Manners for Kids

KSK asked "My son is 12, my daughter is 11. I want to give both of them "etiquette" books for their birthdays this year. I put etiquette in quotes because if I hand them the Post book they will NOT read it (to put it mildly).So, any suggestions as to books written to the KID, not the parent, that is helpful for both manners but also, more importantly at this age, what to do in social situations. (Remember adolescence? YUCK!!!)Lisagh's post about the etiquette book her dad gave her made me think of this...."

So I walked into our little library and saw a few ideas. If they will not read the Post book for kids (it's real good) try "Manners " by Kate Spade (yes, of handbag fame). Tell your daughter the bags are cool, read the book. It's an easy read and funny too.

Another idea is "Special Words: Notes for when you don't know what to say" by Joyce Landorf Heatherly. Maybe you can get your son and daughter to start to think outside the regular street talk and carry on a conversation when it's tough to talk.

I'm sure there are more (hit Amazon.com)...anyone else have some favorites for kids?

Defending Preppies

A friend forwarded a blog to me, kitty something (I already forgot the name). All about fashion, not one of my favorite topics but I read the post on popped collars. (there is the link) And I felt that I had to stand up for regular preppy guys everywhere. Listen, I don't know if you pop your collar or wear whales on your pants, but If you are a preppy you do not look down on people who do. Being a preppy guy is a feeling, a relaxed "style" (because it's not 'style') and a fun loving attitude. We have a sense of humor, actually one of the best; right Muffy. (...And she stepped on the ball..)

And it may be a shock to some, there are MANY preppy people and I have never met ONE who I would describe as a "fool" or "stupid"....

Ok, off my soap box now...

UGH!!! Where is the school bus???

8 days and counting! I really woke up this morning thinking it was Labour Day and school started tomorrow...When I realized my mistake, ouch! I think the whole day is ruined. I love my kids, however I can't take it anymore. So, now I need to find some activities to keep the kids active for the next week. My Muffy wife and I are right now looking online for some quick overnight trips. First thought is of course Cape Cod. We already did the city and museum trips last week, so now maybe a day or two on the Cape and Islands...

Am I alone? Is it as my wife says 'I'm just a guy and not meant to spend this much time with the kids' (THAT IS TRUE!!!)?

10,000 hits

Wow, 10,000 hits in just two months. That's crazy. Thanks for all the visits!!!

I have started to look at ski stuff. It's never too early to think about winter activites!!!

I know I'm jumping right over fall, my wife's favorite season!

a preppy (er, I mean pretty) funny blog

I was surfing the web this morning, with the weather bad I thought I could catch up on some news. So an hour into it I look at a few of our fav. blogs. One of them, I can't remember the one, directed me to May December (a blog by a women named Melissa Morris). It's pretty good, I really like the pictures of Nantucket. So, enjoy.

As for the day, the Muffy wife and kids will be back in a few minutes and I think we should head out to lunch. Maybe grab the puppy after that for a wet walk around town or the park.

No golf

Raining outside, so no golf...on to the bar!!

Sailing Blog

So for a while I've been receiving a daily email update from Sailing Scuttlebutt. If you like to be kept abreast of the goings on, I recommend you check out their pages. There are a lot of info on races, upcoming events, etc.

I know the main sailing season is coming to an end, but I thought I'd share this blog with you.

More museums

Yes, we spent another day in the city at a museum. I think I'm cultured out!! I'm in need of a beer.
I think my Muffy wife is trying to get all the things we haven't done for summer into the next week and a half....

Etiquette is a big hit

Wow, I've seemed to hit a nerve with the hat etiquette post from yesterday...Some other pet peeves; elevator etiquette! I was in the city with Muffy and the kids the other day to visit a museum. Now, the crazies there could fill an entire blog. We are waiting for the elevator to arrive; it comes to our floor and a guy jumps in from of us (and another young woman) and starts "trying' to get into the elevator. HE DIDN'T EVEN WAIT TO LET THE OTHER PEOPLE OUT!

