The Classiest Fail

Dear readers, by now you know that my sisters and I might just be the classiest people in the land. I mean, we wear black tie and drink in fancy hotel bars with $20 ice cream sundaes. (We already find the ice cream, because just we're classy, that doesn't mean we don't have our priorities straight.)

So about a month ago, we decided to be classy at a rooftop bar for fancy drinks round two, and to cross something else off the SBL 2.0. However, when we showed up, it was not classy (a surprise trashy Mexican theme) and it also was so full that they were not even taking names for the waiting list anymore. But never fear! When being classy, it is always good to have a back-up plan, which is why I suggested that we go north a few blocks to the Campbell Apartment.

Yup, that's right. A dress code. Because CLASSY!

I had been there once before. It's a place you would never spot, with a tiny entrance on the Vanderbilt Avenue side of Grand Central terminal. However, if you know it's there, it is TOTALLY worth checking out. The drinks are pricey, but only slightly more so than if you got cocktails anywhere else. And you get to feel so old timey and fancy, which is just great fun.

Sorry not to have a picture of the three of us together, but all of them were woefully unflattering of at least one of us, and it seemed mean to put that on the blog. Instead, here is a picture of our three fancy drinks:

The space was designed as a private apartment for a railroad executive in Grand Central, but apparently he never actually stayed there. However, the parlor/ living room, where the bar is, seems ideal for entertaining. It has high ceilings and marble walls and fancy lanterns and a great speak easy sort of feel. Even I, the one who does not enjoy drinking or bars, wanted to stay longer. So while the rooftop bar remains on the bucket list, I would call this delay well worth it.

Finally, how beautiful is this dress? I got it a few Stitch Fixes ago. I've been trying to only keep things I really love, which means I've been sending almost everything back, but this was something I knew I would be too sad to return. It is totally my shape, just the right length, and a beautiful blue color. Every time I wear it, I feel even happier. And classy :)

What I'm wearing: Maggy London dress via Stitch Fix (available here, but for more than I paid), Boden cardigan, b.o.c. sandals (similar here)

Introducing... SBL2.0!

I learned a lesson from the last blog post. If you say "Big News!" in the title, you will get a lot of traffic. Hyperbole= good, apparently. Lesson learned.

So... big news! It's Bucket List time! My fall/ winter bucket list, similar to my winter blogging, was not super successful. But now it's summer and so it's time for fun. We are calling this SBL2.0, which is not to be confused with the Society for Biblical Literature, which has the same acronym. If you look, you will see some favorites from last summer, as well as a host of new activities.

I kicked off this year's list with Shaina (and Noam!) by waiting in line for Shakespeare in the Park tickets, to see Taming of the Shrew. I'll write more about the show when I show you my outfit from that, but in the meantime, this is one of my favorite quintessentially New York experiences. We went the second day, which meant that we got there at 10 and still were very close to the front. When it comes to Shakespeare in the Park, the earlier in the run you go, the later you can get in line. Important lessons from Real New Yorkers.

We didn't plan so well so ended up chairless and towel-less. However, I had been smart enough to wear one of my favorite dresses, which looks like a dress but feels like a nightgown. Pajamas on the inside, proper outside clothing on the outside is the best.

The Line.

 It turned out fine in the end, when we improvised with one of Noam's baby blankets. Thanks Noam! He had a great time waiting, which he mostly spent playing with a package of wipes. Babies are weird. But he was a good sport, even though he didn't get tickets. (They used to give babies tickets, but now you have to be at least five. Bummer.)

As the line started moving, we were serenaded by this doo-wop group, which was actually really good. I would have even given them money if I hadn't forgotten my wallet at home. Oops! Good thing tickets were free.

I'm feeling good about this bucket list. It's only June 9th and I've already done 3 things, with two more (so far) scheduled for the next 10 days. Want to know which ones? Come back and keep reading! And let me know-- what's on your summer bucket list???

What I'm wearing: Downeast Basics dress (similar here), Downeast Basics camisole, b.o.c. sandals (similar here)

A Day in the Garden

So I was going to write a post about transitioning summer pieces for fall today... But then I woke up and checked the weather, and the current temperature was 37. Which I think we can all agree is really unacceptable for October 18. Thus, instead, I will hearken back to a happier time, when it was still warm out, and Shaina and I went to spend a lovely morning in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.

[On one hand, these pictures were taken long enough ago that Shaina was still pregnant, and as of today, Baby Pickle is a month old. On the other hand, in my defense, he did arrive earlier than planned.]

The garden was really beautiful. It was full of late summer flowers, and the weather was absolutely perfect. For a garden outing,  I chose my chambray skirt with flowered embroidery around the bottom. Looking at the pictures, I might go with a colored shirt next time. You know, when it's warm again.

One of the coolest things in the garden was a smelling garden, where there were all sorts of flowers and herbs with strong smells. It was designed especially for the blind, under the assumption that, just because they can't see, it doesn't mean that they can't enjoy the gardens. Plus, there was a flower that smelled just like chocolate, which was pretty amazing.

Smell the flowers!

