Ladurée On Its Way, + An Über-Prep at the Chelsea Flower Show

Hello and welcome to a new week, one that has suddenly become very busy here at The Prepatorium, so we are brief with our post.

Today we are hopelessly disorganized featuring a variety of different topics, beginning with simply wonderful news for those fond of the delicious confections found at Ladurée: the famous Parisian sweet shop is opening a New York store.

The company is best known for its macarons/macaroons.

“These small, round cakes, crisp on the outside, smooth and soft in the middle, are made every morning in Ladurée’s “laboratory”. The pastry chefs measure out very precisely the required amounts of almonds, eggs and sugar, before adding one final ingredient, a pinch of unique “know-how”, essential to the making of such a delicacy. Once cooked and filled, the macaroons are put to one side for 2 days before going on sale, the time it takes to achieve a perfect balance between texture and flavour.”

The company is also opening a Covent Garden shop, here is a look at that establishment.

Via Ladurée

The store in the city will be at 864 Madison Avenue, it is expected to open in July.  As for how one should properly refer to the tiny treats, we have always been taught that (despite what Ladurée writes) a macaron is made of two crushed almond, meringue-based cookies with a creamy or fruit-based mixture, and that macaroons are those cookies made of a crushed coconut mixture, generally heavier and sweeter in flavor.  If anyone can offer additional insight, *please* leave a comment, we are surprised to see how Ladurée describes their most famous creation.

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Next, today was Media and VIP day at the Chelsea Flower Show,

Luke MacGregor/Reuters

The Queen was in attendance, she has only missed the show once in sixty years.

David Bebber/AFP/Getty Images

Also seen at the show today, Gwyneth Paltrow.

Reuters/Getty Images

The actress has been busy marketing her new book, “My Father’s Daughter: Delicious, Easy Recipes Celebrating Family & Togetherness.” She appears on the cover of June’s Bon Appétit, the first time the publication has featured a celebrity on its cover. The cookbook is selling well, but don’t look for Ms. Paltrow to launch her own food magazine, as has been rumored. From this story in the Post:

‘Don’t know how that rumor got into the papers. It could not be further from the truth. I literally do not have time to bathe, let alone start a magazine.”

The Flower Show is considered the premier venue to unveil new flower breeds, below we see the William and Catherine rose, making its public debut today.

Reuters (L) and Getty Images (R)

Another new rose will be launched by Vanessa Redgrave, created in honor of her daughter, actress Natasha Richardson, who died after a skiing accident.

Prince Albert was on hand to show off the Monaco Garden exhibit.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Dame Helen Mirren has the right idea:

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The actress was actually at the Borneo Exotics exhibit, showing a new plant named ‘Helen’.  Other celebrities attending included Barbara Bach and husband Ringo Starr.

Getty Images

The event also signals the start of the summer social season in London. The Queen is expected back at the show tonight along with Prince Philip, Camilla, Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, and other members of the Royal Family.

But the real stars of the show continue to be the exhibits and those beautiful flowers.

BenStansall/AFP/Getty Images

On these bright and sunny images we say goodbye until next time!

Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

We hope the flowers are blooming wherever you may be.

The Overlooked Royal Wedding? (Plus a Pink & Green Turkey!)

Hello-Hello, and welcome to a Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  We shall be brief as things are careening wildly out of control a tad busy here at the Prepatorium, and we also need to work on tonight’s Black Friday post.

Today we have an update on what some are calling the “overlooked royal wedding”.

Bruno Bebert/AP

We refer of course, to the nuptials of Monaco’s Prince Albert and fiancee Charlene Wittstock.  Above we see Ms. Wittstock alongside Princess Caroline and the Prince at last Friday’s annual Monaco Day Gala.  Ms. Wittstock was making her first ceremonial appearances as a royal fiancée.

As expected, the engagement of Prince Williams and Kate Middleton has generated an extraordinary amount of media coverage and will continue to do so.  We may well be in the minority, but we don’t think of the Prince William and Kate Middleton wedding as overshadowing or eclipsing the events in Monaco; they are two separate events in very different circumstances.

Prince Albert’s engagement to the South African-born Olympic swimmer was announced in June, the wedding is next summer.  July 2nd there will be an open-air ceremony in the palace courtyard, followed by a religious ceremony on the 3rd, presumably led by Monaco’s Archbishop.

