alltumbledown

Kosher Kitchen: Round Two

2012-02-01T15:59:00.001-05:00

Last time on Kosher Kitchen, we learned the basic rules: the three categories of food, and what can or can't be eaten together. All well and good in theory, but how does a kosher kitchen actually function? In this post, you'll learn all about the day-to-day mechanics of cooking kosher. Disclaimer: As always, I'm speaking from my own experience, so please let me know if you practice differently/have seen things done differently.

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Its 6:00 on a Thursday evening. Your stomach is rumbling. What will you make? Under kosher cooking restrictions, food preparation is a little like a choose-your-own adventure novel. You first decide what your protein will be: meat or dairy? Or more accurately for me, how badly do I want to put cheese on whatever I am about to consume? Once the decision is made, it affects the rest of the dish. If I, for example, have a hankering for chicken, I need to cut out butter as a fat in preparation and substitute a non-dairy alternative, usually olive oil.

Since there are waiting times between meat and milk (roughly speaking 6 hours for Polish/Russian Jews, 3 for German, 1 for Dutch, though many families have slightly different customs), if I know I'll be having dairy later in the day-- a coffee date, perhaps-- I'll opt for a dairy meal earlier as well. This leads us to the greatest Jewish fear: F.O.F, or Fear of Fleishiks (meat). I rarely eat meat for lunch, because it would limit my options later in the day. And I will almost always value a potential ice cream break later in the day than a deli sandwich now. There is a short waiting period after milk (15 minutes or washing out the mouth), so either milk or pareve are good options when you don't know what denomination your next meal will be.

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Now that you've selected either meat, dairy or pareve, time to find the correct cooking implements. In my kitchen, I have full sets of dairy and meat pots and pans. And you thought you had a problem with storage space! Some people will also have a full set of pareve, or simply a few select pieces, so they can prepare food that can be eaten with either dairy or meat (for example, cooking up a large pot of quinoa that can then be used under roasted chicken OR in a feta salad).Most people will choose distinctly different-looking pieces to prevent accidental mixing. My dairy pots and pans are anodized aluminum, while my meat set is stainless steel.

Along with the pots and pans come silverware, dishes, and cooking utensils, which are similarly doubled. To sum that up, in my kitchen there are 2 sets of pots/pans, silverware, utensils, and 3 sets of dishes (dairy, everyday meat and formal china, which are meat as well). Luckily, glass is considered nonporous and glasses can thus be used with either denomination. I think the ancient rabbis simply ran out of space and came up with that rule.

And finally, when your meal is done, time to wash those dishes. With separate sponges, of course. Since I only have one sink that gets both milk and meat particles, I place different sink ranks inside for meat and dairy inside when dishes of either denomination are soaking or being washed.

Up on tap: Uh oh, I screwewd up: What to do when you dropped the meat spoon into a pot of milk; shopping for kosher groceries, how and where to eat out, and whatever else you're interested in learning about. Let me know!

Christmas Came Late

2012-01-30T19:48:00.002-05:00

Red, green and ornamented? I guess I'm harboring a secret Yuletide love. Belatedly, because that is how I work (seriously. Try to get me to answer a voicemail and you'll know).

*black H&M tunic * green Target cardigan * red Target pencil skirt * black tights * navy (whoops) Steve Madden pointy flats * necklace from sister's BCBG dress *

Ladies and gents (kidding, because which gents read this? [insert witty social commentary here]), I introduce you to my mother's den. Things that happen here: Jeopardy watching, my schoolwork, late night chats, and now, hurried photo shoots while hubs peeks at the Islanders game he'd much rather be watching. Ah, the joys of my commuting life.

Getting to Know All About... You!

2012-01-26T13:08:00.001-05:00

Hey, Readers!

For a new series on the blog, I am investigating the many meanings of modesty. Over the past
two years you've heard my thoughts on the subject, and now I'd like to hear from you.

I'd love to know: What does "modesty" meant to you? How do you dress, and for whom? Do your standards change depending on where you are, and have they shifted over time? Does your appearance convey your religious beliefs?

