Rabbi and Mr. Alex!

Way, way back a million years ago, I wrote about my friends Alex and Alex, and their engagement party. Well, they finally got married. (ok, it was almost two months ago. I'm behind on life. It happens.) Hurrah!

The wedding was on July 3rd, so I decided to go red, white and blue. As it turned out, my whole family dressed in that color scheme as well, without even knowing it. We were all very adorable and color coordinated. Ordinarily, I would hesitate about wearing this dress to a wedding because some people are very intense about nobody wearing white (even if it covered with giant polka dots) to a wedding, but since there was no bride this time around, it seemed like a good choice. (It is actually pretty old, dating back to my graduation party four years ago, but I continue to love it and wear it when the opportunity arises.)

The cutest

 Guys, this wedding was the best. It was the perfect combo of moving and fun. It also had a little bit of a "last day of camp" feeling, since it was the last time that an awesome group of rabbis who just graduated in May were going to be together for a long time. So at the end of the night, there was a lot of crying. Guys, DON'T FORGET THAT SOME OF US AREN'T DONE WITH SCHOOL YET! PLEASE COME VISIT ME IN THE BEIT MIDRASH WHILE I TRY TO WRITE MY DISSERTATION! All of my friends are leaving me...

Abe tried to teach me to take selfies, but then I couldn't do it so he did it instead.

 Meanwhile, the happy grooms have moved to Ohio, where they seem to be settling in nicely, at least according to Facebook and occasional text messages. A special shout out to Mr. Alex, who is one of the blog's biggest fans, and who is featured up front looking very dapper in his wedding suit. Rabbi and Mr, we miss you in New York! Come see us!

Zach promised he would come visit me at school!

 Anyway. The wedding! It was chill and beautiful and just right for these two lovebirds and the many people who were so happy to celebrate with them. It had a nice pintrest-y feel, which you can see in the pictures below, without feeling precious. Everything felt thoughtful without being over the top-- not always an easy balance to strike.

The happy grooms.

 And of course, most importantly, love was overflowing. The love between the two Alexes, but also among everyone in the room to them and for them. A lot of crying, even more laughing, and dancing until they told us we really had to leave and go home.

truth.

So mazel tov, dear friends! May every coming day be as happy as that one was, for you and for all of us.

Purple Polka Dot Explosion!

Dear readers, I'm a professor now! It is super fun. If my students are having half as much fun as me, then we are all in good shape.

Part of being a professor means dressing like a grown up. Mostly, this is fine. However, sometimes, you just want to wear your neon purple sweater that has silver polka dots. That's what Sundays are for!

I heart this sweater. I ordered it to hit a free shipping minimum (isn't that how it always happens?) and then this ended up being the only thing I kept. Serendipity, I say.

Shaina took these pictures. Baby Pickle was there too. Here I am discussing important things with him. As an aside, he liked my sweater too.

Purple, polka dots and sparkles. Making everything better since forever. Happy Sunday!

What I'm wearing: NY and Co. sweater, Style and Co skirt (sold out), HUE tights, Diba boots via DSW, GAP long sleeved shirt, scarf from Nepal

... And the WEST WING!!!

Back to our DC adventures. At this point, if you've been reading along, you know that I am a nerd (and proud of it!) My nerd-dom takes a few different forms, but politics and history are high on the list. I also happen to be an Obama lover, so when Cindy told me she could take me on a West Wing tour during my DC trip, it took much self control my part to avoid bowling her over.

Not surprisingly, you're not allowed to take pictures in the West Wing (and also not surprisingly, visitors are only allowed in when the President isn't in the Oval Office, which means nights and weekends.) So you'll have to take my word for it that I got to stick my head into the Oval, and I saw Sunny and Bo out for a stroll in the Rose Garden. Winning!

The one place you are allowed to take pictures is the Press Room. Which was super fun due to my love of CJ Cregg. There I am in front of the podium with my friend Jess (who was also visiting for the weekend) and Cindy. They were very patient while I geeked out for a while.

Cindy works in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is right next to the White House, and is actually much grander in many ways. Cindy gave us a tour there too, including some offices where major meetings have taken place throughout history, and the Vice President's meeting rooms.

Even though it was a Sunday, I felt strongly that I should wear business-y Shabbat clothes. Respect for the office and all of that. But because I am still me, when wearing all black, there should still be polka dots. Old Boden for the win.

And then, as a souvenir, White House Hershey kisses! One of the great days in the history of Rachel. And something else crossed off the life bucket list. Next time, to the bowling alley! And to meet the President :) Nice to have something to keep working for.

Remember When It Was Summer? (3 Days Ago?)

