The Advice of C.Z. Guest

C.Z. Guest's advice to her daughter Cornelia:
"Be polite, meet everybody, and have a wonderful time."

True Prep News Compendium

Ivy Style:"Preppy Evangelist: The Lisa Birnbach Interview"

The New York Times: "Rejoice, Muffy and Biff: A Preppy Primer Revisited"

The New Yorker: "Prep is Dead, Long Live Prep"

LA Times: "Lisa Birnbach's 'True Prep': 30 years after the 'Preppy Handbook,' what will Bink and Bootsy wear?"

Knopf Doubleday: Official Website
Huffington Post: "Preppy Evangelist: The Lisa Birnbach Interview"

Homemade Lemon Poppyseed Cake

Sometimes you're left without cake mix--which is only useful with an easy can of processed frosting-food on hand (anyone ever hear of cheese-food?). 

Solution:  Make a cake that resembles a quick-bread (use more butter and sugar) with an extra-added touch of gooey lemon glaze on top. Done. Thanks again Joy of Cooking!

The Private (Haunted) Bowling Lane

Last January the husband and I took a trip to a nearby resort for our eight year anniversary of dating.  I did some research and learned that there was a newly installed bowling lane in the basement of this particular resort/hotel.  Excited for a fun indoor activity in the depths of winter and with the expectation that many other guests would find this a fun evening outing, I made reservations for a saturday night private bowl (how unusual is that--really!).

So we get to the 2-lane bowling alley.  From the looks of it , it seems as though the system was an 80's-era Brunswick that was a distant cousin to the classic Nintendo gaming system.  We assumed it had been reassembled on-site and a chat with an employee confirmed our suspicion.  So we try to play.  The pinsetter shuts down almost immediately and the electronic scoring system didn't have a prayer of working (this part we could have made due without).  This shut-down seemed to eerily coincide with my opening of the bowling room's door that appeared to have an electric trigger of some sort installed (it didn't).  An employee was called to fix the problem, but ultimately no success. 

Dejected from an expectant game of bowling the husband and I headed to the bar to partake in the more reliable activity of celebratory drinking vs. bowling.  Maybe next time (did I mention this resort's hotel was allegedly haunted?--May have had some role in our electrical problems). Also, once when we were in our room I opened the door to look in the hall and the tv shut off at the exact moment I opened the door.  The husband failed to tell me the place was haunted until we were safely in our car going home, and I had managed to sleep soundly through the night--what a sweetie!

To Engage or not to Engage

Lately I've started to question whether I really need to wear my engagement ring every day.  My wedding ring, yes, but the jewels--no?  I am a person who is naturally self-conscious, which may or may not describe many people and their jewelry and/or accoutrements.

A plain gold or platinum band really says it all, in my opinion.  I'm married.  Period.  Most of the time I just wear my engagement ring.  I'm sure this creates the question (if anyone catches a glimpse) of whether I am engaged, married, or simply have a sparkly ring on my left ring finger.  On the other hand, there really is a mystery in a simple band (milgrained if you feel a little fancy).

There is also a security factor that goes along with wearing a wedding band for the majority of the time.  I'm sure others have had that panic of thinking one's engagement ring had been misplaced.  I often take mine off before I take a shower, go to bed or wash the dishes.  I have a routine, but it still freaks me out a bit.  Personally sometimes the only thing I notice about someone is their engagement ring. The other day at a conference I couldn't stop staring at the huge rock on the presenter's finger.  This beautiful woman (and ring) worked for the IRS, and wow.  You really wonder how some people can act normal with small fortunes decorating their person day-in and day-out (at the IRS no less!).

(Picture Source: Tiffanys.com)