WASP Wednesday

I've always wanted to share my charm bracelet as I'm obsessed with others and why/what's on them. Where they got their charms and what they mean. But before I do I have to introduce you to my Aunt--Main Line Photo Mom. She started a beautiful blog CLICK HERE!!!!  She isn't even my aunt, and really she is my husbands cousin, but she goes out of her way to be so kind to me, I just love her. Of all of my "family," besides my parents she has been SUPER supportive of my writing career. Check her out and tell her I sent you.

Of course I have the obligatory monogrammed discs with my marriage, and childrens births. I'll start on the left with a few of the more interesting pieces: the crab is my birth sign--I also like eating them, panther with ruby eyes (gift from someone other than Husband--shhhhhh), Kat key island charm because my grand mother used to live there, a sail boat, a charm that has a book on it with my title and publishing date, tennis racket (like surfing I do it, not well and only with an instructor). What's on your charm bracelet?

Collars up

SC

The Truth about One Fabulous Mom

I love blogs and blends, but it's even better when I get to meet you in person! I had the pleasure of spending a week with One Fabulous Mom a few weeks ago and wanted to give you a secret look into the person, not the blog.

In real life she is tall and thin!
She is so much prettier in real life-beautiful and preppy
We have the same name
We both have a tervis tumbler with iced tea in a cup holder in our car
She is HYSTERICALLY funny!
She has the most adorable family
Her house is exactly what you'd picture a movie star living in, the perfect yellow bungalow
We both get chocked up easily, could cry over our love for our children, and believe in fate
She has issues just like everyone else in this world

I hope you enjoyed my sneak peak into One Fabulous Mom! I hope to meet you ALL one day.

Collars up

SC

Bon Bon on SC Blog!

 Welcome to my interview with Kristin from Bon Bon Rose blog CHECK HER OUT HERE!  Also Skip is having a great give away CLICK ON PREPPY!

Your blog is so popular! Congratulations. What do you do for a living? I'm a WAHM...so, I run the blog with my fabulous best friend of 15 years, Megan, and do some freelance writing on the side. To be able to stay at home with my little dude while doing something that I Iove is truly amazing!

 
How long have you been blogging and why did you start? We have been blogging for about a year and a half. It started as a creative outlet for both of us. I was a new mama and she was a stressed out MBA student. We had no idea how much a part of our lives it would become!

If you could wear only one designer who would it be? I would have to say 3.1 Phillip Lim. I'm a sucker for anything that sparkles and he's genius with sequins. I was lucky enough to be at his show in February at NYFW and it was A-MA-ZING!

Do you like preppy stuff? Why do you read my blog (I'm so honored that you do). I DO dig the preppy vibe or I wouldn't read your blog. HA! And I read it because you always give me my pretty preppy fix! Although, like most fashion luvahs I dig the edgier stuff...there's a Lilly lover in me too!

 

 

Isn't she adorable? Collars up! xoxo SC

Monogram Monday!

I love Anne LakeCLICK HERE-she is the epitome of elegance! So I interviewed her.

Why did you start blogging?
I was a slow starter! I began blogging so that I could gain more insights into social media for my advertising agency. I also felt that there was an opening for a blog with a reflective quality about living and style, that wasn't purchase-based. But it has quickly become an avenue to so much more--great new friendships, most of all.

You have such style, some people would die to pair all of the color, jewelry and accessories. Where did you learn it? What is your inspiration?
What a lovely compliment! I have lots of inspiration, some of it classic, others more avante-garde. I adore Daphne Guinness, who is a true English eccentric and original. In the sense of just plain instinctive great taste, Lee Radziwill is unbeatable. From age 20 to her mid-70's now, she remains simple and elegant. I am also very into retro Brit looks of the twenties and thirties, sort of the White Mischief set. Jewels-wise, it has to be the Duchess of Windsor.

What is your idea of a dream day/weekend?
No phones...just my husband and me sailing together...some great champers in a paper cup...lots of sun and wind...a crabcake...Roxy Music playing...a blue RL swimsuit and a white boys oxford, wrinkled with sleeves rolled up...Topsiders...white denim shorts for later...

