Crazy Colors Reign Supreme at the Teen Choice Awards

So, the Teen Choice Awards were last night...

Yeah, I'm officially inching toward my late twenties and I still pay attention to the Teen Choice Awards. So what?

Don't judge me.

It's only okay when I judge everyone else! Well, okay, not really. But I do find it entertaining to judge celebrity fashion... mostly because with the amount of money and access to stylists they have so many of them still show up looking like hot messes. It legitimately boggles my mind.

Like... How do you look in the mirror wearing this:

And think, "Damn. I look goooooooooooooood!"

Please note the matching yellow mani-pedi Tyra got for the occasion. Yikes.

Apparently the crazy was making the rounds among the TCA attendees, cause our dear Fergie showed up lookin' like a bumble bee at a 4th of July celebration:

 

Also, since when did the 90's bleached blonde + an inch of black roots thing come back into style? Her hair looks damaged and fried and it does nothing but age her.

Know what must be pretty great, though?

Being young, gorgeous, and rich on a red blue carpet with your BFF! But, for the love of God, can somebody please tell me why there is so much extra fabric on these dresses?? I mean, clearly they were on par with whole yellow-theme of the night... But seriously. 

The sash on Selena Gomez's Erin Featherson dress is not only impractical, it just looks kinda like it was supposed to be a sash, but she forgot to tie it around her waist, no? It's also blocking the view of her adorable Brian Atwood Betsy sandals.

Way too cute to block.

And Demi Lovato's BCBG Maz Azria Lace Over Mullet dress could be really cute and fun. I suppose. If there wasn't a TAIL on it. I mean, the word "mullet" is in the name! It's not a good look for hair, so why would you put it on a dress??

I've got to hand it to her on the shoes, though.

Looks like they're custom Christian Louboutin Jenny Knotted Platform Pumps to match her dress. Basically, they're fabulous. Bonus points for those.

So, it's no secret that I'm kind of in love with Pretty Little Liars on ABC Family. It's a guilty pleasure freakin' awesome show and I basically live for slightly insane styling that happens on it. So, the Pretty Little Liar who's sanity I question the most (Aria ~ he might not be your teacher anymore but that does NOT make it legal) AKA Lucy Hale showed up in a surprisingly fun Cengiz Abazoglu Sequin Cutout dress.

And then she turned around... and this happened:

Yep. We are dangerously close to seeing ass crack.

Mildly disturbing.

Luckily for us, there were a few more angelic figures at the show to tame things down a little bit.

Rachel Bilson, I love you. Do you ever not look adorable?

Perfect hair, understated makeup, super cute Chloe Resort dress (it's actually mint green, but it's kind of hard to tell in the photos), and awesome Brian Atwood studded shoes (I can't even stand booties pretty much...ever. But I LOVE these).

I just love it all.

Can I just be you? Just for one day? Cause that would be cool. Let's arrange it, 'kay? Or, if not... Can we be friends? That would be seriously cool, too.

Hmmm. Dear Taylor Swift... Normally I think you do award shows pretty well. I'm not sure sure about this one...

Kind of awkwardly tight around the bust... Marilyn-Monroe-esque full circle...

Seems a little bit like a Vegas showgirl in a White Wedding spectacular, doesn't it? Not sure I can approve of this Rafael Cennamo dress.

I can, however, approve of the super sparkly Ranjana Khan diamond-encrusted belt.

Also, really cute Fendi bow pumps. How do I get my hands on either of these?

Oh, right. Become a multi-platinum singer/darling of America.

I'm on it.

No worries, Taylor. I love you anyway. My friend and I even saw you in concert and loved every second. Except the part where we were surrounded by thirteen year old girls and their moms. That was a little sad.

Moving on.

The awards were hosted by Kaley Cuoco. Who showed up in a lamp shade. Or bed ruffle. Maybe something in between.

Yeah... I don't really get it.

She had me from the waste up though. I think the top of the dress, as well as her hair and makeup look fantastic.

