Lilly Furniture Lands at Neimans, It’s Ralph Lauren for the First Lady

Hello-Hello, and welcome to a Thursday, water-logged and sodden as it is. Yet again, there are brutal reminders we have nothing to whine about. If there is one story today that paints the harsh reality very well, it is the Journal‘s “Hospital Strains to Cope with Battered Survivors.”

We move to a brighter topic with word that the much ballyhooed Lilly Pulitzer Home Collection is now available for ordering through Neiman Marcus.

Neiman Marcus

To be clear, shoppers won’t find the entire 200+ piece collection at Neimans.  But there is an interesting selection that provides a look at many styles as well as giving a sense of pricing for the line.  Below, several items qualifying as Pretty in Pink, the Boulevard Armchair, Aster Mirror and Mizner Bench.

Lilly Pulitzer / Neiman Marcus

Bright and sunny, the Boulevard and Breakers Barstools.

Lilly Pulitzer / Neiman Marcus

The Carrie Loveseat is seen below left, and on the right, the Paramount Daybed.

Lilly Pulitzer/Neiman Marcus

And pieces from the Classic White Dining Furniture group, note the lining inside the drawer.

Lilly Pulitzer / Neiman Marcus

A significant component in the new collection is the Lee Jofa fabric line that is just launching. Lonny Magazine shares some fabulous photos of the vibrant textiles here in their blog, we show just a few of those images below.

Lonny Magazine Blog

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Also today, we have seen some very serious tiaras the last few days, as the President and Mrs. Obama continue their official visit to Britain.  At Tuesday night’s state dinner at Buckingham Palace we see both Camilla Parker Bowles and Queen Elizabeth in glittering headwear.

Lewis Whyld/PA Wire/Pool/Reuters

The Queen wore the Lovers Knot Tiara.

Lewis Whyld / PA Pool

Mrs. Obama was elegant in Tom Ford for that event, the ruched silk georgette gown had a darling bow at the waist. Politically it was a wise choice, Mr. Ford shows his collections at NY Fashion Week but has his offices in London.  The designer recently re-launched his women’s line, this is a big boost for his work.

Larry Downing/Reuters

Last night it was our turn to host the party, for that event the First Lady opted for an American fashion house, wearing Ralph Lauren and she looked simply beautiful.

AP Photo/Getty Images/Reuters

The floor length dress is a modified version of one shown in Mr. Lauren’s Fall 2011 collection,

Via Styleite

Mrs. Obama chose striking jewelry from Tom Binns to finish off the look, the designer’s Dumont necklace and cuff nicely accenting the dress as they sparkled brightly.

Via Styleite

The dinner was at Winfield House, the US Ambassador’s official residence.  Originally built and donated to the United States by socialite Barbara Hutton, the house was named after her father, Frank Winfield Woolworth, he founded the stores bearing his name. For more on the building, click here.

Dressing for international events as the First Lady is not an easy task, there are sensitivities of both a cultural and political nature to be considered with each and every wardrobe choice.  Mrs. Obama made some outstanding choices on the British leg of the couple’s 8-day European trip, although it’s no secret your trusty scribe wasn’t overly fond of the floral Barbara Tfank worn Tuesday when meeting the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge (aka Wills & Kate).

Both formal dresses were lovely on the First Lady, but we really prefer the Ralph Lauren to the Tom Ford. At the risk of incurring the wrath of fashionistas far more sophisticated than I, the Lauren seems a much prettier and more elegant look for the First Lady.  While most fashion writers raved about the Grecian-style Tom Ford, we think the Lauren is more flattering on Mrs. Obama.

AP Photo (L) / Getty Images (R)

Fortunately, no one was forced to choose, as formal frocks were required for multiple occasions, and we do love looking at party pictures. 🙂

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We leave you with something rather out of the norm for this space, a museum visit by two NBA players.

Oklahoma City National Memorial

There is nothing profound about the picture, it merely shows Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks and Russell Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder visiting the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum earlier this week. The Mavericks were in town for the playoffs and the players visited the museum.  It wasn’t the first time Mr. Westbrook had been to the Museum, the Thunder’s head coach, Scott Brooks, has every player that joins the team visit the site.

But at a time when so much of professional sports seems broken and the day’s news is difficult to digest, we thought it nice to end on a note about something unremarkable, something simple, something nice.

A Tale of Two Stories, Bridal Party Designer Revealed, Tonight’s Royal Gala

Today’s post is a challenge.