What do you think of mean girls and social climbers?
I don't think I know any mean girls anymore! As an eternal optimist and Pollyanna, I'd like to think they just haven't evolved yet, or had enough bumps on the road to know better. And as for social climbers--you're my fave!

Isn't she adorable?

xoxo

SC

Words to live by!

I read this in an email and wanted to share!

1. Aspire to be Barbie - the bitch has everything.
2. If the shoe fits - buy them in every color.
3. Take life with a pinch of salt... A wedge of lime, and a shot of tequila.
4. In need of a support group? - Cocktail hour with the girls!
5. Go on the 30 day diet. (I'm on it and so far I've lost 15 days).
6. When life gets you down - just put on your big girl panties and deal with it.
7. Let your greatest fear be that there is no PMS and this is just your personality.
8. I know I'm in my own little world, but it's ok. They know me here.
9. Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself.
10. Don't get your knickers in a knot; it solves nothing and makes you walk funny.
11. When life gives you lemons in 2010 - turn it into lemonade then mix it with vodka.
12. Remember, wherever there is a good looking, sweet, single or married man there is some woman tired of his bullshit!
13. Keep your chin up.  Only the first 40 years of parenthood are the hardest.
14. If it has Tires or Testicles it's gonna give you trouble.
15. By the time a woman realizes her mother was right, she has a daughter who thinks she's wrong.

'Good friends are like stars.........You don't always see them, but you know they are always there' 'Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live for today'. Now smile and send to any girl wasting time at work, suffering from a hangover, or just suffering from life, who might need a reason to smile!

Preppy Guest Blogger

 Happy Monday! I'm so back to being sick of myself so today I have a special treat for all you lovely preppies. Meet James of http://manofthe50s.blogspot.com/ He is one of my favorite preppy men blogs. And you'll adore him too!

Please know I'm training a new assistant. I read each and every one of your comments. If I don't comment back please don't think I'm not reading all of your adorable preppy blogs. I am, I'm just a bit overwhelmed in SC's recent demand. I promise I'll be comment queen again soon as I love to share the preppy love!


Where did you grow up and what is your occupation? (if you don't mind)
 "I was an Army brat. When we weren't in Europe we were in the Deep South. When I finished High School I came north for college. Married a Yankee, became a government bureaucrat and retired last year.So I term myself as a Professional Layabout these days."


When did you first notice or begin liking style and clothes?
"I was always around conservative men growing up and followed their style of dress.I knew some real hard core WASPs and I guess you'd call my style as a teenager "preppy ", but it really wasn't referred to as such back in the day.I have always felt your clothes speak volumes about you. I'm no fashion plate, I just favor traditional and conservative. Except for the bow ties of course!" 


What made you write a blog?
"In my first post I wrote that I hoped no one ever read it, I was just venting into cyberspace. Now I happily realize that the world still has people of style, grace and dignity. People who are hard working, honest individuals trying to remain true to their values. I'm so thrilled that someone did read my silliness!"

Isn't he divine? SC loves reading his blog. I adore him!

xoxo

SC

Happy Preppy Friday!

I'm crazed with busy-ness (And I detest busy people as I'm usually bored) but little bear has a doctors appointment today and Friday's are usually my mani day while nanny waits on me. So this going to be a bit quick.

Bethany over at Maryland Pink and Green is officially my new BFF. She interviewed me and is giving away a signed copy of my novel, Social Climbers.  Click on preppy to learn more. I hope you win! If not, go to AMAZON to purchase a copy.

I promise to do good deeds for Haiti but I'm too sad to gather my thoughts just yet. Don't look unkindly on me-SC promises to get involved. My heart aches for them. Please pray.

Have a blessed and beautiful day!

xoxo

SC

SC in Zimbabwe

Many years ago I was a student at Lake Forest College and a Sociology and Anthropology Major. I desperately wanted to study abroad as most of LFC goes abroad their Junior year. I had been to Europe as a high school student and knew I was going back after college with friends. Wanting to do something a bit unique I looked into India, and Africa. The University of Zimbabwe in Harare was the only program that would count credits towards my major so I could graduate on time. But, there is always a but, I did not have what one would refer to as a strong GPA. My only back up was to attend Franklin college in Switzerland and cross my fingers I could take classes that would allow me to graduate in 4 years. As much as I loved college, I didn't want to be left behind when my friends and classmates graduated. I was never a student. I went to college to be in a sorority, meet my husband and travel abroad Junior year. I accomplished 2 out of 3.

