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Wanna know what happened on this week’s creation of Gossip Girl?  Why don’t you look up the word ‘lamesauce’ in the dictionary and get back at me.  Didn’t find anything?  Well, it’s time to petition Merriam-Webster, because that’s the only word I can think of to describe the disappointment I feel for this show on a weekly basis.  A girl can only be distracted with lace blazers and Nate smirks for so long before she totally gives up.

Basically, I need a wicked twist this season, and I need it now.

The best twist about this episode?  Nate is back to his old self.  He’s smokin’ the reefer and shakin’ his booty to Tik Tok.  Did I just say reefer?  What am I, forty?  Based upon the fact I age ten years per episode why yes, yes I am. (But I don’t care how old I am; I still want Nate to babysit me. He likes cougars, right?)

It pains me greatly that the closest thing to excitement in this episode was some sweet, rolled Mary Jane and the sparkles on Serena’s birthday skirt. (Note: not her birthday SUIT. I don’t think Serena would be one to vagazzle…though that would have upped the excitement a bit). I mean, I could go to a campus frat party and find that; I turn to Gossip Girl for the thrilling drama, for god’s sake. Thrilling drama that has been MIA since season 3. Therefore, it’s time to take action.  It’s time to really reach out to anyone out there that is willing listen and even the ones that are not.  So I’m going to do what I do second best: write an open letter. (First best goes to Wine Pong. No one can stop me once that Franzia hits my system!)

My Open Letter to Gossip Girl:

Dear GG,

Hi, I’m Brittany, one of those angry, distraught, broken-record GG fans that really likes Nate’s outer arm muscles in flannel, hates anyone who dates Chuck other than Blair and secretly dreams about touching Rufus’ burly man hands.  I simply cannot stop searching for that allure Gossip Girl once provided for my Monday nights.  Even if I have to use my words and hope you find this on the interwebs.

You know a show is bad when 18-year-old boys who haven’t grown an inch since their 12th birthday are writing checks for $100,000 because they want to keep crazy cocaine addicts happy.  And that’s exactly where Gossip Girl is going.  I understand you’re trying to insert Dimples Damien into all of this in attempt to make things better and brighter for Gossip Girl, but that spray tan is just too much. And it’s not working. Can’t we just keep Lily as the individual writing the checks and sealing the envelopes? And can we have the sorta cynical but totally adorable Eric back? What’s with all this doom and gloom?

And I still can’t stand the ignorance that is infesting Serena’s mind. You’re making it REALLY hard to like her; I can’t even bring myself to drool over her long, luscious locks anymore. I think every GG fan loves the idea of all this romance and love, but what kind of heroine are you creating when she abandons all rational thought for every guy who looks her way? That’s….healthy. Maybe someone can send a memo to the wardrobe department to stop dressing Serena in such tight sweaters that prevent blood flow to her brain. Maybe that will help?

I’d also like to talk about Blair’s future.  I understand she can’t brush her own hair on a daily basis, so what gives when Blair is pretty much manning the entire editorial portion of W magazine?  Isn’t she still in college?  Couldn’t you have tried to make that whole storyline realistic? Because it just…wasn’t.

Heavy sigh. (Yeah, I had to type that out so you know just how upset all of this is making me.) All of this ‘bad episode’ business is making me crazy and I think I’m about to say something I’ll forever regret. But so be it.

Can we bring Little J back?

I don’t care; dress her like a low class street whore and cake her face with raccoon makeup, but bring her back already!  And for the sake of the Upper East Side’s relationship with me and my living room – Dan and Blair can hook up now.  I will allow it. I’m ready for an extreme Serena-Blair falling out and a ‘no-no’ hook up sesh. Serena’s a crappy, selfish person, anyway; she doesn’t deserve Dan. Let’s have him fall into the arms of a witty, intelligent, beautiful woman who does.

Make it happen.  Or I’m going to change the channel and watch disgusting group dates and swimming sessions in Costa Rica.  And trust me, you don’t want me to have to do that. Word to the wise: it’s always better to give me what I want. Just ask my parents.

That is all.

XOXO,
GGRG
(Gossip Girl Recap Girl)

[Welcome to Celebrity Chic on the Cheap, where our style guru takes a celebrity look and breaks it down for you, our poor college fashionista. What does that mean? It means that while the celebrities (like, duh, Nicole Richie) are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to.]

Jessica Szohr totally gets the short end of the Gossip Girl stick. Her character, Vanessa Abrams, is one of thee most obnoxious, insufferable, thoroughly unpleasant characters on the show. Considering how none of those characters are people anyone would want to know in real life, that is quite a feat.

