Here's to You... 2012

2012... I know you will be the best year yet.

Tonight I'm ringing in a new year with friends I adore and my very soon-to-be husband (who I adore!).

2011 brought a lot of challenging times to people I love. I truly believe 2012 will bring many triumphs.

Love to you and yours.

Oh... and here's to me getting a new computer and being back in action for the new year!

Adorable print is from Hen & Co.

Missing... Back Soon

I've been M.I.A due to a broken Mac at home. Sad Mac!

Back soon!

In the meantime, here's an old fave from my mix tape days... it cracks me up how super duper '90's this video is. Hilarious to look back and think about how much times have changed.

Let Me Tell Your Fortune... With A Fish

Remember these? The awesome little red plastic fishys that would curl up in your hand and tell your fortune...


I've long loved these novelties, whose proper name is the Fortune Teller Fish... and now I have 175 of them!

Maybe they will play a role at my wedding... which is coming up super duper soon!

Craaaaazy...

Party Perfect... Dior Deluxe Holiday Palette

Over the weekend, I picked up the Dior Deluxe Holiday Palette... and I've gotta say, this kit rules!

I'm a big believer in an easy peasy makeup regiment. And with everything in this cute little kit, glamour couldn't be more simple.

What holiday makeup items are you loving?

Birthday Love... Pearl Dive Oyster Palace

I had an awesome birthday... you can count on good friends to make you feel loved.


After a wonderful lunch with colleagues and enjoying birthday wishes from friends via email (and a few snail mail!), I celebrated with ending the night at Pearl Dive Oyster Palace with newlywed friends who are simply amazing.

We had oysters prepared every way under the sun.. wrapped in bacon, raw, poached... and they were all delicious! And for dessert I couldn't say no to a piece of homemade pumpkin pie.

Some years a quiet birthday with close friends is a wonderful way to welcome in another year of life.

Happy Birthday to ME...

Tomorrow is my 32 birthday... and I feel older, but more importantly, I feel wiser.

I'm looking forward to a wonderful day and an even more wonderful year.

Thanks for being a part of it! xxoo

Prippy Reading... A Zeal of Zebras

In this case... do judge a book by its cover! A Zeal of Zebras is a fantastically beautiful and fun book that will entertain young and old alike.


A clever A-to-Z guide to collective nouns, this book would make a perfect gift.

Plus, the cover is just like my fave Scalamandre wallpaper!

Happy Birthday, Sis...

Today is my older sister's birthday... and I hope she has the most magical year of her life.

Birthday wishes can lead to wonderful things, don't you think?

Give Me Liberty... And a Barbour Jacket

A perfect union... Liberty of London and Barbour.

When I saw my friend in London's photo of the Liberty/Barbour love child, I got ridiculously excited.

Either jacket would look perfect on me... and on all of you.

Prippy Party... Bry's Birthday

My awesome and amazing future husband turned another year older today.


Gifts were given... including some new workout gear.


A classic Boast polo shirt.


And a Smathers & Branson needlepoint belt featuring pink elephants drinking martinis.

Bry took the dogs for a long walk while enjoying some delicious red wine, and then we headed off to Ray's the Steaks.


I had never been... and I wasn't so sure about the place considering the crazy hype. But the birthday boy picks the restaurant, and I've got to say it was one of the best dinners (and most affordable!) I've had in DC!


We celebrated back at home with cupcakes from Baked and Wired.

Pretty much the perfect evening. Can't wait to celebrate every year... and every day... with him.

Red Cup Season...

Red cups are here... if you know what I mean, you're probably excited, too!

If you don't know what I mean... click here.

I'm a Winner... Thanks, Zhush

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Amanda Stone Talley's incredible artwork... so you can imagine my absolute delight when she posted on my Facebook page that I had randomly won one of her pieces through a giveaway on the fab blog, The Zhush.


Thank you to Sue for hosting this fantastic giveaway... and thank you to Amanda for providing such an amazing prize.

If you haven't checked out The Zhush... head over there right now!

xxoo,

Prippy

Dream Toys... Seriously

I would say that as a child I was a stuffed animal enthusiast (to put it mildly), and my Mom eventually enacted a ban to keep my plush posse from growing.


I was also a little artist, which caused me to destroy my first Cabbage Patch Kid when I tried to turn her into a bunny for Halloween. This incident occurred during the height of the Cabbage craze and I pretty much horrified my family who had gone to great lengths to get the dolls for me and my sister... and mine looked like a possessed cartoon devil child.


So, I tell you these 2 tales as background for my reaction to the brilliant company, A Child's Own, that turns children's drawings into stuffed animals.

This is pretty much the coolest thing in the whole world to me as an adult... so I can only imagine how stoked little noodles are when their dreams turn into a reality.

Love. This. Check out the Flickr photos of these dream toys here.

Happy Halloween...

Hope you have a wonderful Halloween!

I've been enjoying some of my favorite 80's Halloween flicks on TV, including "The Worst Witch" starring Tim Curry. So many memories!

Prippy Commuting... The Bus

With my new commute to work on K Street in DC... the most convenient mode of transportation happens to be the bus.

I think this change purse is perfect for my fare. At least it makes me smile (even if the bus doesn't) as I pull out my quarters!

How do you commute? Any fave ways to pass the time?

Pray for The Chelsea Hotel...

One of my fave places, the Chelsea Hotel, is going through some changes... some scary and sad changes. Say a prayer for this magnificent place.


I've long loved this hotel... the living history of artistic souls (old and new)... and I've closely followed the management changes and sale of the property over the years.

