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WhyDid Wisdom: When Your Fixer Upper Becomes a Human Wrecking Ball

By |July 11th, 2013|WhyDid Wisdom|

open cage doorHi. My name’s Kirsten and I love to save things. That’s right, I’m the girl who found just about any and all types of stray animals and wanted to keep them. Wild bunnies, frogs, lizards, birds, and even hermit crabs—you name it, it was coming home with me. I’m the girl who brought in her rescued baby squirrels to third grade show and tell. Yes, squirrels. Some might say I have a penchant for rescuing things, taking in the lost and forlorn. My parents were certain I’d become a veterinarian… or zookeeper. I probably would have had it not been for ninth grade biology and that whole dissection of a frog thing. Well, turns out the same little blonde who fed baby bunnies with an eyedropper when she was eight graduated to her own species as she got older.

Without fail, I seem to find those who are wounded, lost, or troubled for friendships as well as romantic relationships. I don’t seek out the wayward and wandering, but without fail, that’s who I find. It concerns me they say, “like attracts like” because if that’s the case, I must be completely insane. Whether it be an alcoholic, narcissist, schizophrenic or sociopath (I specialize in sociopaths), I’ve opened up my home and heart to all sorts of human personality defects. After many tears, broken hearts and promises, I started to realize my pattern. Admission is the first step in the road to recovery, you know. After my last breakup and a “pal” who couldn’t seem to pull it together, I made a mental note to be more wary of those telltale red flags.

So when my dear friend, ironically the same one who introduced me to my ex-fiancé– which should’ve been my first clue– brought me to a SuperBowl party hosted by another one of her friends, I wasn’t expecting to meet anyone of dateable interest. As our gracious host came over to introduce himself, I found myself attracted to his boyish charm mixed with nonchalance. My friend must have seen the glimmer in my eye because she immediately put her hand on my arm and warned me, “He’s not your future husband, but he’s definitely a good time.” What sealed the deal for me was his reaction to a gaggle of bitchy girls foreign to the East Village who pitched a full fledged fit over his inability to switch the sound from the evening’s playlist (bonus points for a shared love of gangster rap) to Beyonce’s halftime performance. Somehow phone numbers were exchanged and so began the dysfunction.

Heeding my friend’s warning, I hadn’t taken things very seriously. It all started off as some kind of joke. A form of entertainment for me and my girlfriends. I shrugged off the 3am dinner invitation. We laughed about the 13 missed calls ranging from 2 until 7am. The nonsensical text messages that poured in well past my self imposed curfew were topic of discussion over frittatas and mimosas. The strange promises that we’d some day be taking our children to Epcot seemed like silly ramblings, but somewhere along the way, I fell for this little lost bird. And I fell hard.

Sure, his clothes never quite matched, but in the most endearing manner. I never knew what he had been doing all night or where he’d spent the evening doing it. I couldn’t be certain where he’d be the next day or when I’d hear from him next. We could barely make it through brunch without a minor to moderate meltdown. But as I looked at him lying in my perfectly pristine white bed, long lashes, perfect teeth, floppy brown curls, and long limbs, I was hooked. The moment he walked out of my door with an inaudible adieu, my heart ached. I wanted more. And the cycle repeated. Over and over again.

After one particular raucous evening out, one might say that I could be labeled as “intoxicated.” Let’s not play Mary Magdalene, we’ve all been there. The problem was when we returned back to my apartment, my little lost bird said to me, “Maybe we should hang out some other time when you’re– less wasted.” The tables had turned. The caretaker had become the responsibility, the charge. I awoke the next day not only feeling hungover, but confused, hurt. How could someone who I’d been not only tolerant but nurturing of, turn his back on me in my time of need? That’s the pattern though. In a functional relationship, partners take turns with the ups and downs. As a zookeeper, you’re always going to be making sure the elephants have clean water and the tigers have fresh meat. They won’t bother worrying about if and when you take your lunch break or how you slept last night. To be a successful zookeeper, you need to make sure you’ve taken care of yourself before you take a step into the lion’s den, otherwise you’ll become their lunch.

