matchy matchy..

My week started out with a Monday where I turned green with envy over our new intern's fabulous black and white houndstooth dress (and sorry, spellcheck.. but houndstooth is one word.  And so is spellcheck, as far as I'm concerned). 

I asked her where she got it, only to hear the dreadful response that almost always seems to be the case: "Macy's." (That answer is fine.  Lovely, actually). Then I asked, "when?" and held my breath. "Forever ago." Such a sad, sad thing to hear. Worse than a breakup really. The number of outfits missed out on so vastly outweighs the number of ex-men worth being sad over (we're talking goose eggs here people).  

So last night I optimistically headed for the mall. I've been quite the "glass-half-full" gal these days.. unless we're talking about wine. I headed for the Calvin Klein section, hoping to find the dress, as our fabulous intern assured me she saw the dress there in other prints and colors. Maybe, just maybe I could find something I liked more. Maybe.

Well, no luck there, but my bloodhound (compound words are so in today) schnoz was able to unearth a fabulous little Anne Klein number in.. wait for it.. houndstooth. In all its navy and white gloriousness and thin little patent belt, this dress and its inappropriately low clearance tag had my name written all over it. I pulled it on over my clothes right by the register (we will save the Pavlov's Dog-related conditioned response to hating dressing rooms discussion for another post) and rung that ish up. With a coupon. Bam.

So I'm topping my morning off with a speedy little trip to the Thomson Reuters cafeteria, and, lo and behold! My fleeting desire for healthy food resulted in a breakfast that so flawlessly coordinates with my new frock. And yes, I see that I need a hairbrush so very badly in this photo. But I dropped it on the floor of the bus this morning, and Lord knows I wasn't picking that up.. Don't judge me.

When was the last time you matched your food to your clothes?  

point of difference

I always find it funny that it seems people only tell me I look "so put together" on the days when I sprinted around my room, collecting items to assemble an ensemble [yeah, that just gave me chills too], attempting to look like I didn't hit the snooze button longer than I actually slept.  I suppose that's because when I am attempting to look like I made an effort, I actually do.  I tend to have a fairly boring wardrobe, which I accent with ridiculously busy accent pieces.  Apparently the result is some fabulous illusion of put-together-ness.  

This morning I was in the mood to fully take advantage of our "workplace casual" dress code.  I pulled out one of my favorite Winter-to-Spring transitional jackets, which happens to be made out of some magical version of sweat pant material, tailored like a fine blazer [roll up those sleeves like you mean it!], and tossed it over one of my many many many Tahari white knit tee shirts. They may be an investment, but spending $16 on something so versatile and blogworthy, that can be tossed on with jeans, or tucked perfectly into high-waisted work trousers, is a purely great idea.  And even if you calculate its worth based on the number of times you will wear it before you spill spaghetti sauce on it, well, that's $16 per wear.  A steal!


So what's the point of a "point of difference"?  I pondered this over my morning frapp.  Here's what I decided.. The world can be super boring.  And clearly, a bit of a problem arises when you are about to spend the day in gray, white and denim. I recently and unnecessarily added to my already obscene collection of scarves, by adding a simple cream colored pashmina to the mix.  And I'll tell ya'... I don't care what anyone says. Whites all match.  Blacks do not all match.  But whites all match.  Something about cream over white just looks lovely to me, and appears effortlessly classic.  In any case, even cream, white, gray and denim is still boring.  The answer?  A simple splash of color.  Some like to mix it up a little with jewelry, hair accessories, pink socks, that don't appear to match until you reveal the lining of your jacket..  Me? Well, today, my outfit was pulled together and made exponentially more interesting with my newest pair of shoes [and matching beaded hoops which remind me of accessory shopping in Israel] which could have been featured in this recent post.  

I'm not sure what's more fun: red loafers, or sitting with your feet on your desk like a serious boss [king in the castle, king in the castle].  Or the fact that it's Friday.  You decide.

orange and blue

It's casual Friday, y'all. Not sure where the Southern accent came from, but I have a lot to celebrate today. It's Good Friday, in the Christian sense, but it's also a great Friday, because I woke up to some fabulous news of the success of the Syracuse Orangemen. 'Cuse beat (or as the New York Times would say, "smothered" see..Syracuse Smothers No. 1 Seed Indiana..) number one ranked Indiana last night, in a game I couldn't watch because I go to bed at nine, in order to wake up at 5:00 a.m. for this new-ish job. I'm not a big sports fan, but Syracuse the only team I love and follow. My neighbors invited me to join their March Madness pool, but I claimed that I would basically choose Syracuse to win the whole thing, because my love for the team wouldn't allow me to do anything different, and it would end up being a waste of precious cash that needs to go toward my property taxes. Looks like it would have been a good gamble now. 

Given the new dress code at work (lovingly blogged about here), I anticipated copious quantities of hoodies at work today, and even considered sporting (pun intended) my favorite Orangemen shirt under a blazer. Instead, I opted to don my team's colors in a more appropriate fashion, pairing dark jeans with a basic white tee, topped with a navy Loft blazer and a nice orange pashmina scarf. Finishing the outfit off with my favorite Gap city flats (previously blogged about here.. funny, I wore that same scarf, too) provides comfort and team spirit in one easy step. Really, nothing goes together quite like blue and orange.

