Accessories: I love simple

When it comes to accessories I usually go for 'simple'. I am not into the gaudy jewelry, but then again my clothes are very simplistic, so big gaudy jewelry doesn't really go to well with my wardrobe. The accessories that I chose to show you are some of my favorites! The letter rings from free people are so cool, I have a strange obsession in writing my initials and love anything that can show off my name, so these rings were right up my ally. Unfortunately the S, L & R are not as cool looking as the E, A and K. (The S is pretty unfortunate looking, but I still really like them!) The earrings are from Michal Negrin, an israeli jewelry designer. Most of her jewelry is pretty extravagant, but the pair I have is very simple; the earrings are made up of beautiful earth tones. The Bean necklace is one of my favorite classic Tiffany's pieces, I got this necklace for my fifteenth birthday (my mom always calls me beanie, so we thought it to be a perfect fit). If you haven't noticed I am OBSESSED with J.Crew and admire their brilliant bag designs. This brompton hobo bag is perfect for a day out, it's so roomy and the leather makes it extremely durable (I love that it has a long strap too!). The last accessory that I included is a handmade silver bangle from Etsy, I love jewelry that is nature oriented and the hand detailing on this bangle is so original. And if you haven't been to etsy.com you should definitely check it out, it's a community website that allows anyone to sell and buy artwork from paintings to bags to jewelry, it's a fun website to browse.

What are some of your favorite accessories?

winter beauty essentials

Love and Toast Lip Balm: it's hard to come by a really great lip balm, but this vanilla chai balm not only smells great but keeps my lips moisturized. (I hate chapped lips!)

Ahava Hand Lotion: This is the BEST hand lotion in the entire world! My mom and I share the worst case of chapped hands, they are usually cracked, red and sometimes even bloody. This hand lotion makes my hands feel awesome, it never hurts to put on and it keeps my skin moisturized for so long! This lotion is a miracle worker throughout the year, but especially during the cold winter months.

Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Masque: During winter my curly hair gets super dry, which makes it frizzy and it doesn't curl as well. So about once a week, I use this masque to add some moisture to my hair. It really helps bounce my curls back into shape.

Moon Beam: It looks like it could be nail polish, but it's actually a luminizer. It gives a golden sheen to any cheek. It makes me feel like I have a natural summer glow!

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturizer: During the dry winter months, moisturizer is key. This oil free moisturizer doesn't make you break out, and has a very light feel to it. During winter no one ever remembers to wear sunscreen, but the sun is just as strong and this moisturizer is great because it has SPF 15.

Love and Toast, sugar grapefruit: I am obsessed with this perfume, it smells so good. I don't usually wear a lot of perfume in the summer, but if I do it's Clinique Happy Heart so during the winter I mix things up with this unique scent of grapefruit, lily, orange citrus, and a hint of musk (it smells awesome)!

MK&A

I love the Olsen twins. They are my fashion idols, role models and favorite celebrities. I sometimes feel like a proud mom when I see articles about them, they have accomplished so much and they are only twenty-four. Mary-Kate and Ashley have transformed themselves into teen stars to important fashion icons. Together they run three thriving clothing brands, Elizabeth&James, THE ROW, and Olsenboye. Their style is a combination of beautiful draping, lots of layers and very tall heels. Their style is a very eclectic one, the Olsen sisters, although very different, both want to stand out. Their style is one that is different, and they intend to keep it that way.

More to come on the Olsen sisters!

Shifra's Picks

1. Marguerite leather wedges $165

every one needs a perfect pair of wedges, these handmade, italian leather wedges are 'perfecto'! I am dying for these, and can not wait for the summer (and until they go on sale!)

2. Tulle Underwire Tank $125

I am always looking for the best bathing suit, especially because I am well endowed upstairs.This bathing suit can be worn with or without straps, it has a great shape and the best part it has great coverage! (It's made out of tulle too, and that is pretty cool) I might even wear this one as a tank top!

3. Bonfire Cardigan $118 $78

I love grandpa sweaters. This sweater has the coolest shawl collar, the color feels like I could wear this walking down the beach. The best part is that it has two huge pockets!

Love this, want this.

4. Pararuffle Shirt $98

I am not the type to usually wear oxford style button down shirts, and I don't plan on starting it. But when I saw this beautiful remake with asymmetrical ruffles I couldn't resist. I love both colors this shirt comes in too, soft cotton makes this a go to shirt.

5. Angeline Cami $495

I would never buy a shirt that costs this much (especially a teeny cami like this one) but I can dream, can't I? This beautiful designed, delicate cami is definitely one of a kind. The color makes it look like pure gold and the thought of putting anything over this seems crazy. This shirt could stand alone, and is perfect for our most recent holiday, New Years Eve.

6. Toothpick Zipper Jean $125

I love jeans with zippers on the bottom, not only does it make me not wear my Uggs all day, everyday, but it's such a chic look. These jeans are awesome because they are skinny jeans, and have a great color to them. (And they were on Lauren Hutton's favorites list, so you automatically have to love them!)

I hate having expensive taste, but I love me some JCrew. I have always wanted to work there, but I am a little glad I never did because I would NEVER bring home a paycheck :-) I always look forward to Jenna's Picks and am always pleased to see that we have very similar taste. So I hope you enjoyed my very first Shifra's Picks!

The Black Swan

Originally when I heard about the brilliant Natalie Portman in the new film Black Swan I was careful as to which opinions I took into account. I was pleased to find that my judgements remained accurate as the Black Swan was pure genius on Portman's behalf, not only did she do the majority of her own dancing, but the role was not acting it was a character. The intensity of the character was perfectly done; the irritable but gracefulness of Portman's character was incredible.

The Black Swan, directed by Darren Aronofsky is a beautiful depiction of the intensities that come with the elegance of ballet. The Black Swan is a film that takes a new spin on the classic Swan Lake. The part of the black swan is given to Portman's character, Nina Sayers. Nina struggles in identifying the opposite role in the dark and evil black swan, while the graceful white swan seems to be a piece-of-cake.

The film is tangled with sexual desires between Nina's rival dancer Lily, played by Mila Kunis, and the ballet companies director Thomas Leroy, played by Vincent Cassel. With the urge of perfection Nina has a difficult time balancing the pressures of her over-bearing mother, Thomas, and the inner struggles of her developing psychosis. The part of the black swan is both dramatically shown through her grueling ballet rehearsals and the demands of Nina's life. The fight to find her inner white swan and the evil black swan takes a toll on Nina and drives her mad. Through her struggle to find the black swan, Nina also realizes that she must find herself.

The film starts with an innocent ballet dancer, going to sleep in what seems to look like a 12 year-olds bedroom, filled with stuffed animals and childish ballerina jewelry boxes. Nina has a mother who once was a ballet dancer herself, now spends her life worshipping and caring for her daughter, who is probably in her mid-twenties. The story continues with the intensity of Nina's nonstop practices, and the disturbing love interest of Nina and Thomas, and Nina and herself. From her home to the ballet company each place she goes seems like a jail; dark, cold and lonely, the films depiction of a disturbed life is perfection.

The Black swan in not only an interpretation of a ballerina, but it is a story of finding oneself. Black Swan is a dark tale of a disturbed girl, striving for perfection and doing whatever possible to have her much deserved role. The film seems like it is a fight against her rival dancer, but the truth of the story is, it is a fight against herself.

New Year, New Shifra

It has been a while since I added a new post to my blog. It seems that I have put another passion on the back burner, but I am very interested in getting back into the swing of things and add to my blog. Today is the first day of a new year, which always means new, new years' resolutions. I hate new years resolutions, for the sole reason that I always seem to break mine. So this year I have goals, it doesn't matter if some of my goals are not reached but if I at least attempt them I'll be happy. One of my goals is to continue adding to my blog (even if no one is following it). Another goal is to work out at least twice a week (most of my goals are things I know to be do-able, that I don't do). Another goal is to go to all of my classes this coming semester, unless I have a ridiculously good excuse! I really hope I reach some of my goals!