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Why Did You Wear That: Don’t Rain on My Parade

By |July 21st, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

nyc whydid palazzo pantsThis summer’s weather has been just about as unpredictable as my mood.  One moment hot, one moment cold.  The sun is scorching your skin one day.  The next you can’t find an umbrella big enough to protect you from full body saturation.  If you enjoy this unpredictability, maybe we should date– or maybe you should talk to a shrink.  Anyhow, when it came time to shoot last week, the talented Michael Stiegler had only a small window of time to snap before the sun went down.  As it happened, that was the exact same time Mother Nature decided she was going to open up the flood gates and water the flowers.  The upside of my sometimes scattered moods is that I tend to adapt well to what might seem like unsavory obstacles.  Rather than postpone for a day without rain, we grabbed an umbrella, headed to the roof and proceeded to make the best of a soggy situation.  And much like many of our more impromptu photoshoots, we came up with images that were surprisingly good.  Life lesson?  When it rains, dance.

raining new york umbrella

whydid nyc kirsten smith

kirsten smith blog why did

wide leg printed pants

new york rooftop rain

nyc skyline printed pantstop: Brandy Melville, similar by Miguelina here, pants: Brandy Melville, similar by Free People here, bag: vintage Dooney & Bourke, similar here, shoes: Via Spiga, similar by Pour la Victoire here, umbrella: Dr. Kenet, similar by Marc by Marc Jacobs here, bracelets: Alex + Ani

xx,

WhyDid

Photos by Michael Stiegler

 

Why Did You Wear That: Up on the Roof

By |July 24th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithWhen I walked out of my grey carpeted, grey walled, grey everything office on my last day of work, I knew I never wanted to be stuck in a corporate cubicle ever again.  Ever.  I started WhyDid while working that 9-5 (more like 8-8) job and made it my priority a year later.  Sure, I wrote my first book at age ten, but I hadn’t even realized how much I enjoyed writing until over ten years later.  I’ve now been fortunate enough to turn something I love to do, into what I do for a living.

While not having to report to an office sure has its perks (like wine at lunch), working from home can become pretty isolating.  I don’t have to get dressed or even shower before making it from my bed to my computer.  I don’t need to come in contact with humans on a daily basis if I don’t want to.  And it’s fairly easy to get totally sidetracked.  I have a beautiful apartment, but staring at the same four walls day in and day out can be less than inspiring.  Luckily, I have a very special creative oasis just an elevator ride away.  Arguably, I have one of the best rooftops in Manhattan.  I can see in all directions, and being by the water allows for a little breeze, which is crucial during these oppressively hot summer days.  I mean, there’s even WiFi.  My only complaint?  No electrical outlets, which only allows me to work for as long as my batteries will last.  So, management, if you’re reading this…

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smitty

kirsten smithtop: Brandy Melville (similar), shorts: Brandy Melville (similar), sunglasses: Ray-Ban, bracelets: Alex and Ani, necklace: Nina Nguyen, shoes: Charles David, bag: Diane von Furstenberg (similar), dog: Smitty

Rough day at the office.

xx,

WhyDid

Photo credit: Michael Stiegler