Just. Say. No.

Hello-Hello, welcome to another beautiful day here at the Prepatorium.

Today we have just one item, but we feel compelled to limit the length of our post as a precautionary measure because of the subject matter.  Trauma to one’s psyche upon seeing today’s topic merits, nay, demands brevity. What, pray tell, are we talking about? (Here’s a chance to avert your gaze and also get little ones out of the room, they don’t need to be burdened with this.)

This.

The Telegraph

And this.

CHAOS Magazine

Apparently even teen heartthrob Justin Bieber is a fan.

The Kit, Canada

More from the across the pond via the good folks at The Telegraph:

But “Megging”, as the male legging is known, is now all the rage in sartorial circles. Celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Russell Brand and Lenny Kravitz have all been spotted wearing leggings, while fashion stores Uniqlo, Barneys and Nordstrom are selling tights for men.

Well, that’s enlightening. And frightening. I paid a visit to Nordstrom and did a search for the abomination.

Nordstrom

In reality only two items seemed to be even remotely akin to jeggings, meggings or variations therein. Officially titled “Topman Spray On Skinny Jeans,” they can be had for your MOTH (Man of the House) for a mere $39.98.

Topman ‘Spray On’ Skinny Jeans (Acid)

Perhaps this will have many readers howling in laughter at my stupidity, but aside from the two items upper left (and to my uneducated eye they appear to be skinny jeans), the rest of the offerings at Nordies look like long underwear or running gear, no?

Nordstrom.com

We return to the Telegraph story for a moment, you can see how eager to embrace the phenomenon Brits are:

The bad news is they are on their way to Britain: Uniqlo is already selling them on its British website, and their success in New York is seen as an indication they will also prove popular here.

It may be too late to halt the invasion (seems like a lovely thing to export and be done with, no?), below we share a pair of meggings now sold out at Selfridges (a UK store).

Selfridges

Sadly, there are more where those came from.

Farfetch.com

We like the way they put it in the the Daily Northwestern:

Yes, these tight tragedies actually exist. It was only a matter of time, I suppose. Are you an athlete or a dancer? No? Then don’t even go there.

Far be it from us to defend American Apparel, named as one of our original Anti-Preps, but many cite this American Apparel item as a sign of the apocalypse (perhaps I’m merely providing another opportunity to laugh at your trusty scribe for being so pathetically naive) but according to the description, they are “baby rib long underwear”.

American Apparel

That’s what they look like to me.  CHAOS magazine also puts it well:

We are all about self-expression. Madonna taught us to express ourselves, and Lady Gaga preached that we were all born this way. While these things may be true, there are just some trends that do not need to happen. I’m looking at you, meggings. In case you don’t know what meggings are, they’re leggings, but for men. I’m all about bending the rules of fashion; hell, guys wear a skirt for all I care. But, this is just a TMI waiting to happen.

Via The Daily Mail

Methinks it’s time to invoke Nancy Reagan’s classic phrase and Just. Say. No.

“This is NOT Jersey Shore. It’s classier, smarter”

Hello and welcome to a Wednesday here at the Prepatorium, where we share an item we think will provide a modicum of entertainment.

Apparently a reality TV show based in the Hamptons is in the works, this story in Curbed notes that “nothing says classy like a Hamptons-based reality show”:

Now, we didn’t think it possible to assemble a more detestable group than that of The Jersey Shore, but it looks like that’s the goal here. Read it and weep (for humanity):

A prestigious NYC production company is planning to shoot a reality TV show about The Hamptons this summer. We are partnering with a major television network to bring the fun, drama, and ups and down of summer in the Hamptons to a national audience. We are assembling a diverse group of people who are from the area or who will be spending the summer in The Hamptons.

The Curbed story is illustrated with a great graphic.

Curbed.com

East Hampton Patch notes in its story:

The shoot is planned from July 1 to Aug. 31. East Hampton Town Clerk Fred Overton said no one has applied for a film permit yet, but they have until seven days before the first day of shooting to do so. If the shoot is taking place exclusively on private property, a permit will not be required.

Back to the actual ad:

Do you like to have fun, enjoy the limelight, have goals…. like starting a business or engaging in a new job, winning a surf competition… like to party, know the scene, are new to the scene, have boyfriend/ girlfriend problems, work hard to be able to afford a great lifestyle, don’t work at all because Daddy pays for everything, or just simply has a lot of charisma and want a shot at being on TV? Then be in touch!