Now a couple quick rules for the elevator (and subway to a point) when the doors open let the people who are on get off first! How else can others fit? Second, when getting on and off the rule is women (and children) first, then the men. Now i know there are exceptions; a man with his kids; the car is so full the people in the front need to get out first; Men are with their wives and kids both "trying" to hold on to them. However, given the few times the elevator is crazy there are dozens of times it is not...Please people some decorum.

As I've said before I'm not Emily post wantabe, or a prude. I was brought up in an average middle class home were my parents expected some manners. That is all I'm trying to pass on to my kids.

A little hat etiquette

I was in the land of the great unwashed a weekago (a casino). If you wanted to do a study on the sad site of America, go to a casino. Boy do I miss the casinos in Europe, it's nice to see people dressed up and I don't mean their best NY Jets jacket! Anyway, at the casino I met up with my friends for a good dinner. The restaurant is one of the best they have (a steak place, actually pretty good food too) however, there in the middle of the dining room was a few guys wearing their baseball hats. Now I guess in this day and age that that is not a shock anymore, more people would not even notice it, that of course is sad. Now, I did see a bunch on men wearing baseball hats that morning at the breakfast restaurant, I think people thought it was ok because you could order off the menu OR buffet (eww, a buffet) but what makes ANYONE think it's ok to wear a hat at the dinner table of a nice restaurants (were did these people grow up)? Unless outside at a picnic or at a ball game one should remove their hat while dining. Proper table manners were some of the first thing we were taught as toddlers; how did so many people forget?

A quick reference I found was on Ask Andy about clothes (that is were I got the picture about and a few of the quotes below, although the "rules" are generic)

Men, TAKE that hat off! Hats are removed when inside, except for places that are akin to public streets, like lobbies, corridors, and crowded elevators (non-residential). In a public building (where there are no apartments) the elevator is considered a public area.
You may choose to remove your hat in a public elevator, but in the presence of a lady your hat must be removed. A gentleman takes off his hat and holds it in his hand when a lady enters the elevator in any building that can be classified as a dwelling such as an apartment house or hotel.
He puts it on again in the corridor.
A public corridor is like the street, but an elevator in a hotel or apartment house has the character of a room in a house and there a gentleman does not keep his hat on in the presence of ladies.
Hats are removed for the National Anthem, passing of the Flag and funeral processions, outdoor weddings, dedications, and photographs.
Removed hats are held in hand in such a way that only the outside and never the lining is visible.

Maybe this makes me a prude; trust me I'm not, but I think wearing your baseball cap at dinner is an insult to the people you are eating with and all those around you. Sitting down for a social meal is one of the main pillars of civilization, a major thing that separates us from animals, we need to remember that.

New shirts from Salmon Cove

A few months ago Muffy returned from her favourite preppy store holding two new shirts, one for her and one for me. A new clothes company was having a trunk show and of course Muffy just walked by with just a nice hello and smile, however she said she actually liked the look of the shirts. She walked back to their table and started talking to the two co-founders (I'm sure the fact that they looked like models didn't hurt their cause). The guys explained their brand and their designs. They are fun loving guys who are following their hearts and making fun clothes (I do miss the pictures on the web page of everyone at keg parties!) Check out their web page at Salmon Cove.

The shirts are great, although they look better on Muffy than me, and I really like the different colour inner collar.

What to buy at VV?

Our pal preppy kiki asked what I was looking to buy at Vineyard Vines this fall...See previous post about the VV fall clothing email...I just love VV; I'm wearing one of their polo shirts right now (the cut is great and casual) as well as a d-ring belt with Nantucket signs all over it! When I look at VV stuff I always start with the ties; I don't get to wear ties as often as yesteryear but I still have way too many VV ties. I figure when I need to wear a tie it should at least be fun ones!

As I was looking at the site I also saw some great looking oxford type shirts. I do not own any yet so that may be my first experiment with their fall lineup. If you have not had a chance to get the VV boxers; buy a few then you can have some fun designs there too. One other thing that I may need to try is the whale sweaters (pictured with this post).

Vineyard Vines is a new staple in the preppy guys wardrobe and should be for all preps (men, women AND children).

Vineyard Vines Fall Preview

I just got this in the email in basket:






Check it out at Vineyard Vines.

