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Setting the Mood: On a Roll

By |April 30th, 2012|Setting the Mood|

disco roller skating(You may want to go ahead and turn up this past weekend’s playlist to feel the full effect of this installment of Setting the Mood).

Planning a party for a friend is a lot of work, but also a lot of fun.  While there are lots of intricate details like finding the perfect venue, picking a theme, cupcakes or cake?, and making sure there are plenty of party props, one of the most difficult tasks may be figuring out what to wear.  While doing some research on what exactly made the 70’s and disco era tick, I found that perhaps I showed up during the wrong decade.  With an excess of sparkle and shimmer and an overall sense of carefree ease, these groovy gals really had it figured out.  Throw in some rollerskates and feathered hair a la Farrah Fawcett and you’re all set.

disco style shorts: Costume Dept. The Vintage Shorts, $44, wedges: Chica Chola Platform Wedge, $160, dress:Hale Bob Studio 54 Sequin Dress, $139.99

You can ring my bell.

xx,

WhyDid

Weekend Playlist: Get Down Tonight

By |April 28th, 2012|Weekend Playlist|

roller disco partyHere’s a question:  What better way to celebrate a birthday than with a 70’s disco roller skating party?  Answer: There is no better way.  My favorite guest DJ and all around crafty lady, Katie (aka the best friend a girl could ask for), is celebrating her golden birthday this weekend.  No, Kim, that’s nothing even remotely close to a golden shower.  A golden birthday is when you turn your age, say 22, on the day, the 22nd.  Get it?

So, while we are combing out our afros and stretching out our leotards, we’ll be getting in the mood with this 70’s inspired playlist.  And probably drinking a little prosecco too.

Send Katie a little birthday love while you’re at it.

xx,

WhyDid

The List Volume LXXI

By |April 27th, 2012|The List|

greener grassYou know what they say, “The grass is always greener on the other side.”  I’d say this most commonly refers to relationships seeing as when we are in one, we’re curious about what else is out there.  When we aren’t in one, we’re desperately trying to settle down and settle in.  The upsides of being in a relationship are quite clear, but what about all the perks that come with rolling solo?  It’s not such a bad thing, after all.

Ten things that do NOT suck about being single:

  1. It’s very difficult to argue with yourself.  (Though it can be done).
  2. The toilet seat is always in the correct position and there’s no longer the chance of falling in during a middle of the night tinkle break.
  3. I don’t care.  I do what I want!
  4. You can watch whatever the hell you want (whenever you want).  Golden GirlsGossip Girls?  It’s your world, girl.
  5. Oh bikini waxes?  Sorry.
  6. Do you know how good it feels to stretch out horizontally across your bed?
  7. You are no longer at risk of morning sex.
  8. The only person’s shit you have to clean up is your own (okay, and maybe your dog’s).
  9. You will not get fat from eating things that boys like to eat.  Hello, Lean Cuisine!
  10. Girls’ night every night.

And while you may only be single temporarily, enjoy it.  Cause it’s only a matter of time before someone is crowding your space, stealing your covers, and breathing in your face.

xx,

WhyDid

 

image via Open Europe

WhyDid Wisdom: Happy Days Are Here Again

By |April 26th, 2012|WhyDid Wisdom|

sunshine smiley faceA few days ago, I asked a seemingly always happy friend, “You never have a bad day, do you?”  To that, my friend responded, “I used to have bad days… until I decided not to.”

I thought about that for a moment and realized that my friend was onto something.  You don’t have to have a bad day if you don’t want to.  After all, the only person in charge of your feelings is you, no?  Sure, sure, this all sounds very Pollyanna of me, but hear me out.  Every morning when you get out of bed, you have the choice of what kind of day you want to have.  I read once that as each foot hits the floor you should say “Thank.  You.”  By waking up being gracious, you are setting yourself up for more positive things to come your way.  Like attracts like, right?

It’s like when I used to play that game with myself on the subway, every time a negative thought would pop into my head, I tried to replace it with something positive instead.  Rather than saying, “Damn, this bitch stanks!” I’d say, “Wow, she must have had a really great workout this morning.  Go girl.”  So, instead of stewing and working myself up into a tizzy, I’ve put that negative thought out of my head and moved on.  Haven’t you ever had something annoying happen and then dwelled on it only to have 18 more annoying things happen?  It’s not a coincidence.

Not too long ago, I was checking out at Home Goods, and I smiled at the woman at the register.  She was so surprised that I had smiled, that she made a comment to me about it.  That’s sad.  Are we all that unhappy and miserable?  Are smiles that few and far between?  Not to mention, it’s scientifically proven that smiling automatically boosts your mood.

Sure, I’ve had some not so great things happen to me, but I realized that sitting around pouting about them isn’t going to help accomplish anything, nor will it change anything.  I’m also quite certain that my “less than ideal” problems are probably quite trivial compared to people who actually do have problems.  Last time I checked, I’m healthy, have fresh water to drink, and a bed to sleep in every night.  Not too shabby.

Bottom line: happiness is all a state of mind.  I understand that there are going to be moments in life that absolutely and utterly suck, but at that point you have a choice.  You can choose to dwell on said shitty incident, or you can brush your shoulders off, smile, and carry on.  I choose to carry on (and smile).

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Garage Band

By |April 25th, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

garage band chicI realize that there are now girls old enough to drink (legally), but not old enough to know who the hell Kurt Cobain is.  That doesn’t dissuade me from wearing one of my favorite t-shirts though.  I’ve had this shirt for a while now, and I”m not sure I’ll ever get rid of it.  Yes, that’ll be me.  The 65 year old woman wearing a cut off t-shirt in the grocery line.  So?  I like to pair it with the unexpected.  For this rendition, I’ve topped off a sweet pair of lace shorts with my less than ladylike t-shirt.  I specialize in contradictions.

We already know the 90’s grunge look is making a bit of a comeback, so now’s the time to revel in a bit of nostalgia by digging out those old concert t-shirts and making them new again.  And no, ‘N Sync isn’t vintage… yet.

nirvana t shirt

red lip

lace shortst-shirt: vintage, shorts: Pins and Needles, bag: Urban Expressions, shoes: Colin Stuart (similar here), bracelets, Alex and Ani, lipstick: Bare Escentuals Pretty Amazing Lip Color in Strength

Smells like teen spirit.

xx,

WhyDid