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Why Did You Wear That: A Walk in the Park

By |July 30th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

It’s a rare occasion that I make it above 14th Street.  Leaving downtown at times feels like leaving the country.  Well, my country.  I’m not actually a neighborhood snob (okay, maybe), but for me, there’s not much reason for me to head uptown.  I used to go for the sole purpose of re-blonding, but then my hairstylist left the country… and I stopped coloring my hair.  Some even say your ears may pop when you cross 42nd Street. Whatever the case may be, I don’t make it up to the Upper West Side or the park very often.

I can’t decide if I gave up on Central Park after I realized there were about 3cm of park where Smitty was actually allowed to be or that time we got pelted by a football courtesy of a group of guys trying to catch our attention.  Speaking of which, a guy once asked me on a date to Central Park.  I never called him back.  Even my best friends have a tough time coercing me to the Upper West Side.  Given enough wine, I’ve found myself sleeping on their couch in the morning, pleased with myself for having passed out before the pizza arrived.  So, when my newly Americanized pal, suggested we head uptown and check out the park, I felt I had to oblige.  I suffered through a steamy subway ride and was soon reminded what a wonderful oasis we have in our otherwise concrete desert.kirsten smith nyc

kirsten smith

silk shorts

jimmy choo sandals

central park

shorts: Torn by Ronny Kobo, top: American Apparel, shoes: Jimmy Choo (similar), bracelets: Kenneth Jay Lane (ring version), bag: Asos (similar)

xx,

WhyDid

Photo Credit: 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

Why Did You Wear That: Mermaids, Martinis, and MAC

By |March 13th, 2013|Why Did You Wear That?|

Last Thursday, right before the snow and my bubonic plague hit, I headed uptown to fete my favorite hostess with the mostest, Hilary Pereira of Mermaids and Martinis fame at the Fifth Avenune MAC store.  The place was packed as I can’t see any better combination: mermaids + martinis + makeup.  Guests were gifted copies of Hilary’s book and complimentary makeup touch ups.  My life was changed with the introduction of MAC’s new Mineralize Rich Lipstick in a pucker worthy plum.  Champagne and hors d’oeuvres were passed throughout the crowd by almost offensively attractive waiters, but the real treat awaited those who roamed to the back of the party- a DIY martini bar.  Typically applying makeup under the influence would be a poor decision, but fortunately for us, we had the professionals from MAC to keep us coloring inside the lines.

Fins up.

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Sleep Tight

By |November 13th, 2012|Setting the Mood|

fashion pajamasThis time of year, when the weather goes from pleasantly crisp to shockingly cold, it’s quite easy to want to just throw in the towel, err… cashmere blanket, and just stop caring about what you wear.  It’s even quite likely that you’ve completely given up on putting yourself together and leaving the house at all.  I’ve found that I now prefer a pleasant night in rather than a raucous night out.  Not to mention, my razor blade refills have become fewer and fewer.  Pretty soon Smitty is going to think I’m fair game.  That said, there really is no reason to be a complete and utter hot mess.  There’s gotta be a happy medium between comfy sweats and club slut… right?

As I sat having dinner with friends at Barbuto on Saturday night (that glass garage door makes for fantastic people watching), in addition to the gentleman in the grey knit cap who walked by over ten times and was clearly casing the joint (or my friends), we were astonished at the parade of Paul Frank printed flannel pajama pants.  Come.  On.  Hello Kitty printed pants aren’t okay in Wal-Mart and they sure as heck aren’t welcome on the streets of the West Village.  When designers sent pajama inspired looks down the runways, I doubt Spongebob was what they had in mind.  I live in a neighborhood that is so trendy, I have to up my game when merely running to the corner deli.  Sure, I’m just on a TP run, but the rest of you are gearing up for stylish dinner dates and tequila shots at Tortilla Flats.  So, whether you’re staying in or heading out, pull yourselves together, girls.

pajamas trend

Eberjey Gisele PJ Set, $115Elle Macpherson Intimates Dunescape Stretch Satin Pajama Pants, $80Juicy Couture Sleep Shirt, $98,Equipment Avery Brushed Silk Pajama Set, $470

Don’t let the bed bugs bite.

xx,

WhyDid

Monday Mashup: Catfight

By |October 11th, 2010|Monday Mashup|

Who was it that got into a drink throwing bar fight the other night in NYC? Was this another episode of the Jersey Shore?

Screen shot 2010-10-09 at 12.28.08 PM

Was it Snooki or Kim K? It’s actually kind of hard to tell the difference, huh? But alas, it was Miss Kardashian being pelted with bottom shelf liquor. Sigh… do people still do things like this? Animals. You’re all animals.

xx,

WhyDid