Kirsten | WhyDid.com

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So far Kirsten has created 1387 blog entries.

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.

1. Cry About It Bandages, $7, 2. bumble and bumble Pin Tin, $15, 3. MoMA Design Store Cubes Perpetual Calendar, $15, 4. Voluspa Boxed Votive in Crisp Champagne, $7, 5. Banksy Notecard Box, $15.95, 6. philosophy Marshmallows for Toasting, $16, 7. The Modern Cocktail Champagne Topper, $9.99, 8. Salt&Pepper Bank, Oinks! Millions in the Making, $12.99 , 9. Archie Grand for J. Crew Blogs Notebook, $10

1. Monopoly Sephora Edition, $23.25, 2. D.L. & Co. Naughty/Nice Journal, $40, 3. Sonia Kashuk Silver Holiday 6pc. Brust Set, $22.99, 4. Stila Music’s Biggest Night Makeup Player, $50, 5. Bike Navigation System iPhone Case, $45, 6. Little Black Dress Hanging Jewelry Organizer, $24.99, 7. Fresh Mini Sugar Kissing Trio, $28, 8. Bodum Eileen 8 Cup French Press Coffee Maker, $49.95, 9. Stott Pilates Eco-Friendly Mat, $44.99

1. Balenciaga L’Essence Candle, $65, 2. Michael Kors Textured Leather Passport Holder, $60, 3. Minnetonka Softsole Sheepskin Moccasins, $67, 4. Alexander McQueen Enamel Skull Key Ring, $95, 5. Gaga’s Workshop x Barney’s Diamond Teacup, $65, 6. Jonathan Adler Carnaby Porcelain Hollywood Coasters, $68, 7. Cynthia Vincent for Piperlime Pouch, $58.99, 8. Club Monaco Michelle Beret, $60, 9. Rebecca Minkoff Set of 2 Best Friends iPhone Covers, $68,

1. Jennifer Meyer Gold ‘Love You’ Bracelet, $600, 2. Lounge Lover Travel Babe Modal and Cashmere Lounge Set, $475, 3. Portolano Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves, $125, 4. Jonathan Adler Needlepoint Backgammon Game, $295, 5. Bobbi Brown Fall 2012 Beauty Trunk, $1,000, 6. D.L. & Co. Rotten Luck Dice, $209, 7. Balenciaga Classic Skinny Leash, $275, 8. Jimmy Choo Teddy Glitter Finished Leather Luggage Tag, $195, 9. CC Home Furnishings 4 Person Eco Friendly Picnic Basket, $156.99,

Get your shopping done so you can get to what’s really important. Eggnog.

xx,

WhyDid

Gift Guide: Book ‘Em, Danno

By Kirsten|December 19th, 2011|Gift Guide|

Oh, hey, bookworm here. You may think that doling out books as holiday gifts is pretty lame and something your Uncle Arthur might do, but I’m here to let you in on a little secret. You’re wrong. Yes, yes, it’s true… I’m partial to books… especially of the non e-book/iBook variety… so you may argue that I’m biased. And let’s be serious, you may very well be right, but have you ever thought about how thoughtful a book can be? Selecting a book for someone is personal enough to show that you are paying attention to his or her interests without being so personal as to shed light on your stalkerish ways. Also, just like reality shows, there’s a book out there about just about anything under the sun. If you find yourself feeling stumped over what to pick out for someone on your list, perhaps you head to your closest Barnes & Noble and start skimming.

California Design, 1930-1965: “Living in a Modern Way”, $49.98, Jonathan Adler on Happy Chic Colors, $13.22, Black and White (And a Bit in Between), $33.50, The New French Interior, $33.50

Home Made, $26.66, Momofuku Milk Bar, $23.92, Silver Book of Cocktails: 1,001 Cocktails for Every Occasion, $25.61, Sparkle Cupcakes: The Little Black Book, $13.17

The Art Book, $18.71, Pantone: The Twentieth Century in Color, $26.06, Mario Testino: Portraits, $68.08, Helmut Newton: Polaroids, $59.99

Making Faces, $13.89, The Fashion Questionnaire, $35.05, Jacques Helleu and Chanel, $125, Carine Roitfeld Irreverent, $100

A lot less geeky than you thought, huh? Could the bookworm be the new black?

xx,

WhyDid

I Judge You When You Use Poor Grammar, $9.99, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, $15, I’m So Happy It’s Happy Hour, $21.95

Why Did You Eat That: Mulling Things Over

By Kirsten|December 19th, 2011|Recipes, Why Did You Eat That?|

You know what will clear a cold right up? Mulled wine. Okay, not really. That’s an old wives tale. You also shouldn’t give your crying baby whiskey. However, mulled wine is pretty glorious for chilly winter get togethers. It’s especially delightful when sipped fireside with friends. You might think warm wine sounds ridiculous, but I promise that once you give mulled wine one sip (or two, or three…) you’ll have a new favorite winter cocktail. It’s also pretty easy to make (and double for bigger parties).

Ingredients:

2 large oranges
12 whole cloves
12 allspice berries
12 whole black peppercorns
2 cinnamon sticks
2 bottles (6 cups) fruity red wine – Might I suggest merlot?
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brandy

Directions:

With a fine grater, zest, then juice the oranges.
In a large pot (not aluminum), combine zest, juice, cloves, allspice, peppercorns, cinnamon.
Pour in wine, sugar, and brandy.
Cook over medium heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves, 1 to 2 minutes.
Reduce heat to low; simmer until flavors have melded, about 30 minutes (or until it smells more like cider than well, bad).
Pour through a fine-mesh sieve and garnish with cinnamon stick, if you’re fancy.
Serve immediately in a mug (a glass will not do- we learned this the hard- and hot- way).

No need to mull this over any further.

xx,
WhyDid

The List Volume LXI

By Kirsten|December 17th, 2011|The List|

Oh hey guys, I’ve been under the weather… hence my disappearing act. While laying in bed cursing both left and right nostrils, I’ve had plenty of time to think about things that suck. Here’re just a few.

The Chipmunk movie. Not everything needs to be re-visited.
Razor scooters. If you’re over the age of, let’s say eight, and still riding one, you’re doing it wrong.
Your artsy emo photos. Not even Instagram is gonna make that apple more interesting.
Facial piercings… unless, of course, you’re Rooney Mara. Then you can do whatever you want.
“Nom, nom, nom.” I can’t even put into words what seeing this makes me want to do. I hate mouth noises in real life… let alone your ridiculous simulated status update ones.
Speaking of food related status updates. No one wants to see a picture of your shitty dinner or stupid vodka tonic. If your food is in the shape or Mount Rushmore or perhaps there’s liquid nitrogen coming out of your glass, maybe- maybe– I’m interested. Otherwise, you’re just taking up space in my feed.
Hey Sofia Vergara- we’ve been over this. Leggings are NOT pants.
Parking spot vultures.
Tile countertops.
Mascara commercials that clearly use fake eyelashes and/or CGI. No mascara is that good.