If you have 3 minutes, please join the conversation by filling out this form. I'm excited to share the thoughtful, genuine responses I've received thus far, and even more excited to learn about you. Feel free to forward the link to friends, family, or anyone you think might be interested in participating.

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A Day of Reading

2012-01-20T08:56:00.001-05:00

In today's New York Times, Rabbi Dov Linzer addresses the Israeli modesty controversy.Well worth the read.

In other news, I wore this yesterday.

Dressing up even when all I'm doing is staying inside doing work may seem a bit much, but I find that my productivity is hampered by spending too much time in sweats. The more prepared I look, the better I feel about hitting the books (sometimes, I wish that turn of phrase was literal).

* F21 chambray shirt * striped Anthropologie skirt * maroon Hue sweater tights * black Enzo Angiolini strap boots * H&M glasses necklace * cowl of unknown origin *

Ah, the chambray button-down. I love how you take a fancy skirt and make it casual, layer so perfectly under any number of sweaters, and feel amazingly soft against my skin. Of all my recent additions to the closet, you may just be my favorite.

What do you wear for a day of work at home?

Sparkle

2012-01-16T14:10:00.001-05:00

Last Friday, my little sister's boyfriend stopped by the preschool classroom where she teaches for a little visit. In a Clifford costume. Thinking the classroom visitor was her teacher's friend, she proceeded to dance and sing with Clifford and her two-year-olds, only to be suprised when he handed her a heart-shaped Clifford book. The inside cover read: "Will you marry me?" Readers, she said yes. And here is what I wore to their engagement party this past Saturday night.

* Shirt Love black tank * Dana Buchman gold sequin sweater * purple DKNY leather pencil skirt * black Hue tights * black/brown DKNY shooties * F21 gold headband * gold charm bracelet * dollar store drop earrings *

For such a festive event, I thought: Bring on the sparkle. After first texting a photo to my mother, sisters, cousin and several friends to make sure this outfit was wearable/appropriate. With their resounding approval, I present to you my best ebay find of all time (read: 4 years): this purple DKNY leather pencil skirt. Retail value, $298. Ebay price: $30, including shipping, new with tags. Sometimes the gods of thrift smile upon me, and this purchase was certainly one of those times. With the bright shine of the sweater, I toned it down a bit with the touches of black and simple accessories.

And just a peek at the beautiful bride-to-be...

Yellow Spotted Fever

2012-01-04T20:48:00.001-05:00

Posting two days in a row... I must be sick. In fact, I believe that I've come down with a terrible case of yellow spotted fever. And the only cure is coffee ice cream. Don't worry, I've been self-medicating all night.

* yellow Gap sweater * leopard print Kosher Casual pencil skirt * black Enzo Angiolini boots * Grandma's scarf *

While winter usually has people reaching for greys and blacks, I've been drawn to brights lately. Here, an eye-searing highlighter yellow sweater adds a youthful touch to the animal print bottom. Just so you don't mistake me for the 83-year-old living inside my body (seriously, staying up to watch Jeopardy lately has been a major challenge. Thankfully, Alex Trebek's snark never fails to keep me entertained).

In other news, how do we feel about this hairdo? In growing out the pixie I've reached a stage where my hair is simply too long/straight/textureless to be much fun. I borrowed my sister's curling iron this morning and the above happened.

Growing it Out

2012-01-03T20:29:00.001-05:00

Hi, friends. It has been a while! I've drafted my goodbye letter to you all half a dozen times, but I just can't seem to pull the trigger on what has been such a fun part of my life over the past few years. So here I am, a little wiser, one semester through grad school and enjoying the last week of winter break. And if you've ever wondered what a growing-out pixie looks like, feast your eyes on this puppy. Headbands are my friends.

