Say Goodbye to Two Gossip Girls, And It’s Round Two for Princess Beatrice’s Hat

Hello-Hello, happy middle ‘o the week to everyone.

We are brief again today, beginning with an update on everyone’s favorite faux-prep school show, Gossip Girl.  From the Ministry of Gossip blog:

“”Gossip Girl” actresses Taylor Momsen and Jessica Szohr — the two bad girls from the wrong side of Manhattan — are leaving the CW show.”

Below we see Ms. Szohr (L), and on the right, Ms. Momsen with co-star Ed Westwick.

Splash News (L)/The CW (R)

(From what we gather this this isn’t much of a shock for those who watch the show, unfortunately your Princess Ignoramus is not up to speed on any all things GG.)

Another Gossip Girl star has been busy this week.  Chanel showed its Winter 2012 (eek!) cruise collection in Cap d’Antibes, and “brand ambassador” Blake Lively was on hand. Below she is seen at the dinner with Chanel Pooh-bah Karl Lagerfeld.

Kristy Sparow/Getty Images

For the “Collection Croisiere 2012” show Ms. Lively was in a more revealing ensemble, we show her with Monaco’s Princess Caroline and her daughter, Princess Alexandra, they attended the event as well.

All Photos by Getty Images

The setting for the show was the storied Hotel du Cap.

Dominique Charriau/Getty Images

Many of the looks were understated elegance at its best.

All Photos Getty Images

However… we are constitutionally incapable of contemplating next winter’s resort collections when we have yet to experience spring’s arrival.

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In today’s Bits & Bytes:

Boyle + Gardner for The Wall Street Journal

Saturday’s Journal carried a solid story on a preppy basic, the ribbon belt, explaining that “…now, however, the ribbon belt has pretty much gone back to the rarefied realm from which it came.”

There is also news that “celebri-chef” Paula Deen will launch another home line, separate from her furniture collection.  Launching next spring, the new group will include bedding, bath, lighting and decorative accessories.

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One quick OPB (Official Princess Business) note, in the next several weeks we’ll be sharing scads of new goodies being unveiled at the National Stationery Show. Here is a an early look at pieces from the new home acrylics collection we will be offering from Boatman Geller.

Coming Soon at the Princess from Boatman Geller

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Our final note today involves everyone’s favorite chapeau. (BTW, can we just say there seems to be *a lot* going on in this photo?!)

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

It seems Princess Beatrice’s fascinator is going to be auctioned for a good cause.  Sarah Ferguson is on Oprah today, and during the show she apparently shares the news the hat will be listed on eBay, with proceeds being donated to UNICEF and Children in Crisis.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

There you have it.

Monday Musings

Hello-Hello, and welcome to the Monday mayhem here at the Prepatorium! We are ever so harried today, we apologize for a completely disorganized post.

We begin with word on the dress worn by entertainer Carrie Underwood at her wedding last weekend to hockey star Mike Fisher. Monique Lhuillier created the Chantilly lace and silk organza gown worn by Ms. Underwood for the ceremony.

People magazine via MoniqueLhuillier.com

The singer’s reception gown was also done by the designer, who shows both dresses on her Facebook page.

People Magazine via Monique Lhuillier

As seen in the pictures, People magazine and sister publication People Style News have the story on the bridal gowns and accessories.

People.com

According to StyleList the shoes were by Stuart Weitzman, his white satin Avalon platform pump. (If it appears to have a pink tone that is because it was embellished with pink crystals.) The bride wore a feather and crystal ban.do headband.

Notwithstanding our thoughts on daytime glitter and frou-frou, the young entertainer looked beautiful, and the two make a lovely couple.

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We may have previously mentioned this, the sleepwear line Norma Kamali is doing for Walmart; today’s WWD story had a few images from the collection.

The new line debuts online October 10.

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We have previously shared links to Lilly Pulitzer and Vera Bradley for those wishing to perk up their desktop via free downloadable designs. Our friends at Boatman Geller are also offering some of their most popular patterns as wallpaper.

Boatman Geller

The available designs include a pattern we adore, Espadrille Preppy Stripe, delightful for your computer or your tabletop!

