The Preppy Princess Turns 500

Hello-Hello!

Happy Tuesday to everyone, and apologies for yesterday’s whineathon of a post, it was most unbecoming. We promise to be a better Princess today. In fact, today’s post is all sweetness and light. Seriously.

Because today marks our 500th post!

And to mark the occasion we are going to do something we’re not very good at: talking about ourselves (all of us, each and every Princess…heh-heh-heh), in a manner of speaking. More accurately, talking about life on the Preppy Planet as seen through the eyes of our little blog.

Our very first post was back on February 10, 2008, titled Prepalicious Alberta Ferretti. We looked at an outstanding collection from this designer (perhaps better known for her Philosophy line), but not one generally considered to offer a preppy aesthetic.

Our single most popular post? It is titled Gossip Girls Haunt the Hamptons & Here’s One for the Military:

JustJared.com

“… this would be actor Ed Westwick, a Brit who plays a rather slimy fellow named Chuck Bass. There were other celeb sightings: we were told that any females in the vicinity of actor Chace Crawford tend to swoon, or get a bit giggly, as seen in the photo below. You know, teenage, pre-teen, post-teen, tweens, you name it, almost any female breathing in and out could be susceptible, at least from from what we understand.”

Our second most popular post has to have the longest title ever created: Summer Olympics Fashion Focus, Ralph Lauren Team USA Opening Ceremony Uniforms Reactions, and Who Was “Preppy” Dressed Team?

Courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren

Other hot topics include Tiffany Eyeglasses….

Courtesy Tiffany

… Goyard totes,

Courtesy Goyard

…along with all manner of apparel and accessories, especially of a preppish design.

Jim Young/Reuters

And when those styles intersected with politics and/or celebrity (let alone darling little girls), that only seemed to heighten the interest. Sketches have also been popular.

Courtesy J. Crew

J. Crew proved especially adroit at maximizing marketing opportunities in this arena.

Occasionally we let a little of our LogoPhobia (a little?!) rear its head, and we have delighted in sharing felt obligated to report on those newly named to the Anti-Prep Wall of Shame.  We have also loved finding things that are Pretty in Pink, discovering Argyle Adventures, not to mention sharing anything nautically inclined, adorned with grosgrain ribbon, or done in a seersucker or madras motif.

The goings on here at the Prepatorium have also been topics for discussion, as well as our little trips to visit TQM (The Queen Mother) and other royalty, along with cataloguing the travails of getting that drawbridge over the moat up and down when we’re at the mercy of such a testy group of gnomes.  Don’t you find that getting good help is so hard these days?! (This is where one inserts the smirk.)

Classic prep retailers, clothing with a Lilly label (let alone our Lilly Pulitzer stationery collection), spring and fall Fashion Weeks, Grand Slam tennis, nothing is safe it seems, especially if The Consort is doing the post! And we’ll probably keep it that way, unless you direct us to do otherwise. (Although some might be surprised at what we consider our favorite post, as it has nothing whatsoever to do with preppy style or fashion.)

Because we follow your lead; the very best part of all this bloggage has been our treasured readers. By far.  We consider ourselves more-than-fortunate to have made so many friends via this medium, we really are blessed. So if there is something you want to see more, or hear less about, anything at all, do tell! We always want to know your thoughts.

After this there really isn’t anything we can say other than “Thank you”.

Brooks Brothers Black Fleece Announcement, Tory Burch Sunglasses

Hello-Hello and Happy Monday!

We must say that having the U.S. Open on the TV here at Princess InterGalactic HQ certainly makes for an enjoyable work atmosphere.

We begin by saying that once again TP is forced to publicly acknowledge her inability to properly assess the intricacies what qualifies for ‘cool’ in the world of fashion. To whit, today’s news that Brooks Brothers is opening not just one, but two more standalone Black Fleece stores.

Yes, it’s that Black Fleece with all designs by Thom Browne, he of the shorter pant lengths, a style we are constitutionally incapable of wrapping our little pea-brain around.

Above left, the Black Fleece Madras Cotton Blazer (now at a far more fiscally-friendly $515 as opposed to the original $850 price), and on the right, the Two-Button Classic Oxford Jacket (selling at $600, originally priced at $1000).

Our lack of ‘hip-itude’ is demonstrated by our surprise at the news. The new stores will be located in San Francisco (in the old Simon Pearce spot on Fillmore) and in Tokyo.  WWD reports (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription req’d.) the west coast store will be open by September.

