Harrison Howard

Found this artist on Annchoive's blog. His work is incredible!

Look at his CHINOISERIES series at his website: Harrison Howard.

Pink Preppy Storage!

pink storage, originally uploaded by mclarecal.

Impressive!

CAKE NOUVEAU!

Well, I am working on my "Tags" ..a dinner party with famous people and embarrassing songs you love, and realized...I have been tagged for over two weeks and could have had 10 dinner parties and a decade of music will have gone by before I am able to make my mind up on my tags. I think I am thinking too much here! I loved being tagged too..thank you! You are asking...what is my problem..these famous people are dead and not really coming to dinner!

So, to avoid the subject again, here is my daughter's 13th birthday cake by Cake Nouveau! Yes, we have a hot, famous cake maker in Ann Arbor who actually has won Food Network awards. Courtney is adorable and this is the cake she made for my daughter's Hawaiian themed party. Check our her adorable creations on her website Cake Nouveau.

DO SHARE THOSE EBAY SECRET SEARCHES!

Well, yes I love ebay...the world is at my finger tips and finding items is never out of the question (even though I am still searching for Dolphin gutter spout covers as seen in Savannah).

Here are my latest searches:

Barbour Jacket (for my son)

Dale of Norway Olympic Sweater New With Tags (Any Olympics)

Pots De Creme

Demitasse

Antique Pedestal Sideboard (house)

Herend Rust (me)

Antique Oyster Plates (for me)

King Cobra Women Fairway Driver 2008 (for my daughter)

Pottery Barn Kids --Caroline Bed skirt or Headboard Cover

Please share yours!

DOLLAR STORE ENTERTAINING TIP #1

Well, here is my latest tip to share with you all. I love the Dollar store! Dollar General usually has these nice little silver looking trays for guess how much.....a $1. I purchase them in quantity and when I head to an event in which I am asked to bring an appetizer, etc., I put our appetizer/dessert, etc. on one of these numbers and it looks beautiful. My girlfriend actually brought chocolate dipped strawberries on these trays around to her friends for New Year's Eve. After loosing a few priceless heirlooms, this is my new plan and I do not have to bring it home with me nor does the hostess have to deliver my platter, etc.

A Symbolic Representation of My Summer Life--Rubik's Cube

All I can say is that I need a manager to run my summer. This is one of those weeks of quadruple simultaneous bookings (four social activities booked for Friday night at the same time--not possible for my husband to be at Cub Camp and go out to a dinner party for friends moving to Korea and be at my parent's home for a dinner party, etc. ). Making the sides all align of my Rubik's Cube is such a challenge (each side is a family member and usually all need to align on schedule)--only 3 weeks left of summer break and we still need to squeeze in a family vacation. Things are just crazy but fun!

DON YOUR CROQUET WHITE

We were invited to a wonderful Croquet party on Saturday night. We enjoyed several rounds while drinking a variety of wines. Serving the Pimms Cup #1 (the official croquet drink) was vetoed by the mostly non-British contingent-the British gals said "If we thought you would like it, we could have brought our Pimms". The picture above is a member of the Navy Croquet team--a little hard to play croquet on the ship, but an important skill for our sailors to have, no less. I used a pink ball.

AMPHICAR

A friend of ours purchased an Amphicar for her husband for his birthday. Tonight we went to their summer home and gave it a spin. It was so much fun driving around in the water then driving on the road home and parking this boat/car in the garage.

GROWING UP

My husband received this from one of his friends. Male humor, but true.

26 Ways to Tell You Have Grown Up

1) Your houseplants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them.

2) Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.

3) You keep more food than beer in the fridge.

4) 6:00 a.m. is when you get up, not when you go to bed.

5) You hear your favorite song in an elevator.

6) You watch the Weather Channel.

7) Your friends marry and divorce instead of "hook up" and break up."

8) You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.

9) Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as "dressed up."

10) You're the one calling the police because those %&@# kids next door won't turn down the stereo.

11) Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.

12) You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.

13) Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.

14) You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers.

15) Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.

16) You take naps.

17) Dinner and movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.

18) Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 a.m. would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.

19) You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.

20) A four-dollar bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good sh*t."

