Do Not Read if Offended by Shameless Self-Promotion

Hello-Hello and happy springtime day to all!

Welcome to one of only two special days we have every year at Princess InterPlanetary HQ, it’s our special post celebrating the “Not an April Fool” sale, when everything at The Preppy Princess is 20% off. (Our only other big day like this is Pink and Green Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving.)  If thinking about shopping, do use promo code APRILDEAL to receive your discount, this special offer expires at midnight tonight (April 1st).

Such an auspicious occasion prompts wretched and shameless self-promotion as we focus on a few goodies from our little store. And because we don’t want to simply flirt with impropriety, we want to step madly into that vast commercial abyss with flagrant references to the “M word,” providing actual prices for each item shown. (The horror.) Psssst, these are the prices before your 20% discount, so they are even more fiscally friendly!

We begin with one of our favorite items this spring, the Scout Original Dean-o Tote in solid colors ($30), we want one in every color.  Sadly, one of each is not something the Consort can wrap his brain around.

Scout Original Deano at PreppyPrincess.com

The sale means all of our custom grosgrain ribbon belts (starting at $19 for Tiny Preps and $23 for the grownups) and Key Fobs ($6) are even better deals…

…not to mention we have added several new ribbon styles, including one that Gator fans might like.

If looking for something a tad brighter, our Candi Belts ($48) or Flip Flops ($48) might be in order.

The color combinations are loads of fun and more-than-versatile, below we show the Stewart pattern followed by Gum Drop, the green and purple together make a great style statement IOHO.

We suspect The Queen Mother and a few other Spartan fans might opt for the Spearmint pair in green and white. The colors would be particularly stylish this weekend, I understand her team has some sort of basketball game in Indianapolis on Saturday. (Heh-heh-heh.)

Don’t forget about your four-legged family members, all of our grosgrain goodies are available as Dog and Cat Collars, Harnesses, and Leashes.

The sale also offers an opportunity to snag our new Jonathan Adler Pocket Papers ($4.50) as well as the Jonathan Adler Note Cubes ($12.50) at a great price.

And to get a jump on party planning for graduations, weddings, and other goings-on.  Lilly Pulitzer has just what you need for special occasions, including re-useable Plastic Tumblers ($15) that are dishwasher safe, making them eco-friendly, and Beverage Napkins with Fun Savings ($5), excellent conversation starters.

Our  new Monogramed Polka Dot and Striped Garden Flags ($40) are perfect for gifting…

As are the Personalized Argyle Doormats ($39) and Monogramed House Flags ($59).

Our Kiel James Patrick collection is one of our fastest-growing lines, with Earrings ($28), Headbands ($26) and Braided Rope Bracelets ($35 – $58) all sporting a nautical touch. The exclusive Preppy Princess Pink/Green/White model is flying out the door.

This doesn’t begin to mention our Preppy Paper goods or Lunch Bags, the fab Towels or Pillows, and scads of other treasures.  We’ll have to leave those for you to discover at your own pace, we must scoot so we can organize the elves to handle the deluge of orders… eek!

In Honor of the Big Event (Please Don’t Say You Forgot.)

Hello-Hello!

Isn’t Wasn’t it an exciting day?

Ummm… are you saying you didn’t know? How is that possible? Honestly, priorities are so misplaced these days.  Well, there’s no point in wallowing in your shame alone, none of the Palace residents knew about the big event either.

But take heart – it isn’t too late to recover your dignity. In honor of the Day we are declaring it Lobster Stimulus Day, hoping that if we shared relevant items of a retail nature we might all feel better about overlooking the occasion.

We start with the LobsterLine collection from David Wood, an outstanding men’s shop in Portland, Maine.

Lobsterline Courtesy David Wood Clothiers

There are several items in the group.

Everything is fabulous, especially the pink pants. For men. Sniff.

If seeking decor for the cottage, the Lobster Lamp at Newport Nautical is… well, it could be called… whimsical. How’s that?

Newport Nautical

(You did note our use of the word cottage?)

Another possible option for one of your contributions to Our National Economy, the personalized Lobster Platter from Preppy Princess. (we must inquire: Did you see that acronym? ONE? Our National Economy? Doesn’t it make you all warm and fuzzy inside?!)

PreppyPrincess.com

If this doesn’t tickle your taste buds, how about the Lobster Rug at Nautical Rooster?

Those seeking personal accessories featuring the crustacean may favor the Kate Spade Lobster bag from her 2007 Cape Cod Collection, still available at some online storefronts.

The cost at the places we saw it was about one-third less than the bag’s original selling price, in light of its past-season status.