Clearly we do not have our finger on the pulse.

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In news of a gossipy sort (gasp), another Gossip Girl cast member has landed the cover of a popular magazine. This time it is one of the Gossip Guys, actor Chace Crawford, on the cover of People; he has been named the magazine’s “Hottest Bachelor.”

PHOTO: Courtesy People.com

While TP has yet to view an episode of the hit program, we do try and pay attention to the fashions from the show and other information.  We didn’t realize that co-star Penn Badgley originally wanted to have the Nate Archibald role Mr. Crawford has made famous.

PHOTO: Lance Staedler/People Magazine

Nor did we realize Mr. Crawford shares an apartment with Ed Westwick, another co-star.  For a People magazine video with Mr. Crawford as well as more photos, click here.

PHOTO: Albert Ferreira/Startraks

Now for our Question of the Day: is it just us, or does Mr. Westwick bear an unfortunate resemblance to a ferret?  Perhaps it is his hair?  He doesn’t look nearly as … ah, nearly as…. ummm… we’ll just say ‘intense’ in this photo from Thursday’s K-2 event at Bloomingdale’s. In fact, he looks rather charming.

PHOTO: Will Ragozzino/Getty

Also in the news, Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively, seen below with hairstylist Jennifer Johnson at the NYWIFT Annual Awards. We are confused by the trench coat over the party frock, unless it was a sponsored wearing of said trench, a strong possibility as it is also what Ms. Lively wore inside.

PHOTO: Neilson Barnard/Getty

We’re presuming everyone will sleep better this evening being up to speed on these latest events surrounding the hit show. (Heh-heh-heh.)

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Despite the soft economy, Bloomingdale’s is opening the only Turnbull and Asser store-within-a store.  Previously one could only purchase Turnbull & Asser merchandise at the company’s own stores.

Photo: Elissa Wiehn via Men's Style

This comes on the heels of the retailer’s unveiling the massive (7,000 square feet) Polo Ralph Lauren shop-within-the-store.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

The newly refurbished Polo area stocks both Blue and Black Label goods, and actually has its own door on the 59th St. side of the flagship.

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Also today, news  that Tory Burch is adding sunglasses to her line; they will be available sometime in November.

PHOTO: WWD Staff

The oh-so-chic shades will run $135 to $195.

PHOTO:WWD Staff

The frames are being made by the same company that makes Ralph Lauren and Tiffany frames, so we expect they will be quality items.  Best of all, it appears they may not activate our Logophobia as we’re not seeing any of those telltale signs in these photos!

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We close with a reminder to pop over and visit Whale Flip Flops for your chance to win a Carrie & Tuck portable writing center….

Carrie & Tuck at PreppyPrincess.com

The winner will select the color of their choice, Pink, Navy, Green, or Chocolate Brown portfolio. And we are also including a Preppy Alligator Refill Set to keep someone well-stocked in cute paper for the summer.

With that, we say adios until next time!

The Princess is Obsessed….and She Has a Confession! Also, Prep Schools for the Obama Girls

It had to happen.  You just knew that sooner or later TP was going to locate something new, in pink, for scooting around town.  We confess we are simply ga-ga over this:

Courtesy Hermès

We present the Hermès Fortwo édition Toile car, unveiled last Thursday in front of the Grand Palais. This creation is in honor of the Smart Car’s 10th Anniversary, and it will cost just under $50,000.

Courtesy Hermès

It wouldn’t be for everyday of course, and only for certain locales, like Georgetown, or the Loop, perhaps Nob Hill. But not on the highway as almost anything else would turn us into Flat Stanley in an instant! Naturally TPC (The Princess Consort) will have to counsel the staff as a few may be concerned about job security if they aren’t driving TP; he is very good and will work with them to assuage their fears.

Courtesy Hermès

Those who regularly punish themselves by reading our mental meanderings know how we feel about luxury brand logos and may be concerned we are off the reservation here. Are you perhaps a new reader curious about our case of LogoPhobia? We shall attempt brevity: we loathe them. They are beyond nouveau gauche, with a very few exceptions, most have been mentioned in this space.  We consider them to be hideous in most circumstances and beyond offensive at their worst. (An egregious example follows; the D&G baby bottle is worse than most because in this instance the baby is doing the advertising.)

eLuxury.com

But back to the car; of course it comes in other colors, like Hermès’ signature orange. Each Smart car will showcase Hermès leather with covered steering wheels, including lime, navy, fuchsia and other colors. But if not in pink… what’s the point?

