ORVIS Hare Bottle Opener

Hare Bottle Opener

Tretorn Tennis Shoes....A Classic

Sperry Topsider Sail Bags

$185

Sperry

$150

Another Dance Routine

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

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?

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

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?

MARGARITA SPA DAY

philosophy senorita margarita hot salt scrub, 23 oz

philosophy 3-in-1 ultra rich shampoo, bubble bath & body wash, senorita margarita, 16 oz

OPI NLM23 Strawberry Margarita

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/

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.

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!

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.

EM&M

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!

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.

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?

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.

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!

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....

smathers & branson

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

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!

Peter Beaton

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.

DISNEY VIP TOURS! YES!

We were fortunate to go to Disney with some friends on their private jet (they have a share in a company like Net Jet). On our plane, the caterer had several (2 dozen for 5 people) adorable Disney cookies for the kids. Isn't that thoughtful!

We only went to Disney for 1 day (since I have been there 17 times in the past 15 years). We were fortunate enough to tag along on a VIP Tour that our friends arranged. What is this little secret you may ask? We had a guide who drove us to the employee entrances of any park we wanted, escorted us in to the park and escorted us in to the "Fast Pass Line" of any ride we wanted to ride. In 8 hours, we went to 3 parks, had lunch, and rode on 8 of the most popular rides (we did a few other rides too).

The cost of this VIP Guide is $295 per hour with a minium of 6 hours. Up to 10 people can be included at this rate. On this holiday weekend, most of the lines were at least 100 minutes long and the Fast Pass tickets (these are tickets that allow you to make a reservation to ride a ride) were gone. This was well worth the money if you only have a short amount of time and want to see as much as you can. The price does not include admission into the parks and a Park Hopper pass.