Dream Destination: Giraffe Manor

As seen in Elle, Vanity Fair and Forbes Magazines, this small hotel is the perfect, unique vacation destination.

Opened in 1984, this personal, yet elegant hotel offers the experience of having giraffes greet you at the front door. Giraffe Manor is famous for its abundance of giraffes that surround the property, providing guests with an amazing view of this endangered animal. Guests can even dine with giraffes. The hotel is just outside the capital of Kenya, Nairobi.

Boho Braids

These variations to the "Boho Braid" are an easy and sophisticated way to wear your hair. I've become obsessed with this ongoing trend after modeling after some of these stars. Whether its little twists as pictured on Olivia Palmero and Whitney Port or thick braids that Lauren Conrad and Amanda Bynes sport, this style looks great. You can do it with your hair up or down and it instantly produces a put together look.

Must See: Sea Bags

Sea Bags is a company that formed in 1999 that makes custom totes out of recycled sails. Every bag has sailed around the world before it leaves the shops. Each has rope handles that are hand spliced in Maine. http://http//seabags.com/the_bags.php

Check out some of these bags below.

Blair Waldorf Style

Move over Eric Daman, I'll put Blair Waldorf back in style!

It seems like Blair Waldorf has been slacking in the fashion department lately. Her looks haven't been that inspiring the past few episodes. We've already modeled after her collegiate and feminine attire consisting of fitted blazers and bow headbands, but whats next? Eric Daman, the costume designer of Gossip Girl, created a trend amongst young girls. But I haven't been a fan of Blair's wardrobe in the past few episodes. These awful looks above are a perfect example.

Here are some ideas for how Blair Waldorf should dress:

J.Crew - French Serge Day Coat

Anthropologie Dawn's Frost Dress

From The OC to Gossip Girl: Willa Holland

Willa Holland, most famously known for her role as Kaitlin Cooper on The OC, has now taken on new heights. She starred in the most recent episode of Gossip Girl playing a model named Agnes who befriends Jenny Humprehy (Taylor Momsen). Willa is much more sophisticated from her days as Marissa Cooper's younger sister. Looks like its not just Josh Schwartz, the director of both The OC & Gossip Girl, who sees tons of talent in the young 17 year old star. Willa will appear in several films this year including Chasing 3000, Garden Party and Middle of Nowhere.

Willa Holland on the set of Gossip Girl.

Speaking of the latest episode of Gossip Girl entitled Pret-a-Poor-J, what is with Jenny's new style? I strongly dislike her punk look, especially her new hair. But Nate Archibald couldn't get enough of little J even with her new appearance.

More Teen Vogue: Fashion Frenzy

Kira Plastinina - 16 year old Russian fashion designer who has paved her way in this competitive industry.
Peter Som & Teen Vogue Staff Member Laura

Tracy Reese & Teen Vogue Staff Member Alana Newton

Lisi Harrison's book The Clique has been made into a film. It has yet to be released to the public but Teen Vogue Fashion U girls had a premiere screening of this flick!

Designer Details: Cynthia Rowley

I was amazed by Cynthia Rowley's down to earth nature and personable, open attitude. It was a great surprise to meet a designer as sucessful as Cynthia be so humble and friendly. During the seminar, Cynthia revealed embarrasing stories about how she got to where she did. She had the whole room laughing with her. Cynthia chuckled, "I used to make clothes for my friends so they would write my term papers. Design has always been an obsession of mine."

Cynthia sold her first collection as a senior at the Art Institute of Chicago. She was on the subway and a woman asked her where she got her jacket. Cynthia replied that she has her own collection and the woman (a buyer for a department store) arranged for them to meet two days later. Cynthia had far from her own collection, but spent the whole weekend sewing. Two days later the woman asked Cynthia for her style numbers and product information and it was soon obvious that these were Cynthia's first real garments. While this was slightly embarrassing, it got her started. She has always been open minded and free spirited with her designers. In high school, she sketched bizarre items such as swimsuits with wings thinking about ideas outside of the box. Cynthia's greatest advice is not to be afraid to ask questions. Before her first fashion show, she saw Andy Warhol at Starbucks and shyly gave him an invitation for her show. Small efforts can go a long way.