Tea Partay hits the Wall Street Journal

The Tea Partay video story hit the Wall Street Journal this morning...

Home Bar Essentials

A previous post lead to a conversation about what a home bar needs. I have always tried to keep the top liquors on hand in case a guest needs something to lighten their mood. Hell, I really keep it stocked for myself!

So I was surfing the net and came across an artile from the WashingtonPost; The Bar Essentials; by Emily Hiel. A well crafted article that is a good start for any home bar... The opening quote is great:
" In old movies, dashing leading men always seemed to sidle up to tables topped with crystal decanters. After a few sweeps of tuxedo-clad arms and a rattle of a cocktail shaker, they produced perfect, frothy concoctions. "

What a good visual. So I decided to look at my liquor cabinet and take an inventory (I was very surprised because I am low on a lot of stuff). Of course I have gin: Bombay Safire, Beefeaters and Tanqueray. Vodka; Stoli regular and a few flavoured. Scotch : Glenmorangie and Glenlivit. Cognac: Remy Martin XO. I saw some Paddy's whisky as well as Canadian Club( note, very low on whiskey). I also have some Port wine: just one bottle, a vintage I bought at auction. I'm not sure why I'm saving it. A couple bottles of wine (I need to expand on that collection). And a bottle of champagne: Perrier Jouet.

What I have on hand is a good start, however I need to get a little more organized so any guest will feel at home when they come for a visit.

Terrorism

I want to start off by saying what a great job the British and American intelligence services did in foiling the plot to destroy the planes flying from the UK to the US. This is a real victory for the forces of freedom and I think a major defeat for those crazy terrorist. I know the preppy posts usually talk about sailing of the best way to mix your favorite cocktail. However, we are also educated people who must talk about the issues of the day.

I think the day we let our guard down we are domed. I was there on September 11th, 2001 when the planes smashed into the twin towers. I had glass and ash fall on my head. I saw too many things I have never told people who were not there that day. I went to funerals for good men with empty coffins because their bodies were never found. I know there are many people who feel it's been five years and we should forget about the attacks on 9-11-01. This would be a mistake, as we learned yesterday our enemy hates us because we are free; because women have rights; because we vote for our leaders; because we have freedom of religion...because we are not them...

I now feel safer than ever to fly; although it will be a major problem with lines and limits on what you can bring on a flight.

When do you dump your docksiders?

I don't know why I had this thought today, maybe to get my mind off the news of the day (more on that later). So I thought I'd write something light and ask when should I retire my docksiders?

My current pair has been a very important part of my wardrobe for a few years now. Admittedly they are beat up and showing their age. However, I don't have any holes in them (do you remember in college taping them up to save your favorite pair? So do I stay with the old friend or start looking for a new pair? I even looked at Sperry's web page this morning.

My feeling is that the summer is starting to come to the end, Muffy is all worked up about sending the kids back to school, so the current pair will make the fall. But you do not want to be that dork with bright new shoes on Memorial Day next year. The only solution maybe buying a new pair in the fall and beating them up a bit around the house for the winter months. Even wear them once or twice in the snow!!

Yes, I know very silly and trivial but that's what I'm thinking about this am....

Giving preppies a bad name

I was reading the NY Post this am and saw the headline about "preppie pair pulls bank heist". You should see the pictures that were with the article. The two looked the hobos not preppies...The NY POST is giving all preps a bad name!!! Read the the article and the clothing described; do you think they are preps???



