WhyDid.com

Why Did You Wear That: Escape from New York City

By admin|August 15th, 2016|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Ah, summer in the city. It wasn’t until just this past week that we were reminded exactly what it might feel like to wade through a crock pot of steamy, stewing, week old garbage. This is that special time of year when we trade in bitching about blizzards for raising all hell over heatwaves. Your weather app may say it’s a balmy 93 degrees but keep scrolling down to “real feel” and don’t forget to check the humidity while you’re at it.

The back of cabs transform into Slip N’ Slides of our own sweat. Sidewalks double as hot plates. The drips of overhead window air conditioners become welcome reprieves from the heat. I’ve all but given up on a “good hair day” and relegated my wardrobe to basic black or any pattern that might disguise the sweat stains acquired merely walking the five blocks to the A train where I can’t decide whether the weather above or below ground is more oppressive. Most of us look like human versions of Salvador Dali’s Persistence of Memory and for whatever reason- perhaps the overwhelming waft of “pheromones” or all around “wet” look- cat calling reaches its peak. How E E Cummings couldn’t capture this in one single sonnet, I’ll never know.

The only way one might manage to survive a New York City summer is by getting out of town. Having lived in Manhattan for a combined total of ten years and forgetting that West Coast blunder, I’ve sunned myself from Southampton to Montauk. Slathered on sunscreen in the Rockaways and caught the Seastreak to Sandy Hook. Yet, I had never made my way to one of the most exotic and the last stops on the F train. You don’t need a passport, but may want to make sure your vaccinations are up to date. A boardwalk by the beach complete with cotton candy, bumper cars, and locals who could be considered its carneys- there lies the coastal gem called Coney Island.

As it was my first time to this foreign land, I wasn’t sure what to wear. Fortunately, TOBI was kind enough to send me some summer essentials perfect for those days when it’s so hot even your brain begins to fry and you need the guesswork taken out of dress work. The Love Buzz Strappy Bodycon Set seemed like the obvious choice for perusing the Coney Art Walls. While Coney Island, itself, is quite colorful, what better backdrop for a photoshoot than commissioned graffiti by prominent street artists? This little two piece wonder looks good with just about anything from cartoon ice cream cones to causing a riot… something sure to happen had I spent one more sticky second in the city.

To be continued…

Love Buzz Strappy Bodycon Set, c/o TOBI

Photos by Michael Stiegler

Guest Post: Here Comes the Sun with Dr. Sejal Shah

By admin|August 4th, 2016|Beauty & Trends, Beauty Buzz, Guest Blogger|

Sure, we’re nearly two thirds of the way through summer, but there’s still plenty of sun to be shone and Vitamin D to be consumed. We all know (or at least should) that overexposure to the sun can have some detrimental effects on the skin- think vintage leather handbag. Aside from the aspects of vanity, playing too long in the sunshine without proper protection can result in skin cancer- and ain’t nobody got time for that.

This isn’t to say you need to lock yourself away in a basement or start toting around a parasol like a delicate debutante, on the contrary, getting a dose of Vitamin D in its native form rather than through a supplement is quite good for you. Testosterone boosters are dietary supplements that are taken to increase the level of this hormone in the body – and produce results such as better gym performance! Do you want a more muscular body? Then TestoGen naturally boosts testosterone can increased lean muscle. As little as eight minutes a day in the sun can boost your Vitamin D intake– and probably your mood, no less. Vitamin C is a world-renowned antioxidant and plays a vital role in aiding the body’s defense against dozens of maladies, including: heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, arthritis, asthma, macular degeneration, pre-eclampsia, and the common cold. If you are taking the vitamin c powder, mix it thoroughly in the proper amount of liquid or soft food and stir well. However, you’ve got to be certain to take the right precautions when headed outdoors. You don’t only need sunscreen for a day at the beach. Even walking the dog or going for a run, eating your lunch outdoors or during your daily commute can expose you to harmful UVA and UVB rays. Why take them, you ask? Well, firstly, they can give you enough stimulation to get to the gym. Secondly, they’ll also give you the energy to improve your performance throughout your training session, and shouldn’t lead to any negative side effects. You should take them about half an hour to 45 minutes before your workout for the best results, although check with the product you purchase to make sure. If you’re ready to work your way to the top, the best pre workout for women can help you get there. Visit dentitox pro site for the best supplement for your teeth.

