Brooks Brothers Gets Social, Preppy Sales & Savings

Hello-Hello, thank goodness it is almost the weekend. Somehow the week became a rather long and tedious sequence of days, frenzied and harried with little breathing room.

There are loads of things happening all over the Preppy Planet, so we jump right in with an item qualifying as Friday Fun in our book: the result of yet another fashion collaboration, the Social Primer for Brooks Brothers Bow Tie Collection.

Brooks Brothers

Some readers are familiar with Social Primer, an online etiquette blog geared to men, as well as a retail outlet operated by K. Cooper Ray.

SocialPrimer.com

For those not yet enjoying the Primer we share this description from Brooks Brothers:

“The voice of SocialPrimer.com, “SP”, is a stickler for tradition and good manners. He reminds men to walk on the curbside of a lady and to always stand when they shake a man’s hand. SP is sometimes a dandy and always a gentleman.”

The partnership between these entities makes good sense, affording Brooks an opportunity to offer an updated look for a traditional item.

No one will be surprised by our appreciation for the ties; it is common knowledge we are silly for seersucker and rarely see a madras we don’t like, let alone a nautically inclined look.

Kudos to Mr. Ray and Brooks Brother. The collection is not yet officially launched (that happens May 19th), but the ties are available online and in Brooks Brothers stores.

Speaking of B2, they are in the middle of their Friends and Family Sale; everything is 25% off online, at retail stores and factory outlets stores.  To receive the discount, use promo code Friend1A at checkout. The promotional pricing runs through Monday, May 10th and it does include Black Fleece items.

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We smiled when reading the Financial Times’ story: “A summery outlook for men’s shoes”, illustrated with this image of Tod’s brightly colored driving moccasins.

Courtesy Image via Financial Times

The story shares insight from Lacoste’s chief marketing pooh-bah:

“Colour and the whole preppy style is very much on trend at the moment, and it’s something that Lacoste is strongly associated with,” citing the brand’s new pistachio green, baby blue and salmon pink canvas slip-on shoes…”

We haven’t yet seen the new Lacoste shoes referenced, but are guessing the look isn’t one The Consort will be sporting.

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Other Sales & Savings of note:

• Talbots is taking an additional 50% off sale prices.
• Polo Ralph Lauren offers an extra 15% off already-reduced prices through Monday, May 10. Use promo code MAY0610 for the discount
• Lacoste is taking 30% off merchandise through May 10th

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We close with two quick Pretty in Pink items; the first is an item from the store we used here at the Prepatorium just yesterday.

The Scout Insulated Casserole Carrier was put into action transporting our Apple Cake across town and it worked perfectly, as it always does. And that recipe? It is so easy recipe even yours truly can’t mess it up. (Well, not yet.)  Here is the recipe:

KitchenAid Apple Cake

• 11⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 11⁄2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 11⁄2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 11⁄2 cups applesauce
• 1⁄2 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup chopped, peeled apple
• 1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts

1. Combine dry ingredients in mixer bowl. Add applesauce, butter, and eggs.
2. Attach bowl and flat beater to mixer. Turn to Speed 2 and mix about 1 minute. Stop and scrape bowl. Turn to Speed 4 and beat about 30 seconds.
3. Add apple and walnuts. Turn to STIR Speed and mix just until blended.
4. Pour batter into greased and floured 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
5. Cool completely on wire rack. Frost with Caramel Creme Frosting, if desired.

Yield: 12 to 16 servings.

Per serving: About 318 cal, 5 g pro, 51 g carb, 11 g fat, 36 mg chol, 315 mg sod.

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Our second Pretty in Pink is something we stumbled upon when visiting the Everything is Better Pink blog:

Emma Graham Designs

Pieces from designer Emma Graham were featured on the blog, and we couldn’t resist sharing the image above, it is such a perfect pink and green! Our thanks to Sally at the blog, she has a great eye.

With that we say G’bye until next time, may everyone enjoy a weekend filled with love and laughter!

Target’s Gossip Girl Line & the Rumors, A Preppy Mish-Mash

Hello-Hello everyone, welcome to our wild Wednesday. It has been insanely busy here at the Prepatorium, so we are going to be mercifully brief today!