I was accepted last minute and I'm not going to tell you my theory as to why but let's just say I was the ONLY person on the trip that didn't receive financial aid.

Zimbabwe, and South Africa changed my life. I don't talk about it much. But with you supportive blends I feel comfy opening a part of my heart that is still vulnerable and in awe of the beauty I witnessed in Africa. Everyone on the trip wore Birkenstock. I wore Laura Ashley. Most of the students were very environmentally aware and PC. I was a debutante that read the society section from my home town paper my mother mailed to me each week. But, and there is always a but, we all hit it off. I made amazing friends and grew so much as a person. I could write an entire blog chronically all of the amazing things I did and saw. I pushed myself more than I have probably ever in my life, with the exception of being a mother.

I have tears in my eyes as I type this. Thank you Zimbabwe for allowing me to live in your country for 6 blissful months.  In an effort to hold on to some of my memories I decorated my oldest sons nursery with a safari theme. My son is turning 10 in only a few short weeks and I've promised him a big boy room with a ski theme. So it won't be long that he will not live in the dream world I created for him using my memories of Africa.

 

 

When I left Zimbabwe I flew to London with my 2 best friends from the trip-Katya and Mariya. In London I went to my gate to fly home to Philadelphia. I cried the whole time in the waiting room. The first big girl tears I'd ever shed. I watched a remake of Father of the Bride by Nancy Meyers on the Virgin Atlantic flight home. This is why I'm convinced she will make Social Climbers into a movie. Plus, it doesn't hurt that she grew up outside of Philadelphia. Thank you for all of the lovely comments you leave on my blog. I live for and can't wait to read each and everyone of them. The love that has been shown to me in the blog world resembles the love I felt in Zimbabwe.

xoxo

SC

Preppy Mafia Giveaway!

SC has teamed up with The Preppy Princess for the official 2010 Giveaway!

You will win-

A copy of my novel, Social Climbers- The Preppy Bible

A Donovan Cutie Calendar

 

Lilly Pulitzer Stuck on you Post its-mark your fav page of the book

Enter to win-

Leave a comment. You must be a follower (1 entry)

Add Social Climbers to your blog roll (2 entries)

Become a fan on Facebook- click on preppy (2 entries)

Tweet this giveaway, don't forget to copy me (1 entry)@Bethdunn2

I love you BLENDS! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Winner will be chosen Friday January 1st and announced Saturday January 2nd

Best of luck!

On another note, The Official Preppy Mafia logo is being designed as I type. I can't wait to share it with you. People have told me (in a nice way) that all of the initials in my book are confusing. There is a dictionary in the beginning but I'm also having a book mark made so you can print it off of my website and put it in the book. That way you won't have to keep flipping to the front to remember that JM stands for J. McLaughlin or SC stands for Social Climber. Until that is ready below is my dictionary for Social Climbers!

DICTIONARY
AT - Already There. One who has social status and need not worry.
SC - Social Climber. One who aspires to be AT and has to do a lot to
get there.
NR - Nouveau Riche. One who was once an SC but now has a lot of
cash and can’t spend it properly.
WT - White Trash. I don’t think this one needs an explanation.
MC - Middle Class.
UB - Uber-Bitch.
DLG - Daddy’s Little Girl
JM - J. McLaughlin, the “It” store.
SS - Social Standing. One who has it, is an AT and does not give a f***.
IT - having it all- beauty, thinness, style, class, marriage & Money!

XOXO

SC

Merry Merry Preppy Christmas!

I hope everyone has a blessed and beautiful Christmas!

Merry Merry.

Be sure to check out this catalog if you are still looking!

spiritoftheseasoncatalog

This is the Dunn Family Christmas card!

I'm all about charity work. SC loves to give back so please don't hesitate to get in touch if you need copies of my book (just don't ask for 100, a few for a gift basket)

The Preppy Princess and I have something in store for 2010 so check back for tomorrow's give away!