We can’t simply revel in fun and frivolity while ignoring the other news of the day.

Dusty Compton/The Tuscaloosa News/AP

Having personal experience with tornadoes when covering news, we can only say that written descriptions are inadequate.

International Business Times/AP Photo

Above, images from Tuscaloosa last night.

The atmosphere after a tornadic event is beyond explanation, well beyond weird or eerie or any other term I can think of.  The best I can say is it is quiet.  There is an odd silence and the air itself feels funny. Below, north of Centreville, Alabama last night.

Tony Laubach/TornadoesKick.com

People come slowly out of whatever shelter remains, asking “Is it gone? Is it over?”

Gary Cosby, Jr./The Decatur Daily/AP

A few will come out running, racing to find those they love.

Bernard Troncale/Birmingham News/AP

Or those they don’t know at all.

Jeff Roberts/AP Photo/Birmingham News

When the event comes at night one is even more unsteady, there is no sound, no light, no nothing. Only the sound of generators, once they kick in, for those that have them.

Jeff Roberts/Birmingham News/AP

Daylight brings painful realities.

Jeff Roberts/Birmingham News/AP

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this disaster.

Dave Martin/AP Photo

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We move on to events across the pond, where it is has been a day filled with last-minute rehearsals, comings and goings, smiles and glad-handing, and this evening’s gala for the out-of-town royals.

The day started with one more walk-through at Westminster Abbey; Prince Harry and Kate Middleton were on hand but Prince William did not participate.

Enigma via The Daily Mail

Young attendants took part in the rehearsal as well, below we see 8-year-old Tom Pettifer, one of the page boys, and Lady Louise Windsor, aged 7, she is the daughter of The Earl and Countess of Wessex (aka Prince Edward and his wife Sophie).

Roland Hoskins/The Daily Mail

We do know the young ladies will be wearing dresses by Nicki Macfarlane, below we see designs from the designer’s 2010/2011 collections.  (Be advised if thinking about checking this site, it seems to be melting down from the increased traffic.)

Nicki MacFarlane Courtesy Image

Ms. Macfarlane has done bespoke dresses for some time, only recently did she start offering RTW (ready to wear) designs. Below, another look at Young Master Pettifer and Miss Windsor.

Eddie Mulholland/The Telegraph

We see Pippa Middleton below, holding the hand of Grace van Cutsem, on the right William (Billy) Lowther-Pinkerton heads into the rehearsal.

Roland Hoskins

We don’t know if the third young bridesmaid, Eliza Lopes, was at this morning’s run-through or not. We show her below in images from an earlier post on the wedding party.

Via The Daily Mail

In addition to hearing about the wedding party’s attire, we are learning what some of the more notable guests will be wearing.  Prince Harry’s guest, Chelsy Davy, will be in two dresses by Alberta Ferretti, for the wedding she will wear aqua with a matching jacket, and for tomorrow night’s party at the palace, a midnight blue one-shouldered design.

Courtesy Alberta Ferretti

The Duchess of Cornwall will wear a creation by Anna Valentine, the designer of the dress for her marriage to Prince Charles.

Getty Images

The Duchess was out and about this afternoon, greeting those camped out on the mall.

Getty Images

Throughout the day the bride, her family and others involved in tomorrow’s events have been smiling, looking quite relaxed.

WENN.com

John Nguyen

This evening the family is safely ensconced at their hotel, below the Middleton ladies arrive at the Goring, left to right, Pippa, Carole, and Kate.

Chris Eads/Reuters

Perhaps one of the most important items brought into the hotel today:

Rex Features via The Telegraph

A sewing machine. Brilliant.

Oh, the groom? He did a walkabout this evening, greeting those gathered on the processional route.

AP Television News

While the Middletons are settled in at The Goring, others are at the Mandarin Oriental for tonight’s big dinner.  The Queen was in periwinkle blue, on the right we see Prince Charles and Camilla.

Prince Edward and Sophie, she looked lovely in red.

Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty

We have a slight concern about the frock Princess Beatrice selected, parts of it look awfully… shiny. Perhaps this is merely an unfortunate camera angle.

Luke MacGregor/Reuters

Others at the gala, Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie Chantal of Greece, on the right we see Prince Daniel and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

Getty Images

A favorite with the fashion crowd, Princess Letizia is seen in an elegant grey sleeveless gown, husband Prince Felipe is seen on the left, Queen Sofia is on the right.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Another look at Princess Letizia’s gown, simply stunning.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

We leave you with two things today, the first, another photo from the couple’s shoot with Mario Testino.

