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So far Kirsten has created 1387 blog entries.

WhyDid Wisdom: Be Our Guest

By |November 10th, 2011|WhyDid Wisdom|

This time of year, you are more likely than not going to have company.  Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, or friends are just trying to escape the cold by heading to your neck of the woods, it’s best to be prepared for their impending visits.  Part of this is making sure your guests will be accommodated from their bedrooms to the bathroom.  Now, you probably already know the basics like clean sheets, plenty of towels, and a stocked fridge, but what about the less thought of, but equally important little things?

As you can see, I have our guest bathroom medicine cabinet chocked full of anything and everything your company might need.  From a spare toothbrush to clear nailpolish and Neosporin.  The last thing a guest wants to ask you for is a tampon, let alone a bath towel.

While, this doesn’t exactly sound like a party, you can absolutely make even the most mundane amenities look lovely.  It’s all in the presentation.  Put cotton swabs and q-tips in pretty glass jars atop the sink.  In the cabinets down below, make tampons, razors, and the likes easily accessible and obvious by placing them in more stylish glass containers.

Here’s a quick checklist to get your guest bathroom in check:

  • Toothpaste
  • Spare toothbrush
  • Band-Aids
  • Pain medicine
  • Razors
  • Tampons
  • Q-tips
  • Lotion
  • Contact lens case (and solution)
  • Extra toilet paper
  • Hair ties/bobby pins

Another good rule of thumb?  Think about all the things TSA will make you toss going through security and be sure to have those items handy.  The more comfortable you make your guests, the less work you’ll have to do while they’re visiting.  That means more time spent playing board games and reminiscing .
xx,
WhyDid

Real People, Real Style: Bikini Babe

By |November 9th, 2011|Real People Real Style|

Several months ago, I introduced you to the ridiculously fun and totally customizable bikini brand, Mikini Bikini.  The line was a big hit with you lovely ladies, so I asked the beauty behind the brand if she’d like to let us in on her own personal style secrets.  Lucky for us, she obliged and now the bikini babe (and newlywed) is gonna share what makes her style so chic.

Name: Christina Iaquinta Stuber

Wearing:  Club Monaco dress (bought this for my wedding shower – it’s my wedding colors, grey and yellow!), Lucky boots from TJMaxx (Found these last month and have probably worn them 5/7 days each week!), Crossbody from Banana Republic (“just because” gift from husband when we first started dating 5 years ago – I still love it!) Rhinestone necklace from Pinky Otto (gift from my Momma).

Occupation: Co-Founder of Mikini Bikini, Buyer for TJMaxx and Marshalls

Hometown/Current Town: Hometown: Bridgeport, WV; Current Town: Boston, MA

1. I would describe my style as: Casual luxury.  I dress how I feel, and a lot of my pieces come with a story or memory!

2.  I can’t leave the house without: RayBans and my wedding ring.

3. Based on wardrobe alone, if I could live in any time period, it would be: The 60’s would be amazing – mini skirts, skinny jeans, and fake eyelashes, what more could you want?

4. Best/biggest splurge (worth every penny): I try to find good deals on every-day wear, and tend to splurge on my more “timeless” pieces.  My biggest splurge this year was actually for my husband – a Breitling Navitimer  watch.

5. Best fashion advice I’ve ever received: If you wouldn’t wear it in front of your father, then don’t wear it!

6. Biggest fashion pet peeve (a trend that just needs to go away): High-waisted jeans.

7. What I would tell my 13 year old self: Oh geez – I only can pick one thing?! Some of the items I wore were just absurd.  Like a mini skirt that was cow print, or these knee high boots that looked like moon shoes.. and I had this belly chain that I thought was really cool.  Even formals, I wore 2-piece dresses!  I’d do it all again though – you have to experiment in order to find your true style later on.

8. Weirdest beauty trick that I swear by: I sleep with my hair in a high bun.  When I take it down in the morning, it has lots of volume!

9. Don’t care if it ever goes out of style, I’m going to keep wearing: long hair, ha!  I’ve never had my hair shorter than shoulder length.

10. I would love to trade closets with: Lauren Conrad

Fun fact: Red cups from Starbucks make me ridiculously happy!

Now go customize your very own Mikini Bikini for your next “escaping the arctic” trip.

xx,

WhyDid

Photo courtesy of UbranoPhoto

Why Did You Wear That: Sweater Legs

By |November 8th, 2011|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

There’s no more denying it.  Fall is here.  Sayonara Indian Summer.  It’s time to stash your denim cut offs and strappy stilettos and bring your cozy cashmere and babe worthy boots to the front of the closet.  It’s no secret how I feel about wearing leggings as pants, but there’s nothing more comfortable than slipping into a knit tunic and leggings.  My favorite kind of leggings are those of the sweater type.  You may not have ever heard of such a thing, but they’re out there… and they are somewhat life changing.   Why should your torso have all the fun?

An oversized knit hat and tie dyed scarf are two accessories that bring this look full circle.  Also, What better reminder than a symbol of your favorite summer vacation hotspot?  This bracelet courtesy of Marina Fehr, takes me back to many warm summer nights spent at Surf Lodge and Sunset Beach.  So, even when the air gets chilly, at least I’ll remember that summer is only a couple seasons away.  Here’s to wishful thinking.

1. Cris Cashmere Blend Exposed Seam Tunic, $132, 2. Free People Globe Trotter Leggings, $68, 3. Portalano Black Cashmere Knit Beret, $27, 4. Marina Fehr Yellow Gold Diamond Hamptons Bracelet, $225, 5. Costume National Molly Wedge Booties, $533.40,

 

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Eat That: Not Pumpkin Muffins

By |November 7th, 2011|Recipes, Why Did You Eat That?|

By the end of October, I’ve overindulged in pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin cupcakes, and pumpkin pie.  To be honest, the thought of pumpkin anything makes me want to high kick a gourd… at least until Thanksgiving and it’s time for pumpkin pie again.  Just because I want nothing to do with this orange vegetable (or is it a fruit?) doesn’t mean that I don’t want delicious baked goods.  That is why I searched for a non-pumpkin, yet still seasonally festive snack.  And would you just look what I found?

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour, plus 1/2 tablespoon, divided
  • 1 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon, divided
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons grated orange rind
  • 3/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup dried cranberries, or 2 cups fresh cranberries, chopped
  • 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
  • Cooking spray

Directions: 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Spray two eight-cup muffin tins with cooking spray.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Make an indentation in the middle.
  4. In a large glass measuring cup, mix orange rind, juice, oil and egg. Pour mixture into flour indentation and stir until everything is just combined.
  5. In a small bowl, stir dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and remaining 1/2 tablespoon flour. Stir into batter.
  6. Divide batter evenly among muffin tins. Sprinkle with reserved 1 tablespoon sugar. Bake 15 minutes.
  7. Remove from tins and cool on a wire rack.

Perfect with breakfast or warmed up with vanilla bean ice cream for dessert.
xx,
WhyDid

Weekend Playlist: On the Open Road

By |November 5th, 2011|Weekend Playlist|

When the weather turns cold, but before the holidays, there is only a little bit of time before you can sneak away and hit the open road.  Well, I am doing just that.  A girlfriend and I are hopping in the car and going on a girls’ adventure allllll the way down to the most southern point of the United States.  Don’t know where that is?  Probably should look it up.

xx,

WhyDid