Tag Archives: mad men

For Your Reading Pleasure: Tomboys & Socialites, Targét’s Big Launch

Today we share tidbits about a few books that look intriguing, and then a quick reminder about Targét’s weekend  launch.

We learned about this first volume via last month’s issue of Matchbook Magazine. It is “Tomboy Style” from writer Lizzie Garrett Mettler. The book is actually a natural follow-up to the writer’s well-known blog, TOMBOYStyle.

Rizzoli

From the book’s liner notes:

Tomboys are confident, rebellious, and adventurous. They are bold, brazen, fierce—and sexy. They aren’t known for following rules, they are known for doing—and wearing—whatever they want.

Tomboy captures the tomboy’s style, her je ne sais quoi, her wardrobe, and most importantly, her spirit.

The book offers Seven Archetypes of Tomboy Style, including “The Prep”.  We always enjoy Booth Moore’s pieces in the LA Times, here is a snippet from his story on the book:

…Mettler realized she discovered her own tomboy style while at boarding school, trading clothes with her frilly best friend Kingsley Woolworth, who favored bubble-gum pink bed linens and diamond stud earrings. By borrowing some of Kingsley’s things and mixing them with her old favorites, many of them borrowed from her older brother, Mettler found her own style vocabulary, epitomized by a shirtdress cinched with a men’s ribbon belt.

Below we see a Field Guide to Tomboy Style from the Los Angeles Times.

Los Angeles Times

From the NY TimesT magazine:

Thanks in large part to Alexa Chung, the tomboy look has been enjoying unprecedented appeal of late. But Chung was preceded by a long line of women — notably Katharine Hepburn, Françoise Hardy, Patti Smith, Jane Birkin and Birkin’s two younger daughters, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon — who made stealing from the boys seem like the most stylish thing in the world.

You can also learn more about the book at Lizzie Garrett Mettler’s website.

At the other end of the spectrum, socialite Tinsley Mortimer also has a new book out, a novel titled “Southern Charm.”

MMM

A modern Manhattan fairy tale with the sparkle of a champagne cocktail, Tinsley Mortimer’s debut novel provides a delicious peek into her world of society, fashion, and big-city fame.

Lauren Lipton wrote about Ms. Mortimer’s return to the party circuit in a March NY Times story:

But her quest for fame became grating to some. In 2009, she separated from Mr. Mortimer, which brought only more tabloid notoriety to the old New York family name — this time about his alleged infidelities and his distaste for her lifestyle.

Some readers may recall the reality show Ms. Mortimer starred in, “High Society”.

The CW via the LA Times

That foray into reality TV didn’t sit well with many, more from Lauren Lipton’s story:

Some of her peers said the separation wasn’t Ms. Mortimer’s death knell; it was the show and its supporting cast of odious hangers-on. (The series, which appeared on CW, was not renewed.)

“She was almost like a ‘Real Housewife’ — people didn’t want her at the party,” said a social acquaintance who, for propriety’s sake, asked not to be identified.

Dethroned in 2010 after a series of missteps — including a derided reality show and a separation from her blue-blooded husband — Ms. Mortimer had been lying low, mostly out of the spotlight. But those days are over.

(Forgive us, but is there a better phrase than ‘odious hangers-on,’ especially when talking about reality TV?!)

Below we see Ms. Mortimer at a book signing party in Georgetown earlier this week.

Revamp.com

Hmmmm.

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Also today, a reminder for those interested in Targét’s launch of The Shops at Target this Sunday.

The Shops at Target

The retailer is offering merchandise from several small boutiques, including Boston’s Polka Dog Bakery.

The Polka Dog Bakery at Target

Miami’s The Webster.

The Webster at Target

The Candy Store in San Francisco.

The Candy Store at Target

The Privet House from Connecticut.

The Privet House at Target

And from Aspen, the Cos Bar.

The Cos Bar at Target

This week Target celebrated the upcoming launch, below we see Emma Thompson, Lauren Bush Lauren and Mad Men’s January Jones at the gala. (Ms. Thompson’s cardigan is from the Webster collection, seen in the photo up above.)

Via Styleite

(Our backgrounder on the collections can be found in this post.) Tilly has asked us to look at the pet dishes, she says she would really prefer something a little more stylish at mealtime. The least we can do is go look at the bowls, oui?

The Shops at Target debut in store and online this Sunday.

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We leave you with a Friday Fun item, a look at two pair of shoes in the Keds for Madewell collection.

Keds for Madewell

May the sun be shining on you this weekend, and happy Derby Day!

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Filed under Collaborations, Friday Fun, preppy, Preppy People

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.)

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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!


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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!

