The Consort Goes Christmas Shopping…

Hello-hello, all.  The Consort striding mikeside to dazzle and baffle you while The (lovely and talented) Princess motivates the troops in the shipping department.  Let me paint a mental picture for you: George C. Scott as Patton speaking in front of a gigantic flag.  Yeah, it’s like that except she is speaking in front of a gigantic pink bow.  Quite frankly I’m a bit choked up.  But I will compose myself and move on.

Let’s move forward into some of The Consort’s favorite things for the holidays.  The list is short because I have everything I need in The Princess and our fun, healthy families.  But these are some of the things that I want…

Courtesy: Orvis

Our good friend Kiel James Patrick tipped us off to this beauty.  This Upland Ventile Hunting Jacket is beyond great.  It has classic styling, fantastic waterproofing and, best of all, it’s on sale now.  Run, do not walk, to Orvis and get one for everybody on your shopping list.  Make sure to add one for The Consort and I will thank you every single time I wear this beauty.   Full disclosure:  The extent of my hunting is searching for my car keys.  But if I were wearing this jacket I would look good while also looking befuddled.  I can pull that off, too.

Obeddagget Docks Bracelet

While we’re tangentially on the subject of Kiel James Patrick I have to add this beautiful braided Obeddagget Docks bracelet to my wish list.  I already own several of these handmade classics in different color combinations.  The colors are vibrant but age beautifully after being exposed to the sun and water.  We’re proud to carry them at The Preppy Princess and love hearing comments from satisfied customers after they’ve worn their KJP bracelets, headbands or ear knots.

Courtesy: A. Tierney

I’ve always been a fan of a nice grosgrain watchband.  I’ve been known to spend as much as $25 for a watch so I want a nice band to complete the look.  Our good friends at A. Tierney have a great selection of bands in brilliant colors.  The price is fantastic and I think you would agree that a few would make nice stocking stuffers for The Consort.  This is no time to be shy about buying me gifts.

Courtesy: bobbleheads.com

No one has ever accused me of being modest and retreating.  That’s why my own custom bobblehead has a certain attraction.  You can get one of these beauties for yourself, your spouse, your kids, your coach, well, you get the idea.  There are loads of different styles and customization options.  Doesn’t everyone need their own Mini-me?  You’ll thank me later.

Courtesy: Archie McPhee

Nothing says “Holiday” like inedible fruitcake.  Now you can give the classic gift with no fear that anyone is actually going to eat the fruitcake.  This inflatable mock-delicacy from those zany kids at Archie McPhee is a work of genius.  Buy a bunch for all your friends!  Start a game of “Toss The Fruitcake” during your family gatherings!  It’s fun for all ages and Mom likes it too because there are no messy spills!

Enough playing on the computer.  By the sounds of the whip cracking it seems The Princess is bringing her motivation session to a close.  It’s time to run but she’ll be back with more next time.  Remember to take care of your waitperson today because they’re working hard for you.  I’ll leave you with a musical number that is especially poignant today – 30 years pass so quickly.  Good night, everybody!

And The Winners Are….

Hello-Hello, and Happy Thursday!

It is simply a glorious day here at the Prepatorium in spite of the rain, because we are announcing the five winners of the Spring Fling Thing! With nearly 200 entries total we are grateful for the Random Number generator!

The winner of our exclusive Kiel James Patrick bracelet in Princess Pink and Green…

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is Sweet Home Amy! Yippee-skippee Miss Amy, just let us know if you need a small or medium.

Winner #2, soon to be the proud owner of our Anchors Away Jet-Set Duffel from our new line of Bella Bags…

is one of our fave new bloggers, Skip Brooks at Alexander Grant!  A tip of the hat to Skip!

The name drawn for Prize #3, a Thermal Mug from our new line of Nifty Gifties by Jonathan Adler…

is Preppy 101, aka All Things Southern & Preppy! Just let us know your choice of pattern Miss ATS&P, Acapulco, Diamonds, Greek Key or Chevron, and the mug will be on its way!

Next, Prize #4, a set of Lilly Pulitzer Circle Notes!

Our winner of this prize is the one and only Aurora Borealice! Tell us your choice of pattern and we’ll get these headed your way!

Our 5th and final winner is Always a Northerner, the new owner of a very snappy Scout Doggie Bag lunch bag in her choice of Cabanarama or Cabanarama Brite.

Scout Lunch Bags at PreppyPrincess.com

Pick the pattern you like and we shall send the lunch bag to you!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who entered, Tweeted, became a Facebook fan, and/or posted this on their blog!

This is the most fun we have had doing a Giveaway, but need to know if you liked it; is having multiple winners of multiple prizes a good way to go, or would you prefer it simply be one prize? Did you like the cross-section of prizes, or would you prefer the selection be all one product line? Do tell, because these are your giveaways, we are merely the intermediary, and we want them to be what you want, not simply our notion of what is fun.

