Back to the 80s: Preppy Handbooks and Braided Barrettes

I’ve kept small notebooks at work for the past 15+ years. To take notes during press calls (helpful for spotchecking mis-quotes), jot down “notable quotes” in product meetings that might be useful for launch positioning, etc. And yes: to write to-do lists during meetings that have run too long (that would be 90% of meetings).

Typically I go with the standard blue or black notebook. But I saw these notebooks in a local store yesterday and had to scoop them up.

The Official Preppy Notebooks.

As a reminder that spring is around the corner, even if the 80s are long gone. They are my little Preppy Handbook memento.

Speaking of — remember braided barrettes? They’ve made a comeback, and even spawned an overly complicated how-to-kit. I specialized in the navy combos, myself. The ribbons looked lovely with braces & glasses.

Remember these? (Photo from Etsy.)

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Recession? Not in luxury. September Vogue is PHAT.

A treat arrived in the mail yesterday: September issue of Vogue. And it is P-h-a-t.

Vogue's September issue weighs in at 584 ad pages, up 9% from 2010.

Googled to find out how many pages, exactly. And how it compared to last year. We’re in a recession, after all.

But not for luxury. For many reasons: the great divide of wealth in America these days, purchases by aspirationals, the boost buy amidst the economic gloom & doom, etc. etc.

According to @NatIves at AdAge, this September issue weighs in at 584 ad pages, up 9% from September 2010 which was, in turn, up 25% over the previous year. 758 pages total.

This weekend I noticed the T Magazine was a little plump and thought: that’s a good thing. This week’s arrival of the super-sized Vogue makes for another lovely bellweather. Can’t hurt to hope.

T Magazine: Women's Fall Issue.

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