This Sweatshirt Makes Street Art Wearable

Sean Griffis
Nov 06, 2014

Art is timeless, so why not make your style that way too? New company Le Collektor is helping you combine the two by turning your new go-to hoodie into a showcase for your favorite street art.

Currently raising funds on Kickstarter, these innovative jackets (available in heather charcoal and navy blue) allow you to easily unzip the hood to rep a different artist every day — or every hour if you’re in the mood to show off your collection.

Inspired by art in Los Angeles, New York and Berlin, Le Collektor is turning art collecting on its head by literally putting it on everyone’s head. With seven different artists and pieces in the inaugural collection, you could have your very own gallery showing while walking down the street, going to a friend’s house party or shopping.

So, we’re guessing you may be skeptical of the integrity of street art being transferred to fabric. Le Collektor uses a refined printing process that allows the clothing prints to be just as rich in color and quality as each artist’s original work. Founder Amisha Patel (below!) is a designer and social entrepreneur who actually went to law school to be an art dealer, so we bet it was top on her list of “musts” for the company.

We (fans of just woke up like this hair and sweatpants as streetwear) love our hoodies, so we wanted to make sure the quality was legit. Trust us, they are up to our snuggly standards, made with soft, extra warm, custom-knit Sherpa fleece with flat-locked seams for added durability to get you through the harshest parts of winter. And/or the inevitable binge watching of [insert fave TV show here] during that first chilly weekend.

If you need more features, this jacket has them all: a port for headphone wires, a hidden iPhone pocket (how sneaky) and a classic ribbed bomber collar for those days when you just aren’t feeling like a hood.

Not only does this jacket make you a movable art gallery and get people talking (let’s be honest, who doesn’t like being complimented on their wardrobe?), the company also does good by giving 10% of each piece directly to the artists.

Pledge now and you will be zipping up into one of these unique hoodies before the end of 2014.

Which hood(s) will you be rocking? Let us know in the comments below.

The Art of Traveling: The 11 Cities in America With the Best Street Art

Street art has undergone something of an image makeover in recent decades. What was once considered a sign of disrespect to a neighborhood is now (rightfully) celebrated as a cultural touchstone of art and identity. Best of all? It’s free: "Art for art’s sake," to quote Oscar Wilde, in the truest sense of the word. A spectacular backdrop for your selfies also makes a pretty great souvenir from your trip. Another bonus? Plane tickets might not even be necessary — you may be surprised to discover some of these flourishing artistic communities right in your very own backyard. So get ready to pound the pavement and wander down hidden passageways, and read on for the best cities in the country to visit for street art.
Houston, TX: Houston is undergoing an artistic renaissance, and it’s happening right on the streets. Take the mother-son street art pair, Donkee Boy and Donkee Mom. Only a few years ago, they found it was too hard to make a living as artists in Houston, so they moved to LA. Now, they’ve moved back to discover there are now so many murals in Houston. The city is more supportive of street artists, and its streets and buildings vibrantly reflect that payoff. Just follow the pair on Instagram for a snapshot of Houston’s thriving street art scene @donkeeboy and @donkeemom. (Photo via Alex Roman)
Reno, NV: Reno is home to one of the most underrated art scenes in the country — including the exhibits on display at the Nevada Museum of Art. Book a Public Art Tour with Art Spot Reno (motto: “More Art Everywhere”); if you're stuck at your desk, you can follow them on Instagram @ArtSpotReno to get a sense of the innovative, large-scale street art popping up on every corner. The art is consistently imaginative and boundary-pushing, which is perhaps unsurprising considering Reno is the nearest metropolis to Black Rock City, home of Burning Man. (Photo via Art Spot Reno)
Detroit, MI: It shouldn’t come as a shock that the famously resilient Music City (also known as the home of Motown) also boasts a lively and expressive street art scene. Many of the messages skew toward moral and social justice: Just check out the recent Bright Walls mural festival (or follow their Instagram @Bright_Walls). (Photo via Bright Walls)
New York City, NY: Naturally NYC would be on this list. Of the concrete jungle’s many visual attractions, we’re partial to "I Feel You Baby" in the West Village and the street murals along Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg. Another favorite comes courtesy of one of our favorite Instagrammers, Arianna Margulis of @ButLikeMaybe, who collaborated with Planned Parenthood on a mural in the East Village. The best thing about New York is that there’s always something new and exciting waiting to be painted right around the corner. It is the city that never sleeps, after all. (Photo via Ben Gabbe/Getty)
Miami, FL: The exciting street murals in Miami would suggest local artists are up "all night in the streets until the break of dawn" (if you'll forgive the Will Smith reference), and you wouldn’t be wrong. Book a trip to Miami and stay at Life House, where you can connect to other guests via opt-in social media network. (All the better to show off your latest #OOTD in front of a downtown mural.) (Photo via Joe Raedle/Getty)
Austin, TX: We all know that famous "I Love You So Much" mural that gets so much circulation on Instagram. But we’d venture that many would be surprised to realize it wasn’t in New York or LA, but Austin, Texas. The arts culture is just one of the many things that “Keep Austin Weird,” and if you also love live music and food trucks, it’s high time you book your ticket to this trendy city in Texas Hill Country ASAP. (Photo via Robin Marchant/Getty)

