If this is true, THE END really is near…

Hello and Happy-Back-to-the-Grind-Day! Frankly, we’re rather pleased to be back to our more boring, dull, staid rut standard routine… are you?

But we must interrupt our normal blogging. This could be it.  The End of the world as we know it.

Seriously. The End.

We aren’t speaking in code here dolls. It is a simple matter of properly interpreting the signs and signals sent to warn us of impending doom.  And today we were alerted with what can only be called the “Ultimate Alarm.”

What would cause such distress, prompting us to tell the Princess Consort we would be checking out immediately?  Why this headline:

Paris, Clooney are an item

PHOTOS: Getty Images via Life & Style Magazine

And then this one:

Paris Hilton’s Clooney love

The folks at Life & Style Weekly (?) are responsible for the initial rumor, which has spread like an airborne virus to every media outlet in the galaxy.  Here is a look at Paris with sister Nicky Hilton on New Year’s Eve:

PHOTO: Brendon Thorne/Getty

If someone is able to assist TP in comprehending the pose assumed by Ms. Hilton, we are all ears. Really.

We are presuming this is sufficient warning that you are able to gather the kids, the pets, the household staff, and perhaps a few photographs before leaving for the next life.

There is only one way this might not be what it seems; there is every possibility someone tipped Paris to the fact we’re in the middle of TP’s “Pick the AntiPrep” voting and she simply can’t bear the thought of finishing second to Lindsay Lohan.

Here are more of your comments on the completely and totally non-scientific poll:

Preppy 101 thinks:

“Anti-prep = Paris Hilton

Preppiest = {This is very hard} – Ralph Lauren

[others that I thought about – Anderson Cooper and Caroline Kennedy :-)]”

And the delightful Daisy at Legally Blonde Ambition offers these thoughts:

“Preppiest…honestly….well I think Elizabeth Hasselback. You might not like her show or her politics (or you might like one or the other or perhaps both) but one must admit that both on-air and off she is awfully preppy. I think her style is rather adorable & she’s always appropriately clothed. And 2nd place goes to Suri Cruise. She is just always in her darling little dress, bob & patent leather shoes. Divine!

Anti-prep? Can we have a tie between Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and, ugh, Brad Pitt with the mustache? (Perhaps it isn’t anti-prep but it is fairly horrid.)”

So there you have it.  Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

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On a far more delightful note, we promised to share the rest of the designer looks for Sasha and Malia Obama on Inauguration Day.  Our first two are from Reem Acra, long a Princess favorite.

Courtesy Reem Acra via WWD

Here is the second design:

Courtesy Reem Acra via WWD

Our only thought on these? While lush in appearance, pastel colors are generally not a first choice for either Michelle Obama or the girls.

Next, an Olive Juice design for Sasha Obama, who is seven years old.

Courtesy Olive Juice via WWD

And the sketch for ten-year-old Malia:

Courtesy Olive Juice

Both looks are sweet and certainly age-appropriate, but not as compelling as one might hope. This may be a function of the black and white sketches, making it difficult to discern subtleties of design and color.

We harken back to our original post with the Isaac Mizrahi sketch showing all three Obama ladies as it remains one of our favorite designs for the girls, as well as Mrs. Obama. We say this despite the neckline on Malia’s dress, really a bit outré for a young lady of that age.

Courtesy Isaac Mizrahi via WWD

BTW, it was “Back to School” for the Obama girls this morning as they headed off for their first day at their new school (Sidwell Friends), although they are at different campuses.  Judging by the draperies in the background we are are presuming this photo was taken at the family’s hotel (please don’t get us started on this topic again) in Washington.

PHOTO: Callie Shell (Obama Transition Office)

For those interested in the details, we are told that Sasha carried a JanSport backpack in pink. Target carries this line, but they do not have the style carried/worn by the youngest Obama girl.  It appears to be pink and the snooze news release from the Obama Transition team described it this way:

“Sasha carried a Trans by JanSport pink, magenta and gray backpack and wore blue jeans and a brown jacket with a hood and her hair was pulled into two braids.”

Our choice for a cute backpack? If for a youngster, it has to be the Blue Whales at Preppy Princess…

PreppyPrincess.com

If looking for someone a little older, then the standard size Chocolate Polka Dots is always an excellent choice.

