And it's about time, too.

Great article in the New York Times style section today about "The Newly Uptight" fashions. Some highlights from the article:

In collections for fall that American designers plan to present starting on Friday, when another Fashion Week begins in New York, many will jettison the baby-doll dresses, the thigh-high skirts and the disco boots of the spirited Warhol years — touchstones of recent seasons — in favor of a meticulously tailored look that evokes the White House years of Jacqueline Kennedy.

***

Some find the moment bracing. “I’m thrilled that Grace Kelly is being talked about in fashion circles,” said David Wolfe, the creative director of the Doneger Group, which forecasts fashion and retail trends. Mr. Wolfe noted that repeated references to Kelly and her fastidious contemporaries were “absolutely without irony.” “That’s what makes them so exciting,” he said. In reviving fashion archetypes like the little beige dress, the circle skirt and the princess-seamed coat, “we’re enabling people to recognize quality, and maybe to develop personal taste instead of hiring a stylist.”

***

I say, Amen to that! Maybe this will encourage young Hollywood to buy some damn pants already.

The Politics of High School

I don't usually get political around here, but this was too clever not to share.

Love.

TCP Baby needs this for spring. Turtle print rain jacket from Baby Gap. $34.50.

And the winner is...

mary anne!

(I drew the name out of a Starbucks mug, having worn no hat today...) Congrats! Just shoot me an email at thirdcoastpreppy@gmail.com with your address, and I'll send it right out to you!

Thanks to everyone who participated. It was fun--I might have to do this again sometime.

Also, Impoverished Preppy totally busted me...I did have to buy a bunch of cookbooks last year to fulfill a membership requirement, so I have more if anyone is interested in buying a copy! Especially other JL members, I'd love to trade you. I don't have any extra copies of the new one (umm, that was what I gave everyone for Christmas), but I have several more copies of Soupcon.

Porteriez-vous un béret ?

Photos from Periodic Elements of Style.

Maybe it's from watching too many episodes of Gossip Girl. Maybe it's a result of reading Hemstitch & Hydrangea's Francophile Friday posts. Maybe it's due to the fact that it is only January and I'm sick to death of all my hats.

But I want to get a beret. I want a kicky little french number to add to the rotation of knit beanies, bucket hats, and cloches. (Hey, I live in Chicago. It's cold for a long time here. You actually do need that many hats!)

Personally, I prefer a more classic wool beret to the loosely knit, hippie style ones you see on people like Hilary Duff. (I know, you're shocked by this.) I found some at the adorably named site Ropey Soles. Delmonico Hatter has a few styles for under $15 each. And even Forever 21 has a classic beret this season. I think I just might pick one up. If Blair Waldorf is wearing one, it must be all the rage.

Covet.

This Lacoste bag. On sale for $82.50 at Macy's.

Pillar of Strength

In the past two days, I have deleted no less than six sale emails from Lilly Pulitzer shops without even opening them. That, my friends, is self-control.

Cookbooks for a Good Cause

I think I've mentioned in the past that I collect Junior League cookbooks. I don't cook from them as often as I should, but I love to read through them. Each one gives such a unique snapshot of the community that puts the book together--the recipes in the Eastern Junior League cookbook are completely different from the ones you find in Virginia Hospitality (one of my favorites) put together by the Junior League of Hampton Roads.

I had the opportunity to work on the most recent cookbook to be produced by the Junior League of Chicago. I think it turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself! Peeling the Wild Onion (the name of the book is in reference to a bit of local history--Chicago draws its name from a Native-American word Chigagou, meaning "land of the wild onion") is a great collection of recipes. The recipe for the toffee bars alone is worth the cost of the book, but the book also includes recipes from some local restaurants, including....wait for it...Sweet Mandy B's cupcakes! I know some of you girls are cupcake fanatics, and these are among the best I've ever tasted. Pick up a copy of your own here. Not only will you get a great book, but you'll also be giving back to a great organization.

In the spirit of giving, I'm going to do my very first TCP Giveaway! Comment to this post and you'll be eligible to win a copy of another JLC cookbook, Soupçon II. This one is an old favorite, originally published in 1982, but you'll receive the 2006 95th Anniversary edition reprint of this classic cookbook. Anyone who comments before midnight on Sunday, January 27th is entered. This is a perfect opportunity for you lurkers to come out of the woodwork. I don't judge, because I do it too, but I'd love to hear from you!

Baby, It's COLD Outside

Here on the third coast, it's freezing. We haven't seen a daytime temp over 20 degrees in a long time. It's the time of year when you start to think, Chicago is a hideous place to live, and really, wouldn't I be happier living in a land where there is never a negative sign involved in the weather forecast?

I do love the changing seasons, and while I know I would miss winter if I didn't experience it each year, it does get old. Here are some of my favorite things to help you cope with January:

Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. This stuff is a godsend. You can actually feel it on your hands until you wash them (but not in a gross way). My hands get so dry at this time of year, even more so when I'm overindulging in another cold weather favorite: Purell. I really need a heavy duty hand cream, and this fits the bill.

