Shut it down!

That picture? It's me. And Gordon Ramsay! I took a, umm, long lunch yesterday to go to his book signing at Macy's on a whim. Mr. TC and I always watch his show, so I picked up a copy of his new book for Mr. TC. He was very cute and flirty. He didn't swear at anyone while I was in line, however, which was almost disappointing.


And while we're discussing reality tv, I am so outraged by last night's American Idol that I must vent about it here. I CANNOT FREAKING STAND Creepy Archuleta. I never liked him, but last night's massacre of one of my favorite songs of all time (Sweet Caroline) was the limit. My ears were bleeding by the time he finished. That song is meant to be sung in a dive bar, slightly off key, with a beer in hand. It should never be given the christian contemporary chart treatment by a prepubescent ambassador from the Children of the Corn. Ugh.

I think we all can recover by watching this version instead:



That is one of my favorite movies. If you haven't ever seen Beautiful Girls, I highly recommend it.

In other news, my son is apparently the make out bandit of his tots class. Yeah, he was smooching all the little girls yesterday. And came home from the park with flowers that yet another little girl gave to him. Oy. Think I'm gonna have my hands full with this guy!

These Are Killing Me

Freaking hi-larious.


see more song memes


see more song memes

SB Sandal Sunfest!

Palm Beach Classics in Platinum/Gold

(Looking for a Mother's Day gift for me, Mr. TC? Look no further!!)

Stephen Bonnano is having their annual Sunfest Sale this week! From May 1 - 4, take $20.00 OFF every pair of Bonanno's. These are, honest-to-god, my favorite sandals ever. I have some of those other sandals (you know the ones) and the quality just does not compare. The custom options are perfect for a picky girl like me. I always know *exactly* what I want, but can't always find it in stores. Not an issue with my Bonanno's! Four ways to order:

On-Line: www.sbsandals.com
Toll Free: 866-313 FEET (3338)
Come in: the Stuart Boutique @ 3 SW Osceola St. Downtown Stuart
Pre-Order: to beat the crush (all orders will go in the first day of the sale)

I will say that it does take a long time for the Sunfest orders to ship, but it's really not surprising, given that they are made to order. Totally worth the wait. And really, there is no way I'm going to have sandals on my toes for several weeks anyway. (Tonight's forecast? Snow. Yep.)

As Vivian says, "Happy Spring, Happy Feet." Indeed.

Mother's Day at the Merry Martini

The Merry Martini is having a Mother's Day sale -- 10% discount for a duration of 2 days.
I missed the first couple of deals, but here's the list:

1. Lolita Martini Glasses- On Sale April 20-21
2. Serving Dishes with Switchable Accent- On Sale April 21-22
3. Handmade Candle Snuffers and Salt and Pepper Cellars- On Sale April 22-23
4. Glass Serving Tray in Different Patterns- On Sale April 23-24
5. Tennis Racquet Covers and Golf Head Covers- On Sale April 24-25
6. Colored Colanders- On Sale April 25-26
7. Prissy Plates- On Sale April 26-27
8. Designer Aprons- On Sale April 27-28
9. Ceramic Menu Tile and Place Cards- On Sale April 28-29
10. Handmade Measuring Spoon Set and Hook- On Sale April 29-30

Because I have (of course) procrastinated on shopping for Mother's Day gifts this year, I might need to take advantage of this sale myself! The free gift wrapping certainly sweetens the deal in my lazy humble opinion.

Spring Swap Arrives at This Old House

Chez TCP is around 100 years old, give or take. This means that we have lovely original woodwork and a carved fireplace. And apparently, asbestos! Joy.

Mr. TC and I have been meeting with contractors to get some work done on the place. Top of the list? New siding. But apparently it is going to be a ginormous hassle because the current siding is asbestos. Yeah, cancer-causing, expensive difficult to remove, "sorry, ma'am, we don't handle that" asbestos. Sigh.

