It is no secret that we have a serious crush on Shani Bar, and this year is no exception. After a cold, dark, and rainy winter it’s time to air your feet and let them experience the world with a trendy pair of kicks.

This season Shani Bar chose to bring the Mediterranean spirit to her collection with her inspiration being Tel Aviv city and combining sea and city elements. It’s reflected in both the urban roughness and the romanticism of the sea, creating a unique and look that distinguishes Tel Aviv (and Shani’s shoes) from other cities of the world.

This season we fell in love with the metallic / pastel shoes that go so well with this year’s pastels trends and color blocking for that up-to-date trendy touch!

Got to have Shani Bar’s cuties? Visit Shani Bar Where to Shop

Photography: Roni Knaani

we wrote about Guy Gil’s new store a couple of weeks ago and now we are more than happy to announce of his official opening!

During these couple of weeks Guy was feverishly working on his latest collection

As an established Jewelry Designer Guy Gil never forget how he started and he always gives an opportunity to young people in the fashion industry. This production was no exception, he teamed up with some young blood for a impromptu photo shoot.

here is a glimpse of what is waiting for you- this Friday!

Guy Gil is proud to invite you for the grand opening of his Magnificent World of Guy Gil STORE!

When: Friday, May 11 | 11.00-17.00

Where: 34 Shenkin St. Tel Aviv

What: 20% off on the magnificent collection!
Bubbly and wonder-snakes to decorate your mood

Price Range: 100-400 NIS

**The discounts will continue for 2 week!**

For More Info Visit Guy Gil’s Where To Shop!

Credits:
Photography: Shani Sadicario
Model: Shani Mador
Styling: Ruslan Berkovitz
Make Up: Emanuel Nevet
Hair: Guy Gil
Jewelry and Accessories: Guy Gil
Clothes: Pizka- By Maya Katan
Poster Design: Gorillot by Adi Dagan

I recently had the “pleasure” of apartment hunting in Tel Aviv. If you are looking on your own and are on a budget (which in Tel Aviv is a relative term), it is an exhausting and a frustrating experience to say the least. To start off with the pictures on the various search sites are either nonexistent or completely useless; since they either don’t show anything or are a mess. Once you get there many times what awaits you is: rotting kitchenettes that have zero counter space and functionality/appliances, all together much smaller apartments than advertised with bizarre layouts, and just plain dirty. Of course the main issue with apartments in Tel Aviv is that they have not been renovated since they were originally built(yet cost as if they had been!).

Griping aside, this experience had me wondering, did these apartments EVER look good?! And as I faced impending doom of moving into one of these hot retro messes, I had to ask – could I work with this? It fascinated me to think of how homes were decorated back then and how the terrazzo tile – that so dominates the floors of most apartments, could ever be trendy enough to make the owner gloat with pride (it must have been the equivalent of bamboo floors of today! – or not?)

Here are some conclusions I came to on how to make that ugly tile work.

Polish the Floors

from LCS Stone Care (NOT in Israel!)

When terrazzo (the tiles with the specks of concrete and seashells) tile was used, it was for good reason. It’s virtually undestructable and therefore a solid investment. Also when first installed it is gorgeous and shiny! Nowadays people have just totally ignored it and wrote it off as ugly, doesn’t match anything, and wish it wasn’t there, but we can’t afford to do anything about it. If your not ready to buy a bunch of rugs, or decorate against it, or just try to block it out and pretend it isn’t there- you should pay to have it polished to restore it’s former glory and try to work WITH it.

Decorate WITH it- if you can afford it!

The next thing I noticed is the mid-century style (usually identified by it’s tapered legs) furniture is probably what goes best being that the building and tile were installed roughly in the 50′s Tel Aviv era. Looking through retro ads you can see that it almost looks fashionable with it’s furnished counterparts.

photo from uglyhousephotos.com | In 1956, Armstrong advertised their cork-style Excelon tile. Pendant lighting was used in the 1950s (this photo & above photo), a style copied in the 2000s.

But unfortunately the furniture of today is either IKEA or cheap boxy fake wood monstrosities and any mid-century piece will run you at least 4-7k NIS re-furbished. No $300 mid century couch from Urban Outfitters here folks! So it just really sucks that there is such crap design out there for furniture these days that totally does NOT go with said terrazzo tile!

But if you can both polish the tiles and find appropriate furnishings, your apartment COULD look like this!

And if you CAN’T afford it, here are some DIY ways to save

It’s not going to be cheaper than buying in the stores near the central bus station, but it will guarantee a more chic result! There are plenty of DIY tips out there and mid-century legs and hairpin legs to buy separately and frankenstein your IKEA furniture with!

The latest being a product specifically made for IKEA furniture, Pretty Pegs!

and remember, mid-century style is the shit and always beautiful!

from http://www.alyssazukas.com/

So maybe that expensive, once glorious terrazzo tile isn’t as ugly as you think it is– there are plenty of mid century decor fans out there that they even purchase fake terrazzo in the form of linoleum (because it’s way more affordable)!

and now some TLV apts I found on Air BNB that our rockin out their Terrazzo!

This chic rug and pop of color morrocon style chair prove you can style your terrazzo w/o polishing or using mid-century legs…I’m impressed!

from AirBNB- you can stay in this apt!

