Thank Hurricane Sandy- Or Even Better, Its' Creator

We live in a world of opulence. It's normal to own two or more cars. Its normal to own 3 refrigerators. Its normal to have a walk in closet. I can keep going but I think you get my point.
What is not normal is how accustomed we have become to our relatively lavish lifestyles. We are in a comfort zone that dare not be messed with. Whats worse is the mindset of: "I provide for me and therefore I decide for me".
Hurricane Sandy proved us wrong didn't she? For the first time, many of us waited on line for HOURS to fill up our gas tanks- and I've heard many stories in which people waited on line for 4+ hours and when it was their turn, they were given only two gallons because there was nothing left - and there was nothing they could do about it. For the first time many of us didn't have power for 4,7 or 10 days - maybe even more and there was nothing they could do about it (besides get a really loud, really expensive generator which- oh yea- uses gas) and some of us even lost our cars and home.

After the hurricane, I drove strictly only where I needed to go. I took showers and slept in someone else's home. Essentially lived at a minimum and took care of things that only with which without my life would virtually come to a standstill.
I was placed in a situation that until then I could only theorize about. I was able to acknowledge how convenient a gas station REALLY is. How convenient electricity REALLY is. And how much all these things created by man are not really controlled by man, however much we may think they are.

Now if Hashem made man, and man created/discovered that which we rely so much upon, how much more so do we rely on the things that Hashem made directly?
Just as we depend on gas and electricity to function and be productive, how much more so do we need oxygen and water to function and be productive?
Can you imagine what would happen if you had to wait in line to get oxygen? Hashem, in his lovingkindness, keeps providing oxygen for us even though we may rebel or sin.

How about control over our bodies? Think about it. Who is really in control? certainly not man. Hashem grants each and every one of us the ability to see, speak, hear, walk etc.  Even though it is through these tools that we sin.

The havoc the recent Hurricane created is not just a mere outcome of an event. It is a wakeup call from Hashem.
He placed us in a situation that forces us to recognize that there is something much greater than ourselves and also to recognize our reliance on that in order to sustain ourselves. Through this we can notice the many other things that we think we are in control of which are actually being given to us.

Rather than needing anymore "wakeup calls" from Hashem in order to recognize our reliance and cultivate a feeling of gratitude, let us use this as an opportunity to  further appreciate what we have and thank the One who gave it to us.

Do I Look Chic... Or Like a Freak?

LOOKS I'M LOVING THIS SEASON
PASTELS, METALLICS, NEUTRALS, MILITARY-ESQUE STYLES











FAILS




Kuni Lemel (Google it)

Lord of the rings goes Chassidish... You work that updo girl

Chinatown, you're makin me frown...


May HaKadosh Baruch Hu give us the clarity and koakh to dress like a bat Melekh and to act like one, and in that zekhut, we should merit to bring Moshiakh VERY VERY soon!

Wishing you all a Chag Purim Sameah!
-Miriam K (Guest-writer)

Make your look fashionable, CLASSY, and YOURS.

Fashion Week.
In most of our minds , those two words conjure up images of scantily clad women bearing outrageous outfits.
But thankfully, there is a ray of sanity in the underfed model jungle also known as Fashion Week.
Victoria Beckham debuted her new line, and I am happy to say that with most of them she has opted for a more elegant look.
What I read on a UK website about this collection:  "Fashion commentators have branded it her most confident collection yet". This can be because of nothing else  but the modesty of the clothing. Nothing says confident like not 
feeling the need to appeal to audience through bare skin.

Here are some images of tzniut (although admittedly a tad tight) dresses from the Autumn/Winter 2012 collection:


Rib sleeve panel fitted:

Button Down Midi: (from the new Victoria Victoria Beckham collection)

Last but definitely not least-

           Officer Collar Fitted Dress:

Now, onto the next very important matter at hand:     Peplum.


For those of you who don't know what that is, its a cut seen mostly on the bottom of shirts (but also in the middle of dresses as well-or the tops of skirts) in where the initial cut of the shirt kind of ends at your bellybutton, and then the is another flared-out piece sown on all around the shirt. I know it sounds confusing, but you will see what I am talking about soon enough.
Wikipedia's definition of peplum : "Short overskirt that is usually attached to a fitted jacket, blouse or dress". They should add "extremely flattering if worn correctly!" because this cut is one that compliments all.


Peplum WILL be seen this spring/ summer .. maybe even next fall. Mark my words. (Bli Neder, of course).
Here are some peplum pictures for your perceiving:

Here is Beyonce in too much orange. Don't get too excited, thats not a black shell under her shirt, I added that on myself ;). Props to her on the skirt, under the knee, she gets brownie points for that somewhere in Shamayim I'm sure. If she can do it so can you ladies. The flared out cut right at her waist is peplum, FYI. Isn't it fab? 