We begin with a rapid rundown of the big to-do that isn’t, this one involving the much-discussed Anna Sui Gossip Girl line for Target due to debut September 13.

Courtesy Target

Evidently the rumor mill was peaking in the Hysteria Zone Monday with a story that the ‘rambunctious activities’ (our phrase) of the characters on Gossip Girl were so mature and non-family-friendly that Targèt was not going to move forward with the line. Clearly that would have been lunacy with merchandise this close to being shipped to stores. Honestly.

Here are a few more looks from the line.

Courtesy Target

In fact, a Target spokesman told StyleList:

“We are moving forward as planned with the four principal leads of ‘Gossip Girl’ as our creative muses.” And added, “Unfortunately, there was misinformation passed around and we are still very excited about the collaboration.”

Courtesy Target

It seems the retailer is more than pleased by their association with the hit television show; the StyleList story also explains Target is the official sponsor of the G2 season premiere September 14, the day after the collection launches.

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Next, a peek at a few of the looks on tap from Talbots for the Holiday and Resort seasons. We start with an oversized tartan plaid on the button-front dress seen below.

Courtesy The Fashion List

Talbots will also offer a rich black trench for their Resort line.

Courtesy The Fashion List

Our thanks to the folks over at the Fashion List for their insightful post on the upcoming Talbots styles, as well as thoughts on the store’s direction:

“The Holiday 2009 collection… made the case loud & clear that Talbot’s was not choosing the typical slippery slope of reduced prices (aka reduced quality) that so many companies mistakenly follow when times get tough, but rather looking at their existing customer (50+ year olds)… embarking on a mission to attract the generation before these ladies (the 35 to 50 set) & creating offerings that would give them a reason to walk through the company’s trademark red door & walk out happily…”

What are your thoughts, can Talbots regain the under-50 shopper? We believe they can garner some, but it is going to be a tough sell shedding what has become a dowdy, frumpish image.

Whilst speaking of Talbots, a quick reminder: don’t forget their Summer Sale and Clearance continues with an additional 25% off already reduced merchandise.

Also continuing their Final Sale, J. Crew, saying they have added more merchandise to the sale.

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Next, a look at a lush silk organza dress from the Milly Holiday Collection; while much too fun and young for this oldster, but we do find that oversized bow rather adorable.

PHOTO: Talaya Centeno/WWD

Our thanks to Women’s Wear Daily for this image.

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We have a few items for our Pretty in Pink today, our first is from  with the Kate Spade Fairmount Park Jori Dress.

KateSpade.com

One reason we wanted to showcase Kate Spade is the fact they are taking an additional 40% off already reduced Sale merchandise.  This makes the cost of the dress shown above approximately $156; the original selling price was $345.

We understand if you feel the urge to flee this site and head over there, no hurt feelings whatsoever, exigent circumstances do arise in retail, and we fully understand. (Ahem.)

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Also continuing their sale (but not with such steep discounting), Brooks Brothers.

BrooksBrothers.com

The image above references the markdowns on Brooks’ Non-Iron shirts; we can attest to the fabulosity of these, the shirts really are divine. And at these prices, the opportunity to stock up on a basic is really very tempting. Even for TP. (Sssshh.)

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We close with our other Pretty in Pink item,

The Container Store via Pink & Green Scene

We were tipped to this treasure by the always-on-top-of-things-folks over at Pink and Green Scene, where it was mentioned in Monday’s post.

This Just In – a Quote of the Day from The Consort: “If this is ‘mercifully short’ then I’m afraid to see what painfully long would be.” Ouch. But then, he is correct. Quite so.

Until next time, may it be Prepalicious everywhere you are today!

Preppy Sales & When Preppy Goes Wrong. Again.

Hello and greetings from The Great Midwest, soon to break off from the rest of the continent and float away if the skies outside are any indication.

TP is rather unsettled today.

 

Too many previously unimaginable events and goings on that portend change.

 

Courtesy Boston Herald

And we all know what change means. Something different. (Oh no!) Possible discomfort? (Gasp!) Things might happen outside of our comfort zone. (Say it ain’t so Joe!)

In reality, we are more-than-grateful to not be facing the loss of our jobs; the Consort tells me he doesn’t see us firing ourselves in the immediate future. (Whew.)

