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Friday Frocks: It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere

By |October 14th, 2011|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

Quite frequently (especially during this time of year) we receive invites for cocktail parties or invitations with a dress code stating “cocktail attire,” but what does that really mean?  We’ve come to know that slipping into a slinky LBD (little black dress) is the way to go, but shall we take a little trip back in time?  Well, you have no choice… cause we’re gonna.

Cocktail parties first gained popularity in the 1920’s during prohibition (aka when alcohol was illegal).  So, since the sale and consumption of alcohol in public would land you behind bars (no pun intended), cocktail parties popped up as private social gatherings.  And just like us modern girls, the ladies of the 20’s realized that they needed a little something special to wear to these functions.  Alas, cocktail attire was born!  The first cocktail dresses were waistless, knee length, and reminiscent of the flapper (cause a lot of them were flappers).  And these ladies knew how to accessorize!  Small embellished bags, gloves, and hats were all a part of the attire.  Shoes were slipper like and often dyed to match the dresses.

By the 1950’s, cocktail hour was part of the culture and while the tradition continued, groups opted to go out rather than stay in, which is more in line with what we consider our modern day cocktail hour or “happy hour.”  This week, let’s check out some frocks that would have made even the tartiest flapper smile.

1. Oscar de la Renta Feather Trimmed Silk Mesh Dress, $5,390, 2.  Red Valentino Bow Dress, $611, 3. Kova & T Windsor Cocktail Dress, $429, 4. French Connection Winter Bex Beads Dress, $328, 5. Juicy Couture Guipure Lace Dress, $328, 6. Vanessa Bruno Athe Dress, $360, 7. Top Shop Scallop Embellished Drop Waist Dress, $330, 8. Top Shop Lace Panel Pleated Tunic, $76, 9. Accidentally in Love Crinkle Popover Dress, $54, 10. Tibi Rococo Print Silk Twill Cap Sleeve Dress, $462

It’s five o’clock somewhere, right?

xx,

WhyDid

Real People, Real Style: A Must Reid

By |July 20th, 2011|Real People Real Style|

I’ve talked before about having my morning coffee and doing a little bit of web reconnaissance.  A girl’s gotta know which celeb dyed her hair blue and what micro trend we are picking up next.  A lot can happen overnight.   Well, part of that is checking in with one of my favorite blogs, RamshackleGlam.  Jordan lives in New York with her handsome hubby and adorable pups, but her fun and fantastic lifestyle advice appeals to all girls, whether living the metropolitan lifestyle or something more simple in the country.  She makes the everyday glamorous.  Dare I say, she is a modern (younger, much sexier) Martha Stewart?

So without further adieu, Jordan dishes some of her best style tips:

Name: Jordan Reid

Wearing: Juicy Couture sunglasses, Joie silk tank, Forever 21 shorts, Foley & Corinna woven handbag.

Occupation: Lifestyle blogger (www.ramshackleglam.com) & host

Hometown/Current Town: NYC

I would describe my style as: Slightly disheveled.

I can’t leave the house without: Sunglasses and a gorgeous bag.

Based on wardrobe alone, if I could live in any time period, it would be: 1970s.

Best/biggest splurge (worth every penny): Tiffany Diamonds By The Yard bracelet (yellow gold with a single diamond) – it goes with everything.

Best fashion advice I’ve ever received: It was actually the absence of fashion advice that made the most impact: I wore ridiiiiculous stuff as a teenager, and my mother never said anything, and let me go to school wearing striped pajamas with sparkle eye glitter and combat boots if that was what I was in the mood for. In retrospect, her open-mindedness made an enormous impression on me and taught me about the power of fashion as a tool for self-expression.

The next-best advice came any years later, when my friend Francesca sat me down and told me that honestly, I needed to throw my collection of cowgirl-inspired button-downs in the trash…or at the very least, please for the love of god stop wearing them in public.

Biggest fashion pet peeve (a trend that just needs to go away): I wouldn’t say I have any fashion pet peeves – I think whatever makes someone happy to wear, they should wear it. Trendy, not trendy…doesn’t matter.

What I would tell my 13 year old self: One day, you will not think it is a good idea to wear floor-length vintage ballgowns to school. But for now, I’m pretty proud of you for doing just that.

Weirdest beauty trick that I swear by: Slathering my feet in Vaseline and then wrapping them in Saran Wrap.

Don’t care if it ever goes out of style, I’m going to keep wearing: my trusty denim cutoffs.

I would love to trade closets with: Jenny in Forrest Gump.

Fun fact: I was once hired to pretend to be a famous Romanian socialite who carried a cat around town and evaded the paparazzi in a white vintage Rolls Royce (with the help of my bodyguards, of course). That was the week I met my husband.

