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...

Epiphany at Ochre Court

Sometimes I have to remind myself that it's extraordinary to work at a university campus where the administrative buildings are Gilded Age mansions.  

Ochre Court is the main administrative building at Salve Regina University. Built in 1892, the mansion was commissioned by Ogden Goelet and designed by Richard Morris Hunt, the same architect also responsible for The Breakers, Belcourt Castle, and Marble House. 

In 1947, the Goelet family gave Ochre Court to the Sisters of Mercy to start Salve Regina. 

When I was in Ochre Court the other day, I passed by the breakfast room heading to the parking lot. I don't know if it was because of the way to light danced across the floor or if it was because of how golden the ceiling looked, but I had to stop and take a few pictures.

As an alumna, I've sat, socialized, networked and presented this beautiful room for years. Now, as a university staff member, I've found a new appreciation for living and working in Newport--there's nothing else like it. 

Senior Week in Snapshots

It's Day 2 of being a Salve Regina University alumna and I still don't know how I feel about it. Fifteen days ago, I couldn't wait to finish writing my thesis. In some weird way, I almost miss agonizing over it, because writing a 30-page paper was one of my few worries in life...

Spending time with all of my friends during Senior Week was the perfect way to end our four-year journey in Newport, Rhode Island.  After sorting through all of the photos taken from Senior Week, it only makes sense to let the moments speak for themselves...

I still can't believe it's actually over.

Senior Week, Day 1: Mohegan Sun The Beach

Instead of going on the class trip to Mohegan Sun, Rowan, Alexandra, and I went to the beach. We're not really gamblers, so it was definitely worth it.

Senior Week, Day 2: Dockside

Everyone went to Dockside downtown. I was pretty happy wearing this dress with the black boots I bought in Paris. It's too bad that all of pictures I took turned out blurry...

Senior Week, Day 3: Clambake at Ochre Court

The novelty of eating lobster never gets old... It doesn't get more fun than spilling the containers of butter across the table.

From Left: Steph, me, Rowan, Alexandra and Aly

These girls are everything. Love them all to the moon and back. 

Senior Week, Day 4: Commencement Ball

The Commencement Ball is basically like Senior Prom all over again. You'll see what I mean.

...Except you weren't allowed to drink at Senior Prom...

Senior Week, Day 5: Cocktail Party

After a long week of shameless drinking and eating--especially eating, though--I was afraid that I wasn't going to fit into this dress. To wear this dress, you have be zipped in from the back and the front. 

Pell Honors Program Scholars: Not all of them are pictured, but these are the people that I knew the most throughout my four years. We lived in the same housing as underclassmen, we took the same core curriculum courses, we went to Oxford, England... An amazing, unforgettable group of individuals I will miss seeing around campus.

The Alumni Affairs gave the fundraising officers for the Class of 2014 one of these awesome tiles. I can't wait to bring this to my office.

A last look at Ochre Court before graduation weekend

Senior Photos

After finishing my thesis last night, I can now focus on accomplishing other projects, like getting professional photos taken and posting to my blog more consistently. A huge shout-out goes to my friend Kate Drexel for taking some great shots on The Forty Steps and Ochre Court:

To learn more about Kate's work, check out her Facebook page.

First Day of Spring & National Macaron Day

Spring has finally sprung.

Spring ahead, fall behind.

Swing into spring!

Whatever phrase you prefer, there was no denying spring arrived today in Newport!

I went for a drive on Ocean Drive a few days ago and I finally snapped a picture of this part of the road. This is my favorite house on Ocean Drive, by far

I have had International Macaron Day saved as an event on my calendar for the past month and I was happy to partake my second annual ritual at The French Confection. I had a brief break during the day, so I sipped on a vanilla spice chai latte and nibbled on three macarons: lavender, rose and pistachio.

Actually, my friend Steph stopped by and she tried the pistachio flavor. She had been determined to go plant-hunting for a new house plant, so we tried looking for a greenhouse in Newport... We learned from our stop at Water's Edge on Broadway that most of the good plants come from Portsmouth, an excursion for another spring day...

Au Courant 2013

Last night was the third annual StyleWeek Northeast Au Courant fashion show benefit for Child & Family. It was awesome.

Like last year, I volunteered at Au Courant handing out programs and helping out the silent auction, but other than that, I was at liberty to enjoy the event like the attendees. I met a lot of great people, including Andrea McHugh of Newport StylePhile and Janine Weisman of the Mercury. Nearly every Newport media publication or blog came to Au Courant to cover the glitz and glamour of the show, but it's also great publicity for Child & Family.

I tried volunteering for Child & Family during the school year--unfortunately, I got caught up with classes and clubs, so I was never able to make a long-term commitment. The community service office at Salve Regina University does hold opportunities for students to help out at social service centers in Newport, including Child & Family. The organization is always looking for a helping hand in the community if you are interested in getting involved.

Styleweek hosted a smaller fundraising event for Child & Family on Thursday night at the Casino Theater. It was a film screening of Girl Rising, a critically acclaimed documentary focused on nine girls living in nine developing countries and how to empower young women all over the world. I wasn't able to go, but I heard it was an inspiring event.

Balloon sculptures created by Float-Janice Lee Kelly, a RISD graduate

Attendees finding their seats and mingling away

Kent Stetson clutches and bags--if I wasn't saving for France, I would have bought one...

Restored by Design Jewelry

World of JAS--it's not a style I'm used to, but it is a cool and interesting brand

Luke Aaron--so elegant

Flaunt Boutique--I fell in love with the clutches they had (below).

Of course they were from Italy...

Keith Tavares, Vice President of Institutional Advancement of Child and Family

The three chairs of the Au Courant, Rosanna Ortiz Sinel, the founder of Styleweek Northeast thanks the audience for attending the event

Yellow Clover

The theme: Alice and Wonderland

The Designers

Jonathan Joseph Peters

Jess Abernethy

World of JAS

Susan Troy

Chances R Designs

Yellow Clover

Luke Aaron

**All of the designs had their own special qualities, but I would have to say that Yellow Clover and Luke Aaron were my favorites

I didn't want to buy a new dress for Au Courant, so I wore a Charlotte Russe black jumpsuit my mom had given me, Coach heels and jewelry from Crosswynds Traders. Besides the inevitable heel tottering at the end of the night, I was comfortable despite in the humidity.