Hello-Hello from Snow Central!
The Princess is trapped, unable to make her flight to Denver, thanks to a foot of snow in The Great Midwest. Harrumph.
It may be considered good news or not-such-good news depending on one’s perspective, but the weather does allow us to do a fresh post. We start with an event creating a knot in the stomach and an awful sense of foreboding: the jewelry sale at Saks Fifth Avenue. We thank the Madison Avenue Spy for the tip on this one. The sale includes this Judith Ripka Pavé Diamond Enhancer:
Judith Ripka, Saks Fifth Avenue
Many may be stupefied at TP’s negative anxiety about a sale. At Saks. But many also know upscale department stores like Saks, Bergdorf’s, Neiman’s, etc., do not have jewelry sales. Not. On. Fine. Jewelry.
Not on David Yurman.
David Yurman at Saks
Or Ippolita.
Ippolita Ring at Saks
If a store is financially healthy it would never put an Ippolita 18k Gold Two-Diamond Ring on sale. Would. Not. Happen.
BTW, Saks is doing complimentary free shipping on all orders, as well as offering a gift box and their red ribbon at no charge. Seriously. Just use PROMO code SFAGIFT at checkout. If you missed yesterday’s post ,it contains a goodly amount of sale and promo code information.
We are off to stir up a Prozac cocktail. A pitcher full.
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Another Gossip Girl star has landed a Teen Vogue cover. Leighton Meester is showcased in the February 2009 issue.
We thought you might enjoy her comment on headbands:
“I don’t wear headbands, ever.”
Teen Vogue February 2009
In March co-star Blake Lively graced the magazine’s cover.
Teen Vogue Blake Lively
In January’s Vogue Ms. Lively is named to a list of the 10 Best-Dressed Women; while the print version of the magazine directs you to the Vogue.com website for more on this (and other stories), we cannot locate anything on the site about this story.
Back to Teen Vogue, the cover promotes “The Punky Preppy Mix.” Hhhmmmm. Just this fall the magazine listed the Top 22 Preppy Essentials, including items from many of the standard stores like Lacoste, J. Crew, and Smythson, as well as newer players: Tory Burch, American Eagle Outfitters, Tommy Hilfiger and others.
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Speaking of J. Crew... (you know where this is going), we continue to receive email about technical issues and problems with J. Crew’s online store.
This story in Thursday’s Storefront Talkback confirms the continued problems:
“Having suffered outages during Cyber Monday, J.Crew again became unavailable—to at least some prospective customers—for an extended period on Wednesday (Dec. 17). “
The subhead on the article reads “‘Tis the Season to be Jolly, Unless You’re in Charge of J. Crew’s Web site.” Ouch. The retailer is awarded a lump of coal:
“Over at J.Crew, though, no apologies were offered. For those who know the tortured history of J.Crew and its site launch this summer, perhaps avoiding an apology was wise. This time, the site advised visitors to “stay tuned” and added that “even the best sites aren’t perfect.”
True. But as far as uptime goes, it’s clear that some sites are less perfect than others.”
Double ouch. While management may be frustrated, customers always have choices, as the fabulous Mrs. Newlywed makes clear in yesterday’s comment:
“…I tried to place an order today for a very much unneeded sweater. The site wouldn’t let me place the order.
So, because after I realized it wasn’t working I didn’t actually NEED the sweater I won’t buy it at all That is $70.00 they won’t get.
The phone line wasn’t working either.
tisk tisk on J.Crew”
The experience shared by another favorite, Lisa at Very Busy Mom with 4, ended on a more positive note:
“After three calls, I finally got my Crewcuts stuff, and they ended up Fed-exing it. I think they are still having issues–their site is moving very slow! Still love my stuff though.”
Frankly, we remain more than a little stunned the problems are not yet rectified. For those willing to risk it, this particular sale continues through tonight, offering an additional 20% off with complimentary shipping for orders totaling more than $150; the promo code is MERRY.
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Best & Company
At Best and Company the discounts are also deeper, making the childrens’ designer duds irresistable. The Girl’s Cashmere Hoodie is only $35.90, discounted from an original $158 selling price.
Best & Company
The striped sweater is also available in Pink & White; both colorways appear to be available in a broad size range. According to the JustJared site, Suri Cruise is wearing Best’s Scallop Placket coat in this picture with her mother, actress Katie Holmes.
PHOTO: Humberto Carreno/Startraks
If in need of a darling wool coat in winter white, Best still has this one in a few sizes, now 50% off its $398 price.
Best & Company
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We leave you with the ever-so-snuggly Pink Cable Cardigan, on sale at J. McLaughlin.
J. McLaughlin
An absolutely divine store, J. McLaughlin is also in the midst of a wonderful sale.
Don’t forget to enter our final Giveaway of the year, by leaving a question for The Princess Consort. Here is a portion of a comment from the Fashion Herald and part of TC’s answer:
“Dear Princess Consort Sir, how does one stop one’s husband from stealing the covers at night? Please help, it’s getting really cold!”
“My dear freezing Fashion Herald – I understand your concern about your husband and his proclivity for stealing the bed covers. In the long term this will cease to be a problem because of global warming. However, we have an immediate situation that demands our complete attention. I will assume your husband has a ______________”
To read what it is TPC assumes Mr. Fashion Herald has, just click here & scroll down through the comments.
We are off to frolic in the snow! Happy day to everyone!
The Preppy Princess 