Save the hoodies for 5:00 p.m. friends (and the "it's 5:00 somewhere" rule doesn't apply here!). Go 'Cuse!

temptation: spring into Spring in flats

Most of my friends and family know I gave up shopping for lent. It has been a surprisingly rewarding experience, and in addition to saving some serious dough, I've learned to live a bit leaner, and think twice about the things I spend my moolah on.


However, we all know that in times of fasting, temptation happens. Oh, does it. Even Jesus was tempted after being in the wilderness for forty days (see?). Well this morning, I was perusing an innocuous little blog (Daily Candy to be exact.. and I was kidding about the "little" part) and a crazy ad, surely sent by satan himself was right at the top of the page, shouting at me and beckoning with its evil little finger.

My latest weakness slash obsession is loafers. They go with jeans, they go with skirts, they go with dress pants. They are the perfect shoe.. just the right amount of meanswear. Coach, which is a brand I've been over for a while (I just don't get why they charge so much.. you may as well buy a louis) rolled out an amazing spring line. I was captivated by the devil ad, and when I saw the price I may or may not have whispered the Lord's name in vain. But oh, the beautiful woven texture.. it reminds me of the outdoor cafe chairs in Paris. Be still, my heart. I just had an out-of-body experience while searching google images for "Paris cafe chairs." Try it.


Meanwhile, I'm saying prayers of thanks to the good Lord because there is no way, even if it wasn't lent.. even if I was willing to spend a month's grocery budget on one pair of shoes.. that I would ever be able to choose between the three versions of the lovely and talented and Paris-inspired "Catrin" Woven Slipper, (pictured way above). Though, I'm leaning toward the navy, red and beige. Oh, how lovely I would be on the fourth of July.. You know I traded another day in Paris on the way home from Israel because I insisted on being on American soil on Independence Day. 

And of course, everyone knows I have an obsession with penny loafers (do you see the coin in those?.. it's Coach), and tassel loafers, and mint, and navy. Technically, the hue is called "ink." Amazing. And her name is "Nicola." So lovely, I just might name my first child after her, if I ever have one. For now I'll just keep dreaming (of shoes. Well, both I guess. And Paris. Ohh, Paris.). I just had to be there on the one day the Louvre was free admission for the public. Meaning I arrived an hour before opening to a four-hour long line. Mona will have to wait until next time. And if I make it back there, you better believe my shoes will match my outdoor cafe chair.

Au revoir for now dears.

donate a bra: give a former slave a job

This year, as tax season drew near, I found myself tallying my volunteer tasks, and wondering how I could do more. As I had been involved with human trafficking and sex slavery prevention groups in the past, I always found it to be an impossible cause with no imaginable way to make a real difference. Then I learned about Free the Girls.

Each day, as you sip your pre-work coffee, 27 million men, women and children are being held as slaves around the world, and 80% of those slaves are women and girls. While human trafficking and sex slavery are often considered to be largely international issues, recent events have shown that this issue is one that affects our local community. Many organizations seek to provide prevention and rescue efforts, but few are involved in assisting rescued victims. Thomson Reuters will soon be involved in an opportunity to make a worldwide impact in a simple way.   

During the month of April, Thomson Reuters will be collecting gently used bras and camisoles for Free the Girls, a non-profit organization that provides job opportunities to women rescued from sex trafficking.

Participation in the Free the Girls campaign is easy, and benefits many. Not only does it free up some valuable dresser drawer space from a simple act of “Spring cleaning,” but it provides victims of human trafficking with a new hope for the future. In a country where even your previously enjoyed “unmentionables” are worth five times minimum wage, women are able to experience the compassion that results from knowing they are supported by strangers right here at Thomson Reuters.

Sex trafficking is not a “women’s issue.” These victims are someone’s daughter, mother, sister, and friend, and they now will have the opportunity to attend school and make a sustainable living thanks, in part, to our collection.

I hope many, male and female alike, will feel encouraged to participate, if not by donating bras, by donating a small amount of money (“a bra or a buck”) to offset the cost of shipping our donations to the Free the Girls headquarters. Thomson Reuters, through this collection event, will be one of the first Rochester area organizations to support this growing grassroots effort, which brings awareness to this local and world issue. If you would like to collect for Free the Girls, visit http://freethegirls.org/get-involved/help-collect-bras/ or contact me to donate to our drive.

Thomson Reuters shows how much it values its employees by supporting the efforts we care about the most, and I am proud to work for this company for this reason, and so many others. For more information visit www.FreeTheGirls.org.

say it with me, "jeans plus blazer equals workplace casual." good.

Although this post was penned specifically for my blog on my company's intranet, I thought I would generously share share share. (Note, it's lovingly titled, "Encyclopedia [and Fashion] Editing). Enjoy.

_______________________________________ 

This morning, my human resources department announced an adjustment to the dress code (also referred to here as a "Professional Appearance Policy") for the Legal division.

