I hope she makes a gazillion $$$ cuz my kids' school would never hire her... then again they'd shy away from my big mouth too.
Looks like it was a fun event! I'll have to order a copy of the book - it would be interesting to see how upper east side private school culture differs from Seattle's...
Sounds like a good read. I hope it's available in Paris. Thanks for the heads-up.
Sounds like a fun read - can't wait. Thanks for the suggestion.
Oh, interesting topic for a book! She's my kind of author dedicating it to her pup.
I am adding this to my book a week.
I found your blog from a link on Chickenliver and I'm so glad I followed that link! What a great blog and thanks for giving me a peek into a life I could only dream about. Your travel stories, photos and writings are a joy to read and I think Monty is the cutest thing ever.... well not as cute as our Min Pin, but pretty close. I'll be back for more reading through the archives and what not.
I planned to go to her reading/signing in Ridgewood, NJ, (her old hometown) but had to hit the road early. I was hoping to interview her for my blog--Mel, if you have a contact email for the author, would you be willing to email it to me?
--Miss C
GREAT BEACH READ SUGGESTION! I'M OFF TO BUY A COPY NOW.
Sounds like a great read..a la "Nanny Dairies" but the school version/teacher's perspective. Calm down Jessica..it's LOOSELY based on her experience. I'm sure she is not singling any children out. I'm excited to read her book. Thanks Mel!!
Mel, love your blog - it's in my favorites list and one of the first I check each day. "Schooled" has been in my Amazon wishlist for a while, I'm so glad it's finally out! Will be buying it asap. For anyone who enjoys reading about NYC private schools, I also recommend "The Headmaster Ritual" by Taylor Antrim, "Academy X" by Andrew Trees, and "Admissions" by Nancy Lieberman. All good reads.
Also love how Monty is such a treasuerd part of your life. I'm like that with my dog too.
Ronnie
p.s. - LOVE the dress you're wearing here.
Thanks. The book sounds like a fun read. I just ordered a copy.
Is the dress DVF?
I just read Academy X by Andrew Trees- another good one. Going to order Schooled on Amazon- Thanks!
I have always been interested in the life behind the Dalton doors, this looks like a great lesson in NYC sociology. The book jacket is a sharp and Upper East Side-looking design and Harold is an absolute doll. Yay Monty.
Mel,
have a baby already, because that's what Monty is, a child replacement. Marry old guys and you get dogs.
Love books like these. Props on you tour of the Upper East Side this am on NPR. You are becoming such a spokeswoman for Preps everywhere!
Barnes & Noble here i come. I am addicted to this genre of fiction. 'Prep' was amazing.
LOVE YOUR DRESS!! Where did you get it?
Oh darlin' it's abundantly clear to me that the children have nothing to hide.
It's the mothers, oh, we do some horrible things..
Teya,
Why did you feel compelled to post that? Would you speak that way to Mel's face?? You have no idea peoples reasons for having or NOT having children. Mind your manners!! You never know. I had a series of miscarriages & used to want to cry when people asked me why I didn't have children. It is plain RUDE & shows your thoughtlessness.
So cool! Looks like a good read!
And if I lived in New York, no matter where in the city, I'd be a frequent shopper at The Corner Bookstore ... I love small, local bookstores like that.
it was cool to hear you on NPR in LA this morning
Sounds like the perfect book for a week at the beach... at long last, we've finally planned our getaway, and I can't wait! Love the name of the author's dog - by the way.
Hi Mel,
Once again "Thank You" for the intro...have just ordered from Amazon. Thoroughly enjoyed "Prep". What a keepsake for you to have
it monogramed for "Monty"..(also LOVE the Belgium shoes in Wainscott...popular here in Greenwich too!)
You have such style and are so very gracious to your viewers...am soooooo glad you are mentioning for "certain readers" to mind there manners..this wasn't the first time someone has invaded your elegance. So...:CHEERS" to you and hopefully they will get...just continue to be as lovely as you are...
Regards,
Pat
P.S. ..any exterior house colors yet ??
Teya Your comment was way out of line. Mind your own business. Melissa, keep us posted on sweet little Monty... I look forward to Monty Mondays! Thank goodness for people who are kind and loving to their pets.
Annie, which show was that of NPR in LA? I might be able to go to their website and listen to the clip.
Gosh, I hope I have not invaded Melissa's elegance.. hm..
That's a wonderful picture of you Melissa!!!!!!!!
Really great...
Is The Corner Bookstore in New Caanan?
Hi Mel!