Below, Ms. Wittstock is seen at another National Day event, she is wearing Giorgio Armani Privé. 

The silk suit featured a nipped-in waist and oversized button closure on the jacket.  Trivia fans may be interested in knowing it is the first time a royal fiancée has taken part in a national day appearance. From these photos it seems she has the royal wave down pat.

Valery Hache/AFP/Getty

One unfortunate similarity shared by Kate Middleton and Charlene Wittstock, both face comparisons to their predecessors.  Miss Middleton is being measured against Princess Diana, Ms. Wittstock to Princess Grace, with many writers already saying the latter shares the “icy-cool blonde beauty” of Princess Grace.  AOL’s StyleList carried a post entitled “Charlene Wittstock, Gracy Kelly Spitting Images of Each Other,” using this image.

Via StyleList

From the StyleList post:

“Take a look at photos of the former princess and the princess-to-be. Do you see what we see?
Sculpted, dark blonde hair. Light eyes. High cheekbones. Silky skin. Heart-shaped faces. Slim, elegant figures. Not to mention, impeccable tastes in fashion.”

To be sure, the public interest in the activities, fashions, and everything else involving the two beautiful young ladies will only intensify. Below, Ms. Wittstock on the cover of December’s Tatler.

Tatler Magazine

She is stunning, with an understated elegance that is timeless, and appears ideally suited to her role.

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We leave you with what can only be described as a very preppy turkey, via A Honey of a Deal.

Via A Honey of a Deal

With that we say gobble-gobble, may your Thanksgiving be filled with love and laughter!

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• Lionel Cironneau/Reuters

An Ivy League Reality Show?

Hello-Hello, and welcome to another week of fun and frenzy here at the Prepatorium! It is so crazy-busy that we are forced to make this another one of those dreary two-day posts, with apologies.

We commence the week with news that is clearly one more Sign The Apocalypse Is Upon Us: it would seem an Ivy league reality show of some kind is in the works. From the Daily Princetonian.

“Roughly 60 students attended an open casting session at Nassau Inn on Saturday morning to audition for a new reality television show, which plans to shoot its pilot on the University’s campus this fall and document the Ivy League college lifestyle.”

If we were still doing news for a living, we would refer to this item as ‘a bit moldy,’ if you’ll disregard the rather crass description, meant to convey the fact this was reported way back in May.  The good news is the show’s producers don’t seem to be looking for the next Snooki-type-creature, according to this story from the Princetonian:

““The intention of this show is not to put a bunch of people together and create friction, like on ‘Real World’ or ‘Jersey Shore,’ ”…”

Regardless, we are pretty much convinced that Great-Uncle Arthur and Great-Aunt Mildred have already started spinning in their proverbial you-know-whats.  Perhaps Miss Privilege or Sir Bumby can assist us with additional information, certainly they are possessed of greater insight on the topic than your faithful correspondent.

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We have several Bits and Bytes to pass along:

• Discount ‘members only’ sale site RueLaLa is having another Lilly Pulitzer sale, this one beginning at 11am on Wednesday, the 4th. If in need of an invitation to join the fun, just click here. (There is also a sale of Lilly for men taking place at RueLaLa. Same Batcave, same time.)

• Today’s Pretty in Pink comes courtesy of our friend Coco, who told us about the redecorated Eloise suite at the Plaza

Designer Betsey Johnson oversaw design for the new room, it is very pink indeed. (Not to be confused with the Eloise Shop at the hotel, seen below.)

The Plaza

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We have a follow-up to Friday’s post, “Of Weekends and Wedding Gowns,” looking at the styles selected by notable brides on their big day.

Courtesy Photo Provided by de Manio Photography

It turns out Chelsea Clinton chose Vera Wang to create her wedding dress.

Photo Provided by Genevieve de Manio Photography

Women’s Wear Daily offers more insight:

“Chelsea started with the most popular bridal silhouette across all economic stratas: the full-skirted, strapless bustier.

“… in silk tulle and laser-cut organza, incorporated complicated elements Wang has perfected: the crisscross bodice draping and the skirt’s faux-random tiers and swirls

Photo Provided by de Manioon Photography

The groom, Marc Mezvinsky, wore a custom tuxedo by Burberry.

