Brooks Brothers Already on Home Shopping Network, Hunter Boots Collaboration

What a lovely Friday we see out the windows turrets of the Prepatorium today, one can see frost on the grass moat, it’s just beautiful.

We have a few newsy-type tidbits and then a little Friday Fun to enjoy. First on today’s hit parade, news that Needless Markup Neiman Marcus has finally caved on its credit card policy. Almost 60 years ago the company started issuing its own credit cards, adding American Excess Express in the 1980s to the very short list of cards it accepted. But if you wanted to use your MonsterCard Master Card or Visa to buy a little something at the store, you were out of luck.

The Journal has the story, “Hoity-Toity to Hoi Polloi: Neiman Takes More Plastic“:

It used to be that Neiman Marcus’s glossy-page snob appeal didn’t stop at what you bought. It extended to how you paid. Cash or American Express was fine. But it was much preferred that you use your Neiman card, please.

Now, Neiman is getting less picky. Starting Nov. 1, customers at the luxury department store’s 41 locations will be able to pay using Visa and MasterCard, the plastic of the masses.

Does this mean they’ll let anyone in? (The horror.)

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The Journal also has news of an upcoming collaboration between Hunter boots and a simply delightful company, MacKenzie-Childs.  The story looks at all of the new products being introduced by the firm, like woven furniture for the outdoors.

MacKenzie-Childs via the Wall Street Journal

Alexandra Cheney’s report also says that distinctive MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check…

'Courtly Check' by MacKenzie-Childs

…will be seen on Hunter wellies next spring.

Hunter 'Original' Tall boots

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We have an update to yesterday’s story about Brooks Brothers being sold at home shopping network Shop NBC.  In yesterday’s post we shared words that the preppy retailer would be offering goods on Shop NBC starting November 11. It turns out a very limited range of goods is already available.

Shop NBC

It seems there may be some savings for those purchasing at Shop NBC, the handbag shown above is $313 at ShopNBC while what appears to the same bag is $348 at Brooks.

Hmmm.

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Our final retail note involves Tory Burch, today Women’s Wear Daily had the news Tory Burch cosmetics and perfume are in the works. From the story:

“For me, beauty was part of the plan since the beginning, especially fragrance,” said Tory Burch, chief executive officer of the brand which bears her name, of the multiyear global beauty license. The first product is expected to be a women’s scent in 2013.

Cosmetics will come later, not unlike the Tom Ford rollout, initially a scent, then lipstick, and now an entire line of color makeup items.

BTW, we are in the middle of the Tory Burch Private Sale.

Tory Burch

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And now it’s time for some seasonal Friday Fun, we begin with these cookies from the one and only Pink Martini and Pearls. Are they not gorgeous?

Pink Martinis and Pearls

A big tip of the hat to Miss PM&P, the cookies were featured in Martha Stewart’s Dreamers into Doers!

Also today, Tilly asked me to let you know that if she *was allowed* are you kidding?! to engage in some of the Halloween fun she would not be clad in the Runaway Bride costume seen in yesterday’s post. Tilly says that even though she is constantly occasionally referred to as the devil dog, she won’t be wearing this either.

English Bulldog News

Nor does she want to push the envelope by dressing as the little hellion angel she really is.

English Bulldog News

No, Tilly wants you to know she will dress appropriately. In the only proper ensemble one could expect, her pearls and fur.

Source: unknown

She may not have opposable thumbs, but she does have standards. Honestly.

Hunter Isn’t Just Boots Anymore & Preppy Perceptions Abound

Hello-Hello! Once again business pressures mandate brevity, so we will get going right away previewing a new collection from a brand many readers like, Hunter. The company is about to launch its first outerwear collection.

Courtesy Photos via Fashionista

This is Hunter’s first foray into this category, more from a story in Fashionista:

The coats are classic, well-made and functional–exactly what we’d hoped for when we found out Hunter was planning to launch outerwear

There are traditional trench coats, pea jackets and quilted pieces as well.

Courtesy Photos via Fashionista

There is also outerwear for your MOTH (Man of the House), similarly styled.

Courtesy Photos via Fashionista

Everything in the group exudes a classic, timeless look, perfectly in sync with the company’s existing brand image.

Courtesy Photos via Fashionista

The collection launches in September on the Hunter website, along with all of the usual suspects, Saks and Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus​, and Bergdorf Goodman. To see the entire collection, click here.

