Say Goodbye to Two Gossip Girls, And It’s Round Two for Princess Beatrice’s Hat

Hello-Hello, happy middle ‘o the week to everyone.

We are brief again today, beginning with an update on everyone’s favorite faux-prep school show, Gossip Girl.  From the Ministry of Gossip blog:

“”Gossip Girl” actresses Taylor Momsen and Jessica Szohr — the two bad girls from the wrong side of Manhattan — are leaving the CW show.”

Below we see Ms. Szohr (L), and on the right, Ms. Momsen with co-star Ed Westwick.

Splash News (L)/The CW (R)

(From what we gather this this isn’t much of a shock for those who watch the show, unfortunately your Princess Ignoramus is not up to speed on any all things GG.)

Another Gossip Girl star has been busy this week.  Chanel showed its Winter 2012 (eek!) cruise collection in Cap d’Antibes, and “brand ambassador” Blake Lively was on hand. Below she is seen at the dinner with Chanel Pooh-bah Karl Lagerfeld.

Kristy Sparow/Getty Images

For the “Collection Croisiere 2012” show Ms. Lively was in a more revealing ensemble, we show her with Monaco’s Princess Caroline and her daughter, Princess Alexandra, they attended the event as well.

All Photos by Getty Images

The setting for the show was the storied Hotel du Cap.

Dominique Charriau/Getty Images

Many of the looks were understated elegance at its best.

All Photos Getty Images

However… we are constitutionally incapable of contemplating next winter’s resort collections when we have yet to experience spring’s arrival.

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In today’s Bits & Bytes:

Boyle + Gardner for The Wall Street Journal

Saturday’s Journal carried a solid story on a preppy basic, the ribbon belt, explaining that “…now, however, the ribbon belt has pretty much gone back to the rarefied realm from which it came.”

There is also news that “celebri-chef” Paula Deen will launch another home line, separate from her furniture collection.  Launching next spring, the new group will include bedding, bath, lighting and decorative accessories.

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One quick OPB (Official Princess Business) note, in the next several weeks we’ll be sharing scads of new goodies being unveiled at the National Stationery Show. Here is a an early look at pieces from the new home acrylics collection we will be offering from Boatman Geller.

Coming Soon at the Princess from Boatman Geller

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Our final note today involves everyone’s favorite chapeau. (BTW, can we just say there seems to be *a lot* going on in this photo?!)

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

It seems Princess Beatrice’s fascinator is going to be auctioned for a good cause.  Sarah Ferguson is on Oprah today, and during the show she apparently shares the news the hat will be listed on eBay, with proceeds being donated to UNICEF and Children in Crisis.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

There you have it.

Two New Prep-Influenced Lines, Pink & Green Gifts

Hello-Hello, welcome to a new week, and yet another of our annoying this-will-have-to-do-for-two-days posts, with apologies.  (Yes, the mayhem has commenced, heaven help us all.)

We have looks at two soon-to-debut lines.

Via Jak and Jil

These styles are from the upcoming Thom Browne women’s collection.

Via Jak and Jil

(This may surprise readers, but we don’t recall ever seeing sequined madras before.)

Many of the styles echo pieces in Mr. Browne’s men’s line for spring.

Replication in theme and fabric can be seen throughout the collections.

Via Jak and Jil

The Brooks Brothers Black Fleece designer has previously done small collections for women, but this is Mr. Browne’s first step into a mass produced line.  Pearls and grosgrain are used generously.

Via Jak and Jil

We are guessing that taken alone, several of the pieces are stunning in person; the detailing on Mr. Browne’s designs is always exquisite.

While TP is *nowhere* near stylish enough to sport pieces this cutting-edge, it will be interesting to see the line in its entirety.  (Umm, TP and cutting edge in the same sentence? Hee-hee-hee.) As far as the collection falling into a ‘preppy’ category..? Non, non, non. Grosgrain ribbon accents and piped lapels do not make it thus.

The new line launches in the spring; the Jak and Jil blog has more photos, just click here to be transported there.

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Next, a new line from designer Tommy Hilfiger.

The new line is simply called “Tommy,” these styles are from the spring 2011 debut collection.

Women’s Wear Daily has more:

“Comprised of preppy-with-a-twist women’s and men’s wear, the youthful lineup included casual separates.”

“The styles, which Hilfiger describes as playful, are priced from $29 for a knit top to $119 for a short trenchcoat, while handbags and footwear begin at $49 and $59, respectively.”

