WhyDid.com

WhyDid Wisdom: The Mysterious Case of the Missing Blog

By Kirsten|September 27th, 2012|WhyDid Wisdom|

About a week ago, I stopped posting on WhyDid. I just was not feeling the least bit inspired and rather than spam your feeds with insincere, lackluster, and subpar content, I gave myself a little bit of a mental break. I felt as if I was at a turning point trying to decide whether or not I even wanted to keep blogging. I love writing, but being the sensitive creative person that I am (read: spazz), I find it difficult to separate blogging with actual writing. One always distracts me from the other. And while I’m already 26,000 words into my first novel, that only equates to half and I haven’t touched it since my cross-country exodus. Also, I’d be lying if I didn’t feel free when I got up in the morning and had time to do all the other things that I typically get distracted from when I’m crafting up snarky quality content for WhyDid. Anyone who thinks blogging is “easy” needs to go ahead and try it.

When I was hanging out with some friends this past Saturday and we went to go watch one of my last How To Tuesday videos, the site frankly told us, “No Posts Match Your Search.” Oh, perfect. I couldn’t really deal with the issue at that particular moment because, 1). I wasn’t home, and 2). it was Smitty’s birthday. After receiving a few more texts from friends and one very frantic one from my father regarding the disappearance of WhyDid, I had to delve deeper into this mysterious blackhole that had apparently sucked in my blog. That’s when I logged into WordPress only to see the above photograph (screen shot). Nearly four years and 1,120 posts gone. Completely gone. Was this WhyDid outage a sign that I should just quit blogging? Oh stop it, Kirsten. Don’t be so dramatic.

Speaking of dramatic, many were concerned about my well being. As in like I deleted my blog and flung myself out the window. Come on, I live on the third floor of my building. At most I would have chipped a nail and minorly injured myself only adding to my heap of quickly amassing problems. What problems, you ask? Well, in the midst of all of this, I managed to leave my wallet in the back of a cab, the laundry I had so tediously separated into “wash and fold” and “dry cleaning” was all tossed into the same commercial strength machines, and shall we even get into the dating sitch? Yeah, no. So, needless to say, maybe flinging myself out the window might not have seemed so ridiculous afterall. However, I managed to keep some kind of crazy zen like calm throughout one disaster to the next. Not a single tear was shed, though there may have been a few glasses of wine. A friend even commented that she had no idea how I’d been able to attend a one year old’s birthday party and socialize without letting on the slightest hint of stress. My answer? What was I supposed to do? I very recently read a quote that said, “If you can’t control a situation, don’t.” How simple is that?

I still have no idea what exactly happened, but the good news is this: With the help of my dear tech savvy friend and a few painful calls to GoDaddy, WhyDid is back up and running. And boy did I miss you guys. I guess absence does, in fact, make the heart grow fonder.

xx,

WhyDid

P.S. thank you all so much for the sweet messages and for all of your patience. You’re the reason I write.

Setting the Mood: Check, Please!

By Kirsten|September 17th, 2012|Setting the Mood|

When you think of flannel, there are a few things that might come to mind: 90’s garage bands, Al Borland, lumberjacks, thick framed glasses sans lenses, Old Spice… Anyone else getting turned on? No?

And while I don’t need a man who borrows my beauty products, one thing I don’t mind sharing with my boyfriend is his shirts. Thankfully, when it comes to flannel, bigger can be better. The trend could possibly come across as a bit hipster ’cause as our new friend we picked up at Mas (you need to go eat there, by the by) said, “It’s always fall in Brooklyn.” (He lives there- he’s allowed to say that), but when styled a la glamorous grunge, it is anything but Brooklyn (as seen here)– not that there is anything wrong with that.

LNA Cropped Flannel Shirt, $150, Siwy Abbeylee Zip Cropped Pants, $196, Marni Plaid Flannel Covered Leather Loafers, $610, Sauce Puffer Coat, $194

So, put that PBR in a paper bag, lumberjack. Flannel is back and not just for the Berenstain Bears.

