PREPPY WINE BOTTLE TAGS

What can I say, Boatman Geller does it again!

My New Puppies--Foo Puppies

I would like to introduce you to my newly adopted Herend Foo puppies Dingbang (English translation: Protector of the Country) and Wang (English translated: Wish) adopted from Ebay for 25% of the retail value! The dogs that no one wanted are finally mine. My long awaited anniversary, birthday and Mother's Day gift. They will placed along side my tureen (pictured below).

On the Bandwagon Again!

Dear Whole Foods, For all the organic food you produce and purity you promote, you were always quick to slip my shopping goods in a plastic bag and a very nice heavy one at that. So after ten plus years of plastic (actually I usually requested paper), you have changed. Now, as always, the good towns people of Ann Arbor have jumped on the most recent crazy...BRING YOUR BAG TO THE STORE MONTH! In fact, they bring the dirty bags ( I think they use to stuff in their mattresses for extra cushioning). It just looks unclean. I guess some bag "style" is order for these people so their raw chicken juice can drip into something really expensive and chic! Since I cannot usually remember take my keys out of the ignition before I leave the car, I probably will not remember my snazzy grocery bags...but when I do, I will look great. Here are a few ideas for my preppy friends:

" The Original"

My Favorite

From : B-Happy Bags

By Marc Jacob

A little German Flare

Longchamp

A little French Flare (cannot find the source) Made of recycled sails.

Now that is recycling!

Recycled Sails

From : B-Happy Bags

From : B-Happy Bags

Walmart Bags Are Not too Bad!

(Available at Any Fine Walmart Store)

My Favorite Store Bag ($1.99)

Trader Joe

A TISKET A TASKET...A PINK AND GREEN PREPPY BICYCLE BASKET

My monogram would look perfect here!

Hung on Words will put your monogram or saying on your basket. The baskets come in 2 sizes small $70 large $90 includes the custom sign. Many color options are available. A Monogram Shop owner in Harbor Springs has an adorable baby blue cruiser with a white seat and a white basket with a baby blue monogram. She parks her bicycle in front of her store! To order

Contact: Denise Copp

Hung on Words

404.351.7161

404.351.7101 fax denisecopp@mac.com info@hungonwords.com

Love this Bicycle! Does it come in Pink?

Like Tres Posh Preppy, I am on the hunt for a Beach Cruiser that I can ride to our neighborhood tennis/pool club and around town. I even have the basket picked out with a monogram wooden plate on the front of it. Since I need a few gears (to make it up the hill), I am looking for something with at least 3. I discovered this great blog Heather "Bunny" Tomerlin where she featured this bicycle and several other items that I love. I adore this blog and this bicycle, but would like a pink or baby blue version. Still searching....

Outdoor Decorating

Well, trying to get my back patio organized. We have been sitting on these uncomfortable wrought iron dining chairs for ...many years. I saw these preppy outdoor fabrics at Ballard Design and fell in love. I have been looking for a black & white stripe and the Arden black updates my look. I am going to purchase round seat cushions in the Arden and cushions for my outdoor sofa and chairs in the black and white stripe. I will keep you "posted". I just added the Chanel sign because it matched.

Jack Rogers, Steven Salario and Stephen Bonnano .........Oh My!

Recent Outlet Purchase

Steven Salario --Tampa

There has been much debate and discussion in the blog-o-sphere about the difference between these three shoe makers. There was also some pretty heated discussion on the blog Biscuits are Never Boring and I went...wow... lots of bad feelings and opinions out there. I thought I would give my humble thoughts on this subject.

As a business person, the pie that is being fought over is relatively small. Jack Roger posted sales of $1.2 million (I believe US tennis shoe sales are 14.5 billion) and I believe Jack Rogers is the largest seller of these shoes. Jack Rogers seems to be marketing to medium to large retail and Internet stores and is very successful. Dividing 1.2 million by an estimated cost of $20 per shoe, that is 60,000 shoes. There was a great video of with the current president of Jack Rogers Shoes that is great to see (JACK ROGERS INTERVIEW) Based on this video, Jack Roger shoes are produced in the US.

On a recent visit to Tampa, I stopped by the Steven Salario outlet store in Tampa near Hyde Park and had a a lot of fun. Some 8 pairs of shoes later, I am a happy camper. My 11 year old daughter snagged several pairs of $5 dollar sandals and a few pairs of of discounted Navajo patterns as well. Of course I spent full dollar to replace my pink and green Navajo loves. This was such a fun store and a great place to visit. Steven Salario is heading down the retail sales route too and is working on updating their website. I purchased the most adorable pair of hot pink driving moccasin that I think I need to get in every color. Steven Salario is a shoe wholesale company and can be seen in better stores throughout the country including Best Dressed Child.

