by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I just finished reading The Beautiful and the Damned, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fascinating tale of a society couple, whose life becomes entangled by the trappings of money and alcohol. The book follows the young life of Anthony Patch, a spoiled prep and supposed heir to his grandfather’s fortune, as he navigates through a rocky relationship with his beautiful wife Gloria. Though rather dark, Fitzgerald does an excellent job describing the energy and social scene of New York in the early 20s.

Preppy Rating: 3 bows

by: Kate Chopin

Just finished reading Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, which details the personal journey of society woman, Edna Pontellier. Chopin’s exquisite descriptions of Louisiana coupled with her intriguing characters are enough to keep the pages turning. I was a little disappointed with the story’s resolution, but all in all, a good summer read, filled with romance, discovery, and descriptions of the old South post-Scarlet O’Hara.

Preppy Rating: 3 bows

I finally finished reading Elizabeth’s Gilbert’s book,Eat, Pray, Love and strongly recommend it. This work of nonfiction invites you into the mind of the author as she recovers from her divorce by spending a year indulging in the triple I’s (Italy, India, and Indonesia). Eating pasta in Italy, meditating her way through India, and finally finding love in Indonesia. It makes this non-traveler want to pack a bag and fly towards adventure. Eat, Pray, Love is a great summer read, equal parts wanderlust, spirituality, and love.

Julia Roberts stars in the film version of Eat, Pray, Love which will be in the theaters this August.

Preppy Rating: 3 bows

I love the Jersey Shore, it is quickly becoming my favorite reality TV show.  Blame it on the cold weather and beach withdrawal, this show is totally addicting. It makes me want to book a trip to Seaside Heights and hook up with some guidos. The anthesis of everything preppy, who can resist watching the latest drama unfold with Snookie, Sammi, JWoww, Pauly D, Vinny, Ronnie, and “the Situation.” The show airs every Thursday at 10pm on MTV but you can catch full episodes here.

Preppy Rating: negative four bows
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(four bow entertainment minus the preppies)

Read more preppylife reviews here.

Inspired by Rolling Stone’s recent issue profiling the music of the last decade, I have decided to do my own list:  Top Preppy Albums. These albums may not be especially good or even charted well, but they are must-have prep albums from the 00 decade.

• License to Chill: Jimmy Buffet’s first country album featuring songs like “Boats to Build” and “Hey Good Lookin.” You know you secretly downloaded it from i-Tunes
• Risen: O.A.R’s album of breakup music featuring “Untitled” and “Night Shift”
• Vampire Weekend: Played at every preppy party along with the Killers and My Morning Jacket
• The Black Album: Jay-Z, Frat Party Galore!
• Speakerboxxx/The Love Below: Outkast’s double album featuring 2003′s inescapable song “Hey Ya!”
• Stand Up: Dave Matthews Band – the “last” “good” Dave Matthews Band album
• Room for Squares: Preps love John Mayer
• FutureSex/LoveSounds: We love JT!
• Brushfire Fairytales: Jack Johnson’s soundtrack to preppy love, “Bubble Toes”

Thoughts on any albums I left out?

It’s the Jerry Springer of wedding shows, completely unpreppy, but my favorite reality program. Who can resist watching Burberry-clad bitches throwing world-class temper tantrums while lashing out at bridesmaids and anyone who dares to get in the way? OK, a lot of people, but it is great late-night entertainment. So popular in fact that it is back for its sixth season on WeTV.

What other tv program screens potential brides with innocent questions such as “Are your wedding preparations getting out of control? Are you struggling with the cooperation of your wedding party, fiancé or in-laws?” I would love to be a fly on the wall at a Bridezillas casting call.

If you are as entralled with this show as I am, read bios of the brides on WeTV’s web site.  Watch the new episodes on Sundays at 9pm– even better, Bridezillas HD on demand.

Preppy Rating: 2 bows

So I finally got around to watching Grey Gardens, on an ironically gray, Saturday morning. The film features Drew Barrymore and Emmy-winning, Jessica Lange. They did an outstanding job portraying the eccentric mother and daughter duo of Edith Bouvier Beale; the aunt and first cousin of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. The film documents the eccentric lives of Park Avenue princesses who have withdrawn from New York society. They refuge in each other and their beautiful Long Island summer home, Grey Gardens. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, but then again, I enjoy any movie that involves chasing your dreams and living in a gorgeous beach house.

Preppy Rating: 3 bows

Round up a bunch of preps and what’s the one thing they have in common excluding their keen sense of style? Jimmy Buffett.

That’s right, Jimmy Buffett. Jimmy is the common denominator that binds all preps together. Think about the last time you were in a bar, singing with a bunch of strangers. Chances are a Jimmy Buffett song was playing. Who can resist a rousing rendition of Fins or Pirate Looks at Forty? His romanticized views of sailing and island living have inspired many a prep. Best known for Margaritaville, preps come out in full force when a Jimmy Buffet song comes on.

A favorite urban legend surrounding Jimmy Buffett, is the claim that every preppy knows someone who knows him. The next time you are sitting in a bar and you hear a Jimmy Buffett tune, ask away, its guaranteed that someone knows him. The cute guy in the green polo shirt’s mummy is from Mobile, she is friends with his sister. Ask the bartender, she used to bar tend at the bar where Jimmy performed in Alabama.

So the next time you seen a bunch of preppies standing in a line, jump in, you might be missing your chance to buy Jimmy Buffet concert tickets. That…or gain entry to a Brooks Brothers secret sale, which wouldn’t be a bad thing either.

Yesterday, John Hughes, the director responsible for my favorite movies passed away. Hughes directed 80s staples such as The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Weird Science, and Pretty in Pink. His directorial debut, Sixteen Candles, introduced us to Sam Baker, a.k.a. Molly Ringwold, and her beloved, Jake Ryan. Sixteen Candles made us believe that magic could happen and we could get our dream guy.  1985′s The Breakfast Club taught us that detention could be cool. Where else could you meet a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal? And walk away with a valuable lesson. And then there is Ferris Bueller. I thought Ferris was sooo cool, Ferris could do anything.

Thank You, John. You made growing up a little bit easier.

I quote John Lennon, “I don’t believe in Beatles, I just believe in me.” Good point there. After all, he was the walrus. I could be the walrus. I’d still have to bum rides off people.
- Ferris Bueller

Maybe I am getting old or I am simply bored of watching spoiled teens, I can’t get into NYC Prep,  Bravo’s latest reality show. The program airs Tuesdays at 9p.m., following the social lives of Manhattan’s elite teens. If you haven’t seen the show, it is definitely worth a look. The wardrobe coupled with teen dram-ma makes the hour of whining worth it.

Preppy Rating: 2 bows