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Why Did You Wear That: Distressed Done Up

By |April 24th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

whydid kirsten smithWhen one thinks of shredded jeans, I  assume that most file destroyed denim under completely casual.  To be honest, I treat some of my destroyed denim like my own version of sweatpants.  A particular pair that reign as queen bee of my cluttered closet and are often the first thing I pull out for morning dog walking duty also happen to be the very same pair I pull out to wear with a tiny top and high heels for an evening out.  So, you see, distressed denim truly can go from day to night.  I’ve never worked at a job where I had to wear a “suit” (that’s the beauty of the fashion industry, kids), but when I worked in a sad grey cube at Henri Bendel, we were supposed to follow a few simple guidelines like, I don’t know: don’t look like an asshole or wear flip flops.  One of the clauses when distressed denim became one of our biggest sellers in store was that we could wear it… so long as it was one of our vendors… and most certainly not with flip flops- not even Havaianas.  So, full circle: destroyed denim can be both very downtown as well as totally dressed up.

whydid kirsten smith

whydid kirsten smith

kirsten smith whydid

kirsten destroyed denim whydid

whydid kirsten smithblazer: Dian von Furstenberg, blouse: Philosophy, jeans: DIY (learn how here), bag: Rafe, shoes: Carlos by Carlos Santana, sunglasses: Ray-Ban, bracelets: alex and ani, necklace: Maya Brenner

xx,

WhyDid

photos by Brian Schutza

Red Carpet Recap: This Red Carpet Has Me Feeling Blue

By |January 19th, 2014|Red Carpet Recap|

best dressed sag awardsJennifer Lawrence in Dior , Lupito N’yongo in Gucci, Rita Moreno in Roberto Cavalli and Herve Leger jacket, Matthew McConaughey in Dolce & Gabbana and Camila Alves in vintage Donna Karan

Award season really threw me for a loop when it decided to have this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) on a Saturday.  One can only assume it is because the Kardsashian season premiere is on Sunday.  Anyway, the stars showed up this evening looking to have a good time and perhaps take home a cute little statue.  It would appear that some of these stars clearly read WhyDid because they really stepped up their game from last week’s Golden Globes (ahem, Jennifer Lawrence).  Others were repeat offenders and some I have never heard of but was pleasantly surprised by their presence.  Within the first ten minutes of red carpet arrivals, I predicted a theme. Even though Giuliana may have (incorrectly) deemed the night that of this year’s Pantone color “radiant orchid” the color that truly reigned supreme was blue.  From royal to navy, startlets and stars wore this color like it was the new black.  Other trends that I picked up on were matching one’s jewels to the dresses.  Once considered a bit of a fashion faux pas, it actually looked incredibly fresh and I’m thinking that statement earrings are making a major comeback.  Luxe fabrics in jewel tones were also awfully popular.  In the beauty department, sleek deep side parts and bobs were the favorites for hair while very clean, polished makeup and matching eyeshadow to dresses was almost as popular as coordinated earrings.  Both Kelly Osbourne and Jennifer Lawrence coined new terms – SWASS (Sweaty Ass) and armpit vagina.  Giuliana may not know her Pantone shades, but she does know when she sees a potential love match like that of Jared Leto and Emilia Clarke.  Imagine those blue eyed babies.

But down to what really matters… who was the best (above) and who was the worst?  Eff it.  I’m going rogue.  I’m giving best dressed to two young starlets, an 82 year old icon, and one of Hollywood’s sexiest couples.  The worst… well, I never thought I’d hate a crop top or Julia Roberts, but I guess this is why they say, “never say never.”  While many loved Cate Blanchett’s pink Givenchy, I found it to look like a vagina, my father said he didn’t want to know what I meant by that but I told him anyway: pink and drapey.  As for Julie Bowen’s Carolina Herrera, I’m just wondering why she’s wearing a toolbelt.  Oprah wore “the color purple” and Sandra Bullock and Jane Krackowski gleamed in green.  Nudes, blush and soft greys were also ever present and for once I was totally wowed by something other than Sofia Vergara’s, er, personality in Donna Karan.

