Our Day in the Ruins

Yesterday Cecelia and I went to Apollonia, a national park of ancient ruins near our apartment. We brought a yummy picnic of hummos, olives, cheese, and pita. After stuffing ourselves, we walked around the ruins.

I had been before with Erik, but I don't think I'll ever get sick of going there. It's beautiful. Cecelia was really interested in the marble columns,

I was loving the blue glass in the rock walls.

Tomorrow I'm going to work while Cecelia goes into Jerusalem for a tour. And then on Wednesday... we will begin our trip down to Eilat and then over to Jordan....more adventures to come...

All Handbags Large and Small

Today Cecelia and I went into Tel Aviv to the Museum of Jewish Diaspora. It was really interesting, and a lot of information. Either I'm getting old, or I'm not used to full days of sightseeing. After that we had a really nice lunch at the Tel Aviv Port. To work off our food, we walked all along Dizengoff and window shopped. Lots of really fun dresses, shoes, and handbags...we were very happy...So many adorable things.
Photo from the Kate Spade website. I love her new ads, especially the one with the picnic...mmmm macaroons....

If I Were a Rich Girl...

I would totally buy this amazingly perfect Coach Bag. Sigh....

Dress me Up

Some fun dresses from Karen Millen. These would be perfect for a fun dinner out or an outside cafe lunch or just standing around looking pretty...

Weddings and Wine!

On Thursday night, Erik and I went to our first wedding in Israel. It was a lot of fun, and there were a TON of people there. Like 400 or 500. Wow... There was eating... and then the ceremony, and then eating, and then dancing, and then eating, and then dancing, and then, yes, you guessed it, eating. and then dancing.

It was a good time. While we were at the wedding, my friend Cecelia arrived from the airport for her Total Fun Israel Trip. Unfortunately she was held in security for 3 hours because her grandparents are from Egypt. I know, I couldn't believe it either.... The airport security people called me, to verify what she had told them and I was like, Uh, her parents are from California....
Anyway, she's here now, and we took her to a wine tasting event up in the hills with TONS of cheese and live jazz.
Very fun indeed. Today we are going for long walks along the beach (I mean that in an athletic way... not a romantical way...)

Favorite Places

These are some of my favorite places around our apartment (with the exception, of course, of my closet...). I've been spending the morning looking at the Real Simple blog. One of the writers for it is Decor8's Holly Becker. So you can expect the same kind of toe-twiddling inspriration there as well.

Blame it on the Heat

I think like these shoes...practical, cute, very Damien Hirst. The heat is getting to me here... it's been about 90 degrees. I was looking at another pair of shoes online for a few minutes, until some sort of fairy in the disguise of a cold glass of water and AC shook me out of the spell. Oh they were horrendous... I won't even show them. Let's just say they had plastic on them...and grosgrain ribbon. I'm often drawn to ugly shoes; deep down, sometimes I like ugly.
I'll leave you with these 'safer' ones instead...(unless of course you think they're ugly, and then there I go again with my ugly picks... it's the heat)

Strictly Ballroom

I'm liking not only the colors of these pieces from the D&G Spring/Summer 2008 show, but also the ruffles. I say, the more you can dress like Tina Sparkle, go for it. Even if you risk looking like Big Bird. Everyone loves Muppets.

Brights for a Monday!

This is really for the East Coasters (or anyone else in dreary weather)... It's been incredibly hot and sunny here, and Monday is really our Tuesday since Sunday is a work day here. So, for you out there in cold weather, here are some lovely brights from the April issue of British Elle Magazine. Start your week off on the right foot.
We love color!

Monsoon Heritage

Monsoon has a new collection out called Heritage. It is inspired by Monsoon prints and designs from the 70s. I love this Indian-y pink tunic. Perfect for a summer dinner outside under palm trees, overlooking the sea. These would all be great dresses to throw on over a bathing suit for a trip to the beach. A trip which I think we may make again today. I really need to lay off the hummus and bread though...bathing suit season...ack...I shake my fist at you!

"Velcro. Next to the Walkman and tab it is the coolest invention of the 20th century"

I watched Girls Just Want to Have Fun last night. Oh it is SUCH a good film...Growing up, I watched it whenever I could. I loved Lynn Stone's (played by a young Helen Hunt) style.... The hat with the grasshopper...The dinosaur barrettes...The army jumpsuit with silk scarf topped off with a coonskin hat... Perfect. And although Natalie Sands was the 'bad guy' and I was totally rooting for her to lose, I was obsessed with her remote controlled closet that went on forever. Although while watching this time, I noticed she only had about 4 pairs of shoes...interesting... I definitely recommend this film if you have any interest in the 80's, reversable clothing, Sarah Jessica Parker with horrendously large hair, and DTV Dance offs.... I may have to watch it again tonight...

