Spring Dreamin’ at the Preppy Princess

Hello-Hello, we are whining our way through yet one more experiencing another snowy day here at the Prepatorium. Truth be told dolls, we are in peril of succumbing to the glums, we are eager to see less snow and more sun. But because we are pure of spirit (ahem), we shan’t allow this to happen and are implementing drastic measures to combat our wavering spirits.

How drastic? Well, we going completely off the fashion and folderol grid. Instead we are looking at fun new goodies arriving (or already on hand) here at Princess InterGalactic HQ.  Watchwords for the day: bright, vibrant and Springtime-ish.

We begin with a simply divine new tote, the Greely.

Shown in Paris Paisley and Green Flair, we are making this today’s Pretty in Pink & Green. It’s likely TP will be appropriating test-driving one of these. (Sheesh, it is only out of concern and care for our treasured customers, you make it sound like I help myself to everything coming into HQ.)

The totes are oilcloth, making them very lightweight and also water-resistant, a definite plus in our mind.  The larger bag measures a more-than-healthy 14″ x 17″ x 8″, and comes with a matching wristlet* bag that is 5″ x 8″.  (*= we struggle with the ‘wristlet’ word, but not the concept, and must inquire: does anyone actually wrap the strap around their wrist?)

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Also heading our way, an outstanding Adventure in Argyle:

PreppyPrincess.com

This is one of our new gift items, the Soft Touch Manicure Set in four adorable argyle patterns.

Less than an inch thick, these are ideal for a young graduate, part of a bridesmaid’s gift bag, you name it. As we do love a bright pop of color, we have them in additional colors and patterns.

We like their $10 price point, just right for casual gifting.

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Another new bag here at the Princess, the Pink & Green Paneled Zipper Tote.

PreppyPrincess.com

The tote is also an outstanding buy at only $10; we’ll let the product description provide the other pertinent info.

“The bag has features normally found on a much more expensive tote such as an internal zipper pocket, an exterior pocket and zippered close.

This bag is up to your most demanding tasks because it’s made of an easy to clean poly material.  Each bag measures a robust 16″ W x 12″ H x 4″ D”

We love this one.

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One of the most popular items in our new Jonathan Adler line is something new for us:

PreppyPrincess.com

The Desk Dock Organizer is a fabulous little stand, helping one clear out clutter by providing handy places for pens, paper, and most importantly, the small electronics that seem to be taking over the Palace.

The Organizer is offered in two classic Adler patterns, the vivid Pink and Yellow Diamond or Green Greek Key.

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Also perking up our corner condo, the newest batch of Lilly Pulitzer File Folders.

We love this spring’s patterns (Desert Tort, Crabtastic and Patchtastic) as much as the classic designs, they all enhance the environment significantly.

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One of our favorite categories at TPP is the Preppy Pet. We are excited to be adding more patterns and ribbons to our American made custom dog and cat collars, like the Lilac & Green Argyle to go along with the Blue Argyle.

Silly Tilly enjoys sporting her custom harness in the pink and green paw print.

And we can say it has worked well with Tilly’s expanding… ah, Tilly’s ever-growing….girth.

She’s just big-boned. Really.

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And finally, in the ‘just because we want to’ category, we may plant a few of these on the desk until we see real flowers blooming:

These are the Lilly Pulitzer pinwheels, and they are cute as can be, available in Later Gator and Desert Tort.

This has helped boost our spirits a bit, hopefully it has helped yours as well! Until next time, may your days be sunny!

Target’s Next Handbag Designer, Princely Polo, J Crew Talks Changes (More Price Cuts)

Happy-Happy Friday everyone, and may the sun be brightly shining upon you as we approach a respite from the frenzy that somehow took over the week.

We begin with news of the next designer collaboration for Le Boutique Tarzsay, aka Target.  The hip discount retailer is partnering with Carlos Falchi for a line of handbags in jewel tones like plum and teal, crafted of faux-snakeskin.

For those unfamiliar with this designer, we share a few current offerings from the upscale designer’s current collection, not associated with the upcoming Target line.

This will be Target’s eighth limited edition handbag collection; the line is slated to be available from Oct. 11 to Dec. 27.  Fashionistas can still purchase pieces from the company’s current collaborative effort: the Felix Ray for Target collection remains in stores until June 14.  (Pssst – several styles from this group are on clearance!)

Just to ensure we have a Pretty in Pink today, here is another piece from the current Carlos Falchi collection.

Falchi can be found at most of your standard stops: at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, eLuxury and Zappos.