Los Angeles, CA: The City of Angels is another must-visit for street art, particularly in the hippie-centric neighborhood of Venice Beach (though, of course, those in the know often now claim Silver Lake as the intellectual/creative LA hotspot). This street art culture is as integral to the "LA renaissance" as Mulholland Distilling, LA’s first spirits brand established post-Prohibition. A can of spray paint (or a paintbrush) and a shot of whiskey make for an iconic pairing. (Photo via Kevork Djansezian/Getty)

Honolulu, HI: The land of double rainbows and world wonders is also home to some man-made spectacles as well — we’re talking about the street murals, of course. Art lovers should be saying aloha and mahalo to Honolulu: this city on the island of Oahu is a spot for aesthetes of all kinds to appreciate the vibrant colors and energy of the Hawaiian culture, rendered in painted form. If you doubt us, just check out the imagery associated with the POW! WOW! festival. (Photo via Education Images/UIG/Getty)
Chicago, IL: The hometown of Kanye West and Chance the Rapper is a hotbed of creativity. But the city’s output is not limited to (insanely talented) rappers. The street art murals that have popped up around the city in recent years often contain political messages as well, illustrating that the resistance is here — and painted upon your neighbors' walls. (Photo via Scott Olson/Getty)
Dallas, TX: Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes street art. Perhaps the influx of creativity in the state's street art scene is reflective of the state embracing artists more, but whatever the reason, the murals in Dallas often speak to our larger condition as a nation. When the current state of affairs is too wild for even the Wild Wild West (last Will Smith reference, we promise), then we certainly have some reflecting to do. And what better way to discuss the nation’s problems and opportunities than via art of the people, by the people, and for the people? Long may street art reign in the USA. (Photo via Martyn Goodacre/Getty)
San Francisco, CA: Among the cable cars and steep hills of San Francisco, you can find amazing street art of all kinds hidden throughout the city. You'll see rainbows in the Castro, dragons in Chinatown, worldly murals in the Mission, and so much more. Just wear good walking shoes if you're planning on art-spotting by foot; SF's hills are no joke, but the views are worth it. (Photo via Federica Grassi/Getty)

What are your favorite cities for street art? Tag us in your go-to spots on Instagram.

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Celebrate St. Patrick's Day At Starbucks With This ‘Pot Of Gold’ Matcha!

St. Patrick’s Day is coming soon, and I’m already so pumped for it, thanks to a slew of fun fast food treats. From Wendy’s new Thin Mints Frosty and Dairy Queen’s Mint Oreo Blizzard to the return of McDonald’s famed Shamrock Shake, I’m geared up for all things green.

If you’re also celebrating St. Paddy’s with a sweet treat, you’re gonna want to try out this Starbucks secret menu drink that has the perfect green tint. It’s filled with white chocolate and matcha – but not in the way you’d think. Plus, it's a tasty departure from your expected mint flavors around this time of year!

Scroll on to discover the Starbucks secret menu order that’s perfect for sipping on St. Patrick’s Day!

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Essentially an iced white chocolate mocha made with blonde espresso topped with matcha cold foam and brown butter sprinkles, one Starbucks barista revealeda tasty (and festive!) new way to enjoy the chain’s offerings in lieu of St Paddy’s: the Pot Of Gold!

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The spirited drink starts with 4 pumps of white mocha sauce, which is then combined with 2 blonde espresso shots. Starbucks’ blonde espresso has a smoother effect than their traditional shots, so expect this sip to bring on the sweetness!