Courtesy Photo Provided by Genevieve de Manio Photography

Here is a sketch of the dress.

Photo: Steven Sipelman/WWD

Below we see the Secretary of State and President Clinton with the newlyweds; Mrs. Clinton wore a deep berry gown by a princess fave, Oscar de la Renta. .

Courtesy Photo via Reuters

The bride then changed into another Vera Wang creation for the reception, said to be an ivory silk Grecian gown.

As mentioned in Friday’s blather post, the next significant wedding appears to be that of Monaco’s Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock. Below, we show the couple at this weekend’s annual Red Cross Ball, Princess Stephanie is seen on the right.

Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Clearly Ms. Wittstock and Princess Stephanie have distinctively different styles. Quite.

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We leave you with this image of Silly Tilly; we apologize to our FB fans who may have already seen it, but we simply couldn’t resist.

The Dog Days of Summer

Adieu until next time!

Another Royal Wedding on Tap and National Pink Day

Hello-Hello, and Happy National Pink Day!

This is perfect timing, coinciding nicely with the big news of the day for royal watchers: word that Monaco’s Prince Albert is engaged to Charlene Wittstock of South Africa.  Below, the official photograph released by the Palace accompanying the announcement.

Amedeo M.Turello/Palais Princier Monaco via Getty

The official announcement may be viewed here.  Ms. Wittstock is a former Olympic swimmer from South Africa; from the news release:

“Ms Charlene Lynette Wittstock is of South African nationality and was born on 25 January 1978 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Before settling in Monaco, Charlene Lynette Wittstock was a youth worker.”

We saw many photos of the couple over the weekend in our posts on the Swedish royal wedding of Princess Victoria. Here are two more pictures from this weekend’s festivities.

We are sure no one will care about this silly bauble, but we’ll include the photo of Ms. Wittstock’s engagement ring anyway. (Heh-heh-heh.)

Amedeo M.Turello/Palais Princier Monaco via Getty

Today’s happy news lets us segue properly into our primary topic, a celebration of our favorite color here at the Prepatorium. We begin with an image of the famed royal residence.

In the photo above the Palace in Monaco appears rather more pink than it actually is, but a lovely sight nonetheless.  Other pink structures we stumbled across include this rental home not far from the white cliffs of Dover in the UK.

Holiday-Rentals.co.uk

Many are familiar with the Royal Sheraton in Hawaii.

Via Global Graphica

While the Monaco residence is considered an icon, others think of this when hearing the ‘Pink Palace’ moniker.

Via Classic Katie blog

From Chess City in Russia.

Via Chess Base blog

The pink highrise was photographed in our former hometown, Denver.

Skyscraperpage.com

If a pink building isn’t on the horizon, an interior in these tones is always a possibility.

Matthew Millman via HGTV.com

The pink and green room seen below was designed by Steven Miller Design, originally viewed here.  Our next Pretty in Pink room is from designer Jennifer Frank.

PHOTO: via HGTV.com

A more formal setting is found in this living room by designer Grace Sielaff.

HGTV.com

This room might be more conducive to sleep.

NewsHouseDesign.com

Locating furnishings in our favorite color is nowhere near as difficult as it was in TP’s day. Below, PB Teen’s Cushy Lounge Love Seat.

PB Teen

One would want a large space to house this Bruehl piece.

Bruehl via NewsHouseDesign.com

Some may recall this post with our bespoke pink chair from Squint.

Squint Ltd.

Surely locating a pink vehicle is far more challenging than doing a room in the color, no?

Who can ignore this adorable electric car from Lilly Pulitzer?

Lilly Pulitzer

The pink Mini is destined to stand out.

As will the pink Corvette, sure to attract attention.

Who can forget Barbie’s pink Fiat for her 50th anniversary?

Sadly, many readers may remember this monstrosity and the AntiPrep flaunting it.

Our treasured readers won’t be surprised to read that we definitely like the Estate Wagon pedal car.

We are rather fond of the pink Pedal Plane.

The notion of pink aircraft is troubling.

VIA

Many of us have spent far more time on an Airbus A-320 than we want to remember, but never on this one.

Via Airliners.net

Nor on this one.

