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Would You Wednesday: Photoshop Foolery

By Kirsten|February 15th, 2012|Why Did or Why Don't?|

What a year it’s been for Adele. This 23 year old British songbird has taken home six Grammy’s and scored her first American Vogue cover… and it’s only February. I’m not sure what is going to have to happen for her year to get much better. A pony perhaps?

I’m an avid Vogue reader and I have so much respect for Anna Wintour and the team at Vogue, but I would be downright insulted to see my face morphed into what is considered “acceptable” rather than the beautiful creation it already is. There’s no denying this is a beautiful woman. Those eyes! Those lips! She didn’t really need any high tech help to look gorgeous. That’s why I would be pretty bummed out to see what was once my face staring back at me in the supermarket checkout line.

Finally young girls have a female role model who receives praise strictly from talent and hard work rather than flashing crotch to paparazzi and partying all night. Yet, here she is being “shaped” into a size that’s more palatable for the fashion elite. What are we trying to tell people? Especially women?

To act like Adele is the first and only celebrity to be Photoshopped to within an inch of her life on the cover of Vogue or any other glossy would be totally naive (Remember the Ralph Lauren scandal?). 90% of what we see in magazines or in ads is not real. It frustrates me to hear my friends and other females get so down on themselves about how they look and how they wish they were a little thinner or a little taller or a little bit more perfect because they’re comparing themselves to unrealistic standards.

I once received a photo of myself that had been Photoshopped. After I got over the initial, “Wow!” moment, I immediately felt depressed. My lips were fuller, my nose was straighter, my blue eyes more blue. I realized that this was how I’m supposed to look… if I was perfect, of course. But I’m not. And no one (not even Adriana Lima) is. We all have flaws and those flaws are what make us unique. It’s time to start embracing those instead of letting them alienate us.

Cindy Crawford was once quoted as saying, “Even I don’t wake up looking like Cindy Crawford.” I think that’s such a wonderful and honest thing to say. Maybe if more celebrities, magazines, and brands eased up on the “healing tool” and stopped “transforming” everything, we might alleviate a lot of low self esteem and bad body images.

So what do you think? Have magazines, advertisements, and fashion houses gotten out of hand with creating perfect specimens? Would you like women to start looking more like… themselves?

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: No Grey Area

By Kirsten|February 14th, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

For those who don’t know me, it may seem strange that my favorite colors are black and white (since black and white aren’t technically considered “colors”). Much like I try to live my life, I also like my palette to be very black and white. I do love color very much, but there is something so crisp, so clean, and so refreshing about bold black and white patterns. Whether it be stripes, dots, florals, geometric shapes, or just something totally abstract, I can’t get enough of these opposite shades. From my clothing, to our home decor, black and white rule my world. The best part of using black and white as your base? The ability to punch it up with just about any color as an accent.

I don’t want to tell Smitty, but he falls under this color scheme and it’s quite possible why I love him even more. His soft white fluffy fur set off by those big black eyes and little black dot of a nose make him absolutely perfect. He is my best accessory afterall. Want to incorporate some black and white into your life? Here are several options of how to do just that:

1. Karen Millen Graphic Stripe Coat, $550, 2. Brian Atwood Aura Polka Dot Calf Hair Sandals, $1,370, 3. Lanvin iPad Cover, $135, 4. Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses, $160, 5. Alice + Olivia High Striped High Waisted Pants, $242, 6. Equipment Star Print Washed Silk Crepe de Chine Shirt, $250, 7. Alexander Wang Prisma Biker Purse, $325, 8. Charlotte Olympia Striped Canvas Platform, $950, 9. Sandro Ciseau Two Tone Silk Blouse, $285

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Who Do You Love?

By Kirsten|February 14th, 2012|Gift Guide, Setting the Mood|

Happy Valentine’s Day, beauties. A consumer driven Hallmark holiday to some, just another reason to celebrate and indulge in all things love to others (like me). Give me a “holiday” involving chocolate, loads of affection, pretty lingerie and possibly something shiny and I’m in. How can one day encompass so many things that I adore? Who cares if cupid is a crock of… ? I’m celebrating.

In case you missed the G, PG-13, and R rated renditions, there’s still time to drop some hints or some dollars on something sweet and special. Never forget that the best gifts are those that are thoughtful. Whether you tuck a handwritten love note behind the pillow or make a favorite meal (in lingerie and heels, of course), it’s the little things that count… but a pair of Louboutins never hurt.