But this doesn’t translate into a carefree existence. To the contrary, the Prepatorium is located in an area absolutely bloodied by this recession. Stores where we shop are closing, friends and family members are out of work or confronted with terminating some of their employees, people in pain are everywhere. It isn’t pretty.

While we also see the times as posing enormous opportunities for The Princess, we are not unaware of the angst and anxiety that are now everyday realities for so many people that we know and care about.  We feel guilty when faced with the now-loaded-question: “how’s business?” because it is better than it has ever been but in some quarters that brings a quizzical look instead of shared happiness.

So we do as much as we possibly can on the volunteering and donation fronts, but to say things are dreary, dismal and dire is not an exaggeration. However, you will not hear us complaining, not at all, despite our 401K’s. Don’t even ask about that topic. Do. Not. Bring. It. Up.

One last thing: can we talk about the Herald’s Killer Flu headline up above? (We get to do this one because of all those years paying our dues in TV and print journalism.) We are guessing this will come as a surprise to both the CDC and WHO, but evidently the virus has morphed into a human being and it is now out “… stalking the State.”.  We think not.

If we could avoid anthropomorphism, that insipid practice of attributing human qualities to inanimate objects, we might all remain a little calmer on this topic. We aren’t suggesting that anyone is sensationalizing the issue when writing headlines or promos or teases, nay, nay we aren’t suggesting that.

SnarkAlert! SnarkAlert! SnarkAlert!

We are making a declarative statement that this is the case. And yes, the egregious writing practice outlined above is most assuredly included on TP’s list of “Top 10 No-no’s When Writing for Broadcast & Print.” Honestly.

In an effort to demonstrate we are not a complete Crankenstein, here is today’s Economic Quote ‘O the Day:

“I want to warn people from Nigeria who might be watching our show, if you get any emails from Washington asking for money, it’s a scam. Don’t fall for it – Jay Leno”

Heh-heh.

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How about something a little more cheery, more Sales & Savings we want to pass along, beginning with J. Crew. Use promo code EXTRA20 to receive an additional 20% off Spring Sale prices. That means things like the Soirée sateen blazer are a good buy.

The blazer’s original retail price was $148; with the additional discount it is roughly $80.

One can also find more fiscally friendly prices at Brooks Brothers, now pushing their Online Only Clearance. Many of the items are off-season, quite a bit of cashmere and wool, great bargains if one is purchasing for this fall.  The Argyle Cardigan was $268, it is discounted by 60% at $107.

Many pieces from Brooks’ more upscale Country Club line are included, like the Golf Silk Scarf, previously $238, now $95.20.

Also hosting a significant sale, Polo Ralph Lauren. In addition to the normal reductions taken on apparel and accessories, the retailer is also promoting their “Private Home Sale – Up to 40% Off” although this should be taken with a grain of salt, as last year’s Private Sale announcement was accompanied by a full-page ad in the Times.  The full-page ad was announcing the “Private Sale.”

We do like the Cecil Linen Basketweave Sham, but have no need for even more linens.

 

On the Shoes & Accessories front, we are fond of the Mertie Leather Ballet Flat, available in three colors.

There are more major sales scheduled for the weekend, with Saks and Macy’s slated to square off, but we do not yet have the details. We promise to share when we do.

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We close with a rather bizarre photograph, something a friend forwarded to us, clearly destined for inclusion into the “When Preppy Goes Wrong” Hall of Fame:

 

Courtesy Wacky Archives

How many collars do you think this tragic figure has popped?  We couldn’t count them all but have been told by a reliable source it is 23.

Too funny!

Spring Fun & Fashions, Who Let the Dogs Out at Gossip Girl?

Hello-Hello, and happy sunshiny day! We are expecting an almost-tropical high temperature of 45 degrees today!

You realize of course, there is no way TP can resist some of the spring fashions we have been seeing, especially those designed for the Young Miss or Master of the house.

Best & Co.

The Gingham Sleeveless Dress is available in the blue shown above as well as an outstanding pink, both in Girl’s sizing.  Also in Girl’s sizes, there is a Springtime Scottie Sweater that is just TDF, as well as this striped Rackets Sweater.

