Birchbox & Gossip Girl Finale Screening

It's going to be strange not tuning into Gossip Girl tomorrow. I guess we'll have to wait until after this summer to see what happens between Blair and Chuck. Last Monday I attended the Birchbox & Gossip Girl Season 5 finale screening at One Time Warner Center. The event included hair and makeup touchups, hand massages, manicures and plenty of cocktails.

During the live screening commercial breaks Kelly Rutherford kept us entertained with Q & A about her character Lily van der Woodsen. We also heard from Gossip Girl's lead makeup artist Amy Tagliamonti and lead hairstylist Jennifer Johnson, and a special skype session with executive producer Stephanie Savage.

Guests received one of the special-edition Birchboxes for this month, centering around four different Gossip Girl themes - Hamptons Beach Party, Downtown Book Party, Chic Sunday Brunch and Black Tie Ball, containing beauty and hair products used on set.

This was my very first Birchbox! I received the Downtown Book Party theme, including Color Club Nail Polish in Disco Nap, Dr. Jart Waterfuse BB Cream, Kerastase Cristalliste Lumiere Liquide, stila sparkle waterproof liquid eyeliner and a few extras: Kerastase Cristalliste Bain Cristal. Kerastase Cristalliste Lait Cristal and notecards.

Hair touch ups with Kerastase products

Makeup touch ups with Stila Cosmetics

Manicures

Caudalie products used for the hand massage and Kerastase products used for hair touch ups

Stila Cosmetics

Color Club Nail Polish

- Kim Weling

Launch of Eric Daman for DKNY Hosiery Fall 2011

Eric Daman and Kim Weling

On October 18th, I stopped by The Electric Room at The Dream Downtown on 355 W 16th St, to celebrate the launch of the DKNY Hosiery and Eric Daman Collaboration for Fall 2011.

The fashion and styling on Gossip Girl is one of the major reasons why I love the show, so I'm always excited to see what Gossip Girl costume designer Eric Daman has Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf wearing from week to week. Hosiery and tights can be an integral part of dressing up an outfit as well as keeping warm, especially for fall/winter, so I can definitely see the Gossip Girl cast wearing Eric Daman for DKNY hosiery.

The Eric Daman for DKNY hosiery capsule collection is inspired by New York City and includes full-length and over-the-knee tights in floral lace and vertical and textured knits. The price of the collection ranges from $15 to $24 and can be purchased at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, DKNY and DKNY.com.

- Kim Weling

Shop Anna Sui for Target Before It Hits Stores Nationwide!

Gossip Girl Costume Designer Eric Daman at Charlotte Russe

On July 23rd, I was invited to attend the Fashion Intern Shopping Event at the Charlotte Russe Manhattan Mall store at Broadway & 33rd. I expected to get some styling tips from Eric Daman, Gossip Girl’s costume designer and stylist for Charlotte Russe.

To my surprise when I checked in, I was told I was on of the first 15 to arrive on the list, and that I was to be styled by Eric Daman himself. I was handed some 20% off cards and was asked to put a few looks together within the next half hour. Which wasn’t too hard of a task for me, considering I always find a handful of clothes to try on. So I gathered my pieces and chatted with Eric a bit, introducing my website to him and talking about several run-ins lately with the Gossip Girl cast.

I told him how I had received some comments from friends that I hide my body – I merely told him that I prefer not to wear clothing that makes me feel or look constricted. I continued to tell him that I prefer dresses and skirts with pockets and that I was trying to pick pieces other than black, which makeup a chunk of my wardrobe. He totally agreed with everything I was saying, and loved the look I had on. He thought what I was wearing was perfect, not too revealing and not too covered up.

When it came down to showing him my selections, he liked them all, agreeing with the silhouettes I chose as well as the warmer colors. To my surprise, he didn’t really have any styling tips for me. He told me that I seem to know what I’m doing, and that I really didn't need any help. I’ll take that as a compliment :) There was one strapless piece in particular that I was questioning, and I told him that I don’t usually pick out such thin fabric but liked that it had pockets. Then he realized that it was a romper! We both got excited and agreed that it definitely was a keeper. He did suggest some wooden jewelry to go with that.

I must say that the Charlotte Russe Manhattan Mall location had the friendliest, most helpful associates. I had a very pleasant shopping experience. I ended up purchasing the printed romper, a navy asymmetrical dress with belt, metallic teal halter, print metallic scarf, gold filigree bib necklace, peacock feather bib necklace and wooden bead bracelet. I was told that Charlotte Russe carries XS, but the clothes don't always start in that size. My particular purchases were size S, which fit me perfectly.

Since I felt like I had styled myself, here are my top 5 styling tips to live by:

1) Don’t overdue it – If you have a top with an embellished neckline, it’s not necessary to wear any jewelry with it. You definitely don’t want to over accessorize.