I love the undone beachy waves and the smudgy eye-makeup that makes her eyes practically glow. The pop of pink in the lip color is super fun and flattering on her.

I really do just wish her dress wasn't made of those silly layers.

Okay, I have one more outfit I need to point out from last night.

Everyone's favorite Upper East Sider, Ms. Serena Van Der Woodsen herself in Gucci Resort:

Uhm... It's orange. And leather. It's ORANGE LEATHER. And kind if ill-fitting? Girl has got a body that is literally to-die-for and this somehow... hugs it the wrong way? Maybe? I don't know. But I can't stand it.

And that is not me being jealous over the fact that she's dating Leonardo DiCaprio. I don't even care about that.

Just because I've shared a deep, meaningful connection with him ever since I first saw that floppy blonde hair and adorable grin on Growing Pains doesn't mean anything.

There is no bitterness.

I'm serious.

Okay. Whatever. Maybe a little bitterness.

But back to Blake Lively. You are a stunning girl. You're so much better than this.

P.S. Great jewelry and hair, as always.

P.P.S. Say hi to Leo for me, 'kay? Thanks!

[photo credits: justjared.buzznet.com, coolspotters.com]

XOXO to the Gossip Girl Stylist

As it turns out... Going back to grad school takes up WAY MORE time than I actually have. As a result my poor DVR is filled to the brim with episodes of all my favorite shows. Unfortunately for work and school, but fortunately for my sanity (though not my head - coughing up a lung can give you quite the headache!), I've been pretty sick during the last week and I've had a little extra time to catch up on my shows.

YAY! Oh, Gossip Girl, how I've missed you!

And I've missed talking about all the fabulous fashion! If I were to talk about each and every single outfit I loved or hated over the last five episodes this post would be excruciatingly long cause let's face it... Right along with all the dazzling dresses and amazing accessories there were quite a few less-than-stunning failures (cough-Jenny-cough-Vanessa).

So instead of driving myself crazy with everything I didn't like, I'm just going to stick to what I did like! So here we go!

Here's Blake Lively in a gorgeous Nanette Lepore 'Darjeeling' dress.

Definitely looks better on Blake, no? Guess having an actual body as opposed to being a human clothes hanger has it's upside, huh? Either way, I love it. But, I don't love the $378 price tag. Boooooo!

My next favorite look is Blake again, but this time it's the dress she wore to Lily Van Der Woodsen's (fifth) wedding.

Seriously. She absolutely killed it in this J. Mendall Fall 2008 sexy, strapless, and flowing gown. Those Louboutins and MCL by Matthew Campbell Laurenza bangles certainly polish off the look perfectly. The signature messy hair always looks great as well. Love it!

My last favorite look comes from the same episode (Rufus Getting Married) and this time it's on Leighton Meester.

How beautiful is this 'Red' Valentino Dress?

The color and appliqué detailing is exquisite. It's pretty much everything you'd expect from a Valentino. Can you tell I have a small obsession with his dresses? I can't help it, though! They're gorgeous!

Also, how about the accessories she had??

A vintage-style Juicy Couture bracelet ($128) and a Paige Gamble Bronze Alligator and Smoky Quartz Clutch ($2800). Just perfect.

Can this show's stylist please come be my friend? PLEASE??

[photo credits: gossipgirlfashion.net, cwtv.com, valentino.com]

"Blake" is the new 'Rachel"

It's no secret that Jennifer Anniston started one of the biggest hair crazes of all time with her Rachel cut.

Admit it, you totally wanted to look like this, didn't you? Or, at least, you know someone that did. Well, tried to. Likely with less than perfect results. And adorable as it was on Jennifer Anniston - this cut really wasn't all that friendly to anyone who didn't want to blow-out their hair just about every day. Ugh. I definitely got rid of all photo evidence that this time ever existed for my hair.

Anyway, moving on from that traumatic experience. Apparently we have a new Rachel on our hands. Now, they might not actually be calling it "the Blake" or anything but ,according to the New York Times, people everywhere are asking for the long, luscious tresses à la Blake Lively.