21) You always eat breakfast food at breakfast time.

22) "I just can't drink the way I used to" replaces "I'm never going to drink that much again."

23) 90 percent of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.

24) You drink at home to save money before going to a bar.

25) When you find out your friends are pregnant, you congratulate them instead of asking, "Oh sh*t, what the hell happened?"

26) You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that doesn't apply to you and can't find one to save your sorry butt.

SPLITTING THE CHECK--Where is Miss Manners When I Need Her

Where is Miss Manners when I need her? I organized a group of women to go out for dinner to celebrate my friends 40th birthday. I carefully worded the invitation to say...let's all take xxx out for her birthday. We typically go to our club where splitting the check is always done and never a problem. The other organizer thought we should go to a restaurant.

She also thought that people did not expect us to pick up the tab.

One woman said that they would like to have a separate check. I called the restaurant to arrange this in advance and then went early to talk to our waiter. I decided to order a bottle of reasonably priced sparkling wine and said "put it on my bill"(thinking it would be separate).

When the bill arrived, it was not separated..I then offered to pay part the champagne and needless to say, the bill ended up being divided evenly. I walked away thinking.... this is not how I want to be viewed.

I wrote the owner of the restaurant a letter for other reasons, but it still brings up the same old problem...splitting the check. The head of Esquire Magazine said...after age 30, people should split the check evenly.

I just usually avoid these situations by having events a my home. What do you do?

PRINCESS CAMP

This week, and for the last 5 years, my daughters and their friends put on an adorable camp for little girls called Princess Camp. Twenty-four little princesses are at our home from 1-4pm everyday. They have dream quilt time, theme days (Ariel's Beach day is the favorite), have a camp song, and put on a show at the end of the week for their parents. My daughters learn how to run a business, manage people, organize kids, create a budget, plan activities, marketing, financial management, etc. It is a wonderful learning experience for all.

DRINKING THE POLITICAL KOOLAID

As I mentioned to you, Ann Arbor is a little off when it comes to politics. As a city, we passed several laws to make us "feel" better since we really have no authority to enforce them. For example, we have Nuclear Free ordinance (meaning Nuclear weapons may not be driven though our town).

My favorite sign from the Presidential Primary was vote none-of-the- above...."Gore 2008". This is a little confusing since Gore was not even on the ticket. The fact that someone would spend money for these signs...well, I am sure that you understand my point.

Also, perfectly logical people seem to have been drinking the Kool-aid when it comes to supporting candidates. I say, why are you supporting so and so. They do not have any real reason--which for such educated people, makes me concerned that they have lost their minds. If they are going to drink the Kool-aid, they might as well drink it in a stylish cup.

All She Wrote

DREAM CAR!

1965 MGB Roadster Rental Brisbane

Nautical by Nature--you can rent this in Australia

I CAN MAKE A RAINBOW

Red and yellow and pink and green, purple and orange and blue....I can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow too.

A preschool song that my children sang, that I will never be able to remove from my brain. Help me please!

PINK PREPPY PARTY GIRL---TAXI SERVICE

Yes, my summer is going well, I think? I am very busy driving my little darlings back and forth to our Country Club which is 1/2 hour round trip. Six trips for PPPG Shuttle Service yesterday. My children have junior golf, driving range practice, group tennis lessons, private tennis lessons, swim team practices, swim meets, etc. This does not include playdates, tutoring, etc. Last night we had a 20th Anniversary Dinner for some friends (yes, on a Tuesday) and getting everyone up and out by 8:00 am was tough. I think I am having fun. .

THROW THAT ETIQUETTE OUT-THE-WINDOW, I AM AN EVITE GIRL!

Yes, I have succumed to technology and the need for speed. I have invited a small group of women to dinner next Tuesday for a friend's 40th birthday using EVITE.

We received an invitation to a Pool Party for this weekend that was from Evite, which I loved getting and it has been fun to see who is coming, and their comments to the host/hostess. I think EVITE seems to work for last minute parties. Being the invitation fan I am, and always loving the formality and elegance of a personal, hand written invitation, I am very against this.

