Lilly Jubilee Update, Scratch ‘n Sniff the Sexiest Man Alive. Seriously.

Hello-Hello and Happy Friday!

Both TP and TSU (the Spousal Unit, aka The Princess Consort) are due at a relatively high-profile volunteer/charitable function tonight, so we are going to be speedy.

By far the nicest part of opening the Preppy Princess store is meeting so many warm and wonderful people online, many of them through this goofy blog.  One of our newer friends is the way-too-cool Miss Cassoulet Cafe, and not just because she has bestowed upon us the Superior Scribbler award! Oh my! Her extraordinary stories and writing skills make it a must for TP and we are guessing you will enjoy stopping by as well.

Merci, La Cassoulet Cafe

Although Miss Cassoulet is a wonderful read, we were a little concerned by her comment following our post, A Tiffany Christmas, as it indicates she may believe us to be possessed of a fashionable perspective.  A stylish eye. An on-trend outlook.

We don’t know how to break the news that TP is not only deficient in this arena, some consider her staid (translated: bore-ing), challenged (translated: puh-thetic) and much too preppy (translated: apparel & accessories so bright they glow in the dark) style to be more than a little challenged.  So the young and chic set must pop over to Miss Cassoulet‘s Cafe and advise her on the boots.

Now, there are Award Rules attached to this lovely event:

• Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 Bloggy Friends.
• Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
• Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.
• Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
• Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog

Here are six fabulous blogs we always look forward to reading, places we think you will enjoy visiting:

• Lipstick at the Mailbox is an outstanding writer, with perspective we always appreciate;
• Landlocked Mermaid shares wisdom, recipes and more when she isn’t doing her incredible commute!
• We are always ready for a Piece of Coconut Cake, especially when it is the sugar-free, lo-cal and high-fun version provided by Miss Coco.
• Witty, erudite and lots of fun describe Misadventures of a Newlywed, and she has started selling some more-than-fun goodies online!
• Tickled Pink and Green is forever brightening our day with her preppy style tips and great reading list;
• From tutus to the tooth fairy, Momx2 shares snippets of life we love to read.

Merci beaucoup Miss Cassoulet!

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Whatever you do, don’t forget to leave a comment on something for which you are grateful so you are entered in the Great Giveaway! That’s all it takes to be entered to win *very* cool prizes from the Preppy Princess shop, like the Perfect Circle Apron with matching gloves, and a set of our Trey’s Stripes notecards, that will be personalized just for you!

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Has everyone heard who People’s Sexiest Man in the Galaxy is?

Courtesy People Magazine

What you may not have know about yet is People’s special scratch ‘n sniff version of the annual issue. The always-sharp Dylan Stableford at Folio Magazine asks:

“Ever wonder what Michael Phelps smells like?”

In his story about People’s scented pages he tells us:

“The magazine, which hits newsstands on Friday, includes a section dubbed “Sexy Scents” with “scratch-n-sniff” photos of Gossip Girl actor Chace Crawford Ed Westwick, film actor Taye Diggs, Law & Order star Chris Meloni and U.S. Olympic Team swimmer Michael Phelps—each of whom “describe the fragrance that makes them feel their sexiest.”

Even allowing for a rather rugged week, Mr. Westwick’s ‘scentiments’ on ‘essential oils’ are simply beyond our grasp. BTW, Mr. Phelps ranks in the Top 10.

PHOTO: Lance Staedler/People Magazine

If you would like to read more without us spoiling things, just click here.

NOTE: Mr. Stableford’s story refers to Chace Crawford, however, we *think* he means Ed Westwick who is prominently featured in the photos on People’s site. We are double-checking this, if anyone knows definitively, please let us know!

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Please forgive us as we make an executive decision: we are revisiting our distaste for discussing or mentioning the “M word” here at the Palace. It appears the financial markets aren’t going to be self-correcting, or be corrected by outside influences for that matter, at least not in the near future. Therefore we acknowledge we have to adjust our standards and display a little more flexibility in our perspective when dealing with this issue. Indeed.

