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Why Did You Wear That: Vive La Poncho

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

poncho paris whydid

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.”

fucking_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.

ponchos fall 2015 trends1. 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

 

Setting the Mood: Fall to the Wall

By |November 11th, 2015|Setting the Mood|

fall fashion inspirationFall means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.  There’s the stereotypical “pumpkin spiced” everything, the homecoming to reality from a summer of revelry, or just merely time to switch out your closet full of croptops for cashmere sweaters.  For me, it always feels like it’s time to buckle down and start taking myself more seriously, which usually lasts for only a few days at a time before I find myself giving way to bad habits or curled up like a recluse, engulfed in a pile of books.  Repeat cycle.

For most New Yorkers, fall is one of the few seasons during the year in which we actually enjoy the weather, erratic as it may be.  We’re done complaining about the heat, we haven’t yet begun to bitch about the frozen sidewalk tundra, and there’s almost something enchanting about that slight chill in the air.  It gives the fleeting feeling that maybe, just maybe something magical is right around the corner.  But much like all love affairs, there comes a chill wherein one must remember why she fell in love in the first place and vow to soldier on- even in the snow.

Beauty Buzz: CLEAR SCALP & HAIR™

By |September 8th, 2015|Beauty & Trends, Beauty Buzz, Sponsored Post|

kirsten smith clear scalp hair whydidEven though the official start of fall isn’t until September 23rd, Labor Day often feels like the end of summer and the transition from fun in the sun to back to school and back to reality.  Goodbye, cabana.  Hello, cubicle.  We swap out our skimpy suits for sweaters and our pedicures become irrelevant, hidden under closed toed brogues and boots.  Even our beauty routines must morph.  CLEAR SCALP & HAIR™ has a developed a line to aid in the conversion consisting of nourishing shampoos and conditioners that are designed to address various hair and scalp needs. If you are dealing with hair loss find an expert in hair loss to help you. Usually, hair loss also causes thinning in the hair which makes it look like a person has lost more hair than they have in reality. I personally use hot rollers during this time of the year as these are good providing a thick look of the hair and also as they make the hair look bouncy  . Like skin, weather can also have a strong effect on our scalps. As seasons change so do our skin cells and hair cycle – in fact, studies have shown that seasonality can cause shedding especially in fall.clear scalp and hairCLEAR SCALP & HAIR™ Intense Hydration Nourishing Shampoo and Nourishing Daily Conditioner deliver the following benefits:

  • Hair is resilient to dryness for 24 hours of soft, hydrated hair
  • Infused with cactus extract, a known hydrator
  • Clinically proven to help replenish the scalp with essential hydration with regular use
  • Leaves hair beautifully strong from root to tip
  • Formulated with Nutrium 10™, an advanced moisture complex of vitamins and nutrients including vitamins B5, C & E, sunflower, almond, soybean & coconut oils, glycerin & aloe vera

kirsten smith whydid clear scalp and hairAs I spent an entire afternoon weeding through my closet and tossing things I hadn’t worn in ages (and maybe shouldn’t have ever worn) to make room for the new season’s latest acquisitions, I caught a glimpse of my hair in the mirror.  It was dull and a bit dry from all of summer’s fun.  Even my scalp was feeling the effects of too much sun, that is why itis important to always drink lots of water and to keep exercising.

It is essential to care for your scalp and hair with products designed to nourish and strengthen it – to ensure a healthy, full bodied head of hair. With fall on the horizon, you’ll want to put an emphasis on scalp care and start early, so your scalp and hair are ready for the transition ahead.  After a few uses of CLEAR SCALP & HAIR™ Intense Hydration Nourishing Shampoo and Nourishing Daily Conditioner, my hair regained some shine and a bit of bounce.  I had figured chopping my locks was going to be the only way to regain control of my mane, but post CLEAR SCALP & HAIR™, there’s not a pixie cut in my autumn forecast.  Now not only is my closet ready for fall, so is my hair.

kirsten smith whydid clear scalp hair

Photos by Skinny K

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Setting the Mood: Plaid to the Bone

By |November 17th, 2014|Setting the Mood, Why Did You Wear That?|

plaid fashion editorialAs seen as one of the trend’s for this winter’s must have coats, plaid is a pattern that hasn’t (and isn’t) going anywhere.  Houndstooth, Glenurquhart Check, Windowpane and Tatersall, whatever your check of choice, be certain to include it in your winter wardrobe.  One might think I’d be burnt out on plaid after being forced to wear it for a greater portion of my adolescence, but the opposite is true.  Perhaps it holds a bit of nostalgia, or maybe it’s just a pattern that really never goes out of style.  While it can be worn in the straightforward fashion of a flannel or frock, it also comes in an array of accessories and the truly bold may be able to pull of mixing multiple tartans at one time.

burberry rain boots plaid

Burberry Shearling Lined Checked Cotton Twill and Rubber BootsIsabel Marant Matt Plaid Linen and Wool Blend ScarfMarc by Marc Jacobs Top Schooly Printed Leather Shoulder BagEquipment Shane Plaid Intarsia Wool Sweater

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Falling for You

By |September 15th, 2014|Setting the Mood|

fasll fashion editorial 2014In one week, it will officially be autumn… as well as two of my favorite men’s birthday.  Technically, it’s still summer, but the weather has taken a turn and the inevitable chill is in the air.  As a matter of fact, as I type this with my window cracked, I can actually smell what epitomizes fall to me.  When it’s not the skin melting heat of summer or the bone chilling frost of winter, the weather in Manhattan is nothing short of magical.  Spring and fall, while both way too short, are reminders to residents as to why we tolerate exorbitant rent, public urination, and unreliable transportation.  Start stashing your swimsuits and pull out your sweaters from the bins under your bed.  Enjoy the brief pause that is fall and brace yourselves for what the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting to be one wild winter.

fall 2014 accessoriesSaint Laurent Metallic Leopard Print Woven Scarf, Carolina Amato Fingerless Knit and Leather Gloves, The Elder Statesman It’s A Bunny Echo Cashmere Beanie, Alexander Wang Cara Colorblock booties with Haircalf Trim

xx,

Whydid