Racket Sweater

Not to mention the twill pants with embroidered little whales.

Best & Co.

Or the seersucker skirt with embroidered sailboats.

Best & Co.

There are also darling looks for your Young Man.

Best & Co.

The striped sweater and button-down shirt are both ready to report for duty, basics perfect for rounding out any young man’s wardrobe.

THIS JUST IN:

Best & Company

Truly just in to our email, word that Best is doing a special promotion, offering a 25% discount from their regular prices online and in-store; the promo code to enter at checkout is SPRINGSAVINGS.

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And for the youngest family members eagerly awaiting the Easter Bunny, how cute are these?

Courtesy Room Service Home

It may be difficult to discern in the photo, but these precious Snowbunny Snugs have a perky bunny face, whiskers, ears, and more.  Beyond cute, they are available at Room Service Home.

Of course, if one feels the need for their own bunnies, there is an adult version available from the online and catalog retailer.

Room Service Home

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We have yet another magazine cover featuring a star from everyone’s favorite prep school in the sky, the oh-so-popular Gossip Girl.

Blake Lively has landed the cover of April’s UK edition of Marie Claire.  Ms. Lively has been busy when not filming the show in New York, most recently at yesterday’s DKNYMEN Fragrance launch. The actress was sporting a Tory Burch top, but apparently plans to create some fashions for herself in the future, according to this story from USA Today:

“Lively is turning into something of a DIY girl. “I just got a Singer sewing machine and I’m so excited. I’m having a desk built at my house. It’s something I really love,” she said.”

Not to be left out, G2 co-star Chace Crawford is also receiving coverage from a pop magazine, honored with one of Cosmopolitan’s Fun Fearless Male awards this week.  Of course.

PHOTO: Matt Sayles/AP

Serious fans seeking a glimpse of Mr. Crawford can watch him this evening on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.

While not a glossy, the Daily Princetonian is certainly more reflective of contemporary life at an Ivy League school, and assuredly more realistic.  In today’s issue they carry a fascinating story on Laura Breckenridge,

PHOTO: Wenn

Ms. Breckenridge has the unique distinction of actually attending Princeton while also portraying a character on the Gossip Girl show.  She plays the role of Rachel Carr, a new English teacher at the hypothetical private school on the city’s Upper East Side the show is based on.  According to Preppy, Preppy blog, Preppy Princess, Preppy Princess blog, preppy style, preppy fashions, preppy look, prep senior writer Elinor Flynn’s story, “Spotted: L. drinking coffee in Chancellor Green Cafe,” not everyone on the show was a stranger to Ms. Breckenridge:

“She actually wasn’t a stranger to everyone on set: She and Leighton Meester, who plays the delightfully conniving Blair on the show, knew each other in high school and ran into each other a few times when they both lived in Los Angeles.”

When asked about life on the set, the actress offered an interesting perspective:

“The most striking feature of the “Gossip Girl” set? The number of dogs running around. Meester, Blake Lively and Taylor Momsen — to name a few — all arrive to work with a pup in tow. “All the dogs hang out in the hair and makeup room,” Breckenridge said. “There are always dogs coming up to you. It’s nice.”

The story’s subhead is “‘Gossip Girl’ Laura Breckenridge ’10 on school, acting and kissing Penn Badgley“. We’ll let you scan the article for that information.

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We close today with a Pretty in Pink from St. John’s SoCa Collection.

SoCa by St. John at Saks

And while running a bit (a bit?!) more than we currently have on hand in pin money, we still adore the Silk Taffeta Jacket, now available at Saks. To be honest, it is just making our Spring Fever worse! For some reason, it shrieks Muffy Martini at us, perhaps because it is from the Southern California line. (You know, the younger, hipper line we pretend we can wear…sigh.)

Until next time, ladies, grins and giggles for your sunny day!

Ralph Lauren…at the White House? Gossip Girl Reality Show in the Works

Hello and Happy Friday!  It seems the week has either flown by at a furious pace or been painfuly slow, no in-betweens for our friends and business associates. What about you? Frenzied crazy-fast? Or painfully slow-as-molasses?

