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Why Did You Wear That: Layering Up

By |August 14th, 2011|Look for Less, Why Did You Wear That?|

Three of my favorite looks from this week all have something in common.  They are all great transitional outfits.  As much as I hate to say it, summer is in its final stretch and fall is fast approaching.  During this time of year, it’s always tricky trying to figure out what to put on– or take off.  The weather is as temperamental as a woman with PMS and no M&M’s.  The only way to get your look right during this time of year is by layering up.  From Olivia Wilde’s cozy and casual look to Emma Stone’s red carpet Chanel Couture, these lovely ladies have mastered the art of layering and you can too by following these easy to put together layered looks (if you need a layering refresher course, click here):

1. All Saints Departed Hoodie, $67.50, 2. Mossimo Jersey Knit Maxi Skirt, $17.99, 3. Kashmere Blue Double Floral Print Cashmere Scarf, $138, 4. Forever 21 Cay Eye Sunglasses, $5.80

1. BCBG Emma Button Down Silk Chiffon Blouse, $168, 2. GYPSY 05 Carmen Twist Skirt, $99, 3. MICHAEL by Michael Kors Jenna Wedge Sandals, $145, 4. Staring at Stars Embellished Eternity Scarf, $32, 5. Elliot Lucca Millana Camera Snake Embossed Crossbody Bag, $64.90, 6. Urban Outfitters Tortoise Trim Aviator Sunglasses, $16

1. Matty M Pearl Metallic Crocheted Sequin Top, $43.99, 2. American Apparel Chiffon Full Length Skirt, $46, 3. M. Flynn Chandelier Cluster Earrings, $88, 4. Diane von Furstenberg Harper Evening Flap Shoulder Bag, $450, 5. Stuart Weitzman Nude Patent Daisy Pumps, $140.25

Keep cool. Stay hot.

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Oh Baby, Baby!

By |August 12th, 2011|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

Since we’ve been on the topic… The last thing I feel like doing when I have a “friend in town” is squeezing myself into a dress tight enough to cut off all blood circulation and then shoving my poor undeserving toes into shoes that could serve as a form of ancient torture.  Whether you’re feeling the bloat like me or you just want to indulge in dessert at dinner, the babydoll dress is the answer to all of our problems.  Flowy and romantic, it is feminine enough not to be frumpy.  While you wont’ be able to see the outline of your organs, you’ll still look pretty.  Guys probably won’t be a fan of this one… but your tummy will.

1. Urban Outfitters Laine Dress, $19.99, 2. Jen’s Pirate Booty Pandora Babydoll Dress, $145, 3. Betsey Johnson Rose Chiffon Short Babydoll Dress, $298, 4. Plastic Island Rose Babydoll Dress, $158, 5. Black Poppy Flirty Bustier Dress, $29.50, 6. Style Stalker Scale Print Cut Out Babydoll Dress, $77.58, 7. Rampage Sleeveless Striped Babydoll Dress, $20.99, 8. Twenty8Twelve Dorris Babydoll Dress, $156.99, 9. Patterson J. Kincaid Olivia Pintuck Dress, $109.99, 10. Alice + Olivia Cammie Trapeze Dress, $257

xx,

WhyDid

The List Volume L

By |August 12th, 2011|The List|

Remember the monthly gift that doesn’t suck?  Well this week’s list is more like the one that does suck.  Sure there are plenty of perks to being a girl, but that certainly is not one of them.

  1. People who use ten dollar words but probably have no idea what they mean.
  2. Kris Humphries. Is he for real?
  3. Guys who wear winter hats at the beach.  I’m confused.  You must be too.
  4. Our government.  Can we just press “refresh” and start over?  Cause I’m fairly certain no one knows what they’re doing.
  5. Un-manicured palm trees.  And on a side note- I know palm trees are “symbolic” of California, but there’s only one type that’s indigenous.  The rest are all “decorative.” 
  6. People who think they “discovered” someone. Just stop it. You did not discover Bruno Mars.  Next thing you know you’ll be telling me you discovered Abraham Lincoln too.
  7. Shin splints.
  8. Dianna Agron’s new ‘do.  I keep waiting to hear, “for her upcoming role in…” 
  9. Planking.  Are we done with this yet?
  10. The person who stole our hose.  First of all, who steals a hose?  Secondly, I hope you are at least putting it to good use- like a slip n’ slide.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Date Him: Mr. Big Mistake

By |August 11th, 2011|Why Did You Date Him?|

By now, it should be clear how much I enjoy Sex and the City (SATC).  Not really because it is soooo accurate (cause it kind of isn’t), but because it is so very well written and there’s a lot of great shoes.  Plus, what girl doesn’t like to commiserate with others about those dogs we called men who ruined our lives?  I could watch old episodes over and over and over… and as a matter of fact thanks to our bizarrely programmed HD cable box, I get to watch it on both east and west coast timezones (booyah).  And yes, that is just what I did yesterday.  All five of the last episodes were on (that’s three hours, kids) and I watched them all.  Twice.