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In today’s “We are not Worthy” category, two public ‘Thank You’ notes. The first is to the gifted and delightful Miss LPC, perhaps better known by her blog, Privilege.  This always stylish writer was much-too-kind when composing a recent post, we can only offer a public expression of gratitude in return. When we grow up we hope to have a smidgen of LPC’s talent and skill.

Our other thank you is for the ever-so-proper (and loads of fun) Miss Janice; specifically for sharing pictures of a recent soirée she hosted.

Courtesy Miss Janice

Some of Miss Janice’s Lilly Pulitzer tableware came via a blog contest we sponsored with Muffy Martini, the prize was a complete set of the Loco Patch party and tableware items. Thank you for sharing Miss Janice, we always enjoying seeing how people actually use some of our favorite Princess goodies!

The Great Preppy Personalized Plate Giveaway!

Hello-Hello and Happy Thursday!

The crush of business prevents us nattering on as we usually do, so we share just a few items today, starting with our great Preppy Personalized Plate Giveaway here at the Princess!

We have added loads of new designs to our selection of Preppy Platters & Plates.  To celebrate the new styles we are doing a Giveaway: the winner receives a Preppy Plate or Platter of their choice, personalized however they choose!

Here is how to enter:

• For one entry, leave a comment telling us your favorite design on any of our preppy dishes
• For a second entry, post the Giveaway on your blog & leave a comment telling us you did
• For a third entry, Tweet about it on Twitter & let us know you did
• For a fourth entry, become a Preppy Princess fan on Facebook & ley us know you did. (Go to Facebook and do a search for Preppy Princess.com)

Some of the fabulous new designs we have in are from the good folks at Boatman Geller, including the Ashley Plaid in Pink:

PreppyPrincess.com

If seeking something more masculine, the Ashley Plaid is available in a sophisticated blue palette. Perhaps you would prefer the Espadrille Nautical stripe brightening your table?

PreppyPrincess.com

This jaunty pattern also comes in the Espadrille Preppy Stripe (below), or the Espadrille Bright Stripe.

PreppyPrincess.com

Our favorite new styles just might be the updated initial plates, like the Repp Tie in Cherry/Navy:

PreppyPrincess.com

At a baby shower the whimsical Confetti Pink is fun for a little girl, but it is also offered in blues for a baby boy. (And ideal for grown-up boys and girls in your circle of friends and family!)

PreppyPrincess.com

Frankly, there isn’t a one of these we don’t just adore as a hostess gift, or a delightful personalized present on any occasion.

Because we want you to enjoy our growing preppy dish collection and enjoy a bargain at the same time, we are offering our treasured readers a 10% discount on the Plates and Platters Collection!  Simply enter DISHDEAL at checkout to receive the more favorable pricing.  We will keep this special discount in place until midnight on the 18th.

And don’t forget to enter the Giveaway before midnight Thursday (the 17th), we will draw a name and announce a winner on September 18!

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Next, last night’s big party at Saks, a gala thrown by Anna Wintour/Vogue, and Charlize Theron. The occasion was a public celebration of the retailer’s newly renovated third floor.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner/WWD

We love the easy elegance seen in the photo of Oscar de la Renta & Ms. Theron. Also attending the party, Dylan Lauren in a vibrant frock we shall categorize as today’s Pretty in Pink.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner/WWD

Gossip Girl star Blake Lively looked lovely in a sleek blue dress.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner/WWD

Also on hand and woefully underdressed, Ms. Lively’s costar and IRL (In Real Life, yes? We feel très cool using this acronym.) romantic interest, Penn Badgley.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner/WWD

It was a very busy night for the Gossip Girls and Guys, as there was another function to attend, this one in honor of the Gossip Girl-inspired collection at Target from designer Anna Sui.

PHOTO: PaperMag.com

And if that wasn’t enough partying for the G2 set, co-star Leighton Meester enjoyed a screening of the Sundance Channel’s fashion series “The Day Before“. The four-part special focuses on Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler as their upscale label preps for Fashion Week. Joining in, socialite and fashionista Lauren Santo Domingo.

