Sunday, July 12, 2009

Princess Camp & Cinderella Cakes

All pictures are from Flickr

PRINCESS CAMP

About 5 years ago, my 10 year old daughter started a Princess Camp. Twenty-four girls come every year (mostly neighborhood girls without really marketing the camp). There are crafts, a camp song, a show, dress-up day, games, Ariel's beach day, etc. It is a precious week for my daughters, their friends, and these little girls.

SUMMER BUSINESS

This camp also helps my daughters and their friends run a business. They set schedules, manage receivables, expenses, manage employees, etc. One day this year, we are going to a gardens where there is a fairy hollow and the children will make fairy houses and play games around the beautiful flowers in the Arboretum.

CAKES!

Being a cake perfectionist, meaning, I always strive to find the perfect cake for each special occasion. With this in mind, I think every little girl should have at least one Barbie Cake in her life time--I remember a friend of my mom's made me one in honor of my dance recital. My girls have had a Snow White, Cinderella, etc. as well as many fabulous, designer cakes too. Here are some examples of Cinderella theme cakes and the coveted Barbie Cake.

Friday, July 10, 2009

A Sunny Room! Have a great weekend

Thursday, July 9, 2009

FUNERALS

Andy Warhol
Sad,sad news. A friend of my 15 year old daughter lost her father to cancer last week. About three days later, her brother tragically committed suicide. What a sad situation and I wish I knew how to help them.

One of the lessons I have learned in my life is...I always try to go to funerals and if I cannot make the funeral, I really try to go to the visitation. It is never fun, but I always try to go. I usually send flowers and try to send over food to the home too.

My grandfather's funeral had about 200 people and my grandmother's funeral had about 80 people. I know she was actually loved by many, but she survived them all. It was so important to my family and me to know that others valued her life too. This is why I go to funerals.

My rules are simple:

If you are a friend and have lost someone close, I am there. Even if you are not a close friend but are involved in my life or my child's life, I am there...period. It means so much to your friends and family that you were there supporting them.

What are your thoughts on attending funerals?

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

New Laws of Casual Style

Animals make the best logos. Match the logo with the brand. A. Polo; B. Penguin; C. Lacoste; D. Brooks Brothers; E. American Eagle; F. Vineyard Vines

ANSWERS: 1-C, 2-E, 3-D, 4-F, 5-A, 6-B

This is an article that was published in Esquire Magazine Feb. 2008 and I pulled a few highlights out (renumbered). It was written for men but many of the concepts apply to women too.

The (New) Laws of Casual Style

Put down the blue button-down, step away from the Crocs, and open your closet. We need to talk.

1. When in doubt: a white oxford shirt.

2. There is a name for men who can pull off wearing sports jerseys. They’re called professional athletes.

3. A rugby shirt is the most masculine thing a man can wear.

4. The 1950s and 60s were the high points of casual. Everything before and after was hit-or-miss.

5. Fitted is good. Snug is dicey. Tight is just wrong.

6. Hemp clothes are great. If you want to smoke them.

7. Khaki pants will look and feel their best approximately two weeks before disintegrating.

8. The man who imparts opinions via T-shirt has neither the intelligence to form a cogent opinion nor the good sense to keep it to himself.

9. Everything looks better with age. Except for white T-shirts. Those look best new.

10. The Professor was the best-dressed man on Gilligan’s Island, followed by Gilligan, Thurston Howell III, and the Skipper. Oh, and for what it’s worth, Ginger. By God, Ginger.

11. Articles of clothing that you can dress up: polo shirts, khaki shorts, blue jeans, white sneakers, and, for Texans, cowboy hats and boots.

12. Articles that you can never dress up: sports jerseys, track pants, wifebeaters, Birkenstocks, and flip-flops.

13. Cotton is the universal language of casual clothing. Wear it anywhere and you’ll fit right in.

14. Sweatpants are for sick days, couch surfing, and light exercise. For anything else, throw on a pair of jeans and get on with it.

