Disney Dressing Take 2

 Since I only took actual outfit photos one day out of four, I've borrowed some of my sisters' photos here. They're pretty darn awesome, and I love how our friendships continue to grow into our adulthood. Above, on our Magic Kingdom Day, we snack on Pickles in a Pouch (because there is only so much ice cream 4 people can consume.)

* floral tee-- Bulldog * army green shorts-- Larry Levine * metallic espadrille flats-- Report * sunnies-- H&M * cowboy fedora-- F21 *

 Again, outfits built around trying to keep cool (a slightly futile venture, as we quickly learned.) I nabbed these shorts a few days before the trip, and am so happy I did. They're a cotton/linen blend, so they definitely kept my bottom half as cool as possible, and the length- right below the knee- is pretty perfect. I rather enjoyed pairing the bright floral top with the slightly utilitarian feeling shorts, though I am sure they'd look just as lovely with basic white or black.

World Showcase

Photo credit goes to my sister Nora. Thanks!

What do you wear when it is 97 and sunny? As little as possible. Which for me still means an elbow-length shirt and skirt to the knee. Nothing that frequent purchasing of extra-large fountain soda couldn't fix. As I discovered after melting the first day, layers and any sort of synthetic fabric are a big no-no in such heat. Here you see me rocking my best cottons in an attempt to stay cool.

* plaid button down-- sister's, from F21 * white skirt-- Gap * metallic espadrille flats-- Report * floral crossbody bag-- Anne Klein *

Going back to Disney as an adult is amazing. Going with your 3 sisters is even better. Together we explored our mutual hatred/fear of roller coasters, love for air-conditioned 3D movies and the surprising discovery of just how good a fluffernutter is when made in a sandwich maker. Our inaugural sisters vacation was such a success that we're already planning for next summer's trip.

Boardwalker

By the time you read this, I'll be in the happiest place on earth with my 3 sisters. This is our first trip sans parents, and I am totally amped. Especially since Disney has kosher hot pretzels for sale in each of its parks. Score one for the Jews.

*dress-- hand-me-up from little sis * black tee-- Charlotte Russe * sparkle espadrille flats-- Report * beaded necklace-- gift from hubs' grandmother * large drop earrings-- street fair *

I wore this outfit out to brunch and then to visit hubs' grandparents on Father's Day. Despite feeling the loss of my father rather acutely, I actually had a blast hanging out on the boardwalk eating ice cream, drinking beer from paper bags (thanks, Grandma!) and chatting with my 8-year-old sister-in-law. Hubs invented a fantastic game that made traffic there and back totally bearable: name that tune, Ipod style. He put all his songs on shuffle and it was a competition between my brothers-in-law and me as to who could name the song in the shortest amount of time. I won handily.

She loves this app on hubs' phone.

Dersu (A Slight Return)

A big thank you for your thoughtful and encouraging comments. I so appreciate having this space as a sounding board, and the feedback you all provide is indispensable. 

It is awful and gross and rainy out, so I have returned briefly to the kitchen cabinets. They haven't seen too much use of late, as we've been away for the holiday, down to Philly twice and now heading out to my in-laws for Shabbos. Oh, and I'll be away next week, too. Phew.

* printed jersey dress-- gifted by sister * black flats--Kensie Girl * Eiffel Tower necklace-- gift from hubs * lace earrings-- also gift from hubs * 

New things:

-This dress, courtesy of the little sis. She cleaned out her closet yeseterday and I was the beneficiary (two dresses, a shirt, and a skirt. Woot!)

- I (hopefully) have an apartment for next year. After two trips to Philly in one week, 9 different realtors, 25 apartments (two of which were so vile that I am slightly nauseated at the memory), I've put in an application and will be receiving the lease on Monday. It is a sunny 1 bedroom with crown moldings, a brand new kitchen and plenty of space for visitors (hint, hint, friends.) 

-I'm heading out to Disney with my sisters for the week on Monday as well. How do I feel about this development? Jazzed.

Unhatted

* green jersey dress- H&M * nude flats-- Steve Madden * white woven belt-- UO * silver Eiffel Tower necklace-- gift from hubs * white tank-- Target * lace earrings-- gift from hubs * huge bun-- all me *

A pretty standard summer outfit for me, with one big difference that long-time readers have probably already noticed: for the first time in three years, I'm outside without a headcovering.

The choice to uncover was not an easy one, nor am I sure that I have fully decided. After the ninth day of my cluster headache a week ago I simply could not (or would not) add to my chronic condition with the daily dull ache caused by my hats, wigs and scarves. Though I had anticipated re-evaluting my covering practices upon moving and starting my graduate program in the fall, my choice suddenly seemed self-evident. I walked out the door, bareheaded.

