Merry Christmas!!!!!

We hope it's full of Marc Jacobs shoes!!!!!

Happy Christmas Eve!!!!

I hope everyone's day is full of pink sparkles and bubbley champagne!!

Winter Weather!!

Some lovely lovely coats from here.
Also from French Connection lovelies from the same place.

I'm Here!!!

Whew.....I have been SO out of it! No internets for 4 days can make a girl feel so out of it!!! We arrived in Charleston, South Carolina on Wednesday morning. I then went to bed at 6:30 PM....We've been working around Erik's parent's house which they have just moved into. It's so 'southern-y' here! Spanish moss everywhere, southern accents, very very polite and friendly people. I heard that there are even alligators who live in the water behind the house, and apparently like to eat marshmallows... I'll see if I can find them. Erik and I went on a kayak trip early this morning, it was so much fun. I'll show photos once I find my camera cord... Today I'd like to see downtown Charleston... I heard there is good shopping there.... We'll see what I can persuade Erik to do... Some beautiful photos of vintages inspired wedding looks from Charleston Wedding Magazine. (ugh... i had much better photos for above, but they keep coming out all funny when I upload them...oh well.... )

Feeling Dotty

Things have been a bit rough over here... Erik has been so sick the past 2 days. A horrible fever, chills, no appetite, no sleep, and a 13 hour flight to look forward to tonight. Yikes. I'm hoping that he'll be better by this evening... there's nothing worse than flying sick. So we have our fingers crossed. And these adorable shoes for the littles ones by Puddle Jumper Shoes. Were there shoes like this around when we were young? I had to wear orthopedic saddle shoes and my poor brother had to wear shoes with a bar between them holding them parallel...ha snort. Sorry Konrad, but it WAS funny.... And these lovelies too....


All available from here.
And I couldn't have a dotty post without including one of my favorite Carrie Bradshaw outfits.

Yes please.

Lovely Luggage

I love this set of suitcases from International Traveller. I was given one of these in pink for my 30th birthday from my family. It is a perfect size, protects anything that may be breakable, and being pink... is easy to spot in baggage claim. I started to pack today...it's pretty tough because I'll need warm weather clothes for the first part of the trip, and apparently a snow suit for the second half... nor'easter, huh?

Castro Clothing

Castro is an Israeli clothing company started by Aaron Castro in the in 1950s. In 1985 Castro opened his first retail store on Dizzengof Street. After gaining popularity, the chain grew and grew. There is one near our apartment that I happened to stumble into yesterday. I had been in before (and bought a purple clutch that went magnificently with a dress I wore to a wedding this past summer), but the winter line really caught my attention. I snapped up a grey knit mini dress with a super sized folded neck, perfect for christmas parties with a pair of black boots and a vintage brooch. The prices seem fairly reasonable too, I may have to go back....

Pucci Shoes

Some fun spring-y shoes from Pucci. These make me want to wear a fabulous scarf on my head, huge sunglasses, and lounge on a yacht.

The Golden Compass

We saw The Golden Compass last night. It was so so so good. I totally want my own polar bear now.



and my own daemon, your inner spirit in the form of an animal that walks along beside you. It was full of adventure, action, talking animals, and really cute nordic outerwear.



I think we'll probably see it again while we're home (I missed a crucial part when I ran out to the bathroom...damn glass of wine before the film...). Speaking of home, I can't believe we leave the day after tomorrow. I better start dusting off those sweaters and snow shoes....

Embroidered Fun

Well...when we went to the market on Friday, we also got some things for ourselves... It was very hard not to. We got these pillow cases (that are crying out for proper pillows to fill them out... Ikea trip anyone?)

and this embroidered wall hanging. It perfectly matches our 'winter' bedcover. I never thought I'd be the kind of person to have a 'summer' and a 'winter' bed spread, but this weather calls for it. Next thing you know I'll be organizing my broom closet and alphabetizing my medicine cabinet. So now our bedroom has a dark blues, beaded, velvet-y look. And, I would like some hot chocolate with whipped cream...

And now....

Settling down for a perfect evening with Miss Marple. (Obviously Erik has been on conference calls for hours...there's no way I could indulge in this Agatha Christie way with him in the room...not really his thing...)