So here is an item related to one’s bank balance: this story in yesterday’s Journal discloses that despite recent interest cuts, many of the credit card companies are charging users higher rates and increased fees. From the story:

“Banks had already been tightening the screws on people with less-than-perfect credit in recent months. Now, even customers who pay their bills on time will find it more expensive to carry a balance.”

While we are extremely grateful this is not an issue for us at this point in time, we are simply staggered that the same companies who just escaped closer regulatory scrutiny and penalties are now back to their old habits.  TP recognizes that for many in these trying times; their MonsterCard is not being used for luxuries, but for life’s necessities like food, medicine, gasoline.

“The bank will also start charging a new $10 monthly service fee to some cardholders who have been carrying large balances for at least two years, while raising their monthly minimum payments…”

Are we deranged? Or is this what the companies should be doing? And remember, TP is a capitalist with a capital ‘C’, we are not opposed to growing companies and profits, but there is also a principle of ethics involved here.

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For today’s Pretty in Pink we share information on the Lilly Pulitzer anniversary contest.  The Jubilee Jet Setter contest looks like loads of fun, and the Perfectly Pink passport is too cute.

Also recently added to the oh-so-improved Lilly website, the two 50th Anniversary Jubilee prints.  In both Bananarama…

Lilly Pulitzer Bananarama

… as well as Lagoon Blooms…

Lilly Pulitzer Lagoon Blooms

…something is hidden.  As explained on the company’s website

“We have added 50th and/or JUBILEE in every print. Just like you ‘look for the Lilly’ in every print, these JUBILEE Prints will be selling on ebay in 50 years as THE Lilly prints to have.”

Oh.  Actually, we did not toddle over to our local Lilly recently hoping to purchase something we could use, save, and sell on eBay. Honestly.

Oh well, that doesn’t detract from all the the fun things we *did* see at Lilly!

Happy weekend!

Giveaway Winner & Preppy Princess Boatman Geller Giveaway

Hello-Hello, and welcome to another Thankful Thursday!

We are ever-so-excited here at the Prepatorium because we can announce the lucky winner of our first Preppy Princess Giveaway: the always witty and wonderful Momx2, who left this comment as her Giveaway entry:

“I am most grateful that in America, if you work hard, you can be successful. We’re not a hugely classist society where people can never aspire to be something more. I’m grateful to live in a country where I can say whatever I want and not worry about being jailed for it.”

So the Bungalow Scout Zip ‘n Tuck Tote is headed her way!

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And because Momx2 mentioned the Great Giveaway on her blog, she also wins the secondary prize: the Madras Holly House photocards to be sent to whomever she wishes (including herself if she is so inclined!) Yippee-skippee for Momx2!

Now on to this week’s Thankful Thursday Great Giveaway, which is an outstanding collection of goodies including the following:

1) A Boatman Geller Carrie ‘n Tuck portable stationery studio in navy from the Preppy Princess….

Boatman Geller Carrie

2) Along with a Carrie and Tuck refill set in Boatman Geller’s Anchor & Madras Blue combination:

PreppyPrincess.com Carrie & Tuck refill set

3) Rounding out our nautical theme, the winner receives a complete set of Seaside Dish Towels.  These are 100% cotton, embroidered in designs showcasing an anchor, a compass and a ship’s wheel. You know you simply must have these for the boat; isn’t it your experience that Cook is always so much happier when her assistants have perky towels to dry things? (Heh-heh-heh.)

PreppyPrincess.com Seaside Dish Towels

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To enter all you need to do is leave a comment about a friend you are thankful for.  Just tell us a friend you are grateful to have now or perhaps had years ago, and you are entered!  We use a random number generator to select the winner.

And this week’s Bonus Prize Pack to be sent to anyone you choose, including yourself, is the delightful Laguna Beach apron in an elegant turquoise and chocolate brown color scheme. Remember, to win the Bonus Prize, post or mention the Great Preppy Giveaway on your blog or home page – it is that easy!

