The Times, They Are A Changin'

Ok, I know what all of you are thinking. Rachel used to blog so much and now we hardly hear from her! Has she lost interest? Is she too busy for us? Has she started walking around naked all of the time and therefore has no outfits to show us????

Dear readers, I assure you that it is none of those things! Instead, there has just been a lot going on, but I promise I think of you often. Here's what's been happening on my end of the world:

1. My sister and her family moved here! This is a VERY exciting development in my life. Now, instead of having to fly across the country to see each other, they're just a walk away! So far, I have taken Simon to the movies and Leo boating. Maddie and I just chill, because she's a baby. Pictures to follow in future posts

2. My June job ended. We had a great five weeks together and it was sad when it was over. In case you were wondering what I was teaching, here is a cartoon of how the Talmud explains putting people to death:

3. My comps list got approved! So in theory I am in the process of studying for my seventh and final comp. You notice that I say in theory. Hopefully it will happen for real soon.

4. My July job started. Dear readers, I love July. It's my favorite month of the year. I'm teaching full time, on three different topics, so it's a lot of work, but I am so happy to be teaching this much again that I am trying to enjoy every moment.

5. The bucket list marches on! I am trying to make sure to do at least one fun thing a week. It's good for me and so far I am enjoying.

So that's what's been happening. Less computer time means less time to blog-- that is the one unfortunate part of all of these good things. I'm trying not to think about what will happen in August, when I am back in the library all the time.

In the meantime, here are some pictures of my beautiful eyelet dress, which I loooove, and which I finally found a sweater to go with. 

Happy summer! What's keeping you busy these days?

What I'm wearing: Anne Klein dress (similar here), Boden cropped cardigan, Franco Sarto sandals via DSW

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)

Summer Bucket List: Storm King Art Center

The summer bucket list continues! I am only two weeks behind with this post! Can we pretend it's because I'm too busy having fun, and not because I'm working all the time?

A couple of Sundays ago, my friend Dahlia and I ventured out of town to the Storm King Art Center, in New Windsor, NY. It's basically a huge, sprawling outside sculpture garden which you can read about here. It's always nice to get out of the city for the day, especially on a beautiful, sunny (if hot) day. I had never been before, but I had heard it was beautiful, and it certainly did not disappoint.

I tried to reach the statue! So close, and yet so far...

 My favorite part, I think was the special exhibit on sculptures with water, especially the pink ones you can see here. They looked sort of like they were made of melted wax, and they were also neon pink so that was cool.

Can you see me poking out behind the fountain?

Ahhh, giant Buddha, don't smush me!

The other highlight was the beautiful landscape, which would have been worth visiting even if there hadn't been any art. The water, trees, and rolling green fields with wide open skies were, to put it mildly, a bit of a change from my usual surroundings. There were also some sculptures integrated into the landscape itself, like Maya Lin's waves and the stone wall you see me standing next to in the first picture.

The view...

For a day like this, it's important to wear comfortable shoes to be ready for a lot of walking, and lightweight clothing because the sun was so strong. I also go to wear my fedora-- score! I love wearing my fedora, but it's rare that I get to do so without people thinking I'm either married or a hipster. So I embraced the opportunity.

What are your favorite outdoor spaces for summer?

What I'm wearing: Eshakti skirt (similar here), Kosher Casual shirt, Bare Traps sandals (similar here), fedora bought at Santa Monica Pier.

Love Wins.

No matter your politics, whether you think it's for better or for worse, I think we can all agree that last week, America changed forever.

All rainbow, all the time.

Having grown up on the Upper West Side before it was all banks and pharmacies, I met my first gay couples as a very young child, and I don't remember ever thinking it was particularly weird. I also remember, when a friend came out to me for the first time, simultaneously realizing that it was a very big deal for her, and feeling like it didn't really make a difference to me. However, being straight myself, I don't think I ever thought seriously about the opportunities that I took for granted that were being denied to my friends until the amendments against gay marriage began to pass across the country.