It is strange to have dreamt about something for so long and to feel so ambivalent about it once getting what I thought I wanted. Certainly I feel free in a way I haven't felt in years. The image reflected in a store's window looks like me, something I felt I had lost with the berets and scarves and wigs. I haven't felt the familiar shadow of pain dulling my senses, something to which I had grown all too accustomed. I can put my hair up, a simple pleasure that is especially sweet as the temperatures rise.

And yet, I feel as though I have given up something important. Observing Jewish law is a huge part of my life, and I do not take its abrogration lightly. It feels awkward to run into people I know and wonder if they notice the absence, to wonder if they think I simply do not care. Can I replace the hat with a tattoo telling observers how hard I tried, and how I agonized over the decision?

I am not ready to say I do not cover. I am not willing to give away the myriad of options and accessories I've collected over the past 3 years. I may wake up tomorrow and choose to simply bear the pain and my misgivings with my appearance. Perhaps in certain situations-- at weddings, which are religious functions, or when in synagogue (outside of a service, for which all Orthodox women wear some form of cover)-- I will choose to don a symbolic hat in respect of a tradition that no longer features in my daily life.

 I'm not sure, and that is ok.

I'm not usually so sappy...

... actually, yes I am. I tear up just thinking about happy moments. Don't even get me started on sad ones. But I just saw this commercial and felt the need to share it- great idea for those of you who have kids! I figured posting this here might help me remember to do this in the future when we're expecting kidlets.

Giveaway Winner

And the winner of the Shabby Apple Spanish Steps dress giveaway is...

Number 52, Alli Fischer! Thank you all for entering.

Flying

Taking photos on a narrow path of pavers is slightly precarious. No big, though, because I can fly. See above for proof.

 

 * yellow and grey striped shirt-- Vintage Havana * white tank-- Hanes * navy pencil skirt-- American Apparel * nude flats-- Steve Madden * purple sunnies-- XSRE * turquoise flower earrings--F21 * parrot fedora-- Eugenia Kim for Target *

 The past two days we celebrated the holiday of Shavuot, which commemorates the reception of the Torah, the Jewish Bible. The holiday is observed with Torah study and lots of delicious dairy food. I am now many slices of cheesecake fuller. Mmm.

PS: Have you entered the giveaway for a Shabby Apple dress yet? Just a few days left...

Kitchen Confidential: Gazpacho

With summer roaring in like a hot-tempered lion, I've made my no-fail gazpacho for company twice in the past week. The combination of fresh herbs, delicious tomato broth and a hint of vinegar and garlic for a nice kick makes this a total crowd-pleaser. Using the food processor makes this incredibly simple.

{via} 

Ingredients:

4 plum tomatoes, 1 hothouse cucumber, 4 cloves garlic, 2 red bell peppers, a handful of fresh mint, handful of fresh parsley, 64-ounce bottle of tomato juice, 1/4 cup white vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.

1. Clean and break down all veggies into small enough pieces for your food processor to handle. Which, if you're lazy like me, is not very small at all.

2. Add garlic to food processor, process until finely diced. Add to large lidded storage container. 

3. Repeat with each veggie separately. The trick to getting a rich, complex flavor is to allow each veggie to process separately and mix only at the end, so try to do them in stages. The herbs tend to stick to the sides and not process too well without liquid, so I throw them in with the tomatoes. Once processed, add to storage bowl.

4. Empty tomato juice into bowl with processed veggies, mixing well. Add vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate at least 6 hours for maximum flavor.

Since I just whipped this batch up, I have no pretty pictures of plated (bowled) gazpacho for you, but trust me: this is one recipe you will adore. Serve garnished with parsley and homemade pita chips.

Subway Series

3 months. That is how long I have left in this beautiful city I call home.

Today, as I headed down the escalator the depths of the earth to catch a subway home, I heard an instrument that sounded like a mix between a banjo and mandolin. As I grew closer, I discovered it was neither, and chanced upon this wondrous piece of artistry. I whipped out my iphone, and was able to capture a moment before my train pulled in. Enjoy this taste of New York's underground music scene.

Subway Series from Nina on Vimeo.

Quick Change Artist

This is not what I wore for most of today (don't worry, I'll document that when I re-wear tomorrow. Because if I didn't take pictures of it, it didn't happen.) After spending most of the day at the Salute to Israel Parade, we ran home before heading out for a bite to eat. Despite being June 5th and all, it was a bit blustery, so I opted for some maxi coverage with leggings underneath and a jean jacket.