Many pieces show a classic influence, but the more closely fitting and shrunken silhouettes belie a prep heritage.

On another note, the company is making a return to television advertising, beginning this evening, something that can only be deemed a positive SOTT (Sign of the Times).

Courtesy Image via WWD

The spots will feature the fictional Hilfigers, wackiness personified.

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It has been a few weeks since we shared any Gossip Girl fashion news. The LA Times has an interesting story about fashion on the show.

From the article:

“Leighton Meester and Blake Lively, the actresses who portray Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen, respectively, have been fêted and flung under the wing of Vogue’s Anna Wintour faster than either of them could utter an “OMG.”

The piece is accompanied by a slide show with images showing some of this year’s fabulous styles.

This brings us to a “Help Me Understand” moment:

Giovanni Rufino/The CW

Does the little ferret-faced Ed Westwick character (Chuck Bass) frequently receive pedicures on the show? Really?

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We wanted to share a smattering of pink and green gift ideas, starting with an item from Lands’ End that works for just about anyone, the Antistatic Fleece Throw.

If seeking something for the ladies on your list, Lands’ End offers its Half-zip Pullover comes in a variety of pink and kinda-sorta-green shades.

If shopping Lands’ End, a quick Sales & Savings note: their 30% off everything promotion ends tonight (Monday, 11/15/10) at midnight.

Lands' End

(Use promo code LESHARE and PIN 7785 to receive the discounts.)

We have a few more quick  ideas, the first is the Grosgrain Ribbon ornament, $2.79 online at Sears.  On the right, the Pink Flamingo Double-Walled Tumbler, at Le Boutique Targét.

The set of Tinsel Alpine Trees is also from Targét; they run $79.99 and also come in the bright lime color shown on the right, as seen in the chartreuse Pre-lit Fantasy Tree.

Le Boutique also has energy efficient LED lights in our favorite color (well, close enough); put those on the Lime Cashmere Tree, and you would have quite the look. Quite. The. Look.

But the favorite item seen online in today’s colossal waste of time research comes from LL Bean, and shows nary a hint of pink or lime green.

LL Bean

The Deluxe Edition Scrabble Game looks like loads of fun, we wouldn’t turn Santa away if he appeared with this in hand.

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We leave you with a word about two delightful bloggers, we are flattered both are offering giveaways showcasing Princess products.  Amid Privilege is celebrating her newly overhauled (and ever-so-chic) blog design, and the inimitable Nautical by Nature is commemorating her three year Blogiversary. Do pop in and say hello to both charming ladies if so inclined, we are grateful they to call them friends; they represent our favorite result of having an online presence: friendship. 

With that, g’bye until Wednesday!

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• Giovanni Giannoni/WWD:
• Thomas Ianaconne/WWD

“Preppy Like No Other Magazine”

Hello-Hello, happy Wednesday!

Today we are more-than-a-little crazed and dazed from our day job at the Princess, all of the goings-on are lovely, but also time consuming!

So we jump in with a few things from around the globe, beginning with a look at J. Crew in the Times (of London).

“It is a label selling well-designed, fashionable — although never slavishly so — clothes for men and women. “

We always enjoy seeing other perspectives on American brands, and the Times story doesn’t disappoint; the piece was prompted by news that Crew is going to be available internationally beginning in May, via Net-a-Porter. More from the story:

“Even though it shares an unfortunate belief with a number of Americans that adopting initials adds a lustrous patina of heritage to a name, J.Crew is not in the same room as KFC…”

To read the story in its entirety just click here.

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Next, an item from the fabulous Australian-based Girl with a Satchel blog, a look at the April fashion magazines. We thought readers might enjoy this portion referencing Tatler:

“Tatler does traditional preppy like no other magazine, as demonstrated by “Sports Day”. Shot by Ruven Afanador at a male boarding school, the styling is all straw boaters by Lock & Co, white tennis dresses tennis dresses by Bottega Venetta and Jil Sander and wool cardigans from the Polo Ralph Lauren Wimbledon Collection.”

Tatler via Girl with a Satchel

We are going to look for the issue next time we’re visiting our local newsstand.

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In today’s Collaboration Update (yes, we gave up and added a category for this sort of thing) we share news that Liberty and Manolo Blahnik are pairing up for a collection.

