Leighton Meester (of Gossip Girl) has great style on and off the show, both credited to two very talented stylists, Eric Daman for work and Rachel Zoe for play. There are tons of snarky comments floating around the media about Rachel Zoe, but that’s because people love to hate! She obviously knows what’s going on - Leighton always looks fabulous, and that pink dress - I could die!

It’s so easy to get carried away in a sea of black during the winter, and I love black - but there’s gotta be something to break up the monochromatic monotony - and why not pretty hot pinks? If you’re afraid the color is too daring, too much - I like to think I’d rather stick out like a fashionable sore thumb than blend in!

Urban Outfitters dress $78

Hue Tights @ Bare Necessities $9.37

Forever 21 bow clutch $16.80

Girlprops lucite earrings $4.99

Photo taken from People.com

This is so Serena (Gossip Girl) - I’m really down to earth and cool, but I rely on my parents to pay my rent and furnish my style.  Oh I know I’m so bitter, but it’s only because the sale price is still completely out of reach!  And thus the category “Pining Week To Date”.

Shop Ralph Lauren Windowpane Plaid Wool Ricky Bag, $2399

My bestie and I just had our weekly Sunday phone date, and she was going crazy over all of the sales right now in the city (NYC). Here’s the breakdown for all of you in New York who have been living under a rock - or those of you in the Northeast - take a trip to the city, it is BEAUTIFUL during Christmas, and it doesn’t hurt to stimulate our sad, sad retail sector!

Theory (flagship in Meatpacking)

Everything in the store besides one rack - 30% off

Bloomingdales SoHo
Every rack of full price apparel in the store is 30% off (Helmet Lang, DVF, Marc by Marc, DKNY, Juicy, Theory)

Opening Ceremony

Everything on sale as far as the eye could see (Rachel Comey, Top Shop, Alexander Wang)

Reiss

40 % off everything in the store

Just got back from this super eclectic, one stop shopping experience (AKA the E.A.S.T. Austin Design Tour)! I can’t say enough about Amy Barber of Sweet Tooth bags (see post: ATX Sugar Rush: Sweet Tooth’s Amy Barber) - she had the cutest setup and most colorful & inspiring studio - where I was schooled on her use of vintage fabrics and estate sale embellishments. She also partnered with Jennifer Perkins of Naughty Secretary Club for the tour, who made that adorable bracelet above (fledgling IPhone photograph aside).

I’m constantly amazed by the designers here - the design oddities are a little reminiscent of Williamsburg, but I was never really a huge fan of the Brooklyn art/fashion/creative scene. It always seemed a bit contrived, a little too full of unemployed 20 somethings carrying Chanel cocktail bags. That’s where Austin has it’s niche, the pieces from both of these ladies comes from a place where you know it’s just their innate creative ability and persona to put together birdies on bobby pins - or scrabble pieces on a bracelet. My girlfriends and I pretty much bought out the place, as actions definitely speak louder than words - so I’m dying to show off my Sweet Tooth bag & birdie bobby pins around town. So Austin!

Read more about the E.A.S.T. design tour & an interview with Amy from The Austinist

Shop Amy Barber @ Sweettoothbags.com

Shop Jennifer Perkins @ NaughtySecretaryClub.com

I have no idea what Twilight is about (beyond vampires) - but I do know that people are completely obsessed with it, and that the guy in it is bangin’. So - as the lead character (Robert Pattinson) is the second coming of Johnny Depp, the starring actress (Kristen Stewart) had no choice but to take it up a notch at the premiere in her very on trend and very Fall color block Balenciaga. Enjoy the color blocking, crazy fans!

Top Shop dress by Alice McCall $110

Forever 21 $22.80

Jonathon Saunders for Target $18.89

Delia’s Corinne dress $49.50

Twilight photo taken from People.com

NY Times article “The Way You Wear Your Hat” - Here’s to dressing well!

Forever 21 wool cloche hat $12.80 (flapper style hat - foreheads were unfashionable in the 20’s)

Urban Outfitters leopard cocktail hat $28.00

Target wool beret $12.99

Top Shop felt trilby hat $40

I felt like I was in Paris! I wore this fabulous black beret unknowingly, but it worked out perfectly with the aesthetic. The whole week my girls had been planning an emo adventure (I say emo lightly, we’re just mild hipsters) - so this lounge was sooo built up in my head, yet met every expectation. I can’t recommend it enough - the teal paint, deco chandeliers, and quilted chairs, REALLY just plain and simple blew you away.

“Glamorous Hollywood style decor and vintage cocktails” - Bon Appetit

515 Pedernales Street / Austin, TX

www.Peacock-Austin.com

My best friend has been facing the dilemma every girl wants to face but only fantastic FIT girls usually have to conquer - choosing an internship between JCrew & Vogue. Of course I made it clear that I would disown her if she didn’t go with Vogue - but this girl was my introduction into main line yuppie fashion (as well as the term “fashion nemesis”), so JCrew design would be her lifelong soul mate. I know, life is so tough.

JCrew has been doing everything right lately. Micky Drexler (formerly of the Gap) has been making a sizable impact on the taste level, assortment, and overall styling. At Ralph we used to joke about how if we created a top one season, the season after it was on the selling floor JCrew had their own interpretation. Classic, American fashion is so restrictive - and a lot harder to work with than you think - so it makes sense that we all have to feign inspiration off of one another once in a while.

Wherever my loyalties lie - I can’t resist the jewelry. I am innately drawn to things that look like candy - I always used to be mesmerized in candy stores as a kid by all of the colors. Too bad it’s a little pricey for me, as I sit here and sip my $5 wine that has a funky smell - but I could be motivated to invest in at least one piece. I like being an “adult” during Christmas - you can buy yourself gifts and not feel guilty, I can justify that!

Shop Jewelry @ JCrew.com

Bib necklace $150

Charm bracelet $125

Starburst ring $68

Bumble bee necklace $55

Outside MTV Europe - Camden Town, London

Courtesy of photographer (slash street style maverick) Wayne Tippetts

www.WayneTippetts.com

Contact: Wayne@waynetippetts.com

I’m usually not that excited by diamond or ornate embellishments - I LOVE pyramid studs, but this is a whole other aesthetic. This look is so Holiday - that special time of year when you can get away with sequins before 6pm, every occasion calls for a dress, and the egg nog may as well be through an ice luge. Although I wouldn’t classify these Oscar de la Renta and Target shoes as twinsies, I think there’s definitely some sisterly love going on. I actually prefer the smaller peep toe on the Target shoe rather than lovely Oscar’s - less toe is more when we’re talking December. And - the heel on the Target shoe is actually much higher in reality - a relief because I can’t stand a halfway heel, to me it’s 3 inches plus or bust.

Target $34.99