This month, Kohls/Aqua Stop launched a line of snow and rain boots and shoes at Kohl’s with Jessica Szohr as the face of the campaign. Above is a preview of the ads and below you can see the BTS video of the shoot. Will post more of the campaign when I can find it.

Growing up Wisconsin makes Jessica Szohr long for the simple life.

“My mom and stepdad have an amazing backyard, and also my dad and stepmom as well,” the former Gossip Girl star, 26, tells me at a SoBe Try Everything event in NYC. “They both have amazing fire pits to roast marshmallows and sit with my family and listen to my brother or my stepdad play guitar. Just veg out, eat a lot, and relax.”

She continues, “Having bonfires in the backyard is super fun to me. It’s being with my family and close friends. It’s quiet, and besides the mosquitoes, which annoy me, it’s sitting around, sharing stories, being comfortable and being around the people who have supported and been by my side since I was a little girl. It’s very comforting, and that’s what I love.”

The actress even relaxes her diet for the occasion.

“I like making S’mores with the graham crackers and chocolate,” she says. “It’s so funny because my little eight-year-old sister will be like ‘no, you just have to hold it here,’ and I put it in and it burns. I’m like ‘agh!’ [shrieks] I’ll eat a lot. It’s fun, it’s cute, and it’s great to be around people that are loving and that I don’t get to see very often, so I try to go back as much as I can.”

source: OK!

Jessica Szohr found a role model in Sarah Jessica Parker while shooting the comedy I Don’t Know How She Does It.

“She’s so wonderful and so sweet,” the former Gossip Girl star, 26, tells me at DKNY’s Sunglass Soiree held at The Beach at The Dream Downtown. “To see someone who’s a mom and travels and is a fashion icon and a wonderful wife, to see how she keeps it all together, and still has a huge smile on her face, and is just so genuine … it was very inspiring and awesome.”

She continues, “It’s ironic because it’s like the character she plays – a woman who has a full-time job, as a mom, as a wife, and a profession – to see her do that, and play this role, was neat.”

Although Jessica didn’t meet her twins Loretta and Tabitha, now 2, during the two times their paths crossed on set, Sarah Jessica showed her photos.

“She talks about them all the time,” she says. “They have an amazing family.”

The movie hits theatres in September

source: OK!

She may be leaving Gossip Girl, but Jessica Szohr continues to share her character Brooklynite Vanessa Abrams’ love of unique, mix-and-match ensembles.

“It’s bohemian-chic, tomboyish,” the actress, 26, told Us Weekly of her personal style.

Szohr, who rarely plays it safe on the red carpet, developed her sartorial skills based on the avant-garde fashion sense of her former onscreen alter ego.

“I’m learning more and more about clothes and designers from being a part of Gossip Girl and living in New York,” she told Lucky magazine last year. “In fittings now, I’m like, ‘I love that Diane von Furstenberg skirt or this Rag & Bone jacket,’ whereas before, I wouldn’t have recognized those labels.”

One thing Szohr loves to wear: sleeveless shirts and dresses. So it made sense when she partnered with Dove for the brand’s Ultimate Go Sleeveless campaign, which included a Facebook contest, where women designed their own sleeveless top for the chance to win a New York City shopping spree.

Watch the video above to hear Jessica talk more about her style and do some serious retail damage with the contest winner.

source: Us Weekly

Just in time for summer! “Gossip Girl” star Jessica Szohr breaks down sleeveless fashion for Access.

source: Access Hollywood

E! Online caught up with Jess at the Sobe Event she attended on Wednesday and talked to her about Gossip Girl and her plans for the future:

“When I started the fourth season, I kind of had a talk with the producers,” she told me this week at SoBe’s Try Everything party in NYC. “We didn’t know what we were going to do with the characters. After playing someone for four years, it can be a little repetitive. So I was ready for a change.”

Basically, she felt she had done all she could with the character, saying:

“I had so much fun and I made friends I’ll have for a lifetime and it was so great to work in the city, but I got the most I could out of Vanessa.”

Read the full article at EOnline

Nylon Mag caught up with Jess today at the Sobe event and asked her some questions about her plans now that she’s off Gossip Girl.

What are you up to now after Gossip Girl?
I’m starting a few films in the next couple of months, and then I have a couple more coming out soon [the dark indie comedy Art Machine and the drama Hirokin]. I’m excited. I’ve been wanting to get into new roles, since I’ve been playing Vanessa for four years. Gossip Girl was an amazing experience, and I got a lot out of it. Some of the people I worked with will be my friends for the rest of my life.

Will Vanessa ever come back?
We’ve kept it open for a couple of arcs in the future… who knows, Vanessa Abrams may make a comeback!

So after shooting so long in New York, are you based in L.A. now?
I still have a place here, and I just bought a house in L.A. I’m in the process of decorating it now.

Read the full interview over at Nylon.

Jess has done a few more interviews over the past couple of days, mostly to promote Love, Wedding, Marriage as well as her other projects:

Interviewed by SIDEWALKS host Cindy Rhodes, Jessica Szohr talks about her family life, her memorable storylines as a regular castmember on Gossip Girl and some upcoming films she is in. As part of the promotional tour with Dove, Jessica tells us about how women can go sleeveless, as well as vote on the sleeveless looks they like, and win a New York City shopping trip with Jessica.

Watch this interview over at SideWalks TV

She also talks to Sky Living about LWM and marriage counselling.

Seeing a counsellor is nothing to be ashamed of, says Jessica Szohr.
And we could all use a session on the couch, according to the Gossip Girl star. Check out Jessica’s philosophising when our LA girl Diem caught up with her at the Love, Wedding, Marriage premiere.

Finally, Jess is scheduled to appear at Sobe’s Try Everything event today, along with former co-star Hilary Duff amongst others. Pics to be added when available.

SoBe® Celebrities “Try Everything,” From Pitching Fuji Apples to Milking (Fake) Orange Cream Cows to Bowling With Melons (Seriously!) … While Tipping Back 31 Unique SoBe Flavors in NYC

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25th, 2011

WHO: HILARY DUFF, Actress and Singer, JESSICA SZOHR, Actress KATE UPTON, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2011 Rookie of the Year BERNIE WILLIAMS, Former New York Yankee

WHAT: For one day only, SoBe’s roster of celebs are challenging lucky fans to try and beat them at flavor-inspired challenges designed to create “must-try-and-share” experiences.

source: Sobe

Jess has been doing some press over the past couple of days, here are some of them.

First, she talks to TV Fanatic about her character and saying goodbye to Gossip Girl, she also talks about fashion and her upcoming movie roles.

Next, she does a radio interwiew with WQEL-FM. Click the link below to listen to it.

Finally, Jess talks to DayBreak USA about her movies and fashion.

Jess made a surprise appearance on Access Hollywood Live today, where former Gossip Girl co-star Hilary Duff was having an interview. We’re assuming Jess was there for a separate interview, but there doesn’t seem to be any video of that yet. She looks great.

source: Access Hollywood

Also, the LA Screening for ‘Love, Wedding, Marriage’ is tonight, May 17th. Pics of that will be uploaded when available.