Royals Wed

The sun is rising in England and in just a few hours the entire world will watch history take place as HRH Prince William of Wales marries Catherine Middleton. Like those that have gone before them they will unite in a historical matrimony as an entire world watches. Though I was not yet born when Charles and Diana got married I still remember getting up to watch Diana's funeral. I think today another day I will remember for the rest of my life. Regardless of whether or not you are "into" this it is a historical event. It is an exuberant day that has brought an entire nation together and has people in every country watching. Kate Middleton will walk into Westminster Abbey a commoner and walk out a royal. She is living out a real life fairytale and today I think she just might be the luckiest girl in the world!

Prince Albert, Duke of York, (King George VI) and Lady Elizabeth Bowes- Lyon

April 26, 1923

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh (Phillip Mountbatten)

November 20, 1947

Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones

May 6, 1960

Prince Charles and Princess Diana

July 29, 1981

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson

July 23rd, 1986

Prince Edward and Sophie-Rhys Jones

June 19, 1999

Prince William and Catherine Middleton

April 29, 2011

So, from across the Atlantic in Dallas, Texas- I wish them all the best and a blessed life filled with happiness!

Wedding Party Decor Sneak Peak!

At this time tomorrow HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton will be married! While things are quite busy on the other side of the Atlantic those of us having watch parties here in the United States have also been busy with our last minute preparations. My decor is no where near being complete, but I thought I would give you a sneak peak:

I purchase the above wrapping paper at Paper Source. I decided to back it with poster board to make it a bit more sturdy and so that I could hang these up.
They turned out perfectly and these was such an easy and inexpensive project!

Earlier this week I cut and punched out all my printables. I still have yet to attach some of the to tea bags or use them on my favors, but I love how this sign turned out:

I still need to print a few official Wills and Kate photos to place in frames around the main living area.

These are the cookies I ordered from A Dozen Eggs (sorry for the terrible photo, the flash was going crazy on my temporary camera)- are they not DIVINE!? I still need to package several of these with the Bath and Body Works hand sanitizer (which just so happens to be $.75 a bottle now!!!) for favors for all my guests.

The table is still a work in progress, but I could not resist gathering all the items together and snapping a photo for you. I filled the small crown dishes I bought at Micheal's earlier this year with red (ok, they are pink, but close enough), white and blue Cadbury eggs. The colors are perfect and no on can resist Cadbury! I also lucked out in that I had dark chocolate Valentine's day M&M's left that just so happened to be red, white and purple. So regal in the apothecary jar! I still need to change out the ribbon on the ginger jars to match the color scheme, but things are coming together!

Of course I will have all my commemorative wedding magazines out for guests to enjoy as well as the new and old Sloane Ranger handbooks.

If I have time I will make my Union Jack bunting this evening and I also will be printing official wedding programs to have out. The clock is ticking, but everything it coming together for this historical event!

Royal Wedding Timeline

Two days until the Royal Wedding!!

As we all get ready for our early morning on Friday I thought I would pass on the timeline for the wedding. This will hopefully help everyone in their planning and party throwing! I have adjusted all the times to CST so you might need to readjust accordingly.

2:15am: General congregation to arrive at Westminster Abbey.

3:50am: Diplomatic Corps and distinguished guests arrive.

4:15am: Prince William and Prince Harry arrive at Westminster Abbey.

4:27am: Mrs. Middleton arrives Westminster Abbey.

4:30am: Several members of the Royal family arrives at Westminster Abbey.

4:40am: The Duke of York, Princess Beatrice of York, Princess Eugenie or York, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence arrive at Westminster Abbey.

4:42am: The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall arrive at Westminster Abbey

4:45am: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Westminster Abbey.

4:48am: Bridesmaids and Pages leave the Goring Hotel enroute Westminster Abbey.

4:51am: Kate Middleton and her father leave the Goring Hotel en Rolls Royce.

4:55: Bridesmaids and Pages arrive at Westminster Abbey.

4:57am: Kate Middleton and her father arrive at Westminster Abbey.

5:00am: The marriage ceremony begins at Westminster Abbey.

6:15am: Prince William and his new wife leave Westminster Abbey enroute Buckingham Palace.

