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Why Did You Wear That: If Shopping Is Your Cardio

By |July 24th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

nordstrom sale shoppingYou know what’s a great way to beat this miserable heat?  Shopping.  And wouldn’t you know, it’s that time of year again.  Get deep discounts on new arrivals during Nordstrom’s Anniversary sale.  We aren’t talking about picked over end of season goods either.  Stock up early and shop everything from Joie suede booties to J Brand denim to Hanky Panky thongs until August 4th when regular prices return.  So, if shopping is your cardio, consider me your personal trainer.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Don’t Rain on My Parade

By |July 21st, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

nyc whydid palazzo pantsThis summer’s weather has been just about as unpredictable as my mood.  One moment hot, one moment cold.  The sun is scorching your skin one day.  The next you can’t find an umbrella big enough to protect you from full body saturation.  If you enjoy this unpredictability, maybe we should date– or maybe you should talk to a shrink.  Anyhow, when it came time to shoot last week, the talented Michael Stiegler had only a small window of time to snap before the sun went down.  As it happened, that was the exact same time Mother Nature decided she was going to open up the flood gates and water the flowers.  The upside of my sometimes scattered moods is that I tend to adapt well to what might seem like unsavory obstacles.  Rather than postpone for a day without rain, we grabbed an umbrella, headed to the roof and proceeded to make the best of a soggy situation.  And much like many of our more impromptu photoshoots, we came up with images that were surprisingly good.  Life lesson?  When it rains, dance.

raining new york umbrella

whydid nyc kirsten smith

kirsten smith blog why did

wide leg printed pants

new york rooftop rain

nyc skyline printed pantstop: Brandy Melville, similar by Miguelina here, pants: Brandy Melville, similar by Free People here, bag: vintage Dooney & Bourke, similar here, shoes: Via Spiga, similar by Pour la Victoire here, umbrella: Dr. Kenet, similar by Marc by Marc Jacobs here, bracelets: Alex + Ani

xx,

WhyDid

Photos by Michael Stiegler

 

Friday Frocks: Jump At the Chance

By |July 18th, 2014|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

jumping jumpsuit whydidTechnically not a frocks… because, well, they’re not dresses, jumpsuits are panted versions of the maxi dress.  A jumpsuit can be both casual and comfortable as well as silky and sleek.  Whether you opt for uptown or down, just fair warning: it’s going to be a struggle in the bathroom.  Allow for extra time and be prepared for angry, full bladdered women to anxiously sigh while repeatedly interrupting your bathroom break with angry knocks as you try to free yourself from straps, belts, and other accoutrements.  That aside, jumpsuits are kind of like wearing very stylish onesie pajamas out in public without attracting public scrutiny, plus you don’t need to bother shaving.  Jump at the chance to wear one this weekend.

jumpsuits rompers1. Tbags Los Angeles Convertible Jumpsuit, 2. Rory Beca Ludo Jumpsuit, 3. Jen’s Pirate Booty Borobudur Jumper, 4. Diane von Furstenberg Shany Printed Silk Jumpsuit, 5. Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen Tank Drawstring Jumpsuit, 6. ISSA Valerie Jumpsuit, 7. J. Crew Collection Spike Printed Silk Jumpsuit, 8.Flynn Skye Not Just a Jumpsuit, 9. Charlie Jade Sleeveless Jumpsuit, 10. Mara Hoffman Printed Stretch Modal Jumpsuit

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Go Wide

By |July 16th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

lolitaBeing the third born and first girl in my family, I really made it known that I was, in fact, female.  When my mom prudently and practically attempted to put me into some of my brothers clothes, I went ahead and turned up my tiny freckled nose at the sheer thought of wearing something that had belonged to a boy.  This is also the same reasoning I used in pre-school when I decided I would no longer be addressed as K.C. because there was a boy in my class named Casey.  I would be called Kirsten and pink dresses and ruffled panties it was.  I may have scaled citrus trees and caught lizards barefoot, but I did so wearing a dress.  And while I still prefer a dress (as of late a coordinating crop top and skirt), there are times (much like the ones mentioned yesterday) wherein, I must put on my big girl pants.  And this summer it’s all about a printed palazzo pant.

wide leg pants1. Ella Moss Biarritz Print Wide Leg Pants, 2. SW3 Bespoke Pembroke Pants, 3. Rachel Pally Grady Wide Leg Pants, 4. Topshop Paisley Wide Leg Trousers, 5. Clover Canyon Byzantine Scarf Print Wide Leg Pants, 6. sass & bide The Royalist Pants, 7. MSGM Tie Dye Pants, 8. Lovers + Friends Willow Pants, 9. Trina Turk Perleen Knit Pants, 10. Theodora & Callum Cypress Palazzo Pants

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: A Dog Walk in the Park

By |July 10th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

dog walking nycMy morning’s begin much the same way everyday.  I hit snooze several more times than necessary, read a chapter in my book, chug a glass of lemon and cayenne water, and boil water for tea.  I do all of this while my best friend, Smitty, patiently watches- sometimes from his back.  The upside of Smitty knowing that he’s tiny?  He, under no circumstances other than maybe bacon, will jump from my bed until I pick him up and place him safely on the floor.  Downside?  When we hit the mean streets of Manhattan, he believes he’s badder than any pitbull on the block.

I used to throw caution to the wind when dressing for dog walking, plucking random articles of clothing from the couch, floor, or front of my closet.  And then one day I had the startling realization: people can see me- even with my sunglasses on.  I often forget that because I don’t lead the normal life of an office dweller, those people have already gotten up, worked out, and probably brushed their teeth in the time that I’ve lackadaisically brewed dandelion tea.  So, as I strolled along with dragon’s breath and clothing that probably didn’t hide the fact that it was last seen on the floor, women wearing pressed and dry cleaned cropped trousers and swinging their shiny freshly blown out hair power walked past.  Perhaps I needed to step my game up.  Maybe Smitty could wait a few more minutes for me to look more polished for the public. Getting a Runball is the best decision as your dog will enjoy it thoroughly.

But tiny dogs have tiny bladders, so I’d needed to find something to put on that checked off three important things: comfort, quick, cute so all of the requirement only fits in the Custom K9 Heros vest. My dog loves wearing Custom K9 Heros clothes.

 And then these LAMO suede embellished moccasins made their way into my world.  Check, check, check.  One of the plights most women of Manhattan face on a daily basis boils down to footwear.  Many make the commute in more foot friendly shoes, later switching to the modern day torture devices we refer to as heels.  The commuter shoe can be a scary thing.  I’ve seen white sneakers, flip flops, UGGs, and scary variations of Crocs.  Why must we trade fashion for function?  Well, I think these cozy moccasins may be exactly what we’ve all been looking for.  You’re welcome.

smitty dog nyc clothes

lamo moccasins

lamo footwear

dog clothes nyc

lamo suede moccasinstop: vintage (mom’s) similar by Seafarer, skirt: similar by Lovers and Friends, shoes: c/o LAMO, necklace: similar by Gorjana, dog: Smitty, Smitty’s shirt: Ralph Lauren, hat: Petco

xx,

WhyDid

Photos by Michael Stiegler