 I am always a sucker for a Japanese Garden. There's something about the greenery, water and wood that is especially evocative to me. The water was really green, which was pretty gross, but hey, you can't have everything, right?

Me, Shaina and Pickle, when he was still inside.

With my IDNYC, I joined the garden for free. (If you're a New York City resident and don't have one, I highly recommend it. It takes 10 minutes and you can join all sorts of amazing cultural institutions for free for a year, as long as you do it by 12/31/15.) I am hoping to go back some time this fall to see the leaves changing, and definitely in the winter, when I bet snow makes it even prettier.

And then, because we were in Brooklyn, we went to a kosher bakery to get some of my favorite kiddush cookies, which most people think are gross, but I love. Yum!
A perfect ending to a perfect day.

Oh, and I almost forgot! I'm on Instagram now. I'm not totally sure how I'm going to use it yet, but feel free to follow me @curlyhairglasses!

What I'm wearing: super old Boden skirt (vaguely similar here), Kosher Casual shirt, b.o.c. sandals

Tutus for Grown Ups

Yesterday, I was at synagogue (because it's that time of year) and one of my friends complimented me on my dress. "Thanks!" I said. "But you've seen it before! I wore it on Rosh Hashanah." And she said, "But it hasn't been on the blog, so it's as if it didn't happen."

So apparently that's the new rule. Blog or it didn't happen.

I have apparently given up on blogging in order. Oh well. So you will see a mix of pictures from back in the days when I was wearing sandals all the time, and ones that were taken recently where I am wearing boots and tights. Although now that I think of it, I'm not sure I've taken any pictures recently, in part because of the hideous brace I am sadly still wearing and in part because my main photographer has been busy on account of having had a baby. (I know, where are people's priorities?)

I decided to post these pictures tonight because I wore almost the exact same outfit last night for Simchat Torah. Just imagine that I am not wearing the necklace and that I AM wearing an awesome pair of red sequined Converse. Simchat Torah is all about singing and dancing, so if ever there was a time to dress in a tutu and crazy sneakers, last night seemed like it. My friend Molly and my sister Rebecca told me that I looked like "What Carrie Bradshaw would look like if she went to Simchat Torah." I chose to take that as a compliment.

Trying to be a ballerina #1.

 One of the many things I love about New York is that you can walk down the street wearing a tulle skirt, a fleece, and red sequined sneakers, and almost nobody looks twice. Except the little girl who told me I looked like a beautiful princess. So I think we can say I was winning.

Try to be a ballerina #2.

I have wanted a tulle skirt for a long time, but always wondered if people older than 7 who are not dancing for the New York City Ballet could actually get away with wearing one. But in the name of taking more fashion risks in the new year, I went for it, and I must say that it is one of the most fun items of clothing I have worn in a long time. I might be double digits in age, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate a good twirly skirt.

Now that the holidays are over and my thumb is still splinted but feeling much better, hopefully I will be back with all of you, my dear readers, with more regularity. As always, thanks for sticking with me!

What I'm wearing: Eshakti tulle skirt, Kosher Casual shirt, b.o.c. sandals (similar here), Laila Rowe necklace (similar here and here)

The Blog Hits the Road! DC Monuments

First of all, thanks for your help on the Stitch Fix! After much deliberation and another round of trying things on, I ended up only keeping the pink shirt. I look forward to wearing it soon, when it stops being sooooo humid.

On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

Second, we now return to our regularly scheduled programming. As I mentioned two posts ago, two weekends ago, I had the pleasure of spending Shabbat in Washington, DC as a scholar-in-residence. I went down on Thursday and spent a lovely evening with my friend Elana, but on Friday, all of my many DC friends had to go to work because apparently that's a thing, so I decided to be a tourist for the day and hit the Mall.

Chillin' with FDR

One of the most amazing things about DC is that all of the monuments and Smithsonian museums are free. So you can go walk around for as long or short as you want, without worrying about getting your money's worth. I ended up hitting all of the monuments, and also my favorite museum, the Museum of American History. It was A LOT of walking, and while these sandals are one of my favorite pairs, they were not meant for 10+ miles. My feet were in a not insignificant amount of pain by the end of the day. Lesson learned: next time, sneakers.

One of the funny things about DC is I always feel super patriotic when I'm there. Also, it makes me want to watch West Wing. Josiah Bartlet in 2016, anyone?

I spent a not-super-successful summer in DC while in college, which made me hate everything about the city, but it has become one my favorite places to visit-- partly because I have great friends there, partly because it's pretty easy to navigate, and partly because of all of the interesting things to do. I still wouldn't want to live there, but it was lovely to spend a weekend. Also, the weather was not super hot or humid, which for August in Washington was a miracle. Thanks, DC! Hope to see you again soon!

What I'm wearing: Kosher Casual shirt, Boden skirt, b.o.c. sandals via DSW

On Gratitude, Part 2

My teacher, my mentor, my fashion consultant,
my confidant, my friend!