Love to all of my BLENDS (blog friends-just learned that new term-cute).

xoxo

SC

New Years resolutions SC Style!

We are still at preppy war! We are preppifying the world one monogram at a time so beware of The Preppy Mafia. click on preppy

I'm updating my website. Anyone interested in joint venturing please be in touch. Must have SC/preppy synergies!

SC New Year Resolutions

Continue to be grateful for: My health, my sons, their health, my husband, our happy marriage, our home etc. Now back to being shallow!

Help people, find a new or continue creating The Dawn Marie Foundation (she died much like Brittney Murphy)

Finish writing Weather, my 2nd novel

Social Climbers, my 1st novel, to be an Amazon Best Seller

Learn Zumba

Learn to surf without hot instructor

Learn to cook Raw food

Eat vegetarian

Love myself

Meditate

New Work out Regime

Make my mind my best friend instead of biggest enemy (it can't remember what it ate for breakfast but it remembers every dumb thing I ever did/said)

Social Climbers, the movie

Write/teach more articles on etiquette

That's it! Not too long. What is your SC Style New Year Resolution?

Happy Socialite Saturday!

Thank you for all of your wonderful comments! I'm an insecure baby and you all make it all better like the best boo boo bear I've ever had. I think everyone in the whole world should blog. I count my lucky stars everyday that I started!

So the preppy war has started with the Preppy Mafia! Please feel free to join us. I am going to preppify my sister in law one monogram at a time.

I totally missed my 100th post anniversary. Woops! But I'll celebrate BIG when I hit the 1 year mark.

It is a snowy blizzard here today. So pretty. Sadly we are missing our dear friends party because I would never ask nanny to drive in this.

First we snuggled by the fire in our jammies

Then, we ventured outside to enjoy the snow. Secretly I was excited to wear my new Lands End matching vest and boots with fur trim!

I love this sign. I had it made for Husband as a Christmas gift one year. On another slightly sadder note... I'm official New Jersey WT. (note:I grew up in a beautiful town outside of Philadelphia but moved here for Husband) After several glasses of wine I was tricked into becoming the new Secretary of Riverview Estates-our home owners association. But I will persevere and add it to my resume!

xoxo

SC

Happy 101 Award

Thank you marylandpinkandgreen for the Tag/Award. If you aren't reading her blog you are seriously missing out. The title is preppy-need I say more?
Of course, I freaked out when I got this. First, I was so excited, but mostly I was concerned I would post yet another truly boring list for my readers. So I immediately started brainstorming.

1. List 10 things that make you happy.
2. Tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day.

10 things that make me happy:

ALL of your sweet blog posts and adorable comments
Listening to my sons speak kindly to one another
The Spa: steam, sauna, facial, massage, mani & pedi
Feeling content
ALL things monogrammed, pink, green & preppy
When my mind is quiet
Shopping, clothes, jewelry, shoes, bags, scarves & furs
Wall paper
Laughing really hard!
Being shallow & frivolous while thanking God the whole time

I Tag
Queen Bee Swain
Entertaining Mom
Tartan & Toile
Southern Living Preppy Style
Bev's Blog
2 Preppy Girls
Are you a preppy
Delaware Blue Blazer
The Updated Preppy Handbook
Pink cupcakes and Tab

I hope everyone has a blessed Friday!
4th party out of 7 tonight.

xoxo

SC

I'm a preppy winner!

SC never wins anything. I'm not feeling sorry for myself-boohoo. I usually end up buying it for myself but SC covets Whitney English! So, how excited was I to receive this from Powderpuff N Pearls

totally apologize for the lousy picture. SC stinks at pics

An adorable preppy Whitney English clipboard with monogram paper that Bronco Mom designed for moi!  Thank you. It fits perfectly with the new preppy office I'm decorating.  click here to see more 

What preppy office supply is on your list?

xoxo

SC  

Preppy Guest Blogger

I have a total healthy blog (and now twitter and face book) love affair with Entertaining Mom-click here to read her blog preppy
What I love most is how real she is! Not only is she stylish but also down to earth. So I had to have her back for more Q & A:

You've traveled and had an extremely interesting life. Now that you are a mother, what would you want your children to repeat?