And so, painful as it was, I had to let my little lost bird go, at least until I could reconfigure my own wellbeing. I can’t lie, however. If a hippopotamus with a sprained ankle and narcotics dependency showed up tomorrow, I’d make room in my queen size bed for him to recover. This time, I’ll just make sure my own deficiencies are handled first.

 

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Red Carpet Recap: Requirements Were Met.

By |May 7th, 2013|Celebrity Style, Red Carpet Recap|

Julie Macklowe in Zang Toi, Zandra Rhodes, Madonna in Givenchy, Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles Deacon

Since 1948 the Metropolitan Museum of Art has hosted the Met Ball (also known as the Costume Institute Ball) to fete the opening of the fashion exhibit at the Costume Institute.  Every year, the event has a theme that attendees are encouraged to channel with their chosen attire.  This year’s theme was deemed Punk: Chaos to Couture and that got the fashion world in a bit of a tizzy.  A stripped down rock starting between 1974 and 1976 characterized by DIY principles and sub-culture rooted in anti-establishment and rebellious youth, would fashion’s elite really relate to the theme seeing as some of them hadn’t even been conceived when punk was present?  The red carpet proved to be a bit of a crap shoot, which was made especially apparent when Hailee Steinfeld referenced Avril Lavigne as “punk.”

Some ladies played it subtle by simply accessorizing with studded jewelery or faux-hawk coifs.  Dramatic dark smokey eyes and deep berry lips were also favored on the red carpet.  But the real stars of the red carpet were the women who really went for it.  Anne Hathaway went full blown blonde, SJP sported an exquisite mohawk headpiece by Philip Treacy, and Madonna said, “to hell with pants!” in Givenchy.  Rooney Mara, Nina Dobrev, and Minka Kelly were the perfect mesh of modern and punk embracing the look in sexy lace and smoldering makeup.  While Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, and Amanda Seyfried were stunning, they veered to the side of safe.  Which can’t be said for some like Coco in Emanuel Ungaro, a tie dyed Elle Fanning, and a seemingly confused Olsen twin.  And I’m left wondering if some of these ladies didn’t get the memo or are just party poopers who simply ignored the theme altogether.

So, who got punk and who got punk’d?

Perfectly Punk:

met gala 2013 red carpet best dressedDonatella Versace, Anne Hathaway in Valentino, Rooney Mara in Givenchy, Lauren Santo Domingo in Dolce & Gabbana, Minka Kelly in Carolina Herrera

Miranda Kerr in Michael Kors, Emma Watson in Prabal Gurung, Dakota Fanning in Rodarte, Carolyn Murphy in Nina Ricci, Allison Williams in Altuzarra

Punky Pants:

Kristen Stewart in Stella McCartney, Nina Dobrev in Monique Lhuillier, Jaime King in TopShop, Jessica Biel in Giambattista Valli

How Supermodels Do Punk:

Karolina Kurkova in Mary Katrantzou, Gisele Bundchen in Anthony Vaccarello, Anja Rubik in Anthony Vaccarello, Cara Delevigne in Burberry, Brooklyn Decker in Peter Pilotto

Punk Princesses:

Julianne Hough in TopShop, Taylor Swift in J. Mendel, Blake Lively in Gucci, Gwen Stefani in Maison Martin Margiela, Amanda Seyfried in vintage Givenchy

Pretty, but not Punk:

Gwyneth Paltrow in Valentino, Anna Wintour in Chanel, Kate Upton in Diane von Furstenberg, Kate Beckinsdale in Alberta Ferretti, Heidi Klum in Marchesa

 Pieces of Punk:

Jaime King, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Lawrence

Emmy Rossum, Sienna Miller, Jessica Alba

You’ve Been Punk’d:

Ashley Olsen in Dior, Elle Fanning in Rodarte, Miley Cyrus in Marc Jacobs, Nicole Richie in TopShop, Nora Zehetner in Marchesa