Cynthia has collections for Target called Swell and Whim. She is also in the works of making a new collection called Hooray for a major chain store. Cynthia is a jack of all trades - a designer, a writer and a tv show guest judge. She wrote a book called Swell: A Girl's Guide to the Good Life and this inspired her collection entitled Swell. She has been a guest judge for several shows including First Design and Project Runway. Cynthia discussed the possibility of a Project Runway show with actual designers, including Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger (who both were in support of this idea).

What stuck out the most from Cynthia's story is her vision of fashion. "Each season you are telling a new story."

NYC Day 2 - Teen Vogue Fashion U

Conde Nast Building:

While I waited inside the Hudson Theatre Lobby during registration, I was surrounded by hundreds of Blair Waldorf wannabes. Literally every teeny bopper girl was dressed in a blazer, extravagant bow or flower headband, a high waisted skirt and flats. While I certainly like this look, it was overdone. Blair’s outfits are only fun and chic because it is a television show, they are supposed to be exaggerated. In real life, if tons of girls walk down the street in collegiate style couture from head to toe it’s a bit much. Half the fun of this event was people watching. There were definitely unique styles that inspired me. I fell in love with some tissue layered skirts, silk dresses, patterned tanks tucked into high waisted skirts, double buckle belts, patent leather pumps and mary janes.

This was my schedule:
10-11:15: Session 1- Nanette Lepore, Teen Vogue Showroom
11:15-12:15: Session 2 - Cynthia Rowley, “Living a Fun, Fashionable Life”, Teen Vogue Catwalk
12:15-1: Lunch – Millennium Broadway Hotel
1-2: Session 3 – Peter Som, Distinctive Design, The Hudson Theatre
2-3:15: Session 4 – Tracy Reese, Teen Vogue Showroom
3:30-4:30 – Lisi Harrison (author of The Clique) & Mandi Line (Costume Designer) The Hudson Theatre
4:30-6: Premiere of The Clique (not released to the public yet), The Hudson Theatre

The Designer Details: Nanette Lepore
I was extremly excited to hear Nanette Lepore talk about how she became the fashion designer she is today. I have always loved her clothes, even before they hit the big department stores. I’ve been to her shops in Soho, Newbury Street & LA because I’ve had an obsession with her cute, feminine styles. When she announced collaboration with Keds, I jumped on this trend. I practically stalked Nordstorms to get a pair of her flats the day they arrived. I’ve read all about her new digital device in her Washington D.C. store and she has been a fashion role model to me. Sitting in the showroom along with about 30 other young girls who all looked up to her, I was slightly disappointed with Nanette’s attitude. While she has certainly worked hard for her success and has come a long way, she knows she’s accomplished and showed this. She was engaged in the program, but was not that friendly when other students and I came up to her afterwards. Yet, her story is still inspiring…

Alana Newton, the Senior Market Editor of Teen Vogue, interviewed Nanette and then opened it up for a question & answer session. I was intrigued by her story. Nanette didn’t realize she wanted to get into fashion until college. She received a degree in business from a school in Ohio. New York and fashion were never part of her world. However, she came from a creative family and finally decided to try something more visually oriented. Her first job was sketching and she got fired after three weeks. Then she moved to Tric Track, a knitwear company. Nanette eventually moved to a boutique and designed for a private line. Nanette learned fashion from a small perspective, which enabled her to get her foot in the door. She started her own company mainly because she couldn’t get a job anywhere and was stuck in debt. Now she has over 140 employees and 7 boutiques. She has plans in the works to open up 2 more boutiques in Bal Harbor & Madison Avenue. Her company is based off her desire to create eligance and beauty for women. She produces enchanting items that can be either ready to wear and polished or mixed with vintage pieces. In describing her latest collection, Nanette said its “romantic, flowery and pretty.” She also explained of her support for saving the garment district. (Nanette gave out pencils with ribbon & buttons that advocated this effort, as well as umbrellas with her logo). She is saddened by the possibility that the Garment District might be disappearing.

What is the future of Nanette Lepore? Well she is shoe obsessed and wants to create a shoe empire. Her work with Keds and her own line of pumps, heels and flats have paved the way towards this dream. She also wants to create the perfect pair of jeans. Her fragrance has been one of her biggest successes and she has a new scent coming out soon. There will be an international ad campaign so stay tuned.

Crazy for Chanel

I learned tonight about a great temporary exhibit in Central Park entitled "Chanel Mobile Art." 15 artists from around the world have been inspired by the 1955 Chanel bag and their efforts are celebrated in this spectacle. A "flying saucer-esque" building rests at the Rumsey Playfield for three weeks, ending November 9.