Mario Testino

That is the image on the official program.(You can look at the program here.)

The other is the music you will when all is said and done, and the couple turns, and heads up the aisle and out of the abbey.  

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ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty

“Preppy Kate Middleton,” Blake Lively Goes Red

Hello-hello, and welcome to a Wednesday.  Things are a tad mad here at The Prepatorium, orders flying out the door, The Wedding less than 48 hours away, tornado warnings.

We begin with a quick look at a new hair color for Gossip Girl star Blake Lively.

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for TIME

The actress was sporting the new color at “TIME’S 100 Most Influential People In The World” party last night. Below, a closer look at the color and a shot of her with Seth Myer.

Getty Images

The color change is for a film role, the stunning gown is by Zuhair Murad. Unfortunately it seems the long train was a challenge, more from NY Mag’s The Cut:

“Lively’s long silk chiffon train — apparently not intended for fast maneuvering — had become ensnared under the foot of none other than ubiquitous party photographer (and dear friend of New York) Patrick McMullan.

…McMullan, oblivious, walked away — with the train still stuck to his shoe. A second later, Lively’s train had left her gown and was trailing along after McMullan like a four-foot piece of aqua silk chiffon toilet paper. Martha Stewart was the first to recognize the problem. “Patrick!” she demanded. “Give her back her train!” McMullan, still oblivious, turned around and gasped, “Oh, I seem to have stepped on some lady’s train!”

One more celebrity sighting we want to share in honor of a few friends (as always, you know who you are, heh-heh-heh), Mad Men star Jon Hamm was spotted at last night’s Lakers game.

Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Also seen at the game, actors Jeremy Piven and David Beckham.

Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

For those wondering why we are mentioning Mr. Piven, Mr. Beckham or the Lakers, three subjects previously not discussed in this space, it is an effort to make a segue to our primary topic, as Mr. Beckham must surely be on his way east for Friday’s festivities.

He is escorting his wife Victoria to The. Wedding.

As you might imagine, last-minute details and photos are now ricocheting around the interwebs at a maddening rate. We are at that point in the process where we have more photos of… people taking photos.

Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Many of the more recent photographs are shot from far, far away.

Toby Melville/Reuters

Above we could not possibly see Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry arrive for the final rehearsal at Westminster Abbey.

Yesterday’s Guardian has an outstanding story, “Kate Middleton: William’s very private princess-to-be”:

“A slick press team and loyal friends have preserved Middleton’s mystique in the runup to the royal wedding, but plenty can be gleaned from what is not said”

Writer Patrick Barkham traces Miss Middleton’s background and the major influences in her life thus far. When talking about her style he writes:

“Salons in New York have reported customers asking for “a Kate” cut and her preppy look is credited with inspiring a Sloane revival. “

It isn’t the first time the bride has been described as possessing a ‘preppy style’ aesthetic.  The story shares an interesting fact:

“Middleton dresses herself “without any advice or input from the palace”, according to the royal source, and her style has attracted attention around the world.”

We don’t imagine that lack of input from the Palace will remain the case down the road.

This morning there was a full-scale dress rehearsal with the military, starting well before sunup.

Darren Staples/Reuters

Exactly how we’ll look come Friday.

Darren Staples/Reuters via MSNBC

The Tornado flyby is scheduled for 1:30pm (London time), the pilots also rehearsed today.

EPA via The Daily Mail

The decorating of the Abbey and environs also continues apace, below, a photo from The British Monarchy’s flickr photo pages.

The British Monarchy Flickr

A reminder, anyone can look at The Monarchy’s pictures, just click here.

A few more photos surfaced this afternoon.

JNVisuals via The Daily Mail

Above, the bride’s sister Pippa (also her Maid of Honour) and Carole Middleton head into London.

Next, a picture that has really started tongues wagging.

JNVisuals via The Daily Mail

Here’s why, from the Mail:

“…there was a sheaf of paper visible in the back seat of the car that included a passage from an unrecognised work.

While many of the words were obscured, it read in part: ‘With so much love within our hearts.’  While the passage could be from a separate reading, it opens the possibility that they have followed the example of many young couples and written their own vows for their special day.”

The Daily Mail

The only thing we can add is that the typeface does look like it is prompter size. We also noted Miss Middleton is in heavier makeup, we presume today also included lighting and makeup test shots.

Later today the bride was carrying things into Clarence House.

