that the result is pretty awkward. Lucky for all of you, I believe in owning the awkward. So enjoy.

See, this dress makes me joyous.

What I'm wearing: Boden sweater dress (last winter bought on major clearance, but this year's version is here, sparkles included!), Hue tights, Matisse boots (similar here)

Fall/ Winter Bucket List: A Day at the High Bridge

Ironically, these pictures are from October. Ironic because I look like I'm dressed for December, whereas I have not had to put a hat on since then, even though it's now actually December.

Anyway. Cold weather aside, one Sunday afternoon, Talia, Talya and I set out for the High Bridge. (They are not pictured because they never signed their release form. By which I mean I promised not to put them on the blog without their permission, which they never gave me.)

For those of you not familiar with what the High Bridge is-- it's the oldest standing bridge in New York City! Many years ago, the High Bridge was a main connector, allowing people to walk from the Bronx to Manhattan and back. Then, for many years, it was closed and left to decay. But after a renovation, it's now back and really beautiful. There's a park on the Manhattan side, including many outdoor sculptures. Hence the picture above.

 After spending a little bit of time exploring the park, we wandered over the bridge itself. It was described to me as a less crowded High Line. That wasn't completely accurate; it lacks the urban agricultural feel and flowers that you have at the High Line. However, it is also very beautiful, and definitely less crowded. It has been beautifully restored, and there are plaques on the ground which tell the history of the bridge, its surrounding area, and the different ways water has been transported into the city. I give it an enthusiastic two thumbs up.

The view from the bridge.

 Let's talk a bit about my outfit, and then I will leave you some more pretty pictures. I wanted to dress in layers because of the freakishly cold weather. I went with my transitional seasons coat, which I believe I bought at Filene's Basement back when that was a thing, which tells you how old it is. It has held up very well. But because my coat and skirt were both black, I also wanted to add some color. The solution? Colored tights, a patterned scarf, and a sparkly hat. I am super into this hat. It's not itchy and warm but not too warm. It's sparkly, but not obnoxiously so. What else could a girl want?

What I'm wearing: Guess coat (similar here), NY and Company skirt, Hue tights, Born boots (similar here), GAP scarf (similar here), hat bought at a random stand in Israel (similar here)