Snuggie Truth Revealed, and Sperry for Spring!

Hello-Hello!

A quick reminder to be sure and enter our Lilly Pulitzer Stationery giveaway, entries close at midnight tonight! All the contest info you need is right here; the winner receives both a Lilly Pulitzer Latte Da! coffee mug, along with the Take Note Mouse Pad that also comes with a pad of Lilly paper for handy note taking!

We have even coordinated the two prizes, the better to brighten up your desk! The pattern is the always-fun Cabanarama.

We will use Random.org to select the lucky recipient tomorrow morning and post the news midday. A gazillion “Thank you” sentiments to everyone who has entered, you make it too fun for us here at the Prepatorium!

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It seems there is a wildly popular cultural phenomenon we had been unaware of until recently. We are speaking of the oh-so-popular “Seen on TV” product more commonly known as the Snuggie.

Courtesy Snuggie.com

Somehow we weren’t fully versed in Snuggie-speak, so we were forced to do a little research. (Okay, a lot of research.) Little did we know how popular the creations are, leading the Times to do multiple stories on them in the last few weeks!

For anyone as sadly uninformed as we were, the Snuggie is essentially a blanket with sleeves.

The oh-so-popular item is sold primarily through television infomercials.  But according to this story in the Times, the Snuggie was not the first! (Gasp!)

Nay, nay SnuggieFans, not so fast.

“On CNN recently, a segment on the Snuggie — four million of which have sold since it began advertising in October — said it “has spawned all sorts of online imitators” and later mentioned the Slanket as one “of the other versions of the Snuggie out there.”

But it turns out that the Snuggie is actually the imitator.”

We offer Exhibit A, the Slanket, seen below.

Courtesy theSlanket.com

Gasp!

But the Times story digs even deeper, revealing news the Slanket was preceded by…are you ready? Enter Exhibit B, the Freedom Blanket!

Courtesy FreedomBlanket.com

The Freedom Blanket currently sells for $29.99, the Slanket is $44.95 and the Snuggie is $19.95, although one can apparently acquire one for only $14.99 at ‘select’ retailers like Walgreens.

All of this leaves us wondering if The Princess needs to consider pink and green blankets-with-arms? Will we be horribly out of touch with our customers if we do not carry them come next fall? Will there be anti-Princess protests across the nation if we do not add these to our inventory and keep a ready supply on hand?

The Times also ran a story by Allen Salkin, “Snuggie on the Street: Watch Your Back” investigating the merits of wearing one’s Snuggie on the street.

PHOTO: Christopher Smith for the NY Times

Above we see the Snuggie on Broadway. Below, we see one of the drawbacks to outdoor use:

PHOTO: Christopher Smith for the NY Times

There is no back on this item, creating more than a little draft when one steps away from the sofa. Hhhhmmmm.

The whole topic has us wondering if perhaps some of the womenswear designers were thinking of Snuggies or Slankets when creating next Fall’s looks….?

PHOTO: Mauricio Miranda

These photos from the Milan Fall 2009 RTW shows certainly bear a resemblance to a Snuggie, don’t you think?  These two creations are from Salvatore Ferragamo, the photos via WWD.

PHOTO: Mauricio Miranda

We are just saying….

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In our unceasing efforts to hurry spring we offer footwear designed to boost everyone’s spirits, starting with the Sperry Pelican Tall Boot in a stylized anchor motif.  Miss Nautical, do you approve?

The boot comes in a number of delightful colors and patterns; above you see the blue plaid. We looked at these this weekend at Nordstrom, and would have considered trying on a pair had anyone in the store’s shoe department indicated an interest in assisting us in that endeavor.

Another Sperry shoe we are fond of is the Women’s Print Bahama, available in three colorways. The green version has anchors, the pink features sailboats and the aqua-blue pair is adorned with a seahorse print.

Also new this spring, the Waterloo from Admiral in a seersucker and chambray look.

Courtesy High Snobiety

They will also be available in this classic blue seersucker and chambray.

Courtesy High Snobiety

We thank the bright minds over at High Snobiety for their initial story on these shoes!

Until next time dolls, have a simply splendid afternoon!

Slumdog Kids in Brooks Brothers, J. Crew also on the Red Carpet

Happy Day everyone, as we draw closer to the end of the season’s dreariest month, although it has been bright and sunny of late here at the Prepatorium, simply because we say it must be! No blahs allowed. Scat! Scram! Vamoose!

We begin with some Red Carpet fashions from Sunday night’s Academy Award ceremonies. Many know about our next Oscar dress story, but first, a look at the younger set from Slumdog Millionaire.

Courtesy Brooks Brothers

The young actors in the photo are wearing tuxedos from the standard Brooks Brothers collection as well as the more stylized Black Fleece line.

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In Friday’s post we mentioned the possibility of ABC’s Robin Roberts wearing J. Crew while co-hosting the network’s Red Carpet show Sunday night.

PHOTO: Amy Sancetta/AP

The Good Morning America anchor did several stories about selecting a dress for the high-profile telecast, and viewers voted online to pick the gown she should wear.  The big winner? J. Crew’s Gracie gown from the Weddings and Parties Collection.

