J. Crew Website Update & A $30,000 ‘Thank You’ Ring for Michelle Obama?

Hello and Happy Tuesday!

It seems our post yesterday on the J. Crew website problems touched a nerve with many readers. The problems were also noted by the mainstream business and technical media. From Crain’s New York in their story:

“This is a terrible time to experience technical difficulties. J. Crew, which underwent a massive redesign of its Web site over the summer, has been suffering glitches ever since.”

There are also multiple reports of similar issues at several big name retailers, including Bloomingdale’s:

Bloomingdale's

Bloomie’s does seem to be up and running just fine today. If considering doing some business in a cyber sort of way, don’t forget their free shipping offer for purchases more than $100. Use promo code SHIPXMAS at checkout.

Crew’s site also appears to be functioning at 100% this morning, providing another fiscally friendly shopping opportunity:

J. Crew

To receive the Extra 30% off sale merchandise, use promotion code EXTRA30 at checkout; this offer ends Wednesday night at midnight. And BTW, this promotional offer was planned all along by J. Crew, it was not created in response to the technical problems, as we wondered aloud yesterday.

TP remains hopeful everyone’s site remains healthy and happy for a robust holiday shopping season!

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We have fun information to share regarding a little trinket Michelle Obama is hypothetically receiving as a “Thank You” gift from the President-elect, at least according to the Daily Mail on the far side of the pond.

Courtesy Giovanni Bosco

The ring is to be created by Italian jewelry design house Giovanni Bosco, from the firm’s “Harmony” collection. (The items below are merely examples of the company’s work and do not represent their Harmony Collection.)

Courtesy Giovanni Bosco

Our struggle with this story is that we simply don’t see the President-elect doing business with a firm that will share this kind of information about personal merchandise in such a public fashion.  The Mail’s story quotes “A spokesman at Giovanni Bosco….” in their story as saying (among other things):

“‘Our American distributor has contacted us and has asked us to provide details on the Harmony ring.

‘It is our top of the range piece and made from rhodium and encrusted with diamonds.”

Courtesy Giovanni Bosco

More quotes attributed to the ‘spokesman’ include:

‘Our agent in the United States was asked by Mr Barack Obama about the ring because he wants it as a thank you gift for his wife Michelle for her support the last two years.”

“We have a select number of clients both in the United States, Europe, Russia and the Middle East and our prices as a result reflect the wealth of our customers.”

The ring is supposedly valued at approximately $30,000 (USD) and it is to be delivered in time for the inauguration in January.

Somehow this is reminiscent of the stories circulating that an outstanding Atlanta designer, Cassandra Bromfield, was selected to design Mrs. Obama’s gown for the Inaugural balls.  Here is our original post on that topic, and then Ms. Bromfield setting things straight in this post.

Of course yours truly could be way off the mark on this one; we shall let you know of any developments.

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For anyone simply unable to last another day without a “Confessions of a Shopaholic” update, Bluefly has posted the movie trailer and more.

Although the film doesn’t open until Feb. 13 next year, the Bluefly microsite has some fun features.

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We see more and more references to the ‘preppy look’ or ‘preppy style’ the Jonas Brothers sport most of the time they appear publicly.

PHOTO: Charles Sykes/AP

The three brothers were signing copies of their new book at the Barnes & Noble on Madison Avenue last Friday.  The book, entitled “Burning Up: On Tour with the Jonas Brothers is also available at Amazon.  Actually, it seems to be everywhere; is this one of the “it gifts” for teenage girls this year?

Burning Up: On Tour with the Jonas Brothers

And how about “Honor Society,” the band that opens for the Jonas Brothers? The photograph below shows the band performing in Las Vegas Saturday night and they are also looking very preppy in their wardrobe selection.

PHOTO: Ethan Miller/Getty

If ever there were a prep aesthetic for a band it would appear to be these young men. If you have any doubt, take a look at the extra photos they have on their MySpace pages, including these of bassist Andrew Lee:

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For today’s Pretty in Pink we offer Barbie: 50th Anniversary The Ultimate Collection book from the always fabulous Assouline publishing house.

Barnes & Noble is selling the Limited Edition Boxed Set, which has much beyond a standard hardcover book.

