Lifestyle With J

XOXO
Gossip Girl, the American teen drama based in the Upper East Side,is a show that remains relevant today. While it was released in 2007 (making it 17 years old, where does the time go????) on the CW, streaming services enable original fans to come back to their old favorite, and the show has stood the test of time as it continues to receive love from a new generation. I will not grace the spin off with more than a sentence, as it cannot compare to the original beloved series with Blake Lively and Leighton Meester.

Gossip girl is by far my favorite comfort show I just keep coming back to. What makes it so addictive? In some ways, it is an exclusive version of Friends. The close-knit  friend group, that, despite the endless drama is truly loyal and supportive of each other. The personal growth we get to see each character achieve. The New York City setting. The fashion! There are so many elements that make it an influential & memorable show.

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Since money is no issue, every moment of the show has an underlying theme of fun and ease. Stopping for a coffee or at the market is an opportunity to be seen by and declared hot or not by gossip girl. The fashion and scenarios are both exciting and inspiring. The show has enough drama and excitement that there is never a dull moment, but also enough comforting & heartfelt moments that it is not overly stimulating. Critics may say it’s too unrealistic, but I say it only adds to the unadulterated fun & appeal.

While the characters upper echelon of wealth may make them seem as if they are not relatable at times, this can often add some  comedic relief to the serious issues they face in their relationships and careers. The fact that their temporal needs are more than taken care of allows the characters to fully focus on their relationships and career goals, without the distraction of how to make ends meet. This almost creates a sense of comfort to the show which juxtaposes with the outlandish situations the characters find themselves in. The setting of wealth and excess create for a beautiful background to every situation the show depicts. The gorgeous views, architecture and fashion add luxury to each moment of the show.

It goes without saying that the characters themselves are all attractive and interesting in their own right, and the different elements of their personalities will lend themselves to connection with different viewers. Having first watched the series in my early college years, and rewatching it multiple times throughout my life, I continue to gain new perspectives on the characters and their choices.

IT GIRLS

Who’s your favorite it girl; Serena or Blair? When I first viewed the show, I found myself connecting with Serena, (and currently admire Blake!) I can see myself now shaking my head at some of Serena’s antics that I would have earlier laughed off (did she really think getting together with Nate’s married brother was going to work out?).

Although Serena struggles with choosing the wrong men, I admire her for the fact that she always follows her heart, and chooses her own path in spite of any judgement she might face. While she can be accused of loosing herself in her relationships, she takes her time to reflect when it is time to put the focus on her own life again, and is not afraid to put herself first when she needs to. Her free spirited personality and style helps her to charm the masses and open doors for her personally and professionally. When she struck up conversation with a director while on vacation visiting her grandmother, and was hired on the spot? So Serena. Am I the only one that thinks Serena glows differently in California? Weather or not that is the case, the Upper East Side wouldn’t be the same without our beloved blonde.

Queen B. I continue to gain respect for Blair and find myself agreeing with her perspective more and more as I grow older and wiser. Blair is Audrey Hepburn, while Serena is Marilyn Monroe. Blair’s classic and prim sense of style contrasts with Serena’s bohemian and trendy looks. While Serena is often seen with a new flavor of the week, there is really only one man that truly had Blair’s heart (okay, you could argue two, but, personally, I couldn’t get behind the “Ban” situation). Her high standards and passion make her a romantic at heart. I appreciate Blair’s tough love advice that is often needed by her friends.

Boys, boys, boys

The boys! While the girls are the leading ladies of the show, the boys keep it fun and fresh, and especially as the seasons go on we can see their storylines become intricate and engaging in their own right, beyond the ever shifting love triangles the group finds themselves in. I won’t spoil who ends up with who if you haven’t finished the series, but I certainly have some strong opinions on this topic myself. All in all, the love triangles and ever-changing dynamics keep us on our toes and in general, I appreciate the balanced perspective the show gives to the pursuit of love. Each character genuinely is looking for love, while still prioritizing their personal growth.

The excess, the glamour, the romance, the friendship, the architecture… There are so many reasons Gossip Girl has been an enduring classic. I could keep going…Keep reading for more gossip girl content, including it-girl break downs next!

You Know you love me!

XOXO,

J