Here's a snippet:

Legal is implementing a new dress code. Beginning immediately, all of Legal will adopt a “workplace casual” dress code. This means that you are welcome to wear casual clothing to work, including jeans, on days when you don’t have customer meetings or other important events where business attire is more appropriate. Some parts of our organization have already gone to this dress code; this change is simply to make it available across our entire business.

I know that there is a wide range of casual attire, and I trust you to use good judgment when it comes to choosing your attire. We’re calling it “workplace casual” because the way you dress should reflect the care and professionalism with which you approach your work.

I'm a traditionalist through and through, so I was a bit saddened by it all.  My most difficult morning for getting dressed is Friday. While in law school, most of our professors encouraged us to dress like lawyers, and due to my involvement in many organizations, and the short-notice invitations to exciting lunches and cocktail hours, I donned business attire or dresses most days. For years now, I have limited nearly all of my clothing-related spending to business attire. If something wasn't work-worthy, it didn't make it into the cart. I just didn't have the funds for a fabulous casual wardrobe, and an equally wonderful work one. My first job, as an Assistant Marketing Manager for a major cosmetics company, (unofficially) required us to be dressed to the nines, or nine-point-fives, and there was no "casual Friday." Dresses were the norm, and life would be less than worth living if you were caught in the elevator with the CEO without a shade of our company's lipstick or nail polish on. And you had better know the shade name.. At least, this is the way I remembered it. 

Obviously, the legal world is a different place, and it took some time to figure out how to find my sense of style among the charcoal pinstripes. I will never claim to be the "best dressed," or the most put-together person around, but what Ican say is that I firmly believe you work your best when you feel your best, which is usually when you look your best. My work-style reflects the pride I have in myself, and in my job at this company. I'm sure many can relate.

My Friday gear usually consists of dark jeans and a blazer. The closest I'll ever get to sweatshirts at work is a cotton blazer. And as I'll elaborate in a later post, dressing well doesn't have any relationship with your bank account. Nearly everything I own was purchased on sale, or at a thrift store. My prized oxblood tasseled loafers (which I happen to be wearing today --pictured--) were fifty whole cents at the salvation army. There's a sticker inside that says, "property of such-and-such golf club." I like to imagine some fabulous old man (maybe even a lawyer) drank a gin martini in the clubhouse in these, after a nice round of 18 played with his lucky irons. Lest we forget, when people leave their dry cleaning too long without paying and picking it up, it ends up at Goodwill. You didn't think all my Brooks Brothers non-iron button-downs were from the outlet, did you? Seven dollars later..

So obviously, this post is my measly two cents. But I've included, below, some of my favorite images of outfits, incorporating casual denim for the workplace. The first one is me, today. Yes, that was taken in the employee bathroom. I keep a collection of my favorite style images on my pinterest board: My Style

It's all in the details. Opt for colored or dark jeans, trouser or skinny styles, metallic or patent accessories and lots of jewelry. Layer a sweater, or toss on a scarf. Voila! "Workplace casual," as easy as that. Thoughts?

black is for mourning (the fact that Spring is fashionably late)

Punctuality is beyond important. One of my favorite and most influential professors, who is also a master of both international commercial arbitration law ("master," figuratively, Doctor, literally) and wearing cowboy boots with suits, would say to those who were late, "surely you don't believe your time is more valuable than mine." Harsh, but true; We all have better things to do than wait for others. And honestly, if you're going to be late, you better look fierce, as opposed to showing up late with wet hair and no mascara.

Spring has not sprung. I suppose in New York, we get used to snow on Easter. Thankfully, this weather has allowed me to dress in head-to-ankle black. Now, hear this: black is always in. Black is not seasonal per se, but normally, I would have celebrated the first day of Spring with some apropos pastel garb. Instead, this morning I was pleased to pair my natural-waist above-the-ankle pants with a structured, ribbed, black, zippered-back shell. Wow, that was a lot of adjectives. I purchased this top in Europe, and it has graced its hanger in my closet for almost two years, mostly because it's not the right shape for under a suit. Again, fabulous to have some "leeway" (the word severely makes me miss sailing) in wardrobe rules, as my days in the courtroom are on a long-term hiatus.

My recommendation, when wearing all black, is to keep hair and makeup simple, and accessorize with anything-but-boring jewelry and shoes. This morning, while opening the shoe closet in my pre-caffeine coma, I almost made the mistake of reaching for black quilted flats. I suppose worse things have happened (like wearing two different shoes to work). Instead, my better judgment kicked in and my hand led me to reach for my leopard loafers. Rawr. See exhibit 1, in which I am clearly and realistically busy reading some super old book in the hallway near my office.

This necklace was a to-die-for vintage find for a buck --yes, a buck-- at a great antique store near Verona, New York. Here's a closer look at "one (wo)man's trash," and the fabulous ribbed detail in my top. Apologies for the glare in this image. I didn't do as good of a job with my front-facing iPhone camera as my fabulous co-worker, Sarah did in the other. You can check out her amazing work at https://www.facebook.com/SarahndipityImaging. Anyone else match their shoes to their encyclopedia today? Just wondering..

shoes i wear on a monday..