2) Know your color palette – pay attention to what colors look best against your skin
Tone and don’t make you look washed out. I am constantly seeking out colors I don’t normally wear. Teal and fuchsia have become my favorite colors lately.

3) Not too tight, or too loose – be sure to balance out your look. If you are wearing a voluminous skirt, go for a form-fitting top to tuck in. If you decide to wear a pair of skinny jeans, wear a looser-fitting top. You don’t want to appear too tight or too loose all over.

4) Don’t be too revealing – If you are wearing a mini skirt, make sure your top isn’t too revealing. You want to appear sexy, not that you are trying to hard to be noticed.

5) Don’t be too matchy – Sometimes a pop of color to basic, earthy or natural tones does the trick. A bright yellow blouse is enough color to add to a dark denim skirt or pair of jeans, and if you want to accessorize, opt for a printed scarf, or a bright yellow clutch. Don’t feel the need to add too much yellow – shoes, scarf, belt, and bag. Just pick one or two matching accessories.

I just have to add in one more tip, as I feel it is very important. My key to almost never returning any clothing purchases is to TRY IT ON. In some cases, especially at sample sales, you don’t have this option, so I suggest holding it up in the mirror or bringing your own. With the handfuls of clothing I try on, I only end up with a few items. You never know exactly how it’s going to look until you have it on. I have tried on pieces that look great on the hanger and not on me, and vice versa. Hope this helps and that you are doing this already!

- Kim Weling

Charlotte Russe Fall 2009 Preview Party

Jessica Szhor and Michelle Trachtenberg


Jessica Szhor and Eric Daman


Jessica Szhor and Rumer Willis


From Left: Rumer Willis, Michelle Trachtenberg, Joanna Garcia and Jessica Szhor

People*s Liberation at Charlotte Russe

Photos courtesy of Harrison & Shriftman

I attended the Charlotte Russe Fall 2009 preview at Openhouse on July 15th. Shortly after I made a once-round walk-through, I ran into Gossip Girl’s Jessica Szhor, right before she was about to leave for a birthday dinner. It’s always a pleasure running into Jessica – she is not only gorgeous but very down-to-earth and genuinely sweet. It’s nice to have contact with celebrities that aren’t so guarded or surrounded by their publicists. Other celebrities in attendance included Rumer Willis, Michelle Trachtenberg and Joanna Garcia (just got word that she will be joining the Gossip Girl cast this fall as Nate's new love interest!). Also, Charlotte Russe Stylist and Gossip Girl Costume Designer Eric Daman.

As I walked around, models were styled and staged in different looks, as seen in Charlotte Russe's fall look book.

QUIRKY – an eclectic style, with a schoolgirl look – argyle prints and novelty plaids. I like the grey jeans paired with a black blazer and black heels.

TOTEM – a Native American influence, consisting of blanket patterns, fringe details and frontier attitude. I definitely can’t pull off the feathery headbands or fringe detail, as I come off looking like Pocahontas, but it may be the right look for you. I like the layering of different necklaces, short and long – red beaded, brushed metal and a turq, red white and gold necklace and worn with a brown leather jacket. Also a printed dress paired with leggings, boots and leather belt.

OH SO CHIC – the Uptown Girl look, with satin fabrications, rompers, sequins and studs, embroidery and embellishment.

There are so many other looks you can find at Charlotte Russe, including 70s hippie chic (psychedelic prints), 90s grunge (boyish silhouettes and feminine details, plaid prints and flannels, distressed and destroyed details), heirloom (cardigans, tweed and boucle, pretty pearls).

Kitson LA for Charlotte Russe has a sporty/street style, including leggings, sweatpants, printed tops and jeans.

Let’s not forget the People*s Liberation line exclusively at Charlotte Russe. The collection is very street, with a rocker’s edge. You’ll find sleek looking leggings, tanks and tees with logo prints and denim. Colors include black, grey, white and red. I especially like the Tanya Ultra Skinny “Concrete Jungle” grey jeans.

Attendees took away a fabulous gift bag. Mine included a Kitson LA tank, ribbed leggings, pink/black print scarf, silver earrings, embroidered necklace and matching cuff with magnetic closure, lip gloss, People*s Liberation pins, Young Love CD and a card for 20% off at Charlotte Russe.

If you find yourself near a Charlotte Russe store, take a peek, see what’s your style and pick-up the Fall look book, which outlines pricing and in-store delivery dates as a useful shopping guide.

K-Swiss Classic Remastered Party Hosted by Ed Westwick

Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick hosted the K-Swiss Classic Remastered launch party at the metro level of Bloomingdale’s 59th Street store on June 18th. In celebration of the new kicks, Ed judged a dance-off competition, with music by DJ Josh Madden. Unfortunately the dance contestants were not of the likes of the So You Think You Can Dance stars. I expected to see better popping movements, unique moves or at least some natural or technical mastering.

The first 50 customers to purchase Classic Remastered sneaks got their photo taken with Ed Westwick.