The gown is shown on the website, but is not at J. Crew stores, available only through the catalog and website. Below, Ms. Roberts and Crew’s Jenna Lyons look at accessories with Suze Yalof Schwartz of Glamour magazine.

PHOTO: Ida Mae Astute/ABC

Next, a J. Crew dress that didn’t make the cut.

PHOTO: Ida Mae Astute/ABC

And one more J. Crew look that Ms. Roberts did not select.

PHOTO: Ida Mae Astute/ABC

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In today’s Conspicuous Consumption category, we offer the Vertu Diamond Constellation phone:

Courtesy Athem via Luxist.com

This marvel is now available in 18K gold with more than 1500 diamonds.  Most importantly for our readers, the phone can be monogrammed. We knew that information would influence your decision on adding one of these to your collection. It is available here for slightly more than the average cell phone. We are presuming this typifies what is commonly referred to as ‘bling’ in today’s verancular?

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A quick reminder – don’t forget to enter our Lilly Pulitzer Stationery Giveaway – simply click here to join in the fun! We are giving away a matching Lilly Latte Da! Mug….

Lilly Pulitzer Latte Da! Mugs

… along with the Mouse Pad that comes with its own pad of matching paper!

Lilly Pulitzer Take Note! Mouse Pad

Until next time dolls, grins and giggles!

Gossip Girls & Guys at Fashion Week, Preppy Nail Polish?

It is a grand and glorious day, despite the wild wind outside and prospect of more s-n-o-w. Bleh. But it is warm and bright here in the corner condo at Princess Intergalactic HQ, we are doing all we can to create our own sunshine!

While it is always fun to look at the styles being shown at New York Fashion Week, it is even more fun to share a philanthropic story about the goings-on in the city.  In conjunction with the opening of his new flagship store on Fifth Avenue, Giorgio Armani donated $1 million to the Fund for Public Schools in New York.

PHOTO: Diane Bondareff/AP

That is news that brings a smile to this camper’s face, it is wonderful to see anyone sharing like this.

One could almost term the celebrities ubiquitous at the gala celebrating the store’s opening, including one of our favorites, January Jones of Mad Men.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner

Gossip Girl actor Chace Crawford makes another Fashion Week appearance:

PHOTO: Evan Agostini/AP

Also at the festivities, designer Thom Browne, he of Brooks Brothers Black Fleece fame.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner

Mr. Browne is also known for the length (or lack thereof) of the pants in his men’s suit designs.  Mayor Bloomberg and Caroline Kennedy joined Mr. Armani as part of the ceremony marking the designer’s donation to the City’s schools.

PHOTO: Evan Agostini/AP

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We mentioned Thom Browne above; it reminds us of the sneakers he designed along with Converse for the fabulous French store, Colette.

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Other Gossip Girls stars were spotted at varying shows. First, Taylor Momsen at Anna Sui.

PHOTO: Stephen Lovekin/Getty

Also seen, Leighton Meester in attendance at Proenza Schouler.

PHOTO: Andrew H. Walker/Getty

Ms. Meester appears to be sporting a new do, with bangs!

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The Tommy Hilfiger show was this morning; we will effort more photos later today, in tomorrow’s post at the latest. This grouping is from a just-published story in the Telegraph.

PHOTO COLLAGE: Getty Images via The Telegraph

You know that TP is simply ga-ga over the pink coat. Below, four more looks from this morning’s show.

PHOTO COLLAGE: Getty Images via The Telegraph

We shall have additional photos as promised. We intend to do the same with another prep-style designer, Tory Burch, who showed her Fall 2009 collection yesterday.

PHOTO: Imaxtree

According to this story from the WWD staff, the designer has shifted her approach:

“Tory Burch is trading in her sandals and ballet flats for a pair of ready-to-rumble combat boots. This season, she’s gone streetwise and edgy.”

Here is one more style:

PHOTO: Giovanni Giannoni

The WWD story cautions those fond of a little more tailored or conservative look not to be alarmed by the edgier pieces. Apparently the collection also includes designs more familiar to the Tory Burch customer.

Actually, Ms. Burch was in the front row at a show herself, viewing Narciso Rodriguez yesterday.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner

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Because we attempt to keep an eye on all things prepatitious (?), we thought we’d share the following with you from this post at the Fashion Matters blog:

“Anyway, Orly has introduced new spring colors for its Prepster Collection.  Prepster. Preppie. Get it?”

We are loving the names for the different colors, they are fun and witty:

• Prim & Proper – lavender shimmer
• Tennis Anyone? – nude crème
• OMG – fuchsia pink crème
• Polo Princess – pastel pink crème
• Country Club Khaki – taupe crème
• Cashmere Cardigan – iris blue crème

Below, a closer look at Polo Princess, courtesy of the always-ahead-of-the-trend Katee at the E-Polish blog.

Courtesy E-Polish Blog

We simply have to ask: what name do you fancy the most?

