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Gift Guide: First Dance

By |February 11th, 2014|Gift Guide|

napolean dynamite danceYes, along with finding someone cute to cuddle up with this Friday– which just so happens to be February 14th, your boo or potential object of affection will most likely be somewhat stressed about what to gift you for this Hallmark holiday.  All of this will be made exponentially harder when factoring in what is or is not appropriate based on the length of your relationship and just how hot and heavy it’s gotten between you two thus far.  If you’ve just started dating and Patti Stanger would still have you on the two drink maximum (HA!), it’s just that much more tricky.  It’s important to show interest without giving away the promise of a picket fence, perfectly trained papillon, and three adorable and well mannered children.  Ladies, print this out, press forward, casually share it on Facebook and hope that your man is smart enough to read on.

When my newly smitten best guy friend confirmed with me that he should, in fact, send flowers to the new apple of his eye for Valentine’s day, he was downright insulted when I made him assure me he wouldn’t send the standard red roses- especially those flanked with the floral equivalent of cantaloupe, baby’s breath.  I forget that his mama raised him right and he, therefore, has impeccable taste down to wearing a three piece suit to his business casual office. However, some of you “gentleman” (yeah, I’m air quoting that) could use a little bit of a stern reprimanding when it comes to gift giving for the special ladies in your life.  Therefore, I’m here to guide your ship through the rocky waters of your budding relationship to your own private island of infatuation.

Some side notes about my selections:

  • Do not give a half assed gift.  If you choose to go with a frame, put a flipping picture in it.  That’s like giving a girl a vase with no flowers or a jewelry box with no jewelry.  This type of gift will land you in more hot water than baby’s breath or store bought chocolates (just don’t).
  • The little things are the things she will remember– unless she’s a gold digging ho and, in that case, you should abort mission before she drains your bank account and your sanity.  If you give her a book, write a sweet inscription.  If you opt for a change purse, tuck a shiny, lucky penny inside for her to find.
  • Don’t overdo it.  Crotchless panties two weeks in?  Probably not.  Now, six months in is a completely different story… Pro-tip: If you give a giant, shiny, or expensive gift too early on, you’ve set yourself up for future failure.  You must always outdo yourself and you, my friend have set the bar awfully high (sorry, ladies, but you know it’s true).  As for giving a girl a ring so early on, this is a knuckle ring and it’s a pearl, not a diamond.  You’re basically giving her something to punch you in the face with should you ever foul things up.  I consider this ring a token of good faith and an indicator that you’re up on current trends.
  • Don’t bother with a card– unless you plan on writing more than just your name.

valentines present

 

1. Wildfox Lolita Sunglasses, 2. Miu Miu Croc Effect Glossed Leather Pouch, 3. Taschen Set of Two Fairy Tale Books, 4. Rodarte Rohearte T-Shirt, 5. Rablabs Obra Frame, 6. Mary Green Sleeping Beauty Eye Mask, 7. Sophie Bille Brahe Lisa Petite Pearl Knuckle Ring, 8. Bing Bang Secret Admirer Necklace, 9. Jennifer Zeuner Adored Necklace, 10. AIR by alice + olivia Drape Wrap Around Top, 11. alice + olivia Lizard Phone Pouch with Portable Charger, 12. Elle Macpherson Medina Lace and Silk Pajama Set, 13. Chan Luu Cashmere and Silk Blend Scarf, 14. Eberjey Mabel Lace Trimmed Jersey Robe

Seriously, I wish I could date myself sometimes.  Also probably why I’m such a hit at a certain W 12th Street hot spot

xx,

WhyDid

 

image via

Why Did You Wear That: Baby, You’re a Firework

By |July 4th, 2013|Personal Style|

This year’s Fourth of July couldn’t have fallen more perfectly on the calendar.  A four day weekend?  God bless, is right.  This, however, led many to stress out over where they’d spend such a fortuitous long weekend.  I couldn’t even begin to tell you where I was last year during the Fourth.  I’ve given it a bit of thought, and I have zero recollection.  Sadly, that has no correlation to the amount of fun that was had.  The year before, I watched fireworks alone on my rooftop, simply because it was less frightening to hear the fireworks if I could actually see them.  To be honest, fireworks scare me, but I also have an irrational fear of dragonflies, so it doesn’t hold much weight.  I do, however, love the ol’ US of A despite all its flaws.  I’ve never been one to wear a Christmas sweater or paint my face for a football game, but I do think it’s nice to give a patriotic nod to our great United States by adding a bit of red, white, and blue to your holiday ensemble– in a totally non-obvious manner, of course.

