Do You Really Need A Winter Coat

Has winter finally arrived? For many of you out there it probably has, but here in Raanana, Israel, winter - as we know it - never really comes. Yes, the weather changes and the sun is not as strong, the humidity is gone and the air is cooler. But it is not COLD. Sure, it is time to change over your closet, to take out your winter collection and replace the summer wear. But how much winter clothing do we really need? I wish we would need a lot but unfortunately we do not need all that much.

When you walk into a store filled with the latest winter styles, don't you just want to fill up your arms and buy, buy, buy? Well, I do. I love winter fabrics and designs, I love the warm, cozy feel and the deep, earth tones. And in the winter the most important item of clothing is a coat. You can throw on a coat over anything and look great.

Throwing on a coat would work if you lived in most of the northern hemisphere or even Jerusalem or in the north of the country… but here on the coast not far from Tel Aviv you will be lucky to wear your coat a handful of times. So what is a woman to do?

Frankly, if you already own a winter coat and it is in good condition, keep it and use it until you are through with it. If you do not own a winter coat and are looking to buy one (because you are going to travel somewhere cold) be smart:
-Buy a good quality classic coat, one that can be used to dress up or down.
-The coat should be medium weight that way you can use it here and also layer underneath for colder climates. -
- Leather is perfect, it is lightweight, can be worn in mild temperatures and both in rain and snow… very versatile and leather looks better the more you wear it.
So do you really need a winter coat? Probably not but if you are like me, you can't resist.

Singing in the Rain

I am sitting at home feeling all warm and cozy as I listen to the wind howling outside and the rain pouring down. In weather like this, many of you probably like to crawl under the covers with a good book or movie and a nice, hot cup of cocoa. I enjoy that too. But what I really enjoy is being outside, walking and splashing in the puddles. That is, as long as I am properly dressed for it: no one I know wants to get stuck in the rain while dressed for a meeting, a dinner party or a wedding. So if you are heading outside in the rain to stroll, run errands or even just carpool, make sure you have:
1. A pair of rain boots, good rubber boots. Today you can get simple old-fashioned ones or bright colorful ones
2. A rain jacket with a large hood. Just make sure it is WATERPROOF, as water resistant is not enough in a downpour
3. If you are not a hood person, then use a rain hat - only make sure that the hat has a large brim so the water can run off without getting your face wet


Once you are ready, throw on your gear, head outside and feel like a kid again.

I Actually like Crows Feet

For years I have been saying “I actually like crows feet.” I always felt that they added character and joy to a woman’s face. That is, until the other night.... There I was, getting ready for a bar mitzvah. I got dressed, did my hair and makeup, and then took a quick look in the mirror before doing a double take: for the first time, I saw a woman looking back at me. I quickly ran back into the bathroom, took out my cover up and dabbed a little more around my eyes. When that did not seem to do the trick I took several giant steps back, took another look, and then ran off.
I have always been told “you look so young”. But the other night, I realized I simply look like most of us who are almost 40 years old: aged!

Since the Joan Rivers look is not for me and I hope not for you, here is a basic “anti-aging” plan:

1. Continue to wear sunscreen, get facials, eat well and exercise
2. moisturize
3. Drink more water
4. Sleep more, maybe with a cucumber eye patch (cucumbers reduce puffiness)
5. Keep my make up simple: we have a tendency to pile on the cover up and make up to hide the various lines. Unfortunately the more you wear, the older you look.

Now don't get me wrong: I am not embarrassed or ashamed of my age and I am looking forward to growing older with my loving husband. But I would just like to do it without too many wrinkles and crinkles.

Still Wearing Summer Clothes?!?!

By now, as summer has given way to fall, most people in the northern hemisphere have already changed over their closets and started to wear tights, cozy sweaters, scarves and even gloves. But here in Israel the sun is still shining and the rain and cool weather seems very far away. And so, after more than 7 months of wearing summer clothes, boredom has begun to set in and I no longer want to look at my t-shirts and I certainly do not want to wear them anymore.