The Address is:

2810 Long St

Tampa, FL 33605

Stephen Bonanno seems to be the love of the Palm Beach and the blog world, and guess what..... they work hard at it. They have a great website, a fun blog, and a nice store in Palm Beach. They also offer creative ideas for personalization which this is really their specialty. This maker has a boutique, personal feel to selling their shoes.

In spite of the small market size, there is a passion by all these manufacturers and customers to really find out who made the originals. I would like to care about this, but I do not think we will ever know the truth nor am I interested in reading any more debate on the subject. To put this in perspective, we are also not talking about cheap imitations here..the quality is "fairly" consistent across companies and it is purely a matter of personal taste and brand preference.

I just order baby blue patent personalized shoes from Stephen Bonanno. Since I have all three shoe brands I am in good shape.

COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET...I PURCHASED CROCS

Last summer, I finally broke down and purchased a pair of Crocs for my husband and me. I noticed that Monogram Mama came clean on her blog so I thought I would finally publish my Crocs post.

Crocs remind me of Earth Shoes from the 70's (dating myself here) only made out of plastic foamy material... presented in p r e t t y colors. One thing that Crocs have going for them that Earth Shoes and other preppy shoes do not is that .....they are water proof (plus a 100 year life in a landfill)! My Crocs are hot pink with a big pink and green flower on them. I wear them primarily around the house. Also, when you are in the shower at a club, pool or at the beach, I like my feet protected from the unclean elements...also these little numbers hide a less then perfect pedicure.

My husband's Crocs look kind of like LL Bean Boots (ok, not really, but closer than mine) which makes him feel a little better. He wears them to water the flower and herb garden, and in the morning when he runs out across the wet lawn to get the Financial Times and Wallstreet Journal.

My kids love them and wear them to the club in the summer. Mine, for the most part, are kept in the privacy of my home. I guess they have replaced flip flops.

If you have gone over to the dark side or the Croc side, let me know. Unfortunately, there will not be any Earth Day awards for you either if you have.

Preppy Political Style!

Well, we had dinner with a former US Ambassador and his wife at our club on Saturday night. We were discussing how drawn out this political race has been and we were looking forward to the election and hopefully the Inauguration. We have already purchased our Black Tie and Boots Tickets from the Texas Society by the deadline of March 31st. If our candidate looses, we will sell them on eBay. If he or she wins, we are heading for a fun few days in DC.

Even thought the election is rather ugly, that does not mean we have to dress that way. Some of our favorite vendors will make sure we look good.

For high-heel relief under your

Inaugural gown so you can run to the after-parties

Stubbs & Wootton

For the keys to the Country (that's USA)....

Smathers & Branson

To wear election night so there will not be "tie"

Vineyard Vines

Wear these because they are just plain CUTE!

Angela Moore

To wash the candidates, their spouses, their staff or supporter's mouths out-with-soap! Maybe a few news people would benefit from this too.

And something for those independents... so you may have some neutral options too.

A.Tierney Stephen Bonannos

In summary, the author of Freakonomics (great book) had a contest to come up with new slogan for the USA (a more current option). The winner was:

"EVEN OUR WORST CRITICS CHOOSE TO STAY"

Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

Designer Water...Evian

When I am entertaining at our home, I am a little picky about the look of my beverage table.

Several ways to entertain groups of 12 or more:

1. Servers provide drinks and all drinks are filled in a private area (unseen area)

2. Drinks are passed on silver trays

3. Bar area with servers (guest come to the bar area)

4. Bar area that is self -serve (servers clean up only)

When I usually have a large party, regardless if there is a beverage helper or not, I like to have my beverage area look nice. I purchase soft drinks, sparkling and non-sparkling water in glass bottles. Coke, Diet Coke, Spirte and french lemonade, etc. all come in glass bottles. In terms of water, I definitely provide sparkling water in glass bottles and I go back and forth on crystal pitchers of still water or still water in glass bottles. For a dinner party, I definitely serve water in a pitcher.

These Evian bottles are really incredible. I think they are mostly for commerical use but lovely non the less.

If you have any other thoughts to share on your beverage area, please let me know.

Happy Birthday Linda & Anita

My little sis and mother-in-law were born today. Happy Birthday!I picked out a cake for each of you!

