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"There's no answer that's not going to tip you one way or the other. Think about every hypothetical situation: 'OK, we are. We aren't. I'm a lesbian.' I'm just trying to keep something. I'm not going to give the fiending an answer. I know that people are really funny about 'Well, you chose to be an actor, why don't you just f---ing give your whole life away?! Can I have your firstborn child?'"

-"New Moon" star Kristen Stewart, talking to Entertainment Weekly

In totally unsurprising news of high school injustice, Dakota Fanning has been named the Homecoming Queen of her Hollywood private school, Campbell Hall Episcopal High. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing bad to say about the actress: despite some ill-advised shoe choices, the teenager seems smart and as down-to-earth as one can be in her position, and plus she is actually a pretty good actress. But, Homecoming Queen? As a Sophomore? The girl is IN TWILIGHT. It just seems unfair, is all. After all, she already got to see Robert Pattinson basically naked, and become besties with Kristen Stewart (obviously the postergirl for sullen adolescent coolness), and also be a cheerleader -- not to mention, um, a movie star? 

The White House recently revealed that Michelle Obama -- who is, by the way, coming up on her one-year anniversary of First Ladydom (or at least her election as such) -- is launching a mentorship program that will pair 20 local teenage girls with high-powered female leaders -- including not only a bunch of women on Obama's staff, but also the First Lady herself. Criticize the Obama administration all you want, but don't tell me that some 15- or 16-year-old girl is not going to be highly excited to find herself making her way over to... the White House to hang out with...Michelle Obama. Now all they need to do is pass the health care bill (with a public option, duh!) and I will be totally satisfied. For the moment. 

Once, when I was having a really terrible day at work, an old coworker lent me a copy of the film Woman of the Year, and advised me to watch it immediately. The would assuage my sorry mood, he assured me, and make me feel better about my future. This was a wise (also very fashionable) friend, and of course he was right. The film stars Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy as rival reporters/a married couple, whose relationship struggles due to Hepburn's enormous success. (As per the title of the movie, she's named "Woman of the Year" at one point.) In addition to dealing with such issues as inter-romance career competition -- which is obviously always a good movie premise, hello -- the film contemplates the tension inherent in being a successful, ambitious, career-oriented woman. Obviously, these are some fairly progressive concepts for the year 1942, which is when the movie was made. But what's even more awesome about this film is that Katharine Hepburn is not portrayed as some dowdy shrew: she is Katharine Hepburn, the glamorous style icon (and, in the film, a brassy, ambitious, charming career woman), and so she is dressed as such. Instead of lacey, uber-feminine frocks, she's outfitted in her trademark trousers and perfectly-tailored top. The result is simultaneously sexy, classic, and classic -- feminine but not girly, and professional without being the loathsome unflattering business casual.  AKA, signature Katharine Hepburn. Should serve as a lesson to us all. 

All of those Twilight fans who have been holding their breaths until November 20 (FINALLY) have something with which to distract themselves until the big day: the track listing for the soundtrack to the upcoming New Moon film has been released. And guess what? It is an emo dream come true. The15-song compilation features tracks from artists that run the gamut of hipster cred-worthiness: standard indie favorite Death Cab for Cutie opens the album, and is followed by everyone from the soulful dream-team of St. Vincent & Bon Iver, to the appropriately somber Grizzly Bear, to our own personal favorite, Lykke Li -- a sassy Swede with unbeatable dance moves. You can stream some of the full album right here.

This weekend, TIZA introduces Alisha Hill prom dresses to our website. Hill -- the daughter of our favorite prominent prom and pageant dress designer Sherri Hill -- debuts her collection of 17 pieces, which range from the long and luxurious to the short and sassy to the fun and flirtatious. Hill's style has a soft, feminine, but also playful touch: she employs paisleys and leopard prints as much as pastels in her creations. (She also has a knack for the long, flowing, and ethereal.) Perfect for any prom or pageant. Check out her designs right here! 

Anyone who has ever watched Gossip Girl knows that it is a television show that, for several reasons, is BARELY grounded in an even vague sense of reality. Of course, as is to be expected on any high school TV drama, there is the usual, obvious stuff, like Serena's hair existing in real life, and the obviously ridiculous and contrived love triangles, etc. But usually that's okay, because hello, it's television. Also, Gossip Girl obviously resonates with people for a reason, which is that a lot of the things addressed on the show (female bitchery, popularity, money, romance, etc.) actually are both realistic and relatable. But on this week's show, I was for some reason endlessly annoyed by the fact that the entire episode was based on a totally foolish and unrealistic premise. Which was that, Blair and Vanessa were vying to give a toast at a freshman "dinner" (which appeared to be more of a cocktail party). Does any college actually do this? If so, does ANY freshman in their right mind... actually go? Much less care? So that was my biggest beef with this week's episode. Other than that, there were some pros and cons. Let's do a little list.