Pencils of Promise White Party

Summer, in NYC and the Hamptons, is one of the busiest times of the year for charity work, and non-profit organizations. And I have been trying to do my part and give back to organizations, dreams, and ideas that I believe in. I truly believe that many of us in our twenties want to contribute someway, somehow to the world we live in. Whether our interests lead us to contribute to the environment, and conservation societies, animal rehabilitation, ovarian cancer research, or education I think there are a lot of us who want to get involved and feel like we matter because we can make a difference.

 

I was so excited to learn about the non-profit P.O.P or better known as Pencils Of Promise. As a certified English teacher the cause really hit close to home. This extremely mindful organization believes that every young person has the natural right to education. They want to place a "pencil in every child's hand", realizing the immense impact our learned youth will have on our society one day. After watching their video, and reading more about their cause I knew without a doubt I wanted to contribute. (Watch the 1 minute video below for more information.)

 

 

Nicole, my sister and author of What You Need To Know, and I attended The Pencils of Promise White Party which was a ticketed event in the NYC hot club frequented by young professionals, Avenue. The venue was small and sophisticated, and everyone was expected to wear white. Not only was the party a huge success due to generous donations, but also the ticket cost, and any contribution made up to $1,200 was matched 100%.

 

And, If that wasn't enough. The non-profit brought it big time celebrity Sophia Bush to host.  (I am a big fan of One Tree Hill), and was open bar from 8-11 and passed hor d'oeuvres from 8:30-10:30.

 

Everyone I met was extremely kind, caring, and excited about the reason we were all in the same room. We all banned together, wore white, took pictures with giant pencils, danced, and drank champagne as we donated towards the building of a new school. The best parties always have a cause.  

 

What was even more amazing? (I know you can't even begin to imagine.) Everyone was excited to pose for Dusk & Rubies' blog. So thank you to everyone who is featured in this post. (I will be e-mailing those who gave me their e-mails copies of their final pictures!)

 

Okay so on to the fashion! What do you wear to a white party, or any major event in NYC? Well let me break it down for you as you take a gander at the best dressed of the night!

 

 

 

On Nicole (Left): Earrings: Dusk & Rubies "Meet me at the MET", Oscar De La Renta Sunnies, Dress by XOXO, Clutch by Steve Madden, Wedges by Nine West.
On Me (Right): Earrings: Dusk & Rubies from "The Gatsby Collection", Dress: Free People, Watch: Michael Kors, Wedges: Guess.

These girls were on trend alright! Statement Earrings were everywhere last night, and bare necks sans necklaces.
Left: Earrings from J Crew
Right: Earrings from Forever 21



One of the best dressed of the night, Victoria is wearing A lace open back romper from Dolce Vita, and Earrings from J Crew. Another big trend was both lace, and the nude wedge. What can I say great trendy minds think alike!

Other fashionable ladies who knew a thing or two. Left: Beaded and bejewled Clutch from Forever 21.
Right: Makeup on trend with old school glamour red lip, and bringing in a pop of color to her boutique bow dress a neon pink lip and crossbody bag. (I know Wendy Williams would approve!)

Let us not forget about the men. Top Left: Shoes: White Boat Shoes!
Bottom Right:  Pants: J Crew. Yes, he is wearing monogrammed pants, yes he let us shoot them, and yes he is on trend this Summer! All the girls were going gaga over these pants!

Lots of fun this group was. Her headband was $5! Let us not forget to notice Mr. Pocket Square on the right. Any guy who puts in that much thought deserves the honor of being Dusk & Rubies best-dressed male of the night!









And last but not least our new charitable friends Jessica and Kristina who we talked to all night long.
Jess: (Left) Dress: Anthropolgie Purse: A Steal from TJ Maxx
Kristina (Right): Is on trend with her peep toe nude pump, and Gatsby pearl studs.

 

 

Here are some other fun pictures from our night:

 

 

Stay Lovely...

 

...and be charitable. It is a wonderful feeling.

 

D. R

 

Editor and Curator of

 

Dusk & Rubies



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Foodie Reviews: Robinson's Tea Room

I love tea, so it is no secret that one of my favorite cozy tea spots would be the Robinson's Tea Room in Stony Brook Village. This tea spot is so divine it is Zagat rated!

Robinson's also offers both the enjoyment of sitting down to your own steeping pot, or to order one of their delicious teas to go. Another wonderful feature of Robinson's is that they don't only serve tea, but also lunch, and desserts such as their famous scones and clotted cream. Mmmm.  

My favorite tea flavors include, but are not limited to: Almond, Orange Spice, Cocoa Coconut, Maple Vanilla, and Licorice Spice.

Just a spot of tea.

How cute is this tea cup and saucer?

My mom is such a pretty lady. Look at her keeping her pinky out!

