Parlez Vous Gossip?

I ran across this trailer for the upcoming season of Gossip Girl (thanks to Jenna B's blog peace love sarcasm!) and couldn't help but reshare it with you. After seeing all the clips of Blair and Serena in Paris, I'm more excited than ever. Clemence Poesy, Chuck Bass, and adventures in the City of Love? Sounds like a great time to me!

Season 4 starts September 13th--get your DVRs ready.

Summer Fashion on a Budget

  


Outfit details:
Forever 21 Smooth Stone necklace, $5.80
Forever 21 foldover city tote, $29.80 
Target Kimono Sleeve Dress, $15
Target CV Wedges, $29.99
 

This morning I decided to include a Look for Less option for yesterday's outfit. I went to go do the same for today's when I realized, well, I am wearing the budget option! Admittedly, yes, the whole shebang comes to like $80, but that's less than $100, which is more than you can ask for in those glossy editorials for recessionistas.

I reached for this dress over anything else in my closet due to the insanely humid days we've been having in Atlanta. There is nothing I'd rather be taking humidity bath in than an easy jersey dress. No layers or major accessories required.

And as for the shopping trip I alluded to earlier? Full success. Our favorite retailer (Anthropologie, duh) had some secret markdown action going on!! Honestly, I was so caught up in the new arrivals that I didn't try very hard to scope out what went on sale. It looks like Sara has compiled a list of things she spotted, though. (ETA: Kim just added a list of confirmed sale items at Anthroholic!)

The store I visited had the Circle the Globe skirts and Vappu dresses in and they are soooo good in person! I took home one of each (basically free with a few exchanges!). I couldn't help myself. For those of you with last year's Jacqueline Dress and the Thousand Days (?) Skirt, I think these are different enough to justify having both. The Vappu dress is a lot longer and has a different feel, in my opinion.

So pretty!!

I ended up with a 2 in both items. I guess I am a growing girl as my waist and bustline both seem to have expanded. In the 0 the buttons were pulling in the dress--it's a real placket, so busty ladies might want to be careful with sizing. And the skirt I could have sized down, but I wasn't sure if my food baby would agree.

And there was one thing I had my fingers crossed for on this shopping trip--the pretty little  Parker blouse with boats on that Blair was wearing in the season finale of Gossip Girl. HUGE score at Barney's Co-Op. I found one hiding on the rack for 50% off! Ignore the scary white Barney's mannequin and focus on the awesome print.

Life goal: be like Blair.

I got my shop on today since I'll be busy nonstop come Friday. I poked around at Nordstrom and J. Crew in addition to these 2 stops, and the goods are already marked down for the weekend.  It looks like some of you ladies are in for some happy shopping this 3-day weekend!

Hurr Did

Pale white and ice cold.


Awesome Photobooth photos, sry.

I finally got my hair cut after being indecisive and lazy about it for almost a year. I walked in carrying a celeb hairstyle magazine and told my stylist, "I want my hair to be like Serena on Gossip Girl lol." Gladly, she didn't roll her eyes. I even backtracked and told her I understood that she has a different hair texture and probably has a crew of coiffeurs on hand to blow, spray, and fluff her hair into place like that.

Anyway, the final result is more swingy layers and less dead ends. My sisters both scoffed and said it looks the same as before, besides the curls. That is the curse of keeping up a long hairstyle, I guess. I'm plenty satisfied with the cut. And I really like that she curled the ends! It makes me miss my curly hair, but the upkeep was pretty frustrating

I feel like the real test is when I am left to my own devices at home and have to wash and style it myself. I almost opted to get really short straight across Audrey bangs. Photoshop tells me that I would look like a boy, and I'm glad I didn't go so drastic!

Anna Sui for Target OMG

Dress, Anna Sui for Target; pumps, Liz Claiborne.

So I stalked the Buckhead Target over the weekend until Sunday morning when the Anna Sui dresses were finally placed on the floor. I was basically breathing on the glass doors at 8 AM with my best lady and my best mans in tow.

Originally, I went for this little number:

A la Blair. But then this jacquard houndstooth print dress caught my eye. Honestly the navy dress didn't excite me in the preview photos compared to the plethora of other options, but in person it was so unbelievably perfect.

Seriously, so perf. All fully lined and trimmed in quality materials, and isn't a little too out there. I was afraid that most of the dresses would feel too synthetic and cheap but I was not disappointed.

Truth be told I loved pretty much everything from this collection - the timing (released as Gossip Girl premiered), the fabrics, the colors, the cuts. I ended up cleaning out the Blair section and tried on everything they had (which was literally everything at 8:01).

I didn't totally blow my wad though and only got things that are somewhat practical. Everything I purchased was work appropriate or could be worn to a wedding/birthday party/out on the town/black tie affair.

My top three picks after seeing everything in person are:

1.

Houndstooth Jacquard Dress, $59.99

The perfect dress. I love this. I would wear this to just lounge around the house so I can feel a little more like Blair Waldorf while I watch TV.

2.

Seersucker Dress with Lace, $59.99

The picture for this didn't cover all the precious details of this dress. I loved the metallic buttons, the layers of lace, and that little buckle detail that all made it feel a lot more luxe than Tarjay. The pictures do not do it justice at all. The issues I had with it were that the dropwaist didn't hit me where I wanted, and neither did the hips. In fact, though I am not hippy by any means, the hips were way too small in this one.

Despite the fit issues for me, I think this is an easy little piece to throw on for multiple occasions for any girl. This can take you from class to a coffee date to dinner and out at night in a single day.

3.

Metallic Jacquard Dress, $59.99

This was another piece that didn't impress me in the preview photos. But in person it is so so fun! The metallic sheen looks a lot more expensive in person and it hangs better on a real woman's figure. A very fun little party dress or even a brunch dress if you are a classy lady like Miss Blair.

Did anyone else scope this out or am I just bananas in these hard economic times?