Nifty Gifty

The season of giving has approached. In America, we just celebrated Thanksgiving, and following our praises of gratitude for all we have been blessed with we go out and acquire more, for ourselves and others. Coincidentally, (or not so coincidentally) we learn in this week's torah portion, Vayishlach, Jacob sent gifts to his brother Esau. "Accept please my gift which was brought to you since Gd has been gracious to me and because I have everything" The great Torah commentator Rashi commented on this saying: "This is typical of the righteous, who feel that no matter how much or how little they have in absolute terms, they are content, for they feel that whatever they have is everything that they could possibly need. But wicked people like Esau speak boastfully, 'I have a great amount' emphasizing the abundance of their possessions and proclaiming that they have accumulated much more than they could have ever need." While I would like to think we are all tzaddikim (righteous people) and have all that we need, I have a feeling we are still shopping for gifts.

Allow me to help ensure your giving is right on trend!

Super SUNGLASSES @ Intermix

Anthropologie GLOVES

Lumography CAMERA

Tory Burch LUNCHBOX for Target

Tory Burch THERMOS for Target

      

Splendid SLIPPERS

Calypso CANDLES

Pottery Barn MONOGRAMMED JEWELRY BOXES

Jimmy Crystal HEADPHONES @ Bloomingdales

Jonathan Adler VASE

Let There Be Leather

"And Hashem God made for Adam and his wife garments of skin, and he clothed them." - Bereishis (Genesis) 3:21

In this week's parsha (Torah portion) we read about Adam and Eve and their infamous sin in Gan Eden. Only after, did they discover themselves to be naked and found immediate relief in a fig leaf loincloth. Later on, we learn that Hashem covered them in coats of skin- possibly either soft rabbit fur (according to Rashi) or snake skin (according to the Targum). How luxurious! What kindness He bestowed upon the first couple by clothing them, (and not to mention in such refined fabrics) compared to the shrubs they originally utilized as cover ups. Maybe this is how leather became synonymous with the "bad boy/girl" look of leather jackets....? 

Even still to this day leather, fur, and animal skin are rich materials we fashion. As we prepare for the colder days ahead we turn to heavier cloths to shield us from the outside forces of nature. The soft to the touch fur or smooth texture of leather will not only keep our bodies warm and fashion-set soaring but now remind us that Hashem loves us and will provide for us despite our sins. 

How to wear FUR & LEATHER: 

It does not have to be an all or nothing look. 

If you have the fearless confidence to rock a leather skirt and fur jacket like the outfit below then remember to go simple on the accessories and make-up. 

 Haughty minimalist. You don't want to look like you are in costume.

skirt by J Brand

Rebecca Minkoff

For the more conservative fashionistas I suggest trying out a piece that has a combo of leather and a knit. Hints of leather- accented on the sleeves or collar can add the perfect amount of edge to your outfit. Like the top featured below that mixes leather and jersey on the side panels and back.

Cynthia Rowley

Styling tip: Wear leather with softer ladylike pieces. The contrast of a feminine blouse in chiffon against the tough leather creates an unexpected, playful appearance.

Yigal Azrouel

Nanette Lepore

*Remember that leather stretches- so always buy your leather clothing a smidgen tighter than you would with other materials. BUT, it is still a clingy fabric so be aware of your curvier areas and avoid wearing fitted, leather clothing in that region. 

3.1 Phillip Lim

Magic Carpet Ride- The Met Gala

One of the highlights of my year is the annual Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala in the world's fashion capital and my previous residence, New York City. Last year I was one of many crowded outside the tent trying to catch a glimpse of the celebrities, designers, and most importantly, their dresses. The purpose of this major star-studded event is to premier the showcase fashion exhibit on display at The Met for the upcoming year. The featured designers for 2012 are Prada and Schiaparelli. Considering the tremendous success of last year's Alexander McQueen exhibition, they have big shoes to fill. Which explains why there are two power-houses sharing the marquee. 


Elsa Schiaparelli's is known for her surrealistic aesthetic. She collaborated with extraordinary artists like Salvadore Dali, which resulted in her most infamous pieces: the "Skeleton" dress and "Shoe" hat. Since their creation they've belonged more in a museum than on the street and now they are receiving their proper praise.  

 

More familiar to the fashion friendly and world at large is Miuccia Prada, who could be likened to the modern day Schiaparelli. Miuccia is a forerunner in the fashion industry, with cutting edge designs that wink at Schiaparelli's dreamy styles. From her Spring 2012 runway show Miuccia displayed a sweet and innocent look but with a twist-  playing up 50s style with an automotive motif. 