 

This place is great for: family events, girlfriend gatherings, mother's day, and just to enjoy your high noon tea.

 

 

Stay Lovely,

 

...and drink a cup of tea

 

D.R

 

Editor, and curator of

 

Dusk & Rubies



CONTINUE READING

Ask Wendy: Wendy Williams on her new novel, love, and being fabulous!

How you doin'? May be her catch phrase (let's just ponder for a moment what it would be like to have our own catch phrases...) Right, as if having a hit morning talk show wasn't enough, Wendy Williams has her own catch phrase, and  has just released a new book, which to me equals bonafide stardom. I was lucky enough to have seats up front to Wendy Williams book reading, and Ask Wendy segment (which her sixth book has been named) at the Bryant Park Reading Room.

 The day was perfect. Well, it was a little chilly, but Wendy warmed us right up with her pop of color: hot pink manolo blahniks, hot pink lips, and of course her vivacious personality. Wendy explained as she posed for pictures that she never knows how to dress for these things, but likes to "give the full Wendy". She elaborated by stating,  "I like to give good height, and I like to give good wig" joking about her 5'11" status and love of playing with her multitude of hair styles.

My outfit to meet Wendy in. Of course I wore 4" wedges!

A little shoe love.

 She not only looked fabulous, but she also gave us the inside scoop. Wendy Williams is set to play Matron Mama Morgan in the Broadway play Chicago! She told us she sings one number, and starts vocal lessons next week. She also told us that she would like for the production company she and her husband own, to collaborate with a channel like Lifetime to produce her Ritz Series (A trilogy based on her main character Ritz, who is of course a diva).

Her hot pink lip!

After all the juicy news Wendy divulged she was ready to delve into her most current book Ask Wendy. She explained to us that she is going into her fourth season of the Wendy show, and this book was dedicated to her "Wendy Watchers", who wrote her letters about their toughest problems and she answered them. "No topic was off limits", she stated to us, and we all nodded in admiration of Wendy's ability to explain, in only the special way that Wendy does that, "Tough talk means straight understanding".

She gave us advice, as she told stories from her own life, and her own growth such as:

1. That it is okay to breakup with your girlfriends. That just because you know someone since kindergarten does not mean you have to stay friends with them. That if your girlfriend is a thorn in your side, then breakup. She smiled as she remarked, "the friendship chapter was my favorite chapter to write". She smiled secretly, and then broke it down for us, "I am a firm believer in you have to break a few eggs to make a good omelet".

2. That when you walk away from a man, or break up with him, "you want your walk away shot to be good, and lingering..." Meaning, that even if the man does you wrong, to do yourself right.

 3. Office romances are NOT a good idea, or that they take a special kind of mature person, and that when you're "falling in love no one is completely balanced".

 After talking she opened up the floor for a Q&A, then she signed books, and took pictures. While waiting online she began talking to me while signing someone elses book. My height had peeked her interest, "How tall are you?". With the heels that I was wearing on, I was a healthy 6'2". We then started to discuss our heights, and laughed at how we love to embrace it by wearing skyscraping heels. Wendy nicknamed me "tall girl" and we took a rather good picture. How you doin'?

Here are a few more pictures:

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor, and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies

CONTINUE READING

How To Be Successful...When Packing A Suitcase

How to Pack An (Organized, & Lightweight) Suitcase.

 

If I had a picture for every single time a girlfriend of mine over packed her louis vuitton luggage, or she couldn't find something, because it looked like her suitcase had exploded this page would be miles long. Our goal today is to conquer our fears of: not having that perfect skirt with us, so we pack four, not having the right necklace, so we throw in our entire jewlery box, not having the right pair of shoes (the terror!) so we pack three of the same, identical, black-peep-toe-pumps. I know the anxiety of leaving something behind is terrifying but together, and with the tips I have listed below, we are going to find success.

 

I hit rock bottom when this moment happened: Three years ago, the night before one of my trips, I was stepping on the scale without my luggage to see what I was weighing those days, then stepping off the scale, running back to my bedroom, grabbing my luggage, and weighing myself with the luggage in my arms, praying it weighed less than fifty pounds. I refused to give the airlines another dime of my hard earned money. I was both elated and relieved when the scale said less than fifty pounds. Then I recognized that I was sweating. Sweating while packing a suitcase! Packing a suitcase does not qualify as an Olympic sport! Something had to change.

 

So what to do? What to do? Well, through some research and some application I have come up with a few quick bulleted tips listed below to make us successful at yet another thing.

