Spring Dreamin’ at the Preppy Princess

Hello-Hello, we are whining our way through yet one more experiencing another snowy day here at the Prepatorium. Truth be told dolls, we are in peril of succumbing to the glums, we are eager to see less snow and more sun. But because we are pure of spirit (ahem), we shan’t allow this to happen and are implementing drastic measures to combat our wavering spirits.

How drastic? Well, we going completely off the fashion and folderol grid. Instead we are looking at fun new goodies arriving (or already on hand) here at Princess InterGalactic HQ.  Watchwords for the day: bright, vibrant and Springtime-ish.

We begin with a simply divine new tote, the Greely.

Shown in Paris Paisley and Green Flair, we are making this today’s Pretty in Pink & Green. It’s likely TP will be appropriating test-driving one of these. (Sheesh, it is only out of concern and care for our treasured customers, you make it sound like I help myself to everything coming into HQ.)

The totes are oilcloth, making them very lightweight and also water-resistant, a definite plus in our mind.  The larger bag measures a more-than-healthy 14″ x 17″ x 8″, and comes with a matching wristlet* bag that is 5″ x 8″.  (*= we struggle with the ‘wristlet’ word, but not the concept, and must inquire: does anyone actually wrap the strap around their wrist?)

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Also heading our way, an outstanding Adventure in Argyle:

PreppyPrincess.com

This is one of our new gift items, the Soft Touch Manicure Set in four adorable argyle patterns.

Less than an inch thick, these are ideal for a young graduate, part of a bridesmaid’s gift bag, you name it. As we do love a bright pop of color, we have them in additional colors and patterns.

We like their $10 price point, just right for casual gifting.

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Another new bag here at the Princess, the Pink & Green Paneled Zipper Tote.

PreppyPrincess.com

The tote is also an outstanding buy at only $10; we’ll let the product description provide the other pertinent info.

“The bag has features normally found on a much more expensive tote such as an internal zipper pocket, an exterior pocket and zippered close.

This bag is up to your most demanding tasks because it’s made of an easy to clean poly material.  Each bag measures a robust 16″ W x 12″ H x 4″ D”

We love this one.

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One of the most popular items in our new Jonathan Adler line is something new for us:

PreppyPrincess.com

The Desk Dock Organizer is a fabulous little stand, helping one clear out clutter by providing handy places for pens, paper, and most importantly, the small electronics that seem to be taking over the Palace.

The Organizer is offered in two classic Adler patterns, the vivid Pink and Yellow Diamond or Green Greek Key.

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Also perking up our corner condo, the newest batch of Lilly Pulitzer File Folders.

We love this spring’s patterns (Desert Tort, Crabtastic and Patchtastic) as much as the classic designs, they all enhance the environment significantly.

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One of our favorite categories at TPP is the Preppy Pet. We are excited to be adding more patterns and ribbons to our American made custom dog and cat collars, like the Lilac & Green Argyle to go along with the Blue Argyle.

Silly Tilly enjoys sporting her custom harness in the pink and green paw print.

And we can say it has worked well with Tilly’s expanding… ah, Tilly’s ever-growing….girth.

She’s just big-boned. Really.

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And finally, in the ‘just because we want to’ category, we may plant a few of these on the desk until we see real flowers blooming:

These are the Lilly Pulitzer pinwheels, and they are cute as can be, available in Later Gator and Desert Tort.

This has helped boost our spirits a bit, hopefully it has helped yours as well! Until next time, may your days be sunny!

Is Coach Like McDonald’s? Also, Socialite Style

Hello-Hello everyone, what a scrumptious day here at the Prepatorium, despite an early trip to the HOP (House of Pain, aka the dentist) the day still sparkles. Is it bright and beautiful where you are? We ardently hope so, it is good for the soul.

We start with a little something we have been meaning to share for a few days, a look at one of “The Big Money” columns as run by Reuters last week: “Coach is Now Traveling Coach.”

“… fashionistas who prefer Hermès and Louis Vuitton dismiss Coach as gateway luxury. A competitor called it the “McDonald’s of luxury” and one fashion blogger asked during Boom 2.0 whether it is “the scheming social climber of the handbag world.”

Ouch!

Courtesy Photo

The story by Jill Priluck is focused more on the new Poppy line from Coach, most recently discussed in this forum here (with lots of pics!) and here (very brief) last month. More from the story:

“”Even the occasional luxury buyer shuns the brand: “I don’t want to carry the same bag as a 15-year-old,” said a 37-year-old mother from New Jersey.””

However, while Ms. Priluck’s story allows some to bash the retailer, she does not.

“And yet by all measures, Coach operates with exceptional savvy in the fast-changing, embattled fashion industry.”

Below, a collage featuring pieces from the new line not accompanying the article.

The story is a fascinating look at where the brand has been, and where it’s going. We highly recommend it.

Has anyone bought things from the new line? Looked at it in stores? Love it? Hate it? Unsure? Do tell, we are all dying to hear!

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Other morsels and meanderings today include a reminder about the wonderful work being done by the incredibly-generous Prep-E Girl on behalf of our four-legged friends.

Miss Erin has started a new blog, Puppy Love by Erin, with a ‘higher purpose’ than most blogs, including this one. Erin is raising money so she can sponsor a puppy in the Puppies Behind Bars program, a $3000 undertaking.

And how is she doing this? Because Miss E is one talented prep, she is making and selling handcrafted dog collars in all sorts of fabulous fabrics and materials. Below, a shot of the stylish Jake modeling one of the collars in an outstanding madras, very chic.

