Best Hanukkah Cookies Ever & Nautically Inclined Gifts

Hello and Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating, we are going to be sharing some last-minute gift ideas this week, but first I have to share my favorite seasonal cookies this year. We’ve all heard about the ugly Christmas sweater, there are parties, pictures, all manner of fun associated with these. But what about the Ugly Hanukkah sweater?

Whipped Bake Shop etsy

Zoe Lukas of the Whipped Baked Shop in Philadelphia has this one covered, her Ugly Hanukkah Sweater Cookies are available via her etsy shop, $22.95 for the three shown above, or $87.95 for a Deluxe Set of 12, 2 each of the designs seen below.

Whipped Bake Shop esty

On to our primary topic, gifts with a nautical inclination. One of my favorite things about blogging has been the truly swell people you get to meet along the way.  One such person we have enjoyed chatting with (in a cyber sort of way) and getting to know is the one and only Nautical by Nature. Miss NbN is an *amazing* resource when it comes to all things nautical, and has shared wonderful ideas this year, as she always has. We have borrowed just a few.

One fun set of cards: the 12 Days of Christmas from a nautical perspective, found in these cards by Shirley Bell Designs.

Shirley Bell Designs Etsy

The Ahoy Rings via Five Knots, $30.

Ahoy Rings

Urban Outfitters offers this Leather Anchor Key Ring ($18).

Urban Outfitters

Ralph Lauren’s Cosmetic Bag in Newbury Nautical at Bloomie’s for $35.

Ralph Lauren ‘Newbury Nautical’

A 3 Piece Kitchen Set offering 2 towels and a potholder, $28.99 at Linens & Things.

Linens & Things

The Nautical Guest Towel at Lemon Daisy Designs on etsy.

etsy

Another Nautical Anchor Makeup Bag, this version via etsy vendor SSKDesigns, it runs $21.

SSKDesigns etsy

We also offer quite a few possibilities at the Preppy Princess.

PreppyPrincess.com

Here are the goodies shown up above, in quasi-clockwise order:

• Boatman Geller Anchor Lucite Ice Bucket, $55 (must be ordered by midnight tonight for Christmas delivery)
• Pink Pineapple Cape Breeze Whale Bangle bracelet, $28 (available in several colors, comes in gift box with striped grosgrain ribbon at no extra charge)
• Jonathan Adler Ahoy Letterpress Correspondence Cards, $17.50
• Bottom Line iPad Cases (also available for e-readers and netbooks) $30-50
• Boatman Geller Anchor Luggage Bag Tags, $12 set of two
• Pink Pineapple Enameled Anchor Cuff, $36
• Preppy Planet Have a Whale of a Holiday foldover note cards share a “Happy-Happy, Merry-Merry, Joyful-Joyful” sentiment, the non-denominational cards are $22 for a set of 1o
• Kiel James Patrick Norwich Tide Turning earrings in red/green whales $22
• Our exclusive Needlepoint Bracelets in anchors or whales are crafted by York Designs, available with ($60) or without ($42) single initial monogram
• Sailor Bags Sailcloth Lunch Sack is $20.50, $32.50 with personalization up to 25 characters
• Snoozies lightweight slippers (12.50) in red lobsters on navy
• Pink Pineapple Trip Vanderbilt anchor earrings $25

Until next time, may all of your sails be full!

A Very Cool New Product & Is Gossip Girl Look Here to Stay?

Hello-Hello, and Happy Friday!

Apologies for the lack of a post yesterday, you can imagine the frenzy that has overtaken the Prepatorium — yikes! But it is a good craziness, one that allows us to create loads of smiles, and that is fun indeed.

We begin with a sneak-peek at a fabulous new item we just added at the Princess, literally moments ago! Behold the Personalized Photo Clip Sheets from the fine design minds at Whitney English.

PreppyPrincess.com

A closer look at the new style, featuring any photo you select.

The personalized ClipSheets™ come in a stack of 75 atop a clear acetate clipboard that is just a little bit bigger, and are $38.50.  The photo you send us will be cropped to fit within the design you select.  We adore them, just think of the endless possibilities!

PreppyPrincess.com

The sheets also make an incredible gift, but a word to the wise for those thinking about Christmas: they can only be ordered through the 10th to guarantee that delivery time frame.  We’ll have more on these Monday, but simply had to share the news today.

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We also have a quick look at an online story: “Gossip Girl style is here to stay“. One of the most interesting parts of the story for us was about the author’s trip to the opening of a XXI, the upscale offshoot of Forever 21; she was looking for an item she had seen in the store’s window.