I had really gotten excited about doing these renovations and was pretty bummed out. So it was such a nice treat to come home to my fabulous preppy spring swap package from Magnolia Mama!! It was full of the nicest treats you could imagine, including a fab tote bag, monogrammed stationery and return address labels, super cute placemats, lip gloss, and the most delicious dark chocolate truffle bar in the world. I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but it was just perfect. (Will add a pic, Check out the pics below because, really, it was too cute and you all have to see it.) Thank you so much, MM!!!

Public Enemy No. 1 ... Paint Pens???

I recently went to an art supply store in the Loop to pick up some paint pens. You guys remember paint pens, right? The favorites of sorority girls everywhere? Used to adorn everything from clipboards and binders to drinking cups and toothbrushes with flowers and greek letters?

Kept under lock and key here on the Third Coast. And you must show id...no one under 18 is allowed to buy them. Seriously? Yep. According to the lovely young man who waited on me, this is all part of a "Downtown Beautification" act aimed at curbing graffiti. I'm all for keeping our city clean, but isn't this taking things a bit too far?? Or are the sorority girls just that out of control? ;)

PSA: Lilly in the house

For all the girls on the Third Coast, I feel it is my duty to inform you that there is a massive amount of Lilly stuff at both Filene's Basement and TJ Maxx on State Street. And actually, a good selection of sizes and styles.

I displayed uncharacteristic self-control and didn't get anything. (I know!) I think I was just bitter that none of this was around when I was frantically shopping for Hawaii.

Recap: Multiple Choices Spring Sale

(Can you tell that TCP Toddler is feeling better and back to sleeping through the night again? I'm a posting machine!)


Last weekend, my preppy friend A was in town visiting from Virginia, so I had a partner in crime for my shopping. Our major destination was Multiple Choices, and the spring sale I blogged about last week. You can see from this list that it can be quite the preppy mecca.



The deals were fantastic. I picked up a Reo silver anchor charm...for $3. A silver picture frame for $5. A tiny navy A. Tierney ribbon belt for TCP Toddler for $5. A grosgrain ribbon picture frame for $1. A pack of cards reading "Congratulations!" in kelly green for $1. Boatman Geller luggage tags (pictured above), $5. A little photo brag book for my friend S who is expecting her first baby, $5 . It was insane, I could not believe the deals.

Also, I got to check out that Vera Bradley starboard tote that I was drooling over in person. And while I still love it, it must be said that it is completely gigantic. Huuuuuge. I'm a girl who likes to carry a big tote on a daily basis, but this was definitely a weekender or beach bag. She didn't have any of the other style bags in the store, so I'm dying to check out the other options now. And counting the days until Multiple Choices' next sale!

Shake, Rattle, and Roll

There was an earthquake on the Third Coast this morning. For real.

Of course, I had no idea that it had happened until the nanny came this morning and asked me about it. Ohhhhh, so that's why TCP Toddler woke up at 5 am? Sorry I was so grouchy then, buddy!

Full Disclosure: Rugby

From time to time, I'll get emails from people and companies about things they think I'll like. So I check them out, and if I like it and think you all might too, I'll blog about it. Sadly, no one is paying me for my commentary here, so I don't feel compelled to write about something just because they send me a note. Most of what I blog about is based on my own (constant) browsing, but when someone asks me to check them out, I usually do it.

So imagine how excited I was to get an email from -ohmygod- Ralph Lauren a couple of weeks ago. (Well, technically, it was a publicist on behalf of Ralph Lauren. Details.) I still am amazed that anyone reads what I write, let alone someone affiliated with Ralph. So when she suggested I check out the Ralph Lauren Rugby line, I clicked right away.

And well, I don't know. On one hand, it is Ralph. Love him. Wearing him right now, actually. And Rugby is ostensibly at a lower price point than his other collections, so that's always a good thing.

But then there were things like this:

It's like Ralph and K. Fed had a baby. . . preppy classics with a wifebeater flair? And another part of the site discussed how to customize your rugby. All well and good until you see that part of the customization suggested is ripping the seams so it is open to the navel. I believe the direct quite was, "Torn at the front and tied at the hem, the rugby takes a rebellious turn." Uh, okay. (Would love to have pulled a pic of that, but the site is 80% flash player.) Maybe I'm just too old not the demographic being targeted here.

