Thursday, January 31, 2008

J Crew Does it Again

Check it out, J Crew has launched their new spring line. And it is fantastic!

I just want a few things to start with. Good thing I have a birthday coming up. And because I know he is now an avid reader - dad see above for my list.

For the Preppy Baby...

Love these prints from Made by Girl. A very cool, new way to display a child's name in his/her room. I think this would be a fantastic shower gift?

Make sure you check out her valentine cards, they're super cute.


Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Preppy Navy & Yellow Bridesmaid Inspiration

I was lucky enough to have dinner last night with a bunch of sorority sisters who are now living in Richmond. We had lots of fun remembering some of the trouble we got into in college and revisiting some highlights of our lives as delta gammas.

One of the attendees last night was looking for bridesmaids dresses for her wedding this summer. It’s going to be a casual affair and she is using navy and yellow are accent colors. She was having trouble finding bridesmaids options, so I put together a little lookbook of fun summer inspired dresses to fit her perfect preppy wedding!

1. J. Crew 2. eDressme 3. Jenny Yoo 4. Shoshanna via edressme

5. Jennifer Reale via edress me 6. Shoshanna via edressme

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Preppy Homegrown Chic

This storyboard is for Kate (who did not ask for me to do this, so surprise!). Kate is a transplant from Richmond, who now lives in NYC and is planning a wedding for the fall. It will be held on the shore, where she is from and is going to be a complete homegrown affair.


I love the dress and the use of the green button mums. The mason jar lanterns lead the way from the wedding site to the reception tent. Instead of a cake, cupcakes will lend a homemade chicness to the super casual and fun affair!

Monday, January 28, 2008

Sweet Preppy Inspiration




Love, love, love the basket weave design on this cake from InStyle Weddings.

Didn't make it to Ikea this weekend, but I did make the trek to Williamsburg and the closet Trader Joe's. For all you gals who have one around the corner - I am so very jealous. Hopefully, I won't be envious for long because the word around the market is that Richmond is going to be getting one in the next year or so. Top secret info here, so don't say I told you.

There was a lot of inspiration around the market. We bought the wine and champagne for our wedding at TJ's and they do have such an amazing and inexpensive selection. They also have a great frozen party food section for all your gals planning a shower in the near future. Don't you think their mini cookies would look fantastic wrapped up all cute for a yummy favor to be enjoyed before the ceremony with a glass of milk?

Friday, January 25, 2008

Floral Pomander How To

One of my favorite weddings from the aforementioned Town & Country Weddings is an affair whose alter is covered with giant floral balls. They look so, so elegant and edgy at the same time. Here's an example of a centerpiece created by Martha. I really like this look!


Hope everybody has a fantastic weekend. There's a chance that I'll be heading to Ikea, so I'll be sure to scope out any good wedding finds.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

FYI

Town & Country Weddings is now available on the stands. It is my favorite wedding magazine and I dare you not to drool over their fantastic over the top real weddings. Get your copy today!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Ask Mrs. Preppy Wedding

A reader recently asked me to talk a little more about my experience as a newlywed. So, knowing my love of lists, here are some tips for you soon-to-be married folks:

- Register for items you’re really going to use. We did a pretty good job at this and I’m thankful that we didn’t just ask for kitchen gadgets, but new towels and linens. Let me also add - ask for a Dyson. It will change your life.

- Don’t dwell on the negative. This is a personal mantra for me, but in reality after you’re married, you’ll find the blissful (and stressful) fog of wedding planning lift and you’ll be faced with the realities of day to day life. Just make sure that for every time you say “Could you please pick up your crap” you also throw in a “thank you for taking care of the dogs in the morning so I can get an extra ten minutes of sleep.”

- Go on dates. Mr. Preppy Wedding and I have fallen into the rut that lots of other newlyweds find themselves in. So, unplug your TV and put up Season 2 of the Wire and go out. Like for drinks. You could even put on some make-up and dust off your these make me look really skinny but are very uncomfortable pair of jeans.

- Communicate. Most men are not intuitive creatures. I have found that “if … then” statements help me to effectively illustrate what I need from my husband. For example, “if you’re going to be late coming home for work and I have slaved over this amazing dinner, then you should call me to let me know!” Not that this preppy bride is bitter or anything.

So, dear reader I hope this helps. In addition, I am including something else that you asked for because, I aim to please. Without further ado, here are my best amazing yet simple, impress him with your skills recipes. We normally eat these dishes in heavy rotation on weeknights!

Teriyaki Noodle Bowls
BBQ Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes with Chives
French's Onion Chicken (I usually pair this with in the box stuffing)
Chilo Chili & Rice (Just follow the direction on the packet)
Steak Soup & Sourdough Bread
Pasta Fagioli

And if you want some quick party pleasers (the superbowl is coming up) here are my favs:

Banana Pudding
Easy Knorrs Dip & Pretzel Chips
Microwave Fudge (I want to try this variety and I prefer using the microwave to melt the chocolate - hense the name)
Pimento Cheese & Veggies

So married ladies out there, what is your advice to those brides-to-be?

Friday, January 18, 2008

For Christmas, Mr. Preppy Wedding bought me this amazing personalized address stamp (in Eubanks). And I love it. I would recommend this for any shower or wedding gift, it is an all around fantastic and very useful tool!

