A Gilded Weekend in Newport

I pulled out all of the stops for Salve Regina University's 40th Annual Governor's Ball

Staying in style

Since I have never needed to stay at a hotel in Newport before, I wanted to pick the perfect place.

Earlier this fall, Jess Kirby of Prosecco & Plaid wrote a blog post on her trip to Camden, Maine and she mentioned how she stayed at the Whitehall Inn. I remembered that she had tagged Lark Hotels on one of her Instagram photos from the trip. A few link clicks later, I found out that the hotel group has properties in New England and California, including Gilded in Newport.

A stylish boutique hotel style steps away from Bellevue Avenue fit exactly what I had in mind—it didn't take me long to book my hotel room.

The room I stayed in was located on the first floor by the front desk. I was concerned that I might hear everything and everyone, but it was great—I loved how the smell of freshly baked pastries woke me up in the morning.

Quick Change

I decided to buy different shoes and accessories to go with my dress because I was afraid of being underdressed. I went back to Wish Consignment and bought heels, earrings and a necklace, all of which fortuitously happen to be J. Crew.

Do it up

I ran to Apothecary Newport for a much-needed brow design before making my way to JF3 Salon for my updo. The jewelry I bought at Wish made me second-guess myself about whether I should 1) wear both the necklace and the earrings and 2) style my hair all the way up or half up, half down...

So this is the end result.

Party time

The evening kicked off with a special reception for alumni, parents and friends in McAuley Hall. Everyone enjoyed drinks and hors d'oeuvres sponsored by local restaurants and vendors before Ochre Court opened for the ball.  When we arrived, I didn't realize that alumni were seated on the second floor of Ochre Court overlooking the Great Hall—it was a glamorous perch for sipping champagne and people watching.

I'm slightly surprised that I didn't take any photos throughout the night, but I'm happier to have spent a distraction-free evening chatting with friends and alumni. Governor's Ball is now my new holiday tradition that I hope to share with everyone who wants to spend a wonderful winter weekend in Newport.

Until then...

Celebrate the Holidays at Salve Regina University's 40th Annual Governor's Ball

With less than forty days away from the university's annual winter ball, it's time to get your tickets for the most beautiful holiday party in Newport, Rhode Island. 

The Governor's Ball is a beautiful evening for Salve alumni, parents and friends of the university, but there's more to the holiday cheer—tickets and sponsorships support scholarships to help students attend Salve. Providing students financial aid makes a difference so that they may attend Salve to learn, grow and flourish into becoming the best person they can be.

I am happy to be a lucky alumna of Salve Regina University—I graduated in 2014 with a B.A. in English Communications and a minor in Global Business. It was four years of playing hard and working harder in a New England paradise. 

Attending Salve, as well as working and living in Newport, introduced me to an amazing network of individuals who I am grateful to know as friends and colleagues. It's hard to imagine what my life would look like today without the support and encouragement from my Newport family—whenever personal and professional challenges present themselves, I know who and where I can seek comfort and counsel from. 

I hope that Salve Regina University may continue to positively impact its students to help shape a more "just and merciful" life now and in the future.

I am proud to be a part of the 2016 Alumni/Parent Committee for the 40th Annual Governor's Ball and look forward to seeing familiar faces at Ochre Court! If you didn't receive an invitation, you can register online. 

There are special hotel deals available for those visiting out-of-town for Governor's Ball—call the alumni office for more information on what those deals are or regarding any other questions you may have.