This is NOT Jersey Shore. It’s classier, smarter. It’s The Hamptons, after all. Age range 21 – 30.

Thank heaven it’s NOT.

Of course, this isn’t the first time efforts were made to launch a reality show in this locale, here is a snippet from a reality ad of two years ago:

“If you are  21 to 35 years old and considered by others to be a TRUE “socialite” then our casting team wants to hear from you ASAP.  You must come from prominent family and have ties to the Hamptons.  Especially interested in those with a privileged lifestyle and a boarding school background.  Are you the first one to be invited to all the best parties and charity events?”

There’s nothing like looking at reality tv casting calls to restore your faith in America, here is an ad trying to cast a new show called “The Staff,” they’re looking for pool men, housekeepers, nannies, gardeners, estate managers with these qualifications:

• Do you have loads of personality and love to gossip?
• Do you think some of the people you work for are ridiculous in how they treat their family or run their house?
• Are you good at what you do and not afraid to talk back to your boss?

Naturally all of the employees participating in this show will be able to keep their jobs, regardless of what they say about their employers. Really.

To be honest, I hadn’t heard of a show following this particular plotline before:

Big Frame Productions is doing an open call looking for strippers ages 18 – 28 for make-over show. Looking to upgrade their life.

It’s good to see casting calls for topics that are woefully undercovered, this show is seeking:

“…couples trying to save their relationship. Couples should be outgoing, no holds bar type personalities who are willing to open up about their relationship troubles on camera.”

Here’s the part from that couples ad that should answer any questions anyone has about the ‘reality’ of reality tv:

If you and your significant other have acting experience, that is a plus. Your relationship doesn’t have to be in major trouble. You just have to have the ability to play up the issues you do have.

Nothing says reality like professional actors.

You find so many unexplored topics on these reality casting sites, why has no one focused on this theme before?

Will you or anyone you know stop at nothing to meet pro athletes, and date them? Is it a weekly thing to go bars and events to meet athletes?

If that doesn’t ring your bells, the one for “Grossest Person in America” is arguably the most revolting thing we’ve read this week.

• Do they cough or sneeze and not cover themselves?
• Do they refuse to do laundry, clean the bathroom, or clean up after themselves?
• Are they Rude? Crude? Or just plain Gross?

Here’s my personal favorite, I’m guessing you will like it too: “CASTING: MIDWESTERN GIRLS FOR NEW REALITY TV SHOW”:

• Are you an outdoorsy chick who is also a major girly girl?
• Do you wear stilettos and drive an ATV?
• Do you and your friends hunt all day and party all night?

A major television production company is looking for a group of friends to follow in a brand new TV show. If you throw epic parties, always have boy drama and know your way around the woods then we want to hear from you! We are looking for those girls that everyone knows and everyone wants to be. Let’s show the world how real Midwesterners party!

What do you think, should I apply? (I know you all harbor an image of your trusty scribe careening around in an ATV, hunting all day and then partying all night. Admit it, that’s what you think.) Heh, heh, heh.

We leave you with a little something to make you smile, a few of the images that have popped up showcasing The Leg.

Via The Daily Mail

Until next time, may your reality be fabulous.

Why Barbie Might Have Trashed Her Dream Home

Hello-Hello, welcome to a wonderful new week here at the Prepatorium, we’ve lots to share in the next few days.

We start things off this Monday with a rather odd tale, we are looking at a number of photographs from the “Barbie Trashes Her Dreamhouse” series. Below, the kitchen.

Carrie M. Becker, 2011

Some readers are familiar with a television show called Hoarders; we’ve never watched an episode (but feel like we have simply via friends’ tweets about the program), that show was the first thing we thought of when seeing these images.  They are by artist Carrie M. Becker, they are actually photographs of scenes she created, below, “Working from Home“.

© 2011 Carrie M. Becker

The amazing thing is that these were all made from miniature, everything is done in 1/6th scale, most items were made by the artist. Here is “The Teenager’s Bedroom,” note the pink wellies on the floor.

"The Teenager's Bedroom" © 2011 Carrie M. Becker

Lest we all become depressed by the less-than-uplifting scenes, there is a scene called “After the Cleanup”.

© 2011 Carrie M. Becker

Ms. Becker sells the photographs in her etsy shop.

Our theory? Barbie saw this news:

A source tells the new Us Weekly, on stands Friday, that the reality stars will be immortalized as Barbie’s pals in an upcoming limited-edition doll line. “The dolls will reflect the girls’ measurements and may even comes in Kardashian-designed outfits,” says a source.