bikini: Cia Maritima, shorts, H&M, glasses: random party store, bag: c/o Violetta, dog: Smitty In the City, necklace: c/o Nashelle, bracelet: c/o Style Queen

denim shorts

kirsten smith

girl in backwards hathat: Quicksilver, shirt: vintage Limited (as in middle school vintage), dress: American Apparel, boots: Frye, bracelets: Alex & Ani, c/o Style Queen

new york rooftop

kirsten smithHappy Fourth of July from WhyDid.  Sparkle responsibly.

xx,

WhyDid

The List Volume 2012

By |December 29th, 2012|The List|

new years 2013You know how at the end of the year we’re bombarded with all those obnoxious “best of’s” and “top moments of” countdowns?  Well, it’s your lucky day, ’cause I’ve gone ahead and jumped right onto that bandwagon and I’m about to give you my very own “Best of WhyDid 2012” countdown.  It’s always hard to pick your own favorites– not because I’m partial, but actually because I’m my own worst critic.  I’ve selected thirteen (to stay in theme with the upcoming year– I didn’t forget how to count) of my favorites and hopefully some of your favorites as well.  For those of you just now tuning in (shame on you), you’re welcome, here’re the highlights of what you missed and next time get here on time.  It’s rude to be tardy:

  1. Well, I started off the year on the right coast at least.
  2. You can take the girl out of the city… but… well, you know the rest.
  3. I found my new favorite photographer.
  4. You don’t need great buns for a top notch top knot (but I can get ya great buns too).
  5. Might not have been named the “color of the year” but my favorite beverage (and hue) finally got some airtime.
  6. Oh, but wait, I called it.
  7. “I knew I had fallen in love with Lolita forever; but I also knew she would not be forever Lolita.” Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita
  8. Wedge sneakers are stupid, okay?
  9. I’m sure Solange never saw this one coming…
  10. I fixed my eyebrows.  Everyone happy now?
  11. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: Would you rather be a big fish in a little pond or little fish in a big pond?
  12. We tried to find a little bit of “truth” in advertising.
  13. And decided that it was finally time to start shining.

While not everything could make the list, it was good to revisit a few of my posts that I may need to print out and glue to my refrigerator as reminders.  What were your favorites?  What made your 2012?

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Beach Blanket Bingo

By |May 14th, 2012|Setting the Mood|

iconic bikinis Next to being naked, there’s nothing I’d rather be wearing than a bikini.  Quite strange coming from someone who writes about clothes on a daily basis- the irony is not lost on me.  I don’t know what started it.  Perhaps that “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” dance recital number?  I have more bathing suits than one probably should (and could) ever possibly wear.  I can’t stop my retail impulses when I spot a perfect two piece. And my love affair with swimwear doesn’t stop with string bikinis.

These ladies wearing some of the most iconic bathing suits prove that a bikini doesn’t necessarily have to be teeny and a bathing suit doesn’t have to be all T & A to be sexy.

retro bathing suitsLisa Marie Fernandez The Garance Glossed Swimsuit, $260, Chloe Lace-Up Bandeau Bikini, $460, Stella McCartney Cutout Printed Swimsuit, $665

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Oh Lola!

By |February 7th, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins.  My sin, my soul. 

“Lolita” is a term that is often thrown around without much thought.  It’s used in songs, slang, and even runway collections.  I hesitated on this post due to the sensitivity of the literal interpretation.  In case you haven’t read the book (didn’t I tell you to read the book?), it would be prudent to tread lightly seeing as the original usage would lean towards what some would consider pedophilia.  But let’s not go down that road…  Who needs to be that literal anyway?

Instead let’s go with the more watered down, more Hollywood, more commonly accepted and completely legal understanding of Lolita… the girlish flirt.  Le petite coquette.  That undeniable, unintentional, irresistible charm.  We all have a little Lolita in us, afterall.

girl playground

girl playground

lolita playgroundI’m many years past my prime as a nymphet, but I still embrace the feminine wile.  This modern day translation of little Lola is flirtatious and feminine, but far from a schoolgirl. It should evoke a feeling of simultaneous innocence and omnipotence.  If all else fails, throw on a pair of heart shaped sunglasses.

 1. Cathy Daniels Floral Sweater, $20, 2. Halston Heritage Accordion Pleated Chiffon Mini Skirt, $265, 3. Sam Edelman Scarlett T-Strap Sandal, $199.95, 4. Urban Outfitters Sweetheart Sunglasses, $14, 5. Tarte emphasEYES Inner Rim Eyeliner, $18, 6. Free People Mesh Dot Ankle Socks, $14, 7. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Are You Red-dy, $7.49

Oh my, Lolita, I have only words to play with! 

xx,

WhyDid