Once

Today I got the BEST BIRTHDAY PACKAGE from Konrad and Sarah.... it contained....the DVDs, 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' (totes making erik watch it... oh the excitement of someone watching it for their first time!) 'Splash' (A classic) and 2 cds....the soundtrack for Juno, which I'm sure is totally awesome, but haven't heard yet, because I'm glued to the other cd they sent me. The soundtrack to Once. Sheila was given the cd by Heather, and said it was sooo good. So when I opened the package in the car, and popped the cd in... I almost cried beause it's a great cd and also.... well.... I've been missing my mom a lot.... Sheila had sent me this book recently and this excerpt is so so so.....Sheila I miss you!
"I want my mommy. I thought about these words, how they contained so much more than they seemed to contain, more than any four words could contain, more than any four words could hold. They meant what they meant and they were also a universal cry, maybe THE universal, plaintive, openhearted cry for comfort. Soldiers in the heat of battle; death-row prisoners; explorers stranded in deserts, jungles, on mountaintops; anyone sick or lost or tired and bewildered: we all wanted our mothers....why didn't they collapse under such weight?"
(from "Loved Walked In" by Marisa De Los Santos.)

I Know it's not Mothers Day in the US or even in England (I missed it...sorry) But Sheila.... You really are the BEST. Thank you for not collapsing under all my weight.

And the shoes...

So here are a couple of photos of my view when I drive to my graphic design job....very...uh, rural huh? Bet you don't see this on the F train....

and here are the loverly shoes....

and this is how I spent my day here in our 80 degrees weather... nah nah nah nah naaah nah.

sorry...that was mean.

And We're Back

And so good it feels to be back here, in this space. Ok so let's start with the Purim party. Purim is a Jewish holiday that on it's most superficial level is a bit like Halloween in that everyone dresses up. But beyond that there is a very interesting historical story which I will let you find out on your own. Our Hebrew teacher told us on Sunday and one thing she emphasized was that you get drunk. Huh? Erik and I looked at each other confused, yet kind of intrigued.... hmmmm we can do that? Apparently you get drunk and forget what is right and wrong... sounds like my single years in New York...

Anyway....so the party was very fun, they had some performers come... and then all of a sudden a man came out with a box and pulled out a snake....
Everyone jumped and I thought, Oh PLEASE.... it's OBVIOUSLY a FAKE snake... Erik's boss, somehow had made a deal with MR Snake Man to make me kiss it....Whatevs.... I can do that.... it's fake....

.... No Prob... but then...no...Uh Oh... it wasn't fake.... but I had to be brave.

So while in New York I may have hooked up with guys that I met at bars...Purim made me make out with a reptile that I KNOW will never call me again... go figure...

Busy Bee

Eek!! So long!! This week has been a very busy one with work, dinners, and.... a Purim party! I'll put up some photos tomorrow, it was pretty interesting... I kissed a boa constrictor. Oh all hell broke loose... Anyway, until then, here is lovely puff of a dress to keep you company. Oh! I almost forgot.... while I was driving home from the arab village, dodging hitting the cows, I stumbled upon a mall and bought the most perfect pair of black heels... photo coming soon.
dress from here.

What Do We Think?

I ordered these sandals (along with those perfect, lovely, red flower ones I posted about earlier) on Friday. This shopping spree was fueled by the fact that I sold a painting in the states, and I had a glass or few of wine. Internet shopping is waaaay too easy. So Sheila will have more shoes arriving on her doorstep to try on and I have to wait a few months to see them. But honestly, what do we think? Are they ugly? See, I was picturing them with a full red skirt and a fitted crisp white button down top, and pony tail and a windy stone alley in a small Italian village. Do you see it too? or do you see Ugly Sandal? (as erik did?)

A New Job! or My Day With Pooh!