“Oh, that’s in the Gossip Girl section,” she said, as my jaw dropped, seemingly in slow motion.

“The what section?” I said, stunned.

“The Gossip Girl section,” she repeated. She explained that the store was divided into sections based on the most popular shows—mainly Gossip Girl and the revived-from-the-90s 90210.

Once one accepts that G2 fashions are not based in the reality of current dress codes at private schools, looking at styles from the show can be rather fun. Below we see Leighton Meester and Blake Lively.

Courtesy The CW

The piece ran on Culture Map, a Texas-based site:

“…the variety of styles on the show are appealing to many audiences. While some love Blair’s perfectly polished ensembles and flawlessly coiffed tresses, others covet Serena’s earthier style…”

Here are current looks from this season’s episodes.

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More from the story:

“From J.Crew’s gorgeous feminine details in both their clothing and accessories to Forever 21’s droves of ruffled tops, dresses, floral headbands and preppy looks, Gossip Girl style is here to stay…”

Below, a look from Monday’s episode, The Debarted.

Courtesy The CW

The sartorial display isn’t limited to the ladies; below we see Ed Westwick. (Chace Crawford and Ms. Meester can also be seen in this photo.)

“Gossip Girl style is about pushing the limits and combining prints, textures and accessories like never before—bright purple or yellow tights with an otherwise simple dress, an unexpected sparkly brooch in the hair for the evening, a great, chunky bracelet with a mini dress, layers of charm necklaces in varying lengths—the possibilities are endless.”

This brings us to our Question of the Day: in your estimation, is there such a style, and if so, is it here to stay?

One more tidbit about Miss Meester and another actress, someone frequently referred to in this space as an über-prep, Gwyneth Paltrow.  She will be starring in a film with Leighton Meester and Tim McGraw, “Love Don’t Let Me Down,’ with country music as the backdrop for the plot.

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We have decorating and shopping news to share , beginning with a peek at some of the White House decor.  Here is this year’s Gingerbread House, all 400 pounds of it.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Our favorite part has to be the replica of Bo, the Obama family’s dog.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

It appears Bo is chewing on something, but we are unclear as to what that might be, unless it is a bone…? The confection also includes a replica of Michelle Obama’s vegetable garden.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

The unveiling of the annual Gingerbread House is always a treat; they are much larger than they look. Below, Laura Bush with the 2005 House.

Courtesy Life Magazine

With ‘visions of sugarplums’ in our head we say adieu and hope everyone enjoys a delightful winter weekend!

New Collections at the Preppy Princess! (Oooh, more madras!) Plus Giveaway Winner!

Hello-Hello!  Things are bright and sunny here at the Prepatorium, oh-so-wonderful after all the dark and dreary days we have seen.

In fact, we are more than a little excited over new collections at the Preppy Princess, although we fear TSU (The Spousal Unit) would make the case we are closer to ‘completely ga-ga’ in our enthusiasm. And it goes without saying we have to share them with you!

We start with the Bermuda Madras Placemats, 100% cotton patchwork madras, reversible to a solid plaid madras on the other side.

PreppyPrincess.com

Accompanied by the Bermuda Madras Table Runner in the same patchwork and reversing to the plaid on the other side.

PreppyPrincess.com

Matched by the Bermuda Madras Napkins, also 100% cotton.

PreppyPrincess.com

Everything in this group is machine washable, like all of our linens. It would be simply insane to have to go to the trouble of taking things like this to the dry cleaners. We also have new napkin rings that complement just about any color in your linen closet!

Glass Napkin Rings

The Glass Napkin Rings are solid with in bright, vibrant colors.  You just know what is going to happen with our dinner table:

At only $2 each, they make an ideal stocking stuffer! The red and green would be fun and festive right now.

Now we also want to show you another new group, starting with the Blue Lagoon placemats in a classic blue, white, and yellow design.

PreppyPrincess.com

Fun for perking up the table now, or perhaps while wintering in Florida, and absolutely ideal at the cottage this summer. The matching napkins:

PreppyPrincess.com

And we even have matching Blue Lagoon kitchen towels:

PreppyPrincess.com

The Blue Lagoon group is also constructed of 100% cotton and entirely machine washable.  A really fun Christmas or Hanukkah gift basket could be easily put together with any of these groups. And everything is fiscally friendly with placemats (place mats?) at only $8, napkins $4, the towel also $4 and the table runner $20.

Enough about us… let’s talk about you! We have a winner of this week’s Great Giveaway. Congratulations to one of the private blogs we enjoy, Well, I Do Declare! Amelia receives these goodies from the Princess:

The Classic Whales Guest Towels:

Classic Whales Guest Towels Set

Our exclusive Have a Whale of a Holiday notecards…

"Have a Whale of a Holiday" notecards

And the Black Baguette market tote from a line we love, Bungalow Scout.