PHOTOS: Splash via The Daily Mail

Lots of things have also been moved into the family headquarters for the next several days, the Goring Hotel.

Chris Eades via The Daily Mail

The location is under continual police protection, there have been comings and goings all day.

PHOTOS: Splash News (L) and Chris Eades (R)

But this has to be our favorite photo of the day.

Andrew Winning/Reuters

The Queen was visiting Cambridge earlier today, doesn’t she look splendid?

Here are a few other places to visit:

• The British Monarchy Facebook
• Clarence House on Twitter
• The Official Royal Wedding website

Until tomorrow, g’bye.

Royals, Ascots, and Royal Ascot

Hello-Hello!

As promised in yesterday’s post, we are taking a more in-depth look at Royal Ascot.

Before delving into Ascot, a reminder the Royal Family does know how to dress; below we see everyone at this weekend’s Trooping the Colour ceremony.

Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty

Back to the subject at hand, yesterday was Day One at Ascot, and both the Queen and actress Amanda Holden opted for this season’s “it color”.

Today brought more pink; Princess Anne stood out amid a sea of black (L), and Jackie St. Clair (perhaps best known as Simon Cowell’s former girlfriend, good heavens) is on the right.

Clearly, dining before things get underway is a rigorous exercise.

AFP/Getty

Lending an entirely different meaning to the word “picnic”.

Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty

Back to our topic, the fashion sported by race-goers.

Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty

Above, a vertigo-inducing image,  and below, efforts to avoid a chapeau tragedy.

Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty

Lest there be any confusion regarding proper apparel for watching the activities from the Royal Enclosure, let us we remind readers there are rules.

“Her Majesty’s Representative wishes to point out that only formal day dress with a hat or substantial fascinator will be acceptable. Off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps and dresses with a strap of less than one inch and miniskirts are considered unsuitable. Midriffs must be covered and trouser suits must be full length and of matching material and colour.”

Also looking smart yesterday, a cousin of the Queen and 34th in line to the throne, Princess Alexandra (L); on the right, the BBC’s Kate Silverton.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex (perhaps better known stateside as Prince Edward’s wife) was in muted tones both yesterday (L) and today (R).

The dress code is not only applicable to the ladies, back to the Official Rules:

“Gentlemen are required to wear either black or grey morning dress, including a waistcoat, with a top hat. A gentleman may remove his top hat within a restaurant, a private box, a private club or that facility’s terrace, balcony or garden. Hats may also be removed within any enclosed external seating area within the Royal Enclosure Garden.”

Luke MacGregor/Reuters

Most of the gentlemen looked topnotch, including soccer star Michael Owen (injured, thus not enduring the vuvuzelas at the World Cup) on the left, and on the right, jockey Frankie Dettori.

To read the full dress code code for those heading for the Royal Enclosure, click here.

The hat on the left is shared on behalf of the delightful Nautical by Nature, on the right, an elegant ensemble in what we’ll call royal blue. (Clearly the Silly Princess was let out today. Sigh.)

We’re not convinced matching one’s escort is necessary.

Alastair Grant/AP

And we must query our cherished readers about this next image: is it just TP, or do these dresses look like something better worn in the boudoir? (They are prompting Paris Hilton Anti-Prep flashbacks for some reason, envision the involuntary eye twitch, the sudden jerking movement of the head.)

Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty

As someone who spent 18 years in broadcasting, naturally we read the Media Guide, you would expect no less. Trust us when we say it is full of amazing information, not all of it what we are used to seeing in such publications.

Vehicular Egress! Ladies, the easiest way to exit a vehicle is to take a firm hold on the back hem of the skirt, twist your body with your legs together until your legs are toward the exiting door of the vehicle, and then stand.

Stuart Wilson/Getty

We are wondering if Australian entertainer Holly Valance (above) needed those pointers?

Here is another tip from the Media Guide for the gentlemen:

“Zips Gentlemen ensure these are always done up. A simple schoolboy error can spoil even the most distinguished of outfits!”

Indeed.

Here is a bit of insight from the Media Guide on an essential topic:

“…And Hats Simply the Ascot accessory! Wear hats straight on the head or tilted mysteriously over one eye. How a hat looks from the neck up is most important.”

Stuart Wilson/Getty

The Guide also addresses the topic of footwear:

“Feet! No pain, no gain! High heels look fabulous but don’t neglect your feet girls! The site is a quarter of a mile long so lady visitors may wish to consider their footwear carefully…or just wear the heels, everyone knows they look great!”