Because of the 1 week time frame, I was forced to speed up the process and frankly, personal phone calls end up in rejection or last minute call criticism (yes this is last minute before the world goes on vacation next week), or my favorite, date negotiation (i.e., I would really like to come but am unable to make this date. Please let me know if it changes). I have choosen the cowardly route of the impersonal ....EVITE. I will make it up in ordering an elegant, stand-up purse cake that has a J Crew influence (pictures posted later). P.S. If you really want your grandmother to "roll over in her grave", you can even send your thank you notes to your guest through this site too.

CIAO BELLA --MANGO, MANGO!

Thinking back to when we spent a month in Italy, our favorite snack was gelato--in fact, we had 2-3 scoops per day. My kids loved it! I love Ciao Bella Mango Sorbetto--it takes me back. It has only 107 Calories per serving (4 servings per container) and it taste like creamy frozen mango. Also, it does not have the same potential damage of eating a container of Ben & Jerry, etc. This is a great summer treat. The Pistachio is great too, but I am more of a fruity girl and just love that Mango flavor!

DO YOU LIKE MY HAT?

Having the business background I do, and how much fun I have blogging, I am intreged with measuring the value of my blog. Does anyone really like my blog? How do you know you are a successful blogger? I just receive an award from the wonderful It's Toile Y'all--thank you, thank you. My technorati.com rating for blog popularity is 387,498 and have an authority of 17--- I am not sure that this is good or bad. I did start out in the millions so I am getting better. Bunny Tomerlin and rightfully so, was mentioned on Kate Spade's website under "Things We Love". I think this is a pretty flattering statement that you have made it as a blogger!

I have started a little poll is to see how you measure your success as a blogger.

See the side panel to participate:

1.) Number of hits per day

2.) Number of comments

3.) Profit

4.) Other ratings (such as: technorati.com)

5. ) Awards, mentions, tags, etc. from other bloggers

5.) Just do it for myself (do not care about any of the above)

NEW PREPPY HANDBOOK 2008?--NOT! BUT FUN!

Even though I know that we are all looking for an updated Preppy Handbook, I am concerned and saddened that traditional, old money styling it out forever or not being written about anymore.

Here is an amusing new book called the "Filthy Rich Handbook" that makes a good attempt to mimic the Preppy Handbook but with an updated twist. It tells where this group lives, where they vacation, and other interesting information. Fun amusing reading for all.

PROMISE, MY LAST JULY 4TH POST

Annie's Power Room

Yes, this is Soap!

July 4th Count Down--Such Cute Party Items

All available at

July 4th Count Down

A patriotic house in Annapolis, originally uploaded by sipakoa.

July 4th Count Down

Eleni Cookies

BUICK OPEN ....TIGER WOODS SPOTTING!

(Vineyard Vines Outfit and Pink Golf Shoes)

We spent four days at the Buick Open in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The Buick Open is a well run, world class event. We were fortunate to receive tickets which included valet parking, club house passes, lunch, etc. Now, this is the way to attend a golf tournament! Our kids had a blast (as you can see). Even though Tiger was not there, Buick had this amazing booth set-up so you could have your picture taken with Tiger Woods. It was so much fun. I was amazed at all the adults in line to get their photo taken!

I guess the world loves Tiger Woods!

Highlights from this event:

Daughter B- said the the Buick LaCrosse is her "dream vehicle" replacing the VW Bug as the vehicle she wants when she is 16 .

Daughter C- received over 20 autographs from the golf pros and a few golf balls from the Caddies.

My son told Jason Gore about how he won the local Golf Channel Drive Putt Chip competition for Longest Drive and Best Chip. Jason said..."Keep it up buddy". My son smiled!

The "Analyze your Swing" golf pro said that my son's swing will pay for his parent's retirement. We were wondering if Buick guarantees this?

Buick's cars are amazing! Luxurious--and I mean leather seats and the works, affordable and a crossover that gets great gas mileage. We love that Tiger is their spokes person too--he sends a great message to our children. Note: The winner of the Buick Open receives a car--can't beat that!

Buick

OMG PLAID PASSPORT COVERS!

What can I say....these are adorbable! Great gifts...