Suncare and skin cancer hits much closer to home for me as I’ve watched my father chase it around his body for the past ten plus years and has up to this point undergone over thirty surgeries to remove cancerous spots, not counting topical chemotherapy (creams and ointments) and seemingly innumerable destruction by freezing (nitrogen). I had to ask that he please stop sharing his post operative surgery photos with me that I may stop getting weak in the knees each time I receive a text from him.

So, how does one choose the right sunscreen to keep them safe from the sun? To help take out all of the confusion from the sunscreen scene, Dr. Sejal Shah was kind enough to break down the basics below:

Decoding the Sunscreen Label

Have you ever gone to buy a bottle of sunscreen only to leave the store more confused after reading the labels on the bottle? If so, you are not alone; most people don’t understand exactly what the terms on the label mean. Let’s break down the terminology so next time you go to buy your sunscreen you know exactly what you are getting.

It’s important to know that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates sunscreens, and, therefore, the language used and the claims made on the packaging. Many of the terms on the packaging, such as “broad-spectrum”, “SPF, and “water-resistant”, have very specific meanings because they are based on standards created by the FDA for testing sunscreens.

“Broad-spectrum” indicates that the sunscreen protects against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and B (UVB) radiation. You want to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen because both types of radiation are damaging to the skin and protecting against them reduces your risk of sunburn, premature skin aging (wrinkles, brown spots, and sagging skin), and skin cancer.

“SPF” stands for sun protection factor and indicates how well a sunscreen protects against UVB radiation. The number that follows SPF tells you how much UVB radiation the sunscreen can filter out. SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays and SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays. Keep in mind that no sunscreen can block a 100% of UVB radiation so other protective measure must be used, such as protective clothing, a hat, and seeking shade. I recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which is also what the American Academy of Dermatology recommends. Check out the latest pelvic floor strong reviews.

“Water resistant” indicates how long the sunscreen will stay effective on wet skin, for example while swimming or sweating. Typically the label will state the amount of time, either 40 or 80 minutes. A “water resistant” sunscreen stays effective for 40 minutes on wet skin at which time it needs to be reapplied, and a “very water resistant” sunscreen stays effective for 80 minutes on wet skin at which time it needs to be reapplied. Besides reapplying when sweating and swimming, sunscreen also needs to be reapplied after toweling off. Even if your skin stays dry while wearing sunscreen, you need to reapply every 2 hours because sunscreen loses its effectiveness while on your skin. What about “waterproof” sunscreen? There is actually no such thing as waterproof sunscreen because there isn’t any sunscreen that completely stays on the skin with sweat and water, so the FDA no longer allows this claim on the labels.

Other terms you might have seen on labels include “Sports”, “Baby”, and “Sensitive Skin”. The FDA has not defined these. Typically a sports sunscreen means that the sunscreen is water resistant or very water resistant-the label usually includes this designation as well. A baby sunscreen generally means that the only active ingredients in the sunscreen are the physical, or mineral, sunscreens, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients are less likely to irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. Like a baby sunscreen, the active ingredients in a sunscreen formulated for sensitive are usually zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. They also tend to lack other potentially irritating ingredients, such as fragrance or parabens.

What’s the difference between a chemical and physical sunscreen? A chemical sunscreen protects your skin by absorbing ultraviolet rays and must be absorbed by the skin to be effective; whereas a physical sunscreen protects your skin by deflecting ultraviolet rays by acting as protective layer on the surface of the skin. Physical sunscreens contain the active ingredients zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. There are many chemical sunscreen ingredients including avobenzone and oxybenzone. Some sunscreens contain both chemical and physical ingredients. All the ingredients approved by the FDA, whether they are chemical or physical, are safe and effective. However, if you are concerned about using a chemical sunscreen choose a physical sunscreen.

