When we found out that Cecily von Ziegesar, author of the book series that inspired the Gossip Girl TV show, was coming to this year’s Saratoga Book Festival, the Saratoga Living team simply had to get involved. We teamed up with the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library to host one of their inaugural “Beyond the Book” events—a boozy brunch party with the author at Universal Preservation Hall. On the morning of October 6, 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. Then it was time for the main event: a conversation between Palette CEI Marcella Hammer and von Ziegesar, creator of the characters we’ve all come to love…or hate.
Read our full recap of the event on Saratoga Living After Hours, and check out Jess McNavich’s photos from the boozy brunch below.