Good morning, readers! (Is it?) I'm not a morning person.. never have been. However, I never feel that being tired is an excuse to let your style slack. Working in a more casual workplace than I'm used to invites opportunity to fall prey to the temptation of tossing on whatever is comfortable, rather than dressing your best. This morning was no different. Thanks to a neutral cardigan that literally matches every other item in my closet, a tweed skirt and a bright blouse, getting dressed was a breeze. I don't know about you, but when I'm tired, I tend to work my wardrobe around my footwear. Is anyone surprised by that? The idea of throwing on the perfect shoes, and then dealing with sore feet all [Mon]day is not my cup of tea. Funny.. I'm drinking tea while I write this.

Upon entering my shoe closet, (didn't realize how crazy it sounds that I actually have a dedicated one for that) I thanked the good Lord above for a fabulous little pair of velvet ballet flats I purchased in Croatia, while my feet were actually bleeding from the other shoes I packed.

These little bad boys (girls) are the footwear equivalent of the sweatsuit. They wear like socks, barely have a sole, and are made of fuschia velvet, finished with a bow. They were as cheap as cheap can be overseas, and are worth every kuna (Croatian dough). While I recommend that everyone get their passport stamped in Croatia at some point, I don't expect anyone to head there for these shoes. You can, however, jeté on over to the City Slips website for wide selection of comfy flats, flexible enough to fold up into some fabulous little pouch, yet totally appropriate for the office. In lieu of velvet, opt for a patent pair, which always looks a bit dressier, and much more intentional. 

xo.

time capsule: "the bend and snap"

A cursory attempt at discovering my "blogging roots" unearthed a pretty little gem of a post that literally started it all.  Tucked away in the earliest of the journeytoattorney.blogspot.com entries, this post is the crystal-ball "foreword" to the shoesiweartocourt story.  From the Legally Blonde inspiration to the frustrations that come from attempting to blend a normal life with law school, and the search for anything-but-mundane moments in a typically disastrous and mundane coupledom, this June 4, 2009 post is a perfect mix of realistic nostalgia and humor. This was well before even a single day of law school. Thankfully, my budding obsession with fashion plus law didn't die along with that relationship. Although, I must say, he was the first and only man I've known that can mix suit, shirt, and tie patterns and colors flawlessly. That's the only compliment I'll ever extend. No hard feelings. Just good reading. ___________________________________________________

So last night, I was volunteering at VIBS, the Victim's Information Bureau of Suffolk, providing childcare while victims accessed their weekly counseling sessions.  When I got home, Jimmy was (still) working, so I turned on the tube and was excited to find the last half of Legally Blonde.  Fabulous.  And so apropos.

When Jimmy got home, all he was interested in was freaking ESPN, so he went in the bedroom to watch it.  For whatever reason, I was soooo mad about this, like it would have been really all that torturous for him to sit through the end of the movie with me.  Ugh.

Anyways, as dubbed by my blog title (then, "Diary of a Real Life [Brunette] Elle Woods), you can tell I'm relating a bit.  I'm sure my pageant life, and love of all things pink will seem a bit/lot out of place in Law School.  I'm totally nervous about not being taken seriously, but still being true to my(stylish)self. 

I've decided to leave my mac laptop white, and refrain from any pink business suits.  Hopefully, that will do the trick.  

Thus is my journey to (becoming an) attorney.   

blast from the past..

After a recent revelation that my blog hasn't been updated in well over a year, I decided to take the plunge and update. While I was stressing over the topic, I nostalgically re-read some posts from my original blog.. the one that started it all, "Diary of a Real Life [Brunette] Elle Woods," at journeytoattorney.blogspot.com.  A bit dramatic and naive, it had little to do with fashion, and had yet to find its focus. However, one of my posts discussed the perfect school bag, later referenced in a post here in shoesiweartocourt. You'll all [I'm sure] be thrilled to know I still have (and use) the blue bag that was the subject of this old, (I suppose "vintage") imported post, from June 10, 2009. Enjoy.
_________________________________________________________

So, those of you who know me well, know that I'm a true shopaholic.. so as you can imagine, when I got my acceptance letter, I immediately got a new bag. "My Law School Bag" (has a certain ring to it, no? Like a fab children's book..) was purchased at Henri Bendel's flagship 5th Ave. store. Bendel's fabulous Disturbed Stripe Tote featured two sets of handles, and a chic black and brown scheme, with gold hardware. Totally professional, right?

I began "previewing" my bag back and forth to work, to make sure she would be good to me. I remember being a little kid and wanting to wear my new school clothes SO BADDDD before the first day of school, but I wasn't allowed. Well, now I'm a big girl and I can do what I want.

Well thank God I did, because after a month or so of relatively light use (meaning, no law textbooks yet) the freaking bag couldn't handle macbook and a train pass. I returned to my friend Henri, (I love pretending stores are real people, and my friends) and they were fantastic enough to give me a complete store credit in return for my battered bag with the broken strap.

After surveying the bunch, and there were many many many, I decided on a bag known as the Bendel Beach Tote. Now, you'd never picture something as durable and great as this bag.. but she is wonderfuuuul. Seriously, check out the depth on that bag.