Jerusalem: Part 1

This morning we went to Jerusalem for some Christmas shopping in the Arab Souq. I'm embarrassed to admit.... this was our first trip to the city and we have lived here over 6 months. But my defense is, when you live somewhere, it's not a vacation. If I travelled to Israel for one week, of course I would sight-see...but life takes over with everyday things to do. I lived in New York for 6 years and never went up the Empire States Building, never went to Ellis Island, and as much as possible, stayed clear of Times Square. But, ok ok ok... I know... it is pretty bad that we only JUST made it to Jerusalem.


Anyway.... it was great! we went into the Old City and walked around all of the bazaars. At noon, all the shop keepers just left their shops to go to the mosque.... so that was interesting to see... We of course will go back many more times for more touristy tours. We did buy many treats... but unfortunately I can't show them now, since that will ruin the Christmas surprise. On our way home we stopped in Tel Aviv for a late lunch. There was this restaurant I had been wanting to try for a while, Manta Ray. It's on the water and Time Out Tel Aviv named it the Best Beach Restaurant. I would give it a...eh..7. I blame the not-higher score on my ordering choice. Afterwards, I made a friend outside, I named him Pimlico.

He really wanted to come home with us, but I told him we didn't have HBO, so he decided to stay by the water.

Pouffy Fun

I just ordered a petticoat for the wedding next summer. I am now familiar with all of the square dancing shops in the US and Germany.... The petticoats just look so...so... so incredibly fun! I think I may even see if I could wear it in every day life. But maybe not here... my wardrobe still consists of gym clothes and sneakers.... who have I become??? Oh the shame....

I heart mail!!!!

I got the best surprise today when I rode my bike to the post office with package slip in my hand. It was all written in Hebrew, so I had no idea what it was, if it was even for me, where it was from... So when the postwoman pulled a yellow package off of the shelf addressed to me, from the best Katherine in the world, I didn't even mind that she knocked my cell phone and clutch off of the counter in a loud clanking mess. EEEEEE!!!! The best surprise from her recent trip to Japan!! Paper, beautiful silk, a mirror, a mini purse, a waving cat, and MY OWN RADISH MAN!!! (I had stolen my brothers before...sorry konrad). Katherine , you are the best friend/twin/smafu ever!!!

The Fuller the Better (and I don't mean my tummy)

Wow. I am SO excited for spring fashion. British Vogue had a great piece in the January issue with full skirts from Prada,


beautiful Galliano dresses, Louis Vuitton hotpants,

1950s Escada bathing suits...

I was swooning.


Personally I've always prefered that look, as I feel it's most flattering on my figure. After seeing all of the vintage Dior at the V&A, it's fun to see how designers are taking a modern path while still keeping the same feeling. love love love.


Vintage patterns are fabulous, I got one while I was home in hopes of turning it into a wedding dress... but I suppose I could use it for something else...

For When it's Cold...

I love the idea of small cute leather driving gloves, but they just don't keep your fingers warm. A fur muff is the perfect solution. Stylish, practical, and useful if it also has a pocket inside. I have one in CT that someone gave me. It's very very old (and I'm afraid, real fur...something spotted). Above, red one from here, faux ones from here, and model photo from The Telegraph.

Suzanne Felsen Jewelry

I've been drooling over these Suzanne Felsen rings for a few years now. (I had actually wanted the pink and green one, bottom right for a while...and still have plans to one day get it) The color combinations are great. A simple black dress+ silver heels+one of these on my fingers + a martini in my hand=perfect.

Yippers

I'm so so so excited for the Sex and the City film to come out in May. British Vogue online has some images of what the cast will be wearing...I'm getting more excited...

keds

Keds designed by artist, Eleanor Grosch.

Kate Spade

China from Kate Spade.

Dress Please!

