SBL2.0: Outdoor Shakespeare and an Off-Message Top

Growing up, one of my all time favorite musicals was Kiss Me, Kate. This was partly because my babysitter was in a production of it at his high school so we watched it every Saturday night, but also because Cole Porter is a musical genius and I love almost everything he touches.

I am being Shakespearean.

Then, in high school, 10 Things I Hate About You came out. If you don't know, the connection between Kiss Me, Kate and 10 Things I Hate About You is that they are both based on The Taming of the Shrew. I am also pretty sure I have read the play before, but after watching it, I am less sure about that fact...

Because man, is The Taming of the Shrew disturbing. Apart from the overt misogyny, which is really nothing new in Shakespeare, you basically are watching a father sell his daughter into a terrible marriage, and then watching the man who bought her abuse her until she behaves "properly." And this we call a comedy?

I am sorry to say, this is the first time I remember not liking a Shakespeare in the Park production. It's partly that the play is so disturbing, but I found the decision to make it a trailer trash version to also be difficult, as it felt like there were uncomfortable comments on class being made as well. (I.e., only poor people would treat their wives this way. Which is clearly untrue.) Something about it also felt amateur-ish to me, but that might have been partly because it was only the second day of the show so they were still ironing out the kinks. I don't know, the New York Times loved it but a lot of the comments on the review agreed with my group, so do with that what you will.

The experience was still fun, as Shakespeare in the Park always is, and it certainly generated more conversation and food for thought than usual. When going to Shakespeare in the Park, it is important to cover up, as the theater is right next to a lake and so the mosquitos can get bad. I decided to wear a lightweight tunic, though, because it was hot, and then realized when I looked at the pictures that I basically look pregnant. (I'm not, just to be clear.) Oops. Will I wear it again? Probably, because the flowers are so pretty. Will I get offered a seat on the bus? Not impossible. Sometimes that's how things go.

The whole gang, before the play started and we all became extremely disturbed:

If you want to see Taming of the Shrew, you have one more week, so go get in line now! Otherwise, Troilus and Cressida is coming next month.

What I'm wearing: random tunic via Macy's (similar here), LOFT jeans, Downeast Basics cami, Bare Traps sandals (similar here)

The East Wing...

Dear readers, as you might remember, a few weeks ago I took a mini vacation and went down to DC to visit my many friends who live there. It was a great trip filled with awesome people, fun activities, and new explorations. But by far the coolest part was my trip(s!) to the White House.

A White House tour of the East Wing is actually not super hard to come by. Anyone can sign up for one through their congressional representative; you just have to make sure you do it far enough in advance. However, I had an in. My super cool friend Cindy works for the White House and being the kind and generous person that she is, she set up not one but TWO tours for me while I was there.

Hi Cindy!

The first tour happened Thursday, which was the East Wing tour. It's self guided, so you can wander around for as long as you want. I knew the names of a lot of the rooms from reading the paper and watching way too much West Wing (as if such a thing were possible), but the main thing I was struck by was how much smaller everything was than when you see it on TV. For example, the spot where Cindy and I are standing above is in front of the hallway that President Obama walked down to announce that they had killed Bin Laden. It's actually a fairly short hallway. Cindy says that they use wide angle lenses to make everything look bigger. The secret's out!

After majorly geeking out for a long time, I finally said my good byes and went on my way-- mostly because I knew that I would be back on Sunday! Then I made some friends outside of the building and we all took a million pictures of each other.

The other highlight of the day was the Renwick Gallery, which recently reopened after a long renovation. There's currently a 9 installation exhibit on wonder, and I have to say that it was one of the best exhibits I have seen in a long time. Here are some highlights:

These were piles made entirely out of
notecards, styrofoam, tape, and toothpicks.

The inside of a perfect cast of a tree, made
entirely out of wooden blocks.

 Because I knew I was going to be running around all day, I wanted to be comfortable, but because I was going to the White House, I wanted to dress in a manner that showed respect for the office. So I ended up putting an easy cardigan over a shell with a wrap skirt and my super comfy boots. The scarf was added for warmth and a little bit of sparkle. And speaking of color and sparkle:

BOOM. If that's not wondrous, I don't know what is. Have a great weekend, everyone!

