Smitty In The City | WhyDid.com

Why Did You Wear That: No Grey Area

By Kirsten|February 14th, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

For those who don’t know me, it may seem strange that my favorite colors are black and white (since black and white aren’t technically considered “colors”). Much like I try to live my life, I also like my palette to be very black and white. I do love color very much, but there is something so crisp, so clean, and so refreshing about bold black and white patterns. Whether it be stripes, dots, florals, geometric shapes, or just something totally abstract, I can’t get enough of these opposite shades. From my clothing, to our home decor, black and white rule my world. The best part of using black and white as your base? The ability to punch it up with just about any color as an accent.

I don’t want to tell Smitty, but he falls under this color scheme and it’s quite possible why I love him even more. His soft white fluffy fur set off by those big black eyes and little black dot of a nose make him absolutely perfect. He is my best accessory afterall. Want to incorporate some black and white into your life? Here are several options of how to do just that:

1. Karen Millen Graphic Stripe Coat, $550, 2. Brian Atwood Aura Polka Dot Calf Hair Sandals, $1,370, 3. Lanvin iPad Cover, $135, 4. Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses, $160, 5. Alice + Olivia High Striped High Waisted Pants, $242, 6. Equipment Star Print Washed Silk Crepe de Chine Shirt, $250, 7. Alexander Wang Prisma Biker Purse, $325, 8. Charlotte Olympia Striped Canvas Platform, $950, 9. Sandro Ciseau Two Tone Silk Blouse, $285

xx,

WhyDid

WhyDid Wisdom: There Will Be Unicorns

By Kirsten|February 2nd, 2012|WhyDid Wisdom|

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” – Hamlet Act III, scene III

You’ve probably heard this quote before… or maybe even even (mis)quoted it yourself. But what does it really mean? When this phrase is uttered (incorrectly or not), it is meant to say that one is so adamantly opposed to the “charge”, that one’s objection may indicate the exact opposite.

Have you ever caught someone in the midst of a lie and when you question that person, the alibi is so airtight that it’s almost too perfect? There is such an elaborate excuse that you can tell it’s been pre-meditated? Right around that time is when your antennae should go up and your brow should furrow. Talk about a red flag. The party in question is basically giving him/herself away.

It’s like when my dog (Smitty) pees on something. He gets all worked up and it’s a dead giveaway. Guilty as charged… hence another popular phrase, “Guilty dog barks the loudest.”

May seem like a straightforward explanation, but protest can also take the form of boasting or bragging. As we all know (or at least should), boastfulness most times stems from deep insecurity. Those who paint the prettiest pictures are usually the ones with the most to hide.

When I scroll through my Facebook feed and see people leaving elaborate status updates about how great life is or how much they are “over it” or how in love they are with his/her boyfriend/girlfriend, I feel really embarrassed for those individuals. Partly because I’ve definitely been guilty of doing it before… so I can spot it from a mile away. Here’s the thing, people who are living really fabulous lives are out doing just that… living their fabulous lives. Not updating their Facebook pages. People who are deeply in love with someone don’t have to broadcast it. People who are over it… are over it.

So, next time you’re feeling bummed cause you see that everyone is out popping bottles alongside Jay-Z at the hottest club on the planet and there are models and unicorns- UNICORNS- there, just chuckle to yourself knowing that this is really code for sitting home alone watching Golden Girls with a quart of Haagen Dazs and there’s probably a cat involved… not that there’s anything wrong with that either.

The rest is silence.

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Pet Project

By Kirsten|January 23rd, 2012|Setting the Mood|

When people ask me what I’m passionate about, there are two things that always come up: fashion and animals. I can understand why some might furrow their brows in confusion upon hearing that. They don’t seem like two things that normally go together. My parents thought I might become a veterinarian seeing as I was always begging for a new pet, be it a guinea pig or a pot belly pig. I’m also the same kid who rescued and bottle fed baby squirrels and wild rabbits. And I think I’ve been quite clear about Smitty. Then again, my first temper tantrum was over a pair or red patent leather shoes…

I have always wished for a way to combine two of my great loves. Just short of starting a dog t-shirt line, I haven’t been able to come up with much. However, it seems I’m not alone in my love for all things furry. These photos show just how much a pooch can add to your Prada or a kitty can jazz up your Calvins. Turns out your furry friend may very well be your best accessory.

1. Space Living Bosco Dog Bed, $67, 2. Balenciaga Classic Dog Leash, $295, 3. Bark n Bag Luxury Plush Pet Toy Set, $32, 4. I LOVE MY DOG Sweater, $130

Sit. Stay. Good girl.

xx,

WhyDid

The List Volume 1/20

By Kirsten|January 20th, 2012|The List|

I was not kidding about that pony. I feel that in honor of my birthday, I should suspend the usual snark fueled list in order to honor some things that make me giggle with glee. So, here are ten of many in no particular order.

Benetint. I don’t know how else I can say it.
Crispy rice spicy tuna.
Have I ever told you about Smitty?
Love. Surprisingly enough… I love love. So hard.
Prosecco.
My beloved friends… though I often have to Photoshop us into the same place for us to all be together.
Shiny things and chandeliers.
Classic television, ie; Golden Girls, Cheers, Who’s the Boss, Designing Women, Full House, The Nanny … (yes, I’m old).
My pink HB cashmere robe.
Any good reason to celebrate and deck myself out.

Happy birthday to me (and the rest of you Capriquarius kids).

xx,
WhyDid

Beauty Buzz: False Advertising?

By Kirsten|December 22nd, 2011|Beauty Buzz|

A funny thing happened on the way to this blog. I was so obsessed with this mascara when I got it that I couldn’t wait to blog about it. But as in dating, you must give mascara a couple of “dates” before declaring “This is the ONE!” After three successful applications, I kept going up to people and saying- can you tell? Do they look fake? (Okay- I was asking Smitty). I really felt like I had noticeably longer, fuller, faker lashes. Now after putting together the before and after photos, I can see why people (Smitty) just turned and walked away every time.

So, Maybelline Volum’ Express Falsies Flared Mascara claims to make your lashes look fake. I know- in most cases, looking “fake” is a bad thing, but as many of you ladies know, a clause in this golden rule comes down to your lashes. With lashes, the bigger the better. Here’s the problem: have you ever attempted applying fake eyelashes? Not easy. What is easy is quickly going from a beauty experiment to your own version of A Christmas Story and shooting your eye out. No one ever really understands the whole pirate eye patch thing at a holiday party. Halloween at least you stand a fighting chance. Anyway, you tell me this is going to make my eyelashes look fake, I’m in.

Below are the before lashes (no eyeliner, no nothing…):

And keep on scrolling for the magic reveal “after” photos. (I understand that I could have taken a close up of my eyelashes… but why would someone be that close to my face? I want to know whether or not you can see my eyelashes from the punch bowl across the room. Is that not the point of mascara?)

So, I guess the verdict’s in. This isn’t even close to as dramatic as wearing false eyelashes. So very anti-climatic, as a matter of fact, that even my trusty assistant got bored and went to go chase a stick. It’s virtually the same picture. So, 1). I should thank my mom for my naturally long dark lashes (my dad’s are the color called “clear”), and 2). probably going to have to hone my lash applying skills. As far as mascaras go, this is a very good one, but will it have you questioning whether they’re real or fake? Probably not.