*H&M sweater * F21 skirt * Hue tights * Target boots * gifted cameo necklace * etsy'd headband *

Modesty (or just cute clothing) tip: For those of you who rely on jersey pencil skirts as a main wardrobe staple, buy this skirt from Forever 21. Seriously. $7.80 and 11 colorways can't be wrong. I'm wearing a large at my hips and the fit is just right (snug but not embarrassingly so).

Fill me in! What have you been up to over the past few months?

Better Late than Never

2011-10-16T11:10:00.000-04:00

Two months ago I got all dolled up for my great friend Mindy's wedding. And took some (slightly dark) outfit shots. I really loved this outfit, so I hope you'll forgive me the lack of chronological and photographic clarity.

* dress: Teri Jon * shoes: J. Renee * flower earrings: purchased for my wedding * headband: Chinatown market *

While I generally love the ability to lounge around in comfortable duds, the occasional opportunity to go all out is one I relish. For this look, I let the dress-- a fabulous retro-cut navy number with floral embellishment at the neckline--shine. Just add some blingy peeptoes, a jeweled headband and a deliciously fruity cocktail for a perfect wedding recipe.

Giraffe with Glasses

2011-10-11T08:43:00.002-04:00

Lazy Friday of a very long weekend (no class Thursday-Tuesday) yielded this little number, featuring a slightly ridiculous sweatshirt I picked up at F21 over the summer. What can I say, other than I have a thing for fake glasses? And, apparently, giraffes.

* sweatshirt: F21 * skirt: Anthropologie * flats: Chinese Laundry * earrings: gift from sister * bag: Anne Klein *

Hubs is here in Philadelphia over the next 6 weeks doing an away rotation, and it is really lovely to finally turn my apartment into something more than simply a landing space. After soldiering through Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the Jewish holiday of Sukkot begins tomorrow night. Hopefully the mild weather we've been having here over the past week holds up while we wine and dine under stars.

Testing, Testing

2011-10-05T09:28:00.001-04:00

[Ahem...Is this thing still on?] Oh, hello there. If you're still reading after my little two-month vanishing job, big thanks to you. I've gotten several emails and formspring questions asking where I'd gone, and I feel I owe you an explanation.

As I noted in my last post, life had gotten a bit complicated. And rather than settling down again once school began, it only got worse. A combination of my first semester of coursework, traveling back to New York as soon as I finished classes each week/heading back right before classes began the next, and a general sense that my time was simply better spent at the library than at home (where I had no internet, natch) boiled down to one simple thing: no photographs, no blogging.

I considered giving it up. After all, I don't see my schedule suddenly clearing up. But each time I wrote a post about calling it quits, a sense of loss kept me from publishing. This blog is more than just a fashion chronicle. It was my creative outlet after my father died, a network of support when I lost my job, and a hobby that doesn't require learning how to knit or purl. I still believe in the mission of the blog, too: to explore the tension between living as an Orthodox Jew immersed in the modern world, exhibited through sartorial choices. While "modesty blogging" has certainly taken off, I feel that my perspective, one of respecting the tradition while struggling with its implications, is still relatively unexplored.

So I am not giving up. I am back, but will not be posting nearly as regularly as before. As I've always said, I view this as a hobby, and will post when I get a chance or have something interesting to show/say. I understand if some of you feel that a non-daily (or even weekly) fashion blog is not what you signed up to read; I thank you for reading, hope you'll stick around for my sporadic posts and understand if you don't. And if you've been wondering what I've been wearing...

Summer Bat Mitzvah wear. Nothing like a patterned dress to set a fun tone.

Dress: purchased from Orthodox-run boutique in Brooklyn. Shoes: Nine West: Necklace: F21. Headband: F21.

Summer Wedding Flair

2011-08-18T16:00:00.000-04:00

What to wear to a summer wedding? This past week we attended the nuptuals of a good friend from high school (Mazel tov, Atara!) For some reason, many Orthodox women reach for black when dressing for formal events. I happen to love using color to amp up the celebratory atmosphere, and paired this satiny purple sheath with a bright pink cardigan. After moving earlier in the week, my feet needed a break from heels, so I broke out these embellished black flats for a night of dancing.

