Like it or not, Valentine’s Day is coming in less than two weeks. Whether you’re dressing up for date night with your beau, gearing up for a night of dancing with your single ladies, or joining Ben & Jerry for a night with Blair and Serena, it’s the perfect excuse to buy something pretty. If you’re hoping to channel the color of love for your date, or the Chinese color for luck (because it is still Chinese New Year) you can don an attention-grabbing red item for the night. From an LRD to an eye-catching red pump, you’re sure to assert confidence when wearing cupid’s favorite color.

Not feeling the red?

Then how about channeling the other part (AKA my favorite part) of Valentine’s Day: chocolate! Red is not for everyone but wearing black on Single Awareness Day is cliche, making brown the perfect choice. It’s both festive and flattering, and if you find the right item it can be just as eye-catching as it’s in-your-face friend, red. Read More »

A bow headband is an easy way to accessorize an otherwise basic outfit or detract from a borderline-bad hair day (you’ll probably want a hat for a full-on one). But bows are also a popular accent on other pieces of clothing, ranging from a bold accent bow on a heel to a more subtle graphic-print bow on a tank. This pretty, feminine detail adds visual interest to otherwise basic pieces. And even if you’re not into the whole “I look like a present all wrapped up” look of actual bows, there are lots of bow prints to choose from, including my personal favorite, the unexpected bow on the tights.

A bow detail is the perfect juxtaposition to the more masculine pieces popular right now. Bows are inherently girly (unless it’s a bow-tie!) and even the smallest one can soften the baggy silhouettes of boyfriend blazers or army jackets.

Still don’t have you sold? Here’s 15 pieces that should change your mind. Read More »

It’s almost the end of the year. As you’re making your New Year’s resolution list, here’s something to think about: punching up your style for 2011.

If you have “budget better” on your list, this might seem like it will counter a resolution to save money, but it doesn’t have to. An easy way to add a little punch to your wardrobe is with accessories! With a pair of patterned tights you can easily change the appearance of your go-to black dress. With a sparkly headband you can add some interest to your in-dire-need-of-a-cut hairstyle. Though Blair Waldorf-esque bow headbands may seem so Constance Billards, adding one with a lot of bling is a way to stray from that UES image.

By adding accessories from head to toe, you can add a lot of pizzaz to an otherwise basic outfit. And I’ve got 15 items to scoop up just in time for the New Year. Read More »

"I came as fast as I could...in my hooker boots!"

Alright GG minions, fill in the blank:

“Gossip Girl was depressing this week because ____.”

If you can’t think of anything at the top of your head, I’ve got it.  Gossip Girl was depressing this week because 80% of the episode took place in a hospital, 10% in rehab, and the final 10% in jail.  And all along I thought Thanksgiving was only about pies and tradition (and awkwardly avoiding drunk Uncle Steve), but what do I know?

Despite my previous attempt (and some damn good ideas, if I do say so myself), Gossip Girl producers did not hear my ‘let’s change Gossip Girl once and for all’ desperate call.  I had hope for them, I really did.  And now I’m left binge eating an entire bowl of popcorn and sitting in my family room more frustrated than I was when I sat down last week to get some GG and discovered there was no episode. Talk about a waste of perfectly good cookie dough…. Anyways, this was the most depressing, non-satisfying episode EVER.  I didn’t even get a chance to marvel at Serena’s amazing attire because she was wearing a green knit robe the entire episode. And with that hair she looked like a character out of ‘Where the Wild Things Are.’  While Lily is done being punished by Serena’s antics, I’m just about DONE wasting an hour of my Monday, only to find out Juliet lounges around her dirty loft in a mini-dress with a hole in the back and the dude playing her “brother” Ben is a terrible actor.

However,  I would like to take a moment to thank the Upper East Side heavens Dan is thriving in Movember.  Dude was smokin’ last night. His jaw bone was the only thing that kept me captive on my couch for the entire episode.

Since it was one of those typical disastrous Thanksgiving episodes Gossip Girl is infamous for, and the classic “family-time” one-liners were flying, I decided it would be only proper to take the time to reminisce and appreciate some of the more memorable and awesome quotes from last night’s episode.  That’s what the day after Thanksgiving is for after all, am I right? Talking smack about your relatives….

What?
Just my family?