The boxed set is also available at Amazon.

Did TP ever share the deep and horrible tale from her youth about Barbie?  No?  Well then, to be brief: we did not have one.

Did. Not. Have. A. Barbie.  (Explains a lot, doesn’t it?)

The truth is, in an effort to instill proper values in her little Princess, TQM advised us prior to the one Christmas when we were positively begging for Barbie that we needed to choose between Barbie and the…

Ummmmm, well… it was actually a choice between Barbie… uhhhhh… er….um…….okay, fine – it was a choice between Barbie and the Beauty Parlor Doll!

The Beauty Parlor Doll. Yep. We opted for the Beauty Parlor Doll. The Beauty Parlor Doll was ‘lifesize’ and made of that dellightful aqua and pink plastic. It was *at least* as tall as TP, how is that for a mental picture?  As we are perilously close to the TMI line, we’ll cease sharing our innermost secrets. It’s just not done.

BTW, the Queen Mother rectified this tragic situation years ago, presenting us with our very own Barbie doll as a birthday gift.

May the rest of your day be splendiferous!

Preppy J. Crew Takes Another 30% Off… if their site is up.

Hello-Hello and happy back-to-reality-day!

Blah.

Double blah-blah. There.  We said it. (This is just so unPrincesslike… could it be the evil twin is out and about today? Oh my!)

We apologize. This is clearly the result of some overindulgence on our part.  A bit too much gnoshing and not enough walking/running. But it is today’s harsh, cold reality here in the corner condo at the Preppy Princess InterGactic HQ.  Harrumph. Well, enough about us. How about you? Is anyone else experiencing a bit of a slump today?

One of our favorite retailers is most definitely experiencing more than a slump; it looks like an all-out crash at the J. Crew website. Here is what TP saw when checking the site throughout the day, and currently as of 5:30pm EST:

J. Crew 12/1/08

This has been the case since this morning, with the exception of one occasion when we saw the welcome screen. But that screen did carry an enticing offer:

• CELEBRATE AN ADDITIONAL 30% OFF MARKDOWNS.
• USE PROMO CODE EXTRA30 AT CHECKOUT

The offer is good through December 3rd, applicable only to Sale merchandise. We offer a humble “Thank You” to the fabulous Miss LBR, one of the first to let us know about her unsuccessful efforts to place an order on the site.

This represents something of an apocalyptic event for the retailer.  We were surprised when the additional 30% off promotion popped up in the lower left corner of the screen. While it is likely a planned promotion as the company continues cutting inventory, we did have a momentary thought it could be in response to the online debacle.

We clicked multiple times on the Additional 30% Off link, all to no avail. And then suddenly, we made it to this page:

J. Crew 12.1.08

And that page allowed us to then stumble upon this utterly divine jacket. We thought, oh-my-goodness, how-darling, how-very-Princess, we-simply-must-have-it! Now! We’ll take a chance this will work! We will order the Herringbone école jacket in Mediterranean blue.

J. Crew Herringbone école jacket

We did not order the jacket. The. Site. Stopped. Working.

Again.

It is unlikely consumers or Wall St. pooh-bahs will respond kindly to the latest technical struggles. Keep in mind that J. Crew has already spent more than $1,000,000 on customers who experienced difficulties with their site, including many friends of the Princess (henceforth known as FOPs).  J. Crew CFO James Scully told stock analysts last week about some of those expenses:

“… approximately $1 million in customer accommodations related to the direct system initiatives in the form of free and upgraded shipping and other customer appeasements…”

We don’t know about you, but we would prefer being referred to as “accommodated” rather than being “appeased.” The latter makes us sound like some sort of whiny, perpetually unhappy individual who had to be placated.  What do you think?

Now we are wondering if this is one of the next things we’ll see…

J. Crew July, 2008

However, we speculate the Call Center is working at 800-562-0258. Call us crazy, but we can’t imagine the preppy retailer hasn’t fixed this part of the operation.

While frustrated we are superstitious enough to not say anything hyper-negative about J. Crew’s ongoing difficulties. Why? Because we are so incredibly paranoid have a little karma concern and do not want to arouse the wrath of the cybergods. Negatory. Nope. Not us.