PreppyPrincess.com

We leave you with a few Pretty in Pink items, the first available at one of the shops mentioned above, Olive Juice; this is the Skerry Rainboot by Tretorn:

Skerry by Tretorn at OliveJuiceKids.com

The next two items are not at all preppy. TP Is well aware of this fact. Yet, yet we remain obsessed with their cute factor, which is off the charts and peaking in the red zone.  They are called Qees, and absolutely TDF, at least IOHO.

This one is name Pink Virus, and it is our favorite.

Qee4All.com

Probably because the shape of the head looks like a TV, reminding us (as well as The Princess Consort) of all those years working in teevee, feeling like our heads were to heavy to hold up for one more second.

Courtesy Qee/Facebook

Keeping in mind TP is the least cool and the most technologically challenged individual on the internet, you will be stunned and amazed to learn we discovered these on Facebook last night!  It is an application allowing you to send Qees to Facebook friends. (Monogram Chick – you are very hip and know all about Facebook, are you with me here? Are we saying this properly?)

We *do* realize we couldn’t be remotely close to the demo the Qees people are targeting, but what the heck, right? It is TP’s tiny step into another world and it is too fun.

On that happy thought, don’t forget to leave a comment telling us about your favorite AntiPrep personality of 2008!

The Princess is Unhappy, More Inaugural Party Frock Sketches

Hello-Hello everyone… did we all enjoy a splendid beginning of the New Year? We certainly hope so, it seems everyone is more than ready to turn a corner, although just which corner to select is up for debate.

Unfortunately, TP is feeling completely distraught. Why? Perhaps the photo below will provide a clue.

PHOTO" Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty

Non? Un autre….

PHOTO: Brendan Smialowski/Getty

Still not sure?

We are talking about the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington.  One of the better-kept secrets inside the beltway. It is a fabulous little establishment, of the sort commonly referred to as a boutique hotel.  Its location is nothing less than perfect. From one’s room you can gaze upon Lafayette Park, St. John’s or the White House, among other attractions. The obvious question: precisely how is this establishment causing TP such distress? To be fair, it isn’t the establishment, rather the change in administrations.

You see, most students return to school after the weekend. This includes two darling little girls who are in the process of relocating to the District, Sasha and Malia Obama.  Classes begin for them Monday at Sidwell Friends, and the family is temporarily moving into the Hotel to ensure the girls start their studies on time. Blair House, where the family might usually stay during the last weeks of the transition, is occupied until January 15.

It is really the only place we stayed when in town, unless we were attending a business convention of the sort requiring everyone be at “the official hotel.” (You know the usual suspects: the Mayflower, the Shoreham, etc.) We fear all the media attention and exposure will result in the Hotel becoming one of the latest “it” spots, and it shall be completely overrun with people. Perhaps we worry too much and all of the hubbub will amount to nothing?  Hopefully so. In the interim, we shall stop whining and discuss something more upbeat.

For example, the story serves as a reminder we haven’t shared all of the sketches submitted by designers for the Obama girls Inaugural apparel, like these two looks from Lucy Sykes:

Courtesy Lucy Sykes via WWD

Unfortunately, neither of these register at the Prepalicious level, IOHO, although we do like the little pearl studs.

Courtesy Lucy Sykes via WWD

They both appear almost run of the mill, a surprise coming from this designer, one of TP’s favorites for children’s apparel. The Bonnie Young creations are fun, and the jewel tones a good idea, sure to complement whatever color scheme is selected by their mother, Michelle Obama.

Courtesy Bonnie Young via WWD

We really can’t offer an opinion on the Rodarte… everyone looks like an alien being, come for a visit with the earthlings, no?

Courtesy Rodarte via WWD

Our final look today for the Obama girls comes from Eliza Gran, often featuring looks inspired by vintage creations. We promise to share more in our next post.

Courtesy Eliza Gran via WWD

We are enamored of the style used for this sketch, complete with the crayon-style drawing and the inclusion of the “dog” in the lower right corner!

Also from Women’s Wear Daily, nominations for MVP, or “Most Visible Players” in their story “The Ubiquitors of 2008.”  WWD’s Eye column ranked a number of celebrities, primarily using their number of appearances on photo websites as a criteria.  Who’s Number One?

PHOTO: Scott Rudd

The column ranks the entire cast of Gossip Girl in first place; above, stars Ed Westwick, Chace Crawford, Blake Lively and Penn Badgley.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner

The feature shows more G2 photos, including a shot of off-screen couple Blake Lively & Penn Badgley, as well as Leighton Meester, another one of the show’s female leads.  (Please tell me us that isn’t a romper she is wearing…?!)