Dear readers, Labor Day was only 3 days ago, and yet, summer still feels like it was over a million years ago. Sigh. Let us use this time to reflect, remember, talk (once again) about modest beachwear.

Next time, perhaps I will remember to take
pictures before I'm soaking wet and standing
super funny. Oh well.

 As you might remember, I had a day at the beach on the bucket list. I ended up going to Sarah, my mom, Simon and Leo, so it was a whole family party. My mom grew up in Freeport, Long Island, so we ended out to Jones Beach so she could get emotional and sentimental and stuff.

Jones Beach is beautiful, if you've never been there. The sand is super soft and the ocean is clear. Plus, when we were there, there were excellent waves, which Simon, Sarah and I had a great time riding.

And of course, no day at the beach would be complete without ice cream. Obviously.

We also got to try out my waterproof camera bit. There aren't so many pictures, but as Simon said, "Sometimes the best souvenirs are your memories." Truth. Although weird for a seven year old to say that. He's pretty deep when he isn't talking about poop.

This is my second rash guard. Obviously I chose it because it was polka dotted, which you all know by now that I love. However, since the black and white is pretty plain, I paired it with these board shorts, which were both long enough, super neon, and really cheap. I probably should have gone down a size, as they are sort of huge, but whatever. Live and learn. At least I did not get a sunburn. Modest and practical all in one.

I know it seems sad to talk about swimwear right now, but now is actually the season to buy if your body is more or less staying the same, because everything is on sale. (Up to 65% off at Lands End, where I got my fun rash guards.) So think ahead-- there's often an advantage to buying off season. Plus, then you have something to look forward to! A win-win.

And for those of you keeping track of the bucket list, Sarah and I also hit Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags to fulfill the amusement park item. It was really fun, and some of those slides are super bonkers. Like the cobra.

Great fun was had by all, in the same outfit I wore kayaking.

You don't scare me, shark!

And now, summer is over and I am back to tackling my comps list. I'm 44% done! Not that I'm counting or anything.

I hope to get one more post in before Rosh Hashanah, but if I don't, Shanah Tova-- a sweet new year to everyone celebrating. Hopefully this will be a great year filled with new adventures, exciting opportunities, and adorable outfits.

What I'm wearing: Lands End rash guard (both of them, buy now on sale!), US Polo board shorts via 6pm

On Gratitude, Part 1

Dear readers, I promise that I haven't forgotten you! I have so much to tell and show you, and I will try to catch up in the next couple of weeks. So here we go!

Almost exactly eight years ago, I opened a volume of Talmud for the first time and fell in love right away, even though I basically had no idea what was going on. At the end of that first week of learning, I called my parents and told them I wanted to quit my job to go study full time. I think they thought I was insane. But I am nothing if not stubborn and determined and sure enough, after one more year of teaching, I left my job to go back to learn Talmud, Halakha (Jewish law), and Tanakh (Bible) full-time.

The shoes!

Guys, the thing about Talmud is that it's HARD. It's written in a combination of Hebrew and Aramaic, there are no vowels or punctuation, the Talmud often leaves out proper nouns, and it very much has its own method of reasoning, the likes of which I have never seen anywhere else. So despite my determination to study full time, it is totally possible that I could have been derailed and given up.

But instead, almost seven years after I started my journey of full-time learning, I am still going strong, more than halfway through the PhD process and also teaching text in a serious and rigorous way. In large part, it is thanks to the woman pictured below, Channa, who was my teacher in that first full-time year of study. Her amazing energy, patience, and skill as a teacher made sure that I not only continued studying, but I continued to feel excited about doing so every day. 

So when it was announced that Channa would be honored at my school/ work's annual dinner this year, I was so thrilled that she would finally get the recognition she deserved. As I told her, I was the one wearing the name tag saying faculty, but next to her, I'll always be the student and she will always be the teacher. Even though she moved to Israel after that first year, I continue to think about her every time I study and teach, and am so glad that she continues to be a role model and mentor for me. 

My amazing first teacher, who taught me
how to teach and how to learn. Mazal tov!

The range of what people wear to the annual dinner is pretty wide, but I was not going to miss my chance to wear my awesome Stitch Fix polka dot dress. This dress came in my first ever fix (pre-blog) and it was way over my budget, but I am so in love with it that I didn't even care. I added a red belt and red shoes for a little pop of color, and I got soooo many compliments that I know that it was worth it. I can't wait to find another occasion to wear my 1950s-style polka dots!

What I'm wearing: Donna Morgan dress via Stitch Fix (here on sale at ModCloth, but almost sold out), Boden cropped cardigan, DKNY peep toe heels (similar here and here), red patent leather belt (similar here, although at a much higher price point), pearl necklace (a gift from my parents when I graduated college)

Mazels to Mama!

