I’m  not a Gossip Girl fan (however that won’t stop me from watching NYC Prep on Bravo this week — looks very juicy) but Blake Lively definitely was my fav dressed for the CFDA awards last week.

She looks fresh, fun and sexy — exactly the look I’ll be going for next February when my best friend and I head to Miami and the Florida Keys to celebrate our 30th birthdays. That’s right — I’m already shopping.

I know I’m late to this game, but I bought my first pair of Havaianas last month and THEY ARE TO DIE FOR.

Besides the really cute styles and prints, these flip flops are soooooo comfortable. Now, I’ve talked about my feet problems, which make it very hard to walk anywhere in the summer in anything cute. Besides exercising our new puppy, my husband and I live within walking distance of the ultra fun and cute neighborhood in St. Louis. If we drive there, it’s seriously just sad.

Enter Havaianas. I know I’ve heard of them before, maybe a stupid mention on the Real Housewives of Orange County or something, but when I saw that the Gap was selling a few select pairs I took a second look.

Well, the second look had me over at Nordstrom in West County one night just before closing. The Gap only carried a few basic colors, and the ones at Nordstrom’ convinced me to throw down the $24 bucks. Since then, I’ve been singing the praises of the Slim Havianas to everyone and their mother.

And when I saw this lovely post bythe Budget Diva about a 65 percent off sale, I knew it was time to gift them. Both my mom and sister have birthdays later this summer, so I grabbed up a few pairs.

Check it out at www.shopflipflops.com

It kicked off last night at HoteLumiere in downtown St. Louis.

Fashion Week is one of those events where you feel like you’re in NYC or LA rather than the Midwest. Everyone showed up looking fabulous. There was Jerell (finalist on Project Runway) and Borbatinis. Yes, Borbatinis.

I’m a volunteer this year, and even though that means doing things like placing a million fliers on seats or Borba waters to go with it, the atmosphere was so awesome. In midst of fliering, I got to watch rehearsals. So fun!

However, the long lines to get into the party did not make guests happy. Let’s hope things are better tonight!

For a full schedule of events, go to saintlouisfashionweek.com

Her name is Lola. You would not believe how long it took me to pick out her collar and leash. I went to Petco, PetsMart, Target, etc. I finally settled on orange polka dots (we didn’t want it to be too girly so my hubby would not be embarassed to walk her). Turns out she came with a little pink collar, and refuses to wear the orange polka dot harness. So she has a pink collar and an orange leash. Guess she didn’t want to be too matchy-matchy.

She’s a little fashionista already!

Also, just wanted to say that we adopted her from a group that rescued her mom from a puppy mill when she was pregnant. There are so many dogs that need homes. Please use petfinder.com!

I often take inspiration from stars or celebrities when I go shopping. This blog takes reader requests and finds looks similar to what you saw stars wear out and about for under $100.

Very cool.

Ever since we got DVR at our house, I enjoy award shows so much more.

I simply record the program and start watching about an hour after it begins. That way, I can fast-forward through to the things (people, dresses) I want to see.

I did tune in to some of the red carpet coverage on E! and other networks, and between that and watching the show, here are my picks for Best and Worst Dressed.

Best

Eva Mendes – Sigh. If only we all could look like Eva. I’ve never seen her look bad, but my first glimpse of her on the red carpet made me pause the remote. I knew immediately she was going to end up at the top of my list. Her skin was glowing, and the turquoise necklace was the perfect accent to her white dress. Some people didn’t like the draping on the dress, but I think with her body she could pull it off.

Kate Winslet – By the time she got up to accept her second award, I was tired of her shocked, surprised, speechless bit but not with her dress. She looked fit and impeccably styled. She was also sporting a red lip, like many other attendees, which I loved.

 Tie

Blake Lively and America Ferrera – These girls tied for third because I simply loved both of their overall looks and could not decide between the two. Loved the shape of America’s dress and her fresh-faced makeup. Ditto for Blake Lively. Her wavy, loose hair gave a California cool vibe to her icy blue gown.

Worst

Tina Fey – Good lord to I love this woman but good god did I hate her entire look.

At past events fashionistas have criticized her overly done updos and awkward dresses. I had hoped Tina would bring it after the year she had but it seemed like her entire look came from the wardrobe closet at SNL. The low-cut sparkly number looked like an attempt to sex her up but was a poor choice. And by the end of the night her updo was definitely a don’t, with strands coming loose, looking like an overaged women who got dressed up and spent the night dancing at some club. Although it didn’t even look good in the beginning.

Fey would have been better off going with a safer look like she at one of last year’s events and kept her hair down. This dress was basic black but she would have looked stunning in a vibrant color similar to the red Reem Acra Eva Longoria wore last night. Get a decent stylist! (Side note: I have no idea why Patrick Dempsey is in this photo, but it’s the only one I could find.

Drew Barrymore – Hated the hair, and when I say that I mean I hated everything about it, color and style. Her dress wasn’t that bad, but I could not stop looking at the hair. It’s a shame, because her style has been a favorite of mine in the past.

Marisa Tomei – You may be getting older, but that is no excuse for this puffy shirt ensemble.

To see more photos, go to http://www.tvguide.com/PhotoGallery/Landing.aspx

A while back I wrote about my obsessions with the movie, “The Break-Up.” One of them was the simple gold leaf necklace that Jennifer wore in many of her scenes.

Well, Jen is again wearing necklaces by her friend Jennifer Meyer in her new movie, “Marley and Me.” This is the same person who did the necklace in “The Break-Up.” So cute!

Head on over to PopSugar to enter a contest to win one of the necklaces. Good luck!

With every episode I get more and more curious about Olivia, one of the cast members featured on the beginning who “works” with Whitney at Diane Von Furstenburg.

Just like The Hills, The City has given us so little background on the characters that it leaves the viewer yearning for more information. Thankfully, we have Google for that.

Turns out Olivia was the subject of a bit of scandal among the NYC socialites. I’m spent way too much time reading this but fans of the show will find it interesting.

Incidently, WhoWhatWear.com named Olivia their Girl of the Month. Check it out here. I think she looks much prettier in pictures than she does on TV. Every time she’s on the television screen, I can’t help but think her face looks like a bunch of perfect features she picked out at her plastic surgeon’s office that somehow just don’t go together when put on one face.