Budget Prep, SATC Wedding Gown Update, More Preppy Sales

Hello-Hello and Happy (oh-so-happy) Friday! We hope your weekends are going to be filled with fun and frolic, relaxation and perhaps even a break from the chaos of daily life.

We start today with the Sun-Times and a nifty little story they ran this week, Preppy on a Budget. The column is accompanied by a fun slide show called Preppy Shopper. The story by Jessica Sedgwick showcases several shops unique to Chicago as well as national retailers. From their slide show, the Spiegel signature stretch seersucker jacket.

“Those who enjoy rocking their inner Blair Waldorf (“Gossip Girl” queen bee of prep) might think the only way they can get that look is by spending big bucks. Not anymore.”

Collage Courtesy SunTimes.com

“Retailers such as Kohl’s, Old Navy and even indie-minded Urban Outfitters are unleashing affordable preppy pieces — many adorned with sailor-inspired buttons and crisp seersucker stripes…”

Also showcased in the story, the Unisa TammyLee Ballet Flat at DSW.

And these Chaps Madras Shorts for boys are only $18 at Kohl’s, originally selling at $30.

Chaps Kohls.com

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Other ‘preppy style’ retailers are discussed at length in an excellent story in yesterday’s Times;  it surveys the competitive terrain at midlevel stores like Ann Taylor and Talbots.

The always-insightful Eric Wilson (a big favorite of TP’s) wrote the story:

“… mainstream retailers like Ann Taylor and Talbots have been hiring new designers and sprucing up their looks to appeal to modern women who are now shopping for style within their means.”

As these stores become “recession destinations,” shoppers are discovering that they aren’t as fuddy as they used to be.”

Here is an Ann Taylor Jacket with contrasting trim.

AnnTaylor.com

The jacket is now on sale at $69.99, but with the additional 25% discount the retailer is offering, the price is about $52.

Mr. Wilson’s story focuses primarily on Talbots, Ann Taylor and the new Liz Claiborne line from Isaac Mizrahi. The writer’s perception of the inside of a Talbots store makes for a fun read:

“Walking into the Talbots store on Madison Avenue, with its festive red painted door, homey décor and piles of melon-colored cardigans, bamboo prints and safari suits, the change is only beginning to become apparent. You might think that Michael Kors and Tory Burch had wed in a year-round Christmas superstore.”

And when considering the Talbots Sale is now offering an Additional 25% off reduced prices, you know there are likely to be possible purchases under the red awning. Even ‘wear now’ basics show significant price reductions, and that is before the additional 25% discount.

Talbots.com

A good example of the price cuts is Talbots Pima Cotton Crew Tee, on sale at $8.99, in 21 different colors.

The Times story is a fascinating read, well worth a little investment of time, but we want to know your thoughts…? What is making you buy… or not? Has Talbots updated its inventory, do you like what they are offering? How about Ann Taylor? TP is just dying to know your thoughts on this topic.

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Hayden-Harnett fans may want to scoot into their Online Sample Sale running through April 5, with bargains like the Margot Eyeglass Case at $10, reduced from$30.

Hayden-Harnett

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Then we have one more preppish retailer offering price reductions, Brooks Brothers. The company is doing their Preferred Customer Event, taking 25% off prices if one uses their Brooks card or Brooks MonsterCard Mastercard, 15% off for other forms of payment.

Brooks Brothers

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We have an update for those fond of Sarah Jessica Parker’s wedding gown in Sex and the City.

PHOTO: Diane Cohen/Everett Collection

There is (was) a shortened version of the Vivienne Westwood dress available.

However, the shortened version selling at Net-a-Porter was gone almost as soon as it went up on the site.  But do not despair of owning this version, one merely needs to get in touch with Dame Westwood and be willing to part with about $9,900.  BTW, the release date for Sex and the City 2 has been announced; ask your social secretary to mark you as “busy” on May 28, 2010, if planning to see the film its first day in release.

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On a lighter note, two young gentlemen have a new take on an old, and much-maligned medium: the Jello mold.  Well, no one actually says the “J Word,” in all honesty. A NY Times story looks at the phenomenon and its creators, Sam Bompas and Harry Parr. (Below, the Madrid airport and aircraft in jelly.)

Photo: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners

The wizards creating these masterpieces are definitely products of an ‘Old School’education, having attended both Eton and University College, London; they refer to themselves as ‘jelly mongers.’

On that creative note we shall take our leave! Happy weekend dolls!

Thakoon & Hayden-Harnett Target Updates, Another Gossip Girl Cover

Hello-Hello and Happy Tuesday Happy New Year’s Eve!