 

Big thanks to Jordan for spilling her style secrets.  And I think I can speak for everyone when I say, we’re gonna need to hear more about this Romanian socialite.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Don’t You Love Me?

By |February 9th, 2011|Gift Guide, Somethin for the fellas|

While some hypothesize that Valentine’s Day is just a fabricated holiday brought to you straight from the fine folks at Hallmark, I will never argue with a holiday that is all about love, chocolate, flowers, and lingerie.  With a mere five days to go until the big day, I have compiled a list of gifts that you will probably want to forward to your significant other ASAP!  Whether you’ve just started dating or you’re in for the long haul, these Valentine’s gifts are sure to make even Cupid smile. I’ve rated them G (you’re still at the sweet beginning or maybe you are buying these for your mom or sister) to R (you’re ready to cut loose and swing from the chandeliers!).  In any case, there’s something for everyone.

Clockwise: Umbra Storage Box, $24.99, Juicy Couture Valentine Crepe Playsuit, $98, Rebecca Minkoff Fluoro Snake MAC Clutch, $330, iPod Nano 8GB, $149, Moonstruck Chocolatier Love Bug Chocolate Truffles, $25.95, Graphic Image Heart Lock Diary, $95

Clockwise: Eberjey Anouk Teddy, $71, Booty Parlor Melt Body Fondue, $15, 1 5/8 Carat Morganite and 3/8 Carat Black Diamond 14K Pink Gold Earrings, $475, Kiki de Montparnasse Boyfriend Garter Tank, $125, Cosabella Satin and Lace Babydoll Pajamas, $144,  Veuve Clicquot Rose, $61.99

Clockwise: Agent Provocateur Imogen Set, $250, American Caviar Sampler Set, $76.70, Kiki de Montparnasse My Tie Cuffs, $175, Cosabella Peek a Boo Pantyhose, $35, Jimmy Jane Body and Soul Set, $185, Jack Vartanian Large Handcuff Necklace, $1,290

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Eat That: Musical Chairs

By |January 3rd, 2011|New York, Why Did You Eat That?|

Once upon a time, I was gallivanting through the West Village when I stumbled upon a big wooden door.  Being the ever curious girl that I am, I went ahead and entered said wooden door to see what kind of magic it held inside.  Magic was right. I entered a room that looked like it didn’t even belong in New York City.  It was old and quaint and had twinkling chandeliers dangling from its soaring ceilings.

I still didn’t know where I was until I asked the bartender. He informed me that I was at One If By Land Two If By Sea. I had heard of it, but had never gone.  It was supposed to be one of the most romantic restaurants in the city and now I could see why. I bid the bartender adieu and vowed that some day I would return to this magical place with my very own Prince Charming.

Flash forward seven months, and I returned to One If By Land Two If By Sea this past weekend for their Sunday Jazz Brunch.  I couldn’t imagine anything more “old” New York than listening to jazz over bellinis in such a beautiful place.  They have several delightful options on their brunch menu (served from 11:30am-2:00pm). I ordered the brioche French toast (with carmelized bananas, toasted pistachios, and creme anglaise) and my handsome companion ordered the leek and bacon quiche.  Both were delightful in two very different ways.  While his was hearty and savory, mine was like eating dessert for breakfast.  I must say that the combination of delicious food, great music, and overall ambience was exactly the way a Sunday should be spent.

One If By Land Two If By Sea

17 Barrow Street

New York, NY 10014

347-706-3072

How does a curious girl get dressed for a magical brunch with her very own Prince Charming?  For a place like this, I would suggest elegantly casual with a touch of feminine romance.

Billabong October Beanie, $22

Madison Marcus Long Sleeve Lace Blouse, $238

J Brand 901 Low-Rise Skinny Velvet Jeans, $185

Black Rooster Vienne Bootie, $125

Juicy Couture Alice Plaid Coat, $448

Happily ever after…

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Yipes Stripes!

By |November 26th, 2010|Friday Frocks|

Yeah, I know you just chowed down on mass quantities of food and pie so the last thing you feel like doing is sliding into a striped frock.  However, I’m totally digging these linear looking dresses. I’m thinking that some of the crazy pieced together striped frocks will totally hide the second helping of mashed potatoes. Try one of these out for your after Thanksgiving celebrations:

Stella McCartney Striped Knit Dress, $845

Elizabeth and James Ava Striped Jersey Dress, $295

Diane von Furstenberg Row Stripe Dress, $285

Opening Ceremony Pieced Stripe Long Dress, $242

BCBGMAXAZRIA Asymmetrical Striped Silk Dress, $228

Torn by Ronny Kobo Naomi Mini Striped Dress, $194

Juicy Couture Striped Cotton Jersey Mini Dress, $160

Mossimo Supply Co. Perfect Sweater Dress, $24.99

xx,

WhyDid