Help With Hidden Lilly & Ladurée’s Feline Friend, Don & Roger

Hello-Hello, welcome to an almost-weekend.

We’re all about some Friday Fun today, beginning with word of a Ladurée – Hello Kitty collaboration.  We first heard about the new collection on Luxuo’s Twitter feed.

Ladurée Facebook Page

Here is more from the company’s Facebook page:

“…this joyful cooperation will yield a variety of creations: a new chocolate, a collection of gift-boxes, and a collection of little accessories.”

Below we have a better look at the artwork via fab French department store Colette (left) and a charm bracelet from the collection featuring macarons and the famous Kitty.

Colette (L)/Ana Pettus Diaries (R)

As some readers know, yours truly finds the cute Kitty inexplicably appealing; combining her with Ladurée only serves to increase our interest level. There are some darling stickers in the line as well.

Via Just Lia

The potential for cute food and related goodies is very high, you can see all of the items in Ladurée’s most recent newsletter (scroll down to see the products and pricing, the monetary unit used is the Euro).

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Our other topic today involves that beautiful Lilly Pulitzer textile line from Lee Jofa.

Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa

The company carried a fun blog post this week about the hidden signatures in Lilly fabrics.

The Lilly look is easily recognizable, but did you know there is a simple way to test the authenticity of a true Lilly Pulitzer fabric? The name “Lilly” is built into the design of each pattern. This is true both for the clothing patterns and the fabric available to interior designers exclusively through Lee Jofa.

We’ve made it easy to spot the Lilly in each print, take a look!

Up top we show a swatch of the Bimini print, below, Heritage Floral.

"Heritage Floral" by Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa

You can see the signatures much better with their help, below Color Me Coral.

"Color Me Coral" by Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa

Here’s one I *never* would have been able to find, In a Twist.

"In a Twist" by Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa

Our last example, Racey Lacey, a print I really like.

"Racey Lacey" by Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa

We’ll make that our Pretty in Pink for the day.

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Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

Finally, a reminder (as if it’s needed) about the return of Mad Men Sunday night.  Because I have been stalking occasionally taken a glance at the Mad Men website, we can share that there are new photos from the new season. Betty is too stern for today’s Pretty in Pink.

Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

Roger is looking rather intense.

Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

Peggy’s green frock is TDF.

Frank

I think every hour is the cocktail hour at Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Pryce.

Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

Much as I hate cluttering up posts with meaningless photos (cough cough), here’s one last image to hold you until Sunday.

Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

(I’m a little concerned about Don’s cufflinks. They look, well… loud.)

Don Draper and the Anti-Preps, Plus “Do The Preppy Thing”

Hello-Hello, what a gorgeous spring day it is. We are in the middle of a major heat wave, it is supposed to be 86° here today, more-than-unusual for March in The Great Midwest.  But as you might imagine, there are no complaints from these quarters, we are reveling in every nano-second of it.

Today we take a look at something characterized as a “war of words,” a “spat,” “fight,” and too many other names to list. It involves Don Draper Jon Hamm, coming as we approach this Sunday’s launch of Mad Men Season 5. (We can’t resist showing this still from one of the upcoming episodes, that madras jacket ‘Pete’ has on is just too cool.)

Michael Yarish/AMC

We’re talking about comments actor Jon Hamm made on the cult of celebrity (note: there is an f-bomb mostly deleted in the quote) in Elle UK’s April issue.

“Whether it’s Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian or whoever, stupidity is certainly celebrated,” said Hamm. “Being a ****ing idiot is a valuable commodity in this culture because you’re rewarded significantly.”

As some readers may recall, both Ms. Hilton and Ms. Kardashian are among our original AntiPreps, longtime members of the Wall of Shame. Mr. Hamm’s comment was part of a much lengthier story, in which the actor also says “Incuriousness has become cool… It’s celebrated. It doesn’t make sense to me”.

As one might expect, Ms. Kardashian responded, using her Twitter account to make her point:

Twitter via The Daily Mail

To his credit Mr. Hamm remains steadfast in his opinion, telling E! Online:

“It’s surprising to me that it has become remotely a story,” he told E! News. “I don’t know Ms. Kardashian, I know her public persona.

“What I said was meant to be more on pervasiveness of something in our culture, not personal, but she took offense to it and that is her right.”

The subject was raised again on Monday’s Today show appearance promoting the show’s return.

The Today Show

Host Matt Lauer asked about the kerfluffle (technical phrase):

‘I don’t think [my comments] were careless. I think they were accurate.’

The Today Show via The Daily Mail

That is from the Daily Mail’s story, here is more.