I ended up going to this exhibit on Saturday night and little did I know that although tickets are free, they were all reserved immediatley after this "spacecraft" landed in NYC. After a little persuading at the door, we got in! It was certainly well worth it. The variety of art mediums and an audio guide by none other than Coco Chanel completed the atmosphere. As I moved from one room to the next, each got more and more unique. From cardboard boxes with lights and digital images moving throughout, to the giant bag and a wish tree with luggage tags, this experience was like no other. Exciting, inspiring and fashion forward.

NYC Day 1

A diva in Geneva...off to NYC:

I am attending a weekend full of fashion and magazine seminars in NYC sponsered by Teen Vogue, one of my absolute favorite publications. The event is called Fashion University and is a program that I applied to. It offers the chance to learn the ins and outs of the fashion and magazine industries, both which I love. I will provide endless details tomorrow, but I will be meeting with some of the top fashion designers, editors of Teen Vogue and the author of a chicklit whose work has been turned into a movie. Stay tuned for the rest ...

I left school today for the city, perhaps my favorite place in the world. It was such an exhilerating feeling with my bags in hand about to board the plane. I love flying to NYC! The 45 minute flight is the perfect experience because I like to travel but hate being on planes for long periods of time. This brief jet-set gives me a chance to catch up on my celeb gossip, watch some of the Rachel Zoe Project on the individual tvs and then POOF...we land!

When I got out of the cab and stepped foot onto the sidewalk of NYC this evening, it was electrifying. The excitment of the city, the warm fall night, and the hussle and bussle was instantly amazing. I had a fabulous night of drinks, dinner and dessert. The perfect combo. A hidden gem I discovered is Milk & Cookies Bakery in Greenwich Village (19 Commerce Street). Its an adorable cozy shop that has every kind of cookie imaginable, as well as cupcakes, brownies and ice cream sandwiches. Not to mention, the nostalgic treat of chocolate chip cookies & a glass of milk. The intimate environment and traditional moldings reflect the comfort of this locale.

Airport Attraction: JFK's Terminal 5

Jetblue's Terminal 5 is amazing:

I jetted off to NYC this weekend for a fashion and magazine seminar (which I will certainly provide great detail about in a later post). But what I want to draw attention to now is the much deserved praise for the chic atmosphere of Jetblue's new Terminal 5 at JFK airport. I had heard of this renovation, but when I got off the plane, I was beyond impressed. I instantly stopped to admire the beauty of this setting. The creative decor and the abundance of restaurants have transformed this space into the style of NYC. Having recently opened on October 22, Terminal 5 was the buzzword all over JFK today. Who would have thought an airport lounge would be the new hotspot?

This Film Is Not Yet Rated

I attended a screening of this independent documentary by Kirby Dick last night and was thoroughly impressed. It shows us what, and mainly who, is behind the closed doors of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). In this witty and satirical investigation, Dick reveals how the MPAA makes their decisions. He stresses the public's right to know who determines what we see and what we don't see in films, or if we can see films at all depending on their ratings. The MPAA has always been in secrecy over its members, but there are plenty of jobs where officials are in positions where they can be targeted or affected by persuasion. Think about school officials, judges and even the Supreme Court. The people holding such positions are known to the public, it would be illogical for them not to be. Thus, we deserve to know, and more importantly directors deserve to know, who is judging and rating their films. Kirby hires an investigator to provide this information. What is perhaps the most ironic part of the film is that the MPAA viewed this movie before it was released, and it announces the members of this board. It is a hilarious and informative movie. How cool would it be to watch and rate movies all day as your job? Even if you are not a film expert, you can still appreciate the cleverness of this film in how Kirby challenges the adminstration to inform the public.
Check out the trailer - http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTL3XMDwY0c

The Fashion Report of the 1920s

Hopefully you've already seen the feature story today in the style section of The New York Times. But if not, check it out!http://http//www.nytimes.com/2008/10/23/fashion/23CLASSICS.html?_r=2&ref=fashion&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Looks like the HWS styles (see post "HWS Fashion Must Haves") are really in trend, even the editors of Lucky where I interned this summer said so! From Barbour jackets to sperry top siders to Hunter wellies and white hanes t-shirts, these classic 1920s looks will never go out of style!

Must Have: Vintage Travel Posters

In light of my lack of blog entries recently, I decided to double up today, mostly because I am so inspired by these vintage travel posters. They depict locations in such an exciting and captivating way. Looking at them makes me want to hop on a plane and go to Africa or Scotland or India or San Francisco. Actually I want to go to all of these places.