Erin is requesting a $20 donation for each collar, very reasonable IOHO.  We want to do what we can to help out, and this is our first step, simply sharing information about Erin’s efforts with our friends here in the Preppy blogosphere.  Our next step will be more tangible, but that will be just ‘tween us and Miss Erin. 🙂

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We share another bit of linkage now that we keep meaning to post, a wonderful story the folks over at the Refinery 29 Blog did in June.

From Babe to Brill: The Evolution of Socialite Style

The story by Kelly Hoffman really needs to be seen because of the superb graphic layout detailing styles decade by decade.

“Socialite, social, society—the words may change, but New York has always had its crowd of well-heeled women who never fail to bring the wow factor to a good party. But today’s toniest group of Tribute wearers weren’t the first pretty young things to light up a room (and cause a scandal or deux).”

Babe Paley, Nan Kempner, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Tinsley Mortimer and Lauren Santo Domingo are a few of the women featured. As you can surmise, the story is another fun read we suggest one might want to find time for!

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Finally, we sign off with a darling photo we were emailed by the inimitable Jen at When Pigs Fly:

Cotton Candy Flip Flops at PreppyPrincess.com

We’re very impressed by the lovely pedicure seen on those toes, our Cotton Candy flips are honored to be used merely to accent that elegance and beauty! (Heh-heh.) At any rate, Jen managed to find time to take the picture while in the midst of a horse show this weekend, talk about multi-tasking! (You can read more about the show here.)

We mentioned a fun feature to Jen that we are starting at the Princess shoppe, and she jumped on it, getting that image of the twinkletoes seen above to us despite her extremely busy weekend! Simply put, Pictures from a Preppy Planet (that is our goofy working title for our endeavor) asks our charming customers to send us a picture(s) showcasing their Princess merchandise in action.

We have our top IT Folks on this (exactly, The Consort) project, creating a special page for the pictures on the shoppe’s website. Because we are sensitive to the need for anonymity, we realize not all customers can show the products in use with a person. But photos like the one above are ideal, just perfect!

Best of all, anyone submitting a picture that we can use receives a 10% discount code to use at the Princess for a month, it seems only proper to say “Thank You” to those sharing their fun!

Until next time, happy day!

Please Tell the Princess What To Do

Hello everyone, and welcome to a frenzied Friday here at the Prepatorium!

TP is a tad crazed and dazed taking care of Princess business while simultaneously trying to collect her wits to scoot out of town…

While this is old news to those who follow us on Twitter, we may not have openly mentioned that we’re off to find new goodies at the Stationery Show.

This actually works out very well, as we are going to do a more-pictures-than-substance-post today, and it dovetails nicely with our desperate need to solicit your input, your wisdom, your exquisite good taste. Pourquoi ça? Because we need your insight and opinions on this topic: what lines or items would you like to see The Princess carry in the future?

We start with needlepoint pillows by a designer you know, very nicely done in 100% wool over cotton:

The pillow on the left is 12″ square and would retail for about $45-48, while the pillow on the right is larger at 20″ square; it would be $98-$105. You would like one on your sofa? Perhaps a gift for someone this holiday season? Or, “TP, tune in. There’s a recession out there and this is a little too high for our gift-giving budget right now.”

Next, needlepoint eyeglass cases; we would retail these in the $22-$25 range. A nice stocking stuff or MIL gift? Love it? Hate it? Almost worse, is it a yawn? (Remember, when it comes to your opinions, sharing is caring.)

Are silk and cotton embroidered pillows at in the $70-$90 range on your radar….? Or are there simply too many other possibilities out there? Or the house is already decorated, or more formal accents like these are not what you use, or…?

And finally with this group, the needlepoint coaster sets would run approximately $36.

A possibility you would consider for yourself or for a gift? The price is okay but the spouse doesn’t care for needlepoint coasters, or we use whatever coasters we bring home from the club (seriously, TP has lived with this phenomenon), or…? Or….?

We do need your wisdom on these, you can’t possibly hurt our feelings as these are merely ideas we are contemplating here at the Palace. And if feeling self-conscious about sharing personal taste, just leave your comments as ‘anonymous,’ and no one will be the wiser!

Not by any ‘notable’ designers but still fun, tell us what you think about the hooked pillows in 100% wool and cotton. The 14″ x 18″ lighthouse would sell for approximately $38-$40, and the 16″ square crab on the right about $48-$50.

Cute? Good gifts? Just so-so? Meh, pillows just aren’t my thing?

What things are we not carrying you would like to see us add? More totes? Lilly Pulitzer accessories, you know, the handbags and jewelry collections? More stationery and notepaper? More of the same or lines with lower or higher pricepoints?  More pillows, towels, or home accessories? More preppy pet items, or more/less belts and flip-flops?

Now, before flitting away without sharing your thoughts, just remember – Tilly’s future is hanging in the balance.

Tilly On Guard

As one can see, Miss Tilly doesn’t miss many meals.

And she does enjoy her regular trips to the spa:

A Day at the Spa

Not to mention her grooming; she prefers the students in the Veterinary Medicine School at the Large University handle her ‘special needs.’

"How Could You?!"

And her appreciation of fine apparel is well-documented.

"Does the Tailor make house calls?"

Fortunately, Scooter-the-Wonder-Cat has lower expectations.

A good set of shelves to hide out in when being pursued by the Much-Larger-Animal and an occasional meal keep Scooter happy.

And they both revel in some time stalking each other.

So do share your thoughts on Princess inventory.

They’re counting on you.

"Please tell Mommy & Daddy what you think...puh-leeze!"

Heh-heh-heh.

See you sometime next week, we hope everyone enjoys an utterly divine weekend!