While the Cat's Away

We're breaking all kinds of rules around here while mummy takes a long weekend at the beach and rests up for Monday morning's dreaded round deux of her root canal. Rumor has it that she had a wonderful highlight and haircut with Agnes at Bad Hair Day, a scrumptious dinner at The Cultured Pearl, her inaugural dip in the ocean with Emma, and even managed a quicky trip to the Polo oulet for new jammie pants and pink seersucker shorts. Hopefully she's in a marvelous mood cuz daddy has quite a mess waiting for her when she walks in the door...XXOO The Pilge

Summer Reading

During the winter I get completely caught up in all the trashy reality shows and truly only read during my nightly Eloise bubble bawth. But, once spring rolls around I'll start preparing the collection of books for my "big summer read". I try and compile a good balance of passably smart reads with good ole fashioned beach trash. This year's line up includes...

Two books by local Georgetown hostess, and current owner of Grey Gardens, Sally Quinn. What better way to get the inside scoop and hopefully form a little sentimental attachment to my new neighborhood.

The new anti-diet diet book from Bethenny Frankel of RHof NYC fame. Ummm, I'll have what she's having if I can look like her...

The debut novel from Isabel Gilles who starred in one of my all time fav prep, must-see movies, Metropolitan. I have heard nothing but great things about this book.

Hedge Fund Wives and the ex-mrs. hedgefund...need I say more?

Joseph Campbell and Mattie Stepanek are both philosophical books I try and read a little from each night. Heartsongs should be required reading for all but The J.C. Companion is not for the faint of heart or faith.

Probably the three I am most looking forward to are my Rita Mae Brown's. They are part of her fox hunting murder/mystery series that I can not get enough of. I just want to crawl inside these books.

James Brady's Gin Lane and The House That Ate the Hamptons are oldies but goodies. It's been long enough that I may be able to forget the endings as I immerse myself back into my beloved South Fork mysteries. I think I also recall having one from him called Further Lane...

Okay, the Ken Follett book is an Oprah book that i raced out to buy but never got around to starting. It will most likely be sandwiched between the hedge fund trash just to keep them guessing on the beach.

I am secretly addicted to Phillipa Gregory's Tudor novels. I started with The Other Boleyn Girl and have since read every other one in the series. I just wish the covers didn't appear so tacky and romance novel-y. Not so good for the rep...

Lordy, The Omnivore's Dilemma is going to haunt me til I finish it. It's pages are still filled with sand from last summer's attempt to get through it but, this year I am determined. Anyone who says they enjoyed this book is lying through their teeth. I just want to be able to say I read it.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle...I'll admit it, I don't have high hopes but it seems to be the must read and I promised bff Kimba to give it a try.

I heard Trevor Corson interviewed about his book The Zen of Fish on NPR and it sounded so fascinating. He went behind the scenes to learn the art of making and eating sushi. And, to be completely honest, I just want to have impressive skills for my next visit to The Cultured Pearl.

The bottom 4 are all Oprah recommended self-help books that I have a certain weakness for. Oprah and self-help.

On it's way to moi...Confessions of a Prep School Mommy Handler that I won in the Hillbilly Debutante giveaway. This looks fabulous and may even bump the hedge fund goodies in order of priority. Thanks Kathie!

Still on my Amazon wish list; Katherine Graham's Personal History, Julia and Julie: My Year of Cooking Dangerously, and My Sister's Keeper.

But at this moment, while still under the influence of root canal pain, pain pills and starvation, it's just me, US magazine and a hot bubble bawth...

Still Recovering

Today was a smidge better than yesterday and I was able to get by on strictly Tylenol. It still hurts terribly to eat though, so my day was filled with mostly soft foods.

Thankfully, my friend Shelly dropped by and kept me company on a trip to Whole Foods where I stocked up on tons of fresh berries that I doused in chocolate yogurt...

And, tons of veggies that I juiced...

I was très tempted to take advantage of the excuse to starve myself and ride this wave of diet opportunity all the way home but, thought it unwise considering I may be starting up a new cycle of IVF any day now. Foiled again...

After Whole Foods Shelly and I headed for J. Crew where I distracted myself with a few purchases like this white linen skirt...

And, the cocktail capri in white before I hit a wall and had to go home and rest. But, after I juiced all my veggies I rallied enough to continue my Crew spree online where I bagged a few more goodies (this is what happens after a day of bed rest with the J. Crew catalogue).

The pearl constellation ring, which Babe is guaranteed to hate...

The linen getaway dress in caspian blue, which will be perfect for running around in with my bikini on underneath...

And, the harbour oxford capri, which will most likely be paired with Lacoste shirts and Canfora sandals.

On a roll, I decided to wrap the day up with a call to the Calypso in Naples to have them send a dress I'd been eying online. All in all a good day recovering. And, merci to everyone who sent well wishes my way!

Disclaimer for Babe...all of the above purchases where made using store credits and reward cards! XXOO Moi

Doctor's Note

I had my first ever root canal yesterday and I will be in recovery for a period of time yet to be determined. Apparently, I have Br'er Rabbit like roots that caused the dentist (really? the dentist?) a great deal of difficulty. After 2 hours of torture he decided that was enough for one day, closed me up and sent me along my merry way with a script for the pain that had already set in.

Mad dash to the neighborhood pharmacy where I held an ice cold bottle of water from the cooler on my jaw and politely moaned while they expedited filling my glorious meds.

Once home I set up my little nurses station and settled in for the afternoon. Magazines...J. Crew catalogue du jour...hot tea with honey...water to wash down the "oxy" somethings...and the all important remote...

Bride Wars on Pay Per View, ahhh.... All that was missing was my dream Hermes Horse Blanket to snuggle under and my private physician who's away on business.