But just because Jessica’s character completely sucks doesn’t mean that Jessica deserves to be as D-list as she is. I mean, she’s dating Ed Westwick, so she’s probably a pretty cool chick. Not only that, but her sense of style is amazeballs. (No joke, are all of the GG actresses must be contractually obligated to be as fierce off set as they are on?) Jessica combines edgy, feminine, and trendy pieces to create a banging, fun, fresh aesthetic that is to die for. Or, you know, to scour discount racks for…

Shopping Info: Trench, Cardigan, Shorts, Tights, Boots.

Black and white will never not be a totally great look. Black trench coats are a wardrobe must. They are so versatile and you can throw one on over pretty much anything and look totally put-together. A white sweater underneath adds a striking contrast, and the oversized, boyfriend style makes it look casual and cool. Throwing that on over short black shorts adds a splash of unexpected sass.

I am as big a glitter slut as Ke$ha, so the glittery tights are absolutely my favorite part of this look – they are sparkly, glam, chic, fun, and sexy. What more could you possibly ask for from a pair of tights? Finally, a pair of basic black ankle boots ties the whole outfit together into one edgy, trendy, fabulous-for-winter look.

Oh, Jessica Szohr, this outfit almost makes me forgive you for bringing Vanessa Abrams to life…almost.

Get more celebrity looks for less here.

[Welcome to Celebrity Chic on the Cheap, where our style guru takes a celebrity look and breaks it down for you, our poor college fashionista. What does that mean? It means that while the celebrities (like everyone's favorite style icon, Gwen Stefani) are spending $5,000 on an ensemble you don’t have to.]

Jessica Alba has been taking a break from the big screen lately, choosing to focus on raising her daughter and tweet about feeling fly like a G6. Yet, she is still a solid fixture in all the tabloids, because for some reason, everyone is still obsessed with the fact that celebrities procreate (and look fabulous while doing so).

Jessica is definitely one of the most stylish mommies running around Hollywood. She has a fresh, hip, not excessively trendy style and she loves to include unexpected accessories or pieces with eye-catching detailing. Weird, because I also like to be fresh, hip and not excessively trendy with a touch of the unexpected. Thankfully, I don’t have to have Jessica’s movie star salary to achieve my style dreams.

Product Info: Skirt – Forever 21, $19.80; White Shirt – Old Navy, $10; Blazer – Target, $19.99; Scarf – Scarf World, $5.56; Tights – Figleaves, $7.50; Shoes – Steve Madden, $69.95.

I completely adore this outfit for so many reasons. First of all, this amazing skirt. Maybe I’ve been watching too much Gossip Girl, but I am a firm supporter in miniskirts year round, and I am absolutely in love with the silver studding of this one from Forever 21, which has a similar biker-inspired aesthetic to Jessica’s bangin’ skirt. I have already expressed my undying love for animal print, so you know I’m swooning over the cheetah print scarf, which livens up the plain white top.

I chose a boyfriend blazer (the best/most versatile thing in my wardrobe) to throw on top, but a heavy pea coat would look just as cute. Those sheer tights are perfect for you lucky ladies who don’t have to walk around with a scorching hot caramel macchiato at all times to keep you warm. But for my fellow shivering chickadees, throw on some uber thick tights and you’re good to go. Finally, these uber cute black tuxedo shoes finish off the look by adding a slightly boyish flair to an otherwise very feminine outfit.

Jessica Alba’s look is effortlessly sexy and edgy, and with enough sass, totally appropriate for a variety of occasions, from a Saturday shopping sesh to a night at the bar. Here’s hoping I can look this hot after popping a kid out…

Get more celebrity looks for less here.

Inspired by Monday night’s Gossip Girl and the so-sexy-it-was-almost-vulgar keyhole shirt that Serena wore (and in front of her mother!) to the Observer party, the idea had me thinking. She wore a fitted black shirt with a diamond shape cut out right in the center of her chest. The girls had to have been duct taped to her sides to keep them from falling out. But her shirt, while unrealistic in the real world (come on, no one’s boobs could look like that!) has the same principles of this Body Central shirt: it drew your eye directly to the most flattering part of her body and nowhere else. The idea was enough to make me want to rush to my wardrobe with a pair of scissors.

After I forced myself to put scissors down, I found this much more innocent version on Body Central, the curators of cheap, well made, just-sexy-enough tops that you can’t go wrong with.  We all know the basics of how to show a little skin – a v-kneck for the chest, spaghetti straps for the shoulders, basically anything besides low rise jeans to highlight a muffin top. But keyhole cut outs? They’re a whole new concept in something unexpected. 