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You know how much the Princess loves her preppy dishes: Boatman Geller’s plates…along with the the platters and trays and the preppy plates from Preppy Plates…

TP is sends a big “congratulations” to Preppy Plate CEO Molly Hamilton, for this stellar story in Sunday’s Washington Post; it included a cute shot of Molly and her children.

PHOTO: Keith Barraclough

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For today’s Pretty in Pink we offer the following for your perusal:

This is at Target, and only available online. The outrageous Sceptre Komodo 23″ 720p LCD HDTV is $298.

And on that cheerier note, we say adieu; we shall return with a shopping update!

J. Crew Thinks You’ve Changed & Preppy Black Friday Sales: Lacoste, J Crew, Brooks Brothers, More

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here at the Prepatorium we realize almost everyone is interested in Black Friday, or perhaps Cyber Monday. In a word: savings. Everyone is seeking sales. Discounts. Markdowns. Tips on ‘fiscally friendly’ shopping, we know that.

But first, a quick recap on the latest news from J. Crew, all of it impacting how you spend your trust fund when shopping at the specialty retailer.  Speaking with analysts yesterday about the company’s performance, J. Crew CEO Mickey Drexler was unequivocal in his opinion that the economic crisis has permanently changed how customers perceive and purchase at retail outlets:

“…we recognize that a sea-change has occurred with the consumer….”

Mr. Drexler believes consumers are demanding higher quality at reasonable prices, two attributes he says J. Crew merchandise has. Surprisingly, he mentioned price points on some specific items, unusual in light of the competitive environment:

“… our ballet flat category will start at under $100 for the first time ever…If you look at our January catalog, you’ll see a ballet flat assortment at $98. This year I think they started at $128.”

When asked about what items customers are willing to pay full price for, Tracy Gardner, J. Crew’s President, mentioned several items:

• “…there’s a beautiful ruffly blouse….”
• “… the T shirts that have all the fabulous embellishment, embroidery are blowing out.”
• “Our match stick cords continue to be phenomenal; our match stick denims… “
• “They still love our cashmere cardigans.”

Today’s story about J. Crew’s awful performance in WWD (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription required) also quoted Mr. Drexler:

“We don’t want to be the cheapest player. We want to be the longest-lasting high integrity quality player…. “

So what is J. Crew doing for you come Friday?  They are opening at 6 a.m. and all sweaters are 20% off, with Clearance items also an additional 20% off. Things are already heavily discounted online, like the Girls Riley Critter Cord in bright pink, available in all sizes as of this writing. The Crewcut Kids slacks were originally $54, now $19.99 and $30 with the price determined by the color you select.

The company is also doing their Holiday Cheer promotion through midnight Saturday night, with a 20% – 30% discount dependent upon how much you spend. (Click the graphic to go to the Crew site and see the specifics.)

J. Crew Factory Outlet stores are doing a significant promotion of their own starting Friday, most opening at midnight.

If it is difficult to read the small print up above, early risers who shop before 10am can take an additional 50% off clearance styles, nothing to sneeze at. Here is a list of all Factory Stores so you can check the hours.

Another preppy retailer (perhaps the original), Lacoste, is offering 25% off all merchandise; this includes items already on sale. The discount is good through Monday, December 1 and free standard shipping on all orders is also included through Monday. Use promo code HOLIDAY1 to receive the benefit of these offers.

Brooks Brothers is offering 15% off all merchandise online and in their stores. (See below for Factory Outlet store offers.) This promotion even applies to the Black Fleece merchandise from designer Thom Browne.

However, from today’s WWD story on retail promotions for the holiday weekend:

“Traditionally, the retailer has held tight on promotions until after Christmas.”

“… it’s not a fire sale,” said Lou Amendola, chief merchandising officer. The company is “very selectively” discounting much of the women’s apparel, which is seasonal, along with some men’s wear. Outerwear is 25 percent off. ‘We won’t promote blue or white dress shirts, for example. We have no reason to liquidate basics.’”

Additionally Brooks is offering free shipping on all orders totaling more than $200.

