Queen B

No, I'm not talking about Beyoncé. Before Emily Thorne plotted Revenge, there was another queen of scheme... Blair Waldorf. She was my favorite character on Gossip Girl and I continue to swoon over her style and way with words. Classic, yet feminine and always polished...always designer.   I think Daniel Humphrey said it best, Blair is a dictator of taste. Impeccable and expensive, usually. I believe that I have some of B's bossy and stubborn ways. Whatever she thinks, she says. You want her opinion? She will give it to you and most times you don't even have to ask. ;)   Here are some of my absolute favorite B. Waldorf looks:

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One of B's rare appearances in pants. I love it!

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via Blair is driven and completes everything to perfection. She isn't afraid to do anything in her power to get what she wants. And if its not in her power, its probably something Chuck Bass can pull off. She once said, "Destiny is for losers. It's just a stupid excuse to wait for things to happen instead of making them happen." One of Blair's many fabulous qualities is her undying love for Chuck. But, we will get to him tomorrow.    Blair is Serena's best friend and they are quite literally the definition. No matter how much they fight or have their differences, they always have each other's backs.   And remember ladies, "have a little faith and if that doesn't work - have a lot of mimosas." -B

Empire State of Mind

via   The best television shows usually have the perfect and best music. Like most of my other favorite shows, Gossip Girl was presented like a magazine. Popular fashion and entertainment trends intertwined through the storyline.   

via Music has always been a great love of mine and the element can make or break a moment. Please enjoy the soundtrack I've put together on Spotify and hopefully, it will take you back to some of the scenes from the show. Unfortunately, Spotify has removed the ability to embed playlists and songs so you will have to click here to listen if the work-around HTML code I've put together won't work on your computer. I have also linked two of my favorite scenes that were perfectly executed with a little help of a song.

  DISCLAIMER: DO NOT WATCH IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY WATCHED OR PLAN TO WATCH GG IN THE FUTURE   And of course, they are obviously Chair scenes!  

I hope you enjoyed. NYC is getting so close, I can taste it. One week from today! :)

Serena

The beautiful and wildly stunning, Serena VanDerWoodsen, played by none other than Blake Lively. Where do I begin? With an absent mother for most of her life and unlimited resources to rebel and seek attention, she gets herself into quite a few messy situations. But, she has a good heart and always means well. It seems she gets attention from everyone, but the people she wants it from most.    That is until she meets Dan Humphrey... or actually becomes sober enough to realize his existence. He was her first true love. From two completely different backgrounds, you wonder how they clicked. Her beauty is enough for anyone to stop and stare. But Dan is intellectual and doesn't let her take advantage of that fact, even if he catches himself in a gaze every now and again. Even Gossip Girl always has her eye on S.    Serena's style is boho chic, yet classic with an edge. Usually in a pair of Louboutin's...  

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Gorgeous, huh?

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Serena gets lost more than once searching for happiness, but I think she finds the love she wants and deserves in the end. ;) I will always lust over her flawless and creative style. Cheers to S!

You Know You Love Me... Xoxo

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"The Upper East Side was like something from Fitzgerald or Thackeray. Teenagers acting like adults. Adults acting like teenagers, guarding secrets, writing gossip all with the trappings of truly opulent wealth. And membership in this community was so elite, you couldn’t even buy your way in. It was a birth right. A birth right I didn’t have, and my greatest achievements would never earn me. All I had to compare to this world was what I read in books, but that gave me the idea. I wasn’t born into this world – maybe I could write myself into it."
Its taken me awhile to write and pay tribute to one of my favorite television series of all time because I wanted it to be perfect. The world of Great Gatsby in the 1920's has always mesmerized me. The glitz, glamour, parties, and romantic (and sometimes tragic) love draw me in. Gossip Girl is a modern twist to that world and I could watch it over and over again.    If you haven't seen the show and wish to, please be aware of my disclaimers for the rest of the week because I may ruin some parts for you. The series is a true love letter in its entirety and I wouldn't want to reveal all of the Upper East Side's secrets... I'll leave Gossip Girl to that because the only thing "thicker than blood is the ink on page six."
As an amateur blogger writer myself, the character of Daniel Humphrey (Penn Badgley) inspires me. To seek more, become my best self, and to write. Dan is an aspiring writer with a story to tell from the outside looking in. He's a modern day Nick Carraway. That is until Ms. Serena Van Der Woodsen (Blake Lively) takes notice and his world is turned upside down, or shall I say upper-east-side down. It really does amaze me how Dan transforms through each season. Does anyone else still want to read "Inside" as much as me? Or for that matter, the "Monarch of Manhattan?" I would love to read his beautifully written words about my favorite elite crew of socialites, in their own right.