Coco Rocha in Emanuel Ungaro, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Gucci, Christina Ricci in Vivienne Westwood, Beyonce in Givenchy

Who were your favorites?

xx,

WhyDid

 

Why Did You Wear That: Put a Ring (or Two) On It

By |February 12th, 2013|Why Did You Wear That?|

They say there is no such thing as too much of a good thing… and while that may be debatable in some instances like cologne, when it comes to jewelry, I simply must agree.  Beyonce told us, if you like, you should put a ring on it… and really, who’s going to argue with Beyonce?  So my thinking is the more you like it, the more rings you should put on it, right?  Right.  So, I have taken to stacking several rings on my right ring finger and as of late it would appear that one ring is just not enough for us, ladies.

above the knuckle ringsWe are doubling, tripling, and quadrupling the rings on our fingers from index to pinky to knuckle.  One especially popular place to put a ring is right above the knuckle in delicate bands.  Many jewelry designers are making this trend quite simple by crafting offerings with multiple pieces so you can let everyone know just how much you like it.  And by “it,” I mean you.

knuckle rings1. Esteban Cortazar by Alican Icoz Gold Plated Double Ring, $370, 2. SunaharA Malibu Suna Ring Set, $88, 3. Jacquie Aiche Smooth Double Chain Ring, $132, 4. Maison Martin Margiela Set of 4 Bronze Knuckleduster Rings, $440, 5. Jules Smith Edie Knuckle Ring, $65, 6. Maison Martin Margiela Stacked Ring, $380, 7. Bing Bang Teardrop Mixed Ring Set, $98, 8. Low Luv by Erin Wasson Double Finger Ring, $69, 9. Elodie K Extended Gold Chain Double Ring, $874, 10. Made Her Think Double Wire Chain Ring, $154

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Hut, Set, Who Cares…

By |January 28th, 2013|Setting the Mood|

what to wear to the superbowlWhether you like it or not, the Super Bowl cometh.  I’m on team “Or not.”  Doesn’t matter which team you’re rooting for… hold on… had to ask who’s playing… be it San Francisco or Baltimore, you will have to come to terms with the fact that 90+% of the American male population will be glued to the TV come Sunday and you can either book that weekend away with the girls, or get on board with the boys.  I’m on hold with the Four Seasons as we speak, but should you find yourself stuck at a pigskin party, you may as well get in the spirit of the game.  That would require one to dress the part.  Don’t bother wasting your time with heels, but please, heaven almighty, don’t be that girl wearing a football jersey.  Another option that gives the illusion you care?  Wear a cute and cozy top in your team’s color(s).  Should you despise both teams, just wear black or a color that has absolutely nothing to do with the game… like pink.  Distressed denim, designer sneaks, and a whistle accessory just for fun will complete your game day getup.

superbowl clothing colors what to wear Splendid Cotton Modal Jersey Top, $50, Rag & Bone Skinny Jeans, $198, Agent Provocateur Crystal Whistle Necklace, $330, Burberry High Top Leather Sneakers, $425, Vince Double V Tee, $62.50

Someone pass me the queso.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Pants Off, Dance Off

By |October 21st, 2012|Celebrity Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

erin heatherton bergdorfWelp, I guess we’re not wearing pants anymore.  Here’s the lovely Erin Heatherton at Bergdorf’s 111th Anniversary party… wearing (or not wearing) a Jason Wu creation (he’s pictured here with her).

Earlier this week, I posted this photo of Lea Michele on WhyDid’s Facebook page.  Also not wearing pants.  And earlier this year, the beautiful Beyonce was also seen wearing a pantless wonder at the Met Gala.  So, is this a thing now?  If so, I’ll dust off my leotards right now.  I’ve been looking for a good reason for a bikini wax.  You think Lady Gaga is laughing somewhere?  I mean, she started it.

Keep your pants on.

xx,

WhyDid