How cool is it that this baby will grow up thinking
that gay marriage is just marriage?

I think that's why, sort of to my surprise, I was so moved and excited following the Supreme Court ruling on Friday. Certainly, my gay friends still face many challenges that I would never have to think about, and because of that the fight isn't over. However, knowing that they can get married, that their children will not have to worry about whether both of their parents are legally considered their parents, that they will be able to visit each other if something happens and someone is in the hospital-- that is so huge. And also, knowing that the government is finally recognizing what has been clear to me as I have watched some of my friends fall in love-- that there is no way that these couples being together could possibly do anything other than sanctify the institution of marriage-- is so moving. Not to mention the fact that (yes, in our East Coast bubble), my nephews and niece and the children I might have one day will grow up just calling it "marriage" instead of "gay marriage," is nothing short of extraordinary.

So in celebration of all of this, and in solidarity with a community that is still working to protect itself and its rights, following Father's Day (Observed), my cousins and I headed down to the parade. Pride is always very festive and super fun (if not always PG-rated), but it felt especially special this year, with people dressed up as brides, carrying banners that said "Love Wins," and, in one case, holding a sign that said "I've been with my partner for 49 years and now, finally, we are equal in the eyes of the law." Whatever the religious and cultural and political issues, to me, this kind of love overcomes it all. And love is love.

Cousins! Believe it or not, we are actually related.

So here some of the better shots from the afternoon. (I didn't have a great spot, so this was sort of the best I could do.)

Love is love. Love wins.

What I'm wearing: Jones New York top via TJ Maxx (similar here), Boden pleated skirt

How To #3: How to Have an Awesome Clothing Swap

This one goes out to Sarit and Ma'ayan, who hosted a rocking clothing swap a couple of weeks ago.

Loyal readers, as you know, I'm in the middle of a spending freeze. (For more about that, see here.) I'll write more about it when it's over next week, but in general, it's been going very well. I've been doing a good job of reacquainting myself with my wardrobe, and I have a much better sense of what I actually wear. However, as much as I enjoy spending no money, sometimes it's fun to have something new!

Enter: Clothing swap. In case you don't know, a clothing swap is a very simple concept. Email a bunch of your friends (of different size and styles) and tell them to clean out their closets. Have them gather in a mutually agreed upon location. Organize everyone's items into categories (e.g. dresses, sweaters, accessories, etc.) so that people can find things. And then root through the piles and try things on!

A clothing swap is great for a number of reasons. First, it's a great excuse to clean out the closet. (And anything that isn't taken at the end of the night can be donated to charity.) Second, it's a way to refresh your wardrobe without spending any money. Third, it's a built in set of opinions as you try things on, so if you're not sure if you look good in something, resources are easy to come by. And finally, because everything is free, it can be a chance to take a fashion risk and try something you wouldn't ordinarily wear. Worst comes to worst, you end up giving it away, or bringing it to the next clothing swap!

At clothing swaps in the past, I've been a little overzealous and taken things I didn't end up wearing. So I came to this one determined to only take things that I thought I could picture fitting into my wardrobe. Here are the results:

The sailor skirt, which I am excited to wear
when it gets cooler outside.

The red dress! I wore it today.

And some stripes via a scarf and sweater.

Everything I put on (except for the scarf, which was sort of just to hide my bad hair day), someone thought it was what I had worn there. I took that as a good sign that I had chosen things that would likely wear in real life. And indeed, I have already worn two of the five things I took. So I think I did better this time than in the past. And if not, well... now I'll have something to bring to the next swap!

Have you ever swapped it up? What's your favorite item you've ever swapped for?

Summer Bucket List: Outside Music, AKA Philharmonic in the Park

When I was a kid, my mom used to take us to concerts at Lincoln Center on Saturday afternoons. They were called the Young People's Concerts (although my sister Sarah resolutely insisted on called them the Dumb People's Concerts) and they were meant to introduce kids to classical music at young age so that they would grow up with an appreciation for it.