Today we are Yesterday we were pondering the fabulousness of electricity in all its many applications… it truly is a beautiful invention. And we don’t just say that because the GGPs (great-grandparents) wintered next door to Mr. Edison in Ft. Myers.  Nor because we have just returned arrived home Tuesday night from the Queen Mother’s estate, following a  few detours along the way.  At retail establishments.  Actually, this was the first time we remember taking refuge (ahem) in a store to avoid becoming the next snowman on the block.

Which brings us to this afternoon as we make every effort to keep our head from exploding.  You see, while still favorably inclined toward the benefits of functioning electricity, we must inform you that shortly after the power was restored we lost another vital service: the telephone.  Which translates into no internet access.  Rather essential here in the corner condo at Preppy Princess HQ, what with our little online boutique being… well, online.

No. Phone. And. No. Internet. Access. For almost twenty-four hours. A situation not rectified by even a Jumbo Prozac Latte. And we assure you that retail therapy would have been a total waste of hairspray.  The online site was fine, we just couldn’t get online ourselves. When the AT&T imbecile finally floated by for a visit this morning we were inclined to accost him, but The Consort said if we did that he would be unable to repair things.  We do love the T-1 line we have, it delivers the oh-so-fast-web-access as promised, but being without landbased phone service as well as the internet is really most unpleasant. Harrumph.

Rather than get our whiskers in a wad, we’ll just cease the whine-athon and get down to business.  In Sunday’s post we promised to file an update on the Thakoon for Target collection as soon as we were able to visit the Boutique in person.

Yesterday’s Monday’s agenda included a family outing to the spanking new Target near the Queen Mother’s home base, in part to allow TP & TQM to better inspect the Thakoon. (We also looked at the scant Hayden-Harnett offerings available, an entirely separate topic of conversation.) HRH, the Princely Sibling also joined us, although he did not share the same level of enthusiasm for the excusion as we.

Thakoon for Target

Overall the line is very well merchandised. The pieces look vastly superior to the photographs we have previously shared, all of them true to Thakoon’s design aesthetic. Many of the sweaters and tees have a soft, supple feel to the touch.

Unfortunately not all of the pieces share this characteristic; many are polyester.  These do not feel at all soft or silky, but slightly slimy, forcing TQM to recoil in horror. (A little dramatic, yes, but to be fair we don’t know if she has ever worn any synthetic textiles, certainly not next to the skin.)  The Camo Print Cami shown above in Navy & Yellow is all poly, as is the Colorblock Cami seen below.

Thakoon for Target

Reactions to the Collection that we have seen and/or heard:

• Pieces do not run true to size, with fit is all over the map
• The quality is very good to excellent
• The quality is poor to shoddy
• Quantities are running low with some stores completely out of stock on multiple items
• Your best bet for purchasing anything is online

Well dolls, it is now your obligation opportunity to share any insight you may have on the topic.  Our best suggestion for anyone contemplating a purchase would be to read all of the reviews each customer is leaving on the Target site; they are enlightening.

BTW, Thakoon is looking smarter every day with his decision to offer ‘Thakoon Addition,’ a capsule collection with lower opening price points.  The good folks at the  Style File blog have a wonderful interview with the designer.  Our favorite quote comes when he is talking about Michelle Obama wearing one of his designs the final night of the Democratic Convention in Denver; the dress was one of his signature print:

“A print dress? On TV? There’s change you can believe in.”

We also seek your input on our next topic, the Hayden-Harnett for Target accessory line due at your local store Monday.  Below, the Canvas Hobo:

Hayden-Harnett for Target

The new line for Target from the popular handbag designers was a tad slow in arriving at some stores; we saw only 4 different bag designs on display during Monday’s visit to the retailer.

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As we mentioned in Sunday’s post about the Penn Badgley spread in January’s GQ, magazine covers continue to be peopled by Gossip Girl stars.  Now we learn of CosmoGirl Prom’s next cover, featuring….

CosmoGirl Prom

Taylor Momsen.

PHOTO: Ezra Patchett

Our thanks to Just Jared Jr., for the photos of Ms. Momsen showcased in a number of… um… well, extraordinary prom dresses, how’s that sound? In all candor, one really looked very sweet.

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Regular readers know TP is a fan of Vivre, not only for their fashion sense and good taste, but also for their delightful presentation and superb online publications.  The upscale site is also having an outstanding Clearance Sale, nothing to sneeze at given the current economic climate. (A reminder: it is five o’clock: do you know where your trust fund is?)

