Holiday Party | WhyDid.com

Weekend Playlist: I’m Festive, Ok?

By Kirsten|December 21st, 2013|Weekend Playlist|

It should not be news to you by now that I do not enjoy Christmas music. I just don’t, alright? You think that makes me a Scrooge? Well, I also despise ugly Christmas sweater parties, Secret Santas, and candy canes. I’m a horrible human being, I know. Shock of all shocks, I have a hard time stomaching any and all things that have been universally commercialized. I’m not completely heartless though. I do like some of the things that surround Christmas, like spending time with your family and loved ones, festive cocktails, and mistltoe. Big fan of mistletoe.

But because I know that many (okay, most) of you do love all things Christmas and are more likely than not in the midst of sucking down a candy cane embellished cup of eggnog wearing hideous holiday knitwear just itching to deck the halls to some Christmas carols, I’ve put together a mix of the poppiest Christmas songs on the planet. Because if we’re going down this route, let’s go big, loud, and cheesy. While some of you prefer the classics, nothing says holiday cheer like Silent Night sung by Boyz II Men.

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Good LRD (Little Red Dress)

By Kirsten|December 13th, 2013|Friday Frocks|

Since most people wouldn’t consider black and white really “colors” per se, I guess I would venture to call red my favorite color- along with ballet pink and sometimes a frosty violet. That said, there is no better time of year to slip into a crimson creation and strut your stuff all over town… or at least every holiday party where your ex and his new (definitely not as cute or sophisticated as you) arm candy may potentially be this season. We’ve all (hopefully) secured a LBD and perhaps even LWD, but now it’s time to kick things up a notch in a LRD. From fire engine red to oxblood to shades of tomato, there is sure to be a LRD that will suit everyone whether porcelain blonde or exotic brunette. Take your pick.

1. Tibi Serpentine Wrap Effect Satin Gown, 2. Forever 21 Bold Moves Bodycon Dress, 3. Bec & Bridge Reversible Rib V Dress, 4. For Love & Lemons Velvet Anna Dress, 5. Rag & Bone Geneva Dress, 6. Miu Miu Open-back Cady Dress, 7. Forever 21 Daring Cutout Bodycon Dress, 8. Mason by Michelle Mason Leather & Lace Shift Dress, 9. Alice + Olivia Runie Leather Trimmed Crepe Maxi Dress, 10. Motel Venus Cold Shoulder Bodycon Dress

Is grey a color?

xx,

WhyDid

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Guest Post (and a Giveaway!): Mermaids Make Memories

By Kirsten|December 24th, 2012|Guest Blogger, WhyDid Wisdom|

A couple of weeks ago, I headed uptown to toast my dear friend, party planner extraordinaire, Hilary Pereira of Mermaids and Martinis fame, at a book signing at Christofle on Madison Avenue (think Tiffany’s… but French). Not only was she signing her first book (of many to come, I’m sure), she was doling out some of the best holiday party tips out there… so good, in fact, I couldn’t keep them to myself. So, I asked Hilary if she’d be so kind as to share her favorite holiday hosting tips with you. For Hilary, a party is all about creating a memory and here are a few of her favorite ways to get into the spirit of the season in her own words:

“Trim the Holiday Chaos”

The holidays can cause some major nail-biting moments between family drama, overnight visits, and breaking the bank on holiday shopping. Instead of stressing out before Santa’s visit, here are a few simple tricks to trim the chaos. When hosting a soiree, why worry about mailing paper invites? A great website like “Paperless Post” includes beautifully designed evites that you can customize from the envelope liners to the stamps. Enlist a couple of Hostess Helpers! This could include hiring staff depending on your budget or assigning a few friends to stay on top of some key elements during your party like checking in on the kids, peeking into the bathroom once in a while to make sure it is fully stocked, or helping you to snap a few, or even answering the door while you are busy mingling. And, lastly, but most importantly as the host, be responsible for your energy! A positive hostess is a magnet for positive guests and vice versa!

Signature Bubbly Bar

I love hosting a signature cocktail, but during the holiday season, I like to expand on this by creating a champagne bubbly bar. Use champange or Prosecco depending on budget…invest in a few different bottles of champagne/Prosecco and then host small bowls of garnishes–raspberries, cherries, blueberries and essences that you can drop into the drinks. Your guests will feel like they are creating their own signature drink. PS: Always serve a mocktail for those who are not imbibing or those who are driving!

Go beyond the Pointsetta!