Not that I can blame them. I mean, hello... Who wouldn't love to have hair like this?

I know I'd love it. Unfortunately, I don't think I have even half the hair that she does and if I tried to dye it that color? Ugh. It would more than likely just fall out in protest.

The article has a few stylists giving their recommendations on how to get and maintain this fabulous style. Lucky for her, our dearest Ms. Lively was blessed with a naturally lovely head of hair. But for those of us who didn't hit the genetic lottery? Are you ready for it? EXTENSIONS! Gee, thanks. I could've figured that one out on my own.

In addition to the extensions, the cut (uhm, isn't this just long layers?) will run you about $500 at any self-respecting (AKA snooty) salon in NYC. And don't forget the super-duper conditioning treatments and heat styling that should bring you right up to about $1200. A month. A month. WHAT??

No. Freaking. Way. Use some inexpensive thickening products. Get some beach spray. Learn to do a little teasing and figure out how to work a curling iron and you'll have that undone look in no time. Seriously. It's easier than everyone seems to claim, I promise. You don't need to spend a ton of money. My favorite curling iron (and I have several) is a 3/4 inch Revlon one I got at Marshalls for $7.99.

So, what is the verdict? Do you want the Blake? Any chance you'd be willing to front the cash for it? If so... Wanna be my friend and pay for me to have it, too?

[photo credits: askmen.com, selfmademom.net]

This is How We Roll at a Polo Match - Upper East Side Edition

I have to confess that the closest I've ever been to a polo match is living vicariously through Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. So, my frame of reference for what one should wear to an end-of-the-summer charity polo match is roughly limited to this:

Preppy dress. Large hat. Pearls. Gloves.

Got it.

Only... My favorite Upper-East-Siders have pretty much shattered that image for me.

Not that I'm surprised or anything. I mean, Julia didn't exactly have a stylist to prepare her, did she? And even though she's lookin' pretty WASP-appropriate here, the Gossip Girl gang has shown me the light in this week's season premiere.

For example... You might think that an evening gown is not suitable attire for a daytime event such a this, but you would be very wrong.

The lovely Serena Van Der Woodsen (Blake Lively) clearly shows us that she can totally show up in this stunning peach-colored, pleated, and flowing Grecian Marchesa dress and not feel the least bit out of place.

I can't lie... I adore this dress. I don't think the pictures do it justice at all. I believe it's from Marchesa's Spring '09 line, at least according to what I've read, but I can't find any photos of it on the website. Definitely check out the Marchesa site though - the Spring '09 line is beautiful and one of my favorites from this designer.

Ahhhh... Here we go! Ever the proper WASP, Ms. Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) brings back the hat! Not to mention a gorgeous Walter double-layered silk chiffon dress. Love it!

From the flutter sleeves to the ruffled scoop neckline, this dress had me at it's Tiffany-Box-Blue (which is really more of an aqua/sea-foam type shade, no?) color.

I'm happy to say that we have a new addition to the crew this season. Joanna Garcia (RIP Privileged!) plays Bree Buckley and I'm already a fan.

This floral maxi dress (couldn't find the designer anywhere!) was surprisingly pretty on screen; and though I apologize for the odd closeup on her chest, I wanted to show the detail on the top part of her dress.

It was very pretty and very flattering (at least for girls lucky enough not to need any support up there) and I give it a thumbs up.

Oh, the boys... How I love the boys on this show. They really don't ever need to speak. Just stand there and look pretty. If it's absolutely necessary to speak though, I really wish they would let Ed Westwick use his natural British accent even though his character, Chuck Bass, is a native New Yorker. I have a serious thing for accents.

I'm loving the casual suits. Ed's fellow cast members, Sebastian Stan (who is actually Leighton Meester's real-life boyfriend) and Chace Crawford are just as dashing, if less fashionably flamboyant, than Ed and I think it's a hit.

Now for the bad news... Taylor Momsen is still pissing off somebody in the wardrobe department, only now she's bringing fellow cast member Jessica Szohr (Ed Westwick's real-life girlfriend) down with her.