The boys' stuff is cute, though. For example:

Canadian Preppy had a post recently about her purchases at the Rugby store in San Fransisco. And they were totally cute and non-navel exposing. I think they need to revamp the website. You can't actually shop or order online, which is a little frustrating for me (i.e., someone who does 80% of her shopping online, or at least researches online prior to going to the store. Because I do not have the time or the patience once I get there.)

Because it looks like the clothes are actually cute, when not styled in the K.Fed manner, I'd like to see them on a hanger and not ripped down the front. I think I need to check it out in person. There is a store here on the Third Coast in Lincoln Park. Time for a TCP field trip?? Stay tuned.

Have you been to a RL Rugby store? What did you think? Yay or nay? I'd love to hear your take on it.

Tagged!

I was tagged by Tres Poshe Preppy to list some unimportant things about me. Rules: 1) you link back to the person who tagged you; 2) post these rules on your blog; 3) share six unimportant things about yourself; 4) tag random people at the end of your entry; 5) let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Here are six unimportant things about me:

1. I used to always have my nails done. Polished, manicured, etc. Now, I can't tell you the last time I even had polish on them. They are short and unpolished. And my cuticles are eligible for federal relief. Total. disaster. The toes, however, are still maintained. Don't ask me why, as they have been under wraps since about October!

2. I'm really bad at keeping touch over the phone. Much better on email. Which is a little funny, because I remember telling my college roommate at one point that "email was for nerds."

3. I never eat breakfast at home. I love to go out for breakfast/brunch, though. (Hello? Bloodies and benedict?) On occasion, I will manage a yogurt at my desk.

4. The first time I cooked for Mr. TC, I made him bagels with cream cheese. And oranges. Keep the expectations low, I say.

5. I have been working on my first needlepoint project for in excess of one year now. I clearly should have started with something smaller. I feel like it will never be done.

6. Of the 19 pictures I have tacked up on the corkboard in my office, 13 feature TCP Toddler. I have officially become one of those people.

I don't think there is anyone left to tag, but if you haven't done it yet, have at it!

Wake Me When Cold and Flu Season Is Over

I know there is a distinct lack of posts around here lately, but I've got a deadline at work and a non-sleeping congested toddler at home. Any great remedies for runny noses for me? The poor kid is looking like Amy Winehouse around the nostrils lately.

I've got a few things to blog about, though, hopefully before the end of the week.

Beyond the Sea

I'm really loving this new Vera Bradley pattern, the Seaside Collection. It incorporates all the colors in my small leather goods (wallet, checkbook cover, glasses case, all that jazz), and looks very summery. The Starboard Tote is pictured above.

What I'm wondering is, what makes it limited edition? I mean, aren't all VB patterns out for a limited amount of time?

TCP Sale Round-Up

In an attempt to recover from the traveshamockery that was last night's American Idol (seriously, that's who you send home, America? And let the creepy little robot boy stay?), let's talk shopping. I'm getting tons of sale notifications in the old inbox and feel that I must pass them along!

First, Lands' End has FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING right now: Enter the Source Code RAIN and the PIN 768235983 in the space provided. TCP Toddler is finally getting his wellies. (After all the rain we've had in the last few days, the backyard at Chez TCP is a mud puddle. Wellies are now officially a "need.")

Next up, Design Her Gals has a sale now, if you order ANY STATIONERY PRODUCT and get 25% off of your order, plus every order will receive a gift certificate for a free print-at-home-day pass. Use the promo code: PASS. And don't forget that 5% goes to the Gal to Gal Foundation to help battle breast cancer.

The chicks at Three Chickadees have a spring cleaning sale, too. All the belts in the outlet are only $10, and the Chatham Light and Oyster Cove madras skirts are marked down to $25. Order one now, and when it's actually warm enough to wear them in a few months, you'll be glad you got the deal!