What I'm wearing: Boden skirt, Kosher Casual shell, LOFT cardigan, HUE tights, Diba boots via DSW, Betsy Johnson infinity scarf via DSW

Sisters See Sisters

Dear readers, as you (might but probably don't) remember, when I got sick last summer, I spent basically the whole time watching Parks and Rec. This is because Parks and Rec is amazing and I love Amy Poehler so much. Additionally, I am deeply and undyingly devoted to Tina Fey, and I read Bossypants whenever I feel down. Finally, I love that Amy Poehler and Tina Fey are best friends in real life because they are both smart and funny and awesome women, and the idea of them hanging out could only make me happier if I got to come along too.

This meant that I was both excited and nervous to see Sisters. On one hand, Tina and Amy! On the other hand, oh Lord, what if it was terrible? The reviews were not especially encouraging. However, devoted fans that we are, the sisters three made a date to see Sisters this past Saturday night.

And you know what? It was not nearly as smart as either of their TV shows, but I thought it was hilarious, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Additionally, it was even more fun to see it with my sisters. And when I was in the bathroom after the movie, I heard some women saying, "Mom and dad would kill us if we tried to pull something like that!" So there were others who had the same idea.

Let's talk about my outfit for a minute. This shirt is yet another "party the back" shirt, although the front isn't so business. (See: the contrasting pocket.) I LOVE it. I love the contrasting stripes and colors, and that the red part is stretchy and the back is structured. I look forward to wearing it a lot when it stops being cold.

Also, after three years of searching, I finally found a pair of boots I like with my jeans tucked in. They are super comfortable and I found them on clearance. I orginally envisioned just wearing them with pants, but I've been wearing them with skirts too. I like feeling moto-tough. Because nothing says tough guy like getting a PhD in Talmud, right?

What I'm wearing: Downeast Basics top (similar here), LOFT jeans, Diba boots (on clearance here, 50% off in store.)

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)

The Blog Hits Nepal: Temples, Ruins, and Family Fun

Let's continue where we left off, shall we?

Man, sometimes I wish I had a pomelo tree
in my back yard. Or that I had a back yard.

 After a relaxing few days in Pokhara, we hit the road again to go back to Kathmandu. It's about 400 km, or 130ish miles, which would take maybe three hours in the States if you hit traffic, but takes much longer if nobody has fuel efficient cars and your highway is only one lane in each direction. That, combined with the bad fuel that finally forced us off the road and into a new car, meant that the trip took basically a whole day. Certainly an adventure, albeit not one that involved many photos because we were mostly sitting on the bus. We did stop at Manakanama on the way, which is a temple in Gorka, which was at the epicenter of the earthquake. The temple was essentially just pile of sticks, but there were still many people around, praying and making offerings. It seemed there were actual animal sacrifices happening but I stayed away because, well, I'm a vegetarian for a reason.

Anyway. We all had an early night that night, and then we woke up in the morning to drive to Patan, which is one of the three original cities of Kathmandu valley. We headed to Durbar square, the main religious center of the city.

One of the things that surprised me when touring around Nepal is that none of their National Heritage Sites are roped off. You can climb on them, sit on their steps, and some people have even carved initials into the wood, which I have to assume is frowned up. It's partly about resources, I assume. In a country as poor as Nepal, there are not police resources to devote to stopping vandalism. However, I also liked that you could walk right up and admire the incredible handiwork up close. It's just a very different mindset than we have here, where all of these places would for sure be roped off in a "look but don't touch" sort of mentality.

As you can get a tiny taste of in the photo below, Durbar Square suffered very significant earthquake damage. Some of the temples were totally reduced to rubble, and most of the ones that were still standing were being supported with beams. It's totally heartbreaking to see these grand, gorgeous places that have been standing for centuries reduced to rubble. Even though we saw it everywhere, you never really get used to it.

After a morning of exploring and shopping, during which my uncle tried (not very successfully) to teach me how to haggle, we went to my Aunt Champa's cousin Mina's house. There, I made friends with her friend, also named Mina, and compared notes about our different teaching experiences. Let's just say that, teaching Nepal is not exactly the same as teaching in America. I'm sure that's shocking to you. There's Mina and me below:

After that, we went to meet more relatives-- this time, Mina's daughter Puja, her husband, and their whole family. A large and diverse clan, as you can see in the picture below. As it turns out, Puja's husband is a very strict vegetarian who has his own kitchen where no meat, cheese, or egg is allowed so... Rachel finally got to eat Nepali food! Hurrah! Big day. We got to hear more about the business world in Nepal, see their beautiful home, and share a meal together. A lovely time was had by all.