15. Velour: no.

16. Never wear more than two denim items at a time. Scratch that: Never wear more than one denim item at a time, and make sure it’s not a vest.

17. To our knowledge, tank drivers never wore tank tops. If they did, we might like them better.

18. Khaki is a color. Chinos are a pair of pants. Know the difference but feel free to use the terms interchangeably.

19. The more expensive a restaurant’s entrĂ©es, the less comfortable you will feel in jeans. Unless, of course, you could buy the restaurant, in which case you can get away with anything you want.

20. No one you work with should ever see your toes or your nipples. Please dress accordingly.

21. Remove the brass buttons from your store-bought sport coat and replace them with buttons from a fancy golf club. It will annoy the hell out of the club’s (real) members.

22. The best jeans have five pockets. The best khakis have four. Anything more or less and you’re asking for trouble. Oh, and 1998 called: It wants its cargo pants back.

23. Unless he’s a chef, a gardener, or a jolly fat man from Holland, no one should ever wear clogs in his daily life. Same goes for Crocs.

24. Speaking of: We’re not sure what Americans did to deserve Crocs, but whatever it was, we’re sorry. We’re really, really sorry.

25. If you see the words “Barbecue,” “Come as you are,” “Bring the kids,”or “BYO” on an invitation, dress casually. When in doubt, bring a navy-blue blazer.

26. Berets: no. Not in Paris, France, and especially not in Paris, Texas.

27. The overlap between active sportswear and casual party attire should be kept to an absolute minimum. Leave the neon shirts and pants for the links, the white tennis shorts to the courts, and the swimsuit at the pool.

28. There’s no harm in letting yourself go, so long as you’re never more than an hour away from pulling yourself together.

29. A hood knocks ten years off your age and twenty points off your IQ.

30. Sunglasses don’t belong on top of your head, folded into the neck of your shirt, or hanging around your neck by some nylon cord. If you have to remove them, hold them or put them on a table. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE FOR ANOTHER 30 or so laws.

Monday, July 6, 2009

ESTY-Myrtle and LLoyd

by Esty: Myrtle and Lloyd

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Preppy Plaid Notes-Great for Our Guys

Friday, July 3, 2009

Happy Independence Day!

One of my favorite memories is my son Trip's 1st birthday party. His birthday is July 6th so you can see where we found our theme. Here is my daughter Caroline in her smocked flag dress (my three children had smocked flag outfits). Happy Fourth of July!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

JIMMY CHOO-HUNTER WELLIES

I am not sure what to think.....

Jimmy Choo
Fortnum and Mason
(cleaver and cute)

Kate Spade Reading Glasses

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

ORVIS Hare Bottle Opener

Monday, June 29, 2009

Tretorn Tennis Shoes....A Classic

Sperry Topsider Sail Bags

$185
$150

Another Dance Routine

Ok, don't people have to work? This is fun,Maria would be proud.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

CHARM BRACELETS--Forward by Preppy Handbook Author

Charm Bracelets is a wonderful book illustrating beautiful ideas for themed charm bracelets. The Forward is written by the author of the Preppy Handbook. I purchased this book for my mom for Christmas (found it on the sale rack at Barnes and Nobles). She has started gold charm bracelets for my daughters. My one daughter has a gold bracelet--started recently, a silver bracelet with charms I gave her for her Confirmation, a Tiffany charm bracelet with 2-3 silver charms and a Juicy Couture charm bracelet too. My other daughter has a gold bracelet--so far. Here are some other charm bracelets that I found on flickr.

Do you have a charm braelet and what types of charms are on it?

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The Cultivated Life

Thanks to Tickled Pink & Green, I just added this to my summer reading:

Summer Watches

This year at the pool, instead of the Rolex watches, I have been seeing a lot of Forever21 loose fitting watches like this but mostly in white. Other than the band, these are probably not water proof, but they look great. For $12, you cannot beat it. Forever 21

Saturday, June 13, 2009

WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR JACK ROGERS, STEPHEN BONANNO OR STEVEN SALARIO?