Uggs. I know that the fashionistas have declared Uggs totally over, but I DO NOT CARE. If I could wear full body Uggs, I would. I'm not kidding. Head to toe cozy shearling? Yes, please. This winter I'm sporting the Ultimate Cuff in chestnut. Some nights when I'm walking home from the El, my feet are the only part of me that stays warm. I love these boots.

My big plaid Pendleton blanket. It lives on our couch during the winter months, and it's pretty likely that you'll find at least one member of the TCP family curled up with it at some point during the day. It seems to be largely indestructible and the dog hair barely shows, so it's a keeper.

Lip balm. At least one tube or pot is stashed everywhere I go. While Mr. TC is partial to Burt's Bees, I am currently rocking the Bonnie Bell Dr. Pepper lip smacker, but my all time favorite is Smith's Rosebud Salve. In part because I am a sucker for cute packaging, but this stuff really works. Love.

Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa. Mr. TC travels to San Francisco for business on a regular basis and often brings back a little something for me from one of my favorite chocolatiers. This stuff has always been great, but I'm loving it even more this winter. Why? Because I'm stealing TCP Baby's whole milk to make it. Yum!

Soup. I cannot get enough soup lately. All kinds, but New England clam chowder especially. TCP Mom makes a great version based on the Barefoot Contessa's East Hampton Clam Chowder recipe, but I'm usually eating it out of a can.

Stay warm, kids!

TCP Tip

One should not eat Cheetos whilst writing thank you notes on pristine white Junior League Chicago stationery. The results are not pretty.

Frankly, one probably shouldn't eat Cheetos ever. Neon orange foods can only be bad.

The TCP Reading List

So I'm still working my way through the summer reading list. One of my new year's resolutions is to read (at least) 52 books this year--one each week to cancel out the UsWeekly that I read every week. So I'm unveiling a new weekly feature: The TCP Reading List, my reviews of the books. I could also do reviews of the UsWeeklies, but I think you all are well aware of my opinion of Britney et al.

It's sad, but the WGA strike has had a major impact on my reading habits. I've been going through books pretty quickly. Here's what I've read in 2008 thus far:

Emperor of the Air by Ethan Canin. A collection of short stories. Not a new favorite, but I liked it.

Passing by Nella Larsen. Loved this. A short novel about two fair-skinned black women who grew up together, one lied about her race and is "passing" for white. I actually had read this in a 20th century lit class in college, but had forgotten. Almost more about women's relationships (with men and with each other) than about race.

The Shipping News by Annie Proulx. Loved this too. Set on the desolate Newfoundland coast, I thought this was a great winter read. Read it with a hot cup of tea, because the imagery will make you cold. Winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award in 1994.

Black Water by Joyce Carol Oates. Hated this one. A very short novel, it's a fictionalized account of Chappaquidick. I didn't like the premise, but it was on The List, so I gave it a try. Ugh. I'll fully admit that I am a bit of a snob and don't care for Oates and her ilk, though.

Right now I'm working on Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. I like it so far, although the dialect (it's set in rural Georgia at the turn of the last century) can be a bit much.

Canadian Preppy posted a few great suggestions that I'm definitely going to add to my reading list, too, but I welcome any other ideas.

Spring Is Coming! (Just not as soon as one would like.)

Yesterday when I was on the el, I spotted a girl with an adorable Vera Bradley tote. At least I thought it was VB, but the pattern seemed new. Was Vera Bradley no longer emailing me to keep me informed of new patterns? The horror. I was despondent.

Vera Bradley super tote in Daisy Daisy.

Until today, when I got an email alerting me to the new Spring/Summer 2008 patterns. I'm a big fan of the Daisy Daisy and Pinwheel Pink. Just looking at the colors makes me feel a little warmer.

Comfort Food on a Cold Tuesday

**I apologize for my posting hiatus...I was hoping to have a new and improved TCP up and running by now, and thought I would just start my "real" posts there, but well, I'm a slacker and haven't gotten around to it yet.**

After reading Hemstitch & Hydrangea's post about her Sunday roast, I've been craving some British comfort food. Last night, after TCP Baby was fast asleep, I made a shepherd's pie to have for dinner tonight. It's all assembled and ready to pop in the oven when I get home from work. I will admit to cheating a little--I used a little spice mix that I found at the grocery. Our local supermarket has a tiny section of imported British foods and I like to pick things up there when I have a chance (i.e., the child is not twisting his way out of the cart and/or screaming like a banshee for the clementines that are just out of his reach, making the weekly grocery shop a race against time). But the selection is not great, so I thought I'd stroll around the internets and see what is available.

I found this hilarious blog, The GirlAlive British Food Experience, written by an American Girl living in Scotland. She reviews classic British dishes for inquiring Americans. Also, she has a pretty kick ass plaid background that I covet. Check it out.

Under Construction

Just getting things updated and spiffed up for 2008... I'll be back soon.


Also, one thing I got for Christmas from Mr. TC? My very own domain! I think that makes us officially nerds. But watch for www.thirdcoastpreppy.com soon!