Looking at the stamp-makers website, they also sell a super cute stampable notecard collection. I love all their choices, especially these cuties:



Thursday, January 17, 2008

Sales, Sales, Sales

Wow. I went out to run some quick errands at the mall last night and found myself leaving loaded down with bags. There were so many awesome sales, I picked up some great goodies at Gap and Old Navy, including this cute bathing suit for my Mexico trip. I also managed to get a $2.00 scarf (in black) from the gap for an upcoming trip to NYC. MMM - wanna grab dinner while I'm in the city?

Anywho, in celebration of end of the year sales, I found a fantastic online deal. Visit
banana republic and use the following codes for 20 % off one item and free shipping.

code for free shipping -WELCOME
code for 20% off one item - SHOPSPRING

Here are some of my favorite sale items:
- Jewel Shift Dress
- Houndstooth Jacket
- Fitted Shirt in hot pink

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Stir Sticks

For Your Party has created a new genius product. Love these monogrammed stir sticks. They would look so cute in your custom wedding cocktail or couple them with highball glasses for a perfectly preppy stock the bar gift.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Great Find

I love, love, love this ring by Jeanine Payer. It is inscribed with the journey is the reward. Isn't that a great way to think about work, marriage and life in general. This would make a fantastic wedding day gift. Preppy grooms out there, pay attention!





Monday, January 14, 2008

Throwing a shower?

For all you gals throwing a shower this winter or spring, I love the tissue paper pompom kit and the tissue paper bouqet kit from Martha Stewart Crafts (and remember to scour your Sunday paper - there are always 40 percent off coupons for Michael's there).




Going along with this fun pinky theme, how about this Whitney English invitation, spiked pink lemonade with pink rock candy bling at the bottom of your glass. While you're at it - call the party pretty in pink and everyone must dress up in some pinky hue, with the exception of the bride who must wear white.


These Caspari paper products (via paperbuzz) will add to theme. And this ruffle cake would be a perfect way to end a very lady-like party.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Great First Dance Song

So, I have had this debate with lots of my friends. Doesn't it seem that all the really good love songs are written by men? And when Mr. Preppy Wedding and I were thinking about picking a first dance song, I made it clear I didn't want something that was focused totally on how much a MAN loves a woman. I know, very weird. I just wanted both sides of the coin to be represented.

Anyways, I have found the perfect love song written by a woman with some lovely harmonies with a man. It's called man and wife by Michelle Featherstone. Look it up on itunes or take a look at the lyrics here. It's really beautiful. And it fits the equality standard.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

The Knot Magazine Features my Preppy Wedding

As I was heading out the door last night to see Atonement with some friends, a little package from the Knot Magazine was propped up on my doorstep. Take a look - it's our wedding. If you live in DC/MD/VA the issue will be on stands soon!


Great Bridesmaids Gift

Happy Wednesday everyone.

Wanted to pop in to share on of my favorite Christmas gifts this year. My big-city best friend got me this initial charm necklace for christmas. She got it at a craft fair in NYC, but you're in luck, the company has a website. The charm is the perfect size and you can pick gold/silver or even customize the lengths.

This would be a perfect bridesmaids/hostess gift. I promise they will LOVE them! As always, thanks for your great taste E!

Friday, January 4, 2008

Is it Spring Yet?

Since it's so cold outside today (here in VA we're at 30 degrees), I thought I would go ahead and start thinking about spring.

Here's what I'm loving for a perfectly preppy spring:

- The new shape of J.Crew's Lydia Dress in sour lemon paired with this lovely Marcy Floral Navy invitation from Whitney English.






- Sara Bareilles. Buy her CD.


- Buying personalized Jack and LuLu Recipe Boxes for all your spring bridal showers. Make sure to add some of your favorite recipes!


- The new Ben & Jerry's Sweet Strawberries and Cream (it's reduced fat).

- The Orleans Toile Napkins in blue from Williams Sonoma. To add a little spring flavor to my dining room.



Anyone else ready for spring?

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Calling all Richmond Brides

Happy New Year’s Everyone!

I’m still recovering from my lovely holiday break. Santa was very good to us this year - I’ve got a new leather Longchamp bag to tote around, lots of pretty jewelry, a fabulous pair of Joe’s Jeans and my favorite gift - a new Dyson vacuum cleaner. I already don’t know what I have done without it.

There’s also a lot of fun things happening around The Preppy Wedding:

- The site is going to be featured on January 30 in the Belle section of my favorite Richmond weekly magazine Style Weekly

- Our wedding is going to be featured in the January issue of The Knot Magazine for DC/Richmond

- I am going to review this fantastic book DIY Weddings from my favorite publisher - Chronicle Books - there are so many fun ideas to share with you

- I’ve got some great details on the new Whitney English Spring Line for all you preppy brides

2008 is going to be very exciting for The Preppy Wedding. I’m finally going to try and translate this fun website into an actual creative venture.

So, here is one of my first steps …

I’m looking for two Richmond 2008 brides who are looking for help in planning the perfectly preppy wedding. I’m going to lend my creative services pro bono (FREE) for two lucky ladies. I’m willing to assist in everything from initial planning, vendor selection, crafting a theme, to day of coordination. SO. If you’re interested, e-mail me a two paragraph note with your initial vision. I’m going to pick the two ladies by mid-February, so all you readers please spread the word!

Whew, feels good to get that out there. Happy Wednesday everyone!