This dress, purchased from Kohl's earlier this year for my cousin's wedding, shows off two of my favorite modestifying tricks. Few dresses are created with the perfect sleeve length or hemline-- but don't let that stop you. A cute cropped cardigan can give you the sleeve length you desire, while adding color and texture to an outfit. Bummed by a too-short cocktail dress? A simple trip to the tailor can fix it right up. Here, I added a strip of black satiny fabric to the bottom of this purple dress to lengthen. Match the color to the dress, or use an accent color.

* purple Vera Wang for Kohl's sheath * black Nine West flats * pink Tibi cardigan * black H&M skinny belt * Mom's beaded jet bag * Mandizzle flower headband *

The past week and a half was a flurry of packing tape, boxes and old newspaper. After a 16-hour day on Sunday, moving our furniture and most of our stuff in the torrential downpour, we are mostly done with the move. For now, I am relaxing in New York (thank God for having my mother nearby, or we'd be sleeping on air mattresses for the next three weeks!) until school begins in Philly. Posts will most likely remain pretty sporadic until then, as my life is mostly packed away in boxes in another state.

Femininity

2011-08-07T23:39:00.005-04:00

What is femininity? Is it an accident of birth, a series of natural or learned behaviors, a standard appearance, or a fluid mixture of various elements, some taking precedence over others at given points in time? I am not generally one to contemplate my own existence (I left my existential tendencies behind in high school), but strangely enough, chopping off all my hair in one drastic motion has left me wondering about how others encounter me, and the various shades of meaning encompassed by our choices regarding appearance.

This outfit, worn on Friday night to dinner at our apartment and then to my mother-in-law's birthday dessert, was a concious choice of pairing classically feminine pieces-- a ruffled dress and cardigan, a large necklace-- for the first time most of hubs' family saw me without my familiar flowing locks. A quiet shout, embodied in clothing and accessories; "I am still a woman. Please don't read this look as subversive." Or, more accurately: "I may have done this to be subversive. But I love your son/brother/cousin/etc. Even if I am not the type of wife you want or expect me to be, we have a wonderful life together." In the Orthodox world, and particularly the Central Asian Jewish community, a pixie haircut isn't as simple as it may seem. It speaks to a streak of individualism that is quietly frowned upon, balking the far more common embrace of traditional femininity. While I don't wholly reject the stereotypical notion of womanhood (I certainly play into several of its more common tropes, including an interest in fashion, a love of shopping and acquiring goods, a drive to cook and clean in a way my husband will never understand), I am a strong believer that most of what the world considers natural division between the sexes is socially ingrained through our interaction with a world segregated by sex. Was my instinct to remove a traditional signifier of femininity motivated by a desire to signal that belief? I am sure that had something to do with it. Then again, so did my desire to see if I'd still feel pretty without hair. And the urge to make the kind of physical change one makes when starting a new chapter in life; in my case, moving to a new city, alone, and beginning my (hopefully) lifelong career in academia.

On some days, I embrace the slight androgyny the hairstyle lends (though, to be honest, my body gives away what my hair may hide.) Just a Hanes v-neck, a pair of shorts, and sandals. On others, I make sure to slap on a bit of mascara and blush so as to assure myself that I am read as a woman. And on nights like this past Friday, I carefully select items that counteract the "subversiveness" of the cut, so as to shield myself from the inevitable stares and queries. And interestingly enough, I am really enjoying the ability to slip between the lines of these slightly different roles and embody different aspects of my personality.

* As U Wish black maxi * J. Crew outlet cardigan * Nine West gladiators (thanks, Mom!) * black and white statement necklace * F21 floral earrings *

Neutral

2011-08-04T23:20:00.001-04:00

Don't get me wrong; I am a color-lover. Regal purples, flame reds and the mustardiest of yellows all have a home in my closet. I do, however, love the power of a classic neutral outfit. Like a great haircut, all-over neutrals frame the wearer instead of masking her. And sometimes, I like to let myself shine a bit, rather than the bold colors and patterns.