Scout Baguette Tote

We will be posting information on our last fifth and final (at least until we are well into next year) Giveaway later today or early tomorrow.

Enjoy a splendid day!

Preppy Princess Giveaway

We’re just popping in with a quick reminder about our Great Giveaway: be sure to leave a comment sharing one wish you have and you are entered!

Our drawing is scheduled for Wednesday morning, the 10th.  The prize package includes the Princess’s exclusive Have a Whale of a Holiday boxed note card set.

"Whale of a Holiday" Notecards at PreppyPrincess.com

Also included in this week’s prize package, a set of our plush Classic Guest Towels in the Pink Whale motif.  These are just perfect when friends visit, or as a gift for the nautically inclined in your circle of friends.

Classic Guest Towels at PreppyPrincess.com

Rounding out the goodies, the Black Baguette market tote from a line we love, Bungalow Scout.

 

Scout Tote at PreppyPrincess.com

 

 

This is really perfect for carrying things home from the grocery because it is *so* roomy, with more than enough space for a gallon milk to stand up at 12″ x 15″ x 12″, but also very lightweight and easily collapsed.

Here is a sampling of some of the comments we have already received:

The wonderful Winkie Houghton says:

“My wish is for every one to have a wonderful holiday with family & friends, no mater how little or a lot you give or receive this holiday season!!”

And the always-tasteful Nautical by Nature shares:

“I wish that the holidays would just get here already! I am so ready for a vacation “

We can echo that sentiment!

Just leave your wish to enter.  That’s it!  Scribble (in a cyber sort of way) a comment with one wish and you’re in!

We hope everyone enjoys a stellar Monday!

Cyber Wednesday Sale at the Preppy Princess & Giveaway Update

It’s Cyber Wednesday at The Preppy Princess!

TAKE 20% OFF EVERYTHING!

Hello everyone — we must be brief as we are helping the Consort with orders at The Preppy Princess during our big Cyber Wednesday Sale! The sale gives you 20% off the entire site!

That means 20% off our Preppy Placemat™ collections, like these holiday placemats accented with our favorite grosgrain ribbon from the Christmas Candy Cane line:

 

Candy Cane Placemat PreppyPrincess.com

Or our Holiday Snowman placemats.  These are all reversible so you get the value of two looks for the price of one, they are Made in the USA of 100% cotton, and they go in the washing machine and dryer! (Many consider this to be the best attribute, no dry cleaning for these upscale linens!)

 

Rolling Snowman PreppyPrincess.com

Of course you want to have matching napkins, also reversible in 100% cotton, Made in the USA and washing machine friendly. The solid red and green is a tad more sedate, but our preference is the whimsical red/greenstripe with a solid red or green on the other side. (You get to choose the reverse side color.)

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Knowing how much most preps love their flip-flops *and* their grosgrain ribbon, the Sale offers a wonderful opportunity to buy yourself a pair, or perhaps a ribbon belt as a gift …?

 

Ribbon Flip-Flops & Belts at PreppyPrincess.com

Maybe a collar for the Preppy Pooch in your world, done in that same great preppy ribbon:

 

Stewart Plaid Ribbon Dog Collar at PreppyPrincess.com

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Also an outstanding gift, the personalized Note Paper and Clipboard from Whitney English.

TSU (The Spousal Unit) is rather fond of the Blue Madras set for a certain nephew.

The Sale runs through midnight tonight, and there is no need for a promotional code or other information; the savings are automatically deducted at checkout.

Also, the Great Giveaway continues, with our next drawing scheduled for next Wednesday morning, the 10th. The prize package includes the Princess’s exclusive Have a Whale of a Holiday boxed note card set.

 

Whales Notecards set at PreppyPrincess.com

The winner also receives a set of our Whale Classic Guest towels, lush, plush and perfect for your guest bath!

 

Whale Guest Towels at PreppyPrincess.com

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And we also include a tote from the frequently tough to find Bungalow Scout line. The winner receives the always-better-than-a-plastic-bag Black Baguette tote, ideal for trips to the market because it is so roomy inside.

 

Scout Black Check Baguette Tote

To enter just leave a comment with a wish for the holidays. That’s it! Simply leave a comment with one wish and you’re in!

TPC (The Princess Consort) is giving us what is generally referred to as the “death stare” here at the Palace, so I’d best toddle on over to order fullfillment and get busy or he may take away my tiara! Oh No!