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Wine and Dine

By Kirsten|September 14th, 2012|Friday Frocks|

Seeing as weekends in the fall are meant for meeting a man to keep you warm all winter, you’re going to need a fresh frock to welcome in the “cuffing” season. Sure, we all have the classic LBD, but what about something a little warmer? Something in this season’s most coveted color, perhaps? That’s right, I’m talking about switching your shade like you’re switching from rose to pinot noir. The great thing about fall’s oxblood/burgundy/whatever you’ve decided to call it color is that it’s so very flattering on skin tones from porcelain to caramel to mocha- just like this particular Helmut Lang frock I’ve been lusting after every single time I pass the Intermix on my corner. So, embrace it ladies, these wine hued frocks are sure to get you wined, dined, and warm all winter.

1. Vince V Neck Dress, $285, 2. Diane von Furstenberg Maeryn Dress, $445, 3. Charlie Jade Long Sleeve Tie Neck Dress, $185, 4. Joie Pollini Wrap Dress, $348, 5. Lucca Studded Bodycon Dress, $69, 6. T by Alexander Wang Pleated Neoprene Dress, $325, 7. Sparkle & Fade Mandarin Collar Front Cutout Dress, $69, 8. Forever21 Ruched Wrap Dress, $22.80, 9. Norma Kamali Super High Low Dress, $275, 10. Forever21 Sleeveless Peplum Dress, $22.80

xx,

WhyDid

Beauty Buzz: Straight Shooter

By Kirsten|September 13th, 2012|Beauty Buzz|

As you may recall (seeing as it’s only now just begun to cool down), this summer was one for the record books in regards to heat and humidity. That made it nearly impossible for me to keep my tresses even the slightest bit tame. I’d walk out the door feeling all fair maiden and fifteen minutes later looked like a crazy pirate. I’d tried just about every sample I’d ever amassed but to no avail. It was clear I was going to need some reinforcements.

When I walked into Sephora, I hadn’t planned on asking for help. I am more of an adventurer. I like to weather the storm solo for the most part. However, after looking at labels and comparing ingredients, it became clear that I had to get some assistance. Mayday! Mayday! The woman whose attention I caught was every bit delightful, but when I evaluated her closely cropped haircut, I figured I’d enlisted the wrong first mate for this voyage.

She giggled at the fact that we both knew she didn’t suffer from the same hair woes, but she did lead me over to Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry and assured me that it was a store favorite. I took her word (and a sample sized version) and made my way to the checkout counter before docking back at home.

I was most certainly skeptical as I stared at my freshly washed locks in the mirror. I squeezed out a bit of the creme and worked it through my hair. First thing I noticed was the very pleasant smell, followed by how easily it combed through my hair after application. My tresses blew quite straight without the help of a flat iron (which I did use after my hair was completely dry). Raising my left eyebrow at my now stick straight hair, I knew it was time to put this product to the real test.

Off I went into the muggy August evening, expecting my hair to soon make me two inches taller in frizz. To my delight, not only was my ‘do still in tact after reaching my destination, it stayed straight all evening without feeling sticky or stiff. The real testament to this miracle potion was the fact that I arose in the morning with hair just as (okay, nearly) lovely as when I’d gone to bed. Ahoy!

Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry, $28

xx,

WhyDid

Would You Wednesday: Like Fine Wine

By Kirsten|September 12th, 2012|Beauty Buzz, Why Did or Why Don't?|

Red lips have reigned supreme for the last few seasons, but this fall, crimson goes a bit goth. Fire engine red gets a bit deeper and takes on the tone of dark berries and plum wine. Not only are apparel and accessories in the shade of fermented grapes going to be all the rage for fall, but makeup trends follow suit. From lips to fingertips, it seems we’ll be opting for shades of deep red and burgundy.