So I was faced with a serious dilemma.. be true to form and go with the pink with orange piping, or tone it down with a little blue and turquoise?

Considering the title of the blog, and the fact that I'm a bit worried about being taken seriously as a law student, I totally went with the blue.

Did you SEE the way that professor looked at the girl with the pink laptop?! That will not be me.

Photos Cpoyright www.HenriBendel.com

Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed Prof..

My apologies, as always, for being lax in updates. Lucky for all of you, Evan Schwartz, Founding Partner at Quadrino Schwartz, Touro Law Professor, and member of the Board of Directors wore boots that shook me to the core and caused me to put off doing homework, in favor of a clearly more important purpose. Voila.

Fall is my favorite season.. Nothing is better than tossing on a nice long-sleeved tee, some boots and a blazer, and looking effortlessly put together without even trying. Key word in that sentence: boots. I was utterly and completely distracted for an entire Monday evening class, thanks to my professor's fantastic taste in shoes. It wasn't until after class that I decided to ask for a closer look, even though most people know that I'm prone to outbursts in class regardless. Note, that this class started with my announcement that Hulk Hogan died, which, unbeknownst to me at the time, was (thankfully) false. He was my first crush, after all.


So I know you're all asking yourselves, "If I was the founding partner of a sick Long Island law firm, and I was gracious enough to spend my Monday nights teaching students how to be as successful as me (yes, you all need to take Law Practice Management), what would I wear to class?" The answer, pictured below for your viewing pleasure, says it all. Streamlined flat-front khakis perfectly transition from warmer weather into Fall, paired with a great two-toned blue button-down. The pattern is divine, and what really gets me going is how perfectly the diamond detail on the shirt coordinates with the detail on the toe of the coolest pair of men's ankle boots I've ever laid eyes on. Attention men: there's more to life than standard dress shoes.. and when you sit down with ankle boots on, your socks don't show.. (If you're not wearing dress socks with dress shoes, let me know and I'll blog about it, but I'm pretty sure they covered that in Touro Law's continuing orientation program. Correct me if I'm wrong). These shoes happen to be Louis Vuitton.. the design is masculine, yet elegant, and totally timeless. They will last longer than the tall tale told by a client whose retainer would pay for these bad boys.


It's good to know that a Touro alum is out there spreading the fashion love, and setting the bar high for those who desire to look fresh while practicing law. Effortless, yet totally put together. Strive for it every day. At least in Autumn. And check out Professor Schwartz' LinkedIn profile, accolades included. It's equally as stellar as his fashion sense. http://www.linkedin.com/in/evansschwartz

like the desert misses the rain..

This post is an inevitable one. It's a love story. And it's about heartbreak.

It's been exactly 36 days since I tore my meniscus, MCL, and LCL. As if the physical pain wasn't enough to deal with, I'm banished to flats (and a horrible black and grey knee brace) until further notice. Note, I've broken this rule only on two occasions. Special ones. We all know mini skirts and flats are not friends.

One would think this would be a blessing, bestowed upon my pocketbook. But I'm too loyal for that.

They (Vincent VanGogh, actually) say "to know life is to love many things." So the purpose of this post is to share with you my newest love. Her name is Pavan.


Actually she has a twin. She is a pair. She is a pair of delicious nude (my favorite color) pumps that blend tradition with fashion-forward subtlety. Lined in gold, featuring classic lines, Pavan stands firm on a perfect little platform, with a center-seam perfectly rounded toe, that hangs over the platform for a touch of modern. And while pointed toes will never be out, changing it up with a round toe might be just the thing to give your toes a little wiggle room.

A thicker-than-average stiletto provides enough support for a day at the office, or a night full of city strides, without the fear of a heel break. That happened to me once. Blew my mind. Don't let it happen to you.

When it comes to shoes, taupe is the new black. They literally go with everything. And I hate to try to say I invented the flesh-toned pump, but I would be remiss to fail to give credit where credit is due. This trend, likely here to stay, is in your face thanks to your neighborhood pageant girls. We have been treating our feet to nude pumps for years and years.. Since we got the memo that they create a visual effect of longer legs. As if I need longer legs.

So for now, I will just admire these perfect heels from afar. I literally will be throwing a heels only party when my doctor gives me the stiletto go-ahead.

Want a pair of Pavans of your own? Good luck. They were my monthly Shoedazzle pick. But if the stars are aligned for you, too, maybe a pair will show up in your showroom. Da!

Click www.shoedazzle.com/invite/15111y0zcx to get in on the action.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Park Pl,Mastic Beach,United States

Professor Klyne and Rapper Shein..

Note: Names intentionally misspelled.. give me a little credit.
The setting is Jerusalem, Israel. Mea Shearim, to be exact. It's one of the oldest Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem, Israel populated mainly by Haredi Jews, according to Wikipedia. We all expected to sweat our tushies off, in our ultra-conservative garb, covered from collarbone to floor. What we did not expect was to run into Orthodox Jewish Rapper, Shyne, on the streets.