PreppyPrincess.com Laguna Beach apron

Accompanying the apron (if only because it coordinates so well) is the delightful book about one of our favorite stores, Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart.  As described by the publisher, the book tells the story of author Marjorie Hart’s summer working at Tiffany with a friend:

“… the pair, self-described as long-limbed, blue-eyed blondes, were hired at Tiffany’s—the first female floor sales pages… “

We want to mention Miss Amelia who made us think of including the book in this week’s Giveaway, a brilliant idea on her part!

Leave your comments before midnight next Wednesday, the 19th, and you are entered in the Giveaway. Let us know if you have any questions…that is why we are here!

Is J. Crew Discounting Too Much? And the Free Preppy Goodies – Enter Now!

Courtesy J. Crew

Most readers have seen this email alert from J. Crew.  As many are no doubt aware, it is just one of many promotional efforts from the retailer that have hit our electronic in-bins recently.  And the company is not alone in its aggressive promotional moves; we are hard-pressed to come up with any retailers not currently promoting some sort of discount or sale to customers.  (If anyone is not aware of the discount shown in the photo above, it offers 20% off full-price sweaters and ends Thursday night at midnight; the promo code needed at checkout is SWEATERS.)

However, elsewhere on the J. Crew site one finds this:

Courtesy J. Crew

… and this sale is not a discount or promotional price that ends tomorrow at midnight, as with the sweaters. This is an ongoing sale offering very deep discounts, especially for a retailer of Crew’s caliber, with items like the Men’s Patchwork tartan vest that originally sold at $228 now offered at $59.99.  The Princess is no mathologist, but it seems to us that is almost 75% off the original price.

And the site is full of merchandise on Sale, not all at this level of markdown, but a hefty amount nonetheless.  Why are deep discounts, other than the obvious appeal they hold for most of us, an issue? Because they make investors in the company’s stock nervous.  From Thomson Financial News:

“Shares of the preppy clothing company run by Wall Street darling and former Gap Inc CEO Mickey Drexler fell 14 percent to their life-time low of $11.90 in morning trade.”

The article cites a memo written by a stock analyst:

“…’The worst is yet to come for J. Crew, which has continued to reel under a weak economy’ …analyst Eric Beder wrote in a note to clients…”

“…surveys and store tours have shown J. Crew is becoming “more and more aggressive,” to clear out inventory….

While TP is always excited to see merchandise offered at more fiscally friendly price points, Crew cannot be making much profit on this Cashmere Sequin Shell being sold for $49.99, roughly 70% less than its original price of $158.

The story also quotes the analyst:

“We do not believe the J. Crew business model works at the current levels and depth of price cuts,” he wrote.”

J. Crew Group’s stock closed at a new all-time low this afternoon, $11.64 per share. Ouch. We wish we were a bigger and better person Ladies, but let’s face it: their pain is your gain.

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A quick reminder on the Great Preppy Giveaway: enter to win this Scout Zip ‘n Tuck Market Tote by leaving a comment before midnight tonight telling us one thing about America you are grateful for.

PreppyPrincess.com

…just anything at all about the United States that you are thankful for, and you are entered to win the tote! And if you mention the giveaway on your blog, then you will automatically be able to send the Preppy Princess Madras Photocards to anyone you choose! And we pay the shipping on everything!

PreppyPrincess.com

Tomorrow we will reveal the lucky winner(s)! And don’t forget we’ll be starting a new Thankful Thursday Giveaway tomorrow too, so pop in and say “Hi” when you have a spare nanosecond. We’re always glad to see you!

More Election Fashions Including Michelle Obama’s $10,000 Earrings, Sneak Peek at Thakoon for Target, Preppy Updates

It is Friday, and what a magnificent thing that is… sigh. “And visions of bubble-baths danced in her head…”

We start with more photos from Election Night in response to the ongoing inquiries we are receiving related to Cindy McCain’s dress (a suit), as well as Michelle Obama and Sarah Palin’s apparel.