"Thanks to my grandparents I have been able to travel much of Europe. I summered in Cannes yearly (after I attended camp in the Adirondack Mountains) until I was 12 when my grandparents moved to Oxfordshire in the UK. My summers in France are still so colorful and vivid. I am truly privileged. When I was older I had the opportunity to study over there as well. I nearly went to Miss Porter’s School but chose instead to study in Oxford to be near my grandparents. Those were some very tough years. I attended a highly sought after boarding school where members of the royal family were educated as well as some from the Guinness family. But truth be told, I was miserable. I was sad and homesick and too young (mentally) to be so far from my friends and family. I really call those my sad years. I would have done those very differently. But I still was opportune enough to travel and spent many wonderful, cherished moments with my grandparents. And, how many Americans (British even) can say they have used the Queen’s Loo? Yes, you read that right! My grandparents were members of the All England Lawn and Tennis Club (Wimbledon) and we would often go for lunch on the weekends. Due to my grandmother’s wheelchair, she was privy to the Queen’s Loo. And I was too!

My children lead very, very different lives. I was an only child to two very successful parents in Manhattan. I had Nannies from France. By contrast, I live in the burbs with three kids and have no nanny. I do it all myself. I wouldn’t change a thing. While I saw much of Europe I have seen very little of my own country. (I hadn’t been to Disney until I was 40!) My children will absolutely go to Europe, but in due time. There are three and the cost of travel (to Europe) for a large family is quite prohibitive.  Our youngest is just 4, and much to young to travel abroad expensively without relatives there to host us. We’ll explore our country while they are young and let them see the world when they get a bit older. I’m not giving them the same experiences, just providing different and yet experiences that are equally as meaningful."

When you are decorating your home...what are you going for?

"Ugh… We have been in our new home for a year. It is a very slow going process for us… My home is (will be when completed!) a reflection of me. I want a home that is both elegant and casual, formal and comfortable.

We moved into a large house (I would have chosen something a little smaller in retrospect!) about a year ago. The first thing we did was to completely overhaul the living room and dining room. They were terrible… hideous!!! We had red and green plaid walls (with bunting) all over our dining room. Now, I do love a nice plaid, but this was just wrong, wrong, wrong! The living room had terrible faux paint wallpaper and they ruined a lovely fireplace by painting faux marble over real marble!!! The rooms are formal and European in feel. They are still unfinished in terms of décor and furniture. We are in the process of repainting our kitchen, family room and one of the downstairs bathrooms.

The downstairs bathroom will be painted Kittery (as in Maine) Green. It’s a Benjamin Moore. It will reflect our summers in Newport and Maine.

I want my kitchen to be a warm, comfortable place also with a European flair. I have some yellow Benjamin Moore paint swatches taped all over the walls! Our cabinets are oak (not my choice but they are high quality and we aren’t taking them down!) and the drapes and cushions are black and white ticking. Hopefully next year we will be able to replace the floor (to dark, wide plank hardwood – from ugly nasty dirty looking tile!) and counters (granite) and stove, a Jenn-Air which in its day (20 years ago) was the epitome of style and cuisine but now the burners are old, warped and chipped…

The family room has a very rustic feel. One wall is all stone with a massive fireplace built into it. The back of the house faces the woods and so it feels as though we are in Maine when we sit in this room. We have oversized, dark leather furniture in there and two dark, cherry wood armoires. I’m thinking Wedgewood by Benjamin Moore on the walls. I change my mind hourly. But I had better decide before the painter comes!

In terms of style and décor my two favorite rooms are the formal rooms, but the family room is a favorite because it is so comfortable and inviting…"

When you think of Preppy and the preppy blog world...what is your first memory or favorite/cherished item that will always be a part of that?

"When I think Preppy, of course I think Preppy Handbook. The one my parents tossed when they packed up the New York apartment while I was in college… the book they tossed without telling me while I was in college… Bitter? Me??? Y"

Look how cute she is with her Father in this picture!

xoxo

SC

Feeling the preppy blog love!