1. Zoe Chicco Love Necklace, $425, 2. Yves Saint Laurent Large Leather Clutch, $595, 3. La Fee Verte French Lace Bodysuit, $210, 4. Tom Binns Dumont Swarovski Crystal Drop Earrings, $250, 5. Kiki de Montparnasse Black Bondage Rope, $275, 6. NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Mascate, $25, 7. Graphic Image Goldtone Heart Diary, $39.95 , 8. Christian Louboutin Summerissima Criss Cross Sandals, $995

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Eat That: Fudge You

By Kirsten|February 13th, 2012|Recipes, Why Did You Eat That?|

There are two things about Valentine’s Day that go hand in hand… hearts and chocolate. Personally, I’m a fan of both, so I’m happy to share a way for you to combine them and delight yourself and those around you… okay, so maybe not your thighs. When home visiting my mom, we decided to whip up this tasty treat and to justify making fudge in mid January, I prefaced it by saying my readers would love this recipe and then came up with the brilliant idea of ditching the standard squares for happy little hearts. And if you think about it… this recipe could go on and on and on… bunnies for Easter, trees for Christmas, initials for engagements… If there’s a cookie cutter, there’s a way.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 sticks butter
3 cups sugar
1/2 tsp salt
5 cups mini marshmallows
12 oz (1 bag) semisweet chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Combine sugar, salt, butter, and evaporated milk.
Bring to a rolling boil.
Cook five minutes stirring constantly.
Remove from heat.
Add marshmallows, chocolate chips, and vanilla.
Stir until smooth.
Pour (with the help of a spatula) into a butter 9 x 13 inch pan.
Smooth evenly and allow to cool.
Use 1 inch heart shaped cookie cutter (eat your mistakes).

Now go fudge yourself.

xx,
WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Grammy Glory and Grammy Gross

By Kirsten|February 12th, 2012|Red Carpet Recap, Why Did You Wear That?|

You know, the Grammy’s always manage to get my blood boiling. Whether Lady Gaga is showing up as an egg or Snooki just shows up, it seems like this particular award show just causes everyone to lose their darn minds. This year was especially tragic due to the loss of the great Whitney Houston, and I expected a much more subdued, somber affair, but despite the abundance of (I suspect unintentional) black on the red carpet, it seems the night carried on as usual.

Oh- hey black dresses. I know that we all think you can’t go wrong in a little black dress (LBD), but it would appear that’s not always the case. Now, I know Rihanna’s Armani “collaboration” was a showstopper, but let’s be real, while not offensive, it’s also nothing that me or one of my sorority sisters didn’t don at one of our date parties. This slinky low cut number left me less than impressed. Anne V (beautiful arm candy to beau Adam Levine), proved that an LBD can be anything but tasteful. We get it, your gorgeous. Now please cover your crotch. However, Gwyneth Paltrow wowed in this tasteful yet unexpected Stella Mc Cartney. That, my friends, is how an LBD is done.

Without spending too much time on the red carpet (and my head and heart exploding), let’s just get down to business. Three ladies who I thought stole the show, or at least the red carpet, were Taylor Swift in Zuhair Murad and an unlikely chic bun updo (let’s forget about her Yeehaw Junction performace), Jessie J in Julien Macdonald, and Kelly Rowland in Alberta Ferretti. This is how you do elegant glamour.

And with the good must come the bad. While I have to say that I was blown away by the color and the detail of Fergie’s Jean Paul Gaultier get up, I had no interest in her oversized granny panties or “Grammies” as they were coined. It’s a bit age inappropriate (and eye inappropriate), but had she chosen nude, tonal, or metallic undergarments, I might have been slightly less offended. Katy Perry just needs to cut it out with her crazy colored hair (this combination has me thinking she’s gunning for a Smurfs sequel), and this Elie Saab dress leaves me longing for that ridiculous light up number she sported. The most offensive by far, however, was Nicki Minaj in Versace. I don’t care if you showed up with the pope. This look will have you saying Hail Mary’s from now until eternity. Why don’t you and Gaga just have a “weird off” and see who can outdo each other once and for all. Kind of like a dance off with clothes.

Nonetheless, the Grammy’s was full of fantastic performances and plenty of fun… and while my blood pressure may have peaked… I’m certain I will tune in again next year just to get another glimpse of crazy.

xx,

WhyDid

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