PHOTO: Jim Bourg/Reuters

There isn’t really loads more to report.  However, we can share new information regarding the future First Lady’s earrings on Tuesday night, hopefully seen in the photographs that follow.  (We do apologize in advance for their large size; clearly we are trying to show those beautiful earrings!)

PHOTO: Morry Gash/AP

They are by Loree Rodkin, crafted of white gold and diamonds. UPI spoke with Ms. Rodkin about Ms. Obama wearing her design election night:

“Loree Rodkin, a Los Angeles-based designer of expensive jewelry, said she was surprised and pleased to see Obama wearing her earrings. Rodkin said the design retails for $10,275 a pair — and were not a loan.”

PHOTO: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty

The earrings look light and lacy, and very feminine, stunning on Ms. Obama.  In the online bio at her website the designer is described:

“…known for her noncomformist visionary approach to jewelry making…. has designed jewelry for most of Hollywood’s brightest stars including Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Cher, Aerosmith…”

According to the Browns Fashion website, the earrings are available for ordering now, if one is so inclined:

Courtesy Browns Fashion

If interested in purchasing the earrings, one must email Browns, they are not currently available on the site.

Here is a photo someone named Diablo Cody (?) in what is a similar style if the skull and crossbones are removed:

 

A Loree Rodkin ad from May, 2008:

 

TheEssentialist.com

For a good look at the designer’s work, try these items at Glimpse, or the selection at Blue Bee.  It would seem from surveying a variety of retailers and other sites that a fair amount of Ms. Rodkin’s work is done using images of skulls, daggers, and other “goth” (?) motifs. (Is that the term…?) Here is the designer in a press photo:

 

Courtesy Loree Rodkin

Our journalism background requires us to point out that Cindy McCain received substantial criticism for wearing diamond earrings at the Republican Convention valued at $280,000. A popular magazine estimated them to be 3 carats in size; the report was not confirmed or denied.

Today the Obamas attended a parent-teacher conference in Chicago:

PHOTO: John Gress/Reuters

Otherwise, the onslaught of newsprint and airwaves devoted to the Narciso Rodriguez dress worn by Ms. Obama election night continues to grow.

Back to the continuing questions here at the Prepatorium regarding Cindy McCain and Sarah Palin and their election night dresses.  Actually, neither wore a dress; they both were attired in what TP would call a “cocktail suit.” (Oh dear, that may reveal a bit too much information regarding our age, shall we say. There you have it.) And here we have the photo:

PHOTO: Brian Snyder/Reuters

Ms. Palin’s dark navy suit is by Tahari, and we have lots more information on it as well as several more photos, here at Wednesday’s “extended election night fashions” post.  That post reveals the only store where the navy color is available.

A reminder on the Michelle Obama book, the biography by WaPo reporter Lisa Mundy; reports indicate it is selling fast; why this would surprise anyone is beyond us.

LizaMundy.com

Readers may remember hearing about Target’s upcoming collection by Thakoon Panichgul, a designer Michelle Obama has worn several times. We have early photos showing some of the designs thanks to the always on top of things people at Nylon magazine.

 

As detailed in a previous post, this is one of a handful of designers favored by Michelle Obama. The collection is due to debut at the retailer on Christmas Day.

 

The pieces look very beachy, ideal for one’s resort wardrobe over the winter holidays. And that is perfect as the collection debuts in the middle of winter, on Christmas Day. That seems rather odd, doesn’t it?

The coat won’t work on an elderly prep like TP (sniff), but it will look darling on most anyone else.

 

Prices for the pieces will range from $20 to $70.  Also to debut On Christmas Day, the Erickson-Beamon for Target Collection, another line Ms. Obama is seen wearing. Here is a preview picture of what to expect, courtesy of the oh-so-hip Nitrolicious.