Until next time, grins and giggles to all!

The Great Preppy Princess Giveaway

Hello-Hello, what a glorious day we are enjoying here at the Prepatorium!

Today’s post is short and hopefully sweet: we are giving things away.  More specifically, five premium items from the Preppy Princess shop! It’s the Spring Fling Thing, an easy and fun way for us to share new merchandise with you!

We will draw not one, not two, but five winners; the first name selected wins Item #1, the second receives Item #2, etc.

Here are the goodies:

ITEM #1: An exclusive Kiel James Patrick bracelet made just for the Princess!

PreppyPrincess.com

We are über-excited to have added Kiel’s line of nautical-inspired accessories, especially since many of the items you find at the Princess are made only for us. The Princess Bracelet is one such exclusive item, hand crafted in Rhode Island of pink, green and white braided rope atop KJP’s signature madras lining, opening and closing with the signature KJP button.

You may have read recently about this designer extraordinaire and his wonderful creations, Kiel is garnering all manner of good buzz lately. In addition to his other bracelet styles, we also have some fabulous KJP earrings and KJP headbands we think you will like.

ITEM #2: The Anchors Away Jet-Set Duffel from our new line of Bella Bags

Bella Bags at PreppyPrincess.com

This gem is oh-so-versatile, measuring 22″ long x 14″ tall and 9″ wide, made of coated polypropylene that takes a beating and is easy to wipe clean.  With zippered pockets on the outside and an enclosed shoulder strap to use in addition to the attached handles, the Jet Set Duffle is perfect for traveling because it collapses down into a 9″ x 7″ pouch!

ITEM #3: A Thermal Mug from our new line of Nifty Gifties by Jonathan Adler

We love this new collection of stationery and gift items, the winner will choose a mug in their choice of Acapulco, Diamonds, Greek Key or Chevron.

ITEM #4: A set of Lilly Pulitzer Circle Notes!

These pretty notes perk up any office or kitchen, handy for all of those last-second “hey there” or “don’t forget” reminders. This winner will be able to select whatever pattern tickles their fancy from these Spring 2010 Notes…

Lilly Pulitzer at PreppyPrincess.com

Or one of the classic patterns!

Lilly Pulitzer at PreppyPrincess.com

Item #5: A Scout Lunch Bag in your choice of Cabanarama Stripes

Scout Lunch Bags at PreppyPrincess.com

This is just one selection from our Lunch Bag collection at the Princess, the Scout Doggie Bag is good-sized and also insulated, the perfect way to make ‘brown bagging’ a bit more stylish.

We are very excited about this Giveaway; it’s spring, it’s sunny, we could all use a little fun and frivolity, oui? Here is the scoop on how to enter.

• For one entry, leave a comment about an item you like at the Princess;
• For a 2nd entry, post the Giveaway on your blog or Facebook page & leave a comment telling us you did;
• For a 3rd entry, Tweet about the Giveaway on Twitter & let us know you did (here’s the Princess on Twitter);
• For another entry, become a Preppy Princess fan on Facebook & let us know you did (If already a fan, just let us know so you receive this additional entry!)
• For multiple additional entries, tell a friend! For each friend leaving a comment that mentions your name (or your blog or email or other means of identifying you) you receive two additional entries!

Entries will be accepted until midnight on Wednesday, March 24th; we shall announce the lucky winners in Thursday’s post!

Anchors Aweigh Nautical Styles

Hello-Hello, and welcome to a one-topic Tuesday!

The title of today’s post provides ample insight on our topic, nautically inclined style. Always a favorite here at the Prepatorium, we can never achieve the nautical bliss found at the one and only Nautical by Nature, but we do make an occasional foray into the topic.

We begin with a look at the Brooks Brothers Nautical Triangle Silk Scarf in either navy or red.

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For the MOTH (Man of the House) Brooks offers a snappy Nautical Belt; we are also fond of our Princess Ribbon Belts (at almost two-thirds less in cost), both styles ideal with a pair of khakis.

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On the apparel front, Ralph Lauren’s Ricky Anchor Crest shirt may be found at Saks.

While visiting Saks (in a cyber sense) the Roberto Coin Anchor necklace caught our eye, as did the Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Nautical Sweater Dress.

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Technically sans anchors, we still thought the Navy Sailboat Dress from Parker warranted a look; it may be found at Revolve.

With temperatures more-than-a-little nippy, the French Sailor Scarf at LL Bean offers a snuggly boost to one’s wardrobe. (And it is only $19.95.)

LL Bean

Bean’s packable Anchors Umbrella could actually make a great gift for someone.