6:30am: Carriage procession arrives at Buckingham Palace.

7:25am: Buckingham Palace balcony appearance!

7:30am: Royal Air Force fly over.

*Sorry for the CRAZY spacing, Blogger is NOT letting me adjust. It will also not allow me to spellcheck, eek!

Royal Wedding Spoofs

Some Royal Wedding spoofs to get you ready for Friday!

I am hoping to finish my basic decor for my fete this evening, photos to come tomorrow!!

Royal Wedding Countdown: 4 Days!

I can hardly believe that the wedding of the decade is only days away! Most of you know by now that my mother is a huge anglophile and she has instilled that in me as well. My love of all things British has me especially excited to watch history unfold on Friday and in honor of the Royal Wedding this week's posts will all be wedding related (those of you non-anglophiles have been warned!).

Today's post is all about my royal wedding party (which is still in the preliminary stages, but happily coming together). Like many of you I too am hosting a watch party on Friday. However, rather than getting up at 4am and serving a full English breakfast I have set my TiVo (for FoxNews, but I think I might switch to ABC as India Hicks is helping host) and having an evening fete instead.

I just sent out my invite with cocodot (have to love the Union Jack card) and admit that I sort of threw it together and it is not perfect by any means. It is certainly cute and festive though! Since I am doing an evening party I am able to serve traditional British staples and favorites rather than just morning food: This is my preliminary menu so of course it might change. I thought tea sandwiches were the perfect way to kick things off (after each guess arrives and is crowned of course) and what better a dinner than some British fish and chips? I am sort of cheating with the fish and chips and actually serving chicken tenders though. I am not into fish and many of my guests are not big fans either so I had to substitute. I will print out several of the above menus on linen paper once it is finalized and perhaps even use a Union Jack to back it. I included facts on some of the items being served and think it will be fun to have them out for people to read. Of course this party would not be complete without wedding cake which Southern Vogue has so graciously offered to bake. Some might say we are a little intense, but this is just how we roll on this side of the Atlantic.

Once the favors arrive and the other accents are completed I will share those too. No detail will be spared for this festive event!

Are you hosting a party? What are some of your preliminary ideas?

Royal Wedding fact: It will take Kate Middleton about four minutes to walk down the aisle of Westminster Abbey on Friday morning.

Easter AND Muffy Writes a Note Winner!

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday weekend with their families. Mine was simply fantastic and filled with all things wonderful!I left Dallas on Friday afternoon and got into the frozen tundra, where is just so happened to be raining, that evening. We headed back to a home that was very ready for Easter:
Bunnies and lilies had found a home throughout the first floor.
The dining room has finally been re-wallpapered. It was not so great when my parents moved in, but it is just stunning now and a true transformation. I will have to do a before and after post for you all in the next few weeks; you will be floored.
I LOVED these topiary egg trees and was shocked when my mother told me she got them for $5 on clearance at Pier One. Aren't they so darling and festive on a buffet?!
Growing up we always had an egg tree for Easter. We collected ornaments through the years and have upgraded to two eggs trees. I love these dainty decorations for this special season!

Well, now is the part of the post you have all been waiting for; the Muffy Writes a Note giveaway winner! I used random.org to pick a winner and was SHOCKED when it selected comment ONE. Congratulations to TOWN AND COUNTRY PREP! You are the winner of 25 notecards and calling cards! Please send me your information and I will get you in touch with Heather and Cindy.

He is risen!!

Jesus is Risen as told in Mark chapter 16:

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

"One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door.
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore!
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again!
One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
One day the skies with His glories will shine.
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing,
My Savior, Jesus, is mine.
Living, He loved me,
Dying, He saved me,
Buried, He carried my sins far away.
Rising, He justified freely forever,
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day!"

HAPPY EASTER to you and yours!! I hope everyone has a wonderful day spent with those they love and that we all celebrate the real meaning of Easter.

Good Friday

"Told by a teacher he was too stupid to learn: Thomas Edison
Fired from his job at a newspaper because he didn’t have good ideas: Walt Disney
A music teacher told him he had no hope as a composer: Beethoven
Falsely accused, arrested, killed: Jesus Christ"

Compassion

The Webster dictionary defines compassion as "sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it." Having compassion is not always easy. It can be difficult to understand why someone chooses to hurt you when they themselves are hurting. You can spend hours wondering why someone stole the parking spot you were waiting for, didn't they know that you have a sick child and are in a hurry? However, compassion is so much more than the desire to alleviate distress in those that surround us day to day.