Winter flowers are beautiful and this season’s blooms are easy to create memorable centerpieces–you can even dress them up to add some sparkle to your table with fabric or sequins. Some of the most popular blooms of the season are amaryllis, Star of Bethlehem, orchids, evergreens, mums, snowballs and holly berry. Or, go outside, collect some fir leaves, pinecones, fallen leaves and go crazy with spraypaint. I love using silver spraypaint and flocking these elements with fake snow. But, this year, I used a gold leaf paint which looked beautiful on just on the tips of pinecones and fir leaves.

Traditions with a Twist

It’s fun to create new twists on old traditions. Instead of a traditional tree trimming party, You could host a White Elephant party where everyone brings a surprise gift and you host a “Swap” or one themed “Winter Woodland” where decor consists of faux fur throws, lots of woodsy, pine scented candles, serve your cocktails out of mini steel thermoses and create a buffet of camp-fire comfort food and a dessert S’mores bar. You could also host a “Destination Celebration” by creating a whole other country or place in your home. You can also have camp fire with awesome fire wood available at https://www.xn--dkbrnde-pxa.dk. If you live in chilly Maine, host a Tropical Christmas Luau, or, if you live in sunny Florida, host an Aspen Apres-ski party to switch things up a bit!!

New Year’s Eve: Countdown Cocktails

Purchase a few cheap plastic stopwatches and tie them around the stems of glasses–they will all sound off at Midnight in concert–OR, host a Time Traveler party and set your iPad or an alarm clock to sound off every hour from the minute your party begins through Midnight–every time the alarm goes off, you and your guests can celebrate what part of the world/country just entered into the New Year–AND, introduce a new food element or cocktail based on that country (example: When France begins their NewYear, serve a round of Kir Royales, Japan, bring out a sushi platter or fortune cookies with personalized messages, etc.)

LAST BUT NOT LEAST–An event is an opportunity to find out what these ‘holidays’ really mean to you.

As a hostess, make your guests feel honored, loved, welcomed and appreciated. Although it truly is of the utmost importance for me to host an event with a beautiful aesthetic and great food and drink–when we have one moment to come together (for some people just once a year), hosting an event should always circle back to what is most important, the people in your life, and that special time you have to toast in good health and to another year. As the host, own that, and pay it forward.

And as if, Hilary didn’t already just do us a solid with all of these fabulous party ideas, she is also going to give away a signed copy of her book, Mermaids and Martinis: Turn Your Party Into a Memory to one lucky winner! All you need to do is follow WhyDid and Mermaids and Martinis on Twitter and retweet this message for your chance to score a book chocked full of SO many more amazing party planning tips, tricks, and ideas.

Good luck and happy hosting!

xx,

WhyDid

Beauty Buzz: False Advertising?

By Kirsten|December 22nd, 2011|Beauty Buzz|

A funny thing happened on the way to this blog. I was so obsessed with this mascara when I got it that I couldn’t wait to blog about it. But as in dating, you must give mascara a couple of “dates” before declaring “This is the ONE!” After three successful applications, I kept going up to people and saying- can you tell? Do they look fake? (Okay- I was asking Smitty). I really felt like I had noticeably longer, fuller, faker lashes. Now after putting together the before and after photos, I can see why people (Smitty) just turned and walked away every time.

So, Maybelline Volum’ Express Falsies Flared Mascara claims to make your lashes look fake. I know- in most cases, looking “fake” is a bad thing, but as many of you ladies know, a clause in this golden rule comes down to your lashes. With lashes, the bigger the better. Here’s the problem: have you ever attempted applying fake eyelashes? Not easy. What is easy is quickly going from a beauty experiment to your own version of A Christmas Story and shooting your eye out. No one ever really understands the whole pirate eye patch thing at a holiday party. Halloween at least you stand a fighting chance. Anyway, you tell me this is going to make my eyelashes look fake, I’m in.

Below are the before lashes (no eyeliner, no nothing…):

And keep on scrolling for the magic reveal “after” photos. (I understand that I could have taken a close up of my eyelashes… but why would someone be that close to my face? I want to know whether or not you can see my eyelashes from the punch bowl across the room. Is that not the point of mascara?)

So, I guess the verdict’s in. This isn’t even close to as dramatic as wearing false eyelashes. So very anti-climatic, as a matter of fact, that even my trusty assistant got bored and went to go chase a stick. It’s virtually the same picture. So, 1). I should thank my mom for my naturally long dark lashes (my dad’s are the color called “clear”), and 2). probably going to have to hone my lash applying skills. As far as mascaras go, this is a very good one, but will it have you questioning whether they’re real or fake? Probably not.