A reader emailed me asking say she wants to get a pair of Jack Rogers shoes and which color of should get. With so many great choices, that is a hard decision. Since I wear a lot of pink & green and Lilly Pulitzer, I would purchase the pink & green version. I also seem to get a lot of use out of my blue and lime pair below too. I purchased a light blue monogrammed Stephen Bonanno last year and love them too but do not wear them as much as my pink & green pair. I also have several pairs of Steven Salario sandals that have white stitch with a color like pink or blue. I do not wear these very often either. What do my readers suggest and what color shoes do you have?

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

MARGARITA SPA DAY

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

AND THE WINNER IS....

Chinese Racing Trophy
Randomly generated by Random.org: #10 is the winner and that is A2GIRL! Congratulations. http://www.random.org/

Friday, May 29, 2009

GIVEAWAY (WARRIORS IN PINK)-LAST CALL

ENDS JUNE 1st
TEST DRIVE A FORD AND $20 GOES
TO BREAST CANCER RESEARCH UNTIL 6/13

GIVEAWAY: One of the two scarves

CUTE GIFT BASKET FOR THE RANDOMLY DRAWN WINNER!

HELP OUT FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH!

I was contacted by the Ford Motor Company, Warrior in Pink group with a wonderful giveaway (and they even put it in a basket and took a picture of it--now that is service!) The Ford Motor Company-- Warrior-in- Pink Breast Cancer Research Project commissioned Lilly Pulitzer to make several scarves and I am giving away a fabulous basket of:

Two (2) Lilly Pulitzer Scarves (one for you and one for a friend)

Three(3) -Warrior-in-Pink Workout Shirts and --they are nice!

and Warrior in Pink Stickers, etc.

You may enter up to four times (100 unique entries and an extra $50 goes to Breast Cancer Research via me PPPG!)

1. Leave a comment (1 entry)

2. Post about my giveaway on your blog (1 additional entry)-let me know that you did this too!

3. If you test drive a Ford by June 13th (MUST HAVE FORM), Ford will donate $20 to Breast Cancer Research in your area.--You get 2 entries for this one!!!!--Make sure you let me know you did this. IMPORTANT LINK FOR FORM: http://www.fordcares.com/. I guess you can pick one of these forms up at your local race too.

If I have 100 entries, an extra $50 goes to Breast Cancer Research by me, PPPG. Please talk this up on your blogs. We have a rare opportunity as bloggers to help a cause that impacts all of us!

In these hard times, we can still give to Breast Cancer Research to find a cure.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Frank Lloyd Wright-Grand Old Flag (1927)

This weekend, we honor of those brave men and women who died for our country. Above is a beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright piece that was made in 1927 and graced the cover of Town & County Magazine in 1937. This is such a beautiful tribute to our flag, the brave and the USA. Have a happy and safe holiday!

P.S. My daughter is making a float for her Decade Project: Year 1930-1939. Stumbled upon this piece by Franky LW.

Stay tuned for my "WARRIOR IN PINK" LILY P. GIVE-AWAY!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Where is Jacques Cohen (Espadrilles) When I need him

My usual quest for close-toed, comfortable, heeled shoes stopped here. Jacques Cohen-my beloved espadrille company is no more (since Jacques Levin slipper company purchase him (Jack) and added fancy strings to his shoes). Someone, EM&M Espadrille is taking pride in knocking off the Jacques Cohen Espadrille and these shoes seem to be a hit among you East Coast preppies from Connecticut. Currently, these darling numbers are available in black and lavender.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

May Day (Belated)

May Day baskets
Well, this post is a little late. Last year, and for the past 6 years, I would celebrate May Day at my children's school. I made a beautiful May Pole out of wood with ribbons attached (as seen in Martha Stewart's magazine many moons ago), would talk about the history of May Day, help the kids make May Day basket out of paper, and then we would all sing and dance around the MayPole weaving the ribbons to make a beautiful design. After last year, the MayPole went into the trash--the kids in 3rd grade are starting to get a little wild and so that is the end of the May Day dance. It was always such fun.