Compassion means helping those who do not have a voice. It means helping those in dire need for they cannot help themselves. Helping those who need far more than we can often comprehend. These are children around the world who live in poverty. Children who have never slept on a bed before and who have never had a roof over their head. Children who can go days without food. Children who spend their days walking through landfills in hopes to find that one tin can that someone else passed over. Children who walk five miles to school, without shoes. Children who are orphaned by AIDS and war. Children who have no access to clean water. Children who deserve a chance at a better way of life! While we must have compassion for all those around us I believe that these innocent children are those we must especially have compassion towards. Below is a photo of Heydi. Heydi just turned nine on February 1st. She lives in a remote village in Honduras. Heydi lives with her grandmother and loves going to school. Heydi is a part of her local Compassion International project and Heydi is my sponsored child.
Every few months I receive letters from Heydi. Letters in which her smile radiates across the page. Every letter ends with like"I pray for you everyday, you have changed my life Helen." By having compassion for Heydi I have helped better the life of just one child living in poverty. With your help we can help remove others from poverty and give them a chance at a better life through Compassion International.

As you know, I have entered the Tucker Blair belt design competition and have chosen Compassion International as my charity of choice. For just over $35 a month a child can be supported through their programs. A $250 donation would therefor support a child for seven months. In order to support one child waiting for a "lifetime sponsor" for an entire year if I win I will supplement this donation with the additional funds to make this possible.

I know how many of you all read my blog every day and I know how many of you also have Facebook since many of you are fans of the blogs' Facebook page and I NEED your help and support today! If you have an account would you please help me by selecting the "Like" button on the Tucker Blair Facebook page & then selecting "Like" to vote for my KappaPrep design (it is the wayfarer sunglasses design)? Voting only goes until Friday. This takes under a minute, but it could have a lifelong affect on a child living in poverty. Let's come together and have compassion to make the life of one child better today!
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Here comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity hoppity,
Easter's on its way

Martha Stewart
Bringin' ev'ry girl and boy
A basketful of Easter joy
Things to make your Easter
Bright and gay

via Amy Atlas
He's got jelly beans for Tommy
Colored eggs for sister Sue
There's an orchid for your mommy
And an Easter bonnet too. Oh!

Carolyn Roehm
Here comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Happy Easter Day

Eddie Ross
Here comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Look at him hop and listen to him say,

Charlotte Moss
"Try to do the things you should"
Maybe if you're extra good
He'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way

Country Living
You'll wake up on Easter morning
And you'll know that he was there
When you find those choc'late bunnies
That he's hiding ev'rywhere,
Oh!

Southern Living
Here' comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Happy Easter Day.

Muffy Writes a Note GIVEAWAY!

As you know, per my post a few weeks ago, I am a HUGE fan of Muffy Writes a Note and a BIG fan of all paper products. I am therefor THRILLED that Heather and Cindy have offered to host a GIVEAWAY for Monograms and Manicures readers!

The winner of this FABULOUS giveaway will win 25 custom note cards and 25 custom calling cards. I can vouch for how darling these items are as I have both (I have the pale pink, elephant note cards which I ADORE and the square, initial calling cards). While they are as cute as can be the quality is simply fantastic as well which is extremal important to me.

Muffy Writes a Note has SO many fun and preppy options for you to choose from. You could do a matching set or two entirely different things....my question for you is what cards would you pick?

In order to enter this giveaway you must leave a comment answering the above question. All comments must be left by 8pm EST on Thursday, April 21st. One lucky winner will win 25 custom note cards and calling cards...it will be an early Easter surprise for someone!

Best of luck to all and hop, hop, hippity hop on over to Muffy Writes a Note and pick your favorites!

Sunday Evening

*I started using the new Jergens mouse/foam (after reading about it here) and I am in LOVE! It is SO much better than the lotion and works instantly. It also easily washes off your hands so no streaking. I have used it three times and my legs look perfectly golden already. Divine!