Oh. Well, let’s do this anyway. Read More »

The entire season of Gossip Girl thus far has been the foreplay to the ultimate climax in a brewing ‘Serana take down’ courtesy of Team Brooklyn (i.e. Jenny, Vanessa, and Juliet).  And not the good kind that gets you all hot and bothered. More like ‘what the hell are you doing with your hands, drunken frat pledge?’ foreplay. Read: horrific.

But we finally reached the climax and despite my expectations that it just wouldn’t happen (and I’d have to channel my inner Meg Ryan a la ‘When Harry Met Sally’), we had a toe curling, fireworks extravaganza last night that left me jonesing for a cigarette. (Not that I smoke, but it just seemed appropriate after that hot, hot Blair/Chuck sexy sesh. DAYUMMM.)

I knew Serena was going down, but whew, girl didn’t even get a chance to go down with a fight!  Like they say on the Upper East Side, the possibilities are endless.

Since we are on the precipice of one of my favorite holidays of the year (Thanksgiving!), I thought it would only be appropriate to create the perfect recipe for every Gossip Girl episode.  Even though this particular Monday evening run had a few more twists, turns and ingriedents than normal, I feel like I’ve seen all of this before.  So here we go, let’s cook up some GG casserole, shall we?

A Spoonful of Lily Trying to Fix Serena’s Reputation By Writing a Check
Poor Serena, the scheming efforts of Team Brooklyn have led S’s flesh and blood mother to assume the worst. And weird, Lily is stuck writing another check to buy Serena a mended reputation. Well, pshh, that’s never happened before.

Two Teaspoons of Blair Trying to be an Empowering Women
Since Mr. Chuck isn’t a blurter and meant what he said when he let intense sexual pleasures dull his senses thus voicing the three one-syllable words, Blair and Chuck announce they are back together. Well, they’re forced to announce it when Serena’s Doppelganger exposes them, but whatev. It happened. Unfortunately for Chuck (and every single viewer who has only hung on this season because of those two) it didn’t last long. Blair wants to be her own woman. You know, like Hillary Clinton, but with better hair. “I have to be Blair Waldorf before I’m Chuck Bass’ girlfriend.” Awww. Read More »

I want to be that robe. Or that cookie. Or that duvet.

Like most people, after seeing the commercials for Gossip Girl promising loads of Blair and Chuck hate sex, I was beyond excited. While I usually DVR the episode and watch it later in the evening to avoid those pesky commercial breaks, I couldn’t stand to wait another minute so I <gasp> watched it live (with many of you!).

….and I was more disappointed than that time I hooked up with my high school crush and he kept saying “baseball, baseball, baseball” for the duration of the (3 minute) dalliance.

I don’t know what those Gossip Girl writers are smoking over there at CW HQ but it must be laced with something bad because this show has turned into the worst piece of crap in TV history. Seriously, I think I’d rather watch a Hoarders marathon than this dribble. This episode just makes me so angry. When it finally ended and I finished picking popcorn kernels out of my teeth, I hated everyone. Everyone! (Especially Orville Redenbacher.) Read More »

Alright everyone, take a moment to remain calm.  Is your hair in missionary disarray, just like Serena’s after her night with the “cab stealer?”  Mine is.  I was ready to tear it out during the entire episode.  Then I came to my senses, fearing having to get extensions like Jenny’s.

OH THE HORROR.

Speaking of horror, can we talk about this week’s episode of Gossip Girl? Wait, of course we can, that’s why you’re here, right? I mean, it’s been two weeks since the last installment, so you can pretty much say I’m STILL hyperventilating from all that goodness.  The CW Network was so right – waiting for next week’s episode is going to make me very uncomfortable. Even if I plan on being drunk in a tutu for 72 hours straight this week.

But back to last night.  First of all, let’s state the obvious, shall we?  Little J is back with her atrocious uni-braided horse’s mane …. and I couldn’t be more happy about it.

Welcome back, Jenny Humphrey! I’ve missed you more than I miss my 3rd grade metabolism.
OK, almost.

The little blonde freakshow truly lit up this episode and made quite a scene both in Blair’s “Chuck nightmare” and real life.  Speaking of nightmares, since it’s getting so close to Halloween (and since this episode was such a hot mess of amazingness), I thought it would be a great idea to to highlight the Upper East Side elites’ all-time worst nightmares, one richy rich kid at a time.  Read More »

In honor of the new season of Gossip Girl, our friends at PopEater are asking you to share your tales of real-life Gossip Girl run-ins.  The stories range from the scintillating and shocking to the hysterical and bizarre.  Should you be racking your brain to submit a story of your own, I present you with the ultimate cheat sheet.

