Salvatore Ferragamo | WhyDid.com

Why Did You Wear That: American Girl in Paris, La Dernier Chapitre

By admin|March 2nd, 2015|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

If you’ve been keeping up with my Parisian escapades (parts deux et trois), you’re probably wondering what became of this romantic journey. Well, unlike most fairytales, this story didn’t have the happy ending that little girls dream of (or massage parlors promise). However, it did have the life lessons that grow sweet little girls into strong wise women. In short, what some might have chocked up to be a trip from hell, I was able to extract some very, very important universal truths. I didn’t fall in love with a handsome French man. I didn’t buy the perfect vintage coat in Le Marais. I didn’t even see the top of the Eiffel Tower though it was quite literally a baguette’s distance away.

People then ask, “Well, what did you do?” and I can’t really answer that. There was no Mona Lisa at the Louvre, I never ate escargot. I didn’t lock away my love on the Pont des Arts. I did have lunch at Colette, drank champagne while chatting up a couple of artists at Cafe de Flore, and took a spin on La Grande Roue de Paris. I made new friends, I reconnected with some I had lost touch with. Most importantly, I was smacked in the face with my own little life lesson: if you don’t take the wheel, someone else most certainly will.

When you board a bullet train, keep in mind it can be derailed just as quickly as it can get you to your destination. My friend arrived on the morning of my birthday. We started the day off without sleeping and a bottle of champagne (champagne tastes better on an empty stomach). By the end of the day, we had a cute French boy singing “Happy Birthday” (Joyeux Anniversaire) with his guitar and buying me a birthday card from a pharmacie with an age on it that might not be my own. The evening included dinner at L’Avenue (which we lucked into as we hadn’t made an earlier reservation and Paris was still empty) and cocktails (read: more champagne) at Le Bar du Plaza Athénée. There was no cake, there was no singing and this was the beginning and prologue to a very long week.

To fit all that occurred into one or two more paragraphs would not do the journey justice and ironically, some parts of my personal life should probably stay private. A few notable moments did include spontaneously regaining a grasp of my French, learning that you can bring your dog just about anywhere (including the grocery store), champagne showers at couture week after parties at Hotel Costes, and actually losing weight while eating bread. By the end of the week, I was exhausted both physically and emotionally. The universe did me a solid by canceling my flight home due to Juno (sorry, New York) allowing me a few more days in Paris on my own. While the only physical souvenirs I arrived home with were some French books from the airport and sweets to share with friends at home, the real gifts were the lessons I learned about myself. (And Hemingway was right).

I didn’t go to Paris with someone I love as I’d always imagined, but there are some mornings I find myself longing to awake in the golden morning light of that magical city.

Romper: Cameo the Label Man Down Romper, Tights: Emilio Cavallini, Shoes: Sam Edelman, Bag: Malini Murjani, similar by Salvatore Ferragamo here, Lips: Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural in No. 50 Aubergine

Gift Guide: Oh, Man. Another Gift Guide.

By Kirsten|December 13th, 2013|Gift Guide|

It is with great relief that the only men in my life that I have to worry about this holiday season are my brothers, my father, Smitty, and a handful of guy friends (by handful, I mean like three). Luckily for me, most of them will be perfectly content with a simple well wish and maybe a bottle of Fireball (talking to you, Andy Smith). And it’s a good thing I am single this year, because not only would I not be able to afford a thing after Smitty’s most recent trip to the vet (more on that later), but it would appear by my selections below that I’d be dating a cross between Don Draper and Al Borland… which actually would be an upgrade from some of my exes who probably would have been happy with hand mirrors, toy helicopters, and a vat of Scotch large enough to drown in.

1. Baxter of California Shave 1.2.3 Kit, 2. R2-D2 Soy Sauce Dispenser, 3. Golf Ball Monogrammer Set, 4. J. Crew Dog Print Pocket Square, 5. Cashmere Earflap Baseball Hat, 6. Royce Leather Eyeglass Box, 7. Acqua di Parma Collezione Barbiere Razor & Brush, 8. Salvatore Ferragamo Angolino Lizard Money Clip Wallet, 9. Stag Decanter, 10. Levtex Mr Right Pillow, 11. Pocket Multi Tool

Yo, where’s the mistletoe? xx, WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Wake Me Up When It’s Over

By Kirsten|February 26th, 2012|Red Carpet Recap, Why Did You Wear That?|

Meryl Streep in Lanvin, Stacy Keibler in Marchesa

As you are probably well aware, tonight marked the 84th Annual Academy Awards. I tuned in a little late and then had to verify with my girlfriends that it wasn’t my tear swollen eyeballs or my many mimosas that left me (yet again) feeling totally underwhelmed and… yawn… bored with what was on the red carpet. They assured me that, yes, everyone was playing it safe and leaving quite a bit of “wow” factor left to be desired. Meryl Streep and Stacy Keebler both sparkled in gold and both took home a handsome man of her own (one being an Oscar…) making them the winners of the night in my book. Perhaps all of Hollywood’s starlets and stylists need to hit the “reset” button because right now, it seems like it all has been done before. I figured the ladies had been warming up all award season for “the Superbowl of fashion” but they too seem to have slipped into a slump.

It took me a while, but I’ve picked my top contenders.

Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab, Giuliana Rancic in Tony Ward, Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton, Kristen Wiig in J. Mendel

And with every red carpet, there is always a trend, whether good or bad, that prevails. This evening’s was that of the more modest covered arm. Everyone from Louise Roe to Melissa McCarthy was seen sporting this modern day Mormon style. What? Nobody got a Shake Weight for Christmas? I want to like JLo’s and Berenice’s versions, but as for the rest… I think it’s a bit too demure… almost pilgrim like. This is Hollywood, not Plymouth Rock.

(Top): Amara Miller in Valentino, Berenice Bejo in Elie Saab, Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad (Bottom): Shailene Woodley in Valentino, Livia Giuggioli in Valentino, Anna Faris in Diane von Furstenberg

Now this is where I’d normally present you with my worst dressed, but there was nothing even offensive enough to showcase here. And it’s enough to bring on the waterworks again cause that’s my favorite part. C’MON, ladies!! Being unable to highlight the truly trifling just proves my point: it’s time to start taking some risks. Better luck next year.

xx,

WhyDid

Look for Less: Teen Queens

By Kirsten|August 7th, 2011|Look for Less, Why Did You Wear That?|

Sunday night Hollywood’s hottest headed to the 2011 Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles. While this isn’t quite the Met Costume Gala and may be frowned upon by the fashion elite, I always like seeing the fresh young faces in more casual, carefree attire. This year, the stunning starlets certainly did not disappoint. Below are a few of my favorite looks. I’ve recreated each to show you that looking red carpet ready is as easy as 1, 2, 3.