Luke MacGregor/Reuters

It seems someone elected to leave the pain and/or gain behind.

Next, this lovely image of The Queen on her way to today’s events, definitely a Pretty in Pink.

Press Agency

And if one were seeking a Pretty in Pink and Green from Ascot, we can supply that image as well.

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If wondering whether Princes William and Harry are enjoying the races, that is a ‘no,’ they are in Botswana.

Chris Jackson/Getty

Above we see Prince Harry and Prince William holding an African rock python yesterday, at an Education Centre they support. The final stop for this Royal duo includes watching the England vs Algeria World Cup match in Cape Town.

The young men are not the only royals doing the World Cup; Spain’s Crown Prince Felipe, and Princess Letizia at today’s World Cup match between Spain and Switzerland.

Julie Jacobson/AP

The outcome was an upset, Spain (reigning European champions) did not win the match.

Our final tidbit in what has become “Your Royal Update from the Princess,” a reminder about this Saturday’s big event, the wedding between Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and former fitness instructor Daniel Westling.

Jonas Ekstromer/Scanpix/Reuters

On the left, the Princess at a function last December, and on the right, leaving the Cathedral where the ceremony will be held.

We look forward to seeing the wedding gown the Princess will wear.

Until next time, may your afternoon be sunny and bright!

ADD’L PHOTO CREDITS:

• Stuart Wilson/Getty
• REUTERS/Luke MacGregor
• REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Getty Images

When Pink Goes Wrong & What’s The Buzz?

Hello-Hello! We hope everyone is enjoying a lovely almost-officially-summer day, it is beautiful here at the Prepatorium!

We are brief with today’s post, too many commitments again, we shall have to initiate a serious chat with ourselves the Social Secretary.  So we have a series of images to share, all of them timely, all of them hopefully worthy of your time.

We begin with word of the Kate Spade Sale.

Although this is referred to as a ‘sample sale’ in the promotion, we are not using that moniker; as best we know it isn’t a true sample sale with sample merchandise. There are fabulous bargains to be found, and we adore Kate Spade, we just have a minor quarrel with terminology. Below we show two of the delightful deals, both qualify as Pretty in Pink goodies for the day.

However, we must now move on to what we’re terming a Pretty in Pink Tragedy, or “When Pink Goes Wrong”, taking place at today’s Royal Ascot, no less.

Stuart Wilson/Getty

Above we see television host Bear Grylls, in a rather unfortunate choice of colors.  Below, members of the Royal Family on their way to the event, looking rather more elegant.

Getty Images

Tomorrow’s post will feature scads more photo from Royal Ascot, always a delight for those of us fond of fashion.

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Next, a quick mention of an element of the FIFA World Cup that is definitely creating a buzz. (Pun intended.)

AFP/Getty via Wall Street Journal

Yes, it is the dreaded, despised, despicable, detested and disrespected vuvuzela, what we refer to as the soccer horn.  It seems some are bothered by the noise created by the device. The Journal ran a fabulous piece, “Should This Horn Be Banned?” in yesterday’s paper.  From that story:

“Is everyone already exasperated with the Infamous Plastic Horn of Distraction? WE SAID, IS EVERYONE ALREADY EXASPERATED WITH THE INFAMOUS PLASTIC HORN OF DISTRACTION?

There are reports that World Cup organizers are already considering a ban on the vuvuzela, the ubiquitous narrow instrument that’s making every contest in South Africa sound like a ferocious swarm of radioactive bees—or a Hollywood publicists’ luncheon.”

The world is certainly talking about them, below an image from the UK’s First Post.

First Post UK

The Telegraph also runs a series of Vuvuzela Photos of the Day, including this image demonstrating vuvuzela protocol, a solid primer on just when one should blow one’s vuvuzela.

The Telegraph

There are reports microphones are being changed by broadcasters overwhelmed by complaints, suggestions that they be banned, and overall unhappiness on the topic.  Below, a bit of this story from the LA Times:

“Host Broadcast Services, the company that provides the broadcast feed for the World Cup, has doubled its audio filters to reduce the constant blaring buzz of the controversial vuvuzelas.”

All of which have created the perfect storm, a situation The Consort is incapable of ignoring.

Image 'Enhancement' by The Consort

Possibly the first documented case of “Crimes Against Photoshop.”

We leave you with a final thought on the topic from the Wall Street Journal story mentioned above:

“Besides, who are we in the U.S. to complain about vuvuzelas? We gave the world Twitter and Ke$ha.”

Indeed.