*H&M tee * Cynthia Steffe skirt * Steve Madden flats * Loft locket necklace *

Today I watched Despicable Me (and cried. classic.), had a lovely lunch with hubs and sister, took a nap, read a book, went to dinner with my mother and picked up moving boxes from friends. Simple summer days like this are a fleeting pleasure, and I treasure each one.

Kosher Kitchen: Definitions and Denominations

2011-07-29T13:58:00.002-04:00

As promised, here is part one of (what will hopefully be) a series about keeping and cooking in a kosher kitchen. Keep in mind that there is no one way to keep kosher, just as there is no one way to be Jewish. My descriptions are based on my life and requirements. Some basic definitions, first.

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What is kosher? The word literally means "fit", as in fit to be eaten. No blessing by a rabbi here! The Bible prohibits cooking a kid in its mother's milk and lists animals that can and cannot be eaten. The basic Biblical prohibition is expanded greatly in rabbinic literature; for example, all mixing of meat and milk, rather than just a kid in mother's milk, is prohibited. Wine and grape derivatives must be kosher as well. Unprocessed food items, such as uncut fruit and vegetables, do not require supervision, but do require checking for bugs (see below.) Many more prohibitions were added in later generations to safeguard the original laws from being broken and as new situations, foods and technologies arose.

What are those animals? Cattle are required to have split hooves and chew their cud. Animals that fit this description include cows and lambs. Out at this stage are camels, hares, and (shocker) pigs. Fish are required to have fins and scales, and only the birds listed in the text are allowed. Bugs and shellfish are prohibited.

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Can any animal on that list be eaten? Mammals and fowl must be slaughtered according to the procedures laid forth in Jewish law, which include using a sharp, unserrated knife to fully sever the animal's jugular and carotid arteries, as well as a rigorous check for imperfections in the animal's organs, which may render it nonkosher. According to most authorities, fish can be purchased from a standard fishmonger if one knows that the knives used don't come in contact with nonkosher fish or shellfish. Blood is not kosher, so a salting process is used to drain blood from meat.

These are the very basic kosher ground rules. As I mentioned, however, keeping kosher entails more than just avoiding certain combinations and animals. There is a great concern in the legal literature about contamination and supervision. If I boil milk in a pot previously used to make beef stew, this constitutes a prohibited mixture, even though both meat and milk aren't technically in the pot at the same time. Any item used for food preparation is considered to have a kosher (or nonkosher) status based on the food it has been used to prepare.

Given the great amount of knowledge required to keep kosher, there is a similar concern with food prepared by those who don't know or follow the rules. Can I assume that the vegetarian entree served to me at a local restaurant truly contains no meat byproducts, and that the pans and utensils are used only for vegetarian dishes? The same suspicion holds true for manufactured food products: without proper supervision, can a consumer be assured that no trace elements of the prohibited foodstuffs have made their way into food?

Food is therefore broken into three categories:

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Dairy (Hebrew: chalavi, Yiddish: milchig/k)-- contains dairy in some form, or cooked in a pot recently used to cook dairy. You'd be surprised at how many regular food items contain dairy proteins, rendering them dairy in kosher law.

Meat (Hebrew: b'sari, Yiddish: fleishik/g/kh)-- contains meat in some form, or cooked in a pot recently used to cook meat.

Pareve-- contains neither dairy nor meat.

Congratulations! You now know the basic laws, what can and can't be eaten and the 3 denominations of food. Next time I'll talk about the basics of keeping a kosher kitchen: just how many sets of pots and pans do you need? How about dishes? How can you tell if a food item is kosher? How about a restaurant?

As always, please feel free to ask anything, either through comments, email or formspring.

Further reading:
Wikipedia
MyJewishLearning
Orthodox Union

Editing

2011-07-27T15:57:00.002-04:00

As summer rages on, my outfits have taken a definite turn to the simple. For an afternoon spent reading and a quick pizza dinner, all I need are a pair of flat sandals, a skirt, and a basic striped tee. A bit daring with the red and pink color mix, perhaps, but as basic as it gets.

