Riding In Style

Because the M101 bus is the only way to get uptown to a Junior League party.
More from the evening here.

Double Fisting Rose Bushes

Every weekend is an adventure, and this weekend was spent with the Junior League in Thompkins Square Park, as part of the Playground Improvement Project. (I do it every year. Last year I was laying sod up in the Cloisters.) My crew of 13 ladies planted about 60 rose bushes all over the park. The weather could not have been more glorious.

Next weekend: A nine-mile hike in the Hudson Valley!

Laying Sod Is The New Black

One of the New York Junior League's signature projects is the Playground Improvement Project, in which they adopt a New York City playground for a year and use their volunteer manpower to improve it. During my five years in the League I've worked on four different New York City playgrounds. This weekend's, up at Fort Tryon park by The Cloisters, was probably my favorite. Myself and about 20 other women -- most of whom are in their early 20s -- sodded an enormous lawn.

Working with sod is hard work. It's heavy and the pieces have to fit perfectly against each other, like a giant game of tetris. It's preferable to sod in the fall, but when you have 20, very able-bodied young women on hand, you roll out the sod.

Sod is serious business. And heavy.


Gettin' it done...


Favorite photo from the day: my spring provisional group re-enacts American Gothic.


Sod is sexy!


Me with a giant knife. Possible Christmas card selection?


Almost there...


Finished product! The ladies are totally having a moment.

This Is How We Spend Our Time

At the New York Junior League Bags n' Bubbles Auction. Photo courtesy of Guest of a Guest.

Sometimes You Just Have A Great Night

Last night was the New York Junior League's Fall Fete. It's my favorite party of the year since it is both party and auction. This year it was at The Union Club, which from a decor perspective could not get any better with its soaring ceilings and marble floors.

I counted at least five women wearing this Diane von Furstenburg dress. Lace was having quite a moment last night. The dress looked great on all of them, which I suppose is DVF's whole ethos.

See more official Guest of a Guest photos here.

With two of my favorite Junior League people, Suzanne and Colleen. Despite being in Manhattan for 13 years, this is my first appearance on Guest of a Guest. You'd think I never leave the house.

The New York Junior League's Fall Fete Is November 9th!

The New York Junior League's Fall Fete might be my favorite event of the year. It's in the middle of fall, it's always at an amazing location and there are prizes to be won in the silent and live auction!

This year the event is at The Union League Club which excites me not just because it's three blocks from my apartment, but because I love the old world vibe of the club. Dark wood, pool tables and uniformed staff make me feel as if it's 1962.

Bags & Bubbles At The New York Junior League!

This is a great girl's night event on Thursday, May 3rd. It's a silent handbag auction with food and booze that raises money for women's cancer prevention. The VIP ticket -- which is totally worth it -- also gives you access to professional make up applications, masseuses and more.

Source: Uploaded by user via Cynthia on Pinterest

Dispatches From Last Night: The NYJL Fall Fete

Last night was the New York Junior League's Fall Fete. It was at the Hudson Terrace and it was fantastic. I was on the committee from 2009-2010, so have a real attachment to the event.

First, the dress! Because you can't wear just any old thing to a New York Junior League event.


Second, Erin C., my plus-one. She had never been to a League event before and said she, "Fell into cocktail dress heaven."


The room. It was incredibly well attended. The Hudson Terrace is two levels and a fantastic space for any occasion.


Unphotographed: The dive bar across the street that we ended up at afterwards.
11th Avenue and 46th Street is not the hottest neighborhood in town. At 12:30 a.m. we knew it was time to go when some dockworker guys tried to send us over some drinks.

New York Junior League Fall Fete -- November 18th

Even though I'm not on the committee for the fall auction anymore, I still think it's one of the best events of the year. This year it's on Friday, November 18th at The Hudson Terrace. Be there or be square.

You can purchase tickets online here.

Live From The Fur Room

Yet another great shot from the fur room at the Bags & Bubbles event at the New York Junior League last Wednesday. The coat I'm wearing is a full length sheared mink number with a sable collar. It was as glam as glam can be. Also -- quite slimming. I didn't realize a coat could actually make you look svelte.

Bags & Bubbles = A Huge Success

I just got home from the Bags & Bubbles handbag auction at the New York Junior League. We had about 150 bags to auction off -- including a Birkin Kelly bag!! Final tallies in a day or so.

More photos can be found on Guest of a Guest.

Looking fresh to death before the event.


Luckily, I was stationed in the fur room for part of the evening. Go see the guys at The Fur Palace on West 29th Street. They'll take good care of you.

