Have you lusted after the gorgeous clothes and accessories worn on Gossip Girl and wondered where you can find similar (or identical) items? Well, now you can go to www.shopgossipgirl.com, a website that allows you to shop by episode, by character, and by product. Items which are similar or identical to those worn on the show are depicted next to a short video clip, or under the character’s name. The site uses the power of the community to tag the clothes, bags, shoes, jewelry, hats, etc. worn by the characters.

For example, in “How to Succeed in Bassness” (Season 3, Episode 7), Serena is wearing a fabulous sexy sequined dress to a club opening and I wanted to know where to buy it or at least something that looks like it. So I went to ShopGossipGirl, went to the episode and found a beautiful dress that looks pretty close. In some cases, ShopGossipGirl finds the EXACT dress or bag! If you have a favorite character, say Vanessa, and  all you want to do is shop for  he Vanessa boho chic look, then go to the “shop by character” category and click on Vanessa Abrams to see items similar to what the character has worn on the show.

ShopGossipGirl isn’t just for women either — the male characters’ cool clothes are also featured on the site, so fans can shop for the dapper shirts and ties that define Chuck’s stylish look.

Very simple. Instant gratification has never been so easy and deadly on our already crimped clothing budgets.

www.shopgossipgirl.com

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Check out our sister site, Mapplr.com, for travel news and reviews of the coolest boutique hotels and restaurants around the world.

If you’ve been walking along Market Street in the Financial District of San Francisco, you might have noticed a small Japanese boutique that looks nothing like the pastry stores in the city. The shop is Minamoto Kitchoan, which sells wagashi, traditional pastries served at the tea ceremony. Everything is imported from Japan to guarantee the quality and authenticity of the pastries. The presentation is just as important as the taste. The pastries resemble large jewelry stones, and some of pieces are so beautiful you hesitate eating them. They come in beautiful boxes and wrapping.

The service is impeccable. The staff are Japanese and wear uniforms. They never rush you, but they are attentive to your needs. When you pay, they hand you the package with both hands and with a slight bow. I went to Japan last year and suddenly, after that one afternoon at Minamoto Kitchoan buying daifuku (mochi balls with bean paste), I found myself missing Japanese service (and daiufku) terribly. This is the place I would come to for a special gift (or to indulge in my favorite Japanese pastries).

Minamoto Kitchoan
648 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
www.kitchoan.com
(Note: They have stores in London, Singapore and New York.)

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Check out our sister site, Mapplr.com, for travel news and reviews of the coolest boutique hotels and restaurants around the world.

I’m clearly several light years behind the developments at Piperlime as I discovered only today that they sell: (a) shoes and bags made by other brands; and (b) clothes for men and women (including jeans). I never go to the Piperlime online store but I did today because of a press release announcing that Piperlime is selling jewelry from brands such as Kate Spade, House of Harlow, Juicy Couture, Gorjana, Tuleste Market, Kenneth Jay Lane, Betsey Johnson and others.

I can’t figure out what makes Piperlime different from the Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic which have their own niches and identities. Piperlime began as a shoe store and has branched out to offer other things but it’s not distinctive or different enough.

www.piperlime.com