Gossip Girl Fashion: "The Townie"

There's still two weeks to go until Christmas but it seems some of our favourite shows are wrapping for the season already. This week's episode of Gossip Girl was a little sweet and sour because it was one of the best ones we've seen this season but it was also the last one we will see until the end of January (the show is back on the 25th). As usual, I warn you about any spoilers ahead. Don't keep going if you haven't seen "The Townie".
I have to admit I have always been a fan of the odd Blair-Dan relationship. It's so obvious that they have lots in common but they just can't come to terms with the fact that they could be friends. We have a lot of good BD moments in this episode. My favourite, of course, at the end of the episode when the two do the washing and Blair explains to Dan how one can't wash good wine glasses with normal soap and one must use L'Occitane products. Brilliant.

I also very much enjoyed all the fashion in the episode. Every one has kept the nice earthy palette they took up last week for Thanksgiving. Serena is kind of getting her mojo back and wearing a lot of comfy body-con numbers with subtle sparkle and statement necklaces. She's becoming more sophisticated and less vamp-y. The part I didn't enjoy as much was her boarding school outfits from the flashbacks (apart from the Band of Outsiders blazer!), but that's in the past, I hope. Blair has one of her best fashion moments of the season in this episode. There still something slightly old fashioned about her tweed skirt and graphic tights but she looks ever so cool!

Boarding school ensembles aside, I loved the flashbacks this week. It felt refreshing to have something new in the show. Plus, it fills in gaps in Serena's past. Something that the character probably needs to go forward. because, let's face it, Serena was becoming a little boring (a bit like Lindsay after rehab). Oh, and how sexy is the outfit with the combination of textures and sequins she wears to jail??!

You know I normally notice odd things during each week's episodes. This week I am particularly annoyed about Blair's email address. How can she have such a plain boring address? And @day9mail.com? What the hell is that? Someone get Blair her own domain. If anything it should at least be blair@waldorf.com, no?
On the bright side, I was absolutely mesmerised by Nate's house. There is nothing I don't love about that living room. The colours are subtle but stunning and it feels very modern even though it's decorated in quite an old fashion.

I was as shocked as one can be (about a TV show) when everyone decides to turn against Lily. Yes, she has been naughty and she deserves it. But she is such a classy woman, I couldn't possibly be angry at her...
I loved how she tells Chuck she needs to change from the party. And so she goes from a red dress with a statement necklace (copying Serena...?) to a red dress with statement earrings. That was a makeover...

Don't ask me why but I also loved how they suddenly forward a week into the future. Guess they figured they were going to make their own mini Christmas episode since they couldn't have a proper one after this week.

The boy's clothes have also improved this week. If we ignore the fact that Nate is wearing a peacoat way too big for him, everything they wear is spot-on. I keep wondering who is the genius who manages to still find more plaid shirts for them to wear that haven't been worn before. The style winner, of course, was Chuck Bass and his getaway outfit. It was like a cool upgrade on a school uniform but I liked the fact that it made him look younger than he usually does.

And, of course, their Christmas dinner/lunch/whatever it was very much made my day. Dan's shirt is a genius choice for the holidays. I just wish I'd seen what exactly they were eating...

I'm off.

[Pictures: Screen caps, CWtv.com]

Gossip Girl Fashion: "Gaslit"

After a week of Gossip Girl due to the most American of November holidays it was rather obvious we would have to go through the traditional Thanksgiving shenanigans on the show. As usual, I warn you of the spoilers that may be ahead if you haven't yet seen this week's episode.
The beginning to the episode is, quite possibly, the most fashionable one yet. Blair, in a beautiful orange tartan dress from Barney's, is checking up on Dorota's to-do list in anticipation for her trip to France. "Have you picked up my Burberry?", she asks. To which Dorota Responds showing her a beautiful coat. "Do you want me to freeze? I need the shearling!" So Dorota takes out one of Bailey's worship pieces from the wardrobe. I am glad she chose one of the longs ones, I'm just disappointed we don't get to see it on. Brilliant PR, this is.

I very much enjoyed the clothing in this episode. Everything has been picked out in a sunning musky and earthy palette, which fits the occasion like a glove. Blair and Chuck are, once again, as matchy as can be (only outdone by Brangelina). Serena looked cool in her relaxed look but I wonder how she managed to pick it out (jewelry included) when she hasn't stopped home. She only wears the one outfit in this episode, which must be a first. And Lily and Eric look ever so chic in their respective camel cape and mustard jumper. I do worry about Lily's sleeveless situation, she's gonna get ill.

Nate and Dan take their bromance to another level. "I got your text", Dan says. Nate needs some reassurance from his best pal. How fun and weird would it be if they got together. Ohhh the giggles! The moment is brought to an end by Nate giving Dan 'the eyes'. Love is in the air...

My classic stupid moment of the week is brought to us by Longchamp. I love the fact that even Serena's luggage coordinated with the furniture and I, too, love the fact that I have the same bag in black.

And, surprise, surprise, the three drag-keteers bring us the worst fashion moments of the week. I still don't quite get why Juliet wears cocktail dresses 24/7 and HOW on earth she can afford Louboutins, wasn't she poor? (And why didn't she takeout the bin? It's not only rude but minging!) Jenny makes her last scheduled appearance on the show (woop!) wearing disastrous plastic-looking accessories and an ill-fitting coat. And Vanessa, whose close have become a joke at this point, walks aimlessly around New York City in a not-very-winter outfit. The shoes are a nightmare but the jacket wouldn't be too bad better styled.