LL Bean

Not to be left out, Targét offers the Nautical Patch crib sheet.

Target.com

The Anchors Print Bikini Top and matching Bikini Bottom (also at Target) are sized for Juniors.

A perfect addition to almost any party, the anchor Beach Ball at Target.

Target.com

The next item prompts a query: how do parents resist purchasing hundreds of pair of shoes for the little ones with so many peaking the Cute-o-meter in the red zone?!?

The Anchor Shoes shown below are for 12-18 month-year-old children.

Babies r Us

The Sailboat Baby Shoes by Jack and Lily also pack an adorable punch.

EverAfterStore.com

Something fun for Mom, the Betseyville Baylee in pink or green; the anchor button decoration adds a nice touch.

The Betseyville offerings at Overstock also include the Brooklee and the Brinda.

The Anya Hindmarch Boat Tote at Saks is available for pre-order only, it has a nice, clean look.

SFA

One nautically inclined accessory we love, the Headbands from Kiel James Patrick. Not only are they very reasonable, we can actually wear them without contracting a major headache, a huge asset IOHO.

The goods Mr. Patrick creates are authentically prep; we enjoy his bracelets, like the Lackatough Stoughton Cog, featuring classic grosgrain ribbon layered over silk rep tie fabric atop a base layer of madras.

KielJamesPatrick.com

We appreciate knowing all the items are made in the USA, and also respect the classic materials used in each item.  The Consort is obsessed very fond of his Mariner & Cape Poge Bay bracelet.

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We first mentioned Mr. Patrick’s line way back in 2008 in this post; there are now fabulous Ear Knots available from this designer.  

The varying styles of bracelets are also tempting.

The site really is a fun place to shop, we could get into big trouble if dallying too long. Sigh.

We are off to our volunteer shift for the afternoon, we hope the sun is shining wherever you may be!

A New Take on Preppy, Luxury Retailers, Preppy Giveaway

Hello-hello!

We thought we would start this evening with a look at a brand heretofore unknown to The Princess: Kiel James Patrick.

Courtesy: Kiel James Patrick

As described by the designer:

“Kiel James Patrick irregularly stitched bracelets, are individually created solely by the designer from the finest vintage materials. Fabrics are meticulously hand-selected to uphold classic New England motifs.”

Their are a number of brightly-colored collections. The site also offers scarves:

Courtesy Kiel James Patrick

The scarves are original designs by Mr. Patrick, 100% Virgin wool, and bound using silk and cotton.

Next, some readers may remember our story about Tiffany opening its FiDi store a little more than a year ago.

PHOTO: Robert Caplin/Bloomberg News

Situated in the heart of the Financial District (the store is actually on Wall Street), the opening was awash in fanfare and frivolity. The Princess was quite enamored of the Tiffany blue gowns, despite the wrinkles, really unforgiveable under the circumstances.)

Courtesy The Shophound

Initially things went swimmingly.  But in a recent story on the Portfolio website, some say this location isn’t exactly the best place to be right now for high-end retailers. A snippet from the story:

“Sales are already softening at downtown boutiques just as the all-important holiday shopping season gets underway, and the outlook is grim.”

Tiffany’s neighbors Thomas Pink and Hermès and luxury luggage-maker Tumi are said to be suffering, along with Canali, who just opened last spring over on Broad Street. (They do incredible menswear, especially tailored apparel, although the styles are generally a tad too ‘hip’ for the Princess Consort.)

Courtesy Canali

Business publisher Crain’s had a story a few weeks back looking at how ‘luxury retailers’ will weather the tough economy:

“Midtown stores such as Saks and Barneys, both of which are located not far from Lehman Brothers’ 49th Street and Seventh Avenue former headquarters, will be hurt by the market turmoil and massive layoffs. Saks’ flagship Fifth Avenue store accounts for about 20% of the company’s total revenues.”

“Some mid-to upper-end stores, like Coach, which has 10 stores in Manhattan, may stay afloat due to the trading down effect. Shoppers could be more apt to purchase a Coach handbag, retailing for between $200 and $500, than a Prada bowler bag at Barneys which sells for more than $1,900.”

We leave with another reminder to leave on comment about something you are thankful for about the United States…a comment on something you are grateful for related to the USA; leave the comment on this post, or any other post published since last Wednesday, and you will be entered in the Great Preppy Giveaway!  You could win this great Bungalow Scout tote from Preppy Princess!

Bungalow Scout Tote

And if you mention this giveaway on your blog and you are the winner, you also automatically win this set of preppy Madras cards to be sent to anyone of your choosing! (And TP pays the shipping on all of this!)

Holly House Cards at Preppy Princess.com

For full ‘rules’ and how it works, click here!

Grins & Giggles until next time!