Ladies, you probably know a Gossip Girl if…

She’s given a monthly allowance in the four-digit range…just for “fun” purchases.
The sales girls at Louis Vuitton know her by name.  She didn’t have to wait for her Hermes Birkin bag.  Chanel makes sure she’s always invited to the in-store preview events.  Basically, the girl’s got the connection on all the latest and greatest when it comes to fashion.  She wants it all, and she gets it (ahead of everyone else, of course).

Things don’t stay secret for long, especially when her cell phone’s nearby.
Is she inviting you to spill your heart out?  Looking at you with “it’s okay, you can tell me anything” eyes?  Patting the seat next to her while holding out her arms in a faux-hug?  If so, then run.  It’s no surprise to say Gossip Girls love gossip, and their fingers can text at lightening speeds even when the phone’s under the table or hidden in a purse.  Duct tape that mouth, young lady, or your break-up will be the hottest news on campus in fifteen minutes.

She takes mysterious trips at a moment’s notice.
Long weekend in Bermuda= visiting her estranged father who is running away from American authorities in Belgium.  Last-minute acceptance to a prestigious summer program at Oxford= her mother’s forcing her into rehab for that pesky case of Bulimia.  Skipped out on a year of school for no reason= girl was totally suicidal after she tripped down the runway at Fashion Week.  The affairs of Gossip Girls are shrouded in mystery, so always be suspect of her excuses.

Minions abound!
Like the seven dwarfs…except taller, thinner, and wearing Prada.  Gossip Girls require a staff of help in their homes and a committee of mini-me’s in their schools.  Minions often wear similar styles and speak with the same lingo as their leader, but don’t be confused.  These girls know exactly to whom they answer.

Men just can’t seem to help themselves.
Could be the killer body, the form-fitting dress, or the four-inch Louboutins, but whatever the reason- she makes sexy look effortless and Heidi Klum look like a dumpy housewife.  Guys can’t seem to say no to a Gossip Girl for (ahem, two) reasons that are pretty plain to see.  And they’re only the best- future investment bankers, lawyers, heirs to oil fortunes…  That scrawny English major knows he doesn’t stand a chance with a Blair Waldorf wanna-be.

Do you know a real-life Gossip Girl? Been the victim of her vicious mouth? (Yeah, it’s cute on TV, but not so much in the real world with real consequences… like your parents finding out your dirty secrets via Facebook updates….) Share your story below.

Do Columbia students not carry books?

Have you ever been so excited for something – counting down the minutes, planning your day around it, fantasizing about how amazingly awesome it is going to be, turning off your cell phone so you won’t be interrupted – only to be totally disappointed? Yeah, welcome to the day I lost my virginity my Monday night.

So thanks for nothing, Gossip Girl.

After Chuck’s brazen (and dare I say super sexy) declaration of war during last week’s episode, I was chomping at the bit to see how things would go down. As each day passed, I got more and more excited for my Monday night date with Chuck and the rest of the UES crew. I had dreams (that are too inappropriate to divulge here) about me, Chuck and his private plane. I had visions of a Chuck and Blair reunion. I wrote aggressive emails to the GG writing staff to push Juliet out of a window at the top of the Empire….

And then, 60 boring minutes and a bag of pretzel M&Ms later, I was bitter and angry…and really thirsty (seriously, what is it with those M&Ms?). What was it that was getting my granny panties in a bunch? Read More »

This week, as I caught up on my favorite fall shows (and watched some Sex and the City reruns) I couldn’t help but notice a running trend: female friendships. Sure some shows were about shopping (or singing while shopping) and some were about saving lives, but at the heart of it all, were some pretty cool chicks.

The kind of best friends every girl wishes she had.
The kind of best friends that will risk their lives to help you, the kind that will stand by you through anything, the kind of best friends that will…let you raid their closet. (Hey! It’s the little things that matter.)

These girls aren’t real, but we all wish they were. So, in my first ever Weekly Ten (yeah, I’m new so get used to me!) I’ve decided to pay tribute to what I consider to be some of the best fictional BFFs out there, past and present. Read More »