Here is a peplum dress that i'm in love with (and in the unique classic black shade  for all you frequent wedding-goers): 

Look closely. See the tiny peplum detail? And the lace? And the length of those sleeves/hem? (the collar does need a little work though not gunna lie)


This baby can be found here : http://www.top-burberry-outlet.com/karen-millen-gothic-peplum-dress-black-p-655.html 

Here is a wonderful example of a peplum skirt : 

This masterpiece is french Connection, but it looks like they are out of stock :(


Well, these pictures are only helpful hints in guiding you on your way to peplum perfection anyways. 


Add your own personal twist to this soon-to-become peplum rage to make it your own. You can switch a skirt like this up by wearing it with a white button down and pearls, or you juxtaposition the skirt by tucking in a black band tee and pairing that with converse.
The Fashion industry may have a say in what you wear, but you have a say in how you wear it. 


Translate: Yes, I am telling you to add your own twist to the styles that society dictates for us to wear, but it goes beyond that. By wearing their clothing modestly, you are making a statement. Secular culture can only go so far in telling me how to live my life. Yes, everyone wants to look fashionable. But society is not in charge of your body. You are. Its yours. And what better way to say that by clothing yourself in a tzanua way? So go ahead, make your look fashionable, CLASSY, and YOURS.


Enjoy your day!
- Sharon & Dorit Basiratmand

Time .. if Hashem gave it to you, its of value.

"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you are finished." - Rabbi Sharfman  ...


A Bat-Melech (princess) uses her time wisely.

So many times we hear people saying these two words: "I'm bored" .

its human nature to want to be comfortable, but we also want to be productive (some of us may not be in touch with this natural desire, but its there). That sense of accomplishment you feel after you finish your term paper that you worked really hard and will do well on? thats not only relief that its done, thats your sense of satisfaction at having done something productive with your time.
Hash-m placed us each in this world with a purpose. And our Neshamot all feel that deep down inside.

So really there should never be a moment where someone is bored, or doing something unproductive (like watching TV for extended periods of time). There IS something that can be done with a persons time that doesn't require staring at a screen (TV, computer, smart phone.. take your pick). When you have extra time on your hands, instead of being on facebook for hours on end, watching pointless movies, TV show reruns, or BBMing ten people at once, that time can get used for something beneficial. It can be something as simple as cleaning your room, or even just sitting down with yourself and reflecting on your middot (characteristics) that can use improvement (such as patience, not speaking lashon hara (slander), etc. But take it from personal experience, those actions are a lot more self-rewarding than not doing anything at all, although your Yetzer Hara might tell you otherwise.

So next time you start thinking about how bored you are, remember how the time Hash-m gave you is valuable and just might be able to be used on something more productive than what you are doing at that present moment. Trust me. It feels good to give in to the Yetzer Tov.


O and Ps. :

 PRINCESS Haya of Dubai :

Yes. Modest clothing AND her hair is covered. I aspire to be like royalty, do you?

Being a Bat Melech is More Than Just Dressing the Part

A Bat-Melech (daughter of a king) does not only dress regally (and modestly), but also ACTS regally and modestly as well....

A Bat-Melech is not just some label given to someone for being a jewish girl/woman. It represents and symbolizes so much more. 

It represents someone that always treats others with respect, the way they would like to be treated. It represents someone that behaves like the daughter of a king, regal in action and dress. 

This representation of  regal act embodies every aspect of your life. A Bat-Melech, a Princess is always calm, has patience and is humble. 

In the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch it says: 

 "There are certain character traits from which man must distance himself, entirely, rather than walk along the middle road. These character qualities, arrogance and anger, are sinful and cause one to stumble in other negative character traits which may lead one to transgress prohibitions of the Torah and forfeit the fulfillment of imperative mitzvot."

"In contrast, there are certain traits to which man must cling, as they are the source and foundation of many other mitzvot. These positive attributes include humility and modesty which are the glory of man as they calm the soul and make man wise."

When a person thinks of their ideal role model in terms of personality and character, who do they think of? 

Who is the person that everyone gravitates toward? 

A person who is arrogant and angry?

or the person who is always smiling, kind, and giving?

of course, we would all rather hang around with the second of those two. 

That is the true definition of a princess.

In the movie Cinderella, there were the two wicked stepsisters and stepmothers.

although they were the ones that were supposedly living the comfortable life, they seemed to always be tense and upset.

