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Why Did You Wear That: The Odd Couple (Costume)

By admin|October 31st, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

As I mentioned, Halloween can be a bit like New Year’s Eve. Many people get very into their costumery and a lot of those people happen to be couples. Being someone who normally loves a theme, I can’t explicitly identify why I’m less than enthusiastic about this year’s Hallow’s Eve, but I am. Rather than race around gathering the ingredients for the world’s most clever costume, I’ve, instead, assembled items I already own and have let them begin to take on a lives of their own. I’m calling it, “interpretive dressing.” When people ask me what I’m going to “be” (and they ask a lot), I simply shrug and let them know that remains to be seen.

But, back to those poor fellows being forced into theme in order to appease their lady beloveds. A guy friend of mine, was informed that not only would he be hosting a Halloween soiree, he’d need a costume. I suggested he go as a wrecking ball and his girlfriend could be Miley Cyrus. When he vetoed that, my next suggestion was to go rogue and dress up as a bumper car so as to take out his aggression as party proprietor.

The best $8 dollars I ever spent was during a recent trip to Home Goods with a friend of mine. We were on the search for a throw pillow or a tissue holder or some other household item that you never knew you needed (and probably don’t), but when I stumbled upon a Smitty sized turtle costume, mission was temporarily aborted and costume was acquired. Not long after at a French themed dinner party with my girlfriends, I told them of my purchase and one exclaimed, “Please tell me you’re going as a rabbit!” I hadn’t thought about it, but once she said it, I thought it was a pretty solid suggestion. Oh… except for one thing… Smitty is a dog. Sure, it would make for cute photos (who the hell is going to take them?), but upon exiting my home, I’d just be some chick in a bunny costume. Truth be told, I’ve brought out stranger “props” than a living animal and if I would ever get around to registering Smit as a service dog this would be a non-issue. But alas, my little turtle must stay in his shell. It’s entirely possible that dressing your dog is the new “cat lady,” but offering him a peanut butter chewbone in return for his services seems like a bargain compared to dealing with a human beau. (Several reasons why here). And honestly, is dressing your dog any worse than dressing your boyfriend in a coordinating denim ensemble?

Oh, and if you’re looking to make your own ears, check out my DIY here.

xx,

WhyDid

Photos by Michael Stiegler

Beauty Buzz: Haunting Beauty

By admin|October 30th, 2014|Beauty Buzz|

Another great way to make use of your leotards is by creating beautiful Halloween makeup. If accessories aren’t your thing, or you just can’t seem to get your hands on a Piers Atkinson flamingo headband, head to your closest makeup counter and start getting creative. Whether you choose to paint yourself like a mime or wish to achieve Cleopatra’s cat eyes, there are endless possibilities for temporary self transformation with just a few strokes of shadow or a bit of contouring wizardry. Play around, have fun, and just remember, it’ll be dark and everyone’ll be drunk.

1. Viseart Contour, Camouflage HD Palette, 2. Sephora Collection Dramatic Performance Longwear Lash Kit, 3. Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Night Crimson, 4. T3 BodyWaver Curling Iron, 5. Jin Soon Tout Ensemble Collection, 6. Too Faced Smokey Eye Shadow Collection, 7. Sultra Color Hair Mascara, 8. Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Shimmer Navy, 9. Lancome Artliner 24H Bold Precision Eyeliner, 10. Leighton Denny Nail Polish in Maneater, 11. Urban Decay All Night Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray Duo, 12. Urban Decay Black Magic 24/7 Glide On Double Ended Eye Pencil Set, 13. Bobbi Brown BBU Palette

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: The Hunt for Halloween

By admin|October 28th, 2014|Setting the Mood|

As I sit here sorting out the sordid details for this upcoming Friday with friends amidst racking my brain for costume ideas that will prevent me from running around the city like a true life Halloween nightmare come Friday afternoon, it occurs to me that I have a real love/hate relationship with this so called “holiday.” While I love any excuse to dress up, craft a costume, and execute a theme, I loathe the overall emphasis placed on one sole evening. The sheer amount of pressure put upon crafting a costume that’s sexy but not slutty, creative but not crass, timeless but not trite can be downright daunting. Not to mention that the past several years for me have been the equivalent to not having a midnight kiss on New Year’s Eve (something I’m also all too familiar with). Last year, instead of spending the morning doing squats in anticipation of squeezing myself into spandex, I had a rather disruptive row with my then beau, but I probably did burn a few calories dodging inanimate objects and the crying left me looking like the walking dead. The year before that I had gotten dressed and even made it out the door before deciding to ditch after having spent twenty minutes in the unseasonable cold trying to catch a cab. And the year prior, I doused myself in fake blood to freak out the four trick or treaters who actually bothered to show up at our Silicon Valley doorstep. That’s why this year, rather than gunning for the blue ribbon for best in show, I’ll relegate the heavy lifting to creative accessories because heaven knows I own enough leotards, legwear, and lofty ideas to do just that. So, if you, too, are looking to avoid dropping dough on costumery crafted from potentially flammable fabric, try accenting something simple with bold accessories in the form of headbands, hats, or handbags. You could always make your very own lace bunny/cat/mouse ears (DIY tutorial here).