He pulled no punches as he made another attack on the culture of reality television.

It’s a part of our culture that I certainly don’t identify with, and I don’t really understand the appeal of it other than in a sort of car crash sensibility,’ he said.

By the way, Pete (shown above in the snappy madras) Vincent Kartheiser concurs with Mr. Hamm, back to E! Online.

“I agree,” he said. “He said it very eloquently. I agree with everything he said. I think our society enjoys to turn on the television and see someone who’s maybe awful and they can say, ‘Maybe I’m not as terrible as that person.’ “

The most interesting thing about all this? We’ll let the Ministry of Gossip point it out:

Meanwhile, Paris Hilton is actually looking pretty smart in all this, for going happily on with her Twitter life and not saying a thing.

Perzactly.

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Also today, a glance at “Do The Preppy Thing,” a series of links to other sites with hypothetical preppish styles.

Styel.DailyBuzz.com

Most didn’t work for us, but some are fun to look at, including the link to “Under $100: Perfectly Preppy Spring Must-Haves” from Fit Fab Cities.

Fit Fab Cities

There is also a fun one from the always-delightful Pretty Worthy, a collection of things for the “Rainy Day Prepster“.

"Pretty Worthy" Blog

If interested in seeing all of the sites/stories linked to in Do The Preppy Thing, click here.

Our final tidbit is the lucky winner of our LL Bean 100th Anniversary/Preppy Princess 100th Post giveaway:

That is Stacy L., her favorite LL Bean product is her Boat Tote, she gets the fabulous 100th Anniversary Book and the world’s cutest key fob. (Stacy, I am sending you an email today.)

LL Bean

Many thanks to everyone who entered and shared their favorite LL Bean products and stories!

“Don. Don Draper.”

Hello-Hello, welcome to a lovely new week, it is a gorgeous day here in The Great Midwest, hopefully it is the same in your corner of the globe.

We take a look today at the just-released promos for Mad Men Season 5.

AMC-TV via Broadway World

With thanks to Life of a Suburban Princess for letting us know the Jon Hamm Don Draper promo is out, it seems things will pick up where they left off….if one can remember that far back.

AMC-TV

The show has been off the air since October. Of 2010. The Consort’s comment after seeing the promo speaks to what could be a challenge for the show, he noted that he couldn’t even remember how last year’s series ended. When told there was a “cliffhanger,” he merely responded with a shake of his head, saying he didn’t remember it. In all candor, I don’t either.

AMC and the show’s producers will have to find ways that will engage viewers, get them to care and connect with the program again. The new promo uses video and full screen graphics like this:

AMC-TV

The jury is out on whether promises of debauchery are the best way to get viewers excited about the show. It’s likely most women viewers are primarily interested in this:

AMC-TV

Although it probably never hurts to tell everyone this:

AMC-TV

Series star Jon Hamm has been out and about on behalf of the show in the UK, below left we show him promoting Mad Men at an event last week, and on the right, at an awards show in London.

Getty/Reuters

The season premieres with a two-hour show Sunday, March 25, followed by 13 one-hour episodes. To see the entire 30-second ‘Don is Back’ promo click here.

There are other promos, including a ‘Roger is Back‘ version.

AMC-TV via Oregon Live

We’re also reminded in this one that debauchery is back, as are lust (gasp) and several additional activities mentioned in the other promos.  It goes without saying (so allow me to go ahead and say it) things of this nature are far too racy for your faithful scribe to view. (Cough-cough.)

Fans will be pleased to know this is not the last season for Mad Men, more from Broadway World:

The cable network recently announced that the award-winning series will run for three additional seasons, with the series finale coming at the end of the show’s seventh season.

AMC-TV

Some may remember reading that Banana Republic is doing a second Mad Men clothing collection.

Banana Republic

The line officially launches on March 1st, however, many Banana Republic stores are doing a ‘Mad Style Party’ on the 29th, the collection will be on view then and card members can buy pieces. (Do check with your local BR, it’s not clear if this is at all stores or not.)

Banana Republic

Will the show’s return help fill the gap left by the end of Downton Abbey?

Downton Abbey via PBS

That remains to be seen, but it can certainly ease the ache, don’t you think?

AMC-TV via Oregon Live

We leave you with something from DA sure to prompt a smile, especially if you missed it last night: a collection of Dame Maggie Smith’s best lines set to a somewhat hipper beat than what the show’s soundtrack offers. 🙂

About That Ivy Style, Preppy Sales & Savings

Hello-Hello, happy Monday!