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From there, you can order the drink with your choice of milk – and it’s a total bonus that Starbucks is no longer charging extra for alternative milks like oat, almond, coconut, and soy milk!

Starbucks

The next step is to order the drink with the chain’s vanilla cold foam, adding 2 scoops of matcha powder in the process.

Note: this secret menu item was shared before Starbucks reformulated their matcha powderto be unsweetened, but the cold foam should still have some sweetness, thanks to the vanilla.

Starbucks

Finally, the Pot Of Gold matcha drink is complete, boasting a satisfying layer of green on top of a golden latte. The barista who came up with the drink topped their bev with Starbucks’ brown butter sprinkles, which is in cafes for a limited time alongside their pistachio-flavored coffees.

If your local Starbucks is out of the brown butter sprinkles, a dusting of cinnamon or chocolate curls could also be so tasty!

Starbucks

With this secret menu hack, you’ll be sipping your way through a delightful sweetness and plenty of caffeine from both the matcha powder and espresso shots. If you prefer to have less jitters in your drink, you could easily order it ‘half-caff’ or with decaf espresso shots.

For quick reference, here’s how to order the Pot Of Gold drink. Ask for:

  • A grande iced latte
  • With 2 blonde espresso shots (or your preference for ‘half-caff’ or decaf)
  • With your choice of milk
  • Topped with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam with 2 scoops of matcha powder
  • Add brown butter topping

And voila! This drink is such a fun way to ring in St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re craving an iced blended beverage, I also tracked down some pretty delicious-looking secret menu drinks for a Lucky Leprechaun Frappuccino and a Pot Of Gold Frappuccino.

Check ‘em out – and happy St. Paddy’s!

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This New Gadget Ensures You Never, Ever Run Out of Coffee Pods

Listen up, coffee lovers! If running out of K-cups is enough to derail your morning routine, allow us to introduce you to a solution that’ll ensure you’re stocked with with the stuff 24/7. It’s called the WePlenish Java Smart Container, it’s launching today on Kickstarter, and we’re pretty sure it’s the coolest thing to happen to coffee since the Keurig.

WePlenish may look like any other coffee pod container, but it’s actually a smart vessel that orders K-cups/Nespresso pods and has them mailed to your door before you ever run out. Essentially, it’s like asking your roomie to grab some coffee at the store — without the whole asking part.

Instead, the system relies on sensors, an app, and Amazon: The container senses when supplies are running low, the sensors communicate with the app, and the app re-orders your fave coffee capsules from Amazon Dash Replenishment (a service similar to Amazon Prime). What’s more, the app saves your coffee preferences and uses the info to recommend personalized picks.

The gadget comes in either black or white and can be stored literally anywhere, thanks to it being battery-operated. We love how it looks sitting next to a coffee maker, but it’s ideal for tucking away neatly in the pantry, too.

You can snag the WePlenish Java Smart Container starting today for $40 at weplenish.com — or get the early-bird pricing at Kickstarter. Cheers to a lifetime of unbridled coffee consumption!

What do you think of the new WePlenish system? Let us know @BritandCo!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

(Images via WePlenish)

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The Original "Gossip Girl" Cast: Where Are They Now?

It's been 17 years since Gossip Girl first premiered on The CW, thus opening our eyes to the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite and introducing us to a new generation of stars like Blake Lively and Leighton Meester.

In the six seasons the show was on air, it captivated fans and critics alike, serving up week after week of delicious drama and continuously upping the ante for TV show fashion. ("So many designers were lining up to be a part of it — they wanted their stuff on Blake or Leighton," costume designer Eric Daman told Vanity Fair.) Click through to find out what the Gossip Girl cast has been up to since the show's success, and where they are today.

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Blake Lively (Serena van der Woodsen)

Of all the Gossip Girl cast alumni, Blake Lively is arguably the most well-known. Not only has she gone on to major roles in movies — including The Age of Adaline, The Shallows, All I See Is You, and most recently, It Ends with Us— but she's also married to fellow actor Ryan Reynolds (married in 2012).

