New York City | WhyDid.com

Why Did You Wear That: Hot Child in the City

By Kirsten|July 9th, 2013|Personal Style|

When I opted not to hop a flight to New Hampshire, I found that the city was essentially empty this past weekend. It was like my own little Manhattan. And while it sure is nice to have the sidewalks all to myself, it can also feel a little like the apocalypse. Fortunately, a few friends also chose to stick around, so we made the best of our sticky and abandoned city. Roaming the streets with to-go cups (yes, we acted as if Manhattan was Cancun on spring break) and my own personal paparazzi, we kept ourselves more than a little entertained.

The only way to keep cool during hot July nights is with your hair as far off your back as possible, t-shirts with plenty of ventilation, and short shorts. The boots may appear to be an odd choice, but with the unpredictability of downpours this past week, I’d had my sandals drenched and trekked through enough puddles posing as ponds to have learned my lesson.

t-shirt: UNIF Clothing (similar), shorts: American Apparel, boots: Frye, bag: Amrita Singh, bracelet: Chan Luu

The heat is on.

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: New York, I Love You.

By Kirsten|April 25th, 2013|Setting the Mood|

It’s true. I’m in love. And this time I think it may actually work out.

That’s because I’ve fallen for the city where I live. Now, I realize this probably doesn’t come as a surprise to some of you, but let’s not forget about that time I left New York for somewhere sunnier and, well, new. You see, just like any relationship, the bond can either be broken or bolstered by a break. For me, it has most certainly cemented my feelings for Manhattan.

It occurred to me while walking Smitty one morning (my most favorite part of the day, followed closely by Pilates) that my heart was full and it wasn’t thanks to some dapper dude. Every neighborhood has something new to discover and so long as you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll notice something you’d never noticed before every single day. Sometimes I try and put into words how magical this city is, but no one can truly understand it until they’ve been here, especially during those few weeks of spring before the city turns into an involuntary sauna. People here say, wear, and do the strangest things. I often just find myself smiling at the peculiar behavior and “devil may care” demeanor. That is, of course, right before I flip out and reach into my expletive word bank. And so, I’ve been keeping my camera handy, trying to capture the moments that capture me to share with you.

And just when you think it can’t get any more magical, the wind blows and petals sprinkle down on you like confetti.

Let’s never fight again.

xx,

WhyDid

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WhyDid Wisdom: City Girl in the Suburbs

By Kirsten|March 15th, 2012|WhyDid Wisdom|

A couple of years ago, I was itching to make my final exodus from New York City. You see, we’ve had a fairly emotionally abusive relationship. When it was good, it was a twenty-four hour honeymoon, but when it was bad, I wanted a divorce. The things I once loved became those that I loathed. The city will beat you down and bring you to your knees and when you’re just about to give up, Spring arrives and you are reminded, once again, why it is you fell in love with this glorious city in the first place.

I never even wanted to live in New York. As a matter of fact, I was certain that when I graduated from college I’d be on my way to sunny California. But Dame Nature (that silly bitch) had other plans and in a twist of fate, I landed an internship at Escada my junior year of college. One summer in the big city and I was sold. California who?

You see, New York is the type of place that you either love of hate, sink or swim. If you happen to be one of the ones who loves it, it gets under your skin and there is no way to shake it. Ever. Any other city is second rate. While Los Angeles has the sunshine, it’ll never compare. Sorry, San Francisco, you’re a beautiful city, but you’ll just never do. There is one city that reigns supreme… and that’s the Big Apple- despite all its flaws.

Well, a couple of years ago, New York and I had a trial separation. I left the bright lights, tall buildings, and bad attitudes for the other coast. I thought I was ready for a quiet, “normal”, simple life. I thought I was done with New York. It was great to give Smitty a yard and a place to stretch his furry little legs. I enjoyed living in a space larger than a walk-in closet. I wanted to love it. I tried to love it, but there was nothing for me to do. I was completely unstimulated. I had no friends and no common interests with anyone I met. I found that I got enraged by people who had no clue what The Met is and no interest in finding out. I couldn’t take seeing one more person wearing Patagonia and the straw that broke the camel’s back was when I realized I hadn’t worn heels in six months. I was a square peg trying to live my life in a round hole. I gave it a shot, but finally came to terms that I was trying to live a life that wasn’t for me. Besides, we all have done crazy things for love.

I realized that a place that may feel scary and overwhelming to some, felt safe and familiar to me. Another girl could be writing this same post saying that she hates the city and she finds it to be dirty, loud, and abrasive. It isn’t about which is better: the city or the suburbs. It’s all about finding the place that fits and feels like home.

Mama, I’m coming home.

xx,

WhyDid

WhyDid Wisdom: Vacation vs Evacuation

By Kirsten|November 4th, 2010|WhyDid Wisdom|

Almost four months ago, I left the Big Apple for the City of Angels. I had really only planned on a weekend getaway (we can get into the specifics later), but once there, I never left. While the weather is beautiful and the outlook is sunny, I didn’t stay in Los Angeles because I loved the city. Some would jump to that conclusion, but they’d be sorely mistaken.