Modest travel tip: A good button down shirt, tucked into a skirt, is great for a day when you need to look a little nicer but still want to be comfortable. Choose something with a more substantial fabric so it doesn't wrinkle too much in your suitcase.

What I'm wearing: Boden skirt (past season but similar here), polka dot Toms (similar here), LOFT button down (similar here)

A Tisket, A Tasket....

A dress like a picnic basket! (Or blanket.)

I actually can't believe that this dress hasn't made it onto the blog until now, as it is one of my absolute favorites. I love the gingham and the bright green color. It came with a sash, but I swapped it out for a tan belt, which I think works much better. As you can see above, I am VERY excited.

These pictures were taken at my Uncle Joel's 60th birthday party. Poor Uncle Joel has a 9/11 birthday, but we celebrated the weekend before at the picnic grounds at Greenwich Beach. The weather was perfect and great fun was had by all.

Some highlights: the gorgeous views, hilarious speeches, and many, many cousins of all ages. 

Soooo many children...

Simon, bossing people around. As usual. 

Maddie, in her cousin's hat

These are my cousins Paul and Stephanie's twin girls. They are adorable and also difficult to both hold at the same time. Stephanie is some sort of superhero. I cannot explain how she managed to come to Connecticut with four children and stay totally chill the whole time in any other way.

And, just to take it home, here is some MAJOR cuteness. Maddie hearts Leo.

What I'm wearing: old Boden dress (vaguely similar here), Franco Sarto sandals (similar here), LOFT belt (similar here), fedora bought at Santa Monica Pier (find on the NYC streets)

Q&A: Embrace the Brace

A Prologue: Thanks to those of you who helped out with the Stitch Fix dilemma. I ended up keeping the THML blouse (which I already wore) and the cardigan. Elbow patches for everyone! Don't forget, if you want, you can sign up for your own fix here!


And now, to the main event: the next Q&A.
This one comes from my friend Yael. Yael is my oldest friend (I have literally known her since I was born.) Sadly, we have something in common right now-- a big ugly brace. Mine is on my hand (yes, still), and hers is on her leg.
Here's Yael's question: I am wearing a boot on my foot for 4 weeks because I tore my plantar fascia. It's really not a big deal, but needs to be immobilized and finally heal after being painful to walk on for months. Fashion recommendations -- I would like to hide the ugly attention-grabbing boot. Any long skirts, dresses, wide leg pant recommendations you love?? Perhaps a blog post is in order? 

smile emoticon

When life hands you lemons, it's an excuse to go (online) shopping....? 
smile emoticon

Here's an answer:


First, let's acknowledge. Braces are the worst. The one upside of a boot like the one Yael has is that it can be taken off for things like showering, and to put things underneath it. As we will discover shortly, the ability to put things under is key.

[Disclaimer: To state the obvious, I am not a doctor. And while I hope to be one one day, it will not be the right kind. So... yeah.]

Ok. So let's start with shoes. It's important to have shoes that can match the elevation of the boot so that your back doesn't get misaligned. It's also important to wear comfortable shoes. (In fact, I would argue that we should always wear comfortable shoes. Life is too short to not be able to walk becaue your feet hurt.) And... it's getting to be boots season any day now. After many years of buying new boots every year, last year I bought a couple of pairs of Born boots and they are AMAZING-- and they don't need to be replaced this winter. Sometimes it's worth paying more for things of higher quality, and I would put boots in that category. Plus, they come with a variety of heel heights. Find them here with 20% off!

Now to bottoms. Apparently, at least according to my last Stitch Fix, wide leg pants are having a moment. The problem with wide leg pants is, they make almost everyone look shorter and wider. And Yael is not the tallest to begin with, so this might not be the best look. Plus, the problem with a boot is that there's no way to really cover it up because it covers the whole foot.
The problem with a boot is that it is probably too wide on top for bootcut or flare pants. So we instead move on to...

Maxi dresses also present the possibility of covering the boot. Even though most maxi dresses are of summer weight, they can be layered up well with cardigans, leggings and scarves to transition for fall. (I've been wearing mine at least once a week and I'd like to think I look at least sort of normal.) But again, length is important! Personally, I like my maxi dresses to fall right to the top of my feet with flats, but different people have different feelings about this. However, the dress shouldn't be too long. You don't want to fall and hurt yourself even more!