My stays there have filled me with so many crazy experiences. Naked people in the hallway... encounters with long-time residents... soaking in the paintings, the stairwells, the whole of the place. And now the future is uncertain as construction with the new owner is underway.


As a wedding gift, I recently received a photo of the Chelsea printed on gold leaf. A beautiful way to remember a magic place.

Have you stayed at The Chelsea? Hopefully the changes are a pleasant surprise.

Prippy Viewing... The Rum Diary

I absolutely cannot wait to see Hunter S. Thompson's The Rum Diary... I know it will be a wild ride.


Plus, Bry is a huge fan of HST... so it will make for a perfect date night!

Happy Birthday to My Mom

Today is the birthday of my amazing and gorgeous Mom. She's a dynamo who has taught me how to enjoy life in every way!

Last year, she celebrated her special day with a luxurious cruise through the Mediterranean... this year, she is celebrating by going for cheese steaks at the famous Pat's in South Philadelphia. I love that she can have an amazing time anywhere!

Love you, Mom!

P.S. - This Mary Cassatt painting hung in my childhood bathroom... I use to think it was painted just for us!

Party Perfect... Tory Burch

Loving this dress by Prippy fave, Tory Burch.

As a winter bride, I think it will be perfect for showers and celebrations coming up in the chillier months... especially with some cute tights!

And... I'm Back

It has been a while! Life speeds up sometimes, and it is unbelievable how time can just go "poof" and weeks have magically gone by.

With my wedding a few months away, planning has been a priority and blogging just kept getting pushed back. For all of you out there who've been through wedding planning, I'm sure you know how it goes! You feel like things are hammered out and then there are all of these little bitty pieces that need to be pulled together.

And during all of the fun with planning the wedding (and all of the craziness!), I've accepted a new job that starts in a week! I'm thrilled for the exciting opportunity, but I've also been busy getting ready for the demanding new position. So... my poor little blog got pushed to the back burner.

The funny thing is, I've missed my blog! And I really can't wait to make it a priority again. So if you read this... THANK YOU. And thanks for reaching out with the sweet comments during the down time.

I've Been a Bad Blogger...

I've been a bad blogger... but I promise to be a better blogger tomorrow morning.

Have a Wonderful Weekend...

What a week!

I've had a ton going on in my non-blogging world, but I'm so excited to share a review of my Brimfield's trip early next week. Trust me, this isn't going to be your standard stardust review of the place, but rather some honest advice and helpful hints.

I'm headed to Chester County, PA. for a wonderful wedding celebration. Can't wait to report back!

Hope you have a wonderful fall weekend!

Dream Weaver.... Amanda Stone Talley Fabrics

One of my fave artists, Amanda Stone Talley, has moved her brilliant paintings from the canvas to a different kind of cloth... and she's now producing fantastic fabrics.


I can think of 100 different things I'd love to do with this fabric off the top of my head! How about you?


You can find Amanda's gorgeous fabrics at and they are available in linen, upholstery twill, cotton sateen & cotton jersey

Prippy Puppy... Uppers

Scrapple and Bella need this... because they can read and know that "Puppy Uppers" are Milk Bones.

Or because I find it hilarious... and a must for my kitchen.

Love Letter... India Hicks Jewelry

Since getting engaged (10 months ago... crazy!), I've had a bit of a thing with my soon-to-be new last name.


While I love the monogram necklace, I think that my new last name initial is plenty to put around my neck. And I couldn't think of a more perfect necklace than India Hicks' Love Letters.


Since I'll be honeymooning on the island where she lives, I plan to stop by her shop, The Sugar Mill, to see if they have a "D" for me.

NYC Readers... Head to Bobo Sunday

BOBO, one of my fave NYC restaurants, is participating in ‘Dine Out Irene’, a fundraising drive this Sunday night to support local farms impacted by hurricane Irene.

I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday evening. They’re donating proceeds from dinner sales, so please make a reservation and support New York farmers!

P.S. I have a big ole' post next week about my experience hearing about and seeing the devastation in Upstate NY during my trip to Brimfield... hope you check it out and help out if you can!

Exhibition A... René Ricard

I'm obsessed with this René Ricard print. I'm also obsessed with Exhibition A, an online art gallery selling limited edition prints (including Ricard's!).

Art is the best gift, in my book.

Lovely, no? Perfect for newlyweds... especially for pointing at during a squabble.

Prippy's Favorite Season... Fall

Welcome, Fall!

I'm so excited that you're here. You are my fave.

I love your weather, sports, outings, food, fashion, and festivities.


P.S. I struggled a wee bit with using this fab Tommy Hilfiger pic... I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the designer. Anyone with me on this one?

A Tip from a Lady... Sophia Loren

"A woman's dress should be like a barbed-wire fence, serving its purpose without obstructing the view" - Sophia Loren

The Greenbrier... Waspy Alice in Wonderland

This weekend, I was invited by a dear friend to be her guest at The Greenbrier while she attended a conference. With Dorothy Draper's over the top decor, I had always been a bit curious about this old resort in the West Virginia mountains.


The interiors smack you in the face and stand in stark contrast to the rustic mountains nestling the gigantic white hotel. It is like a Waspy Alice in Wonderland. Definitely design element take-aways... once you have a sec to digest it all.


The service also was overboard, and while I appreciated the high level of service... it was a bit much for me.


This place is definitely an iconic spot and if you ever have a reason to explore the property, go for it!

But The Greenbrier was an excellent reminder that I am a Prippy... not a Preppy... and my idea of a wonderful getaway is perhaps not so pink and green!