Sorry you can't see the whole skirt, but it was a crazy mob scene and there was nowhere else for me to move in order to get a fuller picts. You get the idea-- it's a maxi skirt, the print goes down to the ground. 

It's hard to say whether the concerts did their job or not, but I certainly find that there are days when I prefer classical music, so I guess they were at least somewhat successful. In honor of my appreciation of such things, and in my desire to keep on keeping on with the summer bucket list, I joined my parents for Philharmonic in the park on Wednesday night.

See, crazy mob scene.

Philharmonic in the Park is an old New York tradition, and this year, in honor of its 50th anniversary, they're doing five concerts (one in each of the boroughs other than Staten Island, and two in Manhattan. Sorry Staten Island.) They tend to play old favorites that the crowd will recognize, and people bring picnics and it's great fun all around. Unfortunately, this year, it rained on and off, so they ended up cutting a lot of the set, including Gershwin, which is one of my favorites, and Appalachian Spring, which is my dad's all time favorite. So it was sort of a bust for the music, although the suite from West Side Story was great. And it's nice to just sit outside and listen to music. Even when you end up looking like this:

Yup, that's my dad. He finally appears on the blog!
In honor of Father's Day. 

And at the end-- fireworks!

 When dressing for something like Philharmonic in the Park, it's important to remember that it gets colder at night. It was already a little cool out on Wednesday, so I made sure to dress in layers, including a jacket and a scarf. I also went with a maxi skirt, which kept my legs covered and warm, and also is (in my opinion) more comfortable for things like ground sitting than jeans, because it's less constricting. Sorry there's not a better picture of the skirt, but you can see the whole thing here. The summer fun continues!

What I'm wearing: Papermoon maxi skirt via Stitch Fix (similar here), Tahari 3/4 sleeve shirt (similar here), GAP Factory jean jacket (similar here), Naot sandals

So Much Joy!

After what happened in Charleston today, I felt like I couldn't update the blog. It didn't seem right to focus on something admittedly frivolous in light of the horrible hatred and violence that caused nine lives to be snuffed out.

And then I went to one of the most beautiful l'chayims I've ever been to. A l'chayim, for those of you who are not familiar, is an engagement party of sorts, but less formal. It usually happens immediately following an engagement, and is a chance to mark the first step on the journey of a couple deciding to spend their lives together.

My second year of grad school, I had a chevruta (or study partner) named Alex. Alex was dating a ton the semester we were learning together, and one of the guys he went out with was my younger sister's dear friend from Hebrew School, also named Alex. (I know, confusing.) Even though they met online, my family apparently gets credit for fake introducing them! (We actually had them each for Rosh Hashanah one night apart from each other shortly before they started dating.) Hooray!

Long story short, their dating turned into a serious relationship, which turned into them getting engaged on Sunday. And tonight, I was lucky enough to help them celebrate this wonderful moment in their lives.

Yoni told me to growl like a tiger. Apparently I am very
obedient. Awks.

I've been lucky to spend time with Alex and Alex as a couple, as one Alex is the rabbinic intern at my parents' synagogue, and the other Alex has been coming to our family for Jewish holidays for a number of years. I can honestly say that they are one of the best couples I've ever met. The way they talk about each other, and look at each other, is magical. It's so comforting to know that, in a really dark time, there are sparks of love bringing light into the world.

Additionally, striped shirt Alex is maybe this blog's biggest fan. So the least I could do was put him on the blog in honor of this momentous occasion. He wanted everyone to know that he's wearing a shirt from TopMen, which is the men's shop of TopShop. Stylin'.

Rachel sandwich with Alex bread!
AKA me lucky enough to stand between the two parts of
 one of the best couples I've ever met.

So in honor of their engagement, and the reminder that there is still love in the world to counter hate, this blog post goes out to Alex and Alex. May you always be as happy together as you are today. Mazal tov!

What I'm wearing: Boden dress, Kosher Casual shell, Bare Traps sandals (similar here)