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The List Volume LX

By Kirsten|December 9th, 2011|The List|

The holidays and weeks leading up to them can really bring out the best in people. More often than not though, it brings out the worst. It seems like some of you completely forget what the season is all about and chuck your manners right out the window. Get it together, people.

Ugly Christmas sweater parties. This is kind of like an 80’s party to me. Why do you want to purposefully look bad when there are so many other fun things you could be wearing? Like sequins?
Speaking of which… SantaCon. You could traumatize a lot of little children. Do you want to live with that kind of guilt?
Fitted sheets.
The Lea Michele/Ashton Kutcher rumors. Ashton, if this is your rebound, we need to talk. Have your people call my people. You’re better than this.
Jeffrey Campbell Lita boots. I don’t care how you try and spin it. These are ugly. Not to mention likely to result in a sprained ankle. And is looking like a clown on stilts really worth a hairline fracture?
Blue Christmas lights.
The Post Office. In general, but especially during the holiday rush. I have better things to do with the next two hours of my life…. but I’ll wait.
Lindsay Lohan’s “leaked” Playboy pictures. The entire thing is a problem.
Bruised bananas.
Regifted gifts. If you don’t want it… what makes you think I would?

xx,
WhyDid
Image via Harriet the Spy

Why Did You Wear That: Drab to Fab

By Kirsten|December 9th, 2011|Why Did You Wear That?|

Believe it or not some people don’t like to wear sequin covered disco ball-esque dresses. I know. I could hardly wrap my head around it either. I’m somewhat of a magpie and I will use any and all excuses to deck myself, my home, my dog out in anything shiny. Whether it be a shimmering chandelier or sparkly mini, I’m on it. However, in the off chance that you don’t love a sparkly get up as much as me (or the rest of the world), there are some other options to bring a little bling to your standard LBD. It can be as subtle as a glittery manicure or as bold as bejeweled headband. Adding just a hint of shine will take you from wet blanket to woohoo!

1. Eugenia Kim Serena Headband, $74.99, 2. Bobbi Brown Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow, $22, 3. Black Halo Donna Halter Mini Dress, $330, 4. Fragments for Neiman Marcus Multi Crystal Bracelet, $275, 5. J. Crew Classic Pave Link Bracelet, $118, 6. Essie Nail Polish (Set in Stones), $8, 7. Deborah Lippmann Glitter Nail Polish (Boom Boom Pow), $20, 8. Jimmy Choo Glitter Cap Toe Ballerina Flats, $345, 9. J. Crew Darby Glitter Loafers, $175, 10. Loeffler Randall Zuri Pumps, $359.99, 11. B Brian Atwood Liese Metallic Peep Toe Ankle Boots, $350, 12. Kenneth Jay Lane Large Crystal Ring, $88, 13. Kate Spade All Wrapped Up Pave Ring, $148, 14. See by Chloe Cherry Feather Mini Cross Body Bag, $495, 15. Top Shop Gold Sequin Animal Cross Body Bag, $50, 16. Erickson Beamon Smoke and Mirrors Earrings, $315, 17. Oscar de la Renta Beaded Tassel Earrings, $440

And because I must: I do not condone wearing more than… let’s see three of these items at once. Let’s have fun without shooting anyone’s eye out.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Eat That: Luxury Cookies

By Kirsten|December 8th, 2011|Recipes, Why Did You Eat That?|

You know what goes really well with wine? Cookies. Okay, maybe not (but kind of). Ever since I was little, my favorite cookies were the delicious cookies my mom made from a much fabled recipe. The Neiman Marcus cookies. You see, there’s quite a bit of urban legendry behind the recipe. Stories say that a woman and her daughter were duped into paying $250 for the recipe and when Neiman’s wouldn’t budge on the bill, she sent out the recipe to anyone who could read. Whether fact or fiction, this is a pretty perfect cookie recipe and a bit more traditional than hamantaschen. So grab a glass of wine and head to the kitchen to start baking.

Ingredients:

2 cups butter
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups sugar
5 cups blended oatmeal
24 ounces chocolate chips
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 (8 ounce) Hershey Bars (grated)
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups chopped nuts walnuts

Directions:

Measure oatmeal and blend in a blender to a fine powder.
Cream the butter and both sugars.
Add eggs and vanilla.
Mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder and soda.
Add chocolate chips, grated Hershey Bar and nuts.
Roll into 1 inch balls and place 2-inches apart on a cookie sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes at 375° or until golden.

Couple things: This recipe yields 96 cookies. I cut it in half, but if you feel like you wanna house 96 cookies, more power to ya. Also, depending how big you make the cookies, you may have to adjust the baking time. Mine were kinda giant and baked for 15 minutes.

Because your cookies should be as fabulous as you are.

xx,
WhyDid

Smart is the New Pretty: Holidating

By Kirsten|December 7th, 2011|Smart Is the New Pretty, WhyDid Wisdom|

Oh yes, it’s time to start the countdown to the holiday season. Along with all the shopping, soiree’ing, and snowmen building (okay, maybe not)- there’s also probably some holiday smooching in the plans.

Groupon has acquired OpenCal which will help you to “schedule” all of your impending appointments. [TechCrunch]
But perhaps you are only interested in keeping track of the 25th of December. Here are five free apps that will help you do just that. [Mashable]
Facebook is counting down too… but they are counting the most popular status trends of 2011. [Mashable]
Speaking of status updates. I hear you’re headed out on a first date. Having trouble trying to figure out what to wear? The new PickWhichPic app allows you to call your friends in for reinforcement (and is free until Christmas).
Realize that you hate everything in your closet? The Poshmark app will help you clean out your closet and make a little cash. [Refinery 29]
Hopefully your date is in advertising… cause you may want to avoid dating investment bankers. Okay, not all of them. Just this one. [Gawker]
You may, however, want to start dating your lawyer. Free legal pads, anyone? [Gawker]
And in case your date does go well, here are ten recipes for the most perfect pancakes. [HuffingtonPost]
Then you can write a poem about how much your enjoyed your date on Opuss, you creep. [TechCrunch]

Fa-la-la-la-la!
xx,
WhyDid

Photo via The Art of Manliness (who happens to have a great holiday date list)

Gift Guide: Little Ones

By Kirsten|December 6th, 2011|Gift Guide|

I love buying gifts for the little people in my life. I have three adorable nieces, my best friends have welcomed beautiful baby boys and girls and lets not forget that kiddos aren’t the only babies of the family. While I have yet to birth no baby, I do have a couple little men in my life who are very, very important… and depending on who you ask, were very well behaved this year. That’s right, I’m talking about the family pets. They deserve some holiday cheer too. So, when you’re playing Santa Claus this year, don’t forget that some family members would also appreciate a visit from Santa Paws.