PHOTO: Getty Images

Enjoy!

Brooks Brothers Black Fleece Announcement, Tory Burch Sunglasses

Hello-Hello and Happy Monday!

We must say that having the U.S. Open on the TV here at Princess InterGalactic HQ certainly makes for an enjoyable work atmosphere.

We begin by saying that once again TP is forced to publicly acknowledge her inability to properly assess the intricacies what qualifies for ‘cool’ in the world of fashion. To whit, today’s news that Brooks Brothers is opening not just one, but two more standalone Black Fleece stores.

Yes, it’s that Black Fleece with all designs by Thom Browne, he of the shorter pant lengths, a style we are constitutionally incapable of wrapping our little pea-brain around.

Above left, the Black Fleece Madras Cotton Blazer (now at a far more fiscally-friendly $515 as opposed to the original $850 price), and on the right, the Two-Button Classic Oxford Jacket (selling at $600, originally priced at $1000).

Our lack of ‘hip-itude’ is demonstrated by our surprise at the news. The new stores will be located in San Francisco (in the old Simon Pearce spot on Fillmore) and in Tokyo.  WWD reports (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription req’d.) the west coast store will be open by September.

Clearly we do not have our finger on the pulse.

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In news of a gossipy sort (gasp), another Gossip Girl cast member has landed the cover of a popular magazine. This time it is one of the Gossip Guys, actor Chace Crawford, on the cover of People; he has been named the magazine’s “Hottest Bachelor.”

PHOTO: Courtesy People.com

While TP has yet to view an episode of the hit program, we do try and pay attention to the fashions from the show and other information.  We didn’t realize that co-star Penn Badgley originally wanted to have the Nate Archibald role Mr. Crawford has made famous.

PHOTO: Lance Staedler/People Magazine

Nor did we realize Mr. Crawford shares an apartment with Ed Westwick, another co-star.  For a People magazine video with Mr. Crawford as well as more photos, click here.

PHOTO: Albert Ferreira/Startraks

Now for our Question of the Day: is it just us, or does Mr. Westwick bear an unfortunate resemblance to a ferret?  Perhaps it is his hair?  He doesn’t look nearly as … ah, nearly as…. ummm… we’ll just say ‘intense’ in this photo from Thursday’s K-2 event at Bloomingdale’s. In fact, he looks rather charming.

PHOTO: Will Ragozzino/Getty

Also in the news, Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively, seen below with hairstylist Jennifer Johnson at the NYWIFT Annual Awards. We are confused by the trench coat over the party frock, unless it was a sponsored wearing of said trench, a strong possibility as it is also what Ms. Lively wore inside.

PHOTO: Neilson Barnard/Getty

We’re presuming everyone will sleep better this evening being up to speed on these latest events surrounding the hit show. (Heh-heh-heh.)

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Despite the soft economy, Bloomingdale’s is opening the only Turnbull and Asser store-within-a store.  Previously one could only purchase Turnbull & Asser merchandise at the company’s own stores.

Photo: Elissa Wiehn via Men's Style

This comes on the heels of the retailer’s unveiling the massive (7,000 square feet) Polo Ralph Lauren shop-within-the-store.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

The newly refurbished Polo area stocks both Blue and Black Label goods, and actually has its own door on the 59th St. side of the flagship.

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Also today, news  that Tory Burch is adding sunglasses to her line; they will be available sometime in November.

PHOTO: WWD Staff

The oh-so-chic shades will run $135 to $195.

PHOTO:WWD Staff

The frames are being made by the same company that makes Ralph Lauren and Tiffany frames, so we expect they will be quality items.  Best of all, it appears they may not activate our Logophobia as we’re not seeing any of those telltale signs in these photos!

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We close with a reminder to pop over and visit Whale Flip Flops for your chance to win a Carrie & Tuck portable writing center….

Carrie & Tuck at PreppyPrincess.com

The winner will select the color of their choice, Pink, Navy, Green, or Chocolate Brown portfolio. And we are also including a Preppy Alligator Refill Set to keep someone well-stocked in cute paper for the summer.