As anyone who’s lived in Manhattan knows, that city can really wear you out. Just the day to day routine is terribly tiresome and not for the faint of heart. At times it feels as if you are in an abusive relationship. You sometimes hate the very same city you love so much. Cursing it one moment and cursing anyone out who dare speak a bad word about it the next. While the shopping, restaurants, beautiful and interesting people, and sheer energy are enough to make you want to stay, New York City is no joke. No one gets by in Gotham on just charm alone. After five years of pounding the pavement and surviving the city, I was running out of steam. So when the prospect of Los Angeles popped up, I was game.

I hadn’t been to LA since visiting my brother nearly eight years prior, but I remembered liking LA well enough. And who am I to argue with a free trip to sun, fun, and palm trees? So I hopped on that Virgin America Flight in July and waved fair well to my home.

I’m not going to spend time bashing LA (at least not today), but let’s just say that going from New York to Los Angeles is like Bambi trying to walk on ice. It’s certainly an adjustment and at times can be awkward and hard to watch. I’m fairly certain the same is true for Angeleno transplants in NY. Bottom line: they are two very different beasts. Despite the fact that I lived for a couple of months with only the contents of a carry on, there were more growing pains than that alone.

Traffic, inflated egos, lack of a decent bagel, and laughable sense of community were not helping my homesickness. Had I not found a couple of good (read: the only) reasons to stick around (love and career), I would have been on the next flight back to JFK… and step on it! It became abundantly clear, that I was not meant to live in Los Angeles and no amount of shoreline was going to change that. But alas… I’d made my bed. Time to lay in it.

It’s kind of like when you have a fight or a rough patch with a friend or your mate. While you may feel like you need to pick up and run to the nearest exit, perhaps all you need is a little break. You’d better be pretty sure about your decision before you make it.

I still don’t feel like I live in Los Angeles and I haven’t given up my New York apartment just yet. I consider this an extended vacation/social experiment. I plan on enjoying all that I can about LA until it is check out time. Thankfully, there is light at the end of this tunnel and there are certainly far worse places to be.

Now that Manhattan and I are in a long distance relationship, I long for the little things I once took for granted. I guess it’s true what they say, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” and the grass is not always greener (especially since there isn’t any in Manhattan). The moral of the story is I may have been a bit rash in my decision. What I needed was a vacation… not an evacuation.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Here Comes the… Dress.

By Kirsten|November 4th, 2010|Why Did You Wear That?|

Most little girls dream of the day they will meet Prince Charming, have a grand princess wedding and live happily ever after. I’m not sure that I vividly recall doing such a thing, but I bet it’s safe to assume that someone who loves all things girly and pink probably did as well. I get the feeling that my fantasy more closely resembled Pretty Woman because as girly as I am, I have never wanted to look like a princess or wear a any sort of ballgown.

(Oscar de la Renta)

Just ask my mother. I have never worn something normal to a formal event in my life. If only my mom knew how to use a scanner, I would present you with photographic evidence. For goodness sake, I wore shorts to my senior prom. Oh, the dismay of the faculty’s wives. It’s safe to say that I marched to the beat of my own drum and never wanted to show up in the same thing as anyone else. So, it came as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I felt the same way about wedding dresses that I did prom gowns.

(Yolan Cris)

I remember seeing an Hermes dress in Hampton Magazine a couple of summers ago that was little more fabric than a tissue. I marked the page and let my girlfriends know that was what I would be wearing as I walked down the aisle (who I would be marrying was not important). At this point in time I thought I knew two things: I would be married on the beach and true to form would wear something far from fussy.

(Marchesa)

When I set out looking for a wedding dress recently, I had something really special in mind. I’d done my due internet diligence just like all good brides to be (… and basically every girl I know) and concocted a “vision” in my head. I had my heart set on something a bit offbeat, preferably by Jenny Packham. I absolutely did NOT want to look like a frou-frou bride. As a matter of fact, I really didn’t want to look like a bride at all.

(Jenny Packham)

Last week while in NY (because I can not imagine wedding dress shopping anywhere else), a friend called in a favor and scored an appointment at a “fab” bridal salon. We rushed right over (a few proseccos in) and got started. After filling out some minor paperwork, we were ushered into a curtained dressing room and I spoke with my fairy dressmother about what I envisioned. Immediately she got it. I loved her after two minutes of speaking with her. She also had an obsession with Jenny Packham and all things off color. We were like wedding dress soulmates.

(Monique Lhuillier)

I stripped down (thankfully, I’m not shy) and the fun began (mind out of the gutter). There was Marchesa, Monique, Vera, and Jenny to mention a few. She gave me exactly what I wanted, but then brought in a few things that she thought I might want to try. While I literally loved everything I’d tried on prior, I was shocked when I fell hard for a dress I would have never picked off the rack. I couldn’t hide my smile once I was all zipped in and everyone knew that just like my fiance, this was “the one.”

I walked in wanting one thing and left wanting something completely different. Hm… so is the story of my life. I will still be reciting my vows seaside despite my change in attire… at least I got something right.

For the record, it’s amazing what a veil and some A-clips can do.

xx,

WhyDid

P dot S: I will reveal my fairy dressmother as my wedding day approaches. Heaven forbid anyone have… gasp… the same dress as me.

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