Stacy B. tee * UO belt * Gap skirt * Lucky Brand sandals* Gap bag * Loft necklace * F21 earrings *

Perhaps the pared-down hair is the impetus, but I have really been drawn to edited looks over the past little while. Too often I feel great about a crazy combination when getting dressed only to feel a bit off about it later on, or envious of a great tee and jeans combination. Who knows if this impulse will stick, but I am enjoying it for now.

Country Girl

2011-07-26T10:15:00.003-04:00

I've really been enjoying the tied button down shirt over maxi dress look these past few weeks as the temperature hovers around 100 degrees. As Covergirl (and Tyra) have hammered into my head: easy, breezy, hopefully less sweaty than other options. I wore a similar look a few weeks ago, and have been returning time and again for the ease of wearing what essentially amounts to outdoor pajamas.

* yellow checked button down-- Gap via sister * grey maxi-- H&M * tan sandals-- Lucky Brand * dangle earrings-- street fair *

Unexpected consequences of unemployment: how to stay cool while not working in an air conditioned office? We generally keep the air off in our apartment to save trees and money, but I have really been struggling over the past few weeks. Mayor Bloomberg has been suggesting that New Yorkers visit local cooling stations to keep out of the heat; I've interpreted that variously as the local mall, my mother's house, the library and Target.

How are you keeping cool?

Concert

2011-07-22T17:25:00.000-04:00

This past Sunday went straight from BBQ to baseball game to a concert. My sister's boyfriend manages Furthur (Phil Lesh and Bob Weir), and when they play in New York he always gets us all-access passes for a show. I'm not the hugest jam band fan, but there is nothing like live music in a great venue, especially when you get to go backstage.

* striped tee- Bulldog via UO * white skirt-- Gap * pink sandals-- Mattiko * locket necklace-- Loft *

Remember a few months ago when I decided to address some more serious issues here (other than what I'm wearing, a serious matter indeed)? I promptly forgot about it, but I'm going to aim for a substantive post once a week from now on. I've grown a bit tired of the daily documentation of outfits, and think this may be just the boost I need to keep publishing.

I'd love to get a sense of topics in which you, my loyal readers, are interested. Ideas bouncing around my head right now include: the ins and outs of a kosher kitchen, Accesorizing 101, Hat-Wearing for the Bareheaded, layering tips and tricks, how to plan a dinner-party (Sabbath or other) menu in 5 easy steps, and battling sartorial envy. Do any of those strike your fancy? Something else you'd like to see me address? Please let me know.

Simplicity

2011-07-21T10:16:00.003-04:00

A simple outfit, the type to which I have been gravitating lately. Nothing more than some basic sandals, a tee and a large necklace for a sweltering summer day. I combated the heat by seeing Harry Potter at 3:30 in the afternoon with 2 sisters and a cousin. Thank you, gods of air conditioned movie theatres.

* striped tee-- Target * navy skirt-- DKNY * tan sandals-- Lucky Brand * statement necklace-- ? *

One week since the big chop and I am totally satisfied. Though my hair does take a bit more tweaking than before throughout the day (pesky cowlick at the back of my head, why won't you simply lay flat?) I love the feel of the wind on my head, the focus it brings to my face, and most of all, having a distinct style. Over the past few years and certainly since I began covering it, my hair was fine. Strong, shiny, soft-- but without a distinct perspective. I most appreciate the ability to convey my interest in the intersection of conventional and quirky style in all aspects of my appearance now, and the ability to wear the most basic of items-- a simple tee-- and feel put-together.

Throwback

2011-07-18T09:59:00.003-04:00

Do you ever need a break from your weekend because it was so packed? Ours definitely felt that way-- we hosted Shabbat dinner, hung out with friends, went to a BBQ, a baseball game, and a concert. Whew! Luckily, I was wearing enough of my outfit from synagogue on Saturday morning to get a picture once Shabbat ended; my small break while hubs played poker (and won!)