• Pack items based on a color scheme. If you pack based on a color scheme, or hue you are more likely to pack less, and only what you need.
• Pack an outfit for each day. If you pack an outfit for each day, this eliminates the grasping and grabbing of unnecessary items at the last minute. 
• Pack shoes that could match multiple outfits. Shoes are bulky and weigh more than clothes, so find the perfect pair with dual purposes.
• Pack one pair of pajamas. There's no need for more than one good matching pair.
• Place faux accessories in small plastic bags. Fake and costume jewelry easily becomes tangled so putting them in small zip lock bags keep them ready to wear without the hastel. Place bracelets you plan to wear with necklace with matching earrings all in one small bag. (perfect bags I found at Michaels):

Buy Bead Bags Here

• Place makeup in padded makeup bag. Many makeup bags are lined but I have had pressed eyeshadow crack and crumble before, what worked for me is to buy a padded makeup bag, and place it between clothing for extra cushion. Try these cute padded makeup bags from pottery barn pictures shown below:

Buy PB Makeup Bags Here

• Wear expensive jewelry on the plane. You never want to chance losing expensive family heirlooms, so wear any expensive jewelry on your person.
• Check the weather. If you know what the weather will be like you'll be less likely to pack two sweatshirts if it's going to be 98 degrees in the middle of August.
• Place socks in shoes. Free up more space by rolling matching socks into shoes, and placing under garments.
• Roll belts and place into shoes. Another great idea if you don't roll socks and underwear into shoes is to roll up belt into shoes. This also helps belts to keep their shape. Otherwise you can take extra pony tail holders and use them as rubber bands to secure belts. (Who doesn't need the extra pony tail holder?)
• Don't roll stack. If your packing a lot of shirts, don't roll them. This actually takes up more space.
• Place bulky items in zippered off part or on top of clothes. This excludes sneakers. I always place sneakers at the bottom of the bag, but hair dryers, straighters- that type of bulk needs to be cushioned and supported by your clothes so place those items on top, therefore; pack those last.
• Make sure all shampoo bottles are in secured bottles then place in large secured plastic bags. Spillage! This has happened to me before, ruined my clothes, or gotten all over my suitcase. The best way to secure your shampoos and conditioners (really any liquid product) is to place in large produce plastic bags. You'll be glad you did!

Here are some pictures from one trip where I keep the same color pallete:

This was from a Girlfriend's Getaway Trip to NYC: I packed according to the color purple.
Black Blazer from Forever 21, Black Chiffon Dress from Old Navy, Purple Pashmina from Pier 1, Ring from Banana Republic.

Even early in the AM grabbing gourmet coffees with the girlfriends I don't forget to incorporate purple.
Oh, and if you think my besty looks familiar that is @Ohheychrisi from the ohheychrisi blog! Isn't she fabulous?
Earrings: Forever 21

Outside The Plaza NY wearing: Dress Forever 21, Brown Leggings: Forever 21, Bag: Michael Kohrs, and Pashmina: Pier 1

 

Happy Travelling
& like always Stay Lovely,
D.R
Editor and Curator

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March Matchup: Recap of all things March

     I did a lot in March three out of the four weekends I went away. I went to Philadelpha with the boyfriend, Manhattan with Sammy Girl, and Newburgh with friends from my college job to visit the beautiful and talented Patrice Marissa, who holds a very prestigious job over at Ralph Lauren Headquarters, and just recently moved to Newburgh with her new hubby!

Our hotel was on Market St.

At the pub Elephant & Castle

My boyfriend posing with the top hat monopoly piece.

This was my first time trying a Phillie Cheese Steak!

One of the most interesting exhibits I have been to.

I'm a mobster!

At a.kitchen in Rittensquare

 The best way to start of a Girlfriend's Getaway is with a glass of wine!

Cheers @ Fig & Olive Restaurant

Samantha's Dinner. I love a good fingerling potato!

My Dinner: Raw Salmon in Citrus Sauce

Left to Right: Samantha and I

Getting ready for a night out on the town.

 Drinking Malbecs @ The Irish Exit on 2nd Ave.

The next morning drinking coffee at my favorite breakast spot Le Pain Quotidienne

 Low fat organic yogurt w/ berries and cinnamon @ Le Pain Quotidienne

Then on to a day at the Met

 Tyra calls this Random Acts Of Modeling

Looking from a different perspective

Random Acts of Modeling: Samantha

 Fashion is all around in the Big City

 Onwards to the Plaza for Lunch

@ Ethos for dinner...I strongly recommend

 Plaza Girl!

                                                 @ The Newburgh Brewery. I'm laughing.

                                                           Britt. Patrice. Kelly. Erica & Myself

                                                                       The Brew List

                                           After a few rounds we decided to break out the Jenga...

                                            It became competitive rather quickly...

                                                 ...and many worked on their concentration

                                                                   Then it got weird...

                                    After a night out we went for a beautiful hike at one of the many parks


                   I promise I'll be updating on a more regular basis for the month of April. Happy Spring!

As always stay lovely,
Editor and Curator
D.R

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