Now that you understand how to read the label, what sunscreen do you need? After deciding if you want to use a physical or chemical sunscreen, choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Ideally, it’s best to choose one that is water-resistant, but if you are not going to be very active or in water this is not as crucial.

All of this information together will allow you to choose the best sunscreen to your situation, and you will know when to reapply it. Specially with kids, but occasionally with adults as well, you will find that they do not want to bother with sunscreen because they consider it unnecessary, uncomfortable, or cumbersome to apply. In yet other cases the ones that will agree to wear sunscreen have already dealt with severe sunburn in the past. It hurt, so they want to avoid it this time. The thing is, the consequences of not applying sunscreen correctly, it being the right sunscreen for the occasion, and it being reapplied as specified on the label are potentially beyond terrible. They can lead to an unimaginable scenario of a, to put it simply, slow and painful death. Of course, it is not difficult to realize how dramatic it sounds. You can look here for a great article listing the dangers of not correctly blocking out the sun with sunscreen, with scientific sourcing. It is very interesting to note that even in adults, if the consequences are shockingly severe the person can veer towards the other end of the spectrum and assume it is a lie. Sadly the dangers are quite real, a matter some people realize only too late.

Great, you’ve got your sunscreen, now what? Sunscreen should be applied everyday-even in the winter, even if it’s cloudy, even if it’s raining or snowing. Bottom line: if you are outdoors during the day, you need to put sunscreen on. What about for a regular day at the office when you’re not really outside? A daily moisturizer that contains a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is generally sufficient for a day at the office, but keep in mind UVA can penetrate window glass. Also, anytime you go outside, let’s say to grab lunch or coffee, you are exposing your skin to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) so don’t completely skip the sunscreen. When should you apply sunscreen? Apply sunscreen BEFORE you go outside; it takes approximately 20 minutes for sunscreen to be absorbed by your skin and protect it. If you wait to apply it after you are already outside, your skin is at risk for damage from harmful UVR. Of note, because physical sunscreens do not have to be absorbed by the skin and provide protection immediately, they don’t need to applied so much in advance but should still be applied before going out. How much should you apply? Apply a generous amount of sunscreen; most adults need at least one ounce (approximately a shot glass size) to fully cover the whole body. Rub sunscreen thoroughly into the skin. What about sprays and sticks? When it comes to sprays, I tend to recommend non-aerosolized sprays or spraying an aerosolized sunscreen into your hand and then rubbing it into your skin. However, if you love the convenience of misting a spray might directly onto your skin, it takes a little more than a gentle spritz to be effective. Spray enough to make the skin glisten or, if the spray is not clear, make sure the skin thoroughly coated then rub it in just as you would a lotion or cream. For sticks, coat every area with four passes back and forth.

Now that you know how to read the labels and use your sunscreen, you can rest assured that your skin is protected!

It’s Been a Long Time… We Shouldn’t Have Left You

By admin|August 2nd, 2016|WhyDid Wisdom|

Seven years ago, I was working in a cubicle in a buying office on Fifth Avenue. I had what most starry eyed college graduates would consider the “dream job.” In most minds I spent my days surrounded by beautiful clothing, fabulous designers, and relished in an all around glamorous lifestyle.

In reality, I was in a tiny grey cube with a PC from 1997 perched atop a chair that was most certainly acquired from a sidewalk fire sale, squinting at Excel sheets and entering purchase orders into an archaic system, which I attribute to my need for glasses today. Yes, I did get to go to beautiful showrooms like DVF, Dior, and Moschino, but that was a very small percentage of my day to day work life. I was also in my early twenties and hadn’t the slightest concept of just how fortunate I was. Needless to say, I was never in the running for “employee of the month.” I’d actually gotten called into HR on more than one occasion for not “socializing” enough with the other employees. It wasn’t all boring busy work though, I could fix just about any copy or fax machine and this life skill has saved me a time or two at FedEx Kinkos faxing lease renewals and other obnoxious New York City rites of passage. My bosses used me as bait to chat up the suits who worked in the same area at local after work spots: The MoMa, what was once the Penn Top, and Monkey Bar.

