COME FLY WITH ME . . . .

Let's fly away, in style!

Tomorrow I am leaving for a trip and there is much packing to be done. As I look at my suitcase, I can't help but think it is time to upgrade.

If I could choose any luggage, I think I would definitely pick a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk. But considering the hefty price tag attached, take a look at this bargain finder. . . . .

It has the classic style of a traditional trunk but modern design with pink accents (also available in brown and yellow). This piece of luggage is available from Steamline Luggage and is $230 for the carry-on and $266 for the stowaway. Also be sure to check out the adorable vanity case for $82, so you can travel just like Grace Kelly. I love the pink stripes inside!!!

Of course though, my more practical side screams that the white linen on that suitcase is going to be dirtied up in no time. So I might instead choose this luxurious and chic style from Samsonite Black Label.

This suitcase is a member of the Hommage II series which is currently on sale. A 28" spinner will set you back approximately $220. The delicious red interior is amazing and will actually make you want to pack!

Happy Travels!!!

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: ALWAYS SAY THANK YOU

Happy New Year!!! In honor of New Year's resolutions, rather than making the usual "I promise to eat healthy" or "I will lose 10 pounds," I decided to change it up a little. My resolution is to consciously always remember to say thank you.

I am extremely thankful for my family, boyfriend, friends, and not to mention blog followers! But I can get preoccupied and sometimes forget to always say my thank yous. And of course, I wouldn't be called the Park Avenue prep if I didn't say thank you in style.

Although I dabble on the Internet, as evidenced by this blog, I often feel the best thank yous are those sent through the traditional mail. To help me along on my path of traditional thank you note writing as well as all of the readers out there who want to say thank you, below are some stylish letterhead to get started. Happy New Year and Happy Writing!

All of the following stationary is designed by Sweet Pea Designs.

Something simple . . . .


I love the fleur de lis background because that is my sorority's symbol . . . .


And a few more for you to enjoy . . . .

NEW YEARS CELEBRATION - DAMASK STYLE

Damask New Years by Park Avenue Prep

Today is New Years Eve!!! It is time to celebrate the end of 2008 and a fantastic 2009! So in preparation of the celebration, I thought it would be best to discuss possible New Years Eve party themes and designs. Above is the party I designed for 2009, but it will have to be saved for next year because the hostess responsibilities have been passed to my friend who is throwing a party. All I have to do is show up with the champagne! I'm so excited!

The inspiration for my New Years Celebration is black and white, specifically damask. I love the elegance of damask and seriously there are some great steals in the above photo as well as other possible places to look for stellar priced party supplies that look beautiful on any table. However, before I go any further, it occurred to me not everyone may know what damask is (this happened when my boyfriend read this post and said "What the heck is damask?"). Therefore, to make everyone clear, damask is a pattern originally used on fabric but can be viewed in the above photo on the black and white plate as well as the black and white ottoman in the lower left corner. Now that is clear, let's continue.

My favorite item on this page is the damask ottoman. This ottoman provides the perfect spot for additional seating and is aesthetically pleasing. The ottoman can be found at Target for $49.99. Such a deal!

Moving on to the champagne glasses, what can I say? I love bows. And black bows on the glass are so elegant! A possible Park Avenue Prep Tip: you could use white paint pens and paint 2009 on one end of the bow's ribbon and one guest's monogram on the other end of the bow. Then each guest can take home his or her respective glass as a keepsake. Monograms on bows, so preppy!

Depending on the number of guests, I recommended damask paper plates. These can be found at Plates and Napkins for $5.95 for a set of 8. However, if using real plates (Target currently sells a 16-piece set for $41.69), a mirror would be a dramatic charger while being kind to the wallet. Mirror chargers can be found at Plum Party for $20 and includes 9 mirrors. Other mirror discs options can be found at Overstock.

To further dress up the table, I would recommend some crystal confetti from Plum Party as well as decorative napkin holders. The ones shown here are bangles from Kitson, but any glittery bangles from Target or Claire's, or even a tinsel tie would add the perfect sparkle!

A really unique addition is the black chandelier shown above. Now you may be thinking, "Park Avenue Prep, you are crazy if you think I am going to buy a whole new chandelier for a single party!" But really, this is no chandelier. This is a decal that you can apply directly to your wall and can remove it without damage! Amazing! The chandelier decal can be found at Chiasso for $38 each.