Erickson Beamon Stratosphere Ruthenium Plated Swarovski Crystal and Faux Pearl Hair Slides, $595, House of Holland The Bag of Tricks, $320, Piers Atkinson Bitten Cherries Crystal Embellished Headband $590, Jennifer Behr Floral Silk Lace Mask, $675

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did or Why Don’t: That’s A Bum(mer) Bag

By admin|October 22nd, 2014|Why Did or Why Don't?, Why Did You Wear That?|

The fashion industry may have cleverly renamed them “waist bags” and “belt bags,” but they’re not fooling me. I roller skated to Ace of Bass “I Saw the Sign.” These are glorified fanny packs (known in the UK as “bum bags” since “fanny” means something entirely different) and having just returned home from Orlando, Florida, presumably the birthplace of fanny packs, I know one when I see one. It may have taken a bit longer for fanny packs to trickle down from the runways (the trend was first spotted in early 2013) to the retail stores, but they’re here and they’re happening. From Chanel to Sarah Jessica Parker (not her first time wearing a hands free handbag), the waist bag has gone mainstream and now you’re going to have to experience it… perhaps for the second time. I suppose it could be worse. You could be carrying your dog as a tote. Something I can’t get enough of are fashionable bags, I usually buy hermes birkin bags ever since my friends have recommended them to me.

And there are always upsides to even the most troublesome trends. One brand called their version a “dance bag,” which I guess makes sense if you’re one who frequents nightclubs. Gone are the days of guarding your bag from sticky cranberry juice stains and drunk girls with sticky fingers. Dance the night away with your handbag safely resting on your hips. Hanging your valuables from your waist will also cure the epidemics of uneven arm strength and scoliosis. The only downside is that I don’t believe you’ll be able to safely stash much more than your cash, cards, and beloved iPhone. So looks like you’ll be stuck carrying that shopping bag from Forever21 for all to see.

1. Rebecca Minkoff Quilted Affair Fanny Bag, 2. NewbarK Eva Metallic Textured Leather Belt Bag, 3. Clare V Leather Trimmed Shearling Belt Bag, 4. ONE by Erin Dana Evan Large Fanny Pack, 6. What Goes Around Comes Around Louis Vuitton Geronimos Waist Bag, 7. Times Arrow Asia Lamé Dance Belt Bag, 8. Pendleton, The Portland Collection Convertible Belt Bag, 9. B-Low the Belt Samantha Belt Bag, 10. Alexander Wang Leather Belt Bag

Since the belt bag is readily available at many of your favorite shopping outposts, now’s your time to weigh in on the trend. And don’t forget to check the Wicker basket bag too.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: A Day at the Office

By admin|October 17th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Working from home has its obvious perks. Wine for breakfast, dog friendly, flexible work hours, pajamas welcome. Though fewer, it also has its downfalls. One of which I’m convinced I’ve contracted called “agoraphobia.” Another, though disguised as an upside, is never really needing to put on pants. Without the need to put on clothing that doesn’t include elastane in the fiber contents, it’s fairly easy to overlook your ever growing waistline.

Also, there are those times when my job does require me to interact with other humans and show face in professional work environments and that’s about the time I shift into a near panic attack as I stare into the abyss of my closet because we are always expected to wear some kind of uniforms that are part of are business attire. What the hell do people wear to work? Are crop tops considered business casual? What if I wear one with a blazer?

When I received this ponté fit and flare dress from Daisy Fuentes for Kohl’s, I knew immediately that it was the perfect option for these terrorizing occasions. Never again would I break into a sweat before a business meeting because this curve hugging, office appropriate dress is the perfect combination of classic and cool. With a few added accessories like a studded belt, leather jacket, and strappy pumps, I felt professional without being overly prissy. At this rate, I may have to get a desk job.

(P.S. you’re welcome, RKF. I’ll happily take a cut of the commission earned from this post).