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Next, it’s that time of year, back to school fashion always boosts the number of stories and blog posts about ‘preppy style’.  From the Toronto Star:

The preppy revival continues to grow, and collegiate looks are one of the big trends, emerging in varsity jackets and preppy plaids.

Keith Beaty/The Toronto Star

The story focuses on footwear, as seen in the photo above.

The prepster look also hits the ground as footwear takes its cues from the campus crowd with such classics as penny loafers, brogues and tasselled shoes. However, these classic men’s-style shoes are getting a feminine make-over with high heels, sleek patent leather and suede fringed tassels.laofers

More preppy perceptions come via a Chictopia blog:

The look that used to be exclusively for your east coast ivy bound types has turned into a fashion phenomenon. Now anyone can channel this clean cut preppy style with a couple of pieces, read on to find out how.

Facconable Via Sheiktopia

The piece goes on to explain that the look “isn’t hard to achieve,” listing wardrobe items the author considers “musts” and shares several prep-inspired ensembles, including “Ivy Bound“. To see the other styles, click here.

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Finally today, an update to our post on the furor in Canada over J. Crew’s higher prices for its new Canadian store.

Via Moneyville

From the Moneyville story shown above:

In response to customers’ complaints, popular U.S. retailer J. Crew says it will drop the duty from items purchased on its new Canadian website.

The preppy fashion retailer will continue to charge higher prices for goods sold in Canada than its does in the U.S.

The story says J. Crew is sending a letter to customers today:

“When we opened our first Canadian store in Toronto last week, we aligned our store, online and catalogue prices to be consistent. In the days following the launch of our updated website, we quickly realized that we could have done things better for our online shoppers. And now we are making it right.

“Starting today, the J. Crew shopping experience will be duty free. “

Talk about rapid responsive, that was very speedy on J. Crew’s part.

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For some inexplicable reason your trusty correspondent is sadly fascinated rather fond of Hello Kitty.  Many readers are painfully aware of this, having been subjected to numerous posts over the years with the errant reference to said Kitty. We continue sharing our tragic obsession mild interest in the Kitty, leaving you with a few images from yet another design collaboration, Hello Kitty and Liberty of London.

Via High Snobette

The little creature has been incorporated into some of Liberty’s iconic prints, a makeup collection showcases the partnership.

Via High Snobette

The collection will be available at Liberty beginning September 26.

Until next time, may your powder puff always land right side up.

Lilly Pulitzer Fabric Launch, Say Goodbye to Your Hunters

Hello and happy middle-of-the-week, we hope your May is turning out to be a good month.

We begin today with the long anticipated Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa fabric collection, unveiled yesterday as part of BlogFest 2011.

Via Lilly Pulitzer Facebook

Blogfest is a gathering of interior design bloggers, it is actually put together by Lee Jofa’s parent company, Kravet.

Via Pattern & Palette

The patterns incorporate the bright, vibrant colors Lilly lovers are used to seeing.

Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa via StyleBeat

StyleBeat has wonderful photos of the collection.

Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa via Stylebeat

For those not familiar with Lee Jofa, the company has been in business since the 1800s, the quality of their textiles is superb.

Lilly Pulitzer for Lee via StyleBeat

An enlargement better shows the heavy embroidery in this particular pattern. (And it certainly qualifies as our Pretty in Pink today.)

Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa via Stylebeat

An old favorite for many, Dirty Shirley. (Should I be alarmed The Consort is so familiar with Lilly patterns that upon seeing this image his immediate reaction was “Oh, that’s Dirty Shirley”…?)

Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa via Stylebeat

To see more photos visit Stylebeat here, or Pattern & Palette. A reminder, the fabrics will only be available to the trade, so if planning to add some to your palace, ring up your favorite interior designer, or check the Lilly Pulitzer website, they promise to have more information.

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We were surprised to see this tidbit from the good folks at socialite/fashionista blog Guest of a Guest.

Hunter Boots, Your Expiration Date Has Finally Come

Courtesy Photo

Particulars from the story:

….Hunter Boots have basically become as viral as Uggs and on a rainy day like today, it couldn’t be more obvious. Say so long to your wellies because they are officially destined to die in suburbia.

We should have seen it coming, because with so many colors to choose from, they fit any personality.

Hunter Courtesy Photo

The tongue-in-cheek post also shows a number of celebrities wearing the brand. Somehow we think that for those of us who have long loved the brand, the matter of who does…. or doesn’t wear it is of little import.

Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS

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We leave you with this final image from yesterday’s taping of the final Oprah Winfrey show.

John Gress/Reuters

The look on Tom Hanks’ face is priceless as he looks at Ms. Winfrey, Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.  He seems bemused, no?

On that note, thank you for popping in!

A Gossip Girl’s Fashion Faux Pas, Neiman’s True Prep Effort

Hello-Hello, and happy Thursday.

We have all manner of Bits and Bytes to share, the majority of today’s tidbits are fun and frivolous, with little or no redeeming social value whatsoever. We begin with an item we mentioned yesterday on Facebook, with apologies to our friends from that venue, we simply must show it again.  For only the fifth time in its history, the Hope Diamond was moved from its place at the Smithsonian.

Ann Heisenfelt/AP

The legendary piece was moved to the Harry Winston 5th Avenue flagship for a gala Tuesday night. It was also the first time the stone was seen in its new temporary setting, some readers may recall that the design was selected by the public through an online voting process.

From WWD’s story about the event:

“The security surrounding the Hope diamond’s appearance at the Harry Winston store last night rivaled that of a sitting President. There was to be no mention that the stone would be at the party, everyone was advised to bring photo ID and doors were locked at 7:30—no exceptions for latecomers.”

This photo gives a better sense of how truly immense the stone is.

Ann Heisenfelt/AP

Celebrities on hand for the big party included Halle Berry and designer Rachel Roy.

Perhaps the only thing discussed as much as the famous stone was the clothing selection made by actress Leighton Meester.

Image via Styleite

The Gossip Girl star’s lacy jumpsuit from Marchesa was sheer, there is nothing earth shattering about that; unfortunately we are all seeing far more of the “too little fabric, too much flesh” syndrome.

The problem with the piece was how much of the back of the jumpsuit was sheer.  As in all of it. (We’re not showing that image, to see how sadly the outfit missed the mark, click here, or here.)  From Refinery29:

“Don’t get us wrong—we love pants-off Tuesday as much as the next guy—but only in the privacy of our own homes. It seems someone forgot to give Leighton Meester the memo.”

It was a surprising miss from the young actress, for if she is criticized at all by the fashion media, it is generally for playing things too safely, too conservatively.

One of Ms. Meester’s costars is known for frequently wearing more daring looks; that may or may not be a factor in Blake Lively landing yet another Vogue cover, this time for a special edition.

Vogue Magazine

The actress is featured on the cover of Vogue Best Dressed. To see the Top 10 on the magazine’s list, click here.

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Next, a few new books, both appropriate for gifting. The first showcases creations by Louis Vuitton.

Courtesy Image

Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks will be released December 1, the title aptly describes the book; below we share a portion of the publisher’s description:

“…100 of the finest trunks the Louis Vuitton company has produced on commission, including boxes made for movie stars from Douglas Fairbanks to Sharon Stone and couturiers from Jeanne Lanvin to Karl Lagerfeld, as well as cases designed for Ernest Hemingway, Leopold Stokowski, and Damien Hirst.”

Here is a look at the ‘Deluxe Edition’.

Via High Snobiety

This version will only be available at Vuitton stores and through the company’s website.

The other volume we want to mention looks at interior design, the content all comes from T&C, one of TP’s favorite magazines.

At Home with Town and Country is the first home book from the magazine, the book offers a look at some of the magnificent homes and living spaces seen in the magazine.  This one was released in September, so it is available for purchasing now.

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Also today, it seems Neiman Marcus is embracing the prep style aesthetic, the NM Guide to Prep claims to offer “everything you need to achieve true prep status”.

Neiman Marcus

The guide is merely a collection of merchandise, with an an array of ideas for your MOTH (Man of the House). There are some obvious choices on the list, like the Hunter Boots and Neiman’s own brand of Pocket Squares.

The Lacoste Long Sleeve Polo and perhaps even the Armani Ties would make the cut.

But the Gucci Embroidered Crest Cardigan or the Burberry Wallet?

To quote Nancy Reagan, just say no.

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Our final item is dedicated to Muffy Martini, properly so when seeing the Question of the Day on auto-enthusiast site Jalopnik, where the question was asked, “What Would Muffy Drive?“

“As long as there are private boarding schools, Brooks Brothers button downs… and girls lacrosse there will be preppy kids with stupid names and nice cars. What would “Muffy” drive?

Here is the photo shown in the post:

Via Jalopnik.com

On that topic, g’bye until next time!