That might make me destroy my palace too.

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We make a 180° for our other tidbit:

Downton Abbey on Masterpiece

Last night on Masterpiece Theatre Season 2 premiered, Slate has a fabulous piece on it today.  The column addresses things, one of my favorites involves a new character, Sir Richard Carlisle.

PBS.org

“I’m curious what you two make of Sir Richard Carlisle. I am exceedingly disturbed that he doesn’t know the difference between hunting tweed and walking tweed (after all, the man’s a Scot!), and that marriage proposal—“I think very highly of you”—wasn’t exactly heart-stoppingly romantic….

Exactly. How can you look up to a man unclear on the differences in tweed worn at country estates? (Heh, heh, heh.)

If wondering what all the fuss is, click here for the Season 2 trailer.  Better yet, watch last night’s entire episode here (at no charge), or revisit all of Season 1. (Available for a limited time.)

Until next time, may your afternoon be filled with sunshine.

Itty Bitty Things, Is An AntiPrep’s Manicure Ducky?

We have a number of tidbits to share today, so we’ll jump right in with a look at something that is just fascinating, especially for those fond of the Brontë sisters.

Here is an incredibly tiny book written by Charlotte Brontë.

Press Association via The Daily Mail

From a Daily Mail story:

The 4,000-word piece is handwritten on 19 pages each barely larger than a credit card and needs a magnifying glass to be read properly.

Written in 1830 when she was only 14, Bronte’s story contains scenes which bear a striking resemblance to Jane Eyre, her novel published 17 years later.

Press Association via The Daily Mail

The book is headed for the auction block, it will be offered at Sotheby’s December auction of English Literature.  More on the tiny tome’s background:

The story has been held in a private collection and its owners are said to have had no idea of its significance until they approached Sotheby’s in London about selling it.

To see the entire article click here.

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Another itty-bitty item we wanted to share, below we see an Alexander McQueen shoe. (For reasons unknown, yours truly has a fascination with miniatures that clearly hasn’t gone away with adulthood.)

"Shoes for Show" via The Sun

That tiny item is part of an exhibition, Shoes for Show, put together by online shoe store Javari.  Also included in the weekend exhibition, Christian Louboutin’s 8″ ballet stilettoes, created as a fundraiser for the English National Ballet. (It may be difficult to see, but yes, the soles are red.)

Christian Louboutin/Swarovksi

It looks like a fabulous show, if only it were on this side of the pond. Sigh.

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As frequent readers know we occasionally look at collaborations, like the Versace for H&M collection (available November 19,more in this post) or next year’s Jason Wu for Target line.  Mr. Wu has been busy, this one actually surprised me.

Brizo via Huffington Post

Jason Wu for Brizo makes sense in terms of the business relationship, the company has sponsored Mr. Wu’s runway shows since 2006. While we very much like Jason Wu’s design aesthetic, this one reminds us of the Vera Wang mattresses.

Brizo via Huffington Post

Items come with prices you would expect from a designer line, the Soap Dispenser on the left will run $105, the Odin Lavatory Faucet $799.  Perhaps Lynn from Decor Arts Now or Tina from The Enchanted Home at or Stacey at Quintessence can enlighten us on this trend in the home decor and home furnishings market.

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A Gossip Girl fashion update, related to a collaboration mentioned above and actress Blake Lively. Below we see her at last night’s Versace for H&M launch party.

Getty via Red Carpet Fashion Awards

Here is what Red Carpet Fashion Awards says about the look:

I love Blake, so this is going to sting.

She looks uber tacky. The Vivienne Westwood look aside, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look so bad.

This black and white mini dress with grommet embellishments is way too tight. Just look at her bust and hips for confirmation.

Trust us when we say that launch party was *quite* the soirée, below we see Ms. Lively’s co-star Chace Crawford and Jennifer Hudson.

Getty Images

Definitely the place to be last night.

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One more tidbit, looking at a manicure seen on the hands an original AntiPrep.

Ian Gavan/FashionMagazine.com

The savvy folks at Fashion Magazine noticed the nails:

It’s a trend we’ve been trying to ignore for a while, but Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi keeps trying to make it happen—the duckbill nail. Dubbed as such because of the way the nail gets wider at the ends, it takes a long afternoon at the salon to achieve this extremely fake nail look.

Another day, another look.

Via

There are no words.