After a crazy month of renting five apartments (and another still pending) it was time to put on a clean dress and have some fun -- in style, at the New York Junior League.

When one first joins the League, you spend your first three months or so as a provisional, in a group with about 20 other women, learning about the League and how it works. My fantastic provisional leader, Suzanne, was honored this year by the entire New York Junior League as one of about eight outstanding volunteers. This is no small accomplishment. You have to chair committees, raise funds and basically be an ambassador for the League, which Suzanne does with flying colors.

She really is a class act in every way, and so her nearest and dearest threw her a huge party at the Astor House on 80th Street last night. Good vibes all around, not to mention plenty of champagne.

Pre-game shots. TR thought my dress looked like a Rorschach test. What does he know?


With my favorite fella


With Cassie, my other Provisional leader from 2007


Cassie et Louisa. Louisa and I chaired a committee together a few years back.


Belle of the Ball. Suzanne beamed all night.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

The Spring Auction for the New York Junior League is coming this April 27th. Please make a note of it.

Last Night At The NYJL Auction

I didn't take too many shots last night, which is strange. Perhaps I was too distracted by the grapefruit bellinis.

Best silent auction item: A signed NKOTB platinum album. Note platinum cassette. Amazing.


Lots of people. It was very well attended.

Buy A Ticket For The Fall Auction At Sotheby's!

The New York Junior League's Fall Auction is Saturday, November 13th and you can buy tickets here.

I recommend the $200 VIP tickets, because you'll get all kinds of perks and an awesome gift bag.

Also: there's still a little time left to get in your checks to underwrite the event. It's tax deductable, kids!

I realize I have been MIA around here, but September is turning out to be a very busy month, rentals wise. You know me, I love the hustle.

I am also on the committee for the New York Junior League's Fall Auction at Sotheby's. (Click the photo below for more info.) Not only should everyone come, but since it's a fundraiser for the Playground Improvement Project, you should also make a donation! It's tax deductable and with only a few months left in the year, a great way to get in your last minute charitable donations.

The Junior League Pre-Winter Ball Party!

Last night was the first Junior League party of 2009, and it was good times all around. It was very well attended and when I left at 11:15 the dance floor was packed. The ladies and I started the evening with drinks at The Carlyle Hotel, and then we moseyed over to the The League. I like the Carlyle. It's very olde New York, complete with piano player. I had one Coke and my way with the peanuts.

Katie, Julie and Anne. All attractive people.


Louisa and I. Her dress was awesome and had pockets! 90% of the fun of going to any Junior League party is checking out what everyone's wearing.


Almost five months pregnant and still lookin' sharp. The key to not looking like the pregnant lady at the party is picking clothes that are structured. It took a lot to find this outfit, but it's a winner If you take my clothes off I do, in fact, have quite the bump, but it's not the look I was going for last night.


Full length of the outfit, at the end of the night.


One of my awesome provisional leaders, Cassie.


Jenny!


One of my fave photos of the night. I didn't do much dancing, but definitely had my way with a tray of mini cupcakes.

How I Spent My Monday Nights This Fall

My Monday nights this past fall have been spent with my Junior League committee up on 105th Street in Harlem working on a project called Spotlight On Performance. We take school-aged kids, about 10 or 11 years old, and we organize performance and arts-related activities for a few hours. I'm the vice-chair and treasurer, and it's a whole lot of fun.

Below are a few pics that I took this fall. Above, last Sunday's trip to see the Radio City show. It was quite a hit.

Generally speaking, the kids get along well.




Making Christmas ornaments


A work of art


You can never have enough glitter

It's The Junior League Homecoming Party!

Friday night was the New York Junior League's Homecoming party. It was 80s themed, and my crew and I did it up right.

I searched high and low for this dress. I'm channeling Ivana Trump, circa 1986.


Sam et moi, lookin' sharp. Sam left shortly after this photo was taken, something about meeting up with a chick. True story.


Kim and I, pre-party with booze in teacups. Klassy!


Spotlight On Performance committee members


Everyone in my lobby.


This may very well be my Christmas card.


Best shot of the evening.


These guys took the 80s theme to the next level.


Katie always rocks my Casbah


Louisa et moi.


Jane!


Awesome turnout


Shiny, happy 80s


Kim fights off the paparazzi


This dress is awesome for so many reasons.


Magenta and gold heels -- FOR THE WIN!


If this is vintage, then it's awesome.


Jane and I, end of the evening.


End of the night, still lookin' sharp.