Markdowns have been taken on a plethora of merchandise at Vivre, including some much-too-fun napkin rings from Kim Seybert:

Vivre.com

They would make the perfect gift for someone near and dear to us, and at 40% off their original price of $115 they look like a solid buy.  However, at $69 for a set of four they are not for everyone, and the recipient we have in mind might throttle us if we allocated that amount to their Birthday gift budget.

Fortunately this same person is simply gaga for the Shoreline napkin rings at the Princess, a mere $5.50 each, or just $20 for a set of four.

Shoreline Napkin Rings at PreppyPrincess.com

That’s it for this post. Until next time, we shall be awaiting your insider knowledge on the topics detailed above!

We close with a TDF classic car for our Pretty in Pink, a 1958 Continental Coupe.

We send everyone a massive “Thank You” for the wit, wisdom, and strength you shared this year as we became part of the Blogosphere.  You are all Prepalicious in our mind! Happy, Happy New Year!

More Preppy Black Friday Sales: Kate Spade, Hayden Harnett, LL Bean, More

Hello-Hello!

The Princess has managed to wheel herself away from the table and we are now situated at the trusty iMac, ready to fulfill our vow to bring you the latest in retail offerings of a preppish nature, particularly those with a fiscally friendly disposition.

But quickly, before those dreadful Black Friday sales (heh-heh-heh), let’s give away some goodies!  The Princess Consort used a random number generator to select the winner who will receive this ever-so-snappy Perfect Circles apron (and matching gloves, of course)…

PreppyPrincess.com

and the Preppy Stripes Notecards…

PreppyPrincess.com

all from the Preppy Princess is….

The Landlocked Mermaid!

Whoo-hoo! Miss Mermaid, send us your particulars, as well as your how you would like the cards personalized, and we’ll get things ready to head your way!  And if you mentioned the Giveaway on your blog, do let us know so that you can send this week’s bonus gift to whomever you choose!

The prize package for the Great Preppy Giveaway Week #4 includes our exclusive Have a Whale of a Holiday notecards:

PreppyPrincess.com

These happy sea creatures shout out “Happy Happy,” “Merry Merry,” and “Joyful Joyful,” just in time for your correspondence needs. We’ll be adding another treasure or two to the prize pack, so check back! Or follow us on Twitter, we’ll definitely Tweet a time or tow as this is updated.

To enter, simply leave a comment telling us one Christmas or Hanukkah wish you have. That’s it – just a comment sharing a wish.

Now on to the business at hand, starting with one of TP’s favorites:

Best & Co.

Offering simply outstanding merchandise for the next generation, Best & Company is doing 50% off everything online, like this Shoshanna for Best & Co. Sailboat Bathing Suit with a darling bow on the back.

Perfect for your annual trip to St. John over the holidays, there is also a nautical theme Shoshanna Suit for Boys:

Best & Co.

(Miss Kate, we are not even going here, you will be so tired of us harassing you!) The promo code at Best is BESTTHANKS.

The Kate Spade Black Friday promotion discounts a percentage of your purchase tied to the amount you are spending; this is only applicable at retail stores, not online. However, the online sale is nothing to scoff at, IOHO.

Kate Spade

LL Bean is repeating their promotion from previous years, spend $50 and receive a $10 gift card.

LL Bean

At Hayden-Harnett, the Thankful Sale is underway with great markdowns and free ground shipping for all online orders; the sale runs through Monday, December 1st.

Bargains include the Capri Coin Purse in loads of fun patterns and colors with some at only $14 and others at just $18.48, a great stocking stuffer that was originally $28!

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Over at Bergdorf’s the frenzy continues:

Bergdorf Goodman

And at Neiman Marcus, it appears almost everything is on sale, either an additional % off the price, or already substantially reduced as part of Last Call.  Here are Neiman’s current offerings:

• Save as much as 60% off* original prices in Women’s Contemporary Apparel, Sportswear, Outerwear, Dresses, Intimate Apparel, Women’s Shoes, Cashmere, Men’s, and Kids when you take an extra 30% to 40% off already-reduced sale prices.
• save 30% off* all Holiday Decor
• Take 1/3 off* all Bedding (INCLUDING SALE!)

These promotional prices are good for the 28th and 29th; online they end at 7am EST December 1st.

The good folks at Vineyard Vines are providing free shipping for all purchases totaling more than $50 through midnight November 30th.

At Bloomingdale’s the Big Brown Bag sale continues through Sunday at midnight, with an additional 40% Off ‘select sale merchandise,’ including this Cashmere Hat, originally $62, about $26 after all the discounts. The Big Brown sale also applies to the Home Store.  For free shipping on orders more than $100, the promotion code is SHIPXMAS; this offers is good through December 19, so you may want to hide away the code.