Prada

The movement Schiaparelli started has continued on and driven major designers, Prada of the like, to this very day. Check out a handful of my favorite looks from this years most fashionable red carpet event:

Rodarte 

Marc Jacobs

Prada

Olivier Theyskens

Burberry Prorsum

Get Your Shine On

"the candle of God is the soul of man"- Mishlei 20:27

I'm sure you have all heard the expression that the Jewish people are suppose to be "the light unto the nations." As I was celebrating last week's festivities here in Israel, Yom HaZikaron (the day of remembrance) and Yom HaAtzmaut (the day of independence), two things stood out very clearly for me. Firstly, on Yom HaZikaron, I saw yartzeit (memorial) candles burning at the graves of (way too many) fallen soldiers. Secondly, the fireworks that lit up the skies on Yom HaAtzmaut. The yartzeit candle is personal and modest, opposed to the boastful and booming display of fireworks. This dialectical relationship of both events and their respective qualities transposed among Am Yisroel ignited a feeling of Jewish pride inside me. Sometimes I relate more to the quietness and inner reflection, while other times I am the extroverted explosive. Whichever you identify more with it is undeniable that each Jew has a spark within them that needs to be conveyed.


What not a better way to display that sparkle than with one of this season's top trends?! METALLICS. My favorite thing about this trend is that its a fresh addition to the neutral color palette- It can be mixed in with anything, from black to white and adds a little extra pizazz.

Alexander McQueen

WARNING: While this runway look from McQueen is pretty rad

it is NOT meant to be the typical street fashion. 

Just admire the creativity and get inspired!

Jimmy Choo

Loeffler Randall

Donna Karan

Transition into Spring/Summer with metallics that have a subtle spunk and super-sized sophistication. Avoid going overboard; you don't want to look like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. If you are accenting your outfit with a metallic belt, then a shoe or bag in metallic (either the same color or not) can also be worn. This look is sleek and simple, so you should also keep your jewelry minimal. 

Topshop

MICHAEL Michael Kors

STYLE TIP: Pair one metallic piece with denim and a pop-colored accessory for a playful day to night look.  

Alice + Olivia

Marc Jacobs

Ralph Lauren

Stay Lifted,

Lauren Marissa

Spring Awakening: Smell the Roses

"As for man-his days are like grass; like a flower of the field, so does he sprout." - Tehillim 103:15

The connection between the Hebrew word for happy, sameach, and flower, tzemach, can teach us something about how our feelings can be influenced by objects in nature. Conversely, we can learn  how objects in nature can be influenced by our feelings. In the days (sometimes weeks) leading up to steady Spring weather I always encourage incorporating Spring-like items into the wardrobe. If we start to dress for Spring, welcoming the warmer climate and blossoming trees, they might be more inclined to make an earlier appearance. Like usual, floral prints are timeless pieces to integrate into your Spring wardrobe. 

Look around you and you will see floral prints popping up everywhere you turn. Enjoy this classic look, and don't forget to smell the roses!

 

J Crew

DVF

Giambattista Valli

 Louis Vuitton

10 Crosby Derek Lam

Anthropologie

Marc Jacobs

for the Bold and Daring ladies... One of my favorite variations on the floral print is mixing it in with another print. Stripes in particular. Also, animal print, polka dots, gingham, or any other abstract print could be mix and matched. Careful not to overdo it! I'm not a fan of the matchy matchy look, so don't stress if the secondary print has a different color scheme. 

Push my Buttons just a little bit...If you are not the floral print type, or for that matter not into any print at all...start slowly by incorporating hints of floral into your look, like with a scarf, hair piece, jewelry, or shoe. Try it out! wearing a monotone outfit, all black or all white (different shades of one color is okay) and a touch of a floral accessory will  spruce up your style and your mood!

Madewell

Free People

Valentino

H&M

Stay Lifted,

Lauren Marissa

My Philosophy on Style: Dress to Express

We are what we wear. Some might argue, that we are what we eat or that we are what we think and do. Yes, this is true too. But in all that we do, or I should say, most of what we do is done behind our dress. Almost half of a day is occupied in the public realm and therefore we are representing our inner self through what we choose to put on our bodies. Living in Jerusalem for the past eight months has only proven this to the Nth degree. In one quick glance so much can be determined about a person- their religion, their social class, their origin, their personality, plus much much more. I wish I could believe that we don't make these judgments about one another based solely on the outfit a person deliberately, or not so deliberately, chose to adorn that day. Like when it's that time of the month so you just throw on a baggy sweatshirt and sneakers and without checking yourself in the mirror skip out the house, and before you even make it down the street your neighbor is wondering why you are headed to the gym instead of the office. Not to mention what theories your co-workers might deduct about your home life from your disheveled appearance. When really nothing monumental has occurred and you are just feeling slightly sluggish.

So, here we are- put on this earth with this truth. We can choose to accept it and embrace it OR not. But what you personally choose doesn't really much matter in the large scheme of perceptions based on dress, because the fact of the matter is: You are what you wear BUT how you choose to portray yourself is something within each of our own control. While most things in life are not.

Tomorrow, when you wake in the morning and stand in front of your closet, armed with your personal set of self expression tools, acknowledge the feelings you have inside and let them guide you in the direction of the person you are choosing to share with the world. If you are feeling empowered, put on your business suit- your tailored blazer or your "I mean business" boots and walk out into the streets owning yourself, your style, and your perception. Because it is not just about "dress for success" but dress to express.