The book is officially on my reading list! She looks like a fun person, and books based on personal experience are always the best.
regarding Brenda comments on the green pants blog.....how does snobbery come into it...i agree
with her....today air travel is horrible...someone made a comment about feet...have seen that and more...but the worst is the food and the smells that are now on planes...if that is being a snob...so be it....and regarding other comments...well people do things like tattoo to get attention...and it will not always be the attention the desire...as a psch nurse with 30 years exper...i can tell you ...your appearance can draw attention....if its not what you want ...thats what s know as tough bye from flordia............
Melissa, thank you for this charming post, and for attending. It's an honor to be on your blog, and I cannot wait for Harold and Monty's playdate! I cannot wait to see how they both react to one another. Thanks again!
Thanx for mentioning this book, it sounds like a fun read. I'm always on the lookout for good, albeit fairly easy reads. I have two small kids and can't really immerse myself in "complicated" books anymore. I just place an order for "schooled".
What a perfect morning had an AM stroll around Sag Harbor with my coffee...popped into Book Hampton & picked up Schooled. Off to the beach to read, read, read. Thanks Mel!!
Teya, that was a mean comment! Mind your own business.
Mel - Love you are your blog. Fabulous!
Teya - It is so obvious that you are just jealous.
p.s. just one suggestion for Mel - not that you need my suggestions of course, but I'd love to see more blogs with shopping and clothes, etc. Love to know where you find all of your good stuff!!
Sorry girls, gotta agree w/Teya and I don't know any of you. Very interesting blog, but when it's all about flashing your wealth; really now, do those who are really wealthy do that? And at least get poor Monty a doggy play mate; he really does look bored in most of the pics.
"flashing your wealth"? please. melissa is so understated and gracious about her socioeconomic position and i think that's part of why many of us read. she gives us a glimpse into the good life without it looking like some over the top rap video.
Add Mimi to the list of those who are just jealous.
I am really excited to read this book! As a Bryn Mawr School alumna, I am sure that there is something that I can relate to!
Oh my goodness, no I am not jealous katee. Know what you are talking about before you make such a rash, blanket statement and start making lists dear! I feel for Melissa - such a lovely young lady traveling most everywhere by herself with her pooch taking pics of hotel suites? When she has her picture taken with her husband she looks like a statue, (just look at her left arm so stiff in most every picture), same stance, same smile. Melissa is very bright, energetic and talented as evidenced by her blog. And what a beauty she is! No katee I can assure you there is not one thing I am jealous about - might you be a bit, shall we say, "high school" about this? Maybe you should go shopping my dear.
Mimi
Mimi -
Funny how you call me "high school"... What is "high school" is to insult Melissa on her own blog. Actually that is just downright rude.
Mimi perhaps you should read up a little before casting aspersions on people such as Melissa. Your comments are mean-spirited and inappropriate.
Hi all,
I emailed Mimi earlier this evening, but haven't heard back from her yet.
Regarding her comment about my left arm being "so stiff" and saying that I look like "a statue" in pictures...
I explained to Mimi that my left arm is limited and damaged from the multiple shoulder operations I've had over the past 10 years. It's an unfortunate consequence of my swimming career.
I may look fit and able-bodied in the photos, but my arms are not. I cannot hold my left arm any other way than what you see in my pictures.
Having a physical limitation has only made me more appreciative of the healthy/normal parts of my body... how my arm appears in photos is the least of my worries.
I wish Mimi all the best and hope she's able to find some other blogs that better suit her sensibilities.
Cheers, Mel
What an incredibly gracious response to an incredibly mean comment. The assumptions people make are unbelievable. I had chemotherapy for breast cancer when I was 28, in 1998. Because I was young and hip looking and lived in a trendy part of town, I got multiple comments every day from people on the street, along the lines of "nice haircut" - the assumption being that I was bald because I had shaved my head. I hope I'm raising my two boys to do a better job of not jumping to conclusions.
I also want you to know I have never noticed your shoulder's appearance in your pictures.
I don't understand why people feel compelled to read and comment on blogs they don't like. Life's too short.
is this blog for real?
Mel, I am loving Schooled. I really look forward to reading a few chapters each night after I get my children to bed. Thank for the reco.
Regarding all of the arguements, am I the only one that realizes people are not obligated to comment? I see blogs all the time I don't agree with and I just keep on moving. If I commented on every blog that annoyed me I'd be a very tired, angry person. Jeeze. Keep it happy people.
Thanks so much for enabling me to reach Anisha. She unexpectedly contacted me and we had a delightful interview for my blog. I love how her novel addresses the often thorny intersection of fashion and education. Cheers!
Love your blog.
Am in the middle of reading "Schooled" and love it. Thanks! My daughter is starting Kindergarten this week. Yeek!
Hmm... There is life in the comments section after the date posted..
Well, I just found a picture of you, Melissa, on the Vogue site, at this party... It's in the shot of Byrdie Bell in Vogue's Best Dressed List for the week...(#7)
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