Jessica Szohr

Usher hit the town last night for the second annual Pencils of Promise gala at Guastavino's in NYC. He met up with friends Scooter Braun and Adam Braun, the organization's founder, on the red carpet, where Jessica Szohr, Cash Warren, and Jessica Stam also posed.

Inside the event, Usher was honored by Pencils of Promise for his work in helping to create schools and sustainable education programs around the world. The evening also included a performance by singer Tory Kelly and an auction, with proceeds benefiting the charity. Usher donated private dance lessons, though he also got in on the bidding himself. Usher bid $12,000 for a Goldendoodle puppy and came away with a win over Jessica Szohr, who offered $11,000. After the victory, he tweeted, "It took me 2 years but I outbid everyone this year to bring Poppy home."

Rachel Zoe hit the black carpet in LA last night to celebrate Valentino's 50th anniversary at its shop on Rodeo Drive. She stopped for a moment to say hello to pal Molly Sims, who covered her growing stomach in a long black gown. Molly, who married producer Scott Stuber in September, is six months pregnant with her first child. She and Scott expect their first bundle of joy to arrive in June. Molly and Rachel shared space on the carpet with a Lela Rose-clad Kim Kardashian, as well as other starlets like Jessica Stroup, Jessica Szohr, and Ciara. Rachel is a well-known Twilight fan, but she took a second to say hello to an actress from another major movie franchise. The Hunger Games' Isabelle Fuhrman caught up with Rachel Zoe at the dinner, and the young actress later tweeted that she was "so happy to have met such amazing people" at Valentino's event.

InStyle and Forevermark hosted a pre-Golden Globes bash at the Beverly Hills Hotel last night. Jessica Alba turned out for the event in a sexy black Valentino number, Nina Dobrev rocked a floral frock, and Michelle Williams went bright in a white Versace dress. It was just another glamorous appearance for Michelle, who has been busy accepting praise for My Week With Marilyn. She picked up a statue at the Palm Springs International Film Festival over the weekend and enjoyed a lunch in the movie's honor yesterday. Jessica, meanwhile, missed husband Cash Warren's birthday to attend, though she shared a sweet message on Twitter in honor of his 33rd.

Award season kicks off tonight with the People's Choice Awards and we're going LIVE on the red carpet and backstage. Tune in for all the latest, and make sure to follow PopSugar at the People's Choice Awards on Twitter, Facebook, and more!

Nikki Reed and Ashley Greene went bold for a Cinema Society screening of Breaking Dawn Part 1 at NYC's Landmark Sunshine Cinema last night. Ashley wore a custom Donna Karan, one of the event's sponsors, to join Nikki and leading man Peter Facinelli. Rocking neon, Nikki was in Michael Kors. There was lots of love for the Twilight stars, and Ashley tweeted afterward, "Grateful to our incredible fans for all the love at the Breaking Dawn premiere . . . and to Donna Karan for my gorgeous dress!" Meanwhile, across the pond in England, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and Robert Pattinson were busy with the UK premiere of Breaking Dawn. It's been a big week of press for all the series' stars, and Monday was a special evening since they all got together for the US debut in LA.

Plaits have always been in fashion, but this season, the low-slung style is the most popular look we've seen on celebrities like Blake Lively, Ali Larter, Taylor Momsen, Jessica Szohr and Bianca Brandolini. Plaits are an easy fix to fight frizz, bad hair days, and the heat of the Summer sun by keeping your hair out of your face and off of your neck. Take a peek at five different ways to wear the low-slung plait here!