I went into Topshop today to take a look around... The shop here is pretty tiny, but they still had a few cute dresses and coats. Next door in Mango is my coveted Christmas dress.... I can't buy it yet though, because... it doesn't look too good... Maybe after 4 pounds have dropped off it will. And if it doesn't, then it wasn't meant to be. I've been on a baking/cooking kick. Sugar cookies yesterday (I sent them ALL to Erik's office with him) brownies today (these will also travel) and vegetarian chili. I find baking and cooking very comforting and for some reason have needed it this week (although comfort eating will NOT help with the dress quest...hmph). I'm feeling low this week, not sure why, but I'm sure it will be gone as quickly as it came. So for now, I have TopShop....

Beauties...

I found these last night... and I fell in love with them. I'm looking for some turquoise peep toes heels for the wedding, and these are perfectly perfect. However, they are a bit pricey... they are about as much as my dress... (budget... budget...) but i love marc....sigh....perhaps I'll find a way... I've been known to.

End of Weekend

This past weekend Erik and I went to Old Jaffa to buy christmas presents to bring back with us. We then spent the rest of the weekend hiding from the tremendous storm outside shopping online on Amazon and eating soup (we've become huge soup people). This morning we had our Hebrew lesson and are starting to learn to read. It's fun, but we're sure that most tiny children could whip our butts. Sundays are often hard for me. I'm not working, so you'd think it wouldn't matter, but after spending 2 straight days with erik, and then back on my own again takes a few hours to get used to.

Mozi

Mozi is a great Australian company started by sisters, Camilla & Olivia Tipler. Great textiles and stationary with fun patterns. The website is also just as fun to look at as the product, and the (very stylish looking) sisters have a cute bio page.

Max Brenner Chocolate

I had heard of this chocolate shop before, but never gone in. Right after I left NY, one opened up near where I had lived. This morning I went to one here for coffee. Wow...you walk in and are immediately hit with the strong smell of chocolate. The chocolate is so beautiful with designs printed on top. Despite my protests, I was 'forced' to take some home... so much for the diet!

Country Living UK

Some inspiring images from the British magazine's website.

Warm Images for the Cold

I know that in the US (particularly in the east) it's been pretty cold, and even snowing. So here are some fun images from here to brighten your day. And if it makes you feel any better, it's over cast and incredibly windy here. My plans for the weekend are to christmas shop online (a little bird told me Flight of the Conchords was available.... he knows who he is) and around town.

Hope and Greenwood Sweeties

Hope and Greenwood is a perfect paradise for old fashioned English sweets. I love the vintage-y jars, they would make great surprises for adults and children. Children love sweets, and British adults would be reminded of their childhood. Yum!

Happy Hanukkah!

Last night was the first night of Hanukkah. We have a huge Hanukia in the middle of the square we live on and last night the first light was lit. Erik often get gifts at work around the holidays, and this year they gave everyone baskets with a hanukia, candles, and sweets.


Unfortunately, my camera battery is about to die, and I turned the apartment upside down looking for the charger. How frustrating!!!

Claus Porto Soap

I love this soap, it smells nice, and has possibly some of the best vintage packaging I've ever seen (I, more times than not, buy items for the packaging). I have a few bars that I keep in my dresser drawers to keep my clothes nicely scented. These make decadent gifts, as not many people would want to spend $14 on soap for themselves, but would love to have them anyway. They are available at many little boutiques, online, and here.

Cosy Sweaters from Free People

I only have one sweater and one sweatshirt here... I think I must have packed all of my others into storage. However, when I moved from NY to California, I didn't really need warm sweaters...where did they go, I wonder. Anyway, when we go to Connecticut for the holidays, I will definitely need some warm woolies. Here are some cute ones from Free People. Although... not all are exactly warm weather appropriate... I'm a sucker for style over suitability...

Hello There!

I had been staring at these boots for about a week. I even made Erik take a look at them... however, the problem was, that I needed some sensible boots to wear when I'm home, or when we travel to colder places where I'd be walking a lot. These, with their heel, did not fit that mold. But.... I couldn't stop thinking about them!! So today I tried them on... and fell in love...so they came home with me. And, I figured, I CAN wear them while we're home (especially in South Carolina), just not in a snow storm...

Graham and Green

The British company, Graham and Green, has so many lovely things... A great place to buy unique gift for people (or me me me!! hee). I like these Pantone mugs that I keep seeing everywhere, and these Moroccan pouffes are a great way to add a spark of color in your home.