If shopping online at Talbots now, or in stores starting Friday, everything is 30% off and there is free standard shipping on every order. Stores open at 8am Friday and both promotions run through December 1st.

TP was in a Talbots on Monday and all Clearance merchandise was an additional 40% off; we can’t imagine this not being the case over the weekend. (As always, check with your local store – do not take our word as the ultimate answer.)

For the Polo Ralph Lauren fans in the household, the Friends and Family promotion continues, offering 30% off all merchandise through December 8. The promotion code is HOL2008, and free shipping is included in this offer.

The Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Outlet stores open at midnight tomorrow night

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Banana Republic continues their “Dressed in Holiday Style” sale online and in stores. The sale runs through Monday, December 1st.

At Banana Republic Factory Stores starting at midnight the discount is 40% off everything in the store.

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Tommy Hilfiger is offering substantial savings for Black Friday, and according to their news release, the discount is 50% off merchandise as opposed to the 40% shown in our graphic.

There are also a number of coupons for specific savings at the Factory Outlet stores, such as “Save an Additional 25% on any $200 Purchase,” but we have no idea if one must have an “official coupon,” or if it could be printed off any site.

Ann Taylor is promoting 30% off your entire purchase plus free shipping only through midnight Thursday.  The promotion code for checkout is TURKEY.

At Ann Taylor Loft stores, there are multiple promotions underway, including a $25 gift card for every $50 you spend starting online Thursday and in stores Friday.

Gobble-gobble!

Vineyard Vines Friends & Family, More Black Friday: J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, Banana Republic

Hello-Hello… we do hope everyone enjoyed a simply splendid weekend!

TP is a little crazed and dazed; here at the Prepatorium the holiday frenzy seems to have commenced earlier than usual!

Let’s start by updating current and expected markdowns, sales & other discounts at retailers specializing in merchandise that tends toward a preppy aesthetic.

We’ll start with the Vineyard Vines, “Friends & Family shopping event” that provides “25% off Your Purchase,” now through midnight tomorrow night (Tuesday, 11.25.08).  The promo code online or by phone is FRIENDS2008.  If shopping in person, take along a copy of this email notice:

There is a really cute Toddler Puffer Vest:

Next, Banana Republic is already doing their “Dressed in Holiday Style” sale online and in stores. The sale runs through Monday, December 1st; we consider this the retailer’s Black Friday sale.

And BR does have a little Wool-blend peacoat the Princess is rather fond of:

The coat comes in a variety of colors and is now $118; originally it sold at $198.

Black Friday at the Banana Republic Factory Stores offers a substantial opportunity for those with the patience and sanity to cope with the crowds: 40% off everything in the store.  Many of the factory stores open at midnight; check your local store to confirm shopping opportunities.

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We do have a new J. Crew discount offer.

Now through 11.29.08

Spend $150 and take 20% off, spend $200 and take 25% off, spend $250 and save 30% off. The promo code on this one is TURKEY. BTW, if you missed our original J. Crew Black Friday post, just click here.

Also, don’t forget, the “take an additional 20% off sale prices” deal ends tonight. TP is guessing that somehow, someway, we’ll see this back *before* the end of next weekend or another incarnation of the offer. Definitely something on Cyber Monday.

If shopping online, the promo code is EXTRA 20.

Neiman Marcus is offering what are truly amazing markdowns for that establishment, certainly  this early in the season.

For example, the  Cole-Haan Air Genie ballerinas are now only $80 from an original price of $175.  Delman’s Quilted Suede Ballerina flats are $117, from $315.

Don’t overlook the markdowns on your favorite brands in apparel and accessories. Below left, from Lacoste we show the Trucker hat, originally $57, now $35. (This is the Lacoste hat Michael Phelps is frequently seen sporting.) And lots of children’s items are also on sale; the Lacoste Zip Sweater that was $95 is now $57.

One of TP’s favorites, Garnet Hill, is starting their Thanksgiving Sale and Clearance now.

Temptation is difficult to resist when it comes to the winter theme Hable pillow covers by Hable, now $34 each. The Painted Wood picture frames are also swell and almost 50% off their original price of $36, now $19.