Sometimes a plunging neckline is a little too in-your-face, but a fitted black top with a hole where there should be none? Ooo la la. Let’s keep in mind that your upper chest is the part of your body that’s least-susceptible to chub so you’ll be able to wear this shirt no matter what.

And the key to wearing a keyhole? Putting your hair up. The one thing Body Central missed the mark on with their model. The jeans? Good. No jewelry besides earrings? Good. Hair down covering the patch of skin peaking through? Not cool. Pair this shirt with a sleek ponytail if your hair is short enough to not block the view, or a bun otherwise, and never let a necklace interfere!

Adding this shirt to your wardrobe will give you the grace of a top that you can throw on anytime because it’s never unflattering. It’ll never become that shirt you hurl in the corner in a fit because it makes your arms/stomach/back/earlobes look bad.  The black is slimming, the keyhole is hot, the cap sleeves are adorable, and the element of sexy is there without hitting anyone over the head. Wear it to a party, wear it to a meeting, wear it on a date, wear it to church. Just wear it.

[See what else Julia is jonesing for by clicking right here.]

And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in. You know someone who's got great style? Think the world needs to see what she can do?  Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

The best part about having Meredith as my roommate for the past two years has to be my unlimited access to her wardrobe. I can’t even complain about her taking up the entire closet because it’s always the first place I look when I need something cute to wear out.

Meredith can put together the perfect outfit for any occasion. She works at Ann Taylor, so she’s expert at putting together a professional-but-not-boring outfit for class or a job interview. Despite her college student budget, she can always throw together an elegant ensemble for a swanky dinner party. And when it’s time to have fun, she’s never without a cute/crazy/sexy outfit to party in.

Name: Meredith Wish
Year: Senior
Program: Major: PR/Marketing Communications and Journalism, Minor: Film Studies, English

1) Describe your personal style:
My personal style is the 1800s brought into modern day. I love jackets with details and buttons, puffy skirts, and ruffles. I wear very girly things but I tone it down with a masculine piece, like a jacket, to give it an eccentric look. I like wearing an outfit where I’m almost afraid to walk out the door, but once I do, I rock it. I like to push boundaries.

2) Complete this sentence: I can’t leave my house without…
Knee socks or a headband.

3) What is your favorite store to shop at?
Rugby or Ann Taylor

4) Who or what is the biggest influence on your style?
Gwen Stefani and my friend Cassie

5) What is your favorite trend, past or present?
50s pin-up dresses

On Meredith:
Coat: Rugby
Dress: Flea Market
Socks: H&M
Shoes: Michael Kors
Headband: Aldo Accessories

I love Gossip Girl. Ever since I heard Kristin Bell’s first “xoxo” back in 2007, I’ve been hooked. GG’s got it all: drama, scandal, hot men, and adorable outfits. The thing about those outfits, however amazing they may be, is that they can be super expensive. So, when I heard that Anna Sui was designing a Gossip Girl inspired collection for Target, I had high hopes and was immediately excited. I even contemplated camping out at my neighborhood Target American-Idol-style the night before the line was released. But after spotting the collection online, I’m torn.

Love it:

Variety – I love that Anna decided to make a collection that showcases the style of all four Gossip Girl ladies: Blair, Serena, Jenny, and Vanessa. With the GG line, you have the opportunity to mix and match with different pieces inspired by each character, or just pick your favorite. I don’t know about you, but some days I’m a Blair and the next I’m Vanessa, so I like a collection that takes this change in style into account.

Price – Though specific prices for Anna’s collection haven’t been announced yet, it’s making it’s debut at Target, so it will definitely be budget-friendly. I might have loved the Marc Jacobs Joelle dress that Blair wore to the white party, but I most definitely do not like the price tag, or the fact that it is now sold out.

Wearability – Although I would love to be able to prance around campus in 5 inch stilettos and shirts dresses everyday a la Ms. Van Der Woodsen, it just is not practical for me. Short hemlines + tall shoes = disaster waiting to happen. Luckily though, Anna Sui found a way to emulate S’s (and B, Little J, and V’s) style in a more everyday fashion. It would be so easy to pull on any of these dresses over tights, leggings or a hot pair of socks and make them your own.

Loathe it:

Translation – Although the collection has some great looks, many of the pieces seem to have been lost in translation, or don’t fit the character’s they were inspired by. Whether this was an attempt to keep costs down, or if the design team only watched a few episodes of Gossip Girl, I’m not sure. Whatever the case though, some of these outfits are just plain weird. Serena’s outfit with the fitted bermuda shorts with bows and a vest, Vanessa’s puffy vest, Jenny’s textured tights and tie-up shirt, and pretty much all of Blair’s looks just don’t get it right; something’s off. (Perhaps the designers?)

