Prippy Getaway... Palm Springs

Spring is so damn close, I can smell it! And I'm now totally longing for a good old fashioned Spring Break...



If I could... I would most definitely catch a flight to L.A., rent a old convertible, and head towards Palm Springs! And I'd sleep in late at The Parker in this fabulous bed.


And I'd swim the day away while sipping cocktails in this pool. Then I'd put on a little Trina Turk number and enjoy a relaxed dinner before a nightcap and a deep night's sleep.

Simple Pleasure... Scharffen Berger

I love good dark chocolate... especially when coco nibs are involved! I think they add the perfect crunch while adding great flavor.


Today, I took Scrapple to Eastern Market, an amazing farmer's market in my neighborhood, and picked up a mini Scharffen Berger "Nibby" bar. It was the perfect pairing with my delicious Americano from Peregrine... my fave coffee spot on Capitol Hill.

Coming Soon...

Happy Sunday!

It is an absolutely gorgeous day here in DC... and I'm beyond excited that spring finally feels right around the corner.

I'm taking Spring Cleaning to a new extreme this year, and you'll be seeing some awesome changes to the design of The Prippy Handbook over the course of this month. So please bear with me as I work to pull the new look together!

Also... I know I've been hinting at a big project that I've been working on, and I'm so close to being able to share it with you. Honestly, I can't wait to tell you all about it!

P.S. I found this fantastic Kate Spade sticky note set at TJ Maxx for $6... oh happy day!

In My Library... The Houses of Greenwich Village

A book all about my favorite neighborhood? Enough said!


The Houses of Greenwich Village is a must. It is that simple.

Prippy Home... Osborne and Little's Asuka

I adore Osborne & Little's Asuka wallpaper SO much!


The dreamy gold and pink is my personal fave, but the mustard yellow version is also totally striking.


I'm a big "quality of light" person... and the warm glow that reflect off of this wallpaper is unbelievably beautiful. It truly makes for the most romantic setting.


And this wallpaper may have an extra special meaning for me... since I'm using it as inspiration for my wedding..

Oh, and it's in The Ebbitt Room (the pic above) at my very special spot, The Virginia Hotel!

Happy Long Weekend...

I hope everyone is having a great start to their 3 day weekend! To be honest, I forgot we had off on Monday until Thursday evening... so it is truly a bonus day!

We are in the midst of some early spring cleaning around our house. I'm not a neat-nick by any means, so I have to really pump myself up for big cleaning days by playing good music and rocking through the work. I wish we had an Alice... like on "The Brady Bunch."

Hopefully, you're up to something a bit more exciting!

A Tip From A Lady... Diana Vreeland

"The only real elegance is in the mind; if you've got that, the rest really comes from it. "

~ Diana Vreeland

Prippy of Influence... Christiane Celle

One day in early spring of 2009, while I was living in NYC, I was wandering around the city and had the absolute luck of discovering Clic Bookstore & Gallery... and to this day it is one of my favorite places to visit in all of Manhattan.


To describe Clic is to try and describe the coolest kid in class, who just so happens to be the nicest. Amazing photographers' work adorns the walls in this welcoming space, and books of awesome art fill wooden tables and shelves.


And behind the counter... the cool kid is usually there... and her name is Christiane Celle.

On that first visit, I chatted with Christiane without realizing who she was, which makes me all the more impressed by her as a businesswoman and all around cool human being. We discussed art, the neighborhood, and dogs. I left feeling invigorated and super happy with my new discovery.


It wasn't until a couple of visits later that I put together that Christiane was the brilliant mind behind the ultra Prippy Calypso (love the wrap dress!).

After starting Calypso as a tiny boutique in St. Barth, she grew the business into a $60 million dollar empire through her serious talent and hard work.

Calypso was eventually sold (look for a collaboration with Target in the spring!), but Christiane had a new venture in mind... Clic Gallery.


I have to thank her next time I'm there for creating such an amazing space... for introducing me to James and Karla Murray who's work I love and admire (and am saving for)... and for always engaging me, and anyone else walking into her shop, with vibrant and lovely conversation.

La La Love You...

"All I'm saying, pretty baby... la la love you, don't mean maybe..." ~ Pixies

Happy Valentine's! xoxo

P.S. One of my fave posters, compliments of Sparkle Power

On the Way to Cape May...

Happy (almost) Friday! I'm taking a much needed day off tomorrow, packing up the pups, and heading to Cape May, NJ... a pretty little Victorian town very close to my family's beach house (I know, I'm a lucky duck!).


Bry is meeting me up there and we're staying at the most incredible boutique hotel, The Virginia. Being at the beach in the winter is heavenly and so very peaceful... not to mention super gorgeous.


And I may be planning a couple of things while I'm there... but more about that at a later date!

Blogger Friends Forever (BFF)... Molly

I was absolutely delighted to be interviewed by the amazing Molly from Sunshine on a Cloudy Day.


If you haven't checked out her fantastic blog, you should click on over. She definitely is a kindred Prippy Spirit! And I absolutely love the quotes she puts up... completely inspiring and unique.

Thanks, Molly! I loved answering your awesome questions and sharing a bit more about myself!

A Valentine's Tune... By Your Side

Here's some love to you in the form of a beautiful love song cover by the amazing Beachwood Sparks.


This dreamy cover of "By Your Side" is a long time favorite of mine.

Caftan Wedding...

Okay... maybe I'm loosing it after looking at one too many a wedding dress online... but I think this Temperley London caftan would be amazing as a wedding dress!

Temperely has some of the most gorgeous gowns out there in my opinion, caftan or otherwise.

P.S. We've decided on a winter wedding... promise more details soon!

Sweet 100...

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.
~ Andy Warhol

I'm 1 Follower away from 100 strong... and I've got to say, this is a real milestone for The Prippy Handbook.

So if you're out there reading, be my lucky 100! I'm truly touched every day that people out in the blog world are picking up what I'm putting down!

Be Mine... or Kate Spade's

Oh Kate Spade, you clever little company... you've done it again!

Brilliant (and free) e-Valentine's are a perfectly thoughtful way to send a friend some love.

Have a Super Weekend...

Finally, Friday!

I'm relaxing tonight after a long play session with the pups at the park, and Bry is in the kitchen cooking up a storm. The plan is to watch Alfred Hitchcock's Rope later... have you seen it?

And who can forget Super Bowl Sunday! Honestly, I don't have a dog in this fight, so I'm in it for the commercials. In looking for some vintage football photos, I came across this really neat vintage jersey site, Antique Athlete. Cool, huh?

Whatever your plans may be, I hope you enjoy yourself and have a great time!

Game, Set, Lunch...

How fantastic would it be to whip that thermos out of the white bag with teeny tennis rackets on it during your lunch break?

It is super Prippy for sure, and I can imagine Richie Tenenbaum having it in his tent.

You can find it over at the ever fantastic Octavia & Brown.

Cheers to Champagne and Love...

I love Veuve and this old ad!

A Tip From A Lady... Josephine Baker

“A violinist had a violin, a painter his palette. All I had was myself. I was the instrument that I must care for.”

~ Josephine Baker