Blue Angels:

sag red carpetJulia Louis Dreyfus in Monique Lhuillier, Amy Adams in Antonio Berardi, Jennifer Garner in Max Mara, Morena Baccarin in Monique Lhuillier

sag awards red carpetKelly Osbourne in Zac Posen, Ariel Winter in Badgley Mischka, Cathy Griffin in Antonio Berardi, Anna Gunn in Monique Lhuillier

sag awards red carpetAnna Chlumsky in Sophie Theallet, Claire Danes in Vionnet, Mindy Kaling in David Meister, Julianne Nicholson in Philosphy

Nudist Colony:

sag awards red carpet 2014Elizabeth Rohm in Marchesa, Emilia Clarke in Calvin Klein, Laura Carmichael in Vionnet, Isla Fisher in Oscar de la Renta

Grey Ladies:

sofia vergara sag red carpetSofia Vergara in Donna Karan, Kaley Cuoco in Vera Wang, Malin Akerman in Naeem Kahn, Hannah Simone in Marchesa

Lightweights:

sag red carpet 2014Sarah Paulson in Rochas, Natalie Dormer in Marios Schwab, Gretchen Mol in J. Mendel, Sarah Hyland in Pamela Roland

Green Beans:

sag awards red carpetSandra Bullock in Lanvin, Jane Krakowski in Roland Mouret

“Radiant Orchid”:

oprah giuliana rancic sag awardsOprah Winfrey in Badgley Mischka, Giuliana Rancic in Basil Soda

Better Luck Next Time:

worst dressed sag awardsCate Blanchett in Givenchy, Kerry Washington in Prada, Julie Bowen in Carolina Herrera, Julia Roberts in Valentino

Hey Jared, if things don’t work out with Emila, call me.  Also, I need your colorist’s number. Thanks.

xx,

WhyDid

Beauty Buzz: Somebody Call 911

By |August 20th, 2013|Beauty Buzz|

We’re busy women.  We somehow balance careers, friendships, love lives, and sometimes even children.  How is it even possible that we manage to keep it together while still looking fresh as a girl from the Midwest two weeks into living in the city?  Well, it takes tact.  As any savvy woman can tell you, nothing is an accident  You got a last minute invite for after work cocktails, you squeezed in a Pilates class during lunch break, or perhaps you’d rather your “walk of shame” more resemble a “stride of pride,” which I wouldn’t know a thing about… Whatever your beauty emergency may be, you need to be prepared.  I was never a Girl Scout, but I do believe it is best to be ready for just about anything.

Remember when I said the Sephora sample section was the Bermuda Triangle of beauty?  Well, in this instance, it’s best to gather supplies and pack your purse full of a few crunch time essentials that will always having you looking polished, not foolish.

1. BDG Perfect Zip Pouch, 2. Philosophy Purity Made Simple One Step Facial Cleansing Cloths, 3. Bop Basics Solid Vintage Hair Ties, 4. Benefit They’re Real Mini Mascara, 5. Gucci Guilty Eau de Toilette Spray, 6. Ray-Ban Foldable Aviator Sunglasses, 7. Benefit Cosmetics Pocket Pal, 8. Colgate Wisp Peppermint Mini Toothbrushes

 

Happy shacking.

xx,

WhyDid

image via

Gift Guide: The Beauty of Giving

By |December 14th, 2012|Beauty Buzz, Gift Guide|

pile of makeupCall me crazy (wouldn’t be the first time), but I don’t think I know one girl on this planet who wouldn’t be totally psyched to receive a little bit of beauty for the holidays.  And wouldn’t you know… the cosmetics industry seems to have caught on since they come up with the raddest palettes right around this time of year.  I wouldn’t venture to call it a coincidence.  And one might think that makeup is a bit of a personal gift, it’s really hard to go wrong with palettes featuring assorted shades that are sure to be flattering on everyone from Snow White to Pocahontas.  So, if you’re looking for a gift sure to be a hit, might I suggest makeup?