* black tank-- Target * mint cardigan-- J. Crew Outlet * dotted pencil skirt-- Zoe D. * black sandals-- Lucky Brand * glass ring-- gift from Dad from Venice * statement necklace-- random * parrot fedora-- Eugenia Kim for Target *

To debut the new hairdo at synagogue, I decided to go with some classically femme details-- necklace, heels, pencil skirt. A bit fussier perhaps than many of my outfits, which of late have been rather minimalist, but I loved the vintagey vibe this look embodied. Despite a woman at the local YMHA telling me that I look like a boy, I am totally feeling the cut and the way it emphasizes my delicate (read:small) features.

Rosemary's Baby

2011-07-14T22:36:00.001-04:00

Friends, big things are happening. I found the perfect basic sandal, purchased a light sweater absolutely covered in sequins, and ate lebane cheese for the first time.

...oh, and chopped off all my hair. Oh, you noticed?

* sweater-- J. Crew Outlet * white skirt-- Gap * tan sandals-- Lucky Brand * turquoise flower earrings-- F21 *

This morning, I realized the lunch spot my sister and I had picked was a mere block away from a salon that a) specializes in short cuts and b) offers free cuts to those donating their hair. Kismet, meet Nina. I promptly called and made an appointment for the early afternoon.

The impulse to chop has been with me for a while; though I've had long hair several times in my life, I always feel a bit more "me" with a shorter 'do. Every time I cut my hair I always wish I'd gone shorter, so I decided to just go for it. Enter: pixie.

Have you ever gone for a major chop?

A Night at the Opera

2011-07-13T20:10:00.000-04:00

New York comes alive in the summer. Between street fairs, open-air concerts and outdoor movie screenings, you can find entertainment and culture without spending a dime. This past Monday we joined my friends Mindy and Nava for a performance of the Metropolitan Opera in Central Park. I got a little too comfortable with the fountain above the Met(ropolitan Museum of Art), as you can see above.

* filmy white button down-- Old Navy * black maxi dress-- As U Wish * pink sandals-- Mattiko * red floral tote-- Gap * Love hoops-- F21 * floral scarf headband-- vintage via ebay *

It was really a magical kind of night-- thousands of city-dwellers laying out picnic blankets, whipping out salads, pastas, and other delicacies, and taking in the sounds of a world-class opera under the stars. The maxi kept me modest while lounging on the ground, while the light cotton shirt attempted to ward off the heat.

Shoes, most certainly optional.

Everybody Wears... Yellow

2011-07-12T18:09:00.000-04:00

Oh, hi. Remember me? Hopefully I haven't angered anyone but my little sister by not posting. She, however, is angry enough for all of you. Jessi, this is for you.

* yellow pencil skirt-- J. Crew Outlet * white henley-- Stephanie B. * metallic espadrille flatss- Report * tie belt-- Ralph Lauren * turquoise flower earrings-- F21 *

In honor of Everybody, Everywear, I whipped out this new yellow skirt. As you may well know, I am a big fan of the structured skirt, and I snapped this up for a steal at the J. Crew outlet a few weeks ago. Expect to see it often. Since it was a cool 95 degrees today, I paired it with a plain white tee and the first belt I ever bought (yep, there was a time where I existed, beltless.)

Anniversary Dinner

2011-07-07T11:16:00.001-04:00

Last night we went out for a celebratory anniversary dinner. Not quite as exciting as last year's trip to Paris, but with good food, amazing dessert, wonderful ambiance and a beautiful Brooklyn sunset I am certainly not complaining.

diaphanous cream dress-- Fox's * polka dot pencil skirt-- Corey Lynn Calter * red wedge sandals-- Kelsey Dagger * pink gold belt-- H&M * white bag-- Mom's from the '80s * gold dangle earrings-- dollar store * sunnies-- H&M *

I rarely dress up nowadays (other than Sabbath, when I don't take photos), so I took the opportunity to slip on something a little less comfortable in honor of our anniversary. This dress is too short to be worn on its own, so I pulled my standard modestifying trick-- skirt underneath for more coverage. To integrate it into the look, I tucked the dress' slip into the skirt, allowing the pattern to show through the filmy fabric. Shapeless dresses look lovely on a certain type of body (one with far less to work with than mine), so I cinched it all together with a skinny belt at my natural waist.