*maxi dress-- F21 * black tee--Charlotte Russe * black flats-- Kensie Girl * jean jacket-- Calvin Klein Jeans * black hat--random accessories store *

Have you ever been to a social scene so all-encompassing that it seems everyone you've ever met is walking within a 20-block radius? While it seems insane, welcome to the annual Salute to Israel Parade, colloquially known as the Israeli Day Parade. Nearly all the tri-state area Jewish schools march, complete with brightly colored tees, blaring Hebrew music and awkwardly choreographed dance moves. Like this:

Thankfully, I've moved past that stage in life, and got to enjoy running into people I know from elementary school, college, camp, our neighborhood and everything in between from the sidelines. 

Colorblocking, Take One

It is hot. Wish I had some lighter cardigans that matched this dress. Guess I'll go with the bright blue, because looking like Mr. Met is what all the cool kids are doing. Wait, what? If I wear two incredibly bold and seemingly unrelated colors next to eachother, I can call it colorblocking and get away with it? Sweet.

* orange jersey dress- C + C * blue cardigan-- White + Warren * nude flats-- Steve Madden * parrot fedora-- Eugenia Kim for Target * sunnies-- H&M *

And the jersey dress + light cardigan formula rears its comfortable head yet again. What can I say? Heat makes me a creature of habit. Today I went on a wild goose chase to one thrift store that had nothing I wanted and two that didn't actually exist in the listed locations. The last being about a mile away from the subway station. Thank the Lord for my flat-wearing ways, or I'd have been hobbling all the way home.

We're hosting Sabbath lunch this week, and I unknowingly created a mostly Mexican meal: Gazpacho for a starter with homemade pita chips, grilled skirt steak salad with arugula, shallot and tomato, grilled BBQ chicken breast, roasted corn salsa, Israeli couscous with pesto and toasted almonds, grilled asparagus, tomato and baby zucchini, watermelon, lime, basil and mint sorbet and cupcake brownie surprise. Which is essentially what it sounds like: a vanilla cupcake with a gooey brownie center. I got a head start on cooking this afternoon, so I thankfully don't have too much on my plate tomorrow. Yet another perk of unemployment.

What are your weekend plans?

All About... Essential Jewish Books

Though the giveaway has only been open for two days, the response has been incredible! I am indebted to those of you who wrote in with suggestions and advice for making the blog more compelling. One of the most commonly articulated sentiments was a request to learn more about me, the woman behind the outfits. Some of you are interested in learning more about Judaism and my practice of it, my plans for graduate study, or daily life items, including recipes and "day in the life" posts. Since this type of writing is new for me, I'll start by expanding on some of my favorite formspring questions/answers, which address the rest of my life more than the typical post here does.

Back in April, I was asked:

Any good Jewish book recommendations? What do you consider essential?

First and foremost, get your hands on a decent translation of the (Jewish) Bible. My favorite translation is Robert Alter's, but the Jewish Publication Society's is great as well. If you're looking for a scholarly annotated version, I use the Oxford NSRV, which is wonderful for finding intertextual links.

After that, I'd recommend the following essentials:

• Robert Alter's The Art of Biblical Narrative/Poetry: slim, thought-provoking tomes that explore the literary genius of the Bible. 
• Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg introduces midrash, early exegetical stories that remain quite influential
• A Social and Religious History of the Jews by Salo Baron, the first Jewish historian to categorize our history as something more than "lachrymose." His work was a game-changer for the academic study of Jewish history (and will take you years to get through. But it will be worth it.)
• The Sabbath, by Abraham Joshua Heschel, is simply beautiful. The book is about Jewish sprituality, which Heschel claims is time-bound, rather than confined in space.
• Lonely Man of Faith, by Joseph Soloveichik, founder of my particular religious community, is a philosophical work on the tension between the spiritual and material aspects of humanity.
• Zakhor by Yosef Hayyim Yerushalmi remains one of my absolute favorite books (not just because I had the pleasure of being his student), about Jewish history and memory.

Yosef Yerushalmi, welcoming the supposed Messiah during class.

As for fiction, which is certainly easier to get into than many of the above books, I'd recommend: 

• As a Driven Leaf by Milton Steinberg, about a 1st century rabbi-turned-heretic.
• Tales of the Hasidim by Martin Buber, a compendium of stories from the Hasidic leaders of different sects
• The Chosen by Chaim Potok- one of my favorites, about the scion of a Hasidic dynasty encountering modernity in 1940s Brooklyn
• Maus by Art Spiegelman- graphic novel by/about a Holocaust survivor's son 

Any books to add? Questions or topics you'd like to see addressed here? Feel free to comment below, email me, or use Formspring if you'd prefer a bit more anonymity.