Lack of pants – Gossip Girl by Anna Sui (or whatever they’re officially calling this line) undeniably offers some great skirts and dresses, but that’s pretty much it.  What about the skinny jeans? Shorts? Leggings? I realize that most of the outfits on the show are feminine and formal, but Serena, Vanessa, and our favorite bad girl Georgina most definitely rock pants from time to time.

Vanessa’s Looks – Why oh why are all of V’s outfits the same shades of brown, orange, and yellow?! Though she doesn’t have an Upper East Side sense of style, Vanessa’s outfits on the show are still colorful and generally pretty cute. Or at least different! Liquid leggings, a denim mini, and hot pink patent Doc Marten’s? That’s Vanessa. 70′s print orange and brown? Not so much. This girl loves neon!

So, Anna’s line is definitely slightly flawed, but it’s also the closest I’m ever going to get to an UES wardrobe. I’m so torn. What do you think??

XOXO,
CollegeCandy Girl

If you watched Gossip Girl last week, you probably noticed Vanessa Abrams clad in a very cute outfit consisting of a black military styled coat, grey acid wash skinny jeans, and almond colored Minnetonka Moccasin fringed boots. If you didn’t, you can check out the look here. Gossip Girl fan or not, fringed boots are a hot trend for spring.

Whether you like them short, up to your calf, or knee-length, Minnetonka Moccasin has a boot for you. They’re way cuter than Uggs, and easily just as comfortable (believe me, I own a pair of the shoes!). All of their adorable fringed boots come in at under $100, so if you order a pair you’ll still have some money to invest in the perfect pair of skinnies to tuck into them.

These boots may not keep your feet warm, and when you slip one on it definitely won’t have that I-just-stuck-my-foot-into-a-teddy-bear thing that Uggs have going on, but you can wear them in the spring (even with a skirt!) without looking completely ridiculous. If that weren’t enough, fringed boots will transition well into fall with a denim jacket, a tunic, and leggings. Or, you know, a black military coat and grey jeans á la Miss Abrams.

They are footwear perfection and I want ‘em, need ‘em, have to have ‘em.

Unfortunately for me, bows seems to be everywhere this season. On shoes, on headbands, on sweaters, on jackets…on everything but gifts for me. It is like the bow has become the Carrie Bradshaw flower of 4 years ago, but not nearly as cute.

I have a feeling this look was inspired by the one and only Blair Waldorf; her looks are constantly adorned with perfectly tied bows. But for those of us who just don’t happen to have the Blair Waldorf looks or budget, bows tend to look a little…well, cheesy.

I mean, no one over the age of 3 should have a bow on their headband. And a chic suede booty should not have a messily tied bow on the side of it; that just takes away from the fierceness.

WTF is up with all these bows!? What do you think?

Bows: Love ‘em or hate ‘em?

[Photo courtesy of ivillage.com]

I know when I was 17, I spruced up my Kipling backpack by wearing a strand of Chanel Pearls… and by Chanel Pearls I obviously mean the totally real ones that I bought in China Town.

Don’t get me wrong; I do admire their fashion forwardness, but I totally resent that it’s not reality. However, this look on Ms. Blake Lively is totally attainable and totally cute.

Perhaps I should start watching?

Leather is huge this fall (along with purple, yellow, scarves, and everything else I’ve blogged about in this series) and it’s a great way to dress down a sexy black dress while also staying warm in all those super long bar lines.

So I bring you: Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Gossip Girl’s ‘Too Legit to Quit’ Style.

The Black Dress: You can get a great dress from Forever 21, obvi. This dress is HOT and better than HOT – it’s CHEAP. INEXPENSIVE. MUY INEXPENSIVO. Yes, I am still single.

The Leather Jacket- While still pricey at $128.00, it’s still a bargain for a cute leather jacket. If you aren’t feeling this one Urban has tons of other cute options. And a leather jacket is a GREAT fall piece; wear it out with this ensemble, or throw it on with skinny jeans and flats, or even a cute hoodie and sweats to class (you know, instead of that awful North Face Fleece that neeeeeds to be retired. Please. I am begging you).

The Purse: Different than the one Blake has above, but more suitable for a night out at the bar, this Croc Patent purse is Hot (with a capital “H”). And the best thing about patent leather? Spills… or vomit (ew) wipe off easy breezy instead of leaving a messy stain.

The Shoe: These shoes will make this look a bit more transitional for fall rather than the wrap sandals shown above. I would go with the Pewter or the black; they both go with everything.

Multi Chain Necklace: This final touch paired with the booties and motorcycle jacket will make that ‘fit “Too Legit To Quit” (Hey heeeeey).