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This show depicts a group of teenagers finding their way through life and in love. You would think that with all the money at their finger tips everything would be much easier, but they deal with a lot of the same issues and obstacles normal people do.... just in really nice clothes at really nice places. lol.
And while the elite are scheming to fulfill their own agendas, a phantom blogger captures their secrets to reveal them to their world. The all-knowing Gossip Girl streams and mass texts her way into the lives of Manhattan's elite. The burning question is who is this mysterious Girl?

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Set in New York City, I can't wait to experience the energy and magic it has to offer when my mom and I visit next week. In preparation and in tribute, I'm dedicating this week to all things Gossip Girl. 
You know you love me.  X.O.X.O.

Adaline

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I've been wanting to see Age of Adaline since I saw the preview for it before American Sniper in theaters. I absolutely LOVE Blake Lively and think she is stunning anywhere and everywhere she goes. She was once again flawless. I mean, let's talk about hair, relationship, and life goals. Am I right? At times it really didn't matter what was going on in the film because I was just staring at her beauty.

Adaline Bowman would never age another day, leaving her looking and feeling a young 29 years old. Sounds great, huh? But what if you could not have any real relationships because you were always on the run to keep your secret from the world? You could never fall in love, you could never have real friends, and even your children would pass before you. 

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I think some parts were very disconnected, but I did enjoy it. I didn't really feel a huge connection between Adaline and her love interest, more loves of the past. I also wasn't a huge fan of the narrator and the script that he was given to illustrate. However, the settings and fashion through time were gorgeous. I would have liked to see more of Adaline through the years and not unexplained flashbacks. I don't think there were enough risks or scenes that really pulled at your heartstrings. I think that had a lot to do with the lack of chemistry.

Overall, I believe Blake Lively did a wonderful job creating Adaline's old soul. She looked gorgeous in everything she wore and every scene she was in. Harrison Ford played a good role too, but I won't spoil his part in Adaline's past for you. It is a great movie for any mother-daughter or girls outing.

SONS

via   All I can say is, I never thought I would be so fascinated by a show about motorcycle gangs, or should I say clubs. Many of you have probably watched Sons of Anarchy, but I just started a couple weeks ago. I got through season six and then was contemplating how I was going to watch the seventh and final season. Come to find out, Netflix is releasing season seven tomorrow and I'm beyond excited. However, it's a little bittersweet since that will be the end.    The motorcycle club culture is quite typical (or at least what I would imagine) in SOA, but some of the events I never thought would be shown on television. Just when you think you have seen it all, the writers completely blow your mind.   

via   Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam) was born into the motorcycle and gun selling life, inherited by his late father. His father, John Teller was killed in an accident and left his wife, Gemma (yes, the Married with Children lady) and his best friend, Clay Morrow with Teller-Morrow, a motorcycle mechanic business.... But mainly, illegal gun selling. Like federal crime scale.   John left behind a fully published novel about his life under the phenomenon of "Sam Crow." At first I thought Mr. Crow was an actual person, but really it's a term for a way of life. Jax gets a hold of the novel and starts to think for himself, molding the Sons into more legitimate business opportunities with a non-violent demeanor.   

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Its crazy how the Sons evolved through the seasons and who got to meet "Mr.  Mayhem" along the way. The first six seasons were one wild ride, so I am very anxious to start the final season. This show may even make you want to buy a Harley, some aviators, and a leather jacket! haha.

 

Different Directions

I'm not going to lie, I think I'm still in a little shock that Zayn Malik is no longer a part of One Direction. I listen to their songs and wonder how they will replace his amazing and unique voice, especially his solos that make each song even more brilliant. How about those high notes?!? I'm not sure any of the other guys can reach them. Apparently, Harry jokingly tried in "Diana" and completely failed. lol. They all have different sounds to their singing, so I'm interested in how that will work for the current tour and years to come when they perform the older songs. 

via My question for Zayn is: "Whats next?" How do you go from being in a band that has reached and continues to reach such success and say I'm done with it? That was his reasoning behind leaving the band, but I don't think he realized that the cameras aren't going away. He is famous and will be for a long time. People will be interested in his life for the duration. Ultimately, it was his decision and I respect that. I'm just not sure what kind of normalcy he is expecting though. 
On Saturday, I read an article that Zayn is actually writing and recording his own solo album. Um... am I missing something here? I thought he wanted to be a "normal 22-year-old." He said that being in the band didn't "feel real" to him anymore. Obviously from what we know, the guys responded in the most professional and respectful way possible, but I'm sure they are very hurt. Heck, Harry once said that he wanted to do this for 10 more years! He is also a born performer and probably will for as long as he can.
Although I am still a little heartbroken, it sounds like the remaining four are going to continue making hits and touring the world. To all my fellow Directioners, its going to be okay! I think the band doesn't want their ride to end. I've already heard talks of writing and recording for their next album. My fear originally was that they would slowing come crumbling down upon Zayn's departure, but I think that we haven't seen the last of One Direction.