I thought the kids needed to know that May Day is more than a day of political demonstrations and celebrations organized by the unions and socialist groups. Have to balance out that educational political agenda a little!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

GIFT IDEA EXCHANGE--I NEED YOUR HELP

Well, it is that time of year for graduation parties, first communions, confirmations, Bat Mitzvah, etc.

I have a few gift ideas that I would like the share, but I am in desperate need of Graduation Gift ideas for young men. I know pens, leather portfolios, books on the college experience, etc. are all great. I am just looking for something special.

In exchange, I wanted to share a few unusual gift ideas with you.

1. For Bar Mitzvah or Confirmation for teen boys: Mimobot USB Flash Drive It comes in a variety of designs including Starwars characters.

2. Confirmation for Girls:

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Swaroski Crystal on a wire that actually lights up. Elegant and fun. I usually add a note: "May you always find your way" Thanks BK for the idea.

3. Graduation Gift: Chanel Perfume-Start them off on the right foot. One of the few High School graduation gifts I received and remembered.

Last year, I gave a young man a Vineyard Vine belt with tennis racquets ( he was playing tennis in college). I knew that he would appreciate it, but not all young men would wear this type of gift. Please share your thoughts with me about a great graduation gift for boys.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

REAL OR MEMOREX? CAKES!!

These are all cakes that I have had stored on my computer for over a year. It is hard to believe that these are cakes--especially that Ked tennis shoe. I wonder if they taste as good as they look?

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Color Coding My Kids

When my daughters were little, they wore a lot of the same pieces of clothing and were pretty close in size. I would find an outfit that was so cute, but did not want to purchase two in the exact same color for sisters. To keep their clothing straight, a lot of the time I would purchase pink for my youngest daughter and light blue for my oldest daughter. The GAP made this easy because most outfits would come in both color combinations. This really helped in sorting laundry. At one time, I even monogrammed their little white Nordstrom undergarments in an effort to keep everything straight.

This effort has of color coding my kids has continued with my son who is coded "green". This really comes in handy for water bottles, etc. We still have items monogrammed (sports bags from LL Bean are navy with each child's monogram).

I love these water bottles because you can put them in the freezer and the outside fluid freezes and keeps the water bottle cold.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Child Food Allergy Etiquette--PEANUT NAZIS

This is a story that I hear quite frequently and I would love for all parties involved to be polite.

I am aware that peanut allergies, as are all childhood allergies are serious. So please, no comments about me not being concerned or knowledgeable.

NUT AWARE SCHOOLS

My children go to a "Nut Free" school which has changed to a "Nut Aware" school since the school cannot guarantee that it is "nut free". So, more or less, no peanut butter sandwiches allowed--no vital protein (that doesn't spoil) at lunch. There have been stories about lunch ladies taking Skittles away from children because they are made in factory that also makes M&M's. We call the lunch ladies Peanut Nazis because they embarrassed and humiliate the children who bring in the Skittles too.

PEANUT TABLE:

The parents tried to change the peanut butter ban by politely asking for a peanut table so kids could have peanut butter and no one would feel left out. This proposal was turned down by the teachers. In our school, two children out of 350 have nut allergies.

SOME PARENTS ARE "NUTS"

About 80% of the parents of children with allergies behave in a very militant, controlling way. At one time, our school even hired an AIDE for a child ($35,000*5 years=$175,000) to follow this child around so he would not eat peanut butter. One mother even cried and said that if her child had to sit at a "peanut free" table, she might feel "left out." These parents would rather control the system to accommodate their child (348 people cannot have peanut butter vs. your child sit at a peanut free table) than educate their child to function in society. Think of the child walking around our school who is blind and really feeling left out--now doesn't the whining about being left out at lunch seem rather small?

