I recently purchased a Free People dress at Marshalls. It sells for $128 on their website, but I scored it for $49.99. You may remember seeing me wear it to the Pencils of Promise charity event in NYC, but I was shocked and amazed to see how versatile the dress really is! Check it out below:
1. Bohemian
2. Upper West Side
3. A Little Bit Country
4. Wedding Worthy:
5. Edgy
How sweet it is to have a dress that you could style differently for every weekday! See how I styled this dress by checking out my last post.
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.
It was quite the exciting Wednesday. First, I met the beautiful and talented Wendy Williams, and thenafter taking the LIRR back to Long Island I had a Grand Opening Party to attend for the newest boutique in Sayville: Therapy Life & Style
I am lucky to have had multiple conversations with the boutique's owner, Kelly Kirkpatrick, prior to her grand opening party. Kelly believes, "everyone needs a little retail therapy", and I couldn't agree more. Her boutique resonates with her message with its thoughtful, and well curated items from: the artwork that is not only decorative but also available for purchase, to the hot pink studded clutch that I fell in love with. It was not a surprise that her soiree was just as equally therapeutic.
When my friend Samantha (you may know her from our Worth The Weight page) and I walked in, we were instantly addressed by one of the waitresses, and offered a "nightcap". It's not what you are thinking, but rather these beautiful petite cocktails in the form of cupcakes!
(From Left to Right)
Back Row: Espresso, Peach Bourbon, Lemon Drop
Middle Row: Lemon Drop, Mudslide
Front Row: Mudslide, Peach Bourbon, Bahama Mama
Then there was a pop of champagne and the mimosa's were made! Which meant Samantha and I were ready to shop.
It was love at first spike!
Samantha remarked, "I love how this store has the feel, and the merchandise of a boutique but the prices aren't ridiculous".
We were obsessed with this lace romper!
The transformation dress.
There is even more to see! So stop on down to Therapy Life & Style whenever you're in Sayville. If you live further away, then don't fret. There is also another store located in Southhampton!
Overall, the grand opening was a hit, with customers constantly walking in, and taking their time to peruse. This success was definitely due to Therapy Life & Style's ability to not only enchant, but also relax its customer. Kelly makes every customer, who walks in her door, feel as if they are the only one in her shop. So go, and get your retail therapy on!
Part of the WSWP: Women Support Women Project Know someone who is starting a small business and is looking for press? E-mail us your story, and your business may be chosen to have an article written about it [duskandrubies@gmail.com] Written by: Danielle A. Rufrano NYS Teacher Certification in English Language Arts Freelance writer for: yourzenlife.com and getfesty.com BA in English, 2010
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'?
I was seven years old when I asked my parents for my first camera. It was that same year in school that I volunteered to write for the fashion section of our class newspaper. I remember thinking, "if only I had a camera, then I can take pictures of outfits and write about them".
Well you can imagine my first snapshots using my little plastic pink camera didn't come out that well, but I remember my teachers being surprised that I knew how to frame a shot and click! I never missed a face, or what I was trying to shoot.
As time passed, I began to be interested in much more than photographs. I couldn't help but think about creating fashion photo shoots. I loved it all: from the backdrops to the clothes, from the poses to the make-up. I would be driving around, and then spot it: the perfect location for the photo shoot I had been envisioning in my head for days. I would be inspired by anything and everything. I was inspired while running on the treadmill, while at the beach, while snacking on some almonds. The ideas just kept on coming!
I began to have so many ideas that I had to start creating a list so I wouldn't forget.
Here is a sneak peek from my most recent shoot!
Hope you enjoyed this sneak peek! These items will soon be available to purchase. Don't forget to check out the Dusk & Rubies Shop for one of a kind accessories.
CONTINUE READING