I had to wait until the end of the episode for my GG food fix. I can't accurately explain how bewildered I was when I found out Lily and Rufus pass on their Thanksgiving feast to spend the holiday with Serena at the rehab centre. I want to be hired as GG set's leftover hover. I did appreciate the french fries nod to the Thanksgiving episode from seasons past.

Bluck is kind of dissolving by now, which means we don't really get any of the awesome Blair-Chuck moments. The closes thing to one of those this week was Blair's room service delivery to Chuck of a pie. Brilliant card, though.
Blair did, however, share a moment with Dan. I love how his faces goes from naive to mean in about a second and I loved GG's closing line: "Come together... right now" (another PR genius moment from iTunes?)

I'm off.

[Pictures: Screen caps, CW.com]

Designer Dreams (and hotels)

We are pretty much in holiday season and that means a lot of planning to do: who's coming, which company to fly, what to wear and, most importantly, where to stay. Now, I know this is not e very realistic post but I had a look at some of the hotels and resorts around the world entirely designed by famous fashion houses and their creative directors. This current brand-driven world we live in has given cause for many of the well known fashion houses to translate their vision into luxurious urban hotels and exclusive resorts in exotic destinations. We have chosen our favourite five, all completely (Italian, duh) different from each other but each perfect for a different type of fashionista in need of a stylish holiday.

The Bulgari Resort in Bali is exactly my kind of place. I love that sense of feeling stranded and being far away from any remotely westernised city. This complex of Italian/Balinese style hangs 150m over the see on a cliff, which gives its main pool and 59 villas absolutely breath-taking views. Every villa has its own private courtyard garden and a dining lounge but food is also served in the two pool-side restaurants. A lift connects the complex on the cliff with the private beach club downstairs and guests can enjoy the beauty salon and fitness centre at the spa. One single 1300sq-meter 3-bedroom villa with its own built-in bar, dining and living area, swimming pool and full service quarters. And I don't know why but it looks like the kind of place where one should wear loads of Bottega Veneta, no?

If I'm not mistaken, Palazzo Versace is the oldest all five hotels in this post. It's located just outside Brisbane, in the Golden Coast of Australia. Even without the bright medusa and green motif mosaic at the front door it is undeniable that everything about this place is 100% Versace. Now, all the gold and turquoise and blinding-white may seem a little overwhelming were it not for the immense windows that surround the main building and its beautiful view over the pools and the sea. The furniture is obviously all by the fashion house, which has added its own boutique to the hotel so guests can literally blend into the deco. The three restaurants, spa and fitness studio give the final touch to what looks like the most old-school glamourous experience one could get these days.

Moschino's hotel in Milan has a much more relaxed atmosphere than the ones before. Different bold designs can be found in every corner; from the massive tea cup as a coffee table to the hanging-dress headboards or a wolf put to bed ready to eat you every single thing adds up to the modern but elegant dreamy feel of the hotel, which they describe as "where the ordinary world is described with a stroke of surrealism". The building is also pretty much around the corner from Corso Como and Corso Garibaldi and it includes, of course, a spa and a restaurant, 'Clandestino.Milano'.

I would've never expected to find a Missoni hotel in Edinburgh, but it was a pleasant surprise. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe coming up in August is the best occasion to treat yourself to an amazing dose of the ever-famous colourful stripes and triangles (towels and bathrobes, hello?) in a very urban interpretation of Italian style. The hotel, situated on the popular Royal Mile, provides all its guests with in-room Nespresso machines and contains two restaurants and a trendy cocktail bar. With my best friend directing a play at the festival I have the perfect excuse to see first-hand what Rosita Missoni has been up to in Scotland.

And, of course, there had to be one in Dubai. Armani has chosen the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, to hold his first hotel. It includes 166 guest-rooms and 144 Armani residences as well as 5 restaurants, an ARMANI/Privé nightclub, a private member's club (ARMANI/Club) and an Armani/Spa. All stylishly furnished by ARMANI/Casa's minimalistic ways. The complex also offers, of course, Armani/Dolci, Armani/Fiori and Armani/Galleria so guests can decorate their rooms or take a little bit of Dubaian Armani with them.

Which one would you die to go to?
I'm off.

[Pictures: hotel websites and Style.com]

a MESSED UP spread

Ever since I started adoring Vogue, there has always been a bigger crush I've had for the US version. There is something about it that I cannot explain and that is addictive. This is why when they mess up I feel majorly disappointed. Sadly, December's Holiday issue has caused that reaction.

If having Penélope Cruz surrounded by bullfighters was not awful enough, the shoot had to make the cover. I can not explain how upset I was when I found out, but having a printed copy of it in my very hands was simply too much. I can not possibly understand how Annie Leibovitz —one of my favourite photographers— enjoyed shooting this.

I "invite" you to take a look at the shoot. It is quite a shame that they didn't take advantage of the huge pontential Penélope's sister, Mónica, has. She is —along with the beautiful couture pieces and Leibovitz's art— the only worthy thing from the whole spread.

[Pictures credit: style.com]

I'm off.