If you have ever taught middle school or high school, then you might have come across a certain type of kid. This kid is someone who is not good at being a kid. She is sweet, if a little awkward, but has a much easier time talking to adults than talking to her peers. She is someone who isn't having a great time of things as an adolescent, but you know that once she grows up, she'll be fine (or even great.)

Dear readers, I was that kid. I do not look back on most of middle school or high school fondly. I was a little too serious for my own good, and never quite figured out how to navigate cafeterias or parties. Thankfully, life got much better for me once I got older and grew into myself a bit, but it was rough going for a while.

The one exception to this rule is my 8th grade year, which I remember as being almost exclusively happy, in large part because of the woman you see in the picture above-- my 8th grade English teacher, Molly.

Molly was one of those exceptional teachers you remember forever. She was great at making the seemingly dull interesting and the irrelevant feel like the most pertinent thing in your life. She taught me how to write, and also how to think. But most importantly of all, she taught my class how to be a family, and she taught me that who I was as a student would never be as important as who I was as person. For a kid who had trouble fitting in, this was the biggest gift of all.

Sorry for the mirror selfie. I realized I missed the
whole outfit picture

Luckily, 8th grade was not the end of my time with Molly! My sister is very close with Molly's daughter, so we saw each other over the years, and when I moved back to New York, I started going to her synagogue every week. Eventually, we were on the board of the synagogue together and we sit a few rows apart from each other every week. Molly has become a great friend to me, weighing in on anything I need advice on, whether mundane or weighty. (She tells me I wear too much black, so in her honor, I wore this colorful shirt from Stitch Fix.)

So I was delighted to join her a few weeks ago to celebrate her retirement after 40(!) years of teaching. It was amazing to see how many of her students came from over the years, and also how many of us are working in education. I have no doubt that that is not a coincidence that we were all in Molly's class. So here's a toast to Molly! Thank you for everything you have taught and given me inside and outside of the classroom. Here's hoping to many adventures on the next stage of your journey!

What I'm wearing: Fun2Fun Blouse via Stitch Fix, Boden pleated skirt, b.o.c. sandals via DSW

Summer Bucket List: Outside Bar

My friend Jessie said, Hey Rachel, can you write more about your summer bucket list? So I say to Jessie, Sure, here you go!

Here's the deal with the bucket list. Basically, as will not surprise those of you who know me in real life (instead of just on the blog), I have a strong homebody streak. I tend to be a little bit on the shy side, and since I sometimes get stressed by the idea of socializing, it makes me stay home too much. But you know what? I like doing things! At least most of the time. So I made my list of fun things to do in New York in the summer and set off on my journey, since there's nothing I like more than crossing things off a list. Because I'm cool like that.

As you can see, I've actually been making good process on the list. I've done 8 things so far, and I will do at least three more in the next week and a half. Then I'll be about halfway done. Go me!

Last Monday was both my and Sarit's first day at work. It was sort of a fake first day for both of us, since I've taught in the summer programs for the last five years and Sarit has been a rabbinic fellow in the place where she's working now for the last two. But it was a first day nonetheless, and a beautiful evening, so we, along with our friend Shaina went to Ellington's in Riverside Park. (If you've never been, I highly recommend it. It's in Riverside Park at about 104th, and they have both food and drink.)

I know, I know. The bucket list said a rooftop bar. I'm counting this even though it wasn't on a roof because it was outside and had a beautiful view, and it was much more my speed than a regular bar. We sat on couches and had a drink each and just chilled out and enjoyed the beautiful weather. It was awesome.

Help, I don't know how to pose!

The view! The sunset!

I was hoping to also cross "see a beautiful sunset" off my list that night, but it wasn't much, so I'll have to try again another day. In the meantime, here is the view:

Again soon, perhaps. In the meantime, the list marches on. Anything else I should include? What's on your list for the summer?

What I'm wearing: Anthropolgie dress (similar here), Boden cardigan, b.o.c. sandals via DSW

Black and White (but Sadly, Not Cookies.)

A few days ago, Sarit and I had a conversation that went like this:

Me: My toenail fell off. It's gross. And I think I probably can't run because I'm not sure I can wear closed-toe shoes.
Sarit: Oh, you can use the time to update the blog!

Sarit, this one is for you.

It doesn't happen very often in my price point, but every so often, you find something so beautiful that it requires no embellishment. This skirt, from Boden (of course), fits into that category perfectly.

Yup. Pockets. It just keeps getting better.

As you can see in the detail shot below, the skirt has an overlay that is neither quite lace nor quite crochet. It has soft pleats and pockets, and has the benefit of being super comfortable. Its only downside is that it is sort of see-through, but I am willing to wear a slip to own such beauty.

I actually originally tried it on with my red peep-toe heels, but I was delighted to discover that it actually looked better with black flat sandals. The skirt itself is such a statement piece that everything else in my outfit was best served by giving the skirt attention, rather than pulling away. I never say no to cases where flats look better than heels. I'm sure there's more to be done with this skirt, but for now, I loved the stark contrast of black and white.

Do you have anything special that speaks for itself? How do you style it?

What I'm wearing: Boden skirt (ordered in long and still just to the knee), Kosher Casual top, b.o.c. sandals (similar here)