I showed up because I knew I needed a job and this one, at the time, this was the job to have. Finance was booming and there was good reason why people started hosting parties called “Fashion and Finance.” The receptionist at the front desk of our floor at 666 Fifth Avenue (does the devil really wear Prada?) often received calls asking for the blonde lingerie buyer. That was me.

It was all bankers and bucket bags until the day our entire buying office was called in like cashmere swaddled cattle for a meeting in the conference room where we were informed that post meeting, we’d be asked to turn in our security cards and gather our belongings because our positions no longer existed. Not since a sorority slumber party had I seen so many fashion majors drunk in heels that sad afternoon.

Many of my colleagues managed to snag other positions within our competitor retailers and fashion houses, but that was just about the time I realized that I really didn’t enjoy the work I’d been doing. Sure, I could predict without fail which colors would sell out and what styles to swap in order to increase sell through and avoid markdowns, but I hated the office politics and mundane day to day number crunching. I had already started writing for WhyDid and was living with my boyfriend in TriBeCa at the time. I supplemented in the interim with my other New York love, real estate. I’d wanted to apply for a job at the ASPCA, but my boyfriend (a banker, but, of course) discouraged me, telling me that it would only depress me. I should have dumped him then.

Nearly seven years passed before I realized again that I had been sucked into work that was no longer fulfilling to me. I also hadn’t really grasped the concept of how to fully monetize the hours and hours of work I’d spent slaving away on posts, photoshoots, and product placement. Sure there had been two cross country moves, an extended stay in Florida, a few jobs at failed start ups, and finally a move back to my old West Village neighborhood to an apartment directly across from the one I’d started in, but it wasn’t until after a trip to Paris that I realized it all felt false.

When I began WhyDid, it was all about calling out bad fashion, celebrity faux pas, and snarky commentary on the overall state of style. In time, I started to include more personal pieces, trend forecasting, how to videos, and even photos of myself (which, to this day, still make me nervous). Traffic was up, I could churn out content without much effort- one eye on the TV, another hand texting back friends. Major publications had even approached me to helm their ships, but I had no interest. It all came quite easily to me, but it no longer felt natural. I didn’t really care what Kerry Washington wore, who Taylor Swift was dating, or why I should buy into the Birkenstock trend. I prefer listening to this dating podcast where they give cool advice.

You see, my whole life I had been lauded as “Best Dressed” and “Most Likely To Be Famous.” You should have seen how disappointed my mother looked during parents’ weekend in college when I received the superlative of “Most Likely to Marry a Rockstar” over “Future Nobel Prize Winner.” It was as if I had been painted into a picture of myself and I’d just decided to live in it. I’d become my very own still life—of myself. I lived in a perfect West Village apartment with a cute white dog and a Soho House membership. My Instagram feed read like a perfectly curated (I despise that word) collection of moments with friends at beaches, birthday parties, and brunches.

And then one day I woke up. I could not write. I could not pretend anymore. There were words in my head, but I couldn’t get them out. I’d start sentences. I’d jot things down. Short thoughts. Brief phrases, but nothing ever fully formed. I had to stop. I had to take a step back. I had to start over.

I shortened WhyDidYouWearThat to WhyDid, several years ago to include more topics including everything from food to the LGBT lifestyle, but it became clear to me that the real reason was because we have become a society that reads headlines instead of stories. We consume “listicles” rather than research. We’ve become lazy and would rather be told what to think than form our own opinions. I have always been someone who wants to know, “Why?” There’s a reason Elmo was my favorite Sesame Street character. I’ve never felt comfortable using words I can’t spell or talking about topics I’m not informed about. We let people tell us what to wear whether it looks absurd or not. We are a country based on freedom, yet we’ve given up all of our rights—on our own. Why don’t we ask more questions?

I asked my mentor, my father, my best friend why would people listen to me when I’ve done so many things wrong? I have no idea what I’m doing. My passport expired before I could fill it. I can’t even order the right wine at a restaurant. People will criticize me and point out that I’m not perfect and, as he always does, he so eloquently stated, “The best teachers are those who have made their own mistakes.”