Hmmm...I wonder if you lose weight from having a root canal???

The JDR

Babe has developed an eponymous caffeinated morning drink that has become his signature and addiction. It's known as the "JDR" and it's ingredients are Diet Mountain Dew and orange juice.

I also recommend drinking from a proper glass, like the above pictured Simon Pearce, to feel a little less Appalachian about the whole endeavor.

It is important to pour the orange juice, approximately 6oz, first to achieve the maximum "fizz" effect. We like to use the orange juice with calcium to feign health consciousness and have even gone as far as juicing organic oranges.

Follow with a full 12oz can of Diet Mountain Dew. Cans rather than bottles make for a more authentic PWT experience.

When the mixology is done correctly, it results in the perfect "Orange Julius" head of fizz which Babe swears is the best part. Cheers!!! And, best wishes in rehab...

Disclaimer...JDR's are highly addictive and reputation tarnishing. I started with just a sip and before I knew it I had a two a day habit. Undergoing IVF forced me to go cold turkey and endure some of the most debilitating headaches of my life. And, I would venture that no amount of Brooks Brothers or Hermes can trump the très declassé first impression making power a JDR has in a high level breakfast meeting with Partners and CEO's.

Awards Week

So, apparently this week was awards week and I was completely overwhelmed with how many were bestowed upon little ole moi. I am so grateful for all of my readership and apologize if I have been remiss in returning the favor. My first award arrived kindness of Toad over at To The Manner Born. Merci, Toad and right back at ya!

The next award came to me in quadruplicate from DC Prep, Paisley & Pearls, The Pink Washingtoniette and The Monogrammed Sailor. I adore all 4 of these blogs. Merci beaucoup girls! Us preps have to stick together.

Then I was "tagged" by The Company She Keeps (totally in love with her illustration) and Cape House who also get the prep seal of approval! In a dual move towards being a little unconventional and a whole lot lazy I have decided to cut and paste my facebook "25 Random Things About Me" a la US magazine instead of answering all of the requisite questions that arrived with the tag;

1. Names and faces are fleeting but I never forget an outfit.
2. I dropped a button buck at 100 yards the first time I went deer hunting but I refuse to hunt geese
3. I pee my pants when I laugh too hard
4. I pass out every single time I have my blood drawn regardless of how many "good thoughts" I think
5. If I could have superpowers I would be a multilingual time traveler with invisible capabilities
6. I am fascinated with identical multiples
7. I am too forgiving for my own good
8. Quite shocking, I know, but I am not a natural blond, GASP!
9. I have delusions of grandeur
10. I once free dove 30 feet in the dark ocean coming up with a fistful of sand to impress a guy
11. I never tire of watching The Sound of Music
12. I've had reoccurring nightmares about Indians and snakes since I was a child
13. I feel the closest to God when I'm roasting on a beach or in a sauna
14. I'm sneaky
15. I won the Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge for the most full sit-ups in high school with 500
16. I have an inhuman amount of empathy for human weaknesses
17. Sometimes I make brownies just to eat the batter
18. I'm hoping to meet Seabiscuit and Elsa in heaven
19. I'm mad, mad, MAD for English period literature and film
20. As much as I want to like coffee and cosmos, for the chic containers alone, they make me sick
21. The fastest path to my soul is through animals
22. All the riches and happiness I wish for myself I equally wish for my family and friends
23. I mouth kiss my pets, shhh...don't tell Babe
24. I'm allergic to Penicillin and Tetracycline
25. The jewel in my crown is my husband

Now, I know I am supposed to pass these awards on to my favorite blogs but, I just can not pick some and not others. I have that "first born daughter" disease and I just don't want to hurt any one's feelings by playing favorites. But, in the interest of not being a totally wet blanket, I am going to give 3 awards. The first goes out to Mel at Melissa C. Morris. This was the first and only blog I read for 3 years and is still to this day my inaugural morning read. Love me some Monty...

I would be remiss in not mentioning my illustrious illustrator Patricia at PVE who I found via Mel. I am convinced my beautiful illustration is the bait used to lure new readership into my preppy lair.

Last but not least, my new favorite read Maxminimus. He is totally the kind of wonkie (old Loyola lingo), well dressed, bon mot dropping prep I would have been friends with in school. And, although I am a happily married to Babe gal, it would be remiss of me, for you single DC and OTA women, not to acknowledge an email I received from an old school chum now living in Naples asking, "who is this Maxminimus, prrrrrr!!!!" Any interested parties should head ADG's way....

Thank you to everyone who sent me an award or a mention. And, please do not take offense at my cowardly, Sean Penn-ishly way out...

Elephant Hair Bracelet

Last summer I was devastated when Babe withdrew from bidding during the Christies auction of Christina Onassis's elephant hair bracelet.

Unfortunately, late in the game he discovered that there could potentially be some trouble getting elephant anything through customs. End scene with me throwing a complete tantrum and begging for him to take the gamble...

I had been dyyying for a prep de rigueur elephant hair bracelet (see #7 listed above in The Preppy Handbook) since my teens and, the thought of owning one having once belonged to the heiress, with the initials "CO" etched on the clasp, would have been a coup beyond my wildest of dreams.

I'm still holding on to that dream/delusion of someday owning theee Christina Onassis elephant hair bracelet but for now, the one I found on eBay has me quite content. But someday...

These particular bracelets "are made by a husband and wife team in St. Lucia, South Africa. All the elephant hair is obtained in a controlled and regulated environment and the marketing of these bracelets plays a roll in the long term preservation and conservation of wildlife". So, only good karma here. Plus, I couldn't run to a trusted jeweler fast enough to verify the authenticity and solid 14 karat gold cabling around the knots!