So be they on apparel (where to start, really?), on luggage (Louis Vuitton anyone?), on eyeglasses or sunglasses (hello Tiffany?), almost anywhere, they are hideous. However, when it comes to the Hermès logo on the Smart Car, it is our understanding it is going to be quite discreet, in Hermès’ original canvas toile there will be the “H.”  What do you think? BTW, our thanks to TrashBagAesthetics.com for their fab photos!

We now know a bit more about some of the prep schools Michelle Obama was looking into while in Washington the before the President-elect arrived in town for their visit with the Bushes at the White House.  One possibility is Georgetown Day; it is co-ed and teaches grades Kindergarten through High School. It was the first integrated school in the city, and also very progressive according to a story in today’s NY Post, with students and teachers on a first name basis. Below, a shot of the school yesterday following Mrs. Obama’s visit. Tuition here would be approximately $27,445 for grades 1-5.

PHOTO: Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Other contenders include Sidwell, pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade is actually in the District proper. It is the Quaker school attended by Amy Carter and Chelsea Clinton; vice president- elect Joe Biden’s youngest son attends Sidwell now. According to Newsday’s story tuition at Sidwell runs $28,442 for pre-K through 4th grade and $29,442 for grades 5 to 12.

Now it is time for the afore mentioned “True Confessions.” Yesterday we had occasion to spend a good portion of our day in one of the PrincessMobiles, driving halfway across the state. And back again. Having neglected to remember to bring the iPod (a gift from the Princess Consort!) we decided to take our chances with the radio. The buttons are all preset in a plethora of combinations offering a multitude of musical genres. So we reached forward and hit  ‘On” and music filled the air.

Oh yes, this filled the air:

“Have yourself… a merry little Christmas….

Make the yuletide gay…”

And the confession? Yours truly did not immediately push another button, oh no. She sang along with Bing Crosby. And then The Carpenters (honestly) and then Aretha Franklin. And then we turned it off.

The Consort is most concerned.

The New Tiffany Tote Bag + Preppy Needlepoint

Hello and aren’t we happy-happy-happy it is a bright and beautiful Tuesday?! Tis a privilege to be on the third coast where it is bright and sunny, low humidity and high excitement at the Merchandise Mart! We owe a ‘Thank You’ for the lovely weather to Erin (Third Coast Preppy) who promised the Princess Consort it would be this way!

After designing our exclusive placemats, napkins and other goodies, there is nothing quite so fun as buying trips to find the latest and greatest in preppy goodies for the Preppy Princess. That’s where we are, on the road looking for the ‘newest and coolest’ in personal and home accessories.

Speaking of new… has anyone seen these yet? We just stumbled upon them while looking up another item at Tiffany’s. (Yes, to be accurate it is singular, Tiffany, but we’re feeling slightly sloppy this morning.) These are new, at least to The Princess, canvas with leather trim, and only available online.

The Tiffany Tote (our name – Tiffany is simply calling them ‘Pink Tote,’ ‘Brown Tote,’ etc.) seems more like a handbag to TP; regardless of name, we must admit they actually seem kind of cool. The website describes them this way:

Carry yourself with style. Tote in canvas with pink leather. 15.5 x 7.25 x 15.5″. Available exclusively on Tiffany.com.

The totes don’t look like they are really 16″ square from the photos; they seem wider than they are tall, but they do look good-sized. At $395 they are not inexpensive but their lines are clean and timeless. (There is also a white patent leather version of the tote we do not show in the photos.) We’re pretty sure this is one that will be in style next year and the year after that and the year after that. In other words, a good investment if you love the look. Of course, we would remove these pesky things lest the LogoPhobia kick in:

Discounting the easily removable leather logo tag (at least it looks easily removable) this is one handbag or purse or tote or whatever we might be able to establish a relationship with, one we could learn to like, even grow to love. TP would even consider overlooking her bitter and hostile feelings minor concerns (minor?!) about the Tiffany Eyeglasses and think about acquiring one of these. For new readers this means overlooking Tiffany logos the size of Lake Michigan on said eyeglasses. (We have discussed the tedious topic in previous posts and don’t want to bore anyone else with the background.)

Does anyone else think this is reminiscent of other retailers who have branched out into new markets? Cartier does handbags in addition to other personal accessories, and Bulgari comes to mind as a jeweler that extended its brand into new markets, especially leather goods. As an example, we see the Baby Panther Mobile Phone Strap from Cartier below.