Nautical Goodies, Liz Sneak Peek, Jimmy Choo & Hunter Wellies are BFFs

Happy Weekend!

Today we start off with a few brief headlines, all of them SOTTs (Signs of the Times), none of them bringing a smile to the Prepatorium.

• Say goodbye to Country Homes magazine; it is going the way of O at Home and Cottage Living. Waaaahhhhh!

Country Home magazine

• The retail earnings data came out yesterday and it is beyond dreary. All of TP’s favorite retailers struggled, along with a not-so-favorite establishment, Macy’s.  The arrogant dolts that blew off the proud heritage of Marshall Field’s company announced they are closing eleven stores; click here for the list.
• eLuxury.com will stop selling online within the next sixmonths, instead switching to a “magazine format” specializing in luxury goods.

But will we allow these headlines to drag us down here at Princess HQ?  Not on your life.  In fact, we are going to share a few nautical goodies that have caught our eye of late, starting with this Gold Rush Outfitters Infant Romper at Saks.

Gold Rush Outfitters Infant Romper

Next, and in honor of the inimitable Nautical by Nature we present the Rogues Gallery Sailing polo at one of TP’s favorite online haunts, Gargyle.

Gargyle.com

Here is a piece we absolutely adore from a line we love, the Nantucket Rainbow Fleet Collection:

We know that if another water baby, the Landlocked Mermaid, were buying the plates, she would also include the mugs. She’s just that way – if you are going to do something, then do it properly, of course. (Tee-hee!)

You can gaze at these pieces, and more, by toddling over to visit L’Ile de France, aka the French General Store.  All of their Quimper is simply gorgeous.

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Many Isaac Mizrahi fans are just starting to cope with the harsh reality of his departure from their local and online Boutique Tarszhay stores. With goodies like this Melton Coat in Pink Glow at Target, how could we not be depressed by his move to Liz Claiborne?! (We’re also considering this as today’s Pretty in Pink offering.)

Isaac Mizrahi for Target®

We admit to being curious about his new designs for Liz; today we share a few early looks as seen in this story in WWD earlier this week.

PHOTO: John Aquino

Above, a look we’re just kind of so-so on, but then we have never been big on orange, even at the beach.

PHOTO: John Aquino

We do find the more tailored designs more appealing than the casual pieces.

PHOTO: John Aquino

If going the beach route, we probably would do Lilly Pulitzer rather than the blue and white design below, despite the higher price point on the front end. TP believes the Lilly look would outlast the Claiborne dress…oui?

PHOTO: John Aquino

In all candor, we have not purchased Liz in we-don’t-know-how-long, so it would take a great look to coax us back to the line.  It doesn’t mean we are opposed to seeing the new designs, as we do adore Mr. Mizrahi.

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Still looking for the perfect pair of wellies for stomping about the estate? If you are a Jimmy Choo fan, you are in luck. Hunter Boots is partnering with the renowned shoe designer, and Vivre Magazine shows us the result below.

Courtesy Vivre

They are Jimmy Choo’s first entry into rainboots. We think we’ll keep the ones we have.

But when it comes to dress boots, we think the Ninol in black patent has merit. We fell onto them (in a cyber manner of speaking) at the Jimmy Choo site – on sale at 50% off!

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Knowing the trauma inflicted upon the Third Coast Preppy household as a result of their proximity to a certain person occupying a certain Gubernatorial position (well, he’s still there as of this writing), we thought it important she learn a little more about her neighbor and his hair styling prowess.  (Heh-heh-heh.)

Now this is not brand-new information, and it really shouldn’t be referred to as news, for you do know what we used to say back when doing teevee news…? “If it’s news, it’s news to us.”

So here is the inside scoop on how Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich handles that hair….

PHOTO: Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

… compliments of this story in the IHT (International Herald Tribune):

“… Blagojevich, 52, rarely turns up for work at his official state office in Chicago, former employees say, is unapologetically late to almost everything… cursing and erupting in fury for failings as mundane as neglecting to have at hand at all times his preferred black Paul Mitchell hairbrush. He calls the brush ‘the football,’ an allusion to the ‘nuclear football,’ or the bomb codes never to be out of reach of a president.”

Aha – the Paul Mitchell brush! There you have it. f course it’s too soon to tell if today’s impeachment vote will impact his personal grooming habits. (Ewww…!)

And on that note Prepettes, we say adieu.