I won an award! Three to be exact. And I am in no way shape or form kidding when I say how delighted I am. And I'm going to tell you why first so reading my "facts" will make it that much more interesting. I've been waiting with baited breath, I'm not joking, to get another award. With all of my preppy fun and book launches I've been busy. But what I've been really busy with is keeping a list of truly interesting "facts." When I first entered blog world and received these awards I would try to do my "facts" from the top of my head and they were SO BORING! I even didn't want to read my own blog award blog, it was THAT BORING. So I started keeping a list, in a journal, next to my computer of truly interesting things (as they came to my head I would run and write them down) cause I was like, no one--not even me is THIS BORING. So I'll do my list first and the award later because I'm SO EXCITED to share it!!!!!

1. I had brunch with and at Olympia Dukakis' house! details: my bf (at the time) grew up with her son. It was his birthday brunch. I saw her Oscar and she gave me a pie to bring home to my Mommie.

2. My photograph appeared on The Sartorialist! details: my gf and I had just had lunch at the 4C's in NYC and he stopped me for my picture and handed me his card. Now he has a book deal. I bet my picture won't be in the book-oh well.

3. I went to college with Nate Berkus. The designer on Oprah! details: we were a year apart and lived in the same dorm one year. We were friends...not great friends but we hung at the same parties. He was nice.

4. My bff, also from college, is royalty. details: I always ask her opinion because I know its ROYAL

5. Wife Swap, as in the show, wanted my family to be on. Husband said "NO!" And my parents agreed so I did not do it.

6. I sent in an audition tape for the 1st Apprentice. And although I was not selected they showed my tape on Access Hollywood and Donald Trump commented about my fire place (I sat in front of it during the audition tape). Donald Trump said, when asked what he thought of me, "She seems fine but I should have that fire place in my house!"

7. You know that book "Don't sweat the small stuff?" I LOVE worrying about what to wear, and all things small. If I actually worried about "big stuff," I would have a nervous breakdown. So I guess I am boring and shallow but maybe just maybe Nate Berkus will invite me to The Oprah show!

xoxo

SC

So I got 2 of the sugar doll awards & 1 kreativ blogger. Thank you to:

Under Lock and Key

The Perks

Tales of an All American Girl

This post is already too long but again many many thanks and lots of love to you girls for making me feel LOVED!

Preppy Guest Blog #2

Welcome to Preppy Wednesday!

Calling all you sorority girls--enter my giveaway
http://socialclimbers123.blogspot.com/2009/10/preppy-sorority-give-away.html

Today's guest blogger is Southern Living: Preppy Style! She is adorable and if you aren't reading her blog you must immediately!
http://jenniferdtrent.blogspot.com/

Check out her blog for a giveaway of my book!

We met in blog land and if we lived closer I know we'd just hang out and gab far more than our husbands would ever understand. SLPS is warm, wonderful, kind, friendly and albeit a true blue blood--a lovable one (just the way we like them in preppy blog land)!  After reading my novel, Social Climbers, she contacted me to discuss:

"I didn’t discover I was a WASP (on my maternal side) until about 4 years ago.  I had never heard the word, didn’t know what it meant and whenever it was discussed, I went with the flow as if I knew what everyone was talking about.

I am a WASP, I can track my ancestors back to the revolutionary war and England and am a member of the DAR.  I always knew I’d be a member, but never understood its significance.  I’m from a town of approximately 30,000 people in Kentucky.  There is not a “Main Line” as discussed in the book Social Climbers however, there is the “wrong and right side of the (railroad) tracks” (quite literally) and then there is the “UC (upper class) side of the tracks” where I am from.  I lived in the coveted OakTree Hills subdivision, went to a private, co-ed school with uniforms and played the violin.  I have traveled all over the world, went a small liberal arts private college of 900 students (not IVY of course) and now live in South Florida with my WASP husband (where I drove a luxury station-wagon at the age of 24).

