I Heart Awards!

Thank you so much to The Pink Washingtoniette for naming me a recipient of the Neno's Award, an award which signifies:
1) dedication for those who love blogging and encourage friendships through blogging. 2)To seek the reasons why we all love blogging.

Why I Heart Blogging....

I know this is going to sound corny but my readers mean so much to me. You all offer me so much wonderful support and I value your advice more than you know. I honestly feel as though I have gained some great friends through this crazy blogging world! I love it! I wish I could meet all of you face-to-face. Are we too old to have a mass blogger slumber party? I think not....

I would like to give this award to....

Summer is a Verb -- This lady has the most fabulous taste and how can you not love the title of her blog? I wish I had thought of it.

Preppy Pink Crocodile -- Always leaves me the BEST comments. Love that!

Magnolias & Mimosas -- A fellow College of Charleston Cougar! Yay!

I'm really sick of this, but.....

Okay, I'm so sick of hearing about the Perez Hilton/Miss California feud. Seriously, who cares? Can we please focus on the woman that actually won the pageant??? All that being said, I have a comment. I do not agree with Miss California's opinion about gay marriage but I actually really respect the fact that she was honest. Knowing that the judge who asked the question was gay, she could have altered her answer to fit what she knew he wanted to hear, but she didn't. She held her ground and said what she really believed in and let's face it, whether you agree with her or not, there's a large percentage of Americans who share her opinion. So, that's my two cents. Thoughts?

Question....

With the warm weather on its way, I am getting the urge to update my Spring wardrobe, especially since I've lost 35+ pounds since last Spring - go me! I saw this shirt at Banana Republic.com. I'd like to see it in person but I love all the bright, Spring colors! I need your opinions, ladies! Though I've never met any of you, I trust your preppy style! My other question - could this be worn with a cardigan or would that look odd? Do you like pink or green better? Do you hate it and think I'm crazy for posting about it? Be honest - I can take it. Let me know. :)

Um.....

....did somebody say TRAIN WRECK???

My name is Brooke and I am a Bravo addict. My TV is almost always tuned to either Bravo or TLC. Though I feel a tad ashamed to admit it, I find The Real Housewives series really entertaining. I realize that the majority of them are terrible people (Orange County cast, I'm looking in your direction), very nouveau riche (Atlanta) or social climbing (NYC), but I don't care! I love them. I think NYC is my favorite (love Bethenny and Jill) but that might all change now that The Real Housewives of New Jersey has come on the scene! The preview for this show is ridiculous. At one point, one of the women screams and flips a table over in a restaurant. Glorious. I cannot wait. What about you? Do you feel guilty about loving the Housewives? Who are your favs?

Today's Outfit

It's finally starting to get a bit warm here in DC so here is what I am wearing today - no coat!

Untitled by BDority81 featuring Dana Buchman tops

O-M-G

I just watched the most amazing video! This woman who appeared on Britain's Got Talent this past week brought the house down....much to everyone's surprise. Please, please, please check it out immediately! I have watched it three times already and it is making me cry every time!

I've tried embedding it and posting the link but it's not working. Grrrr. Go to youtube and search for Susan Boyle to watch!

Great Etsy Store!

One of my followers has an amazing jewelry line called Jewelry Without Jewels. She just started an Etsy store. Check it out here. You can also visit her web site here.

I love her stuff - such a clever idea - and will definitely be ordering a necklace soon! She uses the cutest and PREPPIEST fabrics!

The best news is that the fabulous creator of Jewelry Without Jewels (recently worn by Rosie O'Donnell and preppy icon Martha Stewart) has agreed to give DC Prep readers 15% off! Just enter code DCPrep when you email her your order. Enjoy!

In case you were wondering, here are some of my favs....

Happy Easter!

For the past three years, The Washington Post has sponsored a Peep Diorama Contest. I really can't accurately describe the contest in words - you just have to see it for yourself. Check it out here.... I love Mary Peepins! What are your favorites?

Here are some of my favorite entries from this year and year's past. Enjoy!

This is a parody of Georgetown Cupcake - a very popular cupcake shop in DC. There is always a line out the door. Looks like the Peeps love it too!

Not so much....

Sorry, Banana Republic, I won't be ordering this sweater. If it makes this 100lb. model look big, imagine what it will do for me.... Yikes!


However, I am quite interested in these items....

Monogram Question

My fellow monogram-happy preps! I need your help!

I have a wedding shower that I am attending in a few weeks and want to purchase something monogrammed for the bride-to-be. My first question is....is it bad luck to give a bride something monogrammed before she officially gets married? My second question is....his last name is van Geertruyden - would I use V as their last name initial or G? I think it would be V but I'm just not sure! Help a prep out!

Also, any gift ideas (preferably monogrammed) would be appreciated!

Easter Muffins!

Um....I need one of these. Now. Right now. I have to admit, Easter candy is one of my weaknesses and every time I go to the drug store lately, I am confronted with it! Cadbury Creme Eggs happen to be one of my favorites and this is just too decadent. Delicious Easter candy encapsulated in a carbohydrate - does it get any better? I will probably be staying away from this recipe because I am currently in diet mode, but if any of you would like to attempt it, the recipe is below. Let me know how it turns out!

Cadbury Creme Egg Muffins
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
12 mini Cadbury creme eggs (not full size)

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, melted butter and vanilla until smooth. Whisk in milk.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Evenly distribute muffin batter into prepared pan. Place 1 mini Cadbury creme egg in the center of each muffin. You can use a small knife to pull a bit of batter over the top of the mufin, if you like.
Bake for 14-16 minutes, until the top of the muffin springs back when lightly pressed and the edges are a light gold.
Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Makes 12.

Party Animal!

I had a great Friday night. Did I go to a hot club and dance the night away? No. Did I hang out at the local bar and wink at cute, preppy boys? No. Did I go out on a first date with a future Mr. DC Prep? No, though that would have been nice. No - what I did do involves the following....






































What could be better? I went to one of my BFF's houses, we watched Marley & Me (and both cried), ate pizza, made cupcakes, and finished the night off with an episode of What Not to Wear. I totally disobeyed my diet and will pay for that today, but junk food was essential to a really fun girl's night. I'll take that over a bar or a club any time!