I love so many things about the show.  I love that it’s shot in New York and not some stupid soundstage in LA. I love the witty banter and the situations that so many of us can relate to.  There is, however, one thing that I do not love.  His name is Mr. Big.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love Mr. Big as a character.  He could charm the knickers off a nun.  What I do not love is what he represents.  He is that one guy that every girl has dated.  The unattainable for whatever reason.  The one who broke our heart.  The one who got away.

If we were to use SATC as our bible (but who would do that, seriously?), we would be led to believe that some day our mysterious, elusive Mr. Big will magically reappear back into our lives and we’ll all live happily ever after.  The end.  Newsflash: that’s ridiculous.  When Mr. Big was a douche the first time, Carrie should have kicked him to the curb- for good.  But alas, much easier said than done.  So, fine.  We give the guy another chance.  Still a douche?

Rather than seeing all the good right in front of her (Aidan? Are you effing kidding?) she continues in search of something intangible.  She’s holding out for Mr. Big while simultaneously destroying any and all good that’s right in front of her face.  Sound familiar?  I get it, you don’t want to settle, but there’s a big (no pun intended) difference between “settling” and just being outright stupid.  Get your mind right, little one.  You can go clomping around the globe chasing your Mr. Big but he’s gonna chew you up and spit you out.  A guy who treats you poorly once, always will.  You’d be much better off finding someone who loves you from moment one.

I remember right before my first “real” date with my now fiance.  I wasn’t sold on the whole idea to be honest, but my friend said to me (and I will never forget it), “This is what it looks like when a guy really likes you.”  And she was right.  He pulled out all the stops and really tried.  Once she said that to me, it was a game changer and in some ways, I have her to thank for the way things turned out.

And no, I’m not up on some soapbox just cause I happened to get lucky by meeting the male version of myself.  I’m down in the trenches with you single ladies because I get it.  Hell, I’ve been right down there with you.  I have dated in one of the toughest cities to date in: New York City.  Am I right, ladies?  There I dated some of the biggest douchebags on the planet.  I’m not kidding.  You can check my references.  I’ve been through relationship troubles that would make your stomach turn.  The reason I’m going on and on is because you ladies are beautiful and special and wonderful.  Why on earth would you EVER want someone who didn’t recognize that immediately?  Who wants a guy that took a billion years of hemming and hawing and testing out the other goods before realizing you were “the one”?

You’re better than that.

So my advice to you is to watch SATC for the clothes and Samantha’s sexy boyfriend, Smith rather than for any real life love advice.  It is a TV SHOW afterall.  And for those late adopters, 1. better late than never, 2. go out and splurge on the DVD’s. There is a lot lost in the editing for cable TV (listen, a nipple can go a long way).

xx,

WhyDid

Beauty Buzz: A Monthly Visit that Doesn’t Suck

By |August 11th, 2011|Beauty Buzz|

A couple of weeks ago, Stephie reminded us how truly fantastic beauty samples are.  So great, that some can even change up your entire beauty routine.  Well, it seems that she’s not the only one who realized just how valuable samples are.  Three very clever young ladies, Hayley, Katia, and Mollie, also picked up on the awesomeness that are samples.  They took beauty samples to a whole new level by creating a little something called Birch Box.

What is Birch Box you ask?  Well, other than being the best ten dollars you’ll ever spend, it’s a beauty sample delivery service that brings new and exciting products (tailored to your individual preferences/beauty needs) to your cute little “welcome” mat each and every month.  I know.  Kind of unbelievable, right?  I received my first Birch Box this week and it was like Christmas (or Hanukkah).  And to think… it’s gonna happen every month!  Kinda balances out that whole “visit from Mother Nature” thing, huh?

I have yet to try all of the samples which included:

I did try the June Jacobs masque and loved it.  My skin was fresh and glowing – as it should be.  So, if you are a beauty junkie like me and perhaps need a little monthly perk, I suggest you hightail over to BirchBox and get your very own little pink box.  It’s almost as good as being a beauty editor at Allure… and for now it’ll have to do.  (P.S. I will keep you updated as to the rest of the samples).

—Sorry, I just realized how ridiculous it is that I have not “tested out” the Twistband hair tie.  Please hold…  Works just great (no sharp metal to cause split ends) and it looks a heck of a lot cuter on your wrist than normal rubberbands. Gonna need to stock up.

xx,

WhyDid