PHOTO: Kristen Somody Whalen

Here’s how the article ranked the individual stars:

THE CAST OF “GOSSIP GIRL”
The group of young hotties is thoroughly enjoying its newfound fame.
Total: 189 (combined)
Leighton Meester: 45
Chace Crawford: 34
Jessica Szohr: 33
Taylor Momsen: 22
Penn Badgley: 20
Ed Westwick: 18
Blake Lively: 17

We openly acknowledge still having no clue as to how the votes were tallied, but we somehow think it isn’t critical that we comprehend this part of the story.  And it is also time for our usual disclaimer explaining that somehow we have not watched an episode of Gossip Girl, but after all, we’re in a new year and anything can happen…

Others included in WWD’s list of MVPs include Brooke Shields, the Olsen twins, and Becky Newton of “Ugly Betty” fame.

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A reminder that nominations are still open for our own awards, 2008’s AntiPrep of the Year, along with the Preppiest Person of 2008. (This was a little something started in the Princess Consort’s post from New Year’s Day.) We thought Muffy Martini should get off the fence and let us know her true feelings instead of being so wishy-washy:

“Anti Prep goes to Paris. She is SIMPLY horrid.”

And Mrs. Newlywed offers a number of possibilities:

“Anti-Prep? Lindsay Lohan for sure.

Prep? This one is tougher, but I am going to go with Cynthia Rowley. I think she did a stellar job with her Target line, and while her fall line was somewhat questionable. She is consistently on top of preppy fashion.

I am sure there are more, but I wanted to pick someone unique…not one of the Gossip Girls…especially since I don’t know their names.”

Belle in Bloom also gives us some suggestions:

“I’ll have to agree with everyone on the anti-prep. Paris Hilton. yikes.

For preppiest…I just don’t know. I do love Anderson Cooper. Can’t wait to see who is picked. Fun.”

On that note, don’t be shy – share your thoughts! Grins and Giggles until next time, we hope you enjoy a stellar weekend!!

Another Prep Fashion Faux Pas, Inaugural Updates, AntiPreps

First off, before you read one more word, scoot over here and leave a comment so you are entered in this week’s Great Giveaway, with preppy goodness anyone can win! Leaving a comment about anything you are thankful for = giveaway entry.

Quick headlines of the day, many of which may well be moldy oldies to many of you, but here we go anyway.

The Presidential daughters will be attending Sidwell Friends school; Malia at the Middle School in Northwest DC (the Upper School Building is also here), and Sasha at the Lower School campus that is actually located in Bethesda. Malia is in fifth grade and Sasha in second grade.

PHOTO: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

The Obamas selected the Quaker school where Chelsea Clinton and Al Gore III received their educations, deciding it was a better fit than Georgetown Day and Maret. For more background, our post here may be helpful.

Newsweek features the future First Lady in their Dec.1 issue, on newsstands today.

PRNewsFoto/NEWSWEEK

And we hear an entire book dedicated to the Michelle Obama style is quickly being put together; former Mademoiselle editor Mandi Norwood is writing the book. It is scheduled for publication sometime next spring by Avon Books.  Coming out even earlier, “Michelle Obama: Meet the First Lady“ is due December 9.

Harper Collins

Written by David Bergen Brophy, the publisher is Harper Collins.

Speculation continues on who will design Michelle Obama’s gown for the Inaugural Balls in January, but we have seen little devoted to basic inauguration day apparel for Michelle Obama and the girls….? Seeing some designs in that genre would be most enjoyable.

That now-famous Thakoon dress worn by Michelle Obama is now officially out of production, at least for the time being.

PHOTO: Mark Wilson/Getty

More sketches for Inaugural gowns are floating about from other designers, including this from Isabel Toledo, done at People magazine’s suggestion, for a story.

Isabel Toledo via People.com

Below, Mrs. Obama in the Isabel Toledo gown worn to a June fundraiser hosted by Anna Wintour (Vogue) and Calvin Klein. Many readers may be familiar with the divine illustrations Ms. Toledo’s husband, Ruben, has done for the Nordstrom catalogues.

PHOTO: AP

And Reem Acra also shared her creativity, again, per People magazine’s request.

Reem Acra via People.com

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We have another entry in the Gwyneth Paltrow Fashion Faux Pas category. While we do not want to appear as though we are unfairly focusing on Ms. Paltrow, her style statements of late are surprising in light of her über-preppy upbringing.