Note, if you're a woman, you're not allowed to actually run into him.. he can't touch girls. More surprising is that our very own Professor Richard Klein was Shyne's footwear twin, homey. Note, this is nearly all that they have in common, aside from both individual's time spent in jail.. Professor Klein, due to his respectable and highly respected work as a public defender, and Shyne, due to his work as an, er, public defendee. Well, actually, I assume his attorneys were retained.. that's beside the point.

In any case, a shareworthy post.. Professor Klein always dresses well. And Shyne, well, dresses. I never knew that proper conservative, Orthodox Jewish attire included metallic robes. You learn something every day.

Emergency post.. Order in the court: No polos!

I have many, many posts to catch up on, after being out of the country for most of my Summer. However, today I felt the need to interrupt the planned "flow" of my catch-up blog updates due to an emergency.

Ladies.. polo shirts are never acceptable under suit jackets. Never. Under any circumstances, whatsoever. Except maybe if it's a nice, fitted polo with a popped collar, under a nice, casual khaki or seersucker blazer at a charity golf outing. But certainly, never in the court room.

Furthermore, when you know you are appearing before a female judge you know is dressed to the nines under the fancy black robe, make an effort. A shabby blue polo with a limp collar under a nice navy suit is not making an effort. It's making a fashion mistake. Consider the vast selection of blouses available on the Ann Taylor clearance rack. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

putting the pro in project.. the RiverheadProject.

Last Friday was a ball. Not just due to the fabulous and free drinks (love that price) and stunningly savory appetizers, but because of some first-class networking.

One of the perks of clerking for Judge Efman in Riverhead came by surprise last week.. a personal invite to a pre-opening event at the Riverhead Project, a spanking new restaurant opening May 18th (don't quote me on that) in Riverhead. Its 300 East Main Street address is not only GPS and short-term memory friendly, but familiar. This address has undergone a complete transformation from plain-ol-bank to a hot new restaurant full of swank. Yup. That rhymed. That just happened.


The team at the Riverhead Project invited members of the court community to a VIP-style sneak peak, complete with refreshments, good company, full tours, and ego-boosting photos on their celebrity-style logo wall. If a red carpet were cool enough for this place, they would have one. But it's not. See exhibit #1. James Vlahadamis, Touro alum, and I, along with a staffer, whose name I will surely learn after visiting this place weekly after opening. Photo credit: the lovely and talented Charmaine, in charge of Marketing, who wore a stunning vintage navy and white graphic print dress. I over-complimented on this one.

The Riverhead Project is completely out of character, yet absolutely necessary in Riverhead. The original floors of the bank are intact, interrupted by a fabulous gas fireplace wall separating a lounge area and the main seating area, adjacent to the bar. Mod and creative prints hug the walls, in chic brown and ivory, with bold pops of accent color. You really will have to see this for yourself. The outdoor [s]eating area is in process, and the lower level boasts a VIP private bar and space for a party of 30-35.. all at one big, fabulous table. Where else? It's true.. bigger is better. The attached private bar (aforementioned) becomes cooler yet, due to the original bank vault door separating the men from the boys.. or those waiting for a drink from, well, the others. It goes without saying, that even two-weeks prior to opening day, the bathrooms are fabulous. A must.

The appetizers were totally tasty, and hot. I can't remember the last time I had a passed hors d'oeuvre (yes, I typed that without spell check) that was actually warmer than room temp. It's impossible to pick a favorite, but one was a felafel-ish-shaped ball of deliciousness with edamame and other lovely things.. Oysters that were not followed by a cringe fit.. Steak tartare to die for (or at least to come back for).. Some stylish pulled-pork (yes, there is such a thing), and more. I'm typing fast because I'm eager to get to the drinks.. As eager as I was when I walked in the place. Very eager.

The Ha Ha Fraiche.. a signature drink, that I may be spelling in a fancier way than intended (it's how Chanel spells it, in their "eau Fraiche" parfum.. perfect for Summer; a lesser-worn fragrance every gal should test). The Ha Ha Fraiche was the perfect balance of blood orange juice (all one ingredient, no comma), lime, vodka, and... cucumber water. Woah. Garnished with orange peel. It was wonderful.. fresh to death and the quickest fast-forward into Summer. And for all you men, and beer drinking women out there, they serve Pabst Blue Ribbon. Yep. Go. Now. Well.. wait until they open.

Big things are in the works for the old bank drive-up atm apparatus. This restaurant instantly makes Riverhead a destination for professionals, foodies, and socialites alike. This is surely a place to see and be seen.. even better when you have an iPhone, and the RedLaser app.. this place is peppered with goodies and a wall-graphic QR Code (short for "quick response").. those cool square bar-code things.. the ones at the Riverhead Project lead you to a variety of links.. location, random trendy YouTube music videos, etc. They will be rotated and changed frequently.. as if you need a reason to come again.