On the other hand Fendi started as a small Italian fur and leather company that expanded into more apparel. These are a few looks from their Resort 2009 RTW (Ready to Wear) Collection, so they aren’t commercially available.

Now because it held such a big role as Carrie Bradshaw’s bag in Sex and the City, we simply must show the Fendi Baguette in shocking pink on sale at Bluefly.

You didn’t really think we would pass up the opportunity to do the pink and green thing did you? Here is the green one, also on sale at Bluefly Batcave.

Now, having shown with great fanfare the Polo Ralph Lauren Kids Paint Your Own Polos we were amazed to learn about this: the Fendi Paint Your Own Baguette!

This one was released months ago, back in February or March. It was greeted with almost universal disdain and resentment, people were simply aghast at the thought of $1300 for a white canvas bag with 10 magic markers as they saw it. It is still available at numerous sites if you are so inclined, like eluxury.com and Needless Markup Neiman Marcus.

Everywhere we see stories about the renaissance of needlepoint, although it really never went away for some of us… did it for you? Anything promoting the art/craft is good and you won’t hear us denigrate the coverage. Besides, it is always fun to learn about new designs, including these from Jonathan Adler. The pillow in the top photograph is designed to look like very preppy grosgrain ribbon belts, and the smaller photo below shows Adler’s Ties Pillow, both really TDF (to die for) and great additions to almost any room at any of your homes.

Then we have these two, each of which is on sale, originally $165 and now $98, quite the bargain. We show the set, but the Queen of Hearts and Ace of Spades pillows *are* sold individually so the set of two would run $196.

A Line Has Been Crossed: The New Tiffany Eyeglasses

There is much that can go wrong in this world and somehow, one finds a way to cope. There are everyday tragedies you learn to live with, like your neighbor on the Cape renting their cottage to absolutely hideous people. Or Ralph Lauren making their logo bigger than ever. (For those who are not regular readers, The Princess has been diagnosed as a Logophobic.) Or the caterer running out of the petit-fours you ordered for the League luncheon. Rain the day of your best friend Bitsy’s wedding at her home on the island. (Yes, the one she got in the divorce.) When these little tragedies occur, one simply soldiers on, no complaining, no whining, no PDGs. (Public Displays of Grief.)

But then you see this.

And this.

The recently released Tiffany eyeglasses and sunglasses with a logo the size of Mt. Rushmore. Trust us, it is that enormous. Hopefully the next photos give you some sense of the scale.

It’s not the fact that Tiffany is making glasses, or to be more accurate, allowing someone else to make the glasses and put their name on them. It’s called licensing and everyone does it. In this case it’s Luxottica that Tiffany made the arrangement with; the partnership was announced with great fanfare last fall and The Princess has been almost sleepless since, living in fear of how the final product would appear. As regular readers will know, a licensing deal is not what’s causing TP’s blood pressure to go off the charts. No, you know better and are quickly emailing each other with the Red Alert Signal, internally shrieking “Dive, Dive, Dive.” You know the staff has already fled the premises in terror, including Cook, always the most loyal of employees. They even removed the pets.

Well, you can all remain calm. We’re upgrading from the Prozac Latte to a double Lithium Light. On the rocks. Are we hurting? Of course. You see, if there was one company we thought would not fall prey to the logoization of everything, it was this one. We really should have known better. Truly we should have, because all the warning signs were there. The growing number of products in the catalog in the Return to Tiffany and 1837 Collections should have tipped us off. (Below we show a Return to Tiffany charm bracelet and an 1837 Collection cufflink.) Do we feel a sense of betrayal? Of course.

The majority of the glasses don’t appear to be completely wretched. It is the group styled after the Return to Tiffany collection with their massive sterling silver plates glued on the sides that are the worst offenders. LC (Lewis Comfort Tiffany, son of Tiffany founder Charles Lewis Tiffany) would absolutely stroke out if he saw these. Call TP crazy, but we sincerely doubt the Tiffany logo was, or is prominently displayed anywhere on the Vince Lombardi Trophy, commissioned by the NFL, and we doubt it is highly visible on the NASCAR trophy Tiffany’s was asked to create. But here we are with it on the glasses.

But you know what? TP will power down that Lithium Light and move on. Perhaps we’ll turn our attention to the must-see Whim Collection by Cynthia Rowley for Target. Now if you do find yourself intrigued by the eyewear, some of which is curious and some of which might be quite elegant, prices range from $330 to $1,150 and you’ll see everything from rimless to aviator styles. Happy Hunting.