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We share a little piece of heaven we just got in, part of our Lilly Pulitzer stationery and gift line here at the Princess. Below, the Take Note Mousepad:

Lilly Pulitzer at PreppyPrincess.com

This is too fun in the pink and green Cabanarama pattern, a standard size mousepad topped with a pad of paper! (And all for only $15, who can beat that?!)

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The always-wonderful Ronda at All the Best shared some insight today about this poster, long a favorite of ours.

The message just says it all, don’t you think?  We’ll close on that thought dolls, we hope your day is splendid!

Ralph Lauren…at the White House? Gossip Girl Reality Show in the Works

Hello and Happy Friday!  It seems the week has either flown by at a furious pace or been painfuly slow, no in-betweens for our friends and business associates. What about you? Frenzied crazy-fast? Or painfully slow-as-molasses?

Speaking of a frenzy, Fashion Week is officially underway. We will do our best to share relevant updates, photos and info as we can.  In fact, we’ll start with a little gossip via the always-on-top-of-things staff at NY Mag.  The GQ fashion week party was Wednesday night, and apparently the conversation turned to the Obama family and their sartorial selections.  Several attendees considered ‘preppy purveyors’ talked about the President’s selection of neckties.

“… designer Tommy Hilfiger said that while his company had not formally approached the Obamas about wearing his designs, “I know Barack wears some of my ties, I’ve seen them.” David Lauren, clad in Rugby and wearing a foot cast after a run-in with a cracked Soho sidewalk, added that the Obamas “have great style … and if they choose to wear us, we’d love it.”

The “He likes me better!” “No he doesn’t, he likes me best!” one-upsmanship apparently continued:

“But even if Sasha and Malia Obama eschew outsized Polo ponies this season, rest assured that the Ralph Lauren brand has already made its mark on the White House. “I believe that [the Obama girls’] rooms have been painted with Ralph Lauren paints,” said Lauren.”

We expect everyone shall enjoy much more restful sleep this evening being in possession of this information.

BTW, the online Tommy store does have *all* kids merchandise 30% off, according to the website:

Tommy Hilfiger

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On a quasi-related note, one of our original Anti-Preps, Kim Kardashian, is evidently attending some shows at Fashion Week.  Seriously.  Ms.Kardashian claims the idea to attend some of the shows was actually the brainchild (?) of “Reggie.” (Apologies, but we do not know Reggie, although we presume he is a romantic interest for Ms. Kardashian.)

At any rate, apparently the two are planning on being at the Adidas Y-3 show. Below we show a Y-3 look:

Courtesy Ruby Hornet

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Big news for Gossip Girl fans: Bravo is launching a reality show based on Gossip Girl! Broadcasting & Cable reports a new show is planned by the producer who does Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style.

The story on the magazine’s website says:

“The docudrama is being described by insiders as the real-life Gossip Girl, although the show will not feature any of Manhattan’s exclusive schools specifically.

This is not the first time a reality show based on the G2 theme has been attempted:

‘CBS also looked into a reality series about students at the Manhattan private school York Prep, but the school was said to be skittish about the attention such a project would bring.”

The story says the show will air later this year.

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We share a few SOTTs (Signs of the Times) our readers may deem to be of note:

• Both the The Inter-Con Montelucita & W resort hotels in Scottsdale are facing foreclosure. (Both remain 0pen.)
• The Knickerbocker Yacht Club is closing, according to this Newsday story.  Not a club we have ever visited, the article’s online photos show the charm of the Port Washington Club.  Apparently members even looked at merging with Manhasset Bay Yacht Club YC, but that is not an option. The Club has been in operation for 135 years.

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  PHOTO: Ana P. Gutierrez/Newsday

Our thanks to Luxist for both of these tips.

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Hello Kitty now has some hip apparel designs to accompany her MAC Cosmetics collection. MAC asked multiple designers to create looks for the doll; below we show two sketches, starting with Emanuel Ungaro:

Courtesy Vogue UK/Ungaro

If that isn’t the cutest pink bow, we don’t know what is. Of course, here at the Prepatorium we believe “Life is Better with a Bow,” so we are favorably predisposed to bows. Especially if they are pink.  This creation by Elie Saab also features a pink bow, although not quite as prominently.

Courtesy Vogue UK/Elie Saab

Other designers include Herve Leger by Max Azria, Zac Posen and Charlotte Ronson.  Each of the eight designs was then made into an actual garment; they are now being auctioned on eBay as a fundraiser for the FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York. It is worth a nanosecond or two to see how the sketches translated into reality, very fun!

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Okay, it is time for some Pretty in Pink to perk up the gray day outside.  How about these darlings for your little darling? The Kenneth Cole Bow Glitz ‘n Bow Flats are sized for Infants & Toddlers; they are on sale for about $19 at 6pm.

A reminder that 6pm is actually Zappo’s site for sale and clearance merchandise – bargains abound! And speaking of fiscally friendly shopping, Target has the entire Thakoon Collection marked down, with discounts that look substantial.

On that happy note, don’t forget to enter our Lilly Pulitzer Stationery Giveaway, and Happy-Happy weekend!

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!