Cutebabyshoes.com has a (not so) secret sale. Save 50% off of your purchase of $50 or more now through the end of the day Saturday, April 12. Use the online promo code: secretsale.

If you live on the Third Coast, head over to TCP fave Multiple Choices this weekend. The Lincoln Avenue and Winnetka locations are having a massive spring sale, with 15% off everything in the store. If you aren't on the Third Coast, or just want to stay indoors as there is snow (!!) in the forecast, shop online and use the coupon code SPRING08. I love this shop. If I ever were to open a store--and actually, that's a dream of mine--this is what it would be like. I'm thinking about picking up these Lake Geneva tumblers, as a reminder of the spot where Mr. TC and I got engaged.

Happy shopping!

So Me, So Not Me

So Me:
So Not Me:

So Me:
So Not Me:

So Me:So Not Me: So Me:

So Not Me:

So Me: So Not Me:

So Me: So Not Me:

So Me:

So Not Me:

So Me: So Not Me:
So Me:
So Not Me:So Me:

So Not Me:
So Me:

So Not Me:

I had so much fun doing this...I could have gone on forever, but you get the gist!

For the Preppy Spring Swap...

I've been meaning to post this for a while...sorry, Magnolia Mama! (But I do fully admit that I am a procrastinator!)

1. What are your favorite preppy designers?
The usual suspects: Lilly, Ralph, Bonanno, J.Crew, Vineyard Vines


2. Favorite preppy accessories?
My pearls. Tote bags. And ribbon belts. I have a serious addiction.


3. Do you have any hobbies?
Once upon a time, I did yoga and occasionally I pretend to play tennis (I'm so bad, it's laughable).

4. Do you enjoy crafting, if so anything in particular?
I needlepoint. Veeery slooooowly.


5. Any favorite books/magazines?
I was an English major, so that would be a long list. All time fave is The Great Gatsby. And Town & Country magazine.

6. 5 favorite things (besides those listed above)

mongrammed things

stationery

lip balms
flip flops

old movies

7. Do you collect anything?
Do shoes count?


8. Any kids/pets?
One 18 mo old son (TCP Toddler), one ancient border collie mix


9. Any allergies?
Nope.


10. Favorite thing to do in the Spring?
Be outside. Honestly, just being able to be outside without wanting to die because it's so cold.


11. What most makes you think of Spring?
Pastels. And daffodils.


12. Favorite treat/drink?
Sweet treats ~ dark chocolate or toffee
Salty treats ~ pickles or olives
Drinks ~ wine (or pellegrino, if I'm being good)

13. Anything else your partner should know about you?

Not that I can think of!

Mini Blisscakes

I'm drooling over this Etsy shop today. It's one of those where I smack my forehead and say to myself, "Now why didn't I think of that?" And then I remember that my talent lies in the shopping for cute things, notsomuch in the actual crafting of said cute things.

Anywho. Monogrammed pillowcases. Love them. And then I saw the stencilled tote bags. Oh my. You all know how I feel about tote bags! And cute tees for kids. Really adorable things.

(Also, for those wary of shopping etsy--like me!--there is excellent feedback for this seller.)

Vive la France!

(I'm not the only one who gets chills during that part of Casablanca, am I? When Yvonne says it? After they all sing La Marseillaise? Ohhh, I love that part. But I digress...)

This is the French Purse from Rita Wilcox. Want one? Want one for free? Well, then you are in luck. Caroline from Rita Wilcox is offering TCP readers a free french purse with any $20 purchase. The coupon code for TCP readers is preppy08. Just enter it in at check out. Anyone who purchases any item (as long as you spend at least $20) online can qualify. After you have selected your other merchandise, go to the french purse in the classics collection, and pick the color of your choice. When you are done shopping, enter the code, and the $22 is removed from the total. There are several preppy color choices, but my favorite is the pink and navy version above.

I've already blogged about my love for the Nautical Tote at RW. But there are tons of other cute things there, too. Check it out!