Vibe Check: Gossip Girl Brunch

You've never been to a book talk like this one.

Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library board member Ashley Richardson, board president Amanda Martini-Hughes, board member Lauren Hatch and executive director Jen Allen (Photography by Jess McNavich)

Hey, Saratogians. Gossip Girl here. Did you hear that Saratoga Living and the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library threw an entire party, just for me?! I was totally flattered, even if Cecily Von Ziegesar, author of the book series that inspired the Gossip Girl TV show, got all the attention.

The boozy brunch party was one of the new “Beyond the Book” events at this year’s Saratoga Book Festival. It went down this past Sunday at Universal Preservation Hall, which is a totally underrated party venue, may I add. Before the main event—a conversation between Cecily and Palette CEO Marcella Hammer—dozens of Gossip Girl fans fan-girled over Caroline + Main’s pop-up shop, DeCrescente Distributing’s signature “Serena” spritz (served on xoxo cocktail napkins), Saratoga Tea and Honey’s hibiscus iced tea, Wandering Food Dude’s brunch spread, Franklin Square Market’s GG-themed cookies, Nothing Bundt Cakes’ bite-sized delicacies, and the over-the-top balloon arch constructed by Adirondack Balloon Co. But that’s just what the event organizers want you to know. Read on for the real recap (and photos) of Saratoga’s glittering, glamorous Gossip Girl Brunch.