Seeking a smaller investment? A set of two Boatman Geller Lobster Pads is only $38, and that includes personalization.

PreppyPrincess.com

Our next item features a lobster larger than we generally like, but the Men’s Lobster Pants from Bermuda Styles are still cute.

BermudaStyles.com

One can find Nantucket Reds sporting the lobster in either seersucker or poplin. (The Reds seen below show a whale; the photo is offered as a means of providing context only.)

LL Bean offers the pink and green Lobster Flip-flops:

LL Bean

One mustn’t forget our best friends when on a quest for proper duds to mark the special day.

PreppyPrincess.com

The Custom Dog Collars, Harnesses and Leashes are all available at our little shop, and they are *very* reasonable, trust TP on this.  The pink and blue colorway is also available for these items.

And we also offer cute key fobs. At only $5. And you pick the ribbon, and the backing!

There is one lobster item we discovered that can’t be purchased

We hope everyone enjoys celebrating the big day!

On a separate note, we hope everyone is able to pop over and send good wishes to Mrs. Newlywed as she undergoes a major medical procedure.

Adieu until next time.

Lilly Pulitzer Stationery Giveaway!

Hello-Hello! Did everyone enjoy their weekend?

Spring fever hit hard this weekend at the Prepatorium; not only did we see the sun, but the temperature soared to 50+ degrees. (Yes, you are correct, it really takes very little to get TP excited.)

If you have toddled over to the Preppy Princess store, you may have noticed the message sharing the news that our Lilly Pulitzer Stationery line will be here tomorrow.  All those goodies land here in just one day! Whoo-hoo! (To everyone who pre-ordered, your merchandise will be turned around immediately, on its way to you on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning!)

Lilly Pulitzer Stationery at PreppyPrincess.com

In honor of this it seems only proper that we share the celebration with those who keep us going when our spirits are flagging: all of you!

Above, the prize for this giveaway: Lilly’s Mix & Match Stationery set.  Everything you could need is in this outstanding set: 16 sheets of writing paper in four coordinating Lilly patterns, 12 envelopes in matching designs, 2 sheets of fun Lilly stickers, all of it contained in this decorative folio (or folder), as seen above in the photo! This is such a cool set, you will love it!

Here’s how to enter:

1. Leave a comment to this post to be entered once.
2. To receive a second entry in the drawing, leave another comment giving the name of your favorite Lilly stationery item for sale at the Preppy Princess store.
3. To be entered a third time, post this giveaway on your blog or homepage, and *please* be sure to to mention this in your comment.

The drawing is one week hence, Monday, February 16 at 10am. 

And of course, you can take care of all your stationery and gift needs online with our Lilly collection, now that we know it’s on its way! Not to mention gathering those fabulous party supplies!

Speaking of Lilly, have you ever visited My Blue Blazer? This delightful blog provides an interesting perspective, and in this post the topic is menswear from Lilly Pulitzer. His first critique involves the label’s navy blazer for men; he offers high praise:

“The cut of this jacket may be the most flattering you will ever see in a navy blazer.”

The blog’s author also looks at other Pulitzer classics for men, including a colorful pair of swim trunks:

“Lilly’s signature palette goes well on these Capri Trunks. The look has been copied, but there is no substitute for the original.”

For more insight, or to see the specific pieces he reviews, pop over to the blog.  How about the Gentleman in your life… does he wear Lilly?  

And in our final Lilly tidbit, the Rue LaLa Lilly Pulitzer Sale just started about an hour ago, running until 11am Wednesday, the 11th.  For those not familiar with Rue LaLa, it is one of the many “members-only” online shopping sites that seemed to sprout up everywhere the last year.  Hypothetically the free membership is by invitation only; if you need an invitation, just email us at ThePreppyPrincess@mac.com

Things are going fast, so we should all exercise prudence and not become overly excited. And in the interest of full disclosure, there is some formula giving yours truly $10 off a purchase contingent upon how many people we send invites to; we don’t know the formula because we have never used it.  Not knocking these mind you, we simply have not had time to shop lately.

If all the goodies are gone at Rue LaLa, or even if they are not, we suggest heading to The Preppy Outlet, an outstanding resource with preppy treasures from many lines, all at fiscally friendly prices.

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The Women’s Wear Daily‘s annual Accessories issue is out, and one of the photo features looks at accessories showcasing the French flag’s tricolor motif.  We share a few of their picks, starting with these shoes by Maloles; the brand is available online at Net-a-Porter but this particular design is not yet available.  Sniff.

 

PHOTO: George Chinsee/WWD

Below, an Erickson-Beamon bracelet in red, white and blue grosgrain ribbon. Cute, but a little too frou-frou for TP.