holiday gift guide beauty

1. NARS Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself Eyes, $85, 2. Philosophy Ginger Hot Salt Scrub, $25, 3. Urban Decay Naked Basics, $27, 4. Benefit She’s So… Jetset!, $36, 5. Laura Mercier Le Petit Patisserie Travel Quartet, $50, 6. MAC Perfectly Plush Advanced Brush Kit, $49.50,  7. Tarte The Jewelry Box Limited Edition Palette, $45, 8. Lipstick Queen Liptropolis Set, $48, 9. Nails Inc. Bling It On Rocks Kit, $25

Pucker up.

xx,

WhyDid

Gift Guide: By the Numbers

By |December 20th, 2011|Gift Guide|

We’re down to the wire, people.  If you still have a few folks left on your list, chances are that you’ve either already spent all of your money on everyone else, or you were saving the best for last (wink, wink).  Whatever the case may be, it can be completely overwhelming to walk into a crowded department store, let alone the internet, full of so much stuff that you don’t know where to even begin.  So, if you’ve got a strict budget to follow, or you’re just cheap, I have sorted out some fun and festive last minute gifts that you can scoop up and save yourself from the surname of Scrooge.  This will save you the trouble of picking out something that you can’t (or don’t want to) afford.  You’re welcome.  Consider this my gift to you.

 

1. Cry About It Bandages, $7, 2. bumble and bumble Pin Tin, $15, 3. MoMA Design Store Cubes Perpetual Calendar, $15, 4. Voluspa Boxed Votive in Crisp Champagne, $7, 5. Banksy Notecard Box, $15.95,  6. philosophy Marshmallows for Toasting, $16, 7. The Modern Cocktail Champagne Topper, $9.99, 8. Salt&Pepper Bank, Oinks! Millions in the Making, $12.99, 9. Archie Grand for J. Crew Blogs Notebook, $10

 1. Monopoly Sephora Edition, $23.25, 2. D.L. & Co. Naughty/Nice Journal, $40, 3. Sonia Kashuk Silver Holiday 6pc. Brust Set, $22.99, 4. Stila Music’s Biggest Night Makeup Player, $50, 5. Bike Navigation System iPhone Case, $45, 6. Little Black Dress Hanging Jewelry Organizer, $24.99, 7. Fresh Mini Sugar Kissing Trio, $28, 8. Bodum Eileen 8 Cup French Press Coffee Maker, $49.95, 9. Stott Pilates Eco-Friendly Mat, $44.99

1. Balenciaga L’Essence Candle, $65, 2. Michael Kors Textured Leather Passport Holder, $60, 3. Minnetonka Softsole Sheepskin Moccasins, $67, 4. Alexander McQueen Enamel Skull Key Ring, $95, 5. Gaga’s Workshop x Barney’s Diamond Teacup, $65, 6. Jonathan Adler Carnaby Porcelain Hollywood Coasters, $68, 7.  Cynthia Vincent for Piperlime Pouch, $58.99, 8. Club Monaco Michelle Beret, $60, 9. Rebecca Minkoff Set of 2 Best Friends iPhone Covers, $68,

 

 

1. Jennifer Meyer Gold ‘Love You’ Bracelet, $600, 2. Lounge Lover Travel Babe Modal and Cashmere Lounge Set, $475, 3. Portolano Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves, $125, 4. Jonathan Adler Needlepoint Backgammon Game, $295, 5. Bobbi Brown Fall 2012 Beauty Trunk, $1,000, 6. D.L. & Co. Rotten Luck Dice, $209, 7. Balenciaga Classic Skinny Leash, $275, 8. Jimmy Choo Teddy Glitter Finished Leather Luggage Tag, $195, 9. CC Home Furnishings 4 Person Eco Friendly Picnic Basket, $156.99,

Get your shopping done so you can get to what’s really important.  Eggnog.

xx,

WhyDid