Blake shares four beautiful daughters, James, Inez, Betty, and the youngest (born in 2023) whose name has not been announced publicly with Ryan. True to her Gossip Girl character, she's quite the fashionista! In her spare time, she likes to hang out with her BFFs, who just so happen to include Taylor Swiftandthe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants ladies.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf)

Leighton Meester has a career that would make even her cunningly ambitious Queen B character proud. Since Gossip Girl's end in 2012, she's acted in films including Life Partners, The Judge, The Weekend Away, and most recently, EXmas. She even recorded and released songs such as "Good Girls Go Bad" with Cobra Starship and the solo effort "Somebody to Love," and even starred on Broadway in Of Mice and Men back in 2014.

Leighton is married to actor Adam Brody (The O.C., Jennifer's Body, Gilmore Girls) as of 2014. She has two kids – one daughter and one son.

She has been heavily involved in philanthropy while taking on acting projects, primarily volunteering and campaigning with Feeding America and the Los Angeles Food Bank.

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Taylor Momsen (Jenny Humphrey)

Long gone are the days when Taylor Momsen played Dan Humphrey's sweet (and a bit messed up) little sis, Jenny. The actress left the Gossip Girl cast in 2010 in order to pursue her dreams of a music career, and all these years later, she's still doing just that as the frontwoman of the uber-successful rock group, The Pretty Reckless. With four records under their belt, the four-member band has supported bands like Evanescence, Soundgarden, and Guns N' Roses, and has toured in numerous cities and music festivals.

Momsen has typically kept her dating life on the down-low. She is currently single and appears to be putting all of her energy into her band.

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Penn Badgley (Dan Humphrey)

Everyone’s favorite Gossip Girl — er, guy — Penn Badgley, followed in his on-screen sister's footsteps after the show ended, pursuing his musical interests with rock band MOTHXR. The band's most current project, Centerfold, was released back in 2016.

Badgley has since acted in several movies and TV shows including Easy A, The Paper Store, and Here Today, but his most notable work has been on the ongoing book-based Netflix series, You. He plays Joe Goldberg, a charming bookkeeper with eerily odd characteristics, especially when it comes to love.

Badgley currently has a podcast titled Podcrushed, which explores the awkwardness of adolescence and revisits guests' best (and worst) middle school memories. He cohosts with Nava Kavelin and Sophie Ansari. One episode even features ex-Gossip Girl co-star, Leighton Meester!

Badgley is married to singer and doula Domino Kirke as of 2017. Kirke already had a child from a previous relationship. Badgley and Kirke had their first son together in 2020.

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Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass)

Ed Westwick tapped into his angsty side post-Gossip Girl, starring as Tybalt in a 2013 adaptation of Romeo & Juliet. Since then, he has fought crime as Kent Grainger on Wicked City, played a crime lord on Snatch, and sold double-glazed windows on White Gold. Is there any role he can't play? Most recently, Westwick stars in the movie DarkGame.

With a background in music, Westwick also currently sings in the bandFor You. Their most recent release is the song "Tailspin," and they're set to release a new single "Here Comes Trouble" in March 2024.

Westwick had been dating model and actress Amy Jacksonsince 2021, with the pair getting happily engaged during a ski trip in January 2024.

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Chace Crawford (Nate Archibald)

Following his stint as a wealthy Upper East Sider on Gossip Girl, Texas native Chace Crawford tried his hand at playing a greedy oil worker on ABC's short-lived TV series, Blood & Oil. He's had several film roles since – you can catch him in movies like Undrafted, Eloise, Nighthawks, even voice-actingin Belle. Most recently, Crawford stars as The Deep on The Boys.

Crawford has previously dated Carrie Underwood, Rachelle Goulding, and Rebecca Rittenhouse, though he is currently single as a Pringle.

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Jessica Szohr (Vanessa Abrams)

Jessica Szohr, who played Dan Humphrey's BFF slash on-again, off-again girlfriend (needless to say, we were confused too), has been a lot busier than her character was after season four, when she was all but written off the show.

In the years since Gossip Girl, the actress scored several roles on TV shows such as Complications, Kingdom, Twin Peaks and The Orville. She even starred in Taylor Swift's music video for "22" back in 2013!

Jessica also welcomed a daughter with her longtime boyfriend in early 2021.

Jessica currently hosts a podcast called "XOXO" that dives deep into the Gossip Girl cast, crew, and behind-the-scenes moments. Some notable episodes have featured Zuzanna Szadkowski (Dorota), Aaron Tveit (Tripp van der Bilt), Kelly Rutherford (Lily van der Woodsen), and Michelle Trachtenburg (Georgina Sparks).