 

Courtesy Nitrolicious.com

Erickson-Beamon has already collaborated with a retailer, Urban Outfitters.  That line is available in the UK at the Kensington High Street and Oxford Street stores, as well as at the UK online site. Below, their Crystal Cube Necklace from that line:

 

Erickson-Beamon for Urban Outfitters UK

If the subject of designer collaborations with Target sounds slightly familiar, perhaps it is because just this Tuesday we talked about the surprise announcement of Target’s upcoming line with edgy designer Alexander McQueen.  We now have a date for that collection to be available: March 1st, 2009. If seeking more information and photos showing multiple pieces from each designer, this post is fairly comprehensive, albeit in a bloggage sort of way.

We close with few quick hits on preppy goings-on …

• Talbots has confirmed they are selling J. Jill
• the oh-so-stylish Third Coast Preppy found this fun article about the Lilly Pulitzer exhibit that opened at the New School for Design at Parsons
• Online shopping is now available at Lilly Pulitzer! FULL DISCLOSURE: An awesome preppy blogger discovered this outstanding information, and we cannot remember who it was, but they deserve the credit, not us. (If you know, please let us know so they might be properly thanked
  • NOTE: We owe our thanks to the incredibly gifted Teddi, as we read about this in her superb blog, Jewish Girl in WASP’s Clothing.  🙂
• The über-preppy television show known as Gossip Girl has another star landing a big endorsement opportunity: Ed Westwick (who plays Chuck Bass) is the new face for K-Swiss. Below, the actor shooting in New York Thursday:
  

And a reminder to enter our Great Preppy Giveaway Contest by leaving a comment telling us one thing you are thankful for related to America …one thing about the United States for which you are thankful. Remember, if you mention this contest on your blog, you are then eligible to send the snappy Madras photocards to a friend! And the best part of this?  It is all free! Here is a quick glance at the Primary Prize, the Scout Tote:

Bungalow Scout Tote

And here are the Holly House Madras photocards, also from the Preppy Princess store.

Holly House Photocards at PreppyPrincess.com

For all of the details and information, just click here.

Have a splendid weekend!

The Preppy Princess Great Giveaway! Win a Preppy Tote or Madras Cards!

Hello-hello and thanks for popping in for a visit here at the Prepatorium!

Aren’t you ready for some just plain fun? The Princess most assuredly is, and hopes you are as well.  That’s why we are starting our new “Thankful Thursdays” giveaway posts, giving away sublime goodies from the Preppy Princess.  Our first week’s primary prize is this fabulous Scout Tote in the Diamond Jane pattern.

PreppyPrincess.com Scout Tote

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Our Scout bags are essentially indestructible, and the perfect thing to replace plastic and/or paper bags at the market.  They are collapsible, super lightweight and water-resistant, very easy to wipe clean.

How does the Great Giveaway work?

1. Simply leave a comment on this blog specifying one thing about America for which you are thankful. One thing you appreciate, or are grateful for, related to the United States.  (And yes, by all means list more than one thing, but be aware multiple posts will not improve your chances of winning.)
2. One needn’t be from America or be a U.S. citizen to enter.
3. One must have a valid email address so we can contact you.
4. The comment must be left on the Preppy Princess blog between today, Wednesday, November 6th at 4pm EST and next Wednesday November 12 at 11:59:59pm EST. Any day in this week is fine, take your pick.  Write early, write often.
5. There is a BONUS: if you write about or mention this giveaway on your blog and you are the winner, you can designate a recipient for a secondary prize, shown below.
6. International Primary Gift winners are required to pay actual shipping expenses over and above $7 USD. If winner chooses a secondary gift recipient residing outside the Continental U.S., they are responsible for all shipping expenses.

This week’s secondary prize is from the Preppy Princess Paper Collection, an excellent boxed set of Holly House Madras photocards, just perfect for this time of year! So remember, if you posted about the giveaway in your blog before next Wednesday’s 11:59pm deadline and you are the winner, you can select someone to receive the madras Holly House photocards!

PreppyPrincess.com Holly House cards

A week from today, Thursday, Nov. 13th, we will announce our first Great Giveaway winner! And we pay the shipping on everything as well, unless it is headed out of the Continental U.S.

This is TP’s first giveaway and we are crossing all our fingers and our toes it goes well!

Grins and Giggles to all!