 Zulily has a lot of maxis right now, although they tend to be very slow with delivery. So if time is of the essence, Boden is also a good bet. Especially if you are on the shorter side, like Yael, Boden has a lot of maxis available in petite for a perfect length. 

However, there is also something to be say for embracing the brace. After wearing a lot of black shirts in the past few weeks in hopes that people wouldn't notice my splint, I finally accepted that people were always going to notice and were always going to ask what happened, so I might as well wear whatever I wanted. On that note:

I recommend leggings instead tights. The main challenge with anything that involves velcro is that everything catches on it, so delicate fabrics should be avoided, unless you want to be afraid every time you cross your legs. Also, fleece lined leggings are AMAZING once it gets colder.
For pants that aren't super skinny but fit under the brace, LOFT has great straight leg pants. And they're having a flash sale now until tomorrow night! Get on it, shoppers!

And finally, to draw attention from the brace, try a dark skirt with a brightly colored top. This pencil skirt from Macy's is my fall/ winter go-to. It's super comfortable but still work appropriate, and modest but won't hit against the top of the boot.  Anthropologie has beautiful tops with great details (even on sale! Because otherwise who can afford anything ever?) to draw the eye upwards, away from the ugly boot. And, if not-- at least maybe someone will give you a seat on the subway!
Get well soon Yael! Have any other advice for her? Leave it in the comments!

Suburbs Have Yards!

As I mentioned on Friday, I took the train this weekend up to Boston to visit my friend Amy. Amy lives in Newton, which is suburban in a hard core kind of way.

To normal people, suburbs probably aren't especially interesting. However, as an eternal city dweller (I have never lived in anything other than an apartment, one year in a dorm room aside), I never cease to be fascinated by the suburbs. It seems likely that I drove Amy crazy because every five seconds I would say, What do people do with so much space?? (Sorry Amy.) And look! Here I am in her front yard! Because she has a yard! How fascinating.

For those of you who are in the North East, you might remember that on Friday, it was super cold, at least for May 1. Cold enough that I chose to wear jeans, because if I had worn a skirt, I would have had to wear tights, and I think we can all agree that tights in May are simply unacceptable.

Amy told me to strike a pose. So struck.

Looking at these pics, I realize that this is neither the most interesting, nor the most flattering, outfit I've ever worn. Oh well. You can't win them all, especially when spending 5 hours total in transit. I should really get these jeans shortened, but I never think of it until I want to wear them, so the cycle continues.

In other news, I think I'm going to start a Q and A feature on the blog. A few of you have reached out to me with questions, either relating to modesty or looking for fashion advice. While I am far from an expert, I'm happy to offer my thoughts on any and all related topics. So if you have a question you want me to answer on the blog, email me here, or leave it in the comments. We're going to have so much fun!

I should probably start working, as it is already noon. So that's all from me for now. Have a happy Wednesday!

What I'm wearing: Lucky Brand jeans via TJ Maxx, LOFT striped shirt (similar here), LOFT cardigan (similar here), Gap tank top, Toms shoes, super old scarf via Loehmanns

Tunic Tuesday (or Thursday)

Has this ever happened to you? You're wearing an adorable dress. Everyone compliments your outfit. You're having a great hair day. And then... you get home at 9:00 and realize that you didn't take blog pictures. How sad. (And also shallow. But also sad.) No? Nobody else? That was just me, yesterday?

Anyway, that is just my way of admitting that I've been slacking a bit on the picture taking. It's partly because I sometimes feel awkward asking random people to take my picture, but it's also just that life got in the way a bit. I have my next comp on Monday, so I'm sort of distracted, but don't think that that means I don't love you! Because I do love you, loyal readers!

This looked better before I sat in it all day and it got all wrinkled.
But still cute, no?

This outfit is from last Tuesday-- hence it's name Tunic Tuesday. And today is Thursday. Get  it now? I've been very into tunics lately. I'm not totally sure why, but I'm having fun. This is actually meant to be a dress, but really, who on earth could wear this as a dress? I know people do, but I confess that I do not understand. Anyway, I wore it over pants and got lots of compliments. I had originally been wearing silver flats, but then they gave me crazy blisters, so I switched to my Toms. And man, it is nice to not wear boots every day.

Have you ever repurposed a clothing item to make it work for you?

That's all for now. I promise to be better about taking pictures and will be back soon!

What I'm wearing: Isabella Sinclair dress as a tunic, via Anthropologie (where the price, sadly, seems to have gone up), LOFT straight leg pants (similar here), Toms shoes (similar here)