Royal Engagement Photos, Sales & Savings

Hello-Hello, it is wonderful to be back blogging again, this week has been simply insane with work at the Princess and volunteer commitments. We couldn’t be more grateful for the Consort’s ease in stepping up to share his wit and wisdom with all of you. 🙂

We begin with a look at the official engagement photos of Kate Middleton and Prince William, something most readers may well have seen already. There are two pictures, here is the more relaxed setting.

Mario Testino

The Prince is wearing a Turnbull & Asser shirt, and it turns out he actually borrowed the sweater he is wearing from photographer Mario Testino, as the pictures were being shot.  Nor is Miss Middleton’s blouse fresh off the rack, more about that in a moment.  But first, here is the more formal photograph.

Mario Testino/Courtesy Photo by Reiss via NYMag

On the right you see the dress worn by Miss Middleton, it is the “Nannette” style by Reiss, a company we hadn’t previously heard of until this week.  Here is more from the company’s blog:

“The Nannette dress that Kate is wearing comes as part of our core dress offering that we are renowned for. While this particular style is not currently available, there will be a version coming out mid January as part of our SS11 collection.”

Miss Middleton is wearing white topaz earrings by Links of London. If we’re not mistaken, it looks like she chose the Hope Egg Earrings.

Links of London

They make a lovely symbol, representing “hope and new life”.

Perhaps the most charming part of the engagement photo story comes via The Telegraph:

“Middleton insisted on dressing herself for the shoot – despite several assistants being on hand with a selection of designer clothes to style her – and chose a cream, silk blouse from high street chain Whistles for one of the portraits. The £95 blouse is over two years old, having featured in the retailer’s autumn/winter 2008 collection.”

The bride to be also did her own makeup.

When the big day comes next April most discussion will be about The Dress.  As they have done previously when it comes to high profile gowns, Women’s Wear Daily asked designers to come up with sketches showing what they might create if asked by the bride to design her gown.

First, a Gucci design that we found attractive.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

J. Crew’s design offers a scooped back.

Courtesy J. Crew via WWD

Next, a sketch from Elizabeth Emanuel, best known for designing Princess Diana’s frothy wedding gown.

Courtesy Elizabeth Emanuel via WWD

Below left we see a Badgley Mischka gown, and on the right, a Jason Wu design.

The Tommy Hilfiger design is seen below left, and the sketch, below right, Lela Rose.

There are loads more sketches to look at, click here to see them all.  We’re guessing our Royal Correspondent, the Queen Bee herself will have some insight on the dress at some point down the road.

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Another noteworthy engagement we learned about courtesy of Miss Coterie Books, that of Lauren Bush and David Lauren.

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for UNICEF

Above the couple is seen at the UNICEF Snowflake Ball last month.  Apparently Mr. Lauren proposed to Miss Bush last Friday at the Met, which happens to be where they went on their first date. Of course, Mr. Lauren is designer Ralph Lauren’s son, while Miss Bush is the niece of former President George Walker Bush, granddaughter of President George Bush.

Miss Bush is also known for her philanthropic work via the Project FEED bags, although now there are things other than bags sold to raise funds for those in need. Below left, Plumpy the FEED 5 Bear, and on the right, the FEED USA Lunch Tote.

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We leave you with several Sales & Savings opportunities, this isn’t intended to be a comprehensive look, merely markdowns at a few shops we are aware of; we start with J. Crew.  Generally the retailer’s online factory outlet is open only Friday-Sunday, but it will be open (in a virtual sense) through the 20th.

Additionally Crew is taking 30% off all Factory prices and off ‘regular’ sale merchandise, use promo code MUSTHAVE at checkout to receive the discount.

Tory Burch has started its winter sale, promising savings “up to 50%’.

Neiman Marcus is taking an additional 30% off all regular and sale-priced cashmere through the 18th.

Talbots has taken markdowns on a sizable amount of fall/winter merchandise, and is also doing 40% off all full-priced accessories through midnight tonight.  Use promo code PRESENT to receive the discount.

A number of Lilly stores are offering excellent deals right now, check with your local shop to see what kind of fiscally friendly price points are available.

A final item of note today, the always delightful Preppy Southern Princess is doing a fun little contest; one lucky winner will receive one of our Lilly Pulitzer photo albums.

With that, we say g’bye until next time, we are off to supervise The Consort the elves here at The Prepatorium as they get all of those orders out the door.