*If you have not already voted in the Tucker Blair belt design contest you better hop on over and cast your vote (for me of course!). I have chosen Compassion International as my charity of choice and cannot imagine a more appropriate and deserving charity. They are changing the lives of children all over the world. Having lived in a third world country and traveled extensively through others I have seen what this organization does first hands. They are phenomenal and I hope that if you have Facebook you will consider voting for deserving children all over the world.

* I am SO excited for Easter! It is such an important holiday. Today I got to thinking about Palm Sunday and the warm welcome the King got as he entered Jerusalem. However, in just a few days many of those that were welcoming Jesus would turn against him, but He would STILL die for all OUR sins. Over the next few days it is important we all prepare our hearts for Easter.

"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"

I am also excited to go home for the weekend. Now, the question is what to wear in the FROZEN tundra because yes, it will STILL be FREEZING on Easter!

This is option one, but it might be too cold...

* I drove out to Southlake today with friends to preview the Lilly Pulitzer 2011 Summer line and let me just say it is FANTASTIC! I did pre-order three items (do not fret, NO money was spent so I really did not officially shop) and can hardly wait for them to arrive. They are nothing short of fantastic! The below image is from Google Images, but I ordered the firecracker print in my BELOVED Roslyn skirt!

*Do not forget about the Graphic Image discount. If you use the code "HOPSY" you can save 25% on your order!!

* I am SO excited to do a giveaway with Muffy Writes a Note this week. Stay tuned because this is NOT to be missed!!!

* Water for Elephants comes out this week! Who is planning to see this over Easter weekend?!

CONTEST!

When I got an email from Tucker Blair about a blogger design contest I had SO many ideas that started running through my head. What a FUN idea! I thought about doing a pagoda belt in pink and green (for all of us that are chinoiserie obsessed) and then a "Oh, the places you'll go belt" which would include some of the worlds greatest monuments (the Taj, Big Ben, Empire State Building, Roman Coliseum, etc). Of course I thought an art belt would be neat too, but what I finally decided on was what I felt was as CLASSIC as you could get.... a wayfarer belt:

I am VERY challenged when it comes to using any sort of photo editing program so creating the above two designs was a huge feat for me. I did two backgrounds so that even the pickiest prep can have a choice as to what color would/will best match their wardrobe.

Now that the design is all said and done I need YOUR help! The belt with the most "Likes" on Facebook will win. So, if you feel ever so inclined I would love, love, love if you voted for moi! All you have to do is "Like" the Tucker Blair page (if you have not already done so) and then you need to "Like" my design. If I win (fingers crossed, but I am not holding my breath because the other designs are AMAZING!) the belt would be named after my blog AND Tucker Blair will make a donation to my charity of choice! How thrilling!

I think the above, wayfarer design would be a hit and not to mention it would also match many of our shades too! Happy weekend and thank you to those that are voting or have already done so!

Spring Cleaning Sale

*You MUST email me if you want an item. It is too difficult for me to track comment and email time stamps so in order to reserve an item I can only accept emails.

Well, the weather is warmer so you know what that means...it is time for Spring cleaning! I have quite a few items up for grabs below that need a happy new home. I have not included measurements for all items so if you have any questions please feel free to contact me (kappaprep@gmail.com) as all sales are final. If you would like an item please email me with the item in the subject line. Shipping is $5 per item and $8 if you purchase two or more items. All payment must be made through Paypal within 24 hours. If you have another offer please also feel free to email me. Shop away dear readers!! Wool Banana Republic Top, Size Small- $12

This top is great for work and can transition into evening. I am a huge fan of leopard print and this neutral palette is a classic. J Crew City fit Capris, Size 4- $10

These darling capris can be worn year round. I have paired them with a white tee during the warmer months a black turtleneck in the fall. Super cute and also flattering!

Dolce Vita Black Suede Heels, Size 8.5- $40

I am selling these Dolce Vita shoes for a good friend. These made in Italia shoes have only been worn one time and are black suede. They retail for over $200 and are a great staple for your closet. They can be dressed up and down and worn for both work and play. They are spectacular and I wish they were my size!!

Phew, if you made it to the end, CONGRATULATIONS. This is a long post!