WhyDid.com

The List Volume LXIII

By Kirsten|January 6th, 2012|The List|

Just as time marches on, so do the lists. You didn’t think that 2012 would be any less annoying than years past, did you? With the onslaught of new reality TV, celebutards, and fashion delinquents, the best is yet to come. Bring it on 2012!

Bubble Lounge. This may very well be one of the worst places in New York City.
Rainboots in the airport. Call me an optimist, but I think you, me and Terminal B are in the clear as far as rain showers are concerned.
Magazine covers that are so photoshopped I have to actually read the headlines to figure out who the covergirl is.
People who post photos of other people who could look like them (with enough photo filters and if I squint my eyes) and pretend it’s them. That’s just weird.
Kanye West. Just please stop talking… and tweeting.
People who think they are funny. Mostly because people who think they’re funny usually aren’t.
Season 5 of Jersey Shore. Seriously, are we still doing this? Is there even anything left to smush?
Can we stop speaking like valley girls and using abbreviations for everything? OMG, that’s AMAZE, obvs!
There are so many problems with this video (and yes, it’s for real). First of which: muffins and cupcakes are not the same thing. (Thanks, Cat).
ESPN commentators apparently need some geography lessons… not to mention some practice in current events seeing as they don’t know where West Virginia is, nor do they know who Michelle Obama is. As a matter of fact, all on air media personalities should probably do their homework before speaking. Don’t just talk for the sake of talking.

xx,
WhyDid

Beauty Buzz: I Don’t Want No Scrub

By Kirsten|January 5th, 2012|Beauty Buzz|

Now that it’s 2012, let’s go ahead and slough off all of what’s left of 2011. Winter weather has a tendency to wreak havoc on our delicate dermis. At some point during the darkest (and coldest) season of the year, you will come to the realization that moisturizer just isn’t going to cut it. Rather than go on looking like the alligator from a Lubriderm commercial, why not rid yourself of those frisky skin flakes? Take matters (literally) into your own hands by exfoliating everything from your face to your feet. Here are a few of my favorites to get you off to a smooth start:

1.Bliss Super Slough Scrub, $34, 2. StriVectin Instant Retexturizing Scrub, $29, 3. Fresh Brown Sugar Lip Polish, $22.50, 4. Deborah Lippmann Soul Mission Grapefruit Foot Scrub, $38, 5. Homedics Massaging Shower Loofah, $9.99

Don’t forget to moisturize your newfound glow with a thick nourishing moisturizer. Don’t you look fresh?

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: NY State of Mind

By Kirsten|January 3rd, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Nothing is stranger than returning to the city that you love as a tourist. This past weekend, I was back in the Big Apple, but no longer as a resident of the best city in the world. Though I did stay at The Standard only a stone’s throw away from my last apartment, it was so peculiar to be just another person visiting New York City. I haven’t even been gone an entire year (I gave up my apartment last January), but things have already changed (there’s now a Sephora on the corner of 13th and 9th. Do you KNOW how much better this would have made my life?).

As bittersweet as my visit was, I still love New York City unlike another other city. There is something so magical, so indescribable, that one must experience it to truly understand it. While it’s not for everyone, the people who it affects, will be affected forever. There is just something that gets under your skin and you’ll never ever be able to shake it. As much as you may tire of the hustle, bustle, and constant struggle, you’d miss it if you were to be transplanted elsewhere. I can certainly attest to that.

So when spending the afternoon at a ballet in the city, what else should one don but basic black? Now, we all know that black is the New York uniform, but how do you do it without being boring? Try mixing different textures to add depth and definition. Mix leather or coated denim with something sheer, shiny accessories and a fishtail braid for a truly city chic look.

1. Theyskens’ Theory Black Button Down Sheer Blouse, $385, 2. 7 For All Mankind The Skinny in Black Shiny Featherweight, $169, 3. J Weber Etched Starburst Locket, $475, 4. Alex & Ani Nile Expandable Wire Bangles, $158, 5. Steve Madden Outrrage Black Leather Bootie, $189.95

It’s up to you New York…

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Eat That: Ballin’

By Kirsten|January 2nd, 2012|New York, Recipes, Why Did You Eat That?|

Okay, so many of you have probably vowed to spend 2012 in the gym working off all those winter pounds you acquired while hibernating… and while that’s all good and fine, let’s be serious. You will probably last at the gym for about a week (two tops) before going back to your old ways. And well, that’s okay. Promises are made to be broken, right? Okay, okay. You should keep your promises, but if you happen to have a cheat day and are craving a bit of comfort food, I have the perfect little place (and recipe) to do just that.

The Meatball Shop with three locations in New York, is exactly what it sounds like. A restaurant serving up meatballs with little fuss and lots of flavor. With a straightforward menu (checboxes included), there are plenty of options without being overwhelming. While I opted for a classic meatball hoagie, you could order anything from naked balls, to sliders, to spaghetti with meatballs. There is something to to please everyone’s palate. A small venue that doesn’t take reservations draws in celebrities and locals alike.

Can’t make it into the shop? Here’s a recipe to make your own balls. (Their cookbook is now also available for purchase here):

Ingredients:

2 tbs olive oil
4 tbs unsalted butter
1/3 cup Franks Redhot Sauce (or your favorite hot sauce)
1 lb ground chicken (preferably thigh meat)
1 large egg
1/2 celery stalk, minced
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tsp salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450. Drizzle the olive oil into a 9×13 inch baking dish and use your hands to evenly coat the entire surface. Set aside.
Combine the butter and hot sauce in a small saucepan, and cook over low heat, whisking until the butter is melted and fully incorporated. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for 10 minutes.
Combine the ground chicken, hot sauce mixture, egg, celery, bread crumbs, and salt in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated.
Roll the mixture into round, 3/4 inch balls, making sure to pack the meat firmly. Place the balls in the prepared baking dish, being careful to line them up snugly and in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid. The meatballs should be touching one another.
Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm and cooked through. A meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should read 165 degrees.
Allow the meatballs to cool for 5 minutes in the baking dish before serving.
Serve with blue cheese (or ranch) dressing.

Nice balls.
xx,
WhyDid

The List Volume 2012

By Kirsten|December 30th, 2011|The List|

As the years go by, they seem to pass faster and faster. I really can’t believe how quickly this year went by. A good way to revisit and remember 2011 was by going back through all of WhyDid’s posts and choosing my favorites. I figured it would be pretty easy cause I couldn’t have possibly written more than 12 posts that were awesome… but it proved much more difficult than anticipated.

Throughout the year, we uncovered trends, divulged our dating secrets, re-vamped our closets and poked fun at silly celebrities. We covered everything from ombre hair to top knots to matzo ball soup to Lana Del Rey. It was a busy year, yet somehow, some way, I was able to pick out twelve of my favorite posts from this year to ring in 2012.