Courtesy Image via WWD

Women’s Wear Daily reports the collection is slated for September:

“So Blahnik will design a range of items — such as scarves, candles, shoehorns, Wellington boots and notebooks — using Liberty prints.”

The designer has also created a Liberty print of his own.

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We have an addition to our inexplicable and sporadic coverage of those Gossip Girls kids landing magazine covers.

Cream Magazine

Above we see Leighton Meester, Blake Lively, Taylor Momsen and Ed Westwick featured on the April cover of Australian pop-culture magazine Cream.  Penn Badgley, Jessica Szohr and Chace Crawford are included in the photo spread.

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For one of today’s Pretty in Pink (and Green) we offer this fun find, the Dinosaur and Heart Crust Cutters. to take the crust off bread, creating something really appetizing for your little ones.

via Pink and Green Scene

These were pointed out to us by the bright minds over at one of our faves, the Pink & Green Scene.

We also offer a little something that looks simply cute as can be, the Spring Romance Mini Potted Fabric Plants.

etsy seller Jane Joss

We found these on etsy from seller Jane Joss, aka the “Fabric Florist.”

Until next time, we hope there is pink and green goodness in your life!

Sperry’s 75th Anniversary Collection at J. Crew, Busy Gossip Girls

Hello-Hello and Happy New Year!

Wow – is it possible the holidays are all behind us? Hanukkah… Christmas… New Year’s?  Yikes, some of it flew by in such a blur we scarcely remember the goings-on. On other points we resort to using the selective recall technique, it helps us overcome the trauma of some episodes, like the great Cheesecake Tragedy.

However, we are back at it, and we begin with what must have been quite the coup for Brooks Brothers:

People.com

It seems that Kevin Jonas wore a Brooks custom tuxedo for his recent wedding to Danielle Deleasa. (We realize that the dinner jacket is nigh impossible to spot on the one and only photo we have seen of Mr. Jonas, and offer our apologies.)

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Next on today’s hit parade, a look at pieces in the 75th Anniversary collection from Sperry Top-Sider®.

Courtesy Photo

In honor of the big birthday the company will offer a number of limited edition releases, like the Men’s Seamate shown above.  Some are available at the Sperry site and others only at J. Crew.  The women’s Original 2-Eye metallic boat shoe seen below is at Crew, offered in platinum.

Sperry at J. Crew

(TP has stepped away for the moment, she is struggling with the word ‘metallic’ adjacent to the words ‘boat shoe’.)

The Crew site also offers this Original Authentic 2-eyeBoat Shoe (L) at $98 “featuring exclusive details you won’t find anywhere else (like grosgrain ribbon at the heel and a just-for-us color: soft sandalwood…”.  Or one can opt for the Original Authentic directly from Sperry at $75, sans the ribbon and special color. As always, we post, you ponder.

The Women’s Sperry at Crew can be found here; be advised there are only two styles available. The Men’s Sperry at J. Crew can be found here.

The Orlando Sentinel also had photos of upcoming pieces in the collection. On the left the Women’s 75th anniversary CVO, and on the right, the Men’s 75th anniversary CVO.

Of course, while perusing items at Sperry we located goodies we would love to acquire now, no need to wait for the fancy-schmancy anniversary hoo-hah. We were really taken by the Women’s Pelican Tall Boot in the new Sailboat print.

The Surf Blue Anchors Bahama remains a favorite as well.  Sigh.

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All the Sperry put us in a nautical mood and reminded us about the Sailor Glass Set at Fishs Eddy.

TQM purchased a set of the fab Cynthia Rowley dishes at Fishs Eddy several years back and we just adore them.

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We close with a few Gossip Girl tidbits, the first snippets from a lengthy interview with Chace Crawford that WWD did before the holidays. (Most readers know Mr. Crawford as one of the stars of the faux prep school drama.)

PHOTO: Tony Duran/WWD.com

Author Nick Axelrod’s opening paragraph is witty:

“Like the Pussycat Dolls or Brad Pitt, Chace Crawford is the kind of perfect human specimen that should be freeze-dried and put in a time capsule so that, in several thousand years, whatever manlike species can get a sense of just how good we looked.”

The story speaks about Mr. Crawford’s character in the show, Nate.

““I’m not ignorant to the fact that part of the reason why the show’s popular and part of the reason [why] people want to see it is to be like, ‘Oh, novelty boy! Hot boy! Pretty boy!’” Crawford says. “And that’s all fine and good. It is what it is.”