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Big doings for Burberry yesterday in honor of the company launching their new Madison Avenue headquarters.  In fact, Mayor Bloomberg officially decreed it Burberry Day, and we’re sure readers will not be surprised to hear there were plenty of posh people celebrating such an amazing (ahem) and august occasion.  Many of the usual suspects were party circuit regulars popped in, or at least made sure to visit the red carpet area leading into the bash.

PHOTO: Andrew H. Walker/Getty

Actress Blake Lively from TV’s Gossip Girl was on hand,sharing her sentiments on what her favorite Burberry fashion is:

“I just live in my Burberry trenches,” Lively said about the fashion company’s signature coat.”

Indeed. Ms. Lively wasn’t the only G2 star on hand, co-star and real-life paramour Penn Badgley also made it to the festivities.

Andrew H. Walker/Getty

The pièce de résistance for Burberry execs was the unveiling of the company’s logo high above Madison Avenue:

PHOTO: Kambouris/Wire Image

While poking a little fun at some of these functions we don’t want to overlook a seriously good thing occurring in tandem with Burberry’s move into its new US digs. The company is putting $500,000 from their newly established Burberry Foundation into projects geared toward teens.

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Some may remember a bit of our incredibly tedious pontificating post discussing the “Business of Preppy,” as we call it. We have an update for J. Crew, who released financial results for the quarter in a conference call with financial analysts yesterday. While things are still not good at Crew (profits down a whopping 33%), they were better than hoped.

One of the benefits of the earnings reports is the accompanying information that looks at future plans.  In today’s WWD story (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription req’d.) on J. Crew’s financial performance some of CEO Mickey Drexler’s insights and plans for the future are revealed:

• Adjusting Crewcut prices downward.
• Getting more aggressive on marketing the new Crewcuts catalogue. The first edition made its debut earlier this month; the second comes out in August.

• Adjusting investments in higher-priced goods, including the range on Madewell jeans to emphasize those under $100 such as Madewell 37, priced at $59.50, and the “ex-boyfriend” style, priced at $95. Premium jeans can go as high as $198.

According to the story, Mr. Drexler indicated more J. Crew Collection and J. Crew Menswear stores are possibilities, saying he scouted locations this week in San Francisco and Los Angeles for such additions. And how does the retail and branding whiz kid feel about the overall situation?

“In a very perverse way, the bad environment was a big wake-up call. I kind of like it. The customer has become so much more acute and educated about buying goods.”

Good for Mickey, we have always admired his tenacity.

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Because we want to end on some Friday Fun, we close with a quick peek at an addition to our Lilly Pulitzer Stationery line: the Lilly Party Pack.

Lilly Pulitzer Party Pack

If buying all of the items separately the cost would be $61.50, a more-than-fair and reasonable investment IOHO (but of course, we are biased!).

Lilly Party Pack in Taboo

But why spend all that when you can snag everything you need in a Party Pack while lowering the cost to a mere $52.50!

Party Pack in Juice Stand

Let Lilly and the Princess do some of the work for you with a Party Pack!

Party Pack in Loco Patch

With those sunny images and bright colors we say sayonara until next time. And whether contemplating weekend activities that are lush and languid, or fast and furious, we hope you can savor each and every minute.

SILLY PRINCESS WARNING — FORGOTTEN CONTENT — SILLY PRINCESS WARNING

Whoops!!! In our fervor to pop into the sunshine we almost forgot to mention Prince Harry’s visit to the city today and tomorrow’s big goings on!

The Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic will feature some faces you may be familiar with:

This would be Nacho Figueras, arguably the best polo player in the world, captain of the Black Watch Polo team. He is also the face for Ralph Lauren’s Black Watch fragrance; Mr. Lauren sponsors the Black Watch team, and also sells limited edition apparel adorned with the team’s logo and Mr. Figueras’ number “2”.

The match this Saturday is destined to be great fun, pitting the Black Watch against another team featuring a famous face:

PHOTO: Matt Cardy/Getty

This would be Prince Harry, who also knows his way around and atop a polo pony. A news release on the event explains the ultimate good purpose behind the gala goings-on:

“Event proceeds will benefit American Friends of Sentebale, a U.S.-based charity that supports at-risk children in Lesotho, Africa”

HRH has already made his first official stops, posing for a photo with firefighters:

PHOTO: Chris Ison-Pool/Getty

On his way to placing a wreath at Ground Zero.

PHOTO: Pool/Lucas Jackson/AFP/Getty

This is the first official visit to the US by the Prince, his first as a child was technically considered a private event.

To view any of several videos showcasing the Black Watch, Mr. Figueras and the Polo fragrances he fronts, click here.

Now finally, we say adieu.