Arguably today’s “most bang for your buck” item is the cashmere offered at Garnet Hill. Women’s Cashmere V-neck Pullovers are $64, down from $128, as are the Crewneck Cashmere Sweaters.

TP can assure readers that unless something has gone horribly awry, these are excellent additions to one’s walk-in, of good quality and ever-so-snuggly.

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If you like the apron with bright pink circles and/or the Preppy Stripe note cards and would love to have both absolutely free, be sure and leave a comment to this post telling us one thing you are thankful for. Anything at all. Someone’s name even – that’s it! And you’re entered in the Great Preppy Giveaway!

Yesterday we mentioned we would showcase a few items of note in the Vickie’s Secret fashion show.  Should this be declared preppy lingerie?

PHOTO: Alexander Tamargo/Getty

Perhaps our wonderful Nautical by Nature can advise us on the next look… Miss Kate, does it  qualify as officially nautical in your educated estimation?

PHOTO: Jeffrey M. Boan/AP

BTW, the models look absolutely stunning. The show airs on CBS December 3 at 10 o’clock.

We’ll be back!

Black Friday Ads: Target, Polo Ralph Lauren & Hilfiger & J. Crew, Banana Republic Outlet Stores

Greetings of the day and all appropriate niceties, we thought it best if we just shared this information with you right away.  We have more information on a number of Black Friday sales, starting with Target’s ad, available here.

To view the complete insert that will be in local newspapers the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, click here.

Also, expect lower prices at your local Boutique Tarzshay for the foreseeable future, especially in the clothing and home store areas.  The effort to jumpstart Target’s slow sales includes going head-to-head with Walmart on some merchandise, along with using the online component to boost sales. From a recent Associated Press story:

“The company will also offer half a dozen “value items” online every day at special prices.”

“We have taken a very aggressive point of view this year in terms of our promotional pricing, so we expect to be price leaders on selected items … “

The information for the Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Stores event is also now available; they are calling the promotion ‘Midnight Madness.’

Courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren

We will continue to monitor them for information on what to expect at the regular Ralph Lauren stores as well as what additional savings are planned at factory stores other than this initial 20% discount off purchases of $150+.

Tommy Hilfiger is offering substantial savings for Black Friday:

There are also a number of coupons for specific savings, like the one shown below, “Save an Additional 25% on any $200 Purchase,” but we have no idea if one must have an “official coupon,” or if it could be printed off any site, like ours.

The J. Crew Factory Outlet stores are also doing Black Friday:

If it is difficult to read the small print up above, early risers who shop before 10am can take an additional 50% off clearance styles, nothing to sneeze at.

Bath and Body Works is doing a VIP Bag with purchases over $100, their scan can be seen here.

They are also doing Buy 1, Get 1 at 50% off now…

…along with several “Secret Online Sales.”

Other savings at specific factory outlets and stores:

• Banana Republic Factory Stores Midnight Madness 40% off the entire store! Expires: 11/28/08
• Eddie Bauer Factory Stores Midnight Madness Save an extra 30% off your entire purchase. Ad Code: 5700. Expires: 11/28/08

Vera Bradley will be offering free shipping on Dec.1,

We are a little surprised at Nautica’s listings, essentially $20 off a purchase of $100 or more, not nearly as aggressive as we anticipated considering their ongoing struggles in the marketplace.

For online shoppers, right now the company is offering free ground shipping on orders totaling more than $100.

On the electronics front, Best Buy has a number of discounts and markdowns that can be seen here.  The retailer will open at 5am the Friday morning after Thanksgiving.

Circuit City will also open at 5am; their ad scans are available here.

We do not yet have specifics on the Ann Taylor Loft stores, but can tell you they are now taking an Additional 40% off already reduced prices, a good deal in and of itself…

as well as offering a $25 gift card for every $50 you spend.

Keep an eye on the Tanger Outlet store site as well as the Prime Outlets site; both are decent resources for updates on special discounts and hours for the stores, although Tanger provides much more information than the Prime Outlets site offers.

When we have more on other retailers generally thought to offer a ‘preppy aesthetic’ or preppy styles, we’ll get that information to you, including the non-factory store sales and markdowns.