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Above, the actress at the grand re-opening of the remodeled Fontainebleau this weekend. The famed hotel was also home to the Victoria’s Secret fashion show taping.

The always-interesting Styleist blog takes Ms.Paltrow to task for the Antonio Berardi dress she wore (below) to the Two Lovers film premiere in London.

PHOTO: Getty Images

The comments include these:

“We see London, we see France, we see Gwyneth Paltrow in Paris at the premiere of ‘Two Lovers’ wearing another weird dress. Plus we see underpants! And her bra!

Gwyneth frequently comes thisclose to fashion greatness. But then she takes a giant leap off the Cliff of “Odd and Awkward” into the ocean of “Looking at Her Makes Us Wince”. Doesn’t she have any friends? Or a mirror?”

The Victoria’s Secret goings-on alerted us to very frightening news: two Antipreps were in the same place.  At the same time.  Clearly someone neglected to put up the deflector shield.  Mon Dieu.

Exhibit A:

PHOTO: Hans Deryk/Reuters

In case anyone is fortunate enough to *not* recognize this individual, it is TV personality Kim Kardashian; here is our initial post affirming Ms. Kardashian attaining official AntiPrep status.

Next we have Paris Hilton, our very first Anti-prep, as explained here. It could almost be said Ms. Hilton prompted the necessity of an Anti-prep category.  BTW, for those keeping score at home, this is the second such occurrence of dual (dueling?) anti-preps appearing at the same location.

PHOTO: Hans Deryk/Reuters

We apologize for the multiple spellings on antiprep; we just can’t locate the word in our Webster’s and don’t know how to spell it so we can find it when we look things up in the blog.

Until next time!

Obama Fashion & Prep School Updates, Worst Concealers Ever List

Hello-Hello on a busy Tuesday!

We start with an update to our initial story on the Obama school search.

The ongoing effort to find the best school for Malia and Sasha Obama moved to the next level yesterday when Michelle Obama took Malia and Sasha for a two-hour visit at Georgetown Day School.

Georgetown Day Lower School

Before you know it we may be seeing a run on these:

Georgetown Day School

Today the girls and the next First Lady are expected to repeat that exercise at the Sidwell Friends campus.  Below, a photo from the Time magazine story that says Sidwell is the “…greenest school” in the United States.

PHOTO: David Burnett for TIME

Writer Margaret Carlson has an interesting perspective on the schools in her recent Bloomberg story.

“The car pool line at Sidwell runs to Mercedes and BMWs. At Maret, where journalists’ children abound, and at GDS, where students call teachers by their first names, you see more Volvos and Priuses. At Sidwell you might see a Palin Valentino. At Maret, Banana Republic.”

The article discusses Maret, a school we discussed very little in our previous post, as as we don’t believe it to be in serious consideration at this point.

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The discussion continues regarding the dress Mrs. Obama wore for the 60 minutes interview that aired Sunday.

PHOTO: Aaron Tomlinson/CBS News Handout

Many are suggesting it is another Maria Pinto design, primarily because of the color and lines. When we find out we will let you know.

And the Times has another story about the J. Crew ensemble the future First Lady wore for her Tonight Show appearance.

“A spokeswoman for the J. Crew Group said the company had no idea Mrs. Obama would wear J. Crew until it began seeing teasers of her “Tonight Show” appearance. But it moved quickly to capitalize on it.

Marketers bought “Michelle Obama” keywords on Google, Microsoft and Yahoo, built a page on the jcrew.com Web site that promoted her outfit, and told call-center representatives how to handle queries about Mrs. Obama’s fashion.”

For one of our previous posts with photos, descriptions of the pieces and links to those items at J. Crew, just click here.  BTW, J. Crew is now promoting a 25% off regular-priced Women’s shoes through tomorrow night.  The promo code is SHOESALE.

J. Crew

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Ladies, you know we try to maintain proper etiquette standards here in our corner condo at Princess HQ, especially when it comes to issues of bloggage. Therefore TP is a tad timid; we fear we are treading dangerously close to the ‘poor taste’ line with our next topic: dark circles under one’s eyes. Does anyone else suffer from this wretched phenomenon?

The good folks at Total Beauty have a quick little slide show on the “Worst Concealers Ever” that is simply fascinating! We couldn’t not share the link with you! Please don’t think less of us, the UTP (Urge to Post) was overwhelming and we couldn’t help ourselves! We do feel better knowing we are not the only who struggles with this.

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