And here is another Tel Aviv apartment that looks like they polished their Terrazzo- BRAVO!

from AirBNB

Right to left: Robin bucket bag ,Oversized clutch bag with a neon tail, Catfish- Leather Tote bag

New Medusa collection gallery, visit Medusa’s where to shop page for locations / hours

The Graffiti collection by Bellinky

For the past year, Guy Gil has been working feverishly in the back of his vintage boutique, Marilyn my Love! The demand for his “one of” colorful statement jewelry has grown, and now to our excitement, his “world” has found the perfect space to display itself in the heart of newly renovated Sheinkin Street!

A Photo tour of the brand new store

Related Content: Guy Gil’s Magnificent Jewels!, Guy Gil’s Spring ’11 Jewelry Collection, Marilyn my Love store visit tour

Location:
34 Sheinkin St., Tel Aviv
Sunday- Thursday 11.00-21.00
Friday 10.00-16.00

“Like” Guy Gil on Facebook

Follow these 5 Simple Tips

1 Fresh Flowers – depending on the look you are trying to achieve go for pale and monotone or bright and colorful.
2 Table Covering – pick out simple and chic table cloths or go for a bare look if your table top will allow it.
3 Outdoor elements – the simplest way to achieve this? Set up your table outside, its the perfect time of year for it.
4 Bring in Candles – simple arrangements of tea candles and/or pillars and/or candle sticks.
5 Matching place settings – matchy matchy is back in AND its easy, no more racking your brains on what goes with what.

There’s more where that came from

Check out our table inspiration at our Pinterest board

If you haven’t got into colored jeans yet, spring is the time to start! We aren’t a fan of the built in color blocking into the outfit (it is just trying too hard!), but we LOVE when it’s assembled yourself from different pieces that aren’t intentionally “color block” (this seems to be how the trend is manifesting this year anyway).

Quick tips:

• Pick 3 colors max and add a shoe or purse thats either a solid color or built in color blocked at a minimal level (nude shoes with neon pops are great!).
• Toss in nude tones with color blocking to tone it down and it really looks stunning!
• Accessorize with grownup friendship bracelets, gold chains, chunky rings, rhinestone jewelry, and oversized clutches.

How To: Pastel Pink, Green, and Royal Blue

Inspiration photo (top left)

1. Gerard Yosca, Bombay blue with crystal chain drop earring, BUY IT- $36 // 2. Free People, Neon Lights Must Be Dreamin’ Top, BUY IT- $58 // 3. Clare Vivier, Foldover textured leather clutch,BUY IT- € 151.24 // 4. J Brand 811 Mid-Rise Skinny in Emerald Green, BUY IT- $169 // 5. Shashi, Grey, gold, and rhinestone breacelet, BUY IT-$37 // 6. JUICY COUTURE CROWN ID FRIENDSHIP BRACELET IN VIVID PINK, BUY IT $28.00 // 7. Rachel Leigh, Estates Rock Ring, BUY IT- $72 // 8. Lens Get Gorgeous Ring in Iris, BUY IT- $9.99

How to: Neon Yellow and Nude

Inspiration photo (top left), Inspiration photo (bottom right)

1. Tory Burch, Rachel leather clutch shoulder bag, BUY IT- €209.92 // 2. Noir Jewelry, Classic Earrings, BUY IT- $69.30 // 3. CC Skye, Natalie bracelet in neon pink/neon yellow, BUY IT- $92 // 4. AG Adriano Goldschmied, Neon Yellow skinny jeans, BUY IT- $159.00 // 5. Ever Bowery blouse in french blue stripe, BUY IT- $87 // 6. Noir Jewerly, Neon crystal pendant necklace, BUY IT- $88

Craving more?

Just head over to our Pinterest board where we have been collecting color blocking skills!

After coming together in design school at the famous Shenkar school for design- they searched high and low for something new and innovative until they stumbled upon and realized the versatility of using processed plastics.

Related content: Our Dreed*Tea photoshoot of Medusa’s goods “All Aboard Medusa’s Submarine!”

For this years photo shoot you can see that they explored the androgynous aspect that lurks beneath some of our secret personas. With Medusa’s unisex collection they show that nature and the sea which can be seen swirling throughout their designs can be worn by a man or a woman- or whatever you choose to be! As always we’ve really enjoyed seeing what they come out with, as we sort through and decide what new piece we want to add to our style.

Where to Shop:

Medusa’s where to shop page

Photography By : Guy Gilad
Written By : Ariana Richmond

This spring we attended the launch party of Lilamist’s new spring collection. It was held in a little studio that was so off the beaten path, we thought we were lost. Upon finding it, in what seemed to be the middle of a multi-level parking structure– we found a mini gala upon a rooftop filled with many of Tel Aviv’s top fashion divas. Everyone was dressed to the nines while sipping champagne and eating adorable little hors d’oeuvres waiting for the fashion show to begin. Since it was only 10am, which might as well be 5am for the typical Tel Avivian– we knew that we must be in for a show! As we shoved ourselves into the corners because the room was packed- the sky-high models began to strut there stuff down the runway displaying Lilamist’s latest collection.

The collection was vast and varied– vibrant jewel tones, gowns, Sonia Rykiel-esqe stripes, lots of sparkle, a touch of golden age and the modern 50s/60s reference that is so on trend, with a contemporary twist skirt and mullet skirt dress sprinkled in, and big bold prints that reminded us of Kenzo.

We loved the excitement and buzz of the whole event! Our final conclusion was that while we loved a lot of pieces, we took notice the lack of cohesiveness to the collection. Most pieces reflected a lot of meticulousness while others seemed less, resulting in a “throw it on the rack” look.

So take a look for yourself and let us know what you think. Check out that killer Bridget Bardot hair!

Where to Shop:

Lilamist Website

Written By : Ariana Richmond