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Finally today, if anyone is still thinking about a way to honor those who served between now and Friday, these suggestions come via My Veteran’s Day.

MyVeteransDay.org

My Veteran’s Day is an offshoot of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, a place the Consort has been fortunate enough to visit, a spot very high on my ‘must see’ list.

A Preppy Mickey Mouse? Also, An Anti-Prep Lives Up To Wall of Shame Status

Happy Halloween, this is one of those goofy two-day posts, we’re so busy it’s unlikely we’ll be able to pop back in for a visit until Wednesday. We begin today with news of yet another collaboration, this one between two powerhouses, Disney and Tommy Hilfiger.

Women’s Wear Daily had the story today:

The “Meet the Family” capsule collection features a raft of Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto dressed in the Tommy Hilfiger spring children’s collection.

The collection is not going to be sold in the US, it will be available primarily in Europe and South America.  The WWD story quotes Mr. Hilfiger:

“Disney…has a lifestyle and core values that are aligned with our brand,” said Hilfiger. “It was a true honor and joy to be the first designer to give a preppy spin to the looks of our favorite Disney characters.”

The designs do look cute. (How about that hair on the young man in the green tee below right, it’s positively Bieberesque.)

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Speaking of collaborative efforts, there are two very large such partnerships about to hit stores. Because of all the pink we couldn’t help but write about Versace for H&M lands in stores in a few weeks, how lovely is this piece?

Versace for H&M

As one would expect with Versace, there is no shortage of bright colors.

Versace for H&M via Racked.com

This collection is not for the faint of heart.

Versace for H&M via Racked.com

(I don’t know about you, but I have a serious crush on that pink shirt.) There are 87 pieces in the group, it launches November 17 at H&M.

Versace for H&M via Racked.com

Click here to see the entire lookbook at Racked.com or here for H&M’s Facebook album. This one strikes me as a line that could go the way of Missoni at Le Boutique Targét, it seems to have very high sellout potential.

The other sizable collaboration we mention is Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku for Target line, we’ll have more on that later this week. In the meantime, a quick update on two other design partnerships the ‘cheap chic’ retailer is doing:

Albertus Swanepoel for Target is now in stores and online, below we show three different hat styles.

Albertus Swanepoel for Target

Also available now in stores and online, the Josie Natori for Target collection.

Josie Natori for Target

Josie Natori for Target is in stores now through Dec. 22, with a second group of merchandise being offered Jan. 1 through February 23.

Josie Natori for Target

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A quick note from the good folks at Jack Rogers.

Jack Rogers

The company has debuted its new Highlands Rain Boot, it looks cute as can be, and very practical as well. Fans of the brand may be interested to learn Jacks are on sale through 11am Wednesday at flash sale site Rue La La. Obviously the brand new Highlands is not included (there are no boots), there isn’t an enormous selection, but still worth a peek if you are in the market. (If in need of an ‘invite’ to Rue La La, just click here.)

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With apologies to our Facebook friends who may have already seen this, we had to share a comment seen on Twitter multiple times this afternoon:

Kim Kardashian sold the rights to her wedding for $17.9 million. Her marriage lasted 72 days. That comes to a nifty $10,358.80 per hour.

I feel less-than-prep for even writing about the topic, but the woman is one of our original members of the Anti-Prep Wall of Shame. A meritorious member we might add, for she never fails to disappoint.

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We leave you with much cheerier sights, more seasonal in nature. First, our friend Leslie (aka Southern Social) is stunning in a Princess manner of speaking, she looked lovely for this weekend’s Halloween parties.

Southern Social

That wasn’t the only Kate Middleton costume seen this year, not by a long shot. Below, Al Roker and Matt Lauer were part of the fun in the Today Show’s royal wedding reenactment.

The Today Show/NBC Universal

It actually was pretty funny, click here to see the whole thing. To look at a plethora of royally-themed costumes, click here to visit our sister site, What Kate Wore.

We love the Tipsy Skipper’s pumpkins.

The Tipsy Skipper

And we love an argyle pumpkin: we haven’t been able to identify those on the left, the group on the right is from Horchow.

This beautiful group is from the folks at Lilly Pulitzer Palm Beach Gardens.

Lilly Pulitzer Palm Beach Gardens

Here are two more beauties, these are by the talented ladies at The Pink Palm in Richmond.

The Pink Palm

This classic duo by Susan Trader is always fun to see.

Susan Trader

With that we say Happy Halloween, may all of your candy be fresh!