Gossip Girl Season 4 Hits Paris

Can we just, for a moment, talk about this:

Season 4 of Gossip Girl began shooting yesterday in Paris, and from the looks of this photo, the fashion is primed to be even more incredible than in years past.  The storyline picks up with Blair and Serena spending the summer in the City of Light, where the first 2 episodes will take place.  The season premiere airs September 13th, 2010, and as a serious Gossip Girl addict, I can’t wait for them to be back on my television, where they belong!

xoxo,

E

How to Wear: Ruffles

Feminine and frilly is all the rage this fall so don’t be afraid to embellish your look with ruffles.  (And yes, I did indeed just say “all the rage”.  And then I used indeed.  See how I did that?)  This is an easy trend to pull off, but you should be careful that you don’t go for too much of a good thing.  If you have ruffles on your shoes, then skip the ruffled bag.  If you have a cute ruffled top, then skip the ruffled skirt.  You’re smart – you get the picture.

The key to rockin’ this trend is to KISS.  (Keep it simple, silly.)  (Ok, ok, the real phrase is Keep It Simple, Stupid – but frankly I didn’t think it was very nice to call you stupid.  You’re here, right?  Ten automatic smart points!) Pair a ruffled top with a tailored pant or a pencil skirt and simple shoes.  Think of it as your signature item.  If you wear fire engine red shoes, you’re going to keep the rest of the outfit and accessories simple, right?  The same goes for ruffles.

Check out some of these awesome ruffled and frilly looks for fall.  I’m especially in love with the Walter dress on the right – it has a cutout back with a simple tie, and it is just gorgeous.  Be on the lookout for it on Leighton Meester in the season premier of Gossip Girl on September 14th.  So, what do you think?  See anything that catches your eye or stikes your fancy?

Anna Sui Designs Gossip-Worthy Line for Target

The fall of 2007 was my very last semester teaching, and it was a semester that I found myself teaching French at an all-girls Catholic high school.  I actually loved teaching all girls, and found that forging a bond with the young women whom I taught was a natural thing that helped me to gain their trust but also their respect.  It wasn’t long before the September air began to cool down, and the jitters and buzz surrounding the first major test of the semester began to work itself into a near frenzy.  My big test, however, had competition.  The premier of a TV show called Gossip Girl (which, the girls impatiently told me, was based on a VERY popular series of books) was coming on the night before the test…so how in the WORLD would they have time to study?!

Since I fancied myself a good teacher, I did what anyone in my shoes would do…I watched the premiere.  Oh yeah, and I was totally embarrassed to say that I LOVED it.  Naturally the girls screamed in delight when I went back to school and admitted to them that I had watched it, and begrudgingly admitted that I actually enjoyed it.  A lot.

I don’t teach those girls anymore.  Actually, I don’t teach anymore at all.  But I still watch the show, and, um, I’ve seen every single episode.

I think the word I’m looking for is “addict”…

Gossip Girl is a delicious escape for me from everything that is “supposed” to be in the world.  They aren’t affected by a recession, and the fashion on the show certainly proves that they aren’t restricted by their bank accounts.  Of course, it’s the fashion that I love almost as much as the rollercoaster plotline.  Each ensemble fits the character’s personality to a “t” – I swear I wait each week to see the clothes just as anxiously as I await Blair’s latest scheme.

Naturally, I was so excited to see that Anna Sui was tapped to design a “Gossip Girl” inspired line for Target to be released in mid-September.  There are 19 looks in all, in 4 distinct categories.  There are the Blair’s, the Serena’s, the Jenny’s, and the Vanessa’s.  Check ‘em out below — which fits you best?  And what do you think?  I think some of the looks, especially the white lace “Blair” dress, is dead on.