the aufruf, or oscar at the oneg.

adorably appropriate: aufruf. by the gelt 

there is no better time to break out your most artfully crafted shul ensemble.  even the most inattentive of gossipers [the mechitzah really only exacerbates this problem, i think. "you can't see us, you men with your kiddush club, so we feel perfectly free to titter and chat all through shacharit!"] will know, come aufruf day, that you will be getting married soon.

your chosson has to dodge candy. you just need to dodge poor taste in synagogue style. please - for all of us.


1. kate spade tuxedo pearls
2. oscar de la renta cowl.neck cashmere dress
3. kate spade karolina pumps
4. miu miu pleated wool dress
5. judy geib mosaic earrings

festival of sequins.

festival of sequins. by the gelt

1. j.crew disco sequined jacket
2. christian louboutin ron ron pump
3. kate spade pop art scottie clutch
4. alice + olivia sequin.embellished striped top
5. elsa peretti star of david earrings

for a chanukkah party [or any holiday party], sparkle is key. adding a little shine seems particularly appropriate given the holiday's other title: festival of lights.

hats off, ladies.

kisui rosh: hats by the gelt featuring a fedora hat

kisui rosh: hats by the gelt 

i am a fan of hats. i've never really been able to get them properly situated on my skull, but i do appreciate hats.

quite lucky, then, that i'll be getting married in may. some married ladies in synagogue [and some all the time, and some never at all] opt to observe the commandment of kisui rosh [hair-covering] with hats better suited to churchill downs or saratoga.

not i. not with such choices as these. plus, with the simple addition of a brooch, you can jazz up any smart fedora.


1. tarnish grosgrain bow fedora
2. albertus swanepoel bowler hat
3. kenneth jay lane brooch
4. kate spade crystal bow beret
5. kate spade jewelbox snood

modern menorahs.

modern menorahs. by the gelt on Polyvore.com

chanukkah is right around the corner. so is hanukah. and hanukkah. 

you get the point. 

i should point out that three of these menorahs are by michael aram, a designer whom i ♥. his work is organic and yet clean - the bright simplicity of vines or leaves or olives makes the holiday candlelight all the more magical.


perhaps in direct contradiction, there's the practically industrial menorah at center. wrought iron. traditional shape. it's like someone took my mother's cornbread pan and turned it into judaica, and that's good enough reason for me.

1. michael aram: pomegranate menorah
2. michael aram: tree of life menorah
3. michael aram: olive branch menorah
4. jonathan adler: skyline menorah
5. josh owen: menorah

bereshit.

everything needs a beginning.

nu, "the gelt" is, at its very bones, about hiddur mitzvah -  about infusing daily life with splendor. this enterprise was partially inspired by a question someone posed yesterday: what are some fine examples of jewish architecture?

my immediate response: the streimel. the round, coppery-furred hats worn by hasidim on shabbat and major holidays. it isn't architecture [technically], but it IS the creation of a beautiful object for purposes higher than simple entertainment. there is art there. and spirit.

so this is a place to talk chanukiahs, mezuzahs, music, and couture.

oh, and don't forget food. it wouldn't be really jewish without food.