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I'm a Jewish fashionista living in New York and I write this blog to try to deliver modest fashion to all women, everywhere. This blog is all about Less Is More. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @vinniecocoa and on instagram @the.oak! CONTACT & INQUIRIES: the.oak.blog@gmail.com

Monday, December 24, 2012

World Traveler


Temporarily begin awesome in Europe so The OAK will be going on a slight break. 

Be back soon.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Modest Hollywood

So ladies, it's official. Winter is upon us. The temperatures have officially dropped, the Holiday music is finally warranted, and the colors are bright and fabulous. Glitter is in the air as the cold weather seizes us with the hint of magic that only early winter could bring (come January 2, this season is the WORST). What else comes with cold weather other than long sleeves, warm clothing, and modest outfits that can make the world smile. Or at least me and you. It's so hard to pick out a favorite from these ladies because i just about love every single one of them (in one way or another). Happy Winter all!
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Anne Hathaway

Busy Phillips

Cate Blanchett

Sophia Bush

Mariska Hargitay

Amanda Seyfried

Carrie Mulligan

Jamie King

Katie Holmes

Kirsten Dunst

Lucy Hale

Maria Sharapova

Megan Fox

Naomi Watts

Pippa Middleton

Rashida Jones

Rihanna

Rosamund Pike

Sarah Jessica Parker

Rose Byrne

Alicia Vikander

Caitlin Moe

Gabriella Wilde

Kate Foley

Liv Tyler

Teresa Missoni

Ashley Tisdale

Demi Lovato

Kate Middleton

Friday, December 14, 2012

Why I'm Pissed at Glee #EpicFail

So, while this is a fashion blog, I have been known to put my two cents in on news and happenings, especially with regard to the Jewish world and Jewish culture. I don't know about you, but last night's holiday episode of Glee was especially frustrating for me, and I'm going to shout it from the rooftops till Ryan Murphy hears me.

While I appreciate the effort to include Chanukah (Hanukkah--whatever) on their holiday episode (see video below), it's getting kind of old and frustrating to see the Jews being the butt of many jokes on the show. Now, a holiday that involves  very specific and popular cultural symbols (a list for you: menorah, dreidel, jelly doughnuts, Hanukkah gelt, blue and white, oil, 8 nights of presents-- I could go on) and would EASILY make for a token "Jews around the menorah" scene was instead portrayed by two men running through a backlot in Los Angeles and then hanging ornaments on a tree.  A CHRISTMAS tree. For CHANUKAH.

Pardon me if I seem to be getting pissed about nothing, but apparently the Jewish culture has become nothing more than a minor acknowledgement as that OTHER holiday in December, than an actual real holiday celebrated by millions of people around the country. Hey Ryan Murphy, we couldn't even get our one token scene in an ENTIRE holiday episode? Apparently not. No, instead we got a poorly sung song with mispronounced words (it's pronounce SE - VEE - VON. I can't even make out what the Puckermans are saying in that sentence) with a bunch of frolicking showgirls and nuns (!), and a pissed-off security guard. How am I, a Jew celebrating Chanukah, supposed to relate in any way to or associate with two men running around a Los Angeles movie backlot singing a Chanukah song? How is that  supposed to represent Chanukah? How did Ryan Murphy even dignify that as a sufficient portrayal of this holiday? I'm not even Christian, but I related more to the Christmas aspects of the episode by sheer fact that I am a New Yorker than I did to the Chanukah.

This was a complete disregard for everything our holiday stands for. Ryan Murphy made Chanukah into a big old joke meant to do his part to "be inclusive". Chanukah is a beautiful and highly festive holiday with lights and decorations too-- just because it doesn't involve a little green and red and have tinsel and shiny ornaments or tree doesn't make it any less valuable to the audience. I would have rather that Glee didn't acknowledge Chanukah at all than to have had that poor excuse of a musical number to satisfy the Jews (which is exactly what it felt like). I shall classify this as a #GleeFail.


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D

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Glitzy Item of the Day

And then there were sequins. Those glittery, glowy, shiny little pieces of gold that make you look like a walking million dollars are just perfect for this most illuminating festival of lights! I always hesitate when it comes to too many sequins, but I think this fabulous skirt has all the makings of a really great fancy piece. It's a great in the modesty department, and you can really pair it with anything; any color, any fabric, and pattern. Seriously, pair this with a glamorous cream-colored cashmere sweater, or a black or navy silk blouse; or make it more casual with a white button down and a colored cardigan, or make it really sporty with a striped t-shirt. It's pretty much a neutral if you ask me. A really glitzy neutral.
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Click here to Like The OAK on Facebook
D

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Shimmery Item of the Day

Another day of Chanukah, another day to shine. This metallic dress from Victoria's Secret is the perfect dress to get you in touch with your inner 70's chick. Not to mention you can glitter and glow all night long in this subtle metallic finish dress. Plus, it's loose and unstructured so that means a lot of comfy room do move and stretch. They draping will certainly hide all the spots you don't want to highlight, while the color will brighten your face. So shine on, ladies!
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Click here to Like The OAK on Facebook
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Monday, December 10, 2012

Festival of Lights Item of the Day

Happy Chanukah, Oakies! It's that wonderful and most joyous festival of lights, where we spend 8 days and nights illuminating the world with all of the glory of our beautiful people! It's also a relaly damn good excuse to brighten up your wardrobe, which is why the next week will focus purely on the most illuminating and festive frocks and tops and skirts and clothes that your golden heart desires on this holiday. This dress from Piperlime is so pretty and bright and the price doesn't suck either. It's perfect for a holiday part or fancy occasion. It's got the sleeves, the knees and the collar, so you're really covered in the modesty department, and you will be sure to brighten up any room you walk into.
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Sunday, December 9, 2012

Modest Hollywood

Well ladies, it's your weekly modest hollywood roundup and woa-uh, did these ladies deliver. I mean, below are 30 photos of pure, unadulterated,  undoctored photos of fabulous and modestly dressed women who make covering up look spectacular. I'm not sure who I L-O-V-E more--Taylor Swift with that exquisite cut-out lace dress, Olivia Wilde in that pure ivory and gold ensemble, Dianna Agron in her fabulous print dress, or Olivia Palermo in that stellar black gown. Sigh. All I know is that the amount of bling  (check out Kristen Chenoweth, Ashley WIlliams, Katy Perry and Tina fay in their gold gowns), prints (hi Kerry Washington, Helen Mirren, Kelly Osbourne, and Sarah Jessica Parker) and textured looks (thanks to Beth Behrs,  Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Nikki Reed) are clearly the way to go this holiday season. Light up your own red carpets ladies!
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Kristen Chenoweth

Christa B. Allen 

Beth Behrs

Meryl Streep 

Helen Mirren

Ashley Williams 

Anne Hathaway

Diane Kruger

Dianna Agron

Jessica Chastain

Kate Middleton 

Katie Holmes 

Katy Perry

Kelly Osbourne 

Kerry Washington

Lucy Hale

Madeline Stowe

Molly Sims 

Nikki Reed 

Olivia Palermo 

Olivia Wilde 

Pippa Middleton 

Amy Poehler 

Sarah Jessica Parker 

Taylor Swift 

Tina Fay 

Zoe Saldana 
Modest Fashion Network