How many of you would just like to thrown on a pair of boots, a sweater or even a long-sleeve shirt? I know I do!

Aside from booking a flight to Europe, or turning on your AC and keeping the temperature at freezing, here are a few tips to keep your closet a little fresh and exciting:

1. Accessorize: Throw on a statement necklace, bracelets or a belt. The heavy heat and humidity has passed and you will be able to dress without sweat.
2. Update your look with a new fall/winter bag
3. Wear a darker lipstick
4. Choose your darker colored summer clothes and stay away from pastelles

I hope this helps while we wait for the clouds to finally make an appearance.....

REAR VIEW MIRROR

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but this photo screams just one: DON'T! Athough it is not very sharp (I took it using my phone), it is clear that this woman did not check to see how she looked from behind.

You can tell that she put some thought and effort into what to wear but frankly that just makes the whole matter even worse. There is nothing redeeming in this get up - it is just one great big disaster.

We all have parts of our body that we try to disguise and it is important to know where they are, especially if you can not see them. Most homes do not come with a rear-view mirror option, but as you can plainly see, it would have been a worthwhile investment!

So when you put yourself together before an evening out, always remember to check and see not only how you look in the front but also in the back......

HOMEWORK and PAJAMAS

For many parents, the beginning of school is a happy time of year. Our children go off each morning and as parents we breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that the need to provide them with daily entertainment is over.
Not for me. I actually enjoy vacation and the chance to spend time with them. Sure, my boys are older now and don't need me to plan out each day and keep them busy all the time, so I truly enjoy the relaxing down time with them. During the summer, there is no morning rush, no making sandwiches and getting everyone out to the bus on time followed by running errands all day like a crazy person in order to get home to greet them with a smile when they walk in the door from school.

But as much as I might dread the daily sandwich-making, as I slab something on the bread with my eyes half open while trying to sip my coffee and wake myself up….. the most dreadful part of the day is actually still several hours away….. HOME WORK. Truth be told (and it is a good thing my boys do not read this blog) I hated homework as a child and now I hate it even more!!!! Really - I cannot bear the whole afterschool routine of "do you have homework? Did you do your homework? Sit down and finish your homework!"

So what do you wear while you are busy jumping from child to child trying to help them with their work?

As far as i am concerned, it needs to be something comfortable, relaxed and washable (for those nasty little pen marks).

My personal preference, and this may surporise you, is PAJAMAS; they are relaxed, comfortable and cozy. I put them on as soon as I get home. Perhaps not very fashionable but with todays selection of sleepwear you can easily run afternoon carpools in them too.

Dressing for School

Here in Israel September 1st is always the first day of school (unless, of course, the teachers decide to strike...).

I happen to have fond memories of the first day back at school as a child. I would wake up extra early (my mother would not even have to pull my covers off and drag me out of bed) and then pack up all my new school supplies and choose just the right new outfit to wear before going outside to wait impatiently for the school bus to show up just so I could see my friends.
What I was going to learn, my schedule and even who my teachers might be just never seemed to concern me - in fact, I do not remember giving it a moment’s thought.

Of course, most of that initial excitement came to a crashing halt on day 2 and by the time the week was over, and I had already worn everything new, I simply dreaded going to school. And then, naturally, the blanket wars with my mother soon began.

Nowadays, as a mother myself, I try to meet with my children’s teachers to explain to each of them the unique and wonderful traits that my kids have, in the hopes this will help them go through school with a little more joy.

But what do you wear when going to school to meet a teacher or principal?

If you send your children to a religious school and they have a dress code, then obviously you have to stick to the rules and wear a skirt, longer sleeves etc.

For your first meeting, I would suggest that you wear something that is put together but simple, confident but at the same time sweet: a basic skirt, with a simple shirt that has a ruffle or a bow, and shoes that are not very high (flats are best). Keep your makeup and hair simple. You want to make sweet but firm first impression.

You might very well be thinking: Well, what about the high powered, "I can get the earth shaking" look?

Save that for when you need to go in and yell.