I STRONGLY DISLIKE SCHOOL POTLUCKS!

Park Avenue Potluck: Recipes from New York's Savviest Hostesses

I am sure that I am not alone on this one, I am not a mass-potluck-kind-of-girl. I love parties and most social functions, but there are good reasons for restaurant inspectors in our society, people are not always careful when they are cooking food. In terms of food preparation, some people do not know any better, others try to get ways with dropping a chicken on the ground then trying to serve it to guests (this is actually a restaurant story), others just are not paying attention that cat is wagging its tail in the batter (while on the counter). If you have ever sampled frosting while making a cake, then my point is made.

Our public elementary school loves potlucks...one in the fall and one in the winter. Three hundred kitchens with 300 different standards. When we go the a school function that are potlucks, my children always eat first and I tell them to not eat the food..it never works though.

On the hand, potlucks with close friends are fine. A friend of mine gave me this book for Christmas and I love it. I thought I would share it with you.

Note: The irony of all this is that when my daughter's private school catered a dinner for french week, several people contracted food poisoning. You never know!

J CREW KEY CHAINS!

Even their key chains are cute! I love J Crew.

HEY, THE MILK MAN'S HERE!

For those of you unfamiliar with Ann Arbor, Michigan, we are probably in the running for Organic Food Consumption Capital of the World. We have at least six organic food store as well as a farmers market full of organically food grown by local farmers. Anyway, one of the luxuries that I have acquired from all this organic food craze is that I have milk delivered to my home by Calder Dairy and it is in glass bottles. Since we live in a 90 year old home which obviously had servants to bring in the milk, we have a milk box. Now where are those servants today?

HAPPY EASTER! WHAT ARE YOUR TRADITIONS?

Well, Happy Easter to all those family, friends and fellow bloggers.

Just a quick blog before we hit the club for Brunch. Christmas is full of traditions while Easter...is a little thin. But here are our traditions... 1. Fish Dinner Friday with Friends (we hosted it this year)

2. Saturday, Easter Party at Grandmother's place

3. Saturday Night, Dinner at my mom's and egg decorating

4. Baskets put out and kids leave a note and carrots for E. Bunny and the E.Bunny writes back.

5. We read..."The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes "

6. Eggs left by E. Bunny filled with $$ --8 inches of snow means inside egg hunt.

7. Baskets are left wrapped in cellophane with a bow and custom name card tied in the bow.

8. Baskets are hidden by E. Bunny and are hard to find.

9. Church

10 Brunch at the club

11. Visit to Great Grandma

http://www.laduree.fr/

Even more impressive this year, because I am so picky, my children's baskets are white with green polka dot ribbon, white with pink polka dot ribbon and white with aqua polka dot ribbon. I have matching paper grass, custom name tags that match the ribbon and a white bow that holds the cellophane and name tag in place. Last year, I actually put everything (ribbon, grass, name tag and cellophane) in a Ziplock bag and saved it. This year, my life was a breeze and it took 5 minutes to assemble the baskets. This year my kids received a nice book, bag of pink, green and yellow maltballs, sugarless gum, matching calculators (pink, aqua or green), pencils, a Webkin Bunny, and clear game cards (old maid, crazy-8's, etc.)..these are new, Burt Bee's travel kit and footcare kit, and misc. boy toys..gummy egg (not edible) and a little plane, frog, etc. Lots of fun and excitment. WHAT ARE YOUR TRADITIONS?

"The Other Boleyn Girl"

Well, my book group headed to the movie to see the "Other Boleyn Girl". Being a historical fiction buff, I recommended this book and the movie was bloody, but good. Covering 700 some pages in 1.5 hours was a challenge and a few details were left out..like Mary had a girl baby first and a son second....not just a son.

Also my group thought that Natalie Portman was not evil enough as "Anne". This movie is worth seeing if you read the book and like history. Thought you would find below amusing:

PREPPY MUSIC...A COLLECTOR'S ITEM

Preppy Deluxe

Just when you thought you have seen if all, here is a CD from the past...and it is still available on AMAZON (see link). Thought this would amuse you all.