 I was not a normal child by any means.  I was not popular (I played an instrument!) but I had my group of friends, including my then best friend Cara, who is also a WASP and our friends from other schools.  Cara dressed like a WASP but did not do anything remotely close to WASP behavior.  She looks the part but didn’t act the part.   This, I now realize, is part of the reason we drifted apart and haven’t spoken in years I also have realized in recent years that all the so-called popular kids in middle and high school were not WASPs, like me and never left to really experience the world.  With my high school friends, I played golf, attempted tennis (with a wooden racket), swam at the country club pool in which we associated, took violin lessons and studied for my private college entrance exams.  I traveled in the summers for music camps housed on college campuses and every February, I stayed in the ritzy Galt House hotel in Louisville for the annual music festival, where I was catered to with fine dining by college music scouts (none of them from my alma mater).  That was the extent of my high school days.    

My parents also do not hold true to the typical WASP behavior, well, in a way.  They are liberal democrats, unlike me.  But now that I think about it, they are very outdoorsy, enjoy the occasional wine and cheese party and have a custom made sailboat that was shipped here from England.  They do not dress WASPy however, they behave WASPy .

My husband and I have one daughter.  We nicknamed her Lallie (pronounced “lolly” like lollipop) and her name comes from her WASP family last and middle names.  She attends a private Montessori school at the age of two.  I had her birth announced in my alma mater’s monthly alumni newsletter, announced it in all the newspapers in which we’re associated and mailed out professional birth announcements to all our friends and family.  Her first birthday party included a guest list of over 75 people and she already has an assignment for etiquette school when she turns four-years old.  She is pure-bred WASP. 

I started reading Social Climbers a few days ago.  I’m about 60 pages along in the book.  *****

The other day, my husband was out playing golf in a tournament.  I am a working-mom, so I arrived home prior to picking up Lallie from school and was asked if I would like to join him and some other friends and wives at the clubhouse for drinks and appetizers (the country club in which we live).  I was wearing typical golf attire, a Lilly skort, Lilly polo top, a gingham pink sun visor, sunglasses, carrying my un-marked Coach bag and my Steven Bononnos, monogrammed none the less.  Husband brought me a glass of wine and I played socialite by talking with the mayor, a commissioner and a few other town big-wigs (I work in commercial real estate and my husband is an engineer, so we know our fair share of UC’s).  During a lull in conversation, I looked around and saw my wine glass, teetering in my hand near my lips, that’s always how I hold my wine glass (sometimes with my arms slightly cross with my elbow resting on my other hand).  I reviewed my outfit, looked around at the women who had come to me to say hello (not me to them) and make the double kiss-of-cheeks.  I notice my bag was checked, my husband brought me my drinks.  I realized right then and there, that I am a Social Climber myself.

This is very interesting to me.  I have never been the preppy type.  I was in behavior, just not dress.  Think of it this way:  My friend Cara, looked the part, but didn’t behave the part, I was the complete opposite – I behaved the part, but didn’t look the part.  I never dressed preppy until about 3 years ago, when I became pregnant with my daughter.  I started researching websites for adorable nursery items, tracked myself into other preppy websites and have since become a preppy dresser.  I make grosgrain ribbon topiaries (all preps must make something), I am involved in the DAR, Junior League and possibly my college sorority alumni.  I became involved in these not only because I want to “do good” but because I wanted to meet people and be social. 

I am a social climber (in some sense, as I’m not northeastern and didn’t do the Ivy League thing – but you know what I mean).  For the first time in my life, I am the most comfortable I’ve ever been, in my own skin and that to me, is a very good thing! 

~~~I found out later after writing this, after speaking with Beth Dunn and actually finishing the book, that I am not a Social Climber.  I have Social Status (if you need definitions, READ THE BOOK!)  The difference between myself and a Social Climber is basically this: I want to have fun, do “good” and socialize with good people, without stepping on the toes of others for the mere gain of social status.  I’m not in it for the status (I already have it) and I’m not a b*&#h (I hope!).  I’m in it for the fun and frankly, I can’t help how I was raised….as they all say “It is what it is!”****

Xoxo

Jennifer"

See! Isn't she just pure through and through?? And so honest. The thing I love most is that she is so content and happy being herself. How many of us would love to say the same thing!

I hope everyone has a beautiful day! I'm off to my local Lilly Pulitzer store which is gasp....closing! Devastation.

xoxo

SC