ECON OMY

YENTA

HERE AND NOW

Fashion-Forward Faith
New local boutiques, businesses and
brands you may not know — but should.

N ews
And Info
From
Around Town

By Lynne Konstantin

W

hen Alissa Haroush was a little girl, she and
her mother, jewelry designer Paula Brooks,
would spend hours crafting projects together.
As Haroush got older, Brooks' business began to take
off. By the time Haroush was a senior at UCLA, where
she was earning a bachelor's degree in Judaic stud-
ies, she was helping her mom fill orders and eventu-
ally lending a hand in their design.
Which was a perfect fit. Together, the pair has
brought Los Angeles-based Alef Bet Jewelry to a
higher level of sophistication and faith, incorporat-
ing elements of Judaism and spirituality in pieces
that are modern, fresh and favorites of fashionistas
of all ages.
"Our jewelry utilizes many motifs which have been
associated with strength and vitality for centuries7
Haroush says.
Among them are symbols of the eye to protect
against the"evil eye," chai symbols, Stars of David,
the Tree of Life and the hamsa (from the Hebrew
word chamesh, or five) — some say the protective
hand-shaped amulet references the Five Books of
Moses, and some call it the hand of Miriam, Moses'
sister.
The red-thread Kabbalah bracelet, or bendel
bracelet, is meant to invoke the protective power of
the matriarch Rachel. Bracelets, necklaces and rings
are beautifully embellished with shimmering gem-
stones, charms, Hebrew letters and images that are
as meaningful and inspiring as they are cool.

-1 7P

The Bohemian Hamsa Bracelet ($50) is
crafted of 14 karat gold plate.

An explanation
card accompanies
the blue iolite-
studded Healing
Necklace ($62),
which includes
the Hebrew
prayer for healing,

The Hebrew Beloved
Necklace ($65) is
intertwined with
the words ani le dodi
v'dodi li ("I am my
beloved's and my be-
loved is mine"), from
the Song of Solomon.

El Na Refa Na La.

The Tiny Chai Red Thread Bendel Bracelet
Al ($19) is also available with a peace sign.

THE BUZZ

Dog Days
Our favorite shopping picks for women,
men, kids, the home and more.

By Lynne Konstantin

D

eat the end-of-summer heat with easy
pieces that transition beautifully — and
comfortably — to fall.

---

A bit of white-hot drama that can still bloom
after Labor Day, J. Crew's BEADED ROSE
NECKLACE ($128) blossoms against sun-
kissed skin. Area J. Crew stores; jcrew.com .

38 August 2013 I

RED MUM

Easy and breezy for summer nights,
the crisp print on Hazel's MARIGNY
MAXI DRESS ($158) can be paired with
a denim jacket, wide belt and booties
for a warm fall look. Area Anthropologie
stores; anthropologie.com .

A perfect transition piece also
goes easily from day to night,
this vivid, scoop-back FERN
PRINT ROMPER ($69.50) is a
one-piece wonder. Area LOFT
stores; loft.com .

On The Dunes

T

he Yenta asked around for
reader favorites when traveling
Up North. Here are a few of the
responses:"Glen Arbor Bed and
Breakfast is our new favorite place
to stay; highly personalized service,
and great for older kids — parents
can go out and kids can walk the
town or hang out in the suite."...
"For outstanding dining it's the
Edgewater Bistro and Grey Gables,
both in Charlevoix." ... "Golf at Bay
Harbor and Crooked Tree, Papa
Lou's for pizza and American Spoon
Gelato Cafe in Petoskey"... "Siren
Hall in Elk Rapids, Stella's in Traverse
City." ...
Closer to home, there is another
way to have fun and beat the heat.
Gather up the kids and take them to
Blue Heron Bay, the new $2 million
splash park at Independence Lake
County Park in Webster Township in
northwestern Washtenaw County,
open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
Washtenaw County residents pay
$5 admission; non-residents pay $9
(734-449-4437) ... Michigan's largest
indoor golf and outdoor volleyball
facility, On the Dunes, 2055 Hag-
gerty, Commerce, is now open for
fun. The facility features 10 regula-
tion-size beach volleyball courts and
eight state-of-the-art golf simulators,
driving range and 18 real-world
courses, as well as a restaurant.
Leagues forming now for kids and
adults (www.onthedunessports.com ;
248-313-9713).
Get ready for a new fun and excit-
ing, contemporary Mexican culinary
experience coming soon to West
Bloomfield: Huerto Restaurant &
Tequila Bar. Flaunting a festive and
casual atmosphere, the moder-
ately priced restaurant is expected
to open this September at 6199
Orchard Lake Road and will be open
for both lunch and dinner serving a
blend of creative southwestern and
traditional Mexican cuisine, along
with a sprinkling of American dishes.
Buen apetito! RT

www.redthreadmagazine.com