 

Thomas Iannaccone/WWD

The stripes on the Lacoste watchband echo this theme; the Women’s Mainsail Chronograph is available on the Lacoste website.

Photo: George Chinsee/WWD

The bracelet is by Erickson-Beamon a line favored by First Lady Michelle Obama, among others.  And a reminder ladies, the Erickson-Beamon for Target Collection is scheduled to hit stores next Sunday, February 15, as detailed in this post.  Below, one of the many pieces from the Target Collection:

Courtesy Target

Two more looks, the coordinating necklace and earrings in beautiful shades of blue:

 

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We will sign off using this pink & white striped version of the Lacoste Mainsail watch as today’s Pretty in Pink:

 

Lacoste Mainsail

On that pretty note, until next time!

PS: Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

It’s Baaaack – Ultimate Preppy Names

Hello-Hello, and good thoughts hoping everyone is enjoying a splendid day, not too frazzled and frenzied by the holiday crunch.

We start with a holiday greeting from one of the employees here at the Prepatorium, perhaps the hardest working staff member. If you ask her. Frankly, we think she spends more time lounging around than she does testing products, which was part of her job description. (And she promised us she was qualified for this part of the job way back when we hired her to be part of the Princess Team.)

It’s not like it’s a hard job either. This is one of the products we needed her to try out:

Stewart Dog Collar at PreppyPrincess.com

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Heh-heh-heh. Yep. We are talking about Silly Tilly, the largest lounge lizard this side of the Mississippi. And she just couldn’t turn down the delightful Daisy’s request for a photo op.  Of course, this all started with the Princess Consort’s Giveaway Post.  (Don’t forget to enter! Just leave a comment asking him a question; the drawing is tomorrow night.)

Tilly's Christmas Wish for You

Oh, and those fabulous grosgrain ribbon dog collars?  Miss Tilly is only allowed to wear a harness because of her throat issues, no more collars. (Don’t ask; we’ll just say the most recent surgery involved removing tonsils and trying to help her collapsed trachea. She is our little Bulldog Rescue girl, health issues and all!)

Besides, when it comes to work, this is Miss Tilly’s idea of a hard day at the office.

Tilly at Work

And after what Tilly refers to as “The Episode”…..

"Never Again!"

… we were advised that she was going on strike.  (Honestly, it was just a little fundraiser put on by Vet students at the The Great Midwestern University nearby.)

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Once again, it is time to break out the Prep-O-Meter; we need to rank some names in terms of their ‘preppiness.’

• Caldwell Rohrbach
• Thayer Damm
• Skyler Hopkins
• Porter Whitman
• Wick Kelley

Yes, these are names of real people on Lacrosse teams at real schools. Every year Inside Lacrosse selects the preppiest sounding names, all in good fun, and puts together the Inside Lacrosse Yearbook All-Name Team.

Inside Lacrosse

As described by the editors:

“Lacrosse has long been known for its prep school roots. And while that changes and diversifies rapidly every year, it still crops up in some of the 1,000-plus names that appear in IL’s Face-Off Yearbook.”

The list is more than entertaining, click here to read all of the names on the 2009 rosters; many just shriek prep, or old school, or WASP.  If thinking about your very own copy of the Inside Lacrosse Yearbook, just click here.

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We have been sharing some of the Inaugural Day sketches submitted by menswear designers for President-elect Obama.  The request for the fashions came from WWD, and they have all been posted on their site as well as the looks, their visions of stylish looks for the next President.

Today a few of the suggestions for accessorizing, starting with Brooks Brothers and their Tie #1 in silk and cashmere:

Courtesy Photo

And as seen in the catalog in a different colorway:

Brooks Brothers

If you are looking for the tie Ms. Aniston wore on the cover of GQ, that is Brooks’ Black Fleece Triple Guard Stripe Tie in silk and cotton.  (No, we aren’t running the photo.) That tie is actually on sale, now $112.50 from $150.

An offering from Countess Mara:

Countess Mara Tie

Having visited the Countess Mara site for the first time in forever we must say we find their marketing more than intriguing: “Countess Mara – Be a Gentleman.”

Countess Mara

The next sketch is from Perry Ellis .

Perry Ellis

For today’s Argyle Update we offer a Black Fleece Argyle Sweater at Brooks Brothers. One of designer Thom Browne’s better looks, in cashmere with grosgrain trim.  (Quite the bargain too, originally $1000, now $600.)

Brooks Brothers Black Fleece

We close with Miss Tilly giving you the look she generally wears:

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!