No, I did not get a job with the sanitation department thank you very much... Today I met with a woman who runs her own childrens-wear company and was in need of some graphic design help. This morning I was a complete wreck.... What to wear (a vintage-looking denim full skirt, cropped 1960's 3/4 length sleeved bright yellow jacket, and white heels...scratched that, changed to comfortable boots instead), but also how the flip-flop I'd get there... It's located in an arab village up in the hills that had no streets names and no signs. Sweet. So you can imagine how I, a very bad driver with a worse sense of direction felt.... like crying, calling my mom, and hiding under the covers. But, if I've learned anything being here, it's that no matter how hard or scary something seems, you have to do it. And do it, I did. Without getting lost once...although I almost hit a goat.
Anyhoo.... The woman was really nice, her collections very cute, and the people friendly. What was supposed to be a meet-each-other event turned out to be a 7 hour work day. It felt great to be back working. I was a little rusty as first, and we're using a software I don't know, so there were many swears bouncing around in my head trying to escape my mouth. But here's the knee-slapper part.... they have a license from Disney to use Winnie the Pooh. And that is the project I'm currently working on.... so this is what my day sounded like "You'll want to use the classic Pooh, and try to find a Pooh that is more winter-y and not so summer-y. Like this Pooh with an acorn." I swear, I was trying SO HARD to seriously talk about poo. Poo... hee hee... POO!!! Oh I'm practiacally peeing myself..... snort....

Met Fashion Blog

The Metropolitan Museum website has a blog called blog.mode: addressing fashion. I'm not sure if this is a temporary 'online exhibit' or if they will always do this... it says until april 13th, so perhaps this is temporary. It's an interesting idea, and an incredibly fun place to browse. They has some amazing pieces which I assume are from their own archives with a description about each. It's like a mini history lesson/Vogue-flip-through all in one. I love it, and will be spending quite a bit of time here...
(photo of Alexander McQueen's 'Oyster Dress' from March 10th entry)

Room Service

Today I am totally exhausted. We had a photoshoot at the archive and I had never realised how much time goes into them. Right now I'd like to climb into one (anyone) of these lovely bedrooms as seen on the Living Etc website. I have tomorrow off, and would really like to work on my bedroom and dressing room. I'd love to make it more fabulous and glamorous (I'll have to do it while Erik is out... not sure that's really his style...uh...yeah, not so much) I'll have to wait until the weekend to find any old furniture to re-paint, but for now I'll do what I can...

This room would go perfectly with my gold indian-inspired sandals...

This one calls for more of a satin kitten heel...

Gold vintage ballroom-like heels perhaps?

Yellow leather flats I'd say...

Turquoise peep toes please.

(all images from Living Etc)

I Can't Be Mad at You Forever...

We were in a fight, but I suppose I can forgive you...I can't hold a grudge against shoes like this....

Thank you Anthropologie...just for being your gosh-darn-un-stay-mad-at-able-at self. sigh.

JUMP!

Everywhere I'm seeing these, jumpsuits/playsuits/rompers... whatever you wish to call them. At first I was aghast... Are we 3 years old!? Are they even flattering? And if you go to the restroom with one of your girlfriends (because females often travel to the loos in twos)...you will be awkwardly sitting on the commode topless! Then I thought, hmmm... it does look playful (if we are in fact going for a playful Rollergirl from Boogie Nights look), you don't have to choose a top and bottom to wear... great for the beach perhaps? The safari one may be cute in heels? I'm still not sure what I think...we'll see...
(above from Old Navy.)


The Gap.


Diane Von Furstenberg.


David David. Which is funny because my friend Yasmin's boyfriend in high school was actually named David David. For real! First and last name! Different middle name however...Why be predictable, no?.

8 Women

As I was sitting on the sofa painstakingly sewing sequins onto an old dress, I stumbled upon the most stylishly fun film ever. After searching Catherine Deneuve, French films, and musicals, I came upon my answer, the film,8 Women. The costumes! The colors! The wallpaper! The furniture! the style! I'm loving it.

However...one teensy problem... our cable here in Israel only subtitles foreign films into Hebrew... and I don't speak French, so I have no idea what is going on... Ah well, I'll have to rent it again while I'm home. But, for now, with no understanding, it's a treat to watch.

Am I Speaking Too Loudly??

As if the weather can hear me, after all my bragging of how great and hot it was here, of how it was the perfect beach temperature, (I'm not the only one who thought this...hoards of men had rifled through their closets to find their speedos, despite the fact they were still in 'winter body' mode) I'm now left with grey-ish white skies. Perhaps the only thing that could bring a sun-worshipping girl out of this funk would be this ensemble, all available at Urban Outfitters.

Mod Squad

Really?!? This is Banana Republic? That's what I said when I saw these dresses. Way to go... no more boring-woman-clothes who wear pantsuits and 'slacks'. These are the types of dresses that you can spy on people while sipping coffee at an outdoor cafe on a cobble street wearing enormous sunglasses, waiting for your date to whisk you away on his vespa. Now that's what I'm talking about...

