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Friday Frocks: The Anti-Sparkle Dress

By Kirsten|December 23rd, 2011|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

It was recently brought to my attention that not every woman is interested in decking herself out from head to toe in sequins, glitter, and sparkles. I know. I can hardly believe it myself. Why would you not want to risk damaging the eyes of those around you with the blinding glimmer of your festive frock? Mind boggling really. Well, anyway, if you are one of the lovely ladies who is just not feeling all that glitters, it would prove to be somewhat difficult to navigate the racks and racks of embellished, beaded, and rhinestoned attire. Lucky for you, I’ve found some absolutely cocktail party appropriate frocks with nary a sequin in sight.

1. Motel High Contrast Dress, $79.99, 2. Alice + Olivia Tamira Leather Bustier Dress, $596, 3. Parker Double Flared Sleeve Dress, $209, 4. Helmut Lang Long Drape Dress, $275, 5. Tibi Long Sleeve Dress with Cutout Back, $396, 6. Diane von Furstenberg Enny Dress, $375, 7. French Connection Shelby Stripe Pleat Dress, $198, 8. Porter Grey Sleeveless Dress, $385, 9. Tibi Silk and Lace Dress, $515, 10. Issa Short Kimono Dress, $595

And wouldn’t you know? These dresses are the perfect solid palates to adorn with some sparkly accessories.

xx,

WhyDid

Beauty Buzz: False Advertising?

By Kirsten|December 22nd, 2011|Beauty Buzz|

A funny thing happened on the way to this blog. I was so obsessed with this mascara when I got it that I couldn’t wait to blog about it. But as in dating, you must give mascara a couple of “dates” before declaring “This is the ONE!” After three successful applications, I kept going up to people and saying- can you tell? Do they look fake? (Okay- I was asking Smitty). I really felt like I had noticeably longer, fuller, faker lashes. Now after putting together the before and after photos, I can see why people (Smitty) just turned and walked away every time.

So, Maybelline Volum’ Express Falsies Flared Mascara claims to make your lashes look fake. I know- in most cases, looking “fake” is a bad thing, but as many of you ladies know, a clause in this golden rule comes down to your lashes. With lashes, the bigger the better. Here’s the problem: have you ever attempted applying fake eyelashes? Not easy. What is easy is quickly going from a beauty experiment to your own version of A Christmas Story and shooting your eye out. No one ever really understands the whole pirate eye patch thing at a holiday party. Halloween at least you stand a fighting chance. Anyway, you tell me this is going to make my eyelashes look fake, I’m in.

Below are the before lashes (no eyeliner, no nothing…):

And keep on scrolling for the magic reveal “after” photos. (I understand that I could have taken a close up of my eyelashes… but why would someone be that close to my face? I want to know whether or not you can see my eyelashes from the punch bowl across the room. Is that not the point of mascara?)

So, I guess the verdict’s in. This isn’t even close to as dramatic as wearing false eyelashes. So very anti-climatic, as a matter of fact, that even my trusty assistant got bored and went to go chase a stick. It’s virtually the same picture. So, 1). I should thank my mom for my naturally long dark lashes (my dad’s are the color called “clear”), and 2). probably going to have to hone my lash applying skills. As far as mascaras go, this is a very good one, but will it have you questioning whether they’re real or fake? Probably not.

xx,

WhyDid

P.S. If you find my dog more entertaining than I am… it’s completely understandable and you can find his blog here.

Photo via DiscoTreats

Gift Guide: Hostess with the Mostess

By Kirsten|December 21st, 2011|Gift Guide|

Chances are that in the next week or two you will be attending some type of holiday party, dinner, or domestic gathering. If you are lucky enough not to be the one stuck hosting, don’t you dare show up empty handed. What? Were you raised in a barn? If you have ever hosted, you are aware of all the duties (and expenses) that come along with putting together a suburban soiree. Rather than show up with the run of the mill bottle of wine or spirit, how about picking up something that will actually make the lady of the house feel appreciated — and may even get you invited back again? Unless, of course, you don’t want to be invited back again… then might I suggest a case of PBR?

1. Kate Spade Rose Print Thank You Cards, $20, 2. Diane von Furstenberg High Rise White Wine Glass Set, $60, 3. Hollywood Fashion Tape Hostess with the Mostess Kit, $19.99, 4. Dennis Basso Faux Fur Throw, $48.96, 5. Kate Spade Two of a Kind Highballs, $50, 6. Cut Lace Vanity Tray, $24, 7. Sequin Swirl Pillow, $32, 8. Bormioli Rocco Sorgente Fuchsia Water Glasses, $29.99, 9. Nest Holiday Votives Set, $32

Can I take your coat?

xx,

WhyDid

WhyDid or Why Don’t: Changing Faces

By Kirsten|December 21st, 2011|Why Did or Why Don't?|

You may have never heard of her, but she’s about to blow up in the Hollywood scene- so pay attention. Her name is Rooney Mara and she currently stars in the much anticipated book series turned movie, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. While it seems as though she came from complete obscurity, take a closer look. You may recognize her as the young lady who dumped “Zuckerberg” in The Social Network. She’s come a long way from pretty Harvard undergrad to ass kicking investigator.

Mara was transformed from girl next door to edgy misfit by bleaching her eyebrows, dyeing her hair black, shaving parts of it off, and most dramatically piercing her ears, eyebrow, nose, lip, and nipple (yes, nipple). It’s like a completely different woman.

Whether you’ve already read the books or seen the original Swedish films, it’s hard not to be drawn into the haunting plot and hard to ignore the strange beauty of Rooney Mara. When she signed on to the role, they made a point of letting her know that she’d be keeping this look for the next five years (seeing as there are two sequels)… so hopefully she likes it. H&M thinks you’ll like the look so much that they’ve actually designed a line based off of the American film (which had gone under attack for “glamorizing rape”). But that’s not the point… the point is, what do you think? Would you trade in your squeaky clean image for something a bit more extreme like Mara did?

xx,

WhyDid

Gift Guide: By the Numbers

By Kirsten|December 20th, 2011|Gift Guide|

We’re down to the wire, people. If you still have a few folks left on your list, chances are that you’ve either already spent all of your money on everyone else, or you were saving the best for last (wink, wink). Whatever the case may be, it can be completely overwhelming to walk into a crowded department store, let alone the internet, full of so much stuff that you don’t know where to even begin. So, if you’ve got a strict budget to follow, or you’re just cheap, I have sorted out some fun and festive last minute gifts that you can scoop up and save yourself from the surname of Scrooge. This will save you the trouble of picking out something that you can’t (or don’t want to) afford. You’re welcome. Consider this my gift to you.