We begin with a look at Vanity Fair‘s photo piece on the “Hallmarks of Preppy Style“.

Is that poly blend? Three raps over the knuckles with a braided belt! Preppy fashion is all about rules—the standard bearers sniff at synthetics, cleavage, sparkles, and a million other don’ts.

Below, a photo we may have shown previously, Deerfield students in 1961.

Via Vanity Fair

More from the preface to the photo piece:

But those dictates source originally from the “windswept and privileged” attire of 1920s college men, the supposed first to co-opt athletic gear as daywear in an unstudied, thrown-together way.

A 1920s print ad.

Via Vanity Fair

Back to the Vanity Fair writeup:

Preppy, released on October 4 from Rizzoli, lays out the evolution of Ivy style in a sleeker, glossier way than all those prep-devoted Tumblrs you’ve probably seen. Here we trace the touchstones of the look, from Jack Kennedy’s flannels to coltish Ralph Lauren models and the original Lacoste croc.

Photofest via Vanity Fair

As mentioned in the Vanity Fair piece, Preppy: Cultivating Ivy Style comes out next week. We are very excited about this one, as soon you will be able to purchase it from The Preppy Princess. And guess where you will be able to enter a giveaway for the book at some point in the not-too-distant future?

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The Vanity Fair piece mentioned above also includes a look at legendary adman David Ogilvy, inspiration for the hit television show Mad Men. That is the perfect lead-in to our next topic, the cast and crew of the show are back at work.  (It is about time.)  The Daily Mail has a variety of images of the cast getting back to work in this story we wanted to share with Preppy 101. Below we show Roger and Don John Slattery and Jon Hamm.

Splash/Splash/GSI-Barcroft Media

The show returns in January.

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One other quick item of note, Casa Sugar’s Ivy League Americana photo montage.

Casa Sugar

From the story:

It certainly screams prep, but there’s a definite elegance in the look above. Deep rosewood hues and tartan plaid make me smell the East Coast Autumn air. And despite the fact that Thomas Chippendale was a Brit, his iconic, ornate Chippendale design is also a huge influence in this style. His cabinetry was reserved for the upper echelon of society in colonial America.

Click here to see the entire piece.

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There are also a few Sales and Savings opportunities you may find to be of interest. It is that time of year between back-to-school and Christmas when retailers boost sales through other promotional efforts, there are several Friends and Family offerings.

Lands’ End is doing Friends and Family, 25% off everything, just go to the site and you will see the information.

Lands’ End

Brooks Brothers is also offering 25% off in its Friends and Family promotion.

Brooks Brothers

To receive a 25% discount at Brooks Brothers, use promo code 11FRIEND.

Speaking of Brooks Brothers, flash sale site Rue La La is doing a sale on Brooks’ Handbags starting tomorrow at 11am.

Rue La La

There is also a men’s Brooks Brothers sale at Rue La La tomorrow, along with Sebago, makers of good boat shoes and moccasins.

Rue La La

And finally, J. Crew Factory is 30% off through Wednesday night.

J. Crew Factory

This is online only, use promo code SHOPNOW to receive the discount.

That is it for today, goodbye until next time!

About Those Emmy Dress and Milly Spring 2012 is Stunning (with a touch of Sperry!)

Hello-Hello, we hope you are enjoying a stellar start to a new week.

We begin today with last night’s Emmy Awards. As a rule televisions at the Prepatorium are not tuned to red carpet shows. They take wretched excess to new levels and never fail to disappoint.  However, for some reason last night we took leave of our senses watched portions of the Emmys red carpet show live on E!

Watching an extravaganza liker this in an internet age is an interesting experience.  For example, in an effort to better understand who was wearing whom, we were able to turn to a live blog via NY Mag‘s Culture Vulture that featured the wit and wisdom of the Fug Girls. Below we share a few tidbits from the blog:

OH PADMA. The slit on her dress is so high that we nearly saw her ladybits when she stuck her leg out to show us her shoe. The bodice on her dress somehow makes her look topless and she sort of sounds as if she is stoned.

Danny Moloshok/Reuters

Here is what Masters of Snark Tom and Lorenzo thought:

Love the shape of it, but she’s a column of one color. She looks a bit like an Emmy herself.

Hmmmm.  Back to the Fug Girls commentary:

Kelly (Osbourne) tells a story that she asked Marchesa for some gowns and they said no, that they were only dressing one person this year, and that person is apparently Lea Michele.

But then this:

Elisabeth Moss in….beige. Yes. Again. More beige. She is also in Marchesa, despite the fact that Kelly Osborne told us that they told her (follow that?) they were only dressing one person. Either Elisabeth Moss BOUGHT this dress, or they lied. Scandale!