At Barneys the annual Winter Sale continues…

Barneys

… with deeper discounts being applied as of this morning.

Alexander McQueen is taking 40% off ready-wear, shoes, bags, and accessories through December. That means the oh-so-wonderful Europa Fox could have the Union Jack ankle boot for only $764 as opposed to the original price of $1280. Hhhhmmmm… we are not seeing Miss Europa traipsing around the Lake Country in these, even at their greatly reduced cost.

The Gap is offering a great BOGO (Buy One Get One) promotion for sweaters. This ends tonight in stores but runs through December 1st online.

Ends 12.1.08

It seems there is always a sale at Joseph A. Bank (indeed).  Here are their Black Friday specials:

• Cashmere Bomber Jackets- $199.00
  Cashmere V-Neck Sweaters- $79.00
  Executive 2-Button Cashmere Blazers- $199.00
  Executive 2-Button Wool/Cashmere Suit- $139.00
  Executive 3-Button Cashmere Blazers- $199.00
  Executive 3-Button Wool/Cashmere Suit- $139.00
  Signature Cashmere Topcoats- $299.00
  Solid Cashmere Scarves- $29.00

Those still in need of the J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic, Polo Ralph Lauren and/or Lacoste Black Friday promotions, simply click here.

And if you are anywhere near East Hampton tomorrow, don’t forget the Arts & Crafts Fair at the middle school gym, it is always fun!

Hayden-Harnett at Target Sneak Peek, A Gossip Girl on the Cover of W and ‘Prep Run Amok’

Good evening everyone!

Here at the Prepatorium we experienced several hours of white-out snow this afternoon.

It was Just. So. Dreary.

Therefore we decided a sneak peek at the Hayden-Harnett line for Target might provide a quick pick-me-up. Below, the Canvas Hobo in Multicolor; it will retail at $39.99.

Hayden-Harnett for Target

A matching umbrella will sell at $22.99.

Hayden-Harnett for Target

The collection hits December 28th, running through March 15.  Below, the Chain Bag in black, expected to sell at $44.99.

Hayden-Harnett for Target

There are some utterly divine pieces available now at the Hayden-Harnett website.  We love the Capri glasses case, but this photo forces us to call for a reader response: is the fabric slightly crooked in the frame, tilting to the right? Or is TP more off-kilter than normal?

Courtesy Hayden-Harnett

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Just when we thought the frenzy over all things Gossip Girl might be calming down, we read about the following on a gazillion websites:

Courtesy W

G2 star Blake Lively, who plays Serena van der Woodsen on the hit show, has landed the December W cover, no small feat for a star on the small screen. The story by writer Dana Wood makes the contention:

“…Levelheaded Blake Lively is emerging as the buzziest (and busiest) of the Gossip Girl gang.”

Photo: Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin

The W Editor’s Blog has a fabulous brief about co-star Ed Westwick,

“…I couldn’t resist asking about my favorite Gossip guy: Ed Westwick, aka the sinister Chuck Bass. Sliming his way through every episode in one insane, prep-run-amok ensemble after another, he’s emerged as the show’s true fashion scene-stealer.”

Some readers may recall our post mentioning that Mr.Westwick is to be the new face of the K-Swiss advertising campaign.  Below, Mr. Westwick in photos of the shoot for those ads, courtesy of the Just Jared website.

Courtesy Just Jared

Courtesy Just Jared

No mentions that TP noticed of the alleged Feud between Ms. Blakely and co-star Leighton Meester.

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We know that Kate over at the always wonderful Nautical by Nature will be clicking over to Refinery 29 faster than we can all say “bye-bye” to her; they have an entire post, “Life Aquatic – Nautical Themes Sail into Spring” that we think might appeal to her.

Courtesy Refinery 29

Above left is the Gathered Sweater by Steven Alan, and on the right, the Sailor Pullover, available at A.P.C. online. Not all of the featured items are ideal for the Princess, but one never knows until they look for themselves, so enjoy the window-shopping!

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Having already visited the Boutique Tarzshay today, we shall minimize our online surf time and share this men’s sweater for our Argyle Update.

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Most of you know of our obsession with adoration of bows. After all, our motto here at the Preppy Princess is “Because Life is Better with a Bow.”  And it is better, don’t you think? Below we offer one of our new favorites, the Betsey Johnson BJ7026 watch in blue, $67.50 at Zappos.

Betsey Johnson BJ7026

It is also available in red at Amazon for $73.50.