Via Airliners.net

Pink ships are also baffling.

Via Donegan Landscaping

Let alone a pink freighter.

Via Ugly Ships blog

Surely the pink bulldozer is an anomaly.

Via New Zealand Pictures

The Pink Toe Truck has us nonplussed.

Via Art Car Central

Some things simply should not be pink. Car interiors would be near the top of that list; this is clearly a Crime Against Pink.

Other things that shouldn’t be pink?

Four-legged family members.

Via Siderite Blog

We are not surprised by pink uniforms, merely the number of people wearing them in this image.

We admit to being taken aback by this image.

Via Eternally Cool

More men in pink on the job.

Via EternallyCool.net

The vintage PSA Airline uniforms and aircraft raised our eyebrows.

Via Jaunted

(We highly recommend Jaunted’s entire History of Pink Airline Uniforms, it will make your day.)

Below, more people in pink as part of a breast cancer awareness initiative, these folks are getting ready for a fundraising walk in Kuala Lumpur.

Via CloveToo.com

There are things we never considered, like a pink-clad chain gang; below, inmates from the Maricopa County jail.

Via Trendhunter

Nor did we envision a hot air balloon shaped like a pink house.

While we shudder at the specter of pink boats….

Via Moods of norway

We are on the bubble when it comes to the Pink Flamingo Pedal Boat.

Here is one pink watercraft we like, this one rowed by the women of Cape Cod Rowing as a reminder that one in eight women develops breast cancer.

Courtesy PinkBoat.org

The pink hay bales have a whimsical appeal.

Via Trendhunter

There are all manner of pink drinks.

Via Brenda's Wedding Blog

We have never experienced pink Jello in person.

Via PenangFaces.com

When it comes to food, what could be better than these yummies?

Via

And who could resist this stunning creation from Pink Cakebox?

Via PinkCakebox.com

Or these treasures via It’s a Piece of Cake?

And this is something we could never turn away from, also by Pink Cakebox.

Pink Cakebox

By far the strangest pink item we discovered is this:

Via His Nibs blog

The 200-foot bunny lives on the side of a hill in Italy; as described on His Nibs, the site where we discovered it:

“Viennese art group Gelatin designed the giant soft toy and say it was “knitted by dozens of grannies out of pink wool”.

From another angle.

Via FootlooseMoose.com

Back to the HisNibs post:

Group member Wolfgang Gantner said: “It’s supposed to make you feel small, like Gulliver. You walk around it and you can’t help but smile. And Gelatin members say the bunny is not just for walking around – they are expecting hikers to climb its 20 foot sides and relax on its belly.

The giant rabbit is expected to remain on the mountain side until 2025.”

A final look, with thanks to PhilNeeds on Posterous:

Via PhilNeeds Posterous

Clearly a prime candidate for inclusion in our You Can’t Make This Stuff Up category.

Indeed.

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We also have to share just one more thing, with thanks to our dear friend Julie for sending it along last night, creating quite the tizzy.

Courtesy AMC-TV

The fun begins on July 25.

May you enjoy a wonderful day of pretty pink things wherever you may travel!

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier

Gowns and Crowns at Sweden’s Royal Wedding

Hello-Hello, and welcome to a special weekend edition of the Princess blog, sharing images from today’s royal wedding in Stockholm. When last we chatted, guests were heading off to the dinner in honor of Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and her betrothed, Daniel Westling.

After dinner everyone headed over to the Royal Concert Hall for a gala concert; the Princess and her fiancée made a dramatic entrance onto the stage.

Henrik Montgomery/Reuters

The concert is said to have been quite a celebration for the 32-year-old Princess and 36-year-old commoner.

Henrik Montgomery/AFP/Getty

Back to today’s events: below we see, Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock on their way to the wedding ceremony.

Pascal le Segretain/Getty

England was represented by Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex; apparently some in Sweden felt snubbed by Prince William’s decision to attend the World Cup as opposed to the wedding.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark on the left, Margarethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark are on the right.

Vivid colors were selected by many attending today’s ceremonies; below left, Queen Sonja and King Harald of Norway, and on the right, Mr. Westling’s sister, Anna Westling Blom, and partner Mikael Soederstroem.

