This One’s Gonna Hurt

Hello, all you Princess devotees.  The Princess Consort here stepping forward to give my blushing bride a day to catch up on paperwork.  I wish I could be funny and glib today.  But I can’t.  I saw something today that tore my heart out and I have to share it with you all.

During my career as a journalist I was exposed to some pretty ghastly things.  I was witness to the horrors that people will inflict upon each other.  I saw the devastation and death that nature unleashes on us.  Through all those years I was able to compartmentalize those images so I could objectively report the stories.   But I could never do that with stories that involved animals suffering.  I guess I never considered it a failing.  I’ve always had immense admiration for people who rescue and foster animals.  There is a special place in Heaven for those kind souls.

That’s why I urge you to visit this blog today.

Courtesy HopeforPaws.org

There is something so sad about feeding cheeseburgers and chicken to that little pup.  It’s nice to think the last moments he had were spent with someone who cared for him and showed him tenderness.

If you’re a regular reader you know that our English bulldog Tilly came to us from a bulldog rescue group a couple of years ago.

Tilly is a goofball but she loves unconditionally.  She’s not our first venture into rescue/fostering.

Bach was a big, sweet Giant Schnauzer.  If you’re not familiar with the breed I can tell you that they are smart, strong and can be jesters.  We had him for a very short time before he went to a good (forever) home and took a small part of my heart with him.   Here’s just one place where you can find out more about Giant Schnauzer rescue.

So what’s the point of all this?  You’ve all heard of the shady dog breeders and puppy mills out there.  Dogs that should never be sold are being dumped on the marketplace.   If you’re considering a dog (or cat, or horse, or…) please put some thought into a rescue.  You’ll be taking on a challenge but what you’ll get in return can’t be measured.

Sorry I’m not funny today.  I’m going to take Tilly for a walk now.  The Princess will be back tomorrow.  Thanks for sharing your time with me.

How the French do Preppy & New Preppy Pet Collars, Leashes, Harnesses

Hello-hello! We are ever-so-excited here at the Prepatorium, we have hit tropical temperatures! The tv Weatherologist just said it is 55 degrees!

We start with a quick update on the Lilly Stationery Giveaway triggered by this comment from the always-wonderful McMommy, who asks:

“Lilly stationery?? Squeeeee!!! My best friend would LOVE THIS!!! If I tweet this and post to facebook, can I enter those as entries too?“

The answer? A resounding “Yes!” and “Yes!”

Become a Preppy Princess fan on our Facebook page, or tweet about it on Twitter and you will be entered again! That is one additional entry for Twitter & one more for Facebook. There is one caveat: do let us know by posting another comment or via email.  (If anyone wants to follow us on Twitter our name is PreppyPrincess, all one word.)

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Frequent readers know we love showcasing the different ways “preppy” is perceived, not just in the U.S., but around the world.  Today we share a French perspective via the CfraisRudy Blog, and a post titled “Le Look Preppy.”  The author shows this image from the French edition of Elle.

Courtesy Elle France

The post starts by explaining (this is an extremely rough translation) that “…the preppy look is very popular right now, and will be for some time to come.”  Le Look Preppy is described as “…the University look…more specifically, pre-university….”.

Both Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger are cited as primary examples of the style; most readers will recognize this classic Polo ad, used in the blog as an example of the look.

Courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren

The post closes with the author sharing their take on the style.

Courtesy CFraisRudy Blog

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Last night we took a few hours for some recreational fun, watching Westminster, an annual event here at the Palace.  Frequent readers know that TP & the Consort love their four-legged family members, Tilly, our rescue bulldog, and Scooter-the-Wonder-Cat. Below, the animals at work:

Not to be confused with Silly Tilly (above), we have Champion Bulldog Silly Lilly, being judged yesterday (below).

PHOTO: Monika Graff/UPI/Landov

Next, Dylan the Afghan, in an image not seen on television!

Courtesy AP

At the risk of being inappropriate, have you ever wondered how the dogs are… ah…., the way that the dogs take care of….umm…well, how they take care of personal issues?! Now we have the answer:

PHOTO: Julie Jacobson/AP

That would be Micah up above in the photo, a 2-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel visiting a plastic fire hydrant. This is a temporary dog park set up across the street from the Hotel Pennsylvania, temporary home to 1000+ prized pooches. (We are speculating that Micah is probably not too happy to be memorialized forever in this fashion…just guessing.)

Tonight we have the Sporting, Working and Toy Groups, along with the naming of Best In Show. We both love the Working group, home to our favorite breed, the Giant Schnauzer.  As we are already going to the share a few items from our new line of Preppy Pet Collars, Leashes & Harnesses!

PreppyPrincess.com

Your kitty and your pooch will be oh-so-fashionable in these, all of them customizable per your wishes,  in ribbon and webbing choices we think you will like.

We are pleased to carry two styles of dog harnesses in addition to the collars, with the harness rapidly becoming a favorite among dog fanciers.

We close with the Billykirk bag at Gargyle, now in for spring, and very cool!

Billykirk at Gargyle.com

We are now racing out the door to loll about in the sunshine!

7 Wacky Things, The Christie’s Goyard Auction

Hello-Hello on a splendid afternoon in The Great Midwest!

Because The Princess was tagged by the Call the Preppies In, you will now be subjected to 7 random facts!

1) Although selected for the Cheerleading squad in high school TP declined because she figure skated 3-6 hours a day.

Alessia Pierdomenico/Reuters

2) Our previous dog was a Giant Schnauzer.  Above, this year’s Crufts Best in Show winner, Philippe, a Giant Schnauzer.  Below, our boy Phred; we had him thirteen years. Our current canine is Tilly, a rescued Bulldog, one photo below Phred’s.

Phred le Deux

3) My first media job was as a radio host while in college; in my last position I was the General Manager of a CBS affiliate.

Silly Tilly on Patrol

4) Despite all evidence to the contrary, we really do know how to cook. Kind of.

5) The Palace is about to be swallowed whole by the paper blob, because we read all the time. All. the. time. The list of periodicals we subscribe to is obscene, not to mention the pile of books from the local library.

6) Speaking of….TP has worked on numerous campaigns (issues only, never candidates) including the last two local millage requests for libraries.

7) Fairly early in the television career I was producing a live television special. Shortly after breaking into programming, the primary talent took off his microphone and walked away saying, “I’m out of words.” What followed was not pretty.

We tag Bec’s Bohemia, the Landlocked Mermaid, Mom x 2, Fashion Addict, and Fashion Herald.

This afternoon we once again find ourselves wishing the Concorde were still flitting across the pond, Heathrow to JFK or Dulles, and then back again to Heathrow, or maybe de Gaulle depending upon one’s plans. That way only 3-1/2 hours or so of one’s life were lost to travel time…well, a little more because of customs and whatnot, but nothing like today’s travel trauma.

That would make the upcoming auction of Goyard bags and luggage at Christie’s Paris almost manageable. Almost being the operative word, but still…

This will be the 3rd Annual Auction benefitting cancer research efforts at the Curie Institut in Paris. 21 women from the fashion, sports and movie worlds were asked to customize an item from the Goyard collection.

Vahina Giocante design for Goyard auction

The notables participating include Elodie Bouchez, Cécile Cassel, Catherine Deneuve, Zoé Felix, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Vahina Giocante, Chiara Mastroianni, Helena Noguerra, Linh-Dan Pham, Barbara Schulz, Audrey Tautou and Elsa Zylberstein. Bags will be on exhibit at Goyard on St Honoré.  Sigh. (The bag seen below is from a previous auction.)