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“Preppy Kate Middleton,” Blake Lively Goes Red

Hello-hello, and welcome to a Wednesday.  Things are a tad mad here at The Prepatorium, orders flying out the door, The Wedding less than 48 hours away, tornado warnings.

We begin with a quick look at a new hair color for Gossip Girl star Blake Lively.

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for TIME

The actress was sporting the new color at “TIME’S 100 Most Influential People In The World” party last night. Below, a closer look at the color and a shot of her with Seth Myer.

Getty Images

The color change is for a film role, the stunning gown is by Zuhair Murad. Unfortunately it seems the long train was a challenge, more from NY Mag’s The Cut:

“Lively’s long silk chiffon train — apparently not intended for fast maneuvering — had become ensnared under the foot of none other than ubiquitous party photographer (and dear friend of New York) Patrick McMullan.

…McMullan, oblivious, walked away — with the train still stuck to his shoe. A second later, Lively’s train had left her gown and was trailing along after McMullan like a four-foot piece of aqua silk chiffon toilet paper. Martha Stewart was the first to recognize the problem. “Patrick!” she demanded. “Give her back her train!” McMullan, still oblivious, turned around and gasped, “Oh, I seem to have stepped on some lady’s train!”

One more celebrity sighting we want to share in honor of a few friends (as always, you know who you are, heh-heh-heh), Mad Men star Jon Hamm was spotted at last night’s Lakers game.

Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Also seen at the game, actors Jeremy Piven and David Beckham.

Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

For those wondering why we are mentioning Mr. Piven, Mr. Beckham or the Lakers, three subjects previously not discussed in this space, it is an effort to make a segue to our primary topic, as Mr. Beckham must surely be on his way east for Friday’s festivities.

He is escorting his wife Victoria to The. Wedding.

As you might imagine, last-minute details and photos are now ricocheting around the interwebs at a maddening rate. We are at that point in the process where we have more photos of… people taking photos.

Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Many of the more recent photographs are shot from far, far away.

Toby Melville/Reuters

Above we could not possibly see Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry arrive for the final rehearsal at Westminster Abbey.

Yesterday’s Guardian has an outstanding story, “Kate Middleton: William’s very private princess-to-be”:

“A slick press team and loyal friends have preserved Middleton’s mystique in the runup to the royal wedding, but plenty can be gleaned from what is not said”

Writer Patrick Barkham traces Miss Middleton’s background and the major influences in her life thus far. When talking about her style he writes:

“Salons in New York have reported customers asking for “a Kate” cut and her preppy look is credited with inspiring a Sloane revival. “

It isn’t the first time the bride has been described as possessing a ‘preppy style’ aesthetic.  The story shares an interesting fact:

“Middleton dresses herself “without any advice or input from the palace”, according to the royal source, and her style has attracted attention around the world.”

We don’t imagine that lack of input from the Palace will remain the case down the road.

This morning there was a full-scale dress rehearsal with the military, starting well before sunup.

Darren Staples/Reuters

Exactly how we’ll look come Friday.

Darren Staples/Reuters via MSNBC

The Tornado flyby is scheduled for 1:30pm (London time), the pilots also rehearsed today.

EPA via The Daily Mail

The decorating of the Abbey and environs also continues apace, below, a photo from The British Monarchy’s flickr photo pages.

The British Monarchy Flickr

A reminder, anyone can look at The Monarchy’s pictures, just click here.

A few more photos surfaced this afternoon.

JNVisuals via The Daily Mail

Above, the bride’s sister Pippa (also her Maid of Honour) and Carole Middleton head into London.

Next, a picture that has really started tongues wagging.

JNVisuals via The Daily Mail

Here’s why, from the Mail:

“…there was a sheaf of paper visible in the back seat of the car that included a passage from an unrecognised work.

While many of the words were obscured, it read in part: ‘With so much love within our hearts.’  While the passage could be from a separate reading, it opens the possibility that they have followed the example of many young couples and written their own vows for their special day.”

The Daily Mail

The only thing we can add is that the typeface does look like it is prompter size. We also noted Miss Middleton is in heavier makeup, we presume today also included lighting and makeup test shots.

Later today the bride was carrying things into Clarence House.

PHOTOS: Splash via The Daily Mail

Lots of things have also been moved into the family headquarters for the next several days, the Goring Hotel.

Chris Eades via The Daily Mail

The location is under continual police protection, there have been comings and goings all day.

PHOTOS: Splash News (L) and Chris Eades (R)

But this has to be our favorite photo of the day.

Andrew Winning/Reuters

The Queen was visiting Cambridge earlier today, doesn’t she look splendid?

Here are a few other places to visit:

Until tomorrow, g’bye.

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Filed under Gossip Girl, preppy, Royal Wedding