HEALTHY PARENT RESPONSE TO PEANUT ALLERGIES:

We have several friends who have children who have sever allergies. At an early age, they taught them to read labels and never to eat anything given without the label attached. Their approach was teaching the child to function in society vs. have society accommodate their child. Doesn't this sound healthy?

Here are the PPPG guidelines on how to behave if your child has an severe food allergy or a friend's child has an allergy:

1. Stop worrying about how your child feels every moment. If your child feels left out, it is because you have made them feel this way by controlling the situation for them. Bring your own snack vs. making the entire class change their snacks to accommodate your child.

2. If your child is a guest at a birthday party, ask if it is ok to bring your own food. Do not expect the hostess to make a special meal for your child nor a special cake. Your child's social invitations may become limited because it is more effort to accommodate your child.

3. If you are having a party and a child has an allergy, make every effort to accommodate this child. It does not mean you need to change the special meal or cake that your child is dreaming about, just make an effort to show you care.

4. Do not ask the entire world to accommodate your child. My husband was on an airplane that the flight attendant made an announcement saying that they were not serving peanuts because a child on board had a peanut allergy. Basic safety is totally acceptable to request and having EPI pens around is necessary and all will be willing to help here. For our class snack, one mother sent a list of snacks her child may have--which included about three. So, the class will be eating crackers all year because this the only food allowed.

I do not mean to sound harsh and I do think it is kind to accommodate people with disabilities. I think the allergy issue craziness is from educated parents who want control and feel horrible about their child's allergy. A parent asked for kids not to bring peanut butter on the bus at our private school and guess what, the school said...sorry!

If it is so serious, why would you risk your child's life by sending them to school because there are no guarantees.

Would love your thoughts--I am sure my post will be controversial!

Friday, April 24, 2009

I Met Peter Smathers Carter From Smathers and Bronson

Yes, at the Tau Beta Market in Grosse Pointe, I had the pleasure of meeting or my preppy celebrity sighting was ....

Peter Smathers Carter from Smathers and Branson!
(guy in the blue)

His darling wife was selling jewelry next to his display of his great belts, key fobs and few new items. I told him that my husband was a fan of his belts and that he has been eyeing the golf course version below. Also, an important fact that differentiates Smathers & Branson belts from the competition: the needlepoint on these belts is finer or more loops per square inch. I have given up the dream of making needlepoint belts for my boys, so this is where I have turned....

He has a few new products coming out that I will share with you at a later time.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

I am back-Hilton Head, U of M Museum of Art and going to the Tau Beta Market

Hilton Head (also, S.C.)
Well, I have returned from my vacation and already, back to reality. How come it only takes 2 days for the vacation to be a distant memory. Hilton Head was fabulous! Love the golf, tennis and of course, the beaches and bike riding. The Lilly P. shop there was incredible and inspired me for summer.

As I am sitting here missing a Symphony luncheon because I went to the wrong club. I am just back from the newly remodeled, University Michigan Art Museum with a bunch of 4th graders(we went to the opening benefit party -which was fabulous). About an 1/10 of the museum (which is new) is dedicated to architectural models of famous, new art museums including the model of the newly renovated museum I was in. A little self referent I would say. U of M just had to start some type of collection of their own that would be unique and this is what they choose--um, I hope it pans out for them. Maybe they are thinking they will someday have a Frank Wright model among them.
My tax dollars at work supporting this...ummmmmmm.

Yes, I did not go to book group. I have not even purchased the book.

I am a lucky girl, on Friday--I am heading to Grosse Pointe to the Tau Beta Market and guess who is coming to town....Peter Beaton Hats from Nantucket! I am so excited and am looking forward to a girl's day out! Tau Beta is a High School sorority and has a very active adult group.

Tau Beta Market (see the vendor list)

Peter...my love!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

I am in need of an UPDATE!

I have updated my blog roll. Google makes it easy to add the blogs that I follow. Some blogs do not allow followers and I am worried that I have missed a few. If you are following my blog and would like to be added to my list, please let me know.