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Michelle Trachtenberg (Georgina Sparks)

Since her stint as the "bad girl" Georgina Sparks, Michelle Trachtenberg landed roles on shows like Criminal Minds, NCIS: Los Angeles, Sleepy Hollow, and Sister Cities among other numerous series and movies. She even reprised her role as Georgina for the 2021 remake of Gossip Girl on HBO Max!

She managed to keep her personal life largely out of the tabloids, including her dating life. The last update on her relationship status was in 2023, and that she was dating her talent agent, Jay Cohen. She reportedly previously dated Shawn Ashmore, Joshua Radin, and Jason Segel.

Unfortunately, Michelle passed away on February 26, 2025.

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Kelly Rutherford (Lily van der Woodsen)

Besides being a New York Fashion Week icon (we'd expect nothing less of Lily van der Woodsen's alter ego!), Kelly Rutherford has popped up in several TV shows over the years, including Quantico, Jane the Virgin, and Dynasty.

She also frequently travels to France and Monaco, where, after years of custody battles with her second ex-husband, Daniel Giersch, she has extensive visitation rights to see her two children, who reside there with their father.

"Yes, it was a challenging time. It was a heartbreaking time," she told People. "But I focus on the good most of the time, I really do," she says. "I'm very thankful of where we are. I have a great relationship with my kids."

When she's not with her kids or working on a project, Kelly is dropping iconic 'fit pics on her Instagram account.

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Matthew Settle (Rufus Humphrey)

Matthew Settle, who played rockstar dad Rufus Humphrey, continued acting after the Gossip Girl cast dissolved. He hasn't been on any other TV shows other than one episode of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders in 2016. He mostly stuck to movies, acting in titles like Ouija, Marshall the Miracle Dog, and Valentine: The Dark Avenger.

Settle is also a dad of two children, having welcomed his first with actress and model Naama Nativ in 2009. He had divorced her in 2011 and went on to have a second baby with girlfriend Maria Alfonsin in 2015.

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Zuzanna Szadkowski (Dorota Kishlovsky)

Though Blair's loyal maid and, ultimately, best friend, wasn't technically a main character, there's no denying that it would have been a different show without her unwavering presence! Zuzanna Szadowski has dabbled in film and television since then, appearing in shows such as Girls,The Good Wife, and Modern Love.

In 2010, she partnered with Sam Weisman to open The Sam Weisman Studio, an acting school (now closed).

Oh, and did we mention she just so happens to be one of Leighton Meester's real-life BFFs?

Which Gossip Girl cast member is your fave? Tweet us @BritandCo!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

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(TEST) of How To Win In Web3 With Mila Kunis + Kevin Rose

Whether or not you understand Web3, there’s one thing you should know: it’s a massive opportunity for almost anyone — if you’re willing to have some growing pains. In this episode, you’ll learn why Web3 just doesn’t have big investors, it’s also a game-changing chance for women and non-binary individuals to get in early where they are typically left out.

Kevin Rose shares his lessons for growing Moonbirds to $500 million in just four months, and Mila Kunis explains how she has used Web3 to launch passion projects and create value for fans like never before.

In this episode, we cover:

(06:30) Meet Kevin Rose and Mila Kunis
(07:36) What is Web3, and how will it shift power to the people
(09:06) How blockchain keeps people honest
(12:20) Analogies to further explain blockchain
(18:03) Kevin's Doge experiment in 2014
(22:10) Mila's introduction to crypto
(25:00) Mila's passion project using NFTs in animation
(31:01) Why Hollywood didn’t get it right
(32:04) Mila's next project with the NFT community
(37:56) The PROOF Collective
(40:47) Explanation of the Moonbirds NFTs
(45:46) How women and non-binary folks have been excluded from financial and tech opportunities
(50:00) How to encourage marginalized folks to get involved in Web3 and the advantages of a diverse team
(55:00) Gatekeeping in the web3 community
(1:00:15) Big picture on web3 and ideas for keeping lower-income folks engaged
(1:04:00) Why NFTs and crypto should be seen more as a hobby

Where to find Mila Kunis:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/milakunisv
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MILAKUNISV/

Where to find Kevin Rose:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevinrose
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kevinrose/
• Website: https://www.kevinrose.com/
• Podcast: https://www.proof.xyz/

Where to find First In Line and Brit Morin:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/brit
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brit/ & https://www.instagram.com/firstinline/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@firstinline_pod
• Website: https://firstinlinepod.com/

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