Next, Norway’s Prince Haakon and Princess Mette Marit (L), along with Princess Martha Louise and husband Mr Ari Behn (R).

Groom Daniel Westling and best man and brother of the bride Carl Philip of Sweden. Remember, this has not been an easy path for Mr. Westling. Here is part of today’s story in the Telegraph:

“When he first appeared on the pages of the Swedish news papers in 2002 many were horrified at his casual appearance. Even worse, apparently, was his thick, rural accent which was mocked among the Crown Princess’s circle.

But their relationship, though stormy at times, survived – despite the King’s anger. He had hoped his daughter would marry a blue-blooded royal.

When it became clear Victoria was prepared to defy her father he capitulated… “

A bit more on the groom’s preparations for royal life from an AOL story:

“In January, Westling began an intensive training program aimed at preparing him for royal life and his new responsibilities as half of “the crown princess couple.” Earlier this month, he was granted his own coat of arms.

Below left we see the groom’s parents, and on the right, Queen Silvia, mother of the bride, and the bride’s sister, 28-year-old Crown Princess Madeleine, whose own engagement was broken off in April.

Tighter shots of both ladies, wearing what we would categorize as very. serious. accessories.

From AOL’s news story on the wedding:

“Victoria has decided to dispense with adult bridesmaids. Instead, she will be attended by 10 young pages and flower girls. Among them will be three future monarchs: 6-year-old Princess Catharina-Amalia, future queen of the Netherlands; 6-year-old Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, future queen of Norway; and 6-year-old Prince Christian, future king of Denmark. Victoria is godmother to all three youngsters.”

Here are some of those attendants, Page Boys Ian De Geer, Prince Christian, flower girls Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Princess Catharina-Amalia, Vera Blom and Leopold Sommerlath.

Torsten Laursen/Getty

Three more attendants, Vivien Sommerlath, Giulia Sommerlath and Hedvig Blom, all of them lovely.

Torsten Laursen/Getty

The person everyone wanted to see, Princess Victoria and her father, King Carl Gustaf.

Torsten Laursen/Getty

The bride’s decision to have her father escort her down the aisle was controversial.

“So far, the biggest controversy surrounding the nuptials has come from Victoria’s stated desire to have her father walk her down the aisle. In Sweden, it’s customary for the bride and groom to walk down the aisle together. Several members of the clergy took issue with Victoria’s choice, arguing that the princess should follow her country’s tradition instead of opting for a British or American custom.”

Her gown was designed by Pär Engsheden, made of pearl white silk duchesse, and described in news releases as short-sleeved with an external collar.

Torsten Laursen/Getty

Her veil was Queen Sofia’s lace veil, also worn by the Queen Silvia at her and the King’s wedding.

Torsten Laursen/Getty

Her bouquet, a mixture of traditional Swedish flowers.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Her cameo tiara is a story unto itself, more from AOL:

“Once owned by Napoleon’s Empress Josephine, it came to the Swedish royal family when Josephine’s granddaughter Josefina married the future King Oscar I in 1823. The pearl-covered diadem, heightened by seven cameos depicting mythological figures, has become traditional bridal headgear in the House of Bernadotte. Victoria’s mother, Queen Silvia, wore it on her own wedding day on June 19, 1976.”

Back to the ceremony at Stockholm Cathedral, with this from the Stockholm News:

“Both the bride and the groom had tears in their eyes when they promised each other eternal loyalty.”

Pool Photo

If this bride isn’t beaming, we don’t know who is.

Pool/Getty

The couple’s official titles are now Princess Victoria of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland, and Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland.

Pool/Getty

Afterward, a thank you to the crowd.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

And royal smiles all around from guests.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Queen Rania of Jordan, Princess Sophie and Queen Margarethe.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Also celebrating, Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Princess Mathilde of Belgium and Spain’s Princess Letizia.

Getty Images

Crowds waiting to see the couple were estimated at 500,000.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

And then it was on to the wedding banquet, below we see the Princess and her father, the King.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Hopefully this will be a real-life fairy tale where everyone lives happily ever after.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a redacted version of our post, edited to correct the title of Sophie, Countess of Wessex. (We incorrectly wrote ‘Princess Sophie’.) Our thanks to Gerry for so graciously letting us know about the mistake. 🙂