What a creative and cool way to celebrate art! And such a refreshing change from the posters hanging in most dorm rooms.

Off to "The City"

Whowhatweardaily.com is right - Whitney Port really is the Girl of the Moment. Besides the fame and fashion dream job she already has, she soon will have her very own TV show!

Whitney is done with the The Hills, and is jetting off to "The City," New York City of course, where she will continue her fashion career at DVF. This spin off-show looks even better than The Hills...sorry Lauren but we're sick of your drama as well as Audrina & Justin Bobby's on again/off again relationship. Whitney has always been my favorite part of The Hills and now will be the main star in her own show. With her cool unique style and low key personality, Whitney seems like the perfect fashion role model. She's a great example of how dedication and passion pay off even in such a competitive industry.

Check out the preview for this new show.
http://http//www.popcrunch.com/whitney-port-the-city-trailer-video/

Move over Lauren, looks like you've been replaced by none other than Olivia Palermo. A true glamour icon. But will this high-fashion socialite lifestyle change Whitney? Will her fashion career soar to the top or will she crash in stilettos?

I guess we won't know until December 29th at 10pm... yes i'm counting down already. I cannot stop thinking about this show, but couldn't MTV have come up with a better name than "The City?"

My Obsession: Madewell 1937

A branch off company of J.Crew, this chic, slightly boho brand is all the rage! It attracts a younger, trendier shopper with its more contemporary looks, while still maintaining the classic appeal of J.Crew. Madewell launced in 2006 and I've been crazy over it ever since! The printed scarves and amazing selection of jeans keep me hooked. There are tons of different styles, colors, lengths and details. Madewell also has awesome boots, from hunter rain boots to the perfect flat riding boot (and all thats in between).

The inside of a Madewell store

Summer 2008 looks
An image from the latest collection

I've only been to the Soho location - 486 Broadway at the intersection of Broome (ps a Topshop is opening two store fronts down this fall). But good news... Madewell is coming to Greenwich, CT in March/April 2009. It will be taking over the Banana Republic space on Greenwich Avenue.

In the meantime, check out http://madewell1937.com/

RIP CosmoGirl

Unfortunatley today's scoop isn't fashionable, flashy, or fun. It's not something that will inspire you or make you want to check out the latest styles, television shows or music.

With that said, I sadly learned today that CosmoGirl has folded. The last publication to be released will be the December 2008 issue. While CosmoGirl (part of Hearst Corporation) is not my favorite magazine, its sad to hear this news. (Remember middle school days when every girl went giddy over the "Eye Candy" tear out cards?) Upon receiving this information about CosmoGirl's end, I felt awful because I knew CosmoGirl had been trying to prevent this from happening. I learned from an inside source at the begining of the summer that CosmoGirl was "reinventing" itself for the September issue. This gossip excited me and I passed it around, anxious to see the upcoming issue. It would be a blend between Nylon and Teen Vogue I was told. I was thoroughly impressed when September came around. The new layout was captivating and creative. The magazine itself was bolder and more mature - a perfect makeover to the publication I presumed.

When I received this news about CosmoGirl, I also thought about my recent post "The Fashionista Diaries" (see below). In that show, the summer interns at Jane Magazine were relocated to CosmoGirl after Jane folded. Now CosmoGirl has taken the beating. This pattern should not neccessarily be attributed to the magazine industry, but rather stems from the ongoing problems with the economy. With so many publications all competing for subscribers, only the top can survive. As someone who is OBSESSED with magazines, I can sympathize. I want to enter into this industry, so unless you work for a magazine that is always flying off the shelves, it can be rough. With that said, the turnover rate is high allowing for lots of opportunities. People are constantly moving from one magazine to the next, seeing what other departments and jobs offerings are out there.

So support the magazine industry and CosmoGirl's last mark. Be sure to pick up the final issues of CosmoGirl next time you walk by the newstand or are in the supermarket. I know I sure will.

CosmoGirl subscribers, after December you will be provided with copies of Seventeen Magazine, its sister publication. And don't worry, cosmogirl.com is still alive and kickin'!

Fashion Designers Show Their Support

Eco - Friendly Bags

Juicy Couture

Marc Jacobs

Also check out these $12 reusable Marc Jacobs plastic bags
Diane Von Furstenberg "Go Green" Tote