With that, we say adios until next time!

“Penny Pinchers Go Preppy” & More Preppy Sales

Hello-Hello! Isn’t this turning into a busy week!

It is because of the slightly-controlled-chaos here at the Prepatorium that today’s post shall offer more pictures than prose, a circumstance we know you find heartbreaking. (Tee-hee.)

In today’s SOTTs (Sign of the Times) we refer to an excellent story on ‘preppy style’ from late last year. Yes, we somehow missed this one. We don’t know how this happened. We promise we shall never, ever let it happen again. Never. (Heh-heh. Silly Princess.)

The story, “Penny-Pinchers Go Preppy in Economic Downturn,” looks at how well retailers specializing in traditional clothing are faring.

“As trepidation over the economy takes hold of personal budgets and weighs on the minds of consumers, the timeless ethos of preppy has taken hold of the retail apparel sector…”

Prep style stalwart Brooks Brothers is mentioned, as are several other brands readers will recognize.  Anne Szustek’s story is a good read, found on a site new to us that we enjoy, Finding Dulcinea.

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We have a few more nautical items we simply can’t resist posting, beginning with the Ship-Shape Area Rug from one of our favorite places for gifts and other goodies, and for window shopping (in a cyber sort of way), Blue Barnacles.

BlueBarnacles.com

There are pages and pages of just rugs in themes we all adore. There are bright and cheery themes like the Nautical Flags, as well as more sophisticated motifs, as seen in the Moray style.

If seeking something a tad more casual in dinnerware for the cottage, the Code Flags melamine is an outstanding selection.

There are scads of tableware designs from beach-inspired to nautically inclined to everything in between! We leave Blue Barnacles with a peek at the Sailboat Bookends.

Of course, if looking for a nautical gift that is monogrammed or personalized, here at the Princess we can help you with goodies like the Anchors & Nautical Flags plate!

PreppyPrincess.com

Or the Anchor Stripes Platter, also loads of fun, an excellent wedding gift at $40.

Obviously the Boatman Geller Anchor notecards are a great fit, as are the Whitney English notecards.

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Lots of store openings this last week, including the new J. Crew in Malibu. It’s official name is J.Crew-at-the-Beach, and it is not your average Crew. There are custom surfboards, and it’s a little different: no Men’s merchandise, and a ‘shop in a shop’ concept allowing special merchandise to be showcased. The new store is actually located in the Lumber Yard, brand spanking new outdoor mall. We shall count on Muffy Martini for a review the next time she heads to the beach!

Other retail-related openings? The new Barneys in Chicago (enormous from what we hear), Roberto Cavalli in Bal Harbour, and Palm Beach Garden’s Lilly Pulitzer.  For a amazing account of the Lilly opening, you simply must toddle over to visit Miss Janice; she has the most captivating photos. (Pssst – you do not want to miss her shots of the dressing rooms!)

And though technically open since last fall, Kenneth Jay Lane ‘officially’ celebrates his new store at the Plaza this Thursday. (You know, the somewhat challenged retail area at the Plaza….?)

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We have a few sale reminders readers may find helpful; it seems every little bit helps in these challenging times, yes? We begin with Kate Spade now offering an Additional 20% Off Sale merchandise.

This is online only, and runs through April 24.  L&T is doing their Friends and Family event, with an “Extra 25% Off Almost Everything”.

The online promo code to use is FRIENDS. Also, J. Crew is running their Spring Sale.

And the folks at Bergdorf Goodman are also taking markdowns.

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In closing we share a quote from a story in Sunday’s WaPo about singing sensation and internet superstar Susan Boyle. It seemed appropriate as a “Quote of the Day”:

“We’re all tired of 23-year-old models trying to sing on TV. Susan is a 47-year-old spinster who, by God, can sing,” said Michael Nicolson, 64, the bingo caller at the community center where Boyle has volunteered.”

Any readers unfamiliar with Ms. Boyle, click here and do stay for all 7 minutes; you’ll be glad you did.

On that fun note, may your days be filled with sunshine and smiles!