I certainly can't forget to mention some of the fabulous elbows I rubbed at the party. Exhibit #2 for your review. If ever you are wondering what to wear to a swanky restaurant sneak peek, look no further.. Most of us worked until 5:30 and went right to the event. On days like that, ladies, just remember to slip on stilettos if you didn't in the am, and grab a fabulous handbag. Men are lucky enough that a standard suit is never out of style. And for those who are lucky enough to make their own hours, and change out of the work attire on a Friday post-work, you have more leeway. Apparently the garb of choice included blue gingham or striped button-downs and khakis or jeans. Men, you just can't go wrong. So thank your local criminal defense attorneys, Dan Russo (left), and James Vlahadamis (right), for the tip. And although both would be competent to defend you if you needed them, always remember, drunk driving, or even drunk-ish driving is never in style.


www.TheRiverheadProject.com

..lather. wait thirty minutes. rinse.

My first haircare post. I've obviously been slacking. I have been somewhat stressing about my hair with the Israel trip just around the corner. I have been dying my hair almost-black for some time now, and decided to try letting my natural hair color grow back in.. which is a boring-ish light ash brown. I have allowed about two inches of roots through so far but finally lost patience. My biggest worry is my roots becoming naturally sun bleached from the beaches of Tel Aviv.. oy vey! Nothing could look worse than blondish roots with black hair.


Meanwhile, I have been observing the new frenzy over mousse hair dye. It claims to be no-drip, which is super important to me because I rent, and my landlord is fabulous enough to have built me a gorgeous bathroom with upscale fixtures that just wouldn't look as nice adorned in dark stains.

To keep it short and simple, the dye worked wonderfully.. it is by far the easiest hair dye I've ever used.. completely fool-proof, and the usual stains on the forehead and ears washed easily off in the shower. Traditionally I'm left without the ability to wear a ponytail for days. My only qualm is that the included conditioner actually made my hair feel dry.. skip it. Use whatever you have left from the last one, or a regular conditioner, liberally. When rinsing, pre-conditioner, my hair felt healthier than it ever has, and absolutely lacked the straw feeling, which is always a familiar one after dying.


The color I used was #41, "Iced Dark Brown," a steal at just $7.97 at Wal-Mart. The color is a great deep brown, almost black, with a hint of burgundy. The photo doesn't do it justice.. the red you see appears to be uneven, but that's actually from the light, reflecting on the color. Although my hair was light brown on top and black on the bottom, the color came out completely even. Effortless.

Next, I thought I should share a great bargain find.. at Kmart of all places. Yes. Kmart. Before my recent Serbia-Croatia-Austria trip, I purchased a Paul Mitchell hair care travel kit, which had four slightly-larger-than-travel-size bottles of goodies; shampoo, conditioner, something else I can't quite remember, and hair spray. At $15.00 it was a splurge, but I talked myself into it. By the time I got home, I was feeling a heap of buyer's remorse, so I returned it, and ended up spending the money on a ton of jelly beans. Anyways. I ended up using the cheap shampoo from the hotels, which, for some reason, was "shampoo, conditioner, body wash" in one. Strange. And it didn't work well for any one of those three purposes. I won't be making that mistake again.

Because.. today, I was at Kmart, and they had a similar kit by Bumble & Bumble. I faintly remember glancing at this on the shelf, and immediately looking away due to the $33.00 price tag. No, not a scrivener's error. The kit was much smaller than its Paul Mitchell counter-part, so it was not happening. Until today.. There it was on the shelf, on sale for $9.00. Woooo! This great little kit comes with two-ounce bottles of Bumble & Bumble's "cult faves," including Creme de Coco Shampoo and Conditioner, Styling Creme (similar to a leave-in conditioner), and Styling Lotion, which is recommended for use on dry hair, pre-heat styling. All essentials for the heat-ridden Israel weather. Love.

Better head there to grab your kit, but stay away from the Riverhead location.. I plan on cleaning out their supply as soon as I get paid again.

Stay tuned for a future post about hairdos in the courtroom. That will take some serious reflection.

Shoes I Wear to JFK..

Welcome to a very special edition of the blog.. My sincere apologies for my absentee-ness lately. This and future posts will explain.  My entire Fall semester was spent helplessly devoted to a four credit class called "International Sales Law and Arbitration."  Taught by the fabulous Professor Graves, it is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding courses offered at Touro. It culminated, for four of us, in a spot on the "Vis Moot Team" (hereinafter, "Vis".. Couldn't help but throw in a little brief-ese).  

The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot is a mock trial-ish competition that draws literally hundreds of teams from around the world to the final competition in Vienna, Austria.  Our team was selected post-finals week last semester, and spent all of Spring semester practicing, researching and preparing. The team practiced about 10-12 hours per week on average, and spent much additional time refining and researching some more.. Needless to say, it's been a long, arduous process. We have met and practiced with (against) many of the teams we will see in Vienna, at numerous "pre-moots" in the City, most recently at the gorgeous and stately New York City Bar Association. 

As I type, I am on [my iPhone, on] a plane to Belgrade, Serbia for one of the best and biggest pre-moots.. Swiss Air is absolutely fabulous by the way.. Note the telling photo.. Free red wine, Mad Men, and yes, that's my iPhone charging in the seat. 

Not to mention a surprisingly delicious and balanced dinner, (pictured) and a delightful breakfast featuring warm croissants.

So it's obviously necessary to get to the fashion part of this entry. I've bored you long enough I'm sure.

