PRINCESS BLOG AT **OTHER SITE**

Hello-Hello, and smiles to everyone! Thank you for stopping by for a visit! 

We apologize for the inconvenience, but The Preppy Princess blog remains at http://thePreppyPrincess.wordpress.com

Because of problems with Blogger, sometimes the only way I can leave a comment on your wonderful blogs causes this old link to show up. (It is either that, or leave no comment, or do it as anonymous, and none of those seem right.)

 

I am sorry for the inconvenience, but we haven't been able to resolve the issues with Blogger. 

 :-(

THE PREPPY PRINCESS HAS MOVED

Hello-hello! Lest anyone think TP has gone to the great Brooks Brothers in the sky, she has not. BUT THE PRINCESS HAS MOVED. She changed her place of residence and is now residing here. She simply needed a home where the dress code was a little more lenient, allowing for a little Lilly and Orvis (gasp) mixed in the Ralph Lauren Polo and Brooks Brothers. Please come visit; we'd love to see you!

"Official Preppy Band" or "Look, Muffy, a band for us"

Anyone here enjoy the music of Vampire Weekend, or at least like them enough to defend them to the end? We've not yet had the pleasure of seeing them in person, but through the magic of the internet we were able to listen a little today and were somewhat nonplussed. Our only link to the band comes via a columnist at the Sun-Times (Chicago), who suggests they are ideally suited to be the "Official Preppy Band." This via a blistering story, or perhaps a review, in the paper Friday entitled: "Look, Muffy, a band for us" with a subhead (2nd headline) "Preppy pretension sucks musical blood out of VAMPIRE WEEKEND." Okay then. Did I hear "Bitter, party of one?" from the maître d' blogland? If you are fans, now's the time to rise to their defense...in all their button-down glory!

Victoria Plimsolls

Just testing, but also *loving* the sneakers! (via ThisNext.com)

A Breath of Fresh Air

The best antidote when encountering another dark & dreary we-thought-spring-was-here morning is often a peek at something brighter. This morning we meandered amongst some of the absolutely darling children's springtime outfits and accessories, here is a tiny sampling for your discriminating eye. On the far left is an incredibly sweet Lilly Pulitzer, embroidered seersucker in bright and bouncy springtime hues from the dolls at In the Pink. We do the more formal 'dress up clothes' next with the two on the right perfectly suited for an Easter brunch at the Club or at Grandmother's cottage at the Hamptons. This exquisite, elegant beauty by the masters at Tartine et Chocolat is one ensemble we spotted whilst at Saks. (For a look at all of this brand's goodies at Saks, here you go!) And you have probably already guessed the designer and purveyor of the always-appropriate seersucker suit at the left; of course it is Brooks Brothers. And then last (The Princess is quite behind in her Sunday obligations and must absolutely toddle on to her next engagement!) but most definitely not least, some delightful items from The Children's Place, an establishment we must admit we are not familiar with, separated by a classic Florence Eiseman that is too wonderful to pass up.

Those Abercrombie Abs...Part Two

Robert Peary did not have a giant logo on the front of his parka when traveling to the North Pole. Nor did Amelia Earhart paint a massive moose silhouette on her aircraft in exchange for cash. And while some may say that Honey Fitz was "new money" (yes, we know, how dreadful to even discuss it) you did not see JFK with Abercrombie logos on his outdoor gear. Whyever not? Because that was back in the olden days when the once-great establishment catered to a much different clientele, offering vastly different merchandise. Oh, and using extraordinarily refined marketing techniques light years removed from the current crass and crude exploits practiced today by the very popular (in some quarters) retailer. And yesterday. And the day before, as we are all too sadly aware. This would be back in the dark ages of course, when their name was actually Abercrombie and Fitch Country Clothiers.
While nattering on (and on) about some of the latest PR disasters at Abercrombie and Fitch yesterday, The Princess *did* mention something about sharing a bit of the brand's history. Let's just say this truly was a remarkable store, with incredible merchandise displays for even more incredible undertakings and adventures. The name was Plans for many of the family's annual vacations never really got underway until one consulted Abercrombie's; it was that simple. On safari in Africa? No problem, they had what you needed. New Year's Eve on the QEII? They always kept Daddy's measurements on hand in case it was time to order up a new dinner jacket. Looking for some snappy flasks to have engraved for your groomsmen? A&F supplied just what you needed. It really was the most astonishing merchandise mix you can imagine, although it did cater far more to a gentleman than a lady. Unless one needed a new hacking jacket or pith helmet, ladies fared better at Best or Bloomingdale’s or Bonwits. When we were children we simply adored the giant stuffed bears and tigers and other animals they had in the stores. Then things went downhill, in a hurry it seems, and suddenly this most magical of shopping establishments was gone. Doors closed and windows covered. The Princess remembers how very sad it was arriving at the front door, encountering just such a depressing display - CLOSED. Then it seemed some sporting goods retailer was going to be their saving grace (okay, ours if truth be told) but that didn't turn out so very well either. And then the Limited folks made their appearance, proving that some things are worse than being bankrupt! Simultaneously the once-simple label affixed to the lower side seam was fed retail steroids and it just grew and grew and grew into the monstrosity seen today. (Also shown below as it was above, merely an effort to minimize trauma for those unfamiliar with the brand – this way you needn’t trouble yourselves looking it up online.)
There it is. Yawn. Tedious, I know. And of course we still use the turtleneck, it’s perfectly serviceable.

Those Abercrombie Abs...Part One

Truly tasteless? Or "well, at least their hearts are in the right place" sort of situation? Of course, who else could we be discussing other then the oh-so-naughty Abercrombie & Fitch? And how amazing (not!) that the troublesome topic involves the company's sex sells credo. And of course the "M" word. Yawn. (I don't know...does the apparel at the left simply shriek "preppy" to You? The Princess doesn't exactly see those shorts at the C.C.) At any rate, it appears looking a gift horse squarely in the mouth isn't the least bit troubling to a group of Buckeyes. Not even when said gift's value runs just a bit more than the cost of a nice wedding reception, well into the low seven figures. The backstory: A&F is owned by Limited Brands, based in Columbus, Ohio. You know, the folks who own Victoria's Secret, and the generally fabulous Henri Bendel. The company donated $10 million so its name would go on the new ER at the Children's Hospital in Columbus. (Er, excuse us, that would be Nationwide Children's Hospital, so named in gratitude for the $50 million donation from you guessed it - Nationwide Insurance!) But not so fast. Seems a group of physicians and advocacy groups are saying "Thanks, but no thanks." The big bucks were donated (and accepted we might add) back in 2006, but the topic is now hot because groundbreaking is taking place this year. Or at least it is supposed to. It seems some are opposed to taking donations from a company whose primary marketing efforts seem to center on images of teens oozing sex in every ad. Of course, while not exactly chicken feed, the 'donation' is nowhere near the $50 million the company paid a few years back to settle a discrimination suit.
For those not familiar with the brand, it wasn't always this way. Do stop by tomorrow for a look back at what truly was a lifestyle brand. And there weren't any short-shorts for sale either.
On a far less serious note, it appears spring may be here at last, and isn't that just too glorious?! A change of seasons is much more than a change of wardrobe, always a splendid reminder to revel in the simple things and maintain a sense of humor. The seemingly endless winter was on the verge of turning otherwise delightful acquaintances into crankensteins, reminding The Princess of a wonderful remark by Ann Landers: "Class has a sense of humor. Class never tries to build itself up by tearing others down." Do enjoy a happy-happy and wonderful-wonderful weekend! We leave you with this charming picture, one of many darling, creative projects at Kaboose for your children to enjoy!