Speaking of a frenzy, Fashion Week is officially underway. We will do our best to share relevant updates, photos and info as we can.  In fact, we’ll start with a little gossip via the always-on-top-of-things staff at NY Mag.  The GQ fashion week party was Wednesday night, and apparently the conversation turned to the Obama family and their sartorial selections.  Several attendees considered ‘preppy purveyors’ talked about the President’s selection of neckties.

“… designer Tommy Hilfiger said that while his company had not formally approached the Obamas about wearing his designs, “I know Barack wears some of my ties, I’ve seen them.” David Lauren, clad in Rugby and wearing a foot cast after a run-in with a cracked Soho sidewalk, added that the Obamas “have great style … and if they choose to wear us, we’d love it.”

The “He likes me better!” “No he doesn’t, he likes me best!” one-upsmanship apparently continued:

“But even if Sasha and Malia Obama eschew outsized Polo ponies this season, rest assured that the Ralph Lauren brand has already made its mark on the White House. “I believe that [the Obama girls’] rooms have been painted with Ralph Lauren paints,” said Lauren.”

We expect everyone shall enjoy much more restful sleep this evening being in possession of this information.

BTW, the online Tommy store does have *all* kids merchandise 30% off, according to the website:

Tommy Hilfiger

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On a quasi-related note, one of our original Anti-Preps, Kim Kardashian, is evidently attending some shows at Fashion Week.  Seriously.  Ms.Kardashian claims the idea to attend some of the shows was actually the brainchild (?) of “Reggie.” (Apologies, but we do not know Reggie, although we presume he is a romantic interest for Ms. Kardashian.)

At any rate, apparently the two are planning on being at the Adidas Y-3 show. Below we show a Y-3 look:

Courtesy Ruby Hornet

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Big news for Gossip Girl fans: Bravo is launching a reality show based on Gossip Girl! Broadcasting & Cable reports a new show is planned by the producer who does Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style.

The story on the magazine’s website says:

“The docudrama is being described by insiders as the real-life Gossip Girl, although the show will not feature any of Manhattan’s exclusive schools specifically.

This is not the first time a reality show based on the G2 theme has been attempted:

‘CBS also looked into a reality series about students at the Manhattan private school York Prep, but the school was said to be skittish about the attention such a project would bring.”

The story says the show will air later this year.

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We share a few SOTTs (Signs of the Times) our readers may deem to be of note:

• Both the The Inter-Con Montelucita & W resort hotels in Scottsdale are facing foreclosure. (Both remain 0pen.)
• The Knickerbocker Yacht Club is closing, according to this Newsday story.  Not a club we have ever visited, the article’s online photos show the charm of the Port Washington Club.  Apparently members even looked at merging with Manhasset Bay Yacht Club YC, but that is not an option. The Club has been in operation for 135 years.

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  PHOTO: Ana P. Gutierrez/Newsday

Our thanks to Luxist for both of these tips.

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Hello Kitty now has some hip apparel designs to accompany her MAC Cosmetics collection. MAC asked multiple designers to create looks for the doll; below we show two sketches, starting with Emanuel Ungaro:

Courtesy Vogue UK/Ungaro

If that isn’t the cutest pink bow, we don’t know what is. Of course, here at the Prepatorium we believe “Life is Better with a Bow,” so we are favorably predisposed to bows. Especially if they are pink.  This creation by Elie Saab also features a pink bow, although not quite as prominently.

Courtesy Vogue UK/Elie Saab

Other designers include Herve Leger by Max Azria, Zac Posen and Charlotte Ronson.  Each of the eight designs was then made into an actual garment; they are now being auctioned on eBay as a fundraiser for the FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York. It is worth a nanosecond or two to see how the sketches translated into reality, very fun!

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Okay, it is time for some Pretty in Pink to perk up the gray day outside.  How about these darlings for your little darling? The Kenneth Cole Bow Glitz ‘n Bow Flats are sized for Infants & Toddlers; they are on sale for about $19 at 6pm.

A reminder that 6pm is actually Zappo’s site for sale and clearance merchandise – bargains abound! And speaking of fiscally friendly shopping, Target has the entire Thakoon Collection marked down, with discounts that look substantial.

On that happy note, don’t forget to enter our Lilly Pulitzer Stationery Giveaway, and Happy-Happy weekend!