Hello-Hello, it is one wild Wednesday here at the Prepatorium, please accept our apologies for such a tardy and lengthy post, sadly it is one of our tedious ‘Wednursday’ (Wednesday-Thursday) epistles, two days of news crammed into one. Sigh.
As promised, we continue with our preview of this spring’s Lilly Pulitzer Stationery & Gifts collection. (Part 1 may be found here.) We begin with something that is always popular, especially as we approach the season for planning showers, graduation galas, and all sorts of celebrations, Lilly tableware.
Lilly Pulitzer at PreppyPrincess.com
Pre-orders start this week for the new tumblers, napkins, plates and other partyware, with shipping planned for the first or second week of February. Patterns include Floaters (the lush green and pink design shown above), Do the Wave seen below right… .
Lilly Pulitzer at PreppyPrincess.com
..and However You Slice It, shown below.
"However You Slice It"
A fun item for any casual get-together, new acrylic Wine Glasses that are cute and carefree.
Lilly Pulitzer at PreppyPrincess.com
We do adore the way Lilly creates special treasures for Minnies, and our next item is no exception: the Insulated Lunch Totes are made just for the little ones, but seem likely to be ‘borrowed’ (as in permanently) by whimsical Lilly-loving adults, including your faithful correspondent.
Lilly Pulitzer at PreppyPrincess.com
We show a Tote in Later Gator (the child-sized water bottles are available now, part of the winter line), these also come in Desert Tort. We like that they are all BPA, phthalate and lead-free; the Lunch Totes have an inside pocket and also come with an ID tag, they will run $19.50, due here at The Prepatorium in early to mid-March.
Now available for pre-ordering, this spring’s Lilly Dress Magnets. The magnets are $12.50 and will ship the first or second week of February.
PreppyPrincess.com
Sure to be popular (but not slated to ship until April), the new Croakies (Princess, do *not* use that name, it is trademarked) sunglass straps.
Lilly Pulitzer at PreppyPrincess.com
These are adjustable, reversible, and they can even go in the wash.
Lilly Pulitzer at PreppyPrincess.com
Patterns include Later Gator, Floaters, Bloomers and Desert Tort; these will be $8.50.
Always ideal for gifting, the new Picture Frames do not disappoint.
Lily Pulitzer Spring 2011
Available the first week in February, the frames come in Stuffed Shells (above), Buy Local Patch (below L), and Heritage Floral (below R).
Lilly Pulitzer Spring 2011
And the new Photo Albums look equally elegant.
"Do The Wave"
The Consort has been typing his little fingers to the bone getting things online, the new Lilly iPhone 3/4 and iPod Touch Cases are up and available for pre-ordering should that be appealing.
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We move on to share a few quick hits in an effort to stay abreast of preppish things; today AOL’s ShelterPop shared news that it’s “Not just for college dorms rooms, prep style is here to stay.” Ahem.
More from the story:
“Being preppy is more than just a sartorial statement, it’s a way of life. However, you don’t have to join the country club to co-opt a preppy vibe for your home.”
There are a number of fun photos accompanying the piece, with rooms styled by designer Jack Levy, as well as this montage.
ShelterPop
To read the entire story, click here.
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Targét has announced its next designer collaboration.
Calypso St. Barth via InStyle
InStyle reports the retailer is partnering with Calypso St. Barth for a limited-edition home and fashion collection launching May 1st.
“…the collection will include clothing and accessories for women and children, plus home goods like candles, pillows and glassware.”
This one seems perfectly timed for spring and summer.
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Also, word that faux-prep school alum Blake Lively is the new face of Chanel’s upcoming Mademoiselle handbag line.
Courtesy Photo via WWD
WWD reported the much-rumored story today, the line launches this spring, Chanel Grand Pooh-bah Karl Lagerfeld will shoot the campaign himself.
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Finally, reports are surfacing about a possible impediment to the planned sale of J. Crew. From a Bloomberg story late today:
“Sears Holdings Corp. and Urban Outfitters Inc. are weighing rival bids for clothing retailer J. Crew Group Inc. in a potential challenge to TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners LP’s $3 billion buyout, said three people with knowledge of the matter.”
It doesn’t take a stockologist to know this has all the makings of a sticky wicket, we can’t think of anyone who would be in favor of a Sears-J. Crew deal. More from the Bloomberg story:
“Sears buying the clothing chain “would be great for Sears, but horrible for J. Crew,” said Christine Chen, a San Francisco-based analyst for Needham & Co. “J. Crew is positioned as aspirational and Sears is not. It would have a negative impact on the J. Crew brand.”
Princess readers won’t be surprised to read the interwebs are burning up with all manner of speculation and commentary. From 24/7 Wall St.:
“What is interesting about Sears as a possible buyer is that it did make a similar acquisition in the past when it acquired Lands End, a catalog retail apparel company.
“The surprising company on the surface is Urban Outfitters Inc. It caters to a younger audience with its Urban Outfitters name-brand and it also has Anthropologie, Free People, and Terrain.”
For more on this developing story, Bloomberg’s coverage is here, and Wall St. 24/7 Wall St. is here.
With thanks for your kind patience as we muddle through the crazy daze! days. 🙂
The Preppy Princess 
Congratulations on all your fab new gear on offer:).
Love the cheerful tumblers! (Tumblrs?)
ok, dying about Calypso!!!! And, I wouldn’t step foot in Sears years ago, but now it is my go to store for Lands End! The sales are amazing!
CANNOT. WAIT. for those sunglasses things that definitely are not called croakies.
I love the new Lilly designs, looking forward to seeing them all! Calypso St. Barth is on my calendar, very chic items. I love plaid sheets! 🙂
I have to say a possible Sears acquisition of J Crew makes me VERY nervous for my favorite store. Urban Outfitters, not so much–their brands certainly have a different audience than J Crew in terms of style but pricewise I think they are somewhat comparable.
I would be amazed if Sears actually bought J. Crew. Although I love that Target and Nordstrom are the same, Sears is a no. Would J. Crew still be same? Who owns/ runs it now? Hmm… thats is very strange, and a tad sad!
Oh my, Princess – I am seriously feeling the urge to purchase and hoard j. Crew clothing – yikes! And with Lilly P. under a new, we hope “pink and green” roof – what’s Preppy 101 to do? Thanks for the info. I am loving the lunch tote. SO cute. xoxo
I always feel so well informed after my visit here. I’ve had so much to catch up on. I must continue my education with another fabulous post!