Squint

There was a piece in British Vogue's March issue about new upholsterers taking on a more fashion angle with their pieces. Interesting, and a fun way to think of dressing your house. I was taken by Lisa Whatmough's company Squint. She takes vintage fabrics, old Japanese silks, Indian pieces and patchworks them all to cover the furniture. It has a neat look, although if you had one of these in your place, you'd have to be careful with what else was in the room so as not to look too cluttered. I've seen this kind of idea...in Anthropologie maybe? and cheaper ones in Urban Outfitters (perhaps copying her? I'm not sure...). But I'm liking it, and glad that in a time of Ikea with our disposable futon covers, the job of an upholster is getting more and more creative.

Back to What I was Saying...

So yes, I started loving Steve Madden shoes when I found my green ones last year. Last spring I went to Las Vegas for the first time. Erik had work meetings, so I spent my day shopping. I bought these amazing peep toe red patent leather heels with a blue suede and white leather stripe across the front. I then stupidly packed them into storage in California. I didn't think I'd wear them here...which maybe I wouldn't have, but at least I could have gazed at them... ah well... It'll just be that much more fun when we move back and I unpack the lovelies.

(**On a side note, my friends Ben and Melissa just had a beautiful baby girl!!!! YAY!!!**)

THE trip...again..

Ok, so here are some phototoes! We drove north of our apartment to Akko, it's maybe 20 or 30 minutes north of Haifa. It's one of the oldest ports in the world.


Beautiful water against old ruins...we had a perfectly perfect birthday lunch.... and as usual, ordered waaay too much. oops.

After the food and then buying our coral and shells, we continued driving north to the most northern point, at the Lebanon border.

There we went down a cable car and into these amazing grottos in the rock.

Dark caves with bright turquoise water and the sound of bats... so amazing.

The border...

And yes... I wore my favorite shoes, which are, by the way, Steve Madden from about a year ago (I know, I was surprised myself when I first found them, which then started a love affair between me and the shoe company, but that's for another time...) These babies hiked though slippery cliffs and looked amazing while they did.

Then, as if the day couldn't get any better, we arrived at the zimmer (cabin) that erik had booked for the night. It was absolutely perfect. The place was INCREDIBLE! Apparently a lot of Israeli couples go there to propose... I almost gave the ring back to erik to have him re-ask me here... but my original proposal was pretty awesome... Ok getting off track...
this was the view we had...

In the distance you can see the sea, and yes, that is a hot tub on our own private deck...

There was also a flat screen tv with cable... we watched and were amazed by the Animal Planet.... what an awesome channel. and..wait for it... a massage chair. So basically out time was spent pushing the other one out of the massage chair and going in and out of the hot tub. It was the best. I went to bed pretty early and fell into the most perfect sleep on a bed that felt like marshmallows.... then in the middle of the night, I heard what sounded like 20 drunk people saying "wooo!!! Wooo!!!" I thought... that's weird... I mean, we're in the middle of nowhere.... there can't even be 20 people around here and why are they out screaming on a wednesday night, and why isn't anyone YELLING at them!?!! So then I got up, and listened more... no ha!, these were not drunk people celebrating, they were WILD ANIMALS!! I'm not sure if they were coyotes, or maybe foxes? ( I have to ask Sheila, she always knows the answers to things like this). I tried to wake up erik, but he was fast asleep.
Ok, so next morning, i jumped out of bed at 7 to maximize my time there. I loved it, it was so peaceful, and I never say that about places, I leave that to the people who wear birkenstocks and drink herbal tea, I prefer to be in places that stress me out. But this place was truly great. Until, the incident... Similiar to an experience I had in the Philippines when I was 15..... I picked up my swimming skirt off of the counter and out flew an enormous centipede thing... it landed on the floor and I SCREAMED. Then, as if on cue, a lizard then jolted into the bathroom.... was he trying to save me??? and I knew no one would believe me, so when the nasty multi-legged creature ran up the wall, I took a photo.
Gross, right?? (it was about 5 inches long)

But then breakfast arrived, and I forgot all about the yucky insect...

We then began our trip back home with some vineyard stops on the way.

We then stopped for lunch at a restaurant with amazing views...

and shoes....

and then a perfect sunset drive home...

I've decided that with the year 31, I want to wear great shoes everyday... we'll see if this lasts into the summer with our 100 degree weather that only calls for reef flip flops.... but for now, my marc jacobs, erik and I are going out for sushi.