Still Addicted! A LITTLE AUDREY & TIFFANY

During my days at Buick, I spent hours profiling the drivers' of certain vehicles...I would pick up a Chanel Suit or picture of some limoges china, a bottle of champagne, etc., and display them in the design center to inspire our car designers. Now, this can be done in minutes on Polyvore.com. Here are some of the combinations I found that were complied by subscribers. Just search for sets by typing in your favorite words (e.g., Audrey Hepburn, preppy).

I AM ADDICTED TO POLYVORE

I am a little addicted to Polyvore. These are color combinations and clusters you select or you can just flag other's collections. In addition, the pictures have the "who makes it" so it like a shopping list. You can copy pictures from websites and make a collection list. These are some fun groups I came across. NOTE: These are other people's collections not mine--great taste out there!

You must try it. Preppy Bunny has cute items in her list!

JUNIOR ZOO KEEPER CAMP!

My 15 years of experience as a mother has taught me is that there are a lot of different camp options for your children in the summer. Some are better than others. I really stopped most day camps unless I am sure that they have a great track record and really give my children a unique experience.

This year, my daughter C--11yrs. and son T-8yrs are off to the Toledo Zoo. C-is a Junior Zoo Keeper and T- is in a Reseach and Enrichment camp. Tonight T had to hang two different types of bird feeders he made at camp today and write/journal about the success of each. My daughter C fed a Giraffe today. What a great experience! Makes me feel better about the 2 hours I am driving (4 tomorrow since I have a meeting back home).

Here is my list to evaluate a day camp:

1. Who is putting it on and is it providing a unique experience for my children?

2. Are they acquiring a skill or exposure to a group of people that is not possible any other way? For example: My daughter B is at the University of Michigan Tennis Camp this week. She is loving being with the college players. She has met good friends (she met them last year), is playing a lot of tennis and it is 10 minutes from home.

3. Is is educational?

4. Cost per hour. U of M Tennis Camp is $16 per hour including lunch and bowling outing. Zoo Camp is $10 per hour plus one meal at the zoo on Friday and drinks everyday--a bargain!

5. Education of Staff (are these college graduates or high school students?) My daughter C said...I did not know you had to go to college to take care of animals at the Zoo.

6. Is it Fun!

MY DOG IS A "MODEL"

I love reading the blog "One Fabulous Mom". Not only is this blogger cleaver and entertaining to read, she actually has brushes and sighting with celebrities. Since her husband is in the film business, just reading this blog make me feel like I have a connection to Hollywood from the perspective of non-celebrity, interesting person.

In Ann Arbor, we have a few celebrities...mostly sports related. Of course Jeff Daniels (Dumb and Dumber--which I am sure he thinks of this movie as his finest work) is around living the quiet life in Chelsea,Michigan. So, my only brush with fame is with my dog CoCo.

My dog CoCo is a Model! Yes, you can purchase a picture of Coco on a the Nina Hauser Photography website . In addition to Nina's beautiful, unique photographs, she takes pictures from the perspective of her dog, Theo. My English Springer Spaniel likes to scare and bark at Theo. I told Nina that we would pay for the therapy.

Preppy Daughter Goes to Saddlebrook Golf Camp

Vera Bradley Pinwheel Pink DuffleVera Bradley Pinwheel Pink Backpack Dash Rolling Hardside Carry-On, Red Keri Golf Alice Bag (Monogrammed)

(a little short for her clubs though) Custom, Monogrammed Shoes by Footjoy

Yes, while other children are going to camp to sail, ride horses, and play capture-the-flag, my 11 year old daughter is going to summer golf camp at Saddlebrook Resort. She pretty much made the all plans and organized herself to go....what can you say? She heard that if you can shoot under 80 you can get a college scholarship! That would be great with me!

In preparation, she is wearing lots of Lilly Pulitzer skirts and tops. She will look adorable and hopefully will learn some new skills. Only 2 girls and 14 boys in the golf program. She is going to be staying with other girls in the tennis program.

Cute top from Old Navy she wore on the plane.

Now, my other daughter is heading off on a Mission Trip to Tennessee. I think she will be camping but doing some interesting work. A little different experience, but good for her. She will be attend a tennis camp next week and my other two kids will be junior zoo keepers at the Toledo zoo. Fun, but busy!

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