I'll note a few travel-friendly fashion tips, and if you don't mind, get back to my Mad Men (best style decade ever).

So I've attached a photo, taken outside the departure terminal at JFK. I am certainly not "well-traveled," as I've only been to Mexico (on a mission trip at that!) and never overseas. However, I have been all over the country and I'm not quite new to air travel.
Note the garb.. It's all on purpose. We'll start with a basic white tee ($2 Kmart sale..) and a cozy cardigan. Mine was a recent J Crew sale rack purchase. Mustard is in, and although it's a bit seasonal, Fall clothing like this can easily be transitioned with some Spring accessories. Hence, the melon pashmina scarf.. Believe it or not, a $3 find at Belk. It's all topped off with an essential black pantsuit from Michael Kors (outlet, of course). The details of this suit mean everything.. It's a poly-rayon-spandex blend. This means it looks like a suit but feels like sweats. The pants are a size too big which translates to comfy, and are adorned with a stylish zipper at the ankle. The jacket tops off the outfit, and layering is essential to air-travel comfort. Boarding planes and flying away always results in sweat and chills all at once.


Note a complete lack of jewelry (aside from some Stella & Dot clover post earrings.. Gold and silver and diamonds all at once to match anything).. This makes the uncomfortable security strip-down much easier.

Finally, the ensemble is completed with some two-tone Gap City Flats.. Yes, a $22 sale buy, in varying hues that come pretty close to the mustard-melon combination. They slip on and off with ease, and are super comfortable.

And I would be lying if I told you I didn't purposely coordinate my outfit to my beige and orange Calvin Klein luggage.

Ciao for now..

Stella and Dot.. my new best friends.

Sooo most of you probably know I have pretty boring taste in clothing.. much of what I own is black or white. But I get by with a little help from my friends. Meet Stella & Dot. I'm a soon-to-be independent stylist, so keep your eyes peeled for fabulous on-trend jewelry worn to class.. it's most likely from them. A fabulous piece of jewelry can dress up even the most boring skinny jeans, American Apparel low-V white tee, and black Loft blazer. While I tend to wear more chunky, statement pieces (of which Stella & Dot has many), I fell in love with their Signature Clover Necklace in gold. Long and lovely, this gold-plated chain is punctuated with our signature clover cutout motifs. Measures approximately 38" in length with a lobster clasp closure (safety first.. no one wants to loose their fave jewels). It even adorned the pages of the October 2010 Cosmopolitan magazine. Wear it long or double it up. Either way, it's a sophisticated layering piece. At just $59.. which may seem like a few too many workstudy dollars, it will last you long into your law career. You may as well splurge now, before you embark on your "emotionally" rewarding public interest law career.

Stella & Dot offer oodles of matchy-matchy options for earrings and bracelets, but I fell in love (again) with their Pave Clover Earrings. The best thing about them is that they are made with gold and silver. When I wake in the am, I tend to put my earrings on right after my shower, and I try not to think too much. I'm a grab-and-go kinda gal, and these two-tone earrings, with just enough sparkle, undoubtedly go with absolutely everything.

Check out the necklace and earrings at www.StellaDot.com. Browse the line.. if I was sellin' would you be buyin'?

xo

SOS: A call to women..

Ladies.. I have been seeing way too much of this. When you buy a women's suit, most will come with a simple "X"-shaped stitch across the bank slit of the jacket and skirt. There is only one purpose this serves: to keep it looking nice on the hanger. Please, please, when you get home, or sooner.. cut that stitch and remove the thread (see photo if you don't get it). Few things are more annoying than walking behind someone, looking at the thread dangling from their skirt slit, which was not cut, but broke inadvertently from walking, sitting, etc. And this technically doesn't go only for women. Most suits come with sewn-shut pockets on the jacket and pants.. again, just to keep them looking nice in the store.. rip those bad boys open. While these aren't visually annoying, where else would you put your iPhone and lip balm?

White shoes after labor day.. or "The right to bare legs."

In true Federalist Society fashion, the Touro Law Chapter held a Constitution Day celebration to commemorate the anniversary of the ratification of the second greatest book ever written (in my humble opinion). With Sam Adams on tap (and on special), the Executive Board welcomed members, old and new, and provided fabulous appetizers thanks to the SBA. Why Sam Adams? Well, we thought, "WWJMD?" (What would James Madison drink?). They totally were friends.

Many probably scoffed at my choice of the black side-zip mini, a fabulous steal from bebe.. and when I say steal, I meant I paid $30.. But the Constitution includes the right to bear arms. And since I chose a blazer for the day, I needed to bare something else. Any Federalist knows that the proper way to interpret the Constitution is by discerning the intent of the framers. Name one framer that would object from me reading an implied right to bare legs into the Second Amendment.

And what about due process? Who made the rule against white shoes after labor day? In my case, I donned them ten whole days after so-and-so said they should be packed away for the season[s]. But I think the stark white blazer compliments my stark white stacked heel stiletto pumps quite well, and it would be unfair to deprive them of their due process rights to be worn anytime they match my ensemble. America proudly wears white all year long, and man.. that flag is fierce.