If you were between the ages of 11 and 16 around 2001, I’ll bet you’ve read the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. It’s become somewhat of a YA classic and is revered by many of my friends as their favorite book. Around the time that this series was popular, I had 3 best friends and we all related to one character in the book, which was so much fun. However, as often happens, you grow apart from your high school friends, especially after four years at different universities. You make different friends, you get boyfriends and pretty soon, you have nothing in common. I don’t know about you, but for me it’s been pretty hard to maintain these friendships when you don’t run in the same circles and have nothing to say except “So, what’s new?” Mimicking my own growth, Ann Brashares has come out with the final chapter in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants saga- Sisterhood Everlasting- which features the four friends 10 years later.

The book begins by introducing you to each of the girls’ new lives. Carmen is a semi-famous actress and now a size 0. She lives in New York City with her fiance, Jones, and is obsessed with her iPhone. Tibby has run off to Australia with Brian and hasn’t kept in touch at all. Lena is an art instructor and spends her time with Drew, a sandwich-maker who she isn’t really interested in, but he’s better than no one. And Bridget is still her free-spirited self, with nothing steady in her life except Eric, her longtime boyfriend who supports them both. All 4 girls miss their friendship and close bond and hope is renewed when each receives a plane ticket from Tibby to meet at Lena’s grandparents house in Greece. They all set off, looking forward to getting their friendship back on track, but a tragedy so unthinkable shakes them to the core and sends them on a tailspin that tests them like nothing yet.

I’m not going to say any more about the story line of the book. I don’t want to accidentally hint at anything, because I think the surprises are what hit your the hardest in this one. However, I will say that this book could not have come at a more perfect time in my life.

At the core of this, and all the Traveling Pants books, is friendship. The boyfriends, the careers and even family all come second to this unbreakable bond between 4 girls. I’ll admit that my priorities have become slightly skewed in recent years and I’ve put school before everything and then fit the other aspects of my life into that, often leaving friendship for dead last. Like I said, it’s so hard to maintain something with someone who you have nothing in common with except each other. This book takes me back to when my friends meant everything to me and makes me nostalgic for the simplicity of high school. It makes me appreciate the good friends I have and remember great times with friends of my past.

Ann is a wonderful writer and I feel like she finished off the series perfectly. She tied up all the loose ends for each girl, often in the happiest way possible. I finished this book feeling satisfied with the direction of each girl and a little bit more at peace with myself. No matter what happens, true friends are there for you and even if you reconnect 10 years down the line, things will be like they always were.

LOVE HER.

I’ve been a fan of Ann Brashares for a decade. “The Sisterhood” series is one of my favorites and practically defines my young adolescence. So, when the opportunity to interview Ann Brashares and review her new book “My Name is Memory” came up, I jumped at the chance! I’m still in shock that I had an actual conversation with one of my favorite authors.

Below, find the interview with one of the neatest women I have ever met and then the review of My Name is Memory. Read More »

Celebrities get paid to look good and serve as a style guide to all us common folk, and part of looking good is flaunting their totally awesome fashion sense. Each week, I will be highlighting my Style Idol of the week: a celebrity who consistently shows keen fashion sense and whose closet I would raid in a heartbeat.

Of course, no celebs are immune to the occasional “what the hell were they thinking?” moment, but for the most part, these celebs look foxy and fabulous and inspire us all to do the same.]

Blake Lively put herself on the radar with her debut in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but it was her starring role in Gossip Girl that ushered her into stardom and really put her on the map. It’s hard not to notice her gorgeous blonde locks, those perfect legs that go for miles and her stunning smile, but on top of those physical features, Blake’s got a timeless and perfect style. (Editor’s Note: I want it, I want it, I want it.)

Blake Lively has the ability to do something many of us hope we can pull off: look phenomenal not only when all dolled up, but also when doing her daily business in jeans and sweaters. She’s a huge fan of Chanel and oftentimes seems to embody the old glamour that Coco Chanel created.

Part of Lively’s flawless style is her ability to accentuate her assets perfectly. She shows off her gorgeous gams with skinny jeans that accentuate all the right details, and she is a master at coming up with the perfect outfit – from clothes, to shoes, to bags and accessories. Add her hottie bf/co-star, Penn Badgley, onto her arm and this girl is the hottest of hot young Hollywood, through and through. Read More »

I love fried chicken as much as the next guy, but this is just too much.

Coney Island adds a new “ride“. Can we go? CAN WE, CAN WE?

You go, girl old lady!

Who says postal workers are disgruntled?

Rob and Big: A music video.

Pineapple Express is funny. You gonna see it?

Perez Hilton layin’ off the donuts to get laid. Unfortunately, he still sucks.

Forget putting notches in the ol’ bedpost; now men can show em off on his finger!

Sure, you have 1,235 friends on FB, but are you internet famous?

I am afraid to go to sleep now. For real.

Hillary, give it up already. You lost. Pack up the pride and just walk away.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants: not realistic (and not only because of those magical pants).

Top 10 Mispronunciations that Make You Look Stupid.

If we decided, ‘Hey, I’m wearing what Blake Lively wore in the Gossip Girl re-run last nigh,” we may not make it through the day without our little sister, boyfriend or lab partner giving us a look and asking, “WTF?” It’s hard to make your own what a stylist can do on television, but we want to, damn it!

The good news is: it’s possible. If you do it right. So, take away the cameras and lets make that TV fashion work.

Gossip Girl:

On GG, Blake and Leighton often rock different patterns and colors and pull together a look that is personally unique. You can do this too. First, think of your own fashion staple. Leighton often wears head bands or scarves. Do you have a favorite belt or bunch of bracelets that you wear regularly? Wear them with each outfit, soon they’ll become YOUR signature.

Also don’t be afraid to mix stripes with checks, or even polka dots; just stay within the same color range. And if you choose to wear a multitude of colors, don’t mix different patterns.

Finally, feel to take some fashion risks… the most attractive accessories these girls have is confidence. Read More »

Kirsten Dunst is looking good and airbrushed these days, which makes me feel weird. She’s still not smiling, though, which makes me feel better.

Tom Cruise wants to romp and play (and live to see the day when those of us who don’t believe in Scientology are only remembered in history books)

And on a related note, Tom & Company wants to know if you’ve ever been a professional executioner

This year’s Sundance Film Fest is ALL about the (missing) cats

Critics discuss the scariest movie for dudes since Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants