decisions! decisions! decisions!

earlier this week i made the mistake [not really, just trying to be a good wife...NOT! ha! ha! ha! ] of asking my husband to pick out our next vacation destination. so guess where we are going in april? las vegas, go figure!!! at least there is plenty of shopping in vegas, so i guess it's a WIN-WIN for everyone, LOL!

it's been 5 years since my last visit. i know so much has changed since my last visit. i'm not sure why he chose vegas, he will be heading back out there in june for work, whatever! needless to say, i am pretty excited!

we are going to be going for 5 nights, personally that's a bit to long to be in vegas if you ask me! 2-3 nights is perfect! as much as i love vegas, i hate walking the strip being bombarded by "illegals" and children passing out passes to strip clubs! i hope the city of las vegas has cracked down on this practice! it's a real bothersome seeing children pass out that crap!

what are you favorite shopping destinations? fashion show mall, citycenter, caesars, venetian, bellagio, etc? the only place i haven't been to is the citycenter. i'll definitely be paying a visit to citycenter, might even pick up the gucci wallet i want if they have it in stock? one in navy to match my vintage hobo below:

the only downer about shopping in vegas is the sales tax 8.10% isn't much better than chicago! ha! ha! ha!

the last four trips to vegas, i also made it a point to take the bus out to the outlets in primm, nv at the california border. why?!?!!? of course, the williams-sonoma outlet! although, i could wait and go to the one in leesburg, va in june? who knows??!! the outlets in primm also had a tod's outlet, not sure if that is still there or not? fun! fun! fun!

then of course, i can't wait to check out some of the fabulous restaurants in las vegas. luckily, living in chicago we have a lot of the same restaurants so it will be easy to weed out the chains like N9NE, smith & wollensky, the grand lux cafe, spago, etc.

if you have any good recommendations for sushi and seafood restaurants in vegas? please let me know, thanks!!!

we are staying at the palms and i can't wait to visit the little buddha. i also can't wait to check out the social house and my husband is a huge fan of the buffet over at the rio --- endless lobster, although i don't recall the lobster being very big and they were rather dry/over cooked if anything.

one of my favorite places to go for breakfast is the le creperie at paris, YUM!!! we are definitely going there one morning for crepes! plus, the buffet over at the bellagio is another one of my favorites.

okay, i feel like i just gained 5 pounds describing a few of my favorite places to eat, LOL!!

what are your favorite things to do in vegas?

i am looking forward to vegging out by the pool, going out to eat, walking the strip, checking out a few bar [not much of a "club" person anymore] and of course shopping! okay, maybe take in some gambling! i'm not much of a "show" person, i have a very short attention span....LOL!

also, can't wait to finally wear my jack rogers/bonanno's again! too bad they aren't fit for "las vegas" walking, LOL! that's okay, i'll pack my tennies and keen walking shoes!

don't forget rue la la is giving you $10.00 when you join rue la la! sales are PRIVATE! membership is FREE!

the offer is good until next thursday, march 3rd! sign up today, click here for your personal invite! if you read my blog, you've seen the awesome deals i have found over at rue la la!

don't forget the SMALL PRINT:

new members must join before 3/3/11 and use their credit by
5/31/11. the credit will appear in their account within 48 hours. rue la la reserves the right to cancel, suspend or modify all or any portion of this promotion at any time.

finally, if you haven't entered my TRUE PREP book giveaway it's not too late!

click here for the link to enter. GOOD LUCK!

oh before i forget, i could stand to loose a few pounds! especially, after talking about all those restaurants in vegas, LOL! anyway, i bought a kalorik electronic bathroom scale. this way, i can enjoy myself in vegas and not feel guilty, LOL!

if you aren't a member of one kings lane, click here for your personal invite. sales are PRIVATE! membership is FREE!

later!

~ PLD

5 things you NEED to know...

hey there, hope your week is going well! i don't know about you but i am SO glad tomorrow is friday!

hopefully, "knock on wood" we don't get the 9 inches of snow the weather people have predicted! guess time will tell, if we get the snow or not! UGH, i don't know about you but i am SO done with WINTER! enough already, ha! ha! ha!

oh well, i was coming up with ideas to blog about when all of a sudden five things came to mind. so with that said, below are five things i thought you should know. ENJOY!!

FIRST....if you love starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate you are going to LOVE seattle's best salted toffee! OMG!!!! YUM!!


SECOND...if you are a starbuck's gold card member like myself, you love it when you get that FREE drink in the mail after buying 15 drinks! seems like a pretty good deal, right?!?!?

well, a few days ago i got an email from seattle's best that i had earned a FREE drink! cool, did you know you only need to buy 5 drinks to get a FREE drink! compared to 15 drinks, seems like a better deal to me!

i am NOT sure if that is b/c i am a BORDERS REWARDS PLUS CARD MEMBER or just holding a BORDERS REWARDS card? you'll want to look into their reward program for sure.

all i know is i am going to switch over to seattle's best for now, LOL!


THIRD...have you heard about cocodot? maybe you read about it on a number of blogs? well, hautelook as an awesome COCODOT --- DEAL of the DAY over at hautelook! for $27 you can get 25 personalized prints and a one year online membership!

if you aren't a member of hautelook, click here. membership is FREE! sales are PRIVATE! check it out today before the DEAL of the DAY is gone!

FOURTH...i received the following email below from rue la la and wanted to share with you. rue la la is giving you $10.00 when you join rue la la! sales are PRIVATE! membership is FREE!

the offer is good until next thursday, march 3rd! sign up today, click here for your personal invite! if you read my blog, you've seen the awesome deals i have found over at rue la la!

don't forget the SMALL PRINT:

new members must join before 3/3/11 and use their credit by
5/31/11. the credit will appear in their account within 48 hours. rue la la reserves the right to cancel, suspend or modify all or any portion of this promotion at any time.

finally, the FIFTH thing you should know.... i am hosting a TRUE PREP book giveaway. if you haven't signed up for a chance to win a copy of TRUE PREP, click here.

whew, that's was a lot of information! hope you found it helpful, ha! ha! ha!

oh well, it's time to read today's copy of my hometown newspaper the grosse pointe news! ciao!

~ PLD

one more thing, i just read the latest post over at surviving the stores. turns out next friday, march 4th chick-fil-a is giving away FREE medium order of waffle fries! all you need to do is become a fan of chick-fil-a on facebook for details! i don't know about you, but their waffle fries are the best! guess i know where i am heading next week, lol!

finally, it's about time!!!

it's about time! my monogrammed totes finally arrived from l.l.bean!yeah, as if i needed any more totes!

oh well, i have to admit it was the post i recently blogged about regarding the "traveling office" that i found in oprah's magazine. do you know what i am talking about? if not? maybe this photo will help trigger your memory:
pretty excited to create my own traveling office! now i have to make it over to staples for a box of navy blue file folders and my personal traveling office will be good to go, lol! if anything i hope it will help me keep everything in order. ha! ha! ha!

oh well, wanted to share a cool stamp/stationery sale going on over at one kings lane. it's the three designing women. if you haven't checked it out, you should. not a member of one kings lane? no problem! sales are PRIVATE! membership is FREE! click HERE for your personal invite.

i have one of these stamps and love it, although it had my address back in grosse pointe, mi on it. i have yet purchase another, but i used it a lot when i was back in grosse pointe.

finally, if you haven't signed up for my TRUE PREP book giveaway --- click here.
good luck and have a great night!

~ PLD

oh, and the next time i talk about purchasing another tote or duffle would someone please remind me of this photo:

and these are the totes, duffles i use on a regular basis! i have others packed away, UGH! i'd post a photo of my purse collection, but that would be WRONG! why? b/c if i put them all together i probably would NEVER have a need to buy anything elsse, LOL!

:) --PLD

not your average sunday...

greetings!

it's so miserable outside, ugh! supposedly our forecast includes rain, sleet and eventually snow! sounds fabulous, NOT! it's a good day to just stay inside!

my husband ran over to borders and brought me back a small cocoa trio! YUM!

yes, that is a spode coaster! don't judge, ha! ha! ha!

it's days like today i long for scenes like this:

isn't this painting beautiful! i love it! this is one of my favorite oil paintings from jane mcfeely, an artist back home in grosse pointe, mi. mrs. mcfeely is such a talented artist! check out a close up of the detail of this painting..LOVE IT!
below is a closeup of another oil painting i own which she painted.
can't wait until next year for the junior league of detroit to host another designer show house, so i can buy another painting! at least i hope they have another show house!!!!

what do you think of the mat and frame i chose for the paintings? i had the paintings framed over at the great frame up. i am still looking for the lights to hang over the frame, just haven't found any that aren't a couple of hundred dollars! ha! ha! ha!

before i forget, don't forget to click here for my true prep book giveaway.

oh before i forget, our friend erin over at let the tide pull your dreams ashore recently blogged about wallets. you can view the post by clicking here.

anyway, she included a photo of a LV and gucci wallet. The wallets were in fabulous condition and i couldn't help but think of my husband's "poor" gucci wallet. yes, the one in the photo below: i bought this wallet for my husband back in '05. so i guess i shouldn't be so surprised! after all, he got a good 5 years use out of it! ha! ha! ha! but still, i wonder what i could sell it for on eBay? LOL!

have a great afternoon!

~ PLD

PLD's hosting another giveaway! come on over...

do you remember this post: Vineyard Vines, True Prep, Lilly Pulitzer and so much more! Also, the WINNER of the FJPM wristlet.... ?

maybe the photo below will help jog your memory?

i said i would be host a true prep book giveaway as soon as i reached 700 followers! well folks, we did it! preppy little dress blog finally has 700 followers!

...THANK YOU!! sheesh! that was short lived -- back down at 699 followers! oh well, i was at 700 at one point! ha! ha! ha! that's okay the giveaway is still on!

so if you are interested in a chance to win a copy of lisa birnbach's true prep? read on.

one copy for PLD and one copy for one lucky follower! will that be you?!?!?!

i know many of you probably already own a copy of true prep, right! in that case, maybe you would like to give a copy to your sister, mom and/or maybe sorority sister or a friend who needs a clue on what being preppy means...just kiddin'! AH! HA! HA!

the WINNER will be announced friday, march 4th! contest entries will be accepted until thursday, march 3rd at 11:59pm cst. GOOD LUCK!!

if you'd like to WIN, here's what you need to do:

1. the obvious --- you MUST leave a comment on this post. to make this giveaway fun, you will MUST to include the names of (3) towns [city, ST] you consider "preppy" towns. also, be sure to include your email address if i can't click on your profile and email.

2. if you POST this giveaway on your blog you will get a total of 2 entries. [you MUST let me know if you blog about this giveaway, so i can give you credit! otherwise, no dice! sorry!]

NOTE: this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only! i apologize, but i am only making this available to U.S. residents only. sorry!

if i have left out any detail about this giveaway i will update this post accordingly.

GOOD LUCK!!!

~ PLD

Vineyard Vines, True Prep, Lilly Pulitzer and so much more! Also, the WINNER of the FJPM wristlet....

greetings!

hope you are having a fabulous week! yesterday i received a copy of the PALM BEACH SPRING 2011 vineyard vines catalog. while thumbing through the catalog, i couldn't help but notice this nice writeup on lisa birnbach. for those of you who don't know, lisa is the author of TRUE PREP:speaking of TRUE PREP --- check back, as soon as i hit "700" followers i am going to host a TRUE PREP book giveaway! seems there are still people who don't own a copy, so check back for an opportunity to WIN your own copy of TRUE PREP.

back to the vineyard vines catalog, below are two of my favorite pieces from the PALM BEACH SPRING 2011 COLLECTION. of course, both pieces happen to be NAVY BLUE....SHOCKER!! ha! ha!

first off is the lattice shell dress, which is listed in the catalog for ONLY $125.00: also, i really like the 3/4-sleve sandbury sweater.

i also received march's copy of HOUSE BEAUTIFUL! OMG, if you love PINK you are going to love this issue!!! seriously, run out and buy a copy!

i also happened to stumble across an article on lilly pulitzer fabrics. check out that AMAZING settee below:

oh well, yesterday i received a large box from rue la la with my ARTHUR COURT purchases. just like christmas, i tell ya....ha! ha! ha!

what did i order? let me show you....

Arthur Court "Bunny" 21in Casserole Dish

and i also bought this ....

Arthur Court "American Traditional" 3pc Server Set

so excited!!!! i have been a huge fan of arthur court and am happy to add a few more pieces to my entertaining collection! after all, check out these bunnies....TOO CUTE!!!

speaking of rue la la i have to tell you i am pretty excited for some of their upcoming sales, especially the sales i highlights below:

THURS, FEB 11
Stuart Weitzman
The New Chic
Bern
Pierre Deux
Barbara Barry

FRI, FEB 12
FENDI
Baccarat - Jewelry & Home
Veneman Collections

SAT, FEB 13
Catherine Malandrino
Elaine Turner
Little Kingdom: Kids Furniture & Decor
Sunday Night Styleathon - Starts at 8PM ET

SUN, FEB 14
Diane von Furstenberg - Footwear & Luggage
Joan Vass
RAYMOND WEIL
RAYMOND WEIL - Men's
Bellino Fine Linens
Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa, Tucson, AZ

....as you can tell, lots of fabulous brands coming up! on that note, if you aren't a member of rue la la, no problem! consider yourself personally invited, click here for your personal invitation. sales are PRIVATE! membership is FREE! happy shopping!!!

oh well, now on to the reason many of you decided to pay my blog a visit, ha! ha! ha! with that said, the WINNER of a FRANCESCA JOY PALM BEACH [FJPM] anchor wristlet in PINK & GREEN is.....

annie

CONGRATULATIONS!

annie please email me your address, so FJPM can get your wristlet in the mail to you.

finally, thank you to FJPM for contacting me about hosting this giveaway. i am still bummed i couldn't win, but i know annie will LOVE her new FJPM anchor wristlet!!!

have a fabulous night!

~ PLD

FINALLY!!

lookie what FINALLY arrived in the mail today!!!!!FINALLY!!!! all i can say is i will never ever will i order from BORDERS online site again! don't get me wrong...i love BORDERS!

after all, they refunded my lost order and re-ordered my missing books. only one problem....why should i have to pay more for an order they lost?!!?!? i don't get it, come on -- i know we are only talking .07 cents --- but still shouldn't i have to pay what i originally paid? it's just the principle of it all that gets me!! ARGH!! oh well, it's done and over...i have my books, enough said! HA! HA!

of course, true prep has been out for how many weeks now? EXACTLY...do you honestly think i could have waited this long? HA! HA! luckily, i picked up another copy at Barnes & Noble! so now i have a copy to give my parents! after all, i took there original preppy handbook years ago....as i recall, i took both their hard copy as well as paperback! too bad they are packed away at the moment.
i also received my copy of teresa giudice's "skinny italian eat it and enjoy it - live la bella vita and look great too!" --- best of all this book as PHOTOS!!!! YES!!! thank you teresa!!

this book has so many awesome recipes! i can't wait to make her "pizza margherita" ...YUMMY! can't wait to make this recipe!!below is another glimpse from her cook book....bacon! i smell bacon! ha! ha!
oh well, hope your day is going well! so glad tomorrow is friday! i am so ready for the weekend! i can't wait to watch the MICHIGAN STATE/WISCONSIN game at local bar [TBD] in lincoln park and then maybe enjoy some shopping! yeah!

....oh yeah, GO STATE!!!!

tonight we went out for dinner at stir crazy....love that place! tomorrow night we are going out for lobster...yummy! let the weekend begin! ha! ha!

later!

~ PLD