As you might remember if you memorize everything I write about on the blog, my mom retired last Friday! She has been working very hard and full time ever since she finished business school many moons ago, and now she is going to take a much-deserved break (slash fun summer with Leo) while she decides on her next steps.

On Monday night, her co-workers threw her a lovely retirement cocktail party in a club room on the 51st floor above Columbus Circle. It was a rainy night, but as you can sort of see in the pictures, the view was still beautiful.

This skirt is a favorite of mine, one of the only times that I've been swayed by a commercial to buy something (at least consciously.) I saw it in an ad for White House Black Market and just needed to own it. It has three of my favorite P-things: pockets, pleats, and polka dots. It also has a fun vintage-y feel, and is interesting enough that it doesn't require much embellishment.

The lady of the evening!

I didn't get to eat the cake, but it sure looked beautiful!

All in all, it was a lovely evening. I am not convinced that my mom is going to be able to stay fully retired for long, but she certainly deserves to have some fun and relax a bit. And it was great to see that her co-workers appreciate her almost as much as we in her family do.

Pretty even in the rain!

So let's raise a (metaphorical) glass to my mom, one of the hardest workers and nicest people I know. To the next stage! Mazel tov!

What I'm wearing: White House Black Market skirt (sold out), J.Crew cardigan, Kosher Casual shell, Me Too flats (similar here)
What my mom is wearing: Head to toe Stitch Fix! Emer Pants and Skies are Blue crocheted top
(see more here and sign up for your own fix here!)

Fancy Friday

As you might have guessed from the pictures, this outfit is actually from last Friday, back when I had my fancy but non-me-feeling hair. I don't have much to post otherwise from the last few days, because I've mostly been either holed up in the library or wearing gym clothes while scrubbing my apartment to get ready for Passover. On Passover, there is a strict prohibition against eating, or even owning, chametz, which include all grain products unless they are especially prepared as matzah. So many people go crazy cleaning at this time of year. Personally, I'm a strong believer in "dirt isn't chametz," but it is also possible that I would never do more than incidental cleaning of my apartment were it not for Passover, so I take advantage. Anyone else with me on this one?

I really love this dress. In fact, I loved it so much that when it went on major clearance, I bought another one in blue. (Buying things I love in multiple colors is a bad habit I have that I'm trying to break, but I am more successful some days than others.) I think the shape is super flattering, the sleeves are perfect, and it should surprise nobody by now that I am a sucker for all things polka dotted.

The one thing about this dress is it's black. I wear a lot of black-- probably more than I should-- but I try not to do it head to toe. So in this case, I added some purple tights for a little bit of color, and I wore my loud turquoise glasses. Sometimes a pop of color is all you need.

Rumor has it that it will be in the 60s tomorrow! If that's true, I promise to try to take a picture of my outfit, pasty white legs and all! Let's hear it for no tights!

Have a great night, everybody!

What I'm wearing: Boden dress (still on major sale!), Matisse by Coconuts boots (similar here), Hue tights

Denim on Top

Sometimes, on Sundays, I feel confused about what to wear. Sweatpants? Normal clothes? Something in between? Who knows?

I often tutor on Sundays, so pajamas seem unacceptable, but it doesn't seem worth wearing work clothes. This is what I tried today as a blend-- a pretty, if comfortable, skirt, and a patterned denim skirt. I added a pink headband for a little splash of color, and because why not?

Today was mostly spent doing my taxes and other such exciting things. (Unfortunately, not cleaning for Passover, like I should have been doing. Will I regret that later? Likely. In fact, I sort of already do. So naturally I am sitting around watching Netflix. Obviously.)

Today my dad was my photographer. He seemed a little confused about what we were trying to accomplish. "You want a close up of your face, right?" Well no, not exactly, dad. This is a fashion blog. The outfit is the whole point :)

Needless to say, the pictures are much more flattering than the usual ones, but also don't show you the bottom of my skirt and my boots. So here is an awkward and unflattering selfie instead. Oops.

One note about this skirt. I LOVE this skirt. It's from Boden last year, and I wore it so much that I bought a second one when it went on super sale. It's a nice change from my usual black pencil skirt, and as you probably know by now, I heart pleats and pockets. Hurrah!

You can tell it's the end of the season because my boots are soooo scuffy. Warmness, please come so I can put them out of the misery for the season!

What's your go-to Sunday outfit?

What I'm wearing: LOFT chambray shirt (similar here), Boden pleated skirt (similar here), Downeast Basics camisole, Hue tights, Born boots, LOFT headband