UPPER EASTSIDE BONNIE & CLYDE
PREPPIE PAIR PULLS BANK HEIST



UPPER EAST SIDE BONNIE & CLYDE
By MARK BULLIET, ERIKA MARTINEZ and LUKAS I. ALPERT
August 10, 2006 -- Cops are searching for the Bonnie and Clyde of the hipster set.
A male-and-female pair of stylish bank robbers - clad in cargo shorts and flip-flops - ripped off nearly $2,500 from an Upper East Side bank on Monday and are on the lam, cops and bank officials said yesterday.
The man - described as 20 to 25 years old, 5-foot-9 and weighing about 160 - walked up to a teller window at the Independence branch at 225 E. 86th St. and handed over a note saying he had a gun and demanded cash, officials said.
"He feigned a weapon as though he had a weapon under his shirt," said bank spokesman Mike Armstrong. "It was a few moments. It's not the neighborhood you would expect a bank robbery in."
So far this year, there have been 137 robberies reported in the 19th Precinct where the Independence branch is located, according to police statistics, down 11 percent from the same time period last year.
The branch's seven teller windows do not have floor-to-ceiling enclosures separating bank employees from the customers, only glass coming to chest level. The bank is equipped with several surveillance cameras.
Meanwhile, the woman - described as in her 20s, 5-foot-4 and weighing approximately 135 - stood outside, smoking a cigarette and acting as a lookout, cops said.
After the teller handed over $2,470, the pair walked away together, cops said.
No one was hurt.
Cops said the man was dressed in green cargo shorts, a gray T-shirt and a green hat. He was wearing silver metal-framed sunglasses and carried a black messenger bag over his shoulder.
The woman had brown hair with red highlights, and was wearing a gray T-shirt with an overleaf design on the front. She also wore stylish black stretch pants and rubber flip-flops and was carrying a small white purse, cops said.
Neighborhood workers said the incident left them cold.
"It scares me," said Iesha Womack, 28, who works in a cellphone store across the street. "It's frightening to know something like that happened so close to us."
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.
mark.bulliet@nypost.com
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Going Back To Bed!!!

OK, so we spend the last three days cleaning our house from top to bottom; it has not shined like this in a long time. It makes me wonder what are cleaning people were doing when they would come once a week. Anyway, we walk downstairs this morning and our dog has pooped on the oriental rug in the living room(yes the one that just came back from the cleaners last week).

So, Muffy has to clean that mess up, I run out to Dunkin's for coffee and muffins and when I return Muffy tells me to head back out to buy club soda. And, there is a bird in the oven vent! Luckily when I turn on the vent the tweedy flies out to freedom (better than putting on the stove!)

So, we have a couple members of Muffy's family coming down for a day visit (stress), plus all this crap today....I JUST WANT TO GO BACK TO BED!!!

Golf and Gambling

I just got the official agenda, the guys are heading to a nearby casino for a weekend of golf and gambling. It may come as a surprise, however those two activities are two of my favorite 10 things to do (and I know I'll be drinking, so there's a third off the list). I'm looking forward to winning some stupid bets on the course, and then making my donation to the Indian education fund.

My game of chance is craps. I, like many people enjoy blackjack and even poker; but nothing can beat the action of the craps table. For those of you who don't know craps take a look at the basics of craps web page. It's an easy read and you can get the basics easy. The only way to really learn is to grab a few hundred dollars and hit the table. Try to get a table that has some people yelling, smoking cigars, waving for drinks...people there are having fun and making money. A quiet craps table is DEATH...stay away.

Finally a break

Yes!!!
The heat wave has broken! This morning we are all outside eating breakfast on the terrace; it's so nice I'm still out here typing on the computer. A fun filled day ahead, I hope. Lots of outside time, and the preppy pup needs a lot of attention/ball playing. The big event of the day is dinner over a friend's house tonight.

What to bring? Muffy is of course making something homemade, cupcakes I think. We shall also grab a bottle of wine (something light and fun). The number one thing for me to bring though is a couple cigars. The guys will walk around after dinner with either a nice cold beer, or even better a glass of port and smoke a couple nice cigars. Luckily I have a couple Romeo Y Julieta's left in the humidor. (note to self, time to reach out to cigar contact for restocking)...

Heading back into the house for more java...have a great day!!!

Happy Friday

This may have been the fastest week in recent memory. I'm trying to get back to "work" and keep busy, but this weather is sapping my energy. Good news it looks like it may be only in the high 80's today...Finally I can walk around the town and parks...I think our dog is actually depressed because he has been unable to really get out. (everytime we let him out, 1 min. later he is back at the door looking to come in)

So the plan is to "play hooky" from the search stuff and head out with Muffy and the kids; hopefully bring the prep pup too...

ps. I was reading an article that said crime in NYC is down 12% during this heatwave. I guess criminals are not as stupid as we think.