PHOTO: Tony Duran/WWD.com

The G2 crew is splashed on multiple magazine covers right now, far too many to justify a complete list, but here are three: Leighton Meester on Australia’s January Cleo cover, Jessica Szohr on Teen Vogue’s February cover and Taylor Momsen on the February Seventeen cover.

A busy group of young ladies.

With that we are off until next time!

A Gossip Girl on the Worst Dressed Lists, SATC 2, Pink & Green Whales You’ll Love

Hello-Hello, and welcome to a Thursday!

There is so much happening on the Preppy Planet, it is hard to know where to begin. We’ll start today with the tale of a star from faux-prep school show Gossip Girl being excoriated by many of the fashion press and bloggerati.

It seems Leighton Meester’s wardrobe selections this past year do not meet with their approval.

Photo: REX Features

Some readers may recognize this as the wretched outfit we shared in a November post, and to be fair, we were not complimentary about the style.  But now Miss Meester has been declared the Worst Dressed of 2009 by our friends across the pond at Marie Claire UK. From the magazine’s website:

“Now this makes us sad. One of our favourite girl crushes, Leighton Meester usually gets it so right in the style stakes, but so didn’t when she threw together this fashion car crash of an ensemble. In her efforts to launch a solo pop career, it looks as though the Gossip Girl decided a complete image overhaul was necessary – perhaps to distance herself from the preppy on-screen style of her GG alter-ego.”

Ouch.

Yesterday Fashionista posted “An Open Letter to Leighton Meester“:

“Dear Leighton,

So maybe we’re used to you oozing Upper East Side debutante in Blair’s Ralph Lauren pea coats and Nanette Lepore frocks, and we are open to change, but we’ve really started to worry about your recent choice of outfits.”

The letter was accompanied by this collage of offending outfits:

Courtesy Fashionista.com

In November the Fashion Police dedicated this post to their concerns over the young star’s sartorial selections.  And that was before this outfit from the KIIS-FM Jingle Ball in Los Angeles earlier this month.

Or this one from Saturday’s Z100 Jingle Ball in the city.

Photo Agency

Us magazine places Miss Meester second on their list of 2009’s Worst Dressed Stars.  The outfit they use to make their point is below, worn by the young actress and singer to the Met Costume Gala in May.

Photo: Getty Images

While we may not be fond (ahem) of Ms. Meester’s wardrobe choices, we do applaud the young lady’s spunky approach and her refusal to be chastened by fashion writers and critics.

Ms. Meester is not the only G2 star on the Us Magazine hit parade; Taylor Momsen is also included.

George Napolitano/Getty Images For Giuseppe Zanotti

Indeed.

Speaking of Gossip Girl, WWD (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription req’d.) reports that the next real-life fashionista appearing on the show is Teen Vogue editor Amy Astley. From WWD‘s story:

“…. spent Tuesday with Blake Lively and company on location at the IAC building filming a scene for the CW soap that is tentatively slated to air in March.”

Ms. Astley can be seen on the far right in the photo below, taken in September at the Clinique Fresh Faces Tour kickoff, a promotional event put together by Teen Vogue, and featuring Taylor Momsen.

Mark Von Holden/Getty Images

That concludes today’s Gossip Girl fashion-related report. (Heh-heh-heh.)

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Also fashion-related, the Sex and the City 2 poster has been released, providing a peek into the design aesthetic for the upcoming movie.

“SATC 2: Carrie On” is slated for release May 28, 2010.  Sarah Jessica Parker wears a dress from the spring 2010 Halston Heritage collection, Christian Louboutin Pigalle Gold Sequinned Pumps, and she carries a Chanel clutch.  Here is a closer look at the pumps with black sequins.

Also debuting next spring, Candace Bushnell’s The Carrie Diaries, introducing readers to Carrie in her teen years.

The book is scheduled for release April 27.

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We close with our very favorite new item here at the Prepatorium, it just arrived Tuesday and we couldn’t wait to share!

PreppyPrincess.com

The Pink Whales Bag has a drawstring closure in bright pink, making it casual and easy to carry. It is very durable. and perfect for your little one to use as a laundry bag, to tote their toys or goodies to a sleepover, and more.

The closer look also shows the bag’s two other patterns, Pink Funkier Monkey and Blue Funkier Monkey.

With that cheery image we say g’bye until next time, may everyone enjoy a relatively calm Thursday!