Little Jenny Humphrey needs to wear some more appropriate clothes and much less makeup. She also needs to get rid of those ratty bleached-blonde extensions. Any more episodes like this and she's likely to get kicked out of the upper East side and end up on The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

Tacky, Jenny. Just stop being so freakin' tacky.

As for Vanessa Abrahms (Szohr)... Ugh. More ratty extensions. And the girl clearly has very curly hair. Can't they do a little bit better job of smoothing it out? It just looks frizzy and stiff and ugh. Bad. Really, really bad.

This dress did nothing for her figure (when you're that tiny, shouldn't everything look good?) and the pattern was just... Bleh. I'm just not a fan.

So there you have it. Season 3 of Gossip Girl is underway and I'm pretty excited to see what's in store for the gang.

Want to hear more about the (mostly) fabulous style on the show? Gossip Girl Insider has a few videos from costume designer Eric Damon. He talks all about the style for the upcoming season for Serena, Blair, and Jenny. Enjoy!

[photo credits: cwtv.com, gossipgirlinsider.com, gossipgirlonline.net, seenon.com, pret-a-party.blogspot.com]

Gossip Girl Meets the Roaring 20's

Oh no! My favorite Upper East Siders graduated at the end of last season! How am I supposed to deal without seeing Serena's inventive and inappropriate variations on a school uniform? Or Blair's Queen Bee headbands??!!

Okay, if you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about... No worries. I've got you covered.

Here's the recipe:

1. Take one part Beverly Hills 90210 for the rich kids with little-to-no parental supervision

2. Add two parts Dawson's Creek for the far-too-witty-to-be-high-schoolers dialogue and the romantically incestuous group of frenemies

3. Blend together and spread out all over a super glamorous backdrop - Manhattan (without any of those pesky realities like subways, crowds, closet-sized-apartments with five roommates, etc.) and the occasional tragically-hip neighborhood in Brooklyn

4. Sprinkle in some straight-from-the-runway fashions and accessories (some that I wouldn't hesitate selling my soul straight to the devil for)

5. Top with more teenager angst than the last twenty years of soap operas combined

6. Promote with some raunchyyyyyyyyyyyy ad campaigns just to piss off any potential Puritans who might catch a glimpse

VIOLA! Gossip Girl Souffle! A light and airy, yet sinfully delicious guilty pleasure with an outstanding wardrobe, unbelievably good-looking cast, moderately acceptable acting, and an absurd amount of fun.

I love seeing the photos from the set of Gossip Girl and this latest batch certainly doesn't disappoint. As far as I can tell from what I've read so far, it looks like the gang is heading to a 20's themed Halloween party and their costumes are gorgeous!

Here are the lovely ladies - from left to right:

Blake Lively (as Serena Van Der Woodsen) - What can I even say? HOT.

Hilary Duff (guest starring) - She's adorable and that dress is beautiful. You go, Lizzie McGuire!

Taylor Momsen (as Jenny Humphrey) - No. Just NO. No way, no how, just... UGH. I'm not sure who Taylor pissed off in the wardrobe department, but they consistently give her the short end of the stick. And, please, for the love of everything holy... EAT SOMETHING.

Leighton Meester (as Blair Waldorf) - Unfortunately, this is the only shot I could find of her in costume and you only get a glimpse of white fringe and a few layers of a dark necklace. Leighton's outfits rarely disappoint me, though, so I'm not concerned about her. I'm still very concerned about Taylor. In fact, I cringe every time I look at that photo.

And though there's less for me to comment on with the boys, I've got to say that they're not lookin' too shabby themselves.

Ed Westwick (as Chuck Bass), Penn Badgley (as Dan Humphrey), and Chace Crawford (as Nate Archibald) are definitely all bring the sexy back to my television screen. Can't wait!

Okay, I have to do a close up of Serena's outfit, the details deserve a full on Oh.Em.Gee.

Sparkles and lace and satin and that flower at the bottom... Le sigh. Be still my heart.

So, what do you think? Anyone else a fan?