Betsey Johnson BJ7026

It is almost time to tune in for this:

Aaron Tomlinson/CBS News Handout/Reuters

We are talking about the CBS 60 Minutes Interview with President-elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.  We apologize, but we do not have a clue as to who Ms. Obama is wearing; we only know the story was shot last week at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago. Here is one exchange from the interview:

“… And I looked at him and said, ‘You are the 44th president of the United States of America. Wow. What a country we live in.'”

“How about that?” President-elect Obama added. “Yeah. And then she said, ‘Are you going take the girls to school in the morning?'”

“I did not,” Michelle Obama replied, laughing. “I didn’t say that.”

In a bit of political trivia, here are the Secret Service code names assigned to the Obama family:

• President-elect Barack Obama: Renegade
• Michelle Obama: Renaissance
• Malia Obama: Radiance
• Sasha Obama Rosebud

Mrs. Obama has had her name since January. Vice president-elect Biden is “Celtic,” and Mrs. Biden is “Capri.”

Many readers will remember the interest in the dress Michelle Obama wore for her White House visit last week; it turned out to be by designer Maria Pinto.  As an added FYI for the political fashionistas it turns out First Lady Laura Bush was wearing Carolina Herrera.

PHOTO: Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty

On that note, ‘night ‘night!

Target and Hayden-Harnett Love? Also, Nantucket Street Style

Hello and happy day today! We are ever-so-pleased to be back home in the land of the Prepatorium, although the buying spree for the Princess proved to be quite the divine time, and we discovered loads of preppy delights to ease and enhance your life in the upcoming months!

We start today with a ‘scoop’ from Women’s Wear Daily indicating that Target’s next big collaboration will be with handbag company Hayden-Harnett, for an exclusive line due in spring 2009.

Only 3 years old, Hayden-Harnett, is best known for their ‘Havana hobo,’ their most popular bag. The Princess was surprisingly intrigued by their Olga Bowler in canvas.

But we are absolutely enchanted by their exclusive Paule Marrot pieces. Marrot is a well-known textile artist whose work we have long loved. We are especially fond of the Marrot Barrel Cases, perfect for travel, so bright and cheery they’ll perk up even the darkest day.

This is a fabulous group ladies, with handbags, coin purses and other small accessories, leather cuffs like those seen below, and more.

This would probably be a sharp move for both entities, likely generating even more buzz for H2, perhaps around the time they launch their new shoe line which TP predicts will be faboo.

That reminds us, how is everyone liking the Botkier for Target collaboration? Perhaps we should back up a step, instead asking *if* we are liking the results of the collection? The majority of the bags are done in a metallic finish on PVC, or plastic, what TP euphemistically refers to as faux-leather (depending upon its quality). Below we show a Botkier for Target Fuchsia Hobo Bag in PVC plastic, $39.99. Is it us, or does this really look like $39.99?

Not our thing, but then as our very own Miss Muffy Martini points out when commenting on a previous post, different does not = bad, and she couldn’t be any more spot-on. BTW, if this is a group you would like to shop in person, it is available in select Target stores and online until September 14. We’ve not heard loads of recent buzz about the topic and wondered if it might be the victim of the mid-summer, ‘Blah-bleh, yawn, whatever…” layer of inertia that can settle upon consumers.

Speaking of the blahs or the buzz, another Target design collaboration is scheduled to drop this weekend, with the Shaun White 4 Target collection hitting July 27. The group was designed by the skateboarder/snowboarder’s brother Jesse, and it is referred to as “access point skate clothes,” referencing the price points of $10-30 for most pieces.

Known as The Flying Tomato, White is a likable young man, and some of the colorful pieces hold broad-market appeal. But with promotional lines like, “Believe it or not, long sleeves are your friends” we don’t know how enticing this will be to your young gentleman. The collection includes tees, plaid woven shirts and skinny jeans. It will be interesting to see how the market reacts to the line.

One last note on Target designer collaborations: the Richard Chai Collection hits August 3. (Above, an image from Target’s print campaign supporting the line.) Did you know Chai was once on People magazine’s list of the 100 Sexiest Men Alive? WE think perhaps 2004, but we cannot vouch

Now on to a far more preppy, and much more Princess look, or group of looks, compliments of Style. Lauryn Levin and Zofia Waig’s recent story for the Style Notes section of the magazine is appropriately entitled The ack Pack. (ACK being the official airport letters.) The duo headed to Nantucket to “document” the street style there and here’s some of what they found:

Melissa in Ralph Lauren

Kamal in Ralph Lauren

Marissa in Tocca dress, Charles David shoes

And the final photo is Liza in “an eclectic ensemble anchored by Converse boots.”

Heck, go look at all 18 of the photos, you’ll enjoy the mini-respite from whatever it is you are doing online anyway!