The food was so good last night that I need to take a moment to dwell on it. As many of you know, I adhere strictly to the laws of kosher. On a basic level, these laws prohibit eating meat and milk together, animals not slaughtered according to Jewish law, and eating pig, shellfish, bugs, and others. To fully observe the laws, however, one must be certain that nothing is cross-contaminated or added in trace amounts to a dish. In practice, this means I will only eat at the homes of those who adhere strictly, as well as in restaurants that are certified kosher.

With such a focus on what can and can't be eaten, too often the most important element-- taste-- goes missing in kosher cuisine. The cost of certified ingredients is astronomical (you're paying for the salary of the individual who checks the plant, to ensure that the plant produces only certified food to prohibit cross-contamination, etc) and often, kosher restaurants feel the need to cater to the widest possible demographic, yielding a breadth of options and a very shallow understanding of taste.

Last night, we ate at Basil, a small kosher pizza bar located just off Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights. In addition to serving fresh, vibrant food, the restaurant has a mission: to create a space in which the Hasidic residents of the neighborhood (and non-Hasidic Orthodox Jews, like us) can dine with people of all faiths and races. As described in the Times last year,

"Why not construct the kind of spot [the owner] himself would want to visit for a nice dinner out? In line with the way he and all other Lubavitchers ate, it would be rigorously kosher: no mixing of meat and milk; an observant Jew in the kitchen at all times. But in his vision it would be contemporary enough, in its cuisine and its look, to satisfy the neighborhood’s diverse groups, including the young newcomers who might significantly change its complexion in the years to come. That seemed to him a smart business model but also a worthy mission. Unlike a hardware store or a bank or most every other kind of business that was also an incidental meeting ground, a restaurant was a place where people relaxed. Talked. Lingered."

You see, your typical crowd at a kosher restaurant is nearly entirely Jewish, other than the wait staff. Why would anyone who doesn't need to eat kosher food pay more for poorer quality , and worse, face the inevitable awkwardness of entering an essentially cloistered environment? As much as I appreciated the delicious food, I appreciated even more the attempt to unite, at least for the ephemeral moment of a meal, people who might usually not come into contact. And the basil ice cream.

Pizza with ricotta, asparagus, golden beets, mint and jalapeno.

Truffled fries with parmesan and garlic aioli.


Pasta with pine nuts, tomato and a poached egg


Sorbet trio: apple, raspberry, blood orange on a strawberry meringue

Lavender-dusted funnel cake with basil ice cream.

3

2011-07-06T15:53:00.000-04:00

My dearest hubs:

Happy 3rd anniversary. Loves you lots.

XO,

Nina

Out to the Ballgame

2011-07-03T12:19:00.000-04:00

Sorry for being AWOL, folks. Hubs was off this past week and somehow outfit photos didn't happen that often (too much picnicking/lounging at the beach/ prepping delicious meals.) We did manage to squeeze in this little shoot a block away from Yankee Stadium minutes before the game.

* yellow gingham button-down-- Gap (thanks for the hand-me-up, Jessi!) * white tank-- Target * army green shorts-- Larry Levine * yellow sneaks--OTBT * purple shades-- XSRE * scarf headband-- vintage via ebay *

My little sister gifted this shirt to me a few weeks ago, and I have been wearing it nonstop. On hot summer days, there is nothing like breezy cotton in a somewhat polished style to keep you both cool and collected. I rather liked the play of the feminine scarf, floral earrings and ruffled-yoke shirt with the rugged shorts and sneakers.

What do you wear to sports games?