Last but not least, no party is complete without music. And you will probably hear his name mentioned many times in the future if you continue reading this blog, but no black and white themed party is complete without Michael Buble. Seriously, if you haven't, you should definitely check out his music. He sounds like (and looks like) a very handsome and younger Frank Sinatra. He sings some Frank Sinatra covers as well as his own music. The song Everything is definitely my favorite.

I know this party idea is coming a little late (as in the day of said event), but if you are deciding to do a last minute get together to celebrate the New Years or have had it planned months in advance, please share your New Years Eve party decor. I would love to hear how all the other preps of the world are celebrating! Have a great New Years celebration and I wish you all the best for 2009!

STYLE ICON: COCO CHANEL

Coco by Park Avenue Prep

This is the first of my Style Icon series. I am hoping to identify those individuals who have really influenced my style and passion for elegance. I do hope you enjoy!

Coco Chanel was born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel in 1883. The daughter of a poor French family lived in an orphanage and learned the trade of a seamstress. She was nicknamed Coco when she briefly sang in cafes and concert halls. Realizing singing was not her forte, Coco began designing women’s clothing utilizing her seamstress skills. Known for her trendsetting, Coco was the first designer to use jersey for her women’s wear line, making the popular but extremely uncomfortable corset obsolete.

During the early 1920s, Coco established Maison Chanel, her design house and showroom at 31, rue Cambon in Paris (I recommend you visit if you are in Paris). Chanel maintains its headquarters there to this day with its original Coco Chanel furnishings. In 1922, Coco launched the fragrance Chanel No. 5, making Coco the first designer to also sell perfume bearing the same title. Number 5 was selected after Coco met with a psychic who told her 5 was her lucky number.

Coco Chanel went on to design and establish several more fashion trends including the signature cardigan jacket (1925), the Little Black Dress or LBD (1926), pea jackets and bell-bottoms (1954). Style icons (which will be featured in the future) including Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly soon became few of several Chanel admirers due to the designer’s trendsetting fashions.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar in 1923, Coco Chanel stated, "Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance." She established a signature style including quilted handbags, pea jacket, layered pearls, and a fabulous Chanel No. 5 scent that are every Park Avenue Prep’s wardrobe must-haves. Coco Chanel's humble beginnings, perseverance, and perpetual style afford her the title of Style Icon.

Source: www.thebiographychannel.co.uk

THE OFFICIAL PREPPY HANDBOOK

So you may be wondering, what started me on the Park Avenue Prep path of life? Well, the answer can be summed up into four words, The Official Preppy Handbook (edited by Lisa Birnbach).

I was given this book as a gift, and still return to it as a guide on how to be the ultimate prep. Now, I say "the ultimate prep" with a hint of sarcasm, but really, it is a detailed guide on how to be the most perfect prep. And some of the writings in this book are absolutely hilarious and fabulous. For instance, the book contains essays on "Summer is a Verb" as well as "The Politics of Monogramming." You can find information about the preppiest clothing, boarding schools, colleges, and cocktails. It even contains a going out guide for different cities and includes one of my favorite places to go in NYC, JG Melon (at 1291 Third Avenue).

The Official Preppy Handbook is no longer in print but used versions can be purchased online at Amazon generally starting around $20. To leave you with a taste of what you are missing out on if you don't have this book, I will provide you with a book excerpt from "The Virtues of Pink and Green" essay stating, "The wearing of the pink and the green is the surest and quickest way to group identification within the Prep set. There is little room for doubt or confusion when you see these colors together - no one else in his right mind would sport such a chromatically improbable juxtaposition." As you can see, this book is a Park Avenue Prep Must-Have!

THE BEGINNING

Here we go, embarking on a new adventure blogging about the Park Avenue Preppy lifestyle!

To set the record straight, I do not actually live on Park Avenue. However, the lifestyle of many of those living there is one I do admire. So my intent with this blog is to provide inspiration and ideas of how to occasionally escape the real world of daily work, errands, and bills and live a lifestyle of fabulous clothes (on a budget of course!), as well as the sporadic splurge at a fine dining restaurant, and how to maintain a beautifully decorated home like a Park Avenue penthouse on a not so Park Avenue income.

In determining how to set the tone for this blog, I decided it was best to start at the beginning. I hope anyone who reads this blog gets a sense of who I am and what I think living a fabulous Park Avenue Preppy lifestyle is all about. I hope you all enjoy!