They were also depicted in the movie as clumsier and less graceful than cinderella, even though they had all sorts of lessons while cinderella was washing floors and doing their laundry all day.

Cinderella, although forced to live her life as a servant, didn't let this affect her to behave as one as well. She did all her mundane chores still with the gracefulness of a princess.

If we had to choose between hanging out with cinderella or the wicked stepsisters, we would definitely choose cinderella. 

And that is because of her pleasant, princess-like personality.

VS.

In this society, we are all servants to our desires, and servants to the rituals of american society we are forced to go through (like the secular new years, for example).

We should not let these things affect us and make us think that it is okay to behave in the way that the media tells us to.

We are Bat-Melachot, we are above that and we have to treat ourselves and our neshamot with the respect that royalty such ourselves deserve. 

The Torah is like our "users manual". Hashem created us, and then he created the Torah so that we can "run" correctly. 

Be'H may we all continue striving to become closer to Hashem, our King as we get closer and closer to the times of Maschiach, may we see the redemption in our times, AMEN. 

-Sharon & Dorit :)

Pencil Skirts and Maxi Dresses, We Progress While Hashem Blesses

The first two photos are from Burberry Prorsum's Pre-Fall 2012 collection.
From its earthy colors to its clean silhouettes, I'm loving these outfits from top to bottom. (Except, the skirts could use a hem alteration ;).

These pieces are chic and classy but also have an edge with the bow belts.
I've also posted another picture which is not from the BP Collection, but it's similar with its strict silhouettes and honest fabrics. I love it!

Another look I'm loving for this season is the maxi dresses. It's difficult to find ones that could be worn in winter, but depending on the fabric and what you pair the maxi with, it could look sensational.
The following looks are great examples of a perfect maxi dress for fall/winter. I'd match the dresses with chunky necklaces or a variety of bangles just to give it a little sparkle! A sparkly over-sized clutch bag would look great as well!

Tzniut And Sexy Don't Go Together, BARUCH HASHEM For This Cold Weather

Orthodox Dress Gets Sexy from Jewish Daily Forward on Vimeo.

I am APPALLED by the comments made in this video. I am in shock and shattered by the outlook found within my fellow Jewish sisters.
Tzniut Can Be Sexy?

I beg to differ.

Of course a Jewish woman should try her best to still look attractive, but to go to the extent of wearing tight, revealing clothing, and flaunting different body parts IS NOT TZNIUT.

Even if a person's skirt reaches their knees, their shirt covers their collarbone, and their sleeves cover their elbows, it is possible that they still aren't tzniut.
Different patterns, colors, and designs can very easily attract the wrong type of attention. This is when attractive turns into attracting.

We don't want that. Hashem doesn't want that.

I'm not trying to be harsh, I know that Tzniut is the area where almost every girl struggles. It's our weakness. BUT, to think that you can bend Halacha and still keep it? That's wrong. And that's why this video bothered me so much.
If these women were to say "Tzniut is difficult. This is the level we're holding.. But we hope to reach a greater level" I'd be so inspired! But the fact of the matter is, these women show pride and a sense of leadership. And these woman should not be leaders to the women of Klal Yisroel.

"Tzniut is sexy" IS an oxy-moron.

Unfortunately, when women are told, "Oh my gosh, you look so hot/sexy!"... They get excited. They take it as a compliment!
But is it?...

When being told such things, do we take a look at ourselves and ask, 'Am i giving off that impression? Does my level of Tzniut need to be worked on?'

This is a VERY high level to be on. We should IY'H aim for such a level!

I want to share a story that hit me very hard:
The Chasam Sofer had a daughter named Gittel who was very pretty. Once she was walking outside and noticed that a man was walking behind her in order to gaze at her. This disturbed her greatly and she came into her father’s house and started tearfully reciting Tehillim. Her father came over to her and asked why she was crying. She told him what had happened and that she was upset because her beauty was causing others to stumble. She decided to pray to Hashem to take away her beauty so it would no longer bring people to sin.

Are we even CLOSE to such a level?
Majority of women purposely dress in ways to GET attention. When a girl notices that she’s getting male attention, the last thought on a her mind is “Wow, I wish I was uglier so guys wouldn’t stumble because of me.”

Such a thought is unheard of! Sadly, one would be ridiculed for thinking such thoughts!
But the reality of it is.. We should try to attain such a level.


Be'ezrat Hashem, in the zechut of Chanukah, we should try to reach such a level. And in that merit, we should bring Moshiach, bimhera byamenu.

Chanukah Sameah!
-MK from dvashdvar.blogspot.com