One of the scariest things I have ever had to do was to give up the image that was given to me. To scratch the paint from the canvas and begin anew. It’s easy to play into what people perceive. That’s the easy way. The simple route. And I suppose I could have kept on that path. But I knew if I never admitted I was wrong, I could never make it right.

I guess that’s just it. True intelligence, real wisdom comes from the ability to accept that one has no idea what she is talking about or what she is doing. The humility to concede that there is a lot more to learn. There will still be more outfit posts and style forecasts. To deny that would be to deny a part of me. I threw my first temper tantrum at the tender age of two over a pair of patent leather Mary-Janes, for Heaven’s sake. However, WhyDid.com will be a place to ask questions, to be open, to be honest. I certainly don’t have it all figured out, but I’m happy to take you along with me while I try.

Setting the Mood: Party of One

By admin|January 19th, 2016|Beauty & Trends, Setting the Mood|

People have asked me how the New Year has been treating me, but when they do, I tell them that my new year has yet to begin. Because my birthday falls in the first month of the year, I hold off on all resolutions and serious celebrating until the twentieth of January. Unlike many people, I love birthdays. It’s true that on average 18 million others share your special day, but it sure does feel nice to have one day of the year designated just for you (and those other 17,999,999 people). That is why I consider birthdays the real “New Year.” Well comfortteltudlejning is the best firm for arranging your party.

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Last year, I woke up in Paris. One of my best friends made the flight to join me. We explored, we learned, we laughed, we grew (apart). When I look back on the past year, I wonder how it feels so long ago, and yet I haven’t got that much to show for it. I’ve made new friends, lost old ones, loved, cried, succeeded triumphantly, and failed miserably. I’ve buried old hatchets, returned to old wounds, created rituals, and ditched bad habits. Maybe if I measured my year in the minute changes rather than extravagant events, I’d see just how far I’ve actually come.For more information, visit RockstarzLimo.com.

I’d planned to awake again in another time zone, but I realized last year how much I’d missed spending my birthday with all of the people who mean more than anything to me on a day to day basis. I wanted to be surrounded by the people who truly make my life whole just by being there. I wanted to have a chance to thank them for helping me navigate this thing called life.

And while it was fun to FaceTime them from France eating baguettes braless, I’d rather do it in person.

Why Did You Wear That: Vive La Poncho

By admin|January 19th, 2016|Beauty & Trends, Why Did You Wear That?|

As someone who is currently wondering, who the f#*& snuck into my apartment while I was out and shrunk all of my pants in the commercial driers downstairs, I completely understand the post holiday bloat. Too much drinking, too many late nights, slacking on those workouts, and allowing for one (hundred) too many cheat days, has left me giving new meaning to the term “skinny jeans.” While the seams of my jeans hold on for dear life until I’ve managed to get my life back under control, I’ve taken to hiding my holiday leftovers in clever ways that don’t include Tupperware. That’s right, it’s been a little while since I’ve sported a crop top and turns out, it’s not necessary to carb load when you aren’t training for a marathon.

One way that is conveniently cozy during this altogether dismal time of year, is draping oneself in what is called a “poncho.”

Now, ponchos have gotten a bit of a bad rap over the last, say, hundred thirty years, but the ponchos of present are anything but unkempt. Great to wear for travel as well as for covering up those leggings on your way to Pilates, ladies- ponchos are the answer to all of our overeating. I also love a poncho for lounging lackadaisically around the apartment on winter weekends while I scroll through Netflix for the hundred thousandth time wondering why it’s only suggesting I watch movies with tragic titles and strong female leads. Because the Snuggie isn’t appropriate for public consumption and you haven’t yet reduced yourself to sweatpants, check out these alternative options in the form of ponchos.

1. Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen Colorblock Poncho, 2. Madewell Border Cape Scarf, 3. Vince Cashmere Poncho, 4. Mara Hoffman Knit Cape, 5. Rag & Bone Devon Poncho, 6. Barbajada Fringed Cashmere Scarf, 7. Burberry Prorsum Colorblock Cashmere Poncho, 8. Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Scarf Poncho, 9. DKNY Asymmetric Fringed Poncho, 10. 3.1 phillip lim Fringe Poncho