Oops. Below we show the two ladies in the two Marchesa gowns. Seems someone might have some ‘splaining to do.

Getty Images

It turns out Ms. Osbourne was in J. Mendel, she looked splendid.

Getty Images

One of the most-discussed gowns was worn by über-prep Gwyneth Paltrow.

Getty Images

More on the dress from Tom and Lorenzo:

Tom will concede that it is off the beaten path, as far as red carpet looks go, and he’ll give Gwynnie credit for that. But belly-baring is so not the kind of risk-taking he wants to support and besides, he might actually like it if it didn’t have that tulle effect going on at the edges, which causes an optical illusion that makes her look like she’s bulging out of this thing. And even Lo has to admit that sitting down must have been a not-particularly-pretty picture. But we both agree that it’s not a typical goddess gown and it’s not the same boring red dress that every other girl was wearing last night, so points for that.

At the risk of sounding more-than-dense, it didn’t look that see-through… did we miss something? Our problem was that it simply wasn’t flattering. Not heinous, not a crime against fashion, just not stellar. Your thoughts?

Then there is this from HuffPo, definitely moving the needle on the Snarkometer:

“Boardwalk Empire” actress Paz de la Huerta hit the red carpet in a soft pink gown with a thigh-high slit at tonight’s Emmy Awards.

But rather than go for an all-out girlish look with a similarly feminine hairstyle, Paz opted for an edgier disheveled ‘do.

It may have been because she was in a rush, having overslept during her last-minute session at Hollywood Tans.

Getty Images via The Huffington Post

Ouch!  Not all comments were snarky. Back to Tom and Lorenzo, now chatting about Melissa McCarthy.

She told Giuliana that she designed this dress herself in collaboration with a dress maker and it shows. We mean that in a good way, mostly. She made several smart decisions for a lady of size. She nipped in the waist, went for the V neck, and accentuated the shoulders. Our only issue is with the dolman sleeves, which add all kinds of volume that she didn’t need. Great color on her.

Via Tom and Lorenzo

Other frocks of note included Ariel Watson’s, many felt it far too mature for a 13-year-old. We tend to agree, a child with braces doesn’t need a cutout bodice on an evening gown.

Getty Images

And now we move to the real reason we are even discussing the Emmys a star from one of our favorite shows, Mad Men.

Getty Images

Mr. Hamm was in Tom Ford while longtime girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt wore vintage Helena Barbieri.  Mad Men won Best Drama for the fourth year in a row, below we see Mr. Hamm, Ms. Moss and producer Matt Weiner.

John Shearer/Getty Images for AMC

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Our other topic today, the simply fabulous runway show for Milly from last week.

Alessandro Viejo/GoRunway.com via Style

Designer Michelle Smith cited Sonia Delauney as her inspiration for the collection, that influence was evident in the bold colors and graphic elements seen throughout the show.

George Chinsee/Women's Wear Daily

The styles were simply spectacular. From Fashionista’s review:

To complement the bold patterns, Smith stuck to clean silhouettes including short sheaths, button down shirts, and cigarette pants. “It’s a much simpler cut this season,” the designer told us backstage. “You won’t see any bows and ruffles, it’s a little more clean and modern,” she added.

George Chinsee/WWD

It was classic Milly, clean lines and bold patterns, timeless styles.

Getty Images

We would be pushed to find a style we wouldn’t love to add to the walk-in.

Via "What I Wore" Tumblr

The looks conveyed a sense of timeless elegance, pieces maintained visual interest without being overly embellished, no frou-frou, and no ruffles. (Talbots, are you listening, hello?)

Via Glamazon Diaries

Some of the more intriguing items seen on the runway were the shoes, back to Fashionista:

Some of the adorable high-heeled boat shoes were done through a limited-edition Milly for Sperry Top-Sider collaboration, while the simple slingbacks were classic Manolo’s wrapped in Milly silks.

Via What I Wore Tumblr

From the Women’s Wear Daily review:

But she also added a fun, preppy vibe that came through in pairings of button-down shirts with cardigans and loafers (a collaboration with Sperry Top-Sider).

Alessandro Viejo/GoRunway.com via Style

We hope to learn more about the Milly-Sperry collaboration.

And a few of the celebrities on hand for the show included Singer Corrine Rae Bailey, Louise Roe, Peaches Geldorf and Tinsley Mortimer.

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Ms. Smith was joined by her daughter on the runway when she came out for her bow after the show.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

On that lovely image we say g’bye until next time!