Tea Partay Video

I just saw this video on Confessions of a Preppy Princess . Thank You Preppyprincess!!

List of Top Preppy Towns

Some great feedback from people on what we consider preppy towns. Here is the compiled list:

PREPPYGUY'S TOP PREPPY TOWNS

• New Canaan, CT
• Darien, CT
• Hingham, MA
• Nantucket, MA
• Bedford Hills, NY
• Summit, NJ
• Wellesley, MA
• Greenwich, CT
• Rowayton, CT (part of Norwalk, CT)
• Chevy Chase, MD
• Annapolis, MD
• Dover, MA
• Newport, RI
• Cohasset, MA
• Osterville, MA
• Chatham, MA
• Lincoln, MA
• Manchester-By-The-Sea, MA
• Bar Harbor, ME
• Katonah, NY
• Rye, NY
• Hilton Head, SC

Some Other's From Your Comments (this one in random order) :

• Seattle, WA
• Middleburg, VA
• Leesburg, VA
• Hamptons, NY
• Kennebunkport, ME
• Martha's Vineyard
• Harbor Springs, MI
• South Hampton, NY
• Charleviox,MI
• Grand Traverse, MI
• Weston, MA
• Duxbury, MA
• Middleburg, VA

Golf?

A friend of mine called today about sneaking out and playing golf. Normally a great idea, and since I don't get out enough I ALMOST jumped at it. However, I acted just like my blog entry of a few days ago I started talking about the weather. Maybe I am becoming a wimp, or something worse but I can't see any enjoyment in doing anything outside in 100+ degrees.

Preppy Towns

So I was surfing around and came upon Lilly and Lemons Blog. Kiki was talking about how stupid hot it has been and her desire to move to the northeast. So, of course I had a though about helping her and every other preppy out there....What about a list of the Preppiest Towns in the Northeast; or even in the whole country!

I actually have been thinking about this for a couple days, but Kiki's posting made me decide to solicit some outside ideas too....SO, please send a comment on what YOU consider a preppy town. I'll compile a list of the "viewers" choices and of the preppy guy's official list ...

Preppy Nantucket

Well boys and girls the good news is that Nantucket is still a preppy haven. Nowhere on earth can you see everyone wearing their Nantucket Reds and no-one calling them silly pink pants. There is still the flows of pink and green walking down Main Street; and flip flops everywhere(yes, quite a few crocs too).

This got me to think of some of Preppy Guy's favorite Nantucket stops:
Dining:
Best Eggs benedict: Arno's
Best Local's breakfast place: Downyflake donuts
Best Pizza/Lunch place: Foood for Here & There
Best Happy Hour Drinking Place: The Gazebo
Best Place to drink a frozen cocktail: Ropewalk
Best Dinner: Arno's
Best Chinese: Harbor Wok
Best Place to get fresh produce: Bartlett's Farm
Best Pub: Rose & Crown
Best Casual dining: The Tavern
Best Restaurant to avoid: Schooners
Best Seafood: SeaGrille

Beaches:
Best Surf: Cisco Beach
Best overall beach: Dionis
Best quiet place: Wauwinet
Best to see people who live in your home tome: Siasconset
Best to watch boats: Brant Point

Areas to stay:
Best area to Stay: Anywhere you can; except near the airport and dump

Shops: (I'm not the power shopper; however Nantucket makes it easy to spend way too much:
Best Shop: Murray's Toggery Shop (A must visit for any preppy: home of the Nantucket Reds)
Best pet Accessories: Cold Noses
Best Postcards/Nicknacks, etc. : The Hub
Best fudge: Aunt Leah's Fudge (Some penny candy too)
Best Ice Cream: Nantucket Pharmacy
Best Kids Toys : Pinwheels
Best Newer store: vineyard Vines (lot's of Nantucket only clothes)
Best store to avoid : Black Dog (saw this "store" on our last day. Overpriced and SO small...go to the vineyard and enjoy the original.

I'm sure I'll think of more as the days go on. It's such a great island and you will really enjoy everything.