SONGS:

1. Carolina Girls - General Johnson, General Johnson & the Chairmen of the Board

2. Shama Lama Ding Dong - Band of Oz

3. Rainy Day Bells - The Globetrotters

4. Did You Boogie (With Your Baby) - The Embers

5. Mr. Beach - Shagtime

6. Ocean Boulevard - Band of Oz

7. Hey Baby/39-21-46/I've Been Hurt - Buddy Causey

8. Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations

9. Hold Back the Night - The Trammps

10. Tams Medley - The Tams

11. Beach Baby - The First Class

12. Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes - Edison Lighthouse

13. My Baby Loves Lovin' - White Plains

14. In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry

15. Tequila - The Champs

16. Sugar Sugar - The Archies

17. Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price

18. Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love) [Worst Morning After Version] - The Swingin' Medallions

19. Shake, Rattle & Roll - The Comets, Bill Haley

20. Twist - Chubby Checker

21. Wild Thing - The Troggs

22. Rock Around the Clock - The Comets, Bill Haley

23. Baby Let Me Bang Your Box - Doug Clark,

24. Shout - Legendary Dukes

CHARITY COOKBOOKS

Well, thank you someone who purchased one of the Charity Cookbooks through my bookstore. Not sure where I am going to donate the proceeds from my bookstore....I will worry about this when it become successful.

The Junior League, plus other non-profit groups publish wonderful cookbooks. Most of the cookbooks have recipes provided and tested by their respective memberships. I have cooked many recipes from these incredible books. See my bookstore for some of my favorites. I would be happy to include any other charity cookbooks that my readers consider worthy. The proceeds go to wonderful causes! Here is a cookbook that I helped peddle while I was in the Ann Arbor League.

IT'S RED HAT MONDAY

p>Well, after a crazy month...talent show--I was in charge with my girlfriend NP (2 nights with 120 kids, lighting, sound, crew, programs, rehearsals, plus a snow storm, etc.), my birthday (breakfast, lunch, dinner) basketball game (B), tennis (B) ,Valentine parties and dinner with hubby at the club, over the top spirit week costumes for my daughters, etc., etc. Then off to Quebec and back in the swing!

I have just a good moment to reflect before I go to lunch with a girlfriend, two parties tomorrow night party, tennis tournament Sunday, birthday party sleepover for daughter C, basketball game for son T, soccer game (T), baseball clinic (T) and a school play with spaghetti dinner(B), dinner tonight with friends. I only have three more lunches and a group coffee next week, then I think my dear friends will be sick of celebrating my birthday. I think we will need that spring break to relax and for them to like me again! Is your life this crazy or are we crazy? As you can see, I have an affinity for 1950's Vogue magazine covers, I think this one is from 1952. I guess I love these covers because the 1950's style is pretty traditional and elegant. Anyway, just sharing something beautiful and if you can find a red hat for today, all the better.

MONT TREMBLANT, QUEBEC

Well, we have been gone for a bit and have just recovered from hosting two birthdays (my mom's and daughter's) and a few continued celebrations for my birthday (which was a few weeks ago) and a snow day! Anyway-- I am trying to blog a little and miss reading your blogs.

We had a wonderful trip to Mont Tremblant, Quebec. We are kind of last minute, bargain shoppers. We looked at the weather, airfare prices, and ski packages, and even with the weak US dollar, Mont Tremblant was an excellent bargain. It has a gondola, several high speed lifts, several long runs, and a great, charming village. After much debate, we decided to stay at a lovely, new ski-in/ski-out condo called L'Altitude. For eastern skiing, this place is the best! We actually drove (12 hours) with an overnight in Toronto. We ran into another family from my daughter's school (these people own a condo there) and had some great meals with them. Would I fly here...probably not... since we can fly out west for the same price. But, there is a European flare that makes this place special.

I'LL SHOW YOU MINE IF YOU SHOW ME YOURS--CHINA THAT IS!

Ok, I am a little obsessed with china and porcelain. While some have wish lists of purses, shoes and clothing, I am looking for Antique Pots De Creme for 12 or Oyster Plates in white and gold, or Demitasse cups in french blue and this is just my china list...I have a long list of sterling silver items too.

My inventory....when I as married a 15 years ago, I registered for Spode Sheffield with Stafford Flowers salad plates. I purchased Sheffield as my primary set and Wedgewood White for more casual dinners. Since a former president's wife registered for Stafford Flowers when she left office,(Tickled Pink and Green knows who I am talking about) I have never felt the same about this pattern. To spice things up, I have purchased several salad plate options including a Limoges fish set, Lynn Chase Winter Game Birds in Chestnut and Spode Lancaster in Crimson for Christmas. I also also collect Limoges, Paris Porcelain and Bavaria white (my great grandmother's pattern) all in white and gold trim. I strive to find antique Limoges with a Monogram A. I have several Herend pieces too. Love it!

Please let me know your pattern...it says so much about someone and the time period in which they were married.